New Music

I'm awake, I might as well ramble on about something.
Things have felt so busy lately that I haven't sat down and downloaded loads of unnecessary music or enjoyed the tunes that others have shared (thanks, Dustin).

I love new music. So, how about some new music album reviews...but the abridged and ramblicious versions? Nothing too deep or in depth. You're already reading so why stop now?

**Note** Some of the albums are terrible and I download them just because I can :). Also note - I may give it a rating but, knowing me, it could change at any given time depending on how I soak it up and change my mind...
We'll start at the top...

Artist: All Time Low
Album: Nothing Personal
Here's the thing, I've never been as in to punk like music until towards the end of college and dating Kim and most of the time I still don't like it, but this album changes my mind about the genre. It could be because punk has gone pop. It's filled with catchy hooks and has a bubble gum feel to it, which isn't bad...it's just what it is. All Time Low, for what I know of them, keep getting better to my ear. This whole album is fantastic. I'm trying to pick 1 song that stands out but they all are easy to listen to. "Lost in the Stereo" sticks out the most. Again, it's because I can hear it on the radio or would want to play it while rocking it out at the bowling alley. On any note, this is an album shared by D and I'm glad he did, it's really good. So, if you're into the punk pop sound, check this out. A-

Artist: Brooke Hogan
Album: The Redemption
I can only assume someone gave her another album because it was a. in her contract or b. because of the 6-month-ago tabloid coverage of her family and the nasty divorce the Hulk is going through. I understand B more than A. I would have canceled her contract and taken the heat her lawyers would have brought. This album is terrible. Are there songs that will be heard in a club? Yes. Are there songs that some Disney movie may use during some cheesy thought provoking scene? I hope not. But even with the celebrity visits from Flo Rida or the unheard of Urban Mystic, the album still can't get above water. Cracked out, tramped Britney makes better things in her post-hangover toilet. I'd rather have a new album by Dream. Everything is pretty sex driven. Maybe Brooke is your kind of girl but not for me. With all of her sex-loaded lyrics...if she's trying to get with me she should really have a song called "I'm pretty in the dark." As I coast from song to song I hear way too much auto-tune. I wrote too much already. Wait for a single or two before checking out this album, but please don't buy it. D-

Artist: Cobra Starship
Album: Hot Mess
Their second song title says it best: Pete Wentz Is The Only Reason We're Famous. Even if it's true, the album is still fun. They were first getting bigger when they landed on the Snakes on a Plane soundtrack and though the radio is currently flooded with "Good Girls Go Bad" this album still has some fun to it. Though it's fun, most of the album sounds like it's hoping it'll be the next radio song, just like Good Girls has become. If it's true then good for them. Make your money while you can. Um...I don't find myself trying to them off. It's fun, poppy, easy to listen to and there are a lot of fun lyrics and good riffs. Why not? C+

Artist: Dirty Heads
Album: Any Port in a Storm
Well, who said white guys can't rap to some reggae? Not me. This record is perfect for summer. When I listen to it I want a beer in hand, games going on and friends around me. It's a good album for the car with the windows down. They don't sing about anything earth shattering, but who cares, right? I prefer Matisyahu but that doesn't mean this can't be fun and you shouldn't listen to it. It's definitely worth the time. If you like white guys who rap, get their reggae on and listen to tunes about guys having a good time then check it out. B-

Artist: Hit the Lights
Album: Coast to Coast
If you like HTL then you'd like, what I can only assume this is, their new EP. It's got fast, medium and slow. I don't know what they're trying to go for, all 6 songs worth, but I think they're still relatively young/new and they'll get even better in time. B-

Artist: Ingrid Michaelson
Album: Everybody
I'm a big fan of Ingrid and I was happy to see that she didn't go all off the wall for her next album. I'll admit, it's pretty "mom rock," but it's catchy. This album easily has 3 or 4 songs that can make it on to the radio and make Ingris a lot of money. Does that mean there's a "sell out" sound to her? Not at all. She has a soothing voice and she just sings about guys/life/experience/love...typical girl schtuff. Maybe is a good song but the best song, with a poppy, makes-you-chew-bubble-gum feel would be "Everybody." It's the kind of song you'd hear in an Apple commercial or during the next Kate Hudson/Jennifer Anniston love chick flick movie. I'm a sucker for the mom rock because at times, like I enjoy my movies, I like something simple and happy. Plus, she's not too overplayed yet which is key. If you like music that's happy and will probably make you happy...and you're a fan of the mom rock - I'd get this or at least download Everybody. B+

Artist: Jet
Album: Shake Rock
Jet is awesome. Done and done.
This album has slowed down in comparison to their previous album but it doesn't stop it from being a good album. It's a simple rock sound. It's easy to turn up. Now, I haven't found anything as catchy as "Cold hearted bitch" or "are you gonna be my girl," but "La Di Da" and "Times Like This" are catchy. I like it. I dig on the guys voice and the sound they make. Do I recommend buying it? Mmm...if you're a jet fan then yes. If you're not, I wouldn't but I'll make you a copy. B-

Artist: Kings of Leon
Album: Only by the Light
I don't get what the hype is over these guys. It's an old sound but it's nothing new. I tried getting into "Use Somebody" but I can't. The more I listen to the album the more I find the lead singer to be a 1 trick pony. Seriously, listen to a song or 3 and he does the same note progression in each song. Low, Low, High. If someone gets why they're becoming as big as they are please let me know. I downloaded this with hopes that the album would get better than "Use Somebody," but...eh. I'm not impressed, at least not yet. D

Artist: Lights
Album: Lights - EP
Mellow, easy to listen to and she has a good voice. It's a pity this album only has 6 songs. A mild techno backbeat, some basic drums and just her singing. It's not overly complicated and that's appreciated. I like this EP a lot. It's relaxing. I don't have much to add...it's just a good album. Go get it. B+

Artist: Millionaires
Albums(s): Bling, Bling, Bling!-EP & Just got Paid, Let's Get Laid - EP
Christ, I don't even know how to start with these girls. It's so obnoxious yet so genius. "Girls talk shit, we don't care, we'll take off our underwear...come get fucked...gimme my alcohol...a-l-c-o-h-o-l..."
I wanted to hate them. They're irritating but god damn I can't shake them out of my brain. 3 girls who sing about fucking, drinking, bitches, getting naked and did I mention getting drunk? With songs like "I like alcohol," In my bed," and "talk shit," you know you're in for a treat. If you think it sounds like 3 sex-driven booze bitches are just trying to sing into their mac with drum/dance beats...then I'd agree, but dammit, you won't be able to shake their lyrics out of your head. It'll make a party rock and make your friends wonder wtf is wrong with you. I want to hear a full album before I can regretably give them an A, but for now...B

Artist: Passion Pit
Album: Manners
Another album compliments of Dustin. He gets a lot of tunes but says he doesn't have the time to listen to them all, which is too bad because this one, for whatever reason, has me hooked. I know nothing about this group but the lead singer, a guy, loves to sing really high. Like...higher than Mika in "Grace Kelly" high (speaking of which, he has a new album out soon). "Little Secrets" has to be the best song on this album. The album is full of techno beats, a man with a voice that's far too high, but catchy beats and lyrics. It's not my kind of album (or is it) but, like I said, I can't get enough of it. Give it a listen. It's really awesome and different. Should you buy it? Why not? Support someone new. I didn't but you should. :) It'll add some variety to the iPod and there's never anything wrong with that. A-

Artist: The Sounds
Album: Crossing the Rubicon
Another band I tried to hate, but I can't. This album made me switch my feelings about them. I'm going to have to give their older stuff another listen. (thanks, D) Drum, guitar and a catchy bass line is all the Sounds need. The lead singers voice is tough to describe in terms of a comparison. It's a futuristic retro sound to my ear. They add techno backbeats at the right time. Again, not much to say. It's worth a listen. Best songs are...pretty much the whole album, but I do really like "Lost in Love" and "Beatbox." If the sound is up your alley then I'd bet it's worth the buy. I can't seem to find much wrong with this album which kills me. Keep this sound coming and I'll keep getting more and more into The Sounds. A

******
I had more new albums than I had thought. Whatev, I like it. I didn't need sleep that much anyway. Hope my ramblings helped make you go buy and avoid some of the new tunes that are out there. There's always so much crap being pushed out nowadays but it's good to hear when some good albums are actually made (ie The Sounds and All Time Low). Alright time to sleep.

Nerf Wars

I forgot to mention something I am also looking forward to in these upcoming chilly months. It means more indoor fun. We're always looking for variety and I may have found some. ...since we've moved I have said "I want to put a chest in the upstairs closer...fill it with nerf guns and have a nerf gun fight in the house." Kim kept telling me it'll happen and I think I'm finally believing her.

So, this fall...this winter...prepare yourself for an in-house slaughtering with NERF WAAAAARS!!! (coming soon to my house near you). Who's in?!

oh it's been a long time

since i've made myself sit down and write my incessant babble on this magic box on the interwebs.

a lot has been going on and a lot is coming up, so i haven't had the time I'd like to blog. work is hellish and busy. life is coasting along. the wedding is under 30 days away and there's always some appointment or some place i need to be as of late. i really miss those days when i could ignore work for extended periods of time so i could wistfully waste away the minutes rambling on and on and on. tonight i made time because i was tired of playing baseball, playing farkle and there's nothing good on tv.

the closer the wedding gets the more stressful things become. we're still waiting on 50% of the RSVPs to come back with a week to go. A friend of mine just had her RSVP date pass and had 80 RSVPs not sent in. Seriously, what the hell is wrong with people and why are they so damn lazy? I don't think it's a maturity thing since it's across all ages; people are as lazy as can be. And I know weddings are a bigger deal to the couple/family getting married than the people who are attending, but anyone who's been married can attest - there's a lot of money and planning on the line. 10 people can be the difference of an easy $1,000.

And pettiness. Damn. Once you do get married you'll have your moment where it's all about "me." In my case, it's all about the bride (Kim). But there are a lot of people around her who keep trying to fuck up her day. It's sad. From friends to family. People put themselves first and not too often anyone else. It's most upsetting if family gets over the top. They worry more of themselves and their needs before the needs of the person whose day this is all about. I hate to say it, but I'll be happy once the big day has rolled around and gone by.

There are some major truisms about weddings and all that go into them. In the early stages of planning people told me a few things...
1. You'll find out who your true friends are
2. You'll be surprised by how much certain people care who you thought wouldn't and how much people don't care when you thought they would
I heard the same thing about gifts (the people you think'll give the most won't and those you thought wouldn't come through big). But - I don't care so much about gifts. I'm appreciative of anything we receive. We're mostly happy for those who can make it and want to make it. We're certainly excited to see so many people who are taking the time out to hang out with us, eat with us, drink with us and, of course, dance their faces off with us.

Sigh. It's just a stressful bit of time.
I'm not saying I'm the most considerate person all the time, but it's no secret that I'd put a friend first. Anything I can do to help someone, I'll do it, but most people I know tend to be "me, me, me" first and it's a bummer. Bah, neither here nor there.

I'm excited to be on a plane come late September and enjoy a couple of carefree weeks in OR, a surprising destination that's bound to have a whole lot of fun waiting for us. I'm not excited for my layovers in LA and CO but it could be worse. We're getting to fly first class, which is unreal and we're really appreciative for that hook up, and we'll visit a place we've never been.

I think, all in all, I'm just excited to get married to someone as awesome and beautiful as Kim is. She's fantastic. Sometimes she's a little hot tempered, but I'll handle that with ease because her non-tempered self it a whole lotta awesome :) After that, I'm excited to see a lot of my friends in one place having a night of fun with us. Family ties into there as well. I'll see a lot of old faces which is always refreshing. I never grew up around a lot of family - so this whole process of planning and inviting has helped me reestablish some connections with some old relatives, which is great. Finally, the food. I can't say what it is, but there'll be a lot of it and it's all really good. We've taken the simple things we like to eat for comfort and spun them to be a bit fancier for the wedding.

Our photographers are fantastic and they'll be sure to capture all sorts of memories and dancing magic from the night. The photo booth will rock some socks and shall make for loads of interesting photos as the drinks begin to flow.

In other non-wedding-related news. I think I turn older soon. That sucks. 28. Not quite 30 and proud of it. I think I hit the age where I no longer want to ask for things. I just want to hang out and have a good time with friends and drink some good beverages. We're going to go bowl. I'm curious to see who is actually available and who has better things to do with their night. Either way, if anyone or no one shows, it'll still be a good time. I like the wedding planning because it keeps my mind of the pending birthday. 28. Bleh. Now I'm the old guy again amongst my friends, sans Rich. Ha.

Anything else, anything else...nope.
Work is busy and not getting any slower (which is sound as a pound for now).
Fantasy football begins in a couple of weeks. It sort of sucks that we couldn't get a couple more people together for the keeper league. A mere $25 would let it all happen but people then realize they're not "that interested" in a league when it costs money. Oh well.

Speaking of which, summer has been lame. It's been cold and mildly uneventful. I hope fall gets here fast and the football sundays can begin again. Those were some awesome times. Go out on a Saturday night - wake up to a house full of smelly drunk friends - shower up into something lazy - then sit and watch football...ALL DAY...and eat pizza, drink beer and check fantasy football scores every 3 minutes. Let's bring that noise back. We don't have to do the Sat drink-Sun part but it was still fun sometimes.

I remember going to Fright Fest a few years ago and I don't know why we can't again. October is always fun and I hope there's time for some haunted houses and Oktoberfest. Maybe go to a bar again for the first time in ages. How else will we see Woogie?

Richie moves soon and moves closer to civilization and friends. I like that. Do I see either of us ever walking/running to the other person's house? God no. Do I see us being able to hang out more often? Yes, sir. It'll put both he and Kate at ease since they'll have friends nearby, work will be closer to Rich and they'll be free from the parentals and have their own space again, which I know they've been craving. Good times for them and probably everyone else.

I'm nearly done rambling, I am.
I'll end with the slew of video games I'm ecstatic to play/buy this fall
1. Halo: ODST
2. EA Hockey 09 *PS3
3. Assassin's Creed 2
4. Rock Band: Beatles
5. COD- Modern Warfare 2!

300 well spent, once it's spent...I think