A Very Special Fairy Tale

Now, I don't know why I find this to be the cutest thing ever. But I can not stop watching it! Its the best "French Fairy Tale" I have ever seen, and that may because it involves...witches, lions, ghosts and of course Winnie the Pooh.

I love her.

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N.A.S.A. - The Band

My little brother is going to be shocked at this post. Yes Rick I'm talking about N.A.S.A., yet not the organization you thought. It's the one that puts out amazing music. And well, everyone should take the next few minutes out of your day to watch the videos below.

Their debut album dropped last year to stellar reviews and well its just amazing.

Check out the track list for CD "The Spirit of Apollo"

'The People Tree' (feat. David Byrne, Chali 2na, Gift of Gab,& Z-Trip)

'Money' (feat. David Byrne, Chuck D, Ras Congo, Seu Jorge, & Z-Trip)

'NASA Music' (feat. Method Man, E-40, & DJ Swamp)

'Way Down' (feat. RZA, Barbie Hatch, & John Frusciante)

'Hip Hop' (feat. KRS-One, Fatlip, & Slim Kid Tre)

'Four Rooms, Earth View'

'Strange Enough' (feat. Karen O, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, & Fatlip)

'Spacious Thoughts' (feat. Tom Waits & Kool Keith)

'Gifted' (feat. Kanye West and others TBD)

'A Volta' (feat. Sizzla, Amanda Blank, & Lovefoxxx)

'There’s a Party' (feat. George Clinton & Chali 2na)

'Whachadoin?' (feat. Spank Rock, M.I.A., Santogold & Nick Zinner)

'O Pato' (feat. Kool Kojak & DJ Bãboa)

'Samba Soul' (feat. Del Tha Funkee Homosapien & DJ Qbert)

'The Mayor' (feat. The Cool Kids, Ghostface Killah, DJ AM & Scarface)

Did you see those guest stars? Kanye? Ghostface? DAVID BYRNE!

This production duo traveled all around the world over the span of five years to put together this album which hit stores in the United States in February of 2009. A perfect mix of beats, rhymes, rhythm and just all around goodness. Made from a team of DJ Zegon (former pro skater Ze Gonzales) and Squeak E. Clean (Spike Jonze's brother, Sam Spiegel).

And well its a shame that they have not hit it much bigger until now....

Here are my two favorites!

N.A.S.A. feat. Kanye West in "Gifted"

N.A.S.A. feat David Byrne in "Money"

Florence and the Machine

This lady is quickly taking the United States by storm. Slated to perform at next months 2010 MTV Music Awards its surely going to be the breakout year for Florence and the Machine. This name is the recording name of the genius English pop star Florence Welch and a collaboration of other artists who provide the baking music to her tunes. Their combined sound is described as a mix of rock and soul as well as a combo of many other various genres. I have read some excellent praise and reviews across the music scene before they even gained mainstream success in England.

Now that they are here in the US I can't wait to hear more from them. Florence's voice is spectacular and their whole style is one that surely can't be duplicated.

This next song may be very familiar to some. It plays during the popular trailer for Eat, Pray, Love (which I saw last night and well it was AMAZING) but yeah you may recognize it from that. Yet what a great song it is, and what a talent this combo is as well. I highly recommend you picking up their first cd that was released back in 2009 Lungs. Its amazing.

Ukelele + Melodica Make a Beautiful Music Together

Check this neat video out. A great Waltz was created from the use of a few small instruments. This man is very talented.

New My Morning Jacket

Check out the live performance of My Morning Jacket's new song called "Circuital". This is from their concert last Wednesday out in San Diego, and I must admit. I really do enjoy this new one, especially around the 1:45 mark when they really start to get into it.

With Or Without You - Cover

So I can't get enough of this Scala and Kolacny Brothers Choir that I found yesterday. They are pretty amazing, the talent in these girls is endless.

Here is their cover of U2's classic "With or Without You". I just love it!

I have also learned that this choir has released two complete albums, check them out on itunes.

Happy Tuesday!

Scala & Kolacny Brothers Covers Radiohead

This one is a shout out to my friend Virginia and her love of Radiohead. In most instances I think she would kill me for posting a cover from one of her all time favorite bands but I do think today she will approve. While watching the numerous movie trailers I do all day, I stumbled upon this song during one of them and have spent half of my day finding out who actually performed this version.

I have found it. Meet the Scala and Kolacny Brothers Girls Choir from Belgium. To use the words incredible is an understatement. What they have done to this song is nothing short of amazing, they keep it as haunting as it should be but add so much more so much of a richer sound. It sounds even more "creepy" then I have ever heard it played before and well it just paints such a great picture in your head. I couldn't not post.

Radiohead fans (yes Virginia I promise) you will enjoy. Promise!

Editors Note: Since finding it I am now on my fourth straight listen.

Eat Pray Love

Been a rough day. I need a break for a little. Tonight I will be heading to see this. Say about it what you will but it continues to be one of the best books I have ever read in my life. For nothing else but to read the story of the courage it takes for one woman to completely change her path in life. To step out. Take a risk. Not all have either the opportunity, the means or the guts to do it. But when someone does, boy does the world take notice.

Why?

Easy. Its against the norm. Its what your not supposed to do. Its what everyone when they are in their twenties say that its the way they will live. But nobody ever does. People get put into a rut, into a routine. It becomes easy just to wake up and just follow, to be a sheep.

I like to think that I am not a sheep. I don't do things normally. I don't follow rules. I probably am not doing everything I should be doing, but you know what I'm free. I feel good. Every day is exciting. I noticed this a lot more after I finished Elizabeth Gilberts book. I noticed it because in her I saw little pieces of me. Just a little (I'm still too young to have many of her life experiences) but her way of thinking is what I strive to be.

I need a reminder of this tonight. A little escape into a world of food, prayer and love.

And well with music like this its sure to be a pleasant two hours.

Awkward Album Covers

This morning while getting my daily news fix I stumbled upon an article on Huffington Post that well is just too good not to share. They listed the top 18 most awkward album covers and well... they are pretty amazing.

Here are some of my favorites....

Seriously....dance before the police come...and take you both to jail!!

The Castle Family...Love That Showbiz! and we certainly love them!!

Don't know what is the most disturbing part of this album.

1. The fact that the rat is bigger than "Swamp Dogg"

2. Its called Rat On

3. His outfit

I'm really glad you have confidence.

Because I'm pretty damn confident you both turned into cat ladies.

Worst. Party. Ever.

And the next two are my favorite for obvious reasons.

They are both on Acid.

"Amen!?!" what are you thanking God for???

The amount of drugs you must have been on to first make this album cover.

And second give it the name "Trees Talk Too!"

I am speechless.

Love and Other Drugs

I am completely sold on this movie staring two of my favorites; Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal. Just when you thought you couldn't love them any more check out this trailer for their new movie.

The soundtrack for this movie is also killer, staring such greats as The Cure and REM. Keep an eye out for this one...

Quote of the Day

“Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.” - Margaret Young

Ke$ha Go Home!

Ugh. I can't believe I'm even typing her name into my blog but the time has come.... this chick has got to go!

I "woke up in the morning" and her voice was the first thing I heard.

I have been trying to recover ever since.

The singer of the ever-so popular song "Tick Tock" was the guest on the Today Show this morning (right after Dina Lohan may I add) And...well when it came across the tv in my bedroom I rolled over looked right at it and let out a "Ugggggggh...nooooo!"

It was terrible.

I couldn't stumble out of bed fast enough to turn it off.

How is this chick popular? Does anyone actually buy these albums?

GO HOME! (or to whatever cave you crawled out of today)

I will be at work for the rest of the day trying to get the images from this mornings brief encounter out of my head.

Yes, ELLEN... You Can Dance!

Last night on the season finale "So You Think You Can Dance" they told us before every commercial break that, "coming up is going to be a special guest star". They said this the entire night, keeping us tuned in right until the last 6 minutes of the show. This is when, one of my personal favorites took to the stage to show everyone in that room what dance is all about... having fun.

Ellen Degeneres is known throughout the country as many things. A comedian, talk show host, gay activist, fan of all things New Orleans and our new ambassador for dance. Thats right. She has been spreading the word about dance and its benefits for years now and well I just think thats fantastic.

So I was pretty excited to see her come out with the hip hop master, Twitch, to re-create a routine from earlier in the season.

Way to go Ellen! That took some guts!

Single Ladies?

Here is one of my all time favorites doing her thing on Beyonce's "Single Ladies". Its pretty fantastic if I do say so myself!

Enjoy!

FACT

Broken Bells - 3d Video

One of my favorite artists of 2010 has released a state of the art music video for their latest release "October". Found at their website... CLICK HERE. This visual adventure will take you on a journey through the depths of this song.

Its pretty amazing. And by that I mean its by far the coolest thing I have clicked on this month.

Bravo B.B. bravo!

Jellio.com

Go to THIS site right now.

Did you go?

Did you see this?

yup thats right its an ice cream sandwich couch.

This site is full of amazing items. Everything thing you can think of. Gummy bear lamps. Cupcake tables. Its my dream come true.

So here is another birthday alert.

Either one of these would make my day!

Its "Ants in the Pants" or a "Wall Slider"

Both are epic in their own right.

Paper Aeroplane

"I spilled the ink across the page trying to spell your name

So i fold it up and i flick it out

Paper aeroplane

It wont fly the seven seas to you

Cause it didnt leave my room

But it awaits the hands of someone else

The garbage man"

just a beautiful piece of music....

New Obsession

Okay they are not new, but its the first time I'm posting about them here. Arcade Fire is amazing. I don't know what I can say about them that hasn't already been said. Genius, original, new radiohead, remarkable, classy, indie. I love all of it.

Enjoy one of my favorites below called "Rebellion". Then do yourself a favor and go and download their entire album and listen to it while you are at work today. It will changed your life. Not really but you will feel better about yourself.

J-E-T-S

Tonight is the premiere of my NY JETS on HBO Hard Knocks. And for this I'm giving a special shout out to my friend Brianna because well she loves this kid so much:

Thats right its Mr. Mark Sanchez. She has told me numerous times on her undying love for all things Sanchez.

So this year Brianna every game I'll be thinking about you. Especially that Sept 19th game against those poor Patriots. (Remember when they used to win games?).

I have a feeling it your team is going to look like this again....

I LOVE YOU B! :)

Only Living Boy In NY

Last night I was listening to the radio and this song came across. Its one of my favorite Simon and Garfunkel tunes because of one line and one line only. This line cuts through me like a knife. I've always loved it. Loved it for years and years and years.

I always told myself that if I was FORCED to get a tattoo (because lets face it forcing would be the only way, I'm terrified of needles). But if I had to it would be a tough decision between two things. First would be a sunflower (mine and my mothers favorite flower) or it would be the line from this song. I just think that it sums up my life quite well. That and well, I think it could make a pretty cool tattoo if placed in the right spot.

"I've Got Nothing To Do Today But Smile....."

Its so simple, yet so complicated at the same time. I really could talk about those eight words for a long long time, but I'll spare you the rambles.

If you ever need more of an explanation just ask. But until then just think about that phrase, and think about how you should be living your life.

What Happens When....

Its a sad day in the blog world.

I have no more internet. Thats right. None.

All these posts that used to get done while sitting on my couch at home will now have to be done from inside a starbucks, the library or yikes....panera.

My neighbor who I adored has moved away and with it taken the internet she so graciously let me share with her. And yes, I'm extremely too poor to afford the internet on my own so I'm going to see what happens to a 28 year old blogger with no internet.

Its bound to be a sad sight.

I give myself until Thanksgiving before I cave.

Weezer is Awesome

Probably the best cover art of any album ever (not really but its awesome!)

Its Hurley from LOST!!

RIP Jack Parnell

Jack Parnell seen above on the drums was the long time band leader for the real band featured in "The Muppets" back in the 1950s. And well if you were a kid like me, the Muppet's played a huge part in your formative years. (He conducted all 120 Muppet episodes)

Born in London Parnell's career spanned seven decades. He played in numerous bands starting when he was a child in London. His love for conducting brought him to front both 12 man and 16 man ensembles and produced tv specials for legends like Barbara Streisand.

Parnells biggest credit on The Muppet Show was when he convinced the great Buddy Rich to come on the show live in 1980 and do a drum duel vs the Muppet drummer "Animal" what followed was classic Muppet moment.

Home Sweet Home

My brother alerted me to this video this weekend, and for a split second I forgot how truly wonderful this movie was. If anyone hasn't seen "Hot Tub Time Machine" I"m not kidding with you, go rent it immediately. Its hilarious. Like really really funny. Trust me on this.

Watch below for one of my favorites, and like Rick pointed out "the air flip of the drum stick is amazing". I couldn't agree more myself.

Break-dancing Grandma

Just because its Monday and we all need to smile.

Happy Jerry Day

It was 15 years ago today that the world lost a legend. Mr. Jerry Garcia.

I don't know much I can say about this man that has already been written. Throughout the decades, Garcia's reputation grew as he was a symbol of both the "do your own thing" attitude with his music and an obvious leader of the counterculture. As the lead songwriter and guitarist for the Grateful Dead, he expanded the limits of music and created a world of his own.

I know for a fact that if it wasn't for Jerry and his style and music my musical taste would be extremely different. He influenced some of my favorites, from DMB to Phish and Widespread Panic. For you see the Dead's music to me is a little slice of pie. Some of the songs you listen to are sweet and light, but then some have a lot more substance to them. They cross genre's from rock and roll to blue grass with ease, and to many who followed them they became peoples entire world. Because of his music there is a place now called the "fan community", something that just didn't exist before Jerry.

Music is not the same without Jerry around putting his spin on things.

Its just not.

You are missed.

**fun fact: Ben and Jerry's flavor "Cherry Garcia" named after Jerry still remains their top seller to this day.

Cold Water

Okay I told you a few weeks ago right HERE about a new artist called Janelle Monae. I think she is such a breath of fresh air. Her songs, style and her voice (which sounds just like Michael Jackson in his Jackson 5 days) are just amazing.

Over the weekend she released her latest video for the single "Cold Water" and she kills it. Taking the opposite approach from her last video "Tightrope" this one is simple and straight forward. Well because when you have the talent like Janelle there is no reason to make it more than this.

Enjoy

Eminem f/Rihanna

"Just going to stand there and hear me cry;

Thats alright because I love the way you lie"