Don’t miss out on talented Simon Stålehags amazing paintings of a Swedish Sci-Fi Suburbia. Awesome work.
If you like the painting; visit his website here
Swedish Summer; Evening – Sunset
iPhone iOS 7 – Some thoughts after using the new iOS for a month
Some thoughts about iOS7 after using it for one month
Since we’re developing apps for iOS I’m part of the beta testing team that will use their coming upgrades before they are released, and report issues back to Apple, to have them corrected.
(See also – One of the best new features in iOS7 – a well kept secret?)
This new upgrade is both a big upgrade, at the same time as it’s not. It’s big in terms of GUI, the icons are “flat” now instead of “floating”/3D. I really don’t know if I like this more than the old one. I’ve got used to it, but at the same time I miss some of the old beautiful icons. It’s a small change in the overall usage.
One new feature is the possibility to have more than one screen in each icon-folder, but at the same time there are fewer icons in every screen. Both good and bad there as well.
The camera has been upgraded and I think it has gotten better with live filters, easier access to functions and some new nice features as “square” for all instagrammers (my nick is btw on instagram is @pedrohansson).
What I thought for almost 24 hours was a big flaw in this new OS, was that I couldn’t reach spotlight to the left of my home screen. With over 600 apps installed that it was a downgrade. But of course there was a new way of doing that, that actually is better. Wherever you are in your iOS-screens you can just put your finger on the screen, hold it down for a short time and drag it down. Voila! There’s spotlight.
The new fast access screen (that you access by dragging your finger from the bottom upwards) is also a highly appreciated function that should’ve been there years ago.
Siri seems to have had a major upgrade. A more personalized feeling and I think a better understanding of follow-up questions. It’s starting to be really impressing.
What is really nice in the new iOS is the multi tasking screen where you can reach all apps that currently are running. This screen is now a full screen with “live shots” from each and every app running. Great GUI!
What’s more to say? Well there are many many small changes here and there and I think this is a really good new iOS. I just wonder if it’s enough to keep the Androids behind.
I will continue to use iPhone since my whole home is built around it, AND it’s always working which I think is the number one feature with the iPhone. You just start it and use. No need to turn off GPS, no need for “app killers” since they are running out your batteries and so on. So Apple, I will stick with you for a while more, but I hope we will see some new cool, mind blowing functionality, in the future, as we were used to in the past.
For all the romantics out there – part 2 – 94 yo Fred’s song, Sweet Lorraine
Today I came across another of those “romantic stories”, and since I recently published another of those stories I thought that I could post this as well.
I hope you enjoy it
Autumn Music – John Mayer, live in Nokia Theatre – Free Fallin’
Here in Stockholm it has been an amazing August day. Blue skies, people everywhere and it almost feels like the summer is still here.
What I enjoy with Sweden, and Swedes is that we almost never miss out on an opportunity to have a great day / evening when the sun is shining.
Back at home I started – as always – to listen to some music, and this awesome track started playing in my speakers. What a great autumn song!
Best wishes for a great “lill-lördag” tomorrow
For all the romantics out there – Isaac’s proposal
This must be one of the most prepared, and creative proposals ever.
Respect to “Isaac”!
The Listener – Short inspirational story
This is a short Swedish Story I found on the internet. A story with a single and easy, but not less important punchline.
The listener
A little girl – with very demanding parents – had problem in school. The more the parents nagged, and tried to attract her attention with all imaginable kinds of rewards for her to do well, the more distanced she became from school. She was also “all over” in class and disturbed all her class mates.
But then one day, one month into the semester, she came home from school with a smile on her face. The next morning she went up early and did her homework and went straight to school, which became routine thereafter.
In the parents meeting, held during the semester, the parents knew that their daughter had made good progress, and that she was very talented. Now that she was motivated, everything went easy on her.
The principal explained that it was largely due to a special teacher who had started at the school which their daughter took particular liking to. The parents asked the daughter to show them to that amazing teacher to thank him. When they met him, they discovered to their surprise that he was dumb.
– How can this man be a teacher, exclaimed the father, he can not speak!
– But he can listen, replied the daughter.
From the book "Why grass grow?" Klas Hallberg and Magnus Litter - Link to Swedish Bookstore / Swedish book
Swedish Summer Night – 2
This weekend has been all about crayfish party, both Friday and Saturday evening. Yesterday we stayed at a friend’s house in the archipelago and this photo was taken at the sunset. I really appreciate autumn, and I’m already looking forward to all those colors that we will have all around us very soon.
Best wishes for a new week
Rally car in 206 km/h through beautiful autumn forest
This clip really put many good parts together. Driving a car (1), in high speed (2) through a beautiful autumn (3) forest (4), and recording it with a camera (5).
Dark Photography – Brooke Pennington
I’ve always enjoyed my own photos quite dark, and today I found an artist / photographer who had taken “the dark” a few steps further with some beautiful photos, Brooke Pennington.
I really like the tone and the atmosphere in his photos.
If you haven’t discovered this talented photographer: Check out his beautiful autumn collection here
Free Mobile Background – iOS7 lock screen
This is a photo I took with my old iPhone 4S in Gothenburg last year. It’s also my current iPhone background. If you would like to use it, I’ll give it a way; free to use. Just click on the image down below, and the source photo will be opened. Right click on the newly opened image, save image, and then it’s ready for import to your phone.
P.S If you haven’t seen the next layout for Apple iPhones / iPads (iOS) this is it’s lock screen D.S
22 Chinese Signs That Got Seriously Lost In Translation
Translation errors are always great fun, and this is maybe the best list of translation errors I’ve seen so far.
Enjoy
From: Buzzfeed – Click here, or on photo not other yes can..
Inspirational speech by Ashton Kutcher – What’s sexy?
This was a surprise to me; Ashton Kutcher as a role model, that makes an inspirational speech.
It seems like Steve Jobs, while he’s not among us anymore still seems to inspire others to inspire others to amazing things.
The 50 Most Perfectly Timed Photos Ever
WOW!
These photos surely were taken at a moment that were gone fragments of time after.
For the full list: Visit Twisted Sifter
Final update, and INDEX of Best Albums of All Times
This “Best Album Of All Times” needed an Index since it will be kept as a separate category. After some thoughts I also rearranged some albums to my final list, so here’s the final list updated with both initial and final positions.
If you click on the link you’ll be redirected to each review.
| Place | Artist | Album name | Position after some thoughts |
| 1 | Journey | Raised on Radio | 1 |
| 2 | Keane | Hopes and fears | 2 |
| 3 | Toto | Fahrenheit | 4 |
| 4 | Sixx A-M | Heroin Diaries | 3 |
| 5 | Hoobastank | The Reason | 5 |
| 6 | Jellyfish | Bellybutton | 7 |
| 7 | U2 | Joshua Tree | 6 |
| 8 | Babyface | Unplugged NYC 1997 | 8 |
| 9 | Phenomena | Phenomena I | 9 |
| 10 | Sara Isaksson | Red Eden | 11 |
| 11 | AC/DC | Back in black | 10 |
| 12 | Michael Jackson | Bad | 13 |
| 13 | Blacknuss | Gold | 14 |
| 14 | Mötley Crüe | Shout at the devil | 16 |
| 15 | Coldplay | Viva La Vida or Death and all his friends | 12 |
| 16 | Gary Moore? | Wild Frontier | 17 |
| 17 | Stephen simmonds | For Father | 18 |
| 18 | Ratt | Out of the cellar | 19 |
| 19 | Aldo Nova | Twitch | 20 |
| 20 | Rage Against The Machine | Rage Against The Machine | 21 |
| 21 | Dire Straits | On Every Street | 22 |
| 22 | The Fray | The Fray | 23 |
| 23 | Metallica | Metallica | 24 |
| 24 | Adele | 21 | 25 |
| 25 | Top Gun | Motion Picture Soundtrack | 26 |
| 26 | David Foster | David Foster | 27 |
| 27 | Nirvana | Nevermind | 28 |
| 28 | Peter Gabriel | So | 15 |
| 29 | Abba | The Album | 29 |
| 30 | Robert Plant / Alison Krauss | Raising sand | 30 |
| 31 | Johnny Hates Jazz | Turn Back the Clock | 31 |
| 32 | Bruce Hornsby | The Way It Is | 32 |
| 33 | Level 42 | Running in the family | 33 |
| 34 | Chicago | Chicago 17 | 34 |
| 35 | Marc Cohn | Marc Cohn | 35 |
| 36 | Richard Marx | Richard Marx | 36 |
| 37 | Guns n roses | Greatest Hits | 37 |
| 38 | Europé | Wings of tomorrow | 38 |
| 39 | Saga | Wildest Dreams | 39 |
| 40 | Tommy Nilsson | Follow the road | 40 |
Frank Ocean – Strawberry Swing
Yesterday I got this tip from a close friend, to listen to Frank Oceans version of Coldplay’s Strawberry Swing. If you followed my little project during summer, Best Album Of All Times, this song was on the “number 15”-album Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends
I hope you enjoy Frank Oceans version as much as I do. Awesome!!
Say hello, then say farewell to the places you know
We are all mortals, aren’t we? Any moment this could go
Cry, cry, cry, even though that won’t change a thing
But you should know, you should hear, that I have loved
I have loved the good times here, and I will miss our good times
Swedish Summer Night
Prank for the weekend
Fun prank with an invincible driver ordering at drive thru’s
Try
Next time you think that something is impossible, watch this
This is inspiration and motivation at its purest form. What an amazing story!
Playing For Change – Stand By Me
I’ve totally missed this project before. One song, musicians and singers from all over the world. Great project!
http://playingforchange.com – From the award-winning documentary, “Playing For Change: Peace Through Music”, comes the first of many “songs around the world” being released independently. Featured is a cover of the Ben E. King classic by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it travelled the globe.
Some final thoughts about the project “Best Album Of All Times”
Some final thoughts
So the final post in this series – that’s been my most enthusiastic project on this blog – has been written! I’ve spent almost four weeks on this project, with 2-8 hours of music listening, reading lyrics and moving albums up and down every day, but what an amazing journey it has been! I’ve always dreamt of doing this, and now it’s done.
The hardest part was to stay true to the rules. The Best Album, not just an album with 5 good tracks with 3 bad ones; the full album was what counted.
In retrospective I think that Sixx A.M should change place with Toto. Heroin Diaries is an amazing album that no one should miss. Since it’s also a true story, with such a good purpose it may even be higher up. I also placed both Keane and Journey on a shared number 1-place, but I think that Journey is the true number 1. It’s almost silly how perfect that album is. Every single note is so good, on all instruments and the vocals from Steve Perry are truly amazing.
So, do I miss any albums on the list? Yes I think that Simply Red, Magnum, Don Henley, Frank Ocean, Iron Maiden and The Hooters should be somewhere on the list, but I’m not sure where. The lack of full albums without a track that you just want to skip is hard to find with those artists. Maybe Magnum is closest?
Thank you all that have followed this top-list. It’s been a pleasure to hear your thoughts both in person, on the blog and in e-mail.
I leave this series with a great track that actually wasn’t on the list; Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey
I hope you all get a good start of your week.
P.S If you want to go back in the series, there is a new menu at the top of this blog where you can find all the posts D.S
Best Album Of All Times – Number One
Best Album Of All Times – Number 1: Journey – Raised On Radio
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This is an album that have followed me ever since it was released back in 1986. The album was supposed to be called Freedom, but the title later changed to Raised On Radio. Some of the line-up were changed from the previous album, Escape, due to some internal disturbances.
Following their two most successful albums, lead singer Steve Perry began to take more control over the band’s direction. First, Ross Valory and Steve Smith were fired from the band, against the wishes of manager Herbie Herbert. The two were replaced by various studio musicians for the recording of Raised on Radio, including Randy Jackson (bass guitar) and Larrie Londin (drums). Smith did record three tracks with Journey on the album, and he and Valory still received revenues from the record and subsequent tour.
If you recognize one name from American Idol, you’re right; Randy Jackson, on bass.
Band members
- Steve Perry – lead vocals, producer
- Neal Schon – guitars, backing vocals, keyboard on track 10, guitar synth
- Jonathan Cain – keyboards, backing vocals, additional vocal co-production
Additional musicians
- Randy Jackson – bass, backing vocals
- Larrie Londin – drums, percussion
- Bob Glaub – bass on tracks 2, 10 and 11.
- Steve Smith – drums on tracks 2, 10 and 11.
- Mike Baird – drums on tracks 12 and 13 (2006 CD reissue only)
- Dan Hull – saxophone on tracks 2 and 7, harp on track 7
- Steve Minkins – percussion on track 3
Source: Wikipedia
In 2009 the group had a major hit with the formerly released “Don’t Stop Belivin‘” (from the Escape-album) which became the ever most sold track on iTunes in 2009. Many people argue that Escape is a better album, but I can’t see that. Raised On Radio is as perfect as it get’s.
So, the album? Well what can I say? This is music at it’s very very best, and in my mind there is actually no downsides. Every single track, except the title track, is a five-star track in my mind. Just listen to the guitars, the vocals of Steve Perry which definitely is one of the world’s best vocals, the piano, the rhythm.
All the “time stamps” are based on the time in Spotify which may affect the YouTube-times slightly.
***** Girl Can’t Help It: The piano starts of slowly, and soon the guitar kicks in before we hear the first words from Steve Perry. Relaxed and controlled.. Don’t miss the bass line that’s so solid. The guitar break after 2:57 is so good, and listen to the final seconds.
***** Positive Touch: Bass, and a rhythmic guitar accompanied by a piano that follows the guitar. Listen to the guitar at 1:00, and 1:11 together with the solo at 1:50! The background vocals are also so good all the way through. The saxophone, guitar and vocals that are “answering” each other after 3:02 is another delicacy.
***** Suzanne: A bass and keyboard intro before “I see your face at the movies”. Listen to the bass line, and the articulated “Suzanne”! The solo after 2:00. Full of energy.
***** Be Good To Yourself: The track that you should play before going on vacation, need a break or just some positive words. The track starts of with a keyboard-intro, then a great solid verse before the amazing chorus at 0:40. Don’t miss the guitar in the background, and the backing vocals!
***** Once You Love Somebody: Just listen to that cooperation between guitar, bass, vocals!! Brutal! After 45 seconds the bridge to the chorus. The little delicacy with guitar at 1:28!
***** Happy To Give: This is a singing lesson of Steve Perry. “I was born a believer, played the fool, lonely dreamer left to choose”. Listen to the vocals after approximately 3 minutes together with the keyboard!
**** Raised On Radio: An amazing track, but the least good one in my opinion. Really like the guitar handling, and the “blues-ish” sound.
***** I’ll Be Allright Without You: A little slower track, but oh, this is soo good. The keyboard after 0:38, the guitar intro, the backing vocals “It’s all because of you” “Try not to think of you”. Just listen to it!
***** It Could Have Been You: Almost tired of writing how amazing this album is. There isn’t a single second that’s amazing. In this track. Just listen to the guitar after 1:49, and the break at 2:10! Then “Where are you…. ” BAAM “Now”! Guitar solo with the incredible bass line.
Time washes over, memories
I can’t look back no more
Change has forsaken, our promises
There’s someone else for you to hold again
***** The Eyes Of A Woman: Once again we’re all going into singing class in with our class teacher Steve Perry.
***** Why Can’t This Night Go On Forever. Romantic. Subtle. A song for a wedding? OMG! This is brutal! The atmosphere, the performance from the musicians. One of the most “perfect” songs ever?
Lost in twilight, the memories
Precious moments, you and me
We’ve been old friends, all through the years
Picture postcards, sharing tears
What’s in our hearts, there’s never time, to say
Need you tonight, lover don’t fade away
I’ve seen your city lights
As I walk away
Why can’t this night…go on forever
Some other tracks from other albums:
Open Arms, originally made for “The Babys” and John Waite, but released by Journey
Separate Ways
Best Album Of All Times – Number 1
Best Album Of All Times – Number 1: Keane – Hopes and Fears (2004)
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Number 1?! Yes. You haven’t missed number 2. The truth is, I can’t possibly separate this album and the next one. While this is an album that you may need one or two “listenings” to, the last one is one of those that get you struck’d by straight ahead. Both albums are still one of those that you can listen to for decades and still just enjoy the awesome production, the atmosphere, the small subtle changes, the vocals, the bass, the guitar, the drums and so on.
Keane, with Tom Chaplin (on lead vocals, organ, piano, acoustic and electric guitar, Tim Rice-Oxley (on piano, keyboards, synthesisers, electric guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals, Richard Hughes (on drums, percussion, backing vocals and Jesse Quin (on bass guitar, electric guitar, synthesisers, percussion, backing vocals) is playing
Keane achieved mainstream success with the release of their debut album, Hopes and Fears, in 2004. The album won multiple awards, including the Brit Award for Best British Album, and was the second best-selling British album of the year.
Keane are labeled as alternative rock, and I guess its hard to give them a better reference. With its typical piano / bass sound together with some amazing vocals, Keane is Keane. The more often used reference is Coldplay, and there the similarities are more obvious.
This album, Hopes and Fears has been a huge success.
In May 2008, both Hopes and Fears (number 13) and Under the Iron Sea (number 8) were voted by readers of Q magazine as among the best British albums ever, with Keane, The Beatles, Oasis and Radiohead the only artists having two albums in the top 20.
So lets dig into this amazing album
***** Somewhere Only We Know. The first track kicks of with some really characteristic Keane-sounds, and then after 0:24, the verse. This song is amazing. Also, listen for those subtle changes all the way up to 1:10. The bass that sometimes helps the piano, the steady increase in volume, and it accelerates all the way. This is Keane as its best. Working with changes in tempo, strength and feelings.
***** Bend & Break. The same kind of piano-groove as on Somewhere Only We Know kicks of the second track as well, and once again they are slowing things down, to be able to lift the track at 0:50, with a strong amazing chorus.
If only I don’t bend and break
I’ll meet you on the other side
I’ll meet you in the light
If only I don’t suffocate
I’ll meet you in the morning when you wake
***** We Might As Well Be Stranger. A slow, subtle song with a steady rise to the crescendo after 2 minutes. Listen to the always present Keane piano, the variations in the vocals.
***** Everybody’s Changing. Once again, an awesome track. The difference between 1 and 2 may be the more heavy use of synthesizers in the verse. Look for the break at 2:47.
**** Your Eyes Open. A four!? A Simple four on the Best Album Of All Tracks. Well, its still a four, isn’t it? This may be weakest track on this album but still an amazing song. What is it that makes this song less good than the others. Well this is just personal. I have some difficulties with the start of the track. The groove isn’t that good, in my book. But hey, things are repaired once they got thing going and the chorus is great!
***** I’ve used the word subtle a number of times already and when I’m trying to describe one of the best groups in the world when it comes to variations musically the words soon starts to be running out. The track is built around the great vocals of Tom Chaplin and Richard Hughes drums. Beautiful.
***** Can’t Stop Now is a paring of traditional Brit-Pop and the Keanish sound. Just listen at the chorus at 0:53 with the vocals and the piano’s totally awesome harmonies.
**** Sunshine sounds a lot like Harry Nilsson. Have you heard him? The guy that almost was a “Beatle”. If you haven’t heard him. Check him out here. Back to the song. The influences from Beatles are evident. The song is not as characteristic as many others on the album, but still a great track with some awesome harmonies.
****** This Is The Last Time. Another hit from this album, and No I didn’t miss out on the stars. This must be a six! The vocals starts of straight away with the piano, and later bass / drums. After 0:30 it starts to build, before the… aaaaamaaazing chorus. The harmonies, the piano, the drums, the bass. Just listen to it!! Perfect!
***** On A Day Like Today. A relaxed track, with slow changes and heavy use of Tom Chaplin’s voice.
***** Untitled 1. Drums kicks of this album, followed by almost an Abba-Sound on the keyboard (?). Nowadays great tracks are used in the gaming industry. This track could definitely be used as such. Great atmosphere, with strong characteristics.
***** Bedshaped. To put it in a few words. This is so DARN good!
To be honest, its not that easy to write a review around Keanes music. The all small great changes, the subtleness, the arrangements and so on. Its so good, and if every great move in the music would’ve been described it would take years.
Saarimner.com 