Sound in Color: Depeche Mode – Black Celebration

01 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color Inspiration, Sound in Color

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80s, 80s music, A Question of Time, album art, Black Celebration, building, collage, color, color palette, cover art, Dave Gahan, Depeche Mode, light, music, New Dress, palette, Question of Lust, shadow, Stripped

I have liked Depeche Mode for many years now. Although they formed a year after I was born I connected with their music and listened to it throughout my life. Vocalist, Dave Gahan, possesses such an interesting and unique voice that nobody can match and even though they are considered an electronic band, they incorporate so many other beautiful elements in their sound.

Their 1986 album, Black Celebration, was a slightly different tune than their previous music. With somewhat of a darker spin, this fifth album consisted of fantasy driven sounds with an edge that carries a bit of sadness we can all connect with. On the other hand, the somewhat gloomy lyrics are paired with bright pops of synth genius which really helps the songs to shine. I can remember listening to this album while I was a teenager. My favorite tracks are Black Celebration, Question of Lust, A Question of Time, Stripped, and New Dress. Today when I listen to it, boy does it take me back.

The album art is a good fit for the sound of this album. It’s dark and unusual with pops of color and of course has an 80s feel to it. The image of a city building is used as a backdrop to showcase part of their logo, upside down M, and projected tulips. I like how the whole piece has a collage styled look while also highlighting shadow and light in the imagery. All in all, a good representation of the music on the album.

{ This post is dedicated to my best friend Heather who is the biggest Depeche Mode fan I know. One can say she is a little obsessed ♥ }

Sound in Color: Depeche Mode - Black Celebration

Color in Films: The Breakfast Club

06 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color in Films, Color Inspiration

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80s, color in films, detention, high school, institution, kids, principal, school, teenagers, teens, the athlete, the basket case, the brain, the breakfast club, the criminal, the princess, weekend

The Breakfast Club has been a favorite film of mine since I was young. Not only were the characters kids we could all relate to but the experiences they shared were very much real. I was pinned as Ally Sheedy’s character; weird, artistic and in her own world. This film brings me back, for sure.

Set in their local high school on a weekend, the five students have to face a day together in detention. Each one is different from the next, yet after hours of being in the same room, they find a way to get along. With an 80s vibe and somewhat institutional color scheme, the film gets under your skin and brings you along an unexpected ride through the one and only teen years.

I find it interesting how primary colors are highlighted throughout the film and used to represent the characters. The criminal in denim, red plaid and black sunglasses. The basket case in all black. The athlete in all blue. The princess in pink. And the brain in green and beige. The set, being the school, is pretty much like any other school. With neutral tones it stands as a dull backdrop. This only helps you focus more on the characters.

All in all, there is a message. A message that is best understood when you are young. Society will always find a way to label who you are and cage your ideas. But its when you break that wall of control and ignorance, that great things start to happen. When you are young, there are times it seems as if everyone and everything is against you. The only thing you can truly do is be yourself and show the world you are not afraid. There may be a dull environment clouding your soul, but if you own who you truly are, you can shine and create a brighter world.

Pastime Loves

05 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Shopping

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80s, 90s, animals, Anne of Green Gables, Annie, arts, back in the day, bmx, brooklyn, cartoons, children, Christian Slater, christmas, dancing, dolls, eclectic, Gleaming the Cube, growing up, He-man, jem, kids, Liquid Television, Mister Softee, Monchhichis, Pinterest, prince edward island, Puff the Magic Dragon, Ren and Stimpy, she-ra, singing, Smurfs, Strawberry Shortcake, Sylvanian Families, The Legend of Billie Jean, toys

When I think of the good old days, I remember all the toys and games I loved as a kid. Times were different back then. Growing up in the 80s and becoming a teen in the 90s, I can say that stuff back then was so much cooler. Not to mention, designed better. I see all the toys, dolls and games made for kids today and they just don’t compare. Because of this, I promise to share the best with my kids and make sure they know what cool really is.

Because I have so much love for many things in my past, I created a Pinterest board to collect all of these memorable favorites. From toys and dolls to awesome films, I continue to collect the best of the best. Here, I share some of these goodies with you guys and maybe, if you are part of my generation, it will take you back to the good old days too. And since the holidays are knocking at our door, there is no better time than now to share them with your children.

Mister Softee takes me back to Brooklyn, where I as born. I lived there till I was about 5 or so and one thing I remember so well is hearing Mister Softee down the block. It would get me so excited! I would jump up and down and run out to his truck for ice cream. And it always was the same, soft vanilla with rainbow sprinkles. To this day, I still get excited to hear his tune and its still the best ice cream out there. I love you Mister Softee!

As a child, I was always into the arts. Dancing, singing and drawing were major loves and entertaining everyone with my talents was so much fun. It was no surprise I would love Jem. What girl didn’t? She rocked!

The toys and dolls for girls back in the day were so rad. However, I will always have a place in my heart for Strawberry Shortcake. From all the characters to the beautiful little world they all lived in, this was one I couldn’t resist. I hate how the company recreated their look because it just isnt the same. The original is always better.

Oh, how I loved Sylvanian Families. Since I have always adored animals, how can I not want to play with all these wonderful and sweet characters. All kinds of animals were introduced from dogs and cats to bunnies and lambs. I used to have the little log house and various dolls. It was so much fun to play in animals heavan.

Monchhichis! That’s all I have to say about that.

Was there anyone who didn’t like the Smurfs? I had the toys, I watched the cartoon and even ate the cereal. Smurf’s rule!

When my mother got remarried, I moved to Elizabeth, NJ. My father in law had 3 sons so you can imagine how happy I was to have brothers. Although I played with girl toys, I did love the boy toys as well. They always have cool shit! The one thing my brothers and I could play with together was He-Man and She-Ra. I loved this so much. I always thought She-Ra was a bad ass.

The first time I saw Puff the Magic Dragon, I was in love. What a unique and awesome story. I guess it’s no surprise I grew up into a pot head, haha. I will always have love for Puff. I can’t wait to show my kids this film. Just the music alone is incredible.

Oh my God, did I love Annie. I even had the Annie mansion with all the dolls and little details. The movie just made me want to sing more!

As I got older, I appreciated the eclectic, weird and unique. Nothing says this more than Ren and Stimpy. It explored a different dimension of comedy and animation and I loved every minute of it. You can bet I was a big fan of Liquid Television as well.

And how could I forgot about Anne of Green Gables. Anne will always have a place in my heart. I used to watch it with my cousin Diana and we will both never forget sitting in front of the tv watching Anne’s stories unfold. I was so lucky to have visited Prince Edward Island this past October for our honeymoon. I saw everything Anne I could see!

I am sure many people out there loved Christian Slater. Not only did I love him, I bowed down to one of his best films ever, Gleaming the Cube. I was in awe of the art of skating and bmxing after watching it. So much that I even asked for a bmx bike for Christmas that year so I could start practicing my tricks. Well, I still have that wish. It turns out I never got the bike and so didn’t get the chance to be a famous bmx rider. Instead, my mother bought me a Sea Princess bike that was pink and purple with seashells painted all over it, haha. I just couldn’t win.

Another film that really inspired me was The Legend of Billie Jean. I loved how she took a stand and didn’t give up. The story of my teen years for sure.