VH1's Top 20 Most Anticipated Albums of 2012

VH1's newest email included a link to their "Top 20 Most Anticipated Albums of 2012."  I was curious to see what VH1 is excited about for this new year.

1. "With the reign of Adele perhaps taking a brief hiatus..."  Oh, Adele.  I have nothin' but love for ya. However, anytime "Rolling In The Deep" comes on the radio, I switch to a different station.  It's just sadly become an instinctual behavior.  Sorry, girlfriend.

2. Lana Del Rey - she's scheduled to be on SNL on January 14, and I've seen her video for 'Video Games'  and am really digging the older style of her sound and the Super 8 style video.  I'm definitely interested to see how she performs live, and to hear more from her.

3. No Doubt is supposedly scheduled to release their first album 11 years?  Whoa. I didn't even know they were even still together.  I definitely played the hell out of the Tragic Kingdom album back in '95-'97ish.  I'm curious to hear what they have going on now.

4. Robbie Williams – for serious?  Where's he been?

... no, really?  Where's he been?

5. U2 is also working on some new material - but "sessions have reportedly not necessarily been going so well."  Come on, guys, let's see whatcha got.

6. The XX – "It’s can be said that it’s fairly rare for a band to follow through with their sophomore release after a cosmic debut, but we have high hopes for the XX and think that they just might deliver on our expectations."  I'm actually pretty psyched to hear that they've got something new coming out soonish.  "Heart Skipped a Beat" is a favorite of mine, check it out if you're not familiar with The xx.

P.S. VH1, the band spells it with lowercase x's.  You also spelled Kanye's name wrong. #justsayin

Anyone have thoughts about these or other anticipated 2012 releases?

Somebody That I Used To Know - Gotye [Cover]

I came across this video by the band Walk Off The Earth on my new buddy Lauren's facebook page (Lauren, a la LaRockism) and had to share it.  I was introduced to Gotye's music a while back from my friend Brian (...A Moment in Time) and hadn't really given the song much thought, or truly listened to the lyrics... until recently.  A song I can relate to, in a lot of ways.  

Watching this video, however, just hits me even harder!  I mean, really? 5 people on a guitar? How awesome is that.  They're totally in sync (not J.Timberlate n*sync, but I'm not here to diss JT, I have some love for him... um, hi, tangent.) and do a beautiful job with 'Somebody That I Used To Know.

What do YOU think? 

P.S.  Here's the original/video: 

Thanks, Radio 92.9!

I was so excited to open my email on Friday and see this:

See that, over there, on the right?  That's me! Cool, right?

The nice people over at Radio 92.9 featured my new blog in their email blast - pretty sweet. I'm curious to see how many people who receive this email blast actually come check out the site!  If you're a Radio 92.9 listener and have happened to click over to this site from the email, please let me know!  I'm definitely interested to know.  Say hello! And, if you don't know what I'm talking about/you've never listened to Radio 92.9 before, do your ears a favor and click on the image above to go check them out.  Good music, good people, can't go wrong.

#OverheardAt...

#OverheardAtWork:

Student A: You guys know that 1-hit wonder, "Come On Eileen," by The Midnight Dixie Running Band?"


Me, overhearing the convo: Hmm, do you mean Dexy's Midnight Runners?

Student A: No, isn't it Midnight Dixie Running? Band? Something?

Me: Nope. Definitely Dexy's Midnight Runners.  You can Google it, but that's the name of the band.  


Student A: Are you sure? 


Student B: Dude, you got schooled. 


Student A: Okay, but what about that song, "Take On Me," by Ooh-Ha? And that band, Boston, they only had one hit...

                             

"15 Seconds of Fame" - Brian Jarvis Band (via Mix 104.1)

I was so excited to see this today!  My friend Brian (of the Brian Jarvis Band) and his band were featured today on Boston's Mix 104.1's "15 Seconds of Fame".  The video featured is the band's original song and video written in support of the Special Olympics (specifically, the Dream Ride event in my and Brian's homestate of Connecticut).  This song hit me hard because I work with students with special needs who participate in the Special Olympics, and it's a huge part of their lives.  They live for the "Lympics," as one of my students calls it.

Something kinda cool about this video is that the live music shots are from The Paradise Rock Club here in Boston.  I hope you take a moment to listen to it - and I dare you to not be moved by it!

Congrats to Brian Jarvis, Jon Coates, Dan Fortin and Jim Townsend!

SWF for iTunes DJ - 27, Boston Area

I can't hide it anymore... I have feelings for you.  I have for a while now.  I never really noticed you until a few months ago - you've been here all along, but only recently have I truly begun to appreciate your awesomeness.  I hope that doesn't scare you away...

I love hitting the refresh button and seeing what the iTunes DJ comes up with.  I am reminded of some crazy old songs and albums I have on my computer.  Talib Kweli!  Mika!  Max Lugavere!  I can't get enough.  The Talib/Mary J/Mos Def tune is on my "Brad's Mix 2005" - I am a sucker for a good mixtape.  Okay, mixtape, mix CD, whatever.  I'm still going to call it a mixtape, so deal with it.  Brad is an old pal/coworker from when I was a TA/Dorm Parent at a writing camp back home in CT, and he made a sweet mix for each of us.  Nice work, Brad. You're probably not reading, but nice work.

Anyone else out there using iTunes DJ?  Or, better yet, is anyone using another similar program to mix it up?

#WhatchaListeningTo Wednesday

That's right, I'm making up a day, and it's "Whatcha Listening To? Wednesdays"... like it?  I hope that any and all of you who are reading this participate!  I'm always looking to find out what people are listening to, whether they're friends, friends-of-friends, whoever.

So, here's What I'm Listening To this week:

• Blind Pilot: Keep You Right 
• Rihanna feat. Jay-Z: Talk That Talk
• The Alternate Routes: Tell Me Your Name
• Gavin DeGraw: Radiation
• Sam Roberts Band: The Last Crusade

 

So, now the question is, #WhatchaListeningTo?  (That's right, I'm starting a #hashtag. What!)