Music? What's That?

Unfortunately, my summer hasn't exactly started as planned. I'm working full time, and by the time I get home I'm anything but in the mood to write.

However, I'm going to try my best to change that, especially with there being so many great releases coming up this summer.

So for those of you still dedicated enough to look at this from time to time, I'm going to do my best to keep this updated for you.

Now let's get down to business:

On iTunes, you can buy Coldplay's single, 'Viva La Vida' for the usual 99 cents as well as pre-order their album. Since I'm back in the green thanks to my job, I took the liberty of buying it...and it's genius. Hopefully it's setting the stage for the rest of the album. If it is, I'm sure that it won't fail the waves of Coldplay fans looking forward to it. Check out their website for information on tour dates as well.

Until We All Burn...

I've really taken to this song off of Narrow Stairs, it calms me down, helps me to relax. Something in his voice lets me know that everything is going to be okay.

Ladies and gents, I give thee 'Grapevine Fires.'

You Can't Do Much Better Than Narrow Stairs

I've been awaiting May 13 for quite some time. Simply for the fact that Narrow Stairs, the newest Death Cab for Cutie album would finally be in my hands.

So on my lunch hour (yes, working full time) I headed over to Best Buy to get this little beauty. After a minor heart attack when I couldn't find it, I was delighted to see the strange yet amazing cover art that made it stand out from the other new releases this week. Much to my dismay though, I had to wait another 5 hours before actually being able to listen to it. 

I've got to say... the five hours that I had to wait was definitely worth it, without a doubt. I'm trying to understand why critics who reviewed the album classified it as 'dark' and such 'a different sound,' because to me it's anything but dark. Sure, some songs have more deep lyrics then fans might be used to, but Gibbard's work far surpasses almost everything that he has done up until this point.

While the whole album (produced by Chris Walla) is practically flawless, certain songs definitely stick out. Be sure to listen to 'You Can Do Better Than Me' along with 'Your New Twin Sized Bed' and 'Bixby Canyon Bridge.'

You won't be disappointed.

Old News, New News...Something in Between

In October 2007, Dashboard Confessional released their much anticipated album, The Shade of Poison Trees, I was a bit surprised when Revolt Media posted a short letter from Chris himself saying the he was back in the studio again.

True, it was posted in late March, 5 months after the release of their previous album, but with the flack that they've been getting for The Shade of Poison Trees being rushed and underdeveloped, you'd think they'd slow it down a bit.

However, I'm not going to complain. With the hopes of being released sometime in 2008, it would be the third consecutive year that Dashboard would release a full scale album, following 2006's Dusk and Summer and 2007's The Shade of Poison Trees.

More to come as more details arise, but check out the article posted by RM for yourself.

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!