Only 30?

When I'm in the mood for an artist but don't have the album, I typically go to MySpace and listen to the four posted songs. One of my biggest music pet-peeves is finding out that there are only 30 second snip-its of the songs.

That's what just happened to me. I was craving Taylor Swift. I just love her.

What's the point of having only 30 seconds of a song? Recognition? I could understand if it was the norm, but most bands post full songs.

iTunes. They have 30 second snip-its. I would expect that there.

Anyways, I went to hype and listened to Taylor Swift songs, many that I've never heard before (not that I've heard many, haha) to my heart's desire.

Thank you, hype.

Jamie Cullum

Oh, how I would love to see this guy live. Anyone going to be in Rotterdam in July? He's playing at the North Sea Jazz Festival.



Other people playing the festival (just to make myself more jealous of attendees):
B.B. King
Herbie Hancock & Lang Lang
James Taylor

Soundtracks (count me in!)

I'm not much of a soundtrack buff- especially when it comes to film scores. There Will Be Blood is the last time I even noticed a film score, and it was due mostly to the credits, where I found out Johnny Greenwood of Radiohead was the composer.

And then there was Revolutionary Road. (Yes, this is old news considering the last time I saw this movie was over a month ago.) When I first saw the trailer, I was so drawn into the film. Why, you ask? The music. So compelling. And then I saw it. Twice. The music kept me coming back for more. It's not the I didn't enjoy the movie... or the acting... or the plot... I just really, really loved the score.



So, who is this mystery composer? His name: Thomas Newman.

Other movies he's composed scores for:
-Cinderella Man
-Road to Perdition
-Shawshank Redemption
-American Beauty

Yeah, he's awesome.

The Fur is Loose.

"It's hard to change something supernatural"
This video, for some reason, reminds me of the original iTunes visualizer.

Adams, Ryan

I am reminded every time RA plays on shuffle that this musical mastermind is quitting. I mean, if I had his hard life... coupled with hearing loss... I might quit too. But man, this news still kills me.

Just months ago, my boyfriend and I were sitting in the Nokia Theater in Grand Prairie listening to Ryan Adams and the Cardinals play. Little did we know it would be the last Adams tour in the great state of Texas.

3 of the first 5 songs were: Come Pick Me Up, Everybody Knows and Wonderwall. I remember thinking, "How could this get better?"

And it did.

From the crowd: Freebird!!!! Freebird!!!!!
Adams: Grandpa? Did someone say grandpa? Grandpa, if you're here, you should come play the Whirly.

From the crowd: RYAN ADAMSSSSS!!!!!
Adams: Hey guys, stop yelling my name. I'm in a band right now. The Cardinals.
From the crowd: CARDINALS!!!!!

Obviously it was a fantastic show (with a huge gong on stage, by the way), but I would have gone solely to hear the commentary.

Even you have to spend inordinate amounts of money to see Ryan Adams and the Cardinals before the end of their tour next month, DO IT.

Oldies not so old anymore

There are only three stations I listen to in the car.
(This is an exaggerated claim.)

I've given up on most modern pop music, so I stick with classic rock and oldies.

Yesterday, Bruce Springsteen came on the radio. I did a double take. I would expect him on the classic rock station, but he was playing on the oldies station. I suddenly felt ancient. If this keeps up, next thing you know, Salt-N-Pepa will playing.

She is Love

At Jon McLaughlin Show:
The second opener for Jon McLaughlin sets up and immediately starts into "She Is Love." The girl behind me (average age at the concert was about 18 or 19) squeals, "I can't believe they're starting with this song. I thought they'd save it for last." I recognized the song. It was the Nivea commercial song!

Side Note:
I don't watch very much television, and most of the television I watch is on the internet (limited/ internet specific ads). While I was home I watched an excessive amount of television, thus an excessive amount of commercials. Every commercial break I'd say to myself, "Please let that Nivea commercial come on..."

Continuing...
The band was fantastic. Singer had a great voice, drummer was in the zone, sax player was energetic (especially during the Billy Joel cover), the bassist was grooving and the guitarist had some great solos. I haven't seen an opening band with this much potential since I saw the Fray open for Ben Folds several years ago. And these guys are much more talented than The Fray. Look out, because they're going somewhere quickly.

Their single releases this Tuesday on iTunes. Check it out...