Name change?

 Quick post...

I've changed the title of my blog! It used to be abzthackray music, but then I realised I wasn't going to be just talking about music. So I changed it to caramela... it's spanish for 'candy'. But it goes well with the background, ha. I created the header at the top using photoshop and I think it looks quite cool. I think it looks a bit like a book cover, haha! 

Could you let me know of your opinions in the comments, please? :)

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

I have been loving Harry Potter ever since I was about, 6. I've watched all the films, but, (guiltily) I never finished reading the series. I read the first two many years ago, and read the third book some time last year, but now I have made a point to finish the series (finally) for 2014.

The book I have just finished reading is the fourth one, The Goblet of Fire. It's a pretty big book, weighing in at 636 pages (ha), but out of pure enjoyment and determination, I managed to finish it in one week. I have to say, it is the best book I have read in a while. I'd forgotten how great the Harry Potter series was, and now I can't wait to start the next one!

J K Rowling is such a great writer (well, obviously). One thing I noticed is that she tends to use the same adjectives to describe reappearing characters or creatures - initially I thought this was kind of bad, but I realised that it is to keep the same image appearing in your head so you remember exactly what the character looks like, which is a clever way of creating a really clear picture that stays with you to produce memorable characters.

Another thing I liked about this book is the amazing plot. There are so many interesting things going on at once, and everything just links together oh-so-perfectly, along with heart-jolting plot twists and a fabulous ending. There were so many little details about the story that were just not included in the film, for example when Hermione started the campaign against cruelty to house-elves, and then all the hate she got because of Rita Skeeter. None of this was in the film at all, and it is lovely to have extra things going on. It gives the story a whole lot more depth, as if you are there too.

This was one of the books that I get so into, that it feels like I'm playing a film inside my head. It's so captivating and sometimes I forget that I am reading because of the vivid imagery Rowling uses. Once I start, I just can't put it down and I keep telling myself 'Just one more chapter...' but it ends up being about 5, and before you know it - you've finished the book!

If there wasn't another book in the series, I would have been very upset to have finished it. I kind of gained an 'emotional attachment' to this book, because I took it with me everywhere I went because I just loved reading it so much. It felt like Harry, Ron and Hermione were my friends and I was on this adventure throughout Hogwarts with them, again owing to Rowling's fantastically realistic writing techniques.

The only slight negative thing I found with The Goblet of Fire is that it took a while to get into. I found the first few chapters very long, and it felt like they were dragging on a bit. But once I got past them, once Harry got to Hogwarts, everything got going and it was amazing.

If you haven't read the Harry Potter series, then I seriously recommend it. I've already gotten one of my best friends obsessed, she's reading it with me!
And of course if you have, I'm sure you know how great it is ;)

Album Review: Bangerz - Miley Cyrus

Hello all!

An album I have been really enjoying recently is Bangerz by Miley Cyrus. I am obviously very aware of the hate Miley Cyrus has been getting - mostly for her risqué music videos - but honestly, her music is very authentic and in my opinion she is extremely talented. And for the record, I love her new hair. I'm not going to go into how unnecessarily judged and overly criticised she is though; this review is on her album not her! 

The Album Cover

I can't tell you how much I love this. The colours really compliment her music, and the overall feel of the artwork really relates to the songs. I also think that she herself looks stunning, and I dig her style. Sure, it's way different to Hannah Montana, but come on - that was like 7 years ago now - she's allowed to change! 

The Songs

The first song on the album is Adore You. This is one of my favourites. It has a really distinct feel; it's quite slow and has lovely piano chords in the background. In the chorus there are minor string harmonies which I really love. You feel the emotion in her voice in this one especially. Here are some lyrics:

When you say you love me, no I love you more

When you say you need me, no I need you more

Boy I adore you

I adore you

There aren't many layers to this song, as it's quite acoustic in contrast to the other songs on this album, yet she still manages to create a rich and harmonic sound. It's very, very different to We Can't Stop, which I'm sure many of you have heard. 

Next on the tracklist is We Can't Stop. I do enjoy this song, however the lyrics are somewhat tasteless in my opinion. 

To my home girls here with the big butt

Shaking it like we at a strip club

Remember only God can judge ya

Forget the haters cause somebody loves ya

And everyone in line in the bathroom

Trying to get a line in the bathroom

We all so turned up here

Getting turned up, yeah, yeah

Despite being turned off by the lyrics, I find her voice and the music to be very uplifting and pleasant. There are lovely harmonies in her singing, and I particularly like how in the chorus the chaos stops and the drum has been removed, leaving just piano and her lovely voice and some other refreshing composites. It gradually builds up again, and gets really catchy! I could just listen to this song over and over again! 

Another favourite of mine has to be Wrecking Ball, the sixth track in the album. The beginning of the song is very bare, consisting of just light rebounding chords; and her soft, somewhat delicate voice. I think this song is actually about her being delicate herself, about how she has been 'wrecked' by love - which I find really captivating. I love the depth of the lyrics. 

We clawed, we chained our hearts in vain
We jumped never asking why

We kissed, I fell under your spell

A love no one could deny

After the sparse yet still emotionally fulfilling start, everything stops - and she comes bounding in with "I came in like a wrecking ball" including huge bass and drums. It is really dramatic, and really gets the 'wrecking ball' image in place. One of the reasons I like this so much is because of the imagery and depth. This is just one example of how truly talented Miley Cyrus is - she is way underrated. 

The Genre

The album is generally listed as Pop, but also integrates elements of both hip hop and synth pop. In some songs she does some rapping, like in Love Money Party. I think that one thing that makes this album so great is the sheer diversity of all the different songs. None of them sound the same, and that's a sign of a great musician. 

The Negatives

I don't really have many negatives, hence why it is one of my favourite albums at the moment, but I can list a few.

• If you don't like rapping or heavy synth/disco numbers, then you may not enjoy Bangerz, as that's about what half the album consists of. I'm not against it at all generally, but some of the songs fall a bit too much on the rap side for me to fully enjoy.
• For me, a turn-off is the adverse lyrics - as I'm sure many others will agree with. But I don't like to think too much into the words; as long as the music is good! 
• This does not apply to me at all, but I have some friends that say they dislike her voice. I understand that it's an either love or hate kind of thing (where I come under the love side) so I have to take that into consideration for you guys! In my view, I absolutely adore her voice. It is both velvety and scratchy at the same time, and she can use it in so many different ways! When she sings high it sounds so strong and smooth and powerful, and she can also sing with endearing limpidity. 

Thank you for reading my review - I hope you found it informative!

I seriously recommend this album, even if you hate Miley Cyrus, you should at least give this wonderful music a chance! 

-buy Bangerz here-

I made a song inspired by Miley's new style.
You can check it out here