Tag: alternative rock

Music - What I'm Listening To

Friday Jam Session: Sweet Summertime

Amanda

I love summer. I posted a few weeks ago, a ‘good stuff’ list about 50 things I love about summer.

One of those was that I love the “fascination that country music has with singing about summer.”

It’s romantic, care free and fun. There’s a reason that authors and song writers alike, can pull so much from those themes. Every summer I make a playlist that is a mix of my favorite new hits from that season and old ones that are always a staple in my summer adventures. There are honestly a million different ways that I could categorize a summertime music playlist. But this time around I am making it simple. Today’s Friday Jam Session features a few favorites that are specifically about summer and a few others that I consider staples on my summertime playlists. For me, that means most of them are country songs because that’s what best describes my perfect summer. But hey that’s just me. What songs describe your summer?

Oh and because work came first last Friday, today’s list is a double-feature.

Enjoy!

Summertime by Kenny Chesney
The King of Summertime has built his entire career around his own theme of beach bum country jams. This song never gets old.

Drunk On You by Luke Bryan
As reigning Entertainer of the Year, Luke is the biggest thing in pop country music right now and has given summer tunes his own flair. I think a pretty strong argument could be made for this being one of the biggest songs on the radio in summer 2012.

Runnin’ Out of Moonlight by Randy Houser
Summer nights. Enough said.

Ocean Avenue by Yellowcard
No this is not country and no, it is not about summer at all. But let’s go back to the summer when my best friends and I were 16, and our driver licenses’ were hardly broken in. THIS was our favorite song to belt out at the top of our lungs with the windows rolled down going down good ol’ 395 HWY. And years later it still remains on my summer playlist.

Barefoot Blue Jean Night by Jake Owen
Besides being a great summer song, for some reason that we’ve never actually been able to determine, this was the song that my AFA team labeled as ours. Regardless of the reason, because of them it will never be skipped and always have a special place in my heart.

That Summer by Garth Brooks
I spent a long time  when I was younger liking this song before I actually realized what it was about. Whoops. Oh well, now that I do, I still love it.

Road Trippin’ by Josh Abbott Band
What’s summer without a road trip, long weekends or Boone’s Farm?

Night Train by Jason Aldean
I’m a very critical, and conditional Aldean fan. But I do really like this one off his most recent album.

Brighter Than The Sun by Colbie Caillat
Another non-country, favorite from Summer 2012. Normally not a huge Colbie Caillat fan, but this one is fun, catchy and meets the shades on, car windows down criteria.

Fishin’ in the Dark by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Hearing the first few chords to this, is the only introduction it really needs. Let’s put it this way. There are two things that I am sure of… 1.) Without this song, I’d bet that country music and summertime just wouldn’t be the same 2.) We can’t be friends if you don’t like it.

 

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Friday Jam Session: #SoulMusic Vol. 1

Amanda

This week’s Friday Jam Session, is brought you on a Saturday morning.
..because someone’s Friday ended with an epic five hour nap.
Yeah, I like to live life on the edge.

Anyways, this week’s music is best enjoyed on a quiet, sun-shining morning with a cup of coffee, so as least I’m doing something right. By far my favorite playlist on my iTunes is one that I affectionately refer to as “#SoulMusic.”

I’m a writer and a lover of words, so as a music junkie, I love a set of lyrics that has the power of moving people. Today I’m sharing #SoulMusic that all has a similar sound, but that doesn’t mean that those are the boundaries. On my #SoulMusic playlist I have songs that are happy, sad, inspiring, fast, slow and some that don’t have words. They cover every topic that one can sing about and come from every genre. The one thing that they have in common is that they are songs that move me. My fellow music junkie roommate describe these as “lay-your-head-on-your-computer-speaker-and-be-absorbed-into-the-music” kind of songs.

Yeah, she has an unique way with words.

Stubborn Love by The Lumineers
The Lumineers are one of my newest discoveries and really, their entire album could be considered #SoulMusic. The lead singer has that raw type of voice that convinces you that it only speaks the truth. I particularly love this song not just for its lyrics but because of how the music progresses through the story that it is telling. Plus, the little girl in the video is adorable.

Drops of Jupiter by Train
Either you are laughing at me or raising your eyebrows right now, but either way, most of you can’t help but sing along. And that’s why this song makes the list, because it doesn’t actually make sense. “She acts like summer and walks like rain.” What does that even mean??? All I do know is that this song makes me smile…and that the 90’s were weird. Pat Monahan, you are creepy and your shirt clashes with the rugs that you are standing on, but hey, thanks for this song.

Runaway by Mat Kearney
Mat Kearney has a special place in my iTunes partially because he is a fellow Oregonian, and while I actually have no idea where he gets his inspiration for his music, I like to tell myself that it comes from the same things that I love about our home state. For some reason this one reminds me of my mountains and is one of my all-time favorites to play on long drives.

This is The Thing by Fink
I discovered this song on the “Dear John” movie soundtrack (which is a gem in itself.) It’s the only song that I have ever heard from this artist but it is one that I always put on repeat for two main reasons. First it is one that you could drop the vocals and I would love it just as much. I am a sucker for that guitar. Second, it sounds so personal and a little sad. It’s sort of, as if we are getting an inside peek into someone’s inter-monologue.

Daylight by Maroon 5
This is a little bit different for Maroon 5 and I think it’s beautiful. It’s both happy and sad, and the kind of song that you can determine it’s meaning for yourself. They took two different approaches for the music video. I’m featuring the one I like better and you can find the other one by clicking here. Neither of the videos feature the song in it’s original form, so I definitely recommend looking that up as well.

A few other artists that sound like this that I can always count on for some good #SoulMusic are Phillip Phillips, Lifehouse, Bon Iver, Snow Patrol, Augustana, OneRepublic, NEEDTOBREATHE, Goo Goo Dolls, Imagine Dragons, Mumford & Sons and The Fray. In a few weeks I’ll feature a Vol. 2 post and share some #SoulMusic with a different sound.

Enjoy!

Music - What I'm Listening To

Friday Jam Session: Girl Power

Amanda

So  I had lots of great ideas for this week’s Friday Jam Session theme. I listened to a lot of different music, and seeing as I just started this bit last week, the possibilities are endless. But ultimately my ears were driven by one thing: Miranda Lambert FINALLY put out a video for her “Mama’s Broken Heart” single. Long story short….I LOVE this song. Maybe a little too much.

I know that my iTunes is probably extremely weighted in male vocalists but I will be the first to admit when I am really impressed by a fellow female. I think when it comes down to it, we tend to hold female artists up to more scrutiny. Unlike with men, it not just about talents and attractiveness (let’s be honest here.) We also throw up behavior, personal relationships and lives, style decisions and success up on the canvas to be judged. We expect them to be able to compete alongside the boys but keep a certain image and meet certain expectations at the same time.

So, before I get everyone thinking that I’m becoming some sort of outspoken feminist, (trust me, I’m not,) here is this week’s Friday Jam Session, empowered by beautiful, strong voices, sassy personalities and women I think we can respect for owning their talent.

ALSO…today just happens to be International Women’s Day! A coincidence? Maybe, if I believed in those.

Mama’s Broken Heart by Miranda Lambert 
Not much left to say here, other than although the video wasn’t at all what I expected it to be, it definitely cracks me up.

All This and Heaven Too by Florence + the Machine
Everything about Florence Welch is original. Now I wouldn’t call myself a loyal fan of her and her band, but her voice is amazing and she most certainly rocks her own style, which I both respect. This one is my favorite of hers and a little bit more on the tame side. I also really like “Shake it Out,” “Never Let Me Go,” and “Heavy in Your Arms.”

Piece of My Heart by Janis Joplin
After dancing to this song during our state routine on high school dance team my junior year, it will always have a spot on my “Oldies Faves” playlist. No, Janis probably isn’t a great role model, but she’s classic and you know you want to sing along.

Brick by Boring Brick by Paramore
Ironically my love for Paramore can be credited to a guy. I knew of them before, but it was my friend Kevin, his slight obsession and his coveted “chick mix” that got me hooked. Like Florence, lead singer Haley Williams is another red-head with a big personality, which of course only makes me like her more. This is my all-time favorite.

American Beautiful by The Henningsens
So I’m cheating a little on this last one. The Henningsen’s are a father-son-daughter-family act (which I love,) lead by Clara, whom I’m pretty sure is the type of girl who could be an instant best friend. This is their debut video, which I have been anxiously waiting for alongside Miranda’s, and can’t get out of my head. Check out their other stuff online, I’m excited to see where they go.

Enjoy!
Amanda

Music - What I'm Listening To

Friday Jam Session: Confessions of a Music Junkie

Amanda

I was destined to be a music junkie. I born in the early 90’s, the start of a new generation when music was continuing to evolve at a rapid pace. Growing up I listened to my dad’s outlaw country driving around in the truck and caught bits and pieces of the remnants of my parent’s 80’s teenage years. Time with my kid uncle meant christian rock and alternative, and the fact that I was also a dancer opens up a whole other list. THEN, I came to the Midwest, fell in love with red dirt country and met my best friend with a completely different iTunes and who’s love for music matches mine.

One might think that I might be musically confused, or have some sort of complex, but no, I just embraced it all. And ‘all’ translates into a music library of 7,500 songs and growing.

So now we are here at I’ve decided to call my ‘Friday Jam Session.’ Discovering new music  and sharing it with other has become almost like a game to me, and hardly a day goes by on my Facebook or Twitter without a new link being shared. I’m warning you though…my taste in music is all over the board and I’ll listen to songs that came out 30 years ago just as often those that debuted last week. It depends the mood, what’s happening in my life or just what’s stuck in my head. Enjoy!

Say Goodnight by Eli Young Band
EYB is a go-to band when it comes to great lyrics. The vocals in their most recent single just about makes you melt. There is an official music video, but I prefer this studio session version.

Pretty Little Lie by Blackberry Smoke Band
I just discovered this band literally two days ago, but just after one listen I was reminded why I fell in love with red dirt. Talented musicians, ‘rough around the edges’ vocals, honest lyrics and that sound that makes you feel at home. They also kind of remind me of Whiskey Meyers.

Can’t Go Wrong by Phillip Phillips
Phillip squared is one of my newest obsessions. I stalked the Olympics last summer waiting to hear the tv spot that featured his first single “Home,” just so I could try to figure who this voice belonged to. And THIS song is soulful, warm fuzzy music gold.

Feel Again by OneRepublic
Speaking of soulful, warm fuzzy music gold…this one is from one of my permanent obsessions. Lead singer Ryan Tedder goes on my list of people whose voices I could listen to endlessly. Plus it gives me an excuse to throw a few hallelujahs’ in there.

Sure Be Cool If You Did by Blake Shelton
It’s impossible not to love Blake. Seriously though, country music’s resident party boy one minute and then croons this simple one that makes you melt. Come on.

I always welcome suggestions and recommendations. What are you listening to right now?
Amanda