I watched Grey’s Anatomy for the first few seasons. It’s one of those shows that I tried out, really liked, and then grew to hate. If there’s one thing that will make me stop watching a show faster than a jack rabbit, it’s infidelity… Random, I know. There’s divorce, people. If you don’t want to stay married, it’s a valid option. We’re not living in the 1600’s here people. Divorce isn’t going to land you in the stockade or what have you. Jeezy.

Wait. What was I saying? Oh yeah…

One thing I do miss about that show? The music. That show had one of the greatest television soundtracks ever. I was constantly and consistently being introduced to new artists and there’s nothing better in my opinion. Bands like Tegan & Sara (Especially their album So Jealous – the show played practically every track) and Gomez came onto my radar because of this show. Smaller things like just songs and random bits from the show also lead me to the awesome song Standing in the Way of Control by The Gossip, an awesome rocking song with a saweet chick vocalist. I miss the music from that show. I do not, however, miss it enough to actually start watching the show again. Can’t I just be friends with Shonda Rhimes and get the music direct from the source?

Must work on that.

I have to admit, I’m kind of a snob when it comes to mixes and such. I really just want to be able to sing along or dance along and only the best mixes escape getting on my nerves. The exception to this rule is the mash up. For some reason when it’s only a few songs, I can still groove along quite nicely. One of my favorite mash up artists is Party Ben. (You can find all of his tracks at his website at http://www.partyben.com/

While his vidding skills are not so much on point, you can get a good idea about what his work sounds like. Who mixes Snoop with Zeppelin? This guy. I love the sound here.

Probably his most famous mash up is Boulevard of Broken songs. Mashing Green Day, Travis, Eminem/Aerosmith, and Oasis in a way that makes me listen to the original versions of the songs and wish for the mash up version. I think my favorite of all of his mash ups HAS to be Never Feel Good, the mash up of Cake and Gorillaz to the point that I rarely listen to the original versions of either song anymore. Check ‘em out at his downloads section as almost all of the stuff on the site is available for free download.

Cheers!

My friends are probably tired of hearing this, but I love and hate Glee. I absolutely love the music from that show. Their version of Don’t Stop Believin’ (amazon mp3) is absolutely stunning. I think that the dance numbers are eye-catching and the musicality is wonderful. The guest stars they’ve managed to wrangle? OH MY LORDY. Mr. Schuester’s father is Victor Garber for crying out loud! The pint-sized wonder Kristin Chenoweth played in an episode showing off her talents as the ever inappropriate April Rhodes. Her duet with Mr. Sheuster of Heart’s Alone (amazon mp3) is just a testament to what we’re going to get in the future from this show.

Ugh…

*headdesk*

Seriously. I really really really want to like this show but it’s doing it’s absolute damnedest to make me hate it. All of the women on this show are freakin’ nutso bitches and it’s basically all of these white men having to deal with a bunch of crazy women. There is not one female character that’s in any way stable on that show… that’s not to say that some of them aren’t likeable… but it’s a fight to like them. My favorite characters on the show are Sue (the evil cheer-leading coach – She doesn’t pretend to be anything else) and Kurt (the fantastic gay kid – every glee club’s got to have one) because the two of them make me want to strangle something the least. From Quinn lying to Finn about his getting her pregnant to Will’s wife Terri lying to him about actually being pregnant to Emma constantly pining over Will without any attempts to hide it… this show makes me nuts!! The feminist in me wants to smack the shit out of something but the theater kid in me wants to listen to the beautiful music and watch them dance.

I still cried when the group sang Keep Holding On (amazon mp3) to Quinn when she was completely scared and lost because of her pregnancy. It’s not as if this show offers nothing, obviously. It’s that what it does offer is either so stereotypical or just wrong that I have a hard time with it. I shake my fist at this show like the old man on the Simpsons when Springfield steals back the Lemon Tree.

AC/DC

I find it truly annoying that the music of AC/DC is still not available for mp3 download. Yes. I’m used to getting what I want right when I want it. I’m a child of the “me” generation in only that I’ve got enough computer knowledge to move myself along quite well. Anyhoozers, I love AC/DC. They are perfect in any situation which is why I find them mindlessly comforting. Shredding guitars and screamed lyrics are perfect for crying, shouting, or jumping around like an idiot.

Oh that car… if it were possible to make babies with an automobile

Starting a road trip? Need some music? Back in Black (blip.fm / Not Available in Mp3 form Whole Album Here) is your main man like woah fire. The entire album is made for either screwing or driving or driving while screwing… really. I’m not judging you. You need more road music? Grab Highway to Hell (blip.fm / Not Available in Mp3 form Whole Album Here) while you’re at it because if Supernatural has taught me one thing it’s that AC/DC is wonderful while you’re driving along an abandoned stretch of road while hunting demons.

THE HOUSE IS CLEAN… YAY!!!

Roadtripping not your thing? You want something for cleaning the house? I recommend Thunderstruck (Blip.fm / Not Available in Mp3 form Whole Album Here). I feel a sense of supreme power over vacuum cleaners and dust while this song is playing. I feel like I’m winning against the never-ending pile up of house work to be done at any point. Mind you, my roomie will laugh when she reads this because I don’t clean so much. This is why we need the psych up music for such an operation. It’s like professional athletes get a song for when they come on the court or the field… I need it when cleaning. Also included in the psych up mix is T.N.T. (Blip.fm/ Not Available in Mp3 form Whole Album Here)

Goodnight and good luck people… and if you’re driving in this sleet… be careful… and stop reading in your car!!!

I’m on Drugs!!

I’ve been in the mood to watch Almost Famous for ages. I freakishly love this movie. There are so many amazing moments, so many beautiful images… and the soundtrack… seriously? As with any Cameron Crowe movie, music plays a huge roll in it. Tiny Dancer will always and forever be that scene on the bus in the same way that Free Fallin’ will be Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire. Cameron Crowe seems to have an almost preternatural feel for sense memory with regards to songs. He’s amazing at creating those moments that actually happen in life. People really do break into song together. It’s not something strictly left to musicals. Watching the movie got me to thinking about drugs, sex, and rock n’ roll. It’s one of those associations that will probably never split apart. The VH1 show Behind The Music became almost formulaic. Every band worked for success and then when they found it, “Tragedy struck…”

It’s interesting how differently music’s written these days. We’re willing to put any kind of talk out there. It wasn’t that way when our parents were kids. There were rules about what could be on the radio and while this is still true, the rules are much more lax. Songs like Meredith Brooks’ Bitch (Blip.fm / Amazon mp3) wouldn’t have even been recorded, let alone put on the radio… and that song’s tame compared to what we’ve seen in recent years.

The Kingsmen

I sent an email to my dad about this very thing his picks for this topic and I found it hilarious that it included Louie Louie by The Kingsmen. (Blip.fm / Amazon mp3) It wasn’t that the song was actually about sex, but the lyrics couldn’t be understood so people thought it was dirty. One woman actually went so far as to write a letter to Robert Kennedy, then the Attorney General of the United States, to have it pulled off the shelves for being pornographic. The FBI actually took on the case and The Kingsmen were asked to submit the lyrics to the song as well as to provide other evidence. It took two years of research for an FBI lab to determine that the lyrics were unintelligible at any speed and therefore could not be considered licentious. Read more about the case here.

There’s a perfectly good reason why so few song come up when you’re looking for sex songs of the early/mid ’60s… I leave it to Peter, Paul & Mary in I Dig Rock and Roll Music – (Blip.fm / Amazon mp3)

I dig rock and roll music
I could really get it on that scene
I think I could say something
If you know what I mean.
But if I really say it
The radio won’t play it
Unless I lay it between the lines.

I promise these posts won’t come in such large bunches anymore as my Christmas vacation is almost over. It was nice to have a visit with the family but I’m looking forward to the drive back to Atlanta. I loves me some hanging out with friends but I’m really happy to be going home. I leave you with some words of wisdom from Lester Bangs.

“The only true currency in this bankrupt world
is what you share with someone else when you’re uncool.”

Bing Crosby – I"m Dreaming Of A White Christmas – MyVideo

If we open with a traditional tune we must close with something very nontraditional. Straight No Chaser is an a cappella group from Indiana University and their version of the 12 Days of Christmas is the only version I can actually stomach. Most of the time this tune bores me to tears before we’ve even hit the seventh day. This version not only uses several Christmas tunes in place of the old standby but a surprise ’80s song. I post this song every single year and there are always new people who haven’t heard of them. The song is available online at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001IUQNHA/?tag=foxprollc-20 Amazon.com as an mp3. I admit it, man, I listen to this song all year ’round. LOVE.

Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate it!

*throws hands up in defense*

There is actually a reason for putting a picture of Jensen up there… and it’s not just because I think he’s insanely pretty. Yes. I do. Think he’s insanely pretty. I mean Lord in heaven, I could live in his bottom lip. Anyhoozers… Point is… “There’s one bullet in this gun and guess who’s gonna get it!?” Wait. No. That’s Clue. Blast! Where was I? I’m sorry guys, it’s a few days before Christmas and my brain has gone all “I’m already on vacation” and doesn’t want to pay attention. Oh yeah… I remember what I was doing now. I was talking about Martin Sexton. Why is there the Jensen picture you ask? Or maybe you don’t because at this point I’ve rambled at Olympic levels and you’re probably lost like some people tend to get when I talk about Supernatural or anything relatively fandom related.

**HEADDESK**

Point is. Jensen was doing a Q & A a few years ago and someone asked him if he’d been to any good concerts lately. He mentioned going to see Martin Sexton and talked about how awesome the show was. I’d never heard of Martin Sexton but I had some free downloads from Amazon.com and figured it can’t suck too badly if it’s free. I’m Irish, we don’t leave the bar when someone else is buying drinks and we live for the free sample… which is what this kind of was, musically. So, I downloaded two songs by him and then shortly there after I bought two full albums because I’ve enjoyed this guy’s voice in a serious way. He’s got almost a gospel feel to him sometimes but with a hip-swaying kind of rock added in. I love this man’s voice. Love it.

Black Sheep(Amazon mp3 / Blip.fm) and Failure (Amazon mp3 /Blip.fm ) are the two songs I downloaded, in case you’re curious. Both are amazing. Lyrically, Failure is probably my favorite of the two just because it’s nice to see someone writing about things going wrong so that they can go right. Musically, Black sheep is an absolute stunner. I’m adding Mr. Sexton to my list of singers I need to see in concert. The cd versions of these songs are excellent but the live versions I’ve found have such a great energy to them. Keep a look out for them.

Dave Clark Five – Over and Over (blip.fm link)

A few months ago I was curious to see which songs I’ve played the most. It was one of those things where you turn on your music playing software, go to sort by play count tack up the top ten with their play counts…I had to do two because my iPod play count and my iTunes play count they don’t match up because my iPod doesn’t sync with iTunes so they’re different… somewhat.

iTunes Playlist
1. Starlight – The Supermen Lovers (110)
2. OK, It’s Alright With Me – Eric Hutchinson (108)
3. This Is Your Life – The Killers (78)
4. Magick – Ryan Adams & The Cardinals (77)
5. Be OK – Ingrid Michaelson (74)
6. Hot N Cold – Katy Perry(74)
7. Renegade – Styx (67)
8. Above And Below – The Bravery (60)
9. D’yer Mak’er – Led Zeppelin (58)
10. We Run This (Stick It Edit) – Missy Elliott (58)

iPod Playlist
1. Littlest Things – Lily Allen (109)
2. Starlight – The Supermen Lovers (109)
3. Hot N Cold – Katy Perry(108)
4. My Moon My Man – Feist(100)
5. Steady, As She Goes – The Raconteurs (100)
6. Who Knows? – Natasha Bedingfield(96)
7. Living Room – Tegan & Sara (93)
8. Paralyzer – Finger Eleven (85)
9. Thanks for The Memories – Fall Out Boy (81)
10. Name of The Game – The Crystal Method (79)

This little experiment has lead me to believe that I have a terribly obsessive personality. Also, I have the strangest taste in music.

I will say, that Rooney had a meet and greet after the show and I had a chance to talk with lead singer, Robert Schwartzman.

Me: I really enjoyed your set. I’d only ever heard one song by you guys before tonight.
RS: Oh no you di’n't…
Me: Oh yes I did.

Yes. I am smitten with Rooney… and Robert Schwartzman.

Ingrid at the Loft in Atlanta

If there’s one artist in the last five years that I don’t think I could live without, it’s Ingrid Michaelson. Her music is written from a place that really appeals to me. “Keep Breathing” which I spoke of in my post “Tales of Woe From the iPodless” was the first of Ingrid’s songs I found. The beauty of that song still sits in my heart but her other work is so worth looking into.

Oh, you both have layers. Oh. You know, not everybody like onions…. You know what else everybody likes? Parfaits. Have you ever met a person, you say, “Let’s get some parfait,” they say, “Hell no, I don’t like no parfait”? Parfaits are delicious.

To combat the haunting nature of Keep Breathing we move forward to “You and I” a quietly silly song from the album “Be OK” is played almost exclusively on a ukulele. Like many of Ingrid’s songs, the song starts off with a quiet simplicity but builds with layer upon layer to create a rousing chorus in the end. She’s got a lovely and kind sense of humor and it really shows in her lyrics.

Let’s get rich and buy our parents homes in the south of France.
Let’s rich and give everybody nice sweaters and teach them how to dance.
Let’s get rich and build a house on a mountain making everybody look like ants
From way up there, you and I.

This New York born singer sincerely knows how to get into my psyche with an almost surgical precision. Lately, it’s been here song “Die Alone” from the album Girls and Boys. We’ve all had that day, month, year, or moment where the fear of being alone is real, true, and an almost visceral experience. That’s how this song reads. A hope sits in this song despite its stranded on a desert island title.

I never thought I could love anyone but myself.
Now I know I can’t love anyone but you, but you…
Make me think that maybe I won’t die alone.

“Locked Up” from Ingrid’s newest album, Everybody, is slightly harsher than much of her music, but it is no less soulful or amazing. Keeping tight tabs on our own emotions, binding ourselves from love rather than letting someone else do it doesn’t make it any easier and she seems to feel that along with us. Growing older and figuring out what’s important and finding the things we’ve missed along the way.

Love, love, love is everywhere… but not a drop for me to drink.

I’ll close with a song of hers that reads like a mantra. In my head I can see a person taking a very deep breath and saying just about every single lyric from “Be OK”. I’ve sent this to person after person and I’ve yet to meet a person who doesn’t love it. It’s a surprisingly upbeat song and it’s one of those that still haven’t gotten old for me because I, like most people, need some constant reminders that everything will be ok.

I just want to be ok, be ok, be ok. I just want to be ok today
I just want to be ok, be ok, be ok, I just want to be ok today

I just want to feel today, feel today, feel today
I just want to feel something today
I just want to know today, know today, know today
Know that maybe I will be ok