AHS

I've just finished watching the third season of American Horror Story, and honestly, I couldn't find it scary... Disturbing yes, but not scary.

First season was intriguing, second - dark & twisty, third was interesting. And that's it.

I guess that our sense of scary, and ability to get scared are way messed up. It's the world we live in, the one in which you find murders and obscenities quite normal, a part of everyday life and a common culture, in fact.

Our ability to tell right from wrong is slightly disappearing. You find yourself enjoying watching other person being tortured and murdered - even if it's imaginary character, and when you start not finding it disturbing in any way I think it's time to ask yourself what's wrong with you?

Shine - Anette Olzon

Track list:

1. Like A Show Inside My Head
2. Shine
3. Floating
4. Lies
5. Invincible
6. Hear Me
7. Falling
8. Moving Away
9. One Million Faces
10. Watching Me From A Far

First solo release of Anette Olzon comes our way from the Earmusic in a form of calm, optimistically sounding album - "Shine".

The album opens up with eclectic "Like A Show Inside My Head" that is fusion of electronica and violin parts, calm Bjork reminding track. Next up is more energetic, and optimistic title track "Shine" in which distant guitars prevail, keeping it slightly on Rock side of the spectra. "Floating" is the fairy lightest track on the album, with subtle Celtic influences, and can be easily put in the Ambient genre. "Lies" hit more heavily than the previous track, irresistibly resembling the sound of Avril Lavigne from the beginning of her carrier. Celtic influences are back with "Invincible", acoustic, light track, with couple of riffs that are not disrupting the calmness the track brings. "Hear Me" starts the similar way the previous track ends, shifting into stronger rhythm, with light orchestration to accompany and fulfill. "Falling" is heavier, darker sounding track, after which comes another light, ambient oriented track "Moving Away". Piano opening leads into "One Million Faces". "Watching Me From A Far" closes the album. It`s a gentle track, sounding almost like a lullaby.

It seems that Anette finally found the true sound in which she feels comfortable and safe, sounding like never before. Her voice doesn`t have to fight with background music, it accompanies it perfectly into this amazing release.

Do You Know?

Hydra - Within Temptation

The new album of Dutch Symphonic Metal band Within Temptation is finally released. As we all know by now it`s named Hydra, and so far three successful singles has been released. 

The promotion of the album started back in August last year, when they released a duet with Tarja Turunen - Paradise (What About Us). Single included three demo versions of the songs that found their way onto the release - Dog Days, Silver Moonlight and Let Us Burn.

Second single was the powerful song - Dangerous featuring Howard Jones. It`s definitely most powerful and energizing song that this album holds. 

Recently they released their third single - Whole World is Watching. What a surprise, it`s another duet. This time with Dave Pirner, for the worldwide release that is. Fans from Poland have the special treat, version of the song featuring Piotr Rogucki. 

And now, when the album is finally released, it`s taking over the charts all over the world. 

Some may say that this album is too mainstream for Within Temptation, or even too pop-sounding. One may believe these rumors, or just hear the album... This is one of the most diverse releases that WT brought to us recently. It has everything that a great album should have - amazing music, great lyrics, and quite a lot of collaborations with other musicians. Special treat is the song And We Run featuring Xzibit. And of course there is amazingly powerful ballad Edge of The World, that instantly became a favorite of mine.

The Night That Changes Nothing

The thing about New Year is that everybody is expecting it to magically change everything. The clock will strike twelve, and your lives will be different, you`ll magically transform into someone you always wanted to be...

...Yeah... It doesn't work like that. No need to be Sherlock to figure that one out.

And what`s the fuss with it anyways. It`s just another night, like any other night. Nothing special happens, unless you make it happen. Time just moves on. And you get one day older. That`s it. Notice the pattern here? 

But anyways, it`s a good excuse to spend some time with your family, or friends you haven`t had the chance to see in long time. The thing that most people seem to miss about it is that it`s not obligatory to go out. You can just as well stay at home and watch TV, or do what ever you want to. No one`s forcing you to have a good time unless you want it to. People are rather full with understanding, no one expects you to feel great all the time. It`s OK not to be in the mood. Like ReVamp song goes "Misery`s No Crime." 

When you realize that it`s not about the place, or the time, or clothes you`re wearing, but who you`re with, that`s when you`ll have good time. That`s what it`s all about. Just having good time weather by yourself, with your family or your friends. "Good Time" is the common nominator. All you need to do is to relax and forget all bonds that ties you up to your everyday`s life. Just let go of all things that annoys you, forget the fact that your life is a big pile of fucked up mess! It`s one night of the year when everything shouldn't be about making everyone happy, it`s not about feeling the weight of the world - let all of that go, and just be yourself.

And speaking of the change mentioned in the beginning of this post - you don`t really have to wait for New Year`s Eve to start changing. Every day is just made for it. Every day should mark a new beginning of something in your life. Forget resolutions, they just make you feel bad in the end, cause you never manage to accomplish anything you made as a goal for yourself. Do it gradually, at your own pace. No need to rush things. The point is to enjoy the ride, and grow in all ways you can, or better to say you want to. 

The most important thing of all is never to give up. Don`t give up on wishing upon a stars, or eyelashes, pennies dropped in the fountains... Remember all those things that made you happy when you were a child, and hold on to those believes. Maybe things will change... Just like that... Isn`t that what everyone`s expecting New Year`s Eve to bring? 

"Magic of the moment - Abracadabra..." - Nightwish - Last Ride Of The Day