I'm Thinking (and Feeling) Songs Of Summer...

I've got 5 days of school left, and summer and the promises of ice cream, baseball games, sunny days and vacations to the beach have left me in anything but the mood to study.

So I've been trying to avoid songs the suggest summer, but let me tell you, it's so hard. They are everywhere. 

It's impossible to escape them, believe me... I've been trying.

Some of my favorites to kick back and sign along to? I'm glad you asked.

'The Garden' - Cut Chemist - Not exactly sing along to material, but has the perfect rhythm for a lazy day by the pool. I'm addicted to it even though I have no clue what the girl who is singing happens to be saying.

'Everybody Wants To Rule The World' - Tears For Fears - Okay so scorn me for the fact that a) it's not indie and b) it's from the 80's (my favorite decade by far, wish I could have spent more time in it), but this song is to me, classic teenage summer rebellion song. And hello, it was in the fantastic movie Real Genius. 

'Atoms for Peace' - Thom Yorke - Yes, the lead singer for Radiohead released some solo work in 2006, and this happens to be my favorite song from the disc. It's relaxing, making it perfect for lazy summer nights.

'Dusk and Summer' - Dashboard Confessional - Off of the 2006 release in which the song gets it's name, you can expect some pretty beachy tunes to come off the CD. And you can't deny it, there are some great tracks that you can listen to over and over while in front of the waves. Rumor has it that Chris Carrabba and the crew are back in the studio....I'm looking forward to finding out if that's true (don't worry, I'll let you know!).

'Satellite' - Guster - Anyone who knows me personally knows that I obnoxiously sing this song when ever I get the chance. Why not listen to it and do the same? It's perfect to shout out while running through the nice cool grass. For a change of pace try out The Astronaut's Radio Remix. I'm sure that the fact they both have to do with space is sheer coincidence. 

'Brighter Than Sunshine' - Aqualung - Ya know, for the cloudy days that summer might bring.

'New Soul' - Yael Naim - Quite honestly, this song just makes me want to stand up and dance around. I think I'd even be content dancing around in the rain if this song was on. And I know someone else who feels the same way about this song.

Others to consider: 'Mushaboom' - The Postal Service Remix, 'Talking Like Turnstiles' - Death Cab for Cutie, 'Holiday From Real' - Jack's Mannequin, 'Sitting, Waiting, Wishing' - Jack Johnson, and (another blast from the past) 'Take On Me' - A-ha.

Happy summer everyone!

Posting Shall

return to normal tomorrow.

I've finally finished all work until at least Friday afternoon.

See you then. =)

I'm Taking A Break

from my usual music tonight and attending a completely different kind of concert.

One without moshpits and screaming crowds and crazy people all over the place.

I'll be attending a sit down shut your mouth and don't move for three hours concert. It's for my quite talented 13 year old brother.

He made it into the Berk's County Junior Band, Chorus and Orchestra concert. Yup, all three. He's pretty awesome.

So as for the change of pace, I'm kinda looking forward to it.

I Apologize

for my lack of updates this week. There's not much time left before finals and I'm racing to get papers and projects done before the semester is over.

Lame excuse, I know.

Anyways, on to better things. I'm trying to compile a list of some of the concerts I really really really want to go to this summer.

There's a lot of them. So sometime tonight I'll post them along with some other musical note.

I just wanted to get something up here so you know I'm alive and well.

We Were Boxing

We were boxing the stars...

We were boxing...

You were swingin for Mars...

Dark blue have you ever been alone in a crowded room?

                          I'm here with you.

I'm Writing A Paper About Boondock Saints

I realize that has nothing to do about music, but this does.

A video, just for you. 

I really need to get my paws on Hotel by Moby, pronto.

And if you watch the video, you'll understand my little play on words. 

Somebody Asked Me A Tough Question (Sad Face)

Last night, someone asked me what I consider to be a tough question. To some, it may not seem like it's that big of a deal, but to me it was pretty tough to answer. So now, the tough question that was given to me?

What is your favorite song?

Well to be honest I was about ready to cry. I sat around for about ten minutes before stating quite simply that I had no idea. So I was inspired. Why not write down some of my favorite songs but just to give me a better idea, not actually forcing me to actually pick a favorite song, which apparently is clearly impossible for me to do.

So my Top 5 favorite songs, in no particular order:

Cue the Sun - Daphne Loves Derby - I've been in love with Daphne Loves Derby for about six years, but when I heard this song last summer, I fell hard. With it's simple acoustic sound, excellent lyrics and even a harmonica (score...really that adds points) this song just makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over.

Hamburg Song - Keane - When Under the Iron Sea came out in 2006, this song stuck out to me like the North Star in the night sky (go ahead and make fun of me for that but it's true). The song itself holds a lot of meaning for my close friends and I, each in different ways. But honestly for me it's the lyrics that get me, like most of the songs that I love. If I could post the whole lyrics to the song here I would, but I'll link it and you can just go read them for yourself.

Slipping Away - Moby - I've been listening to Moby a lot lately, and some of his songs are amazing, even without lyrics. The song is off of his 2005 album Hotel, and although there are plenty of other amazing songs off of the two disc release, just read this please:

Open to everything happy and sad

Seeing the good when it's all going bad

Seeing the sun when I can't really see

Hoping the sun will at least look at me

Focus on everything better today

All that I needed I never could say

Hold on to people, they're slipping away

Hold on to this while it's slipping away

Two words, my friends: Freaking Amazing.

I Want to Know Your Plans - Say Anything - For once, the musical aspect of this song outweighs the lyrics for me. Although both are amazingly fantastic in their own right, I can't down either, but the music to me is what makes this song complete. And it's a song about love, so of course I'm all for it.

Pieces of the People We Love - The Rapture - Someone (a very awesome someone) introduced me to The Rapture over the summer, and let me tell you...I love them. Their sound is quite original and this song reminds me so much of the summer that it makes me want to lounge by the pool or hang out on the beach. It's also really great for summer parties...just sayin'.

So, there, my five favorite songs. And although there happen to be oodles more that I love, these five stand out to me the most.

Also, this post is dedicated to my dear friend SAMM. Who owes me a York Peppermint Patty on Tuesday. ;-)

No No No

I don't believe it. :(

Read that first line. And cry.

Post One of the Day...

I'm officially going to see Death Cab on June 12.

Yay!

I'll update later. With something better. Promise!

8 More Days....

until the new Jack's Mannequin CD.

Let's hope anyways, I can't seem to find it on pre-sale anywhere.



And I'm going to apologize in advance for my lack of updating. I'm getting slammed with end of the year papers and projects thatare taking up oodles of my time. But I'm going to try and post you with some form of musical information a few more times this week.

There's This Band

Named The Swimmers.

And I quite enjoy them. Especially this song, in which you can watch the video and find out for yourself why they are amazing.

The Swimmers are from Philadelphia, PA and recently released their first full length album, Fighting Trees was released on March 4 with MAD Dragon Records (affiliated with Drexel Universtiy.)

So listen. I command thee.

AKA: Brittany Needs to Find More Music

So there's three things that everyone should know about me: I like music, a lot (although that should be painfully obvious by now), I love to shop, and I love knowing about places that include both. So naturally, when I was exposed to a place that puts all three of these things in one, I'm going to be entranced. And speechless. Which I was when I walked into AKA Music in Philadelphia. I had no clue what to do with myself.

I tried to contain my excitment (and my dumbfounded look) as I walked through the store, and I browsed through everything since I really had no clue where to begin or what exactly I was looking for. But I will say this: if you go in there and can't find anything, you might have a problem. Their selection spans pretty much every genre from world to rock, rap and hip hop, indie, jazz, big band, local...I'm pretty sure you get my point.

And the prices are what I consider to be quite reasonable, since they deal with both new releases, used CDs, and vinyl. But back to the prices...new releases priced about the same as they would be at your local Best Buy, but the deals come in when you go searching through the used CDs. Their newer selection of used CDs starts at 99 cents. Yes, exactly, only 99 cents. Now, it requires you to have a watchful eye because you have to search through neatly packed boxes, but you can't go wrong. After that the prices go up a bit, but you're able to find that most used CDs are between $5 and $10 each.

So seriously, if you ever take a trip to Philadelphia, or you live there and have never been to AKA Music, I recomment that you make your way there ASAP. Find more information on their myspace site here, or head down to 27 N. Second Street Philadelphia PA.

It's heaven. Promise. Even if it makes you feel like you've never listened to any decent music before.

I Won't Leave You Hanging...I Swear.

Some things to look forward to in the next week from yours truly.

• If you're currently looking for some new music and unsure of where to get it, I've found a place. It's decently priced, and there are so many artists there that even I feel like a music reject.
• In conjunction with bullet No. 1 I'll talk about the John Ralston CD that I came upon. We have a fate-like relationship, I swear.
• And maybe a write up about The Swimmers, whom we should all start to enjoy rather quickly.

These of course will come in no particular order. So sit tight, they'll be out for you sometime this week.

So My Should Have Been...

long winded rant about how extremely upset I was (you have no idea, honestly!) with Death Cab for Cutie not coming to the Philly area at all after their new cd comes out in May shall cease to exist.

Silly me forgot to look at myspace, where they actually have their whole tour schedule posted.

So shall we say that....

June 12, 2008 I'll be at The Mann Center in Philadelphia?

Sounds like a date to me!

Hold On Now Youngsters…Don’t Go Sticking Fingers Into Sockets

So let me explain something. I love crazy sounding music. A lot, probably a bit too much. And when my friend introduced me to Los Campesinos! I pretty much jumped on them and was in love with their music instantly.

The group, from Cardiff, Wales has been together since 2006 and has released one full length album, Hold On Now, Youngster and two EPs, their most notable one being 2007’s Sticking Fingers into Sockets.

Their EP released the single, ‘You! Me! Dancing!’ and it’s a poppy little number that starts off slow and builds into an explosion of musical mayhem that my ears can’t seem to get enough of. Other tracks of interest from the Sticking Fingers into Sockets EP include; ‘We Throw Parties/You Throw Knives’ and ‘Don’t Tell Me to Do The Math(s).’ One thing is for sure, no two songs sound the same.

The full length CD, which was released for digital download on February 25th, 2008 for those in the UK, while the physical CD came out today, April 1st (No joke!) for those of us state-side. Thanks to iTunes, I got a few of the songs back in February, and they don’t disappoint. Hold On Now, Youngster has it’s share of great tracks as well, including ‘Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Broken Breakbeats’ and ‘Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks.’

Although their sounds may not be music to everyone’s ears, give them a chance. If anything, it may strike up the sudden urge to dance around.