Top Five Friday: Tunetastic

A colleague asked me yesterday if I'd bet my paycheck on the accuracy of a piece of information I gave him.

My response? "Sure, it's not that big anyway." Which kinda, sorta got me a job offer? Funny how things work.

Here's what's been on repeat.

1. Hozier's "Work Song." Let's be honest the entire album has been on repeat. This is one of my, if not the, favorite songs on the album.

2. Broods' "Four Walls." I think it's my favorite song on the album.

3. Louisa Wendorff's "Blank Space/Style (Taylor Swift Mash-Up)" with Devin Dawson since I saw the VS Fashion Show 2014 earlier this week and saw Taylor Swift perform "Style." I found this little gem and haven't stopped listening.

4. Ed Sheeran's "I See Fire" ever since I saw The Desolation of Smaug and realized what the song was about.

5. Knox Hamilton's "Work it Out" because I may have the teeniest, tiniest crush on Boots, the lead singer. But maybe I just have a thing for beards?

What've you got on repeat?

Top Five: Christmas Songs

I think just about everyone has a list this time of year.

A list of people to send cards to. A list of cookies to make. A list of people to exchange gifts with. If you're a little person, you might have a list for Santa. 

I have a list of songs that put me into the Christmas spirit. Like, it's not Christmas until I hear each and every one of them. Here's my top five Christmas tunes:

1. The ever fun and cute, "Dominck the Donkey" by Lou Monte. 

2. The classic song by Thurl Ravenscroft, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch."

3. Charlie Brown's "O Tannenbaum" performed by the Vince Guaraldi Trio.

4. A great collaboration is one with the Barenaked Ladies with Sarah McLachlan singing "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / We Three Kings."

5. Last but not least, my absolute favorite. Bing and Bowie singing "Little Drummer Boy / Peace on Earth." It isn't really Christmas until I hear this gem. 

So tell me, what gets you in the spirit? 

Top Five Thursday: Tunetastic

I've worked about 46 hours since Sunday, one being a 14 hour day, and had maybe a total of 25 hours of sleep since then, which for me is definitely not enough. I need a solid eight hours a night to be human. Ryan can attest. 

Seriously, today, at any given point, I would blink and have a mini anxiety attack that I was going to fall asleep. Then I came home and Ryan gave me wine. I'm surprised I'm not drooling yet.

What's getting me through is music. Here's what been on a loop recently:

1. Walk the Moon's "Shut Up and Dance" because, um, how fun is this song? Oh, and HELLO those dimples? Kthnxbye.

2. One Direction's "Steal My Girl" because I'm twelve and love them. It may be a problem. Ryan's starting to look at me funny on this one.

3. George Ezra's "Budapest" because I hope Ryan would give up everything for me, but let's be honest, he didn't have much to begin with. Whatever, I love him anyway. I know I definitely would, but that castillo might cause some pain.

4. Sara Bareilles's "Gravity" in honor of the fact that we landed on a freaking comet yesterday. Is that not the coolest thing ever? We launched something in 2004 that landed ten years later. Talk about crazy calculations.

5. Jesse Ware's "Say You Love Me" because I'm just in that R&B mood sometimes and I'm kind of in love with her voice.

How's your week going? Are you making it through?

Top Five Tuesday: Tunes

I'm going to try out something new. Here's the top five songs I'm hitting repeat on this week. I'm featuring alternative music that's played on my local station, WEQX. 

"Doses and Mimosas" by Cherub (Explicit) because "to all the bitch ass hoes that hates me the most, oh yea, I hate you too." (Please don't judge me on those lyrics - it's been a long day at work.)

"Silhouettes" by Colony House because his voice at 1:23, 2:32, and 2:41. He can sing me to sleep any night of the week.

"Take Me to Church" by Hozier because I know all the words and can sing it in key. ALL. DAY. LONG. (And it annoys Ryan, win-win.)

"Marigold" by J. Roddy Walston & The Business because it's one of those fun songs and you have no idea what the lyrics mean but you bop your head and hum along.

"One Minute More" by Capital Cities because I'm a big fan of the group and sometimes you just need a lovey song. It always reminds me of Rye and how everyday is better with him. 

What's on your playlist this week? Any of these make your top five?

New Tunes - Alex & Sierra "Scarecrow"

Recently, I stumbled across the couple who won the X Factor last year. Adorable may be an understatement to describe them. And I'm completely obsessed with their new song "Scarecrow."

I just listened to it five times. In a row. I'm about 99.9% sure that if I hit repeat one more time and sing along that Ryan will holler, "Al!" With that tone. You know the one? The one you use when someone is just annoying the peaches out of you? Yea, with that tone. 

Or maybe not, since he just walked in as I pressed repeat and he was playing Pokemon. A twenty-seven year old playing Pokemon? Yep. That current little obsession was inspired by our seven and five year old nephews. 

I'm sure it'll pass soon. 

Please let it pass soon?

In the meantime, enjoy the melodies. 

What are you listening to?

New Tunes - Awolnation "All I Need"

I just realized it's been quite some time since I posted new music. I was almost out of commission for a bit because I dropped my phone and shattered the screen. Thankfully, I bend over and pay for insurance. I got a new "refurbished" version of my old phone. The buttons are finicky and not what I'm used to, but there's only 11 months until I can get the newer version. I will be counting down until that day. 

You may have heard of Awolnation when they took the radio by storm with "Sail." Their newest album, Megalithic Symphony, has some pretty great songs including "Kill Your Heroes" and today's song, "All I Need." I hope these guys come to my area on tour. Until then I'll keep their album on repeat.

And as a special treat, I made a couple printables. I'm going to get these printed by one of the big box stores so they'll look nice. I have just the spot to put them.

All I Need is You Smiling

All I Need is Life, Love

These printables were formatted to fit a 5" x 7" piece of paper. I used the following fonts on each one: CarnevaleeFreakshow.  LTChickenhawk. I used textures from this pack: GrungeRemodelingTextures.

New Tunes - One Direction "Little Things"

I know, I know. I'm twenty-six. Yes, I listen to One Direction. I can't help it! They're good. Even if they don't necessarily write their own songs. They're adorable and man, the songs are catchy. Today's song is cute and awe-filled. I've just listened to it about ten times. In a row. 

I know...it's just that every time I hear songs like these, I think about the hubbs and how much I love him. He's pretty fantastic to me. He always makes me smile and the little things he does are perfect. I appreciate him. 

What's your dirty little secret when it comes to music? Do you have any?

New Tunes - American Authors "Best Day of My Life"

Do you ever wonder about the songs that would be on the soundtrack of your life? I would like to think today's song would be featured. I've had some great memories. A road trip around the northeastern US. A road trip to Colorado. A picnic in the dead of winter in my dorm room. And I couldn't ever forget the day I married Ryan. 

I'm sure I have plenty of great memories ahead of me too. I'll have to add this to my playlist when Ryan and I take another road trip this summer. I'd loved to take two weeks for it but it'll probably end up being just a week or so.

Any ideas of places where I could road trip this summer? What are your favorite places to visit?

New Tunes - Dr. Dog "Heart It Races"

I wasn't kidding when I said the music was speaking to me this week. I've got new songs everywhere. Today's is a cover of a song by a band called Architecture in Helsinki. I think this version is better. But you can YouTube the original and decide for yourself. 

What cover song do you think is better than the original? Did it change the kind of song it was?

New Tunes - John Legend "All of You"

You've heard of Pandora, right? I mean, come on, who hasn't? Basically, you pick a song or artist and it creates an entire radio station around it. It introduces you to new songs, new bands, and possible new music genres. On an old radio station I have, John Legend came up a lot. What can I say, I'm into romantic music. Naturally, when a new song of his came out recently I was ALL. OVER. IT. Dude's got some pipes. And songwriting skills. His wife is one lucky woman. Especially considering he wrote this song for her. 

Do you listen to Pandora? What's your favorite station at the moment?

New Tunes - Mako "Our Story"

I was watching a video compilation of some awesome human feats. Think people doing crazy stunts but actually nailing them. Besides the amazing things that people are capable of pulling off, the first song in the video was pretty cool. It's pretty much dance music that'd be good to get you going some mornings. 

New Tunes - Walk the Moon "Shiver Shiver"

Lately I have been eating up music. Song after song, I've been jamming; singing along much to the chagrin of Ryan. I guess this is one of those times in your life where music just gets you and plays the perfect song and you're all in. Well, I heard a song a while back by Walk the Moon called "Anna Sun." It was pretty good so I decided to download the self-titled 2012 album it's from. The short (43:01), eleven song album is packed with good songs, like today's, "Shiver Shiver." 

The band decided to try a "7in7" series. Where they make "officially unofficial music videos, hand-made, band-made by WALK THE MOON without a film crew or a budget." They did it with only one camera while they were on tour. Pretty impressive I think. I checked out most of the other videos and they seem pretty neat. It's nice to see that a band can not only make some good music but seem like they have a fun time doing it.

"Shiver Shiver" was one of the videos they did on tour. I just want to say one thing, white boy can dance. 

Next time these guys stroll through my area, I am definitely going to their concert. I hope they're just as awesome live. If you have more time, check out their video for "Quesdilla" because it's hilarious.

Have you seen these guys live? Are they pretty good? Tell me about your best concert experience - of all time, not just with these guys. Isn't it amazing to be part of something bigger?

Tunetastic Thursday - J. Roddy Walston and the Business "Take It As It Comes"

Today is a glorious day, for several reasons conflicting reasons. Conflicting, you may ask? Glorious yet conflicting? Does that even make sense?

Of course it does. Especially if you're me.

Why so glorious? For one, it's snowing. And I LOVE snow. The white stuff just makes my heart pitter patter. And two, the hubbs is taking me to see Wild Cub! Snow and travel does not bode well for me. But I'm good because I have the hubbs as my chauffeur. 

I mentioned them in a previous Tunetastic post. WEQX, my favorite radio station ever, played them and I became hooked pretty quick. Seriously, this radio station brings attention to great new bands. Like today's band, J. Roddy Walston and the Business. And eff me, if that isn't just the coolest name ever. To top it off, you have to respect someone who says, "I don't play keyboards - I play piano." on why he brings a 300lb piano on tour. There's no real video for it, and I try to link to the band's page rather than other performances or tv hosts, so I hope you like it. 

What's been on your playlist this week? Anything I should check out?

Tunetastic Thursday - The Head and the Heart "Shake"

I can already tell that this year is going to be terrific for music. And I hope to see so many bands live this year. Including today's band, The Head and the Heart. I have been a fan since their early days with songs like "Lost in My Mind", "Rivers and Roads", and "Cats and Dogs".

Now that their new album, Let's Be Still, is out, I hope they get a lot more attention. It's definitely well deserved. So for your listening pleasure...

What do you think? Does someone make you shake?

Tunetastic Thursday - Wild Cub "Thunder Clatter"

I am absolutely in love with this song. I heard it first on EQX Monday morning. It's been on my brain for the past week. Apparently it's been featured in a Bose commercial. Go them. I like it when indie bands get national attention and ad campaigns. It just goes to show you that some of the best music comes from labels where MUSIC is most important, not profit.

Did you like this week's song? How about those lyrics?

Tunetastic Thursday - Avicii "Wake Me Up"

Sometimes you just need some house music to really get the day going. These past few mornings I feel like I could use it for sure. Funny enough, one of the words from my word-a-day calendar was "slugabed,"  which means "a person who stays in bed after the usual or proper time to get up." Now, granted, this song won't get you that hyped up. But it gets you in the mood for other music that will.

If you want to get pumped, what kind of music do you listen to? Do you need music to start your day?

Tunetastic Thursday - Ron Pope "Home Again"

Have you missed me? I've certainly missed you. Desperately, in fact. Every night I've been craving to write to you. Tonight I just so happen to have a free thirty minutes. Life is rough sometimes.

I've started listening to music on my phone at work. At my old job, I would either listen to EQX live or listen to one of my stations on Pandora. Since I work for a chemical company (even though the division I'm in isn't chemical related) they block pretty much everything that's fun. Including streaming media sites. The jerkwads. So I've been forced to download music and upload it to my phone in order to get into my work zone. This leads me to listen to the same few artists over and over again and songs get played repetitively. (As I'm writing this, the song this week has been playing about ten times in a row)

You might know Ron Pope from his song "Drop in the Ocean" or "I Believe." That first one makes me immediately skip it - he gets REALLY whiny in it. No thanks. I really enjoy this week's song. The music is easy listening, the lyrics are swoon-worthy (at least to me), and I love it when a song breaks down and I can clap my hands. Maybe I'm just still in that mood, but the song reminds me of how Ryan has been with me through ups and downs. No matter what - where he is, I'm home.

So Rye,

I'll be there when your days are long,
Hold you up if you don't feel strong,
Light your way when the dark comes in,
And when you're lost, I'll lead you home again.

Love you cutie.

Tunetastic Thursday - Boyce Avenue featuring Fifth Harmony "Mirrors"

Back to your regularly scheduled program...

I've been hearing about the YouTube Video Music Awards for a while now. But I kept forgetting to vote. Honestly I was a little daunted by the number of songs I would have to watch for some of the categories. Thankfully, YouTube had snippets of the songs that I could listen to and judge from. The only downside to voting is that you have to share either on Facebook, Google+, or Twitter. I did Google+ just because I don't follow many people and many people don't follow me. Sorry friends, you just got music video spammed.

In looking through all the videos, I stumbled upon a cover by Boyce Avenue. Now, when "Mirrors" first came out, I listened to it about fifteen hundred times in a row. Ryan was not happy. Especially because after about the fifth time, I become a duo with Justin and we're singing together. When I found Boyce Avenue's cover with Fifth Harmony, we became Boyce Avenue and Sixth Harmony. Love it. I hope you do too.

If you've never heard of Fifth Harmony (which if you've never watched X Factor is probable) they have a couple songs out - which, as a warning, are catchy - but have done a few collaborations including this one. Thus far, I haven't included any covers, even though I think Iron and Wine's version of "Love Vigilantes" is better than New Order's, but I like this version a lot.

Do you have any songs where you enjoy the cover better than the original? If you ask my husband he'd say he likes Marilyn Manson's "Tainted Love" over Soft Cell's version. I can't say I agree, but I'll give props to Manson for a pretty good cover. What do you think?

Tunetastic Thursday - Gavin DeGraw "Best I Ever Had"

This song is so catchy. Ask my husband, he'll tell you. We were in the car the other day and it was playing on three different stations almost one after the other. Of course, the channel stayed there. Each. Time. But after the first time, I'm not allowed to fist pump. Because that's all I want to do when this song comes on. Of course not being allowed to fist could be because I do it against Ryan's arm. It pretty much looks like I'm having a seizure with a huge goofy smile on. It's pretty entertaining if nothing else.

The lyrics are a little kooky in the beginning but I like the chorus. What do you think of the tune?

Tunetastic Thursday - Arctic Monkeys "Do I Wanna Know?"

I've been tricked. Again. I may not have mentioned this before, but I'm not a fan of the Arctic Monkeys. Until now of course. What is with all these terrible bands coming up with great music?! (I'm not really upset over this. I mean who, in their right mind, would be?) I'm putting my foot down, though. Once Arcade Fire gives me a good song, I'm just throwing everything out the window and listening to Polka.

EQX has been playing a TON of new music. I was listening with Ryan in the car and this song came on. It was so catchy that I had to know what it was. Ryan was more than delighted to find out who it was - just another little rub of my nose in it. I was in disbelief. But with "basic rock song structures, a subtle use of vocal harmony, mild rhythmic syncopation, minor key tonality and melodic songwriting" how can you go wrong? Would it be wrong to call it almost campy?

What do you think? What's been on repeat on your music device of choice?