For The Record Player

A blog about music by a teen for teens. You can visit the actual blog at fortherecordplayer.blog.com

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Best 14 Albums of 2014

In honor of the new year, I figured I might as well write something to close the  year off, and this is what I thought of. Although 14 is an odd number to be using, I figured it was more exclusive than 20 or 2,014 ( I don’t even think there was over 2,000 albums released). Now, let me remind you, these are my favorite albums of the year, not necessarily the absolute best (I’m not even sure there could be a strict ‘winner’ in content, but whatever). These aren’t really in the order of favorite to least favorite, but in order of which I have listened to most (or at least which I think I’ve listened to most).

1989 by Taylor Swift-The first time I heard this I really loved the album. I especially love it had a whole new sound compared to her past sounds. It’s pretty cool being able to see how her music has transformed over the years and now sounds like the pop she’s meant to be singing.

5 Seconds of Summer by 5 Seconds of Summer-I had been so excited for the release of this album and, even after it was released I was listening to it nonstop (my sister hates the band because she was forced to hear it for a week straight).

Talk Dirty by Jason Derulo-I absolutely love Jason Derulo’s album. I love listening to it when I’m running or just hanging out. Talk Dirty is one of my favorite of his songs to jam to (you can ask practically all of my friends who are annoyed now when it comes on the radio or Pandora).

High Hopes by Bruce Springsteen-I’m kind of sad this is only at no. 4 and almost lower than it is now; considering my love for Bruce it should be higher, but, whatever. I wasn’t fully in love with this album, but I especially love blasting The Ghost of Tom Joad in the car, along with Just Like Fire Would, Frankie Fell in Love, Dream Baby Dream, and (obviously) High Hopes.

LIVESOS by 5 Seconds of Summer-Hilariously, these boys are on here a second time. I’ve always loved live albums because they are so much more real and their sound makes it seem as though you are actually at the concert(s), and this album was no exception. I’m actually listening to this album as I write this post.

In the Lonely Hour by Sam Smith-I was really in love with this album when it came out (I seriously fangirl over Sam Smith). I recently got the vinyl of his album and I’m not sure how many times I’ve listened to it (there is no point in trying to keep count, really).

X by Ed Sheeran-I’ve never been a fan of Ed Sheeran, but this album is something I don’t mind. I think I’ve certainly warmed to his music and this album may just be the album that makes me want to go see him live (my one friend would really love that).

747 by Lady Antebellum-I was seriously in love with this album. Not a disappointment at all, as usual.

Storyline by Hunter Hayes-I’ve loved Hunter Hayes since he released his first album, and I’m really looking forward to hopefully seeing him live this year on tour (please, please tour).

Demolicious by Green Day-I was really surprised I didn’t listen to this more than I actually did. Still an awesome album to listen to when driving (I’m just realizing I listen to most of my music in the car, which is kind of sad).

Sex and Love by Enrique Iglesias-Enrique Iglesias is just too cool to not listen to. One of my friends and I just play Baliando randomly as we’re hanging out (she once walked by my classroom multiple times blasting it as I was taking a math test).

For You by Selena Gomez-I love that she’s released a ‘greatest hits’ album, especially with songs sung in Spanish (I’ve always been interested in Spanish-sung songs)

Road Between by Lucy Hale-I wasn’t sure how this album was going to be, considering she is an actress before singing, and a lot of actors think they can sing and…well, can’t. However, I did really enjoy listening to this album even though it isn’t really like the country I normally listen to.

This Time by Lauren Bonnell-This may only be an EP and not an ‘album’, I’m still including it. And, this is only on the bottom of the list because I haven’t had the chance to listen to it as much as I wish, considering it came out only this month.

Well, there it is. I was disappointed that some of my favorite artists like Paramore, Bon Jovi, Luke Bryan, and Blink 182 didn’t release  a new album this year, but at least there were still quality albums of other artists I adore to listen to in their vacancy.

Anyways, I hope y’all have a great New Year! ‘Til next time.

[fortherecordplayer]

Good Girls by 5 Seconds of Summer Music Video

Let me start off with one thing: these boys are sexy of hell in the video (when aren’t they, though?).

Okay, now ‘serious’ time (serious time just means no more drooling). When 5 Seconds of Summer released the first music trailer, the video looked dark and disturbing (in short, it looked a lot like a horror film). I was kind of confused as to the actual ‘story’ in the music video and the ‘story’ in the song. I thought the whole point of the song was that good girls are bad girls that haven’t been caught, however they’re in a jail filled with bad girls who’ve been (obviously) caught.

Anyhow, to begin this music video the boys were being interview by the principal of the reform school to see if their ‘classical music’ would help the girls become the good girls the school is supposed to make them. The boys, their music completely opposite to that of classical, of course lie and pretend to be good boys who discuss their ‘different’ ideas of what a good girl is like (they’re great with words in this conversation).

I’m a very sarcastic person, and this song, full of sarcasm, glories the teenage dirtbags (get it, Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus…no? okay then) and tricksters of the world; the deception of parents and the lying, rebellious school girls who are doing naughty things in libraries. The chorus is catchy as hell and has been in my head the past hour I’ve being watching the video and writing this very review. Sure, their views towards preppy school girls is that they are practically non-existent and the fact that they advertise constant and cunning treachery aren’t the best two things teens should be listening to nowadays, they’re true to the rebellious teenage stereotype we all know and love.

The video spotlighted naughty girls who were forced to learn the ways of good girls, but also Ashton Irwin’s hilarious drumming faces, Calum Hood’s newly dyed hair tucked into a sexy snapback, Luke Hemmings’ insanely long legs, and Michael Clifford being his usual reject (get it, one of their songs…queue fake laughter). And I wouldn’t mind going to this reform school and getting to see and meet 5 Seconds of Summer (hint, hint, mother!) but alas, I’m not rebellious enough to get arrested or whatever you have to do to get into reform school (my apologies, I didn’t educate myself on reform school rules and regulations).

The video’s director did a good job on cutting in between the concert and the reform school classes. Sidenote: I’m not gonna lie, if 5 Seconds of Summer was performing outside my school I would react the exact same way as these girls did by throwing papers and locking teachers up. And, just incase the members of 5 Seconds of Summer want someone who is fluent in French I am somewhat kind of fluentish (I took a couple years of French so Je parle pas francais if that is what they want).

Luckily, I know how being taught good posture by holding a book on top of my head feels like (sense sarcasm?) and I understand how annoying it is (I wanted to punch my mom in the face). In addition to the outdated book trick, the girls were also being taught to drink tea and read pink books like freaking robots (some scary shit right there–they can take over the world with their mindless, tea drinking, pink book reading armies). Sidenote: When Ashton, Calum, Michael, and Luke lined up to get their mug shot taken, you can see how tall Luke’s hair is (hair game strong, am I right?).

Despite this music video not being at all what I expected, I was still quite entertained. They pulled off their usual mini concert as they had in Don’t Stop and partially in She Looks So Perfect (no audience) well, and it reminded me of when I was able to see them in concert over the summer (and got me stoked for when I’ll see them next year). By the end of this video, I wanted to get a mug shot, some sweet lemonade, and one (or all) of the boys next to me on a hot summer day (or in any weather, I’m not picky).

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Review: Fireproof and Steal My Girl

Fireproof:

Fireproof seemed very chill and vibey, yet was still their usual, basic pop song with catchy lyrics that get easily stuck in your head that millions of teen girls will fawn over. This song was a nice song like Story Of My Life. I’m not a fan of One Direction, but Story Of My Life had a slow, soft, mellow beat which made their voices that much stronger, and the boys of One Direction made sure there was the same feel in their newest single. They’re voices blend extremely well, and the song never highlighted one or two of the boys while leaving the rest in the background (like pretty much their first two albums when Harry and Zayn had the most attention drawn to their voices). What I did like a lot about this track was how different the sound of it was compared to their bubblegum boyband pop crap like What Makes You Beautiful, I Want, or Stand Up. Their last album tried to be a little more rocky (Midnight Memories especially with the Def Leppard sound) and now it seems like they’re changing their sound again. What most annoyed me about this song was the weird pause of the lyrics around 1:40 in the song that was filled with ah’s and guitar. This break felt unnecessary and just awkward; it seemed as if the boys had written the song, forgot to write another verse in place of it, and were like, ‘Eh, no one is going to care. Let’s just leave it and make it a time filler.’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bXTbfnWPqk

Steal My Girl:

When I first heard Steal My Girl to say I was confused was an understatement. I don’t know if it is just me (which it normally and probably is), but their voices sounded autotuned. A little autotune for clean-up is perfectly acceptable, but there is, of course, a point where you cross a line with the editing. Some of their earlier stuff sounded a little too edited, and this sound reminded me of that. When I first listened to the song it was kind of hard for me to distinguish who was singing, not because of perfect harmonies, but because they sounded the same despite their real voices not sounding the same at all. And, of course, Zayn does his usual high note at the closing of the song during their final verse (shocking). I did enjoy how this song had a lot of piano in it (I’ve always loved piano, not sure why).  What I found really interesting was who actually wrote the song (Liam and Louis); I wonder if these boys are scared of losing their girlfriends to other men (hmmm….?). The boy brought back their ‘na nas’ from their 2011 hit What Makes You Beautiful, which were over done. Overall, this song feels and sounds like a typical One Direction song, despite there being a slight difference, if any.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3IpWRVS0uE

[sybrenj]

65 years of Bruce in 10 pictures.

Habby birthday, Bruce. We love you.

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The Best of Bruce Springsteen

In honor of the Boss' 65th Birthday I've decided to make a list of my favorite Springsteen songs. Here's a few of them and the other 60 are on the website link below:

1. No Surrender

2. Fire

3. Born to Run

4. The Promise

5. Tenth Avenue Freezeout

fortherecordplayer.blog.com

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A Beginner's Guide to Hunter Hayes

Hello all, I would like to introduce Mr. Hunter Hayes, a country singer and songwriter from Louisiana, USA. I became a fan of his music right when his first album dropped and I’m hoping you like him too. Since he just released his newest album this year and his Tattoo (Your Name) Tour is just starting I figured I’d introduce you guys to him (if you didn’t already know him, that is). Well, without further ado, Hunter Hayes.

Hunter Hayes, 23,  was born Breaux Bridge, Louisiana September 9, 1991. Hunter gets his French roots from both parents, but his English and Northern Irish roots from his mom and his Scottish, Irish, and German roots from his father. Hunter’s grandmother gave him a toy accordion when he was two years old and introduced to him the joy of music. He plays over 30 instruments all of which he taught himself and, at his age, he’ll probably be able to learn every instrument on the planet. When he was young he acted in “The Apostle” as a child accordionist, “Figure It Out” as himself, My Dog Skip as an accordion boy, and Charlie’s War as Montgomery. He’s completely addicted to coffee, but not so much to candy (I love my coffee too, Hunter).

In 2011, he released his first non-independent album, Hunter Hayes, which reached #4 on the United States Country charts. He co-wrote all of the songs, played every instrument, and co-produced the album (a talented boy, I see). “Wanted”, a song on his debut album, became his first No. 1 single; he became the youngest solo male act to top Hot Country Songs. He toured with  Taylor Swift on her Speak Now Tour in the summer of 2011, with Rascal Flatts in 2012 on his Thawed Out Tour, and then with Carrie Underwood in late 2012 on her Blown Away Tour. He released Hunter Hayes (Encore) in 2013 where “I Want Crazy” topped as No. 2 on the Country Airplay charts and where Jason Mraz was featured on “Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me”. Hunter recently released Storyline early this year which debuted on its release at No. 3 on the  US Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the US Top Country Albums chart. So far he’s headlined four tours since 2011 when his album dropped: Most Wanted Tour in 2011, Let’s Be Crazy Tour in 2013, We’re Not Invisible Tour 2014, and Tattoo (Your Name) Tour in 2014.

Check out the full article with some of his songs at fortherecordplayer.blog.com

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Youtube

I’ve been on YouTube the past few weeks looking for people who I think are some of the best singers/guitarists on YouTube. Now, I haven’t seen everyone on YouTube I could possibly see, but I have found quite a few people on it that I have really enjoyed and others who I just couldn’t stand, so I figured why not show you some people I’ve enjoyed (I think I might do this every month).  I’ll also do separate links of some of my favorite songs they’ve covered or written on the To Watch Videos tab.

1. Shawn Mendes

I love his voice. It is so incredibly beautiful. He has this different sound that I don’t think many male artists have right now (he’s got a softer voice compared to some of the ‘scruffier’ ones). Not only does he play guitar, but he wrote some original songs and has released an EP (I think it has been released by this time).

2. LaurenBonnell24

I heard Lauren for the first time a couple days ago and from the first time I heard her sing I became a fan. She is so talented and has this really great, unique tone/voice that I don’t think anyone else has. (Sidenote: I love and want her guitar) I think she is one of the quickest Youtube singers I have grown a fan of (that’s saying a lot cause I have spent hours on end listening to so many people you wouldn’t believe).  Her collection consists of a lot of 5 Seconds of Summer, Taylor Swift, One Direction, and Ed Sheeran. She has also released an album called Weightless in iTunes.

3. Andrew Foy

All I can really say is HOLY CRAP, this dude has SERIOUS guitar skills. This guy can play guitar like his life depends on it. I honestly have no idea how he can play the guitar so well, but if it is something in the water he is drinking then PLEASE GIVE ME SOME. I know most of the other people on this list sing, but this boy is talented and should be known on YouTube.

4. Luke Towler

I think Luke has such a sweet voice with a nice range. He did a Marry Me cover and while a lot of guys try to sing the higher notes and fail, he actually sounded very nice. I haven’t seem very many of his covers, but I’ve seen plenty to know he has great skill. I do also believe is going on tour this year or is on tour (I’m not sure which it is at the time I’m writing right now).

5.  Against the Current

I stumbled upon this group while I was looking up She Looks So Perfect covers (it seemed like a good place to start) and I love the girl’s voice. I love her sound and her tone and how well she just sounds in general. They have such a great musical range too; from 5 Seconds of Summer to Taylor Swift to Paramore to The 1975 to Zedd, they play any song and play it well. What’s also refreshing is that they play their own instruments (guitar, piano, and drums) instead of just using the music from instrumental track.

6. Troye Sivan

I know I’ve said this with pretty much everyone on this list but I adore his voice. It’s so soft and comforting (particularly his Kiss Me cover). He has written and produced many original songs over Youtube. Troye released an EP this year called TRXYE which is presently 33 on iTunes (I assume it was much higher when he initially released it, but as always I am ‘late to the party’).

7. Jack and Jack

These boys started on Vine (I think) and then moved to Youtube. They’re quite talented actually which surprised me. The one is a good rapper which you really wouldn’t expect if you just saw a photo of him, and the other one has a really nice voice. They’ve written a lot of original songs that I thought were pretty good (sometimes when rappers and singers write original songs they’re horrible, but their stuff was catchy and had a nice beat).

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Best of The 1975

Now, I didn’t know who The 1975 was in 2012 when they started, but I found out about them earlier this year from Pandora. I fell in love with their music (why I don’t know, but I did). So, I figured why not give a best of out of their songs (they’re not in the order of my favorites, just randomly listed). They don’t have too many, but they’re still extremely talented.

1. Chocolate

2. Girls

3. The City

4. Sex

5. She Way Out

6. Menswear

7. M.O.N.E.Y.

8. Is There Somebody Who Can Watch You

9. Robbers

10. Talk!

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My VMA 2014 Predictions

The VMA’s are going to air this Sunday, August 24, so I figured why not celebrate with my predictions on who is going to win? Well, here they are–my predictions. My full predictions with reasons why I chose these videos and why I didn't chose others are on my site at http://fortherecordplayer.blog.com/

Artist to Watch: 5 Seconds of Summer, “She Looks So Perfect”

Best Lyric Video: 5 Seconds of Summer, “Don’t Stop”

Video of the Year: Beyoncé ft. Jay Z, “Drunk In Love”

Best Hip-Hop Video: Eminem, “Berzerk”

Best Male Video: Pharrell Williams, “Happy”

Best Female Video: Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX, “Fancy”

Best Pop Video: Jason Derulo ft. 2 Chainz, “Talk Dirty”

Best Rock Video: Imagine Dragons, “Demons”

Best Choreography: Jason Derulo ft. 2 Chainz, “Talk Dirty”

Best Collaboration: Beyoncé ft. Jay Z, “Drunk In Love”

MTV Clubland Award: DJ Snake & Lil Jon, “Turn Down For What”

Best Video With A Social Message: Angel Haze ft. Sia, “Battle Cry”

Best Cinematography: 30 Seconds to Mars, “City of Angels”

Best Direction: OK Go, “The Writing’s On The Wall”

Best Art Direction: Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX, “Fancy”

Best Visual Effects: Eminem, “Rap God”

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A Beginner's Guide To 5 Seconds of Summer

Hello everyone, I would love to introduce 5 Seconds of Summer, a band consisting of four boys from the land down under. (Left to Right) Ashton Irwin, Calum Hood, Luke Hemmings, and Michael Clifford are four talented lads with killer hair, accents, and tastes in music. I have fallen in love with them and I wanted to give you, dear readers, a chance to know and understand these boys and their music. Let’s start with the elder of the band, shall we?

Ashton Irwin, age 20, was born July 7, 1994 in Hornsby, Australia (where that is I have no idea, but I love the name). He doubles as vocals and drummer of the band and has been since 2011. He honestly has one of the funniest laughs/giggles I have ever heard in my life. The 6 foot tall blonde loves bandanas (why I have no idea), vanilla scented candles (totally agree), and spaghetti (yum). Next we have Michael Clifford, age 18, born November 20, 1995 in Sydney, Australia. The natural blonde, though you would never be able to tell, loves to dye his hair different colors practically every other week (if he can go that long without dying it a new color). In addition to being a chameleon, he is a huge pizza enthusiast (if you haven’t heard the secret track Pizza on their new album you wouldn’t understand) who enjoys pepperoni and Hawaiian pizza (yummmm). Calum Hood, age 18, was born January 25, 1996 also in Sydney, Australia. The Kiwi and Scottish boy is the bassist and a vocalist in the band and has written the most songs out of the band. He has an extremely toned and nice ass (it’s delicious). He has multiple tattoos on his tan skin, including a chief and his sister’s name, and hopes that sometime soon their fanbase will extend to somewhere like the Bahamas so they can visit the beach. Last but not least, Luke Hemmings, age 18, born July 16, 1996 in Sydney, Australia. Luke is the lead singer and guitarist of the band while also being the baby of the group. The messiest member of the band is obsessed with penguins (sure, why not?) and Calum and his squishy face (agreed) with one of his favorite television shows being How I Met Your Mother (if you have never seen the show before or if you don’t like it you’re wrong, just plain wrong).

The boys are just that–boys. They love ‘boyish’ things like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (check out their July 1st livestream) and The Lego Movie (Everything is awesome! Everything is cool when you’re part of a team! Everything is awesome, when we’re living our dream!). They’re also in love with band t-shirt’s with tons and tons of holes and black skinny jeans (it’s a uniform for them, just look at pretty much any photo of them). Also, if you wish to become part of the 5SOSfam (the name of their fandom) you must also know they enjoy bananas, Will Smith, and flying gibbons. They’re tour bus (in America at least) is named Gus Bus (nice rhyming, boys).

  You can read the whole post on fortherecordplayer.blog.com

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i just noticed that your concert was on the 13th!!!!! I WAS THERE TOO!!!!

Cool. It was fun. Thanks for reading that btw

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Concert Series: One Direction and Five Seconds of Summer

Tour Date: August 13, 2014

Now, I am a huge 5 Seconds of Summer fan (absolute fangirl) which was the original reason I wanted to attend the concert. I am not, however, a ‘Directioner’ unlike the four girls I attended the concert with. Though I was not a fan I listened to One Direction’s music and actually ended up liking some of their newer less ‘stereotypical boy band’ material. Starting off the concert, 5 Seconds of Summer opened with 18, one of my favorite songs from their debut album (feel free to look at my review of the entire album on the Reviews page). They followed suit with Out of My Limit, Heartbreak Girl, and Don’t Stop. 5SOS took a break from their original songs to do a cover of a well-known 2010 pop jam Teenage Dream which they put their own spin on. They made it more their style; rockin’ drums paired with electric guitars and a smooth base. I loved it. Luke’s warm vocals just make you want to melt into a puddle of lust, Calum’s voice makes you want to scream your ass off, Michael’s solo makes you want to run away and do whatever he wants, and Ashton’s harmonies were the icing on the cake. After their beautiful cover they moved on to the classics Heartbreak on the Big Screen, Amnesia, and Beside You. 5SOS added their She Looks So Perfect EP cover of What I Like About You by The Romantics. The song was perfect for a band like them–a punk, pop, rock type group with a modern sound–as they brought an old classic back from the grave. The boys also interrupted their set for a conversation about–wait for it–cheesesteaks. Their ‘argument’ was Pat’s vs. Geno’s and, though going against the majority, I must agree with Ashton; I love Pat’s more. And I completely agree with his statement of how Pat’s is ‘more genuine’, but not only that, more delicious. Finally, they closed the set with a pairing of Good Girls and their No. 1 hit about a girl in her boyfriend’s underwear,  She Looks So Perfect.

During the break (a long-ass break I might add) the stadium was filled with hundreds of tweens, teens, and drunk adults forced to go to the concert with their kin danced the Macarena and Single Ladies dance, and might I say, without missing a single step.

Continuing on with the headliner, One Direction opened with Midnight Memories, their most popular song from the album. They continued with Little Black Dress, Kiss You, Why Don’t We Go There, Rock Me, Don’t Forget Where You Belong, Live While We’re Young, C’mon C’mon, Right Now, Through the Dark, Happily, Little Things, Moments, Strong, Better Than Words, Alive, One Thing, and Diana. Like 5SOS One Direction interrupted their set, but not to talk about cheesesteaks, though they did later in the show, but to sing The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air theme song (it is apparently a ‘thing’ for them, I don’t know) in none other than Philadelphia. The boys continued their vocal conquest with their classic What Makes You Beautiful to cap off the show…or so the crowd thought. The lads, however, came back with four more hits; You and I, Story of My Lie, Little White Lies, and Best Song Ever. As I stated earlier I was not a ‘Directioner’ and I was worried that they wouldn’t be very good live (some people should just stay in the studio because they can’t handle a stage), but I was delightfully surprised that their voices are not edited and that they can sing so well even after running up and down the runway. Now, what I really admired about this band was after every other song or every three songs they halted the music to give a massive thanks to the fans for their support over the four years One Direction has been together. Even though I’m not a huge fan of their music I am now a fan of who they are as people. Watching them in concert I could see how much they loved, admired, and appreciated the fans they had. Watching them in concert I could see how much they loved to perform. Watching them in concert I could understand why some of these fan girls ‘fall in love’ with the foreign lads of One Direction not only for their obvious physical attraction, but also their personalities.

Overall, I thought the concert between the two was a job well done. Would I go again? Probably not. Would I recommend the concert to people who enjoy this type of music more than I do? Absolutely. The girls I went with are massive fans and they had the time of their lives dancing and screaming (a few even crying).

After the concert there was a tour bus that a group of girls thought were the boys of 5 Seconds of Summer. They raced to the bus and stood in the middle of the street practically climbing the bus to get a glimpse (it wasn’t actually them by the way). It seriously must suck to not be able to get out of a parking lot and down the street without getting mauled by hormonal girls. Lastly,  I just wanted to say one thing. Sometimes I feel bad for bands like 5 Seconds of Summer and One Direction because their music isn’t appreciated. Sure they have millions of fans and thousands of people go to their concerts, but most of them are teen girls who think they’re attractive (which they are) and that’s all the boys are to the girls; pieces of meat.

[fortherecordplayer]

WHERE WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO VISIT ON YOUR PLANET?

Australia or Ireland