Christmas Song of the Week #3

Last year for Christmas, it was one of my hopes to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas performance, yet was unable to go and came home for the holidays just a day late. So, when Grandpa called me a few weeks ago asking if I'd like to see this year's production, I was *t*h*r*i*l*l*e*d*.  I literally could not wait and wrote it big and bold on my calendar. It was the happy thought all throughout an extremely stressful finals week. But I won't rant about that (just yet).

The performance was nothing short of spectacular. The set was phenomenal, the symphony amazing, and the choir unbelievable. I lost track of how many times I got the goosebumps. Such a great evening to share with my Grandpa Foster.

If I were to choose any song that had the most depth and meaning to me during Christmas time, it would be The First Noel. And in particular, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's version- arranged by Mack Wilberg. It is simply beautiful. Our concert choir sang this in high school and since then (despite our lack of the MoTab's eloquence and talent) I have loved it every time I hear it. Have a listen.

The First Noel

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Christmas Song of the Week #2

Winter Song

Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson

Not Christmas, technically, but an absolute favorite holiday tune.

On one occasion last winter, I listened to this on repeat for a good three hours straight.

Enjoy.

Christmas Song of the Week #1

All I Want For Christmas Is You

Michael Buble

Song of the day.

"Only Love Can Break Your Heart"

Neil Young

I'm With You

If by chance you were wondering, the Red Hot Chili Peppers released their new album at the end of this summer: "I'm With You".  I've wanted to blog about the album for quite some time. But I really wanted to pick apart the album. You know, just listen to it a million times until I really reaaally figured out which songs were THE best.  So here are my top three:

Police Station

Even You Brutus?

Happiness Loves Company

Here's something tender.

"They're In Love, Where Am I?"

The Weepies

[Feel free to disregard the stick figure video.]

Another Earth

I saw the trailer for Another Earth a few nights ago. (Every couple months or so I indulge in a late night of watching movie trailers- it's fun.) Another Earth looked quite interesting. The idea and concept of essentially having another you exist on an earth #2 was thought provoking. Also, I fell completely in love with the song on the trailer [That Home by the Cinematic Orchestra].

Today, Mother, Jake, and I decided to see this flick- they were interested as well after showing them the trailer. Another Earth was a Sundance Film Festival award winner. In other words, the only theatre playing it in Salt Lake City was the Broadway Centre Theatre downtown.

The movie was nothing short of bizarre. Definitely glad that we brought the 15 year old brother for this one. So many uncomfortable moments I wanted to laugh at, but couldn't, and then did because Jacob initiated for me. My beloved trailer ended up being completely misleading. The plot was aggravating, the "twist" in the movie was absolutely horrific, and Mother while walking to the car identified the movie as "gross, morbid, disgusting, etc."

On a more positive note, I did enjoy a lot of things about it. The acting was superb, and the emotion was absolutely tangible. I wish it would have taken a different dynamic from the initial plot... Can't say much more. Wouldn't want to give it away. (You're welcome)

"What would you say to yourself if you could meet yourself?"
"There's another you out there. . . Now you begin to wonder: has the other me made the same mistakes I've made? 
And is that me better than this me?" 

These fantastic one-liners gave me a few things to think about.

• Would I be more pleased or disappointed to see myself and the way I've conducted my life?
• Would I be happy or annoyed with the people I chose to admire and associate with?
• Would I be satisfied or embarrassed with the way I treated others?
• Am I living remotely close to my potential?

This film was an absolute acid trip: C+ or B- . . . Can't decide.

Electric Light Orchestra

I have a new favorite band.
The ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA.
Also known as ELO.
Fantastic music.
Album favorites:
Evil Woman
All Over the World
Don't Bring Me Down
Turn To Stone (Looove the violin in this one)
Livin' Thing (This one is fun for the summer time)
Telephone Line (This one kind of makes me sad but I love the vocals in it)

A lot of favorites right?
It is a GREAT album.
And that, my friends, is what happens when you walk into Barnes and Noble,
With every intention of purchasing a gift for someone else.
Cheers.

Add this song to your newest playlist.

 

"Brackett Wi"

Bon Iver

An easy swing had its time shouldered
Slow bending axe
Now it's a photo framed
The swing hasn't had it

And here we are rebuilding roads
Right by roosting towns
It's just like the love
The one that's never been enough

So I'm counting on your fingers
'Cause you've reattached the twitch
And if you want opinion
I will die along the ditches

And every summer is a hot token
To the cold, cold take of lust
And every autumn singes
With the business of sadness

Friend had it wrong they see
Honey let it burn
And the curve in the county
Is never served

So I'm counting on your fingers
'Cause you've reattached the twitch
And if you want opinion
I will die along the ditches

Shoko Has a New Favorite Song

Madrid: Autumn Playlist

You know when you listen to a song so many times that it would be easy to replay the whole thing in your mind?  But instead you listen to it over and over.  Just for personal satisfaction because the song is that good.  Most days I use mass transit for almost two hours (bus, metro, metro, bus).  Thus I have had ample amounts of time to pick apart the iPod. Plenty of time to find new favorites and appreciate old ones as well.

Autumn Playlist:

mgmt- pieces of what
rjd2- ghostwriter (they are coming to SLC soon. woot woot.)
the black keys- everlasting light
miniature tigers- dino damage (my music palette tells me to hate this song.  but i love it)
feist- mushaboom (basically every day)
queen- let me live
michael buble- haven't met you yet (my itunes count on this is 1978 plays. this cannot be possible.)
sia- you have been loved
enya- may it be (yes i love enya and yes i love LOTR. judge me.)
john mayer- 3x5
band of horses- for annabelle
the beatles- girl (and how is it that i have just discovered this gem?)
jack johnson- turn your love
elton john- your song
greg laswell- girls just want to have fun (one of my favorite covers ever.)
norah jones- december
katie herzig & matthew perryman jones- where the road meets the sun
priscilla ahn- rain
ben folds- losing lisa
adele- daydreams

Day One Hundred Twenty Eight

The Weepies.

If you know this band, you love them.

If you haven't listened, you better.

"Be My Thrill" is their newest album.  

So many great hits.

Personal Weepies favorites:

World Spins Madly On

All This Beauty

Gotta Have You

Such wonderful low-key listenings.

Was introduced to the weepies by the Salt Lake Lonely Boy (aka Mr. Ryan Snow) during freshman year. 

The Weepies.

I fell in love.  Their music is incredible.  

This is the band I never get sick of.

No amount of coffee,
no amount of cryin'
No amount of whiskey, no amount of wine 

No no no no no,
nothing else will do

(chorus from Gotta Have You)

You know there will be days when you're so tired that you can't take another step,

The night will have no stars 
and you'll think you've gone as far as you will ever  get. . . 

I can't really say why everybody wishes they were somewhere else

But in the end, the only steps that matter are the ones you take all by yourself

(from Can't Go Back Now)

Sometimes it's hard to say

Even one thing true

When all eyes have turned aside

They used to talk to you

And people on the streets seem to disapprove

So you keep moving away

And forget what you wanted to say

(from Little Bird)

Day One Hundred Sixteen

Everyone should listen to this at least twice today.

"For Emma" - Bon Iver

Day One Hundred Two

Favorite song of the week.

I'm in love with the chorus.

"Blue Beard"

Enjoy.

I used to see the night so anxious, but now I know
The only thing it ever taught me was a grand illusion
That comes and goes, the city blanketed of snow.

What if we die, no end and no conclusion.
How could you smile, just walk away.
Well I don't know.
I don't know.

I met you at the railroad station, now years ago.
And something happened on the night I last drank with you in the neon glow.
Now I don't see you anymore.

The Midwestern sky, is gray and cold.
The sun never shines, but that's alright.
And I couldn't find the letters that you wrote me.
What did you write? Where'd you go, well I don't know. No.

Take a little time gonna roll the dice
Taken for a ride, any normal life will do, too.
Find another way, try to break the ice
Every day and night, the banana peels were true. True.

Day Twenty Eight

If perhaps you needed a great song for running, biking, or any kind of rigorous work out:




Thunderstruck.
[ACDC]

Is it wrong that I'm obsessed?

Here Comes the Sun

I heard this yesterday- I think while I was out and about, waiting in line for a sandwich. Hopefully your internet isn't as bad as mine and you can enjoy the full song. [2 weeks left of school . . . yessssssssssssss]

"Sunrise On Lake Pontchartrain"

From the film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Possibly one of my favorite non-lyrical/soundtrack songs.

CLICK HERE

All Time Favorites.

As most people everywhere, I looooOOOoooove music. I've played the piano for 12 years, taught lessons for about 3, and even gave a shot at playing the violin and guitar. ha. But really, music does a lot for me. It changes my mood and has big time effects on my day (is it effect or affect?.... no matter how many times I try spelling this word correctly, I never know if I'm right). Techno, alternative, rock and roll, classical, jazz, oldies.... love them. There are, however, a couple of types of music that I'm not too big on: Screamo, Country, and the really really hard core Rap. But- for the most part I'm open to new things and "respect all forms of music" (Ryleigh Allred). I might also add that it's a good thing for personal bedrooms and cars. Yes, I'm the type of person that picks a favorite song and listens to it over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over. Don't know why, but when I find something I love, I just can't get enough of it.

All Time Favorites:
(These are the ones that have a 50 count play or higher ha)

You Don't Know Me- Ben Folds and Regina Spektor (radio edit of course. gah.)

Always on Your Side- Sherly Crow and Sting

Falling- Ben Kweller

Spread Your Wings- Queen

Strip my Mind- Red Hot Chili Peppers

Seventeen- Ratatat

My Guru- Kalyanji Anandji

The Long and Winding Road- The Beatles

Fired- Ben Folds

Levater- Yael Naim

Just a Little Bit Mo- Shake Your Peace

Reasons to Love You- Meiko

Sideways- Citizen Cope

Senorita- Justin Timberlake

Gravity- John Mayer

Overboard- Ingrid Michaelson

So, there's a pretty good list of the one's I've put on repeat a time or two. Check them out next time it rains. :)