I am admittedly ridic about these things but it's been six months since I reset my play counts, I'm bored and it's hot out, so Top 100 on my iPod! Not only that, but songs that were on the LAST Top 100 are bolded! Yay play count obsessions!
100. "Who Says", John Mayer, Battle Studies
99. "Outside", Green River Ordinance, Out Of My Hands
98. "Never Going Back Again", Fleetwood Mac, Rumours (#63)
97. "Hope For Me Yet", Marc Broussard, Carencro
96. "Wagon Wheel", Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers, The Bear
95. "Touch Me Bad", Steel Train, Live From Bonnaroo
94. "Mandolin Moon", Sister Hazel, Absolutely (#95)
93. "The Wanderer", Marc Broussard, Carencro (#39)
92. "Charmer", Kings of Leon, Because of the Times (#65)
91. "Call and Return (Say That You're Into Me)", hellogoodbye, hellogoodbye
90. "Something Coming Over", O.A.R., Live From Madison Square Garden (#85)
89. "Carry You There", Hanson, Stand Up Stand Up
88. "The First Single (You Know Me)", The Format, Interventions and Lullabies
87. "Rainbows", Dennis Wilson, Pacific Ocean Blue
86. "Alone", The Bee Gees, Still Waters
85. "Chelsea", The Summer Set, Love Like This
84. "Wake Your Eyes", Steel Train, Twilight Tales from the Prairie of the Sun
83. "Make It Through", Sherwood, QU
82. "Garden", Needtobreathe, The Outsiders
81. "Song to Me", MWK, Incoherent With Desire to Move On
80. "Use Somebody", Kings of Leon, Only By the Night (#3)
79. "Rich Girls, Poor Girls", Everybody Else, Everybody Else (#27)
78. "Sure Fire Winners", Adam Lambert, For Your Entertainment
77. "I've Let You Go", Steel Train, Trampoline
76. "More Time", Needtobreathe, The Heat
75. "All Part of the Show", Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers, The Bear
74. "Better Love", Steel Train, Twilight Tales from the Prairie of the Sun
73. "We Could Run Away", Needtobreathe, The Heat
72. "The Story of Your Life", To Have Heroes, To Have Heroes
71. "Must Be the Water", Marc Broussard, Must Be the Water (#99)
70. "Happy Alone", Kings of Leon, Youth and Young Manhood
69. "Milk", Kings of Leon, Aha Shake Heartbreak (#38)
68. "I Saw It On Your Keyboard", hellogoodbye, Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!
67. "Where's the Love", Hanson, Middle of Nowhere (#78)
66. "Snails", The Format, Dog Problems
65. "The Weight of Her", Butch Walker, Sycamore Meadows
64. "More Like Me", Trevor Jackson, Kyle Riabko and Boots Factor Are...
63. "The Boys You Do (Get Back At You)", The Summer Set, Love Like This
62. "Black Eye", Steel Train, Live From Bonnaroo
61. "Gimme Some Lovin'", The Spencer Davis Group, Gimme Some Lovin'
60. "The Day I Quit My Job", Sleeperstar, To Speak, To Love, To Listen
59. "Whose Chariot", O.A.R., Rain or Shine
58. "One True Thing", MWK,Incoherent With Desire to Move On
57. "Camaro", Kings of Leon, Because of the Times (#33)
56. "Fire on the Mountain", Hanson, The Walk (#1)
55. "Makeup", Everybody Else, Everybody Else (#10)
54. "Better Day", To Have Heroes, To Have Heroes
53. "Tickle Your Toes", Steel Train, Twilight Tales from the Prairie of the Sun
52. "Firecracker", Steel Train, Trampoline
51. "What You've Done to Me", Needtobreathe, The Outsiders
50. "Alright With Me", Kris Allen, Kris Allen
49. "Manhattan", Kings of Leon, Only By the Night (#6)
48. "Touchdown Turnaround (Don't Give Up On Me), hellogoodbye, Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!
47. "World's On Fire", Hanson, Stand Up Stand Up
46. "Oceans", The Format, Dog Problems
45. "Moving On", Needtobreathe, The Heat
44. "Killing More Than Time", MWK, Incoherent With Desire to Move On
43. "Lost Myself in Search of You", Matt Nathanson, At the Point
42. "Come Around", Marc Broussard, Carencro
41. "At Least I'm Not As Sad (As I Used To Be)", fun. Aim and Ignite
40. "Bleed to Love Her", Fleetwood Mac, The Dance (#7)
39. "It's About Time", The Beach Boys, Sunflower (#69)
38. "School is For Losers", Steel Train, Trampoline
37. "Stronger (Back on the Ground)", Nick Jonas and the Administration, Who I Am
36. "Get Up and Go", Hanson, Underneath (#18)
35. "Be Calm", fun. Aim and Ignite
34. "Ragoo", Kings of Leon, Because of the Times (#24)
33. "The Stuff You Gotta Watch", The Band, Jericho (#89)
32. "Strut", Adam Lambert, For Your Entertainment
31. "Swan Dive", Sister Hazel, Chasing Daylight (#22)
30. "Restless", Needtobreathe, The Heat
29. "Notion", Kings of Leon, Only by the Night (#5)
28. "Georgia", Hanson, The Walk (#67)
27. "I Want You Back", Steel Train, 1969
26. "Heartbreaker", Matt Wertz, If It Ain't Broke...
25. "Barlights", fun., Aim and Ignite
24. "Fever", Adam Lambert, For Your Entertainment
23. "Shady Esperanto & the Young Hearts", Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers, The Bear
22. "Hard Knocks", Marc Broussard, Keep Coming Back
21. "Live Like We're Dying", Kris Allen, Kris Allen
20. "These Walls", Hanson, Stand Up, Stand Up
19. "Walking the Dog", fun. Aim and Ignite
18. "Imperial Lover", Carney, Nothing Without You
17. "Save Me", Marc Broussard, Carencro (#96)
16. "Be Somebody", Kings of Leon, Only By the Night (#34)
15. "When We First Met", hellogoodbye, When We First Met
14. "Let Us Love", Needtobreathe, The Outsiders
13. "Home", Marc Broussard, Carencro
12. "Girl Named Tennessee", Needtobreathe, The Outsiders
11. "Perfectly Lonely", John Mayer, Battle Studies
10. "All the Pretty Girls", fun. Aim and Ignite
9. "Something Beautiful", Needtobreathe, The Outsiders
8. "Washed by the Water", Needtobreathe, The Heat
7. "Fans", Kings of Leon, Because of the Times (#2)
6. "Take Your Time (Coming Home)", fun. Aim and Ignite
5. "You and I Undercover", Steel Train, Steel Train Is Here
4. "Here (In Your Arms)", hellogoodbye, Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!
3. "Been There Before", Hanson, The Walk (#23)
2. "Benson Hedges", fun. Aim and Ignite
1. "Waiting For This", Hanson, Stand Up, Stand Up
Showing posts with label kings of leon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kings of leon. Show all posts
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Band of Brothers: Kings of Leon
Kings of Leon
Brothers: Nathan Followill (drums), Caleb Followill (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Jared Followill (bass)
Other Members: Matthew Followill - cousin (lead guitar)
One of the first things I read about Kings of Leon, after hearing Only by the Night, was that they exist because Caleb wanted to be a singer. Nathan, who was set to go to college, decided to not go to school and instead help his younger brother out getting a music career going. They eventually decided that a band would be best and bought a bass for 14-year-old Jared and told him to learn how to play it. The band was born.
These are four guys that want this. The fact that they went from guys who weren't even an official band to having the success that they currently do in just a matter of years says a lot about their drive and their talent. They don't just get by, they are amazing. They create music that I love to pick apart because each element is just that good. I love pounding out Nathan's beats, singing along to Jared's bass lines, wiggling my fingers to Matthew's solos. And Caleb's voice, Caleb's words, are just haunting and amazing and incredible in every way. This band creates a whole that completely exceeds the sum of its parts, yet those parts are so huge on their own.
Listening to their albums is an experience as well, as you can pretty much hear them get better and better and their style grow and develop. Youth and Young Manhood almost sounds like a different band from the one on Only by the Night. But if you listen to the two in the middle, the sound is so clearly progessive. You start to hear elements of Aha Shake Heartbreak in songs on Y&YM. There are songs on Because of the Times that would fit in on Aha Shake as well as they would on Only by the Night. They've said themselves how fun it is to play songs from the earlier albums now that they've improved as musicians because those songs sound like they always wanted them to. Yet, some of those early songs, like "Trani", were pretty kickass even back then.
The media loves to jump on these guys, saying that they're fighting backstage, they aren't getting along, they're breaking up. This is a band who have already done the cliche rock star thing. They did the sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll route, they're already on their way back from that. They're brothers. They're family. They're going to fight. But watch any interview with these guys and you see how much they want this. You see how much they support each other. They've all sacrificed to make this happen. They've reached something so huge because they've just been plugging away. They don't always get along. Caleb gets a lot of the glory because he's the only lead singer and that's just the way it works. Nathan steps up a lot, maybe because he's the oldest and has kept it all together for so long or maybe because he just likes to put himself out there. They seem paired off some of the time, Nathan and Caleb are more the leaders, Jared and Matt hang in the back a little more. But when all's said and done, they're four boys from Tennessee who make some awesome music and put on great live shows. I really don't doubt they're going to be doing that for a long time to come.
This makes me laugh:
Brothers: Nathan Followill (drums), Caleb Followill (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Jared Followill (bass)
Other Members: Matthew Followill - cousin (lead guitar)
One of the first things I read about Kings of Leon, after hearing Only by the Night, was that they exist because Caleb wanted to be a singer. Nathan, who was set to go to college, decided to not go to school and instead help his younger brother out getting a music career going. They eventually decided that a band would be best and bought a bass for 14-year-old Jared and told him to learn how to play it. The band was born.
These are four guys that want this. The fact that they went from guys who weren't even an official band to having the success that they currently do in just a matter of years says a lot about their drive and their talent. They don't just get by, they are amazing. They create music that I love to pick apart because each element is just that good. I love pounding out Nathan's beats, singing along to Jared's bass lines, wiggling my fingers to Matthew's solos. And Caleb's voice, Caleb's words, are just haunting and amazing and incredible in every way. This band creates a whole that completely exceeds the sum of its parts, yet those parts are so huge on their own.
Listening to their albums is an experience as well, as you can pretty much hear them get better and better and their style grow and develop. Youth and Young Manhood almost sounds like a different band from the one on Only by the Night. But if you listen to the two in the middle, the sound is so clearly progessive. You start to hear elements of Aha Shake Heartbreak in songs on Y&YM. There are songs on Because of the Times that would fit in on Aha Shake as well as they would on Only by the Night. They've said themselves how fun it is to play songs from the earlier albums now that they've improved as musicians because those songs sound like they always wanted them to. Yet, some of those early songs, like "Trani", were pretty kickass even back then.
The media loves to jump on these guys, saying that they're fighting backstage, they aren't getting along, they're breaking up. This is a band who have already done the cliche rock star thing. They did the sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll route, they're already on their way back from that. They're brothers. They're family. They're going to fight. But watch any interview with these guys and you see how much they want this. You see how much they support each other. They've all sacrificed to make this happen. They've reached something so huge because they've just been plugging away. They don't always get along. Caleb gets a lot of the glory because he's the only lead singer and that's just the way it works. Nathan steps up a lot, maybe because he's the oldest and has kept it all together for so long or maybe because he just likes to put himself out there. They seem paired off some of the time, Nathan and Caleb are more the leaders, Jared and Matt hang in the back a little more. But when all's said and done, they're four boys from Tennessee who make some awesome music and put on great live shows. I really don't doubt they're going to be doing that for a long time to come.
This makes me laugh:
Friday, October 23, 2009
Top 100!
I'm re-setting my play count tonight. My iPod, Jackson Braddock, is almost a year old. Considering how I feel about play counts, this is a fairly big step for me to take. However, it is time. But, because I am me, my Top 100 Listened To tracks, from late October 2008 to late October 2009:
100. "Everybody Finds Out", Fleetwood Mac, Say You Will
99. "Must Be the Water", Marc Broussard, Must Be the Water
98. "The Beauty of Letting Go", Green River Ordinance, Way Back Home
97. "To the Beat of Our Noisy Hearts", Matt Nathanson, Some Mad Hope
96. "Save Me", Marc Broussard, Carencro
95. "Mandolin Moon", Sister Hazel, Absolutely
94. "Will You Be There", Michael Jackson, The Essential Michael Jackson
93. "17", Kings of Leon, Only by the Night
92. "Got Me Going Crazy", Jonas Brothers, A Little Bit Longer
91. "I Have You to Thank", Gavin DeGraw, Gavin DeGraw
90. "Oh Well", Fleetwood Mac, Live
89. "The Stuff You Gotta Watch", The Band, Jericho
88. "One Man Show", Jonas Brothers, A Little Bit Longer
87. "In the City", Hanson, This Time Around
86. "Thirteen", Stephen Kellogg, Bulletproof Heart
85. "Something Coming Over", O.A.R., Live from Madison Square Garden
84. "Dying to be Alive", Hanson, This Time Around
83. "Eyes of the World", Fleetwood Mac, Live in Boston
82. "Black or White", Adam Lambert, American Idol
81. "What Christmas Means to Me", Hanson, Snowed In
80. "I'm On a Boat (featuring T-{Pain)", The Lonely Island, Incredibad
79. "BB Good", Jonas Brothers, A Little Bit Longer
78. "Where's the Love", Hanson, The Middle of Nowhere
77. "A Daily Anthem/Kiss on the Neck", David Cook, David Cook
76. "Mission Responsible", Michael Tolcher, I Am
75. "Great Divide", Hanson, The Walk
74. "Where You Are", Marc Broussard, Carencro
73. "Arizona", Kings of Leon, Because of the Times
72. "Change in My Life", Hanson, Take the Walk
71. "Faker", Everybody Else, 1 1/2
70. "Silver Springs", Fleetwood Mac, The Dance
69. "It's About Time", The Beach Boys, Sunflower
68. "Ophelia", The Band, Northern Lights - Southern Cross
67. "Georgia", Hanson, The Walk
66. "Madeline", Hanson, Middle of Nowhere
65. "Charmer", Kings of Leon, Because of the Times
64. "Wait Here For You", Hanson, Hanson.net 2009
63. "Never Going Back Again", Fleetwood Mac, Rumours
62. "Rock 'n' Roll Band", Boston, Boston
61. "You Are the Best Thing", Ray LaMontagne, Gossip in the Grain
60. "Something Going Round", Hanson, The Walk Tour Live
59. "Summertime", New Kids on the Block, The Block
58. "Kiss and Run", Fleetwood Mac, Tusk [Bonus Tracks]
57. "The Shape I'm In", The Band, Stage Fright
56. "Change Your Mind", Sister Hazel, Before the Amplifiers
55. "All For You", Sister Hazel, Before the Amplifiers
54. "Someday I Suppose", The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Don't Know How to Party
53. "Golden Slumbers", The Beatles, Abbey Road
52. "Starfish", Sister Hazel, Before the Amplifiers
51. "Bold as Love", John Mayer, Continuum
50. "The Longest Hour of My Life", Everybody Else, Everybody Else
49. "Hungry Heart", Bruce Springsteen, The River
48. "Glory Days", Bruce Springsteen, Born in the U.S.A.
47. "Stumbling Through the Dark", Trevor Jackson, Kyle Riabko and Boots Factor Are...
46. "Say Goodbye", Everybody Else, Everybody Else
45. "Oh! Darling", Dana Fuchs, Across the Universe
44. "Crazy Beautiful", Hanson, Underneath
43. "Meat Market", Everybody Else, Everybody Else
42. "Oh! Darling", The Beatles, Abbey Road
41. "Bus Song", Trevor Jackson, Kyle Riabko and Boots Factor Are...
40. "Love Me", Taylor Hanson, Live in Poughkeepsie NY 10/25/08
39. "The Wanderer", Marc Broussard, Carencro
38. "Milk", Kings of Leon, Aha Shake Heartbreak
37. "Love Bug", Jonas Brothers, A Little Bit Longer
36. "China Grove", The Doobie Brothers, Best of The Doobie Brothers
35. "River Song", Dennis Wilson, Pacific Ocean Blue
34. "Be Somebody", Kings of Leon, Only By the Night
33. "Camaro", Kings of Leon, Because of the Times
32. "Second Hand News", Fleetwood Mac, Rumours
31. "Not Down With That", Trevor Jackson, Kyle Riabko and Boots Factor Are...
30. "Dreaming with a Broken Heart", John Mayer, Continuum
29. "Rock 'n' Roll Razorblade", Hanson, The Best of Hanson Live and Electric
28. "Sweetest Goodbye", Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, Glassjaw Boxer
27. "Rich Girls, Poor Girls", Everybody Else, Everybody Else
26. "I Am", Hanson, The Walk
25. "One Man Band (of Brothers)", Trevor Jackson, Kyle Riabko and Boots Factor Are...
24. "Ragoo", Kings of Leon, Because of the Times
23. "Been There Before", Hanson, The Walk
22. "Swan Dive", Sister Hazel, Chasing Daylight
21. "Long Train Runnin'", The Doobie Brothers, Best of The Doobie Brothers
20. "Love Runs Deeper", Lindsey Buckingham, Gift of Screws
19. "Every Word I Say", Hanson, The Best of Hanson Live and Electric
18. "Get Up and Go", Hanson, Underneath
17. "Sweet Sophia", Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, Glassjaw Boxer
16. "Lost Without Each Other", Hanson, Underneath
15. "What Did I Get Myself Into", Kyle Riabko, Before I Speak
14. "Sex on Fire", Kings of Leon, Only by the Night
13. "Gift of Screws", Lindsey Buckingham, Gift of Screws
12. "Down", Hanson, 2.0 Membership Kit
11. "Faker", Everybody Else, Everybody Else
10. "Makeup", Everybody Else, Everbody Else
9. "Watch Over Me", Hanson, The Walk
8. "Running Man", Hanson, The Walk
7. "Bleed to Love Her", Fleetwood Mac, The Dance
6. "Manhattan", Kings of Leon, Only by the Night
5. "Notion", Kings of Leon, Only by the Night
4. "Something Going Round", Hanson, The Walk
3. "Use Somebody", Kings of Leon, Only by the Night
2. "Fans", Kings of Leon, Because of the Times
1. "Fire on the Mountain", Hanson, The Walk
100. "Everybody Finds Out", Fleetwood Mac, Say You Will
99. "Must Be the Water", Marc Broussard, Must Be the Water
98. "The Beauty of Letting Go", Green River Ordinance, Way Back Home
97. "To the Beat of Our Noisy Hearts", Matt Nathanson, Some Mad Hope
96. "Save Me", Marc Broussard, Carencro
95. "Mandolin Moon", Sister Hazel, Absolutely
94. "Will You Be There", Michael Jackson, The Essential Michael Jackson
93. "17", Kings of Leon, Only by the Night
92. "Got Me Going Crazy", Jonas Brothers, A Little Bit Longer
91. "I Have You to Thank", Gavin DeGraw, Gavin DeGraw
90. "Oh Well", Fleetwood Mac, Live
89. "The Stuff You Gotta Watch", The Band, Jericho
88. "One Man Show", Jonas Brothers, A Little Bit Longer
87. "In the City", Hanson, This Time Around
86. "Thirteen", Stephen Kellogg, Bulletproof Heart
85. "Something Coming Over", O.A.R., Live from Madison Square Garden
84. "Dying to be Alive", Hanson, This Time Around
83. "Eyes of the World", Fleetwood Mac, Live in Boston
82. "Black or White", Adam Lambert, American Idol
81. "What Christmas Means to Me", Hanson, Snowed In
80. "I'm On a Boat (featuring T-{Pain)", The Lonely Island, Incredibad
79. "BB Good", Jonas Brothers, A Little Bit Longer
78. "Where's the Love", Hanson, The Middle of Nowhere
77. "A Daily Anthem/Kiss on the Neck", David Cook, David Cook
76. "Mission Responsible", Michael Tolcher, I Am
75. "Great Divide", Hanson, The Walk
74. "Where You Are", Marc Broussard, Carencro
73. "Arizona", Kings of Leon, Because of the Times
72. "Change in My Life", Hanson, Take the Walk
71. "Faker", Everybody Else, 1 1/2
70. "Silver Springs", Fleetwood Mac, The Dance
69. "It's About Time", The Beach Boys, Sunflower
68. "Ophelia", The Band, Northern Lights - Southern Cross
67. "Georgia", Hanson, The Walk
66. "Madeline", Hanson, Middle of Nowhere
65. "Charmer", Kings of Leon, Because of the Times
64. "Wait Here For You", Hanson, Hanson.net 2009
63. "Never Going Back Again", Fleetwood Mac, Rumours
62. "Rock 'n' Roll Band", Boston, Boston
61. "You Are the Best Thing", Ray LaMontagne, Gossip in the Grain
60. "Something Going Round", Hanson, The Walk Tour Live
59. "Summertime", New Kids on the Block, The Block
58. "Kiss and Run", Fleetwood Mac, Tusk [Bonus Tracks]
57. "The Shape I'm In", The Band, Stage Fright
56. "Change Your Mind", Sister Hazel, Before the Amplifiers
55. "All For You", Sister Hazel, Before the Amplifiers
54. "Someday I Suppose", The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Don't Know How to Party
53. "Golden Slumbers", The Beatles, Abbey Road
52. "Starfish", Sister Hazel, Before the Amplifiers
51. "Bold as Love", John Mayer, Continuum
50. "The Longest Hour of My Life", Everybody Else, Everybody Else
49. "Hungry Heart", Bruce Springsteen, The River
48. "Glory Days", Bruce Springsteen, Born in the U.S.A.
47. "Stumbling Through the Dark", Trevor Jackson, Kyle Riabko and Boots Factor Are...
46. "Say Goodbye", Everybody Else, Everybody Else
45. "Oh! Darling", Dana Fuchs, Across the Universe
44. "Crazy Beautiful", Hanson, Underneath
43. "Meat Market", Everybody Else, Everybody Else
42. "Oh! Darling", The Beatles, Abbey Road
41. "Bus Song", Trevor Jackson, Kyle Riabko and Boots Factor Are...
40. "Love Me", Taylor Hanson, Live in Poughkeepsie NY 10/25/08
39. "The Wanderer", Marc Broussard, Carencro
38. "Milk", Kings of Leon, Aha Shake Heartbreak
37. "Love Bug", Jonas Brothers, A Little Bit Longer
36. "China Grove", The Doobie Brothers, Best of The Doobie Brothers
35. "River Song", Dennis Wilson, Pacific Ocean Blue
34. "Be Somebody", Kings of Leon, Only By the Night
33. "Camaro", Kings of Leon, Because of the Times
32. "Second Hand News", Fleetwood Mac, Rumours
31. "Not Down With That", Trevor Jackson, Kyle Riabko and Boots Factor Are...
30. "Dreaming with a Broken Heart", John Mayer, Continuum
29. "Rock 'n' Roll Razorblade", Hanson, The Best of Hanson Live and Electric
28. "Sweetest Goodbye", Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, Glassjaw Boxer
27. "Rich Girls, Poor Girls", Everybody Else, Everybody Else
26. "I Am", Hanson, The Walk
25. "One Man Band (of Brothers)", Trevor Jackson, Kyle Riabko and Boots Factor Are...
24. "Ragoo", Kings of Leon, Because of the Times
23. "Been There Before", Hanson, The Walk
22. "Swan Dive", Sister Hazel, Chasing Daylight
21. "Long Train Runnin'", The Doobie Brothers, Best of The Doobie Brothers
20. "Love Runs Deeper", Lindsey Buckingham, Gift of Screws
19. "Every Word I Say", Hanson, The Best of Hanson Live and Electric
18. "Get Up and Go", Hanson, Underneath
17. "Sweet Sophia", Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, Glassjaw Boxer
16. "Lost Without Each Other", Hanson, Underneath
15. "What Did I Get Myself Into", Kyle Riabko, Before I Speak
14. "Sex on Fire", Kings of Leon, Only by the Night
13. "Gift of Screws", Lindsey Buckingham, Gift of Screws
12. "Down", Hanson, 2.0 Membership Kit
11. "Faker", Everybody Else, Everybody Else
10. "Makeup", Everybody Else, Everbody Else
9. "Watch Over Me", Hanson, The Walk
8. "Running Man", Hanson, The Walk
7. "Bleed to Love Her", Fleetwood Mac, The Dance
6. "Manhattan", Kings of Leon, Only by the Night
5. "Notion", Kings of Leon, Only by the Night
4. "Something Going Round", Hanson, The Walk
3. "Use Somebody", Kings of Leon, Only by the Night
2. "Fans", Kings of Leon, Because of the Times
1. "Fire on the Mountain", Hanson, The Walk
Sunday, September 13, 2009
make me feel like I'm the one who's movin' you
Saw Kings of Leon tonight! Twas amazing and they are awesome. And I wasn't behind the stage this time, which was a plus.
A few brief and late-night highlights:
- Opened with "Closer" and "Crawl", which makes it go from creepy to kickass immediately.
- Is "Charmer" so early in the set to ensure that Caleb can shriek as banshee like as possible?
- Gaaaah, "Fans"! Favorite. Love love love.
- Current obsession with Aha Shake Heartbreak made "The Bucket" and "Slow Night, So Long" particularly awesome.
- I need to take this moment to be a total geek. I know and love these songs, I listen to this band so much, but tonight I realized even more than I already knew just HOW distinct and incredible each component of their music is. I sometimes find myself patting out Nathan's beats or singing along to Jared's bass line or wiggling my fingers to Matthew's guitar and I just LOVE that. I love that the whole is so huge, yet the sum of the parts completely lives up to it. Just the fact that there are songs where I can sing the bass line better than the words because it's that clear is unreal. Love it.
- Singing along to "Knocked Up", oh oh oh oh oh ohhhh! Then having Caleb tell us he hadn't heard it quite so good in a long time.
- "Be Somebody"! "I Want You"! Pretty much ALL of Only by the Night except "17"!
- Ok, "Trani" is not a song I listen to a lot, probably one of the few I usually skip but holy crap. I think I need to spend more time with it because that was ridiculous. Starts slow into total rock out, with Caleb and Matthew facing off and Nathan somewhat resembling an octopus he was so all over the kit. Plus, the screaming made "Charmer" look tame.
- I love "Sex on Fire", it's an awesome song and without it, I'm not sure I would have ever given this band the attention I have since hearing it. That said, tonight reminded me that there are at least ten songs I love more than "Sex on Fire".
- Related, I love "Use Somebody", it's an awesome song and without it, I'm not sure I would have ever given this band the attention I have since hearing it. I continue to adore it, over a year later, and I'm convinced I will never tire of it. Hearing it live tonight was amazing.
- Closed with "Black Thumbnail", which gave them all one last chance to rock out and shine. Kick ass!
Before the concert was over, Caleb thanked us again, then said happily. "It seems like some of you have more than just the latest record!" Huge cheers. "It's about fucking time!" There's only so much I can say, being a newer fan myself. I only got into them because of Only by the Night. The other three albums were quick to follow, though, and I can see where their frustration lies with people only knowing the two hit songs and even just the most recent album. Caleb isn't shy about letting on that he wishes people knew more of the music and I'm glad that the older songs are starting to go over so well with the bigger audiences. They're awesome songs!
After the show, we waited for the bus back to the train and laughed at the drunk guys behind us in line and re-wrote "Use Somebody" to our needs and then waited too long at the train because the train schedule does not coincide at all with when the concert gets out/buses drop off. But all told, it was a great experience, I really liked the Izod Center and will go back there for a concert in a heartbeat and of course, it was great to see those Followill boys. Can't wait for what's next from them.
A few brief and late-night highlights:
- Opened with "Closer" and "Crawl", which makes it go from creepy to kickass immediately.
- Is "Charmer" so early in the set to ensure that Caleb can shriek as banshee like as possible?
- Gaaaah, "Fans"! Favorite. Love love love.
- Current obsession with Aha Shake Heartbreak made "The Bucket" and "Slow Night, So Long" particularly awesome.
- I need to take this moment to be a total geek. I know and love these songs, I listen to this band so much, but tonight I realized even more than I already knew just HOW distinct and incredible each component of their music is. I sometimes find myself patting out Nathan's beats or singing along to Jared's bass line or wiggling my fingers to Matthew's guitar and I just LOVE that. I love that the whole is so huge, yet the sum of the parts completely lives up to it. Just the fact that there are songs where I can sing the bass line better than the words because it's that clear is unreal. Love it.
- Singing along to "Knocked Up", oh oh oh oh oh ohhhh! Then having Caleb tell us he hadn't heard it quite so good in a long time.
- "Be Somebody"! "I Want You"! Pretty much ALL of Only by the Night except "17"!
- Ok, "Trani" is not a song I listen to a lot, probably one of the few I usually skip but holy crap. I think I need to spend more time with it because that was ridiculous. Starts slow into total rock out, with Caleb and Matthew facing off and Nathan somewhat resembling an octopus he was so all over the kit. Plus, the screaming made "Charmer" look tame.
- I love "Sex on Fire", it's an awesome song and without it, I'm not sure I would have ever given this band the attention I have since hearing it. That said, tonight reminded me that there are at least ten songs I love more than "Sex on Fire".
- Related, I love "Use Somebody", it's an awesome song and without it, I'm not sure I would have ever given this band the attention I have since hearing it. I continue to adore it, over a year later, and I'm convinced I will never tire of it. Hearing it live tonight was amazing.
- Closed with "Black Thumbnail", which gave them all one last chance to rock out and shine. Kick ass!
Before the concert was over, Caleb thanked us again, then said happily. "It seems like some of you have more than just the latest record!" Huge cheers. "It's about fucking time!" There's only so much I can say, being a newer fan myself. I only got into them because of Only by the Night. The other three albums were quick to follow, though, and I can see where their frustration lies with people only knowing the two hit songs and even just the most recent album. Caleb isn't shy about letting on that he wishes people knew more of the music and I'm glad that the older songs are starting to go over so well with the bigger audiences. They're awesome songs!
After the show, we waited for the bus back to the train and laughed at the drunk guys behind us in line and re-wrote "Use Somebody" to our needs and then waited too long at the train because the train schedule does not coincide at all with when the concert gets out/buses drop off. But all told, it was a great experience, I really liked the Izod Center and will go back there for a concert in a heartbeat and of course, it was great to see those Followill boys. Can't wait for what's next from them.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
hi, i love this band
So, I have liked Kings of Leon for awhile now, thanks to a friend recommending them to me not too long after their most recent album came out. I think she said something along the lines of "they actually make real rock music and it's good" or something along those lines and so I gave them a shot. Ever since seeing them live last week, I've been even more into them, as I tend to do. You've all met me. Anyway, I decided they should be introduced properly, for they are awesome (and, this just in, GRAMMY-WINNING!)
This is them, from the Grammy Red Carpet tonight!
L to R:
- Caleb Followill, 26, lead singer/rhythm guitarist. If you've heard any of their songs without knowing it, he is the one who thinks your sex is on fire. He also wants to use somebody. He has a voice that is like a mix of all the most amazing things in the world of music. It's all rugged and raw and so freaking sexy. Also, he's hot.
- Nathan Followill, 29, drummer. I love drummers, as a fact of life, but Nathan earns his love. In some great combination of his talent and the mix of their albums, his drum lines are so present and vivid and pounding in every song and it makes them even more addicting. I was also able to get myself an okay view of him when I saw them live and he was just awesome to watch. I think he has like, three floor toms, amazing. Also, despite being the opposite of most things I find attractive in men, he's hot.
- Matthew Followill, 24, lead guitar. Matthew looks 15 and for that alone, I love him. It kind of makes him stand out among the three brothers (he's their cousin). Oh, also, he plays some pretty awesome guitar. Never too overwhelming or show-offy, just well-placed and usually quite exciting.
- Jared Followill, 22, bass. Like Nathan's drums, Jared's bass lines are so present in each song, so much a part of what makes each song work so well and makes them so addicting. Really, really awesome stuff, he does.
Liking this band has been pretty fun for me. First of all, they possess a lot of classic rock-like qualities that I have always loved but have not been able to find in many bands of my own generation. They are music. They are solid guitars and drums and bass and vocals and words and they create an amazing sound. I tend to love bands of brothers (seriously, four of my favorite bands are comprised of brothers/family) and I think part of that is because I love the quality of music that comes from people who have literally been doing this together their entire lives. That quality can't be created out of nothing. I love the tightness of the sound, the creation that's allowed and the dynamics of the band that comes from that kind of circumstance. It's also fun to love a band that's just hitting big as we speak. I was at their first sold-out arena show in this country, despite the fact that they've been putting out albums for six years. They are huge in the UK and Australia for years, but they are just now hitting here and it's exciting to watch happen, even if there's that every present missing of the boat feeling that I always have. It would have been cool to be into them prior to this, but to be honest, I'm not sure I would have loved them as much if I hadn't heard Only by the Night first. I love the earlier stuff now but it helps that I know what it led to and what it led to is more my style. And now, they're winning Grammy's and announcing spring stadium tours and people are bitching that they've changed from that down home southern band from Tennessee, but hot damn, they're amazing all around, now and then, and I'm really excited to like them so much! They are kickass, for real.
For a nice taste of the band, watch these!
Sex on Fire
Use Somebody
Fans
Notion
This is them, from the Grammy Red Carpet tonight!
L to R:
- Caleb Followill, 26, lead singer/rhythm guitarist. If you've heard any of their songs without knowing it, he is the one who thinks your sex is on fire. He also wants to use somebody. He has a voice that is like a mix of all the most amazing things in the world of music. It's all rugged and raw and so freaking sexy. Also, he's hot.
- Nathan Followill, 29, drummer. I love drummers, as a fact of life, but Nathan earns his love. In some great combination of his talent and the mix of their albums, his drum lines are so present and vivid and pounding in every song and it makes them even more addicting. I was also able to get myself an okay view of him when I saw them live and he was just awesome to watch. I think he has like, three floor toms, amazing. Also, despite being the opposite of most things I find attractive in men, he's hot.
- Matthew Followill, 24, lead guitar. Matthew looks 15 and for that alone, I love him. It kind of makes him stand out among the three brothers (he's their cousin). Oh, also, he plays some pretty awesome guitar. Never too overwhelming or show-offy, just well-placed and usually quite exciting.
- Jared Followill, 22, bass. Like Nathan's drums, Jared's bass lines are so present in each song, so much a part of what makes each song work so well and makes them so addicting. Really, really awesome stuff, he does.
Liking this band has been pretty fun for me. First of all, they possess a lot of classic rock-like qualities that I have always loved but have not been able to find in many bands of my own generation. They are music. They are solid guitars and drums and bass and vocals and words and they create an amazing sound. I tend to love bands of brothers (seriously, four of my favorite bands are comprised of brothers/family) and I think part of that is because I love the quality of music that comes from people who have literally been doing this together their entire lives. That quality can't be created out of nothing. I love the tightness of the sound, the creation that's allowed and the dynamics of the band that comes from that kind of circumstance. It's also fun to love a band that's just hitting big as we speak. I was at their first sold-out arena show in this country, despite the fact that they've been putting out albums for six years. They are huge in the UK and Australia for years, but they are just now hitting here and it's exciting to watch happen, even if there's that every present missing of the boat feeling that I always have. It would have been cool to be into them prior to this, but to be honest, I'm not sure I would have loved them as much if I hadn't heard Only by the Night first. I love the earlier stuff now but it helps that I know what it led to and what it led to is more my style. And now, they're winning Grammy's and announcing spring stadium tours and people are bitching that they've changed from that down home southern band from Tennessee, but hot damn, they're amazing all around, now and then, and I'm really excited to like them so much! They are kickass, for real.
For a nice taste of the band, watch these!
Sex on Fire
Use Somebody
Fans
Notion
Monday, November 24, 2008
iTunes check-in!
I'm going to have to reset my play counts in about a week, so it's time for another one of these!
Let's do Top 25! With comments! Oh yeah.
25. "The Longest Hour of My Life", Everybody Else, Everybody Else
My current fave EBE song. Love Carrick's voice on this one and really just like the vibe of it. It's not as light as it sounds musically, but it's very enjoyable. I ironically listened to it the first time while waiting an hour to vote on Election Day, so I now have fond memories of how that turned out whenever I hear this song!
24. "Rip It Up", Hanson, Underneath Acoustic/"Go" single
Crowd participation plus an awesome Isaac vocal. Pretty random, but awesome! It makes me want to be at a concert though!
23. "Where Did I Go Wrong?", Martin Sexton, Live Wide Open
Really love this song. And this dude. His style is quite quirky, which I find quite appealing. This song is especially wonderful, with the falsetto coming in and just very relaxing and pleasant.
22. "Gift of Screws", Lindsey Buckingham, Gift of Screws
I cannot listen to this song and not crack up. The beat, the delivery, the maniacal laughing that occurs throughout. The yelping? The various activities that could be done whilst listening thanks to the in-song instructions? Amazing. "To the left, to the right, up an down, in and out!"
21. "Bullets", Bob Schneider, Lonelyland
Either music venues or other bands love this dude, because this song is always on the house mix before a concert. I loved it every time I heard it and I finally sought it out. Such a cool tune. Jazzy, with a horn section, kind of scatty, with a few bouts of rapid fire lyrics.
20. "Don't Stop Me Now", Queen, Jazz
It is appropriate that the album this song is on is called Jazz, because I always envision the most elaborate and exciting jazz dance routine in my mind when I listen to this song. I would use it to audition for So You Think You Can Dance. It starts all slow and then boom, you're going and going and soon you're flying and you're not going to stop! Exhiliration!
19. "Kiss and Run", Fleetwood Mac, Tusk (Remastered Edition)
I've always found that when you love a band for a long time, the new stuff gets more play than the old stuff you've always had (there may be an entry on this later). So this song, an outtake from the Tusk recording sessions, gets lots of love. Random chatting, an awesome Stevie/Christine/Lindsey harmony, just basic instrumental and a really catchy tune. I wish there was more of it, but I love it!
18. "Filthy/Gorgeous", The Scissor Sisters, Scissor Sisters
If I ever do karaoke in a public place, this is the song I'm doing. I absolutely love it. Nothing is better than shaking your ass and singing insulting remarks in falsetto. "You're disgusting! Oooh, and you're nasty!"
17. "Love From Here, Love From There", Lindsey Buckingham, Law & Order
It makes me laugh how high this song is. I admit that this is my least favorite Lindsey solo album, I barely even listened to it until recently and I found this song hilarious the first time I heard it. Now I can't stop listening to it. It's like this cheesy country song that could totally be line danced to, yet it's also Lindsey? The combination is oddly irrestible.
16. "Oh! Darling", Across the Universe
I. Love. This. Version. Of. This. Song. It's one of my alltime favorite Beatles songs, but Dana Fuchs just makes it all the more amazing, and dude on it (don't remember his name, eek!) also sounds absolutely amazing. Can't get enough of this!
15. "Grown Man", New Kids on the Block, The Block
This song could not be much more ridiculous and that is why I love it. "Gonna give you some grown man! Gonna give you some grown man!" When I saw NKOTB live, they actually had the Pussycat Doll who's vocals are featured on the song on a video screen. It's so bad it's good. Really good.
14. "Great Divide", Hanson, The Walk
I heard this song for the first time a little less than a year ago and my life hasn't been the same since. I remember hearing it that first time and being completely transported. This is the song that made me realize that Hanson was not just a part of my past, that it was time to pay attention again. It's also the song that sums up so much of their charity work, which I have to come to care quite a bit about. A really powerful, kickass song.
13. "Sweet Sophia", Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, Glassjaw Boxer
I absolutely love the piano line on this song. It actually hurts to turn this song off because I love the piano line that much. Love Stephen's voice on this one, and the lyric "Stole my soul with a laugh and a look, and your heart shaped lips and my breath that you took."
12. "Rock and Roll Band", Boston, Boston
Everything I love about classic rock, rolled into three minutes of pure, fun, amazingness. The drum line in this song kills me, and Brad Delp's vocals are beyond sublime. I admit that I laugh every time they say "dancin' in the streets of Hyannis!", but I can't listen to this song and not end up with a huge grin on my face due to the absolute awesomeness.
11. "Fire on the Mountain", Hanson, The Walk
It's hard for me to remember a time when I didn't know that post-11-year-old Zac Hanson actually sang lead, but such a time did exist. Then I heard this song and haven't stopped listening to it since. It's probably the song I've listened to the most over the past year. I love the theme of it, the vibe of it, the vocals, and most of all, the lyrics. "Can we pick the pieces up? We're mending Babylon, trying to right the wrong. Can we pick the pieces up? Live, learn, life, love, die, dust, gone."
10. "I Wanna Take You Higher", Sly and the Family Stone
Honestly, I downloaded this song when I found out Hanson was covering it this leg and ended up adoring it. One of the songs that make me wish I could be a part of the coke-induced craziness of the 70's. Wailing away. Rocking out. And playing drums.
9. "Bold as Love", John Mayer, Continuum
This is one of those songs I ignored for far too long and one day accidentally kept on and realized I was in love with it. Mayer sells the song, vocally and with the guitar work. Just love it. Whenever I'm at work and this song comes on, it's time to mentally check out for a few. "My yellow in this case is not so mellow!"
8. "Traci Brown (A Song for You)", Hanson
Seriously? This song exists because of a contest where the winner got a song written about them. "Traci Brown, she's got what you need/A blue-eyed West Virginian who knows what she believes." Maybe it's because they're the type of band that does that kind of thing. Maybe it's because I love the melody. Maybe it's because of all the songs Zac Hanson sings, he sounds the absolute best on this one. Needless to say, this song gets a lot of play, random as it is.
7. "Something Going Round", Hanson, The Walk
This was one of my favorite "new" Hanson songs when I rediscovered them early last year. It's safe to say I'm addicted to it. It doesn't help that this is the song they opened every show with this past leg of the tour so hearing it makes me think of the fun of seeing them live. The opening drum beats, the built in "singalong" section in the middle, just a great feel-good song.
6. "Rock 'n' Roll Razorblade", Hanson, The Best of Hanson Live and Electric
It took awhile for this song to grow on me, but I adore it now. It has a very 90s rock feel to it, vaguely Smashing Pumpkins. Amazing piano solo and just a chill rock vibe to it. The harmony at the end of this is also ridiculous. Zac is singing so high I'm pretty sure the sound is coming out his nose.
5. "Makeup", Everybody Else, Everybody Else
Catchy as hell. I remember getting up when I was seeing them live to hit the bar and the merch stand during this song and just dancing away from seat and all the way back. Again, the song itself isn't as light as it sounds but it's really a fun tune. Plus, any song with the lyric "you've got a long walk home, but you've got headphones", is going to get some points.
4. "Summertime", New Kids on the Block, The Block
Oh man, this song! Makes me smile every time it's on and then I start dancing and then I envision the video and laugh. The song has everything that made NKOTB so amazingly ridiculous in 1988. They didn't even update themselves, it's just 1988 again in 2008. And I love it. And please, Donnie with his speaking over the singing? Doesn't get much better than that.
3. "Every Word I Say", Hanson, The Best of Hanson Live and Electric
This is one of those songs that I heard about before I actually had it. Hanson fans adore this song and before I heard it, I didn't get what could possibly cause it to get the reaction that it does. I get it now. It's one of those songs that just stops me from what I'm doing whenever it comes on and I'm lost in it. Taylor's voice is a little more rugged and by the end of the song, Isaac is wailing away. It's a bit different for them too, which adds to why I love it. Powerful and moving and freaking awesome.
2. "Manhattan", Kings of Leon, Only by the Night
This song currently owns me. It was one of the ones on the album I skipped the first few listens and now can't turn off any time it comes on. Like my #1, this song just has an amazing vibe to it and the vocals are so raw and moving. The lyric "we're going to show this town how to kiss these stars" nearly makes me weep every time I hear it. Which is a lot.
1. "Notion", Kings of Leon, Only by the Night
This may be the perfect rock song. I'm not even lying. The first time I heard this song, I was IN it. It just has that feel to it that I love in a song, especially as a fan of the classic rock sound of the late 70's. Amazing lead vocals, a rocking guitar bit, piano. Not does the song soar, it singlehandedly gave me hope that people of my own generation can write and record songs like this.
I will need to do another one of these soon to see how things change!
Let's do Top 25! With comments! Oh yeah.
25. "The Longest Hour of My Life", Everybody Else, Everybody Else
My current fave EBE song. Love Carrick's voice on this one and really just like the vibe of it. It's not as light as it sounds musically, but it's very enjoyable. I ironically listened to it the first time while waiting an hour to vote on Election Day, so I now have fond memories of how that turned out whenever I hear this song!
24. "Rip It Up", Hanson, Underneath Acoustic/"Go" single
Crowd participation plus an awesome Isaac vocal. Pretty random, but awesome! It makes me want to be at a concert though!
23. "Where Did I Go Wrong?", Martin Sexton, Live Wide Open
Really love this song. And this dude. His style is quite quirky, which I find quite appealing. This song is especially wonderful, with the falsetto coming in and just very relaxing and pleasant.
22. "Gift of Screws", Lindsey Buckingham, Gift of Screws
I cannot listen to this song and not crack up. The beat, the delivery, the maniacal laughing that occurs throughout. The yelping? The various activities that could be done whilst listening thanks to the in-song instructions? Amazing. "To the left, to the right, up an down, in and out!"
21. "Bullets", Bob Schneider, Lonelyland
Either music venues or other bands love this dude, because this song is always on the house mix before a concert. I loved it every time I heard it and I finally sought it out. Such a cool tune. Jazzy, with a horn section, kind of scatty, with a few bouts of rapid fire lyrics.
20. "Don't Stop Me Now", Queen, Jazz
It is appropriate that the album this song is on is called Jazz, because I always envision the most elaborate and exciting jazz dance routine in my mind when I listen to this song. I would use it to audition for So You Think You Can Dance. It starts all slow and then boom, you're going and going and soon you're flying and you're not going to stop! Exhiliration!
19. "Kiss and Run", Fleetwood Mac, Tusk (Remastered Edition)
I've always found that when you love a band for a long time, the new stuff gets more play than the old stuff you've always had (there may be an entry on this later). So this song, an outtake from the Tusk recording sessions, gets lots of love. Random chatting, an awesome Stevie/Christine/Lindsey harmony, just basic instrumental and a really catchy tune. I wish there was more of it, but I love it!
18. "Filthy/Gorgeous", The Scissor Sisters, Scissor Sisters
If I ever do karaoke in a public place, this is the song I'm doing. I absolutely love it. Nothing is better than shaking your ass and singing insulting remarks in falsetto. "You're disgusting! Oooh, and you're nasty!"
17. "Love From Here, Love From There", Lindsey Buckingham, Law & Order
It makes me laugh how high this song is. I admit that this is my least favorite Lindsey solo album, I barely even listened to it until recently and I found this song hilarious the first time I heard it. Now I can't stop listening to it. It's like this cheesy country song that could totally be line danced to, yet it's also Lindsey? The combination is oddly irrestible.
16. "Oh! Darling", Across the Universe
I. Love. This. Version. Of. This. Song. It's one of my alltime favorite Beatles songs, but Dana Fuchs just makes it all the more amazing, and dude on it (don't remember his name, eek!) also sounds absolutely amazing. Can't get enough of this!
15. "Grown Man", New Kids on the Block, The Block
This song could not be much more ridiculous and that is why I love it. "Gonna give you some grown man! Gonna give you some grown man!" When I saw NKOTB live, they actually had the Pussycat Doll who's vocals are featured on the song on a video screen. It's so bad it's good. Really good.
14. "Great Divide", Hanson, The Walk
I heard this song for the first time a little less than a year ago and my life hasn't been the same since. I remember hearing it that first time and being completely transported. This is the song that made me realize that Hanson was not just a part of my past, that it was time to pay attention again. It's also the song that sums up so much of their charity work, which I have to come to care quite a bit about. A really powerful, kickass song.
13. "Sweet Sophia", Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, Glassjaw Boxer
I absolutely love the piano line on this song. It actually hurts to turn this song off because I love the piano line that much. Love Stephen's voice on this one, and the lyric "Stole my soul with a laugh and a look, and your heart shaped lips and my breath that you took."
12. "Rock and Roll Band", Boston, Boston
Everything I love about classic rock, rolled into three minutes of pure, fun, amazingness. The drum line in this song kills me, and Brad Delp's vocals are beyond sublime. I admit that I laugh every time they say "dancin' in the streets of Hyannis!", but I can't listen to this song and not end up with a huge grin on my face due to the absolute awesomeness.
11. "Fire on the Mountain", Hanson, The Walk
It's hard for me to remember a time when I didn't know that post-11-year-old Zac Hanson actually sang lead, but such a time did exist. Then I heard this song and haven't stopped listening to it since. It's probably the song I've listened to the most over the past year. I love the theme of it, the vibe of it, the vocals, and most of all, the lyrics. "Can we pick the pieces up? We're mending Babylon, trying to right the wrong. Can we pick the pieces up? Live, learn, life, love, die, dust, gone."
10. "I Wanna Take You Higher", Sly and the Family Stone
Honestly, I downloaded this song when I found out Hanson was covering it this leg and ended up adoring it. One of the songs that make me wish I could be a part of the coke-induced craziness of the 70's. Wailing away. Rocking out. And playing drums.
9. "Bold as Love", John Mayer, Continuum
This is one of those songs I ignored for far too long and one day accidentally kept on and realized I was in love with it. Mayer sells the song, vocally and with the guitar work. Just love it. Whenever I'm at work and this song comes on, it's time to mentally check out for a few. "My yellow in this case is not so mellow!"
8. "Traci Brown (A Song for You)", Hanson
Seriously? This song exists because of a contest where the winner got a song written about them. "Traci Brown, she's got what you need/A blue-eyed West Virginian who knows what she believes." Maybe it's because they're the type of band that does that kind of thing. Maybe it's because I love the melody. Maybe it's because of all the songs Zac Hanson sings, he sounds the absolute best on this one. Needless to say, this song gets a lot of play, random as it is.
7. "Something Going Round", Hanson, The Walk
This was one of my favorite "new" Hanson songs when I rediscovered them early last year. It's safe to say I'm addicted to it. It doesn't help that this is the song they opened every show with this past leg of the tour so hearing it makes me think of the fun of seeing them live. The opening drum beats, the built in "singalong" section in the middle, just a great feel-good song.6. "Rock 'n' Roll Razorblade", Hanson, The Best of Hanson Live and Electric
It took awhile for this song to grow on me, but I adore it now. It has a very 90s rock feel to it, vaguely Smashing Pumpkins. Amazing piano solo and just a chill rock vibe to it. The harmony at the end of this is also ridiculous. Zac is singing so high I'm pretty sure the sound is coming out his nose.
5. "Makeup", Everybody Else, Everybody Else
Catchy as hell. I remember getting up when I was seeing them live to hit the bar and the merch stand during this song and just dancing away from seat and all the way back. Again, the song itself isn't as light as it sounds but it's really a fun tune. Plus, any song with the lyric "you've got a long walk home, but you've got headphones", is going to get some points.
4. "Summertime", New Kids on the Block, The Block
Oh man, this song! Makes me smile every time it's on and then I start dancing and then I envision the video and laugh. The song has everything that made NKOTB so amazingly ridiculous in 1988. They didn't even update themselves, it's just 1988 again in 2008. And I love it. And please, Donnie with his speaking over the singing? Doesn't get much better than that.
3. "Every Word I Say", Hanson, The Best of Hanson Live and Electric
This is one of those songs that I heard about before I actually had it. Hanson fans adore this song and before I heard it, I didn't get what could possibly cause it to get the reaction that it does. I get it now. It's one of those songs that just stops me from what I'm doing whenever it comes on and I'm lost in it. Taylor's voice is a little more rugged and by the end of the song, Isaac is wailing away. It's a bit different for them too, which adds to why I love it. Powerful and moving and freaking awesome.
2. "Manhattan", Kings of Leon, Only by the Night
This song currently owns me. It was one of the ones on the album I skipped the first few listens and now can't turn off any time it comes on. Like my #1, this song just has an amazing vibe to it and the vocals are so raw and moving. The lyric "we're going to show this town how to kiss these stars" nearly makes me weep every time I hear it. Which is a lot.
1. "Notion", Kings of Leon, Only by the Night
This may be the perfect rock song. I'm not even lying. The first time I heard this song, I was IN it. It just has that feel to it that I love in a song, especially as a fan of the classic rock sound of the late 70's. Amazing lead vocals, a rocking guitar bit, piano. Not does the song soar, it singlehandedly gave me hope that people of my own generation can write and record songs like this.
I will need to do another one of these soon to see how things change!
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