Some of you will be happy to know that this week’s album is actually new for a change. Yay! Woo! Celebration!

Rarely do I get albums based off a random review I find on the internet. Ironic? Yes, but I usually wait until one of my friends has the album and I can listen to it or hear good things from them before I buy. Well, last Tuesday that all changed. While I was perusing the interwebs I came across a review for Cut Copy’s Zonoscope that piqued my curiosity. I gave it a little listen and let me tell you, I’ve changed my tune. No pun intended. (OK, so maybe the bad pun was totally intended, but whatever.)

About the Band:
Cut Copy is a synthpop band from Melbourne, Australia that’s been around since 2001. They currently consist of Dan Whitford, Tim Hoey, Mitchell Scott, and Ben Browning. Dan Whitford started it all a decade ago when he released the single 1981, and then started recruiting other members to join his musical project.

Top 3 Tracks:

Need You Now

Pharaoh’s & Pyramids

Sun God

Why You Should Listen to It:
The best way I can describe this album is that it’s an ’80s dance party that makes my heart happy. From great synth beats to Whitford’s deep soothing voice, this album makes it hard to sit still. I was listening to it at work today and it defintely made those four hours fly by, although I probably got some strange looks from my boss from dancing in my chair during Pharaoh’s & Pyramids. Anyways, if you’re looking for something to rid you of the winter blues, push you through that 45-minute stint on the treadmill or get you through another day at work, Zonoscope will hit the spot.

Want more awesome iPod suggestions? You got it!

To be honest, I’ve always been a little torn about Valentine’s Day. For me it’s kind of like communism; while great in theory, it almost never works in the execution. Considering last year I got two Snickers bars from my now-ex (gee, I wonder why), I don’t have high hopes for Valentine’s Day, but I’m not a complete Cupid-hater either. I’m still a sucker for love.

So for those who are like me, or for those of you who have plans with a significant other, this week’s album is for you: Belle and Sebastian Write About Love.

About the Band:
Belle and Sebastian is an indie pop band from Scotland who got their name from a French children’s book. While a lot of people think they’re a duet, it’s actually a seven member band consisting of Stuart Murdoch, Stevie Jackson, Chris Geddes, Richard Colburn, Sarah Martin, Mick Cooke, and Bobby Kildea.

Top 3 Tracks:

I Want the World to Stop

Write About Love (ft. Carey Mulligan)

Read the Blessed Pages

Why You Should Listen to It:
This album mixes the contemporary with vintage in a beautiful and unique way. It’s so bright, happy, and romantic without being too saccharine. If you’re feeling down about being single on Valentine’s Day (and, uh, you should not!), this totally has the ability to cheer you up. And if you’ve got yourself a Valentine,  this album will definitely get you looking forward to whatever romance you’ve got planned for the night.

Want more awesome iPod suggestions? You got it! And if you’re lookin’ for more “love” songs, check out our Valentine’s Day playlist. 

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!

[Hey everybody! Sarabeth here with a new feature that, quite frankly, I'm stoked about. Each week I'll be bringing you an album that I feel is particularly awesome in the hopes of building iTunes libraries everywhere! It could be something new, old, hugely popular or fairly unknown, so keep checking back for our suggestions to awesome-ify your music collection.]

This semester is FINALLY starting to wrap up. Exciting? Yes, I can’t wait to finish this round of classes. Stressful? Hell yeah, mofo. The end of the semester means that every. single. thing. I’ve been working on is going to be due at the same time. And on top of that, I have to start studying for finals. Barf.

For those of you in the same situation, you need some music to get you through.

So where do I turn to in my moment (or 3 weeks) of need? My trusted pick-me-up album, Carnavas, of course.

About the Band
Silversun Pickups is an indie/alternative band from LA that has been around since 2002. It is made up of lead vocalist and guitarist Brian Aubert, vocalist and bassist Nikki Monninger, drummer Christopher Guanlao and keyboardist Joe Lester. If they sound familiar it’s probably because they’ve been featured in video games like Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground, Rock Band 1&2, and Guitar Hero World Tour.

Yeah, these guys are major.

Top 3 Tracks:

Lazy Eye

Well Thought Out Twinkles

Common Reactor

Why You Should Listen to It
This is a great album for pulling all-nighters. Or all-dayers.  And definitely all weekenders. The songs have an upbeat feel to them to provide just the motivation you need to keep pushing through that seemingly insurmountable pile of homework and projects, but they are also pretty low key so they don’t distract you.  The album is also pretty darn great for dancing in the kitchen while you cook dinner, spoon-microphone in hand, but I’m pretty sure I’m the only person who does that…

The temperature is finally starting to drop here in Texas so to say TTFN to those hot days by the pool, I thought I would kick things off with my favorite album of the summer: Plastic Beach.

This was constantly playing in my car on my road trips this summer and for good reason; it’s an amazing album. I love Gorillaz because you can get so many different feels and sounds on one album, yet it all goes together so perfectly.

About the band:
Gorillaz isn’t so much of a band as it is a huge collaboration. It’s the brain child of Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett that was started in 1998 in England. The “band” is made up of fictional characters 2D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel Hobbs

Top 3 Tracks:

Rhinestone Eyes

Superfast Jellyfish

Melancholy Hill

Why you should listen to it:
Like I said before, this is a great album to listen to while driving. The fast rhythms and quick rhymes can make any long road trip seem shorter. It’ll be great for that long drive home for Thanksgiving

Want more awesome iPod suggestions? You got it!

Forget the iPad, iPhone, iPod, and any other device that starts with a lowercase i, because today is all about celebrating the CD player. For those that may have forgotten, it was the bulky device we shoved in our JanSports as we rode the bus to elementary school. The one that came with a 10-pound binder, filled with discs (most of which only contained 2 or 3 songs we actually wanted to listen to).

In honor of nostalgia and the beloved CD player, the device that not too long ago provided us with much needed musical entertainment (and frustrated us with scratches and skips), it’s time to look back at the greatest CDs to ever spin violently inside. Well more like the CDs that made me force my mom to forget the carpool kids and go straight to the store. Because if I wasn’t playing all the chart topping hits from TRL, I was sitting alone at lunch.

No Strings Attached, 2000, *NSYNC: Every generation has a big decision to make that will change their lives forever. For us, it was choosing between BSB and *NSYNC. And my loyalties lay with JT. So I covered every inch of white in my room with posters of the oh so dreamy and so much cooler, Justin, JC, Joey, Lance, and Chris. So when the boys that stole my 2^nd grade heart, singing about tearin’ up hearts in matching white shirts, announced the release of a new album, I could barely contain my excitement. And with doll versions of themselves singing about going Bye, Bye, Bye and proclaiming It’s Gonna Be Me, the album definitely didn’t disappoint.

Oops!… I Did It Again, 2000, Britney Spears: Rewind ten years, back to the time when Britney wasn’t walking barefoot in gas stations, shaving her head, and having quickie weddings. A time when she was hanging out in school gyms dressed barely-there-inappropriate outfits, singing about getting hit with signs, one more time. So when the time came for my favorite pop princess to come out with something new, I was thrilled. And from being stronger than yesterday to the fact that even a star had reason to cry, cry, cry, this Britney album taught elementary school me A LOT.

The Eminem Show, 2002, Eminem: Now this album wasn’t one I could ask my parents for. In fact had they known that I spent my free time listening to strings of curse words (as my dad not-so-lovingly referred to it), I would probably have never seen a CD player again. But from acting up in mental institutions to the bleach blonde hair, no one could deny the draw of Slim Shady. And once my favorite rapper’s (and only rapper I knew at the time) CDs starting playing in my good old CD player, I realized exactly what he meant in Without Me; the world’s just different without Eminem and not in a good way.

Spiceworld, 1997, Spice Girls: From buying tens of hundred of lollipops to collect all the possible stickers to performing as them in my third grade talent show, the Spice Girls had me hypnotized. And being a Spice Girl fanatic, my world became complete with the release of Spiceworld. Till this day I believe that people of the world just need to slam it the left and shake it to the right and spice up their life.

So with that, thank you, CD player; you were responsible for the soundtrack to my childhood and for that I’ll be forever grateful.

But this thing?  Meh, not so much. The iPad’s got a hefty price tag that will set any college student back and I’m just not sure it’s worth it. Based on what I’ve seen, I’m pretty sure I could take that $600 elsewhere (like, I don’t know, the bar?) and be a whole lot happier.

Here’s why:

Apple Says: OMG EMAIL IS SO EASY TO CHECK!
Reality: Yeah, email is easy to check everywhere. Like on my laptop, my phone, or the 3,000 computers scattered around my campus. In fact, sometimes I wish my email were less accessible. If my profs knew they could contact me on yet another device, I’d never have the “I didn’t realize the assignment had been revised” excuse.

Apple Says: AHHH! YOU CAN READ MAGAZINES/NEWSPAPERS/BOOKS ON IT!!!
Reality: Or – and here’s a crazy thought – you could read actual newspapers/magazines/books.  Some of them are more portable than this thing and a hell of a lot cheaper. And if you really want an e-reader, the Kindle costs way less and won’t kill your eyes.

Apple Says: WOW YOU CAN LISTEN TO MUSIC ON IT SO EASILY!!!
Reality: You know what else you can listen to music on?  An iPod.  Which is also Apple. And much smaller and easier to use.  Plus, in the immortal words of Phyllis from The Office, “If you don’t have an iPod by now, you really don’t want one.”

Apple Says: YOUTUBE IS ON THIS THING?!
Reality: Yeah, it is.  Along with every other device known to man.  YouTube can literally be accessed by you on any electronic device anywhere.  Fear not, the fat kid singing “A:F6″ can be found even at 2 in the morning in the far reaches of space at this point. If, you know, you really couldn’t wait to get near a computer and needed to watch that right. this. second.

Apple Says: IT’S SO PORTABLE!!!!  LIKE A LAPTOP, ONLY BETTER!!
Reality: So a smaller version of a laptop that does all of these things?  You mean like the iPhone that they invented three years ago?  And that thing makes calls and texts, too.  This product does…none of those things.  Plus, it’s pretty unrealistic that those interested in buying it are also interested in bringing back the man-satchel just to tote this useless tablet around.

So yeah, I will not be dropping my hard earned money on Apple’s latest. At least not until the way better, way cheaper 2nd generation comes out.

If only you could snap your fingers Sabrina-the-Teenage-Witch style and have your workout completed and your body looking Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition ready.

Well God is great, but he’s not that nice. Instead, he leaves us messages and makes us feel a little guilty, like the other day when I was waiting for my nails to dry (instead of working out) and I found this pamphlet next to the drying station: “14 Tips and Tricks for Looking Great in Your Swimsuit.” I flipped through the list, somehow managing not to smudge a nail, and now I will share these really great tips with you. (Don’t thank me, thank God. God or the nice Vietnamese people who placed these pamphlets on their drying station).

Brought to you by “Pilatesyourway.com”

1. Mix strength training with cardio. You aren’t going to get Madonna’s arms if you just run every day. Adding a little weight training into your routine (be it with pilates, yoga, or actually lifting some weights) will help you tone all the right extremities and – bonus! – muscle burns more calories than fat. Woo hoo!

2. Don’t eat 2-3 hours before bed. This is by far the hardest rule for college students. Um, my roommate and I have Jimmy John’s and Coldstone on speed dial. But your metabolism slows down when you sleep (Translation: eating pizza/brownies at 2am is much worse than eating those same foods at 7pm), so you may really want to try this little tip out.

3. Eat Breakfast…ALWAYS. (Or if you sleep till noon like me, eat soon after waking up.) Experts say your breakfast will not only keep you from binging later (avoiding the problem in numero dos), but it will kick start your metabolism for the day. Breakfast should include protein (think eggs) and complex carbohydrates (oatmeal, Kashi cereal, whole grain toast).

4. Eat regularly throughout the day. Going Rachel Zoe “I only drink Venti Starbucks teas. OMG, I die! (Literally.)” style won’t help your figure. When you don’t eat, your body thinks you are starving and begins to store fat as a means of survival. The more often you eat, the more adapted your metabolism is to working at burning everything up.

5. Exercise correctly. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen people at the gym doing crunches so wrong. There is a reason your 1,000 crunches a day aren’t producing abs like Kara DioGuardi’s. You aren’t doing it right!!! Set up a one-on-one appointment with a trainer in your gym to make sure you’re doing everything the right way. Oftentimes, they’ll provide these for free, so ask!

6. Eat fat to lose fat. Your body needs fat, plain and simple. It helps your immune system; makes your hair, skin and nails healthy; and so much more. Make sure to incorporate some healthy fats into your diet every day. Choose olive oil, nuts, avocado or nut butters.

7. Variety in exercise. The same 45 minute stint on the elliptical will stop challenging your body and will decrease results. Keep your muscles guessing by switching it up each day (and keep your mind guessing by putting your iPod on shuffle). Try running on the treadmill one day, add a little stationary bike into the mix, try a kick boxing class once a week. Just shake things up a bit (literally and figuratively).

8. Enjoy yourself. Impossible you say? Not so! Run outside, swim, kick box, dance, etc. Just find something you like to do. You are more likely to continue an exercise program if it’s something you enjoy doing. Duh.

9. Drink lots and lots and lots of water. 8 glasses a day is recommended for the average Joe (or Josie),  but if you exercise (or, ahem, drink) you need to up that number. Even being mildly dehydrated radically affects how your body performs.

10. Set exercise appointments with yourself. We have all been there: “I’ll go in an hour” and somehow that hour turns into 6 hours later and you are still on your butt watching the American’s Next Top Model marathon (even though you’ve seen all these episodes 3 times) and your workout has gone out the window. If you make a set time to do it each day and make working out part of your schedule (like class and student groups), you will follow through.

11. Eat a lot of protein. Protein helps your body recover and repair after a workout. Upping your protein intake will decrease your soreness and will help result in a longer and leaner body. Ideas include: a few slices of turkey after a workout, a hard boiled egg, or pick up a Magic Bullet (Editor’s Note: BEST. PURCHASE. EVER!) and make your own protein shakes.

12. At the start of a fitness plan, do not be overly aggressive. You will hurt. A lot. You are more likely to stay motivated if you slowly build. Start small – just get moving!

13. Limit your alcohol consumption. Um, okay, so maybe wait till after graduation to follow this one. But really, alcohol not only leads to late night eating (and beer goggles, but that’s a whole different post), it also doesn’t require digestion – the carbs and dietary fats in your favorite vodka tonic are changed into body fat in minutes. Minutes! Such a depressing fact, I know.

14. Always stretch. Stretching improves blood flow, flexibility and muscle recovery. And it feels so, so, so good. Just keep in mind: 1) you should hold each stretch for 20 seconds to get the benefits, 2) you should never force a stretch – only go as far as you can comfortably, and 3)  NEVER bounce. Ever. Ever ever. It is bad for those muscles!

Alright, so now that I’ve done my duty of passing on these tips it’s really about time that I get back to that America’s Next Top Model marathon. I kid, I kid.

Well, sorta. I’m gonna watch it… just on the treadmill.

It’s officially the future, people, and while there may not be flying cars just yet, the advancements in technology are plentiful. Especially when it comes to gettin’ some. Yes, sex has gone tech, and I’m talking about more than those nakey photos you’ve been sending to the boyfriend while he’s away. (Which is a bad, bad idea. Has Vanessa Hudgens taught you nothing?!)

Below, a list of the sexiest things in tech:

For Your iPhone

Got an iPhone? No? Well, maybe it’s time to spend the cashola, because when it comes to sex, well, there’s an app for that. Here are a few of my favorites.

Cosmo’s Sex Position of the Day
This app is a to-go version of the Cosmo Kama Sutra. It offers a new sex position every day, as well as instructions and advice, illustration, and a difficulty rating (for those girls who are always up for a challenge).

The Love Guru
The Love Guru app gives you daily love predictions based on your zodiac sign, and lets you know the best time to make your move.

101 Cheesy Pick Up Lines
We’d all roll our eyes if a guy actually tried to use one of these on us, but they can be a great way to break the ice with that hottie you’ve been eying across the bar. After all, using these lines takes confidence and a sense of humor, both turn-ons.

Massager for iPhone
OK, so maybe putting your iPhone in your happy place isn’t the smartest (or most sanitary) idea, but it’s definitely something to consider if you ever get a little….lonely.

For Your Computer

Skype
If you’re separated from your hunny over break, Skype is the best way to keep the passion going. Skype offers free webcam chatting, so you talk face-to-face with S.O. instead of gluing your cell phone to your ear. To spice things up, wear something extra sexy (or nothing at all). Just make sure he’s not hanging in the living room with the fam… or taking screenshots to send to his homies.

Teledildonics
Teledildonics are sex toys that connect to the internet, so you can have someone else operate them from far away (handy if you’re in an LDR, or just really like chat rooms).

OhMiBod Vibrator
Hook it up to your favorite iTunes playlist (or the one that has the most bass), and enjoy your music in a new – and more intimate – way. It’s almost like getting a private, very special performance from the likes of Usher, The Rolling Stones or whoever you’ve got playing. (Though I advice against anything by David Archuleta or Justin Bieber…that’s just creepy.)