Music Monday: fun.

When the fun. CD came out a few years a go I was about to buy it on the band name alone because I thought it would be a CD of fun music. As I thought about it more (and saw some of the people buying it) I thought the bands name might be a more ironic or sarcastic title, especially with that period on the end. I know, I over think things sometimes, especially when I am given ample time and opportunity to do so. I am here today to say that I wish I would have bought that CD, because fun. is a fun band. Ever since we almost saw fun. live I have been listening to their latest album even more than before the festival. I also have recently bought their first one Aim, Ignite and cannot wait to travel tonight while listening to it.

I know that some are loving their mega hit "We Are Young" and some are not big fans (and if you listen to top 40 radio you have to be getting tired of it by now) but the rest of the album I would say is better than this catchy single. The best song has to be the title track on their new album Some Nights. It is upbeat, you can sing along and dance around- great stuff. The 30 sec clip of this song is what made me buy their new CD, and both Cece and I were excited that we at least got to see this song live. In honor of that take a listen to a live version I found, although it was better when we saw it ;)

The whole CD is full of unique tracks that are great for dance parties in your room are a road trip car party. The founder and lead singer, Nate Ruess, has got a great voice behind him and some songwriting skills. My former coworker at Finders was a big fan of his old band The Format and would play one of their CDs all the time when we worked together. I remember liking it but now that I know it was his old band I may need to try and track down a copy. Some of my other song faves include: "One Foot," and "Carry On." I have a feeling they are going to keep getting better and bigger and I am excited for more!

New Releases to Check Out:

• Best Coast - The Only Place (I highly recommend it- great summer album just like the last one!)
• Beach House - Bloom
• Jacob Jeffries Band - Tell Me Secrets
• Ryan Shaw - Real Love
• Santana - Shape Shifter
• Newsies Original Broadway Cast (there has been some confusion on release date but it is awesome!)
• Already came out but still awesome: Rufus Wainwright - Out of the Game

On the Horizon:

• Paul McCartney - Ram remastered special edition
• Regina Spektor - What We Saw From The Cheap Seats
• Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - Here
• Yellow Submarine being re-released on DVD (we got so many requests for this at Finders)
• and of course...KIMBRA - VOWS!!! NEXT TUESDAY!! Check out the cool ally dancing below:

Sweetlife 2012

Two weeks ago, while on vacation with my fam, I went to the Sweetlife festival in D.C. with Cece. Here were some highlights: (Which means no talk of food because we stayed put in our awesome seats for most of it and it was really expensive. Also, no pics of A$AP ROCKY who was horrible...it is like putting a "$" in your name is a curse or something.)

We got there a little late, then had to wait in the will call line, so we missed most of fun.'s set. It was disappointing because in the will call line (and when we finally got to see them) they sounded awesome and seemed to be putting on a great show. I think they just made it on my "Live list", or the running list of people i want to see in concert.

I have no clue who these two are. They played in-between the horrid A$AP set and before Fitz but were not on the official set list. It was a DJ with her Mac and turntables and a violinist shredding her bow in an awesome combination that I would actually want to see again (I am not a huge D.J. concert fan). I wish I knew who they were, cuz they were cool.

Fitz and the Tantrums put on one amazing and energetic show (just as I expected). They knew how to get the crowd going, how to perform, how to dance and with their music being great in the first place it made for a fun show that defiantly won the crowd over. (Including Cece) I would recommend everyone go and see their live show- it is a great time.

Finally- there was the Shins. Even though I already have tickets to see them in June I was really looking forward to them. They did not disappoint. They sounded great and played the hits, and by hits I mean the songs I like...which is just about all of them.

Performance wise they were as I expected them to be-classic band performance with no dancing, crowd hyping, guitar smashing or stage dives. They just went up there and played, talked to the audience some, but the focus was defiantly on the music and fitting a ton into their hour and fifteen. I am excited to see them again with Jenah because their music is amazing and I could listen to them everyday. (Also quick shout out to the new girl in the Shins- she looked awesome and sounded awesome too. Girl Power! Sorry...there was a Spice Girl reference in New Girl so it has been coming up a lot this week.)

Record Store Day Round-Up

Record Store Day was AWESOME!! (of course) With the exception of the lack of sleep, I had a great time. I woke up early, made the trip up to BG with my brother, waited out in the cold for a few min, got "Tebowie" and Florence + the Machine, saw Laura, spent money and then spent some more. What did I get? All this:

These were all the freebie! Highlights included Florence 7", M. Ward notebook and poster, sample CDs, Shins EP and some fans that I think I might take to the festival this weekend. Also a few sweet reusable bags! I also bought a few CDs:

I took home the new M. Ward, Florence + the Machine Unplugged, (deluxe version with the DVD that I did not know existed until I got home and opened it! Thanks Finders for the hook up!) Of Monsters and Men, Grouplove, Aretha Franklin The Queen in Waiting (basically), Ryan Monteblu Band, Asteroid Galaxy Tour, Delta Spirit, La Sera (those last two were recommended to me so I went for it) and then the Record Store Day Exclusives Civil Wars live CD and KIMBRA EP!!! (It was great to finally have a few Kimbra songs in my car.)

This is the first Kimbra purchase (besides concert tickets) I have made. Looking at the track listing it looks like one of my favorite songs "Call Me" got cut from the U.S. release but will be available on iTunes deluxe version. If you cannot just buy that song then there is 2 more Kimbra purchases, plus vinyl if available, something from the concert, and her Christmas CD!! (Putting it out there like the secret. I never read that book, but I think that is how it works. You say something as if it is true then the internet and rumor mill takes over until it is true, right?)

After checking out the first time and only having a few records I decided I needed to get into the Record Store Day Spirit and splurged on a few more. I mean it was Record Store Day I need to get more that one thing on vinyl!!

I picked out the new Shins and then the only other Shins album I did not have. As for Record Store Day Exclusives I was able to get Graceland, Paul McCartney (2 songs from Ram being re-released this summer- take that mom), Foster the People, Florence + the Machine, Of Monsters and Men and feeding my Fallon obsession- Tebowie!!

I hope everyone else had a successful day! Until next year- Happy Record Store Day 2012!!

Earworms

I first heard the term "earworm" on Best Week Ever years ago referring to The Darkness's "I Believe in a Thing Called Love." (Side note- you should hear my mom sing this one...hilarious. She does not know the title, artist, lyrics or even the tune but it surprisingly comes up a lot and she tries to sing it every time. Sample lyrics "I think I like you...and I think I like you too!") The definition from Wiki is: "a piece of music that sticks in one's mind so that one seems to hear it, even when it is not being played." Basically it is one of those songs that is so catchy it gets stuck in your head. Earworms can be from any genre, although the most diabolical and persistent ones are on the spectrum of pop. For me it seems the songs that are really catchy and get stuck in my head also lie on a scale with one side being catchy songs I like and the other catchy songs I hate, with the middle usually being defined as guilty pleasures. For example one end would have Kimbra's "Cameo Lover" the other end would include any Ke$ha song and this middle could be for most adults Beiber.

Below are the current earworms that keep showing up in my head this past month...some fun, some annoying. First we have in the guilty pleasure..."Call Me Maybe"

Next we have a song I first heard on SNL and now it is all over the radio: "Brokenhearted" by Karmin. I like the song, kinda, the "Cherrio" part annoys the heck out of me...you decide.

And finally on that I am a huge fan of- "Warrior" by Mark Foster, A-Trak and KIMBRA!! You should love getting this one stuck in your head:

What has been stuck in your head lately?

The Voice, fantasy league update!

"This is the Voice!!" I am loving the voice! Here are some of my thoughts on this season of the only singing competition I watch (except for the occasional Singing Bee episode)

Cee Lo, or Mandy Moore?
It looks like Cee Lo, talks like Cee Lo, even pets a cat like Cee Lo. However, this "Cee Lo" puts together hit or miss (but mostly mediocre) performances all to the Time Life collection of 80's hits....hmm. Sound like someone you know from the best competition show ever- So You Think You Can Dance?? Yep, Mandy Moore. I do not know what these two were up to from 1980-1989 but it sure made a huge impact on their professional lives giving them neon 80's tunnel vision. The other problem with Cee Lo's coaching is he set up half of his team to fail in the battle rounds-including my guy Jamie Lono- I do not support that at all. (FYI SYTYCD starts May 23rd!! Day after Kimbra release! Going to be a great week!)

Erin Martin, annoying.
When she sang her first song I thought- eh. She sounded like a bad Bjork impersonator and Ellie Goulding impersonator (more on her later) smashed together. I was not a fan...neither were the judges for the most part. When it came time for the battle rounds, Cee Lo set the Sheild brothers up to fail but they were actually impressive- however Green went with his other brain to pick the winner. She should be thankful she made it to the live rounds at all, but NO she is complaining that her coach ruined her chances. Hello, he gave you your chances! She wanted to sing Billie Holiday- thank you for stopping that atrocity Cee Lo. She prided herself in the press after her elimination on her two "unique" song choices...oh wait...was that not a cover of "Your Song" in the exact styling on Ellie Goulding?? Yes- except that she pretty much sucked at it. You can ask my brother how upset I got after the second note she sang. You decide:

My heart hurts...
This show has a great talent for getting me so attached to people by the battle rounds that I am sad almost every time someone goes home. I don't know who to root for! Sometimes I even end up supporting someone who is up against someone on my team because of these story vignettes. Especially my two favorite boys: Jamie Lono and Anthony Evans. It still makes me sad to think about.Don't get me started, don't even get me started. I hope they continue to sing and eventually put out a record because I will buy them both!

Fantasy Voice League Beta is a winner!
There are still a few things to iron out but all in all the fantasy voice league is pretty awesome! We started out with teams of 12, after battle rounds were down to 6, and after 1 week of live shows we were down to four (so right along with the actual teams). We have turned our back on some and embraced others. We both started this week with 3 people we really liked (both had 2 on the same team) and one that we knew would not survive the next round. Surprise- Jesse went home! WHAT? I did not see that coming. But I have my two girls left to hopefully take me to the top! Fantasy Voice League is the best!!

RECORD STORE DAY THIS SATURDAY!!!

That is right- Record Store Day is this Saturday! I am so excited to go back to Finders, shop and spend a good chunk of change on music for the first time this year. If you do not know what Record Store Day is check out their website where you can get a list of exclusives that are coming out, news and see a list of stores participating. (Although I of course highly recommend Finders, but I guess if it is too far you to travel you can check out one in your area.)

As excited as I am, I am also nervous because I really want the Jimmy Fallon "Tebowie" 7" and I know it will be limited. I love Jimmy Fallon so I must have it! BTW- watched Downton Abby all weekend with my cousin because she had never heard of it-GASP!! She now is hooked. All weekend we were not only trying to live the Downton Abby lifestyle with multiple changes and an accent, but also constantly quoting the always spot on Late Night parody.

Anyway, it has been a busy few weeks with going back to school in the fall stuff, Easter, and crazy families- but I will defiantly post an update on school once that is all figured out and one on my what looks to be amazing haul from Finders this weekend. I will leave you with a sample from an EP being released this weekend physically for the first time...you guessed it...KIMBRA!!

Music Monday: Alabama Shakes

I have been hearing hype about Alabama Shakes for at least 6 months now- but after the hype over Lana Del Rey, I was weary. As I kept hearing the last 5 seconds of their first song "Hold On" the negative attitude continued as I did not see what the big deal was. I heard it a few times, then a couple more, then today I listened to the whole CD on NPR. (Once again with an awesome line up of First Listen albums) I have to say- I am loving it. People kept saying they sound like a fresh take on old soul music- more Stax than Motown.Why didn't any of this win me over immediately before even hearing a note?? I blame Lana. (Ugh, video games...) Well I just want to announce I have come to my senses and when the album Boys and Girls comes out on April 10th (same day as the delicious M. Ward) it will most likely find its way into my Record Store Day shopping spree. I leave you with a few bits from this new soul band:

Music Monday: 2 points for NPR!

I took my work iPod home last weekend to update it because it tragically did not have both Florence + the Machine albums on it for some reason. (Background: this is my music only iPod that now does not even hold all my music so I have to start figuring out new ways to get music on there. I started with putting all my playlists on but that does not give me full albums so I now have to check individual artists and albums...a long process. Ugh.) Well this morning I forgot to grab it to bring back so I am without it today. Not a huge deal, I have the internet. So I first go to AOL and Spinners listening party where you can hear full albums before they are released...dud. Not only was there nothing that particularly caught my attention (besides the new Civil Twilight which did sounded pretty good) but I find that Macy Grey has a cover album...and each song I started listening to was worse than the 5 sec I listened to before it. The cover of "Maps" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs should be outlawed.

NPR TO THE RESCUE!!! NPR First Listen saved my morning...and afternoon...and tomorrow morning as they are streaming the new M. Ward (collective sigh) and Of Monsters and Men. They are both great. After my great love of Hold Time, M. Ward had a lot to live up to with his new album in in my opinion - but it sounds like the summer of 2012 to me...because I will be playing it all summer starting now...with breaks for Kimbra of course. Oh, did I mention that Zooey makes an appearance? She does and it is wonderful. I feel like it may already have a spot on my top albums of the year after only one listen. (The Shins Port of Morrow and Kimbra Vows already have spots on lock-down as well.)

Next- My Head is Animal by Of Monsters and Men. If you like "Little Talks" and have been waiting for a U.S. release of their debut album like I have, you will not be disappointed. This album falls under one of my favorite indie categories that I made up: Lots of instruments, Lots of voices. (Another example would be Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros) They have songs that range from fast to slow, powerful to intimate. I am loving it.

M. Ward's A Wasteland Companion will be released April 10th (another RSD purchase for me!) and Of Monsters and Men's debut My Head is Animal will be out April 3rd. Pick em up, listen to them, love them.

I will leave you with Kimbra...just kidding. I will give you a small Kimbra break and leave you with some M.Ward and Zooey goodness, enjoy!

Music Monday: Lots of Random Music Updates

So there is not one thing I am loving right now, but many and here they are:

1. The Shins- Port of Morrow (which you can stream on iTunes till tomorrow or Spinner till probably the end of the week) It sounds great and comes out tomorrow!! I am a huge Shins fan and a confession, may have preordered this CD in February before the spending fast...cheating I know. After the spending fast I will be buying it on LP at Finders. (Lets be honest, after the spending fast I will be spending all day a Finders...oh maybe I will make it Record Store Day!)

2. The Voice: This is the Voice! (I sing that as I fast-forward through commercials..it is in no way annoying my brother.) I was a fan of the voice last summer because of the coaches, blind auditions, how quickly it moved along, and how they really supported the artists and help them develop their unique style not just assigning them to sing country one week and 80's songs the next. When they announced that it would be back in the spring I thought that I would not watch it because there are so many other things on to watch and I do not want to spend every night in front of the TV. However...after the Superbowl I watched the first episode with my brother, saw this, and set the DVR to record the series. Oh, and I started a Voice fantasy league. (My team is AWESOME!)

3. Kimbra! I know, your are probably thinking "What you like Kimbra? No way." Yes. I LOVE KIMBRA! She is amahzing! Her U.S. album comes out May 22nd and here is one of the new songs that will be on it preformed live at SXSW:

4. SiriusXM - I have been loving SiriusXM a lot lately. Not just for all music no commercials, stations I am interested in, and Live On Broadway with Seth Rudetsky but lately they have been playing a ton of live stuff (like the Shins set at SXSW). Also I love seeing an artist that I knew was going to catch on go from one station to the next. Like Goyte started popping up on  my indie/alternative stations sporadically, then it was on the countdowns, then it moved to Spectrum, then it is on the top40 station and I can say "I told you so-you should hire me for stuff like this!" I will be really sad when my trial expires.

5. New iPad Garage Band App- now I do not own this but I watched the presentation they did, played with it at the Apple store this weekend and when I get an iPad it will be one of the few apps I buy.

6. Nick Drake- Now Nick Drake is not new, he is actually from the 70's but his music is amazing. I first heard his song "Pink Moon" in a car commercial over 10 years ago and with a second song I love on the Garden State Soundtrack I bought two of his CDs. Over the years he has become my go to artist to fall asleep to, read to, listen to when I want to relax or when I am sick (like all last week). He has a third CD and I will be buying it on Record Store Day because I think my other songs are starting to get jealous of the outrageous play count of Bryter Layter, and Pink Moon.

7. Kimbra! I am so dissapointed that I did not go to SXSW this year now because not only was Kimbra there, but she performed like a zillion times. Like a whole set by herself:

and many more shows with a full band and a tambourine which she performs with such dedication that she ends up like this by the end of the week. So to end this post enjoy one of her million SXSW sets:

Music Monday: 2011 Mix

With Lent going on, and me giving up spending, I have not acquired any new music. (Good thing I have a well stocked "store" to shop of CDs that have not been officially added to the organized and awesomely displayed collection) Which means not a lot of new music to talk about. But today I realized I have not posted my 2011 Mix yet!! As you may know I take my mix CDs very seriously. Even the actual CD and packaging are important to me. (See the sweet CDs I used here!) I worked very hard on my 2011 mix and I happen to think it is quite amazing! The year end mix is music that was discovered, enjoyed, or overly played during the year (get ready for an all Kimbra 2012 CD!) and maybe even some songs that remind you of events that happened that year.


So with out further ado here is my 2011 Mix-tape:

1. Oohs and Ahhs - NEEDTOBREATHE
2. Little Secrets - Passion Pit
3. Young at Love and Life - Dominant Legs
4. Lover to Lover - Florence + the Machine
5. Our Deal - Best Coast
6. You Know What I Mean - Cults
7. Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad? - Derek and the Dominoes
8. Maybe I'm Amazed - Paul McCartney
9. Pumped Up Kicks (live) - Foster the People
10. Ohh La La - The Faces
11. Big Me - Foo Fighters
12. One Day - Matisyahu
13. WHALE - Yellow Ostrich
14. Up Up Up - GIVERS
15. French Navy - Camera Obscura
16. Sukie in the Graveyard - Belle & Sebastian
17. "Learningalilgivinanlovin" - Gotye
18. Rill Rill - Sleigh Bells
19. Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO
20. Warrant - Foster the People
21. Bonus 1: My Man - Glee (even though I have mixed feelings of this show, I had to include some Bway since I went this year and she can kill some Barbara)
22. Bonus 2: Zebra Cover - PS22

There you have it! What do you think? Put these songs together (in this order) and tell me if you like it. I love hearing peoples opinions on my mixes. If you followed my blog you would have expected quite a few of the artists included like Cults, Best Coast, Paul McCartney and PS22. Oh, and the Goyte song was on there way before the Kimbrasposion of 2012. Which speaking of Kimbra...BIG NEWS!! U.S. RELEASE DATE SET FOR KIMBRA'S ALBUM!! MAY 22ND!!! SOOO EXCITED!! Oh, and did I mention I have tickets to see her in June!! (Insert celebratory sounds like Amy Pholer here!) I WILL MEET HER. Check out another song already in the running for my 2012 mix below because once I post this my post on Kimbra will drop off the main page- and that is just not right.

(BTW, the videos have gone from a few thousand views when I first started watching them to millions...not saying I had a huge hand in that, but I like to think I did.)

Music Monday: Lets keep the down under train rollin!

So last time I confessed my obsession with Kimbra, which has not died down at all just become more manageable. This week we will talk about an Aussie artist who has turned many people on to Kimbra because she is features in his first and awesome single: Somebody I Used To Know. (For the record, I knew about him before this song and I found out about Kimbra from my girl Peach) See video below:

 

(Yes, Kimbra has ears)

I was looking forward to his full album release especially when I heard a sneak peak on an Aussie site, then the full stream on NPR. Well the CD was released Tuesday and I have been listening to is all weekend and it is sooo good! He has a little bit of everything on this album, which you know I love variety! He has upbeat songs like "Easy Way Out" (Which has a George Harrison riff to it), "I Feel Better" (probably my favorite right now) and "In Your Light". He slows it down for the song above along, with "Smoke and Mirrors" and even has a tech/experimentalish track "State of the Art". The whole CD has some sounds that throwback to the 80's in a great way but it in NO way sounds dated. 

I would love to see him live but his limited run in the US is SOLD OUT (along with everywhere else in the world) so you can expect to hear a lot more about him as the year goes on and Top 40 radio get a hold of him. All in all it is one great CD and has already earned a spot on my so far all Kimbra end of the year CD! GO BUY IT!!

More Videos below the jump.

Music Mondays: Kimbra, beacause I am obsessed

So I was going to wait until she actually had an album out in the US, or at least a release date. But I cannot wait. I am obsessed with Kimbra. My favorite musical act to come out of New Zealand EVER! (Sorry Flight of the Conchords) So lets start here with her first single:

Wasn't that great? Of course. Now on to the next video that I really want itunes to release because I will buy it. (A first for me) It is so colorful and fun and I watch it no less then 10x a day:

Was that not fun?? Ah, I love it!! I discovered Kimbra from the little girl I stalk online (in a non creepy way) seen here in her Cameo Lover dress. Oh she is so cute. (Check out her adorable love of dance here) Anyway, Kimbra is amazing and I have been watching all of her videos online non-stop. (Yes I watch this one with Goyte too, he is also awesome.) I like her so much that I was considering ordering the $35 import version of her CD/DVD because I didn't know if I could wait until the U.S. release. (Although I can now that I found this album stream! And heard there would be new tracks on the US version.)

Well I hope you like this post of me basically saying I am obsessed with Kimbra and the cute dancing Australian girl over and over. The countdown for Kimbra's American release (with new tracks!) starts now....but officially once a release date is announced. Until then listen to this over and over until there is nothing in your head all day and night except it and "Cameo Lover"...like I did.

Music Monday: MLK Day

Today is one of my favorite national holidays: Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday celebration! So in honor of today, listen to his most famous speech (that makes me cry everytime) and a few songs from the start of my new MLK Day Playlist:

• Patty Griffin- Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)
• Seal- A Change is Gonna Come
• Cat Stevens- Peace Train
• Aretha Franklin- Respect
• Miri Ben-Ari- Symphony of Brotherhood
• Stevie Wonder- Higher Ground
• Queen Latifah- I Know Where I've Been
• Creedence Clearwater Revival- Up Around the Bend
• Jackie Wilson- (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher

Happy 53rd Birthday Motown!!

(from my visit last summer)

Me and Jessie really liked it!

New Shins...I am so excited!

So those Shins fans out there know that the rumors of a new album have been circulating for years but disappointingly false. (Although one of those rumors turned out to be Broke Bells- awesome!) But the official announcement of Port of Morrow came and I was super excited! Then yesterday this was put up on their website...go listen to it now. How awesome it that tape graphic? Oh, and great music as always. (I have listened to it about 20 times already) I am so excited for this release and making us all wait until the END of March after releasing a song and making preorder available,  is a little cruel I think. I have been listening to Shins all morning trying to satisfy my current Shins wanting.

The other wanting this has sparked in me is for a reel to reel...how cool would that be? I did not even know that was an option outside of the old recording studios. If you are one of those cool people with a personal reel to reel then you are in luck because you can listen to the new Shins album on it in March. (Isn't it cool?)

In conclusion, this might lead to a Tuesday night voyage to Finders on March 20th because I am so excited to hear all the bits they came up with.

Music Monday: My Rules for Mix CDs

I love making playlists- I have a lot of them, and I am really good at it. I love doing playlists for the decades, times of year, different moods, themes or for events. My playlists however have a tendency to be quite long, because, well, I have a lot of music. My 90's playlist is over 300 songs now. (And it is not full CDs released in the 90s- just popular singles of the time, that I also like) Making a mix CD is a completely different task from playlists because there is a limit on time/space and it is usually listened to straight through. I take a lot of pride in my mix CDs and will spend hours perfecting them. I have many rules, or guidelines, when making a mix CD that I will share with you today so get out your notebooks.

 "The making of a great compilation tape, like breaking up, is hard to do and takes ages longer than it might seem. You gotta kick off with a killer, to grab attention. Then you got to take it up a notch, but you don't wanna blow your wad, so then you got to cool it off a notch. There are a lot of rules."

There are two main parts to consider when making a mix CD: Song Selection, and Order. First we will cover the all important "What do I put on this?" What you put on the CD will mainly be determined by your theme or goal. Go through your music and decide what would work best on your CD using the stuff you really like and not choosing too many songs just based on title. (A stumbling block for many a themed CDs) Here are some of the "guidelines" I follow when choosing music for my year end CD:

•  Every good CD has a theme, idea, goal, common musical concept or sound. Keep this in mind as you start perusing your music.
• Choose a wide variety of music. Either different genres, old and new artists, fast and slow etc.
• If the CD is for someone specific keep them in mind and try to introduce them to music you think they would like while throwing in a few songs you know they like.
• Keep the single count low. I try not to choose to many singles because one on my goals with most CDs I make is to expose people to new music and if I choose a non single their chances of hearing more from each artist is higher.
• Choose only one (or in special cases 2) songs from an artist. This goes along with trying to expose people to new things so I do not fill it with the same 3 artists, but also goes along with variety and not wanting the CD to sound like a best of. Now, if you are doing a CD to show your friend how awesome the Beatles are- then you might want to put more than 2 Beatles songs on it. (But I would also recommend putting some covers on it to break it up.)
• Have a few songs you want on there but are willing to cut if space does not allow. (I like to get as much as I can on each CD so I will try to burn and if is says it won't fit I delete one of those songs and try again until I get it)

The second part of a mix CD that I think is important is the order of the tracks. Flow is important to a CD, at least to me and a small minority of others. I realized that I cared a lot about this as I watched High Fidelity, and I now try to follow the first 3 track rule with every mix I do. Once I have songs chosen, usually many more than will fit, I start to narrow it down by ordering the ones I know for sure are going on. I start to chunk songs together (a skill that came in handy for the DM line dance) which means figuring out 3-4 songs that go good together in a certain order. Then I arrange those chunks and add in a few more outliers. **Note when chunking: do not just put all the slow songs together, or club songs together etc.. You want the CD to have ups and downs not first have fast second half downers. VARIETY!!** After you have it arranged you listen to it- adjust it- listen to it- rearrange it- listen to it- and adjust again till I have something I am happy with. This can be a long process, especially since I like to step away for a while and come back a few times.

Once you got it- burn a trial CD to listen to in your car so you can make sure it is just the way you want it and that the volume levels are not all over the place. (This is becoming more a\of an issue as artists are releasing louder and louder CDs and non remastered stuff can be so quiet.) Is it amazing? Then you are done- great job! Now just distribute to your friends or family, or to your own car and enjoy!!

And remember sometimes the rules are meant to be broken.

Music Monday: New Christmas Classics

Last week I mentioned a few of my favorite classic Christmas albums. Today here are some of the "New Classics" you should check out!

• Harry Connick Jr.- When My Heart Finds Christmas. This it Harry's first Christmas album from 1993- and it is one of my most played albums each year. Ah, I love his voice. On this album he has some great original songs, unique arrangements and an upbeat band. If you like fun crooner-esque Christmas music this is the album for you. (and once you fall in love with it go and pick up his other two Christmas albums!) 
• Chicago- 25. I went to see a Doobie Brothers/Chicago concert with my family a few summers ago. Dobbie Brothers were awesome...but I was highly disappointing with Chicago. I realized why on the way home- I am not a huge fan of their normal music. But I do LOVE their Christmas album!! (Which in July they played NONE of...booo) This album is filled with horn filled re-imaginations of Christmas classics. Even if you are not a huge fan of the smooth rock stylings of "Just You 'n' Me" or "You're the Inspiration" but like Christmas music- don't worry, this is for you too.
• Ready for a shocker... Clint Black- Looking for Christmas. What!?!? I know. My dad picked this one up and I thought is was going to be like the Allen Jackson one- banned to his car because we all refuse to listen to it. However, surprisingly we all loved this one. The whole CD is original songs about what to get your spouse for Christmas, how Christmas goes by so fast, and how a little boy keeps getting Santa to come back. Be warned: it is still country, but somehow this really country CD has found its way to our family's regular rotation during the holidays. 
• Kirk Franklin and the Family-Christmas. Just in case you forget the reason behind the season, Kirk and his amazingly talented choir are here to remind you. They make every song their own. It has the slow ballads that can bring tears to your eyes along with the upbeat songs that in true gospel fashion just don't end. I am not going to say this is for everyone (my best friend hates it) but it is for anyone with any musical taste or true appreciation for art ;)
• Finally, of course, you know its all coming...it became a classic the year it came out...and now people are covering it like the world is going to end next year...Mariah Carey- Merry Christmas. It is a great CD. Even though I have heard 50 new versions of her original song "All I want for Christmas is You" this year alone, hers never gets old. (along with this one, which is the first time I can remember anyone attempting it) Oh, did I mention her liberal use of choirs, ah I love that. If you do not own this, just let me know I have extra. I think I have bought this one about 6 times.

Some ones I thing are on their way to becoming classics are Straight No Chaser, Christina Aguilera, and Sarah Mclachlan. Next year this list will include Michael Buble and She & Him...my friends and all my parent's friends are loving these two, they will be around and on regular rotation for years to come.

Last but not least I wanted to sing the praises of the Christmas CD(s) I have been listening to most this year. You might not hear these on the radio (ever) or convince your family to adopt them into their 100 disc player devoted solely to Christmas music, but I LOVE 'em and have been listening to these almost exclusively this year!! That would be Sufian Stevens- Songs For Christmas. This box set that originally started as a project to help him get into the spirit and as a gift for his friends and family for the holidays, are 5 eps of amazing Christmas tunes. I really believe that these have something for everybody if you give them a chance. I love the beautiful arrangements with a multitude of instruments but also the simple piano ones just as much. His voice is so peaceful and his originals at times hilarious but always fun and inventive. If you do not already own these you are in luck because the price has dropped from "box set price" to that of a single album with its increase of availability and popularity.

Here is a sample, I hope you enjoy it! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Music Monday: Classics

Like I have said many times before I LOVE CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!! So here are some of my favorite classic Christmas albums you should check out:

• Bing Crosby- White Christmas (the one w/a white background and he has a santa hat on) This album features the awesome Andrews sisters singing with the crooner on my favorite version of "Jingle Bells" and the best version of "Mele Kalikimaka" there is. Then you have his version of "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" (which makes me sing "gather round" in the deepest voice I have when I hear any version of the song) and of course- White Christmas!! This is a must have for the holidays and you kind find it a million places for $6 or less.
• Brenda Lee- Jingle Bell Rock This is one of my dad's favorite so I grew up listening to this one. (along with Johnny Mathis one where he is holding skis, Perry Como, Elvis, and the next one on this list) This includes the most recognized versions of "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree," along with songs I have never heard covered like "The Angel and the Little Blue Bell" "Strawberry Snow" and "Christmas will Be Just Another Lonely Day." (you should see my moves to that last one!) Brenda Lee's voice is great and the song choice is unlike any other- definitely check this one out.
• The Letterman- For Christmas This Year. Wow, what an great Christmas record! These guys can harmonize and sing so peacefully...it is beautiful. Their arrangements and songs are starting to pop up on newer Christmas albums a lot more (like "Christmas Waltz") but the originals are still the best. You know this album is good too when they have not released it on CD since the 80's and it sells used for over $400! Yes, they have other Christmas albums, but this one is by far the best...thank goodness my dad held on to his and I finally found a computer that could read it to copy. However- if you are in a hankering for some sweet sounds of Christmas but don't have the $400, you are in luck- it is now available for download!!
• Amy Grant- A Christmas Album. This is the most recent of my "classic" albums, released in 1983, but it is a staple of my holiday season every year. When I left for college this is the first Christmas CD I bought to start my own collection and this is also usually the one that tempts me and I end up listening to WAY before November. It is just so nice, and awesome, and fun, and awesome. The songs all go so well together (I actually used to think they were all the same song in the middle) and it is perfect for a nice Christmas nap, or to lull you to sleep as you dream of snow.

There are a few records to check out this holiday season and I hope they enhance yourenjoyment of this Christmas season!! If not maybe this will:

I used to perform this "with" my brother all the time, he hated it. He would

complain that he "did not wear dresses" and that he "was not a girl" but I think he 

was just being a joykill. This is also the only time I was allowed to hit him- my parents would just laugh.

A few more ideas of some great classics:

• Johnny Mathis- Merry Christmas (the one with the skis!!)
• Herb Alpert- Christmas Album (Recently remastered- what! what!)
• Time-Life Treasury of Christmas (original circa 1986, to make sure check for The Night Before Christmas)
• Vince Guaraldi Trio- A Charlie Brown Christmas (again check the cover- it is the one with a tree with Snoopy on top. Recently remastered-get excited!!)
• Dean Martin- Seasons Greetings (he was in the Rat Pack for a reason)

I could not help myself. Note: White Christmas soundtrack not availible- and never was, and 

never will be- unless you are a tech savvy do-it-yourselfer! ;)

Music Monday: Florence + the Machine

This is going to be short and to the point: Florence + the Machine is awesome. If you do not own Lungs...where have you been? And if you have not picked up the new album Ceremonials that came out Nov. 1st you need to put that on your to do list for the day. Florence's songs are full of grand orchestrations, yet can be simple at the same time. She knows how to build songs SO WELL like on her first single from the new album "What the Water Gave Me." If there is an artist whose music was meant for dance productions on a stage fit for a permanent Cirque show, it would be her. Yet, if you have ever watched her perform, you know that just 2 instruments and her behind a mic can have the same impact...it is pretty amazing. The songs I am really enjoying right now are "Lover to Lover," "Breaking Down" and "Shake it Up." So in short, go buy this album (deluxe edition preferred) and enjoy.

 By far, this was the best part of the Grammys this year feat. Florence.

Music Monday: New Christmas

Last week I picked up some new Christmas albums, finally got my preorder and made it to November 1st before listening to Christmas music!! (Oh, and last night was the first time I watched White Christmas this year!! A personal best since it usually gets pulled out year round) I am still trying to take it slow and not go into full 24hour Christmas mode until after Thanksgining. This means I listened to some Christmas music here and there with the bulk being  non-Chrsitmas music like the amazing new Florence + the Machine album!!

The first new Christmas CD was of course She & Him. I liked it a lot. They had some good song choices with quite a few classic Christmas songs that usually get passed by and some of the popular favorites, all done in true She & Him style. I have not listened to it that much yet (trying to ease into crazy Christmas mode remember) but I am really enjoying hearing M. Ward sing more! The only disappointment that has come so far it in "Baby, Its Cold Outside." It is not because I do not like thier version- I like how they have switched up the roles and keep it a little more upbeat- but because I was really looking forward to the Elf version with M.Ward instead of Lean Redbone. It was a personal dream of mine that I must give up on. All in all- go pick it up because it is great and has adorable packaging.

The second album is Michael Buble's simply named Christmas. And surprise, surprise...it is awesome. There are 16 songs of Buble doing his thing, so how can in not be awesome? He covers my favorite version of "Jingle Bells" (the Bing Crosby/Andrews Sisters one) with the Puppini Sisters and it is great. Many of the versions he chooses to model his after were unexpected in such a good way. Another example, the Drifters version of "White Christmas" (my second favorite version, the first being Bing's of course) with Shania Twain. In conclusion this is another must own- and a great choice for everyone in the family.

I hope everyone is having a great November and here is a little She & Him/Conan here for your Christmas celebrations!

Other New Christmas albums to check out (although I am not endorsing yet):

• Justin Beiber- Under the Mistletoe
• Carole King- A Christmas Carole
• tobyMac- Christmas in Diverse City
• Jersey Boys- Seasons Greetings: A Jersey Boys Christmas
• Paul Anka- Songs of December
• Vanessa Peters- The Christmas We Hoped For
• This Warm December, A Brushfire Holiday 2
• Glee Christmas Volume 2
• Scott Weiland- The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
• David Crowder Band- Oh for Joy
• The yet unnamed Christmas albums from Rascal Flatts and Rufus Wainwright...oh wait that is only in my dreams...