There's Something About Musicians Now Over 50...

While I have been listening to modern radio, I have also completely raided my parents vinyl collection. It contains some gems, ladies and gentlemen. Hardcore original vinyls of classics. These albums have found me new artists, made me rediscover old favorites, and broaden my tastes. In addition to these vinyl discoveries, I've also fallen in love with some classics that I have on CD that I had never really paid any attention to before.

The Police
          My mom has always loved them, and I know all the words to the popular songs. "Roxanne," "Every Breath You Take," "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic," and "Message in a Bottle." It wasn't until I really listened to the album "Synchronicity" that I realized how good they actually are. The rediscovery, I guess you could call it, had something to do with a music video for a little song called "Wrapped Around Your Finger." The Police at their best! The album "Synchronicity" truly is awesome. I've also managed to listen the heck out of "Zenyatta Mondatta," which we also have on vinyl. There it's a tie between "Don't Stand So Close to Me" and "Driven to Tears." While I was freaking out over the quite possibly the best album of all time, I saw another video featuring Mr Matthew Sumner, aka Sting, on TV. This one is "Fortress Around Your Heart." The song is brilliant, seriously check it out.

"Jungleland"
          So, I watch a lot of TV. On one of the music channels about a month ago they were showing a Springsteen concert, and I just happened to catch one of the most awe-worthy performances I have ever seen. The Boss and the E Street Band were playing "Jungleland," a performance that was filled with so much emotion that I couldn't look away and my eyes welled up with tears. I have the "Born to Run" album, I just never really listened to this song. This song has like every emotion known to man in it. The piano, the sax solo, the guitar, the lyrics. Goodness gracious, this song is ahh-mazing.  The song is beautiful. It's perfect. It's poetic. It's everything. The whole song builds to the end where it's powerful. Clarence Clemons makes the saxophone cool, and his performance on this song kicks butt. Needless to say, "Jungleland" is my favorite song.

"Because the Night"
          Written by Bruce Springsteen, made popular by Patti Smith, and performed at the Rock and Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary concert by U2, Springsteen, and Smith. Forgot how brilliant this song was until I watched all of those legends perform it on one stage.

Elvis Costello
          Mom loves The Police, Dad is a huge fan of Elvis Costello. The reason why we have genuine Costello vinyls in a box downstairs. I was pretty much set on not liking this guy very much, he had a weird voice. Then I listened to "My Aim is True" about five times in a row. After that it was "Get Happy!!" Too good to stop listening. All of the classics, I can't get over "Watching the Detectives." Over "Alison," "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes," and "I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down." There's something about that reggae beat and those lyrics.

"Songbird"
         The last song on the first side of the legendary "Rumours" album. One of the songs that you hear and it's like you just have to stop what you're doing for the duration of the song. Simply put, this is the best Christine McVie song, hands down.

The Doors
      I've always heard about the infamous appearance on the Ed Sullivan show, then I watched it. I was hooked. This band is exceptional. "When the Music's Over" is my favorite.

My Songs of 2011

2011 was the year of Tebow, debt crises, the protester, and a million other things.

Here are my thoughts on the 2011 music scene. AKA-the top songs. I will admit my list is very biased. I'm not so into rap and that stuff. Yes, Adele ruled this year. My favorite song of hers is on the list. It's kind of hard to pick a certain number of songs from just one year. These are simply the songs that I loved this year. It is December, so I'll try to remember everything that I've been into this year. Here they are, in no particular order.

"Your Song"-Ellie Goulding.
              This is a song that I have loved for quite some time. The album was released in the US in March, and I bought the whole thing. I still listen to it over and over again. Not to hurt any "Rocket Man"fans out there, but this song is so much better than the original Elton John version.

"For the First Time"-The Script.
              A brilliant, brilliant piece of work by a brilliant brilliant band. The Script realeased the album "Science + Faith" that contains this song back in January in the US. Just as song, "For the First Time" triumphs over anything else on the radio. The opening piano chords are heartwrenching. The entire song just makes your heart melt.

"Moves Like Jagger"- Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera
               No, this song is not about Mick Jagger's dance moves. How can you go wrong with a song like this. It's a fun song. Plus, the whistling. It's just plain fun to try to whistle along.

"Pumped Up Kicks"-Foster the People.
             If Adele was the artist that ruled this year. Foster the People was the band. Everywhere you went, every radio station you listened to this band was playing. More specifically their song "Pumped Up Kicks." A song that got stuck in your head. This song is so bubbly and fun to listen, until you hear the lyrics. Then it's creepy. Other than the slightly disturbing lyrics, the song is excellent. This band came from nowhere and blew up the entire music scene. More whistling, by the way and bum dancing.

"Shake It Out"-Florence + The Machine.
            If there was any song this year that I could honestly and wholly relate to, it would be this. This year has not been the easiest, and this song represents what I've been trying to do all year. 'It's hard to dance with a devil on your back.'  The screenshot below is a YouTube comment on this song, it's brilliant.

"Marry the Night"- Lady Gaga
         Out of all her songs this year and all of her antics, this is the best. Even though "Edge of Glory" was basically all that I listened to in the car during the summer. "Marry the Night" gets me pumped and in a good mood, that's why I like it so much. Whenever I feel like dancing I just put this song on, turn up the stereo, and dance for the entirety of the song. I probably look like a madman but this song is fun. 

"Just a Kiss" -Lady Antebellum.
          Just have a listen. 'Nuff said.

"The A Team"- Ed Sheeran
            This is just one of those songs. The type of songs are so heartfelt and meaningful. It's just a wicked good song. Literally the best artist on the British charts today. I know, I'm a nerd, I know who's on the UK charts. Check out "Lego House" and "You Need Me, I Don't Need You."

"Rivers and Roads"-The Head and The Heart
         This is my band of 2011. Absolutely magnificent. Every song off their debut album kicks butt and is amazing. I'm still upset that I wasn't able to see them back in September, I think that was when it was.
Check out "Ghosts" and while you're at it, just buy the whole album.

"Remind Me"- Brad Paisely duet with Carrie Underwood
         It's kinda' beautiful. A song about a relationship that's lost it's spark and the song feels like the relationship is rekindling. Plus, there's just chemistry between Brad and Carrie's voices.

"Barton Hollow"- The Civil Wars
         How can a list of 2011 be complete without this band? The Civil Wars are amazing. They're so country yet folk. They're nominated for two Grammys this year, and I read that they're the highest charting Indie band on Billboard, so that's pretty cool.

"For What It's Worth"- Stevie Nicks
           My favorite artist of pretty much all time releasing a new album? Yes please! This album is awesome, and I love this song. Oh and if you ever get a chance to see her live, do it. It's amazing, and one of the best concerts I've been to. The lyrics that are poetry in every form, the mystery, the romanticism, the legendary music is what makes Stevie Nicks the best. And that voice!! A real singer singing real music.

"I'll Be Home for Christmas"-Michael Buble
        He released his Christmas album this year, named "Christmas." It's been number 1 for quite a while now. He sings Christmas music the way it's supposed to be sung-romantically with emotion and a big band swing to it. Mr Buble has done it again. I mean melted my heart. The whole song, the album too, has a feeling of magic to it. Christmas time is magic, it's hopeful, it's fun, that's what he has accomplished with this Christmas album. If you haven't bought already, please go buy it. You won't regret it. Unless you're a Christmas scrooge.

"The Trouble With Girls"-Scotty McCreery
       Some girls have Justin Bieber. Other Bruno Mars or Robert Pattinson. Me? Head over heels with Scotty McCreery.  Everytime I hear this song, or just his voice, a smile comes to my face. I probably ran up the phone bill voting for him on American Idol and then freaked out when he won. Then on "I Love You This Big" I just like to pretend that he is singing to me. I'm stopping now, because I could go on forever about this boy.

"Someone Like You" -Adele
         I honestly don't think a song could be anymore perfect.


So there's the list. An honorable mentions would have to be "Lucky Now" by Ryan Adams simply because I love this artist. And "The Fear" by Ben Howard because it's so different from anything else on the radio. "Helena Beat" too, that's another good Foster the People song. I have Greg James at the BBC Radio 1 to thank for that song. Oh and "Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO because it was everywhere and even though I can't stand it, it's hard not to get it stuck in your head.

That's it then. Have a marvelous rest of 2011!

Brilliance.

These are the songs of my summer. They're the ones that I blast in the car, the ones that I can't get enough of, the ones that I sings my lungs out to. These are the songs.

Credit goes to these wonderful artists and their record labels.

A Year Ago...

I wouldn't have anything to do with Bruce Springsteen. Now I wish that I could be Courney Cox in this video.

His nickname is The Boss. Needless to say, but I will anyway, he is one of the coolest artists around. All of his songs are so melodic and they all seem so meaningful.

I will admit that my liking of "Thunder Road" is due to the fact that Lady Gaga talked about it on one of her interviews with Mtv. But like one very wise commenter on that video "how is it news that Lady Gaga likes "Thunder Road?" Everybody likes "Thunder Road!'" I agree with what that person said. This song rocks.

I have never like Bruce before two months ago. Now, he's pretty much the only person I listen to. He's magic!! I have literally listened to "Dancing in the Dark" for the past two hours, non-stop. How can you not like the Boss?!?! I have now come full circle with the fact that pretty much all of the really amazing music is over twenty years old(with the exception of 30 Seconds to Mars). These songs have just cemented that fact. Everybody else in the car is beginning to moan and groan whenever I refuse to change the channel from the Classic Vinyl and Classic Rewind channels.

These three songs I just adore, and I hope you do too.

Now I'm off to do work for school and try to keep myself off the computer.

-shelby

Current Music Loves

Get More: 30 Seconds To Mars, MTV Unplugged, Music, More Music Videos

30 Seconds to Mars, the best band ever, did an Unplugged session a while back and it just went live on Mtv.com about a week and a half ago. This is just amazing. 30STM covering a U2 song? Dude, it kicks some major butt. Video from MTV, all rights go to MTV.

Mumford and Sons!!! What can I say I love a band with a stand-up bass?

"The world stands out on either side No wider than the heart is wide- Above the world stretched the sky,-No higher than the soul is high." -Edna St. Vincent Millay

-shelby

4 Reasons to LOVE McFly

McFly is one of my favorite bands. They're definitely in the top four, if I absolutely had to categorize all of them. McFly is made up of Danny Jones(vocals, guitar), Tom Fletcher(vocals, guitar), Harry Judd(drums), and Dougie Poynter(bass and vocals). These are four, of the many, reasons to love McFly. Why four, you ask? Because there are four members in the band.

1-They are amazing live!

Not like I have ever seen them live, but I hope to someday. I live in the States, so it's kind of hard when they're not big here, but I hope that changes. For now, the closet I'll get to seeing them live is through my computer screen. All of the live videos that I have seen are just phenomenal. They always seem like they're having so much fun on stage, and they sound good live, too. Which is just amazing today, with all the autotune stuff out there. They manage to put so much emotion into every single song they perform live. You can really tell that they love performing. I hope beyond hope that I can have the chance to see them someday. Even if they come to the US and are only playing shows states away, I will still go. One of the best live videos that I have seen is the "POV."

2-The lyrics are just amazing.

I seriously think that they write some of the best heartfelt songs out there. All of their love songs are just so filled with emotion and love that you can't help but to relate in someway or an other. Their lyrics can be hilarious and carefree or totally serious and pulling on the heartstrings. More than one song of theirs has either made me cry or laugh my head off. They have songs for every kind of emotion. For one of their lighter songs try either "Everybody Knows" or "Transylvania." I think that their sense of humor in those songs is just magnificent, if not the sense of humor, then their attitude. Part of what makes "Transylvania" is the video. It's great fun. I'll put a video in for, what I think, is their best heartfelt song. It's "The Heart Never Lies" and it's made me cry on more than one occasion.

3-Acoustically, they rock the socks off.

Just watch the video, all of your questions will be answered.

Now comes the hard one....

4-They're not afraid to change their sound.

McFly's sound has definitely changed through the years. I first saw them in the Lindsey Lohan movie "Just My Luck" and I fell in love. That was when they were still in their "5 Colors" phase. They have now a much more modernized sound, but I think that they still stay true to the Mcfly that I fell in love with so long ago.

From stuff like "5 Colors in Her Hair" and "That Girl" to "Shine a Light" and "That's the Truth," it's still good ole' Mcfly. They could change their sound a million and four times and I will never get sick of them or throw them to the curb. I won't listen to them for ages and then all of a sudden I hear one of their songs and I just can't get enough! I just keep coming back!

All video citations go to their rightful owners.

I hope you now love Mcfly as much as I do!

-shelby

Psych!!!! for reals...

I know I mainly write about music and what not, but I just couldn't resist writing about this.

There's this TV show on the USA network entitled "Psych." It's quite possibly the best show ever. It's about Shawn and his best pal Gus. Shawn is a fake psychic that works for the Santa Barbara polic department, where everybody thinks that he's a real psychic. Gus is Shawn's best friend since birth and he's also a pharmacutical salesman. It's hilarious. All of the seasons, except 5, are on Instant Netflix so that's all I've been doing all summer. Morning to night.

There are moments on this show that make me laugh so hard. For example in an episode in Season 4, Shawn is trying to get the crowds attention by scraping his fingernails down a whiteboard, he thinks that that's how you can make that screeching noise. So, Shawn grabs the microphone and he makes that noise while scraping his fingernails down the whiteboard. It doesn't sound as hilarious as it actually is, but I laughed so hard at that part. I probably rewound it about ten times to watch it.

In short, this show is amazing. It so totally makes my day. Then when I'm not watching five episodes a day, I'm on youtube watching even more Psych. No joke, this is the best show on the planet. Drama, comedy, love, all the good stuff. Just watch the videos and if they don't make you laugh, then I don't know what to do.

-shelby

Scenes of Late

Above: Going 5 miles per hour in a 40 on a very curvy road with a reservation to make=frustrating.

Below: A song that I can relate to at the moment, and my favorite off the album.

Until next time my friends,

shelby

Rainy Day Folks

Since the weather here has been going back and forth ever since I got back, focusing more on the rainy side of things, I figured I'd write a blog. This is just some stuff that I've been listening to lately, that seem to fit the rainy days. In my opinion at least. It's the stuff I've been listening to all day today while the sun's been hiding behind the clouds. The Billie Holiday song is just one of those songs that always fit with a melancholy mood, which rain always seems to cause. Plus I just love this song. Out of all the versions of that song by all the various artists, she is the best one to do it. So now as I'm sitting in a room without lights on, and the clouds hiding the sun, these songs just seems to be the best fit for my musical mood at the moment.

The Civil Wars-"Falling"

The Avett Brothers-"The Perfect Space"

The Head and The Heart-"Lost in My Mind"

Mumford and Sons-"Winter Winds"

The Avett Brothers-"January Wedding"

The Civil Wars-"20 Years"

Mumford and Sons-"The Cave"

The Secret Sisters-"Tennessee Me"

In short, anything by The Avett Brothers, The Civil Wars, and Mumford and Sons are gold at the moment.

All these songs are easy songs to listen to at one o'clock in the morning and you're half asleep but can't go to sleep. Just as a side note.

Happy rainy days, and to all of you who are having sunny days, happy sunny days to you, too.

-shelby

ROAD TRIP!

I've been down south for the past two weeks. Ate amazing pizza, stayed up way too late, saw awesome sculptures, along with seeing the new "Pirates of the Carribbean" movie an additional two times. Oh, and you can't forget the sweet potato fries, Forney Cokes, rice salad, and the freak rain storm. Rice salad sounds gross, didn't look too appetizing to be honest, but it was so good! I had two servings. Needless to say it was a very good two weeks. At the end I got to take a two day road trip. One day with my grandpa the other with my dad. Good quality time.

During the road trip(s), I had some pretty amazing music to listen to. The first album that I listened to, was on repeat, so I throughout the two days I probably heard the album about five times, not to mention the two times I listened to it this morning.

OK, so I love Fleetwood Mac so much. I saw the "Very Best of Fleetwood Mac" in the store the other day and just had to get it. I love that album so much. "Go Your Own Way" is the first song, and I think a great way to open the record. All the songs on the album are just amazing, and I love it. Like I said earlier, it's on repeat and I've listened to it at least five times in the past three days. Fleetwood Mac is just one of the greatest, what more is there to say?

The second artist that I listened to The Clash. I discovered The Clash not too long ago, and just fell in love. As my dad said "This is the music that made your teachers mad. It seems so calm now." Nevertheless, I still enjoy this band and think that even today, they kick some major butt.

I got The Clash's "London Calling" and "Combat Rock" albums at the same time that I got the Fleetwood Mac album. "London Calling" I listened to several times on the road trip, also.

These next artists just show you how diferent my music tastes can be.

With my dad, I plugged my iPod in and played all the Kings of Leon songs I have. Starting with this one.

In my opinion, the song "Closer" embodies what Kings of Leon sounds like within all of their songs. Hard-rocking Southern boys that can seriously knock your ears off. Their sound has changed over the years. I mean if you listen to "Red Morning Light" and "Radioactive" back to back you'd be surprised. Yet, all of it works. His voice is amazing, and everything about this song is really good!

I saved this artist for the last because I kind of discovered them on the trip. They've been on my dad's iPod for awhile, and it've only heard snippets. On the trip we played the entire album "I And Love And You" by the Avett Brothers. I got to say I love this band now.

This is one of their more upbeat songs. They do the most beutiful ballads, they're kind of ballads I would say. Anyway, The Avett Brothers are amazing and I am now in love with them along with all the other bands on this list.

I love road trips, and the ones where you can blast the radio and stop at crappy rest stops are my favorites. Go take your own road trip and discover all the music that is out there.

-shelby

Best Night Ever? I think yes!

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you probably know that my favorite band is 30 Seconds To Mars. They are so stinking amazing. I love them to the moon and back. A while ago, I was lucky enough to see the boys in concert. It involved driving for over an hour, a wicked traffic jam, and standing in a line that wound around the block. A line where I met some very nice girls, who I convinced to stay the entire concert. The line was long, and it was semi-cold, but it was so worth it.

Shannon, the drummer, wasn't there because of an illness, so they had a drumming track the entire time. I missed Shannon, but he was there in spirit and on Jared's computer which was on the stage the entire concert. All the more reason to go see them again when they come to my area, hopefull he won't be sick next time.

I had a freak attack when the concert started. It went a little like this. The white curtain thing went up. We waited for what felt like forever. Then the lights went off. The song "Escape" started. Spotlights were on the curtain so you could see the bands shadows on the curtain. All of a sudden you could hear Jared's voice, and I sat there on the edge of my seat going "Oh my God." Then it happened. The curtain dropped, and I saw my favorite band, the best band on the face of the Earth, in person. I screamed and nearly cried. It was that amazing.

The concert was a long time ago, but let me try to remember the correct setlist. I apologize if I have any mistakes. They opened with "Night Of The Hunter," "Beautiful Lie," and "Attack." If I remember correctly they then did "Search And Destroy." Jared and Tomo stopped halfway through and Jared talked to the crowd. Made everyone stand up, and managed to call people who weren't paying attention names. During that time my group of people managed to get down to the floor, where jumping up and down was a lot easier then the narrow balconies. The band finished "Search and Destroy" and proceeded with "This Is War."

After that Jared did this enitre acoustic set that included "The Kill," "Alibi," "Hurricane," a new song, "From Yesterday." Not nessecarily in that order. Jared sang all of it, with the crowds help, and Tomo came out to play "The Kill." Which was absolutely amazing! Somewhere in there, I think, Jared held the microphone up to the computer speakers so Shannon would say something. A complete and utter hush came over the theater, and then Shannon said 'hello, hello!' To sum that up, we all went beserk.

After the little acoustic set, Jared said something like 'get your fists up in the air and repeat after me NO, NO, NO!' And I knew that it was there. Once he said 'let's turn this next song into a prayer' I started to get really excited, like more than I already was. From all the live videos that I have watched I knew that the time had come for 30 Seconds To Mars to play "Closer to The Edge." The song is just about my favorite song by them and to see them perform it live was absolutely breathtaking.

Confetti was blown into the crowd, each little confetti piece had something written on it. Like 'yes this is a cult,' or 'provehito in altum.' Just something along that line. I grabbed a handful and took them home.

"Kings And Queens" was next. The last song of the night. A bunch of people got to go on stage. I wanted to, but I was all the way in the back so it didn't work out. I sang along, so that's cool. "Kings and Queens" was awesome! A great way to end a great concert, with the song that made me fall in love with this band.

I took pictures, but mainly just a bunch of video. My camera was acting stupid every time I took a picture, but here are some of the ones that turned out good.

The last photo is just about my favorite from the entire night. It's from when Jared was doing the acoustic set.

I would put up a video, but video upload terms and conditions is confusing. All in all it was an amazing night, and I can't believe that I went. I sang along to every song, jumped up and down, and watched the band run all over the stage like madmen. Artistically talented madmen, of course.

If you ever get a chance to see these boys live, I would definitely recommend it.

-shelby

These are some pictures that I have taken recently. OK, so some of them I took forever ago, others I took like two weeks ago. I read on one blog something that I haven't heard before, but it made me think. He said that it's harder to take pictures in the area around you, and it's easier to take pictures in places that inspire you, places that you haven't been before. I got to say, that makes a lot of sense. When I can't put down my camera that's when I'm places where I don't see everyday. Also when something is happening around me that I don't see everyday, like the freak snow storm that started a little over a week ago. Seriously, it was non-stop snowing on Friday the 25th a few months back.

Anyway, here are some of my latest photographs. :) Oh, and by the way, I got Photoshop for Christmas so the really cool looking ones that have obviously been edited are victims of my Photoshop addiction. Some of them are not perfect, but I'm rather proud of them. :)

shelby

Lady Gaga

I apologize for the lack of posts in over a month. A lot has been going on. It's almost summer, though so the posts will be coming! Yet, I am procrastinating on all my things for it to become summer to do this post. Trust me, this post is worth it. In my opinion at least. Now I can say with my paws high up that Lady Gaga is throughly amazing!

Well world, it is May 23 and I am happy to say that we are all still here! Something that I am very proud of. And you know what May 23 is right? Lady Gaga's new album "Born This Way" is realeased! Yes, I have the album and I LOVE IT! She is such an inspiration. She released "Judas" and I was hooked. Like more that I was before that video/song was released. I can say with pride that I know a majority of the dance moves to that song. The amount of Little Monster in me is insanely high right now. Which isn't at all a bad thing. Already insanely tired, I stayed up late to watch her on Saturday Night Live and it was well worth it. She and Justin Timberlake together are a force to be reckoned with. The season finale was made all the better by those two.

I can say, at the moment, that "You and I" is my favorite song off of the "Born This Way" album. It's a love song, and I love it. Plus, it sounds unique, for her it sounds unique. Reminds me of "Speechless" which I also love. So, the audio of that song is below, and if you like it, seriously, go get the album. You won't be disappointed. Especially if you are already a little monster.

You know how I said earlier that I have had a lot of things going on? One of those things that was happening was one of the best nights ever. Despite having to drive three hours, standing outside in the cold for three hours(even though we had reserved seats), and walking back to the hotel in the rain. All of it was worth it. To be honest, it was all totally and insanely worth it. About two months ago the queen herself, Lady Gaga, came to a city near me. I got a t-shirt, a booklet, tons of pictures, and an experience of a lifetime. If you saw the HBO special of then Monster Ball then you know exactly what I'm talking about. Although what the special didn't show is the insane amount of anticipation between her opening act and when she actually comes on stage. Holy carp, it was insane. A Michael Jackson song would play then everybody would cheer, hoping she'd come on, then another song came on. It went on for about an hour or more. During that hour, the top section of seats, where I was sitting, managed to accomplish the most wicked wave you have ever seen. A wave that went around the entire top section of seats and involved virtually everybody. The anticipation, well, that just made her performance so much better.

Lady Gaga is amazing when you listen to the audio, but to be in the same building as her and listen to her live, oh my golly. It was ah-mazing! She talked about her song "Born This Way," and how you should always be yourself and not give a crap about what other people think. Before she gave her speech about just being yourself and having a good time tonight and living it up, I was worried that the people around me weren't having fun. After she gave that speech, frankly I didn't care and had the time of my life. I know that sounds weird, but when you're at the Monster Ball "all the freaks are outside." That's what Lady Gaga said, and she locked the doors herself. Gaga did all of my favorite songs, which I happily sang along to, and rocked the house. Between jumping up and down, yelling my lungs out, and not being able to wipe that smile off my face, I managed to get some pretty awesome pictures. Approximately 200 to be exact, and video. This post is already really long, so here are some of my favorites of the night.

Let's just say Gaga kicked the pants off of everyone and I would go see her again in a heartbeat. You wouldn't even have to ask me.

Then to top the entire night off, I saw one of my closest friends outside. Where we gushed about the concert, exchanged gifts, felt bad about another friend not being able to come, and took pictures by the Monster Ball bus in the rain. It was an amazing night!!! No doubt about it!!

Until next time(which won't be too far away), I bid you adieu to tell you that Gaga has done enough in my life to inspire me and to become one of my role models/heroes.

-Shelby

Gaga links that I highly suggest.

"Judas"

"Born This Way" album on Amazon. :)

Burberry Acoustic - 'Chemistry' by One Night Only

I fully realize that I have posted an ONO video already as a headlining video in a post, but I seriously love this video. George Craig is amazing and the fact that he can sing like this and play a guitar all while walking through the streets with people everywhere, he's awesome. I would be freaked out if I had to do that. I had always been aware of this video, but I just fully watched it today. It has been on repeat for the past ten minutes. The video is a Burberry acoustic one, and that's cool. There's a Burberry store at the mall nearby, but I don't have the gut to go inside. Although, I had a freak attack when I saw it. People like George Craig and Emma Watson model for them. Don't forget that Alex Pettyfer(John from "I Am Number Four") modeled for them, also. I don't know why I didn't go in, maybe I was afraid that one of them would pop out of the racks and I would faint because I love them. Anyway, this video is superb. His voice is like chocolate, it's sweet and amazing. The lyrics, they just melt my heart. Everything about this video is sweet and amazing. Love it!!

On another note, I decided like ten minutes ago that if I could be anyone I would be Fearne Cotton. She's awesome. She's a radio dj, she has her own radio show, and she's an author. 'Nuff said. I just think she's pretty cool.

-Shelby

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Kurt Cobain. You're still awesome. You'll never be forgotten.

The Civil Wars

I have so much to tell you about, yet I'm not sure if it will all fit in one post. At least the way I have this post envisioned it won't.

This band was on the front page of iTunes last week as a free download, I listened to one song off the album then bought the entire thing. The band is The Civil Wars. The name itself intrigues me. It sounds interesting. The Civil Wars are made up of John Paul White(who bears a striking resemblance to Johnny Depp) and Joy Williams, that's important. They write most of the songs and the songs are amazing. So credit goes to them for writing addicting songs. As of right now their album, Barton Hollow, is number 8 on the top albums list on the US iTunes. They just sound magical. Their voices blend together so perfectly. I just love the way their voices sound, period. The album is on repeat on my stereo at the moment. All of the songs are sweet and simple. "Barton Hollow" starts off with a little ditty called '20 Years.' I was telling everybody that they were like folk artists. That's what it sounds like to me. Right now my favorite song on the album is "My Father's Father." It is ah-mazing. I mean the lyric 'the winding roads that led me here, burned like coal and dry like tears, so here's my heart, my entire soul, and here's my ticket I want to go home.' That's what I think they're saying. That's what I hear. Anyway, I love it. The song has given me a strange fascintion with old train tracks that manages to make it's way into every one of my English journals. There's something about train tracks. They seem so cool. I'm talking about the train tracks that run through forests. Those are the ones that I really like. Ok, back to the Civil Wars. The title track "Barton Hollow" is easily the most country sounding song on the entire record. I like it all the same. So, the music video is in black and white and I think it rocks. I love the running montage at the end of the video. When it came on CMT the other I nearly had a fit, at 7 in the morning, too. Then there's "Poison and Wine." Ahh. That's the song I have at the top of the post. It was featured on "Grey's Anatomy" my favorite TV show, something I didn't realize till I read it. Taylor Swift also featured it on one of her playlists. "Poison and Wine" is just perfection. I love it. If you like that song, I highly suggest going and buying the entire album. The combination of their voices, the guitar, the piano, the pure emotion, the lyrics. Goodness, it's fantastic. "I wish you'd hold me when I turn my back...I don't have a choice, but I'd still chose you." Then that line in the chorus that's repeating like a million times-"I don't love you, but I always will." I know I can relate to the line. Purely because I have family. I get so mad at my family, upset, tears all that stuff. No matter what happens I know I will always love them. It's just like that. The last song that I'm going to talk about is "Falling." That's the song that really got me hooked. I don't know what it is about that song, but I really enjoy it. Make sure to check out "Dance Me To The End Of Love" too. Another one of those songs that I just love the title in itself. Who am I kidding, just go check out the entire album. If you're like me you won't regret it one bit.

Yes, I love this band. That's all I can say.

OK, it's late and I still have things to do. Everything else that I wanted to write will have to wait till a later time. I just realized that I have only done four blog posts so far this year. I need to step it up a little bit. :)

till next time

shelby

The Script - Science & Faith

The album is out! "Science and Faith" is in the US! I am so happy! It came out last Monday, and I got it as soon as I could, meaning Friday. It's amazing! The moment I got home I downloaded it onto my iPod. I have been listening to it nonstop all day. Literally, I was laying in bed with the headphones in my ears, kinda sorta falling asleep with them in. Anyway, the whole album is wicked good. I especially love this song, "Science and Faith." It's so good. It's catchy, extraordinary lyrics, I mean I'm in love. With this song, with this band. They are so good, it's an undeniable fact. Even my dad, who's not really one for alternative music, didn't put up a fight when I put it on in the car. Whether he did that because I would've cried if he said no, or if he really likes it, I don't know, I'll take the latter for the reason.

All of the songs are amazing! They tell stories of heartbroken guys or a song of hope. Nevertheless they are all really good songs, love songs are whatever, they are all amazing! I would not be able to tell you which one is my favorite. I love this! Most of the songs you listen to once and they are stuck in your head for the rest of the day. For example I was humming "Nothing" while walking around Target today.

What can I say, I love all of their songs. My next mission-get to see them live. All of their songs are worth a listen. I promise. Just listen to one of their songs. Everybody that I've talked to say it's pretty hard not to like them. On the first album all the songs from "We Cry" to "I'm Yours." On the second album all the songs from "If You Ever Come Back" to, of course, "For The First Time."

I highly suggest you run out to to the record store or hop onto iTunes and get some of their songs.

All of the songs belong to The Script, the amazing band that they are, and to the record label. Or whatever.

till next time

Shelby

Lisztomania created by a Brooklyn Brat Pack.

Looking for the official video for Phoenix's "Lisztomania," I found this. It is amazing!!! I have watched it about five thousand and three times, posted it on Facebook, e-mailed it to pretty much everybody in my address book. Bottomline:THIS IS AMAZING! Seriously, this is everythin that I love about '80's movies and Paris' electro-pop scene. I mean there's flavor in it. It's unique. One of a kind. It's a tribute to this video(that uses actually scenes from the movies). "Pretty In Pink," "The Breakfast Club," "Footloose," and many more. Oh my goodness, oh my goodness. Yes, if you can't tell, I think this is brilliant. The cinematography is superb, the dance moves awesome, the music amazing, the video-genius! I mean, it's a tribute video to a video that's a tribute. Although the Brooklyn Brat Pack adds their own touch to it, that makes it awesome. Maybe it's the graffitted building walls, maybe the style, maybe the music, maybe the sunsetting, maybe the obvious fun they're all having, maybe their ability to take something that inspired them and created something throughly creative and awesome in it's own right. Whatever 'it' is, this video is magic.

Plus, there's like a billion tributes to this video. Out of the ones I've watched, Amsterdam being my next favorite, but they're all pretty awesome.

Here's some of them(there is a ton of them out there)-

Boston University

Versailles

Winnipeg

San Fransico

Phillipines

Have a great weekend.

-shelby

Real Wild Stray Cat

Don't ask me why, but I have had this song on repeat for the past three days. I am in love with this song. Thanks to my father, I have liked the Stray Cats since I was like six. A love instilled early? Anyway, there's something about hair that's piled high with 1950's style and a 1980's twist. Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker, and Slim Jim Phantom being the prime examples of that style. So, borrowing a Stray Cats CD from my brother, I now have a collection of amazing rockabilly tunes. No joke, we still have the original cassestte tapes from these guys in a box downstairs. This song, "Bring it Back Again," is off of their 1989 reunion album. I think they broke up in 1984, then did this album a while later. Then they got back together a few years ago, that's what I read on Wikipedia. You know how I'm always talking about how all the music that I like is always more popular in the UK than in the US? Well, it started young because the Stray Cats were popular in the UK before the US. I thought that was interesting. There's something about the Stray Cats that sounds awesome. I mean it's just three guys, a drum set, a guitar, and a bass. Plus, how many drummers, today, play a drum set standing up? The Stray Cats are unique. Can you tell I have been doing a lot of reading on these guys? I also feel inclined to call everybody cat after I listen to these guys, for whatever reason. So, if you can't already tell, I love the Stray Cats. As weird as that may sound with all the pop stuff on the radio today, I love the '80's in general. The Stray Cats were essential to the '80's, in my opinion. My dad and aunt went to a Stray Cats concert, like when they were still together in the early '80's, and dad said that they played like a ten minute version of "Rock This Town." Which is only about three minutes long on the record. Yeah, they're pretty rad.

Happy New Year. "Life moves pretty fast, if you don't to look around once in a while, you could miss it."-"Ferris Bueller's Day Off" John Hughes. Oh, speaking of John Hughes, just about the coolest movie montage I found on Youtube the other day. It's from the movie "Easy A" and if you love '80's movies, like John Hughes type of stuff, then I highly recommend you watch this clip.

Have a good first week of 2011, you crazy cats.:0

-shelby