Tag: videos

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

5SF: january 25

by  •  • 4 Comments

Guess what today is, kids!! It’s mothafucking Friday, and time to bring on the jams! What!?! Yeah, I am in a weirdly good mood today, but I have chosen to go with it, so I think that you should too. Let’s get to the music before things get out of hand.

Adele – Chasing Pavements
You may be thinking, Adele? Again? and you know what, you would be right. Adele is infectious. She is amazing. She is true talent, and her CD comes out this Tuesday in the UK, so I felt compelled to bring her to the forefront again. I have been enjoying my time listening to Adele this month, and I have to say, with each listen, I love her more. Fuck the haters that are bashing her (seriously, people are giving her shit for only debuting at number 2 on the singles chart… give me a break), this girl has a voice that is stunning, and weaves these amazing songs that capture your attention and leave you wanting more. This song, Chasing Pavements, is one of those songs that I just cannot let go of, and after a listen, it just stays with me all day. This is truly a wonderful song, and a reminder to pay attention to Adele; I have a feeling we are going to be hearing a lot more from her once the CD hits shelves on Tuesday. Also, this video is quite weird, but I like the quirkiness of it.

Bush – Swallowed
After posting two of my high school favorites (Elastica and Blur) last week, I got to thinking that it might be fun to feature at least one song every now and then, that I randomly heard recently, and was reminded of how much I loved it in the past. This week, Swallowed came on the radio, and I was all “holy shit I love this effing song, and I can’t believe I haven’t heard it in forever!”, and so, here it is. Whatever happened to Bush? Their first and second CDs were dynamite albums, and then I pretty much stopped paying attention. Oh well, at least we have the memories, right?

Kate Miller-Heidke – Mama
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_125_katemillerheidke-mama.mp3]
I heard about Kate on one of those many, many “ones to watch out for” lists that I randomly found on the internets, and after checking her out, I can see why she made that list; this girl is great! She reminds me a little of Regina Specktor, but with more spunk and panache to her sound (also, without that unnecessary double scoop of goody-two-shoes bubblegum flavoring). I chose this song, not because it is the catchiest from her record, but because it totally captivates me every time I hear it. I am drawn in by her desire to please her mother, which totally translates beautifully in this song, by the brash guitars and the shrill vocals. Love this song, and love her!

Georgie James – Cake Parade
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_125_georgiejames-cakeparade.mp3]
So, I heard about Georgie James from a flickr friend, who recommended it in the Monday music suggestion group, and I must admit, that I was instantly enamored with this song. It is so playful and enjoyable, that it really reminds me of the fun I have listening to artists like MIKA and Fountains of Wayne. Also, the guy in the group totally sounds like the guy from Fountains of Wayne, so that probably has something to do with it reminding me of them. Either way, definitely a fun group with a great “throw back” almost vaudeville-ish sound, that I am totally into. A great suggestion from my friend, that I am pleased to pass on to you!

Number One Gun – The Best of You and Me
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_125_numberonegun-thebestofyouandme.mp3]
This is one of those songs that I heard of randomly, and was instantly all about. I saw Number One Gun mentioned somewhere, and I liked the cover of the album, so I went to their myspace, and The Best Of You and Me was the song that started playing. I instantly downloaded the album, and have been really grooving to this electro-rock piece. It has a mellow feel, but powerful male vocals really make it a great pop song.

Well, there we have another five song Friday in the books, and some good songs to listen to this afternoon. I hope that everyone is having a kick ass day, and I hope that your weekend is even better. As always, let me know what you are jamming to, and we can make this music suggestion thing a two way street, cool?

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

5SF: january 18

by  •  • 6 Comments

TGIF is an understatement, and I am very pleased that this is a three day weekend for sure. With that said, let’s get to some music to brighten our afternoon, shall we?

Goldfrapp – A&E
First up, is the new song A&E by Goldfrapp; a decidedly different song from their previous effort. Going back to their more acoustic roots, Goldfrapp has managed to captivate me with this airy and beautiful song. While I have been spinning the whole album this week, this song definitely stands out to me, and makes me want to listen more intently to the rest of the record. I will personally admit that I like this new stuff better than their previous experiments in the more electro-pop stuff. I think that they got tired of everyone copying their sound, and went back to their roots; and the result is something beautiful for sure. Take note that this video is completely ridiculous.

Elastica – Connection
Earlier this week, I was listening to the lovely XM radio in the car (something I have been doing more frequently these days), and I was hit square in the jaw by a fantastic blast from the past. Coming through my speakers was the delightful, yet forgotten Elastica, a group that I so instantly fell in love with in high school. As soon as I got home, I downloaded their self titled debut, and relived a music moment that I hadn’t experienced in well over a decade. The best part, was that their songs are still as good to me as they were then. Needless to say, this blast from the past was more than welcome, and as you will see a bit further down, it inspired more glimpses into my music history. Note: I was going to post the actual video, but the audio is shit, so if you want to go and see it (it’s quite good), you can go and see it here; after all, this is five song Friday, not five video Friday, right?.

Christina Aguilera – Save Me From Myself
A lot of people really loved Back to Basics, but for me, it was just hard to get into, and as such, it was largely ignored. I liked the singles, especially Ain’t No Other Man, but that’s about as far as I went. Then, the other day, I was reading my blog-feeds, and Rich over at fourfour posted this amazing video. I didn’t even know it was on B2B, and I feel like I have been missing out of something really beautiful. This song is so touching, heartfelt, emotional, and beautiful. Christina has made a very mature and wonderful song with Save Me From Myself, and I am just happy that Rich showed me the light. This song only gets better with each subsequent listen. Bravo, Xtina. Bravo. Also, is it me, or is she more stunning than ever?

Blur – Parklife
After snagging Elastica’s debut, I was instantly craving a little more brit-rock from my past, and what better way to get that going, than to pull out my old Blur records and give them a go? While I have always loved Blur, and even consider them amongst my favorite groups, over the years, I have drifted away from listening to Parklife; which ironically, was the record that got me interested in them in the first place. With my nostalgic cap firmly on, I sat back and hit play, and was instantly reminded just how brilliant of a record Parklife truly is; and I was reminded of why I fell in love with Blur in the first place. While the title track isn’t my absolute favorite song from the record, it is the first Blur song I ever heard, and I felt it fitting to highlight it in my collection of songs this week. It has been really nice reminiscing about music, and tuning into stuff that I haven’t listened to in ages. Who knows what else will creep its way back onto my radar; I can’t wait to see what it will be!

Roisin Murphy – Let Me Know
There are heaps of Roisin lovers out there, and I have never really gotten it; her whole kit and caboodle it’s a little too much for me. That being said, after I saw her record making a lot of people’s best of 2007 lists, I pulled it back out, dusted it off, and gave it another go. I wasn’t really that into it this time either (sorry, it just isn’t my bag, y’all), but this song definitely stood out to me this time. It just makes me want to dance all night long. I think the reason that I really love this song, is that it sounds a little more like a Sophie Ellis-Bextor track, and gets away from the things that turn me off about Roisin. That being said, here you go, fans of Roisin, this is the song by her that I can definitely say that I actually really, really like. Some think that she can do no wrong, but so far, this is the only thing that she has done right for me.

Well, that does it kids, another five song Friday on the record and in the bag. I hope everyone has an amazing weekend, and does lots of great and exciting things. I also hope that you enjoyed the music on this very welcomed Friday, and as always, let me know what you are spinning. I have gotten some great suggestions lately, and I always want more, more, more! Till we meet again!

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

5SF: january 11

by  •  • 3 Comments

Sorry for the late post today, kids… I have been in bed all day; called out sick with a head cold. No bother, I am feeling better, and well rested. So let’s get to it then, shall we? Quickly though; today’s my Grandma’s birthday… happy birthday Grandma!

Klaxons – Golden Skans
This is one of those songs that a lot of people instantly loved, and couldn’t get enough of; but not me. I just couldn’t get into it, even after several listens, but recently, I heard it again, and BAM, it was stuck in my head; and this time, I loved it. Sometimes, songs are like that, aren’t they? Well, this one is excellent, and totally reminds me of Blur (so I don’t know why I didn’t like it before…). Either way, this video is amazing: naked boys dressed in only ribbons, jumping about in slow motion, while throwing handfuls of glitter and smashing glass orbs. Now, that’s a damn video. I was late to the show on this one, but now I am dancing in the front row like everyone else. Beware: the course is insanely catchy, and will stay with you!

Stars – Take Me To The Riot
Next up is this amazing song by Stars, a Canadian group that I had never heard of until recently. I saw this video on NewNowNext a couple of weeks back, and it prompted me to check into them further. Upon more listens of this song, I realized how much I loved it, and as such, it has been getting a lot of attention from me. I really love how the guy and the girl’s voices intermingle, and totally make this amazing harmony. I am a sucker for groups that have more than one lead; and when they sing together, it is greatness!! After checking out some of their other songs, I think I have found a new group to pay attention to. Good stuff from our northern neighbor; even if their name is a bit generic, and makes it difficult to find their music. Note: I don’t care for the intro, or background noise in this video; but don’t let it distract from this fantastic song, will you?

Silverchair – Straight Lines
We saw Silverchair a few weeks ago at the 99x Mistletoe Jam, and I was instantly impressed by them as performers; but I remarked that I was not really that into the show, because I didn’t know any of their stuff. That being said, no one was more surprised at how much I LOVE this new song from them. It came on XM the other morning, and I literally had to run to my office and watch the video like 5 times. This song is awesome!!! It was way more “metal-rock” when we saw them in concert, and I remember liking at the show, but I totally love the more polished version. Also, is it me, or did Daniel Johns grow into quite a hottie? He got all half naked at the show, revealing some of that hotness… but I think that is fodder for a different sort of post, now isn’t it? Either way, this song is amazing.

Jack Penate – Torn On The Platform
Here’s another one of those songs that my buddy Deb was all about, and tried to get me into, but at the time, fell on deaf ears. I wasn’t ready. However, this week, I was looking for new music, and his name was mentioned on several of the “similar recommendations” regarding artists I love like Kate Nash and Adele. So, I checked him out, not remembering that I was told about him previously, and was instantly reminded that I have heard of him before. At the same time, I was instantly wondering why I was so resistant? Too much energy? I think that honestly may be it… he is like 5 shots of espresso, really, but it makes it fun, right? Well, this go round, it did; simple, guitar-based energy-rock, done fun, and done well. He also looks like a young Patrick Dempsey, doesn’t he? Either way, it’s clear this kid is having fun, and making good music too; the rest of the CD is just as fun! Also, a huge thanks Deb; I eventually get to the brilliance that you know right away!

Shiny Toy Guns – Rainy Monday
Last but certainly not least today, is a little “blast from the past”. Shiny Toy Guns were on my top CDs of 2006, because of how amazing they are, and I was recently reminded of that brilliance when I heard Rainy Monday on XM. I love when I haven’t heard one of my favorite CDs in a while, and then you hear one of the songs, and it totally gets you back into it; and that’s what happened this week. I saw STG in concert in 2007, and it was one of the best shows I saw all year; these guys are amazingly talented, and make incredible music. I love them! As such, I felt compelled to take a little trip down memory lane, and bring this Friday to a close with the amazing Rainy Monday; one of their best songs!

Well, that does it for this Friday. Hope that everyone has an amazing weekend, and as always, let me know what tracks are tickling your fancy; I’m always on the lookout for new stuff! Who knows, it may make a future edition of 5SF! Take care fellow bloggers!

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

5SF: january 4

by  •  • 1 Comment

It’s the first five song friday of the year!!! Make not mistake either, we are starting this year off with a bang. After counting down the best 31 records of the year, I was worried that I wouldn’t have anything to contribute today but a rehash, but alas, I was WRONG. I am here to bring some MASSIVE songs today! I am going to throw a couple that I loved in 2007, but just couldn’t get into the whole record, but now find myself loving on a new level. I also have one from a 2007 record that I am just now getting around to. All of these songs are totally amazing in their own way. You know what, instead of telling you about them, I will just bring them to you!

Tegan and Sara – The Con
First up today is the powerhouse lesbian sister duo, Tegan and Sara. I have never been into them (and please don’t shoot me for saying this, fans of T&S), because I HATE that song Walking with a Ghost. I know that a bunch of people love it, but I am not one of them. However, I do LOVE this song, The Con, which has gotten me to listen to their record, and I am actually quite liking it. I saw the video, and found the song lingering in my head, so I downloaded it, and have liked it more and more with each listen. This might be one of those CDs that would have made my list; had I actually discovered it last year. Oh well, at least we are enjoying it now, right? I will warn you though; this song will get in your head and will not want to leave!

Dragonette – I Get Around
Here is one of those songs that I thoroughly enjoyed in 2007, but for whatever reason, I couldn’t get into the whole album. That being said, I recently listened to it again, and I have remembered how amazing some of Dragonette’s songs are; many of them are even standouts. This song in particular makes me seriously want to put on my dancing shoes and hit a disco; I have got to dance when I hear this. Also, that synth riff is so amazing, that it begs to played LOUD and on repeat. Such a catchy song, and a great one to get you ready for a Friday night on the town.

Adele – Hometown Glory
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_14_adele-hometown.mp3]
I can’t wait any longer to bring the MASSIVE amazingness that I hinted at earlier. This incredible song comes from someone who is sure to be the next big thing, 19 year old Adele from the fabulous UK. You can say that you heard it hear first folks; Adele is so incredibly talented, and all of the songs that I have heard from her are AMAZING. Her voice is like a blend of Etta James, Amy Winehouse, and Joss Stone, yet it has a softness and earnest feeling that make her stand out on her own. I watched some of her you tube videos where she is performing live, and this girl must know that she is something; there is such confidence in her voice, that she commands the song even live. I will be buying this CD the SECOND it comes out; because Adele is the next biggest artist coming from the the UK. Move over Amy Winehouse, Adele is here to de-throne you if you can’t get your act together. I will gladly admit that I have been listening to this on repeat.

Radiohead – All I Need
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_14_radiohead-allineed.mp3]
I know that I am not alone in loving this song, because in my opinion, it was the best song on In Rainbows. This is the second song from an album that I really genuinely wanted to get into last year, but for whatever reason, only a couple of songs made a splash for me. This song is quite amazing, and really showcases everything that I have ever liked about Radiohead as a band. It reminds me a lot of the songs that I loved from OK Computer; which happen to be some of my favorite songs by them. This song is truly amazing.

Jonathon Coulton and GLaDOS – Still Alive
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_14_jonathancoulton-stillalive.mp3]
Finally today, I bring you the lovable end song from the video game Portal, that I linked to the other day. The reason I wanted to highlight this song, is not only because, again, the game is amazing, but because the song, even by itself, is insanely catchy and fun. I heard it before I had even heard of Portal, and loved it from the first listen. When you find out what she is singing about, you will love it even more, because of the witty (and bitchy) backtalk the AI GLaDOS has the nerve to throw at you after you have defeated the game. There is a lot of buzz about this song on the internets, and I am here to throw one more log on that fire; this song is definitely as good as the hype surrounding it. Just remember, that the cake is a lie!

Well, that’s the first five song Friday of the year, folks, I hope that everyone is enjoying 2008!!! As always, let me know what you are listening to these days; I am always looking for new stuff!!

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

5SF: november 9

by  •  • 6 Comments

Thank goodness it is Friday… this weekend is a three day weekend! Love it!

Now, here’s your Friday five!

The Pipettes – ABC
First up today, are the fabulous Pipettes. I have featured a video for one of their other songs (Pull Shapes) in the past, and felt the dire need to feature them again today; because I am seeing them in concert tonight!!! That’s right, I will have the pleasure of seeing this amazing trio at Vinyl tonight, and in order to get into the mood, I wanted to feature them as part of today’s line up. Seriously, you guys, this group is fantastic, if you haven’t been listening before now, do yourself a favor and get the Pipettes CD; it’s great! I can’t wait until tonight!

OK Go – Here It Goes Again
I found out about this song sometime at the end of last week on some random website, and after falling instantly in love with the video, I must admit that the song itself is infectious! Not only is the video just a big dose of fun, this song really gets in your head and doesn’t want to leave. No matter, really, because I really like it. I had never heard of OK Go before seeing this video, and I am glad that I found it; the CD is pretty good. If you like this song (and how could you not?), I recommend them.

A Camp – Song For The Leftovers
First of all, imagine my surprise that there was actually a video for an A Camp song! I have been on such a huge Cardigans kick recently, that I jumped at the chance to get something “new” “by them” when I heard that Nina had released a solo project. After downloading A Camp’s CD, I have to say, that I have been enjoying it immensely, and I am becoming further convinced of Nina’s amazing-ness. Seriously, I really, really love her voice, and it has been further solidified that the Cardigans are definitely one of my favorite groups.

Daniel Bedingfield – Nothing Hurts Like Love
I was looking through my CDs the other night with my friend Joey, and I happened to notice my Daniel Bedingfield CD, and thought to myself, self, why don’t you listen to this more often? I played a couple of my favorites from his amazing second album for Joey, and was reminded why I fell for Daniel in the first place. His sister may be enjoying success right now, but I would strongly caution anyone who would write Daniel off as a one (or two) hit wonder… his sophomore album was (is) amazing. I am still surprised that it never officially came out here in the US, but I hope that there are new albums in the future from Mr. Bedingfield… I know I am looking forward to them (hint, hint, Daniel).

Scissor Sisters – She’s My Man
Here’s another band that I thought about after seeing their neglected CD sitting on the shelf… I LOVE the Scissor Sisters, who are also another one of my favorite bands. Not only do they make great music, they put on a fucking amazing show. It is funny how you can love a group so much, and almost completely forget about a CD that you love… but I guess the best part about that, is “rediscovering” it! Low and behold, that is what happened with the Scissor Sisters this week too! Man, there is so much good music in my collection, it is no wonder I forget about stuff I love, right? Either way, here is a great Scissor Sisters song to round out this installment of five song Friday. The video is a little crazy, but I think that it totally fits the band to a tee; they are crazy talented, and put out big time when it comes to performing (hence why they are one of my favorite bands).

There you have it… another five song Friday on the books. Man, there is so much good music out there. As always, let me know what you are listening to folks! This shouldn’t be a one way street!!! Also, coming up, I am going to do 31 days of music for December… a new CD will be featured each day in December!! This is going to be massive… and fun! All of the CDs will be CDs that I loved from 2007 (that is, that were released this year), and will serve as the most massive year end list I have ever done. December is just a few weeks away, so stay tuned!

Have a great weekend!

britney n' k-fed, five song friday, listen up!, mixed media, music musings, music suggestion

5SF: october 26

by  •  • 2 Comments

Welcome to another installment of the fabulous Five Song Friday!!! This week, we are all about the ladies! I have always had a thing for female singers, and according to my listening tastes, it is clear they represent the majority; perhaps that hearkens back to a childhood/lifelong obsession with Karen Carpenter?… who knows… but that’s a different story for a different day!

Now, on with the show!

Avril Lavigne – Hot
And that is exactly what this song is… HOT. I have to say, when her CD came out, I really tried to resist liking Girlfriend, because of how obnoxious is can be, but it turns out, that it was more catchy and fun than obnoxious. About the time I fell in love with Girlfriend a couple weeks ago, BAM, Hot hit me right between the ears, and I have been addicted to this song ever since. It is not what I remember about Avirl’s earlier stuff, and I definitely like this direction that she is going. Pop is much more suited to her than the angry little “emo punk” chick that she was (IMHO) trying too hard to be. Keep the look; ditch the attitude… win/win as far as I am concerned. Also, this video is a little treat to my buddy dave, who I know loves the punk/emo girls… as Avirl is looking quite “hot” herself in this video.

Missy Higgins – Where I Stood
Now to switch MAJOR directions, I bring you one of the most beautiful songs I have heard in a long time (man, I say that WAY too much… oh well, right?); Where I Stood, by Missy Higgins. I was watching Smallville last week, and this is the song that they played over a particularly “emotional” moment in the show, and I was like, “I MUST have that song!”. As such, I got Missy’s album, and have been playing this song a lot (as well as the rest of the CD) ever since. Turns out, Missy is pretty huge down under, which is something she has in common with another artist I am featuring this week; Miss Delta Goodrem. I am glad to see some Aussie love coming this way, and hope that this trend increases. If you enjoyed this song, be sure to check out the rest of her CD, which is quite good, by the way.

Now… on with the video-less portion of our show!

Delta Goodrem – Woman
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_1026_woman.mp3]
Now is time to make good with my earlier mention of bringing more Australian artists on board this week’s 5SF, and I’m doing so in a big way. This song, Woman, by Delta Goodrem, is off of her newly released, amazing third album, titled simply, Delta. I got the album earlier this week when it was released, and I promise you, it has not left my CD player. In fact, it was really hard not to just feature five songs by Delta this week, because her new album is amazing. If you have never heard of this Aussie beauty, welcome to the show, because you are sure to be impressed. Delta is a very talented musician, and has an amazing voice; which can be easily compared to Celine Dion. Before you launch a protest because I mentioned Celine, realize that Delta isn’t as “cheesy” as Celine, and has more edge to her, and in my opinion, more talent. I have liked Delta for a quite a while, and I am so pleased to hear such amazing music coming from her. This is a must have CD, and one of the best of the year so far. As my buddy Stu mentioned, it is the album Celine WISHES she could make… but she can’t, because Delta did! If you like this song, be sure to get the rest of the album… you won’t be sorry.

Sugababes – Surprise
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_1026_surprise.mp3]
A few weeks back, I featured About You Now, the lead single off of the Sugababes’ newly released album, Change, and this week, I am going to build on my love for the Sugababes. I am still surprised that this girl group has as yet to break the US market substantially, because they really have got it going on. This song is also from their new release, which I have been slow to get into for whatever reason. It is, however, aptly titled, because when I heard it, I was like, WOW! What a surprise! It is fantastic!!! If you are fan of the Sugababes, you should love this song, because it is easily the best from the new album. The Sugababes prove (yet again) that there is still great pop music being made out there… you just have to go to other countries sometimes to get it! If you enjoy this song, make sure you check out the rest of their new CD, which I am enjoying more and more with each listen!

Britney Spears – Heaven On Earth
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_1026_heaven.mp3]
As I mentioned yesterday, I am pretty excited about Britney’s new album, and will be picking it up on Tuesday after hearing leaked tracks, like this one; Heaven On Earth. Honestly, this song shows Britney doing what she does best, and that is being a pop diva. Whatever you think about Britney doesn’t really matter, because she really does have the music to back it up; she is, and always will be, a pop princess… and her new album PROVES it… regardless of what is going on in her life, the music is really, really good. Honestly, I am elated that she made so many good decisions with regards to the songs she is releasing on Blackout, and I hope that it gets the attention that it deserves. Seriously, there are people saying that this may be the best record of her career, and I think they may be right. Britney, bravo. You have got major applause from me for this one, and I can’t wait to get the record. If you like Britney, pop, and fun music, you should love this track… if not, then perhaps another one of the songs featured today will work for you! Either way, we all have something to enjoy. I just hope that this record is a solid foot in the right direction for dear old Brit. I am routing for you, girl!

I hope everyone is having a great Friday… thanks for tuning in to another Five Song Friday! I hope that you enjoyed the songs, and as always, if you have suggestions for me, let me know!!! I have been really enjoying this weekly feature here at duanemoody.com, and I am sure that I will only get better with time! Have a great weekend everyone, and enjoy the music!

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

five song friday: maybe the last?

by  •  • 8 Comments

Does anyone even care about 5 song Friday? Well, I do, so I am going to do it at least once more… enjoy. Or not, it’s up to you. This may be the last one, or not, depending on how I feel… and given whether people enjoy these or not.

Silversun Pickups – Well Thought Out Twinkles
I could probably be in the worst mood ever, and hear this song, and instantly feel somewhat, if not a lot, better. This song rocks my face off, and I love it for doing that, too. If you haven’t heard of Silversun Pickups, consider yourself on notice, because they are awesome. Their CD is just awesome.

Iron and Wine – Naked as We Came
Iron and Wine’s new CD came out this week, and I decided to give it a listen, after (for whatever reason) ignoring his previous stuff, and I must admit, that I really like it. I also got one of this other CDs, that happens to have this song on it, and I must admit, that it is beautiful in it’s simplicity. I love this song, and it makes me feel like there truly are delicate and wonderful things left in the world.

Feist – I Feel It All
Normally, I am not a fan of live performances, but this is one of my favorite songs from Feist’s new album. Also, the performance is pretty spot on. Finally, everyone has heard/seen 1234, because of the nano commercials, so I thought it would be more fun to bring another great song by Feist to the surface. While these songs are definitely great, her CD is pretty great all the way through.

Muse – Knights of Cydonia
I fucking love Muse. They are amazingly awesome, and Black Holes and Revelations is one of those CDs that I just kick myself for not discovering sooner (it would have definitely made my top list of 2006, easy). That being said, I LOVE this song, and I am super excited to know that it will be in Guitar Hero III. In the mean time, I can just enjoy the greatness that is Muse in this crazy Western video.

Kelly Clarkson – Sober (not the real video… just for the song)
Now, I will admit it, I wrote her album off as awful; but I don’t remember this song being on there. If I did, I am ashamed, because this song is beautiful. I heard it last night on Smallville, and loved it. Kelly, I’m sorry I ignored this gem. It’s great. This isn’t the video for the song, just a video someone made with the song, but the song is SO GOOD, which is why I posted it. Give the song a chance… I know it is going to get me to reexamine her latest CD now.

That’s it for this week’s five song Friday. Let me know what you thought. Things are stressful, as I have two midterms next week, so wish me luck… I hope all of you are well.

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

five song friday – september 21

by  •  • 0 Comments

Wow, it has been a hectic week. I had a stats quiz that had a question on there that wasn’t covered in the material that we were given to prepare. Freak out! Turns out, it was a mistake, and the professor totally gave us credit anyway. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t have stress BEFORE that revelation. Then, I have been preparing all week for my anatomy test, and I took it yesterday, and got a B. I am some how disappointed by that though; it was frustrating, because her questions were random, and some of them were on things that were literally only mentioned on like one illustration in the book. Crazy. Either way, this week has been crazy, and I for one am glad that Friday’s here!!

Now, on with the music!!! This week’s five song Friday is going to be a little different from last week, in that there is going to be a noticeable “dance” vibe to many of this week’s tracks. There were two great albums that I discovered this week (one of which came out this week), and as such, I have to represent. To prevent any more anticipation, let’s get to it, shall we?

J.Lo – Do It Well
Now, I am going to start off by saying something nice. J.Lo has had some banging hits in her day, and I have always generally liked a lot of her music. There are a couple of songs (one in particular being a fabulous remix of her song “I’m Real”) that I could literally listen to on repeat. However, with the good, there to comes some bad. Lately, J.Lo has really strayed, and has completely dropped off of my radar screen altogether. And then… she put out Do It Well. That’s why this song sits here today… it marks the “comeback” of the J.Lo that I missed! I love a great dance track, and this one is fierce! J.Lo, I am glad to see you getting back to dancing, and “doing it well”. This is a great song you can definitely move your feet to!

Booty Luv – Don’t Mess With My Man
Now ask yourself, how many gay men out there couldn’t get into a group called Booty Luv??? EXACTLY!!! And with songs like this, the answer is: none that love a great dance track! In all seriousness, these girls are fresh from the UK, and their album Boogie 2 Nite came out this week. I have been enjoying this song for a while now, and I was so happy to get my hands on their full length album, which is a great dance album. I must say, that the covers are fantastic, and it kept me dancing in my chair from the beginning until the end. If you are craving some great dance music, you have found it. Booty Luv is here (well, in the UK, but you get the picture)!!!

Ricki-Lee – Can’t Touch It
For this song, we have to travel to the land down under; Ricki-Lee was a contestant on Australian Idol, where she proved her chops as a power singer. I became familiar with her when I fell in love with a little collaboration she did with some of her fellow Australian Idol ladies, called the Young Divas. Naturally, when my buddy Stu showed me this video of Ricki-Lee BUSTING out on her own (again), I was jumping up and down and loving everything I heard. This song is a great dance track, and definitely highlights the reason why we should pay more attention to the artists coming out to Australia! There is some real talent down there, and Ricki-Lee proves that there are definitely some people that can SING down under! I wanted to put this song in this week’s five, because I recently got her new CD “Brand New Day”, and have been enjoying it all week. I am glad to be exposed to songs like this that I really enjoy, and I hope that bringing them to you will get more attention to artists like Ricki-Lee!

Sugababes – About You Now
The Sugababes are a great girl group from the UK (one of my favorites), and with this new single, they show that they are still a force to be reckoned with. Seriously, this song is fantastic, and I can’t wait to see what their new album has in store for us! If it is anything like this, I know that I am going to be pleased as pie! If you love the Sugababes like I do, hearing this song will have you wondering why in the hell these girls aren’t popular on this side of the pond. Either way… I can import the CD dammit! I love my Sugababes, and this is another great single from this great girl band.

Kate Nash – Mouthwash
I have probably saved this best for last this week; Kate Nash is seriously one of my favorite artists right now. Her CD, Made of Bricks, I have talked about before, but I can’t stress this enough; it is one of the best albums of the year. Hands down. Seriously, I love everything about Kate, and I can’t speak enough lovely things about her!!! If there is any justice in the world, Kate is going to be huge, and I am glad that I was with her from the beginning!!! Do yourself a favor and check out Kate Nash. The entire CD is a solid listen, and every song is so good. I personally love her, and you should too. I do want to mention that I chose this song over “Foundations”, because I wanted to show that she is definitely more than a one it wonder… Foundations is a great track, and so is the rest of the album; now check it out already!

Well, there you have it. The second installment of Five song Friday. I really hope that you enjoyed these songs, and let me know what you guys are listening to!!! There is way too much music out there for us to find it on our own, so we have to work together! Have a great weekend everyone!

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

five song friday

by  •  • 4 Comments

I was riding into work this morning, and I thought, hey, why not do a music suggestion post today; but instead of the usual “listen to this”, why not pick some stuff you can actually listen to… via the magic of you tube! I really haven’t been a big you tube post person in the past, but after posting the brenda home clip the other day, I was seriously questioning why not!

So here it is: the First Five Song Friday! Y’all ain’t ready for this!

The format’s simple: I post 5 you tube clips of songs that I think are totally worthy of you checking out. Usually, it is going to be stuff that I am currently listening to (which can also be found here), and it will always be stuff that you should be checking out. Without further adieu…

Esthero – We R In Need Of A Musical Revolution
Now, I picked this song, not only because it is amazing, but because I was organizing my CDs the other night, and noticed my Esthero CD, and realized I hadn’t listened to it in forever! In fact, I think I never gave it the chance it deserved, because she is quite brilliant, actually. I bought the CD based solely on the genious of this song, and upon finding it the other night, I am giving the rest of the CD the chance it deserved. I can say this… I am liking what I hear, and wondering why I occasionally neglect certain CDs. Weird, really, because it is random, and without reason… yet it still happens. As long as I come back around to it, I guess it doesn’t really matter, right?

Rilo Kiley – Silver Lining
Wow. I have heard about Rilo Kiley before, and was always like “meh, I’ll get to them eventually”, and I never realized that I should have been saying, “hey wait, let me listen!”. This song is amazing. I love everything about it, and ran out and bought the CD because of it. I am enjoying the CD, even though nothing is quite as catching as this song is, but that is because it is pretty damn close to gold. Great form Rilo Kiley!

Peter, Bjorn, and John – Young Kids
Oh how I resisted this song… but no longer. I remember the first time I saw the video, and I was all, “that’s a cute video”, but I honestly didn’t care that much for the song. Cut to earlier this week: I was at Decatur CD, and they were playing the Peter, Bjorn, and John CD because they were performing that night. Unlike the first time I saw the video (seriously, it has been a long time), I was really bopping my head to what I heard. Now, I can’t get enough, the whole CD is a good listen, full of these great beats. Be warned though, this song WILL get stuck in your head. (The beat makes me moist.)

Brandi Carlile – The Story
Oh, Brandi, how I love you. Seriously, this song is her powerhouse, but the whole CD is magnificent. If you are a fan of bands like the Indigo Girls, then you have got to check out Brandi. I absolutely love how she manipulates her voice, and uses it to just pierce you with emotion. The whole album is heartfelt and well crafted. If you like this song, just know that it is pretty much the “hardest” one on the record, as she is a bit more acoustic in her style (again, think Indigo Girls). I personally think it is one of the better albums to come out this year.

Kanye West – Stronger
Ah… Kanye West. Yes, I do think he is a great musician, but he is pretty much a bitch. I mean, how much do you need people to love you and bow before your feet before you stop complaining about all of your fame and fortune? Apparently, Kanye needs more. That aside, he can turn out some great music. Maybe I included this one because the CD came out this week… who knows. I have been listening to his CD all week, and while there are some gems, I don’t think overall it is as solid as his last album. That being said… I like him. And this song is great… but I think that it is great more because of Daft Punk… and I freaked when I heard that he sampled it… I was all “I’m IN!”. (cos I loves me some Daft Punk!)

Hope you guys enjoyed this first installment of a hopefully, sort of regular, music suggestion post. Five song Friday is on! Enjoy the music, and enjoy your weekend! Let me know what you guys think of my suggestions, and hell, make some of your own!