Snap out of it!

Damn you Daylight Savings! I'm all sorts of backwards right now. What is the point anyway? Great, I see the sun earlier in the morning, and my drive home from work is black as hell. Wonderful. What a dumb system. 

There's something about autumn and the changing of the season that makes me think a whole lot. I think about what's missing, rather than my blessings. Although I'm probably the happiest I've been in a long time, it still feels like something isn't right. And I know I'm not alone. I hear negativity all around me, just by listening to my friends talk or reading my friends' Facebook status messages and what not. The cold weather takes away our spirit, and we're left feeling unmotivated and uninspired.

So what does one do to snap out of this dismal mood? Just with almost anything else, I find solitude in music. 

I downloaded the album Contraption by Beats Antique last night before I went to bed...solely because I heard one of the songs on Pandora yesterday afternoon and liked it. Well, I was in my usual gloomy morning mood as I drove to work this morning. Until...I played my new album and instantly that mood was reversed. Instantly, all the negative thoughts went away. Instead, my mind began circling around all the positivity in my life. And I began taking mental notes of all the things I want to do today, tomorrow, over the weekend, during the winter, etc. 

It's so easy to get stuck in that winter depression, but I'm not going to let that happen. I'm far too perky and optimistic for that nonsense. And I was reminded of this as I danced all the way to work in my car. 




Beats Antique - Mission


Beats Antique - She's Looking For Something

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Something good is gonna happen

Well, as a matter of fact, a few good somethings already happened today. I breezed to work through a snow storm in less than 30 minutes. The guy at Starbucks gave me my vanilla latte for free. And here's the kicker: I text messaged the only radio station I like, 93.1 XRT, and won tickets to their holiday concert this Friday. All this good fortune before 9 a.m.

Now it's the afternoon, my day has been pretty mediocre, but I can't seem to forget the streak that occurred this morning. I'm going to ride this wave for as long as I can. I have a good feeling about the near future. I'm not sure where I'm going with this, and not knowing is what makes me excited.

Anyhow, I thought these tracks were quite fitting for this mood, this state of happiness and anticipation.


Utah Saints - Something Good


Milosh - Something Good

I can taste opportunity near

How fitting.

How fitting that I chose to download the new Zero 7 album today. How fitting that I'm going to the Zero 7 show this Friday. How fitting that this song entered my life at the most appropriate time.

Every once in a while, I discover a song that turns my world upside down. A song that provides me with this whole new transcendent experience. It somehow fits. If my life were a book, this song would be the chapter you forgot to read.

"Pop Art Blue" has been on repeat since I first heard it a couple of hours ago. Zero 7 took the words I couldn't say, the picture I couldn't paint, and created this beautiful work of art.

I was a bit skeptical about this new album, Yeah Ghost, by Zero 7. But then the fifth track played, and I'm able to say those 4 minutes and 23 seconds are worth the entire album. So I'll definitely be at their show this Friday at The Metro. If you're in Chicago, check it out. Come baked.

Zero 7 - Pop Art Blue

Steady walking but bound to trip

I was introduced to The XX a few weeks ago, and I must say I don't think I have ever been so moved. The XX is a quartet out of London, and they can't be much more than 20 years of age. That's what impresses me the most about these artists. They have so much soul, and the dynamic between the male and female vocals is so intense and beautiful.

I wrote not too long ago about fall being the time for lovers. It's finally getting chilly out there, folks. And I can't imagine a better soundtrack for the start of a new relationship. I listen to these songs, and I get lost in my daydreams. They capture so many emotions, no words need to be said. Just hit play, and let your hands do the talking.

My personal favorite: "Night Time." Now that is some serious baby-making music right there.

*If you're in the Chicago area, you might want to check these guys out at Bottom Lounge on Dec. 1. Unfortunately, I snoozed and didn't purchase tickets in time. Sold out already! However, if you're one of my well-connected friends and you have an in, please hook me up.*



The XX - Night Time


The XX - Crystalised


The XX - Islands


The XX - Stars

Happy Halloween!

This may just be my favorite holiday. I get to put on a costume and raise hell all over the streets of Chicago. I like to cause trouble, and this is the day that it is slightly acceptable. I'll be out and about dressed in something hilarious and crashing parties this weekend. But I had to make sure I had a proper soundtrack for my shenanigans. If you're hosting a party or just want to blast some music on your way out, here are some tracks that'll surely get you into the spooky spirit! Some are heavy, some are down-tempo... but they've all got that creep factor.

Morcheeba - Trigger Hippie

Joy Division - Dead Souls

Ministry - So What

Massive Attack - Man Next Door

Skinny Puppy - Assimilate

Type O Negative - Black No. 1

Tricky - Crazy Claws

Front Line Assembly - Millennium

The Cure - Burn

Killing Joke - Seeing Red

Amon Tobin - At The End Of The Day

Crystal Stilts - Converging In The Quiet

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Season of love

Today officially marks the start of fall season, and I couldn't be more ecstatic. Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the colors of the leaves and the smell of the crisp, cool air. And I finally get to sport my favorite scarves, hats, boots, etc. Whatever it takes to warm me up.

This also is a time for lovers. I mean, really, what is more satisfying than cuddling up next to your loved one under the blankets, sharing your warmth with one another? Or taking a walk in the park, holding hands, as the leaves crunch beneath your boots. I envision fireplaces, hot cocoa and making out. Lots of making out.

And I can't have a healthy winter make-out session without a warm, soothing playlist. So here's my attempt at creating a soundtrack to set the tone for a night in with your lover. I'm making this a long list, folks, so download the tracks and burn yourself a CD.

I know I may seem cold and cynical at times. I preach of the single life and how good it feels to be content by oneself. Deep down, I'm just as soft as the next girl. And these tracks bring out the lover in me.

Milosh - You Make Me Feel
Telefon Tel Aviv - I Lied
Beck - Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometimes
The XX - Teardrops
Beth Gibbons - Romance
Mylo - Need You Tonite
Bombay Dub Orchestra - Feel
Morcheeba - Undress Me Now
Soil & Pimp Sessions - Ha Hen
Boomclap Bachelors - Combiner
The Sea And Cake - New Schools
Pinback - Penelope

The Whitest Boy Alive Rules!

Don't you love it when you buy an album and you're able to listen to it from start to finish? This is a rare occurrence. I'll usually love one or two tracks, and maybe another two or three tracks are likeable. Then a handful are awful. And the rest are just decent.

It's been at least a decade since the last time this happened to me. I'm trying to think of the last album I loved so much I could play it all the way through without skipping... and I can't even think of one.

So I got a hold of the new The Whitest Boy Alive album, Rules, this week. I've heard a few tracks off their debut album, Dreams, a couple of years ago, and I thought they were catchy, funky and upbeat. If you've heard of Erlend Øye, he's the singer and guitarist for The Whitest Boy Alive. Øye is also part of the group The Kings of Convenience, and he collaborates often with Röyksopp, who I'm sure you've heard of by now. Remember that GEICO commercial with the cavemen, and the song "Remind Me" is playing in the background? That's Röyksopp and Erlend Øye. Out of all his collaborations and side projects, The Whitest Boy Alive is my favorite.

I pressed play and let the album go on without touching a thing. And I didn't want to. Each and every song had me grooving. Some were very chill, some were bass heavy, some were more electro. But I truly feel like these guys took all the elements I love most about music and put them all together on this album. I can't even pinpoint one song that I want to call my favorite. As soon as I think I've narrowed it down to one, I hear another track and change my mind.

Also, Erlend Øye's lyrics are extremely meaningful; he tells a story in each track. Once his story is complete, the band goes insane and the instrumental breaks continue. I like some bands because of their lyrics, and I like other bands because of their beats. But The Whitest Boy Alive has perfected the art of integrating the two together without clashing and struggling with one another. The most intense track may be "Gravity" where Øye talks about his lover and his friend hooking up behind his back. Ouch!

I couldn't decide which tracks I wanted to share, so I threw on quite a few for you below.


The Whitest Boy Alive - Dead End
"Don't turn around, keep going
If I do look back, I'll never get over you."



The Whitest Boy Alive - Promise Less Or Do More
"Luck is a gift, but rarely only a random thing
It's not enough to sit down and wait for a phone to ring."



The Whitest Boy Alive - Gravity
"It's all fun and games until
Somebody sees what they should not see
The innocence is killed."



The Whitest Boy Alive - High on the Heels
"You only need to be more certain what it is you're living for.
Climbing the hill of pursuing the front runner's tail
Lower the bar to a point you can't possibly fail."



The Whitest Boy Alive - 1517
"Hey, you, we just got started,
You can't end this now.
You've payed your dues, you're free,
Of what are you afraid?"

I'm in a glue too thick...

I had to share more Hot Chip with you.

Dope lyrics.

That's it.


Hot Chip - A Glue Too Thick (Download)

This one's for you, JR

I've been bouncing off the walls the past couple days with my posts. I need to take it down a notch...for my sanity.

Hot Chip is still a dynamic electronic ensemble. Don't get me wrong. But it's the kind of music you can just kick back to, or perhaps blast on your late-night drive home.

You be the judge...


Hot Chip - Crap Kraft Dinner (Download)


Hot Chip - No Fit State (Download)


Hot Chip - One Pure Thought (Download)


Hot Chip - Wearing My Rolex (Wiley cover on BBC Live Lounge) (Download)

And if you like what you hear, you may also be interested in the countless remixes out there of Hot Chip songs. They're incredible.

Bring me music

I heard this track on one of David Sabat's recent mixes, and my house head cousin and I immediately became addicted to this groovy jam. We've been dancing around our apartment to this song for the past week or so. Ha! So I had to share it with my pals. It's so sexy and mellow. If you're looking for something deep, vocal and especially seductive, give this one a listen. It'll stimulate your senses...


Jaidene Veda - Sunday (Sunday Skool Vocal) (Download)

Feeling optimistic

What a positive, uplifting track! It's extremely chill and relaxing, but the message is powerful. Kate Rogers has such a soothing voice, and she has a way of making you feel what she's saying.

The message: Everything's gonna be alright! It's pretty simple really. No matter what goes wrong, you must have faith that things will work out. It's not always easy, but you just gotta pick yourself up. You must remain optimistic and focus on the positive side of things. If you worry too much about the negative, you end up wasting time and energy on the things that don't matter.

The reason I am posting this now is because it's the perfect song to explain my current state of mind. This past year has been trying and full of obstacles. I have somehow overcome everything that stood in my way, and now it's time to move forward and keep pushing.

I have so much to look forward to in 2009. Those of you who know me well know that I have a ton on my plate, but I welcome the challenges. All the experiences that brought me down last year...those are lessons that I am taking with me into this year. And those very lessons have motivated me to move forward with all the exciting projects I have in the works.

I am blessed to have such great friends and family who support me and encourage me to follow my dreams. I dedicate this song to you. The fact that you care so much makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I know, I know...I'm corny. But it's true. Just seeing your reactions to whatever it is that I'm doing gets me even more excited than I already am.

Now before you listen, make sure you get nice and relaxed. And make sure there are no distractions. Just you and the music. Enjoy.


Kate Rogers - Fine (Download)

A flask I drink of sober tea

I love Massive Attack, always have. Their songs are the ones you want to listen to on a long drive home, late at night, feeling contemplative. "Group Four" is no exception; it is a perfect example.

The song starts out slow, chill, relaxing. And when you least expect it, Massive Attack tears it up. You must listen to the song in its entirety to fully appreciate it. It takes you on an 8-minute ride of highs, lows, male and female vocals, poetic lyrics, percussion and melody.

And for all you stoners out there, go roll yourself a fat one before you embark on this journey. Trust me, you'll thank me later.

Since I have a hard time deciphering the lyrics, I have linked them here for you.

My favorite part, however, is the very last, when Liz Fraser sings:
"Daydreaming admiring being
Quietly, open the world
I hear the time of the starry sky
Turning over at midnight
Seen through me little glazed lane
A world in myself
Daydreaming admiring being
Quietly, open the world
I hear the time of the starry sky
Turning over at midnight"



Massive Attack - Group Four (Download)