Something New for the New Year

So, it's a new year, and technically a second new year for this blog. I figured I'd do something different. First thing that is is, update with something longer than a 100 word paragraph.

I don't know how many words that was but look at this, a second paragraph. Off to a good start, if you ask me. Which brings us to the second new idea for this blog. A list. Perhaps weekly. This week's list will consist of the top __ new bands, albums, or songs I've listened to in the past year.


1. The Knux: This band is fronted by brothers Alvin and Kintrell Evans. They were raised in New Orleans and resided there up until Hurrican Katrina caused them to be displaced to Houston, Texas. Both boys grew up in with their single mother and were in Marching band. Honestly, this is one of my new favorite bands mixing 80's and early 90's rap with a rock/punk feel. The beat just gets you smiling and moving and the words are more political and get you thinking rather than being upset for the human race. "Bang Bang" is a beautiful track that I find myself listening to more often than I notice.

2. She and Him: Let me begin by stating that I did just hear about this band two days ago, but oh well. They have such an indie folkie vibe it's magnificent. Zooey Deschanel being the front woman is just an added bonus. One song by them that I listen to most in particular is "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here". The lyrics are absolutely beautiful and her voice is just so entrancing. From first listen, if you know Zooey's work, you can tell it's her voice. She just has such a great melody and the guitar parts are just beautiful.

3. "Coney Island" by Good Old War: Nice quiet drum beats, melodic guitar parts, and great vocals and backing vocals make one of my favorite songs of recent years. The lyrics, although about New York, hold a dear place in my heart and make me think of me wanting to go back to Jacksonville and get out of Brooksville. We even have a hotdog restaurant called Coney Island. One verse in particular I find humerous due to the slight coincidences to my life.

"I'm going to Coney Island and have myself a dog,
and reminisce why I still hate it hear.
It's all these people with their cotton candy eyes,
it's so sweet now put the train in gear."

I'd love nothing more than to crawl back to the city I love. However, for the time being I'm in the town that's taken everything. If you haven't heard this song yet and are a fan of soft, melodic folkie songs, give it a try. It most likely will grow on you though so, be warned.

4. Reina Del Cid: A few things stick out about this girl to me more than anything. 1) She's from somewhere in the United States, that's all I know of her location. 2) She began guitar at the age of 15, she's now 20. 3) She is unsigned but one of the greatest mistakes I ever made searching through youtube. Her blue guitar has become signature for me and her voice is so strong and beautiful it nearly sends chills down my side. She has written many of her own songs and made videos of her playing/singing them on YouTube. She has such raw musical talent I would not be the least bit surprised if she were signed by some company in the future. Her lyrics are great, have a nice rhyme scheme and the words are not dumbed down showing the true intelligence of this one of a kind girl. Even if she never gets signed, keep an ear out, she's remarkable.

5. Allison Weiss: Probably the artist closest to me in location and one of the few I've had the privelage of seeing live. I don't remember much of where, just it was in Georgia. Some of the luck of living in Jacksonville was I was close to Georgia and could go see some bands that barely left the state, (i.e. Allison Weiss and Bomb the Music Industry). Coming from Athens and having released much of her own music, this young girl has some very big music coming from a tiny package. She does have a band, but I listen to mostly her solo acoustic stuff, including a cover of the amazing BtMI song, "Future 86". If ever she were to come to Florida, whether it was Tampa, St. Pete, Orlando, Gainesville, Jacksonville, or Tallahassee, I would force a large group of 15-20 people to go see her and be in awe with me. Absolutely great.

6. HuDunit: My friend David from Jacksonville. He is a night security guard and during the day goes to school full time and takes care of his grandmother but still finds time to right some amaing rap songs. BET recently had a nationwide contest and viewers voted and HuDunit got into the top five. Big congratulations to him there. His lyrics are about what he knows and that's why I appreciate his music, it's about a man working for a living but still finding time for fun and knowledge. Working that graveyard shift. Genius.

7. Kanye West - 808's and Heartbreak: Kanye's fourth studio album and fourth album to go platinum. It's no wonder why with such great songs as "Love Lockdown" and "Heartles". He said the album was therapeutic for him, and I can say that listening through gives me the same feeling. If ever I'm having a bad day the album comes on and I feel relaxed and just get a feeling of great happiness that just erupts from the core. For a man who does it all from producing to making the music, let's hope his work stays as strong as it has been.

8. Death Cab for Cutie - "I Will Follow You Into the Dark": Although I have had the song a while ago, it recently made it's way back into my musical life via a new episode of Scrubs. Long forgotten, the mp3 has had the dust figuratively blown off and has now been so overused if it was a record I'm sure it'd melt from shear force of repeat and just the amount of time it spends playing. And I'm sure neighbors, family, and friends alike are annoyed with me singing along with it, but it's finally a song I can match note for note 100% and be happy with. The beautiful acoustic sound, the hauntingly beautiful lyrics, and just the way that Benjamin Gibbard sings this song is enough for me to be a fan for life. The band's other music is just as wonderful, but these lyrics just go well with me. And this means a lot with my hatred for him for taking Zooey Deschanel off the market.

9. The Veronicas: Jessica and Lisa Origliasso. Two Australian musicians head this pop-rock band. Best of all, they're twins. And sexy. Not usually my type of music, I just have this insatiable love for female vocalists and these two help me barely make my quota. Going up on the wall with my other secret loves Michelle Branch, Vanessa Carlton, and Kelly Clarkson, the only difference is, they have a more rock feel and that makes it less embarassing. It's been done before however with a poppy techno type beat going along with rock music, but, they just seem to do it so much better. That is not my vanity talking either.

10. The Dollyrots: Ending this little list (finally), is a band from Sarasota, Florida. The Dollyrots. Yes I know, another band with a female singer. In my defense however, she IS a bassist too and that just adds to my love. The key component that got me into them though is, they attended New College, since I know people that attend that school it got me really interested. They have a pop punk feel, and sometimes their songs can sound very psychobilly-esque. It's very interesting to sit and listen to some of their songs and try to pick at their influences. I would say to anyone looking for a unique, fun band give the Dollyrots a try.

There. that was more trouble than I ever assumed. It was fun however, and I look forward to more lists in the future weeks, for now however, I must be off for I got some news that might make it onto this blog if all goes well.