Tag: owl-city

five song friday, music musings, music suggestion

5SF: may 8

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Well, after a bit of a snafu with the tile situation, I am pretty confident we will make the right choice, and in the end, everything will look amazing. Stay tuned for more on that… I am so ready to take a damn shower in there already, that it isn’t even funny anymore! Alright, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s get to the real reason of this post: the music! I have some AMAZING songs for today, so hold on to your hats kids, because away we go!!

Erik Hassle – Hurtful
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_58_erikhassle-hurtful.mp3]
I was surfing my usual music blogs this week, and stumbled on this MASSIVE ballad by yet ANOTHER Swede bringing the pure power of super-sweet and perfectly percolated pop to my ears. Seriously, what is in the water in Sweden?!? There are so many amazing pop artists coming out of Sweden, and Erik Hassle is certainly among them; this song is amazing and beautiful. This song overtook me with one listen. It’s massive. Keep your eyes and ears open for more on Erik Hassle; I am sure we will be hearing a lot more from him in the coming months.

Mandy Moore – I Could Break Your Heart Any Day Of The Week
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_58_mandymoore-icouldbreakyourheartanyday.mp3]
There has always been something about Mandy Moore that I have liked… I don’t know what it is, and I don’t know why, but I love this girl. This song is no exception; I love the slight country twinge, and the overdubbing of her voice on the chorus. I saw the video, and thought it was a bit stupid, but it wasn’t enough to make me like the song any less. I will definitely be checking out Amanda Lee when it hits stores.

The Presets – If I Know You
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_58_thepresets-ifiknowyou.mp3]
This is kind of a blast from the “not so distant past”. I featured the Presets sophomore release, Apocalypso in my 2008 year end countdown at #23, which has more than a handful of fantastic electro tracks. Well, they recently released the video for this song, and I was instantly reminded of how amazing they are, and have added this track back into regular rotation. I love the accent of the lead singer’s voice, and I can’t seem to get enough of their infectious beats and rhythms; I’m glad that this one has jumped back onto my radar screen.

Owl City – Hot Air Balloon
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_58_owlcity-hotairballoon.mp3]
I love Owl City. If you followed my best CDs of 2008 list, you remember that Owl City’s self-released album Maybe I’m Dreaming took the #10 spot on my list. Apparently, he was signed, because he is releasing a new album, presumably his major label debut, Ocean Eyes, due out September 1, 2009. I saw that he released this song as buzz, and I had to check it out. The best thing, is that if you go to Owl City’s website, you can register for updates, and download this track for FREE! That’s right kids… great music, for free on this Friday! Take full advantage of it while it lasts! I just bought my tickets to see Owl City in June, and getting this glimpse into the future of Owl City only increases my love of this great band. I can’t wait for the show!

Passion Pit – The Reeling
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_58_passionpit-thereeling.mp3]
Last but certainly not least today, is sublime electro-goodness from up and coming HUGE sensation Passion Pit. This is their second single, which will accompany a full album release (Manners) from them this month. At first, I didn’t love this song as much as I loved Sleepyhead (which I have posted about before), but that is because Sleepyhead is PERFECT. Well, after a couple of listens, I realized something: Passion Pit is amazing. This song is awesome, and while they are definitely one of those bands I should, by all accounts hate, I actually LOVE them. I love the shrill voice, the pops and beats, I love it all. This is definitely a song that when it comes on the radio, you HAVE to crank it up. Try not to tap your toes and bop your head to this one folks… it’s difficult!

Well, there are your Friday five. I always say for you guys to let me know how I am doing, but I rarely get any feedback. Anyone out there want to say anything? Let me know what you think! Have a great weekend… expect tile pictures/stories soon!!

music musings, music suggestion

the 31 best of 2008 – 10: Owl City – Maybe I’m Dreaming

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A fellow flickr friend introduced me to Owl City earlier this year, and I have to send him a huge THANK YOU; their album Maybe I’m Dreaming is so fresh, fun, fluffy, and fabulous that I could not get enough of it in 2008 (oh yeah, you know you loved that alliteration). Maybe I’m Dreamingmay be the only non-signed, self-produced record on my countdown; and it goes to show that you don’t need a major label to churn out fantastic music. What drew me to Owl City so fervently, were the saccharine sweet pops and beats, mixed so smoothly with keyboards and synthesizers; which is all drizzled lovingly with the sweet vocals of Owl City’s creator, Adam Young. This album is fluffier than a cloud, and listening to it makes you want to lay in a meadow and enjoy a nice spring breeze, while you carelessly watch the day go by.

One of the best things about Adam’s music, is how amazing he is at crafting beautiful and cleverly written lyrics; the rhythmic method he uses on this album is just pristine. After hearing Maybe I’m Dreamingone time, it was instant love, and it really reminded me of a couple of my other favorite bands; most notably, the Postal Service, and Hellogoodbye. In fact, I believe that if you took the Postal Service, and made them into a little bunny rabbit, and then allowed them to have sweet little wings, and watched them fly through a crystal filled sky, you would have Owl City.

As silly as these descriptions may sound, it really is the airiness and sheer joy in the lyrics, music, and sounds that come from this album that make it so simply blissful and thoroughly enjoyable. I am so glad that I was introduced to the amazing sounds of Owl City this year, because this is the type of music that I live for; it makes you happy, it lifts you up, and it takes your ears for a truly wonderful journey of sound. It also makes you wonder, that if there are people out there making music this wonderful without a backing record contract, then why are there so many shitty acts churning out crappy record after record, filling the spaces on the radio that would be better served with a healthy helping of Owl City!? Seriously, folks, this album is purely magical, and everyone should run to their computers, and download it from iTunes/Amazonimmediately. You NEED this record in your collection; everyone needs to be filled with the joy that Owl City has to give. The only negative thing I have to say about Owl City, is to point to the aforementioned injustice that prevents the record companies from seeing such amazing potential and execution from amazing artists like Owl City, because I am not exaggerating here… everything about this album is amazing.

Sparkle Factor:
Stand Outs: The Saltwater Room
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_44_owlcity-thesaltwaterroom.mp3]
On The Wing, Rainbow Veins, Early Birdie, Air Traffic, Super Honeymoon, I’ll Meet You There.

five song friday, listen up!, mixed media, music musings, music suggestion

5SF: april 4

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I still can’t believe it’s already April! Oh well… spring has sprung, and the parking lot has been heavily dusted with that annoyingly itchy powder known as pollen, and I am just counting the days until I am in a full fledged allergy coma. I have to say, that sometimes, I find it hard to come up with 5 songs for each Friday, because I am always wanting to feature something fresh and new, but I guess I shouldn’t pressure myself too much… are you guys enjoying what I have been posting? What is something you would like to see more of?? I try to do a “flashback” track each week, and I have been having fun with that; but is that something you would like to see more of? How about theme weeks? Let me know what you guys want, as I think it could make this weekly event a little bit more fun for all of us.

Alright enough chit chat… on to this week’s five!

Ferras – Hollywood’s Not America
While I heard this song some time ago, back when they were talking about using this as the “time to go home song” on AI, I didn’t really get into it until recently. After several listens, I can definitely attest to this song being a well crafted pop song, as well as a major grower. The soft, and hidden power in Ferras’ voice is exactly what I love about other male solo piano-driven pop artists (ala John McLaughlin and Matt Nathanson). This is definitely a radio friendly track, and one that I expect will get many months of airplay. While I am still warming up to the rest of Ferras’ CD, this song is definitely a stand out, and a fantastic track. One word about the video though… Ferras would totally be a hottie… IF he cut that mullet. Seriously, a mullet… WTF? Those earrings are fucking sexy though… I kind of want them myself.

B-52s – Funplex
By the power of GAY-skull! Seriously, the B-52s are about as pop-rock campy gay as they come, and while I originally didn’t like this song AT ALL, after I saw the video randomly, I found myself singing “faster pussy cat, thrill thrill… I’m at the mall on a diet pill!”. I am so glad that I came to my senses, because I am loving this song. With each subsequent listen, I fall deeper and deeper for this track, and if you find yourself a fan of other B-52s hits like Love Shack and Roam, then you will probably fall for this one as well. These guys may have some years on them, but damn they look and sound just as good as ever!

Booty Luv – Some Kinda Rush
I posted a Booty Luv video as a part of a five song Friday quite some time ago, but the other day, I popped this CD back in my car and their infectious dance rhythms overtook my body again. Pulling out this CD again was actually inspired by the fact that I have been quite enjoying Danity Kane’s new record more and more, which has had the undeniable effect of getting me moving, and needing to groove more and more. Booty Luv’s CD is perfect for filling that prescription too, especially with Some Kinda Rush; this song is a club banger, and it is REALLY hard to sit still during the pulsating beats and the synth-guitar riffs. This is euro-dance at it’s best, and it is no wonder that I was so happy to have it pop back up on my radar. What a great song; and perfect for a Friday.

Jars of Clay – Weighed Down
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_44_jarsofclay-weigheddown.mp3]
Last night, when I was compiling my weekly five songs for today’s post, I got frustrated that I couldn’t post one of the ones I wanted (no video, and I only have the mp4 of it… don’t worry, it will come in a future installment), I stumbled upon a new release that tickled my fancy; Jars of Clay released a greatest hits album this week. While I don’t listen to them very much anymore, I still consider Jars of Clay one of my all time favorite bands, because literally, every song on their first 5 CDs are flawless, and I love each one completely. I have seen Jars of Clay many times in concert, and when I picked up their second CD Much Afraid last night for the first time in a long time, it was like no time had gone by; I still loved every track. This song is one of my favorites by Jars of Clay, and one of the songs that really cemented them as a favorite group for me. If you like this one, you should check out some of their other stuff, because it’s pretty much all brilliant. I love re-discovering music that you may love, but haven’t heard in a long time. Sometimes, it’s nice to be reminded of the past!

Owl City – The Saltwater Room
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_44_owlcity-thesaltwaterroom.mp3]
Okay, it is kind of rare that I hear something, and I am inexplicably and amazingly blown away by it. Enter Owl City. A flickr pal of mine recommended it to me (he has recommended several fantastic things in the past), and after I downloaded it, I realized what I had in my hands… something amazing. The comparison to the Postal Service is undeniable, but it is like they put Hellogoodbye and the Postal Service (two bands I REALLY love) into a blender, and when they poured it out, they put a great little umbrella in the drink. Seriously, the beats are melodic, and fantastically created. While lyrically, he is definitely quite wordy, and at times, nonsensical, the vocal arrangements are spot on, and his voice is definitely reminiscent of Ben Gibbard and Forrest Kline. I love the melody he has with the female singer, and the more I listen to this album, the more I love it. I can count this among some of the most amazing suggestions I have gotten recently, and I am just glad to have discovered the amazing group, and even more so, I am glad to pass it along to all of you. You can download both Owl City CDs from iTunes today; and if you liked this track, then you definitely should.

Well, there you have another five song Friday. I hope everyone is doing well today, and as always, let me know what you think. Also, be sure to tell me what you are listening to… I really want to know!