White and Nerdy

I can't believe it's been like 6 weeks since i last potsed. Argh! But, like, since that last Format post... I saw them live! Heh. And they were AMAZING. One of those bands that were just made for live performance-ness =) For the "low-down" you'll have to check my myspace blog though because i can't be bothered to go all into it again. Really really good though!

Anyway, it's time to move along. Suprise suprise i've got far too much music to share so i'll just pick a few current favs. First up has to be the new "Weird Al" Yankovic song. I watched the video on Myspace (thanks Tom =p) and fell in love. The lyrics are really great but it's best to watch the video first, so...



Appologies for that not being great quality but, oh well. Check it out as noted on MySpace or something. And hope it gets released as a single over here! Until then.

# White And Nerdy - "Weird Al" Yankovic


Next up, an older song. I was sorting out my albums the other day (after buying my 4th cd rack...) and i came across the Tom Vek album, We Have Sound. I'd forgotten how much i liked it, especially this first track. So for those of you who haven't heard it before, or perhaps anyone else like me who just totally forgot all about its existence, here's track numero uno.

# C-C (You Set The Fire In Me) - Tom Vek


A Glasgow band next. The wonder of the internet, and in turn random internet people to talk to and discover new music from, shines through! Heh. It took a few listens for this song to really get under my skin, but once it did i was utterly hooked. Just listen to this song and tell me it isn't catchy! Ok, i'm sure a few of you will now. Bastards. Anyway if you like this, Futuro have got quite a few pretty decent tracks. You can pick up their latest single/ep with a bonus EP, P&P included, for £1.99. Excellent deal. Get it here.

# Slow Motion - Futuro


Finally... I think this might actually be the first time i've put one of Ed's tracks on here. For those who don't know, the lovely Eddie has for the past few years been producing lots of random tunes on his computer, most notably The Stars. That was until now. I don't know how long it's been up, i haven't yet had a chance to talk about it with him, but he's currently got Bottled as a downloadable track on his MySpace page. And basically, it's awesome. I love it. It's a really quality piece and just has a really good tempo and feel to it. See what you think. And check out his Myspace to make him happy =p

# Bottled - Wind Chill Factor


And there we go. I'll try to update a bit more regulary again, but i always say that and seem to fail. Oh well.

Get in to: The Format

Right, i've been nice about this. I've tried my best. Now, those who haved paid attention to my recomendation of this band have been very happy with the discovery, but there's a lot of you akward buggers being stubborn. I don't think you get it. They. Are. Great. I like to try and think of it as a cross between Bright Eyes and Dogs Die In Hot Cars. But also nothing like that =P Oh sod it, on with the songs.


# The First Single - The Format

Now most mp3 blogs have already featured lots of random Format tracks already, so, to try and be a bit different, i thought i'd pick a single track from each of the two EPs and two albums. First up comes from, as far as i'm aware, their first release, purely titled EP. The track above is actually also the opening track for the following album; Interventions & Lullabies, but the version here is much more rough, and personally i just love the "one two three four" at the beginning (because i'm weird). I've left the title as purely The First Single because i believe it was only altered to The First Single (Cause A Scene) for the single release. I'm sure you're very excited to know such important information *sighs*. Moving on...

"Let's cause a scene, clap our hands and stomp our feet, or something, yeah something, i just gotta get myself, over me."


# Wait, Wait, Wait - The Format

Coming from Interventions & Lullabies, this is the second track and is a lovely little number. I love how soft and relaxed it feels, but then how bouncy the chorus kicks in. It's an excellent combination that really gives the song some *oomf* I'm sure that has a correct spelling but i have no idea what it might be.

"The song won't stop 'til the tape runs out"


# Janet - The Format

This version of Janet comes from the Snails EP, wich is available on its own, but personally i picked it up as part of the combo pack from here. It's another great happy bouncy song that just, god, i wish i had've had all this tracks for the entire summer, but sadly i just didn't get hold of most of their stuff until too late. I guess there's always next year...

"I'm falling in love with you balloons or no balloons, so it's time i forget the past and just learn to love what i have, 'cause i love waking up to your laugh."


# The Compromise - The Format

Finally, i think the hardest choice is the track to pick from Dog Problems. It's a great album and the one that really is grabbing the Format new fans by the hundreds if not thousands. If you're still not sure about this band, get hold of this album. I really don't think there's anyway anyone could regret it. It's so, awesome! And, of course, it has dogs on the cover. DOGS! =D Anyway, a few people have told me this is their favourite track off the album, and i've just wacked it up as i'm finding it increasingly difficult to pick any tracks out over the rest.

"Meet me in the middle, well come on lets make up a dance, and we'll agree to call it the compromise."


And that's The Format. I could chuck on a demo or acoustic track on the end here, but i'm not gonig to. Four tracks. Lsiten to them. Love them. BUY THE ALBUMS!

10% luck, 20% skill, 15% concentrated power of will...

# Remember The Name - Fort Minor

I saw Eddie last week and we exchanged some new stuff we'd each been listening to (i guess one of the few bonuses of friends being away at uni is they find lots of new cool music!) and this was one of my favourite he got me listening to. It's a side project of Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda if you didn't know, bringing a rap/hip-hop outing. I'm sure already that's bringing up some flags but just listen to this track. I'll admit some of the stuff off the album isn't that great, but at least 3 of them (Remember The Name, Feel Like Home, Where'd You Go) are *decent* in that i'd happily have them alongside any LP tracks on my mp3 player. I've put a link on the above picture though because Amazon are currently selling the limited edition version of the album with a bonus dvd for £1.96. That's right, less than two pounds! It's insane, but they quite often sell off the cd/dvd sets for under than a fiver. Gotta love that website...


# Gangster Trippin - Fatboy Slim

I really think everyone should buy the Fatboy Slim best of album, Why Try Harder. There aren't many people who could say they don't like *any* of Norman Cooks excellent tracks, and it features the legendary Rockafeller Skank and Weapon Of Choice as well as the superb remixes of Groove Armada's Shakin' That Ass and Cornershop's Brimful of Asha. Those alone are tracks everyone should have, before you start adding in the others such as Praise You, Wonderful Night and Right Here, Right Now. Hmv sell the 'normal' version of the album for £9.99 with the limited edition that suprise suprise comes with a bonus dvd of ten really good music videos for a little extra at £11.99.


# Two Left Feet - The Holloways

Han got me into this bouncy little indie band with the track Generator that i've undoubtable already posted some time back. I've only heard a few other tracks of theirs, but they've all been fairly good, so when i saw this new little single at hmv i had to pick it up, and i'm really glad i did. Two Left Feet is the A side and not suprisingly the best track on the cd, but if you like it, why not splash out a whole £1.99 for 3 tracks and the video =) (and "because singles suck" is not a valid reason!)


# Already Over - Orson

When i first heard about this band i just thought "meh" basically and didn't intend to bother with them. However, i kept getting Bright Idea stuck in my head and against my best intentions found myself liking it. A lot. Damn radio! Anyway i went for it and bought the album and i'm muchly glad i did. I've been finding it rather hard to define the quality of the album that makes it feel so familiar. It just seems to be kind of stereotypical american radio rock, but somehow in a really cool and enjoyable way, at least for me. When i first played the album through i found myself wondering how i could've only jsut purchased the cd when almost every song felt like a part of my musical past already? See, i can't really word what i mean. But yes, it feels really nice and familiar. Sometimes that can be a bit shite, but at the same time not every single album i buy has to be ground breaking or amazingly fresh because that just gets dull. Hopefully you feel the same.

My Bubbles...

It's been longer than i would've liked, but i spose less than two weeks is still an improvement on previous gaps. Once again i have far too many new bands/songs to share with you than i have webspace/time for, so i'll just pick a few and hope you think as great as i do. Lets start off with the wonderful new cd that showed up at my door today...




# Intro & Fanfare
# Theme From Family Guy

Above you'll find the first two tracks from the cd, and i think you'll see why i love it already. I wasn't sure what to think when i first saw about this cd, but it really is good. A whole set of random Family Guy songs including the lovely "All Cartoons Are Fuckin' Dicks" which tells us how big an arsehole various cartoon characters really are, and also spills the beans on Scrappy Doos parents! The album also comes with a bonus dvd featuring the 'making of' as well as Stewie Griffon's Sexy Party, a rather odd but as ever brilliantly funny little song (with full music video). Buy it!


# Underwear Goes Inside The Pants - Lazy Boy

I heard this song on radio 1 last week sometime. I wasn't paying much attention until the part about giving money to the homeless guy came on, and i just thought "that's so fookin right!" and upon obtaining the song, i just fell in love with practically everything it says. It's like sunscrean, but actually really good!

"This homeless guy asked me for money the other day, I was about to give it to him and I thought, he's just gonna to use it on drugs or alcohol. And then I thought, that's what I'm going to use it on."


# Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks - Los Campesinos!

Keep an eye on this band. I really think they're going to make a proper name for themselves. As far as i'm aware they've only recorded four songs, which comprise their upcoming EP. They are great. I've already shared You! Me! Dancing! with you and i've just got hold of this track and i'm loving it already. Someone make them come to Ipswich please!

"One blink for yes, two blinks for no, sweet dreams sweet cheeks we leave alone."


Okay, i'm tired. Trust me there's loads more where those came from, and i'll try and post again at the weekend or early next week. I doubt you really care, but, y'know.

Googlewacks 'R' Us

Ok, sorry, that's "Googlewack", singular. But still. I was just going through some page referals (exciting stuff) and for some reason, no one else comes up for that, which i find odd. Oh well. I'm sure ste will try and ruin that now =P
I've had a busy weekend, with work, ODL gig and of course the funtastic Swanfest. It's been a good weekend, i mean any is where you not only get to drink and hangout with your friends, but also see your two favourite local bands. If only Zebrahead had've randomly shown up... Ok ok, on with the music.


# White Trash - Junior Senior

I rambled on about this song far too much in regards to the PopWorld advert it featured in, which was a great add. Find a YouTube of it somewhere down below. But yea, i really like this song, and i'm sure you do too. I spose i should find some more Junior Senior, maybe even try and get hold of an album, based on one song. I'm smart *taps head* This is why i'm always poor.


# Dreaming Of Flying - Celestial Aeon Project

So i occasional pop Last.fm radio on jsut for the fuck of it, and i'm glad i did the other day. I had Recommendation Radio on for less than half an hour and i'd discovered a good half a dozen songs i loved. This is by far the prettiest of those. It's just random atmospheric music that this dude has done, and he's released the whole lot for free download. Check it out.


# Round The Twist theme tune

As downloaded from RoundTheTwist.com, it's the fantastic theme tune from the classic Aussie kids programme. I'm sure it was crap, but i remember liking it =P Am i allowed to feel old at 19? No? Excellent.


# Sheila's Wheels - Adam K & Suman Biswas

Aka the Amateur Transplants, these two parody singers rarely fail to put a smile on my face. By now i'm sure most of you have enjoyed the wonders of the London Undergound song ("They're all lazy fucking useless cunts") and the fantastic Paracetamoxyfrusebendroneomycin ("We tested it on animals and none of them survived, but that's ok cause when we wrote the paper up we lied"), and here's one of their latest additions to their album.

I'm not dead!

It's not like i haven't wanted to post... I keep thinking "i really must post this song" or "i wish everyone knew about so-and-so" but i just never have the time, full-consciousness or focus (id argue in that order =P). Anyway, yea, enough with the excuses.

# She Doesn't Get It - The Format

There was quite a bit of intermaweb chatter about these guys a while back, but i didn't really pay much attention. I've had a few of their songs for ages, but i never bothered playing them. However, a few weeks ago, as sometimes happens, i was feeling kinda 'indie' and trawled through my music to see what i could find i liked. And, anyway, i came across this awesome song. I love the singers voice in it, it's perfect. Expect more soon as i'm buying the album next week =P

"All the girls pose the same for pictures, all the boys got the same girls hair"


# You! Me! Dancing! - Los Campesinos!

See above for how i discovered this (and i also think that's a double credit to Music For Kids Who Can't Read Good). It's perfect hot weather music, or at least i think so, heh. There's very few songs i'll endure a 2 minute intro for. I just like getting straight into the juice, as it were. But, well, this song is totally worth it. Sadly there doesn't seem to be *that* much about or of this band around. Make them big. Someone?

"It's sad that you think we're all just scenesters, and even if we were it's not the scene you're thinking of"


# Graduation Day - Head Automatica

I'm sure most people are aware that i loved Decadence. Well, the follow up album Popaganda gives it a firm booting. Pure, fantastically catchy pop-rock. God i love this band! I know some of you are already going to ignore this because of the word 'pop' alone, but you shouldn't. Just give it a go. The whole album is great, so, yea, you should buy it. Or even just the Graduation Day single, which comes with an acoustic version of the song as well as a demo of God, and of course the video. Excellent!

That's all for tonight folks, i'm getting really hot sitting here, and it's gone 2am... Silly Camden messing up my body clock. Oh well... Expect more SOON. I mean it dammit. I really do *nods* Oh, that's the other excuse, work. I've got lots more time off atm (and i think i actually mean it finally) so yea. See you soon? =P

Get in to: Simple Plan

I know i know, they're far from *new* or unknown these days, but i was sitting here, toying with a few different things to blog about (just sharing *new* songs can get a bit dull) and going through my media library, i realised how little i've ever really blogged on this band. Now, i'll admit, SP aren't renowned for being the coolest or most original band out there, but they've really got a lot of bouncy pop-punk-ness that really is great to jig around to. Hehe. Jig...


# Jump - Simple Plan

This song comes from their second album (Still Not Getting Any...) and is just an awesome "get hyper now" tune, all about enjoying the bouncy guitars and jumping around to energetically. Hopefully it's not just me... The song title does bode well =D But yea, it took a while for the song to grow on me, until it came on once when i was in the prefect mood for it. Just try this when you're really looking forward to going out after having a shite day. Pre-zest-heaven!


# I'm Just a Kid - Simple Plan

I'm sure most people have this track anyway, it's a perfect example of their first album, being a great little teen-angst song. I know now being 18+ somewhat dimishes the whole relating to it thing, but it's still a good song with a good tune. In the unlikely event you don't already own the first album (No pads no helmets...just balls) and you like this song, buy it now. In fact, buy it anyway. If only for Perfect. Everyone has that already though =P


# Happy Together - Simple Plan

This cover was used for Freaky Friday. I'm fully aware the film had Lindsey Lohan in it, but it wasn't too shabby! Especially the soundtrack in fact, which besides the horrid little princess herself also included the awesome likes of Bowling For Soup (covering Baby One More Time) and American Hi-Fi. Anyway, this song appears right at the beginning and really got me liking the film from the start, hehe.


# What's New Scooby Doo? - Simple Plan

I had to finish off with this track. The band actually featured in a whole episode which i haven't seen in ages. Not that i'm a secret massive Scooby Doo fan. I just happen to have seen a fair few episodes, and the live show... Totally for Bradley of course. It was rather good though! So were the Chuckle Brothers. Oh dear, when should i have stopped?

Yup, two posts in two days!

So, here we are again already, with a few more tracks to try and keep your dull lives slightly more interesting =P Hehe. Oh, and, there's a lovely little extra track at the bottom i'm sure you're all dying to download, so, scroll down now!




So, i saw about this new album from the Punk Goes set quite a while ago now, but, to be honest i just didnt think it was gonig to be that good. Going on the covers for Song 2 and Wonderwall i feel such an opinion was well justified, the songs just aren't as good as the originals and it's pointless. But, as i scrolled down the list, i saw something that got me almost as excited as the thought i'll be seeing Zebrahead in two weeks (WOO!). A Third Eye Blind cover. That alone would provoke interest. When they then pick by far the best track on the self-titled album [for an emo loving retard anyway =D] i was ready to explode! Jumper is one of my all time favourite songs, amazingly beautiful and one of my happy/suicidal type songs. I'd try to explain that better but it's hard and *i* don't care enough, let alone you. The cover is done really beautifully and sounds just as wonderful as the original. Awesome stuff.
I also took the opportunity to check out the Alanis Morisette cover (hehe, "No ticket...") which is pretty awesome itself. I quite like miss Morisette (when not 'acting') but i think for me the song (You Oughta Know - is that middle word spelt right? Feth knows...) was made for a more grrr pop-punk manly band approach. Maybe i just prefer blokes? Ha! ;) Anyway, after that horrid overuse of brackets, you can see why i like these two songs now. Go on, you know you want to.

# Jumper - BEDlight For BlueEYES

# You Oughta Know - The Killing Moon




On an entirely random little tangent, i discovered Fall Out Boy (Well, okay, Patrick Stump, but he's blatently the best) were/was on the Live Lounge yesterday, performing Sugar, We're Going Down and a Ne Yo cover. Now, i was like "who the HELL is that" but once i listened to the song i knew what it was (thank my family's poor tastes in music!) but found myself suprisingly impressed by how well the song works when done acoustic. Appologies for the little splurt of conversation at the end but, well, sorting that out would take just too much effort =P

# So Sick (live acoustic) - Fall Out Boy


Now, i promised a bonus didn't i? Oh, here you go then. Hehe =D

I'll make you crazy

So, it's almost the end of the month and this is only my second post =( I've just been a bit preocupied lately. I miss doing this though so i'll do my best to keep things a bit more lively in June. Should be a good month, seeing as i'll be turning 19, working full-time at Waterstones and, best of all, seeing Zebrahead! That's right, hehe. I'm off to Peterborough on the 9th of June to go see them and i'm already well excited =D
Anyway, enough of me, let's just get on with some music shall we?


# Love Punch - The Chalets

Ok, so, after like a week of lsitening to this track it suddenly hit me that i'd ehard it before. Where? The awesome PopWorld advert(see below). Or so i thought... I hadn't seen the advert for ages, and i've been having second thoughts about my blurred memory (it's amazing quite what you can combine when it's what you want to "hear"), The song in question is in fact White Trash - Junior Senior, so, where the fuck did i hear this track?! ARGH.
Oh, right, the song. Yea, it's awesome. The chalet's have a great little poppy-indie-bouncy vibe that i really enjoy. To me they feel like a more mature version of Ley Royal Scam. Great stuff.





# Nervous - DJ Fresh Ft. Mary Byker

So i've been paying more and more attention to HMV's New Music section/booklet/cd recently and here is one of the many rewards from it. The final track on the latest cd (May 06) is this wonderful little number. It has a very strong Pendulum vibe and i've become addicted to it in an amazingly short space of time. If you like Slam, try this.


# Crazy (live acoustic) - The Kooks

I believe this is a live lounge track (i'd listen to it more if it didn't always make me spend ages trying to track down the covers i adore!) and is an excellent cover of the already awesome (although sadly now overplayed) Gnarls Barkley track. It's got an insanely different feel to the whole song, which is great, although i must admit that the lead singers voice is *finally* starting to grate a little bit. I can't see a second album being so popular...


As a random extra, the following is the Lithuanian entry for Eurovision which i'm quite happy to say i didn't watch. However, Han got me to watch this video of their entry and i LOVE it! The song itself is oddly catchy and addictive, but, just watch it for the crazy bald man on the left! He's so relaxed and seemingly un-energetic untill about 90 seconds in... =D

Are you feeling my disco?

I'm feelin a bit retro tonight. Thank Sarah actually, she got me thinking about two of the following songs, and, yea. It's amazing the songs you just forget about, even when you used to lsiten to them all the time *back in the day*. I miss these songs, and hope you do too?! =P


# Bother - Stone Sour

Currently still the only song i've heard by the band i've really liked, if anyone knows of any others that are on par, then by all means let me know! Until then, if you haven't heard this, well, listen to it... I'll admit, this has quite a Nickelback/Silverchair feel, and it's not overly happy, but i think the song's rather purdiful.

"Wish i was too dead to care, if indeed i cared at all..."


# I Feel So - Box Car Racer

Wonderful little angst song which made buying the album basically just for There Is (one of the most purdiful songs *ever*) muchly worthwhile. Great for when you're feeling really messed up and depressed, but also a damn good rockin listen when you just want something a bit *harder* and, angrier. Sitting inside all of us is the parent/life/tarffic warden hating daemon that needs to be fed.


# Voices - Disturbed

Talking of teenage angst... XD Hehe. The Sickness by Disturbed is an amazing album as a whole for being a messed up kid. It's something you can so easily get lost in, jump around and sing madly to, until you get pent up enough to let all your rage out on the nearest inanamate(sp?) object (in my case mostly the kitchen door). It's quite a odd song ("I'm gonna talk about some freaky shit now") but it's a perfect intro into the whole Sickness album. Get angry. Buy the album. Possibly the other way around. Actually...neither of those sounds good. Oh well, spread the anger. =P


# Running From Your Dad - Bowling For Soup

On a much lighter note, we have a great song, origianlly recomended to me by the, lets face it, insane, Libby =D This is a quality song that still makes me smile. It's not mature, i sincerly hope no one can actually relate to it, but with such an awesome chorus, who cares?!

"I can still see your dad, running after me with a shovel in his hand. I don't remember much after that..."

Gig-ness: Hell Is For Heroes

So, Monday night, i went to the Soul Tree in Cambridge to go see HIFH's with Han. Now despite owning both their albums, i still haven't got into them properly, but do like quite a lot of their stuff. This emant i went with a bit of trepidation, unsure of how much i'd enjoy the gig to be honest, but i still usually enjoy local gigs where i dont know much, but, it's just not the same as singing alnog the whole way through is it =P
Anyway, we'll start with the support. First up were Orko, a rather cool band from Glasgow. I thought the lead singer was rather cute, haha, and the bassist looked like he was having a lot of fun, although spending most the set facing the drummer did seem somewhat odd. They were pretty good though, and had a nice friendly kinda presence thing going on, which i liked.
Next up were the equally "pretty damn good" Keiko, and their bassist was mcuh more entertaining. He did, weird, leg, dancing, type....stuff.... Yea, i spose you had to be there. But Han and I really liked him! The lead wasn't so great though in my opinion, both in presence and attractiveness :/ He tried a little too hard for my liking. It was towards to end (i assume) of their set, that, well. I, fainted... Opps? It wasn't the alcohol (i was only 5 bottles down and i think pretty much everyone i know has seen me capably walking after more than double that most weeks at Zest =P) but the packed-in-ness and heat just made me totally go. I dont really remember it well, but i remember feeling more and more...well, sleepy i guess is the ebst description. Next thing i know i'm outside with Han and a couple of really nice people who were just random gig-going-lovelies. The woman was a Canadian nurse person, and her bloke a Cambridge student, and, yea, they were really nice, and she got me water *nods* I'd also like to point out Han was willing to go home at this point, instead of seeing HIFH's. She rocks. But obviosuly i couldnt do that too her, so we went back in. Didnt feel that great in there, so just stood at the back to watch HIFH while Han wwedged her way forwards again.
So, moving on from my little adventure, the main band themselves! As noted, i wasnt feeling that great, so i couldnt pay heavy focus on their set, but i *did* really enjoy I Can Climb Mountains and Boys Don't Cry. It wasnt a life-changing set (sorry Han!) but would definately be up for seeing them again. They played a load of pretty decent songs which i couldnt help but jig/tap/generally be weird to. Muchly good stuff.
Thanks to my state though, besides the two aforementioned songs, i didn't recognise anything else played. Bad Jon-man. Add to this that i think i've already posted I Can Climb Mountains, and don't *have* their cover of Boys Don't Cry, this leaves the mp3 side of this post a little weak. You'll just have to make do with the three bands MySpace pages. Sorry!

Sunday, the day of the Zebra (head). Yea...

Pffft, i shouldn't need reason to have a random Zebrahead post. I just want one. Bitch. Sadly, still waiting on Broadcast To The World, they never used to be so bad with updates i'm sure =( It makes me sad. But oh well. It is a fantastic album, even if i've only got it on here, and i spose it's time to share a couple more tracks from it for those poor few who have yet to hear it properly! It's not as good as MFZB, but it's a damn close second. Damn damn damn close! Hehe. Damn. What a word. Oh, right, songs...


# Back To Normal - Zebrahead

So a pretty punk-pop kinda vibe here, with Zebraheads rockin lyrics and punch, and it's my second best track after the wonderful Anthem. I like the way Zebrahead manage to make songs with such *depressing* topics so wonderful and upbeat. It's similar to Reel Big Fish's Cheer Up album stylee in some ways, but, y'know, with more rockin' guitars and rapping =P


# Your New Boyfriend Wears Girl Pants - Zebrahead

Really can't remember if i've already posted this track, but, to be honest, so what if i have. It's fantastic. It's actually the last track on the album (ignoring Japanese bonus tracks, boo hiss! =P) and is a really nice melodic number. As with Back To Normal, it's a much more, shall we say *emo*/pop-punk style song. The new album is far from entirely this, but it does seem a drastic change from their proper rap-metal origins.


# Into You (live acoustic) - Zebrahead

From the same radio session as last posts Surrender, here's the fantastic MFZB track in all it's acoustic glory =D The only annoying thing is the opening! The way he says "into you" just, ARGH. So iritating, hehe. I think this song does really work quite qwell as an acoustic song. It's obviously much less agressive, but it plays on the strength of the lyrics, which can only be good!


# Fuck, Fuck, Fuck (live) - Zebrahead

This track comes from the lovely little live MFZB Fanclub cd, which i might add is rather great! Must get that back off Eddie soon. It's just a random little number, but i rather like it as a short little break between other songs. And with a title like that, it can't be bad =D

Even more?!

Pffft, i like my rambles, so, screw you. Coherent themes are for....coherent people. And don't spell check me on that, you know what i mean. Oh, and, the first two tracks have been swipped from A Disillusioned Japanophile Deals Death to the Neocons with a Samurai Sword! It's a rather cool mp3 blog i stumbled across the other day and fell in love with already. Yay!


# The Adventure - Angels & Airwaves

I got annoyed about the hype over this band to start with, not because i didn't think they'd be good, but because it was all started before anything was actually released. But finally proper stuff has appeared, which has now actually gone into full blown album leak-ness, and i really am impressed with everything i've heard. This song is the lead single for the album, and has already had airplay on Radio 1. Oh, and, yea, for the few who don't know, this is of course Tom DeLonge's new band. Wooo.... Haha.


# MakeDamnSure - Taking Back Sunday

I admit to still not having properly listened to this band, but, as i was washing up the other day, Miss Whiley put this great new track from their forthcoming album (well, forthcoming being MONDAY people) on and i was hooked straight away. So i'll be purchasing that asap (adding ever more to my list of cool new albums coming out in the insanely near future) and see how that goes. =)


# Turn Me On "Mr Deadman" - The Union Underground

I have to confess, Mike was the one who originally put this album on my computer a *long* time ago, back in the days of "let's piss of Jon's family by getting here earlier and earlier on Tuesday mornings before school" hehe. Good old Mike :D But yea, he recomended following my love of Disturbed, and this track always stood out. The thing is until a couple of months ago i'd forgotten i had it on here. Upon getting back into it i *had* to buy the album, and it is pretty good, but this is the real standout track for me. The title does sound a little unerving, but, y'know. It's better than "Violent Love" right? No? Damn...
It's a nice heavy-ish track, and quite fun to just lose yourself in. I miss the angst-filled days of Disturbed now =(


# Surrender (live acoustic) - Zebrahead

In honor of Broadcast To The World FINALLY being geared up for website-release-ness, i went on somehwat of a Zebrahead download spree, getting hold of a load new live/acoustic/random tracks, and this is one of my favourites from it. For those who don't know, Surrender was one of the bonus tracks on the Japanese version of MFZB, and this is a live acoustic version from Japanese radio [lucky bastards :'(] a few years back. It's a really cool song, and the more i lsiten to it the more i want to start getting Japanese imports. Even though i have the tracks on here. Damn my thirst for cd's! Wait no, i take that back...
Expect more Zebrahead SOON! =D

More random stuff

So once again, let me try and show you some of the great bands i've more recently got in to, and you can see for yourselves why they're so great =)


# Portions For Foxes - Rilo Kiley

I got this track off one of the many mp3 blogs i read, qutie a while ago now. The thing is, most of them specialise in pretty basic "awesome new" indie bands, so, it often takes me a while to get into any of them properly. But the more times this song popped up on shuffle, the more i loved it. On that alone, when i saw the album in hmv the other day, i had to buy it, and so far i've really liked everything i've heard from it. It also came highly recomended by the guy in there who looks like the geek from the IT crowd (i really like him :/) so yea, that's a further good opinion, hehe.


# Yr Still Not Awesome - Ley Royal Scam

I can't *quite* put a finger on why i fell in love with this band in the first place, but they are a really nice breath of fresh air. It's like, bouncy American imature rocky pop, which, in theory should be terrible, but, for some reason i love it. I got their cd last month and the first five tracks especially are really good. Just try this out and see what you think. You can download all their songs for free from PureVolume.

"Take me off your buddy list, cause i'm gonna block you anyway"


# Talk Hard - Miss Black America

I went to the Steamboat just over a week ago to go see Charlie Brown/Making Eyes At Elvis, and they were playing down to the headlining Miss Black America. Now as those of you who went know, it went a little different because MBA were playing an acoustic set and they didnt feel it was right to end a gig night like that, so played after CB/MEAE (that looks sucky!). Anyway, the point is they were really amazing. The girl he was playing with also did some of her solo stuff as well (unless i was just too drunk to notice Seymour still singing, haha) which was good too. I assume she's a more recent addition to the band, if only on some dates/songs, but the duo really worked well that night, on and off the stage!
[Note: Cheese sandwiches should be given to me at all gigs]
I definately intend to make a point of seeing them again, and of course get hold of an album or two in the very near future. Until then, share my love with this great track!


# The House Wins - OK Go

This track has been my favourite OK Go track for quite a long time, and their second album where it comes from, has finally been released over here. Don't expect anything Get Over It about this song. It's a much more laid back relaxed track that finishes the album on, well, a rather depressing note actually, but a very good one.

"You don't have to have lost to be lost"

It's been a while...

So with various stuff going on, i seem to be spending considerably less time on here, or at least on here aimlessly :P
Sadly this has meant i've not really been able to do my blog for one reason or another. The plus side to this is the large number of rockin songs i have to share with you, so, without further ramblings, "let's get going"...


# Broken Wings - Bleed The Dream

This is the song i bought the album which arrived this morning for (i think that makes sense?!). Now, it turns out the version i knew was the acoustic from an earlier EP deely, however, the plus side is, the full band track is AMAZING! I love the lyrics to this song, and, yea. This is a very rockin song and i can't stop playing it already! Listen. Love.


# About Trains - Making Eyes At Elvis

Time to update your mp3's everyone. Charlie Brown have finally changed their name! Meet Making Eyes At Elvis! I'm not so keen on the new name, but this great new song that they were giving away on cd at the Steamboat friday is great! You can also download it from their MySpace page, but, y'know. My bandwidth is better. Bitch.


# Violent Love - The Matches & Zebrahead

I picked this up online from somewhere, and, at first, i was like "hmmmm". Hehe. It's very bouncy, but, yknow, covering a song who's main lyrics are "i want to make violent love to you" sounds a little odd. But as the days passed it got more stuck into my head. I've also discovered it's a great anthem for general horny-ness =P Doesn't *have* to mean actual 'violent love' (you hear that Mike?!) hehe. Plus, y'know, Zebrahead.


# Overcome - Live

This song was how The Shield series 2 ended. Perfectly suited. I love it. With a fucking PASSION! Very beautiful song. Need i say more? Well, yes... I don't actually knowing anything else about the band/person what so ever, which is terrible of me i know, but, this song is great. And on a related note so is the shield. Instead of just downloading this actually, you should go buy The Shield. Or just come round mine and watch it. I'm gonna make Han watch it now, haha. I miss it!


So there's four songs to get things started. I will now try and get back into regular posting, i've bought quite a few new albums lately, so, yea. Hope you like these =)

Songs of the week

Despite missing last week's SOTW due to being too into Yellowcard, you still got to hear pretty much all the best stuff, heh. But this week i've got a trio of great songs to share with you...


# Let's Get Fucked Up And Die - Motion City Soundtrack

I can't get enough of this great song atm. It's another great little number from Commit This To Memory. It's a really great song with some fantastic lyrics, really following on from the previously posted Attractive Today to show what a great album this is. It's not about actually killing yourself, just about giving in for the moment, and getting *wasted* one way or another. Fantastic =)

"I believe i can overcome everything and beat this in the end, but i chose to abuse for the time being. Maybe i'll win but for now i've decided to die"


# The Artist In The Ambulance - Thrice

So Mike bought me the album of the same name for Christmas, and i've been slowly listening to it more and more, and this definately is currently my favourite track from it. All that time of not knowing *that song from Zest* i now sooo regret! It's brilliant with it's bouncy rocking-ness and great thinky-making topic-ness. Yea i'm great with those word things :D I know most of you will already have this, but, this is for the few who are even more behind me in loving it.

"Now i lay here owing my life to a stranger, and i realise empty words are not enough"


# What A Year For A New Year - Dan Wilson

Hopefully that name rings a bell. I love Mr Wilson. He's worked on the editing side of things with the Gabe Dixon Band who are *amazing*. Oh and he was in some band called *Semisonc* =P Seriously, if you like their stuff, you'll like his solo work. I have yet to venture into the older work with Trip Shakespeare, but i'll get round to it. A very personal sounding ballady type song all about the fresh new start we all need now again and really lovely :) I want this on a Semisonic album. Someone get them back together and make it happen. They are just, hmmm. I miss them :(

"And our world is almost beautiful again, what a day for a new day"

Acoustic Friday?!

Just for you James =P Decided it'd been long enough since we had a lil acoustic showcase. Every now and then it's just nice to listen to something a little different to the norm. Now of course now all acoustic tracks sounds great, but they definately have twists, in both music (obviously) but also the emotion in the singers voice. Anyway, enough rambling, "let's get going". What's that from? Hmmmmm. Ohhhh! My o2 topup line! Haha!


# Ocean Avenue (acoustic) - Yellowcard

I'm sorry if anyones getting fed up of all the Yellowcard stuff, but i've really got back into them again atm, and i like their acoustic work. It sounds lovely. Sadly this AOL session track isn't of the greatest quality, but i do really love it. You can watch/lisetn to it on WinAmp music if you've got it. More reason why everyone should!


# The Reason (acoustic) - Hoobastank

I really love this song, it's fantastic. It's just got some real feelnig to it. What i mean is really i love doing karaoke to it on my nieces Singstar game :D Haha. Absolutely fantastic i assure you. I have like the voice of an angel =P Hehe, yea right! Anyway. Pretty straight forward conversion obviously, and not as much power to the voice. And "and the pain i put you through" sounds painful, but it's nice and soft which the original, well, isn't =P


# Photograph (acoustic) - Nickelback

The proper studio quality number of the trio, this comes from the Far Away single, and i think really suits the song. Of course it's the lead single of the latest Nickelback album, so follows along the similar line of soft-rock tracks as How You Remind Me and Someday. But don't run off fearing that. It's a nice little song. One day i'll prove to everyone they're a good band. You wait :P

Album Love: Unearthed - E.S.Posthumus

So i've been getting a bit fed up of posting the same kind of music at the moment. I'm just in a muchly pop-punky kinda phase. Anyway, to break that, i thought i'd share this little gem with you =) This is still my number one album to fall asleep to, beating not only my own compilation cd Remember To Whisper Goodbye When You Learn To Fly but even standing up against my Winnie the Pooh audio books! Hehe.


# Antissa - E.S.Posthumus

The opening track to this album really starts it off on an fantastically gorgeous note. You'll come to realise very quickly that the music portrayed on this album is a very unique and interesting blend of music. They are classical based compositions, which incorporate strong melodies and beats to make a truely gorgeous yet powerful experience. Yup. I know that may sound a bit ott, but, i love this album =)


# Nara - E.S.Posthumus

I originally got into E.S.Posthumus after Kate got me to listen to this song. It starts off lovely and soft, but quickly builds up to a more powerful level, which really comes through torwards the end. This has become a definate all time favourite track, and is wonderful for just letting go to. It's nice and easy to get lost in if you just focus on it. Sometimes it's great to just get away from thinking at all and songs with lyrics don't always help!


# Pompeii - E.S.Posthumus

The tunes all have their musical strength one way or another, but i love the agression in this number. Listening to Pompeii nice and loud is a wonderful experience. It reminds me of the Red Alert soundtrack, which is still fookin amazing i might add. Good enough a reason to play the game on its own :P Anyway!

All the tracks on this album have their own unique flavour, their own twist, but it's all based on a great contrast of musical ideas and styles that culminate in one great experience. If you like these tracks i strongly suggest you get yourself a copy of the album as it sounds its best when played all together in order. Oh and aside from great music, i love the album artwork too =)

Topic Time: Falling Apart

So we all have those moments when it just feels like the ground has dissapeared under our feet. When everything we thought we had suddenly seems to have dissapeared. Of course in my experience this tends to mostly correlate to relationships, but its far from exclusive to that one event.
Anyway, once again with the TT tradition, here's my current pick of songs to go along with such an emotional occasion.


# Falling Apart - Zebrahead

Lets get the agression out of the way with this first track. Perfect for those first moments when you just want to scream and shout and hit things and generally go "RAAAAAAAR" hehe =) It comes from my continously over-rambled about album MFZB which you should buy. Now. Even if you already own it.


# Down On My Head - Yellowcard

Taken from the new Lights and Sounds album, this lovely little number has really been one of the stand out tracks from it so far, and, i have to say sounded fantastic Saturday night :) It's a pretty typical teenage emotional *pain* fuelled number that reminds me of Simple Plan's first album. A song doesn't have to be cool to be good =P

"I'm not sure how i'm gonna do this all again"


# Somebody Get My Mum - Bowling For Soup

I never used to take this song seriously. Then i listened to it when i was feeling kinda *wrecked* and it was amazing! Now, as most of you know i don't exactly have the best relationship with my mum, but at times you do really need your family around you. It's amazing how much 'pain' can change your persepctive of things and people. But yes, if you haven't before, just try this song when you're feeling kinda totalled. It's lovely! More so i'm sure if you do really love your mum and she is actually around. Otherwise not quite so sure it'd help...

"I think somethings broken again, and i don't wanna be just friends"

Today is tomorrow is....yea.....

So, ummm, may be *slightly* doing Mondays post on Tuesday again. Blame a strange day. And the fact i've now gotta get going out. Zest tonight! Everybody get up? =P

Gig-ness: Yellowcard

So... yesterday i went on a lil car trip with James to Norwich UEA to go see the fantastimatic Yellowcard. I've never been to the Lcr before but i was impressed, twas a pretty coolies place. Except with how packed in the main floor was with small flailing kids, but i guess that was to be expected.
We got there at a decent time but had to stand around in the freezing cold for what felt like ages (best part of an hour :/) surrounded by small emo children. Hehe. Children. Anyway... It was an early doors deely, so like 7-10, but twas yes, muchly good.
The support were the odd Engerica (No! En-jerica! :D). Now i did quite enjoy some of their toons, in that i was hyped up and they were rather *rockin* heh. But i was insanely dissapointed to not only hear the line "Jesus wept and gave me a hard on" but also see t-shirts for sale with it on. It was a step too far in trying to be cool by pushing the boundries as it were. Oh well. They had to be sucky for some reason :P Still probably gonna buy their debut album which comes out Monday, see what it's like.
On to the main though, and YAY Yellowcard were AMAZING! Really *really* good. Lets start with the set-list....

Lights and Sounds
Way Away
Avondale
Only One
Sure Thing Falling
Life Of A Salesman
Empty Apartment
Rough Landing, Holly
Cigarette
Believe
Down On My Head
October Nights
Breathing
Holly Wood Died
Ocean Avenue

15 tracks. Almost 15 amazing tracks. The only two i'd change would definately have been the two One For The Kids tracks Cigarette abd October Nights. They're just....hmmm. I'm not really a big fan of the album. In saying that, Cigarette was done muchly more rocky than the album version, so it was pretty cool still.
The opening was so awesome though. Just suddenly hearing Lights And Sounds kick in was GREAT and yes my head did rock muchly to that, haha. Following it straight up with Way Away just had my body pumped up with adrenaline perfectly timed for Avondale. Didn't seem like so many people actually *knew* that one, but, that's caus you're all silly and should already own The Underdog EP. It's basically an extension of the following Ocean Avenue album, muchly similar style wise. And great because of it! I think my real real favourite of the night was probably Breathing though. I love the *weight* behind the song normally, a rather bouncy hard rocky number as it is, but live it was just, words can't describe it! Hehe. It sounded so fooking AMAZING. They did stick a loooooong drum solo in the middle of it (where everyone else wandered off and my side of the stage we all just watched Ryan sit down with a towel over his head :S) but it got right back into the real kick of the song after that. I HAVE to see them again, if only for that song. Not sure it could ever be better though! Happiness is =)
But yea, they finished up, suprise suprise, with the fantastimatic sing-along track Ocean Avenue which had to be done. Was enjoyable, but, after Breathing it didnt really feel that *fantastic* to me. *shrugs* It was actually quite nice the gig finishing at 10, because it meant James dropped me back home again at half eleven (after a nice car journey of me singing along to any hyper song i could find on my shuffle) and yea, it was just, great. Fantastic night out. Can't wait til i pass my test, i intend to do that more often! Hehe. Although means i can't drink 5 bottles of Smirnoff (bloody £2.80 each!) if i'm driving :( Oh well, pure adrenaline will have to do!
So anyway, as this is a music blog, you can have my pick of the songs played last night =)


# Breathing - Yellowcard

# Lights and Sounds - Yellowcard

# Avondale - Yellowcard

Club night

So i've spent the last couple of days addicted to some of my favourite remixes, mainly fuelled by listening to Hidden Fortress work. I never used to be a big fan of song remixes, and, when done badly they can ruin a good song, but sometimes they really can not only add to the dance factor but to the feel of the song as a whole. The three tracks below should hopefully give you an example of what i mean. Don't just disregard them at first listen, give them a proper go, see what you think =)


# Chemistry (Drumhammer remix) - Semisonic

As found on the Chemistry single this song has become one of my all time favourites (okay theres quite a lot but it's still a good thing :P). It takes what was a good song before and really enhances the the sound of it, bringing the guitar and drums really to the fore. Of course, it's no longer a Semisonic album track, but i really think it's a great evolution of the original idea.


# Where's The Pleasure? (Bimbo Jones Vox Mix) - Protocol

I fell in love with the original song rather quickly, but this wonderful b-side has come to replace it's play-time on my computer. What we have here is the same song (shockingly) and like Chemistry the sound has been enhanced, but with less alterations to the main song. With of course the *slight* overall extension to eight and a half minutes! It's got the exact same focus and spirit of the original, just with a more enhanced beat and rocking-ness!


# Dance, Dance (Patrick Stump Secret Agent Mix) - Fall Out Boy

As if i hadn't already sold you the idea of buying singles then here we have another fine example. The two Sugar, We're Goin' Down releases gave us two 'new' tracks and this strange little remix. Now i'll admit, when i first heard this i was like "what?!" and really, really thought it'd never see light of day again. However, after hearing Dance, Dance at Zest monday, i decided to randomly give it another go. And it's really become oddly addictive. It's got such a strange, slightly haunting twist. The same great song is hidden under some very odd layers. Very very odd. But definately a uniquely refreshing twist to 'standard' FoB.

*bangs head* waylaid and busy again :(

So once again i cant keep up with the 4 posts a week deely. Its silly caus it doesnt take long but my heads all over the place atm with different things.
However, what i can suggest is 10 Re-mixes To Pay For Our Love Hotel Bills. Matt dropped my copy round this morning and it's really growing on me already. Click on the banner deely below for more info, and you can also listen to clips for 3 of the tracks too. Of course, they also have a lovely lil MySpace page. Expect more about them in the near future!

Songs of the week

First up i have to say; go listen to Anthem by Zebrahead again. I can't get enough of that number this week, tis great. But you want other stuff eh? Fine...


# Generator - The Holloways

Besides a pretty basic website and a MySpace page, there's not loads about on this band. Quite a few websites have picked up on this track though as a wonderfully bouncy little song that has such a great attitude to it. Listen. Now. Took me a few plays to get *into* it but yea, it's really great =)


# Lucky - 2 Hour Parking

I did a Get in to post on this band a short while ago, and since then haven't been able to stop playing this track. It's definately their best song that i've heard [possibly up to an amazing 5 now - I WANT THEIR FOOKING ALBUM :(]. It holds their 'characteristic' (haha, again, my idea from so few songs!) rebelious charm. They're just like Avril Lavigne gone a bit indie :D I'm sure that's a compliment somehow...


# The Days Go By Oh So Slow - Nightmare Of You


So these guys album finally arrived this week. YAY! It's great. They're really, hmmmm. I can't describe how they managed to feel so different to a lot of stuff i already like, but, they really seem it. Feels like a kind of PATD emo charm mxied with wonderfully bouncy vocal led mooooozic. Me likies muchly. This song however is really my favourite so far by a long long loooooong way. The lyrics are just loverly.

"I'm yours if you want it, i can be yours to spend your life with, i can be yours, we'll hide indoors, petrified of the world."

Get in to: And Then I Turned Seven

Formally knowing as '...And Then I Turned Seven...' the band recently released a new lil ep deely, The Jamestown Story, which has seen them develop into a more mature little emo-acoustic outfit. Once again, they're another lovely band i stumbled across on PureVolume, when i was in a very "gargh i'm depressed lets listen to painful acoustic stuff" but i've recent;y come back to enjoy them whilst, well, *not* miserable :P


# Sweet Dreams - And Then I Turned Seven

Now, i'll admit, their first ep/album Broken Summer had some rather poor lyrics, mixed in with some real jems. The band as a whole is very nice and i feel works really well, but at times you can really see why they're not *huge*. However i still find some of their songs to really hit a certain spot emotionally, and this is one of them. It's all about *really* liking someone but not actually being with them. Yet... :P It's lovely.

"Your bright eyes, resupply, my head knowing that you're just like me"


# In Loving Memory - And Then I Turned Seven

I haven't 'fallen' for the newer cd released in the same way, i think partly because it's only 5 tracks long really, but i'm sure i will when i hit the right kind of phase again. I do like the songs though, and as noted i feel they have taken a step forward in maturity. It's still generally whiney acoustic ramblings, *that* ahsn't changed. Most people misinterpret such genre bands *as* immature but i feel they definately have their place.

If you like either of these tracks i certainly recomend checking out the band a lil more, as linked above they have a PureVolume page and can also be found on MySpace.


I Need You - And Then I Turned Seven

As a random *bonus* to their first cd, they had a strange little techno type number sat unlisted at the end. It's quite basic and not exactly 'tune of the year' but i really like it. Once again it's a strong like/obsessiony type trak, which i seem to have a major weakness to :P This is nothing like the band's normal material, so it's worth just having a quick listen!

"Hello there. Good to see you. How are you? I need you..."

Pre-Albumy Love: Broadcast To The World - Zebrahead

Zebrahead's latest album has been released in Japan, but as yet despite it's "definate" release on their online store by the end of Feb, it's not yet avilable properly for Uk/Us fans, which is really iritating. However, not being overly patient, i've managed to aquire a number of the tracks already, and, wow. I was a bit nervous they're material wouldn't be as good with a new lead, but, i was muchly wrong. I've heard about 7 of the tracks so far, and they're really great. As *soon* as this album becomes available i recomend people to get hold of it, and, well, if it's much longer i'm just gonna grab a Japan copy.
The band have stuck with the more mature road displayed best in MFZB, and although the tunes aren't of the same top class bouncy nature, they've still got some addictive melodies and great lyrics. At heart this is still the band we all know and love (and if you don't, well, you do now. Ok? OKAY?!). Oh, and, yea, here's a couple of tracks so you can see what you think for yourself :P

# Broadcast To The World - Zebrahead

# Anthem - Zebrahead

Keep your eyes peeled on the official Zebrahead website for album availability once they get their arses back into gear :P

Topic Time: Cheer up!

So, it's monday morning. Usually a time to be low and feel depressed that antoerh weekends over and a boring week of work/uni is about to begin. Strangely i pick to do this topic *today* because it's actually a really rockin day for me, hehe. And Zest tonight! WOOO! Anyway, just thought today i'd pick from my collection a few songs that really help lift the spirits when feelin a bit down. See how considerate i am? :P


# Sunny Hours - Long Beach Dub All Stars

I first heard this as the opening credits to Joey, and fell in lurve. The LBDAs, for those who don't know, and the basically updated Sublime, minus a dead lead singer. I'd dwell on that for some form of respect, but, yknow. Bit late now. So... Heh. This song is basically about looking at the bright side of life, and holding your head up high, and the number of times i've felt a bit shite, and just this little song popping up on my shuffle has turned it all around. It really uplifts. At least it works for me anyway, i'm sure everyone else will now hate it :P


# Shut Up And Smile - Bowling For Soup

Another great track from A Hangover You Don't Deserve, the thought of just washing away all life's trouble with "Ice cream and a hug" is a great idea, and, usually true. Most of our *problems* are realistically pathetic and small, so these little things can really give us reason to live again, haha. It's another bouncy little number, and gets a bit anthem/chanty towards the end, which is nothing to comaplin about. Personally i've found this song best enjoyed whilst drunk! "Maybe we're a little drunk" hehe =)

"Does life really suck? Are we just complainin'..."


# Cheer Up - Reel Big Fish

The title says it all. Taken from the recently "album loved" cd of the same name, RBF opt for an all out "life is crap" song but building such a uplifting tune around it helps bright a lil bit of cheer to those dark and dreary days, hehe. Also, if you still haven't BOUGHT the album, do so NOW! Oh and sadly no i don't have that amazon deely set up where i make money if you do, i just really think everyone should own this album. It's amaaaaazing! :P

Songs of the week

So this week has been my first proper week of being back into music after being ill. I spent most of my 'recovery' time reading and watching stuff. Being unable to jump around sing and dance to my music made it mostly crappy. However, i've thrown myself back into my musical realm of happiness with a vegence, and, YAY! This week has been a very bouncy pop-punky kinda week with a lot of One:Day:Life and Fall Out Boy and such.
Anyway, here's my three pick's from my "can't get enough" songs this week.


# Attractive Today - Motion City Soundtrack

I prefer this to The Future Freaks Me Out. I could stop there. It's AMAZING. It's such a great tune, the lyrics are the best MCS i've heard, although the entire Commit This To Memory is written to a high standard. Just BRILLIANT bouncy jiggy-ness. I think it won me with "I'm also fed up with the fucking common cold" hehe. It's just, yea. It really is like when i first heard TFFMO, but, more so?! I love you Motion City Soundtrack!

"As i sip this drink, i think about my lack of future, and all the places i could learn to fall in love"


# Animals - Nickelback

My current favourite track off All The Right Reasons, it's a muchly rocky song, and i just love the 'story'. It's the entertaining use of metatphor without damaging the spirit of the song. A lot of "sex" styled songs do that and it's a shame, but i really like the descriptions and stuff in this. And no i don't mean i like perving over the idea of car blow-jobs, but, it's just, it makes me smile. As with most Nickelback rockin songs, i find it so easy to get lost in too.


# Daylight Robbery - Imogen Heap

The third track to feature in this blog from miss Heap's Speak For Yourself [track list is WRONG, see import version for correct] and definately the most rocky number from it. I love listening to the intro muchly loud, it sounds fantastic! It really is a great album and if you like any of the tracks from it, then i'm pretty sure you'll adore the rest.

On a slight tangent as well, i decided to do a playlist of some of what i'd like to be played at Monday Night Zest on my MySpace blog last night. Hehe. I need to get out more... Like tomorrow to aforementioned ZEST :D

Album Love: Cheer Up - Reel Big Fish

"You and I are mortal, but rock 'n' roll will never die."
What a fantastic way to open an album :D Reel Big Fish get straight to the point with the very first track on this fantastic album, delivering bouncy guitar loveliness that you cant help but get lost in. It's probably the not only maturist album brought out by the guys, but also the most guitar driven. There's a lot more depth and *toonz* in the riffs of this album than in the trumpets and/or whatever, heh. But it's still done in a gorgeous blend of bounciness that really makes Reel Big Fish stand out.


# Where Have You Been? - Reel Big Fish

Most people's favourite track on the album, Where Have You Been? is a great post break-up number that is actually a rather suprising feature for the band. The song could quite easily be of a more *standard* emo punk-pop band, but RBF manage to not only give it there own edge, but do it better too.


# Suckers - Reel Big Fish

Straight after that wonderful little song we go into the real anthemic number of the album. It starts of with a great lil mini-sketch, which gets rounded off at the end of the song, that just adds to it's great personality. As with before we get to see a wonderful depressing topic performed in such a musically uplifting manor that the urge to sing out loud usually breaks through. Personally, i absolutely adore the build up that starts just over halfway through that leads to the real sing-along chorus at the end. =)

"This song is brought to you in part by all the suckers who still believe in love, this ones for you..."


# Drunk Again - Reel Big Fish

Now what makes this album so amazing and non-repetitive is the fact that latter on we see such unique tracks that really shows that the band aren't limited to just rocking along. An acapella version of New York, New York works suprisingly well, as well as a nice little (almost entirely) instrumental track; Sayonara Senorita. But what really stood out for me was the above track, an unexpectedly emotional ballad. Yea okay its rather depressing, but when you think into the songs more, the whole album is! It just makes such a great emotive and bouncy listen that i assure you, you won't regret. Buy this album. Now =)

Get in to: 2 Hour Parking

I found this lil band on PureVolume a *long* time ago now, and i've always liked the few songs i've had (Now up to an amazing 4) but have been unable to obtain the album. The only place that sells the album doesn't ship to the uk. Raaar! So basically it's left me with a very small little set of their songs that i none the less really like, and think others should appreciate too. This would be a band to be proud of in our local scene if nothing else!


# Bill - 2 Hour Parking

So first up is this rather strange little song. It's all about this "real smooth" guy who i can only assume is some random person the band knows?! Heh. Bill Morache is not a name that rings any bells, but, anyway... The sheer randomness of the song actually turned me off the band to start with, but, when it kept randomly popping up on shuffle, it kept growing. It's got so much charm and personality to it, i just really REALLY like it now! Just keep hold of it, play it every so often, you'll learn to love it. Hehe. And thankfully it's not one of those "annoying stuck in your head" numbers, its a really good song!


# On My Own - 2 Hour Parking

This songs much more serious and punk-pop-rocky and it's got some cool lyrics as well as catchy tune. It's a very defiant song of screw you i'm gonna make it which is always good for when you're feeling a little low and alone. Maybe it's just me but the words make me visualise her (the lead) being very agressive and litterally fighting off their (random silly not nice people *nods*) attempts to hold her down as it were. Maybe that's just because my heads real messed up :P

Anyway, they're a really nice little band, and i'm still hoping to be able to get hold of their album sometime this year. If anyone can help with that it would be greatly appreciated. If you want to hear a little bit more of their stuff, then besides PureVolume they've of course got a MySpace page and their official website is 2hourparking.com.

Great Start...

So yea yesterday was a bit strnage, in some ways nothing happened in others lots. It's just, hmmm. It was odd... Anyway, certain events kinda culminated in me missing my post. So here we go with a Tuesday post. I'm sure you're all insanely excited after that pointless ramble.


# Put Your Records On - Corinne Bailey Rae

Radio One have been playing this track for a fair lil while now, and i've been desperately waiting for it to be released to get a decent copy of the track. It's really gorgeous, and i can't wait to see if the rest of the album is on par with it.


# Thumbelina - Nightmare Of You

I notifed on msn that a lot of people seem to have been listening to this band recently, and it was on my 'list' of things to check in to, when it was shot to the fore with lovely Jo sending me this track. It's great! You can check more of their stuff at MySpace and PureVolume with their official site here! Hehe.

Sadly that's all you're gonna get today because i've got stuff to do :$ I got hold of the Plain White T's album All That We Needed eysterday, as well as MCS' Commit This To Memory, so expect looks into both of those muchly soon. Now i need to go bitch at a stupid cd import company for not protecting their cd's properly. Bastards!

I'm back! Kind of...

So, finally starting to feel properly better now, in the sense i can sit for moderate long periods again, heh. Basically though, due to being pretty much stuck at home for the past couple of weeks, i've not got much new music to share with you atm which is lame i know :(
So basically, today's small post is just really to tell you that, heh, and that i'll try and get something proper sorted for tomorrow, get back into the swing of things =)

Not well :(

Not only am i not feeling *better* yet it's actually worse, heh. In quite a lot of pain atm so really not focused enough to do any proper posting at the moment which is kinda sucky :(


HOWEVER! To keep you equaly entertained, i provide you with The IT Crowd, a fantastic new comedy programme on Channel 4 that i'm sure most of you have already seen if only in adverts! Anyway, something i didn't realise at first is that you can download the Next Episode from the official site (and if you hurry you can still get Episode 3 as well). There's also some stuff avilable on Google Video so now you've got no excuse to not watch it! If nothing else, watch the Emergency Services clip. It's only just over a minute long and it really is very funny =)

Get in to: Danny Wallace

Okay, so, he's not really an artist as *such* but i recently fell in love with the Lovely National Anthem again, and spent like two hours converting it from stupid Real One video stream to mp3. But now i know how and *can* so yay! Anyway.
For those who don't know him, Danny's a fantastic comedian type dude, hehe. He co-wrote Are You Dave Gorman? and went on to write the true stories of other crazy adventures involving his "accidental cult" in Join Me! and his attempts at a more positive life with Yes Man.
His most recent adventure though, was the creation of his own country. This was all followed on his BBC2 programme, How To Start Your Own Country which followed his plight to not only amass a huge following of 'citizens' but also attempt entry into the European Union and, of even greater importance, the Eurovision Song contest. Below you'll find the National Anthem for the country, at the end of the series named Lovely, as well as the fantastic Eurovision entry song which, sadly, despite the lyrics "It's time to save the planet and the dolphins on crack" was not put through to the main contest. Oh well, there's always next year...


# Lovely National Anthem - Danny Wallace

# Stop the Mugging, Start the Hugging - Danny Wallace

Happy Fueled By Ramen Day :D

Well, i went into town today, and not only did hmv have The Academy Is... album, and both Fall Out Boy singles as expected, but also a copy of My Heart Will Always Be the B-Side to My Tongue :D Wanted that for *ages* and yay! Hehe. So yea, i decided for me this is Fueled By Ramen day, which i'll try to remember next year, hehehe. It also being Kat's birthday should help =)
Anyway, to *celebrate* lets get on with some songs!


# Grand Theft Autumn / Where Is Your Boy (acoustic) - Fall Out Boy

I've loved this song for ages and i was SO excited about this track, caus, i still prefer the acoustic version of Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner which was the first trakc i ever heard by Fall Out Boy, which actually comes from the same EP. Anyway, i put it on as soon as i got home and it's gorgeous! Really Really good. So, yea, you can share my love :P
The dvd that comes with it as well is also great, so, yknow. Buy it! Now!


# The Music or the Misery - Fall Out Boy

This is the b-side to the cd1 version of Sugar, We're Goin' Down and i've only listened to it about 3 times so far (although after this post it'll be like 8, heh) and it's really good, album quality stuff. That's why i like buying singles. Just because something wasn't included on an album, it doesn't mean it's not good, bands tend to write so much material that they just can't fit everything in. I can't think of a better example than Good Guys Don't Always Wear White by Bon Jovi. Great song, but, never made it to a proper album.


# Checkmarks - The Academy Is...

This is the song that got me into the band, and, yea. It's brilliant. We have a nice new emo-bouncy band and they just sound so nice? Hehe. The lead singers voice is emotional without sounding gruff. *pats him on head* Well done. Hehe. Expect to see a lot more of the band this year.

Songs of the week

So a lots been going on for me musically this week, in the form of half a dozen new albums, some new stuff sent to me, and, new stuff discovered that i'd got already but hadn't fully appreciated :D Hehe.


# I Want You - The Kooks

Thankyou Rachel :) Hehe. She sent me this song and yea, it's fantastic. I especially love "give it me back" :D It just sounds so adorable, i just want to hug the band lots but i'm not *entirely* sure they'd appreciate that. Maybe i'll just hug Rachel instead... Anyway! This song along with You Don't Love Me convinced me to go out and buy the album during the week, and it's alright so far but haven't had much of a chance to listen to it, so, i'll try and keep you posted, heh.


# Your Ex-lover is Dead - Stars

This song turned up on shuffle play, and it really hit me. It's a gorgeous song, and a very lovely interpretation of meaningful yet unmeaningful relationships? Hehe. That ncie feeling of having enjoyed being with someone but not being hurt afterwards, a very elusive post-relationship feeling :P
It turns out it actually features on the latest OC soundtrack (i really should buy those, i like the songs muchly... I'm just not a huge fan of compilation albums that werent assembled by me!)

"Live through this and you won't look back"


As a little extra note, tomorrow's an exciting day! The Academy Is... album comes out over here (after waiting like a whole month i gave up and cancelled my amazon import order as soon as i found out!) AND Sugar, We're Goin' Down is *finally* being released as a long over-due single. I hope you go out and support the FoB too. I know they've become a bit annoyingly *big* now but don't forget why you like them - because they ROCK! Haha. Later this month also sees the release of A Fever You Can't Sweat Out as well as Panic's first single, I Write Sins Not Tragedies.
Long live Fueled By Ramen!!!!

Album Love: A Hangover You Don't Deserve - Bowling For Soup

I really got into Bowling For Soup back in the day of Punk Rock 101 and Girl All the Bad Guys Want, but i didn't actually buy Drunk Enough To Dance until after this album. It was just by chance, i'd known it was coming out and had thought about getting it, and the day it was released they had it nicely sitting on display on the chart shelves in hmv and i thought "why not?" Why not indeed.... :D


# Almost - Bowling For Soup

I think i was in love after this first track. It's a great bouncy opener, which is one of my favourite opening tracks of all the albums i own. A lot tend to try slow little intro numbers or instrumental pieces, but Almost really just throws you straight into the Soup, as it were. And that's the great thing about this album, It's very much BFS the whole way through, even the 'odd' stuff (the most notable being track 45's Belgium) still sounds very much like them, and the whole thing manages to mix solid emotion with tongue in cheek humour. Tracks like Get Happy and A-Hole don't seem out of place at all in their emotional seriousness despite being mixed in with stuff like Shut Up and Smile ("All we need is ice cream and a hug"). Okay, so, we're not talking serious along the lines of 'porverty strikens our world whilst we live in a deluded state of blance in the west' (snappy! I should write songs...) but it's good enough for the average people!


# Ohio (Come Back to Texas) - Bowling For Soup

I just feel, after now listening to 3 previous BFS albums that this is definately their peak of album-ness (that A-level in English really paid off) and is a real pleasure to listen to. You can get lost in their generally laid-back view on everything. It's very relationship focused, but it never seems repetitive. All the songs look at very different sides of this, from wanting your mum (Somebody Get My Mum) to malicious criminal damage (Two-Seater).
Oh, and, for those who noticed my reference to track 45 - tracks 19-44 are a roughly 6 minute outro split into a load of pieces. That still leaves 19 full tracks. Not bad huh?


# Belgium - Bowling For Soup

This song has now featured on the last three albums (not including the latest outing which hasn't been released in the uk yet as far as i'm aware) starting with the original on Let's Do It For Johnny! before making an acoustic appearance at the end of Drunk Enough to Dance, and now features as a, well, 'boyband incarnation' is the only way i can think to describe it, which i thought i'd share with you here :P I know a lot of people don't like it, but i think it's funny and a nice addition. And hey, it's track 45! You don't *have* to lsiten to it!

Get in to: Audio Bullys

Shot You Down was not a good song, hehe. I wasnt traumatised after waiting for so long for the second Bullys album, to then hear that as the advanced first single. But, then i heard the rest and was happier. What started my love was Ego War. Most people know The Things, and possibly We Don't Care, but there was a lot more to the album, it was a solid piece of continous good quality.


# 100 Million - Audio Bullys

This song is still probably my favourite off that album, with a muchly entertaining theme "If i had the time, i'd spend a little more with you. And if i had a hundred million then i'd probably give half to you..."
It's just a well written little number that'll get you 'singing' along =) Or of course you'll hate it. But that's caus you suck. Heh.


# If You Want My Love - Audio Bullys

I got an advanced copy of Generation which included this track and Rock 'Til I'm Rollin', neither of which actually seem to have been released on the album proper (despite silly Play.com claiming they were on there, i'll have my refund *thankyou*) which i've found to be a huge dissapointment because they're probably thw two best new songs i've heard. That's not to say Generation isn't good, but, given the choice i'd start off with Ego War. It's cheaper too, you can usually pick it up in hmv for a fiver. Bargain!


# Out Of Space (Audio Bullys remix) - The Prodigy

Remember this single? It was a double a-side that came with the Pendulum remix of Voodoo People, which is a rockin track. But yea, the Bullys are as much dj's as artists themselves, similar to Soulwax. As a random little bonus, this is, as noted, their remix of Out of Space.

Postponed til Thursday

Acoustic Monday - but that's *so* 2005

It's been a while since i've done an acoustic post, and i fancied doing something a lil different, so, yknow, why not? Heh.


# Today (acoustic) - Smashing Pumpkins

I must confess, i don't listen to this band anywhere near enough. I remember seeing them ages ago on the Simpsons and never having a clue who they were! But yea, that was when i was young and musically uninfluenced. I wasn't like i am now all my life, heh. Just makes it all the sweeter now =) But yea, this is still my favourite Smashing P's song, closely followed by Zero. I really must actually buy an album of theirs and sit down and listen to it properly :( Them and a hundred other bands. Bah.




# I Took a Beating (acoustic) - I Am the Avalanche

Is it wrong one of the deciding factors in buying I Am the Avalanche's album was the band were on the Drive Thru label? Heh. Oh well! Tis a rockin label :P What i now would muchly like, is this split ep which the above track is featured on. In fact doing this post just inspired me to order it :P This acoustic version isn't much different from the 'standard' version of the song but for the slightly softer sound i muchly prefer it.


# Semi-Charmed Life (acoustic) - Third Eye Blind

Yes, OK, i got into this band through American Pie. I've come to terms with that, and i hope you can too! It was actually their song Jumper that really made me fall in love with them, and they really are a nice middle of the road staple band. And yea, that's good enough for me, music's not all about everyone sounding as different as possible, a lead's unique voice is enough a change most the time, heh. As with the last song, the acoustic version isn't much really different to the original, but its just nice n soft. Makes a good little change from always listening to the same song again and again!

Songs of the week

Unlike last week i haven't just been addicted to half a dozen songs and listened to pretty much nothing else, however i haven't been listening to enough new stuff thanks to silly Head Automica making me happy :P as well as an addiction to reading currently quenched by The Magician's Guild. So i'm afraid it's just a couple of songs tonight, with the extra time i suggest you listen to The Razor by Head Automatica again :P


# Good Day - The Dresden Dolls

The other day, i picked out The Dresden Dolls self titled album to accompany a nice long bath, and iv often listened to it without it sinking in properly, but, this song particularly really had an effect on me =) I'll admit, it *is* the first song on the album, heh, but, usually i'm not a big fan of openers, they tend to have too much to prove, but this really is fantastic!
The Dresden Dolls have a muchly unique sound, and it's hard to define. Kinda of crazed piano wielding oddness is the nearest i can get, but its just so loverly. Listen now.

"You'd rather be a bitch than be an ordinary broken heart"


# Never There - Hoobastank

I finally got round to buying the self-titled Hoobastank album a few months back now, and since then, i've grown increasingly more in love this this track. It's got a very energetic anger to it that is unsuprisingly muchly related to the lyrics, and feeling of isolation. It's always nice for those times ur feeling a bit down or grrrr at someone.

"And i doubt, that i will ever find out, if there's a way to get out, of feeling all alone. 'Cause lately, i've been thinking maybe, that no one's gonna save me, i'll do it on my own."

Album Love: Decadence - Head Automatica

So, i thought i'd start a new featurette deely tonight - album love! My cd collection is constantly growing, but of course there are always those that stand out. And i thought it's time i go through and recognise the wonderfulness of some of these.
To start with, i had to pick Decadence. I only bought it last week which would usually refrain it from being loved to such an extent, but, i just, i can't find fault with this cd!


# King Caeser - Head Automatica

Beating Heart Baby had me hooked last week, and was more or less the reason i bought this album. Now, i only had time to listen to this cd all through a single time before i had to go to work, and i expected Beating Heart Baby to still be ringing in my ears. How wrong i was! "Hip hip hooray you're our saving grace, here's to you and your poker face" just kept going through my mind. It doesn't exactly seem that exciting, but my word is it addictive! I just love HEARING it, heh, which, is what this album really does for me. It's not just awesome lyrics, it's not just great tunes, it's the lead singers fantastic voice! I love him already and will muchly be looking into his other projects.


# The Razor - Head Automatica

This album really has a gorgeous flow to it. Theres some track changes where you cant at first even be sure the song has switched. It's beautiful, very reminiscient of some of my favourite garage compilation albums, but just done SO much better! It has a very 'albumy' feel to it. There's no random disjointed stuff, it's all got the same energy, the same passion, the same downright Rockin-ness, heh. If you like one song i'm pretty sure you'll like the rest, but, oddly i also would argue against it being too same-y? The songs are along similar lines but all have very unique feelings.

"Your body's a weapon, and you're afraid it could get out, a friend of the devil, and you're afraid it could get out"

Head Automatica have a new album coming out this year, although not until around summer time by the looks of it, but hopefully it will be rocking. You can get a demo of one of the new tracks from their unofficial fan site, and if you missed Beating Heart Baby from last week, you can get that lovely gem from their official site. Listen. Enjoy. PURCHASE! :P