Arachnophonia: Jay-Z “The Blueprint 3”

Posted on November 3, 2025 by marmstr3

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Ibrahim (class of 2028) and features Jay-Z’s 2009 studio album The Blueprint 3. Thanks, Ibrahim!

Jay-Z
The Blueprint 3

Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3 album cover

The Blueprint 3 is Jay-Z’s eleventh studio album, released in 2009. It marked a new era for the legendary rapper, showcasing his growth as an artist while embracing modern production and collaborations. The album includes some of Jay-Z’s biggest hits, such as “Empire State of Mind,” “Run This Town,” and “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune).” The Blueprint 3 explores themes of success, ambition, and legacy, all set against sleek, forward-thinking beats that bridge hip-hop’s past and future.

What makes The Blueprint 3 special is its blend of confidence and reflection. Jay-Z celebrates achievement but also examines what it means to stay relevant in a changing world. “Empire State of Mind” became an anthem for perseverance and pride, while songs like “Young Forever” remind listeners of the fleeting nature of fame and time. Whether you’re a longtime hip-hop fan or new to Jay-Z’s music, this album captures both the sound and spirit of an artist at the height of his influence.

The Parsons Music Library has The Blueprint 3 available on CD, so you can experience its powerful mix of beats and ideas yourself. Whether you want to reflect on its lyrics, study its production, or just enjoy its energy, The Blueprint 3 remains one of Jay-Z’s defining works.

Parsons Playlists: Karaoke Songs

Posted on October 31, 2025 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Griffin (class of 2027) which features some songs karaoke-d at a recent party.

Karaoke Songs

People gathered around a karaoke mic singing

I recently hosted a karaoke night event, and thought it would make a good playlist as a reference for the future, as well as a memento of the songs that night. Below are the songs that were sung, plus a few more that were queued up, but we ran out of time. Hope you enjoy!

ABBA – “Dancing Queen”

Kelly Clarkson – “Since U Been Gone”

Train – “Drops of Jupiter”

Billy Joel – “Piano Man”

Sir Mix-A-Lot – “Baby Got Back”

Salt-N-Peppa – “Shoop”

Lady Gaga ft. Beyoncé – “Telephone”

Beyoncé ft. JAY-Z – “Deja-vu”

Adele – “Set Fire to the Rain”

Bon Jovi – “Livin’ On A Prayer”

Carly Rae Jepsen – “Call Me Maybe”

Katy Perry – “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)”

The Killers – “Mr. Brightside”

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell – “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZezUf_jeN6UMOaCB8UTLwmYS&si=Dm3j5sQ9tL2jRxyF

WDCE Charts 10-29-25

Posted on October 30, 2025 by marmstr3

WDCE 90.1: UR Radio is the voice of independent radio in Richmond, VA and has been student-run and operated since 1960.
Students have used it as a launching pad for careers in radio or other mass communications, and also as an engaging extra-curricular activity. Community members and UR alumni also continue to play an important role in the station.

We’re sharing chart information from WDCE as reported to the North American College and Community (NACC) Radio Chart.

Here’s the WDCE Top 30 from 29 October 2025 (click the image to see a larger version):

WDCE chart 10-29-25

For comparison, here is this week’s national NACC chart (click the image to see a larger version):

NACC chart info 10-29-25

You can stream WDCE live here: https://live365.com/station/WDCE-90-1-FM-a39711

The top four albums played on WDCE this week were:
* Snooper – Worldwide
* AFI – Silver Bleeds the Black Sun …
* Flock of Dimes – The Life You Save
* Fionn – Scum.

Arachnophonia: Billy Joel “The Stranger”

Posted on October 29, 2025 by marmstr3

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Julie (class of 2028) and features Billy Joel’s classic 1977 album The Stranger. Thanks, Julie!

Billy Joel
The Stranger

Billy Joel - The Stranger (1977) album cover

The Stranger is easily my favorite album by American pianist and singer-songwriter, Billy Joel. I grew up hearing his music blasting from the radio and my dad’s speaker, and while this album contains several of his popular, more up-beat hits such as “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)” and “Only The Good Die Young,” I have to admit that “Vienna” and “She’s Always A Woman” have my heart.

Easily recognizable by its iconic piano introduction, “Vienna” leaves the listener with a gentle reminder to stop and smell the roses as a young adult; life doesn’t end with old age!

“She’s Always A Woman” is, I think, one of the most beautiful love songs out there. While it’s certainly mellow, the complexity of Joel’s melody and instrumentation make it stand out in a crowd without losing its approachability.

I’ll always jump at the chance to use my CD player, and for me, I found The Stranger to be the perfect soundtrack for a rainy day study session. With a stellar group of songs perfectly representing a wide variety of emotions, this album truly has something for everyone.

Arachnophonia: “There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift” by Kevin Evers

Posted on October 27, 2025 by marmstr3

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Elina (class of 2029) and features a book about the intersection of Taylor Swift, pop culture, and business. Thanks, Elina!

There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift by Kevin Evers

There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift by Kevin Evers

Finance bros and Swifties (Taylor Swift’s fans) usually don’t mix. One’s busy crying to heartbreak songs, the other’s checking the stock market a bit too much. But the book titled There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift by Kevin Evers might just bring them together. It’s the rare book that proves that Taylor Swift is not just on top of the charts, but she is also running a billion-dollar brand.

The author Kevin Evers is an editor at Harvard Business Review and this book has been featured in Rolling Stone, People Magazine, US Weekly, USA Today, The Financial Times, and more. The book was named to the Financial Times “What to Read in 2025” list and was also named one of the “Thirty books we’re excited to read in the first half of 2025” by The Sydney Morning Herald.

There’s Nothing Like This unpacks the calculated plan behind Swift’s every move, from re-recording her albums to forming a direct relationship with her fans that beats any thriving company’s customer loyalty strategy. Her fans will love seeing how her methods fit into the business world and anyone interested in marketing or entrepreneurship will be surprised by her strategy.

This book connects two worlds: pop culture and business. It’s written in a way that is fun, easy to follow and you don’t have to have any prior knowledge of marketing to get it. Whether you are a Swiftie who wants to learn more about the behind the scenes of what she does or a finance bro who admires good and successful business strategies, this book shows that Taylor Swift’s success isn’t just luck, it’s a combination of smart moves and understanding of marketing. She truly is a mastermind.

Parsons Playlists: Cyberpunk/Synthwave

Posted on October 24, 2025 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Nikoloz (class of 2026) and features some cyberpunk and synthwave tunes.

Cyberpunk/Synthwave

Person in Black Top Inside Orange Lighted Room

Enjoy this Cyberpunk/Synthwave playlist!

Daft Punk – “End of Line”

Daniel Deluxe – “Cyberoptics”

Shortwire – “Reconfig”

Wice – “Collide”

Wice – “Asteroid Rain”

JNATHYN – “Genesis”

Daft Punk – “Sea of Simulation”

Daft Punk – “C.L.U.”

Daft Punk – “The Grid”

Magic Sword – “Journey’s End”

Code Elektro – “Cosmonaut’s Dream”

Sung – “Neon Artery”

Wice – “Aliens”

Wice – “Further”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexGf6YXMWZOYoMtLDMmgaLI&si=SuvJrELl3q9UFCME

WDCE Charts 10-22-25

Posted on October 23, 2025 by marmstr3

We’re sharing chart information from WDCE as reported to the North American College and Community (NACC) Radio Chart.

Here’s the WDCE Top 30 from 22 October 2025 (click the image to see a larger version):

WDCE 10-22-25

For comparison, here is this week’s national NACC chart (click the image to see a larger version):

NACC 10-22-25

You can stream WDCE live here: https://live365.com/station/WDCE-90-1-FM-a39711

The top four albums played on WDCE this week were:
* Snooper – Worldwide
* Wednesday – Bleeds
* Geese – Getting Killed
* The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die – Dreams Of Being Dust

Arachnophonia: Ariana Grande: “Eternal Sunshine”

Posted on October 22, 2025 by marmstr3

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Claire (class of 2028) and features Ariana Grande’s 2024 studio album Eternal Sunshine on vinyl. Thanks, Claire!

Ariana Grande

Eternal Sunshine

Ariana Grande - Eternal Sunshine

Ariana Grande’s latest studio album, Eternal Sunshine, was released in 2024. This album showcases Ariana’s growth as an artist, blending smooth R&B, electronic pop, and introspective lyrics. It contains some of her most talked-about songs, including “yes, and?” and “we can’t be friends.” Eternal Sunshine explores themes of self-reflection, love, and personal growth, making it a favorite among fans.

What makes Eternal Sunshine unique is its cohesive sound and thoughtful songwriting. The song “We can’t be friends” highlights Ariana’s emotional vulnerability, while other tracks provide a balance of energy and melody. Whether you’ve followed Ariana’s career from the beginning or are a newer listener, this album is enjoyable and engaging to experience.

For students interested in studying contemporary pop, themes of self-reflection in music, or the intersection of electronic production with emotional lyricism, Eternal Sunshine is a great resource. But beyond analysis, it’s also simply an enjoyable listen — a vinyl record that captures both the challenges and beauty of growth.

Arachnophonia: Prince and the Revolution “Purple Rain”

Posted on October 20, 2025 by marmstr3

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Griffin (class of 2027) and features Prince and the Revolution’s classic album Purple Rain (available on vinyl and CD at the Music Library). Thanks, Griffin!

Prince and the Revolution

Purple Rain

Purple Rain album cover

How did Prince’s legacy we honor today as an international pop superstar begin? For starters, it comes from this record smashing album that is one of the most iconic records from the 80s. Already making quite a significant headway in the music industry from earlier songs like “1999” and “Little Red Corvette” that got Prince to the peak of some mountains, this album was the ship that blasted off Prince into the stardom we know today. Earning Prince best album of the year, song of the year, and movie of the year, and awarded 4th place on Apple’s 100 best albums list, Purple Rain brought forth the future of music as we know it.

Released in 1984, the album broke the rules of the music genre like never before. This is unsurprising for Prince who always fought against being bound to any one particular label and its restrictions (literal music labels as well as the metaphoric ones). The album mixed pop, soul, funk, R&B, rock, gospel, and neo-psychedelia into an unpredictable sonic experience. This fusion found new ways of expression through music and sent waves of influence into the present landscape of music.

As for the content, Prince explores themes of love, lust, identity, alienation, loss and spirituality. Singing with raw emotional depth, the topics give a profound view into the artist’s life and speaks to the human experience. Through “I Would Die 4 U”, Prince challenges ideas of masculinity and sexuality, becoming one of the first artists of color to champion gender-fluidity on the global stage. Purple Rain also influenced how albums were sold because of its content. The track “Darling Nikki” spurred public backlash for its sexually explicit themes, creating the rule in the music industry that albums with child-unfriendly material must have Parental Advisory stickers.

Overall, Purple Rain was one of the most culturally significant albums created and the magnum opus of the late artist formerly known as Prince, and you can check out the vinyl at the Music Library today!

Parsons Playlists: Sunny Day

Posted on October 17, 2025 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Joyce (class of 2027) and features songs for a sunny day.

Sunny Day

This playlist carries an upbeat yet relaxed energy, carrying the atmosphere of a sunny day free from obligations. It creates a soundscape that encourages you to slow down, embrace the present, and simply enjoy the moment!

Aaliyah – “At Your Best (You Are Love)”

The Carpenters – “(They Long To Be) Close To You”

Vendla – “Face Your Fears”

Ravyn Lenae – “Genius”

Kali Uchis – “Breeze!”

Ella Fitzgerald – “Misty”

Ilene Woods & Mike Douglas – “So This Is Love”

Kali Uchis – “Sunshine & Rain…”

Kali Uchis – “Simple”

Wave to Earth – “Peach Eyes”

Wave to Earth – “Play With Earth!”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZewFAKUTajgKEmTms6v7-YBW&si=4_8I_7v9a_Bhzbrg