Tell It Like It Is Songs

Recently I've been introduced to a couple new musicians that I really enjoy, and wanted to pass the love onto you. Or should I say, pass on the upfront angry bitterness?

First up, the wonderful BMW told me about a British songstress named Lily Allen. He knew I loved the Scissor Sisters, and felt like she had a similar vibe. And she does, in a way. She's also got a lot of Alanis Morisette, a dash of the Spice Girls, and a healthy dose of Liz Phair.

Now keep in mind, this is not little miss sunshine singing to you. Lily is very blunt, sometimes offensive, and often crude. And I love it! Particular favorites on her album (entitled Alright, Still) are "Knock 'Em Out," detailing the challenges a single gal faces in a club; and "Alfie," a plea to her pot-smoking brother.

In a very different vein, I was very glad that ScottE brought the songs of Amy Winehouse (another Brit) into our home. Her sound is very retro - like Dinah Washington as sung by Dusty Springfield. Except the lyrical content is very modern. "They try to make me go to rehab, but I say, NO NO NO!"

Favorites on her Back to Black album include the Rehab song mentioned above, and the title track. Believe me when I say you've never heard doo-wop done quite like this.

So check them out and download a couple songs to your iPod - I'm sure you'll get a kick out of these fresh sounds.

Music is joy

You know, sometimes it takes unusual circumstances to remind you why music is the food of love.

I won't tell you the long sordid story, but will tell you that I received an early birthday/congratulatory gift from my wonderful ScottE. He knew that I'd been thinking about shopping for a new iPod for awhile now (I have the original version of the iPod Mini, and its battery life is barely lasting 45 minutes between charges). So when he saw a good deal, he made me the proud owner of a Video iPod. And it is awesome.

But what really made the deal sweet was I decided to switch my music to my current laptop. I'd kept it on my old one for awhile, but eventually the CD drive went kaput. So for I don't know how long (a year?) I wasn't able to add any new music to my iPod unless I bought it from the iTunes store. It was horrible!

So in my recent musical extravaganza, I've been able to finally burn many recent purchases onto the new iPod. It's like rediscovering songs for the first time! I'd forgotten how awesome the collaboration between the Indigo Girls and Pink on "Rock & Roll Heaven's Gate" was. Or that Alicia Keys' live duet of "Wild Horses" with Adam Levine makes me smile.

Buying a new album is definitely a great thing. But I admit I've become like a channel surfer with music - I want to sample the best bits one after another, courtesy of the shuffle feature on my iPod. Is that so wrong?