Hypnotized by . . . She & Him videos

She & Him just launched a new album of covers.  With the launch, they also have some great new video!  I love them! I can't stop watching!

The color!  The style!  The choreography!  The sound!  The ambiance!

Stay Awhile

Guide to Standards

Music this Week: Bastille, Ben Howard, Stevie Nicks

Music this week is a short list because I've pretty much been listening to the same three artists over and over and over again!  I watched Stevie Nicks' documentary about the creation of her In Your Dreams album, so I was listening to her album a lot.  But Bastille and Ben Howard both have new music out so I've been alternating between them and getting sick of them NEVER.

(1) The Driver - Bastille
BBC Radio 1 recently launched a project to create another soundtrack for Drive with different bands and artists contributing.  Bastille contributed this song, and it's on their new mixtape VS. (out Dec 10).  The more I listen to this song, the more it is everything.  It's the perfect example of the type of full music that I love that I think of "unapologetically loud, but not noisy."



(2) I Forget Where We Were - Ben Howard.
This song is heaven.  After my first listen, it instantly went on repeat about twenty times.  I haven't even had time to analyze the lyrics but this song stirs up so much emotion.  Sometimes joy.  Sometimes rapture.  Sometimes calm.  Sometimes weeping.

Music this week: Nashville Returns plus some British divas

It's been ages since I did a Music this Week.  But here are some of the tunes I've been listening to a lot recently (in addition to Bastille's Laura Palmer).  Generally I've been trying to jam to some upbeat songs to uplift the mood.

1.  Don't Put Dirt on My Grave Just Yet - Nashville Cast (Hayden Panettiere)

This song has quickly become one of my favorite song (along with Something More) to blast whenever I am feeling disrespected and unappreciated.  Somethine More is for wallowing, this song is for yelling at the losers who are keeping you down and then getting on with making your life incredible!  You push on me, I'm gonna push back harder!!

Music this week: Ladies! and one gentleman

I decided to check out a lot of those it-girls we've been hearing about for a while now but which I've never actually listened to really.

But first!  Florence:

1. Drumming Song - Florence + the Machine

I recently realized that this song didn't make it onto my ipod!  OH NO!!!! Now it is on my ipod and I've been listening it to lots since I'd been missing it for a long time!  And love the music video (features Florence's famous bat outfit).

2. Maria - West Side Story 

Ok yeah, this isn't a woman singing, but it's about a woman so it is still on theme.  I don't know why but I've been humming this song a lot lately.  It's a great song, especially when you are just purely listening to it.  It is probably one of the most beautiful songs I know, and definitely one of my favorite favorite love songs.  The thought of a boy so in in love he is just running around singing a girl's name over and over again is just fantastic.  The fact that he makes it into the beautiful beautiful song is even better.

Mariiiiaaaaa,  Mariiiiiiiaa, Marriiiiiiiiiiiiiaaa Maria.  MaRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIaaa MaRIIIIIIIIIIIIIaaa, MarIIIIIIIIIIIIIIAAA  . . . ok I'll stop now.

3.  How We Do (Party) - Rita Ora

This song is so catchy and happy.

4. Sad Dream - Sky Ferreira

This song is not happy but I find calming.

5. Hurting Me Now - Sia

Ok I finally figured out how to use the 'radio' feature on Spotify and was listening to a Marina and the Diamonds radio and there was a lot of Sia on it.  I like it.  This was the song that really caught my attention, although I also really really like Bring Night--- super danceable.

6.  Lovers In The Parking Lot - Solange

Her music is not really my style, but I find a bunch of her songs catchy.  And this music video is fun.

7.  Dance With Me Tonight - Olly Murs

And finally the gentleman:  It is literally impossible to stay in a bad mood while listening to this song.

Although they do get a dance in at the end, I have to admit I am pretty disappointed that the music video was not just one big epic retro dance number.

Music this week: MONKEES and others who are likely to be British

Turns out I DID get to go see the Monkees!

My parents got me tickets for my birthday and we went to see them in Philadelphia at the great Mann Center.  I was a great show and I really enjoyed myself, although my mom did immediate ask upon the start of the show "Is it going to be this loud the whole time?"  And I was super pleased that they did "What Am I Doing Hanging 'Round" and got "Pleasant Valley Sunday" in during the encore!

But in honor of the Monkees, and one of the songs they did live that made me like it a lot more than I used to, the first song I've been listening to a lot these past few weeks is

1.  Steppin Stone - The Monkees


Cuz I'm not your steppin stone!

2. Along Together - Fall Out Boy


I've never listened to them before, but I got a little in the new Fall Out Boy album.  This song is definitely my favorite (even if some of the lyrics are a tiny bit weak . . . they are not nearly as weak as some of the other songs).

3. Boyfriend - Marina and the Diamonds


My little sister turned me onto this song and it amazes me.  I had to go back to watch the Bieber version and it is basically unrecognizable.  This version is so much better!  Marina is great.

4.  Black Flies - Ben Howard


I had the great great privilege of getting to see Ben Howard yesterday perform in Central Park.  It was a night of beautiful music.  Probably the best concert I've been to (excepting F+tM of course).  Black Flies was a song he just completely rocked out in a transcendent way, so here he is performing it live at the Isle of Wight.

5. The Girl Who Got Away - Dido

I was randomly listening to this while running and it was so relaxing but had a great beat.  I felt one with the world.

Music this Week: Some Pop and Some Oldies

Wow it has been a long time since my last Music of the Week.  I have picked up a couple new albums but have still been listening to a lot of the same old tunes: Florence + the Machine, Marina and the Diamonds, Billy Joel and I've definitely been having a Monkees Revivial--- probably to console myself that I can't afford to go see them on tour this season.

1. Pompeii - Bastille
(Sorry the music video is a little lame, but song is good!)

First I need to point out this song because I LOVE IT.  I was pleasantly surprised when I went to itunes to buy this song and it was itunes' Free Single of the Week last week.  I instantly listened to it 10 times in a row.  I actually forced myself to take a 2 day break from listening to it as a precaution in case I was getting obsessively insane about it.  If you want to check out other songs by Bastille try Bad Blood or Sleepsong.  Those are my other two major favorites.

2.  I Wanna Be Free - The Monkees

Like I said, been listening to the Monkees a lot.  They are great.  I really like them a lot.  This song has really stuck with me a lot lately.  When I was a  kid I thought this was lame song about a guy who a lame committment-fobe, but now I feel like it is about actually a much more sophisticated a concept and might be a major part of my philosophy toward love.

3.  Casino - Nashville

SURPRISE! Yes, it's another song from Nashville! my favorite new tv show of the season!  I can't wait for the next season.  Til then I'm going to sing along to this.

4. You'll Be Mine - The Pierces

My sister turned me on to this folky-pop duo, who apparently sing the credits song for Pretty Little Liars.  They had a couple songs I really liked so I got their album, and the whole thing really grew on me.  My favorite song though has to be their beautiful cover of Simon & Garfunkel's 'Kathy's Song.  I find it truly moving.

5.  Just Desserts - Marina and the Diamonds & Charlie XCX

New super-fun Marina song!  Lyrics are not always outstanding, but who cares?  Just dance. (Also I got this as a free download! woooo!)

6.  Rhiannon - Stevie Nicks

A classic and such a good song.

7.  Ramblin Rose - Nat King Cole

I also have just been really enjoyed belting this out on my commute to work for some reason. RAMBLIN ROOOOOOOSE . . . RAMBLIN ROOOOOOOOSE

Music this week: lots of new albums for me

This month I'm still bingeing on a lot of new music.  In addition to having a Muse and Mumford & Sons revival, here are some of the other songs and artists I've been listening to on repeat.

1. 'I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)' - Josh Groban

So I think I mentioned that I was getting Josh's new album.  Unfortunately, this is probably my least favorite of his albums so far.  I found a couple of the songs just a little disappointing.  But that said, there are a couple songs that I really love.  I definitely listened to this one a lot (also Changing Colors and Play Me from the bonus tracks).  I can totally see this song being used at the end wedding-scene of some super-feel-good romantic movie .  .  .  and then fade to credits.

2. 'Radioactive' - Imagine Dragons


I went to see Beautiful Creatures and this song was in one of the terrible trailers I had to watch.  But I'm glad I got to hear it because I got the full album and I really like it.  My other favorite right now is 'On Top of the World.'

3.  'Your Bones' - Of Monsters and Men


I finally got my hands of the Of Monsters and Men album and I was immediately distracted and moved by 'Your Bones.'  It has such a haunting sound and made me really really emotional the first couple times I listened.

4. 'Stronger than Me' - Nashville  [DON'T WATCH VIDEO IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE SPOILERS]


And speaking of haunting songs, this song really stuck with me too.  I know I said I would stop posting about Nashville, but this song is so powerfully sad, and mesmerizing.  I had it in the back of my head for days after I watched the episode. (Not really a song I'd want sung to me on my birthday though, poor Deacon.)

5.  'Kiss Me Goodbye' - Nick Urata and the Candelabras

I heard this song after watching the independent film Virginia starring Jennifer Connelly.  It was an interesting, sometimes funny, movingly sad movie.  This song captures the weird mix of cheerfulness, nostalgia, and bittersweetness.

6. 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' - from The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel soundtrack, Thomas Newman


I distinctly found parts of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel very relaxing and beautiful, especially because of the music.  I got the soundtrack and it is great for calming down, concentrating and finding that inner peace.

7. 'Shake it Out' - Florence + the Machine (Benny Benassi Remix)


I was discussing F+tM remixes with my sister.  And while I don't really care for the Calvin Harris remix of 'Spectrum,' this is one of the other remixes floating around out there that I enjoy.  This version is also pretty wonderful.

Of course, I always prefer the originals.

8. 'Terrible Love' - Birdy


I forget where, but I heard her cover of People Help the People and got the album on a bit of a whim.  I'm really glad I did because I really like the whole album.  She has a great and strong voice, and the album as a whole has a sleepy and reflective vibe.  I'm really looking forward to what she does next.

Music this week: Last last Month! So much!

In December and January I got a whole bunch of new song/albums but I never got around to sharing them.  I want to catch up a bit here.  I've already posted about Nashville (the new tv show, not the Altman movie from the 70s) soundtrack and Walk the Moon so even though I got some new songs from them and listened to them a lot, I'll otherwise skip them.

So here it goes!  Hope you are ready.

1.  'Dotted Lines' by Sweet Talk Radio



I heard this song on Haven (tv show) and looked up the band.  They have some good stuff and remind me a little of Kate Rusby, but maybe a little more indie poprock and less full-on folk.  I also am a big fan of Cannonball, Labor of Love, and Broken Things.  Got some good lyrics and contemplative vibe.

2.  'Men of Erin' - the Elders



My sister sent me song after hearing a local men's choir perform it.  It is an incredibly beautiful song, with a peculiar combination of sadness, inspiration and strength (at least that's what I get out of it).  The Elders (an Irish-American band from Missouri by the way) are also a lively band.  I especially like Dig Me a Hole and American Wake.  (Ok stuff is still a bit sad, but hey the Irish have a lot of less-than-happpy material to work from).

3. 'Electric Daisy Violin' - Lindsey Stirling



This girl dances and plays the violin really well at the same time.  It's pretty impressive and the music is super enjoyable.  Her covers are also really fun.  Check out her cover of Rihanna's We Found Love (sooooo much better than the original) and her Phantom of the Opera medley.

Also she just did a Mission Impossible duet with The Piano Guys, which is pretty cool.

Speaking of The Piano Guys . . .

4.  'What Makes You Beautiful' - The Piano Guys



This video has been making its rounds on the web lately.  I was amazed that they could turn such a cookie-cutter pop song into something that ended up sounding really beautiful and uplifting (plus the fact that they were doing this with only one instrument, yeah, that too).

They have a lot of other awesome songs, covers, and mash-ups.  One I've been listening to a lot lately is Peponi/Paradise.

And speaking of Paradise . . .

5.  'Life in Technicolor' and 'Princess of China' - Coldplay

For a long time I have been wanting to listen to Coldplay's Viva La Vida.  I finally bought it a couple months ago, and I actually really like it.  I've been kinda afraid to say this because I know that cool people do not like Coldplay, but in the words of David Tennant:  I don't care what anyone says, I like Coldplay.

I really like the entire album quite a bit, but 'Life in Technicolor' just really gets to me.



So since I so enjoyed Viva La Vida, and I'd also heard and liked Paradise, I also bought Mylo Xyloto.  I quite like it too.  Not as much as Viva La Vida, there are a few songs that are just boring to me.  But I enjoy the ones that everyone else likes, especially 'Us Against the World,' 'Every Teardrop is a Waterfall' (despite the cheesy name) and 'Princess of China' --- which is probably the only Rihanna song I have/ever will like (although why is it called Princess of China? seems a bit colonial).



6. 'All that I am' - Rob Thomas



 I bought his album Something to be mostly because I really like 'This is How a Heart Breaks' and I'd heard and been impressed by 'Now Comes the Night.' I didn't become a raving fan of most of the other songs on the album, except 'All that I am' which is mesmerizing.

7.  'Silver Wings' - Garrett Hedlund from Country Strong



Finally, I think all that Nashville music got me back in a country mood.  I love singing this in the car.

Music this week: Nashivlle and electric alterna-pop???

Since the last music post (October!) I have got a lot of new tunes!  A lot are songs or artist I've heard on tv shows and remembered to look up.  Tunefinder is pretty great! 

1. 'Bones' - MS MR

This group has a little of what I love about Florence + the Machine.  The drums, the powerful female vocal, mystery . .  .

2. 'Sleepsong' - Bastille

I read about this artist in Nylon and decided to check him out.  Then I fell in love with this song. Bad Blood is also pretty great.

3. 'One Works Better' & 'Sideshow'  - Nashville (tv series)

Beside liking this show a lot, I really love Nashville for giving us some great tunes!  I tend to like the songs by Scarlet and Gunner the most.  I really like 'One Works Better' in particular because it is a nice change from their more subdued, quiet love/heart-break songs.

I also love Deacon and his star-crossed-lover problems.  'Sideshow' is the prefect country song for him, and gotta love listening to Charles Esten's voice.

4.  'The Devil Don't Mind' - David J Roch

David J Roch's music is a little weird.  But I think I like it.  And I definitely have fun howling along to this song on my drive home from a soul-deadening day of work.  Skin & Bones is the first of his songs I heard (I haven't watched the video so can't speak to it).

5.  'Secret Days' - School of Seven Bells

This type of more electric music usually isn't really my cup of tea but I got into this song.

P.S.  Going to get my copy of Josh Groban's new album tomorrow!

Music this week: Muse, She & Him, and a bunch of British chicks

Been listening to a lot of tunes lately!  I guess I've really needed to be in the groove/needed a pick-me-up!

1. 'Never Forget You' - The Noisettes

Love her smooth voice and the retro vibe of the song!

2. 'Obsessions' - Marina and the Diamonds

Not from her most recent album but such a good song!  Been listening to it 3-4 times a day randomly!  Also, been listening to 'Numb.' 

3. 'Boy' - Nina Nesbitt

Just stumbled upon this one and been listening to it non-stop.

4. 'Dig Me A River' - Gemma Ray

I wanted to post 'No Water' but I couldn't find a video.  I've had a bit of a Gemma Ray revival of late and have been listening to her Lights Out on Zoltar again.  'No Water,' 'Dig Me a River,' and "You Got Me In a Death Roll" have got the highest play count so far.

5. 'Only You' - Alison Moyet

It's a old one, but it was on Fringe a few weeks back which got me hooked all over again.  'I Go Weak in the Presence of Beauty' is another favorite of mine.

6. 'Madness' - Muse

I finally broke down and got the new album this weekend.  Loving most of it (two of the songs I don't like).  Digging this one the most right now.

7. 'Thieves' - She & Him

I dunno why this one just randomly popped up on my itnues and it's perfect.


8.  'Tightrope' - Walk the Moon

Another one that I'm not sure how it made it's way into my itunes library but I'm ok with it.

9.  'Breath of Life' - Florence + the Machine

Yes, again!  It's soooooo good!

Other goodies: 
Of course I've was on an all Mumford & Sons diet for a little while there.  Still listening to 'I Will Wait' and 'Below My Feet.'  Their 'Ghost that We Knew' makes me cry, so I don't listen too it as much but love it too.  Been really digging 'For Those Below' lately.

Calvin Harris/Florence's 'Sweet Nothing,' of course.  Kinda bummed that the music video is so lame though.

Guilty pleasure: Cher Lloyd.

Music this week: 90s, some French, Country Strong, and some Singin In the Rain

It's been a long week.  So I've been listening to some relaxing and cheery music while I lounge around in preparation for the long, loungey weekend.

1. Let Me Be Your Wings - Thumbelina (soundtrack)

Much to the chagrin of my older sister who found this movie quite silly, this was one of my favorite movies when I was little.  This song was one of my childhood favorites.  And it is still **sigh** so romantic.  (And yes, I am still mad at the stupid, horrible toad that shows up right after this song and messes everything up for Thumbelina and Cornelius.)  I really wish the Barry Manilow version sound less, um . . . dated?

2.  Love Is All Around -  Wet Wet Wet (cover of The Troggs' song)

Another love song from the 90s!

3. You Were Mean For Me - Singin' in the Rain (soundtrack)

In keeping with romantic themes, another lovely, love song from the best movie ever made.

4.  La Vie Comme Elle Vient - Clemence

Randomly started listening to Clemence again this week (although I only have a few of her songs, they're a bit hard to find in the states).  Love the bouncy tune.

5. Timing Is Everything - Garrett  Hedlund (Country Strong soundtrack)

I finally watched Country Strong this week, and I really loved all the songs Beau (played by Garrett Hedlund) sung.  (Wasn't that into the Kelly Canter (Paltrow) songs for some reason.) Although, through the first half of the movie I was flipping out because I think Hedlund's voice sounds like a crazy Tim McGraw-Toby Keith hybid and I couldn't figure out if he was being dubbed by one of them.  And Tim McGraw was playing another character in the movie, so if he was dubbing Beau's voice that would have been really trippy.  Now, just got to watch Crazy Heart now!

6.  Sweet Nothing - Calvin Harris feat. FLORENCE WELCH

New collaboration between Florence and Calvin Harris to dance your stress away.  Thanks to my fantastico friend who kept me informed about this!

Music this week: Oldies but goodies!

Two weekends ago, I visited some historical homes for a fun and local(ish) holiday.  I visited the Winterthur Museum & Gardens in Delaware and the Physick Estate in Cape May, NJ.  Both of the homes were beautiful and full of fascinating little details, and it was a very fun and full weekend!

All of this rummaging around in the past got me in the mood for some old-timey tunes!  Here is a selection of the my favorites I've come across lately:

1. "Too Young" - Nat King Cole

I've always loved Nat King Cole's smooth voice.  And this sweeping, romantic song is just the thing.

2. "Let Us Be Sweethearts" - Guy Mitchell

Yes, let's.

3.  Love Letters In the Sand - Bert Ambrose

This song is actually sad but deceptively jolly-sounding.  You just want to get up and dance (unfortunately on this grave of the singer's fickle romance).  This one was on repeat a lot!

Bonus:

4. Cosmic  -  The Special Ks

Ok, I also stumbled across this pop (electronic?) band and enjoyed their tunes.  My favorites were Cosmic and Crystal Fields.

Listen here.

Exciting stuff this week: Olympics, Movie Trailers, Lana Del Rey

I've been getting really jazzed up about some upcoming movies:

1) The Hobbit
Why? because, like, it's The Hobbit.  with Peter Jackson & Co.  and Martin Freeman.  and everyone else.  and I no longer need to be depressed because that phenomenon called LOTR is over.

2) Anna Karenina

Why?  Although I haven't in the past been a fan of Joe Wright's work, one thing you can say for his repertoire is that his movies are GORGEOUS.  I have already watched this trailer 10 times because it is so pretty.  Also I like Keira Knightley, and a LOT of the supporting cast.  I got about halfway through the book a couple years ago, so now I've got to hurry up and finish it before the movie comes out and gets me all confused.

3) On the Road

Why?  It is so exciting: someone adapting On the Road. Sam Riley is pretty intense, so I'm really eager to see what he comes up with.  And whoa! check out the rest of the cast! It's kinda scary!

I'm also trying to finish this one before the movie comes out, and it's proving remarkably difficult!  Although there are beautiful parts of it that I love so much, there are other parts that seem to drag on--- so it's a weird rollercoaster of love and despondency with me.  I've had to return it to the library twice now to avoid fines!

4) Cloud Atlas

Why?  Ben Wishaw.  That, and check out the trailer.  I don't know what is going on there, but man, I want to be there to witness it!

---

Only problem is that none of the movies is coming out for what feels like AGES!!! October, November, December, unknown . . . (sigh). . .

So I'm getting myself psyched for something a little more imminent: the OLYMPICS!  Or more specifically the opening ceremonies, which I always find really fascinating.  It's pretty special that every two years we get a chance to see what happens when a country pulls out all the stops to present it's cultural and national identity.  And since I love the Brits and Danny Boyle is directing the whole show, I'm pretty psyched.  (Rumors of a 40 ft Lord Voldemort?  JK Rowling, I freaking hate you.  You freaking got one of your fictional characters into the Olympics, that's how iconic your creations are.)

Also, there is the music they are putting out for this thing.  It's the perfect dose of epicness to get you pumped for the big day!

Survival by Muse

Theme for Velodrome by The Chemical Brothers

---
In other news, Lana Del Rey has been my concentration music of the week for some reason.  Here is her new video for 'Summertime Sadness'  featuring the beautiful cryer Jamie King.  Warning: it's a mesmerizing very SAD video, in case you couldn't guess.

Music this week: Mumford & Sons & Paul Simon, Girl Power music

I've been getting really excited about all the concerts I'm going to be going to this summer.  I'm going to see my idol (goddess?) Florence Welch perform with Florence + the Machine at the end of the month in Cleveland.  She just posted on her Facebook page that she has sustained a vocal injury; let's pray that she heals beautifully and speedily!

I was going to see Mumford & Sons in Hoboken, but the tickets sold out.  I've been wanting to see them live ever since I heard their album, but it's probably just as well.  Their show was in the middle of the week, and the tickets were a bit steep.  I also almost went to see fun. in June, but I had a change of plans and couldn't make it.  Good thing I'd already seen them live before!

But next, I'm going to see Marina and the Diamonds in mid-August in NYC with some groovy friends. I'm psyched; it will probably be a pretty spirited and fun event!

Then in September I'm going to see Florence again! Woo!   She was coming to Camden (only 45 min from me), so I had no excuse not to get tickets!

Anyways, with all of this music excitement--- plus the news about Greenday's new albums and Pink's new song & album announcement--- I've been in a real musicy frame of mind lately.

So what have I been listening to?

1.  Paul Simon - So Beautiful or So What (the whole album)

My disappointment with not getting Mumford & Sons tickets sent me off on a wild Paul Simon binge for some reason.  I'd recently bought my dad the new album for Father's Day; so I stole it from him and it's been my work soundtrack for the past several days.

My favorites are Dazzling Blue, Rewrite, and Love is an Eternal Sacred Light.

Dazzling Blue
Favorite line: "roses red, fine white linen, to make a marriage bed."  I don't know why, but I always seem to tune in especially for that line.

Rewrite
Favorite line: "when I said help me help me help me help me, woah, thank you, for list'nin' to my prayer"

Love is an Eternal Sacred Light
Favorite line: "Big Bang/ That's a joke that I made up/ Once when I had eons to kill"

2.  Jerry Hall feat. Mumford & Sons - The Boxer (by Paul Simon)

And given my Mumford & Sons-inspired Paul Simon binge, I was ecstatic to discover this gem:

Favorite line: "Lie lie lie, Lie lie lie lie lie lie lie"


3.  The Lumineers - The Lumineers (new album)

In the same folky, Americana genre, I found out that The Lumineers now have an album.  It includes their popular song Hey Ho, and I've only listened to a couple of the tracks, but so far I'm digging Submarines:

Favorite line: "I did spy periscopes"  --- how often do you get to sing that?

4.  Girls Aloud - Theme from St. Trinian's

One the COMPLETELY OPPOSITE end of the spectrum, my iTunes shuffled me to one of my favorite loud, raucous, girl power songs: the theme song from St.Trinian's.  And I promptly listened to it over and over and over again, just as I did when I first saw St. Trinian's--- a campy, teen pop British movie that is really hard to explain, it's about a private school for crazy, mischievous girls and their hilarious hijinks (involving Colin Firth).  But this song can be sung, screamed and unceremoniously howled by girls everywhere (and includes some less-known british slang, for those interested).

Favorite lines: "Feel the fear, we're MANIACS, saaaaaaiiint Trinians" and basically the whole chorus, especially, "Check out our BATTLE CRY/ a song to TERRIFY/ no one can stand in our waaaaayyy."

5. Marina and the Diamonds - Electra Heart (new album)

I've been pumped about this album for two months now. It is finally here.  Or almost here.  Mine probably won't arrive until next week, but I've been listening to a lot of the songs online.

My current selection is Power & Control (so radio-worthy! I hope to hear it on the dials soon!)

Favorite line: "Yeah, you may be good-looking but you're not a piece of art."

 Bubblegum Bitch was a close second.

6.  Florence + the Machine - Shake it Out

FLORENCE + THE MACHINE remixing their own song.

Favorite line: **all of it**

Their whole concert is also on youtube, woo!

The more embarrassing tunes:
Give Your Heart a Break by Demi Lovato (yes, i know . . . dangerously close to me liking a Taylor Swift song)
Payphone by Maroon 5
Wild One by Flo Rida
One Thing by One Direction (or is it just prep-school NSYNC? hahaha)
Scream by Usher (so much dance dance energy!)

Stuff I keep forgetting to check out:
First Aid Kit (I've got one of their songs, but never investigated further)
the new (well, 2011) Blondie album
Coldplay's 2011 album (I know people seem to hate Coldplay, but I think I've heard some of their stuff recently and liked it.)
Fiona Apple???  Is she good?  All of a sudden everyone seems to be worshipping her.

Music this week: Ben Howard

I'm going to be doing some driving this weekend so I'm looking for some good tunes to listen to on the road.  The BBCAmerica blog recently did a post on the new sounds from London so I took a look.  Something reminded me that I've been missing Mumford & Sons recently, but I think Ben Howard is going to hold their place for a while.

I was instantly won over by his beautiful cover of "Call Me Maybe."

Current other favorites are:

The Wolves

Keep Your Head Up

Songs I was listening to in May

So oops.  It's been almost a month since my last post.  May was a pretty crazy busy time at work and I had to rather drown myself in statistics for a couple of weeks for a final exam.  But now it is summer, and I should have more time to be punctual.

To kick things off in an easy manner here are some of the songs I've been listening to in May.  It's been a lot of female singers and pop.

Tokyo Sunrise - LP

Um. What can I say.  I really really like this girl.  Here voice is so unique and her music is very refreshing.  I probably listened to this over and over and over again.

She just released a studio version of her most well-known song, Into the Wild, and it sounds pretty great (crank up the volume and get lost in it).  I also really like Wasted Love.


100 MPH (in 2nd Gear) - Gemma Ray

This song is so groovy and nostalgic and creepy and anthemic and sorrowful.

 Her full albums are a little much to listen to in one sitting, but they are still really fascinating.  I also really love Fist of a Flower.   The music videos are even darker and freakier!  I feel like she should be in Twin Peaks or something.

Breath of Life - Florence + the Machine

F+tM's latest, so DUH, I'm listening to it. a lot.

The choir in this is so perfect.  Ok, listening to this again, right now, three times.

Albatross - Judy Collins

My itunes recommended Judy Collins and I remembered that one of her CDs was floating around the house someplace.  I tracked it down and this sound really stuck out to me.  I don't know what this song is really about yet, but the lyrics (and the flutes!) are mesmerizing.

Seventeen - Marina and the Diamonds

Marina is coming out with a new album soon so I've been revisiting her last batch of songs.  I've had all her more popular songs for a while (I'm Not A Robot, Oh No!, Mowgli's Road . . . Hollywood--- except I don't really like that one), I thought I'd get to know the other songs. I've been really jamming to Seventeen.

And just because that video is a little silly, you must watch her video for I'm Not a Robot.  It's super cool and beautiful.  (P.S. she was doing the rhinestones on the face thing before Katy Perry)

Come Away to the Water - Maroon 5 (feat Rozzi Crane) for The Hunger Games

Someone said to me this week: "Adam Levine!  That guy is suddenly everywhere!" which is true.  But this song is has such . . . I dunno . . . essence.  It matches the movie really well, but is great as a just a song by itself too I think.  Adam Levine's voice is strangely suited to this song, which I think was originally written by Glen Hansard.

Songs this week.

Sometimes I can't concentrate.  A bit of noise helps.  Music also helps you get your mind off how boring your life is and how your job is lousy.  It also prevents you from dwelling on how much you hate New Jersey drivers when you are stuck in completely unnecessary traffic.

For a complete pop immersion:
Primadonna
I love Marina and the Diamonds.

For when you are really mad at how everyone else is ruining your life, and want to celebrate how awesome you are:
Do My Thing
Um.  Self-explanatory.  Just listen.

Always, apparently:
High Hopes
I've been randomly addicted to Paolo Nutini.  Seriously listening to him non-stop, waiting to get sick of him, and not getting sick of him.  This song cheers me up loads.

I know, he looks like he is doubling over in agony when he sings, but whatever.  It seems to work really well.

And just to give you an overdose, I love driving to this song.  I feel like I'm in the opening of an indie movie.

For a maniacal laugh:
Bird Song
I know its a little macabre and freaky, but I love this song so much.  I think the story she tells is so funny.  The stupid, power-tripping bird sure gets what's coming to him. And then she does too.  Suckers!

When you are not paying attention:
Out on the Town
I had fun. on in the background and suddenly realized that this song was growing on me.

When you are doing work schedules for your students/have been poisoned by Lana Del Rey:
Dreamy Old New England Moon
I was listening to Lana Del Rey while doing some confusing scheduling and it made me really stressed out and unexpectedly wiggy.  So I prescribed myself some smooth, calming Dean Martin.

To unwind:
Sweet Bride
I keep hearing Kate Rusby on soundtracks in small British films and tv shows and I really love her.  So far my favorite has been "Sweet Bride."  I have yet to listen to her most well-known album, Awkward Annie.

For crying:
The Unquiet Grave
Rusby again: "The Unquiet Grave" is tragic and great from when you are emotionally unstable and may make you unexpectedly burst into tears.

To just be happy:
Oh Boy
That last one is a bit of a downer, so I've also been listening to cheery "Oh Boy" by She & Him.

Songs I've been listening to this week

With different weeks come different moods, and with different moods come different songs playing constantly on repeat.

Some song I've been listening to a lot this week:

1.  Carry On by fun.

2.  Landscape by Florence + the Machine

3. Lay Your Head Down from Albert Nobbs, sung by Sinead O'Connor

4.  Sophia by Laura Marling

5.  Bedroom Eyes by the Dum Dum Girls

6. Fix You covered by Janet Devlin on X Factor

 
7.  Straight to You by Josh Groban

8. Hey Ho by The Lumineers

9.  Swanee River by Hugh Laurie

Music Vid: Fun.-Walking the Dog

I recently happened upon this band: fun., although I haven't quite worked out if they capitalize the "F" ever or not. I think not, but to be safe I'll do one way in this post's title and the other in the previous sentence.

I unexpectedly got to see them live, as are touring with Janelle Monae--- whom I went to see on October 2nd. They were great live, so I searched out their youtube and they had this fantastico music video, full of cool music video creativity!

Here is a pic to give you an idea:

I wish I had been an intern on this video.

However, I really roll my eyes at the video for We Are Young (love the song). As I say often to friends, DON'T WATCH, JUST LISTEN. It's (it=video, not song) a bit of a giant walking cliche and you know exactly where it's going once she picks up the random knife. To peel an apple? that's what it's for? yeah. suuuurrree. lame. lame. lame. Please kick the cool back in.