New Music

So, I've been on somewhat of a new music kick recently. This is probably due to the fact that I listen to my iPod during about 75% of the time that I spend at work. I love Incubus, I do, but there is really only so many times that I can listen to Anna Molly before I start thinking that I would rather listen to the conversation going on behind me (which is where I hear some of the dumbest opinions and ideas come out of the mind and mouth of a coworker...). So I've been searching for new stuff, and I've been rather successful thanks largely in part to Jules and her oh so excellent ear for eclectic beauty in song form. So, as I am a champion sharer (as Eryn likes to say), I will provide you all with my favorite up and comers. You can thank me later.

1. Amy Winehouse

I know that she's been around for a while, and that I'm probably a late comer to the Amy bandwagon, but I love her all the same. Her voice is very raw, which I love, and she puts a depth of emotion into her music that I rarely hear nowadays. Sure, her personal life is effed up beyond belief, but I tend to think that she's the kind of person who needs the drama in order to be a great artist (ahem, Marilyn Monroe?). Everyone says that her latest album, Back to Black, is the best, but I'm a really huge fan of her first album, Frank. Particularly the first song, "You Sent Me Flying." I sing this song at the top of my lungs whenever I go anywhere in the car. It's awesome. Plus, of course, she has the most awesome beehive ever. I want one.

2. Patty Griffin

Another amazing voice. Plus she's mainly acoustic (playing her own guitar, of course), so how could I not love her? Check out the song Rain. She's another artist that has probably been around for a while, and I'd probably heard her before, but Jules introduced me formally via that video. Naturally, I fell in love. If you can't already tell, I tend to connect with artists who are able to convey their emotions through their songs. Which brings me to my next old favorite:

3. Christina Aguilera

Alright, hear me out. I know that she's technically a pop artist. It's true that Christina and I have had a somewhat rocky relationship. I liked her to begin with (because I was young and naive and her target audience at the time), and then she went through her Dirrty phase. This is where we had a bit of a falling out. I respect the girl for trying to go against the grain, and for rebelling against the way people thought of her. But did she have to go so far? I'm not so sure. But her newest album, Back to Basics, is awesome. There is a particularly beautiful song called Save Me From Myself on the second disk. The song almost made me cry the first time I heard it, because I know exactly how she feels. I'm really looking forward to her next album because she did all the writing while she was preggers. I think it's safe to say that Chris

4. The Pipettes

You're going to have to listen to The Pipettes in order to fully appreciate why I am totally digging them. They've got the whole '60s Girl Band, early pop music type of vibe, but they sing about one night stands and sex and what not. It's pretty awesome. I originally read an article about them on MSNBC.com and decided to download some. I'm glad I did, because I'm totally into their sound and style.

5. Lilly Allen

You've probably heard Lilly Allen without even realizing it. She sings Smile, which I think I first heard on the radio or on TV or something. She also collaborated with Mark Ronson on a song called Oh My God which is pretty awesome. She's British, and I kind of like that her accent comes through in her music (as is the case with The Pipettes too).

6. Fiona Apple

Criminal is an all time favorite. What's not to love about a girl needlessly breaking a boys heart? But Fiona's new album, Extraordinary Machine, is a very different sound. I really like all of the songs on this album a lot. It's a staple on the iPod for sure.

Obviously I've been on a pretty serious Girl Power kick. There's not really a specific reason for that, but it's working out pretty well for me. I've also recently downloaded some random songs and what not that are worth mentioning:

Feedback by Janet Jackson. The video isn't quite what I expected, but whatever. The song is awesome, and it makes me want to go dancing.

Stop Me by Mark Ronson featuring Daniel Merriweather. Mark Ronson is also Amy Winehouse's manager, apparently, and has teamed up with her on a song called Valerie. I like this one (and yes, I'm aware that it's a remake of a song by The Smiths). You'll notice from this music video and the Oh My God music video that he apparently likes to add animation to the music videos.

Love in the Club by Usher (which doesn't have a video yet that I could find). I love Usher. There's no getting around it. He is hot.

Touch My Body by Mariah Carey. Can I just say that I cannot wait for her new album to drop. I wish it would come out tomorrow.

So yeah. That's my iPod for the week. No go, expand your music horizons and be happy!