Playlist: Shades of Grey

This playlist (or a variation) is also listed on Spotify.

It's called Shades of Grey because music is also my therapy this playlist is a bit dark & cloudy with some sunny spots mixed in:)

Hope you like it!


Dirty Ghosts-Ropes That Way-- Dirty Ghosts are a strong all female band, with the lead singer remniscent of a younger Karen O. or Joan Jett, with catchy beats and chorus every time
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvgkQK4sADg


Yuna-Come as you are (cover)-- I normally frown up on Nirvana covers, but this one is undeniably sexy! and breaks down the lyrics and conveys the true sense of longing and desire of the subject.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0dwfRt8LcI



Dirty Ghosts-Shout it in
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvUHlxWeiyk

Childish Gambino-Heartbeat--It's difficult for me to differentiate between Donald Glover the actor better known as Troy on the show Community. His lyrics are sharp and on point no doubt but they're almost too raw and forced, because he knows he has something to prove and street cred to gain?
► 3:23► 3:23www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONsTnobkeys


Blouse-Into Black--Blouse reminds of me the xx's moody, meloncholy, whispery lead voclas and electronic beats-- combines all of my favorite things in just the right way.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwvflpqOb5M

Hurricane Bells-Possibilities-- the first line of the lyrics get me every time, and the guitar playing has an unique high def sound. It should be on a soundtrack somewhere soon

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K8oEOxb7pU

Films of Colour-Running
soundcloud.com/interludemusic/films-of-colour-runningCached

Swim Deep-King City--the video is the best part! just a bunch of goofy guys having fun. Can't lose.
► 4:21► 4:21www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATxs0N_DFTw

 Beach House-Myth (new song)-- This single, from their new second album has the dreamy melodies fans have come to expect but they're verses and chorus are much less abstract and easier to follow and understand. You can tell the production on this track is more thought out and higher quality than anything previously released.. But as a band I think there is still room for growth.
stereogum.com/969951/beach-house-myth/mp3s/Cached

Polica-
In a time where music now embraces the auto-tune in several different genres- Polica does it with flare and purpose, on two different tracks featuring Mike Noyce, both sexy and enduring loungey although I wondered how this heavily produced sound would translate live, their recent appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon should help them get a wider fan base. But the lead singer needs to work on her her spastic stage presence, it's quite awkward & distracting)
http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2012/4/26/watch-polica-leading-to-death-live-on-fallon.html



College & Electric Youth-- Taken from the soundtrack of the movie Drive, I think this track was definiitely misused and taken from another an earlier decade, (80's inspired for sure) but I respect College as a band, they are trying to bring back a genre and redefine it in their own way.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DSVDcw6iW8

Crocodiles-Jet Boy Jet Girl -- controvesial lyrics, but very snappy
► 5:33► 5:33www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aO_Bp7qxSA


Anya Marina You are Invisible www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX-YkXMXvKg
Compared to her first album and the track she released on the Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack it's less tortured soul ''just went through a breakup'' sounding and more empowered message,  beat & hook based with a raspy strong lyrics simliar to that of Duffy or Kelly Clarkson. Flinty is also a track I recommend, I think she's growing at a pace in which we will soon see her headlining her own shows by next year. (Currently she's on tour with Eric Hutchinson--odd pair if you ask me his acoustic pop )

Best Coast-The Only Place (new song)
stereogum.com/985591/best-coast-the-only-place/mp3s

Girl Power (with edge of course!)

New Regina Spektor

This is definitely a new director for the Tori Amos doppelganger and I love it!

http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2012/2/28/listen-regina-spektor-all-the-rowboats.html

Estelle & Janelle Monae (Typically I think of Estelle as the opposite of whatever turns to gold) but I actually like this empowered girl anthem
http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2012/2/28/listen-estelle-do-my-thing-feat-janelle-monae.html;send=false

The anti Good Girl anthem compliments of Marina & the Diamonds. Still like it!
http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2012/2/28/listen-marina-the-diamonds-homewrecker.html

All Things Arctic Monkeys

So let me start off by  before I saw the Arctic Monkey's live at Lollapalooza last year I wasn't really a fan. After the set I thought they were pretty good. (high energy, crowd pleasing basic rock n roll)

When I listened to this song (When the Sun Goes Down-- link below) it stuck with me. lyrics, concept, arrangement everything.. i thought if the white stripes vocals mixed with the Black Keys arrangements and they had a music baby it would be this band.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUatH8zI6Qc

pretty soon I became obssessed with the whole album ''Whatever People Say I am, That's What I'm Not.''. They are actually releasing a new album soon.

You can preview their new track here:

http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2012/2/27/listen-arctic-monkeys-r-u-mine.html

I've only heard it once.. and I half love it half hate it. I don't know why.. (Video is completely pointless warning you now)


and are touring with.... You guessed it. the Black Keys...I LOVE being right! In our fair Chicago March 19th at the United Center.. Of course I"m going!

Nylon Good Listener Playlist

this is a great well rounded playlist.

A little bit of bluegrass, a little ravey electronica, a little bit of hip hop

check it out..

My favorite track on this is Daughter-Youth


http://www.nylonmag.com/?section=article&parid=7646

lolla wishlist & rant on scheduling

Today I was given the best and worst music news and I have mixed emotions ;/

Best: Jack White playing on SNL March 3rd.
Fiona Apple coming to Lincoln Hall 3/19
Santigold & Sleigh Bells are opening for RHCPs(--but not the Chicago show:/)


Worst: Lindsay Lohan is  hosting Jack's episode
Can't go to Fiona b/c it's the same night as the Black Keys/Arctic Monkeys :( (fiona only tours like once every 10 years people!)

Flo & the Machine added 8 new dates but NOT chicago:*(

Sleigh Bell's performance on SNL was amazing! They did not 1 but 2 songs:) Watch here:
http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2012/2/20/watch-sleigh-bells-visit-saturday-night-live.html


So whether my list is real or far-fetched. I'm putting it out there for Lolla no particular order

RHCP
Blood Orange
Blouse
Electric Guest
Jack White
Santigold
Sleigh Bells
Flo & the Machine
Fiona Apple
Lana Del Ray
Atlas Genius
Gotye
Allen Stone
Alabama Shakes
The Big Pink
(Drake)--not a fan but he'll be there probably Nicki Minaj too
The Civil Wars
The Kooks
Porcelain Raft
Will add more as time goes on.

A Valentines Day Playlist for myself.

As Valentine's Day approaches as a single person again this year. I'm actually not sad. I'm taking an opportunity to make a playlist for the future.

(If John Cusack were holding a boombox over his head what would I want to hear?).. (literally. John Cusack will be fine, if not Lenny, or Joseph Gordon Leavitt, or the newly reportedly single Johnny Depp... will settle for any hard core music fan obviously!

If I made this last year(feel free to use this for your current list for any of your gentleman that are still hopeless romantics who need ideas for playlists)

it would include Ben Harper,Bruno Mars,Lenny Kravitz,  Andrew Belle, More Ben Harper,Friendly Fires, John Mayer, Ray Lamontagne, Ra Ra Riot, Raphael Saadiq, David Gray, Jack's Mannequin, Joshua Radin, Lykke Li City & Colour,Pearl Jam Foo Fighters

But this year I aspire to look forward both musically and personally.

So here's my list:

(Ed Sheeran, Jack White, anything produced by or including Danger Mouse, I have to keep Lenny Kravitz, his message IS love!, Porcelain Raft, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Robin Thicke, Allen Stone, Ryan Adams-''Lucky'', Van Morrison, Gavin Degraw, Bruno Mars, Cee-Lo, Say Hi to Your Mom, Sleigh Bells, The Kooks: ''Rosie'' (any covers of songs that have been in a John Hughes movie) like Nada Surf ''If You Leave''....

and anything from the Voice contestant Chris Cauley who made my heart melt both by his general attractiveness and cover of ''Grenade'' I would love to find his twin! (or a mix of him + Adam Levine)

http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/video/chris-cauleys-grenade/1384802

New Music!--ADDED SLEIGH BELLS FULL STREAM ALBUM

First Listen of Sleigh Bells new album before release date 2/21 here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/arts/music/the-indie-band-sleigh-bells-new-album-reign-of-terror.html?_r=3&pagewanted=all
(look to the left hand column and press play on any of the tracks)

New Music from the Ting Tings (I thought they dissappeared off the face of the earth,--they haven't released an album in 4 years and have been touring in Europe ever since. but I'm glad they're back!)
This new track is very funk/reggae inspired with the signature vocal you'd expect.

check it out!
http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2012/2/8/listen-the-ting-tings-soul-killing.html



I think Tennis' new album is perfect Tuesday Music.

part Cults and Edie Brickell sounding vocals,  it's easy breezy :)

Listen to the full stream album for free here: http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2012/2/7/listen-tennis-young-old-full-album-stream.html

Coldplay's new song ''Charlie Brown'' is great, exactly like the title, it picks you up when you're feeling down (womp womp)-- as far as the video is concerned i'm over the neon glowstick motif

http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2012/2/3/watch-coldplay-charlie-brown-official-video.html

Season 2 of the Voice started Monday night and I am already declaring my favorite after part two of the blind auditions! Jamar-- a tall tattooed former bad boy now a reformed softy at heart and the song he chooses to sing? a very atypical song for his look. The White Stripes ''Seven Nation Army''!!! I'm in love!

watch his audition here: http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/video/jamar-rogers-seven-nation-army/1383575

Good luck Jamar!!! xoxo