Review: Hunger Games Soundtrack

Soundtrack from The Hunger Games

Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games has become a phenomenon during the past three years, prompting a cult-like following similar to the Twilight series. This past weekend, the long-awaited film hit theaters, spurring the release of the film's soundtrack: The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond.

The books, themselves, are packed full of energy, excitement, and suspense, but the overall mood of the novels is one of despair, hopelessness, longing, and melancholy. So how does the soundtrack compare?

It captures the mood and atmosphere of the novels brilliantly, seamlessly weaving somber music with soulful and somewhat folksy vocals.

With a host of award-winning artists including Taylor Swift, Maroon 5, and the Civil Wars, the soundtrack effortlessly blends story with music. 

This reviewer's favorite picks? Safe and Sound and Eyes Open - both by the country artist Taylor Swift (of whom I am not usually a fan). Swift's soulful and vulnerable rendering of the songs captures the spirit, strength and tireless resolve of Katniss Everdeen (the main character in the series). 

Check out Swift's Safe and Sound below, and tell me what you think.

Overplayed Artists

I think everyone would agree that there are certain artists (no matter how talented) who are constantly overplayed on the radio. Every time I turn on a certain radio station, I hear the same songs over and over again. Certainly we have enough new music coming out of the industry to generate a bit more variety, do we not? And what happens to songs that were popular just a few months ago? Are they relegated to a dark abyss of "outdated" music, never to be seen (or heard in this case) again? Just who is demanding the constant replay of these songs? Record executives? Radio deejays? Radio listeners?

Let me know what you think and be sure to vote in the poll below!

Which singer or group is the most overplayed on radio?
Adele Kelly Clarkson Lady Gaga Katy Perry Rihanna Nikki Minaj LMFAO Other
	Results

A Healthier Music Industry?

Does an increase in music sales the past two years indicate a comeback for the music industry? Market analysts think so! According to the Wallstreet Journal's Market Watch, a report by the NDP group has shown that the total number of CD buyers has increased for the second consecutive year, growing 2% to 78 million in 2011.

Analysts have a number of theories for the increase. The first theory is that the increased and enhanced availability of music (via mobile devices, ITunes, YouTube, Pandora, general radio streaming, etc.) has given listeners more "ear-candy," allowing them to preview songs and encouraging them to shell out money in order to purchase their favorites.

The second theory is that the quality of pop music is getting better. Manufactured boybands and groups are pretty much history, replaced by a much more divergent and talented pool of vocalists such as Adele and Katy Perry, who have broadened the audience for popular music and given people something to talk about.

Perhaps the most interesting theory used to explain the phenomenon is the decrease in digital piracy. Public and private crackdowns on the illegal copying and distribution of music has definitely played a major role in bolstering the economic growth of the music industry during the past two years. With file-sharing sites such as Mega Upload closing, music lovers are now being "forced" to purchase their favorite songs legally through ITunes, Amazon, and traditional, physical stores.

Check out this article for more information regarding the upward trend and be sure to let me know what you think about the growth in the market. Do you have your own theory?

Sonisphere: Queen with Adam Lambert!

Anyone planning to be in Europe July 6th - July 8th? Adam Lambert is lending his amazing vocal talent as a temporary front man for Queen at the Sonisephere Festival! Freddie Mercury would be so proud.

If I had the financial means necessary, I would be front row, center at the show. It's going to be insane.

Evolving Musical Tastes

As a child of the late 80s and 90s, I grew up with the pop boybands. New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, 98 Degrees, O-Town, the list goes on and on...

At the time, I absolutely adored these all-male groups. Cute guys who could sing and dance at the same time? Can we say talented?

Now, as a twenty-something with "more grown up" and expansive musical interests, I've come to appreciate bands and singers that not only sing live, but that play their own instruments as well. Yes, dancing is wonderful and those that do it well are talented, but there is a fine line between a musical performer and a musical artist.

Britney Spears

Would I consider Britney Spears an artist? No.

Chris Brown? No.

David Cook? Yes.

Adele? Yes.



There's just something about playing an instrument and/or singing live that gives an artist more credibility as a true entertainer. There are some artists who have amazing vocal abilities and who do not necessarily need to play musical instruments, as long as their voices remain solid and brilliant on stage. For some select artists, their voice alone may be their musical instrument. Other artists benefit from playing guitars or pianos as they interpret the music and engage the audience to "feel" the performance. When they are passionate about the music, we are too.

In today's day and age, musical artisty is severely underappreciated. We tend to applaud the glamorous performances or jaw-dropping choreography more than we do the vocal and instrumental talent. We need to recognize what true musical talent entails and which celebrities have it.

Allison Iraheta



Kris Allen

Computer Security

What is computer security and how can you ensure security of your computer and data contained in it? 


Computer security refers to the protection of individual computers and the information contained on them in an effort to safeguard data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, destruction, modification, or disruption (Mutula & Wamukoya, 2007, p. 293). Such threats to computer security often come in the form of Malware or disruptive, "hacker" programs including viruses, worms, spyware and "scareware" - all of which cause direct harm to one's computer and, quite possibly, harm to outside computers as the infection spreads through downloads, networks, etc.

Computers have become virtually indispensable in today's world. Business purposes aside, we use our home computers for everything: banking, shopping, scheduling, communicating, filing taxes, playing games, watching movies...the list is never-ending. We have become extremely dependent on computers and their abilities to carry out daily tasks. As a result, we must make every effort possible to protect our computers and the important data they contain.

Several computer analysts argue that computer security should focus on three key areas: confidentiality, integrity, and authentication. Users can take precautions and protect the data on their computers by practicing the following tips:

1. Use anti-virus software: All computer users should install some sort of anti-virus software on their computers (the more popular types include Norton AntiVirus and McAfee). However, individuals should not stop there. They must actively ensure that their anti-virus software is up-to-date and should schedule weekly scans of their hard drives to ensure data protection.
2. Install firewalls: Ensuring that your computer has a firewall established and running will help protect your data from hackers looking to crash your computer or steal your personal information. 
3. Use anti-spyware software: Like computer viruses, spyware poses a tremendous threat to the security of data contained on a computer. Some types of spyware are designed to collect personal information from the unknowing computer user, while others are designed to infiltrate individuals' computers with annoying pop-up advertisements.
4. Download responsibly: Computer users should never download files or media from suspicious websites or unfamiliar senders. This includes email! 
5. Create clever passwords and keep them confidential: Never share your password with another person. Use a unique combination of letters, numbers, and symbols that will be difficult for others to guess. Change your password often and remain aware of email scams that ask you for your secure password to a particular site.

Computer security is a very real issue in today's society that could potentially cripple society if left unmonitored. Adhering to the tips above will help individuals computer users protect the security of their personal data, and ensure that confidential information does not fall into the wrong hands.

For more information regarding computer security, please visit:

FBI - Protect Your Computer

10 Steps to Protecting Your Computer

Also, check out the video below:

Auto-Tune: Why It's Hurting the Music Industry

Before the late 1990s, an average music listener could typically judge a good singer from a bad singer in a matter of minutes. A good singer could hit those far reaching high notes and remain in tune throughout the entire course of the song. A good singer was regarded as an extremely talented and/or well trained vocalist. In contrast, a bad singer would have a cracking or straining voice or remain hopelessly out of tune or off pitch throughout a song.

Now the lines are blurred.

Why?

It all comes down to a single technological invention known commonly as Auto-Tune. Developed in 1996 by Andy Hildebrand, Auto-Tune was once a "trade secret" that producers would utilize in extreme circumstances to correct a few notes here and there, thereby saving time and money by not having to redo studio sessions.

Now, singers and producers virtually abuse Auto-Tune, using it daily to ensure that vocals remain on perfect pitch, rhythm and tone throughout the course of the song. Even more outrageous is the use of Auto-Tune by non-vocalists (i.e. Kim's Zolziak's performance of Tardy for the Party or Kesha's electro-pop remixes).


Can anyone now become a singer? Does vocal talent no longer come in to play? How do we define real musical talent from automated, technically-enhanced "talent?" Is the music industry losing its credibility?

Check out Time's revealing 2009 article Auto-Tune: Why Pop Music Sounds Perfect and let me know what you think!

Auto-Tune