Music of the Moment

I love music. No, I mean, I love music. Really. Every once in a while I get on a kick on my computer where I have 3 or 4 browser windows open and I cross-reference several different artists. I start by either picking an artist or a compilation I love and checking out what Amazon would recommend to me. Or, if I'm watching a TV show, I'll google lyrics to see who's singing a song I love. And I'm overcome with giddyness when I find that a song I just heard on TV was from an artist who I'd heard the name, but didn't know what they sang. That probably makes no sense to anyone, but it is what it is. The way I found my all time favorite band, Guster, was when I was watching a movie ("Life as a House") and I heard a few songs that I loved. Turned out, they were both Guster songs and I've been hooked ever since.

Anyway, the library, I'm sure, hates when I go on these kicks. Because I spend hours making requests and queing up several albums which I want to give a listen. My wallet loves this because I'm not spending loads of money on CDs I may or may not love. The library is an awesome thing I tell you.

On to the music of the moment. (Click the name for the official website or the album cover for Amazon).

Joshua Radin: We Were Here
Joshua Radin is a great folksy artist. Several of his songs are duets with his real life girlfriend/actress/daughter of Sissy Spacek Schuyler Fisk. Some people compare him to Damien Rice, but I must say, having recently purchased Damien Rice's latest album, I find Joshua Radin much more enjoyable. His music has been featured on Scrbus, Grey's Anatomy, and the movie, The Last Kiss. (Thanks in part to the fact that he's a good friend/college buddy of Zach Braff. Either way, he's good.)



Death Cab for Cutie: Transatlanticism
I feel like I'm definitely late to the party with this band. I had heard their name a few times, but thought it was a very trendy, MTV age band. And it very well might be. I listened to the 2007 Grammy Nominees cd, and one of my favorite songs on their was the song by this band. I haven't made it through all of their albums yet, but most of them are coming from the library. So I just picked one of the ones I had listened to to feature here. They remind me a bit of Snow Patrol. So far, I like what I've heard.



The Shins: Chutes Too Narrow
Again, I know I'm late to hop on this band wagon. I have a couple of their songs on the Garden State soundtrack. They're the band whom Natalie Portman's character says "This song will change your life." I'm not sure that's exactly true. But they are good. Again, I've only given the CD a run through three or four times while I was working, so it's not ingrained on my brain just yet. But give it a couple more rotations.

Free the Music

Every Tuesday (or later in the week when I remember), I start up my Itunes program to check out the free download of the week. Sometimes they royally suck. Other times, they're actually really catchy. And you can't beat free music.

This week's featured free single is by an Indiana boy named Jon McLaughlin. I just listened to it after downloading, and it's pretty good. It seems like his album is coming out soon, or may already be out. If it's as good as this single, I may have to check it out. So if you don't have Itunes, download it for free and then check out their weekly freebie. It's like second drink. (Bonus points for getting that remark.)

Here's his music video for a different song, named "Industry." It's also good, which bodes well for his album.


For more of his music, he has a Myspace page with 4 songs, including the two above. I actually like the song "Indiana" as well.

Footnote: According to Wikipedia, he has recently toured with Marc Broussard (whom I blogged about a couple of weeks ago) and Cowboy Mouth (who has been a favorite of mine since a friend introduced me during the summer of 1998.) It all comes full circle.

Music of the Moment

Kelly P. asked me the other night what music I've been listening to. And what Kelly P. wants, Kelly P. gets.

[New post feature: Click the CD cover to be taken to where you can buy it. Technology is my friend.]

Mat Kearney Nothing Left to Lose
Love. Every. Song. Seriously, fabulous CD. If you watch Grey's Anatomy, you've heard at least 3 of Mat's songs. His songs were used in the first two episodes of this season and at least one more episode later. The one that sticks out in my head is his song, All I need, which was used at the end of the season premeire to show everyone and as Izzy is laying on the bathroom floor. Mat reminds me of the likes of Josh Kelley and John Mayer.



Marc Broussard Carencro
This CD was recommended to me by Amazon based on my other music choices. And although I wouldn't consider it like any other CD I have, I love it. Very soulful. I can't even think of whom he reminds me. Just trust me. Great CD.




Gary Jules Trading Snakeoil for Wolftickets
Ah, an oldie but a goodie. Well at least an oldie for me. I stumbled upon Gary a few years ago while browsing my favorite music cite, CDBaby. Bought the CD and loved it for a while and forgot about it. His most famous song is Mad World, which has been used in numerous movies. Heck, even my parents have heard that song. Then, my Dad wanted to find a song used on Grey's Anatomy during the scene where George's dad dies, and after looking it up, found out it was a Gary song. (Falling Awake) Although, not on this CD. As far as I know, his CDs are available for download, but you can still buy them at CDBaby. Which proves that CDBaby is still the best and Grey's Anatomy has some fabulous music choices.



Aqualung Strange and Beautiful
Aqualung was the opening act for The Fray when K and I saw them a few months ago. (Again, The Fray, highly used on Grey's). However, K and I could barely understand a word they sang all night. Not a good stage performance. Yet, a good CD.

Music of the Moment

My new music love for the past few weeks has been The Fray. Love them. A couple of weeks ago, I was on their site and noticed they were coming to Indy. I didn't purchase tix at the time because I thought I'd have time since they're relatively unknown. Now they're sold out and I'm kicking myself. Figures.

Edited to add: If you don't know who The Fray are but watch Grey's Anatomy, you heard one of their songs on Sunday. During the second set of surgeries and while they were trying to save stalker chick's life they played The Fray's "How to Save a Life."

Music of the Moment

I know several people don't care for posts on my music tastes. Deal. I've been told a lot over the last few years that I have weird taste in music, but then been asked to share. So for that one reader who really cares, I'll continue.

1. Jason Mraz: I was only familiar with one of his songs but borrowed the CD from the library the other day. And it's all so catchy. Who can't relate to soul-searching lyrics like,
You can say that I'm one curly fry in the box of the regular".

2. Kelly Clarkson: I'll admit I didn't watch the first season of American Idol. I'll also admit that I avoided her stuff because it was way too trendy for me. But then following her latest album, I kept hearing songs on the radio that I liked, and after I found out they were by her, I made the sacrifice.

3. Anna Nalick: It is very rare indeed for me to have 2 female artists revolving on the playlist at the same time. She's kinda got a Tori Amos feel (which is odd because I never listened to her) and she writes her own music. Which is a must to make my faves list. (Ahem, in light of artist #2 I should probably revise this to say usually required.)

4. Jadon Lavik: I don't know much about him, but for weeks I keep hearing a particular song on the Jesus Radio that strikes a nerve with me. So for that, he gets a nod.

Music of the Moment

Since I know everyone has been waiting with bated breath to find out who's spinning around in my CD player these days, I give to you, in no particular order, the soundtrack of my life.

Keane: A Scottish group that sounds a lot like U2, but whom I find less annoying to listen to. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy some of U2s songs, but never did hop on that whole bandwagon.

Megan Slankard Band: After getting over the initial shock that I actually had a female artist amongst my collection, I've really enjoyed this CD. Unique lyrics. Catchy tunes. Everything I love in a band.

Counting Crows: An oldie but a goodie.

Ingram Hill: Was labeled as a "much anticipated debut" and was on sale for $7 at Target, so I couldn't resist. And they're actually pretty good to boot.

Plumb: A contemporary Christian band who hasn't had as much success crossing over [a la bands like Jars of Clay]. Except for their one song "Stranded" which has appeared in every teen movie produced since 1997.

Bowling for Soup: What can I say, I'm a sucker for "1985" and "Almost".

The Music in my Head.

The music playing the soundtrack of my life right now:
Alexi Murdoch
Gary Jules
The Garden State Soundtrack
Tyler Hilton

All fabulous music. After enjoying my Alexi Murdoch for a while, I was pleasantly surprised to hear one of his songs on my Garden State DVD. After a little research I found out that his "Orange Sky" is the only song from the movie not included on the soundtrack. Interesting how my music choices come full circle.