It is possible to reiterate each video on it’s own, all you have to do is enter in a URI with specific looping parameters. The following is the format you will use to accomplish this task:

http://www.youtube.com/v/(VideoID)&loop=1

This will redirect you to a much longer URI, but don’t worry about it, it will still achieve the same results. To see a full list of Youtube parameters available, just visit their embedded player parameters page.

To find the ID of a Youtube video however, visit the video page as you would normally would, like this one for example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUVwcnhoUJQ

Every character after the equals sign is included in the video ID (meaning this video’s ID is YUVwcnhoUJQ). So in order to repeat this video automatically (and to see an example of a repeating video in action), the full URI will be:

http://www.youtube.com/v/YUVwcnhoUJQ&loop=1

This is a great way to listen to your favorite songs over and over again without much effort, (while purchasing the song or album at a later date, of course).

UPDATE 5/18/2009 = The old video seems to have died, so I put up another one, a really great new song.

I’ve been using iTunes for a few years now, since mid-2006, and have a wide variety of musical compositions stored within my library. I uploaded the Peter Gabriel song “Mercy Street” soon afterwords (despite the fact that iTunes says it was added in August of 2007, my collection of songs was lost due to a computer crash and registry cleaning mistake).

You can listen to the song before bed, in the car, while you finish schoolwork, or during just about any other task you can think of. For some reason though, it’s one of his lesser known songs, but being at the top of my iTunes play counter, it reigns supreme on my ‘favorites’ playlist.

Everything about this song kicks ass, from the deep lyrics to the soothing melody, you won’t be disappointed after listening to it. I’d definitely picking up the album Mercy Street is contained on, So.

And for those curious about the lyrics (or those that are just to lazy to search for them), here they are:

looking down on empty streets, all she can see
are the dreams all made solid
are the dreams all made real

all of the buildings, all of those cars
were once just a dream
in somebody’s head

she pictures the broken glass, she pictures the steam
she pictures a soul
with no leak at the seam

let’s take the boat out
wait until darkness
let’s take the boat out
wait until darkness comes

nowhere in the corridors of pale green and grey
nowhere in the suburbs
in the cold light of day

there in the midst of it so alive and alone
words support like bone

dreaming of mercy street
wear your inside out
dreaming of mercy
in your daddy’s arms again
dreaming of mercy street
swear they moved that sign
dreaming of mercy
in your daddy’s arms

pulling out the papers from the drawers that slide smooth
tugging at the darkness, word upon word

confessing all the secret things in the warm velvet box
to the priest-he’s the doctor
he can handle the shocks

dreaming of the tenderness-the tremble in the hips
of kissing Mary’s lips

dreaming of mercy street
wear your insides out
dreaming of mercy
in your daddy’s arms again
dreaming of mercy street
swear they moved that sign
looking for mercy
in your daddy’s arms

mercy, mercy, looking for mercy
mercy, mercy, looking for mercy

Anne, with her father is out in the boat
riding the water
riding the waves on the sea

If you’re hoping for another Load/Reload , you’re going to be in for a world of disappointment. This is thrash metal all the way around, which is a pretty rare occurrence for an album released in 2008.

Death Magnetic is obviously not Metallica’s next Master of Puppets or Ride the Lightning, but why compare it to their previous works? (If anything, the album’s production reminded me of Kill’em All’s sound, riffs, etc.). No one should look at Death Magnetic (or any other Metal album) as “The next MoP”, but rather view the album as “The first DM”.

I’d say my favorite track ends in a tie between two of them. The first is The Unforgiven III, even if it’s the least thrashy song off the album. The opening piano intro is simply amazing! Then there’s the instrumental, Suicide and Redemption, which is another great complex headbanger which some may compare to the likes of Ktulu or Orion, but again, what’s the point behind comparing Art? Not taking anything away from the rest of the songs, but those were the two that I took an immediate liking to.

While the overall production style may disappoint a few, one thing I’ve specifically noticed is that it’s quality is a huge step up from the samples I’ve heard from Youtube Videos and elsewhere.

It’s really up to the fans whether they like the new sound or not (Duh!). If they believe DM sounds like trash, think the production is crappy, or just plain refuse to listen because of some lawsuit Lars filed eight years ago, then that’s their loss.

Just listen to the album and judge it for yourself, you don’t need some smug “reviewer” telling you whether it sucks or not.

(Update = 9/14/2008) After listening to the album for a bit longer, I feel I have a responsibility to highlight a few even more songs that stood out to me.

Firstly, I really enjoyed listening to the opening track, with the sweet acoustic opener that builds up into an all-out speedfest, as with their opening songs of the past. Very enjoyable.

And then there’s “The Day That Never Comes”. This may be by new favorite, I can’t decide. With it’s melodic beginning, it builds up to the latter half of the song, which should probably give an adrenaline rush. With the guitars get kicked into overdrive, Kirk solos galore, and Lars drumming on top of it. The song structure really reminded me of …And Justice For All’s “One” (arguably my favorite Metallica song ever).

Not that my opinion on the album should make a difference when you form your judgments though….

Ever since the turn of the millennium, all we’ve had playing on the radio is crap music like Britney Spears, Simple Plan, or the new Rap and Hip-Hop Genres, where all they sing about is killing their mothers, bitches this and hoes that. When was the last time we’ve had bands following in the veins of greats like Metallica, Pink Floyd, or even as far back as the Beatles?

Commercialized music this past decade is probably best described as decrepit aural garbage that makes you glad you have your music player’s volume on the highest interval so it showers you with a curtain of deafness over your ears which in-turn offers solace from the everyday bullshit ambiance society has come to known as modern-day “Music”.

Then there’s the kids who think that by dressing up as and acting like their favorite music idols somehow provides them with a heightened sense of significance and worth. You’ve probably seen them at your local mall, or movie theater, they’re the same ones who can’t stop bitching about how their “totally uncool” parents won’t let them have a sleepover, despite the fact they obviously have some freedom given by their parents (hence their presence in public places with their peers).

You’re not a 21 year old, skanked-up slut who’s just discovered what PMS is. Find a new role model.

And you’re not rebellious, hip, nor does “Look at me, I talk as though I’m unfamiliar with third grade grammar, and walk as if I was born with Cerebral Palsy” properly describe your attitude enough. Just stop, dumbass.

A New Music Revolution?

I think it’s about time we’ve had one. The Music Industry has become too commercialized these days, only concerning themselves with earning profits and culturalizing our youth into their predefined sense of what’s “cool” or not. I cannot think of a single extraordinary artist or song that has been released over the past few years.

The only way I see this happening is if either A) Consumers stop purchasing the fecal-smelling, aural noise the that passes for music these days, thus causing the Music Industry Advertisers and Businessmen to take their heads out of their asses and reevaluate their marketing strategies. Or B) People take a stand against the record labels and radio stations, and demand to hear the music that they’ll actually enjoy listening to in the car ride home, and doesn’t sound like crap.

I don’t understand why there hasn’t been one yet. Don’t executives realize it’s a win-win situation? Not only do we get tons of great options to choose from, but all the great albums and singles would lead to larger profits for the Music industrialists. Just bury the crap that’s on store shelves and bring the heart and soul back to the recording studio, it’s not that hard to do. There’s probably tons of no-name artists out there with 100 times more talent than this mainstream bullshit.

Aren’t there any Positives?

Admittedly though, there are a few good listens, but they’re nowhere near the frequency as past decades. Just take a listen to the Classical Performance group “Gregorian” for example. While they are a cover group, they still perform some spectacular renditions of classical rock songs. My favorites are Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters, R.E.M.’s Losing My Religion, and their personal best, in my opinion, is their remake of the Phil Collins hit In the Air Tonight.

Then there’s always the music that isn’t necessarily held in the same light as vocal and choral renditions. The Video Game’s Music Industry is exactly what I am thinking about here, with the Halo 3 Soundtrack at the genre’s focal point. If you haven’t heard it yet, you don’t know what you’re missing out on.

Sometimes you have to open your mind and consider trying new genres to listen to. That is of course, as long as you’re not a socially insecure, “what-will-my-peers-think-of-me”, pansy-ass bitch.

Technology

How did I find this great music, you ask?

Not only can it be a pain in the ass searching for alternative music (online or offline), but chances are you won’t find what you’re looking for in the stores like Best Buy or on iTunes. I probably spent an hour digging through hundreds of CDs hoping I “might” come across what I’m looking for. But to my surprise (sarcasm), the albums were nowhere to be found. Nice selection of Music to choose from, dipshits.

Thankfully the Audio Search Engine Mp3gle exists, they truly are the Google of Music and Audio. I was able to find rare songs instantaneously using their technology. It linked directly to the audio files too, so you could listen to the files from various websites right then and there, no pussyfooting around with finding each individual website which only has one good song on embedded within it. The internet can be a great tool if you know how to use it properly.

Does all the mainstream horse manure still appeal to you?

When the MTV Crowd and the people who fund them (aka greedy corporate bastards) finally wake up, maybe there’ll be a shred of decency brought upon this dying art form. Here’s an experiment to try, just ask any rapper or pop-wannabe if they can name one “instrumental” in their respective genre. Don’t be surprised if they stare back for awhile and their only response contains a blank expression on their face.

At least no matter what the outcome is in the end, we still have our own favorite musical preferences from the past and present that we can listen to and enjoy whenever we wish, right? Oh, wait.

I’ve thrown in some bonus Halo 1 tracks here too, some of them even inspired a few of the Halo 3 songs.

The Halo Soundtrack collection (specifically tracks from Halo 1 and Halo 3):

Martin O’Donnell has composed some fantastic musical pieces over the course of the games. Even if you absolutely HATE video games, these are my top picks you must listen to:

Sierra 117, Part 1 (Released) – (Halo 3) = The very first track once you start playing the game (second off the 31 track album), and like the game, the music makes you imagine that you are in the jungle, preparing for war.

Crow’s Nest, Part 3 (Brutes) – (Halo 3) = It begins energy filled and transitions into a fantastic sneak-around-and-silently-kill-your-enemy sort of mood.

The Covenant (Black Tower) – (Halo 3) = This track starts off dark and mysterious, then 3/5 the way through, the song gives a beautiful and depressing, melodramatic type of feeling. Probably my most favorite off Halo 3.

Library Suite – (Halo 1) = A very dark and ominous sounding piece, you’ll think you were sent on a spy mission and now you are at the peak of your mission, with guards waiting just in the other room, before you make your escape.

Under Cover of Night – (Halo 1) = My absolute favorite track off the first album, words just can’t describe it.

Floodgate, Part 2 (Follow Our Brothers) – (Halo 3) = Wow! That’s all I can say about this track. It mixes “Under Cover of Night” and “Brothers in Arms” from the first album together beautifully.

The Storm, Part 1 (This Is Our Land) – (Halo 3) = Also borrowing from” Brothers in Arms”, this song starts off with a marching anthem, then transitions nicely into an aerial, in-the-clouds battle feeling, this one’s somewhat difficult to explain.

Ending (Roll Call) – (Halo 3) = Another great piece, this song gives you that I-want-to-be-a-hero-and-do-something-with-my-life sort of feeling.

I liked virtually all the tracks on the album, but I wasn’t going to give all of them a detailed explanation on their complexity. I urge everyone to listen to these tracks, melodies, etc. (more than ONCE) and give me your feedback on them

Here is an interesting article I came across that outlined the Rise and Fall of Metallica, and compared it to the Rise and Fall of American Liberties.

Have the glory days of America really passed, along with reaching the point of bloviating corruption, as some say Metallica has already?

By no means do I believe that our old society is perfect (Slavery, technology, etc.), however Americans during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries did have much less restrictions and more freedom than we do now.

Whether or not both of these bodies have really “changed” is debatable in and of itself. As the title of the article states, don’t take the readings TOO seriously, because both Metallica and America have good parts and bad parts. Not to mention I can go on record and say Metallica is my favorite Band.