tournament Choose The Album, Then a Song 9: And the winner is...

[shelven]

If prézli really did quit, I remember Rihlana being interested in joining in case you still want the first round to have 15 people.

[Pedro]

I believe he did but don't worry guys, everything's under control!

[Alldeezy]

Format? I didnt even make it look pretty.

 

Bye bye marnie :( 

[shelven]

Just now, M A R N ✮ said:

Format? I didnt even make it look pretty.

 

Bye bye marnie :( 

Format doesn't actually count for anything (at least from my limited experience with this game). But a lot of people will usually just add a picture to their entry or something simple like that.

[Alldeezy]

6 minutes ago, shelven said:

Format doesn't actually count for anything (at least from my limited experience with this game). But a lot of people will usually just add a picture to their entry or something simple like that.

Oh okay guess hopefully if i pass this round i may start making it look pretty 

[Speezy]

55 minutes ago, M A R N ✮ said:

Format? I didnt even make it look pretty.

 

Bye bye marnie :( 

The only format I used 2 seasons ago was  banner and a color change to the font  

You good

[Pedro]

No worries about the format of your entries. Two left!

[sumthintoxic82]

Jst got home...Ill be working on this now

[Pedro]

Yay! I really need to have the entries by tonight, guys!

[sumthintoxic82]

Ugh. sending that through this new update sucked lol. I couldnt get things right, then I accidentally erased the whole thing, had to re write the whole thing, and then went to PM pedro only to find out it didn't get erased

 

Im not even gonna try with formatting i just sent lol

[Pedro]

1 hour ago, sumthintoxic82 said:

Ugh. sending that through this new update sucked lol. I couldnt get things right, then I accidentally erased the whole thing, had to re write the whole thing, and then went to PM pedro only to find out it didn't get erased

 

Im not even gonna try with formatting i just sent lol

Such a challenge but I've received it! Thank you!

 

Only missing @Verge of Obscene!

[lhdang2000]

I thought I was the only one having trouble formatting.

 

I couldn't make space for my paragraph and my audio link, then I tried Ctrl+Enter and it sent automatically.

 

 

Edited February 4, 2017 by lhdang2000

[Pedro]

New ATRL is giving us headaches, I see. Thanks for keeping it cool though!

[Verge of Obscene]

I couldn't format it correctly in the message so I sent in a freakin word doc

[Pedro]

 

ATRL's original game "Choose The Album, Then a Song" is back for its anticipated ninth season on its original concept.

 

The cast has been met, the first round has been posted and the entries have been sent. With this being said, we are officially ready to kick off this new season and start selecting our favorite albums and eventually the one that deserves to win the tournament. Before I introduce you to the entries, let's review the rules.

 

 

1. There's not such thing as bad losers;

We are all here to have fun and share our favorite music with everyone.

2. Every contestant must cast a vote each round;

The main purpose of the game is to introduce everyone to new music. If this rule isn't applied, only the judges will benefit from it.

3. Every entry must contain a written part;

To fully understand your decision, you will be required to send in an essay along with the song chosen.

4. A song can only be used twice and can only be use three rounds after;

This will allow you to explore your album further.

5. Deadlines must be respected by contestants and judges;

Every Tuesday, the eliminated contestant will be announced along with a new round. Every Thursday, the entries will be posted. Every Sunday, the results will be posted.

6. There's no space for stan wars or called voters;

The main purpose of this game is to introduce everyone to knew music. Therefore, we don't want any fights or any type of voting manipulation.

7. The vote process is build up of two parts;

Every round the judges votes will be mixed with the public votes.

8. Be fair and do not be biased.

If you want others to respect your work and game, make sure you respect others too by not allowing your personal taste affect your votes.

 

 

Spoiler

The first round is clearly inspired by one of the songs of the moment: Ed Sheeran's "Shape Of You". As usual, the first round is supposed to work as an introduction to what you have to deliver. Even though, Sheeran is in love with the shape of many girls, I assume you are in love with the shape of your album. With this being said, during this first round, you are supposed to send in the song that best shapes your chosen album. Justify yoir choice in no more than 200 words and make sure you correlate your song to the entire album so you can let us know why that song is so fundamental to it.

 

 

One last thing before I introduce you to the entries. Two members have quit the game - Girlicious and prézli - and the cast is now reduced to 14 members... Yes, 14! Please welcome to the cast Rihlana who will play with "Badlands" by Halsey, good luck!

 

1. shelven: Sia - "This Is Acting": 'Bird Set Free'

 

Quote

ROUND ONE: “BIRD SET FREE”

 

        While Sia has recently emerged as a powerhouse mainstream artist, she is arguably more established as a songwriter for countless other pop acts. As the title suggests, This Is Acting, her latest album almost exclusively containing songs she originally wrote for other artists, allows Sia to act out the myriad of identities she’s crafted throughout her songwriting career. It’s an album where she showcases pure, unabashed expression of her creativity, and the opening track Bird Set Free parallels this idea perfectly. This song has Sia singing about the liberating feeling of finally being free to express herself without fear of consequence after once feeling restrained and silenced.  The lyrics also assert that everything she releases into the world is ultimately a way for her to strengthen her own identity and voice, and the song’s production proves that assertion to be true. Bird Set Free’s instrumentation, raw vocals and booming chorus fit right in with the rest of Sia’s recent music, demonstrating to listeners that while This Is Acting may seem like nothing more than an album about Sia “acting” as different characters, it’s also about her ability to leave a small part of her unique identity in everything she creates.

2. Verge of Obscene: Britney Spears - "Glory": 'Private Show'

 

Quote

Take your seat now…

PRIVATE SHOW

 

Britney Spears’ 9th studio album, Glory, provides a closer look into what makes the undisputed Princess of Pop…ooh. Whether she’s waiting for her “Man On the Moon” or banging all over this bedroom in “Clumsy”, Glory allows Britney to exude a confidence & sexual prowess that she lost in her previous effort, Britney Jean. The third track on the record, “Private Show”, fully encapsulates the sex kitten covered in Glory. In “Private Show”, Britney takes full reign over her man, working, twerking & satisfying him with her baked goods. Now, despite how I (or 98% of the Army) feel about the quality of the song, “Private Show” pulls the curtains up on one glorious show.

3. MusicLoverDude: Samantha Jade - "Nine": 'Let The Good Times Roll'

 

Quote

The title of this album, Nine, represents the years between Samantha's first single in 2006 and finally releasing her first album of all original work. During that time period, she was dropped from Jive records and had to come back home to Australia and work in her dad's factory. She auditioned for X Factor Australia in 2012, where despite being in the bottom two three different times, she came out as the winner of that season. Her album however got delayed several times, particularly when her mother lost her battle to cancer in 2014. The passing of her mother fueled Sammi's future recording sessions and the album was finally released in 2015. Knowing Sammi's past is important to why I chose Let the Good Times Roll to represent the album, because Sammi wanted the album to be full of positivity, whether it's light-hearted party songs like Born To Be Alive or Only Just Begun, or uplifting inspirational songs like this song or the title track. This song perfectly represents the album's mainly positive vibes and sets the stage for us explore her positivity more.

4. Alena: Melanie Martinez - "Cry Baby": 'Cry Baby'

 

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I chose the opening/title track of the album because it perfectly describes the theme and feel of the album. It shapes the album to the beautiful twisted and dramatic journey that it is.

5. Rihlana: Halsey - "Badlands": 'Castle'

 

Quote

As Badlands is a concept album, the opening track would be the perfect opportunity for Halsey to welcome listeners to the story that she is telling and “Castle” does just that. The lyrics of the track are unapologetic and fierce, sentiments which are carried throughout the entire LP. As mentioned by Halsey herself, “Castle” acts as the “gates” of the album, giving a glimpse into the “booming metropolis” that is her psyche and therefore, the rest of Badlands (which is extremely introspective and personal). The production is also powerful and brooding which is echoed on most of the album and serves to enhance the gravity of the narrative she is about to divulge. “Castle” effortlessly defines the Badlands experience as one of unrepentance and rawness (at least in regards to lyrical content). It lets the listener know that she is unafraid of tackling some possibly uncomfortable and untouched themes. Halsey described Badlands as an “angry, female pop record” and that emotion clearly shines through on “Castle”. Halsey is storming the palace without holding back, and “Castle” is the perfect warning. For these reasons, I believe "Castle" best shapes Badlands.

6. theycallmemaraj: Ariana Grande - "Dangerous Woman": 'I Don't Care'

 

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I have chosen to represent Dangerous Woman with the violin lead, calm and soothing song I Don’t Care. This is because I think this album for Ariana was all about trying to get rid of her Nickelodeon image and prove to everyone that she is a threat in the industry. The song, along with the album, is full of harmonies and pure vocal heaven. It gives the message to do YOU and not worry about what others think. Be yourself; don’t be so uptight and so obsessed with trying to get people to like you for something you’re not. I think this album makes me think like that too, there are songs about happiness and songs that make you think of people you haven’t won over yet. But in the end you just need to forget about them and move on, find new people to impress and say **** you to the old ones that don’t care. I’ve probably started this game off so wrong but there’s why I chose I Don’t Care by Ariana Grande.

7. sumthintoxic82: Kelly Clarkson - "Piece By Piece": 'Let Your Tears Fall'

 

Quote

 

A LOT has changed between the release of Kelly's fifth album Stronger, and her sixth Piece By Piece. She went from a single, gypsy like woman, to married woman with children and stability. Kelly has always been an open book of sorts, never really holding anything back. In becoming a wife and mother, Kelly has learned a whole new kind of love and confidence. This album embraces that. It's about her triumphs, as well as new beginnings and acceptance.

Since "Let Your Tears Fall" was the first song recorded for this album, I believe that it had a great deal of influence on the overall sound and theme of this album. This song is about being there for someone in need. Helping them in their time of need and not judging them. It's uplifting nature runs throughout this album as Kelly sings about love, life and her dreams. The song also is about letting your guard down and trusting people. Opening up about insecurities and her own struggles throughout life, Kelly really lets her own tears fall on this album. From pains of her childhood, through the struggles of adulthood, Kelly doesn't hold back, in an effort to show that we are all not that different.

8. ReachOut: Hilary Duff - "Breathe In. Breathe Out.": 'Breathe In. Breathe Out.'

 

Quote

I’ve chosen the title track for the first round because I think it’s the track that embodies both of the souls of the album, the pop/dance part and the folky one. The song is a typical pop mid-tempo which is the perfect halfway.

 

Also, my choice was based onto the topics and thematics of the album, listening to the full album you make a journey throughout the emotions and the beauty of being loved to the delusion when a story ends, but what it’s clear is that you can make it even if it’s hard, you just have to “breathe in” and “breathe out” and find your inner strength.

9. M A R N ✮: Asking Alexandria - "The Black": 'The Black'

 

Quote

I did not choose this song because of the song title...the whole album is about emotion, how you struggle with life but keep fighting. This song has got dark lyrics and thought it kinda shapes most of the album and story of The Album "The Black" The song is flooded with emotions.  You only live once, and the time you're living now you have to make worth of it, before it's too late. 
Break ups/death/ or even losing a friend means the feeling of pain, this album was released just after Ben Bruce's best mate Danny left, so the lyrics and album was pretty explaining about pain and betrayed. My Life Personally is that everyday..I get ditched, Dumped, Used, I lose friends and the fact every lyrics from this album I just relate too. 
Lyrics You Make me feel like i'm drowning, you made my world crush down around me, I need to cut you out..black is all I see 
These lyrics is the pain I feel daily...with guys and friends and even family making me feel so crap...This album has so many emotion.. why it's my fave album of all time..because it really expalins my life and probably a lot..since most of this genration feels like this.

10. Vulnicura: Robyn - "Body Talk": 'Indestructible'

 

Quote

Body Talk is an incredibly versatile album through its universal messages, playing with established moulds of romance, love and happiness and inverting them through Robyn's unique lens of life. The best track that evidences this is Indestructible; a melodramatic synth-pop track that demonstrates her unrelenting strength to soldier on through life, despite past mistakes and fear of the future. Body Talk is an album of hope - the hope of finding new love, the hope that the love will last, and the hope to keep going after that love fades, and Indestructible is the best representation of these feelings.

 

Perhaps Body Talk's biggest strength, and by extension Indestructible, is its cyclical nature of finding and losing love, but never losing hope. Robyn attributes her relationship to like "two satellites", reinforcing this image of continual repetition of past mistakes, but despite this, she will continue to "love you like I've never been hurt before". These strong messages show why Indestructible acts as an album highlight, and why Body Talk remains the classic framework for all heartbreak albums - an album that can always been returned to again and again to experience the excitement of new love, and the strength to move forward and try again.

11. Lion: Troye Sivan - "Blue Neighbourhood": 'WILD'

 

Quote

For this week's challenge I have chosen the song wild. This song, released as the lead single, really represent the whole vibe of the album.

For starters it's the album opener and it really sets the ground for what's to come: The theme, the style and the mood of the whole record.

 

This song deals with unrequited love, which is a theme that comes back often on the album on songs like Too Good and Talk Me Down. The lyrics talk about him loving someone who doesn't necessarily treat him right but for some reason he's still drawn to him.

 

"You make my heart shake 

Bend and break

But I can't turn away

And it's driving me wild

You're driving me wild"

 

The style of the song also really represents the album, it's indie pop but it also sounds like an anthem cause there's a lot of chanting involved. 

 

What's great about this record is that since Troye's very involved in the creative process, you know he's really feeling what he is singing and I really do feel this song is the one that best represent the whole album and Troye's musical style. 

12. Tymps.: Lemon Demon - "Spirit Phone": 'Cabinet Man'

 

Quote

For this round of Choose the Album, Then a Song, I chose Cabinet Man by Lemon Demon. It's the perfect introduction to Lemon Demon's album Spirit Phone. Lemon Demon, also known as Neil Cicierega, has formerly made viral videos such as Potter Puppet Pals, and his off-beat, kitschy sense of humour is present throughout the whole album. Spirit Phone sonically is like an 80's inspired nerd fantasy, but lyrically it covers complex, strange topics like resurrection, mongoose ghosts, Reagan-age economics and inevitable conformism. Cabinet Man is a great example of this approach; the song sounds very upbeat and joyful, but the lyrics detail being trapped inside of an arcade game post-death. Take a listen  

13. Speezy: The Weeknd - "Starboy": 'Secrets'

 

Quote

 

The Weeknd came back with a new style and new do late 2016. In comparison to his 2015 album, this one carries a touch of pop sprinkled throughout the album as well as some tracks paying homepage to the 80s. The Weeknd's Starboy, carries a dark undertone to its tracks. The synth filled R&B album balances slow dark moody songs with some dark upbeat vibey tracks such as Starboy.
Secrets manages to collect the dark tones over the album with an moderate beat. The track starts off with a bass filled beat then transitions into a smooth chorus with The Weeknd showing his singing skills. Secrets also samples a track from the 80s,which is also a subtle sound for the album. The chorus of this track matches up greatly with the slow tracks like True Colors or Die For You. Then the heavy verses seems to carry over some aspects of the dark bass heavy tracks such as Starboy or Rockin'.

 

14. lhdang2000: Adele - "25": 'Hello'

 

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"Hello," the soul ballad produced by Greg Kurstin tells a story of reflecting a failed relationship, which can clearly see in songs like, “I Miss You,” “River Lea,” “Love in The Dark,” etc. Also, the lyric “Hello from the other side,” might be morbid, but it is actually about growing up, about moving on. At one point, people have to become more mature, for Adele, none other than this moment, being able to ask a simple question “Hello, how are you?” in front of your ex is not easy. Especially after how much heart and soul you gave to them, and they broke it. However, Adele at this stage, 25-year-old, having a happy family, a son, the question is not only for her ex but also for her fans, people who have been waiting for her music. As a pattern, we can see how mature Adele had gotten in the record through “Send My Love,” “When We Were Young,” “Water Under the Bridge,” etc. It is not about hating anymore; it is the state of being able to accept, to move on, and to be more responsible in your relationship, your career.

 

 

DEADLINE

 

February, 7th (flexible due to this being the first round)

 

Good Luck!

Edited February 4, 2017 by Pedro

[Pedro]

Time to vote!

 

@shelven, @Verge of Obscene, @MusicLoverDude, @Alena, @Rihlana, @theycallmemaraj, @sumthintoxic82, @ReachOut, @M A R N ✮, @Vulnicura, @Lion, @Tymps., @lhdang2000

[MusicLoverDude]

 

 

OFF 

Melanie (A two sentence essay doesn't give us anything as to why this song is perfect to represent the album. You could have elaborated more as to why this song was the best choice for this round, but with the way your essay is right now, we really don't have a good clue as to why it represents her album)

Hilary (I agree with your song choice but I don't think you elaborated enough as to why this song was the best choice to represent the album. This needed a little more explanation to really sell the essay)

Asking Alexandria (I felt like your essay could have been better than what it was. It felt very disorganized and all over the place, like your thoughts weren't together. You went from talking about the theme on the album, to talking about lyrics, to talking about your personal life. I think you could've made it all work if you had reorganized your essay before submitting)

 

SAVE 

Sia 

Adele

Edited February 5, 2017 by MusicLoverDude

[Alena]

bye i guess

[Alena]

Off
Samantha - coz u voted for me (so pressed how dare you?!?!?!? ) and idk who to even vote
Lemon Demon - I had to pick something, sorryyy

Save

Britney

[lhdang2000]

@Alena It's save 3 off 2, babe!

 

------------------------

 

There are some really surprise entries this round, especially Kelly Clarkson's.

 

Have to spend some more time on this. 

Edited February 4, 2017 by lhdang2000

[Alena]

16 minutes ago, lhdang2000 said:

@Alena It's save 3 off 2, babe!

 

------------------------

 

There are some really surprise entries this round, especially Kelly Clarkson's.

 

Have to spend some more time on this. 

oh ****

 

[shelven]

I'll probably vote at some point tonight! From my initial skim of the entries, it seems like there's a lot of really strong ones, so picking just 2 to save will be difficult.

Edited February 4, 2017 by shelven

[Pedro]

Guys, no matter what happens this round don't be demotivated. Anything can happen ;)

[MusicLoverDude]

9 hours ago, Alena said:

Off
Samantha - coz u voted for me (so pressed how dare you?!?!?!? ) and idk who to even vote
Lemon Demon - I had to pick something, sorryyy

Save

Britney

Lmao, sorry that you're hurt over me voting for you. This is a pretty strong first round and unfortunately you just didn't write enough to really stand up to everyone else this round.

[Alena]

Just now, MusicLoverDude said:

Lmao, sorry that you're hurt over me voting for you. This is a pretty strong first round and unfortunately you just didn't write enough to really stand up to everyone else this round.

I was just kidding <3