Volume 30: Neon Trees

I recently got to see Neon Trees live and was pretty impressed by them. I was only familiar with about 3 of their songs and they ended up playing their whole album, Habits (only has 8 songs). Even though Animals is their most popular song, the one from all the vegas commercials, the one I like the best is In The Next Room.

Also seeing it live helped form my opinion because Tyler really sang well and hit some crazy notes. It starts out with this sweet jazz/burlesque rift then it gets into the chorus and Tyler really gets into his vocals. I'll also post a video I took from their show I went to in the comments section.

Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.

Hip Hop Wednesday: Volume 7: Nero

Sometimes you come across a song that kind of just takes you back a little. It doesn't necessarily have to be an old song, but just have that old sound to it. With Nero's Alive & Vibrant, he accomplishes that. In fact, he even says it in the first few lines of the song, "...I gotta take yall back." And he really accomplishes that with the laid back beat and lyrics that compliment it so well.

Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.

Volume 29: Band of Horses

If you haven't noticed yet, 2010 is an unbelievable year for music. I have mentioned time and time again how I think a certain album will be up for Album of the Year, and BoH's latest effort is no slouch.

On first listen there was one track that really stood out above the rest for me and it has been my favorite ever since. Then I ran across this live version of Infinite Arms and it's become an even better song since then.

Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.

Volume 28: The National

If you haven't heard of The National by this point, then you are past due and need to hurry up and catch up. Alligator, Boxer, High Violet, & Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers all have their fair share of good songs so don't skip over any album. They are actually in town tomorrow night, but due to a $40 ticket price I won't be going. It saddens me that I can't go because they put on a great show.

I picked Afraid of Everyone from their live Letterman appearance, which is probably one of the top Late Show performances I've ever seen. Speaking of which, does anyone get better artists than Letterman? (besides the obvious Fallon since he has The Roots EVERY NIGHT, which is amazing) Enjoy.

Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.

Volume 27: The Airborne Toxic Event

Innocence is just one of those tracks that when you hear it for the first time, it grabs you and stays in your head. Anytime you come back to the album, the first song you listen to is Innocence and you may put it on repeat for a few plays.

But I can't figure out what it is that does this. Maybe it's the intro to the song that takes up the first 90 seconds of the track or maybe it's the awesome guitar hook and drumming or maybe the lyrics or maybe the chorus. Only thing I do know is that it is truly a great song and one that should not go unheard.

This version that I have embedded is a live version and is a touch different than the album version but not that much different to where the entire track is changed (for instance, all the speak up until the 3 minute mark aren't on the studio track).

Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.