Tune in Tuesday

Let's be honest with ourselves here - as dignified American citizens, there would be nothing worse than having to publicly admit we listen to Country music because after all, listening to music about tractors, alcohol, dogs and just plain evil revenge plots, is a little - well, silly. Most of us don't spend our days thinking about dates that take place on tractors or about driving the trucks of our loved ones who have died (because quite frankly that's weird . . .) and would never want to admit that we have emotional attachments to our animals.

If you have been with me long enough to have read this post you may know that I confessed to possibly having a new found appreciation for this strange American genre known as Country. 

One of the songs from said genre that I absolutely adore is When I Die Young by The Band Perry 

(although when I sing it out loud I usually get the lyrics wrong and say bury me in cotton - it is, after all, the fabric of our lives). When I heard their newest single Better Dig Two I loved it immensely. The song is so wrong yet so right all at the same time. The song is powerful and definitely evokes a wide range of emotions. 

You know music means something when it makes you feel. No matter how you feel, you are not - not feeling. 

That is one of the main reasons that I love music so much, especially songs that tell stories

 (maybe country is for me after all . . . ).

I decided (possibly on a whim) to buy Pioneer, the latest album by the sibling trio because 1) I was with my little sister and we were supposed to be having fun 2) I needed some new music and 3) The album booklet was autographed with actual Sharpies and not just a copy of the band members signatures printed onto the booklet. 

That's cool, right? 

My little sister has yet to open her copy because, "It's worth more if you don't open it." I on the other hand being the older, more mature sibling demonstrated self control and opened the CD immediately

 (really - this isn't Elvis - the record label is using the signatures to create a demand in order to increase sales - but part of being older and wiser is that I the said older and wiser siblings keep these things to themselves so as not ruin the enjoyment of others). 

I have at least listened to the first five songs on the album and have yet to have heard the rest because I love the first five songs SO much.

 Like, for real!

If country's not the genre for you, maybe give the album a listen on Spotify before making a commitment. 

My favorite songs are Don't Let Me Be Lonely and Pioneer. 

I love the concept behind Pioneer (also the title of the album) which you can learn more about here.

If you've heard any songs from the album, what do you think so far?

Join the conversation by commenting below or click the button on the right sidebar. 

Tune in Tuesday

Due to some of the news (if you could call it that) stories that I've heard about John Mayer, I can't say that he is someone I would consider to be a good example of a role model. However when considering John Mayer the musician, it is almost worthless to attempt to argue his talent. The only album I used to have of John's was Born and Raised and while I do enjoy relaxing and listening to the album I still felt as if I were missing out on the goodness that is John Mayer music by not owning some of his classics such as Daughters, Gravity, Say and Why Georgia. When I first heard music from his album Where the Light is Live in Los Angeles via Pandora (why yes, I do Pandora while I work), it was love at first listen. While browsing Best Buy's pathetic inventory of CDs (those shiny discs that used to exist before MP3s . . . back when dinosaurs still roamed the earth) on Saturday I began looking through the slim selection to see if it would be possible that there was actually decent music for sale (by decent I mean made by musicians - you know, people who can actually write AND play music? - If you are under 20 you may not understand this concept). 

After hunting around for a few minutes I discovered that Where the Light is Live in Los Angeles was only $6.99 and it contained not one, but TWO discs.

 Two discs for less than ten bucks?! Sign me up! 

I can now proudly say that I own two John Mayer albums and while the live album doesn't contain all of my favorite songs by him, I have not been able to stop listening to it. 

Sometimes in life you just need new music and that was me this weekend. 

But wait! There's more . . . to come next week because quite frankly, I love music and couldn't imagine my life without it.

 If you have Spotify, listen to Where the Light is Live (or drop the $6.99) and let me what you think!

Join the conversation by leaving a comment below or by clicking on the button on the right sidebar. 

Tune in Tuesday

Well my friends, it's been a while but I'm back. . . and better than ever!!! Okay, not really, but I am doing well :) I have to admit, when I found out our dear T-Sweezy was releasing another album I groaned inwardly (if that's even possible). "Oh great," I thought to myself - "Another album filled with rants and raves about how she dated some guy who *GASP* broke her heart." Do I love me some T-Swift? You bet I do! Do I love break up songs? Ummmm . . . no! Why would I want to spend my free time listening to a SAD song?

 I have rules of the road (more like rules for life) and they include 1. If you know the words to a song, you must sing along and 2. NO BREAK UP SONGS!

 I had predetermined that I was out of the Taylor Swift stage. I really felt compelled to not listen to her music after hearing the shameful Better Than Revenge (spare yourself the time and effort in listening to it- it's a non Christlike response to a girl who "stole" her boyfriend). I was not feeling 22 and was ready to embrace my 23 year old maturity by moving onto wiser, more mature sounding music (I'm not sure what that would have entailed). When anyone even mentioned the new c.d. I just considered my previous experiences with Swift music and how the break up genre was getting old fast. I thought to myself, "We are never ever getting back together (like. ever.)." Then I heard that her song was titled after my thoughts (okay, maybe she thought of it first) and I knew I was through. I did not want to like the song. I would not want to like the song. I listened to the song. I found myself singing the song. And my plan went downhill from there.

I realized that I actually did like her new song even though it was a break up song, because it had a happy tone to it. I sampled the other songs on iTunes but decided I would not be purchasing this album. There were too many different styles and it just didn't work. My little sister is a huge T-Swift fan and bought the album at Target and Wal Mart so she could have all the extra goodies. This got me thinking...hmmm...she has 2 copies of the same c.d. I shamelessly asked if I could have a copy and she said yes. I have to admit - it was love at first listen! There are a few sad/beautiful/tragic songs on the album that I skip, but other than that, I can't stop listening to it. I actually enjoy the different styles and can't wait to see her in concert again. 

What I love about this album is the reaction of listeners - they love it or they don't.

 Either way their reaction is red. 

What do you think?

Love,

Lolo

Tune in Tuesday: Music Freebies

Today you have three opportunities to score some free tunes!

1. Amazon MP3 Free $2.00 Credit

2. Love God Hate Sin by upcoming Christian rap artist Jamaal Sabree

3. NoiseTrade Enough said.

"One can never have too much music."

-Me

Love,

Lolo

Tune in Tuesday

1. We Owned the Night. So I may have caved in and bought the entire new Lady A album after listening to it on Spotify. . . like I said, I'll never tell. I like this song because the music is captivating and since I'm a hopeless romantic, I like the love story in the lyrics (minus the ". . . we woke under a blanket all tangled up in skin not knowing in that moment we'd never speak again . . . not exactly the type of relationship I'm into).

2. Angel/Better Together by Jack Johnson. This album seriously has me considering whether or not Jack secretly went to culinary school before becoming a musician because his medleys on this album are perfectly blended (can you refer to Jack Johnson and a medley in the same sentence?). "Umm let's see...I'll add some acoustic guitar, a  cute little love song, oh... one smooth transition and another adorable song."  These songs are adorbs and when I listen to them it makes me think that he must have written them for his wife. 

(Okay ladies all together now, "Aaaaawwwwww"). 

Seriously. 

So cute.

3. Eyes Open by Taylor Swift. I. Love. This. Song. I saw The Hunger Games yesterday and started reading the book last night. I love that the main character Katniss is not a wimp. She is not a damsel in distress. She is a leader. She is strong. She is feminine. She fights for her family. She is willing to give up her life for those she loves. This song was written with that character in mind and it is about staying focused and overcoming obstacles. Best of all, it's by T Sweezy. What more could we ask for?


Love,
Lolo

Tune in Tuesday

Yes, the title of this series is from your local Target ad. No, I will not admit that I listen to country music (unless asked...I really DON'T encourage lying). *SIGH* I will let y'all in on a (not so) little secret. I, Lauren Michele, have been listening to country music. In my car. By myself. And the worst part is . . I like it. There. I said it. Never outside of the realms of this blog will you EVER hear me talking about country music (at least not out loud). Here are some of the songs I heart right now and I hope y'all enjoy them too (Is saying y'all twice in one post overkill? I'm new to country, so I don't know the laws of the land).  

Dancin' Away With My Heart by Lady Antebellum - Oh Lady A. you slay my heart every time I hear this song. After hearing some song about "it's a quarter after one and I'm a little drunk and I need you now" 100,898,798,456,432 times on the radio, I've always avoided Lady A (and that song...let's be honest, it's terribly pathetic). Since I've heard this song though, there's been no turning back.

Easy by Rascal Flatts featuring Natasha Bedingfield. What the heck? A country band produces an alternative song featuring a British pop singer? I have previously only seen songs featuring other artists in the rap world (which is one I stay FAR away from...). This mix has me confused but I like it. So much soul. So much passion. The harmony of their voices together = perfection. Umm this is so awesome so it has me wondering...Does this song actually count as country music?



Good Girl by Carrie Underwood. Love it. It's about a girl who's experienced heart break warning her naive, pre-heart break self about what she should avoid in relationships. It's powerful. It's fun. It's country???????? Who knew? If country music is a drug then let the local sheriff know he can arrest this girl for addiction.
Just kidding.
Kind of.

Love,

Lolo