It's supposed to be cheesy, It's a love song!

Sometimes it is hard for my friends to understand the changes I've made in my life.  I just try to make sure they know I love them and want to be around them.  In my opinion, God would not want me to drop my friends because they have different beliefs or have the same beliefs but do not go to church.  I have amazing friends even though we are all very different.  We have great respect for one another and are open to talking about the more difficult things like religion.  I think this builds stronger friendships.  When they have questions, I am open to talking about anything.  I should not have been surprised when my friends asked me if I was only going to listen to Christian music now.  I said no and she said "Good, because it's pretty cheesy."  I, without really thinking, said "Yeah, some of it kinda is."  That was the wrong response.  I should have taken a moment to think about how I really feel about Christian music.  This is what I should have said.
  
Remember the first inkling of love when you were a teenager?  I do.  All of those feelings being felt for the very first time.  It had a serious impact on my CD rotation.  I listened to every sappy love song you could imagine.  The same when my heart was broken for the first time.  I listened to any sad song I could get my hands on.  It's hard to explain.  For me, those songs made the feeling more intense for me.  However, to feel those emotions, you had to be in love.  Those songs mean more to you when you are experiencing love.  Even today, I get emotional when a song makes me think of my husband and how much I love him.  Every woman wants to be told she is beautiful and every man wants to know he is the best.  That is what Christian songs are, love songs.  You will not feel the same feelings when you hear them unless you are in love with God/Jesus.  It is experiencing the feelings that make those cheesy love songs more than just cheesy love songs.  They become the truth about how you feel, and a way to put what you are feeling into words.  They are a way to say I love you and you mean everything to me.  The verdict is... I may not only listen to Christian music, but loving the Lord has a serious impact on my playlist these days.


Here is one of those cheesy love songs and hopefully you can experience the same emotions I do when I hear it.  
Love, E.

     

My Favorite July/Summer/Sun Songs

I LOVE summer and especially July.  It's my absolute favorite time of the year.  It just doesn't get any better than riding around with the windows down, blasting your favorite summer songs! Here is a list of my Top 5 Favorite July/Summer/Sun songs.  Enjoy! 

Summer Skin - Death Cab For Cutie 

July, July! - The Decemberists

Sunset in July - 311

Summer - Alien Ant Farm

It's Summertime - The Flaming Lips

Need more summery tunes?

I have complied a Spotify playlist of the best songs with Summer, Sun or July in the title.  It's pretty fantastic.  Check it out here... Elizabeth's July/Summer/Sun Songs

Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls

Holy Guacamole!  It has been a while since I've been so excited about a band.  For the last three days I have listen to nothing but Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls.  Every time I listen to a song, no matter if it was the 1st time or the 10th time, I say "Whoa!  That was so freaking cool!"  The band has some groovy make-you-wanna-dance tunes, jump-up-and-rock-out tunes, and even some closed-eyes-swaying-back-and-forth tunes.  Super cool front chic, Brittney Howard, is the band's slam dunk. With a voice that is out of this world, she bears her soul.  She even screams out lyrics as if the words were out of her control.  So beautiful and crazy at the same time.  After listening to the album through a few times, I tried to figure out who she sounds like.  Most people would put her in the ever growing Janis category (thumbs down).  Don't get me wrong, I love Janis but if you are a female singer with a rough voice that is the category you get stuffed into.  It's not relevant any more, there is too many people on that wagon!  She actually reminds me of a more male rock voice like Robert Plant.  Listen to "Heartbreaker", you'll get it.  She may be my new favorite female voice of all time.  Oh yeah, she's that fantastic.  That voice is legendary and could put her in a category of the greatest rock, blues and soul singers of all time.  I can't believe more people aren't listening to this band!  Here's the recipe... Put Robert Plant, Classic Rock, Blues, and Soul Music, with dash of Etta James in a blender and you've got yourself some Alabama Shakes.

Favorite Tracks: All of them.  Start at the beginning with "Hold On" and you'll be hooked.  By the time you get to the bonus track "Heavy Chevy" you'll be out of your seat dancing around.      

9/26/11 - High Five!

I really need to be writing again. I am so busy and don't have any time for myself. I am just going to take my iPod and write about the first 5 songs to play. I'll try to do this as often as possible but, no promises here:)


YUCK - Suicide Policeman: Yuck is one of the better new bands on the scene. Check out the following link for a performance of this song via pitchfork. Love it!http://http://pitchfork.com/tv/tunnelvision/1640-yuck/2607-suicide-policeman/#ooid=phOXJkMjp7MUxh7ASdscZD9b25YaqX9C

THE WEEPIES - Hideaway: Deb Talan has a great voice. I love the poppy-yet-folky sounds that The Weepies produce. They have the best sing along songs even if I don't quite understand the lyrics. One thing is for sure, in every song you'll hear about the stars, sky or universe.

YEAH YEAH YEAHS - Tick: Karen O is so bad ass. Her voice is so strange on this song; she is screaming... and its awesome. I love this album (Fever To Tell) and Karen O can do no wrong in my eyes. With the song only being 1:48 it leaves you wanting more!

SNOW PATROL - It's Beginning To Get To Me: A relationship gone bad... The great thing about the lyrics is he realizes what has gone bad. The music is good but the lyrics are fit for Grey's Anatomy.

CULTS - You Know What I Mean: I LOVE Madeline's voice. She has this sweet almost sad sounding voice. It is especially evident in this song. The hand claps and snaps give the song an old time vibe. All around great song but especially good on those somber rainy days.

My Thoughts on Sleigh Bells - Treats

Feverishly unwrapping a new CD is absolute bliss for me. Sometimes, there is nothing better than the first time you listen to a CD in your car. I love my iPod but I just can’t get away from a good old CD! (Must be the way our parents felt about vinyl). For working Moms like me, sometimes that is the only chance I get to crank it up. So, when I bought Sleigh Bells – Treats, Mike & Lukas just had to endure the deal-with-it, i-don’t-care-if-it’s-too-loud stage. To my complete surprise, I was not the only one enjoying my first listen that day! First of all, how freaking cute is it to see your 4 year old rocking out? And for about once in my life the Hubby wasn’t saying “Can we just listen to the radio” (which is like using profanity in my car)! That is a definite testament to just how good this album is!

The first track, Tell ‘Em, starts out with some serious guitar, the vocals kick in and then the bass... forget about it, I am sooo hooked. I love it when a song comes on and you automatically know the band. There is no mistaking who they are, even if you’ve never heard the song before. That is the Sleigh Bells sound, unique and in a league of its own! I mean really… Can you stick this in one specific genre?

So the verdict is in, It’s pretty awesome, you should check it out! It is at least worth a listen. I’m telling you, it is a musical car crash or more like a pile-up (in a good way) that you can’t stop listening to. Will Sleigh Bells be around for a while? Hmmm… good question. They are unique but, are they too unique? Maybe a little to crazy to be picked up by mainstream listeners. Staying power is to be determined but today I’m living in the moment and right now, I LOVE IT!

Favorite Tracks: Rill Rill, Tell ‘Em, Run The Heart, Treats

And there was a blog...

Much like John Cusack's character in High Fidelity (one of my favorite movies of all time), I am a music-addicted, top 5 list lovin' "Professional Appreciator". That's right... I said it. Music has played a huge part in my life. My memories have a soundtrack. If there isn't a song playing at that moment, I know one that would fit perfectly. And you know what they say -- "Those who can't do, teach" (or not so much teach as tell everyone what I like). Or something like that. Well, that's me... I'm not very talented, but I love music. Since I can't play the music I love, I need to have an outlet. And there it was -- My Hubby's brilliant idea, write a blog! So, stay tuned for some blogging fun:)

A huge thanks to my Sister-In-Law, Jenny. She frequently puts up with my music-of-the-day and check-this-band-out emails. Now I can let her know all the goods without blowin' up her inbox! You're Welcome Jenny! LOL!

Currently Listening To: The Decemberists - O Valencia