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