When I shut down my "Serial Sound" blog, it was because I was writing for four different blogs and it was really hard to keep up. So I thought, of course my lifestyle blog and music blog are essentially the same because music heavily influences everything that I do. Turns out, I haven't written about music in quite some time. I can read what I write and hear what I've been listening to, but unless you know me...you can't. Sorry that mind-reading hasn't been thoroughly developed. Or teleportation, so you can listen while I'm writing. I'll get on that, we all know I'm brilliant at physics.
Alright, here's the conclusion that I've come to since I'm not good at physics afterall. Each month, I'll make a mixtape..Mostly of youtube videos, that you can enjoy. Hear what I've been repeating for the last month and maybe experience something new. Or re-live something you've forgotten.
This month, is going to be six songs..in honor of my birthday being 6 days away.
#1-I'm Shakin-Jack White
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkcGuZHPbKk]
If you don't already know, I love Jack White. Since high school, when I first heard The White Stripes, I've been hooked. I enjoyed him at first because...well, he's weird. I. Love. That. He has an act, a persona, that I can't get away from. I'm pretty sure that the folks at Third Man think I'm odd, because I go so often (not recently due to no job). He's an incredibly talented musician, a great songwriter and just so bizarre. I can't get away from it.
#2-Hot Knife-Fiona Apple
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59_2dJ8W_Ls]
I remember sitting in my room when I was in middle school when Tidal came out. I would listen to it over and over and over again, singing and learning the words. I know she had a few wack moments there in the beginning, but you cannot deny that she has pipes. I like her because she sounded different that all the female acts that we out in the late 90s. She had a voice like mine. I bet she got negative comments from competition judges about "being too bluesy"..yes you heard me Dr. Mattingly..
#3-American Love- Jack's Mannequin
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yFIB9SKwz8]
Okay, I have kind of a past with Andrew McMahon. It started by making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for Something Corporate in the green room at Kirkland when they played at Millikin, fast forward to following them on tour, waiting in the snow with no coat (man, i was an idiot sometimes), ran into him when I was in LA for spring break, ending now with the close of Jack's Mannequin. I'm a sucker for a good pop song. Not my favorite of all time, but I do love this..especially lately.
#4-She-Green Day
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2hmgG6VNuw]
Say what you want about Green Day. I love them. My brother and I went to see them in Chicago back when I first started college. They were on tour with Blink 182 and Saves the Day. This is one of my favorite ever Green Day songs...and yes I love the American Idiot musical.
$5-Back and Forth-Foo Fighters
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIOVfr856lY]
I'm really digging the new Foo Fighters album. I'm impressed with how they recorded it; since they did it all on tape. I think Dave Grohl is an amazing musician. I was a HUGE Nirvana fan, and still am..but especially as a kid. I'm really proud of how FF have come from late 90s "grudge" and moved forward into 2010's music scene. This is a brilliant record.
#6-Spotlight-Leagues
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOTXM5obLcA]
This last song, oh my gosh. I've been a fan of Thad Cockrell for a couple years now. At the end of last year, he teamed up with Tyler Burkum (former Audio Adrenaline) and some others to form Leagues....which has changed my life. Ok, that may be drastic, but I love LEAGUES! They released a 3 song ep last year and I've played it out. I went to see them with Mat Kearney, mostly because of them, but Mat is great too. They released a new song a few days ago, and I am in love love love. I appreciate a great pop song and good songwriting. Thank you, Leagues.
There you go, November, here's your mixtape. Till next time.