Some Nights

This album, by the band Fun, has been one of my latest album obsessions. That is, when I can pry myself away from Lana Del Rey and the Cold War Kids. Sometimes it happens.

You may have heard the song "We Are Young" featuring Janelle Monae on the radio, or a commercial. I can't even remember where I first heard it but I almost immediately loved it. I'm here to tell you that the rest of the album as just as amazing. If you have Spotify, or want to check them out on Youtube, give it a listen and let me know what you think!

Love: Lana Del Rey "Born to Die"

This album has been a MUCH ANTICIPATED release for me. Even more so with the fact that the few tracks available on Spotify mysteriously disappeared a few weeks ago, leaving me with YouTube as the only source for any of her music.

Lana Del Rey first came onto my radar with a feature of the song Video Games in an episode of Gossip Girl, but a lot of people are now familiar with her due to her not-so-inspiring performance on Saturday Night Live. I certainly don't think it was TERRIBLE, but for anyone who already knew her music it was clear she was nervous and not performing as well as her other live performances available on YouTube. For those who didn't, many brushed her off and criticism spread like wild fire.


I don't know why everyone has such a strong opinion about her, be it positive or negative, but believe me when I say the album is ABSOLUTELY worth buying. Her vocals are hauntingly beautiful, and I'm quickly finding that each song is more addicting than the last. I have half of the new songs already saved as favorites just after a first listen on Spotify and am now on my way out the door to buy a physical copy. My only complaint might be that some of the songs I have come to love from her YouTube releases didn't make the album. This, however, is easily overcome by the new material.

You can pick the 12 track album up at Best Buy, currently on sale as a new release for $8.99 with a normal list price of $10.99. A deluxe 16 track version is available on iTunes for $11.99. If you're not ready to fully commit yet, check her out on Spotify by searching "Born to Die". I have a feeling that if you like it, you'll love it.

I Just Can't Get Enough

Have you heard of Spotify yet? If the answer is yes and you still don't have it, believe me when I tell you that you want it immediately. I heard about it what must have been two months ago but I don't think I really understood what it was and only downloaded it a few weeks ago.

Basically it's an online streaming service FOR FREE. At least for the first six months. With a minimal amount of ads per hour the artists still get paid without you even subscribing, but after six months of your use restrictions on play time and number of plays are put into effect. I've only had the service for a few weeks but I am already totally willing to subscribe: for $10 a month (yes, the price of one album on iTunes) you not only don't face these restrictions but are able to stream the music offline and download it to devices such as your phone or iPod.

I understand any issues this brings up in the music industry, but I do think it is a great middle ground that still allows artists to benefit while working with the changes technology has brought about. I know that I certainly will continue to buy the albums I really like, because sometimes it's just nice to have that physical copy, and I do believe in supporting artists you like. This is just a great option to explore and sample new music, especially with the collaboration with Facebook that allows you to share playlists or albums with friends and even directly send music suggestions. Besides, how many times have you wanted to buy music from iTunes only to get sick of it a week or two later and not ever listen to it again?

Here are a few of the albums that I REALLY can't get enough of on Spotify, some that I have already bought and others that I have every intention of buying:


Cold War Kids: Mine is Yours


Florence and the Machine: Ceremonials


Pistol Annies: Hell on Heels


the bird and the bee: Interpreting the Masters Volume 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates


Two Door Cinema Club: Tourist History


Is Tropical: Native To



Interested in any of those, or any other albums you have been thinking about lately? What are you waiting for? Go get it!

Love: Lungs

I threw a few Florence & The Machine songs on a playlist what seems like forever ago, but I only recently got ahold of the entire Lungs album and have since fallen totally in love with it. It's the perfect "daytime" music for driving, doing things around the house, you name it. The album in its entirety has a variety of songs, ranging from the popular "Dog Days Are Over" to the really upbeat "Kiss With a Fist" and a handful of more mellow songs. One thing remains pretty constant though... the woman has an incredible voice.


The album, which came out in 2009, was re-released in 2011 including a second portion called "The B-Sides" with a demo of "I'm Not Calling You a Liar" (Then called Ghosts), a live version of "You've Got the Love", and a few covers. I was particularly excited and totally surprised to hear a cover of Cold War Kid's "Hospital Beds."

A new album is set to be released sometime in November, but in the meantime, I definitely recommend checking out Lungs! You can follow this link to get to the Florence & The Machine YouTube channel and watch the video for "You've Got the Love."

Lollapalooza: The Music

Hello from Destin! I just wanted to do a quick post with some Lollapalooza pictures. Another to come soon. For now, this one will focus around the music. I didn't manage to get pictures of every band we saw, just because I was trying to enjoy the shows without getting too carried away with picture taking. Here are a few from what I did get.

Two Door Cinema Club, Day 1



Coldplay, Headliner Day 1

The city made such an awesome backdrop for the stage!

Eminem from the back, Headliner Day 2

I just could not get over how many people were there. Saturday was kind of a bust, but a few in our group really wanted to see Eminem so we walked over around 6 so they could work their way closer to the stage. My dad and I watched for a while and wandered by both Pretty Lights and Beirut before the night was over.

The Cars, Day 3

Cold War Kids, MY Headliner for Day 3

My favorite part of the whole weekend... even with all the rain and mud. We spent the entirety of two other sets working our way up to the front row for this. Totally jealous that the next day a family friend was sitting right next to all the band members on a flight to LA.

Band on the Run

All moved out of The Jungle in Bloomington, settled in Chicago, and yet again dealing with not having internet!!! Right now I'm at my parents' house in Southern Indiana and leaving for Florida tomorrow, and I think the condo down there has it so I'll try to crank out some posts/get some scheduled in case the wireless is for some reason not up when I get back to Chicago. It has been a crazy month, that's for sure.

For now, I'll leave you with some pictures from a Paul McCartney concert we saw at Wrigley Field on August 1. I'm not going to lie, I was excited when I heard we'd be seeing him, but probably not as excited as I should have been. He was never my FAVORITE Beatle, and most of my favorite songs were John songs, but he WAS a Beatle none the less. The show ended up being probably among my five favorite shows I have ever seen. He is still SO amazing live, and played a ton of Beatles music along with songs I apparently didn't even realize were his. If you have any interest in him/the Beatles, it is totally worth your while to spend the money to see him.

(As always, you can click any picture to get a bigger view!)

"McCartney has more hits than the Cubs"... Loved this one!

My little brother is a little bit of a nut.

John's "Give Peace a Chance"

Live or Let Die

Hey Jude

Day in the Life

Have you guys been up to anything fun this summer? Any other good concerts out there? One of my next posts will be a Lollapalooza recap of sorts. See you then!

Bonjour Jeune Fille

These pictures are actually from Sunday night. I had a work meeting from 7-9 (As did Kelly and Lauryn, it was really a big mall party I guess. Hello Holiday Season!) and then we went to see THE BLOW! Love love love love love her, if you haven't heard of her, see bottom of post.

Outfit

Dress, Belt: Forever 21
Side bag: Target
Sweater, Leggings, Scarf: Old Navy
Boots: Ugg
Really Curly Hair compliments of the mousse Kelly bought the wrong strength of and gave to me.

Grade A photography right there! Oh well. The show was amazing, and also completely hilarious. She's really funny live, and if you ever get a chance to see The Blow, I think you should take it.