So I clearly don’t use this blog very often.
Does anyone still read or care? Who knows…
Regardless, I work a lot, and am distracted by life, which seems to go by faster each day. I still enjoy listening to music, and have been recently listening to stuff from the past, and find myself enjoying things that I probably didn’t like, or didn’t really get into before. Sometimes, you just want a bunch of feel-good stuff, and hits from the past can definitely deliver that, when needed.
As it goes, I have been compiling a playlist of a bunch of hits from all genres and decades, and have had a lot of fun both making the list, and listening to it. As such I thought, why not share it? I have also shifted dramatically to using Spotify almost exclusively for music, other than my physical LP records and record player, so that’s where the playlist lives. Check it out, and I hope you have fun listening as well! Pro-tip: I shuffle when I listen, so it keeps it fresh!
I discovered this song when I stumbled on the cutesy video on youtube one day last week. I instantly loved the production and arrangement of the song, and I was sure that it was another gem from production genius Max Martin. Interestingly enough, it isn’t him, but Benny Blanco, who’s worked with a lot of the same artists (which is probably why it sounded like similar production to me). I love the energy of the song (which has a lot of the spunk that major hits like My Life Would Suck Without You carry), and I especially like Priscilla’s voice; which sounds like it has some major power underneath it. This is such a cute little song, and one that I would expect to hear on the radio 1000 times.
A Fine Frenzy’s new album, Bomb in a Birdcage came out last week, and I have found myself falling deeper and deeper in love with it with each listen. There are some incredibly beautiful tracks on it (this one being one of the best), and while many people fell for A Fine Frenzy with her debut, for whatever reason, I wasn’t pulled in. However, that is no longer the case, A Fine Frenzy has delivered one of the best albums of 2009 with Bomb In a Birdcage, and this song is one of my favorites from the album. It is light, airy, and beautiful all over. I am glad that she snagged my attention this (the second) time around. 
I posted about Noah and the Whale 
I will start by saying that I consider myself to be a fairly die-hard fan of Weezer. The Blue Album was one of my first CDs that I remember buying, and loving each song on it. Additionally, it is an album that really shaped the beginnings of my love for music. Each subsequent album showed that Weezer is a pop-rock band that is of a consistently high quality, and I have been a fan ever since. Amidst rumors of a break up after Make Believe (one of their best albums to date), Weezer quelled the fears of fans that didn’t want a break up to happen by releasing the Red Album, which unfortunately, I never really got into. There were some great songs on it, and it was definitely a good Weezer record, but for me, it was somewhat of a letdown. Well, a couple of weeks ago, a 
Sometimes hearing a song in context makes you realize how amazing it is; and that is exactly what happened to me with this song. I first heard this song back in March, 
I posted a song by Erin a while back, noting how her similarity to Sara Bareilles made me sit up and pay attention. Well, I never really got around to listening intently to her whole CD (sometimes, I just let things fall through the cracks), but when this track came up during one of my rounds of listening on shuffle, my interest in Erin was instantly re-invigorated. This track is sweet and the melody is beautiful. I love the backing violins and the way the song builds; all while retaining an inner softness. Thanks to shuffle, Erin is definitely going to be getting some more well deserved attention from me in the future.
I downloaded this a while ago, mainly because I kept seeing people talk about it on other music blogs. Additionally, I heard one song on BBC Radio One, and I kinda liked it, so I thought I would give the rest of the album a go. Unfortunately, it, like Erin’s album, slipped through the cracks, and I forgot about it. Well, when this haunting and enigmatic track came up during a shuffle-driven listening session, I did a double take when I saw who it was. This song is fantastic!!! I love how his vocals mirror some of the weathered despair of Morrissey with an added touch of Peter Gabriel, and I love the subtlety of his accent as well. I also love the piano, which reminds me a lot of a Nicole Atkins track. A big thanks goes out to shuffle for finding this great track that I let slip! 
When Matt Wertz first hit my radar, I was instantly a fan. I liked his vocal style and the playful and upbeat pop-rock style that he used in his music. He reminds me a lot of fellow singers like John McLachlan; not only in style, but in this particular case, there is a big similarity in the voice. Overall, Matt Wertz released a “new” album last year, and it kind of fell off of my radar, because it rehashed several of the songs on his previous release, which led to me kind of forgetting about it. Then, shuffle brings this song up, and instantly Matt is back on my radar. This song is perfect for spring, and I am glad that it is back on my playlist.
Sometimes, (shit, most of the time) I am a sucker for a beautiful accent. Particularly, my favorite accents are Irish and British, and definitely Scottish. Well, the thick Scottish accent present in the lead singer of Glasvegas is downright swoon worthy. I have had this song on my ipod for quite some time, and it wasn’t until it popped up during a shuffle that I really paid quality attention to it. I ended up downloading the whole album and I really like it. It quickly turned into one of those records that I wish I had of discovered last year, because there is definitely a chance it could have made my year end list. Oh well, I shouldn’t really dwell on the past, so I am more than pleased that I have it to listen to more in the future. 
Earlier this week, the delightful Silversun Pickups released their second album, Swoon. I was eager to see what they would bring with this new release, because I really enjoyed their 2006 album, Carnavas. What I like most about the Silversun Pickups, is how their use the distortion and heavy alternative influence of early 90’s Smashing Pumpkins; only they put there own twist on it, making it perfect for the here and now. This is my favorite song off of the album, which overall, is a solid, well made, and familiar release. I am glad they are still rocking hard, and making great music like this. I hope Swoon is a massive record for them; it definitely should be.
Sometimes, not very often, I hear a song, and it fucking moves me. This is one of those songs. I was reading my favorite music blogs last night, and 
I have to say, that I have always been a “fan” of Take That, but I have always had a hard time really, really getting into them. However, after seeing Stardust, and LOVING their amazing song that plays as the credits roll (Rule The World), I will admit that I was excited when I heard they were releasing an album next month. Well, one listen to Greatest Day, and I am even more excited, because it has the same feel and energy as Rule the World, and I am really, really digging it. Maybe 2008 is the year that Take That take my attention fully? I can say that things are definitely looking good at this point.
First of all, I will say that the first time I heard this song, I didn’t like it. However, I watched the video all of the way through a second time, and I really got into the lyrics. After watching the video again, I realized that I actually REALLY like it after all. Not only that, but Logan is kind of adorable, and I love the tenderness in his voice coupled with the electro beats in the background. This song is a major grower, so if you don’t love it instantly, please give it a second chance; I am so very glad that I did, because I realized how great it is, rather than letting it slip into oblivion. Also, I love that Logan is an out queer artist (ahem, Out Magazine), and represents another great gay musician out there on the scene.
I have been enjoying this fun little rock number for a few weeks now, and I was instantly in love with it when I first heard it. I have had kind of a love/hate relationship with Fall Out Boy, loving some stuff and hating other stuff, but there is no denying that these guys can turn out a killer single. This song is crazy catchy, and the chorus is infectious! Also, one MAJOR bonus, and perhaps the reason that I wanted to feature them this week, was that 
Here’s this week’s 90s one hit wonder flashback track… and it’s a doozy. This song was in the controversial movie Kids, which I remember seeing in high school and being completely blown away at how gritty and no-holds barred it was. Regardless of how I felt about the movie, one thing REALLY stuck with me; this amazing song. I bought the CD single (remember doing that!!??), and my friend Chuck and I would drive around and listen to this song on repeat. After finding it again last night while I was looking for 90s one hit wonders, and listening to it again, I remember why I loved this song so much; it is epic. This song is so catchy, and the beat is so head bopping amazing, that even now, more than 10 years later, I find myself listening to it on repeat again. This song is fantastic, and I am glad to rediscover it. Just wait and see what else I have if you love this forgotten gem!!!