New Album Alert: The Decemberists

In a little over a month my ipod is going to be filled with a highly anticipated CD. This one from the Decemberists is their sixth studio album named The King Is Dead. And for these indie darlings I have a feeling that it may be their most mainstream cd to date. They are no longer unknown...thats for sure.

This is a band who has never apologized for anything. And why should they. They do their thing, make some great music and don't really care who sees or hears it. 

Which is why they can come up with the creative ability to craft songs like "Down by the Water". 

Love it. Can't wait until Jan 18th. 

Clark Terry Does "Mumbles"

I love Jazz music.

Repeat. 

I love Jazz music.

Mean

How many times in high school did you want to say...

"Someday I'll be living in a big ole city and all your ever going to be is mean

Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me and all your ever going to be is mean

Why do you have to be so mean?"

I do think its this reason why Taylor Swift just sold over 1 million albums in her first week. She is completely relate-able and well it doesn't hurt that she is nice and adorable. I mean dammit Kanye how could you be mean to this girl... ha.

Enjoy this performance from her Thanksgiving night special... song is pretty catchy. 

Just Asking..

Are there any musicians in the world today that would do what John and Yoko did and purchase an entire billboard to give their message of peace? Are the days of idealism, where music can change the world... really over?

Changed Blog Format Today

I used to be one of those people that was terrified of change. I didn't like it when I left my house. I didn't like it when my parents left me with a babysitter. I hated leaving middle school. I hated leaving high school. I hated leaving college. I again, am not one for change.... 

Then something happened. I moved to Virginia. Everything changed. And I loved it. 

I was still hesitant with decisions, yet my mind opened up to the possibilities out there. And while I won't sit here and say that I'm 100% reformed, I'm certainly on my way.

Change is good. Embrace it. Love it. Own it. 

My blog changed faces today. 

I'm completely okay with it. 

Dustbowl Dance Live

"Well you are my accuser, now look in my face,
Your oppression reeks of your greed and disgrace,
So one man has and another has not,
How can you love what it is you have got,
When you took it all from the weak hands of the poor?
Liars and thieves you know not what is in store"

I can't tell you how much I love this cd that I found last week. I have a copy on my computer, my desk computer, my car, my ipod, its almost intervention time...

Plus check out their live version... amazing!

Just a Suggestion

How To Be Alone

"If you are at first lonely, be patient. If you've not been alone much, or if when you were, you weren't okay with it, then just wait. You'll find its fine to be alone once your embracing it."

This is one of my favorite videos. Ever. 

So clever, and so true. Embrace your life. 

Christmas Flash Mob

No better way to get in the holiday spirit then singing a little "Hallelujah"... flash mob style!

Still don't know how I would react if shopping and people burst into song next to me.... 

We All Want To Be Young

If you have some time today may I suggest this video? I mean yes everyone knows that it is great to be young? But is now the best time to be young? Why...of course!

We All Want to Be Young from box1824 on Vimeo.

NJ Until Sunday

You know where to find me until Sunday....

Happy Turkey Day...

Go JETS!

Peace

I'm Thankful For....

I know that this time of year people start looking back on their past year or so and think about all the things that they are thankful for. And well, I'm no different. I think its great to be able to take a step back sometimes, take a breath, and appreciate this crazy thing called life and all that goes into it. So here it goes...

What I'm Thankful For....(In No Particular Order)

-The moment in the picture above - quite perfect

-My parents (I think I hit the jackpot with this one)

-My two brothers

-Music

-My friends in Richmond who don't judge me 

-My friends from NJ who miss me

-A job that keeps a smile on my face

-My balcony which gives the perfect amount of sunlight on a Sunday afternoon

-To good books like "The Help" and "The Road"

-My ipod

-Phish for playing shows and giving me excuses to hang out with old friends

-My "quotes" book 

-My mother for introducing me to "The Beatles"

-Music

-For blogger.com to host my blog for free

-My new camera who helped me capture some great moments

-To Lisa and Neil for getting married and inviting me to vacation in St.Croix for a week in April. 

-To again have a job that allowed me to leave on many crazy adventures this year

-To my Honda Civic which helped get me to those crazy adventures

-Facebook for helping me stay in contact with old/new friends

-Harry Potter and other fantastic movies that hold my attention

-Yet again music

-My dad for taking me to JETS games

-My volunteers who make me look good at my job every day

-The tapestry that I hung over my window in my bedroom that keeps out sunlight

-Certain TV shows like: The Big C, Weeds, Dexter and Grey's Anatomy for constantly giving me something to watch. 

-My apartment for always being there for me when I just need some space

-Oprah Winfrey 

-All the blessings in my life

The final thing I'm thankful for is just being able to be who I am. The last two years of my life have been nothing short of fantastic. I feel as if finally after 28 years I know a little bit about who I am and where I want to go. I know what I like and what I don't. I'm now open to change and embrace it when it happens. I am not afraid of much of anything anymore, I guess I'm most afraid of not being able to be me. Cause you know what... I like me. And once you like yourself, the world becomes a lot more clearer...

That is my thanksgiving week rant. 

I hope everyone takes a moment out of their week and stops and thinks what they are thankful for.....

Dr. Seuss

I have a mean collection of Dr. Seuss books. 

The man is amazing. :)

Raise Your Glass

Pink rocks. If you don't believe me check it out below....

"So raise your glass if you are wrong,

In all the right ways,

All my underdogs,

We will never be never be anything but loud

And nitty gritty dirty little freaks

Won't you come on and come on and raise your glass..."

Best and Worst of American Music Awards

As I mentioned earlier last night was the American Music Awards and well it basically was a three hour music performance. Some were good, some were bad and well most were just ugly. Yet the ones who stood out, showed the rest of the industry just how to do it. 

Here is an example. 

You should be like Rihanna

or like Santana

and NOT LIKE THIS...Ke$ha

and the worst performance of the night goes to...(yes someone actually was worse then Kesha)

.....BLACK EYED PEAS

UGH BEIBER

Last night I witnessed everything that is wrong with the music industry by watching some of the "American Music Awards". Out of all of the great bands and artists in the game today....they choose....Justin Beiber as artist of the year? Are you kidding me? No seriously, is this a joke?

Way to lose all credibility. No wonder nobody is buying cds anymore....

I'm more sad for the music industry then anything else...

Mumford and Sons

In this week of thanks....what I"m truly thankful for is music. The way that it has shaped my life, the mood i'm in when listening to it, the great places in this world it has taken me to. I'm thankful for all of it. Especially today because my weekend was filled with great music...like this one.

The Mumford and Sons album completely blew me off my feet this weekend. I thought I knew good music until I heard this album. Its incredible. I know I had featured a song of theirs a few months ago, but man did I not do my job. Always listen to entire albums not individual songs. That is where I found this gem. I'm in love with it. 

My neighbors have yet another reason to hate me because it was played at full blast....all weekend long. 

Simple love.

Friday New Music Day!

Today has been a busy day.... I have downloaded the following albums for my listening pleasure over the weekend. I highly suggest you do the same. 

The list in no particular order....or reason

-Josh Ritter - So Runs the World Away

-Arcade Fire - Funeral & The Suburbs (highly recommend these!)

-Andrew Belle - The Ladder

-Paramore - Brand New Eyes

-Mumford and Sons - Sigh No More

-Piano Man: Best of Billy Joel

-Iron and White - Our Days are Numbered

Looks like a good weekend for me! 

Andrew Belle

I don't know where these guys keeping coming from but lately I've found some amazing singer/songwriters...

Andrew Belle is no different. I don't know much about him so I'll spend some time today figuring that out...but for now, enjoy this!

(8 hours until HP by the way....)

Arcade Fire + Spike Jonze = Amazing

Nobody ever said that the suburbs didn't have a dark side. 

That is shown beautifully in the following video featuring Arcade Fire's song "The Suburbs". Directed by Spike Jonze (who has made his opinions known about how much he loves this band...) this video captures the essence of being a free kid in the suburbs but shows that underneath it all, there is still darkness. 

Amazing.

  

Harry Potter Day

yaaaay! Harry Potter Day.

Heading to the 10:40 showing tonight. Yes I am that lame. 

I don't care. Its going to be awesome. 

Game Called Life

Some may recognize this song as the theme song for "The Big C". 

It caught my attention because of the lyrics....

It's so hard to turn your life over
Step out of your comfort zone
It's so hard to choose one direction
When your future is unknown

Is this some kind of a joke, will someone wake me up soon?
And tell me this was just a game we played, called life.

Are we, are we all really slaves?
By the hands of ourselves
Did I really make all of those mistakes?
Am I really getting older?
Then why do I feel so lost?

Is this some kind of a joke, will someone wake me up soon?
And tell me this was just a game we played, called life.

And at the end of the road, is there someone waiting?
Do I get a medal for surviving this long?

Is this some kind of a joke, will someone wake me up soon?
And tell me this was just a game we played, called life.

I Want This T-Shirt

Hey guys....Christmas is coming and I think that I'm just going to use this blog to let everyone know of some simple items that would make me very happy. Like this tshirt (where you can find online HERE)

Do it!

Preach Ms. Hepburn

More from KT

"Its easy saying nothing when there is nothing to say..."

KT Tunstall is someone that I have no problem featuring every single day on this blog. I have said it before and I will say it again what this lady can do with her guitar/scratchy deep voice is just amazing. Her album Tiger Suit is out, you should all own a copy. And well if you want to check out a little glimpse of her talent check out the video below. She visited NPR studios (seriously why can't I work there....) and put on a great performance of what I think is one of the better cuts off the new album "Fade like a Shadow". 

Itunes Holdouts

So by now everyone has heard the news that The Beatles have now allowed Apple/Itunes to sell their products. This is a huge deal because well I for one thought that this would and should NEVER happen. But hey, times are changing I guess.... but now with The Beatles caving... you got to think who will be next. Well I'll tell you three artists that it will never happen to, and well after you hear their reasons you can't really blame them. 

AC/DC

Frontman Brian Johnson explains:

"Maybe I’m just being old-fashioned, but this iTunes, God bless ‘em, it’s going to kill music if they’re not careful … It’s a…monster, this thing. It just worries me. And I’m sure they’re just doing it all in the interest of making as much…cash as possible. Let’s put it this way, it’s certainly not for the…love, let’s get that out of the way, right away."

Garth Brooks
"These [Apple] guys are sweet guys, but they’re businessmen, so they understand. … They truly think that they’re saving music. My hat’s off to them. I looked at them right across the table with all the love in the world and told them they were killing it. And until we get variable pricing, until we get album-only [downloads], then they are not a true retailer for my stuff, and you won’t see my stuff on there—with all the love in the world. That’s nothing that they haven’t heard, either."

Kid Rock

"I just don’t like being told what to do. I don’t have a beef with Apple, or iTunes, or any of them. I do have a beef with that it seems kind of socialist of them to charge the same price for every song. What if every car cost $4,000, you know what I mean? A song from my neighbor’s garage band is not the same value as Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born to Run.’ I just want to decide how my product gets sold with the people who sell it."

Well after hearing that.... you can't really blame them. Especially Kid Rock when he says "A song from my neighbor's garage band is not the same value as Bruce Springsteen's 'Born to Run'."

Truuuuue.

Patrick Park - Here We Are

Yes I guess you can say today is all about cute singer/songwriters. I mean sorry but sometimes I get in a mood and today its this. Patrick Park sings one of my favorite songs ever its called "Life is a Song" if you don't know it well youtube it immediately.

This song follows close behind that one for really one reason in particular. I love the lyrics. At one point he says.

"Are we killing time...as the days unwind?

But did there ever come a time

When things weren't so defined?

We've given new names

To our hopes and our pain

But love just keeps getting harder to find"

Love it. Enjoy this one. 

Here My Head Is by Andy Davis

A man. A great song. An acoustic guitar. A one take music video. 

Awesome. 

Check out Andy Davis and his band perform a stunning rendition of "Here My Head Is".

I think I may be in love. Call me Andy.

Music Changes TV

If anyone doesn't believe that music completely has changed the TV game I have a video for you. 

Last night I watched the finale of what I think is the best written new drama over on Showtime. The Big C stars one of my favorite actresses Laura Linney and well its just a fantastic show. The big story of the show is that Laura's character has been diagnosed with cancer and the first season was the journey for her to rediscover herself. To change the way she was living her life. To be freer then she had ever been before. 

Its a pretty genius idea but it would have fallen flat if it weren't for the actors in this series. They are amazing. That and well the final character for this show is defiantly the music. Its so carefully chosen. Each song matches the scenes perfectly. Its a magical dance that culminated last night. 

SPOILER ALERT. 

This is the final two minutes of the season finale. Its the part where everything becomes real. Its the moment when her son (who was basically an ass the entire season to his mom...finally realizes the gravity of the situation). To explain the garage - his mom had started to fill it with things she knew her son would like. 

Watch this two minutes of tv and tell me it doesn't just flow. The song is called "Lullaby" by the amazing Sia. And well I don't have much else to say about it.  (I watched this two minutes five times last night)

Ke$ha Explains the Dollar Sign

I have not been shy about my hatred of all things Ke$ha. She's insanely crazy. In a bad way. 

Yet, I found one video that I don't mind. Maybe its because she is making fun of herself... and maybe its because its too easy.

Either way its a good laugh. 

"Now I have to hit the shift twice to spell my name all because of a stupid pizza joint"

from Kesha

Hearts Break Around the World Today...

Well ladies, we all knew that this was going to happen one day.... we just all wished it could have been us. 

Sigh.

The very handsome Prince William announced this morning that he proposed to longtime girlfriend Kate Middleton last month...here is the kicker.... with Diana's ring. 

Oh. My. God. 

Anyone under the age of 30 who didn't dream about the day you would one day call this man your husband are just lying! We all did. We all remember that day. Which is why we are all just a little bit sad today. Kate won. We lost. Now we must deal with it. :) Congrats you two. 

Beatles on Itunes

Well....the end is near. The Beatles just gave their entire catalog to Apples Itunes. 

I just don't understand this move for them. You really need the money Paul? 

Don't know how I feel about this one. 

Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire put on a show on Saturday night over on SNL. Absolutely stunning performances. 

Hopefully they gained a lot of attention and get their music out there even more. 

Awesome!

You Are Now Inspired

40 Inspirational Speeches - In Two Minutes.

Be Inspired.

Casteller

I guess today is just going to be filled with wacky things. Check out this competition in Spain where they see who can build the most elaborate human towers. Best part...they throw the kids up on top of these things. 

Insane.

Casteller from Mike Randolph on Vimeo.

Hologram Plays Sold Out Concert

Thats right you heard me correctly. If anyone needs more proof that computers are taking over our lives. A hologram is currently playing to sold out crowds in Japan! Repeat a hologram. 

Just watch. I have no explanation for this. It could be one of the more bizarre things I have seen.

No, No, No!

No. No. No. No. No. No. No

Just because your married to a rock star doesn't mean you can be one. 

No. No. No. No. NOOOOOO!

Video - Fistful of Mercy (Conan)

Here is the video that I promised earlier of Fistful of Mercy's performance on Conan last night. Amazing. Oh and Tom Morello isn't bad either! (the man is a badass!) 

Jack Donaghy's Words of Wisdom

If don't watch 30 Rock then its most likely that we are not friends. 

I mean come on people. Its easily the smartest/funniest 30 minute comedy on the air right now. And Alec Baldwins playing a role of a lifetime in "Jack Donaghy". The man is a legend. And the fact he has one of the smartest female comics in the game writing his lines (I'm looking at you Tina Fey) it just makes it better.

If you need more of a reason than that to watch check out some of Jacks words of wisdom. Many of these have caused me to pause the tv and laugh for a few minutes before continuing on with the rest of the episode. 

Here you go:

"Never go with a hippie to a second location"

"The secret to a long healthy head of hair is dove...blood"

"We may not be the best...but we are not the worst. Graduate students are the worst"

"We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness"

"Peacocks can live up to 40years. Longer if they are not part of Mike Tyson's zoo"

"What keeps people polite on airplanes? The shared hatred for the CBS sitcoms they are forced to watch"

"Never badmouth synergy"

"With real estate there are no rules. Its like check-in at an Italian airport"

"Its not illegal to fall asleep on your neighbors roof"

"The Italians have a saying, Lemon. 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer'. And although they've never won a war or mass-produced a decent car, in this area they are correct."

"If you make enough money you can pay people to see you naked"

"Somewhere right now a guy is on a J-Date with Monica Lewinsky. Nobody's perfect"

"Boston is the greatest city in the world. Boston Tea Party. Boston Cream Pie. Boston Rob Mariano"

"Rich 50 is middle class 38"

I love this man!

Important Lessons

Check. Check. Check. Check. Check. Check. Check. Check. Check.

Soundtrack to My Life

"Kid Cudi was born in Cleveland, Ohio and lived in the diverse upper class suburb of Shaker Heights. Just prior to receiving his GED he attended Shaker Heights High School in Shaker Heights, Ohio and also Solon High School in Solon, Ohio. His career took off after he moved to Brooklyn to pursue his music, and when he released his first mixtape, A Kid Named Cudi, in collaboration with New York street wear brand 10. Deep as a free download in 2008. The mixtape has had so much continued success that on May 18, 2009 10. Deep announced they were going to be doing a re-release of the “Up There” t-shirt and hard copies A Kid Named Cudi mixtape in their webstore on May 20, 2009 at 12:00 PM EST. Shortly after the shirt went up for sale the server crashed due to heavy traffic of fans wanting to buy the t-shirt and the mixtape. He also has collaborated with Kanye West in his groundbreaking album 808's and Heartbreak singing with him on the track "Welcome to Heartbreak".

This is about all I know about Kid Cudi. 

But I do know that the following song has been stuck in my head now for two months. Its the theme song to a new show that I'm watching called World of Jenks (which if you haven't seen yet I highly suggest). But this song is the theme and well its pretty great. And the more and more I listen to this "Kid" rap I love it. 

He seems to be one of the only rappers left who is actually rapping about real issues not about money and fame. 

I'm downloading his mix-tape now. We will see how this goes....

For now listen here. 

Broken Bells - The Ghost Inside

Ok no secret here that I love Broken Bells. They easily have put out one of the top 5 albums of the last year. I really just am loving everything that these guys are doing right now. 

And well the following video is no different. Check out Mad Men star Christina Hendricks (who is awesome in everything she does...) in the following video for my favorite track "The Ghost Inside". I really hope that we get some more music from these guys soon!