Endorphin Rush

MOVED TO AUDACIFY.COM

2010-01-02T19:54:00.003-06:00

BAM BAM BAM and its done!

I've switched over to Wordpress and I bought my own domain name.

www.audacify.com

Top 100 songs of 2009

C is for "Correct"

2009-12-18T16:56:00.007-06:00

Click the image above to see the artist's work.

Ok, so my most anticipated exams and projects for the semester are done. I still have 2 exams and one [small] paper. While I'm cramming studying, I am also cramming some last minute music listening. I'm compiling some "best(or worst)-of 2009" lists and I am trying not to miss listening to anything tremendously notable.

Here are some of the lists you should be expecting to see from me:

In no order:

Best Albums of 2009
Best Songs/Singles of 2009
Best Remixes/Covers of 2009
Best Bands/Artists of 2009
Best Album Artwork of 2009
Best Engineered/Produced Albums of 2009

& a list of my favorite music i've been introduced to in 2009

& a write-up with results from last.fm / iTunes' play counts talking about what i've listened to the most in 2009.

and here is a band you should check out if you haven't done so already!

Ramona Falls - Melectric

VAMPIRE WEEKEND'S "WHITE SKY"

2009-12-16T19:52:00.000-06:00

Listen here:

http://www.myspace.com/vampireweekend

Last minute Listens! Bibio - Lovers Carvings

2009-12-15T17:46:00.003-06:00

Has it really been 11 days since my last post??? Eeeeek! Ah, college. After finals the blog posts are gonna be rolling, and after christmas the 2009 lists are gonna be dropping! But as of now, while I'm busy finishing last minute papers and studying for exams (which start thursday), I am also getting to those last-minute albums that need to be listened to - that I have put off listening to - before I finish my 2009 music lists.

One of my last minute - or maybe second/third/fourth chance - listens was Bibio's Ambivalence Avenue. I listened to the album a couple times about two months ago but it really didn't do much for me. However, I'm a firm believer in not judging an album of its type after just a couple listens. Alas, on one of my most recent listens I have grown quite fond of a few tracks especially "Lovers Carvings." The tune is a rather simple - totally "indiesque" - tune that just feels so right when the groove kicks in and changes the pace halfway through the song.

Bibio - Lovers Carvings

I've also heard some other good stuff during my last minute album listening for '09 albums... "Lovers Carvings" was just the lucky one to get some blog-post respect.

winter's beautiful welcome: Jónsi -Boy Lilikoi

2009-12-04T14:41:00.004-06:00

Jónsi - lead singer of the icelandic post-rock band named Sigur Rós - has released the first song off of his second solo project album. The album, entitled Go, is set for release, through XL Recordings, for March 22, 2010.

Boy Lilikoi, on first listen, was an instant beauty in my mind. The song begins quietly with soft ambient noises... the song then quickly blooms into a beautiful arrangement of vocals backed with a dazzling variety of instruments, all somewhat related to Sigur Rós' signature ethereal sound. I can't discern the lyrics but the song feels like a nostalgic tribute to childhood. This definitely causes me to add Jónsi's Go to my list of albums to look forward to in 2010. Enjoy!

Jónsi - Boy Lilikoi

You can download the song at the artists' website as it is a free song.

Thanks to @svaneerden (twitter) for sharing this with me!

Animal Collective - Fall Be Kind EP [ALBUM REVIEW]

2009-11-29T20:38:00.008-06:00

It pains me that some people are incapable of loving this music; the stereotypical idea of what a song or what music should sound like limits the possibilities of what we can understand and perceive when we hear sounds. To learn to appreciate and love this music is of the most rewarding experiences in life. I remember at one point Animal Collective and all of their glory sounded like garbles of nonsensical, melody-lacking, noise – but I was determined to find what the rave was about. To learn to understand and find the beauty of this music is to be enlightened.

Animal Collective - Graze

The first piece of the album, “Graze,” kicks the album off almost as if it is the resonance of a glorious sunrise... “Let me begin; feels good 'cause it's early…Ease open my eyes and let light in…” This first half of the track is Animal Collective ambience at its utmost brilliance; it is the slow dreamy sunrise of a new day… but then around halfway through the song, Animal Collective bridges over into what is possibly the trippiest thing Animal Collective has ever done in a song: a pan flute solo; only Animal Collective could pull off such a thing – and they do so brilliantly. I hear colors.

“Graze” smoothly transforms into the second piece on the EP: “What Would I Want? Sky.” Its pretty much common knowledge and pretty much a big deal that Pitchfork gave this track a “10/10” ranking which crowns it immediately as one of the best songs of the year in their books… and I would not argue. “What Would I Want? Sky” demonstrates Animal Collective’s dazzling complications of layers and ambient effects; but then, halfway through, the piece bursts into pure, clear, and chilled out song – it feels as if the clouds open up after days of rain. The vocals whirl around blissfully repeating “What Would I Want? Sky.” It is calming to the inner soul.

Like almost all of Animal Collective’s transitions, the transition from “What Would I Want? Sky” to “Bleed” is absolutely smooth and perfectly executed. “Bleed” provides the listener with a psychedelic and dreamy ambient Animal Collective experience… and right when the listener begins to drift off… the fourth piece from the 5-track EP fades in… In “On A Highway” Animal Collective manages to do the logically impossible. In the same way that some songs are “bitter-sweet,” Animal Collective’s “On a Highway” is “epic-chill” ; literally. I am amazed by how the band can create a piece of music that is urgently intense but completely chilled out at the same time… listen to it and you might understand what I mean.

Then the final piece of the EP, “I Think I Can,” shows Animal Collective’s mastery at its greatest peak… This song contains my favorite moment on this EP and one of my favorite AC moments, if not my favorite. "I Think I Can" starts out hauntingly and grows into chaotic yet logical sequence of layers… but then… around the 5 minute mark… a new tinkering of seemingly scattered random notes begins… but swiftly the notes all fall into place and the results quickly turn into a gorgeous melody that is joined with the angelic host of vocals from the band members of Animal Collective giving one last magnificent moment before the EP fades into silence.

Artist: Animal Collective

Album: Fall Be Kind - EP

9.3/10

Buy at Amazon!

testing

Standout Tracks: Fall Be Kind - EP

Where the Wild Things Are

2009-11-21T21:22:00.005-06:00

Besides those Mario and Donkey Kong tunes from back in the day the Where the Wild Things Are soundtrack is indeed the music of childhood. Karen O's voice beautifully fronts the album as xylophones and tinkering bells chime through the album. "Worried Shoes" is a song that will put a child to sleep - yet someone older can relate to the song as well. Throughout the album, chorus's of children dominate the iTunes equalizer making you feel like a kid again - putting your worries behind you. Carter Burwell contributes a tingling instrumental making my hairs on my neck prickle. The album is overall very enjoyable.

Artist: Karen O and the Kids

Album: Where the Wild Things Are (Motion Picture Soundtrack)

8.0/10

Standout Tracks: All Is Love ; Worried Shoes ; Lost Fur ; Sailing Home

Switchfoot - Hello Hurricane

2009-11-20T18:51:00.004-06:00

Prior to Switchfoot's Hello Hurricane, I could not help but think to myself - are the days of Relient K and Switchfoot over? Since Relient K has definitely let me down, will Switchfoot do the same? The answer is a resounding "no." It is true that I don't think Hello Hurricane is quite the same caliber as Nothing Is Sound, however, I still will back the album up as being a definite comeback from the lopsided and disjointed Oh Gravity. A definite album highlight would first be seen in the opening track, "Needle and Haystack Life" which is essentially the soundtrack of the sunrise of a new day... or perhaps the parting of clouds opening up the heavenly expanses. "Your Love Is A Song" and "Enough to Let Me Go" are just as gorgeous as Switchfoot favorites like "On Fire," "24."The Sound (John M. Perkins' Blues)" was my favorite Switchfoot-rocker song the album had to offer - though nothing on the same level as Nothing Is Sound's "Polititians." "Red Eyes" said a spectacular "good-night" featuring a beautiful closing arrangement of chimes... perhaps the best closer to a Switchfoot album? It is close at the very least.

Artist: Switchfoot

Album: Hello Hurricane

8.2/10

Buy it here!

Standout Tracks: Your Love Is a Song ; Needle and Haystack Life ; Hello Hurricane ; Red Eyes

Weezer - Raditude

2009-11-19T20:59:00.004-06:00

This album is... all about perspective to me. You can either listen to it and think, "wow, this blows; Weezer is just trashy pop music now." Or you can listen to it and think, "oh, they are so spontaneous!" Sure, this is critically crap... but, much like Discovery's LP, this album was probably fun to make... and it was outside their normal... "mold." Songs like "Can't Stop Partyin'" which features a verse from Lil' Wayne, is one of those hate it or love it tunes. "Love Is the Answer" is a comic, and almost insulting, attempt at "world music" - but on the flip-side it is undeniably catchy. I feel that someone could give this album one star out of five & it would be justified. At the same time I feel that someone could give this album a four out of five and it would be justified as well. For example, if I said "Weezer's Raditude is indeed full of catchy hooks & keyboard riffs, and overtly produced beats - essential ingredients in modern-day pop music - stuff pop radio will coon over." <-- that statement could be taken as either a positive thing, or a negative thing, depending on your viewpoint. A definite crusher for this album is the lack of musical passion. Music, in my opinion, is the strongest channel for communicating our deepest emotions and feelings - the album - except for a couple songs - flat out lacked passion, care, or meaning. It sells me for a couple listens, but it won't be remembered in years to come... or even months, save for perhaps one or two songs.

Artist: Weezer

Album: Raditude

5.4/10

Standout Tracks: I Don't Want to Let You Go, Love Is the Answer, Can't Stop Partyin'

Vampire Weekend - Cousins [MUSIC VIDEO]

2009-11-19T17:18:00.004-06:00

While I still prefer "Horchata" over Vampire Weekend's new single, "Cousins," I think this music video is a boat-load of fun! It has that same flare as A-Punk - however I find it a tad more exciting! Watch it and see for yourself... how much do you like it?

Kings of music strike again [NEW ANIMAL COLLECTIVE]

2009-11-19T07:02:00.003-06:00

As we have been hearing since January, and have hopefully come to terms with, Animal Collective's dazzlingly brilliant Merriweather Post Pavalion is one of the best, if not the best, albums of 2009. However, AC release their follow-up EP, Fall Be Kind, in just a few days... having had a nice *cough* "sneak peak" I can truly say, the EP is worthy Post-MPP work... here is a small taste of their greatness...

Animal Collective - Graze

Vampire Weekend - Cousins [NEW SINGLE]

2009-11-16T19:38:00.010-06:00

Seriously, we are nearing the moment I've been waiting for. I've been waiting incredibly patiently for the past year for Vampire Weekend to announce their sophomore album. First it was rumored to come out late summer '09, then it was rumored to come out in September '09, and then it was finally announced that the album would in fact be released January 11th/12th UK/US 2010. VW released a free promotional track, entitled "Horchata" (*insert expression of delight here*), on October 6th and now Vampire Weekend has released "Cousins" ; the first official single off their sophomore album. Buy "Cousins" iTunes / Amazon . A hardcopy of the single will be released on December 15th backed with "California English Pt. 2"

Listen Here:
~~Vampire Weekend - Cousins [download removed by request of XL Recordings]~~

Thanks to PMA for being the first out there to cover this awesomeness.

Favorite Albums of the Decade: 25-1

2009-11-13T17:35:00.000-06:00

This is a continuation, the final 25, of my favorite 50 albums of the decade. At the beginning of the decade I was a mere 9ish years old. I didn't really get into music until my early teens. And I didn't really get obsessive until very late in 2008. So I really look at these as the albums I listened to growing up; this is a carefully constructed personal list of the albums I listened to as I grew into the person I am now. These albums are literally, in a way, the soundtracks to the life I've lived. Being in college now - this list will serve as my life soundtrack of middle school through the beginning of college. Please, do not take this as a "best of" list - it is a favorites list. I hope you can appreciate these albums as much as I do.

(see albums #50-#26 here)

I present to you, my favorite 25 of my Top 50 Albums of the Decade.

25: Noah and the Whale

Peaceful the World Lays Me Down

Give a Little Love

“Peaceful the World Lays Me Down” is a joyous little album. This is folk style music at its unsurpassed goodness. Using a vast array of instruments, Noah and the Whale structured an album that captured me the instant I heard it. I vividly remember cracking a smile at the end of "Jacosta," at the eruption of trumpets and snare drums in "Shape of My Heart," and through the strums of the ukulele in "5 Years Time."

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24: Jack's Mannequin

Everything in Transit

Holiday From Real

I'm down for that whole "holiday from real" idea these dudes seem to be singing about. This personal pick was the soundtrack to the start of high school. So many faded memories revolve around this album. On the critical side of things, it is some of the best alt-pop music made this decade. Influences being pulled from, most notably, Ben Folds styled piano arrangements... but also a little but of "The Beatles" flare in the vocals and lyrics... astounding.

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23: Fleet Foxes

Fleet Foxes

White Winter Hymnal

Fleet Foxes' self-titled debut is the greatest baroque-pop record of the decade; if not of all-time. Odd: I listen to this and I feel like I'm listening to the sounds of the 16th century - but I don't even know what the feels like. Maybe it the ridiculously awesome album artwork? Who knows? The point is that Fleet Foxes creates a baroque-pop type of sound that many bands utterly fail at - the result is one of the best albums of the decade.

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22: Coldplay

Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends

Viva la Vida

Listen to the title song... ... ...it is glory itself? in a song? The album bursts with some of the most "victorious" moments of the decade. Listen and be inspired by the “boom-boom-clap” propelled, "Lost." The glory cries in "Viva la Vida" and the monumental build-up of "Death and All His Friends" are a few examples of shiver-inducing music monopolizing record sales. Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends is lined with an aura of U2-inspired stadium rock and it is wonderful – rock on!

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21: Newsboys

Thrive

Rescue

This is a personal inspirational pick. The songs speak for themselves. Loads of catchy melodies, well-polished production, and awesome lyrical themes.

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20: Jack Johnson

In Between Dreams

Breakdown

Dude. I'm pretty chill. You're pretty chill. We are pretty chill. Lets just chill, dude. We're chill, so we should just chill. Chill. Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams. A favorite "chill" album. Johnson is the master of chill music. So lets just go chill.

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19: Switchfoot

Nothing Is Sound

The Shadow Proves the Sunshine

You know, I really love both this album as well as "A Beautiful Letdown" (album #48). The thing is, I don't love this one all that much more than "A Beautiful Letdown" ; that really goes to show how close all the albums I've listed are as far as how much I like them; hopefully this really makes you realize how hard of a task it is to sort these albums out in order of favorites. This album has been one of the most inspirational albums for me over the years - The Shadow Proves the Sunshine being one of the most inspirational songs.

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18: Kanye West

The College Dropout

Jesus Walks

Yeah. That’s right Taylor Swift; you aren't in the top 20 of any decade list. Kanye West's "College Droupout" shows up on nearly ever list I've seen - and it deserves this praise. "The College Dropout" is West's debut album - so much of the pop music in today's music involves West in some way, shape, or form. He's either spitting verses, singing an auto-tuned hook, or producing some helllla awesome beats... thanks to “The College Dropout.”

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17: Relient K

MMHMM

Who I Am Hates Who I've Been

As I write this, I am realizing, for the first time, that this is the first album I've ever actually owned. Consequently, it is my favorite Relient K album. Unfortunately my list is only 50 albums because Relient K's "Anatomy of Tongue and Cheek" would have literally been #51. Oh well... I remember getting this for my birthday from my brother; I had never really heard it but I was pretty psyched to have my first album... I forget how old I was. The album means an awful lot to my past…

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16: Arcade Fire

Funeral

Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)

While Relient K's MMHMM is possibly the oldest/longest-loved of my favorites, Arcade Fire's "Funeral" is my youngest/newest. This album probably deserves to be much higher on the list, but unfortunately for me, I didn't actually ever get around to listening to it until a month or two ago; quite sad considering the legendary album is from 2004. Arcade Fire's "Funeral" is, without a doubt, one of the greatest albums of the decade. The beauty and the passion put into this music is rivaled by very few... If this was a "best of" list - this would be in the top 5 of the decade for sure. I just can't bring myself to put it that high up after only listening to it for a month.

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15: Muse

Black Holes & Revelations

Map of the Problematique

Through this entire list I have refrained from using the word "epic" to describe anything. I've been saving it for this; there isn't any word better than "epic" that I can match this album with. "Map of the Problematique" ; epic. "Starlight" ; epic. "Knights of Cydonia"; epic. "Supermassive Black Hole" ; epic. Oh and if you are ever feeling down or feeling weak or feeling like you need some motivation just go listen to "Invincible" from this album. Turn things around.

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14: MGMT

Oracular Spectacular

Kids

Oh man, I remember watching "21: The Movie." This song came on in the beginning of the movie and I made a mental note to check that out ASAP. The song was "Time to Pretend" by trip-rockers, MGMT. I ended up checking out the rest of Oracular Spectacular and, to be honest, all I liked was "Electric Feel" and "Time to Pretend." I revisted the album a few months later and I was just like... "whoah, how could I not like this stuff before?" Hello, awesome psychedelic indie rock, you win. P.S. that keyboard riff in "Kids" deserves an award.

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13: The Killers

Hot Fuss

Mr. Brightside

This is the debut album of The Killers. These are the songs that made them famous. These are the songs that got me "into music." These are the songs that made me say, "I want more." There is hit after hit after hit after HIT on this album. "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine," "Mr. Brightside," "Smile Like You Mean It," "All These Things I've Done," and "Somebody Told Me" ; these are songs that everyone knows... Not even hit-happy "Only By the Night" by Kings of Leon has such an arsenal of modern rock hits.

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12: Keane

Under the Iron Sea

Hamburg Song

Something I just noticed: I have three Keane albums on this list. I never really realized how much of their music I have really enjoyed. "Under the Iron Sea" was the first Keane album I heard, which is why I gave it the edge over the other two albums. If it wasn't for this album, I would have missed out on so much great music. Keane is constantly ripped on by critics for this, that, the other thing... I'll never agree with them. Keane makes beautiful music.

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11: Eminem

The Marshall Mathers LP

The Way I Am

Lets talk about how much of a big deal this album is... The Marshall Mathers LP was the fastest selling solo album of all time, selling 1.79 million copies in just the first week in just the United States. This is often labeled as the best rap album of all time. You know what? This album is gross, disgusting, dark, bad for the mind and ridiculously impressive. The skill Eminem demonstrates is unmatched by any rapper that lives and possibly that has ever lived...

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10. The Click Five

Greetings From Imrie House

Just the Girl

^^press play. Are you one of those people who listened to that pop song in like 8th grade / middle school? soakin' up in the sun rep'-ing summer of '05? I know I was. This stuff was the soundtrack to like the summer surrounding freshmen year of high school. Its pure powerpop music with so many memories of the middle school / high school transformations behind it ; especially in "Just the Girl." Catchy guilty pleasure.

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9: TV On the Radio

Dear Science

DLZ

From the big-sound opening track, "Halfway Home" through to the victorious finish of "Lover's Day," TV On the Radio takes the listener through a mind-blowing escapade filled with horns, synthesizers, beautiful lyrics, and even a rap in one song. This album was one of the first albums to fuel the fire to my obsessive desire for more music. I had only really experienced Top 100 and the things that were popular with my friends - I never truly looked deeper... until I heard TV On the Radio's masterpiece, "Dear Science."

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8: Green Day

American Idiot

Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Here is to more music from my past. Green Day's American Idiot is my favorite popular-punk-rock album of the decade and, so far, of all time.

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7: Animal Collective

Merriweather Post Pavilion

My Girls

This is probably the biggest landmark as far as change in my music listening habits. As I said when I was talking about TVOTR's "Dear Science," I used to only know and listen to Top 100 tunes and what my friends listened to. This album is the album that taught me to open my mind and look "outside the box" when I listen to music. This album taught me to appreciate obscure music and it fired the desire to search the "indie" world for hidden treasures that are unseen by the radio. When I first heard MPP I thought it was garbled noise with virtually no melody; but now I almost feel like an enlightened person. It is like looking at a necker cube and trying to shift your perception. After forced listens (I was determined to find all these beauties people wrote about) I finally felt the greatness and heard the melodies in the abstract layers of sound.
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6: Wild Light
Adult Nights
Surfer's Reprise + Red House

I think of Wild Light as a more of an... indie pop version of Arcade Fire. The band is influenced by Arcade Fire, Tim being one of the early members of Arcade Fire. Wild Light is actually the reason I actually did check out Arcade Fire (even though Arcade Fire is older than Wild Light). "Adult Nights" is an awfully personal record to me. You know how some songs or albums almost remind you, in a nostalgic sense, of someone? This could be a friend, or an old crush, or a family member, ect... This album is my album. It is like the album that represents that last breath of high school and the memories of my, metaphorically speaking, strong finish at the end of a long race. I listen to this album and think, "If i had a theme song..." I listened to this album very often in the spring of this year (2009). Now when I listen to it, I am reminded of, I guess, myself. If there was a movie that was about my life of 2009, Surfer's Reprise + Red House would be the ending song in the credits.
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5: The Click Five

Modern Minds & Pastimes

Jenny

I remember one night, about a year and a half ago, re-discovering this forgotten band that I used to listen to freshmen year. I was so excited... it was just like "WOW the good ol' days!" I then proceeded to see if they had any new stuff since I last heard them - sure enough they had an album called "Modern Minds and Pastimes" which I checked out. It ended up being the soundtrack of the spring of 2008 into the summer of 2008 - which was hands down THE best summer. This album is like a memory capsule of 2008. [Observation: most of my favorite albums are marked with some type of nostalgia]

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4: The Killers
Day & Age

Human

Ah... sorry Killers' haters ; I know lots of you are out there. But their music really captures me like no other band. "Day & Age" is the third full-blown studio album by The Killers and it is, by far, their most exotic adventure. "Spaceman" takes you up with aliens and back again; a joy ride. "A Dustland Fairytale" is what happens when The Killers are inspired by cinderella; beautiful. "This Is Your Life" reminds me of some exotic place, that I don't know where or why, but I want to go to it. And then "Human" - I remember driving home from my last football banquet at night after my senior year of football and listening to that song... another bite of nostalgia is hidden in the billowing synth-sounds of the song.

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3: Eminem

The Eminem Show

Without Me

In my mind, "The Eminem Show" is hands down the best rap album of all time. It is lyrically brilliant. I've taken classes that studied some of the "greats" of poetry - but the fact is, Eminem is better than any them. His rhymes are off the CHAIN, man. Like for real. I am flat out blown away when I hear this album. He is not like Lil' Wayne who rhymes the most basic and generic words. No, Eminem weaves his rhymes so that often entire lines will rhyme with the next line. Sentence will rhyme with the next sentence. Its not just the last word of a line rhyming with the last word of another line. (see verse 2 in "Square Dance.) This album isn't just about the lyrics either. Catchy beats and choruses are throughout the album. There are songs that have soul-shaking beats with spine shivering vocals. Hit after hit. Brilliance after brilliance. And right when you think it can't get any better, towards the end of the album you hear a dark keyboard intro which builds up. Then Mr. Mathers starts speaking. Then that boom-boom clap beat comes in and Em' just goes nuts and drops what, in my mind, is possibly the greatest rap song ever. Hate it or love it, this album is greatness.

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2: Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend

The Kids Don't Stand a Chance

:) I love this album so much. Its happiness in CD (or MP3) form. They sing about Egyptian cotton, oxford commas, spilling "kefir on your keffiyeh" and their name is Vampire Weekend. That is enough basis to love this. But besides that, the album is filled with well-polished production, clean guitars, fuzzily happy keyboards, and soothing string instruments. As most of my favorites, it has nostalgia running through the core of their sound that reminds me of an awesome time in my life! P.S. really... only I would have Vampire Weekend and Eminem next to each other on a list. Hah...

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1:The Killers

Sam's Town

When You Were Young

The problem with this album is.... hah psych - there is no problem. This album is perfect to me. Sam's Town is the ideal opening track - and I remember vividly the first time I heard it. I remember thinking "have I just found the perfect match?" I honestly thought I had just found the perfect album for me - and that thought hasn't really wavered. I remember hearing, at the end of the opening song, that line that goes "I see London, I see Sam's Town, holds my hand and lets my hair down... rolls that world right off my shoulder." I remember sitting in my room and thinking... "this is what music should sound like." I felt like I had just found something that I was looking for my whole life. Then there was "When You Were Young" which was the second Killers' song I had ever heard (I heard it prior to hearing the album). I can't describe how huge, bombastic, and perfectly layered the sound is on this album; it is unbelievable. Songs like "When You Were Young," "This River Is Wild," and "Why Do I Keep Counting" are just a few examples of this. The Killers' flat out bring the house on this album - the guitars, the synthesizers, the bass, and the drums; everything is perfect to the max. I remember listening to this album the summer prior to my Junior year of football. I vividly and beautifully can remember training for football and running under the hot sun in the 99 degree weather. I can remember the sweat that covered my skin and I can remember being unbelievably fatigued but hearing through my headphones, "I feel my vision slipping in and out of focus, but I'm pushing on for that horizon, I'm pushing on, now I've got the blowing wind against my face" from "Bling (Confessions of a King). The memory is so vivid but it feels to perfect to have really been real.

"Read My Mind" was the first song I ever heard by "The Killers" and I remember sitting in the back of my friends van listening to the radio and asking my friends, "what song is this????" Then there is "This River Is Wild" ; it feels as if, at 3:04 when Brandon Flowers' synthesizer joins in the chorus, all the music I've ever heard flashes before my eyes and the essence of all music peaks right there. Then finally, The Killers' conclude the outstanding album at the end of "Why Do I Keep Counting" as Flowers' sings:

"If I only knew the answer. If I change my way of living, and if I pave my streets with good times, will the mountain keep on giving? And if all of our days are numbered, then why do I keep counting?"

Favorite 200 of the Decade

2009-11-07T22:20:00.006-06:00

These are my favorite 200 songs of the decade. I'm sure i've missed some awesome stuff... making a list like this somehow feels criminal; i feel like i just categorized my children... i love all of this music so don't take things to literally....

200. Weezer - December (2002)
199. Yellowcard - Shadows & Regrets (2007)
198. The Shins - Caring Is Creepy (2001)
197. Eminem - The Real Slim Shady (2001)
196. Basshunter - DotA (2008)
195. M. Ward - Epistemology (2009)
194. DJ Khaled - We Takin' Over (2007)
193. 30 Seconds to Mars - The Kill (2005)
192. 3 Doors Down - Kryptonite (2000)
191. Passion Pit - Sleepyhead (2009)
190. Shiny Toy Guns - You Are the One (2005)
189. Yellowcard - Paper Walls (2007)
188. Ronnie Day - Call My Name (2006)
187. Weezer - Across The Sea (2000)
186. Metric - Gimme Sympathy (2009)
185. Wyclef Jean - Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill) (2008)
184. DJ Trashy - Running on Empty (2003)
183. T.I. + Rihanna - Live Your Life (2008)
182. September - Satellites (2008)
181. Relient K - Failure To Excommunicate (2001)
180. Rebecca St. James - Reborn (2000)
179. Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Under the Bridge (2003)
178. Kelly Clarkson - My Life Would Suck Without You (2009)
177. The Postal Service - Such Great Heights (2003)
176. The Click Five - Flipside (2009)
175. Panic At the Disco - Nine In The Afternoon (2008)
174. Friday Night Light's Soundtrack - Sonho Dourado (2004)
173. The Shins - Pressed In a Book (2001)
172. The Offspring - You're Gonna Go Far, Kid (2008)
171. September - It Doesn't Matter (2006)
170. Jack's Mannequin - Dark Blue (2005)
169. DJ Inphinity - EURO TEMPTATIONS (2002)
168. Trick Daddy - Lets Go (2004)
167. Jack Johnson - Breakdown (2005)
166. Hellogoodbye - Here (In Your Arms) (2008)
165. Vampire Weekend - M79 (2008)
164. Noah and the Whale - Shape of my Heart (2008)
163. Gwen Stefani - Rich Girl (2004)
162. DJ Raaban - Drop.The.Base (2003)
161. Metric - Twilight Galaxy (2009)
160. Five For Fighting - 100 Years (2004)
159. Colbie Caillat - Bubbly (2008)
158. Jack's Mannequin - Holiday From Real (2005)
157. Modest Mouse - Float On - 2004
156. Newsboys - Live in Stereo (2002)
155. Bon Iver - Skinny Love (2008)
154. Switchfoot - Yesterdays (2006)
153. Metric - Blindness (2009)
152. Ben Folds - You Don't Know Me (ft. Regina Spektor) (2008)
151. DJ Encore - I See Right Through To You (2002)
150. Izzy - Now We Are Free (2000)
149. 2Pac - Ghetto Gospel (2004)
148. Switchfoot - Meant To Live (2003)
147. Yellowcard - Five Become Four (2007)
146. Yellowcard - Ocean Avenue (2003)
145. Radiotrance - Plasma (2007)
144. O-Zone - Dragostea Din Tei (Numa Numa) (2003
143. Jay-Z - Dirt Off Your Shoulder (2003)
142. Lars Winnerbäck - Elegi (2004)
141. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Snow (Hey Oh) - (2006)
140. Natasha Bedingfield - These Words (I Love You, I Love You) (2005)
139. Weezer - Smile (2001)
138. Vampire Weekend - Stand Corrected (2008)
137. Linkin Park - Breaking The Habit (2006)
136. Muse - Guiding Light (2009)
135. Weezer - Burndt Jamb (2002)
134. The Kooks - Naive (2006)
133. Jon Foreman - The Cure For Pain (2007)
132. Jack Johnson - Angel (2008)
131. Daniel Powter - You Had a Bad Day (2005
130. Kanye West - Love Lockdown + Heartless (2008)
129. The Game - We Ain't (ft. Eminem) (2005)
128. Green Day - Fashion Victim (2000)
127. Basshunter - Boten Anna (2006)
126. Motion City Soundtrack - Fell In Love Without You (2008)
125. Relient K - I So Hate Consequences + Life After Death & Taxes (2004)
124. Eminem - When I'm Gone (2005)
123. Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars (2006)
122. Discovery - Swing Tree (2009)
121. Weezer - Pink Triangle (2000)
120. Noah and the Whale - Do What I Do (2008)
119. Eminem - 8 Mile (2002)
118. Spoon - The Underdog + You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb (2007)
117. Weezer - American Gigolo (2002)
116. Sixpence None the Richer - Don't Dream It's Over (2003)
115. Santogold - Lights Out (2008)
114. JJ - Things Will Never Be the Same Again (2009)
113. Keane - Perfect Symmetry (2008)
112. Weezer - The Damage In Your Heart (2005)
111. Switchfoot - The Blues (2005)
110. Relient K - For the Moments I Feel Faint (2001)
109. Nada Surf - Always Love (2005)
108. Plain White T's - Hey There Delilah (2005)
107. Kanye West - Homecomming (ft. Chris Martin) (2007)
106. The Killers - Tidal Wave (2009)
105. Gym Class Heroes - Cupids Chokehold (2006)
104. Avalon - The Best Thing [Euro Stack Mix] (2002)
103. Fountains of Wayne - Mexican Wine + Hackensack (2003)
102. Animal Collective - Street Flash (2008)
101. Gym Class Heroes - Cookie Jar (2008)
100. The All-American Rejects - Dance Inside (2005)
99. 50 Cent - In Da Club (2003)
98. Grits - Ooh Aah (2002)
97. U2 - Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own (2004)
96. Relient K - Charles in Charge (2000)
95. Keane - Love Is the End (2008)
94. M.I.A. - Paper Planes (2007)
93. Nightcore - Wremia Agniei (2005)
92. Keane - Better Than This (2008)
91. Ra Ra Riot - Can You Tell + Ghost Under Rocks (2008)
90. Jack's Mannequin - Made For Each Other Pt. 1&2 (2005
89. Ben Folds - Hiroshima + Bitch Went Nuts (2008)
88. 50 Cent - Patiently Waiting (2003)
87. Vampire Weekend - Walcott (2008)
86. Phantom Planet - California (2003)
85. Kanye West - Never Let Me Down + Jesus Walks (2004)
84. Keane - Let It Slide + Try Again (2006)
83. Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway + Since U Been Gone (2004)
82. Arctic Monkeys - Mardy Bum (2006)
81. DJ Sammy - Heaven (2002)
80. Blitzen Trapper - God & Suicide (2008)
79. MGMT - Electric Feel (2008)
78. KiD CuDi - Pursuit of Happiness (ft. MGMT & Ratatat) (2009)
77. Weezer - Island In the Sun (2002)
76. The Killers - Losing Touch (2008)
75. The Weepies - Can't Go Back Now (2008)
74. fun. - Be Calm (2009)
73. Usher - Yeah!
72. Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out (2004)
71. Relient K - Faking My Own Suicide (2007)
70. Vampire Weekend - Mansard Roof + Oxford Comma (2008)
69. Wild Light - Call Home (2009)
68. The Weepies - Gotta Have You (2006)
67. TV On the Radio - DLZ (2008)
66. Metric - The Police and the Private (2006)
65. Chiddy Band - Truth (ft. Passion Pit) (2009)
64.The Click Five - Just the Girl + Pop Princess (2005)
63. The Killers - Jenny Was a Friend of Mine + All These Things That I've Done (2004)
62. Muse - Falling Away With You (2004)
61. Kill Hannah - Crazy Angel (2006)
60. Eminem - Lose Yourself (2005)
59. Wild Light - My Father Was a Horse (2009)
58. Maroon 5 - This Love + She Will Be Loved (2002)
57. Keane - Spiralling (2008)
56. Mew - 156 (2003)
55. Switchfoot - Twenty-Four + On Fire(2003)
54. Newsboys - Million Pieces (Kissin' Your Cares Goodbye) (2002)
53. Matchbox Twenty - How Far We've Come (2007)
52. Nightcore - Trip 2 Wonderland (2005)
51. MGMT - Love Always Remains + Kids (2005)
50. Coldplay - Swallowed in the Sea + Fix You (2006)
49. Brandon Heath - Give Me Your Eyes (2008)
48. TV On the Radio - Stork & Owl (2008)
47. The Killers - This is Your Life (2008)
46. Phoenix - Armistice (2009)
45. Cascada - Bad Boy + Everytime We Touch (2006)
44. TV On the Radio - Lover's Day (2008)
43. Vampire Weekend - A-Punk (2008)
42. Keane - Leaving So Soon? (2006)
41. Eminem - The Way I Am (2005)
40. Arcade Fure - No Cars Go (2007)
39. Metric - Stadium Love (2009)
38. Noah and the Whale - Give a Little Love (2008)
37. Metro Station - Kelsey (2007)
36. Coldplay - Now My Feet Won't Touch the Ground (2008)
35. Kings of Leon - 17 (2008)
34. Animal Collective - For Reverend Green (2007)
33. Relient K - Less Is More (2001)
32. TV On the Radio - Family Tree (2008)
31. D12 - Revelation + Fight Music (2001)
30. Yellowcard - How I Go (2006)
29. Matt Costa - Astair (2006)
28. Yellowcard - Only One (2003)
27. Weezer - Pardon Me + Perfect Situation (2005)
26. The Click Five - Empty (2007)
25. Test Your Reflex - Thinking of You (2007)
24. Bloc Party - Helicopter (2005)
23. Nightcore - Destiny (2005)
22. The Click Five - Happy Birthday (2007)
21. Keane - Somewhere Only We Know (2004)
20. Jack Johnson - Wrong Turn (2006)
19. Newsboys - Rescue (2002)
18. Eminem - No Apologies (2006)
17. The Killers - Read My Mind + When You Were Young (2006)
16. MGMT - Time To Pretend (2008)
15. Vampire Weekend - The Kids Don't Stand a Chance + Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa (2008)
14. The Killers - Human (2008)
13. Vampire Weekend - Ottoman (2009)
12. The Killers - Sweet Talk (2007)
11. Fall Out Boy - Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown On a Bad Bet (2008)
10. Coldplay - Viva La Vida (2008)
9. Animal Collective - Taste (2009)
8. Switchfoot - The Shadow Proves the Sunshine (2005)
7. Wild Light - Surfers Reprise + Red House (2009)
6. Razorlight - America (2006)
5. Green Day - Whatsername + Wake Me Up When September Ends (2004)
4. The Click Five - Jenny + Addicted To Me (2007)
3. Muse - Map of the Problematique + Invincible (2006)
2. Eminem - Till I Collapse (2002)
1. The Killers - This River Is Wild + Why Do I Keep Counting? (2006)

Love Like a Sunset (Animal Collective Remix - Deakin's Jam)

2009-11-04T23:19:00.004-06:00

I can feel those signature AC sound-waves pumping through the speakers. Its a slow repetitive jam that progresses throughout the song (not for the musically A.D.D.) then dies down at the end. Beautiful ambient noise? I think so. :)

Formula: Phoenix + Animal Collective = Win.

Phoenix - Love Like a Sunset (Animal Collective Remix - Deakin's Jam)

Download the ER October Playlist!

2009-10-29T18:17:00.004-05:00

October. Surprisingly the best month of music since the March/April era. While the main highlight of the month was new tunage by Vampire Weekend (along with announcement of "Contra") and a new song byThe Killers, but I was also pleasantly surprised by some new indie artists that I had never heard before (i.e. Girls, Princeton, Railcars). The 20 song playlist (+ a classical bonus track) is basically a summary or soundtrack of my music listening in the month of October. It is a collection of many of the songs I played quite often throughout the month. While its primarily relatively new stuff, there is also a few tunes thrown in that are a tad older but that I never was able to fully appreciate or hear until this month. It is full of diversity ranging from the hi-fi polished music of Vampire Weekend, Princeton, The Killers, and Kings of Convenience, to the psychedelic/trippy experimentation of Beat Radio's "Green Luxury Condo," and Toro Y Moi's "Blessa," aaaaaaaand to the lo-fi experimental grunge sound of Railcars. Diversity diversity diversity.

Download: Endorphin Rush's Soundtrack of October

Tracklisting:

The Sound of Arrows - Into the Clouds

Girls - Lust for Life

Vampire Weekend - Horchata

Weezer - Love is the Answer

Karen O and the Kids - All is Love

Princeton - Sadie & Andy

Kings of Leon - Regoo

Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man

Toro Y Moi - Blessa

Brother Ali - Tight Rope

Hockey - Song Away

Railcars - Castles

Relient K - I Don't Need a Sould

Grizzly Bear - While You Wait For the Others

The Killers - A White Demon Love Song

Beat Radio - Green Luxury Condo + Sunday Matinee

Built to Spill - Life's a Dream

Chiddy Bang - All Things Go

Kings of Convenience - 24-25

Arcade Fire - No Cars Go

Bonus:

Dvorak - Humoreseque ( a classical piece )

"how long you rockin' this? i say until apocalypse."

2009-10-29T17:20:00.004-05:00

Chiddy Bang - Truth (ft. Passion Pit)

^^ 'nuff said.

Download the rest of the mixtape here.

Check out some of my Chiddy Bang favorites:
All Things Go
Fresh Like Us
Kids (Sampling MGMT)

Hockey - Mind Chaos

2009-10-24T17:41:00.005-05:00

Hockey is a new-wave band (with a dash of folk) from the northwestern lands of Portland, Oregon. I think of their music as being similar to Blitzen Trapper with some 80's new wave thrown in - pretty slick stuff.

Yeah, and everybody's got a soul to shine, i know... i wanna be good enough for some woman... no one says it like that.

Everyone's The Same Age by Hockey

This is a great fall album with melancholy content ranging from "Four Holy Photos'" nostalgic longing of the past, to the desires of the future in "Everybody's the Same Age." Then on the flipside of those tracks, Mind Chaos is full of catchy upbeat songs such as "Song Away" and "Learn to Lose." Bottom line: a fun album that brought me a handful of new tracks to my "heavy rotation" type of playlists.

Band: Hockey

Album: Mind Chaos

7.5/10

Buy it here.

Standout Tracks: Song Away ; Four Holy Photos, Preacher, Everyone's the Same Age

MP3: Hockey - Song Away

Weeeezer ft. Weeeeeezy

2009-10-24T09:27:00.002-05:00

Wow, Weezer totally went in a new direction with Raditude - its no longer punk rock sounding like a garage band. There are some cleancut pop songs on their new album (Buy it November 3rd its fricken awesome) including a collab with Weezy which is pretty epic... and thats saying a lot considering I don't even like Lil' Wayne.

Mp3 / Listen:

Weezer - Can't Stop Partying (ft. Lil Wayne)

All Things Go, All Things Go...

2009-10-22T22:51:00.003-05:00

Chidddddddddy Bang's new track, "Decline," was covered here. But yet another chiddy bang track is out and about cyberspace, entitled "All Things Go," featuring a sample from Chicago by Sufjan Steven. While I wasn't too thrilled about "Decline," I am lovin' "All Things Go."

check it out here

Or Download/Listen below.

Chiddy Bang - All Things Go

jj - Things Will Never Be the Same Again / Intermezzo / My Love (MUSIC VIDEO)

2009-10-20T20:10:00.004-05:00

jj - a mysterious band. They are a jewel from the Swedish indie label, Sincerely Yours. I first heard and rated their album, JJ N° 2, back in July - the album was one of my favorite listens in the summertime. You can check out my post on it I made back in july, here.

jj released an odd, intriguing, and possibly one of the most quintessentially indie music videos I have seen. It is kind of a 3 part music video featuring Things Will Never Be the Same Again / Intermezzo / & My Love. The "Things Will Never Be the Same Again" part of the video I find absolutely perfect; dude throwing moltov cocktails? thats a win. The vid is vintage, incredibly indy, and modern, all at the same time. Awesome.

MP3: jj - Things Will Never Be the Same Again

Watch For: Hockey

2009-10-16T22:58:00.003-05:00

Album review of "Mind Chaos" comming soon. Hockey is a new wave revival band coming from Portland, Oregon. Check that out ASAP.

Download: Hockey - Everyone's the Same Age

Relient K - Forget and Not Slow Down

2009-10-16T12:47:00.004-05:00

Remember the above Relient K *see picture above.* They could balance both fun tunes and songs with sincere messages; in my mind that is the greatest sign of maturity. The band peaked at MMHMM. They started to decline with Five Score and Seven Years Ago. Forget and Not Slow Down is a continuation of their decline. Five Score and Seven Years Ago wasn’t all that bad – it brought us some awesome songs; “Faking My Own Suicide,” “Devastation and Reform,” and of course the Switchfoot/Jon Foreman collaboration: “Deathbed.” At least with Five Score they were bringing us collaborations from Switchfoot instead of collaborations with Owl City. That’s another thing that is disappointing: it is Relient K’s fault we have Owl City *bangs head on the wall* and unfortunately we see influences of Owl City on this album. OH, by the way, that collaboration with Owl City that is on the last track of the album IS NOT even the last track of the album; it is the bonus track — that doesn’t count — so I did not include that in how I scored the album (which is a good thing since it would probably rip on the score even more…)

Download:

Relient K - I Don't Need a Soul

Anyway, I gave the album a good few listens, and it kicks off with the title track “Forget and Not Slow Down” — not bad, definitely better than what I was expecting from Relient K following their decline. “I Don’t Need a Soul” – wow I’m astoundingly satisfied now. Hands down, “I Don’t Need a Soul” is the standout track on this album. The Owl City-influenced “Candlelight” was pleasant the first listen, but like any Owl City-influenced thing, its longevity err... "blows." It’s a great first listen but its incredibly easy to overplay. Then the album continues on the generic punkrockpop path and delivers us a sound we’ve already heard a million times. So many of the melodies, for the most part, sound generic and far too similar. I understand the idea that it is often good for an album to have a similar sound so it all "flows" together but this sound Relient K is making is just flat out overdone. Maybe I’m just sick of it and maybe I’ve heard it way to many times, but I feel like this is just another generic punk album *takes a deep breath* catering to the Christians who are just looking for Christian music that sounds the same and “fits in” with popular music – nothing that will set them a part and nothing that will make them “different” since “different” or “unique” is taken negatively.

But hey, enough ripping. Relient K has brought me plenty of tunes that I ended up loving dearly; I do not expect any more out of them… “Savannah” was very decent and on the plus-side this album ended greatly; “This Is The End” and (If You Want It) were two tracks I thoroughly enjoyed (no subliminal message intended.)

Band: Relient K

Album: Forget and Not Slow Down

5.8/10

Buy it here.

Standout Tracks: I Don't Need a Soul ; This Is the End ; (If You Want It)

Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

2009-10-16T10:19:00.007-05:00

Am I a little late on the uptake? Prettymuchamazing.com (my favorite blog) told me that this album is like "fine wine" – I need to let it age before I judge it. I did. And yes, it did grow on me. And yes, it is a very fine album - but I am not going to go as far as to say it is the best of the year or in the top 50 of the decade. Its full of chromatic notes that just don’t feel like they should be there. I’m sure some people out there may feel differently and actually favor that sound; I generally am not one of them. Some tracks, such as “Cheerleader,” just make me want to hit the skip button. However, the moments of beauty outweigh anything I dislike on the album. “Two Weeks” is admittedly one of the best songs of the year. The vocals are dreamy and the piano is enchantingly beautiful - a definite flagship of all the music released in ’09 thus far. “Ready, Able” is a mysterious and magical listen – I listen to it and the world around me seems to turn surreal. Finally toward the end of “While You Wait for the Others” all the dream-like qualities the album possess seem to peak in a vivid array of emotions that shine through a gorgeous vocal arrangement. These moments make the album the fascinating piece of work that it is.. Buy it here.

Artist: Grizzly Bear

Album: Veckatimest

7.8/10

Standout Tracks / MP3s:

Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks

Grizzly Bear - Ready, Able

Grizzly Bear - While You Wait For the Others

a tune for this rainy day...

2009-10-15T17:39:00.003-05:00

We know a place where no planes go. We know a place where no ships go. !Hey! No cars go. !Hey! No cars go...where we know. We know a place no space ships go; we know a place where no subs go. !Hey! No cars go. !Hey! No cars go...where we know. !Hey! Us kids know... no cars go... where we know...

Between the click of the light and the start of the dream...

I don't want any pushing, and I don't want any shoving. We're gonna do this in an orderly manner. Women and children! Women and children! Women and children, let's go! Old folks, let's go! Babies needing cribs, let's go!

MP3: Arcade Fire - No Cars Go

Girls - Album

2009-10-14T16:51:00.008-05:00

“Girls frontman Christopher Owens grew up in the Children of God cult. His older brother died as a baby because the cult didn't believe in medical attention. His dad left. He and his mother lived around the world, and the cult sometimes forced his mother to prostitute herself. As a teenager, Owens fled and lived as a Texas gutter-punk for a while. Then a local millionaire took Owens under his wing, and Owens moved to San Francisco. There, he and Chet "JR" White formed Girls, and recorded Album, their debut album…”

- Pitchfork

If you read that snippet above from Pitchfork. which covers the the past of the band’s frontman, and then you listen to the album, you can sympathize and recognize where the guy is coming from. This is a bittersweet album full of heartbreaking stories while at the same time not sounding “whiney” and stereotypically “emo.” These aren’t phony spoiled prats– these guys are genuine. There is a sense of bitter reality in their music which is matched by very few bands I’ve heard.

Download/Listen: Girls - Lust for Life

Lust for Life is the catchy kickoff song filled with piercing irony; Christopher Owens fashions what appears to be a mocking voice which fits perfectly with the lyrics and the central theme of the track. The song is summed up in the first verse,

"Oh I wish I had a boyfriend,
I wish I had a loving man in my life,
I wish I had a father,
And maybe then I woulda turned out right,
But now im just crazy im totally mad,
Yeah I'm just crazy, Im -ed in the head."

The tune is short, catchy, filled with irony, and it sadly and accurately depicts a large group of people. The upbeat melody lines, instruments, and the "Beach Boy-ish" sounds are deceiving because deep, deep down, this is a gloomy song; a phenomenal gloomy song though… The album continues to bite in “Laura” and “Ghost Mouth,” both melodic, melancholy, and nostalgic songs consistent with the rest of the album.

Later down the playtime when you thought you’ve already heard the finest parts of the album, there is “Hellhole Ratrace.” For what the song is meant to be, the feelings and deepest thoughts of a broken man, it is flawless. Like the rest of the album “Hellhole Ratrace” expresses (depressing) feelings that feel incredibly real. The song is structured without coming across as whiney; there are no mocking impersonations, no sneers or jabs, it is just a man sorrowfully spilling his deepest thoughts through a masterfully crafted piece of music.

Summertime is a blissful tune reminiscent of well… summertime. Halfway through the song the instruments explode in an array of colors sounding like something Animal Collective would do if they were given the instruments Girls used.

The last tracks finish the album beautifully. Lauren Marie is filled with blissful sounds and melody, Curles is a short and sweet instrumental that is representative to most of album, and Darling is a simple closer to a simply brilliant Album by Girls.

Artist: Girls

Album: Album

8.5/10

Buy it!

Standout Tracks: Lust for Life ; Hellhole Ratrace ; Ghost Mouth ; Summertime

Princeton - Cocoon of Love

2009-10-11T21:24:00.007-05:00

Mmmmmmhmmm, this is why I love the Indie scene. We don’t know exactly what we are going to be listening to a month from now – we are always on the move finding new music and expanding our tastes. We are dumpster diving in the world of music and once and a while we find gold. Sure we anticipate releases from our favorite bands - but once and a while we’ll unexpectedly find treasure. My most recent find (who I had never heard before a week ago) is the emerging band, Princeton; to my ears they sound like a pleasant mix of Vampire Weekend, Noah and the Whale, and Andrew Bird… and maybe Beruit (So cool!). It is exciting to deliver these guys praise when I had no idea who they were just a month ago.

Download:
Princeton - Sadie & Andy
Princeton - Shout It Out

Their debut album, “Cocoon of Love,” isn’t ground-breaking – but does it really have to be? They are making music that you can appreciate for what it is – luscious indie-pop tunes laden with violins, keyboards, guitars, and a enjoyable variety of other delightful instruments. Sure, the album isn’t perfect, but lets be honest, how many albums are? It is a pleasant listen. “Sadie & Andy” is the opening song and the first song I heard from Princeton, all the instruments used in this track really caught me as well as the polished sound that echoes throughout the entire album. The change-of-pace, emotional, “Korean War Memorial” is an immediate highlight to me. Then of course the band’s catchy single “Shout It Out” shouts out Noah and the Whale – love em’. “I Left My Love In Nagasaki” sends pangs of nostalgia through me. This somehow connects me to an unknown familiarity to a long-lost past – matching beautifully to the underlying theme of the song. “The Wild” is a blissful lullaby that puts me into a state of peacefulness which could send me into a harmonious sleep in an instant. This album is a pleasant surprise. Check it out ASAP.

Artist: Princeton

Album: Cocoon of Love

8.5/10

Buy It!

Standout Tracks: Sadie & Andy ; Korean War Memorial ; Shout It Out ; I Left My Love In Nagasaki

The Killers - A White Demon Love Song

2009-10-11T19:18:00.012-05:00

YES! This is perfect: new song by both Vampire Weekend AND The Killers in the same month! How awesome is that? "A White Demon Love Song" is off the soundtrack for The Twilight Saga: New Moon. Buy that October 20th ASAP (its full of awesome alternative rock). Bringing me a new song by The Killers makes me despise twilight a little bit less... :)

Enjoy!

The Killers - A White Demon Love Song

Vampire Weekend - Horchata

2009-10-07T11:56:00.002-05:00

I have to wait for one more paycheck before I can launch my new site anyway. aaaaaaaaand this was way to good to go by un-blogged.

This was the first thing I heard with my new Grado SR-125 headphones - AWESOME sound quality, this track sounds sooooo luscious and energetic... love it!

RELOCATING

2009-09-29T12:22:00.002-05:00

I am currently working on relocating my blog and putting it on my own domain which I am shopping for. When the new blogsite is launched i'll be sure to have this (calebreidy.blogspot.com) forward you to the new site or I'll post the new blog site in a post. When I come back i'll have a nice long juicy list of 200 of the best (mixed with my favorite) songs of the Decade (yes, 2000-2009)... so stay tuned.

until then, here is one of my favorite tunes so far this year:

MP3: Phoenix - Armistice

Simian Mobile Disco - Temporary Pleasure

2009-09-24T20:30:00.004-05:00

I was so jacked for the release of Temporary Pleasure by Simian Mobile Disco after I first heard “Audacity of Huge” – SICK track. Unfortunately the record was a letdown for me. The only song that I really cared for from this album besides audacity was “Bad Blood.” The rest of the album didn’t seem to go anywhere, the album never developed, it felt very generic, it lacked variation. Save yourself some time and money and just buy “Audacity of Huge”

Artist: Simian Mobile Disco

Album: Temporary Pleasure

3.9/10

MP3: Simian Mobile Disco - Audacity of Huge

inducing.chills

2009-09-24T17:13:00.003-05:00

Okay. This just gives me shivers. The end.

Download MP3: Jayden Lee - In Heart (Solo)

Download MP3: Jayden Lee - In Heart (Band Version)

Muse - The Resistance

2009-09-23T13:46:00.009-05:00

This album had the misfortune of being released around the same time as KiD CuDi’s Man on the Moon and Jay-Z’s third Blueprint… I wasn’t expecting such a great album from KiD CuDi – one so good that it overshadowed The Resistance – but make no mistake, The Resistance is still worth the listens I put into it and it contributes positively to the collection of music on my iTunes.

The album’s highlights begin on a basic up-pace rock song, "Uprising, which is synth-laden in a way reminiscent of The Killers. The piano and eerie synthesizers make up the finer parts of title track, “Resistance” ; a haunting track that highlights the album as well as scream references from the book "Nineteen Eighty-Four" by George Orell. One of the other illustrious songs off this album is “United States of Eurasia” This song is just plain out “epic” – and that word isn’t just being thrown around in this case. The song opens slowly but then explodes in a bombastic fashion, laid with vocals worthy of Queen ; this is a song that contains another book reference - this time to “The Grand Chessboard” by Zbigniew Brzezinski. The final real highlight of the record is seen on “Guiding Light” which is to The Resistance what "Invincible" was to Black Holes and Revelations. "Invincible" remains to be my favorite song by the british prog-rock band.

The album had some very strong points but it seemed awfully front-loaded and it felt like it was missing something. The weakness of the album was the middle; the organs and the intro to “Unnatural Selection” was incredible but it put me in the wrong mood for the rest of the song which seemed to just flow wrong and on top of that it was the longest song on the album. The meat of the song - regardless of the admittedly sick chorus - didn’t match well with the intro or outro at all. "MK Ultra" was just disjointed and awkward in my opinion. "I Belong to You + Mon C˛ur S'ouvre à ta Voix" had lots of highs and lows in it – so that song will always be mixed to me. The 12 minute Exogenesis was good but not at the level it was hyped up to be… I was thoroughly satisfied by the last part of it though.

Bottom line: awesome album… just overshadowed by the other great music that came out this month.

Artist: Muse

Album: The Resistance

7.9/10

Standout Tracks: Resistance, United States of Eurasia, Guiding Light

Download: Muse - Resistance

Download: Muse - Guiding Light

Buy: Muse - The Resistance

Keane - Perfect Symmetry

2009-09-20T20:38:00.010-05:00

Unfortunately I never started listening to this album until a month or so ago... I liked Hopes & Fears and Under the Iron Sea very much, but a friend of mine told me that Perfect Symmetry wasn't any good compared to the latter two albums - ah how much I missed out because of that :(. Oh well... no hard feelings. To me Perfect Symmetry is just as good as either of Keane's other two albums - it just took more time to grow on me.

MP3: Keane - Spiralling

"Spiralling" (which opens the album) was the first song by Keane that ever caught my attention (then I proceeded to check out their older albums). Throughout Perfect Symmetry I feel influences from The Killers from all directions: from the voice Tom Chaplin, to the melody of "Again & Again" , to the encouraging and uplifting elements from "Better Than This." The hairs on my neck stand on end when the bridge in "Perfect Symmetry" comes (though I don't agree with some of his thoughts... the music is still superb.) Intense nostalgia is bred from "Love Is The End"s soothing piano, longing vocals, and a peaceful melody. This album is a jewel...

Artist: Keane

Album: Perfect Symmetry

Grade: Near Perfect: 94% : A : 4.0 GPA
Buy on iTunes

Standout Tracks: Better Than This, Perfect Symmetry, Again & Again, Love Is the End

MP3: Keane - Again & Again

MP3: Keane - Better Than This

VAMPIRE WEEKEND'S "CONTRA" ANNOUNCED

2009-09-18T17:26:00.003-05:00

Yes, everyone else has blogged about this. Yes, we already know. Yes, I'm late on the up-take. But this still deserves a post :). MGMT's "Congratulations" and Vampire Weekend's "Contra" all in one month :D (January 2009). These are just a few of my favorite things... Listen to Ottoman from Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist - one of my favorite Vampire Weekend songs. And hear a live recording of "White Sky" which will be on their upcoming album.

Vampire Weekend - Ottoman

Vampire Weekend - White Sky (Live)

Man on the Moon: The End of Day

2009-09-12T16:10:00.007-05:00

This album revolutionizes hip-hop. In my books, this will go down as one of my all-time favorite hip-hop albums. This is like alternative hip hop, meets psychedelic – See Pursuit of Happiness featuring MGMT and you’ll get my drift… This has been an awesome music week for me. I’ve heard Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3, Muse’s Resistance, and this, all in one week. All three albums are awesome, but I’m going to have to say, this one is the winner.

DL & Sample:

KiD CuDi - Day 'n' Nite

KiD CuDi - Alive

KiD CuDi - Pursuit of Happiness

*didn't proof read this yet... lol"

The opening track from "The Man on the Moon" is "In My Dreams." This is a slow song that does it’s task faultlessly; it is a mood-setter that opens Act I: The End of Day. It positions you for the rest of the album - much like "Say You Will" from Kanye's 808s & Heartbreak. It sounds as if "In My Dreams" was just the warm-up and "Soundtrack 2 My Life" is when the real album commences. Soundtrack 2 My Life offer's an example of Cudi's greatest strength; picking sick beats and at the same time the song offer's a respectable flow; something I've always thought that KiD CuDi always lacked.

Act II: Rise of the Night Terrors begins with a tough track: Solo Dolo (Nightmare) which features a slow looming beat - an orchestral build up that soaked my spine in shivers the first time I listened. Heart of a Lion and My World are both thematic tracks that carry on Cudi's apparent intent for this piece of art.

Day N Nite - Kid Cudi's first hit single which caught my attention - starts Act III: Taking a Trip. This is hip-hop meets neo-psychedelia - aka the peak of epic creativity. If you've heard one thing by Cudi, this is the track that you've probably heard. Following Cudi talking about the mind being free (Day N Nite), he (appropriately)proceeds to sing on "Sky Might Fall" that even if the sky might fall he won't worry. This track is another example of Kid Cudi's great taste in picking beats - track was produced by none other but Kanye West.

After Breezing through "Enter Galactic" - Act IV: Stuck begins with "Alive (Nightmare)" which is the strongest track on the record so far (which is saying an awful lot). Ratatat provides what is possibly the sickest beat on the record crowned with some raw guitar loops. On a vocal level, Cudi covers the awesome, yet terrifying, barbaric side of masculinity and our male struggles. (combined with being on shrooms possibly?)

"I hope she can find a man within the beast / I hope she saves me from the curse I have to beat."

Anyway, remember "Robocop" from 808s? CuDi Zone is a song that reminds me of 808s & Heartbeats (good thing!). Glorious orchestral parts with a magnificent chorus… ummmmm awesome?!? "Maker Her Say" Continues Act IV. The content of this track is pretty straight forward… hah. I wish they didn't change the original name of the track though ("Poke Her Face"). To conclude Act IV: Stuck we reach the best song on the album - or at least the only one to rival "Alive." The song is about pursuing happiness regardless of the obstacles. "The Pursuit of Happiness" featuring MGMT; I probably could have said enough with "featuring MGMT." Kid Cudi meets an MGMT chorus meets which in turn a Ratatat instrumental (including a SICK guitar solo.). Enjoy your seizure

Finally we reach Act V: A New Beginning. Hyyer -stoner song; I personally don't care for it much. The final track "Up, Up, & Away" does its job perfectly - much like the record's opening song; the album seems to emulate a night of dreaming (or taking shrooms?) in it's feel and lyrical content - tt has nightmares, night terrors (bad trips) - this song is "The Wake & Bake Song"; in other words its the wakeup song: the song feels like waking up from a bad dream and realizing everything is alright and realizing that you'll be fine - the perfect way to end the album considering the content covered.

Trippy. Pce.

Artist: KiD CuDi

Album: Man On the Moon: The End of Day

Standout Tracks: Alive, Pursuit of Happiness, Soundtrack 2 My Life, Solo Dolo, Day 'n' Nite

Empire State of Mind

2009-09-10T21:21:00.003-05:00

I got a hold of Jay-Z's new album Blueprint 3. Its been in my rotation a handful of times. I'm still giving myself a few listens before I write more about the album but this track has really stood out. Its a classy track that is themed around NYC. Alicia Keys delivers a gorgeous chorus on this song. Check it out. Buy The Blueprint 3!

Jay-Z - Empire State of Mind (ft. Alicia Keys)

Pursuit of Happiness

2009-09-06T16:13:00.012-05:00

I knew MGMT was going to appear on KiD CuDi's new album. I was excited. I love MGMT. I was listening to "Man on the Moon" - KiD CuDi's new debut album - enjoying song after song after song, knowing MGMT would show up near the end. The chorus of Pursuit of Happiness came and the shivers went down my spine. Solid verses from CuDi, a catchy chorus from MGMT, and a slick guitar rift in the middle of the track; what more do we need? This song is possibly one of my favorite songs of the year so. Enjoy it before the single is released (Pursuit of Happiness has been announced to be the next single off the album) and the radio gets a hold of it and overplays it. As for the rest of the album, a review will come when the album is officially released. Heads up: it will be good. Buy this record September 15th!

KiD CuDi - Pursuit of Happiness (ft. MGMT) MP3

I'm on the pursuit of happyness... and i know everything thats shinin' ain't always gonna be gold...

Nighttime Commute: Autumn

2009-09-05T14:40:00.006-05:00

I go to college early in the morning ; I come home from work late at night - this means lots of driving throughout the day. From home to college ; from college to work ; then finally work to home. When I'm on that last leg of the day (especially on tuesdays and thursdays) I am pretty much out of energy and ready to crash (when i get home ; NOT in the car). This is september's playlist for the night drive home.

Mob Def - Priority

Kings of Leon - Revelry

Joel Alme - I Never Said I Was Brave

Metric - Blindness

Muse - Thoughts Of a Dying Athiest

Jon Foreman - The Cure For Pain

The Killers - Four Winds

West Chester University - Fred Jones Pt. 2 (Ben Folds' Cover)

Total Runtime: 27.6 minutes

Deja Vu

2009-09-05T12:16:00.003-05:00

Sometimes I feel so alone; I just don't know; feels like I've been down this road before. So lonely and cold, it's like something takes over me as soon as I go home and close the door. God, it kinda feels like Deja Vu. I wanna get away from this place, I do. But I can't, and I won't ; see I try, but I know, that's a lie, cuz I don't - and why? I just don't know.

Eminem - Déjà Vu

- hands down my favorite track off of Relapse.

Morning Commute: Back To School

2009-09-04T14:19:00.010-05:00

I attend college about 20 minutes away but the drive every morning - right in the heat of rush hour - takes around a half an hour give or take five minutes. So here is the September playlist for the morning drive...

The Killers - This Is Your Life

Wild Light - Call Home

Rostam Batmanglij - Campus

Fleet Foxes - Sun It Rises

Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma

The Antlers - Bear

Coldplay - Glass of Water

Keane - Better Than This

The Killers - Sweet Talk

Total Runtime: 33.7 minutes

A Rostam Ridden Summer - 2009

2009-08-30T22:42:00.007-05:00

Rostam Batmanglij: Vampire Weekend's keyboardist and one half of Discovery.

Top Artist/Bands of Summer 2009

Vampire Weekend

Discovery

Passion Pit

fun.

The Killers

Keane

Frankmusik

Miike Snow

Dirty Projectors

Top Songs & Albums of Summer 2009

1. I Want You Back by Discovery

2. Swing Tree by Discovery + LP (Discovery Album)

3. Masterplan by JJ

4. Be Calm by fun. + Aim and Ignite (fun. Album)

5. Taste by Animal Collective

6. Things Will Never Be the Same Again by JJ + JJ N° 2 (JJ Album)

7. Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa + The Kids Don't Stand a Chance by Vampire Weekend

8. 1981 by The Tough Alliance

9. Dominos by The Big Pink

10. Complete Me + Confusion Girl by Frankmusik

11. Two Doves + Stillness Is the Move by Dirty Projectors

12. Perfect Symmetry (Keane Album)

13. Tuff N Stuff by Yes Giantess

14. Truth (ft. Passion Pit) by Chiddy Bang

15. Better Things by Passion Pit

16. Gifted (The Aston Shuffle Remix) by N.A.S.A.

17. United States of Eurasia + Collateral Damage by Muse

18. Audacity of Huge by Simian Mobile Disco

19. Purple City by Joker & Ginz

20. Dark Trance by Free Energy

Learnalilgivinanlovin'

2009-08-28T15:36:00.003-05:00

Artist: Gotye

Single: Learnalilgivinanlovin'

4/10

To me, this just sounds like straight-up wannabe classic rock'n roll. Not to much of a fan of it though to be honest so I'm not gonna put to many words into it.

Your Twenties

2009-08-23T22:12:00.003-05:00

Somewhere have I read comparisons of this and MGMT's Kids; I don't see the similarities... perhaps my ear isn't in tune. Anyway "Billionaires" is a rather feel-good pop song with a catchy chorus. Pop song with a catchy chorus... there is never too much of that, eh? I don't care for Saturday Night Live; nothing captures me. Buy Billionaires / Saturday Night Live here.

Artist: Your Twenties

Single: Billionaires / Saturday Night Live

6.0/10

Wolf Gang - Pieces of You

2009-08-23T18:34:00.004-05:00

This is more modern day rock music at its roots? than either Marina & The Diamonds or Yes Giantess. I enjoy listening to this but somehow it isn't as fulfilling as either Marina or Giantess... of course maybe that is just because I listened to it right after listening to some of my favorite tunes from The Killers' Sam's Town... who knows! Pieces of You (sounds kind of like Razorlight to me...) seems to be my favored track by Wolf Gang; however the synth line in "The Kill" is pretty epic. Check it out for yourself... Buy Wolf Gang

Artist: Wolf Gang

Single: Pieces of You / The Kill

6.9/10

tuff.n.stuff

2009-08-21T22:23:00.002-05:00

Alright, when I first heard this on PMA, I liked it. Now I really like it. i must say though, when the chorus hit i was reminded immediately of MGMT… After a few listens I decided this sounds like a hybrid between MGMT and Passion Pit… which is a quite an exceptional thing in my books. This track sold me almost immediately. "Tuff N Stuff" was released this year via Neon Gold. Yes Giantess' mixtape may be downloaded from Neon Gold Records' blogspot. I am hoping to hear news of a full length album from these guys... Cheers!

Artist: Yes Giantess
Single: Tuff N Stuff / You Were Young

7.9/10
Tuff N Stuff by Yes Giantess

Marina & The Diamonds - Obsessions

2009-08-21T14:21:00.007-05:00

This is my last bit of Marina & The Diamonds from Neon Gold Records ( or at least until she makes more music.) Obsessions / Mowgli's Road is basically a redonkulous pair of tracks. I like these two tracks more than anything on The Crown Jewels EP which is saying an awful lot seeing that Robot is from the Jewels. Obsessions and Mowgli's Road are two awesome songs sung in a very animated fashion. Obsessions is probably my favorite of the two songz but Mowgli's Road is not by any means far behind.

Obsessions

Artist: Marina & The Diamonds

Single: Obsessions / Mowgli's Road

8.8/10

Neon Gold

2009-08-20T14:35:00.005-05:00

Two days ago I blogged about the band Yes Giantess. As I checked out some of their music, I proceeded to check out the rest of the music from Neon Gold Records. OK DOOD. THIS STUFF IS SPLENDID! Seizure complete. Anyway, I've had I Am Not A Robot for a while now and I like it. I checked out the rest of Marina & The Diamonds' work and... well I'll write more about that later. This post is a heads up to my focus on music from Neon Gold Records for the next few days. This will include music from Marina & The Diamonds, Yes Giantess, Wolf Gang, Your Twenties, Gotye, and ⎯ the most well-known of them all ⎯ Passion Pit. Until then, check this tune out...

~~Marina & The Diamonds - I Am Not A Robot~~

Free Energy

2009-08-16T20:38:00.009-05:00

~~Dark Trance~~

But if you wait to long, or keep tellin' yourself... that moment has already passed. You're gonna miss that song; you might never meet that girl. Then you blink and the night is over to fast. You're makin' love to the past.

A few months ago I heard these guys. This is an indie band that has been floating around the internet for some time now. They have some pretty catchy up-beat melodies with meaningful lyrics. They just recently signed with DFA and their debut album is to be titled "Stuck on Nothin'." The release date has yet to be announced. Dream City seems to be their most favored track by bloggers. I especially like "Dark Trance." [See top of post]

~~Dream City~~

~~Free Energy~~

http://www.myspace.com/freeenergymusic

trippppppay

2009-08-15T21:01:00.005-05:00

~~Atlas Sound - Walkabout (ft. Panda Bear)~~

give it a couple seconds to load...

Yeauhhh press play and get lost in the trippy picture... Sounds like Panda Bear from Animal Collective type shazzzzzzz... oh wait he's in here. :) To sum things up, it is euphoric vocal melody laid over ambient sounds... Pretty delicious to my ears. Delicious to ears? what? Okay I'm done.

Logos by Atlas Sound drops October 20th. Check it out if yadiggg this... if you don't like this you most likely won't like Atlas Sound.

stillness.is.the.move

2009-08-12T16:22:00.010-05:00

I'v been listening to this for some time. Dirty Projectors/Bitte Orca sure is one of a kind (Buy it here). They sound like... well, The Dirty Projectors. Bitte Orca, like many other spectacular albums, is a grower that needs time; this is why I'm just saying I like this album instead of giving it a precise rating. My opinions of it could increase even more over time. First listen, I did not care for it. A few forced listens later I decided I enjoyed it (much like Merriweather Post Pavilion by Animal Collective.

Artist: The Dirty Projectors

Album: Bitte Orca

Standout Tracks: Stillness Is the Move ; Two Doves ; Cannibal Resource ; Useful Chamber

miiiiiiiiike snow

2009-08-11T18:17:00.012-05:00

There was a time when my world was filled with darkness, darkness, darkness. And I stopped dreaming now I'm supposed to fill it up with something, something , something. In your eyes I see the eyes of somebody i knew before long long long ago but I'm still trying to make my mind up, am I free or am I tied up.

I change shapes just to hide in this place but i'm still, i'm still an animal. Nobody knows it but me when i slip yeah i slip I'm still an animal.

Artist: Miike Snow

Album: Miike Snow

Standout Tracks: Animal ; Song for No One ; Sans Soleil ; In Search Of

Buy: Miike Snow - Sans Soleil

Buy: Miike Snow - Song for No One

Download: Miike Snow - Animal (see song at top)

The Big Pink

2009-08-10T21:33:00.007-05:00

The Big Pink is an electro-rock duo from London, England, comprised of multi-instrumentalists Robbie Furze and Milo Cordell. Their debut CD entitled "A Brief History of Love" hits September 15th of 2009. Pre-order that on iTunes like NOW. "Dominos" is reminiscent of 2008's "

Time to Pretend" by MGMT. (Maybe thats because Dominos uses a Time To Pretend drum sample).

Download: The Big Pink - Dominos

Download: The Big Pink - Velvet

Present King of Europop

2009-08-07T17:04:00.005-05:00

Artist: Frankmusik

Album: Complete Me

6.9/10

Standout Tracks: Confusion Girl ; Three Little Words ; Complete Me

anticipated.upcoming.releases.

2009-08-02T21:00:00.009-05:00

July 7: Discovery - LP
August 3: Frankmusik - Complete Me
August 17: Simian Mobile Disco - Temporary Pleasure
August 21: Noah and the Whale - The First Days of Spring
August 25: fun. - Aim and Ignite Leaked :(
September 11: Jay-Z - Blueprint 3
September 14: Muse - The Resistance
September 15: The Big Pink - A Brief History of Love
September 15: Kid CuDi - Man on the Moon: The End of Day
September 21: Basement Jaxx - Scars

November 3: Wale - Attention: Deficit

November 10: Switchfoot - Hello Hurricane
November 24: Lil Wayne - Rebirth

November: Eminem - Relapse 2

December 3: Mr. Hudson - Straight No Chaser

January 12: Vampire Weekend - Contra
Winter: Dr. Dre - Detox
2010: MGMT - Congratulations
2010: Switchfoot - Vice Verses

Rating System(s)

2009-08-01T23:02:00.011-05:00

I have nothing else to do so I shall write in what I think of as my "musical time capsule." Today, I am addressing and severely (over)analyzing the various rating systems that I have observed. Each of the rating systems possess their own pro’s and cons. Regardless of the appreciative and supportive acceptance to rating music (I do it myself); I am reasonably critical to several aspects of the practice. My first and foremost concern with rating music: just because a particular song or album does not appeal to one’s taste does not mean that the particular piece of art is “bad.” Go listen to Animal Collective’s song “Taste

.” It is a beautiful song that thoroughly examines the fact that many different people have very different tastes and that we should embrace the diversity our tastes have to offer while cherish the tastes we have in common (our favorite things). My second beef is that different music sounds better depending on our present psychological state. While something may sound outstanding at the time of “reviewal” it may sound even better (or worse) two months later; depending on the psychological state you are in at that time. Regardless, rating music is the best way we can express our taste of music. Here are the different rating systems and my take on them.

The Star System.

Here is how I look at the star system. Half star – most unpleasant thing I’ve heard. One star – can’t stand. One and a half star – dislike. Two stars – don’t care for. Two and a half stars – nothing special. Three stars – worth a listen. Three and a half stars – likable for the most part; worth a listen; has a few really good tracks. Four stars – awesome album for the most part ; loaded with enjoyable songs. Four and a half stars – near perfect except for one or two tracks (NO MORE THAN TWO) ; nothing straight up bad. Five stars – every song is straight up fantastic.

Pros: fairly detailed while fairly consistent (opinions won’t change depending on mood… too much…)
Cons: fairly general while fairly inconsistent (opinions might change… a very little)

What happens when you completely overplay a track or album you once would have thought of as four and a half or five star material? That could hang it down to three stars!

My only five star albums:

Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend

The Killers – Sam’s Town

The Killers – Day & Age

(yes, I love The Killers.)

The “Richter” scale.

1 out of 10

The Richter scale actually originated from rating the intensity or severity of earthquakes. Here is how I look at it: 1 is awful. 2.5 is un-enjoyable. 3ish is poor. 4 is below average. 5 is average. 6ish is above average. 7.5 is enjoyable. 8 and 9 is highly enjoyable. 10 on the Richter scale is just flat out perfect and virtually NEVER should be given to something (I haven’t rated anything a 10).

1 out of 100

Follows the same rules as the Richter scale except it is just more detailed and one could say something is a “75” instead of saying "7.5."

Pros: DETAIL! The ultimate way of rating something if you want to be detailed.

Cons: Inconsistent taste. While you might give something a 8.8 (88) one day, you might give it a 9.2 (92) or a 8.3 (83) on another day when you are in a different mood. Another con is with the 1 out of 100 scale is that it often gets abused in its interpretation; It gets confused as a percentage grade type scale.

The “Grade scale.”

Letters
GPA
Numeric(Percentage)

This works just like school grades! A, B, C, D, F!

Perfect - 99%-100 % - A+: 4.33 GPA

Near Perfect - 95%-98 % A : 4.0 GPA

Awesome - 93%-94 % A- : 3.66 GPA

Very Good 91%-92% B+ : 3.33 GPA

Good 87%-90% B: 3.0 GPA

Average 85%-86% B- : 2.66 GPA

Below Average 83%-84% C+ : 2.33 GPA

Nothing Special 79%-82% C : 2.0 GPA

Unenjoyable 77%-78% C- : 1.66 GPA

Poor 75%-76% D+ : 1.33 GPA

Unpleasant 72%-74% D : 1.0 GPA

Awful 70%-71% D- : .66 GPA

Fail below-69% F: 0 GPA

Pros: very structured and detailed

Cons: too structured and detailed (do you understand what I'm getting at yet?)

Example: Only By the Night by Kings of Leon: Good – 91% – B+ - 3.33GPA

Like or Dislike.

Basic, simple, and accurate. Most music we either Like, Dislike, or we are apathetic about it.

Pros: consistent, accurate, rating doesn’t really change on mood. If we like something, then we like it.
Cons: not very detailed

For example:

Artist: MGMT

Album: Oracular Spectacular

So I like Oracular Spectacular. You don't know what my level of enthusiasm for it is though.

Anyway... there is no final conclusion to this post. Just loads of observations accumulated in states of extreme boredom.

P.S.

I looooooooooooooove Oracular Spectacular... just how much? You'll never know.

fun.

2009-07-31T21:43:00.008-05:00

Download: I'm Not As Said (As I Used To Be)

Download: The Gambler

Download: Be Calm

Oh be calm. Be calm. I know you feel like you are breaking down. I know that it gets so hard sometimes. Be calm. Take it from me, I've been there a thousand times. You hate your pulse because it thinks you're still alive and everything's wrong. It just gets so hard sometimes. Be calm.

Artist: fun.

Album: Aim and Ignite

9.3/10

Standout Tracks: Be Calm ; Walking the Dog ; The Gambler ; At Least I'm Not (As I Used To Be)

:(

2009-07-29T00:31:00.004-05:00

Artist: Noah and the Whale

Album: The First Days of Spring

5.1/10

Love of an Orchestra and the first instrumental is all i care for... My Broken Heart is ok...

JJ N° 2

2009-07-27T19:32:00.015-05:00

Up and around

Then it goes down
The thought that you found
Takes you to town
Smashes your face, burns at your heart,
Then you go home and turn it in to art.

Don't cry for the time you lost in your life. Kiss them goodbye and see what's left. I know it's you, I know it's you. I'm blistering to winds coming in from Africa to Málaga.

From: From Africa to Málaga.

Artist: JJ

Album: JJ N° 2

9.1/10

Standout Tracks: Things Will Never Be the Same Again; From Africa to Málaga; Are You Still In Valda?; Masterplan

Owl.City

2009-07-24T20:53:00.004-05:00

deductions for how fast it gets old - sure it sounds good the first couple listens but it dies - complete cheesy corn, and his annoying voice... oh and after a few tracks it just all starts sounding the same.

points for being ridiculously catchy for the first few listens & having cool keyboarding... yea... my new word... keyboarding.

Artist: Owl City

Album: Ocean Eyes

4.9/10

la.roux.

2009-07-19T19:05:00.005-05:00

i'm goin in for the kill. i'm doin it for a thrill.

Artist: La Roux

Album: La Roux

7.9/10

Standout Tracks: Tiger Lily; Quicksand; Bulletproof; Cover My Eyes

DISCOVERY.

2009-07-11T11:37:00.017-05:00

If I was a boy at sea, I would be swingin’ from a broken tree. I would be down, on my back, looking up at stars at na-ah-ah-ight - and if I could get back to reach - to reach the saltiest of evergreens, you know that I, would turn back, just to fight the whites of iron eyes.

When I hear that wind …and I think of Spring… underneath an open window a carved out sign and often I would fight with my mind…. Saltwater brine where you hung your crown. When you washed your eyes in last night's tea I thought you might come out from the dream to find that…

If I was a boy at sea, I would be swingin’ from a broken tree. would be down, on my back, looking up at stars at n-i-i-ight - and if I could get back to reach - to reach the saltiest of evergreens, you know that I, would turn back, just to fight the whites of iron eyes.

Underneath the pine… grew a patch of thyme… that I burned for six days in the sun 'til I heard the distant sound of drums. Oh the queen had come… and the King had died… and my forehead burned but I closed my eyes - and my forehead burned but I closed my eyes.

If I was a boy at sea, I would be swingin’ from a broken tree. I would be down, on my back, looking up at stars at n-i-i-ight - and if I could get back to reach - to reach the saltiest of evergreens, you know that I, would turn back, just to fight the whites of iron eyes.

From: Swing Tree

MP3 :)

Artist: Discovery

Album: LP

9.5/10

Standout Tracks: Swing Tree; I Want You Back; Can You Discover?; Carby

Who'd you rather be; The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?

2009-06-26T18:16:00.012-05:00

Spider verses bat, Tiger verses rat, Owl verses dove

Every living thing, pushed into the ring; Fight it out to wow the crowd.

From: Stadium Love

Artist: Metric
Album: Fantasies

8.8/10

Standout Tracks: Stadium Love; Twilight Galaxy; Gimmie Sympathy;

http://prettymuchamazing.com/

2009-06-16T20:17:00.001-05:00

yeeeeuhhh

2009-06-14T13:28:00.003-05:00

yeeuh

Discovery - July 7th

Discovery is Vampire Weekend's keyboardist/guitarist/back-up vocalist Rostam Batmanglij's electro-pop project with Ra Ra Riot's Wes Miles.

for the moments i feel faint.

2009-05-10T23:06:00.002-05:00

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I'm found; was blind, but now I see. 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear; And grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed. My chains are gone; I've been set free. My God, my Savior has ransomed me and like a flood His mercy reigns. Unending love, Amazing grace. The Lord has promised good to me; His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow; The sun forbear to shine But God, Who called me here below; Will be forever mine. You are forever mine.

Very decent.

2009-05-05T10:33:00.003-05:00

Artist: And Then There Were None
Album: Who Speaks For Planet Earth?

Standout Tracks: Action Is The Anecdote; Reinventing Robert Cohn; Thank The Watchmaker

April Top 10

2009-05-01T20:34:00.003-05:00

1. Red House by Wild Light
2. Stadium Love by Metric
3. Armistice by Phoenix
4. Four Winds by The Killers
5. A Dustland Fairytale by The Killers
6. I Dreamed A Dream by the Les Misérables Original London Cast
7. Homecoming (ft. Chris Martin) by Kanye West
8. Adult Nights (Wild Light Album)
9. Fantasies (Metric Album)
10. Rome by Phoenix

Day and Age.

2009-04-30T09:23:00.000-05:00

When your chips are down, when your highs are low: Joyride. Move across the night like a separate wind. When your hopes and dreams lose the will to go: Joyride reaching for the light knowing we can't win.

There's something in the distance; a glorious existence; A simple celebration; A place you've never been before; tell me that you wanna go.
From: Joyride

Artist: The Killers
Album: Day & Age

Standout Tracks: A Dustland Fairytale, Losing Touch, Tidal Wave, Human, Joyride, This Is Your Life

You think you know where you’re going; Tidal Wave. Tidal wave, come rushin' over me. You say this life has given you nothing, well you've got another thing coming: Tidal Wave. Tidal wave come rushing over me, tidal wave... These tidal waves are caught off track; Come tomorrow, cause I can’t go back. Come together, can’t you see; Tidal wave is gonna cover me. These tidal waves are caught off track; Come tomorrow, cause I can’t go back. Come together, can’t you see; Tidal wave is gonna cover me.

From: Tidal Wave

A Dustland Fairytale beginning or just another white trash county kiss? Long brown hair and foolish eyes. He looks just like you'd want him to; some kind of slick chrome American prince. A bluejean serenade, and moon river, what you do to me? I don't believe you...

Saw Cinderella in a party dress, but she was looking for a nightgown... I saw the devil wrapping up his hands; he's getting ready for the showdown... I saw the minute that I turned away, I got my money on a palm tonight.

Change came in disguise of revelation, set his soul on fire. She says she always knew he'd come around. And the decades disappear like sinking ships but we persevere, God gives us hope, but we still fear what we don't know. The mind is poison. Castles in the sky sit stranded, vandalized. Drawbridges closing

Saw Cinderella in a party dress, but she was looking for a nightgown... I saw the devil wrapping up his hands; he's getting ready for the showdown. I saw the ending where they turned the page! I took my money and I ran away, straight to the valley of the great divide:

Out where the dreams are high!
Out here, the wind don't blow!
Out here, the good girls die!
And the sky won't snow!
Out here, the birds don't sing!
Out here, the fields don't grow!
Out here, the bell don't ring!
Out here, the bell don't ring...
Out here, the good girls die...

Now Cinderella, don't you go to sleep! It's such a bitter form of refuge! Oh don't you know, the kingdom's under siege! And everybody needs you! Is there still magic in the midnight sun or did you leave it back in 61? In the cadence of a young man's eyes; I wouldn't dream so high.

Song: A Dustland Fairytale

A Treat.

2009-04-14T19:45:00.010-05:00

Am I dimmer every day? Am I shrinking, am I shrinking? Can you recognize my thoughts? Do you care what I am thinking? Olly olly oxen free; Can you see me? You see me now but it takes a lot of squinting and there isn't any shade and the sun is unrelenting. Olly olly oxen free; Can you see me? I would choose the darkest horse; that's the horse I'd ride. The stables would be shadowy and we'd start the race behind. They'd take their feet and toss their hats and yell out in surprise. You wouldn't need binoculars; you'd see it with your own two eyes.

From: Dimmer

Artist: Bishop Allen
Album: Grrr...

Standout Tracks: Dimmer; Dirt On Your New Shoes; The Ancient Commonsense of Things; Cue the Elephants

The Cure For Pain.

2009-04-05T21:22:00.003-05:00

So blood is fire pulsing through our veins

We're either writers or fools behind the reigns
I've spent ten years trying to sing it all way
But the water keeps on falling from my tries

And heaven knows, heaven knows
I tried to find a cure for the pain
Oh my Lord! To suffer like you do
It would be a lie to run away
A lie to run
It would be a lie
It would be a lie to run away

The Cure For Pain by Jon Foreman

Experimentation that often forgets melody.

2009-04-01T12:58:00.003-05:00

Artist: Wavves
Album: Wavves

Fleet Foxes.

2009-03-29T18:27:00.006-05:00

Artist: Fleet Foxes

Album: Fleet Foxes

Standout Tracks: White Winter Hymnal; Tiger Mountain Peasant Song; Your Protector; Oliver James

Album: Sun Giant - EP

VAMPIRE WEEKEND

2009-03-28T12:14:00.005-05:00

Artist: Vampire Weekend

Album: Vampire Weekend

Standout Tracks: A-Punk; Oxford Comma; M79; Walcott

Today's for you... They laid it out for you... for you... There will be six bells a-ringing and white women singing for you... but this feels so unnatural to Peter Gabriel, too...

Ottoman from Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist

2009-03-25T17:52:00.002-05:00

Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s might hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

dig lazarus dig

2009-03-18T12:18:00.005-05:00

one trick pony for the most part.

Artist: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Album: Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!

Dig, Lazarus, Dig
&
Jesus Of The Moon
are decent.

for reverend green. FOR REVEREND GREEN.

2009-03-03T21:04:00.006-06:00

Artist: Animal Collective
Album: Strawberry Jam

Standout Tracks: For Reverend Green; Peacebone; Fireworks

"I like this song."

2009-02-07T11:19:00.007-06:00

Artist: Animal Collective

Album: Merriweather Post Pavilion

Standout Tracks: In The Flowers; Summertime Clothes; Daily Routine; Taste

Oh, Inverted World.

2009-02-06T08:21:00.002-06:00

From: Dimmer

Artist: Bishop Allen
Album: Grrr...

Standout Tracks: Dimmer; Dirt On Your New Shoes; The Ancient Commonsense of Things; Cue the Elephants

Shaaake a little.

2009-02-03T07:47:00.005-06:00

Artist: The Killers
Album: Sam's Town

Standout Tracks: This River Is Wild, Sam's Town, Why Do I Keep On Counting, Bling, Bones

The years are falling down on the beautiful ground, I heard a story from a man in red. He said "the leaves are falling down, such a beautiful sound, son I think you’d better go ahead. But you always hold your head up high, cause it’s a long, long, long way down. This town was meant for passing through, boy it ain’t nothin’ new, now go and show ‘em that the world stayed round."
But it’s a long, long, long way down...

"You better run for the hills before they burn, listen to the sound of the world, don’t watch it turn. I just want to show you what I know and catch you when the current lets you go." Or should I just get along with myself? I never did get along with everybody else. I’ve been trying hard to do what’s right. But you know I could stay here all night and watch the clouds fall from the sky. Well this river is wild. "Run for the hills before they burn. Listen to the sound of the world, don’t watch it turn." But shake a little. Sometimes I’m nervous when I talk, shake a little. Sometimes I hate the line I walk. I just want to show you what I know and catch you when the current lets you go. Or should I get along with myself? I never did get along with everybody else. I’ve been trying hard to do what’s right. But you know I could stay here all night and watch the clouds fall from the sky, and pay this hell in me tonight, because this river is wild. "God speed you boy – this river is wild. This river is wild. God speed you boy – this river is wild."

Now the cars are everywhere, lacing dust at the fairgrounds. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many headlights. But there’s something pulling me. The circus and their crew, well they’re just passing through, just making sure that merry still goes ‘round. But it’s a long, long, long way down...

Song: This River Is Wild

There’s a plane and I am flying. There’s a mountain waiting for me. Oh these years have been so trying, I don’t know if I can use them. Am I strong enough to be the one? Will I live to have some children? If I only knew the answer, I wouldn’t be bothering you. Father, help me get down, I can make it. Help me get down. Help me get down, I can make it. Help me get down. If I only knew the answer, and if all our days are numbered, then why do I keep counting?

My sugar’s sweet, and so obtainable. This behavior’s so unexplainable. The days just slip and slide like they always did. The trouble is my head won’t let me forget. I took one last good look around; I gotta get. my. feet. on the ground...

Help me get down, I can make it. Ahhh . . . Help me get down, I can make it. Help me get down. Help me get down, I can make it. Help me get down. If I only knew the answer, I wouldn’t be bothering you. Father, help me get down, I can make it. Help me get down. Help me get down, I can make it. Help me get down. If I only knew the answer, and if all our days are numbered . . . . would you help me get down?

If I only knew the answer. If I change my way of living, and if I pave my streets with good times, will the mountain keep on giving? And if all of our days are numbered, then why do I keep counting?

Song: Why Do I Keep Counting?

Flowers & Football Tops.

2009-02-02T21:18:00.004-06:00

Whoahahoah...

Artist: Glasvegas
Album: Glasvegas

Standout Tracks: Flowers & Football Tops, Daddys Gone, Geraldine, A Snowflake Fell

I see London, I see Sam's Town.

2009-02-02T08:46:00.000-06:00

Nobody ever had a dream round here, but I don't really mind that its starting to get to me. Nobody ever pulls the seams round here, but I don't really mind that its starting to get to me. I've got this energy beneath my feet like something undergrounds gonna come up and carry me. I've got this sentimental heart that beats, but I don't really mind that its starting to get to me now. So "why do you waste my time?" is the answer to the question on your mind. And I'm sick of all my judges; so scared of what they'll find. Have you ever seen the lights? Have you ever seen the lights?

So "why do you waste my time?" is the answer to the question on your mind. And i'm sick of all my judges; they're so scared of lettin' me shine. But I know that I can make it as long as somebody takes me home... Every now and then... every now and then... You know, I see London. I see Sam's Town. Holds my hand and lets my hair down. Rolls that world right off my shoulder. I see London, I see Sam's Town now.

Sam's Town
The Killers

A Frightening Epiphany

2009-01-29T09:46:00.005-06:00

There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

From Luke 12

I'm a rattlesnake, babe, i'm like fuel on fire.

2009-01-28T09:17:00.019-06:00

Yeah, when I was only seventeen I could hear the angels whispering. So I drove into the woods and wandered aimlessly about until I heard my mother shouting through the fog. It turned out to be the howling of a dog. Or a wolf, to be exact. The sound sent shivers down my back. But I was drawn into the pack and before long they allowed me to join in and sing their song. So from the cliffs and highest hills, yeah, we would gladly get our fill, howling endlessly and shrilly at the dawn. And I lost the taste for judging right from wrong for my flesh had turned to fur and my thoughts they surely were turned to instinct and obedience to God.

You can wear your fur like a river on fire; but you'd better be sure, if you're making God a liar. I'm a rattlesnake, babe, I'm like fuel on fire. So if you're gonna get made don't be afraid of what you've learned.

Song: Furr

Artist: Blitzen Trapper
Album: Furr

Standout Tracks: Furr, God & Suicide, Black River Killer

So you make no mistake; I know just what it takes
To pull a man’s soul back from heaven’s gates
I’ve been wandering in the dark about as long as sin
But they say it’s never too late to start again

Then I went to the river ford to take a swim
You know that black river water is as black as sin
And I washed myself clean as a newborn babe
And then I picked up a rock for to sharpen my blade

Oh when, oh when
Will the spirit come a calling for my soul to sin
Oh when, oh when
Will the keys to the kingdom be mine again?

Song: Black River Killer

Ouch, this hurt my ears.

2009-01-27T23:14:00.003-06:00

Untrust Us and Vanished is pretty cool... Everything else kind of hurts the ears.

Artist: Crystal Castles
Album: Crystal Castles

All is fleeting... yea but all is good.

2009-01-27T23:01:00.005-06:00

Oh, and if you don't believe in God, how can you believe in love?

Artist: Noah And The Whale
Album: Peaceful The World Lays Me down

Standout Tracks: Give A Little Love, Jocasta, Second Lover, Do What I Do

Fact Of Life.

2009-01-21T08:26:00.011-06:00

"I also thought, "As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals."

- Ecclesiastes 3:18

Turn from the fear of the storms that might be...

2009-01-21T07:57:00.019-06:00

Faceless fall from this life and if you can't see the stars you've probably gone too far. Like the voice that cried on the lonesome tide. Like the wave was the only love it ever saw.

"What's this dyin' for"? asks the Stork that soars with the owl high above canyons mighty walls. Owl said "Death's a door, that love walks through in and out. In and out, back and forth, back and forth".

Turn from the fear of the storms that might be. Oh let it free; that caged, on fire thing. Oh hold its hands. It'll feel like lightening. Oh in your arms safe from the storms...

Sky bends. The moon's dress's slung low, slung low. Dogstar taught a dance. It goes, goes, goes, goes, goes, goes, goes. Arms out. Knees bend. The motion flows. Like the soft open petals.

So serious. So it falls apart? I just reveals the perfect nothing. Of everything you are. Of everything we are...

Candle of life lights the blights and bruises. Oh lay it down in the night. Let it soothe this. Oh hold its hands and we'll know what truth is. Oh in its arms safe from the storms...

Song: Stork & Owl

Artist: TV On The Radio
Album: Dear Science

Standout Tracks: Family Tree; Lovers Day; Stork & Owl; Love Dog

Remember this.

2009-01-17T00:21:00.002-06:00

I'm pushin' on for that horizon.

2009-01-13T08:48:00.003-06:00

When I offer you survival, you say it's hard enough to live. It's not so bad, it's not so bad.

I awoke on the roadside, in the land of the free ride, and I can't pull it any longer. I left a trail of excuses...

When I offer you survival, you say it's hard enough to live. Don't tell me that it's over. Stand up; poor and tired but more than this.

I feel my vision slippin' in and out of focus, but i'm pushing on for that horizon. I'm pushin' on. I've got that blowin' wind against my face. When I offer you survival, you say it's hard enough to live. And i'll tell you when its over. Shut up, poor and tired but more than this. It's not so bad, it's not so bad.

Higher and higher, we're gonna take it down to the wire. We're gonna make it, out of the fire, higher and higher. It ain't hard to hold, when it shines like gold, you'll remember me.

Taken from Bling (Confession Of A King) by The Killers.

Endorphin Rush

2009-01-11T19:52:00.001-06:00

Endorphin rush; also called a "runner's high." Do you ever feel that sensation that sends shivers up and down your spine; that reaction that makes your hair stand on end; that internal uproar that makes your insides vibrate with life. The sensation is brought on by powerful euphoria and/or intense excersise.