Music Monday (a day late): Rapheal Saadiq-Stone Rollin'

So today in honor of my plans this week (going to see him LIVE in Detroit) I will be taking a look at Raphael Saadiq's new album Stone Rollin' that came out this month. Now, I am a huge fan of Raphael Saadiq. He won me over on the first listen of his last album The Way I See It  when we got a player sent to us at Finders. Seriously his last album is amazing which gave me pretty high expectations going into this new album.

For those Tony! Toni! Tone! fans, you might recognize him (this is how I got my mom to listen to him), but his sound now is very different that his former group. He sounds like an modern version of an old, worn and well-played Motown record or classic soul album. He has the fast upbeat songs (like Radio and Heart Attack), the necessary slow jams (Moving on Down the Line, Good Man) and a little of everything in between. One track that I love is bluesy title track Stone Rollin'. In my head I see a 60's summer cookout in the street where some people are dancing and kids are running around.

You will not here a lot of overproduced vocals (with the exception of some old crackling recording techniques) or synthesized instruments here. Instead warm sounding, deep music with real instruments and some great vocals- like your are listening to a record. I wonder how this would sound on record? I might need to check that out.

All in all- the second album I am loving just as much as I did the first! So check out some of my favorite songs after the Jump! And, since it is New Release Day, also check out Pearl Jam's front man Eddie Vedder's new ukulele album aptly named Ukulele Songs and the new Death Cab for Cutie album Codes and Keys. Both are sounding pretty good- you can listen to them right now on NPR First Listen.

Living Simple and Single...

So I have come to love blogs. They are quick, fun to read, provide new ideas and also provides a sense of "Yay, I am not the only one doing/thinking this" whatever "this" may be. For me one of my thiss (the plural of this) is trying to live more simple. However I am finding that the blogs I have come to like, and all the ones they refer me to are about families. I was fine at first, I enjoyed the tips and stories they shared but today I just got frustrated with the many posts about saving money on diapers and baby clothes and great ideas for cheep activities for kids. So maybe I am alone on this? Maybe I AM the only single, childless, post college student that is trying to pay off debt, save money, live simple and enjoy life while doing it? It seems that every blog I read they started re-evaluating their life when they got married, or had kids, or tried to buy a house...so maybe I am just ahead of the game?

So this is my new goal: to blog more often about this...not that I have many ideas...but I will try to come up with some. Also because I want to read more funny stories from my friends lives since we do not live next to each other anymore and as a wise man said "Be the change you want to see in the world." I am pretty sure that it was said in reference to blogs, not something more important. So here is my new schedule: (although I will not follow it strictly, I mean I have a life...haha just kidding! I am just forgetful)

Music Mondays: I LOVE music, so I am going to try my hand an music reviewing...let me know how it goes.
What!?! Wednesdays: Who knows...people ask me this a lot so I am going to try and answer...maybe.
First Fridays: Stories about firsts, is you have any ideas let me know!(This is my first move in intentional blogging so today qualifies)
Simple Saturdays: Me trying to slow down and live simple

(Can you tell I like alliteration? I have Cru staff to thank for fueling that fire)

So here I go taking an intentional dive into blogging hoping to find that I am not the only one, although if there is another me out there: don't kill me, I swear we can find a way to coexist...unless you are a robot or evil clone, then I am going to have to DESTROY you. (Now it sounds like I might be the robot/evil clone, hmm)

~Angela

New Girl

The new show I am most excited about for next fall: New Girl.

 

I love Zooey Deschanel and I cannot wait for this show, I think I have memorized the trailer.(Oh and I love the singing thing- I do that too. My most recent was a theme song for going out to eat and my brother reacted just like the guys.)

ADD ON: Here is the original that I linked but I think FOX pulled it because of music rights...but I found it again!

Lent Round Up

So Lent is over- and I am kind of sad to see it go! Now I did enjoy when I woke up late this morning because of 1 default alarm and no sunlight, that I did not have to try and come up with another outfit to wear with that dress. However I was enjoying the Spirit in the air these past two months. Church has been awesome, me and my brother are getting along swimmingly, I got to hang out with a lot of cool people, and I have enjoyed the life changing habits I have been trying to form.

But alas the season is over- Jesus died and He has rose again!! So with that joy in my heart I am hoping that the good things that have seemed to flourish this season with continue to grow and get better!


Here are the last pictures I had on my phone:

My Good Friday outfit.

Me and Laura at Finders for Record Store Day!!

Me trying to make it look more like a pencil skirt. (Those tights are even more awesome in person)