Listen to this while you're: dancing in tennis courts. Or treadmill dancing.
This is a sneaky sneaky favorite band of mine. I honestly don't realize just how much I listen to them! They've been a mainstay in my iTunes library since high school; a band me and my friends bond over. We got to see them perform at Toad's Place. (Click here for my first concert review/blog post ever. complete with grainy cell phone pictures) I got to see them again and do a meet n' greet at Bamboozle. A really cool, genuine group of guys. What I especially loved about meeting them is their sarcastic humor that's scattered about their lyrics was prevalent in their casual banter.
Speaking of lyrics, I'm pretty sure that's why I love this band so much. Filled with metaphors and euphemisms, their eloquence is sure to impress. Their sound on this album is also pretty upbeat (even when their lyrics aren't). I also have to note that every now and then I take style ques from these gents. They do not fear patterns, to say the least.
When I find a band that I really like, like, reeeeaally like, they are all I can think about for a good while. Right now, Alabama Shakes is that band. I got so excited when I heard them on Karen's blog that I immediately had to find out more and eventually purchase the album. Boys & Girls is their debut album. I almost wish it wasn't because that means I have to wait for another album and there isn't a mass discography for me to fall back on to fill my fix. I had the same issue last year with Sleigh Bells...I'm so greedy!
Alabama Shakes is an awesome blend of grit, Motown, and passion; kinda like if you were to cross Kings of Leon with James Brown and Marvin Gaye. I love the bluesy riffs in songs like "Heartbreaker" and "You Ain't Alone" and the funk on tracks like "I Found You" and "Rise to the Sun." The whole album is a seriously great mix. The band has already made their rounds on the late night talk shows, so their's plenty of opportunities to see lead singer Brittany Howard's magnetic stage presence. I have to say I LOVE that the frontman of the band is a woman and the band isn't your typical bunch of dudes. It's just so refreshing.
TTFN!<3
-Avé
P.S. OF COURSE they're playing at Terminal 5 in NYC and the tickets are sold out. I have yet to go to that venue but everyone I want to see plays there and I always find out a little too late. ~le sigh~
A-1's After School SpecialIS my childhood. The mix tape opens with him telling his mom how "sick" he is and she lets him stay home; of course what he really wanted was hours of quality channel flicking. The album takes you through the 90's as he samples some of the most popular shows (and commercials) of the time. Literally every track got me buggin' out over the awesomeness that was 90's television. Not only does he sample All that, Pokemon, Power Rangers, The Price is Right, and Golden Girls, his rhymes are sick. The Needle Drop calls it a nostalgic mind fffff....and he's basically right.
My favorite track on this mix tape is "All That!" because I relate to it so much. It's basically about growing up and appreciating your childhood while you're in it, because adulthood isn't what you expect when you're a kid. Although, my favorite lyric comes from "Charizard"
~ Still tryin' to fit all of my dreams in a pokéball ~
TTFN!<3
P.S. A-1 might still have this mix tape up for free download :)
Found out through: flicking channels, She did mtv's Unplugged
Listen to this when you're: enjoying a rainy day
Lykke Li's sound is exotic and mysterious, yet soulful. It's almost like she's lurring you into her world, the beat of the drums driving you further and further in. It's hard to pinpoint the vibe of this album because each track evokes it's own emotion. For example, "Get Some" awakens an inner vixen, while "I Know Places"is a small tear drop rolling on the side of her cheek. This Swedish artist is truly a musician who is dedicated to her work.
