Do you ever listen to music that’s completely ridiculous? (Editor’s Note: Does Miley count?) To the point that you start feeling ridiculous and maybe even hide the fact that you listen to other people? (Editor’s Note: Miley definitely counts.) Or just sorta wonder what’s going on in the artist’s head?

OK, so clearly I can’t hide what I’ve been listening to this week – and I’ve already admitted previously to liking Demi Lovato – but that doesn’t mean this week’s new releases didn’t have me scratching my head a bit. And while that’s actually kind of what I’ve come to expect from Weezer and Say Anything, I was a little thrown by my homegirl, Carrie Underwood. Don’t get me wrong, she makes some amusing music, but have you ever stopped to listen to the lyrics?

Why does Carrie Underwood hang out with so many crappy men? Girlfriend needs some help! Read More »

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. Read More »

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. Read More »

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? Read More »

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: Read More »

This week might be the most random mix of reviews ever. Seriously, ever. I even surprised myself a bit.

I was ready to love who I already loved and hate who I wanted to hate, but that’s not at all what happened. The one album I was most excited for fell flat. And the one I barely even wanted to listen to (and would rather throw out my window) I kinda liked. A little too much. To the point where I had to force myself to turn it off.

I’m going to warn you right now: don’t listen to Ashley Tisdale if you aren’t into Disney pop music. Because you’ll probably end up enjoying it. And then feeling pretty embarrassed. Especially when you can’t get enough and want to blast it from your car and the people who pull up next to you can hear it…and judge you. Read More »

This week was all about men and, what can I say? I love me some men. With guitars. Who make good music. (That last one is key.) I highly enjoyed discovering a new band that’s quickly making its way up my favorites list. I also spent some time listening to an old favorite; a man I fell in love with while he was lead singer of a band and who I now get to adore all by his lonesome.  And I fell even deeper in love, something I didn’t think was possible, with an old musical flame.

Yup, I had a big, beautiful music orgy this week and I just want more. Bring on the boys! Read More »

I like music I can sing along to. Even better is music I only have to listen to once before I start singing along. Sometimes I find myself singing along before I even know the lyrics. Other people get annoyed at my mixture of mumbles and hums, but I can’t help myself.

That’s how this week’s new releases were for me; I loved them right from the start and couldn’t help singing along. Plus, the lyrics to many of these songs pretty much rock. Of course, I already knew all the songs on the Ben Folds album, but I was immediately dancing and singing along to the new versions (and that’s not always easy to do with a cappella music).

I’m pretty sure, in fact, that this week’s new releases have caused my roommate to start packing and my neighbors to buy earplugs. What? I never said I had a good voice, but I really just can’t help singing along. Read More »

Ooh, the anticipation! Some of my most-liked bands are back with new releases this week.  And considering I’m already a fan of them, they all have a lot to live up to. So, will they make me remember why I love them so much or will they crush my hopes?

Well, a little bit of both actually.

I’m the kind of person who is good at finding the good in everything; and I found a lot of good in each of my selections this week. Each also had a little bit of not so hot, but in case you were wondering, I’m not even close to deleting any of them off my iTunes. None of them were my absolute favorite albums the artists have put out, but I’m loving them nonetheless. Read More »

One thing this week’s new music releases have in common is that they’re engaging. Seriously engaging. I laughed. I cried. I nodded my head in agreement. OK, so maybe I didn’t cry – except when I heard the cheesiest song ever – but I laughed a lot.

And considering this week is Valentine’s week, The Lonely Island’s Incredibad may be just the music you need to get you out of your gloom and get ROFLing. Lily Allen’s new album will help you realize you aren’t alone in that crazy dating world. And Ryan Leslie will make you want to groove with your honey, if you do in fact have one. Just, whatever you do, don’t listen to his “Valentine.” Trust me. Read More »