recent jamz

Since I really have nothing to say, I shall make a list. Here's what I'm currently listening to:

1. The Fear - Lily Allen. Before hearing this song, I only knew who she was from Perez Hilton (I know, you're probably thinking "really?"). From what I gather, she's pretty messed up, in an Amy Winehouse sort of way. Love this song though. Found it via Pandora (Imogen Heap radio). I have discovered the joy of listening to Pandora more on my blackberry in my car...woo!

2. Glittering Clouds (Locusts) - Imogen Heap. Again, thank you Pandora! I love Imogen and I'm surprised I hadn't heard this one. It was featured on a compilation called Plague Songs. Very interesting concept. The album is made up of 10 songs, each representing a Biblical plague from the book of Exodus. Kind of cool, but also very weird. Imogen never disappoints though.

3. Who Is It (Carry My Joy On the Left, Carry My Pain On the Right) - Björk. Although I proclaim to be a huge fan of Björk, I'm mostly just a fan of her old stuff. This song is from her album entitled Medúlla which was released in 2004. Not really "new," but newer than say Debut. Anyway. I'm loving this song, specifically the beat box rhythm she uses in the background for the whole track. And it's quite upbeat - similar in mood to "Alarm Call," another great track of her's that is worth listening to.

4. I Can't Love You Now - Sarah Jarosz. This girl is the missing link I have been searching for since Nickel Creek stopped recording. Only seventeen years old, plays the mandolin, and writes great songs. I can't stop listening to this one in particular. Along with the rest of the album (Song Up In Her Head).

5. Edge of a Dream - Sarah Jarosz. See above.

6. In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel. I love a lot of Peter Gabriel's music, and I could probably always list this song as being "currently played." In my book, it's one of the best songs ever. My love for this song was recently rekindled after watching the movie "Say Anything...". OMG. I LOVE THIS MOVIE. I always figured it had to be good if it featured this song, but I hadn't seen the movie until a few months ago. The first time I watched it, I kind of felt like, meh. I'm not a huge fan of Ione Sky (who plays the lead female role of Diane), but John Cusack is wonderful. And it's such a great story. Simple, but great. And after visiting Best Buy yesterday, I now own the dvd. yay! I'm watching the Olympics right now, and seriously, someone should ice skate to this if they haven't already.

7. Live in Las Vegas - Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds. So, I probably have five different live versions of most songs on this album, but you can't go wrong with this combination. And the $15 iTunes gift card I had was burning a hole in my pocket.

On an unrelated note, I hope you all had a fantastic Valentine's Day. Ross & I were completely cheesy and saw the movie - "Valentine's Day," in case you are missing that - ON Valentine's Day (yes, we were one of those people). There were a couple endings that I didn't see coming and I thought were kind of awkward, but overall it was pretty good. Taylor Swift's character was actually pretty funny and she did a good job, as did the rest of the cast. I really just had a hard time picturing Bradley Cooper in the role he ended with...? I will end this now and say no more in case any of you are dying of suspense and don't want me to ruin the ending. HAH.

And I guess I had more to say than I originally thought.

VMA's, YYY, etc.

I would like to begin by stating that I had no intentions of watching the VMA's, and I really didn't...I happened to catch the performance of Muse, probably the only good performance there actually was. My facebook newsfeed exploded with remarks about Kanye, I watched on youtube, and was not surprised. Kanye is the biggest asshole this side of, well pretty much the universe. I'm not gonna lie though, 808s & Heartbreak is one of my faves.

Lady Gaga, just wow. Chick is INSANE! Her performance on the VMA's (which I also viewed on youtube) was um, freaky to say the least. If it's at all possible to top that, the music video for "Paparazzi" is even more weird. I love her though. You have to give her credit for being different. She first caught my attention with "Just Dance," which is odd because I normally couldn't care less about the pop crap that's constantly on the radio. But I liked her voice, and she sounded like she had potential to be *gasp* actually talented- also she didn't fall in the same line of the Beyonces/Britneys/etc. The Fame is a fantastic pop album that I definitely don't regret buying. And I love watching her play the piano. You can check that out for yourself here. I would venture to say that she is the new combination of Annie Lennox+Cyndi Lauper+Madonna. I mean seriously, anyone remember the weirdness in the video for "No More I Love You's??" The first 30 seconds should jog your memory. She has by no means attained Annie Lennox status...but is worthy of a small comparison I think. I put her on the same level as Madonna in regards to shock value. As for Cyndi Lauper, "Boys Boys Boys" reminds me of "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." Ok, so they are obviously two different messages but it's got that same rally-all-the-girls-together thing going for it. And both singers have an outlandish/flashy/weird persona.

I'm also partial to singers who wear flamboyant clothing. I've said this many times before, but my theory is- if you are THAT famous, why not go all out and wear the craziest stuff you can find?? My favorite outfits include this get up from Karen O:

and the bubble outfit from Lady Gaga:

Really, if you could wear bubbles for an outfit...who would pass that up??

Anyway. My recent jamz, aside from Lady Gaga, include songs from the IS IS - EP from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. "Rockers to Swallow" is a perfect introduction to the band if you're not familiar with them. Well, maybe not a perfect introduction. A good way to ease into the YYY would be "Maps." But the former is a good picture of the sound and style that defines them. Actually, the entire EP is. I find myself constantly wondering how did I not like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs before this year?? but it gives me a lot of good music to catch up on. :)

Still enjoying Imogen's new album as well...love the instrumental versions of the songs more than I thought I would. Perfect for when you need some relaxing music that isn't Enya.

On a completely unrelated note, I am trying to read four books right now. For the life of me, I don't know how people who read multiple books at one time do it. I'm not much of a reader though, I probably should have started slow. But it's 11:30pm, and Harry Potter/Living Dead in Dallas/Shoe Addicts Anonymous/Such a Pretty Fat wait for me.

why August 25th was a good day.

Imogen Heap's new album Ellipse finally came out yesterday...I have been waiting on this for a long time! She has a way of fusing words and sound like no other. The sound is similar to the last album, but in my opinion, that's what sets her apart (i.e. use of the vocoder). I'm all for new sounds, but in this case, her "sound" is central to what makes her Imogen Heap. I'd actually be kind of disappointed if the record didn't have her signature innovative style. I mean, Imogen Heap wouldn't be Imogen Heap if she abandoned it all and we were presented with acoustic guitars and boring pop-wannabe tunes.

I've probably listened to all the songs at least once- but the tracks "Wait It Out" and "Half Life" make the whole album completely worth $9.99 to me. or however much it costs on iTunes. I actually ended up buying the cd off her website ("Immi's Favourite Edition"), and that speaks volumes for me. I rarely (I'm talking 0.5 times a year) buy physical cd's- only when the album is so completely great and unique that you need to have it in your hands. It's too good to be shoved on the iTunes shelf, if you will.

I'm also excited about listening to Ingrid Michaelson's new stuff (her new album entitled Everybody was released yesterday as well). I noticed "The Chain" is on the track list- one of my favorites from her. A live version of the song is on Be OK, and I'm sure the new version is wonderful as well. I hope the chorus stays the same...in the live version it is sung as a round (I don't even know if that's the right phrase) and that's what makes the song. I'm also liking "Soldier," which I think can be heard on her myspace.

Anyway. The lyrics to "Half Life" are too good not to be posted. So I'll leave you with that. Last I checked, the whole cd was available for streaming at Imogen's myspace so go listen. :)

I knew that I'd get like this again,

that's why I try to keep at bay,

be a hundred percent when I'm with you and then

the perfect heart's length away

the stickler is you've played not one beat wrong

you never promised me anything

even sat me down, warned me just how they fall

I knew the odds were I'd never win, yet here I am

it's a half life

with you as my quarterback

a daft life

my self worth measured in text-back tempo,

it's been two days and eight minutes too slow,

well there may well be others but I still like to pretend

that I'm the one you really want to grow old with

I've got a schedule to stick to, got a world to keep sweet,

it's so much to everyone all the time

will you ever slow down, will I ever come first,

the universe contracts to size

it's a half life

with you as my quarterback

a daft life

you know you'll never be alone,

you know you'll always be loved

and maybe you'll never need more than that.

of other sapless little loves, what's to become of us,

does it even register on your conscience?

long for one last showdown from a box in a crowd

air compress tight to explode

I'm clinching my ticket to the only way out

as you disappear in a puff of smoke

it's a half life

with you as my quarterback

a daft life