I've been listening to this song pretty much non-stop when I heard it last week. I don't know why, but I really ENJOY Jessie J's music. It's always refreshing when singers can actually sing as opposed to being autotuned/edited etc. etc.
Parts of "Price Tag" remind me of Natasha Bedingfield's "These Words." So far, Jessie J has only released "Do It Like A Dude" on iTunes. The song is pretty catchy (and angry!), and the video is ridiculous.
Anyways, listen to Jessie J's pop concoction here. I still prefer the live version she does with Jools Holland, but I can't argue about a guest appearance of B.o.B.
Oh my. This is just beautiful. Very Brandon Flowers-esque.
James Mercer... Thank you.
For those who don't know him, James is the founding member and lead singer-songwriter of the indie rock group The Shins. The Shins remind me of the Garden State movie soundtrack. Bret and I listened to almost every song from that album during our freshmen year.
This past year, both Mercer and Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock contributed music to director Chris Malloy's 180° South, a documentary about adventurers in Patagonia.Mercer's contribution to the movie was a cover of Neil Young's "Journey Through the Past."
Listen below to this wonderful song along with Neil Young's original (although I can't help but envision Jimmy Fallon singing it!), and my favorite Shins track:
If you share Kellee Maize's new music video on your Facebook wall, she will send you a free CD. How fun/cool is that?
When I first heard about Kellee, I didn't know what to think about her. However, the more I listen to her, the more I like her. I enjoy this song. I also love that it features Pittsburgh in the video (obviously, since Kellee is a Pittsburgh-native), and the Pausch Bridge (the rainbow-colored Penguin Bridge) at Carnegie Mellon University. She's also accomplishing great things here in the 'Burgh
Check her out, and support Pittsburgh's musicians!
I've posted about this band before and can't WAIT to see them perform here in Pittsburgh in February. They're going on tour with Dr. Dog starting January 28. If they're coming to your area, you should definitely go. It's going to be a fun and epic night!
Take a listen to The Head and the Heart below and visit their MySpace page:
if you wanna get with me, there’s some things you gotta know.
i like my beats fast and my bass down low.
So we're going to pick up the pace with this playlist.
Going into this week, I wanted to put together a good workout/jogging playlist. Some of the pop stuff that's out there right now just isn't cutting it. I'm not one who will listen to an entire playlist of "techno" music, but I decided to put together some of my favorites that are out there right now (new + old). I need some songs with high BPMs to work out to.
I've decided to call this my "Glowstick Playlist." During this past spring, we rented a party bus for my friend's bachelorette party, and the bus party didn't really get started until we whipped out all of the glowsticks.
Use this playlist to kick your workout's butt this weekend.
Oh, and here's a Norwegian Recycling song for your listening/viewing pleasure :)
Nutmeg and I went for a walk the past two days in the park. I'm so happy that we still have a dusting of snow on everything. It makes everything so pretty. It's been snowing all morning and is still absolutely gorgeous outside.
Since I love Nutmeg so much (and any animal for that matter), I've put together an animal playlist. Most of these are old, but I still love to play them. "Oto the Bear" and "Ballad of Moose Bruce" are definitely my favorites. I included the Fantastic Mr. Fox song in there since it has been on TV (and because I loved the movie). Yesterday, when Mr. Fox did the *whistle click click,* Nutmeg thought Bret was home... and he wasn't. So sad.
I also can't stop listening to "Sheep, Sheep, Dontcha' Know the Road?" Ahh! I tap my foot along to it the entire time... And sing-along with it. And repeat over and over again. Bret says I only like the song because of this video. This might be true, but it's still a good song :)
I have to get some dance music on here again. It's been a pretty chill week which is why I've been putting more slow, acoustic songs on the site. However, it's Thursday... Which means tomorrow's Friday... which means I better get my act together and find some weekend music.
I have a few of White Panda's mashups but haven't been too crazy about them. I just ran across "Stereo Hands" which is a mashup of Waka Flocka and Edward Maya. I am pleasantly surprised at how well the two blend together.
I was looking through my past blog posts, and the blog post that received the most visits was the one I posted a recipe along with a playlist. Moving forward, I'm going to try to post my baking/cooking playlist that I listen to whenever I'm making something special in the kitchen!
I wanted to try to keep it as healthy as possible. Plus, this recipe calls for only 6 ingredients! So, click play on the playlist at the bottom, and enjoy the recipe below. Keep in mind, 1.) When I'm baking/cooking, I need all types of music to keep me entertained and 2.) I altered the recipe to meet my taste preferences (you can also do the same):
Eggplant Parmesan 1 large eggplant, sliced thinly (about 1/4") 2 cups of broccoli (The recipe calls for mushrooms, so you can use them also) 1 cup diced onions 1 cup ricotta cheese (The recipe calls for cottage cheese, but what's lasagna without ricotta?) 1 bag (8 oz.) shredded mozzarella (I used skim) 1 jar of spaghetti sauce
1. Using a 9x13 pan, add a thin layer of sauce to the bottom of the pan.
2. Add first layer of eggplant. (
As you layer all the veggies add any desired spices such as salt and pepper. I added S&P, red pepper, and basil).
3. Add first layer of eggplant. Then, m
ix diced onions and ricotta cheese together and spread over eggplant.
4. Add another layer of sauce, a layer of shredded cheese, and then the second layer of eggplant.
5. Add a layer of broccoli, cover with a layer of sauce and a layer of shredded cheese.
6. Add final layer of eggplant, and cover with remaining cheese.
7. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes to brown top.
I let it sit for about 5-8 minutes before cutting it. I'm always nervous about making vegetarian dishes for dinner because Bret ALWAYS wants to have some kind of protein/meat. However, Bret loved this dish and wanted seconds (YAY!), but I gave him a salad instead (with the promise of making something for dessert... which I didn't make).
It really was a yummy dinner, and I highly recommend making the recipe! :)
It snowed all last night and is still snowing. I just took Nutmeg out to go to the bathroom, and it was so gorgeous outside. Bret and I have our tree up after several debates of whether it was straight, too tall, too fat.. blah blah blah. I'm naming the tree Pudger since it's kind of plump.
Anyways, more Christmas songs! I wanted to include songs that aren't your "traditional" Christmas songs along with maybe a few
I also want to leave you with this terrible video of Rudolph getting impaled. It's so sad... Yet so funny. I mean, really? The audience commentary and reaction is classic.
"Christmas TV" by Slow Club
This reminds me when Bret and I would go to home to our families during Christmas and had to split up (GASP!) Hahaha. It was fine splitting up, but we really would have preferred to be with one another during Christmas. This year, I will be spending Christmas with his family and will be the first time we will be able to wake up to see if Santa came together.
"Santa's Workshop" by Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks
Bret and I listened to this entire album over the weekend, and it is great. I've posted my favorite song from the album and anticipate listening to the whole thing again on Christmas eve and morning with Bret's dad. This song is just AWESOME -- and the lyrics make me giggle.
"Fairtytale of New York"by the Pogues
I love when I can include some good Irish music into my playlists. This song definitely puts a smile on your face once it hits the 1:20 mark. It makes you want to grab a hot mug of something and sit by the fire with your closest friends + family.
"Linus and Lucy" by Bela Fleck and the Fleckstones
I grew up watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas" every year. I love this version... The banjo really makes the song something special.
"Snowfall" by Ahmad Jamal
I put this one on her for Bret in particular. We both love jazz, and I know that when he listens to this, he will be very happy (and will also make him wish he had his baby grand...) It's very pretty and romantic for the Christmas season.
"Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" by N*Sync
Yes. I did it. I don't care. I DON'T CARE. You can't help but sing-a-long to this song when it comes on. Go ahead. You can judge me. I DON'T CARE.
"Snow Day"by Matt Pond PA
Because who doesn't love a Snow Day?! Last year during Pittsburgh's Snowmaggedon, we had so many snow days! We are expecting to get over 8 inches of snow tomorrow. I can't wait!
"Christmas Is All Around" by Billy Mack
You don't listen to this song for the song. You listen to it because it reminders you of "Love Actually" (which I can't wait for it to start playing on television). That movie along with "Elf" have started to become my traditional Christmas movies. I will watch both of them every year.
"White Christmas" by Otis Redding
This song is so sexy and romantic -- Definitely meant for swaying back and forth beneath that mistletoe.
"Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer"by Elmo and Patsy
Obviously, this was going to get added to a list sooner or later.
"Sounds Like Snow" by Be Still
Every time I hear this, I have to remind myself it isn't Ingrid Michaelson. The lyrics are cute and perfect for you and your special someone.
"Christmas Island" by Leon Redbone
This song is for my sister Stephanie. She -- unlike all of us -- is going to Aruba with Dan's family for Christmas! How awesome is that? I think that she will have tons of fun. Christmas isn't about where you are but who you're with. As long as you're with friends and family during this time of the year, location doesn't matter.
It's 2:00 am in the morning. "The Hangover" is on and me, Bret, and Nutmeg are all bundled up on the couch. At first, we were watching it, but that lasted about an entire minute. Bret and Nutmeg are completely asleep. Once I'm done making this post, I will close my computer and take Poor Sleepy Bret and Nutmeg to bed.
I muted the movie, and our place was silent for a good bit. Then I thought: "I wish I could play some music to put some happy dreams in both Bret and Nutmeg's heads."
I didn't play any music since I was afraid I'd wake them up. However, if I could play any song, I would play this old Jack Johnson + Matt Costa song called "Lullaby." I used to send this song to Bret whenever we were apart from each other for weeks during college breaks...
Brittany: What should be my anthem be tonight? I need a celebration song. Bret: This one! This one!
. . .
I have decided what my "anthem of choice" would be for tonight. Bret HOWEVER thinks that my anthem should be something different. Being the nice girlfriend that I am, I've opted to include both.
I -- feeling great and happy -- really am feeling Adele's "Rolling in the Deep." Bret, on the other hand, believes that my anthem tonight should be B.o.B (featuing Wiz Khalifa -- YES!) "Fuck the Money."
Both are appropriate for today's celebration for two entirely different reasons.
Please use either as your anthem for this evening.
Love LOVE this. This song sounds like a mixture of Vampire Weekend + Paul Simon ("Graceland"). I know the original song is "Joanna," but I much prefer this acapella version. I've provided both, so you can decide which one you like better.
Both Coldplay and The Killers released Christmas songs this week. Neither song really gives me a Christmas "feeling." Coldplay's song is very pretty, and I will never object to a new Coldplay song. However, Bret and I watched an interview 60 Minutes did with Coldplay over a year ago, and Chris previewed the song. When he previewed the song, I was SO EXCITED. The song sounded beautiful. You can watch part of the interview here at around the 1:07 mark. Chris says, "That's gonna be good though -- I can feel it." And it would have been good if he stuck with that song. The one that came out this week is good and really beautiful, but sounds nothing like the song he showed us. Out of the two, I much prefer The Killers' song. Is it because Brandon Flowers looks so great in this video? Maybe. I actually really like the story the song tells and the video goes along well with the lyrics. The Killers make a Christmas song each year, and none of them really ever sound like Christmas songs. It's the thought that counts, though -- right? You can find their old songs below, along with the videos to Coldplay's new song "Christmas lights" and The Killers new song "Boots."
I called this Bretany's Xmas Playlist because Bret and I don't always listen to just the Christmas classics during December. To keep things interesting and exciting, I create a playlist that combines both old Christmas classics with more non-traditional songs. Every knows all the best Christmas songs to listent to (Burl Ives, Etta James, Bing Crosby, etc.) but there are other songs that can give you the wonderful Christmas feeling as well.
I've put together a playlist that includes some of my "new" favorite Christmas songs below. A few of my favorites are:
Alec Duffy - "Every Day is Christmas"
This has become my staple Christmas song. I love how the lyrics are applicable to our current lifestyle and love the simplicity of the song as a whole. Guys -- If you need to really tell a lady you love her during this romantic time of the year... Play this song! It's so sweet.
Jack Johnson - "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"
Everyone knows I'm a big Jack Johnson fan. This song isn't as new as others, but I still play it every year. The old Rudolph song can get kind of annoying after listening to it a few times (mainly because you feel obliga. This version, however, can be played over and over again during the Christmas season.
Sufjan Stevens - "Put the Lights on the Tree"
I know I just put this song in my previous post, but it has also become one of mine and Bret's favorite Christmas songs during the season. It's so catchy and always puts a smile on my face :)
Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson - "Winter Song"
This song might sound sad, but don't be deceived. When I listen to this song, I think of standing outside -- pitch black sky... all the snow is falling... bundled up in my best winter attire -- and hearing nothing. Did you ever notice how calm and quiet it is during the winter? It's one of the things I'm looking forward to the most this winter. So yes, this is my Winter Song.
The Hotel Cafe Medley -- "Auld Lang Syne"
Listen to this song until January 1 rolls around. When you play it, think about all that has happened this past year... Good and Bad. Ups and Downs. Think about what you want to accomplish in the year 2011. Then, make sure you play it on New Year's Eve. Bret and I go skiing every New Year's -- usually alone -- and make sure we play this right before we call everyone to wish them a Happy New Year. This song makes you feel like you're with everyone -- even when you aren't.
I also needed to include the Christmas Lights video Bret and I watch every year. We played this so many times during Freshmen year of college... It never gets old.
I don't know how I never heard this song before. I have so many Bombadil songs (and I love them all). All of them are so quirky! This one, however, definitely is on the top of my list as one of my favorites from them now.
The song is simply lovely, and the lyrics really hit home.
I'm going to put a longer post here soon, but I wanted to begin uploading some Christmas music.
Since 2004, Bret and I play the Sufjan Stevens Christmas albums. There are five albums total. Some of the songs we like more than others. Our fave song in particular is "Put the Lights on the Tree" which can be found below. You can also listen to some of the songs here!
Pure awesomeness and kinda weird.. haha. The song is made of all the vocal syllables, musical chords and sound effects recorded from Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs.
Backstreet Boys and NKOTB did a mash-up performance last night on the AMAs. I didn't watch the AMAs. According to everyone, it was a complete flop. However, I did watch BSB's performance on YouTube, and I couldn't help but remember the countless times Steph and I listened to their album along with *NSYNC's album. I remember Steph and I watching "Fanatic" on MTV with *NSYNC being on the show and immediately getting obsessed. We played that album soo much... We were more *NSYNC fans instead of BSB fans.
On the way home today, Boyz II Men came up on my shuffle and Bret - being the wonderful guy that he is - actually let me listen to it. When Steph and I shared a room growing up, I used to sing Boyz II Men's "II" album to Steph so that she could go to sleep.
So many boys to choose... I guess I'll have to include them all -- Even 2ge+her!!! Who would have thought that Evan Farmer on TLC was in a boy band in earlier years? Classic.
And now that I've listened to the song, I can't get it out of my head.
So screw you, Justin Bieber and Jonas Brothers. These guys had it all.
Let's flash back to those wonderful days of boy band greatness. And don't judge -- you all know all of the lyrics, too.
