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  • Playlister: From the Vault

     


    Two days ago, my roommate got an iPod. This has been a big deal in our house! Let music be played from every room and entertain the squirrels and cranky neighbors forevermore! I let her sift through my iTunes to beef up her ‘Pod library, a process which led to a lot of nostalgic music listening and cringing at terrible musical choices from seasons past. A lot of Katy Perry was deleted, is what I’m saying. I’m not proud of any of this. 
     

    The upshot of looking through a huge long list of songs I used to love was the simple matter of getting reintroduced to a lot of Awesome. These are songs that have stood the test of time for this pair of ears. Ya! Onward!

    (After writing this list, I noticed that these songs are all incredibly different from one another and have no unifying theme whatsoever. Who cares! We’re throwing homogeneity to the wind! Take that!)

    Atmosphere – “God Loves Ugly”
     
    I’m not the best expert on rap music. Most of my listening is random at best—not because I don’t like it, but because my brain just can’t handle more than a couple albums a week and there’s a lot of great pop and indie out there to gobble up. HOWEVER. Atmosphere grabbed me young and taught me a thing or two about how beautiful and tightly woven the genre is. This song especially gets my head nodding and my fingers clicking toward a lyrics page to memorize the hell out of it. Yum!


    Gregory and the HawK – “Boats and Birds”
     
    Mmmmm. This sleepy, near whisper of a song has always struck me because of its vulnerable vocals and inventive metaphors. When I was sixteen I would drive around in my big red truck and blast this lullaby like nobody’s business. I’m a sucker for songs about heartbreak, folks. 


    Beck – “Sexxlaws”
     
    Beck’s musical style reminds me of a burrito. A really, really crazy burrito that you let your seven-year-old niece make for you while you were in the other room. You’re not exactly sure what’s in there but somehow all these random flavors come together in a symphony of magical burrito deliciousness that is unique and tasty and a little bizarre all at once. Not only is your body nourished but you come out on the other side feeling really positive about everything and with little bluebirds flying around your head. Just listen to it. 

     
     
    XOXO
    Carmen B. 
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  • Music Must: British Sea Power “Valhalla Dancehall”


    Y’know how you’re not supposed to judge a book by it’s cover? I figure there’s probably some rule like that when it comes to albums too. Well! I do not care! As soon as I saw the wild horse galloping in a neon fury on the cover of British Sea Power's Valhalla Dancehall, not to mention the album name itself, I knew I had to give this record a shot. I’m so glad I did!
     

     
    British Sea Power’s musical style is approachable indie that reminds me of if Against Me and Arcade Fire got together and started drinking Merlot and talking about current events, then got so stirred up about it all they went and recorded an album rightthatsecond in a neighbor’s garage. Valhalla Dancehall has a sort of drunken, dreamy urgency to it’s political and social commentary-ridden tracks, with frontman Yan crooning ,“Sometimes I wish protesting was sexy on a Saturday night.” Me too, Yan. This band melds beautiful melodies and sweeping guitar and keyboards with caustic lyrics that’ll give you pause for thought. 

    British Sea Power “Who’s in Control?”



    British Sea Power “Luna”


    If you’d like to stream the album, The Guardian will be hosting it for now! Give this yummy album a listen y’all!

    XOXO
    Carmen B.
     
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  • Music Must: Ryan Adams and The Cardinals

    My boy Ryan Adams always seems to get me through the sad times with his more upbeat and savage tunes. His latest release, III/IV, is no exception. Though some of his more popular songs are of the sad, countrified blues persuasion, this album rocks a firm display of Americana with an edge. 
     

    If you’re wondering who in the world this Ryan Adams guy is, check out “Come Pick Me Up.” It’s likely to jog your memory:

    I think the best thing about Ryan Adams and the Cardinals (besides excellent lyrics and melodies that don’t quit) is their ability to disguise sad lyrics in somewhat desperately upbeat songs, like a typical biker guy that’s a big ol’ softie underneath. 

    This album is currently streaming on Ryan Adams’ MySpace page. I definitely recommend a listen, ladies! My personal faves: “Lovely and Blue” and “Happy Birthday”. This is the kind of album you want to sing aloud around a fire with all your friends with—and not in a Kumbayah way, either! Sounds perfect for roasting some chestnuts or decorating some cookies! 


    XOXO
    Carmen B.
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  • Music Must: The Walkmen’s Lisbon

     

    The only thing I gobble up during the winter months faster than Hershey kisses is some good ol’ fashioned indie pop. I was looking through the albums that I’ve checked out over the year and got an extra warm feelin’ when I got to give Lisbon (by The Walkmen) a fresh listen—they’ve got a tight sound and prescient, self aware lyrics that’ll strike a chord in any complicated heart. This album reminds me of a mixture of Simon & Garfunkel and Rufus Wainwright (If you haven’t given either of those artists a solid listen yet, get thee to a record store STAT.).

     

    You know me—I can’t help but give shout outs to my favorite tracks on an album. These two definitely win out!
     

     
    “Angela Surf City” is one of Lisbon’s more upbeat tracks, and is the sort of kick ass tune that gets me air drumming with a fury! Does it matter that I don’t know the first thing about a drum kit? No! Music is about passion, people!
     
     
    “Blue As Your Blood” is a sweeping, profoundly wrought song that contrasts a hopeful, cheerful melody with melancholy, regretful lyrics. Yum! I love when bands do this. It seems like these folks are very meticulous with their music making—which I appreciate almost as much as alliterations. 


    What’s your favorite release from this year?

    XOXO
    Carmen B.
     
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  • Playlister: Smart Moves


    Finals are coming up—shouldn’t you be studying? Hey, I trust you. I’m sure you’re just on a quick five minute Internet break to check out our latest outfits. Why not GrooveShark your way thru a couple of brainy tunes while you’re at it? These songs are sure to make you think—or at least bust out the dictionary. 

    Radiohead – Fitter Happier
     
     
     
    Feeling like your head is jumbled up with too much information? Put it in perspective with this robotic track that reads almost like computerized poetry. As frontman Thom Yorke puts it, “The reason 'Fitter Happier' exists is 'cos of mental background noise. Some days you're in a disturbed state and it moves to the front."

     
    Vampire Weekend – A-Punk
     
     
    These rich boys sure have a way with storytelling! Relax your busy brain with this story about a girl named Johanna chasing after a silver ring—and take a second to marvel and the excellent rhyming of “exotica” with “turquoise harmonica”. Wordsmiths!


    Alan Cohen ExperienceSpace & Time (Album)
     
     
    I couldn’t just narrow this one down. Alan Cohen’s latest album was inspired by Stephen Hawking’s seminal work, A Brief History of Time. Each song is a chapter-by-chapter interpretation of Hawking’s book, and showcases Cohen’s pleasant blend of rock, funk, and pop. Listening to this is at least as educational as reading that textbook next to you!
    Visit his Myspace to check out tracks from this record!

    XOXO
    Carmen B. 
     

     

  • Playlister: Mid-Week Blues Buster!

    It’s tough to afford music in a world without Limewire—admit it. That’s why I love love love when artists get the hint and release their records for free online!  Here are some of my favorite free releases of the past few years—not all of ‘em are still free, which is all the more incentive to seek out new free albums every day from here on out, ladies! 

    Girl Talk – All Day

    Girl Talk is RAD, guys. Featuring otherwordly mashups of more popular songs, these tracks take on an addictively fabulous life of their own. This album is available free RIGHT NOW. Check out this article with Girl Talk's Greg Gillis on his reasons for releasing the album as a free download. 
     
    Here’s a pretty sweet video for Girl Talk’s “Bounce That”



    Radiohead – In Rainbows

    Radiohead’s career has always leaned toward the experimental side, and their release of album In Rainbows was no different. This album was first offered online in 2007 and left listeners with the option to pay the band as much as each individual wanted to pay for it—I spent $10, for example, though a lot of my pals paid $0.  Though it’s not available anymore, this record is a must-listen for all of you!
     
    Check out “15 Step” below: 



    Nine Inch Nails – The Slip

    This album rides from trippy ambience to traditional NIN rock and roll to dance tracks to ballads and back again! Still offered for free online, The Slip is a great record for anyone looking for a harder edge to their tunes. 

    Here’s that dance track, “Discipline”:



    Happy downloading, ladies! 
    Carmen B. 
  • Monday Music Must: Too many to count!

    I love the holiday season—comfort food, gift wish lists, and the best new releases from popular artists hoping to ca$h in on present season. This week proves to be the first of the crop, with new releases from Pink, Norah Jones (Check out a great review of this album from Billboard), Josh Groban, Bruce Springsteen, Nelly (with his first release in 4 years!), and my girl Rihanna. With a list like that, you can be sure to get your holiday shopping done early—there’s something out there for everyone on your list! 
     

    Since I’m keen on tunes of the pop persuasion, I took a listen to Pink’s Greatest Hits…So Far!!! and Rihanna’s Loud before anything else. Both albums had me shoutin “Hot damn! This is my jam” with nearly every song. 
     

     
    It was nice to get a flashback of Pink’s career and to hear the four new cuts on this album. A cover of Adam Lambert’s “Whataya Want From Me” is a standout, though dance party jam “Raise Your Glass” is a close second. Trust me, you and your girlfriends are gonna be screaming that song out of your car windows for at least six months. 


    I was especially impressed with Rihanna’s Loud. Although the autotune on her vocals starts to get out of hand, most of these songs are well-written and catchy bubbles of happiness—quite the change from last year’s dark and commercially unsuccessful Rated R. So glad to see RiRi back in the saddle again! You go girl!

    Will you be picking up any of these albums this week? C’mon! Buy some tunes! ‘Tis the season, after all!

    XOXO
    Carmen B.
     
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  • Playlister:MTV's European Music Awards!

     

    The MTV EMA’s showcase some of the coolest performances out there and feature today’s most popular artists. Since most of us American’s don’t get around to watching them, I figured I’d show y’all my three favorite acts of this year! 

    Rihanna: “Only Girl (In The World)"
     

    Following her album’s color saturated theme, RiRi’s performance was full of bright flashes of color, an army of dancers, and a dress I would have died to go to prom in. 
    Bright florals in the wintertime? Yes, please. 


    Shakira: “Loca”
     

    Shaki is WERKIN it in super-fringed pants and her stunningly powerful abs during this performance. I love the dancers on the wall behind her and her always steamy stage presence. Watch the crowd go nuts when she switches to her inspirational “Waka Waka (Time for Africa).”


    Kings of Leon: “Radioactive” 

    Though this performance doesn’t feature the epic dance spectacles of most of the other acts, I’ve always got a soft spot for bands that come to these award shows to show viewers the best of their performing abilities without all that other jib-jab. Plus, this song is beautiful! That gravelly voice just gives me the shivers. 
     

     XOXO
    Carmen B.
  • Monday Music Must: Cee-Lo Green’s The Lady Killer


    As the clouds come rolling in for their usual six month winter boogie, I find myself reaching for the more soulful beats of funk music than anything else. Well, my search is over: kudos to Mr. Cee-Lo Green for releasing this seasons’ finest funk with his latest album, The Lady Killer.



    This album, buoyed by the Internet success of its first single, "Forget You" promises a soulful thrill ride that’ll keep you steamy in this biting November chill.



    You’ve probably heard Mr. Green’s voice before: His 2006 collaboration with Dangermouse gave us Gnarles Barkley and that little-known hit, “Crazy.” The video for that super-single featured some of the most interesting visuals I’ve seen, mimicking a rainbow-hued Rorschach like nobody’s business.



    Will you be picking up The Lady Killer when it drops November 10?

    XOXO

    Carmen B.

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  • Playlister: Rainy Days

    After the horror fest of this weekend, I’m ready to curl up on my couch with some new tracks and recover from the sugar rush—especially in this rainy winter weather. If you’re still enjoying blue skies, I’ve got mad jealousy! 

    Missy Elliot – “I Can’t Stand The Rain”
     
     
     
    Missaaaaaay! I love this woman more than is probably healthy, and it cannot be denied: her tunes are fresher than a new loaf of bread. This old school Missy track is what got me on the Elliot train in the first place, and I’ve never looked back. Lulettes, she is supa dupa fly. 


    Bill Withers – “Ain’t No Sunshine”
     
     
    Bill Withers’ smooth vocals and delivery make this song a must have for your car, your ipod, or mix cd for that special someone in your life—trust me on this one, folks. Plus, check out his sweet turtleneck!  Amazing.
     


    Rupert Holmes – “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)”
     
    If you don’t like this song, you’re nuts! Cute lyrics and a catchy as hell melody make for a delightful storytelling song—and, c’mon: everyone likes pina coladas and getting caught in the rain. Everyone. 

     

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