If you've been hiding under a rock, then you are probably not aware of New York's Vampire Weekend. Their self-titled album exploded at the beginning of 2008. Check out LoveMeDeux's blog as she declares her love for them too :)
"The Kids Don't Stand a Chance" is the latest single from probably one of my favorite albums of this year. I especially love this live version on Conan, complete with strings!
Hittting that Thursday deadline has been a challenge the past few months, but whatever. Here's my selection of the week and instead of one song, I'm recommending the entire album.
I'm a big fan of Sara Bareilles and I had the opportunity to see here live at the Fillmore in San Francisco, on my birthday -- July 12. During the concert she said that she was recording a DVD, but what I didn't know was that the show would be mastered into this live album too - bonus! It's like another little keepsake along with my Fillmore poster :)
Attending a concert is like no other musical experience (for me anyways). Still this recording stands strong with my memories of that night. A lot of her banter with the audience was cut, but I think you will still get a sense of her humor, and maybe some insecurities as well. She's pretty funny when rambling about the history of one of her songs.
Highlights: her rendition of "Sittin on the Dock of the Bay", "Vegas", "Love on the Rocks", and of course "Love Song".
Oh, and this is the first time I've used the LaLa widget. Let me know what your experience is like.
Today is just one of those days. This Monday, is busy, crazy, unpredictable and this song really helps calms me. The visuals are quite hypnotic too. I think I might watch this every time I get agitated or frustrated. Hooray for the little things in life.
I'm a HUGE fan of American Idol. Look -- I love the karaoke contest and I'm a damn good karaoke singer myself, so layoff the judgement!
Since we've got that out of the way, my tune of the week comes from last season's runner-up, Mr. David Archuleta. Yes, David Archuleta -- the 17 yr. old, mormon, who looked petrified every week, with the big voice, cutie-pie. I voted for this kid every week.
Sorry David Cook fans, but DC sounds too much like Nickelback (who I hate), but I reserve judgment until I hear his album. Although I heard his new single "Light On" and I do not like it.
Archuleta's first song post-Idol is called "Crush" and it's a perfect pop tune. Its got a catchy hook and he delivers with the vocals.
Archuleta's debut album releases on Nov. 11th. I've heard it already and it's really good. I truly believe this kid will go far. I really do.
Truthfully I had another song in mind and no plans to go the "flashback" route this early. Instead, I'm banking that song for next week, and present to you The Jewish Elvis with his classic song "America".
My inspiration for this week's pick began with a LaLa recommendation of "America" from raygun01 (better known as BOL's Jason Howell). Oh yes, I'm outing him again! Then it came up as one of my shuffled songs on my iPhone as I was working out at the gym. As it played I picked up momentum on the elliptical and hit "repeat" -- three times!
The gym incident happened on the eve of Barack Obama's paid infomercial (which I thought was moving, positive, and inspiring). Now maybe i'm a little emotional in the midst of layoffs, a terrible economy and a growing uncertainty of the future, but listening to that song gave me a little bit of hope. I know I'm sappy and you might think I'm crazy, but that's seriously how I felt! That's the beauty of music, right?
Truthfully, I've always loved this song and the cheese of the lyrics like:
On the boats and on the planes They're coming to America Never looking back again They're coming to America
Plus this song came from one of my all-time favorite movies, The Jazz Singer (1980). I can't even count how many times I've seen it!
I hope you enjoy this week's pick and if you're in the US, I hope you VOTE! You don't have to vote for my candidate, but please exercise your right.
Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 01:14PM 
