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