Everblue-Mandy Moore

This song is perfect for Sundays sitting under the sunshine in front of the window.

Everblue was a song on the Amanda Leigh album. The lyrics are beautiful. It's a gem, I think a lot of the vocals on that album are. It really marks who she is as a singer. People often overlook what a good singer she really is (just like Pink). SO I strong encourage listening to Amanda Leigh!

80s Pop Throwback

Technically, I'm at work right now. Yay for working remotely! While certain things from the 80s just need to stay back there (fanny packs, huge shoulder pads, and oh god mullets just to name a few), I've always been fond of 80s music. So here are two modern bands that have embraced the 80s pop. Coincidentally, both bands are Danish. Kudos to the Danes, you guys have the right thinking. Both songs are positively infectious and so. much. fun.

Alphabeat - Fascination

My new favorite band and it's a cute music video. Get the song here.

PRIVATE - My Secret Lover

Here be song.

Karmina-The Kiss

I've been doing some cleaning of my music library latelyyy...and I always come across songs that I never remember downloading or where/why I found them in the first place.


One of these songs is by a band called Karmina, who are two sisters:Kelly & Kamille...hahah, yet again. I guess i just really like my girly music. I found their website...but perhaps it's blocked in China...so i'll check again in the states. so I havn't been able to get that much info on them. But so far i found out that they've only come out with an EP with 5 tracks. One of the sisters sang with Josh Groban? And they've won some vocal competitions before...oh yea...they've won 27 times. Anyways the only song I've got from them atm...is "The Kiss".

Enjoy!

"Song 4 Tricia (Princes & Frogs)" by Superchick

Song: Song 4 Tricia (Princes & Frogs)
Artist: Superchick, formerly known as Superchic[k]
Album: Last One Picked (2002)
Genre: Pop/Rock

A short and sweet song that I found while browsing through multiply. It's 1:45 minutes of cuteness, although I would really love if it was longer.

Note: Tricia is one of the two lead singers for Superchick (Melissa Brock being the other one), but this is actually sung by their bassist Matt Dally.

Download here.

[edit]
It looks like my wishes were granted. I did some digging around and I found a longer version from Superchick's remix album, Regeneration. It's not quite as charming as the original, but that doesn't make it less awesome.
Superchick - Princes & Frogs (Underdog Mix)
[/edit]

New York Newbies

Some local (New York) bands/artists/friends that I love and you should love too.

Artist: Gregory and the Hawk
Album: The Boats & Bird EP (2006)
Genre: Indie, Acoustic, Pop
Recommended: Isabelle, Boats and Birds, A Wish
Isabelle, if you're reading this, finally... an Isabelle song! I remember I was listening to that song one day, it showed up on MSN and you asked me about it. GATH is a folk music project formed by Meredith Gordreau (really cute, by the way) in 2003. This is EP is their second album, they released a full-length this year called In Your Dreams so check that out too. I have yet to seen a live gig but hopefully she'll be back on tour and I'll be indulging myself in my own drool puddle while she melts my ear. It's an amazing feeling. Just looking back at some of my older posts... I can't believe this is the first time I mentioned eargasms.

Artist: Reni Laine
Album: American Baby (2007)
Genre: Indie, Alternative, Rock
Recommended: Ghost Inside, American Baby, Choices
Sophomore at Columbia University, writes her own songs, released her debut full-length CD this year, age 19, toured Europe, made an appearance on MTV, featured on Nylon Guys Magazine, geeky (yes!), beautiful voice, gorgeous face... basically makes everyone else looks like shit. I saw her live twice at Pianos and it just keeps on getting better. If you really want to know, her music pretty much makes one feel like they are searching for unicorns and all things pretty in an urban rain forest, yeah it's kind of like that. There's also a river on the left where all the salmon and baby bears mingle/swim.

Artist: Living In Polaroids
Album: Not yet released
Genre: Indie, Acoustic, Pop
Recommended: Beyond Good And Evil, A Song For Crystal
Living In Polaroids is a one girl band formed by Kristina Stapelfeld. She will be playing at The Creek and the Cave up in Long Island on December 28th. If anyone is in town during that time, you should come with. I've never heard her sing but her talking voice pretty much "had me at hello" to put it in a really, ridiculously cheesy way. I guess if you really want a comparison (voice-wise) with other artists, I would say that she's the potential love child of Tracyanne Campbell & Carey Lander (as Siamese Twins) from Camera Obscura and Tegan & Sara (as Siamese Twins, again). But if you want to get all scientific and want an example that's humanly possible, she could be Joanna Newsom and Stuart Murdoch from Belle & Sebastian's child ...and Jenny Lewis can be her babysitter. Haha it doesn't get any better than that.

Anyway, it's 5 in the morning and I don't think I can go on with this. Next time I'll probably be in my metalcore, emo screamo extremo mood so put on your pants and get ready for some hardcore shiznit.

"Raindrops From The Sun" by Imani Coppola

I'm at office hours where I know no one will come. Oh, boredom is me. Song of the Day! Yeah!

Song: Raindrops From The Sun

Artist: Imani Coppola
Album: The Black & White Album (2007)

So who watched last week's Grey's Anatomy? I did. I don't like to admit it, but I totally marathoned Grey's Anatomy last Tuesday and didn't sleep until 6am. That was stupid. Not to mention, Grey's managed to get it's nasty soap-y hooks into me and I'm addicted again. Like One Tree Hill, Grey's Anatomy has a knack of choosing good songs in their episode soundtracks, and that was exactly what stuck out to me in the beginning of episode 406. In fact, it's one of the few things that I liked about that episode. Unfortunately you only hear it for a little more than a minute (Yes, I actually went back and timed it --- it's playing for exactly 1:16 minutes and it's behind dialogue for about 1:14 of it). Of course, I sped immediately to Grey's Anatomy radio to find the song.

Imani Coppola hails from NYC and guys, get this: she plays the violin! Like she went to SUNY Purchase and studied violin performance, and does both the violin thing and the singing thing. She has her own label, and writes, produces and records all her music by herself. She's like a superwoman or something. As for the song itself, it's such a bright, I'm-waking-up-happy song. Like those Saturdays where you naturally wake up at 9:30 am all refreshed (instead of those Saturdays where you have to wake up at 6:30 am to push a little girl in a buggy up a hill) and you HAVE NO WORK to do! I love those days. :] Do you love those days? I really truly do. The beats in the back have that kind of 90s hip-hop feel to them, and Imani's music style and voice reminds me a lot of Esthero (Another sorely underappreciated singer. One day I will do a post about Esthero, I promise.)

Grab the song here.

Britney VMAs performance

Nicole, i can't help it but i have to post about her!

(the mtv video wont work for some reason..oh btw check on wat sarah silverman says abt britney..it should be the clip after the disastrous performance when u click the 'mtv video' )

DOUBLE BTW, CHECK OUT WAT PEREZ SAYS...FOR U NON-PEREZ HATING PPL..[NOT NICOLE]

Britney....hmm...what can i say...well for starters, she's a mess...and really needs a stylist DESPERATELY. Second, she's very good at making controversial VMAs performances. If you haven't watched already, she was the opening act of the VMAs 2007 of last night. I give her credit for landing herself such an awesome performance slot in the VMAs, esp since the recent series of events/gossip about her. I applause her for getting off her drunk ass and finally doing smthg about her career going down the drain. Unfortunately, her comeback performance was one of the most horrifying...okay fine, not so dramatic....most disastrous then..thing i've ever seen her done....well i guess this weekend. HAHA...but yea...seriously, i mean people have been hyped about her comeback for awhile now and the fact that she started out like that...is not a very good omen. Yes, you could say that i have quite a thing against her, but you know what before i watched this performance i was really hoping that she would blow me away and prove me wrong. Did you see that confuse face of 50 Cent?

So what was really the problem with the perfomance? Firstly, please, dont show off your bod with sparkly bra and panties if you no longer have the body. I don't have a problem with ppl having a less than ideal body...but please dont wear clothes flaunting it like it's HOT when it's NOT. Second, she really needs a new choreographer...her moves are the same as like 5 years ago...unless it was really her fault that she didn't rehearse. She kinda tripped over herself a few times. All she did across the stage for those 4 minutes...was strut back and forth and flip her hair. Stop being a ditz. On top of that, if you're gonna lip sync, learn to do it properly. She started lipsyncing fine...and then i think she just forgot she was spose to be "singing" and she just stopped like she lost the ability to speak or smth. so wat else...oh yea...it seemed like she either couldn't walk in her heels or she was having trouble walking. period. i really felt sorry for her dancer that she got to step on to get off the stage though. the best thing about her performance was her dancer. they outshone her. it musta been the juxtaposition of her naked body next to these clothed human beings that just made her flabby stomach stick out more (not that there's anything wrong wit flabby stomachs if you clothed them). yea i guess the issue with the costume is that she shoulda just put some clothes on. she woulda been more respectable that way. Apart from that the song is really catchy. So here it is Gimme More.

*PS: i guess the stripper poles were pretty hot too.

Boy Band Music

Yeah, I said it. Boy bands. You all know the famous ones N*Sync, 98 Degrees, LFO (ugh. they were beyond terrible) and I know Tink remembers Westlife. Of course, the Backstreet Boys reign at the top of that pyramid (best concert I've ever went to, for realz) with a new cd coming out this fall! Here are two songs from two boy bands you might not remember.

Song: Faded
Boy Band: SoulDecision
Album: No One Does It Better

This is, hands down, the best boy band song EVER. Honestly speaking, I have never heard of anything else by SoulDecision, but no boy band, not even the Backstreet Boys, can touch this song. It is just pure guilty boy band pop and it is awesome!

Song here

Song: The Hardest Part About Breaking Up (Is Getting Back Your Stuff)
Boy Band: 2ge+her
Album: 2ge+her: Again

I don't know how many of you remember 2ge+her, but they were a boy band formed by MTV to parody boy bands. They even had a movie! I only remember seeing the opening credits, but that in itself was good enough. All the band members had labels - the cute one, the heartthrob, the bad boy. They even have a pseudo rapper! Just like the real boy bands! Haha, I love it. The song is so corny and the lyrics are all sorts of hilarious.

The hardest part about breaking up.... is getting back your stuff.

I realize my descriptions are really brief and crap, and I know it's been a relatively long time, but I'm actually in stats class right now. No really. Worse college student ever, I am.

Big Girl (You Are Beautiful) by Mika

Song Title: Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)
Artist: Mika
Album: Life in Cartoon Motion
Genre: Pop

So its been a while since I've listened to pop. Other than classics such as the Backstreet Boys and (maybe) the Spice Girls, I've mostly turned my back on this genre. Yesterday I rediscovered why pop songs are great: they're perpetually happy and they make you want to dance. You'll find no emo here.

Mika is a solid candidate for pop stardom because of his ambiguous sexual orientation, oh and his music too. Of all the songs on Life in Cartoon Motion my favorite song is "Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)", you might recognize it as the new Ugly Betty Theme song and fittingly so; it gives the finger to beauty norms... but in a really subtle, nice, positive way. Who says silly can't be meaningful? Its happy, catchy, and fun; if you love to hate, this isn't the song for you.

Give it a listen on Mika's official website.

As an afterthought... I was thinking of other songs that make me want to dance: try "Love Will Keep Us Together" by Vitamin C (courtesy of YouTube, and the movie it was in... whatever its called). Huzzah, I'm going to close my door and play it full blast.

BTW... FIRST POST OF SEPTEMBER!!!!

"Walkie Talkie Man" by Steriogram

Song: Walkie Talkie Man
Band: Steriogram
Album: Schmack!
Genre: Pop punk

A brief little pimpage while I wait for comics and knock back advils by the handful. This song is just so crazy and fun with fast verses that take you a few listens to catch the lyrics. I used to always put it on our softball warmup playlist because it had the best line - "He's fat and he don't run too fast/But he's faster than me". It applies SO well to my running capabilities.

Courtesy of youtube, I found out that this song was also used for an iPod commercial, which just further supports my "Apple has a knack for choosing awesome songs" theory. But what rocks even more? The music video was directed by Michel Gondry! That man is genius. He's like the Wade Robson of directing.

For just listening purposes, click here.

English Invasion Part I

lol...i was trying to think of some corny name for the title to summarize what it's about. i'm sure if you're into the contemporary music scene, you'll notice that recently there's been a sudden appearances of female singers from the UK. Two of the most well known UK female artists rite now is Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse. If you don't know either than shame on you. But then again i guess if you're of the male gender, you're somewhat dismissed. After all, i guess they're somewhat accepted artists that go under the genre of 'girl music'.

Lily Allen's songs are characterize by a sort of quirky girl power. I like to think of her as a more appealing version of Lady Sovereign, more pop and more feminine. Take 'Smile' for example, it's basically about taking pleasure in watching an ex bf fall in despair as she secretly destroys his utmost prized possessions (well that's the video anyways)! The song lyrics is more about how she smiles when she sees him sad. lol...well either way it's a lil cheeky and devilish. I love it ( it used to be my ringtone until i dropped my phone in the toilet....so sad)! It's really catchy. She has a few pretty humorous songs, like 'Alfie' (about lil bro smoking weed..well not only that...but that's one of the lines of the lyrics =p) and 'Nan, You're a Window Shopper' (about Nan ENGLISH>'s strange habits). They're fun songs. Then there's another one of my favs called 'Littlest Things', a slower and more serious song. Reminiscing about an old relationship. It's really catchy too..heh. Give her a try if u havn't already, she's cute style-wise and vocally too!

Okay here's a transition for you...Lily Allen is related to Amy Winehouse through Mark Ronson! They've both done tracks with him...and Lily Allen was seen photographed with Samantha Ronson recently when she was in the 90210. And both Lily and Amy have recently cancelled shows/concerts...well for v. diff reasons...both health reasons though...anyways...

So Amy Winehouse...hmm, she fits under the category of blues/jazz. A lot of songs are about her previous disastrous relationship and hints at her alcoholism. She recently went into rehab with her hubby...and she had a heroin overdose a week ago? smth like that. So apart from 'Valerie' off Mark Ronson's cd (which i posted on the Mark Ronson entry), 'Love is a Losing Game' is another one of my fav. There's 'Rehab' and 'Back to Black', those are her most well known tracks but i'll let u find those yrself. She's quite a character, her entire image is pretty intriguing. Did you kno that she's jewish too? Anyways give that track a listen!

More UK female artists coming up!

Tristan Prettyman

Tristan Prettyman is one of my favorite artists ever! She is one of those artists where you are just like “I can’t believe she isn’t more famous”. (The Rocket Summer is another one, but that is for another time)

Her music in three words or less: acoustic, mellow, and amazing. She is a singer-songwriter from San Diego, California. I like to describe her as a female Jason Mraz, although she is more mellow and softer than him. Incidentally, those two used to date. They even have a kickass duet together called “Shy That Way”. Tink also came up with another comparison of a mix between Norah Jones and uh... someone I'll think of later. But really, she is just her own unique sound, all quiet melodies and mellow lyrics. Love it all. Random trivia tidbit: Tristan Prettyman is a surfer girl and she used to be Roxy model. Oh, the things you can learn on the internet.

I absolutely love her cd “twentythree” and I can't wait until she comes out with another album. One thing to note is that the difference between her live music and her studio music is quite palpable – songs recorded for the cds tend to sound more upbeat than when they are sung live. It could be because of additional/increased instruments. The live versions are also pretty great, because they sound so stripped down, just Tristan Prettyman and her guitar.

So to sum up, listen to Tristan Prettyman! Or at least give her music a spin. You’ll fall in love with her right away.

Recommended Songs: "The Kiss", "Smoke", and "Love, Love, Love"

Those are only my absolute favorites, otherwise I’d be spamming you guys with song titles. But other great ones include "The Story" and "Electric" and practically everything else she sings. Oh, and also the Jason Mraz duet "Shy That Way"

Official Website (currently under construction)
Myspace (a lot of her songs can be found here, including all of her twentythree songs)

Buy twentythree! Trust me, it is completely worth it. Especially for all you downloading fiends, because most of the stuff you will find online is only her live music.

"Toxic" by Britney Spears (and others)

This post is inspired by Tink.

Song: Toxic
Artist: Britney Spears
Album: In The Zone

Don't you hate it when terrible singers do really catchy songs? Case in point: Paris Hilton's "Stars Go Blind" and Ashlee Simpson's "La La". So catchy, and you always end up singing along until about two seconds later when you start hating yourself. I'll admit that Britney Spears isn't quite on the same level as those two, but nowadays, she's pretty darn close to it. (And if you hear Tink go on about it, you would think she was the worst human being ever to live, even worse than Lindsay Lohan.)

I'm definately not a fan of Britney Spears, but I do love "Toxic". I even used it as my monophonic ringtone for quite a few years - although I feel I should inform you that it has now been replaced by "What's My Age Again?" by Blink-182 because I felt that was more apt. Basically, all I am saying that "Toxic" is a damn awesome song. So kudos to you, Britney Spears.

Don't deny it, everyone knows this song and, even more than that, everyone loves this song. Probably B-Spears's best song ever. (I don't know if she can crawl out of this PR mess she's created to make a song equal on the plane of "Toxic"). It's the perfect dance-pop song. So catchy, so sex-ay. It just makes you want to pull some random obese man into the bathroom to join the mile high club. Jay-kay everyone. But do you know what is the best part about "Toxic"? It makes for great covers from really awesome singers and bands. Thus, without further ado, I bring you many covers of "Toxic"!!

First off, in case you live in a hole (Abe), the ORIGINAL with all of its stewardess outfit, no underwear awesomeness.

As Tink previously mentioned, Mark Ronson (yes, the Ooh Wee guy) covered "Toxic". His version of Toxic makes it even quirkier than it was before. I really dig how the guy sings the song, although it does make the song edge towards the creepy side, but in a good way. In particular though, I love the use of horns and he even has a rap guest star - Nick Catchdubs!

Tristan Prettyman is one of my favorite singers of all-time and if you don't listen to her, I may have to hurt you. Her acoustic version of "Toxic" is the first cover of Britney's song I ever heard. It is so mellow and chill and utterly Tristan, which means it is totally awesome. (Note to self: Must. pimp. Tristan. more.)

The Monsters From Mars version is my favorite cover of this song. Unfortunately, it is the only one on here that I do not have. If anyone figures out how/where to get it, let me know. Until then, check it out at their myspace. Basically, it is the surf rock instrumental of "Toxic". If the original made you want to dance up and down on a stripper pole, this cover makes you want to do monkey arms and that scuba diver dance move.

I also really love Local H's alternative rock twist on "Toxic". But one of the best part of their cover is the picture they include on the free download page for the song. Laugh out loud funny. Click the picture for the song.

Here is another acoustic version, courtesy of the bluegrass band Nickel Creek. If you don't know them, let's just say they have a guitarist, a fiddler, and a mandonlin...-ist (Is that what you call those people?) Need I say more?

Last but not least, the techno remixes of Toxic! Technically, these are not covers, but I feel obliged to include them in order to fully complete this little lovefest.
"Toxic" vs. Usher's "Yeah!"
"Toxic" vs. Linkin Park's "Faint"

If anyone knows any other ones, feel free to contribute in the comments.