When it comes to Parks & Recreation lore, this song is unparalleled. What’s 5000 times better than “Candle in the Wind” by Elton John? This song. In honor of the series finale, here’s the only power ballad that can make me cry for a miniature horse. Farewell Parks & Rec, and bye bye Li’l Sebastian.
I was content to listen to this album on Spotify for about 15 minutes before I caved and bought it on amoeba.com. The 3 day wait for shipping was agonizing, but once the CD arrived, I was quite a happy camper. There’s great range along with a unifying sound – a difficult feat to accomplish on any album, let alone a first. “The Wire” remains my favorite song, but “If I Could Change Your Mind,” “My Song 5,” and “Running If You Call My Name” are all contenders to top it. My favorite song will probably change, but that’s the best thing about a universally superb album – there’s many potential favorites to choose from.
I actually shed some tears when I heard this song for the first time. By the end, I experienced an emotional journey that was the impetus for thoughts of mortality and those around me. I still tear up when I hear it. Stop what you’re doing and play this song with your eyes closed. When you open them again, you’ll feel different in both an uplifting and morose way. I can imagine myself listening to this song in my 80s and having it draw up those same feelings I’m experiencing now. That’s the power of a great song.
Once again I took to Twitter to discover new bands. After perusing the followees of my recent obsession WALK THE MOON I stumbled upon The Colourist. After hearing “Little Games” I knew I wanted more. I loved the interplay of male/female vocals and the rest of the songs on their debut The Colourist didn’t disappoint. Also, the singalong nature of many of their choruses (“We Won’t Go Home“) drew me in. “Put the Fire Out” closes the album nicely and leaves me wanting more which, unfortunately does not yet exist in released form. Lastly, “Woo!” for female drummers!!!
The past few weeks have been my second coming of ABBA. The first occurred when I was 10, so it was welcome re-introduction. I used to unabashedly listen to the ABBA classics. And yes, they’re classics. Like disco songs, they may be kitschy, but they’re universally beloved. Bring me someone who’s never heard “Waterloo” and I 99% guarantee they’ll love it. It won Eurovision for gosh sake and is one of the best selling singles of all time – for good reason! If not for “Waterloo”, I would probably not be as interested history as I am. Yes, 10 year-old me heard the song and then proceeded to look up the Battle of Waterloo and other historical events. What a nerd. Continue reading
Recently I’ve been finding new music by looking at artists I already enjoy, and then seeing who they follow on Twitter. It’s been working out pretty well so far, especially concerning that’s how I found “Dreaming” by Smallpools. I like that the entire song paints a picture of this dream world – both sonically and lyrically. Plus, the build to the chorus is like the perfect slingshot pullback, finally releasing at the chorus:
“But you led them to our hideout
Forced their way inside now
They want us to surrender, us to surrender”
I’ve said it before, but RCA has been releasing lots of good stuff lately: WALK THE MOON, Bleachers, and now Smallpools! Smallpools’ first LP, LOVETAP!, comes out 3/24/15 and that can’t come soon enough.
To continue with my new goal of posting at least once a week, I’m going to gush about the band that is Magic Man. I listened to them last week because I saw they had opened for WALK THE MOON, and because all the under-18s were complaining that their upcoming Blind Pig show is 18+. Thank goodness I’m over 18 because I need (and can’t wait) to see this band live. Continue reading
Yes, “Take Me to Church” is a great song, but “Someone New,” wow, what a tune. Truth: “I fall in love just a little, oh a little bit every day with someone new.” The way I take this lyric is that when you’re single and you set eyes on someone, a part of you falls in love with them in the first 5 seconds. I’ve spoken to many people, and this phenomenon seems ubiquitous among those my age. And to craft this phenomenon into an honest song, just, yes.
Every year’s a souvenir
That slowly fades away
Wow. I’ve been regularly blogging for 6 months. This blog pursuit has lasted longer than many romantic relationships. To celebrate this fact (and the nearing close of the year) I’m going to switch it up a bit.
Why eleven you may ask? Because Spinal Tap, duh.
I’m going to chronicle my Top 11 Albums of My 2014. Breaking from tradition, I’m listing my top albums based on the year (as in this past year!) I discovered/rediscovered/obsessively listened to them. Really, it’s not about the year the music came out. It’s about the year the music came into and proceeded to change your life.
I will add links in to albums/artists I’ve already written about. In parenthesis is the year the album actually came out. Here they are in no particular order. The following albums defined my 2014, and looking back, remind me of what a great year I had.
It’s true, “(There’s No Place Like) Home For the Holidays.” Once again, surprisingly, I discovered a new holiday song this season. And it’s got that classic Christmas vibe mixed with that classic Carpenters sound! I completely relate to that traffic lyric. So much waiting, but well worth it because “For the holidays, you can’t beat home, sweet home.” And now on to finals studying…!
OHMIGOSH MIKA RELEASED A 1:25 SNIPPET OF A NEW SONG. And it’s AMAZEBALLS. If you’ve read most of this blog, first of all, kudos. And if you have, you will know my unwavering and long held love of MIKA. The man could release a cover of the alphabet song and I’d probably listen to it and love it (because of its high quality and because of his fantastic artistry). “Good Guys” will get stuck in your head, so sorry, but it’s worth it. And pairing it with “Happy Ending” was genius. Not only because they have similar chord structures, but because who doesn’t love “Happy Ending” from Life In Cartoon Motion.
“If we are all in the gutter, it doesn’t change who we are
cos some of us in the gutter are looking up at the stars”
Channeling your inner Oscar Wilde MIKA? It’s okay, it sounds brilliant.
“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” – Oscar Wilde
Man, with Bleachers and WALK THE MOON, RCA has been killin’ it lately. “I Wanna Get Better” killed the singles game in its own right. Rolling Stone just listed it in their Top 20 singles of the year, and it’s well deserved. This song has been in my rotation for the past 3 weeks and I’m not tired of it yet. The piano sample gives the song its solid base, and all of the little samples sounds that make an appearance give it a troubled quality. Whenever it gets to the “Hey’s” before the chorus, I have to mime scream along with the lyrics. Who doesn’t want to get better? And the screaming lets a lot of the feelings out until all your left with is the feeling of betterment.
And here’s some great lyrics for the road: I didn’t know I was lonely ’til I saw your face / I wanna get better / I didn’t know I was broken ’til I wanted to change / I wanna get better
I should be watching an overlong film and writing the subsequent essay, but instead I’m going to write about McBusted because “Get Over It” is too addictive. That chorus is pure pop and I love it. And the music video comes out soon!!! AHHH!!! Tom Fletcher makes me anticipate stuff in the best way possible. Anyone who takes this band seriously doesn’t get the point. They have a song called “How’s My Hair” which is fantastic but about something inconsequential. That statement basically sums them up. Continue reading
The release of Talking is Hard just happened to coincide with the start of final assignment madness, so I’ve put this off. Now I have a modicum of free time in which to gush about this album which has been my personal soundtrack over the past few days. The last time I was this excited about an album (and it actually lived up to my excitement) was The Origin of Love way back in 2012. In other words, I needed this album and it proved to be worth the wait. Before I go further, here’s the Spotify link to the album. And we’re off! Continue reading
My Musical Milestones 