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Hot Jamz: A Guest Post by Mark B.

Aug 23

Posted by Josh in Guest Post, Music | No Comments

Music notes

Jessie J – Nobody’s Perfect
Talk about understanding pain – Jessie J had a stroke at the age of 18 and now she can’t drink, smoke or do drugz…and isn’t that the real tragedy? Jessie conveys the anguish of guilt with ease in this ballad, which seems odd for someone born in the 90s, but it works. I will say, however, that in her line “I should have kept it between us, but now I went and told the whole world how I was feeling” she basically rips off Karen Smith’s apology to Gretchen Wieners: “I’m sorry I laughed at you that time you got diarrhea at Barnes and Nobles…and I’m sorry for telling everyone about it…And I’m sorry for repeating it now.” Jessie J can’t really be blamed, though – if she’s anything like my grandma after her stroke, she probably forgot she ever saw Mean Girls.

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Leona Lewis – Collide
While some people may hate on the British LL (winner of the 3rd Season of the X Factor) for completely ripping off Avicii’s 2010 jam “Penguin”­ – previously featured on this very site – I am a sucker for a commanding female voice cushioned by a simple, elegant beat. I don’t care that she “samples” from “Penguin” or her more blatant rip off of Dave Matthew’s line, “Crash into me.” If you can put aside your judge-y face (look away! look away!), you’ve got a great song to run to, complete with a crescendo that makes you wanna throw out your jazz hands. Just be careful not to get so distracted by the orgasm in your ears that you end up crashing into a car.

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Bad Meets Evil – Lighters (Feat. Bruno Mars, Eminem, and Royce)
Bruno Mars is the Arlington of the music world. He’s fine, I suppose…he gives white people a safe venture into hip hop, allowing them to go just far enough to say, “Hey, I’ve done the whole urban thing, and I am A-OK here in Virginia pop.” In reality, they never even crossed the bridge. For some reason Eminem decided to grace Mr. Mars with the intro and refrain for one of the former Slim Shady’s best raps to date. I don’t claim to be an expert in the field, but this song manages to convey Eminem’s passion without crossing into his trademark screaming. It makes me want to learn how to rap-dance (hold my crotch and bounce up and down), unlike most of his songs, which make me want to call social services for Hailie. And how can you not love a song where Royce manages to fit in the line “You goin down on something you don’t want to see…like a hairy box.” Wow. Time to get back to the suburbs.

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David Guetta – Titanium (feat. Sia)
Is there anything David Guetta can’t do? Aside from open heart surgery? The intro to this jam could be the beginning of a John Hughes film but in no time we are brought into to the Queer as Folk genre Mr. Guetta has mastered. I don’t doubt that for inspiration, Guetta sits in his studio imagining gay men bouncing around a circuit party when he creates these hits. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Also, little known fact: Titanium is an element on the periodic chart. Sia is not, because she is off the charts. I did go there.

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get the zip here

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The Ben Carver Podcast: The Gym

Aug 17

Posted by Josh in Guest Post, Podcast | No Comments

The gym



For my latest episode I spoke with almost two dozen gay men on the topic of “The Gym.” They were eloquent and honest and I’m honored that they took the time to speak with me. Their diverse opinions are interspersed with a couple of spoken word pieces (by me) and tunes that are sure to get you amped at the gym. Lace up your sneaks and put in your earphones and listen during your next workout.

listen here!

[Ed. note: Thanks Ben for wanting to post this on C&B. It was fun to take part in this project with you and hear all the other answers. And to Sam for his great musical taste...maybe you'll see a guest post of his around here soon!]

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Britney: Underrated – Guest post by Jack

Jan 8

Posted by Josh in Guest Post, Music | 2 Comments

Britney Hold it Against Me



It’s 2011 and, as I reported back in September, we are just a few days away from a brand new single from Ms. Spears. To celebrate, here are some precious gems from Britney past to help you get through what is going to be a long weekend of waiting (I hate #@^@ing waiting!) I give you Five of the Most Underrated Britney Songs Everr.

(in chronological order)

# 1 – Originally appearing on 1999’s …Baby One More Time album, “Born To Make You Happy” was released as a single overseas (complete with Eurotastic music video) but never impacted U.S. radio. This B-side remix of the track, featuring a simple guitar and some vintage Britney vocals (long before she discovered the Autotune), makes it a little less sappy and more an enjoyable midtempo. It’s hard to believe that 16-year old Britney originally hesitated to record this track over concerns that the lyrics were a little “too mature” for her.

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# 2 – Fast forward to 2001 and the release of Britney, her third album and a significant departure from her teen pop roots. Producer of the moment Brian Transeau (BT) was penned several tracks with Britney, including “Before the Goodbye”. I love the way this track switches between half-time and double-time effortlessly and dives into total dance romp for the final chorus and closing. Ultimately, Britney decided to go in an R&B direction with the album (“I’m a Slave 4 U”, “Boys”) and all of the BT tracks ended up on the cutting room floor. “Before the Goodbye” is a nice taste of what could have been a very ravey album for Ms. Spears.

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# 3 – To say that Britney’s music catalog is sex-driven is an understatement, but I’m not sure anything rises to the level of “Breathe On Me”, a track from her 2003 album In the Zone. I’m not sure what else can be said about this song except you should give it a listen and have a cigarette on hand for afterward. Oh, and check out her performance of it from her 2004 Showtime Concert Special (probably NOT SFW). [Ed. note: This song is a scorcher, and the video has been one of the hotter things I've seen on tv. Ever.]

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# 4 – Long before it was the theme song for this mess, “Chaotic” was a discarded track from the recording sessions for In The Zone. It was previewed to press but cut from the album at the last minute for unknown reasons. It surfaced a year later. The verses, the bridge, and the chorus are all pretty catchy and I love busting out to the refrain (“Just don’t put the fiy-ah ooouuuttt”).

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# 5 – And finally, an offering from her most recent album, 2008’s Circus. Most people who have heard the album in full point to this song as a favorite. It was a real shame that it was never released as a single (imagine the video!) but even more of a shame is that the original track runs at only 2 minutes and 53 seconds long. Enjoy this extended edit and marvel at how Britney manages to make the word “glass” three syllables.

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As a bonus, I’m throwing in the Donni Hotwheel Megamix that was released last fall highlighting some of her bigger hits of the past couple of years. Listen. Enjoy. And be sure to check out “Hold It Against Me” when it premieres next Tuesday, January 11 (1/11/11).

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get all five tracks here and make sure to come back on Tuesday for your free download of her new single! Thank you Jack for the great post, and if anyone would like to feature an artist they love please let either Wes or I know!

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Poptastic: A Guest Post by Jack

Sep 17

Posted by Josh in Guest Post, Music | No Comments

pop

Greetings, music lovers. It’s been awhile and I figured the arrival of Fall meant it was time for another installment of Jack’s “What I’m Listening to Lately in the Shameless, Commercially-Driven Pop Genre.” Fortunately, Josh agreed!

First off, the latest offering from Ms. Kate Nash. “Kiss That Grrl” is the second single off her My Best Friend Is You album. You’ve heard the “ripped from the phonograph” sound before but no one does apologetically scorned-ex in a cutesy manner like Kate. Like any good pop song, this one really takes off at the bridge, especially since she manages to rhyme a bunch of words that don’t actually rhyme.

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You know what your September is missing? Jesse McCartney. The first single from his as-yet-still-untitled fourth album is out and like some of his previous offerings, “Shake” is awfully catchy. It’s nothing genius but at least the kid writes his own stuff. Besides, he’s awfully easy on the eyes. And if you don’t agree, why are you even reading this paragraph?

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One of my favorite artists of the past decade is Joshua Radin. Probably the least “commercial” of this post, but this folksy singer-songwriter writes hooks that are just way too catchy to resist. “I’d Rather Be With You” is a great mid-tempo song from his last album that I’ve recently rediscovered as I’ve been anxiously awaiting his third LP, due out next month. Stay tuned…

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And finally, what would a post from me be without a selection from B. Today it’s “Quicksand,” a melancholy little number written by Stefani Germanotta long before you were introduced to her as Lady GaGa. It was deemed too dark to make the cut for 2008′s Circus, but fortunately it has since been released as a bonus track across the Pond. And they really went minimal on the auto tune on this one. Always a treat to hear Ms. Spears’ real voice. All signs are pointing to an early 2011 release for her seventh album, with a potential first single dropping in late 2010.

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‘Til next time, pop fans…

get the .zip here

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Guest Post by Wesley Della Volla: Chew Lips

Apr 28

Posted by Josh in Guest Post, Music | No Comments

Chew Lips


Twitter is full of surprises. What does one do when an unfamiliar indie/elctro-pop group from South London requests to follow you? For me, it means searching YouTube and Last.fm for everything I can find on them.


It only took one quick listen to get me hooked on Chew Lips (the aforementioned band if you hadn’t guessed). The synthpop group — which consists of lead singer Tigs and multi-instrumentalists Will Sanderson and James Watkins — fills a nice spot on my iTunes right in between La Roux, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Sounds. Their songs are comprised of rough, yet catchy synth and bass beats with the lead singer’s raw vocals acting as a counterpoint to weave all the pieces together. Here are a few highlights from their debut album, Unicorn:


My personal favorite off the album, starts with a bass hit right to the head. “Slick” is the perfect adjective for the sound of this track: cool synth beats paired with piano chords and deep bass that build excitement through the whole song.
mp3 download: Chew Lips – Slick

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This song really is synthpop at its finest. Much more of a minimalist sound, built around the synthesizer and Tigs’ vocals. The video.
mp3 download: Chew Lips – Play Together

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Not on Unicorn, but a track surely not to be missed. Salt Air was released as an EP in July 2009 and received the remix treatment by JUPITER which resulted in a great electro dance track with a sound that sucks you in from the first note.
mp3 download: Chew Lips – Salt Air (Jupiter Remix)

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If you like what you’ve heard, make sure to check them out on the web and buy the album, which unfortunately isn’t on US iTunes (yet…) but available on amazon and several other sites.


Thank you, Wes, for bringing us another great band from the UK!





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Guest Post by Wesley Della Volla

Apr 7

Posted by Josh in Guest Post, Music | 5 Comments




I’m a simple man, two things make me happy – cute boys and good music. Both for me usually seem to come from the U.K. And really there is nothing better than a cute British boy making good music. Thankfully there are plenty of both right now. (Though if you are making good music AND cute, I won’t slight you for not being British.) So below, I give you some of the boys that are keeping my interests piqued at the moment.


Preston – Dressed To Kill
I will be honest, this is the 2nd most played song in my iTunes, and the best song of 2009 you have never heard of. Months after first hearing it, I still play it, and it’s on all my latest monthly playlists. (Much to my boyfriend’s chagrin) Indie band frontman turned pop star Preston has created the perfect re-invention of 80′s dance. Oh, and he is very easy on the eyes.

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Fabio Lendrum – New Romantics
If stranded on a desert island and only allowed to take one Fabio Lendrum song with you, which would it be? This is it. (Though if I had my way, I would take them all.) Young love, synthy beats, and summer right around the corner.

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Ou Est Le Swimming Pool – These New Knights
Synth, synth, and bass beats. Trust me, you will love it, and there is more where this comes from – their first single, “Dance the Way I Feel” is equally as good. If only their album would come out soon.

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FrankMusik vs. Computer Club – Losing Streak
It’s not news to anyone that I have quite a large crush on Vincent Frank aka Frankmusik, and his newest song only reinforces my obsession. There’s not much more to say about it other than I cannot sit still while it’s playing. You can hear the dubstep influence on this song, and it’s nothing like his last album, which only makes me more excited for the next.

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Example – Won’t Go Quietly (radio edit)
Get up off your ass and dance. I will let the artist speak for himself. “Won’t Go Quietly” is my take on the 80′s femme fatale vibe. I wanted to take a little bit of “Dirty Diana” and blend it with a flavour of Depeche Mode, Duran Duran and Chromeo all on top of a Justice-y beat. Well that was my brief anyway. It’s about mad mad dark women who are just such incredible sexual animals that you find it hard to leave them – even though you know they’re not good for you.

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Mika – Kick ass (We Are Young)
So what happens when you pair Mika with Lady GaGa super-producer RedOne? Pop perfection. If you want to buy this song I recommend going to Amazon, as iTunes has it as part of the album only, and who really wants to buy a whole movie soundtrack?

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Japayork – Our Now
I end with this song for a particular reason: It has been on loop, on my playlist, and DJ sets since I first heard it. The beats are great, yes, but there is something stronger about this song. If you have ever had a bad day, bad week, or bad few months, it is in the past and you have to embrace where you are right now. Live in the moment and not let things already past and unchangeable hold you back. Oh, and did I mention he not only made the song, but its music video as well?

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Zip download: The playlist


A big thank you to Wes for bringing a bit of international flavor to the guest post this week! I’m definitely counting on him to keep me updated on the electro brit pop scene. Hopefully you all enjoyed some new sounds from across the pond. These artists don’t get much commercial support over here, so make sure to buy their albums if you like what you’ve heard.





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Guest Post by Kenny Landgraf

Mar 1

Posted by Josh in Guest Post, Music | 1 Comment

coco


While putting together this post, I was really debating what songs to feature. In the end, I just picked five of my favorite tracks from the past couple months. If I had to pick out a common thread from this eclectic mix, they all have great electro beats. They also all happen to be about love (whether it’s new romances or old, fleeting or ending). Big thank you to Josh for inviting me to guest post this week. Enjoy!


This song is about the initial spark – when you first meet eyes across a crowded room. This remix takes the original electro-folk Ellie Goulding goodness, adds in a fun dance beat, and tops it off with a couple killer interludes from Brooklyn rapper London Theophilus. Look for more of him in the future.
mp3 download: Ellie Goulding – Starry Eyed (Penguin Prison Remix ft. Theophilus London)

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Hot Chip’s new album, One Life Stand, is probably going to top my list of best albums from 2010. It’s a bit of a departure from their earlier stuff – more subdued and understated. A hint of disco ties the album together and lies in stark contrast to the lead’s chilling voice and romantic lyrics.
mp3 download: Hot Chip – I Feel Better

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I don’t know a thing about I Blame Coco except that they’re brand new. This is their first track and they’ve never been on tour. They bagged Swedish electro-star Robyn to lend some great backup vocals to this classic indie rock track. The finished product reminds me a bit of Shiny Toy Guns (when they still had Cara Faye Charnow), which is not a bad thing.
mp3 download: I Blame Coco – Caesar (ft. Robyn)

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Before hearing this song, I would have never thought popping a bottle of champagne could be a depressing experience. But when you put it this way…. “Drinking champagne, meant for a wedding – Toast to the bride, a very sad ending – Drinking champagne, a bottle to myself – Savor the taste of fabricated wealth.” Drink up!
mp3 download: Marina and the Diamonds – Shampain

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When it comes to cheesy EuroPop, no one does it better than the Scandinavians (Barbie Girl, anyone?). As many of you know, aside from my love of a good disco dance track, I love all things Danish. Alphabeat is currently on tour with Lady GaGa on the U.K. leg of her tour. Tillykke!
mp3 download: Alphabeat – DJ

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Thank you Kenny for guest posting this week. I’m always excited to hear what you’re listening to…hopefully I can convince you to post again soon. Feel free to leave a comment and let Kenny know what song is your favorite!





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Anti-Valentine’s Day by Mikey Williams

Feb 12

Posted by Josh in Guest Post, Music | No Comments

cat


Valentine’s Day is like herpes: just when you think it’s gone for good, it rears its ugly head once more. For all my single ladies out there, in light of this dreaded holiday that approaches, I have put together a list of heartbreaking songs that will make you feel so damn depressed, you will simply binge drink while eating your feelings until you eventually pass out and wake up to February 15th having forgotten the day before even happened.


Before you chase a bottle of Excedrin with a bottle of Jack, just remember that which doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger! Enjoy!




Ranked at #331 on the Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, “I Can’t Make You Love Me” was written by Mike Reid (born and raised 30 minutes from my hometown in Altoona, Pennsylvania) and Allen Shamblin. The idea for the song came to Reid while reading an article about a man arrested for getting drunk and shooting at his girlfriend’s car (again, he was born and raised in Pennsyltucky). The judge asked him if he had learned anything, to which he replied, “I learned, Your Honor, that you can’t make a woman love you if she don’t.” How articulate, the poet Laurente of Dogwood Lane.


For many of you, it should be no surprise that this song can be found at the top of my list. When it comes to sad and depressing songs this one is right up there with Amazing Grace. Usually Mister Kitty and I like to warm up one our favorite Lean Cuisines, retire to our bedroom where we slip into something more comfortable, find our fire engine red MAC lipstick from MAM 2008 and put on some Bonnie Raitt until the tears put us to sleep.
mp3 download: Bonnie Raitt – I Can’t Make You Love Me

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This tear jerker by Des’ree was featured in Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 remake of the famous Shakespearean play Romeo & Juliet. “Two households both alike in dignity, in fair Verona where we lay our scene. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes, a pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life.”


Honestly, can you imagine a more tragic twist of fate than falling in love with the one person you’re not allowed to have? This song has to make you feel some small amount of sympathy for pedophiles…or at least for Gayle King.
mp3 download: Des’ree – Kissing You

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From A Fine Frenzy’s the One Cell in the Sea album, “Near to You” is by far my favorite sad songs. “Almost Lover” certainly received more attention and praise; however, I think the message in “Near to You” is an important one. Take a listen and then call me…we’ll discuss over a box of wine and pack of ultra lights.
mp3 download: A Fine Frenzy – Near to You

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Ohhhhhh gurrrllll…this song is gonna make you want to go STRAIGHT DOWN THE PARKWAY. No pathetic attemps for attention by crossing the freeway with this one! Right after The Outfield’s “Your Love”, I want this song played at my funeral. Give me one reason not to like this song…and I’ll turn it back around. Let’s face it, when it comes to suffering, Black, angry, Baptist lesbian’s are right up there with Elizabeth Taylor.
mp3 download: Tracy Chapman – The Promise

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Speaking of Lesbians…hold on to your Birkenstocks Lilith Fair lovers!! Known for her emotional ballads and mezzo-soprano vocal range, this Canadian mother of two has brought us so many “slow jams” in her short, yet successful career. Do What You Have to Do in my opinion is the best song from her 1997 album, Surfacing. Unfortunately it was lost among so many other hits from the album such as “Building a Mystery”, “Adia” and “Angel”.
mp3 download: Sarah McLachlan – Do What You Have to Do

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You know you’ve made it when the Emmy award winning Mia Michaels from So You Think You Can Dance chooses your song for one of her choreographed lyrical pieces. We all heard “Love Song” so many times it made us just want to punch a puppy, but “Gravity”, from her debut major-label album Little Voice, is such a beautiful song with so much meaning. Sara claimed the song is about a break-up. I’ll spare you my boring personal interpretation of the song; just take a listen for yourself.
mp3 download: Sara Bareilles – Gravity

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Who can forget the last scene of HBO’s Six Feet Under, as Claire drives off in her Prius and “Breathe Me” is playing the background. Girl, I had to take to the bed after I heard this one. Talk about a song! Do yourself a favor and find the Mylo Remix of this one. What can be better than a sad depressing song turned into a gay club dance mix?
mp3 download: Sia – Breathe Me

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With the huge storm we had, traveling to New York for fashion week, and a trip to San Fran this weekend I haven’t had much time to update C&B. So a big thank you to Mikey for guest posting this week. And for those who are single on Valentine’s Day, a lot can happen in a year, so here’s hoping these songs will be a distant memory come February 14th, 2011.





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Self Expression by M.B.

Jan 25

Posted by Josh in Guest Post, Music | No Comments

MBescher


Arriving as angst-ridden teenager living in an all male dorm at a Catholic college, I was dealing with a lot of Dawson’s Creek emotions. It was tough to find an adequate outlet that befit my surroundings – it didn’t seem like the group I found myself in didn’t talk too much about personal things. I didn’t want to eat my feelings. Poetry was out. I can’t paint, draw or color within the lines. I don’t know what playing a sport actually feels like aside from the shame it tends to inflict on me. After some time with my new friends, I discovered that boys from the mid-west who play lacrosse (it’s not just a Buick) and vote the wrong way channel their feelings through bands like Bayside. “Trying to win approval from people that I don’t know. I look so strong when the weight of all the world don’t take its toll. I’d choose my side if I believed in what was right, but I’m all wrong.” Drinking Natty Light and playing Mario Kart with the guys while listening to Bayside, the Samples, and DMB helped me understand that they feel as vulnerable and insecure as the rest of us, they just work through it differently. If nothing else, Bayside saved me from obesity.
mp3 download:Bayside – They Looked Like Strong Hands (Acoustic Version)

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Spoon is generally either a utensil I use to eat cereal or an action to keep me warm post-coitus. But it can do so much more when it comes in the form of a band. “Don’t Make Me a Target” lends itself to bouncing up and down, drenched in sweat and whatever well drink has spilled on you in the middle of the 9:30 Club. It lets you merge with the crowd and go completely counter-culture: to be ok with not being an individual. There are times when you want to avoid interacting with people, places, and things with you at the center without hoping someone will notice you’re down and out. Don’t Make Me a Target: to blend out of the scene – without being considered uninterested, haughty, sullen or full of self-pity. No one is special all of the time.
mp3 download:Spoon – Don’t Make Me a Target

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When dancing, I am usually incapable of finding the beat or following the rhythm – which is too bad, because I love to dance. “The Longest Road” is one of those songs whose greatness lies in a steady beat, a feat most sailors long for (offensive). This dance number doesn’t get fancy (which is generally when I start to second guess myself and start dancing like an adderall-ridden ferret) but keeps the listener engaged in its simplicity. That simplicity offers me the chance to express myself without letting on that were another beat layered in, people might assume I were having a seizure on the dance floor.
mp3 download:Morgan Page – The Longest Road (Deadmou5 Remix Radio Edit)

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Lil Wayne is a lyrical genius. I’m serious. While this song isn’t the best example of his abilities as a wordsmith, it fits in with the theme of this post: how we express ourselves varies as much as Snookie’s tan. “I pick the world up and I’m a drop it on your fuckin’ head.” Don’t we all feel like that sometimes? It can be scary stuff when it’s coming from a guy whose entire body is covered in tattoos. Even his eyelids. While should never actually pick the world up (even a globe, most of those are made with very thick material) and bash it on someone, this is a great song to run to; it’s full bodied, it’s raw and, most of all, it’s angry.
mp3 download:Lil Wayne – Drop The World (feat. Eminem)

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Beck. Beck is the warden of a jail. He displays rectitude in his structured beats while managing chaos inside. It’s a gift people are learning is essential to daily life. “Time Bomb” has the cheery makings of a pop song but is more disturbing than Kate Gosselin’s hair (though nowhere near as offensive or disturbing). “I got a time bomb. I got a time bomb. na na na na” sounds like something your primary school gym teacher would chant while trying to get you to play dodgeball (also disturbing) without realizing what he’s singing. But what “Time Bomb” represents is that whether you harp melodically to acoustic, blend in without motive, shake it out or run it off – we’ve all got to find a way to work through our shit. Na na na na.
mp3 download:Beck – Time Bomb

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Thank you M.B. for doing the C&B guest post this week…great songs! If anyone has some songs or a theme they’d like to share with the world let me know, guest posts are always welcome!





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