I know! Can you believe it? A Bonus Music Countdown? Crazy!!!

In honor of Amazon’s 50 albums for $5 event I give you a quick review of every album on here that I had never heard of the artist or perhaps hadn’t actually heard their music but may have heard of the artist. FYI: You can preview all tracks by clicking on the album and then “Preview all” above the track listing!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_83825711_1?ie=UTF8&docId=1000371251&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0RZZRQM3ZWBBY8RJRW6M&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=477672171&pf_rd_i=163856011

This Is The One
by Utada

This album and artist remind me of a mix of Destiny’s Child and The Pussycat Dolls, only slightly watered down. R&B Flavor with a pop conscience, Utada can bounce, bubble and pop with the best of them, but it’s the lyrics that left me hanging. I like it, but I don’t love it. I could listen to the album, but it’s not entirely memorable, either. But hey, you check it out and tell ME what YOU think! =0)

La Corona
by Madera Limpia

Raggeton without the overwhelming beats and hypersexuality. I could listen to this on a Sunday afternoon by the BBQ or pool or just doing chores around the house. It’s both fun and mellow. I like this a lot! I have no idea what the songs are about, but what does it matter if it makes you feel good?!

Wavvves
by Wavves

Fun, lo-fi , alterna-dance. You can’t really understand what they’re singing, but maybe you don’t care! Maybe you’re just stoned and want something to space-out to…this is your album!

Apocalypso
by The Presets

Wow! Okay, I get it! An Orgy vibe with ultra-rad synth sounds with more She Wants Revenge style vocals. I like this a lot! Not too mellow and not too dancey/gothy. You even get a bit of a Depeche Mode New Wave atmosphere, too! Definitely check this one out!

In Ghost Colours
by Cut Copy

Sort of a modern New Order type band. This album has a chillout feel to it and I can always get behind that! Lots of lovely melodies and heartfelt lyrics to keep you company when you get home from a long-ass day at work!

Daylight Is Coming
by Remedy Drive

Christian Pop-Rock for the Linkin Park & Daughtry fans. Not my cup of tea, but this is genuinely good music.

Rebelde
by RBD

Sort of a Mexican super group from what I gather, but good pop nonetheless. Replete with obligatory ballads and fun danceable hits, RBD are worth your time and your $5! (I don’t think the rebel side truly comes out, but perhaps we’ll get a taste of that next time.)

New Surrender
by Anberlin

This one’s not really my style, but I get a very modern feel in the vein of maybe Death Cab For Cutie or Fall Out Boy and their lot. Fairly mellow pop-rock with some decent guitar riffs. Check ‘em out!

Middle Cyclone
by Neko Case

I had heard of Neko Case, but never actually heard her music. I love her voice! Very bold and full of 90’s femme-strength! She sort of reminds me of Kate Pierce of the B52’s fame. Somehow this album isn’t winning me over completely. Maybe I need to give it a few more spins, but it has a distance that I can’t quite get over. I don’t feel the words she’s singing, ya know? Again, I know nothing about her really other than lots of people like her a lot and well, upon first listen, I’m not in love with it. I do love her voice and would love to hear some rock-ish blues from her. Oh well.

Goodbye To The Machine
by Hurt

Very Puddle of Mud style rock featuring heavy guitars, broken heart lyrics and gruff vocals. If you like Daughtry, David Cook, Staind and POM, you’ll probably love this album/band. What is this new style of rock that’s taking over the airwaves anyway?? Sad-dude rock? Sdock?

A Lesson In Romantics
by Mayday Parade

My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Panic at the Disco…see where I’m going with this? Yeah, this falls right in line with those bands. Nothing terribly exciting, but a decent album. I guess I’m just a little burned out on this type of emo.

That Lonesome Song
by Jamey Johnson

Ooh! A country album! If you hate country, you’ll really hate this. This is classic country. Singing about women and drinkin’ and retirin’ one day. Um, yeah I don’t listen to much country. This is more my Grandpa Porky’s style. Johnson has one thing that I feel most modern country stars don’t: Soul! I would love to hear him sing some honest Mississippi Blues! Oh well…

Asleep In The Bread Aisle [Explicit]
by Asher Roth

Does every white boy want to be Eminem? Or Jamie Kennedy? That’s what this sounds like to me. Even rappin’ about Bob Saget?! WTF?! No thanks. I like quality hip hop, not this watered down tricycle ride down faux-memory lane. Peace!

The Doves: Kingdome of Rust

Like Coldplay? You will LOVE The Doves! Seriously…I don’t like Colplay at all and even I love the Doves! =0)

I think they have similar quality in songwriting structure and melodies, but something about them is just a step above CP for me. Tell me what you think!

The Thermals: Now We Can See (Sadly not on Lala.com, but it is on iTunes at the link and worth a listen) A punk sensibility with a rock backbone…what’s not to love?

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=307826496&s=143441

White Rabbit: It’s Frightening The drums on the opening track “percussion gun” are killer and leave you thoroughly satisfied for a driving rollicking beat! Love it! Good solid rock! Just what the doctor ordered!

King Khan & The Shrines “What Is?! The harmonic “Shah la la” gets me everytime I liten to “Welfare Bread”! This album keeps on truckin’! I love that about it (and the band). It/they just keep on keepin’ on; difficult quality to find now days. I…uhh…gotta run…listen to this one again. Later!

I like doing these countdowns! I hope somebody out there is enjoying them, too. Seriously, COMMENT ALREADY!!!

Because I’m in a mood, applied for a “Music Guru” job and randomly found out about Monique Powell’s new band Mojo Wire (she was the singer of Save Ferris-Love them!!!) and then iTunes magically threw the song “Spam” into my ears I figured I’d go the punk route with this countdown. Plus, punk albums are generally much cheaper then the mainstream stuff…so you could call it a recession-y music countdown, too. AND since no one on Facebook or LiveJournal offered up any suggestions either…Fuck ’em! I’m doing this!

WIZO: German Punk Awesomeness! The album “Uuaarrgh!” is mostly in German (although the CD has the translated lyrics in English, too) but you’ll soon find yoruself bouncing along to lyrics unknown and happily faux-singing or lip synching even though you have no idea what they’re singing about (unless of course you speak German). They do have some songs in English which are great, too…but somehow my not knowing the words makes it more fun. I grew to love this band through exposure since my husband Loves them and has all of the albums (thanks to my gifting over the years, too). Always energetic, witty, funny and even multi-cultural! They just rock and you should listen!

NOFX: the Cali bansed punks are the epitome of modern punk! Always generous with their many witty and humorous songs and albums and always ready to party (or so it seems). Yeah, I came to love them through my husband as well, but I have great respect for a band that starts it’s own label (the now infamous Fat Wreck Chords) and signs other punk bands so all can be treated fairly and not part of the major corporate machine. Rock on! It was hard to choose an album and I could probably never pick one fave song of theirs, but I would have to say that “Punk in Drublic” is the essence of what NOFX is to me! (When I hear “Linoleum” I think of my hubby and I when we first got together!)

 Relapse To Recovery – These Gr…Tilt: One of the few punk bands fronted by a female singer! I know, rare! I looked! Also from Fat Wreck Chords (I’m not biased, they just have good bands) and from California’s East Bay! RAWK! I actually haven’t heard an entire album, just tracks on different compilations, but they are good! And you should give them a spin…it won’t hurt! I promise!

 

In no particular order (of course), these are just some music picks that have tickled my eardrums, fancy or other such things that are ticklish!

NOFX “Coaster” (Released 4/28/09): What? You haven’t heard of or listened to NOFX? You are missing out, Buddy! I’m fortunate to have a husband who loves their music, so I’ve sort of grown to love them by osmosis. They had an awesome anti-Bush album awhile back that kicked my ass (it was that good)! Please, check out their new album, “Coaster” and enjoy the ride. You deserve a little punk today!
                                                                                                                               Coaster – NOFX

Peaches “I Feel Cream” (Released 05/05/09) The ever strange and fabulous Peaches is back with more rawness and raunchiness. Mixing cool synths with tongue-in-cheek rap-ish ryhmes, she never stops and neither do you. You’ll find yourself trying to resist her clever rythms and cheeky lyrics, but you can’t…you will soon find yourself shakin’ your ass to “Serpentine (I don’t give a__).” Give up and succumb to beat. Have fun and cut loose…I did! (I was also pleasantly surprised by the 80’s throwback stylings and vocals on some tracks…Excellent!)
                                                                                                                                           Feel Cream – Peaches

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart “The Pains of Being Pure at Heart” (Released 02/03/09). Puts you right back to when the shoegaze-craze was brand new and fun. Daydreamy and sweet, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart is the perfect lazy spring day kind of music. Reminiscent even of early New Wave, too! I’m digging this and I know you will, too!

The Pains Of Being Pure At Hea…

Yeah Yeah Yeahs “It’s Blitz” (Released 03/10/09): I cannot stop talking about this album! It’s been kicking my ass since it’s release date and I just keep spinning it, too! I’ll admit it, I’m stuck on the first track & single “Zero!” There’s just so much to love about it! The simple but quick-witted lyrics, the synths, Karen O’s cooing and screaming…I love it all! And that’s not the only song I love…the entire album has elements you may not expect from YYY, but it’s a lot to love!
                                                                                                                                         It’s Blitz! – Yeah Yeah Yeahs

The Vaselines “Enter The Vaselines” (Deluxe Edition Released 05/05/09) Formed in 1986, the band was originally made up of Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee, but later added James Seenan and Eugene’s brother Charlie Kelly on bass and drums respectively from the band Secession.Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain once described Kelly and McKee as his “most favorite songwriters in the whole world”, and even named his daughter Frances Bean Cobain after McKee.

To be honest, I forgot about The Vaselines. I had never actually heard the original recordings of the songs Cobain famously covered (“Son of a Gun” “Molly’s Lips” “Jesus Don’t Want Me for a Subeam”). They are some of my faves though, so when I saw this I leaped out of my seat with joy! Weather you’re a Nirvana fan, Moldy Peaches fan (they remind me a bit of them), folk fan or just love good songwriting, The Vaselines are just what the doctor ordered! Check ’em out!
                                                                                                                                   Enter The Vaselines – The Vase…

Telefon Tel Aviv “Immolate Yourself” (Released 1/30/09): I’ve been into a few instrumental/electronic groups lately. This falls right in line with that for me; it’s dream-like synths and easy rythms make for a great weekend chill-out album. I’m all about appreciating a good chill-out session! =0)
                                                                                                                                  Immolate Yourself – Telefon Te…

Metric “Fantasies” (Released 04/14/09): Sweet, sythned-out (hmm…a trend for me today?), fun-girl vocals (reminds me of my fave Lush!) and just good alternative dance music! I don’t have anything else to say about this album…I gotta go listen to it again right now!
                                                                                                                          Fantasies – Metric

The Bran Flakes “I Have Hands” (Released 02/24/09): Wow! Clever samples, fun hooks and an overall playful vibe… I love it! I love the rad-retro feel, too. Oh just check it out, dammit!
                                                                                                                                            I Have Hands – The Bran Flakes

Silversun Pickups “Swoon” (Released 04/14/09): I am super biased here, I love this band! They rock my socks and they never stop! When I heard the first single “Panic Switch” on the radio I felt at home. This is how this band and this album make me feel, comfortable and comforted! This is true rock with fuzzy guitars and great songwriting! Okay, synths, too. But this album (like their other two) are just awesomely good. Don’t deprive yourself, enjoy!                                                                                                                                           Swoon – Silversun Pickups

That’s it folks! I know, “9? Why 9?!” Tough! That’s what I chose and it is my blog afterall…but please!

Tell me why you love or hate my picks!

Also, check out the music site www.Lala.com it’s great! You can listen to anything once all the way through! It’s often cheaper than iTunes and is just a great site overall. Check it out! (You can even “follow” me on there: Notblueatall {of course}). Thanks for reading and listening!

I discovered the band 16 Volt completely by mistake. I literally stumbled upon them in a Goth club years ago in San Francisco. The club was called, “The So What” (I think) and some friends had semi-forced me to go even though I protested and had no idea what goth or industrial music was. I assumed it’d be a bunch of bondage clad dorks trying to get their rocks off (not entirely untrue). But I walked into the main dance area and WHAM! 16 Volt–Live! RAD! I was instantly locked in and loving them. I bought a tape right then and there (I didn’t have enough for the CD). And have since bought all of their albums and continue to be impressed with their progress and mega-skills!

“Letdowncrush” was the first tape I bought, then “Super Cool Nothing” and after discovering their earlier discs “Skin” and “Wisdom” I knew I would love them always. Years later my then-fiance (now husband) took me to see them at San Jose, CA’s Cactus Club and we got there early and ended us just chatting with Eric (singer-main awesome guy) before the show. Super cool guy and bad-ass show (too bad SJ wasn’t “feelin” it that night–losers wouldn’t dance/thrash).

Yes, they are considered industrial rock. But please, don’t let that sway you. There is true artistry here. The lyrics can be emotionally vulnerable at times and just completely dead-on angry at others. I hope you enjoy this free listen and check out their other stuff, too.

As always, www.lala.com is the coolest music site ever! You can listen to anything once, for FREE! Join now-free- and add me as a friend!  =0)