The non-stop Elf marathons last week made me realize just how much I love Zooey Deschanel movies. She’s just so…cute! She also happens to be multi-talented. Yup, some of you might not know that she’s also a very gifted singer and musician.  So in honor of her, I bring you: She & Him’s Volume 1. It’s a peppy album with a retro feel that makes me fall even harder for dear Zooey. As if that’s even possible.

About the Band:

She & Him, formed in 2006, consists of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward. Ward met Deschanel, and while he knew she had a good singing voice from seeing Elf, he was surprised to know that she had a catalog of songs she’d written and didn’t know what to do with. According to Deschanel, once she met Ward, everything just fell into place.

Top 3 Tracks:

Sentimental Heart

Why Do You Let Me Stay Here

I Was Made For You

Why You Should Listen to It:

This is definitely something to listen to when you’re in the mood for something retro/light hearted/indie. Zooey’s voice is very unique, beautiful and soothing. And the album is just really fun. It’s the perfect music for a girl’s night in, a library study sesh, or a mid-winter pick-me-up. I just love it!

Need some more music recs? See what else Sarabeth recommends. And for the after-finals celebration, we’ve got just the playlist for you.

With Christmas being just a few days away, I figured I’d go through my parents’ CDs to get into the holiday spirit. I’d already listened to my own Christmas music collection (Mariah, Glee, NSYNC) and needed something different. Mannheim Steamroller’s Christmas was a major find. This album is pretty much the definition of the holiday season. My parents have played it just about every Christmas Eve since before I was born and anytime I hear this, I nostalgia my pants off.

About the Band:

Mannheim Steamroller is a new age musical group founded by Chip Davis and Jackson Berkley that’s been around since 1974. It was originally a pseudonym for Chip Davis’s musical projects, but grew into a 9 member group.

Top 3 Tracks:

Deck The Halls

We Three Kings

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Why You Should Listen to It:

This is the perfect album for getting into the holiday spirit, and it’s something different. Mannheim Steamroller was rocking Christmas long before Trans-Siberian Orchestra. And let’s be honest, do you really want to listen to Mariah Carey belt out “All I Want for Christmas is You” one more time? I didn’t think so. So enjoy and Merry Christmas!

And ZOMG, I’m so happy I did!

Both Jason Mraz’s new live album and Snow Patrol’s compilation rocked my socks off. Yes, I said “rocked my socks off.” And, yes,  I already knew most of the music, but there was something new and exciting and different about hearing it all on a different album, in a different order, in a new way. I just want to hoard every CD/song/version they’ve got.

And then there was the new Dashboard Confessional album. A totally new album. It wasn’t live and it wasn’t a “best of”, but it somehow all sounded the same. In a good way, of course. Dashboard back again with the same great sound.  And you know what? It just might be the “best of “Dashboard.

Jason Mraz- Beautiful Mess (Live on Earth)

Is it possible to get any better than Jason Mraz? He’s absolutely adorable in a totally hipster, but down-to-Earth type way. He has a beautiful voice and comes up with the world’s best lyrics. Um, and he has his own avocado farm. YES, I would die to date a boy with an avocado farm. But unfortunately, Jason is the only boy I know with an avocado farm and I don’t think I really have a chance with him. Anyway, the bottom line is that his music rocks my world. I’ve been to two of his concerts in the last year and both times I left saying, “That was the best show of my life!” His shows are amazing, spiritual experiences. So it seemed natural that I had to get his new live album, Beautiful Mess (Live on Earth). And the album was exactly like both of the shows I’ve been to. And I think this is a good thing. I got to re-create my concert experience, though I sometimes felt like I wanted Jason to mix things up a bit and show me something I hadn’t heard already.  But Jason does drop one of my favorite lines of his on the album: “Please don’t ever let your mind stop you from having a good time.” Those should be words to live by for all! Then Jason breaks into “The Dynamo of Volition,” which I just can’t help dancing along to. Jason also does a roaring rendition of Gloria Estefan’s “All Night Long” and you can’t help but love that. Of course, I’d much rather see Jason Mraz live than simply listen to his live album, but since that’s not always possible (he’s gotta tend to his avocados at some point), this album is a really good substitute.

Snow Patrol- Up To Now

Snow Patrol is another one of my all-time favorite bands. I’m constantly frustrated by people who are so in love with Snow Patrol’s Eyes Open and everything after (no doubt because of “Chasing Cars”), but claim their older stuff is just so “different.” No, no, Snow Patrol’s new stuff is different. Their old stuff? Is Snow Patrol. Not to say I don’t love Snow Patrol’s new stuff because I really do! But I also like seeing where they’ve come from. Yeah, you have to listen to their older stuff a time or two to really get into it, but I like that it’s not all so radio-ready. If you’re a bit iffy on the old Snow Patrol, Up To Now might be the perfect album for you. It’s a big compilation featuring 30 of Snow Patrol’s songs. Many of them are from the last two albums, but it also has some of their absolute bests from the older albums. Listen to “Run” and tell me you don’t love it. Listen to “Chocolate” and tell me you don’t like Snow Patrol’s old stuff. This album really is the best of Snow Patrol. The only song I really, really feel like it’s missing is “Make This Go On Forever,” because I think that song needs to be on every Snow Patrol album in existence (and, yes, it’s a newer song!).

There are also 3 previously unreleased songs on the album, which definitely make the album worth it even if you already own everything else. “Just Say Yes” starts off like a techno-y type of song but then it sounds so very Snow Patrol. And “Dark Roman Wine” is so beautiful, it almost made me cry. No joke. But if you purchase this album for no other reason, let it be for Snow Patrol’s cover of “Crazy in Love” from Beyonce and Jay-Z. Their rendition is absolutely amazing.

Dashboard Confessional- Alter the Ending

So, Dashboard Confessional actually released a new album; nothing live and nothing old. But they’re still like old friends to me and they always seem to sound exactly the same. New (amazing!) lyrics, same feeling. It seems like Dashboard has been around forever and though I always find I have to be in the right mood to listen to them, I’ve been finding that lately it’s rare for me to not be in that mood. Alter the Ending is actually a very solid album and one I’ll definitely find myself coming back to again and again. One of my favorite songs on the album is the title track because it has classic Dashboard lyrics: “I know that yesterday is gone and it won’t come back to me/But I miss it after all it never really lasts as long as we meant for it to be/There’ll be twists and turns, they’re pulling us and tearing to the seams/But I’ll meet you where we started once again, cause I miss you.” Beautiful!

Another favorite is “No News is Bad News” because I love the title and the lyrics: “But if you’re alone/Are you lonely?/Well you just don’t have to be lonely/Anymore.” The song actually feels incredibly upbeat in a sad sort of way. Yes, Dashboard Confessional is known for being emo, but this is almost a happy, delightful kind of emo. We wonder if that’s what they mean by altering the ending? Dashboard certainly hasn’t altered their sound, but if they want to alter the ending, that’s fine with me. Who knows, maybe I would even listen to the live version if one happened to come out.

The great thing about new music is that you never really know what you’re gonna get. Sorta like life. And a box of chocolates (thanks, Forrest!). Sometimes albums totally and completely surprise you. And sometimes they don’t at all. Sometimes surprises are good, and sometimes they’re a huge letdown. Sometimes all you want is your favorite band just the same as always, and sometimes a little change makes them all the better.

This week, I was incredibly surprised by one much-anticipated album in a perfectly awesome way. Another album held zero surprises for me, which I was thrilled about. And a third surprised me because, well, I just didn’t see what all the fuss was about.

But, as long as someone isn’t popping out from behind a wall to scare the crap out of me, all of these surprises – good and bad – are a-OK with me.

New Moon Soundtrack

This is the freakiest thing ever to me. Yes, freaky. I mean, isn’t Twilight some huge teen sensation thing? I get that practically everyone loves it, but I think it’s main audience is teens who go giddy over Robert Pattinson. OK then, where did this totally amazing soundtrack come from? The New Moon soundtrack is incredibly hipster-ish and indie. And I absolutely love it! I just think it’s kind of crazy; I expected it to be full of pop songs. You know, maybe a little Miley Cyrus. But, no! It has Thom Yorke! Bon Iver! The Killers! Grizzly Bear! The Editors! I can’t stop!  Anyway, this soundtrack is one of the best soundtracks I’ve ever heard. The first single off the album is Death Cab for Cutie’s “Meet me on the Equinox” and it’s the perfect song to get people excited about the soundtrack. Death Cab is indie, while still being very approachable and the song just sounds so Twilight-y. “Meet me on the Equinox /Meet me half way /When the sun is perched at it’s highest peek /In the middle of the day/Oh darling understand /That everything, everything ends.”

And there’s more! I’m a huge Bon Iver fan and was super excited to hear something new from him. “Roslyn” is a beautiful song and exactly what we’ve come to expect from Bon Iver. Another of my favorites off this album is “No Sound But the Wind” from The Editors. The magical thing about this album is that every song just screams Bella and Edward. I have the sudden urge to read New Moon right along to this album. And I think millions of teenagers are suddenly going to become really into some pretty cool indie music. And I guess that’s not really a bad thing. Even if it is because of Twilight.

Kings of Convenience- Declaration of Dependence

Ah, the Kings of Convenience. I honestly don’t know of a group that makes me more peacefully happy than they do. I can’t even describe why, but I just sit back, close my eyes, and smile every time they come on. In fact, when I just heard they were coming out with a new album, I smiled. I couldn’t help it. Then I immediately listened to Riot on an Empty Street a few times in a row. And now that I’ve been able to listen to Declaration of Dependence, I can easily (and happily) say, I’m even deeper in love. Which I didn’t think was possible. The album starts with “24-25,” and was an immediate favorite of mine due to its quiet and beautiful lyrics: “What we build is bigger/Than the sum of two/But somewhere I lost count on my own/And somehow I must find it alone/24 and blooming like the fields of May/25 and yearning for a ticket out/dreams burn but in ashes are gold.” Le swoon.

But then the next song, “Mrs. Cold” came on and I got seriously nervous that the Kings of Convenience were using me in their song: “Hey baby, Mrs. Cold/Acting so tough/Didn’t know you had it in you to be hurt at all…OK I get it/OK I see/You were fronting because/You knew you’d find yourself vulnerable around me/Hey, baby/What’s going on?/You lost control and you lost your tongue/You lost me.” What girl can’t relate a little bit to this song? Feeling vulnerable around a guy and thus acting all cold around him? But honestly, I love all the songs on this album, from “The Power of Not Knowing” to “My Ship Isn’t Pretty.” I’m a very happy girl.

Spiral Stairs- The Real Feel

A friend told me to listen to Spiral Stairs. So, I did. I had never heard of them before but was told I’d probably like them if I liked Atlas Sound, which I do. And then, while listening, I figured out what Spiral Stairs was all about. The group is actually made up of Scott Kannberg of Pavement. I’m a pretty big Pavement fan, so I was thrilled to hear Scott on his own album. But to be honest, it took me a little bit to really get into The Real Feel. The first two songs didn’t do a whole lot for me and didn’t remind me of Pavement much at all (not that they necessarily should have). But by the time I got to “Cold Change,” I was liking them a lot more.  The group describes themselves as a “jam band” and I totally get that vibe from them. Until I listened to “A Mighty Mighty Fall,” which kind of sounded country-western-ish to me. It’s a really nice, easy-going song with a definite twang to it. Then “Stolen Pills” completely jolted me awake and felt a whole lot more like rock-and-roll. And I loved it! One thing is for sure, the Spiral Stairs certainly are a versatile group. So, I haven’t been going totally gaga over this album, but I found it enjoyable and will definitely continue listening to it. I just wish Scott Kannberg still sounded just like Pavement. But I know that’s way too much to ask for.

Does music ever just make you so inexplicably happy? Maybe you can’t even describe why you’re feeling so cheery when you hear a certain band or song, but you just feel like you’re floating on air. Only you didn’t have to inhale/snort anything to get there.

All the artists this week make me happy. Even when the songs are sad, I’m happy. And I think that’s a sign of a truly great artist; they can sing about the saddest things in love and still put a smile on my face. And sometimes you just need music to comfort you and make you feel good. Like during midterms after spending 6 straight hours at the library and you’re only a third of the way through your reading.

Yeah, that’s what this week is all about.

Five for Fighting- Slice

I used to think I was the coolest person in the world because I was the only one who knew about Five for Fighting. Seriously, the only one. I was obsessed with “Easy Tonight” to the point where I included them in my senior bio. What? The line “I don’t know where I’m going yet, but I sure am getting there” was the most perfect line ever. Then the song “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” came out and more people discovered Five for Fighting. And now, I’m finally discovering that Five for Fighting is actually just a one person band made up of John Ondrasik. He (not them, he) just came out with a new album, Slice, and I’m totally enjoying it.

Five for Fighting just comforts me in this “sing to me and everything will be better” kind of way. Sure, some of the lyrics are super cheesy, like in “Note to the Unknown Soldier” (it’s a really sweet, meaningful song but “Well, you’re so tall/Did you play basketball?” are just kind of odd lyrics). And, OK, in some ways, Five for Fighting’s lyrics are just so predictable on this album. But predictable in a good way. Like in “Augie Nieto” when John Ondrasik sings “It’s not the breaths you take/It’s how you breathe,” I found myself singing along the very first time I listened to the song. It was just so logical; predictable but in a kind of unique way. And speaking of sweet, I’m in love with “Love Can’t Change the Weather” because how true is that? It’s just a lovely song that is hard not to like. I’m also a big fan of “Tuesday” because I feel like it’s a bit more creative than the rest. And it sounds like Five for Fighting, but a little bit more mature. Overall, I’m totally into Five for Fighting’s Slice. It’s not going to change your life, but it’s going to comfort you. And sometimes that all that matters. I’m so happy he’s back in my life.

Michael Buble- Crazy Love

I am crazy excited that Michael Buble has a new album out called Crazy Love. It’s about time the boy came out with some new stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I love everything he does including his live albums (and just standing there, smiling), but I’ve been craving new Michael Buble for a while now. When I first heard the first single, “Haven’t Met You Yet,” I was instantly in love. Not my favorite Michael Buble song of all time, but a happy, up-beat one that’s perfect for anyone looking for the one they’ll fall in love with. The lyrics are simple but super sweet: “And I know someday that it’ll all turn out/You’ll make me work so we can work to work it out/And I promise you kid that I’ll give so much more than I get/I just haven’t met you yet.”

I have to admit I wasn’t absolutely crazy about the album the first time I listened to it; not like I was about his others. But the more I listened, the more I liked. You know what I really love about Crazy Love? It totally showcases Michael’s voice in the best way possible. His talent comes through loud and clear and I remember why I love him so much. Well, besides those brooding, sexy eyes. I especially like “Cry Me a River,” which sadly is not like Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River,” but makes me absolutely swoon for Michael Buble. My most avorite song on the album is definitely “Heartache Tonight” because it’s crazy big-band happy and I can’t help dancing around my room pretending Michael Buble is here with me. Then again, “At This Moment,” originally song by Billy Vera and the Beaters, has long been one of my most loved songs and hearing Michael Buble sing it is basically heaven. And wait. One more. His other original song, “Hold On,” made me cry a little. Because I think I want it to be my wedding song. If that song is ever needed. Bottom line: I swoon for Michael Buble non-stop and am seriously in love. I’ll stop embarrassing myself now. But clearly he makes me happy.

Built to Spill- There is No Enemy

Built to Spill is one of those bands I had on my iPod for a long time before I actually started listening to them. But then a song popped up on shuffle and haven’t stopped playing them since. I seriously could not stop listening to “I Would Hurt a Fly,” “Cortez the Killer,” “Car,” and “Singing Sores Make Perfect Swords.” So, I’ve been waiting in extreme anticipation for There is No Enemy, their newest album. More music to feel totally cool with while walking down the street (that’s what I do with it)! And do I love it? Yes. Built to Spill is just an awesome band and in my mind they can do no wrong.

“Life’s a Dream” is basically a lullaby that comforts and calms with its incredible guitar riffs. Seriously though, the song is kind of a take on “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” And the lyrics are beautiful: “So I/Row on/Life aint nothing/But a dream/Realistic/As it seems.” I’ve also been obsessed with “Things Fall Apart.” It’s kind of an angry song, but an angry song that inspires: “Stay out of my nightmares/Stay out of my dreams/You’re not even welcome in my memories/Things are alright and I want what I’ve got/(It’s only momentarily thought)…Let’s go for a walk. Yeah, let’s go for a drive/Don’t know how to say, thanks for being alive/Let’s go for a lifetime. let’s go for a fling /Don’t know how to say anything.” The whole album follows in similar suit, which makes me a very happy girl. If you haven’t yet listened to Built to Spill, do it. They’re the perfect chill, downtime band. Or for feeling cool walking down the street. Whatever.

Wow, this week was a bit of a bummer. So much anticipation and a whole lot of disappointment. You’re probably thinking I deserve it. After all, I got my hopes all up about Mariah Carey and Selena Gomez, so what did I really deserve, right? But I’m still a bit let down because, yes, I was expecting a lot from Mariah. She’s had more #1 hits than any other artist in history and while I wouldn’t listen to her every day in my car, I did think I’d at least like it.

Turns out, you all might be best off just listening to Britney Spears’ new single, “Three,” this week. Or Zero 7. You may not know who they are, but they are great and they really restored my faith in music after that Mimi/Selena letdown. So, thanks, Zero 7!

Mariah Carey- Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel

I admit I’m not the hugest Mariah Carey fan in the world, but I’ve been known to get down to her music a time or two. In fact, I think she has so many amazing songs and has true talent. I saw her perform in concert a couple years ago and was amazed by how many hits she has that are all so perfect. But Mariah admits on this album that she’s “imperfect.” And imperfect this album is (right down to the super airbrushed cover photo). I was really anticipating Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel because I wanted some more hits from Mariah. But when I first heard “Obsessed,” I was anything but obsessed. I didn’t like it at all! But I still gave Mariah’s album a chance because, you know, it’s Mariah Carey and obviously there are going to be some hits on there, right?

Honestly? I didn’t hear any.

They all had her beautiful voice, but none stuck out or excited me. I think I was just really looking for a “Hero” or even “Always Be My Baby.”I had some fun with “Ribbon,” but I wouldn’t say it was a huge hit or anything. I know Mariah’s version of Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is” got a lot of criticism, but I actually think this is the shining moment of the album. It shows her true range and is truly beautiful. No, you can’t compare it to Foreigner, but it’s totally different and amazing nonetheless. I honestly do believe that Mariah Carey is totally talented and that she will be back in true fashion eventually. I don’t know if she just has some so-so producers or her marriage to Nick Cannon has been uninspiring, but she just needs a little something. Come back to us Mariah!

Selena Gomez- Kiss and Tell

Really, I don’t even know why I bothered reviewing Selena Gomez’s new ablum. I think I just thought, well, Miley Cyrus is straight from the Disney Channel and her music is awesome. I am basically obsessed with the music of Hilary Duff. Even Demi Lovato’s music makes me dance. Sigh. Not Selena Gomez. Don’t get me wrong, she’s not bad at all. Her music is pop-y and high-energy and pretty fun. But it’s just not quite as catchy as those other Disney girls. One of my favorites from Kiss and Tell is the title track, but even that sounds totally Disney. It feels like it should be in a Lindsay Lohan movie. Am I wrong? The lyrics are fun, though, and fairly innocent: “Kiss and tell everything I say stuck inside your little brain/Everybody wants to know yeah/Lips that lie caught in your track sold me out and you just/Laugh said we’re friends till the end yeah but you/Don’t mean it.”

Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like 17-year-old Gomez should be sounding more mature than Miley Cyrus, not less. Then again, maybe it’s Miley who’s too mature. I have to admit, “As a Blonde” is totally fun, but again, all I can picture is a Disney movie. I, however, was dancing around my room listening: “And come back as a blond, try a different lipstick on/As a blond, will I get whatever I want?/I’d be ever so incising, take a lot of icing, never have to watch my weight/Yeah when I’m gone, I’m gonna come back as a blond.” So, I just think Selena needs to mature a bit and get rid of that Wizards of Waverly Place image and then she’ll be on her way to pop success. And hopefully she doesn’t turn into Lindsay Lohan in the meantime.

Zero 7- Yeah Ghost

I don’t know a whole lot about Zero 7, but I do know I enjoy their song from the Garden State soundtrack. And there might be one or two more that I’ve heard and enjoyed. I also just learned that Sia used to be one of their female vocalists. Hello! I love Sia! So, I obviously had to listen to their new album, Yeah Ghost. It was definitely a lot better than I even thought it would be. Finally! Something good about this week! I seriously think I’ve listened to Medicine Man at least 50 times since I got Yeah Ghost. It’s so eclectic and fun; I just cannot stop! I love the singer’s raspy-ish voice and the way she sings “Outrageous.” This song really doesn’t sound like the rest of the album, but I wish more songs sounded like this! “The Road” is a really lovely mellow song. When I heard it at first, I just closed my eyes; it’s kind of like a lullaby. In a good way, though; not a boring way. This is the song I can most hear a Sia-ish sound in as well. I’m also a fan of “Mr. McGee” which is actually upbeat and fun. Apparently, the lead singer on this is Anglo-Zimbabwean and I can really get a feel for that. I literally started clapping and dancing along to this song. OK, so while I have been super negative about music this week, Zero 7′s Yeah Ghost is actually a gem. A gem I will keep listening to.

I feel like I’m having a major flashback this week. Like Wayne and Garth are running by me in my bedroom waving their hands in the air screaming “Do do do do. Do do do do.” And then everything gets all jumbled and I’m ten years younger and wearing something completely ridiculous.

Only they didn’t and I’m not. Instead, two of my all-time favorite musicians from about 10 years ago are back with some new stuff and I’m obviously over-joyed. I mean, when was the last time you heard about Vertical Horizon or David Gray? It’s been a long time; thankfully I wasn’t holding my breath. Now we just need to see if ten years was enough. I know I changed for the better in that time – what about them?

Vertical Horizon- Burning the Days

I used to love Vertical Horizon. Love as in “omg best music ever!” That was about 10 years ago. Since then, I’d hear them from time to time and have fond memories. Their old songs are still catchy and I can’t help myself from liking them. So, I kind of freaked out when I heard they were coming out with a new album. I had NO idea this was coming and I was excited beyond belief to hear about Burning the Days. First thoughts? It is so, so good to hear their voices again! They sound exactly the same and there’s something really comforting about that.

But I was also a bit disappointed. One of the things I really loved about Vertical Horizon was that on my first listen through that old album, almost all of the songs stuck out to me. I was immediately obsessed. With this new album, there weren’t any songs that really stood out. If I wasn’t to in love with their voices, I might not even give this another listen. But because I have a special place in my heart for VH, I’m giving them a chance. I think “Lucky One” is a sweet song with lovely lyrics: “Time goes fast when you wander/And nothing lasts forever/But I still feel the power/Of you and me together/And light that surrounds you/I know I’m the lucky one/Though I’m always the last to believe/I know I’m the lucky one/’Cause I’m here, and you’re with me.” I can see that being a hit, though it’s not overly catchy. And I do like the album’s first single, “Save Me From Myself” because it sounds a little bit more classic Vertical Horizon than the other songs. But man, do I miss “Best I Ever Had.” Oh well, I’ll keep giving Vertical Horizon a chance. For old time’s sake.

David Gray- Draw the Line

Back in the day, I was totally obsessed with “Sail Away” and  “Babylon”, but I kind of felt like after 10 years I had outgrown David Gray. Until I heard this new album, Draw the Line and I realized I am still very much a fan. Maybe even more so than before. The first song on the album, “Fugitive,” immediately hooked me in with its upbeat, but classic David Gray feeling. Oh how I love his “heyyy”s. And oh how I missed them.

There really aren’t any songs on the album that I hate, but I especially like “Jackdaw.” It has a bit of a different sound than typical David Gray, but still has his classic voice. The real treat of the album is the last track, David Gray’s duet with Annie Lennox. It’s so unique and beautiful; they have the perfect voices for each other. “Full Steam Ahead” is the perfect name for the song too, as the sound and the lyrics almost sound like a train chugging along. “Bullied, suckered, pimped and patronised/Every day your tawdry little lives/So lose your head/And step within/The silence deafening/Now you saw it coming/And I saw it coming/We all saw it coming/But we still bought it.” I don’t think I’ve ever heard David Gray do a duet with anyone and Annie Lennox was just perfect for him! Bottom line: after all these years, I’m still crazy for David Gray.

Islands- Vapours

Ok, so there is one album on here that doesn’t take me back to 6th grade recess and it is the Islands. But I did spend some time being in love with them and I am absolutely thrilled that they just came out with a new album, Vapours. And this one I just happen to be even more obsessed with! After listening through just one time, I could already tell it was going to spending a lot of time at the top of my playlist. In fact, I actually played the first song “Switched On” 3 times before I even continued on to the rest of the album. It’s SO good.  I have some strange obsession with songs about cities and loving cities, so that could partly be why I’m so fond of it, but also because the tune is just so perfect. And listen to the beautiful harmonies in “Disarming the Car Bomb,” another upbeat and happy song.

The band members’ voices complement each other so well. “Heartbeat” is done with a bit of autotune, but in a classy and fun Bon Iver-ish way; not a Kanye West way. For some reason, not many people I know have heard of or listen to Islands and I’m seriously confused as to why. Give this new album a listen and you’ll be confused too! Islands give us another reason to love Canada, besides Bryan Adams. Yes, Bryan Adams. Don’t judge me.

This has been a crazy week.

Jay-Z came back! Scarlett Johansson came out with an album with Pete Yorn. (Hey, it’s gotta be better than The Hoff’s singing, right?) Oh, and Mason Jennings came out with something new..though everything he does is new to me.

The week is all very confusing; I feel like I’m going through a break up (with the Scarlett I used to know), getting back together again (with Jay-Z), and meeting someone new (Mason Jennings). That’s a lot of relationship changes to handle in one week!

Jay-Z- The Blueprint 3

I have to admit, I’m a pretty big Jay-Z fan. And I was basically crazy excited to hear that he wasn’t retiring and was in fact coming out with The Blueprint 3. I think Jay-Z lyrics are pretty amazing and I could listen to him and his words all day. In fact, sometimes I do. So, I love that I now have another entire album to listen to. And it’s also pretty awesome.

When I first heard “Run This Town” with Rihanna and Kanye, I actually wasn’t really a fan of it. It just sounded so blah to me, even though I like all three as artists. But the more I heard the track, the more I started loving it. And I instantly loved “Empire State of Mind” and loved it even more so when Lil’ Mama hopped on stage during it at the VMAs. “Forever Young” with Mr. Hudson is just plain cute and fun to listen to! “Venus Vs. Mars” is a kind of a really dirty take on “Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus” and it makes me laugh. Some of the lyrics include, “Hov’s a Blackberry Bold/Shorty is a Sidekick/Used to have a man/I used to have a side chick/Shorty got wind, I had to blow the chick off…Shorty played the piano, me I played the white keys/Shorty from the south, oh I think she liked me…I’m on that red wine, shorty like whites/Same s–t, different toilet, we both get nice/Yeah Im from the apple which means I’m a Mac/She’s a PC, she lives in my lap.”

This is why I love Jay-Z; he’s both hardcore and totally ridiculous at the same time. He hasn’t changed too much over the years and that makes me pretty happy.

Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson- Break Up

I think it’s safe to say Scarlett Johansson has more haters than she does lovers. (Editor’s Note: I feel her pain.) And I can’t say I’m such a super huge fan of her myself. But I do love Pete Yorn so I was kind of curious why such a talented man was creating an album with a sometimes-not-very-liked actress. At first I thought, “wait, are Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson dating?” But then I remembered that the album is called Break Up and that Scarlett is married to hottie Ryan Reynolds. OK then, I still have no idea why they made this album together. But they did. And they actually did a really, really good job.

It reminds me a lot of She & Him. Of course I love the kind of upbeat track (for a break up album), “Relator.” I admit, I thought was “Realtor” for the longest time and was probably about selling the house they bought together, but it’s actually about not being able to relate to each other anymore. ”Shampoo” is definitely my favorite song on the album and is a bit more depressing. The lyrics can ring true for everyone going through a breakup, though: “Last thing I remember/Things were getting better/I’d go anywhere with you/Off to make another run of it/To pass the time we say goodbye/Here we are enclosed/Wake me up and ready to go/Oh the sun’s out tonight/Last thing I remember/Things were getting better.” This album can be listened whether you’re going through a breakup or not; either way, I have a feeling it will put you in a good mood!

Mason Jennings- Blood of Man

I was convinced I was already a fan of Mason Jennings. I just couldn’t remember what it was he sang. Then I scoured my entire music library and couldn’t find a trace of him anywhere. Um, OK. So, maybe I’ve just heard the name a million times and never bothered to listen to him? Shame on me! Because I’ve been listening to (and loving!) his new album, Blood of Man. It’s right up my alley and is kind of Southern-ish folky rock. Maybe a little bit like a cross between Ryan Adams and Elliott Smith. I’ve been listening to the album a lot and think it’s the perfect background music to absolutely anything you could be doing. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s only background music, but it is the kind of music that won’t distract you if you don’t want it to.

One of my favorites is “Sing Out.” It’s almost a little bit creepy, but in an awesome way. “Sing out/Sing for the wounded heart/Sing for the lives we lost/Sing out/Sing for the blood of man…” Eerie! I also really love the lyrics in “Tourist,” though on the whole the album isn’t full of the most brilliant lyrics. “Is who you are now who you want to be now/Or are you someone you don’t want to be?/Is what you wanted really what you wanted?/Or, is it nothing like you dreamed?/There’s a tourist in every heart that just wants to stay/Winter is comin’ and it’s time to go.” I’m glad I finally met Mason Jennings and I think he and I are going to be good friends from now on.

None of the artists with new releases are new to me this week. I’ve loved them all in the past and now I’m coming back for more. Actually, they’re coming back to give me more and I’m taking it all with wide open arms. And I’m pretty psyched to hear some new stuff from some of my old favorites. It makes me feel at home and right where I belong. I’m so happy to have my old friends back again!

A Fine Frenzy- Bomb in a Birdcage

I fell in love with A Fine Frenzy the first time I heard “Almost Lover.” Actually, it brought me to tears almost instantly. Now, I’m a pretty emotional person, so I guess that isn’t saying all too much, but really, if you haven’t heard this song yet, listen to it yet. I’ve had a rather emotional weekend as my sister just got married, so I was both excited and nervous to listen to the new album from A Fine Frenzy, Bomb in a Birdcage. But after my first listen-through, I realized that this was a much happier A Fine Frenzy then I remembered.

“Swan Song” is beautiful, as are many other tracks, but there’s nothing on the album quite like “Almost Lover.” I am totally loving “What I Wouldn’t Do,” which is a bit more upbeat and has the lyrics from Fine Frenzy that I crave. They’re so sweet and cute that they make me want to frolic in a field and have a picnic with my lover. Plus there’s whistling involved, and who doesn’t love whistling? “If I were old, my dearest, you would be older/But I would crawl upon your lap/Wrap a blanket ’round our frail little shoulders/And I’d die happily like that/Oh what I wouldn’t do/If I had you, babe, I had you/Oh what I wouldn’t do/If I had you, babe, if I had you/So lace your hands ’round the small of my back and I will kiss you like a king/I will be your bride, I’ll keep you warm at night/I will sing, I will sing.” So maybe, a Fine Frenzy didn’t get me crying like they did with “Almost Lover,” but I’m still happily singing along to their new album.

Boys Like Girls- Love Drunk

Boys Like Girls isn’t the typical kind of music I listen to, but I have to admit I have a very soft place in my heart for them. It could partially be because I went to high school with the lead singer, but that’s not the only reason. I hadn’t really heard much about them until I met them at Warped Tour a couple years ago and realized they were from my hometown and Martin Johnson was a couple years below me in high school. So then I listened to their big hit single, “Great Escape,” and I totally loved it. And then I discovered there were lots of awesome tracks off their first self-titled album. So, I was dying to hear their sophomore album Love Drunk.

And, I’m going to be honest here, what was I most excited for in their new album? Their duet with Taylor Swift. Not only do I love Taylor, but I was really interested to see how they would pull this off. And “Two Is Better Than One” is a completely beautiful song. I actually walked into the room as it was playing and I thought it was Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova for a second (from the movie Once). It’s that beautiful! If this song hits the spotlight, which I hope it does, I really think it’s going to launch Boys Like Girls into something huge.

On a totally different note, “Real Thing” sounds like an 80s hit, in the best way possible. Even the lyrics are 80s-sounding: “Jamie’s in love/She’s got the summer blowing through her hair/She turns it up/She says tonight you take me anywhere/Bobby’s in luck/He got a fire burning in his eyes/He turns it up/And he says girl you better hold on tight.” And of course, I’m a fan of “Love Drunk,” the album’s title track. And the remix with Mark Hoppus, one of the bonus tracks, is pretty fabulous too. I believe this second album from Boys Like Girls is really going to get them far!

Howie Day- Sound the Alarm

I’ll admit I became a Howie Day fan long ago. I saw him live before he was known at all and he was extremely good looking with a beautiful voice. How could I not fall in love right away? He even agreed to let me snap a picture with him, which I still have to this day. That was about 10 years ago. From then, he started to get bigger, but then got in some trouble. I think he was accused of assaulting a girl on his tour bus and maybe threw a fit in on an airplane too. Whatever. All I know is that I like his music, so I’m excited he just released a new album, Sound the Alarm. And now that he’s a bit older, hopefully he’s become a bit more mature too.

And he is! At least when it comes to his music. His voice even sounds a bit different, maybe a bit more commercial, but still Howie Day-ish. I remember one of the first things I liked about Howie Day’s music was its lyrics, and they’re still there as perfect as ever. I was immediately obsessed with “Longest Night” and its words: “Is it dark where you are?/Can you count the stars where you are?/Do you feel where you are /A thousand miles from home/Maybe there’s a point to this/Could it be something its I have missed/Here we are set into motion/Steal a car, we’ll crash in the ocean/You and I are caught in the fading light/On the longest night…” But “Be There” and “40 Hours” are also pretty amazing. I can’t get enough of the title track’s lyrics: “I don’t know if I could last/When I couldn’t rescue you/And I don’t know if my best/Is enough for me anymore.” But Howie Day makes me feel like everything’s OK by singing, “You know we’ll be alright.” Howie makes me feel at home again.

And it’s good to be home with Howie.

My sister is getting married and I’ve had weddings on the brain, so this week I’m dedicating this review to her and doin’ the something old, something new, and something blue routine. It doesn’t just apply to brides, you know. I didn’t borrow any of my music this week (I’m not good at giving back), so I had to leave that one out.

Anyways, obviously Whitney Houston is the something old. I’m not saying the woman is old (hell, she looks good for her age!), but she has been around the block a few times. These United States are my something new, and I couldn’t be more excited about that. And the Drive-By Truckers are my something blue, since I love them to death, but listening to their album made me feel a little bit blue.

And I guess all of that means I’ll one day be marrying music.
Considering the guys I’ve dated in the past, that is fine by me:

Whitney Houston- I Look to You

Oh hey, Whitney Houston. You’re back. Have I mentioned I’m excited? Like, jump out of my pants and do a little dance around my bedroom, excited? Well, I was. And I have to admit that you let me down just a little bit. I don’t really know why I expected you to be the exact woman you were before, but what happened to those vocal cords? OK, so maybe I’m being a little bit dramatic, but I really do miss hearing Whitney’s true crooning. I always said if I were to audition for American Idol, I would sing “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” to which my friends and family burst out laughing. Because I would definitely make the show…the horrible audition part of the show.

Nope, I’m just not a fabulous singer. But I do think I could actually sing some of Whitney’s new stuff from I Look to You, because her voice just isn’t getting up there. So many of the songs on her new album play off of Whitney’s horrible marriage (to the awful Bobby Brown), which I think is a good thing. Pain brings awesome music. And Whitney’s lyrics are as powerful as ever, especially in songs like “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.” But I want her to start screaming and showing her real power. I am a big fan of the first song on the album, “Million Dollar Bill” because it reminds me a bit of the old Whitney (the song sounds totally 80s-ish) and her voice actually gets up there a bit. And it’s fun. I really do like the title track, but again, it leaves something lacking. Whitney also duets with Akon on an interesting track. It’s cute, but probably won’t become a hit, like most Akon collaborations do. Sadness. I guess love lets you down sometimes.

These United States- Everything Touches Everything

I had heard of These United States before this week, but I knew absolutely nothing about them and had never heard a lick of their music. I had no clue what they would sound like when I was getting ready to listen to Everything Touches Everything. But you know what? I enjoy them immensely. They’re really hard to describe, but it’s basically pretty mellow music with great lyrics and the occasional dance-ability. One of my very favorite songs on the album is “Secret Door.” While it’s a pretty mellow song, the lyrics are absolutely outstanding and definitely prove to me what amazing songwriters These Unite States are. “I am going to start the morning out/Throwing out the day before/I am going to let the morning in/The whole thing pouring in/And what is more…I am the captain of this ship/For what it was/And what it is and what it shackles/Or it leaves behind that shore/I am my executioner/But death is not the final word/And my life is not some secret door…I will push you if you push me.”

Another one of my faves is “Will It Ever” because of its sorta country vibe. And “Conquests and Consequences” is such a different sound, I find myself listening to it over and over. Every once in a while I’m surprised by a band I never really knew existed and this time it’s These United States. Now I have a feeling I’ll have a hard time remembering when they weren’t a part of my life! But then again, maybe I’m just in the honeymoon faze.

Drive-By Truckers- The Fine Print: A Collection of Oddities and Rarities

I consider the Drive-By Truckers to be one of my all time favorite bands. As in, they are majorly awesome. I have about a million of their songs on constant rotation on my iPod, but it never seems to be enough. So, although, I’d absolutely love for them to come out with something really brand new, I take what I can get. And that’s The Fine Print: A Collection of Oddities and Rarities. It’s basically all their previously recorded material that they ended up not using. You might think this wouldn’t be as good as their published music, but when you look at DBT’s albums, you see how much of a storyline they have and why there might be some actually really good stuff that just wasn’t able to be included.

The album starts off  with “George Jones Talkin’ Cell Phone Blues” and just exemplifies what the Drive-By Truckers are to me. It has a little bit of modern behavior mixed with some old school dirty South. Right away I can see why they didn’t want these perfectly amazing songs to go to waste. I have to say I was way overly psyched to hear Jason Isbell on this album (I still haven’t gotten over him leaving the band) and am now pretty obsessed with “When the Well Runs Dry.” And “TVA” too. These are definitely my favorite tracks on the album, because they sound amazing, yes, but also probably because I’m feeling a bit of nostalgia too. But now I think I’ve relapsed into my Jason Isbell pain, which probably isn’t very healthy.