A Cup of Tea & Biscuits

Bible Black by Heaven & Hell from The Devil You Know (2009) Last year at this time I was reveling in the victory of my favorite football club - them winning the Premier League was the highlight of May 2010 - and all I listened to for weeks were Chelsea FC songs . While they mean a lot to me, they don't qualify as my favorite songs. Going back into my blog by a year, I realized that it was also my Black Sabbath (and all related) phase. I listened to their entire discography and if I remember correctly, Bible Black was an obsession for me. Ronnie James Dio is one of my metal idols. His voice! Ah! I would've given anything to watch him perform live, but when he was performing I was too young, and then I never had the opportunity! But his music shall live on! At last alone, his fire's dying, burned another day Now to pretend and make up an ending, somewhere far away He reached for a book all bound in leather Something that he knows he's never...

Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 by Franz Liszt Tom & Jerry is an all time favorite cartoon. I have, from a very young age, enjoyed and admired the creativity in each of these shorts that dominated my TV watching. This being a cartoon from the early 1930's there were a lot of classical elements to it, musically speaking, and I was delighted to note that one of my favorite rhapsodies was used in this cartoon! Tom's and Jerry's rivalry takes a musical twist in this one, with Jerry trying to get back at a Tom, a concert pianist, for not letting him sleep in peace in the piano! I love how their rivalry, the need to beat and hurt each other, is integrated into this absolutely beautiful song! Liszt was genius and this is my favorite composition of his - probably because of the cartoon I associate with it, but it's still my favorite and definitely one of the highlights of my childhood!

Don't Say A Word by Sonata Arctica from Reckoning Night (2006) I don't recall a song that has actually made me feel guilty. I've cried to songs but not out of guilt. I suppose the only song I can think of in terms of guilt is this one. A bit of a creepy song, actually, meant to frighten the wits out of you! But the lyrics are aimed to make one feel guilty, to hurt and anger them even. I think one of the main reasons I thought of this song is because when I put myself in the shoes of a character that I wrote, I saw through her eyes and felt her guilt because of certain events. The blame placed at her door were along the lines of those described in this song - not literally but figuratively. So yes, I guess this song does make me feel guilty! Written by: Connell, Andrew; Drewery, Corinne I am your poison candy gram, the love that's meant to fade away Vade retro, alter ego, move aside, I'm choking on this life I think I tolerate your hate, as...

Rock Prelude by David Garrett from Encore (2008) My yearning to properly learn to play the piano still burns high, but I've been playing the air guitar and air drums from a while now and there are several songs that I wish I could play for real. David Garrett's songs are definitely high on my list for this. He's the world's fastest violinist, he's cute, can speak German, can play the violin, smile, walk and entertain at the same time. I particular love this composition of his, the violin parts are amazing - you can dance to it, almost head bang to it or just listen to it and smile.

Another P. C. Doherty historical mystery, this time set in medieval England, in the early 14th century and towards the end of the reign of Edward I . The focus is on his continual efforts to trump Philip IV of France , and the works of Roger Bacon . Sir Hugh Corbett , Keeper of the Secret Seal and the eyes and ears of King Edward I, serves as the intelligent academic and criminologist. It begins, as every good mystery should, with a death, here following a theft of a copy of Bacon's Secretus Secretorum (a lovely play on Secretum Secretorum ) from the French. The basis of the plot? Decode Bacon's, a priest and scientist, work by finding the key to his book because it's all written in code, and ultimately shift the balances of power in the favor of the one that makes the discovery first! Both Kings send envoys, academics led by a shrewd politician, to try and figure this out through mutual cooperation, but foul play is suspected in achieving these ends as people begin to die...

Jane Austen is was is a genius. Her writing takes you into a world with characters that every girl wishes were real, especially the male protagonists even though all of the stories are told from the female perspective. Captain Wentworth's Diary is one of many of Amanda Grange 's books that attempts to give fans the other side of the story, the thoughts running through the minds of the man that many of us believe could be the man of our dreams! I liked Mr. Darcy's Diary, but disliked Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, so I was a little skeptical about reading another of Grange's books. To my extreme delight, I was not disappointed. This book gives you Captain Wentworth's side of the happenings of Persuasion in a very modest and sentimental way that may have made Austen proud of her creations. It is insightful enough and stays true to the story and its gaps that fully believe that Captain Wentworth maintained this diary himself. You catch a glimpse into the passion an Austen hero...

Lux Æterna by Clint Mansell and the Kronos Quartet from Requiem for a Dream (2000) I've wanted to learn how to the play the piano from even before I wanted to sing. Unfortunately, it has never really taken shape in the way I wanted it, but I did manage to teach myself to some extent! My Dad bought me a miniature Casio, one of those kiddie ones with about 15 keys, and I began to play by ear. Any and every song that I loved, I would play. In more recent times I've been playing full length songs off of my favorite albums, even if just with a single hand and no sheet music ( I can't read music :P) One of the best leitmotifs composed, this is a song I've obsessed about since I heard it. I think I have some 5 different versions of the song, including the one used as Requiem for a Tower in the trailer for The Two Towers (LOTR), an orchestal version and a live version by the Quartet. My point is, I love this track! It's brilliantly epic and I can see a whole battle, o...

Detharmonic by Dethklok from The Dethalbum (2007) Songs that make me laugh? Being the picky musical cynic I think I would laugh anything that passes for music these days - I'm talking about those with no creative lyrics - it's just always about love, partying and sex, and it's generally a set of 3 words repeated in a sentence that is repeated throughout the song; no real singing - very few artists actually attempt at doing anything more than speaking the words these days even if they have the ability to do so!; dance beats or the same old ballad like tunes. But I can't laugh at these songs, I merely get annoyed. The other way of being amused by a song is by its music video, but I gave up watching videos to songs a very long time ago - I watch the live performances but very rarely the official music video associated with the song. But it's music. It's supposed to cater to every mood, right? Metalocalypse happened. A friend recommended that I listen to some of ...

The Perfect Poison , an Arcane Society novel, is set in a gothic like late Victorian England was a fun read for me. It was quick, simple and well written enough for me to complete in a single day. I thought it would get monotonous,boring and unbelievable when I realized that the characters were psychic - inadvertently I thought of sorry plight of vampires in today's literature, it just saddened me. Surprisingly I wasn't disappointed. Jayne Ann Krentz , under the pseudonym of Amanda Quick , dishes out a decently sane novel, with a nice serving of botanical interests, though again psychically oriented, and a good understanding of Victorian society! As is well known, I generally stay away from the romance genre on principle (I prefer classic romance and occasionally foray into historical romance but that's it), but I liked this novel because of the storyline and characters. There was a decent amount of depth in the characters of Caleb Jones and Lucinda so as to keep me turnin...

Ruska by Apocalyptica from Apocalyptica (2005) Again, something that I haven't given thought to, but something that crosses my mind when I'm reading of, listening to or watching some grand departure. I'm not sure I would ban crying, because whatever is said, you do want someone to grieve for you at least a little bit. Because when you lose someone close and important to you, there is a void that gapes in your heart and soul and you know that it cannot be filled. I suppose for me, in this case, I would prefer a song that speaks of that void. The path to its healing come after, but at my funeral I believe I would like to listen to Apocalyptica. This song, whose title means 'autumn leaves' in Finnish, has all of the elements of sorrow and distress oozing out of it. The 'crescendo' always makes my heart wrench, always. It can be interpreted in many ways - like in this video for LOTR. I think it would be apt for me - it personifies my taste in music, my love fo...

For the Love of a Princess by James Horner from Braveheart (1995) Every girl dreams of her prince charming, riding up to her and sweeping her off her feet, gazing into her eyes and telling her that his heart his hers. She also dreams that she's a princess... I'm sure most girls are called princesses by their parents, a title generally bestowed upon the baby girl by her father... So wishing that one of the songs at her wedding be this heart warming soothing score by James Horner is natural, I would think. I'm a romanticist at heart, despite my public opinions on several other things. I find beauty in small simple matters. And while I have not given much thought to my wedding, I do know what songs I would like to hear on the day - most of them rock and metal ballads/classics, but several epic instrumentals as well. This song came to mind in a dream... I was writing descriptions of two of my characters and was trying to find a song for them, this one happened most inadverten...

Main Theme from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 by Hans Zimmer (2009) I play video games, much to the astonishment and slight chagrin of most of my male friends, because they are interesting and keep my mind off the mundane things in life. I prefer strategic games or ones with a decent storyline to it. So, I suppose it's quite obvious, like several other obvious things, that I should like the Call of Duty series. The theme music in all of them are amazing, but this particular composition by Hans Zimmer caught my attention as I finished up the game and watched the credits roll in. I bought the CD soon after and found that I've listened to this theme in moments of sadness, when I've been upset and when I'm thinking and plotting of how to deal with it. Mr. Zimmer doles out beautiful themes every single time and this is no exception. It's serious, sensitive and apt for the theme of a war game and I love it! It doesn't make me cry, but it goes so well with those mom...

Symphony No. 9 in E minor: From the New World by Antonín Dvořák This is probably Dvořák's most famous composition and I'm sure most would've heard it somewhere because it figures significantly in modern repertoire. I've loved the romantic movements of the period so it's rather obvious that I should like this one. I associate this composition with happiness because I think the first time I heard it I was happy about something a friend had told me and I felt my senses being elevated with the surges and drops in this symphony. It has an epic feel to it and yet it soft and soothing enough to allow me to let my feelings unfold. I'm putting up only the 4th Movement 'cause it is my favorite part of the whole composition, but I do love the whole set!

Master Passion Greed by Nightwish from Dark Passion Play (2009) It reeks of rage and anger and raw, intense power - in the harsh-ish vocals and drums and guitar riffs. Perfect, don't you think? Following the exit of Tarja Turunen , Tuomas Holopainen , the marvelous poet that he is, wrote about how much pain she caused the band, and how they are coping with it. This song is a gathering of those feelings; Bye Bye Beautiful is the other. Following is an excerpt from Bye Bye Beautiful. Did you ever hear what I told you? Did you ever read what I wrote you? Did you ever listen to the words we played? Did you ever let in what the world said? Did we get this far just to feel your hate? Did we become only pawns in the game? How blind can you be, don't you see? You chose the long road but we'll be waiting! His expertise with song writing and music in general speaks volumes of his talents. And Marco Hietala . Ah, what can I say about this man that I have not said before ? I love h...

Rule the Word by Kamelot from Ghost Opera (2007) The opening of this song gets me into the head banging mode each time, the soulful wail of the violin has my heart lurching out of my chest as I wait for the low tone of Roy Khan (aah the voice gives me the shivers, all the good type ;) ) and the pulsating rhythms and Khan's building vocals! Thomas Youngblood is one heck of a song writer, and since Khan joined him, they've made brilliant songs and albums. I must admit that while I love most of their songs, the album with the most number of my favorites is Ghost Opera. LOVE IT! P.S. What is it with Scandinavian countries and amazing music that the rest of the world never understands? Sad update - I just found out that Roy Khan HAS LEFT KAMELOT!! :( :( OMG!! - band announcement was made in April, 2011. When a new day reaches dawn, I feel it's worth the wait But I tumble and I fall, when up against my fate When the barricades come down, I build it up ...

Our Solemn Hour by Within Temptation from Black Symphony (2008) The only song of Within Temptation that I've heard on the radio is ' The Howling ', even that I heard almost 3 years ago. Sharon den Adel 's voice is beautiful - she does make it on my list of 'favorite female metal singers' and along with the rest of the band, produces amazing music. Strong vocals, lyrics with deep meaning and beautiful symphonies. This song, Our Solemn Hour, begins with part of Winston Churchill's speech to the people of England. Sanctus espiritus ... yes, I would like to hear this on the radio, live, everywhere! Written by: Robert Westerholt; Martinus J.E.; Martijn Spierenburg; Sharon den Adel Sanctus Espiritus, redeem us from our solemn hour Sanctus Espiritus, insanity is all around us Santus Espiritus, Santus Espiritus, Santus Espiritus In my darkest hours, I could not forsee That the tide could turn so fast to this degree Can't believe my eyes...

Master of Puppets by Metallica from Master of Puppets (1986) An absolute favorite of mine from my most loved band of all time! It's quite amazing how many times I've heard this song over the years. Most surprising to me, I suppose, is the fact that I hear it almost everyday on the radio when I'm at the gym. It's either the first or last song I hear. Kirk Hammett's and James Hetfield's solos are amazing, Lars Ulrich's drum intro is something I've played often on the steering well. I would give anything to watch this song played live because it is, to me, one of the best songs to have ever been composed into this genre of music - it does figure in several lists of 'Best Metal Songs Ever'. To me this defines, to a very large extent, what music should be - fast riffs, slow rhythms, powerful and meaningful lyrics, grating and smooth vocals, energy and absolute epic-ness! Written by: Ulrich, Lars; Hetfield, James; Burton, Cli...

Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi from Slippery When Wet (1986) I listened to a lot of Bon Jovi while growing up. This song, among others, would play over and over again till the tape began to get stuck. It has memories associated with it, but somehow as I went through with life I realized that while I can still listen to this song I don't exactly like it as much as I used to. If I don't like a song the first time I listen to it then I never listen to it again. But this song I did like, and then I stopped liking it. Written by: Bon Jovi, Jon; Sambora, Richard; Child, Desmond Tommy used to work on the docks Union's been on strike, he's down on his luck, it's tough, so tough Gina works the diner all day, Working for her man, she brings home her pay, for love, mmm, for love She says we've got to hold on to what we've got It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not We got each other and that's a lot For love we'll gi...

Somewhere I Belong by Linkin Park from Meteora (2003) It defines my beliefs more than me as a person, which I think is more important. If I were to pick a song that describes me then it would have to be something that I wrote. But I digress. My beliefs, about each person finding their own destiny, that you make your own destiny and nothing is written in stone, fate is just an excuse, that the consequences to your actions define the person that you are, that you are the only one in charge and if you take control of your life then you will find yourself. All of it is in this song. The line 'Somewhere I Belong' haunts me. It truly does. My first blog is named after this song, as is my first attempt at a novel. Three words that made me reconsider and understand myself. So yes, this song defines me. Written by: Bennington, Chester; Shinoda, Mike; Bourdon, Rob; Delson, Brad; Farrell, Darren; Hahn, Joseph (When this began) I had nothing to say and I get lost...

Jesus To A Child by George Michael from Older (1996) I'm not a pop person. I think the most pop I can stand are either the really old ones or ones that aren't pop. Growing up in the 90's ruined that genre for me. George Michael, however, stood out. Naturally his songs were way out of my time, 'Wake Me Up Before You Go Go' and 'Careless Whisper' being my favorites of my mum's generation. I like the latter more, but quite obviously I moved away from mainstream music. I returned to this song while listening to a compilation album. It was the line, I can confidently say, "You smiled at me like Jesus to a Child" that caught me. I love the smoothness of this song, the tone and sadness it invokes as it speaks of a lost love and a strong love. There have been many instances when I've imagined someone say that line to me (that and maybe "You bring my heart to it's knees" - from Not Strong Enough by Apocalyptica) and I know my heart...

Everything Burns by Anastacia from Pieces of A Dream (2005) I suppose it is one of my 'angry' songs as well ( check out the lyrics ), but it is definitely a guilty pleasure. It is out of my regular genres of musical comfort, but good enough for me to go back to it whenever I feel it. I don't think I've every skipped this song when my playlist is on shuffle mode. Love the tone, Ben Moody 's voice - his writing is impeccable - and the timely surges in Anastacia's singing. Written by Ben Moody She sits in her corner, singing herself to sleep Wrapped in all of the promises that no one seems to keep She no longer cries to herself, no tears left to wash away Just diaries of empty pages, feelings gone astray But she will sing Till everything burns, while everyone screams Burning their lies, burning my dreams And all of this hate, and all of this pain I'll burn it all down till my anger reigns Till everything burns Walking through life unn...

Bring Me To Life by Evanescence from Fallen (2003) It's probably because they played the song too many times. All of it - from that album in particular, because I actually did like Lithium from their later album (don't remember its name). But in general, I suppose this would be a band I dislike, even though I do like Amy Lee's voice. I think I like other female rock/metal singers better than her. How can you see into my eyes like open doors? Leading you down into my core where I’ve become so numb Without a soul my spirit sleeping somewhere cold until you find it there and lead it back home (Wake me up) Wake me up inside (I can’t wake up) Wake me up inside (Save me) Call my name and save me from the dark (Wake me up) Bid my blood to run (I can’t wake up) Before I come undone (Save me) Save me from the nothing I’ve become Now that I know what I’m without, you can't just leave me Breathe into me and make me real, bring me to life (Wake me up) Wa...

Until It Sleeps by Metallica from Load (1996) I can give no reasons for this song. Metallica is one of my favorite bands ever, even though they were formed long before I was born and produced some of their best music long before I began listening to thrash metal. I've even performed some of their songs, not really doing justice to James ' voice, but I try! ;) Although I am a fan of their albums when Cliff Burton and Jason Newsted served as bassists, they ARE one of the Big Four - what I would give to go to one of those concerts! - and definitely on my all time favorite lists forever and ever. Where do I take this pain of mine I run but it stays right by my side So tear me open and put me out There's things inside that scream and shout And the pain still hates me So hold me until it sleeps Just like the curse, just like the stray You feed it once and now it stays Now it stays So tear me open but beware There's things inside without a care And...

Heart's Desire by Dreamtale from Beyond Reality (2002) One name for you. Marco Hietala . He is an amazing singer, and I know it was that and the general tone of the song that made me prance to it. As much as you can dance to a power metal song. The riffs are powerful and vary in tempo through the song. I think I would love to maybe just sway slowly to it if I could. It's  battle song, I know, but somehow I can actually picture myself dancing to it. As the sun rises I see our banners flowing in the wind And the sounds of trumpets calling for war All that night I lay awake Thinking you, thinking war The madness and despair I have seen Now the time has come We will charge to our doom Arrows are whistling by my ears as we ride Please my guardian angel, let me see my love again In the mercy I thrive, shelter me, as I shelter mine I'm riding away from the light of the day A letter left behind to lighten my way I'm writing to you maybe (the) last time...

Stirb Nicht Vor Mir by Rammstein (feat. Sharleen Spiteri and Bobo ) from Rosenrot (2005) Industrial metal, in German, is my sleepy time song :) Dimmu Borgir , so I suppose this is much better! I have found that I can fall asleep to songs that I like and not ones that I don't. Classical music is amazing to calm my nerves and mind, but I don't think I've fallen asleep to it yet - if I did, I'm not aware of it. But in general, I think I can fall asleep to almost any song that I love - maybe in its instrumental form. Die Nacht öffnet ihren Schoß, das Kind heißt Einsamkeit Es ist kalt und regungslos, ich weine leise in die Zeit Ich weiß nicht wie du heißt, doch ich weiß dass es dich gibt Ich weiß dass irgendwann irgendwer mich liebt He comes to me every night, no words are left to say With his hands around my neck, I close my eyes and pass away I don't know who he is, in my dreams he does exist His passion is a kiss and I can not resist Ich war...

Age of Shadows by Arjen Anthony Lucassen's Ayreon from 01011001 (2008) Arjen Anthony Lucassen is a genius. He's created an entire world through his music. Literally! Ayreonauts on Planet Y and all of the intricacies involved in living on an alien planet, trying to find oneself, expanding and exploring new horizons, even finding a new home (on earth). It's like reading a science fiction novel, except it's being sung to you with perfect space sounds! I love all of the singers that have contributed to this project, each of them unique in sound. I may have listened to this song a total of 10 times before I learned the lyrics, and no I did not cheat and look it up online! I was quite proud of having done that, and while I know the lyrics to almost every song I listen to this was the first one that popped in my head. [Tom Englund:] We never saw this coming, pride comes before a fall We never heeded the warnings, buried deep within us all [Chorus:] ...

Celebrate the Day by Herbert Grönemeyer ; Official Anthem of the 2006 FIFA World Cup (with Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia ) Need I say more? The official anthem of the 2006 FIFA World Cup held in Germany. The song that reminded me of why I loved German football so much! While I do support England at times, I believe my all time favorites have been Germany. It was also the last world cup for Oliver Kahn and the first world cup that Michael Ballack captained, and the team that Jürgen Klinsmann coached. I cried when they lost to Italy , that too in extra time - two goals... ok, not going to get started on sports on a music blog. Anyway. This song reminds me of exactly what it represents. It was also in the summer of 2008, and my family and I watched, religiously, every single match of the World Cup (I would've loved to see Germany in the finals, but was satisfied enough when they emerged 3rd and the players took home several individual awards). Songwriters: Grönemeyer, Her...

The Animal In Me by Mötley Crüe from Saints of Los Angeles (2008) We were returning from a very fun and fulfilling family trip to one of the ruins of a 14th century kingdom when this song came on. It was the drums that got me hooked - Tommy Lee has done a very good job on this song! It's a fun song and will definitely have you playing air-drums because it's so catchy and fast. I don't think I have much to say about this song except that at the time when I did hear it (early July 2008) a lot of significant things had happened and I needed a song that I could just hear a good beat in, this one served the purpose. It feels like thunder, when we're slowly diggin in It kinda makes me wonder about the lovers that have been Lyin in my bed with her hands tied up I knew it all along that it wasn't enough 'Cause when I gotta taste of you, I found somethin I could sink my teeth into It's an ache that never heals, it's the deepest cut you fe...

My Confession by Josh Groban from Closer (2003) This is also one of the few songs that I've actually shed a tear for. I heard Josh Groban first on Ally McBeal many years ago, and it was in that musical era of mine where I had grown tired and wary of all the pop songs/groups/albums that I wanted something different. Josh Groban, though in essence of sound (instruments), is pop, there are more distinct classical elements in his voice. That is what drew me to this album. This song, specifically the lyrics and, quite naturally, Josh's voice, captured my heart. So of whom does it remind me? A character that I wrote - almost everything about that character's feelings for another revolves around this song. I didn't intend for it to be so, because I heard the song much after I had written it all out (almost 2 years after, in fact). But it fit. I heard this song and I knew it had to be Steven's song. I have been blind, unwilling to see the true love ...