New Favorite Band: Haim

Have you heard Haim's awesome songs floating around lately? I'm completely obsessed. Their singles have been out since last fall, and their debut album is coming out September 30. I can hardly wait!

Haim (rhymes with "time") are three sisters from the valley. I think they sound like Phoenix + Fleetwood Mac + a little bit of Destiny's Child. So... yeah, amazing.

I don't know which of these songs I like better....

Justin Timberlake: Discuss, please

Guys. I don't get Justin Timberlake.

I'm pretty sure ladies love him. (Like, loooove him.) But I can't see it. Can someone please explain?

When I see him perform, I feel physically uncomfortable... like a friend asked me to come to their cousin's song and dance show, and this guy who I sort of know is singing and dancing his heart out and trying so hard to be sexy, but it's my friend's cousin, and he's kind of strange looking, and it's all just so uncomfortable.

Or it's like a lesser version of if a friend took me to a male strip club for my bachelorette party. Because I'm pretty sure if that had happened, my reaction would be to seriously cry.

So watch this very short clip from the Grammys and tell me: what's the appeal? Or is he truly just strange and sort of a creep who's trying too hard?

I was starting to feel badly that I can't get on board with him (I mean, I generally generic pop culture things!), and then I realized: I think I just generally feel off-put and uncomfortable when people try hard to be sexy. I think It's more off-putting when men do it because, unfortunately, we've all been conditioned to see women do it all. the. time. But... for real, peeps: try hard to be smart, try hard to be accomplished, try hard to be kind, or charming, or funny, or heck, even pretty... but to focus your energies on trying to be sexy? Ew.

On another Grammy note that sort of contradicts my earlier point, I'm becoming obsessed with this Miguel song, not because it's an "ooh-let's-get-down" song, but because I love lite rock, and this song sounds like it could be straight out of the 80s and all over a lite rock station! Is lite rock coming back in a big way??? Let's hope!

The Tallest Man on Earth

So, I don't normally get all gushy about concert going experiences, but I'm about to:
A few months ago, Travis started listening to The Tallest Man on Earth, the Swedish Bob Dylan (according to Wikipedia).  I sort of liked his music (it's just one guy), but wasn't completely sold, except for the song 1904, which I am totally obsessed with:

:: there's no video... it's just this picture with music playing.  sorry. ::

I saw he was coming to the Ford Amphitheater in Los Angeles and thought it could be a fun date out, plus I'd never been to the Ford.  A few takeaways, guys:

1. The Ford Amphitheater is the best.  It's really small and intimate, you can bring your own beer and wine and food, and it looks like this!!!!:

:: All I wanted to do while I was there was work with a group of struggling high school kids to 

put on an original scripted adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream.  Obviously. ::

The only drawbacks of the Ford are that there are basically no normal concerts there (but if you're into Folklorico, you're totally in luck) and the only parking option is stacked parking (although it was surprisingly not at all a mess when we left).

2.  The Tallest Man on Earth is the best.  I loved all his songs!  I'm a huge fan!  He's so charming and sweet!  Get his albums!  (FYI: When he came on stage, I realized the band name must be a joke.  He's, like, 5'1".)  I half remember a quote about acting... that a great actor on stage is more interesting than if there were a cat on the stage.  You never know what the cat will do, so your eyes go to the cat, and a good actor should be that compelling.  Watching The Tallest Man on Earth was more interesting than a cat!  He has very... weird... stage presence.  (Do you know what quote I'm talking about?)

3.  The Tallest Man on Earth was wearing a great outfit:

:: via kcabano12 on flickr ::

In fact, wouldn't the gray tank, black skinny jeans and tan booties make a great summer-fall transition outfit on a lady?

It at least has gotten tan ankle-height boots on my mind.

I like this:

:: OluKai O Laila W on Zappos ::

Or this wedge heel version:

:: Tom's Chestnut Suede Wedges ::

So there you have it: Check out Tallest Man on Earth, go to a concert at the Ford Amphitheater, and let's all buy tan boots for fall!

What musicians have captured your heart lately?

My Top 10 Running Songs This Summer

I do most of my personally selected music listening when I'm running.  Although I have a long commute, I tend to listen to the radio during the drive, which means I'm 

(a) very familiar with all the NPR correspondents (MEEEE-chele Norris.  Ha.)

(b) completely up to date on Top 40 (fun game to play next time you hear Maroon 5's "Payphone": notice that every single lyric is a cliche!)

(c) constantly having a love/hate relationship with Ryan's Roses (it's so dumb!  but it's so great!  but it's so dumb.  verdict: it's dumb.)

Whenever I'm getting geared up for an event, I take it as a good excuse to buy music on iTunes.  (Oh, and I'll consider a 5k or an upcoming "long-ish run" with a friend an event.  Any reason to buy new tunes.)

Here are 10 songs that were firing me up while getting ready for (and running) Hood to Coast:

Heartbreaker (feat. John Legend) - MSTRKRFT   

Aaaaaah... this beat is so great for exercising and getting fired up!  Purchase now!

Brandy (You're a Fine Girl) - Looking Glass  

 It's just so peppy.  I can hardly stand it!  (Except I totally can stand it, because I love it!)

I Would Do Anything for You - Foster the People  

This whole album is really good.  Fun fact: I went to their concert last fall and was probably the oldest person there.

Song Away - Hockey

In business school, we had a "Mix Tape Club" where you would make mix CDs for a group of people.  (Wow.  After typing that sentence, I realize that really didn't need an explanation.)  Anyway, someone put this song on one of my CDs, and I got totally hooked on this band.

I Can Change - LCD Soundsystem

Thanks, Jen for recommending this on your running music post!

 

Anna Sun - Walk the Moon

This reminds me of The Killer's first album, in a good way.  (I never thought I was a Killers fan, but the one time I went to Coachella for one day, The Killers were the headliners (sort of lame, right?) and that one song with that part "I've got soul but I'm not a soldier"?  Well, I got really into it.  The end.)

Lose Yourself - Eminem

Question: Why didn't I own this until last week?
Answer: I don't even know!!!

Settle Down - No Doubt

Welcome back, you guys!  And with a nice Afro-vibe this time.  Also lovin' on Gwen, especially recently for saying there's no secret/trick to being fit -- you just exercise hard and diet every single day.  Ha.

Superbass - Nicki Minaj

This is my jam.  If you want to watch me rap it, JUST ASK!  I am super happy to oblige!

 

Power - Kanye West

This. Is. The. Sh*t.  Especially when you're tired and need some motivation. 

 

What are jamming on lately?  Always looking for recs!

Best Video of 2012 (and I don't even like videos)

I'm a little late on this one, but this is the best video of 2012, and I hate watching videos online. 

Kids.  Rapping.  A song they wrote.  About their favorite snacks.

According to this article, this amazing, amazing song is the output of a Minneapolis after school program for kids.  Adorable.  But also?  The rap is really good. 

And I need to learn the girl's moves.

Christmas Music: Album Recommendations

A follow up from Tara re: Christmas music:

If you find your thirst for Xmas music merely whetted by this mix, allow me to recommend some full albums.  (Some of the songs on the above mix are what I might call “One Hit Winter Wonderlanders”--either the artist recorded just one song for a compilation album, or the rest of the record is simply not worth buying.)  But these guys are all worth checking out:

MODERN CLASSICS

• Merry Christmas by Mariah Carey - A modern classic in the truest sense of the word.  Can you believe those high notes on O Holy Night??  Xmas miracle, seriously.
• The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album by The Beach Boys - No bad songs on this oldie-but-goodie.  Retro-cool!
• Handel’s Messiah - This one is really more of an ACTUAL classic, seeing as how it was composed in 1742.  One of my favorite holiday traditions involves attending a “sing-along Messiah” event.  Or, as my friends and I refer to it, “singin’ about Jesus.”   If you like choral/classical music, you can’t go wrong here.  If you get really into it, you can buy a score and sing along!  Includes such favorites as “All We Like Sheep” and “Behold, A Virgin Shall Concieve.”  Your grandmas and/or religious aunties will approve.

INDIE XMAS

• Songs for Christmas by Sufjan Stevens - If you already like Sufjan, you will surely enjoy this massive 2-disc compilation of holiday-ish music.
• A Very She & Him Christmas by She & Him - My first Xmas album purchase of 2011, and it’s a keeper!  Their retro-twee sound really complements the selection of traditional Xmas songs.  Love it.
• Christmas by Low - Simply beautiful.  Good for a mellow cocktail party or snuggling by the fire with a mug of special egg nog.
• Noel and Joy by Oh, Starling - Adorable arrangements of traditional Xmas songs, with harmonies.
• Snow Angels by Over The Rhine - These guys sometimes edge perilously close to “smooth jazz,” but holy wassail, Karin Bergquist sure does have a beautiful voice!

UNCLASSIFIABLE

• Christmas in the Heart by Bob Dylan - For the true Dylan fan, or alternatively, for a good laugh.  One NPR reviewer made the observation that Dylan has an uncanny ability to make “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” sound like a threat.  Indeed.

The Ultimate Christmas Music Mix

I am so excited to present my first ever guest blog post, by my dear friend Tara.  Tara is totally qualified to speak to the wonders of Christmas music because (a) she loves Christmas, (b) she loves music, (c) she lives in Alaska, which is literally a winter wonderland.


So without further ado... here we go!

Happy Holidays, guys!  Joey asked me to do a guest blog post about Xmas music, knowing as she does how completely and unironically I adore this genre of music.  I was thrilled to do so, not least because it gave me a rock solid excuse to listen to Xmas music with abandon before Thanksgiving to perfect my mix.  The only misgivings I ever have about the arrival of Xmas music season is that it means my local Lite Rock station starts playing all holiday songs!!!  Why must my enjoyment of one completely uncool genre of music over the airwaves come at the expense of another?  Woe is me!

But I digress.  I made you guys a totally sweet Xmas music mix!  I am hoping it will expose you to some Xmas music with which you may not already be familiar.  All of songs on my mix are by “modern” artists (i.e. Frightened Rabbit) or otherwise “cool” artists (i.e. Johnny Cash).  I am not giving you any Mannheim Steamroller or Vienna Boys’ Choir--I am about to go all Xmas-music-snob on all y’all.  

Now, my Xmas mix may not be to everyone’s liking.  A lot of people say they don’t like Xmas music at all--but really, Xmas music is just like any other type of music--there is good Xmas music, and there is bad.  In fact, it’s even harder to lump all Xmas music in together, because although the themes may all be the same, there is a wide variety in genre in style.  (Saying you hate Xmas music isn’t like saying you hate country music or rap music--it’s more like saying you hate all songs about love.  How could you say such a thing??  You are a heartless individual.)

Even if you DO tend to like Xmas music, you may need some time to adjust to the modern songs, or you may never really accept these modern songs as being evocative of Xmas.  You may want nothing but nostalgia from your Xmas music, i.e. songs that were playing on your parents’ record player when you were a kiddo and--spoiler alert!--still believed in Santa Claus.  (This is, incidentally, an approach to music that transcends the Xmas genre... some people, at some point, simply stop taking real pleasure in discovering and falling in love with new music.  If you still persist in listening to Dave Matthews Band, you may be one of those people.  I still love you though!)

To you folk I say: you are missing out!  There is so much beautiful modern Xmas music.  And just think, if you play this music for your kiddos, they will learn to love it and identify it with their wonderful Xmases, just like we did with Merry Christmas Baby and Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), which were relatively new when we were young but are now totally classic!  I now get the same fuzzy-holiday-family-snowy-cookie-tinsely feelings from Low’s beautiful “Just Like Christmas” and the ridiculous yet sublime “Hooray for Santy Claus” as I do from the majestic “O Holy Night” and the annoying yet quintessential “The Chipmunk Song.”

A side note on mix-making more generally.  First, I believe all mixes should have a title, and I like to draw my title from a somewhat random lyric in one of the songs on the mix.  Listen for it!  Second, I believe all mixes should be kept to 1h20m or less because I believe you should be able to burn it to a CD and hand it to somebody, all old-school-like.  Also, keeping the mix to a set length forces you to curate the mix more carefully!  Finally, the website where I posted the mix, 8Tracks, will let you listen to the whole mix all the way through in order once, but you’re only allowed to “skip” a couple of songs while listening, and the second time you listen, it will put the tracks in random order--annoying, because I have METICULOUSLY chosen this order of tracks for the perfect listening experience.
With that, here is my gift to you this holiday season--my Ultimate Xmas Mix.  Don’t you DARE wait till Christmas morning to open it!  

Here’s the track listing:

1 // Cry Cry Christmas | The Sweptaways Feat. Magnus Carlson & The Gray Brigade | 3:26
2 // Christmas Day | She & Him | 3:24
3 // Just Like Christmas | Low | 3:08
4 // Merry Christmas, Baby | The Beach Boys | 2:27
5 // It Came Upon A Midnight Clear | Oh, Starling | 4:25
6 // Christmas In Prison | John Prine | 3:13
7 // Santa Claus Is Coming to Town | Mason Jennings | 2:09
8 // Away In A Manger | Sufjan Stevens | 2:54
9 // Be My Valentine On Christmas | Glenna Bell | 3:12
10 // Darlin' (Christmas is Coming) | Over The Rhine | 3:35
11 // Maybe This Christmas | Ron Sexsmith | 1:53
12 // All I Want For Christmas Is You | Mariah Carey | 4:01
13 // Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) | Darlene Love | 2:50
14 // I'd Like To Have An Elephant For Christmas | Hank Thompson | 2:03
15 // O Come, O Come, Emmanuel | Belle & Sebastian | 3:27
16 // Joy To The World | Clem Snide | 2:28
17 // All I Ever Get For Christmas Is Blue | Over The Rhine | 4:25
18 // God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen | Bright Eyes | 1:52
19 // 2000 Miles | The Everyothers | 3:23
20 // Little Gray Donkey | Johnny Cash | 4:43
21 // Christmas Tree On Fire | Holly Golightly | 2:54
22 // Happy Christmas (War is Over) | The Polyphonic Spree | 4:18
23 // Hooray for Santy Claus | Senor Tonto Christmas Combo | 2:03
24 // Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas | Scissors For Lefty | 2:26
25 // Auld Lang Syne | Martin Sexton | 2:29