Friday, February 27, 2009

Song of the Day


**2/27/09


Lady Gaga - Poker Face


----------Fridays are usually the days I like to pay tribute to the dance club/bar scene. Girls who hike up their mini skirts and ride the mechanical bulls, guys who pop their collars or don that "nice" button down with no shirt on underneath, and all the sweat that runs like a marathon from every pore in your over-cologned bodies. Holla at me.


Lady Gaga is no stranger to grabbing attention. She admits to stripping down to her fishnets at one of her first gigs just to liven up the party. Her mysterious femme-fatale "Poker Face" reads seduction and vampy club beat from every card. Get it from The Fame.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Song of the Day


**2/26/09

Iron and Wine - Love and Some Verses

--------Sometimes a song can be so soft, that you're wondering if the speakers to your computer are busted from all the loud, cacophonic sounds that come from your music library. Iron and Wine's "Love and Some Verses" is a sleepy sigh of contentment, with gentle acoustics and humming vocals. Can't sleep? Press play to "Love and Some Verses" from Our Endless Numbered Days, and you'll be counting sheep in no time.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Song of the Day


**2/25/09

Paramore - Misery Business

---------It was by fate that I discovered Paramore: In 2006, I was at Tremont Music Hall to see This Providence, and Paramore was the headliner. I was standing around some pool tables, when I suddenly came across a dirty, sneaker-treaded twenty flattened on the floor. What'd I do with it? I bought Paramore's All We Know is Falling, and stuck around to watch Haley Williams belt out a killer cover of "Hero."


Cue to one year later, when Riot! came onto the scene with the massive help of "Misery Business." It's without a doubt the in-your-face-you-dirty-skank anthem for the girls who end up with the guy. It exudes energy, attitude, and confidence - the perfect remedy to get Paramore onto the mainstream scene. Get "Misery Business" from Paramore's second album Riot!


Sunday, February 22, 2009

Song of the Day


**2/22/09

Snagglepuss - Secretly Shy

---------Even if they don't have a big-time record label or even a tour situated for the summer, Snagglepuss reps the Queen City's flair for colorful, punk-inspired rock that grabs all kinds of positive attention from local listeners. The band is a jiggsaw puzzle of unique characters, beginning with Hope Nicholls, a boutique-owner by day, saxophonist and lead vocalist for Snagglepuss by night.


"Secretly Shy" has the construction of the Talking Heads and all the makings of a killer Yeah Yeah Yeahs beat. Check out their Space, and get "Secretly Shy" off their second studio album, The Country Club Sessions.




Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Song of the Day


**2/18/09

The Academy Is... - Rumored Nights

-----------For those who are still walking the halls everyday, and for the ones who can't forget, High School is life. To pay a tribute to all the angst, crushes, and heartache is The Academy Is... on their album, Fast Times at Barrington High. "Rumored Nights" plays upon all the drama that went down, goes down, and will go down. The song reiterates the tride and true methods of the gossip madness, and how it spreads quicker than fire in an oil spill. Get "Rumored Nights" from Fast Times at Barrington High, and also check out the weekend-romance anthem, "His Girl Friday."

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Song of the Day


**2/17/09

Sherwood - The Only Song (Acoustic)

---------------Fearless Records has a knack for taking over every type of genre by inviting prominent rock and punk bands to switch up the norms of long-adored songs. From Punk Goes Metal to Punk Goes Crunk, the label has released popular tracks redone with a new flair, and Sherwood's "The Only Song" is a beautiful acoustic ballad off of (you guessed it) Punk Goes Acoustic 2. "The Only Song" is for the lonely ones, the contemplative of all things socially unfair in life, and restless dissatisfactions. Even if you don't feel like you fit either category, Sherwood will keep you and your mellow mood company.


Monday, February 16, 2009

Song of the Day


**2/16/09

Cute Is What We Aim For - Curse of Curves
---------High School angst and lots of drama thrive in this song. The album, The Same Old Blood Rush with a New Touch, gave CIWWAF recognition by top magazines and a hella big fan base in the mall rats across America. From Warped Tours to Take Action Tours, a new studio album, Rotation, and a deceptive and intriguing music video for "Curse of Curves", there's almost nothing that can stop this band from making their name in the pop rock world. CIWWAF has appeared at Tremont Music Hall in my hometown, and their coming again February 24th with Every Avenue, Meg and Dia, and lots more.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Song of the Day


**2/15/09

UNC Clef Hangers -Buy UA Drank/Do It

-------------A Cappella groups aren't just for churches and esteemed Julliard choral masters. No, because the Tar Heels stepped onto a whole different kind of court in 1977 that has brought them international recognition, a First Place in the A Cappella Recording Award, and a slot on "Good Morning America." American Idol contestant Anoop Desai gave a solo performance in T Pain's "Buy UA Drank" back when he was part of the Clef Hangers, but the talent lies within every member. Tickets are available for all of their performances, and the group has released several albums over the years to put the Clef Hanger legends into musical permanance.






Saturday, February 14, 2009

Song of the Day


**2/14/09

The Rolling Stones - Beast of Burden

----------------Yes, it IS Valentine's Day, if the decorations sneaking their way into CVS last December didn't give you enough clues. We won't hurt anyone anymore thanks to Haddaway's "What is Love?" and Barry White is the sole and the soul reason for procreation in the United States. But The Rolling Stones have a 'come hither' staple of their own in "Beast of Burden," with sweetly cooing guitars and lyrics that let you know Mick's never gonna leave such a pretty,pretty,pretty,pretty,pretty,pretty girl. Add "Beast of Burden" to your Valentine's Day mix from their 1978 album, Some Girls.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Song of the Day


**2/12/09

The Walkmen - Canadian Girl

----------------Sure, Canada may be one of the most laid-back nations in the world, but the guys from The Walkmen find its ladies as sweet as maple syrup. Centered around an echo and a flouncing, quirky waltz, "Canadian Girl" is an ode to the beloved; a song most necessary for any Valentine's Day mix you may be thinking about giving to a special someone. Get "Canadian Girl" from The Walkmen's 2008 album, You and Me.


www.myspace.com/thewalkmen

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Song of the Day


**2/11/09

Relient K - Jefferson Aeroplane

--------------------------------------The guys of Relient K have this to say: if you are a fan, they LOVE you. Says so in the jacket of their EP/LP The Nashville Tennis EP/ The Birds and the Bee Sides. Not only do they have clever puns, but they have 26(!) killer tracks from their early days that serves up pop rock 40-luv. Jefferson Aeroplane is a demo track on The Birds and the Bee Sides, and everything from the whistling intro to the fly away chorus makes this a sunny getaway when the clouds are overhead. Since Relient K love you, it only seems right if you love them back.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

John Mayer at Verizon Wireless


















John Mayer played the Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre in 2007 with Ben Folds. I was excited enough for his opener! I was sitting drastically far away, and I had to have taken about 200 pictures. Constantly taking pictures, I never really stopped to focus on the actual shot. But here I think I found a few winners.



Song of the Day


**2/10/09

John Mayer - Free Fallin'

--------------I recall a past summer when I saw John Mayer in concert, and have concluded that no summer is complete without it. He graces the Q.C. with his rock and blues performance annually, and it never gets old. However, I had never heard him perform this Tom Petty cover until I got a hold of Where the Light Is, Mayer's bootleged performance in L.A.


Mayer retains the original wide-eyed ecstasy of flightless love, yet his free fall soulfully drifts away from the electric guitars that Petty and the Heartbreakers use and takes on all-over acoustics. I definitely recommend this live cut of Mayer's unforgettable work.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Song of the Day


**2/9/09

Gnarls Barkley - Smiley Faces

------------There's something to be said about a musical group that isn't afraid to frame one of their performances around a bathroom. Clad in bathrobes and shower caps, Danger Mouse and Ce-Lo Green's Gnarls Barkley splash around bubbly techno tronics in "Smiley Faces." Danger Mouse notes the necesssity and the dangers that come with showing off your pearly whites amidst a fascinating mix of gospel-influenced vocals and new-retro beats. Get "Smiley Faces" off of their 2006 album, St. Elsewhere.


Sunday, February 8, 2009

Song of the Day


**2/8/09

Sonic Youth - Reena

-------------First of all, your public library is a godsend for penny-pinching music lovers who can't bear to survive a weekend without some fresh music to spin. So after leaving the library with nine albums, I took a curious look at Sonic Youth's Rather Ripped first. Reena has fantastic, whirling guitars and soft calls from Thurston Moore. The song opens the album with a mellow sixties rock energy. Get "Reena" from Rather Ripped; I also recommend "Pink Steam" and "Turqoise Boy."

To Blink or Not to Blink?

Well, take off your pants and jacket, Blink may be coming back! If it is true, I'm feeling this. Talk has been buzzing about and David Kennedy spilling the beans about it, and signs are all pointing to "heellls yeah!" We'd love that, right?

So here's the question: yay or nay? Will AVA continue?

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Song of the Day


**2/7/09

Klaxons- Atlantis to Interzone

----------------You know the DJ sounds programmed into every Casio piano? 'Riight' you're thinking 'those are so lame! Who would ever use that for real music?'The Klaxons would. Atlantis to Interzone is an arcade jam running amok with the various Casio sounds we all know and love. The Klaxons channel a high-impact rock riff into the mix, making Atlantis to Interzone sound like the next Bond theme. Get this from their album Myths of the Near Future.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Song of the Day


**2/5/09

T Pain feat. Chris Brown - Freeze

--------------In this chilly weather (sorry, Kentucky) most of us are daydreaming of sunny beaches, shorts, or just a chance to go outside without six coats. But T Pain doesn't mind if you freeze - he'd love it, in fact. He and Chris Breezy would also like to challenge any ladies to a battle in a delicately flirtateous chorus "Girl I’ve been waiting all night to see you dance like me/and you gonna sweat your outfit out tryin' to dance like me." The beat is infectous and if you really think you can top T Pain and Chris Brown, get "Freeze" off T Pain's Thr33 Ringz.


Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Song of the Day


**2/4/09

The OverUnder - Empty Words

--------------The OverUnder has experienced the ups and downs of being in a band since 2003. After calling it quits with their former band in 2007, three surviving members, Lao, Corso, and Jaworowski, took on a new project with power pop punk anthems. Since then The OverUnder has been adamantly recording and getting their music blasting in our headphones with songs like "Empty Words" and the can-do attitude of "Circles and Squares." Check out The OverUnder's self-titled demo on Itunes.



Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Song of the Day


**2/3/09

Kanye West - All Falls Down

------------Taking it a little old school, when Mr. West had yet to graduate or experience the 808's and heartbreak. His lyrics are as true and as relative as our own reflections, rapping about insecurities and social issues with a confident and matter-of-fact surface. A radio hit that introduced West's music to the mainstream world in 2004, "All Falls Down" rose to the Grammy occasion with the help of "Jesus Walks" to win Best Rap Album in 2005. Get "All Falls Down" from Kanye's debut album, The College Dropout.



Monday, February 2, 2009

Song of the Day


**2/2/09

NeedtoBreathe - Shine On

-----It's always a fantasmagorical thing when a band sounds just as good live as they do on their album. NeedtoBreathe is one of those bands, especially with their old stuff sounding amazing when on tour. The music video for "Shine On" is enlightening, and it cost the band under $200 to make it. Ti's off their first album, Daylight, and if you like it I recommend their latest CD The Heat.