Download Festival

So, this time last week i was in Lee's car with Dan, Lauren, Emily and unsuprisingly Lee. Can't believe it was so long ago. I don't have many pictures from Download yet, and none from our lot, so i can't really be bothered uploading/showing anything yet. Nor can i really be faffed to go through it all in detail. I've been reliving it enough in my head, suffice to say we had a fucking awesome time and i can't wait for next year/ what i thought i'd do is pick a few new things i came across at download. So here goes...


# Crazy Bitch - Buckcherry

One of the many bands there i'd heard of before, but had never really bothered looking into at all. No one had recommended them and i didn't have a clue what they'd be like. However, the performed an enjoyable set, especially this song which i think was last up, and a few people around us were singing along and it was my kinda "my girls fucking mental" song. So enjoy.


# Get Stoned - Hinder

Again, this may have been the last song by this band, who played right after Buckcherry. Mike told me to listen to them, and i really wasn't dissapointed. This is the song that most stuck out at the time (because i just wanted to go get stoned maybe...) and since i've also been listening to Lips Of An Angel. I think if you like Nickelback you can't really go wrong with this band.


# Get Um Up - Army Of Freshmen

So i actually had this song before seeing AoF but hadn't really bothered listening to it. They played an fantastic set at 11:45 Saturday morning. I wasn't sure how anyone would be that early, but they were the most energetic band i saw, and really seemed to be having fun, along with all the crowd in the tent. Again this is the song that really stuck in my head afterwards and will hold many long fond memories of Download.
They also announced the October Get Happy Tour in the UK - Bowling For Soup, Bloodhound Gang, Zebrahead and themselves. AWESOME! Really can't wait, although no dates hav been confirmed yet as far as i'm aware. Bowling For Soup also confirmed this during their set in the afternoon on the main stage.


# S.R. (The Many Versions Of) [Live] - Reel Big Fish

Ok so slightly cheating here in that i already knew this song, but Reel Big Fish were definately the best and most entertaining band i saw all weekend. Best way to finish off the whole sheboodle. They played some awesome songs, including this which i was SO happy about, but also did a short 'secret' set in the Nokia tent about 2 hours before their headlining set, and played half a dozen different songs including Ban The Tube Top and Kiss Me Deadly. Amazing stuff. Buy the live album. It's awesome.

And that's it for now. I also found another great band Porucpine Tree, and Saosin were quite good too. However I didn't overly enjoy either Evanescence nor Paramore live, and Enter Shikari were downright shit. Very dissapointed. But otherwise it was all so much fun, and i can't wait for next year. Everybody's coming right!? XD

Time Flies

and all that malarky. Yes yes i'd basically forgotten all about this thing, heh. Blame a new computer, and i'd like to say 'an exciting life' but we all now that's not true =P
Anyway, the last tracks had been up far too long, and it seemed like i might as well pop a few new songs up while i'm at it. Oh, and, i now have a new computer, which currently has almost 3 solid weeks of music on it, mostly straight from my cd collection. It's fantastic being able to have so many songs at the click of a mouse. So that should only make my music selections easier, or better, or something? Yeah something... I just gotta get myself, over me [Couldn't resist...]



# Bring A Trident, That'll Learn 'Em - Fleeing From Finales


I was lucky enough to go and see Zebrahead again a few weeks ago (read about it here) who were unsuprisingly awesome. What was a rather unexpected though was how good the support would be. Far and away most notably, this gem of a band. They have a very strong Starting Line/Something Corporate feel, and i can't get enough of their 6 track self-titled EP which i highly recommend purchasing!



# Don't Wake Me Up - The Hush Sound


It was Eddie who first got me to listen to this fantastic band whilst having a drink down the Fat Cat. We Intertwined had me utterly hooked and i bought both of their albums within a couple of days. Their second outing, Like Vines, is definately the better of the two. Despite being on Fuelled By Ramen and therefore already being known by thousands of fans worldwide, i can't help but feel this album is underated. As with The Format's Dog Problems album, i can only envisage this getting more and more airplay. It's a beautiful album, and i think this song really shows what they can do. Oh, and, they have two singers, male and female. They sort of take it in turns doing the lead vocals for songs, and it really works well.



# Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too - Say Anything


First up, it must be noted i've heard precious little else from this band, and i haven't been overly impressed with what i have, but this song deserves very special mention. I only came across this song whilst listening to my full library on shuffle. It was on one of the Rock Sound magazine cd's Sound Check which comes with it each month. If someone told *me* about it, i wouldn't expect to like it, but somehow i was utterly won over by the chorus "I called her on the phone and she touched herself" heh. Goes to show that free cd's, like this and the HMV ones really are worth holding on to!



# Apeman - The Format


And finally an old favourite, The Format. Still can't really remember life before them, heh. This time you get a cover of The Kinks song which they gave away as a 1 track single with online Merch purchases in November. I'd never heard the original, but as soon as i put this into my cd player i knew i'd love it for a very long time. I'm not really sure how the Format manage to cover songs so well but they don't seem to have struck out with anything i've heard. Which reminds me, i know own a turntable (finally) and being able to hear their cover of Glutton Of Sympathy was worth the £40 alone. I'll try and rip it in the near future but, that would take quite a lot of effort!

So that's it for now. Not a very exciting post, but maybe i'll actually keep up posting. It's something to do right? =P

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 =)