Language of Origin Please?

I don’t know if you have ever watch this, but I honestly think the Scripps National Spelling Bee is one of the most hilarious and interesting programs on TV. Once a year, kids across America join together in quite the All-American competition. It’s up there with baseball and apple pie. These kids get together to do nothing else but spell words. Some people like to say, “what do you do, read the dictionary” when somebody uses a big word, but literally these kids do read the dictionary. Just watching and seeing some of the absolutely RIDICULOUS words they are forced to spell is interesting in its self.

Spelling Bee time is the only time you will ever want to hear a guy read off etymologies of words, language of origins, definitions, and so many other dumb things that nobody ever will care about for words. And all read without any hint of emotion or life in the old man’s voice.

But really, who thinks of these words? Whose job is it to turn to random pages of the dictionary and say, “Hey, this word is big, has lots of syllables and will be impossible to spell!” That would be potentially the worst job in the history of the world. Mike Rowe should make a show about that job (although, I am not sure how “dirty” it is. Maybe when they get a paper cut from turning the sharp pages of those dictionaries).

This is also the one day of the year when children of Indian and Asian descent really get to shine. In no way am I being racist, I just think it’s near impossible not to make the observation. There are plenty of the cookie-cutter white teen children out there, but there are just so many kids that are either Indian, or Chinese, or of some Eastern descent. The Scripps National Spelling Bee really is America’s melting pot competition. And I hate to say it, but it really isn’t helping the “Smart Asian” stereotype not be a stereotype.

Last but not least, it is the only sport where 14 year olds faint under pressure of spelling a word. Literally a kid fell down and fainted right up there on stage. It may be one of my top 10 funniest “sports” moments I have ever seen.

So, the Scripps National Spelling Bee is on TV now. Watch it and appreciate just how funny of a competition it is. 

P.S.

Make fun of me if you will, but I really have been listening to a lot of Justin Timberlake lately. That man is legit. (Post *NSYNC of course, I wouldn’t EVER admit to liking him in the boy band era).

Cory, Le Blog

ARTIST YOU SHOULD KNOW

BEN RECTOR

Chances are, if you hear Rector, your mind may automatically associate it with a few things. Maybe you might think of an erector set, the famous age-old mechanical building toy. Maybe if you know Latin, you know that Rector means Ruler. Or maybe, your mind just thinks of a common word, like Rectified (as in, we rectified the situation).

But my mind goes to none of these things, because I have heard of the amazing-ness that is Ben Rector. Rector is one of the most talented new artists I have come across in a long time. He is one of those multi-talented kids that can play both piano and guitar with excellence. In my opinion, his piano riffs are some of the most creative and just clean sounding I have ever heard. In Disarm, the song starts off with just his beautiful piano playing. The riff progresses and Rector starts to add some resounding chords to the little piano piece. The whole song is one of my favorites on my iTunes. He combines a great sounding piano piece that continues in the background of the whole song. Listening to the song just sometimes gives me chills. To be honest, the best way to describe the song is just plain beautiful. Toward the end Rector begins some Coldplay-esque oh oh oh’s (my own created term) where he just fills in the background with his beautiful singing. He doesn’t even need to sing words; oh is plenty for him. 

But his freshman debut is more than just one song. Bright Lights (which was in my top 5 catchiest songs countdown) is an infectious fun song that contains a really cool piano rhythm and some great catchy lyrics. On My Own is probably my favorite behind Disarm (although every song on Twenty Tomorrow is great). More great piano playing and yet another great chorus.

My best way of summing up Ben Rector is this: Take the piano playing of Chris Martin (Coldplay), make it more fun and better, get rid of his british sounding voice and substitute Ben’s beautiful one. When I realized American Idol let you play instruments this season, I automatically thought of Rector. I think he could’ve have been a successful guy on the show. But, thankfully he wasn’t on it. He has too much talent to be pigeon holed into a weak American Idol recording contract and forced to put out music under that umbrella (the only reason I wish David Cook wouldn’t have won).

But anyway, check out Ben Rector! His CD is available to purchase HERE and there is a link to his Myspace below.

BEN RECTOR

Cory, Le Blog

The O.C.

At one point in my life a few years ago, I am not ashamed to admit that I was a “The O.C.” fanatic. I loved that show so much I wasted a month of my life watch reruns of it on the Soap Network (yes, the Soap network) after school. It also wasted lots of room on our DVR (hour long recordings really kill space). Some people will call The O.C. a “girl show” but I would have to say Seth Cohen is one of the funniest, in tune to pop culture, clever characters on TV in the last 5 years.

Due, to Seth’s love of good music, the shows soundtrack reflected that. Weekly you heard stuff from Death Cab (who’s status with me is still up in the air), Modest Mouse, Spoon, Radiohead, Sufjan, Mates of State, and oh so many other great bands. The OC also for the first time debuted a Coldplay song. They used Fix You for the end of one of their episodes before X&Y was released.

Also, look at what The O.C. has created. Shows like Laguna Beach, The Hills, One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl all owe The OC for creating the “Teenage Drama” genre that we all know and love. Had they not killed off Marissa, The OC would still be alive and kicking, but for some odd reason the producers killed off the second most popular character (behind Seth of course), but that is material for another blog post later down the road.

At the end of every season, you could always count on them putting out a mix tape of the best music (or what they thought was the best, it is a lot to sift through) on the show that season. I just happen to own all 6 of them, but had forgotten that I had them. Just recently I re-discovered them, and remembered that the OC released a lot of great music in its time. So, next time you are thinking back on the greatness that was The O.C., remember it for it’s music. Not for it’s sometimes not so great acting or for it’s horrible ending 

Some great songs that were played on The O.C.:

The Way We Get By – Spoon

California – Phantom Planet

Little House of Savages – The Walkmen

Smile Like You Mean It – The Killers

A Lack of Color – DCFC

The View – Modest Mouse

Hide and Seek – Imogen Heap

Daft Punk is Playing… - LCD Soundsystem

Kids With Guns – Gorillaz

The list continues for a while after that, but those are just a few notable ones. If you want to come in way late to the OC party, Soapnet shows it at 2 and 3 on weekdays.  Check your pride at the door and watch a great TV show.

Cory, le blog.

Some Things To Fear

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Hillary is either loved or hated. Regardless of politics, I do not see how she could begin to bring the country together. If she is nominated election turnout will be enormous, but people won’t necessarily be voting issues. She IS the worst cantidate that ever was, whether you like it or not.

-- A vote for Hillary is a vote for Non-Stop pain.

DAVID ARCHULETA
WHY DO SO MANY PEOPLE HATE ARCHULETA?A lot of people don't like him because they think he only got that far, because of votes from teenage girls. That does factor in to my hate for him, but there are many reasons:


1. He sang IMAGINE twice.. very creative David
2. He is a horrible performer.. he does the same 2 arm movements over and over until the song is finished
3. He is 17.. his baby face consumes him
4. He lacks stage presence or comfort
5. He talks quiet and nasally
6. He squints more than half of Asia
7. He is to shy for tv..
8. He cries every night
9. His responses to the judges are lamer than sliced peanut butter
10. Because David Cook is MUCH better

GLOBAL WARMING
First off.. regardless whether or not I think that Global Warming is true.. We don’t have enough proof amongst the speculation to take action.
In my opinion, we shouldn’t take action at all.. it’s not legal to take American’s money to fight Global Warming..
ESPECIALLY if it’s based on a 1 degree temperature change.
Al Gore isn’t exactly a prophet. (see picture)


Walter Williams said it right when he said “…What makes us think that environmental alarmism is any more correct now that they have switched their tune to manmade global warming?”
That was his conclusion to a brilliant article about how time after time, environmentalists have hard pressed radical claims of danger.

At the first Earth Day celebration, in 1969, environmentalist Nigel Calder warned, "The threat of a new ice age must now stand alongside nuclear war as a likely source of wholesale death and misery for mankind." That obviously is a bust. We aren’t exactly frozen, now are we?

Another claim was "in the 1970s ... hundreds of millions of people are going to starve to death." Ehrlich forecasted that 65 million Americans would die of starvation between 1980 and 1989, and by 1999 the U.S. population would have declined to 22.6 million.

These same experts are pushing Global Warming.. So ask yourself this: Are you certain they aren’t wrong this time as they have been in the past??

HARRY POTTER


Ok, I just hate that kid. Seriously. If you can look at someone and hate them then their insides must be MUCH worse.
What kind of man protects himself by holding a woman in front of him? (see picture)
I know there are people out there who love him and read all his books, and that's fine… if you're twelve and your imaginary friend likes to read too.
As an American, I'm born to dislike any topic, idea, team, style, show, or woman that I did not initially catch on with.
This is why I don't listen to podcasts, like the Patriots, pop my collar, or go to the coffee shop because I assume everyone there is a pretentious jerk.

-- YES! Dumbledore is gay, get over it… that’s not even 10% of my hatred towards this girly man.

So, consider yourself warned

Connor, Le Blog

Cory's Soapbox - Modern Rap

To say the least, rap music on the radio has abused me. We live in a culture where people can be massively rich off of one song, one beat, one freaking dance move. Unfortunately, I have realized popular rap music is so entrenched in this culture that I am blind to what is good and what is not. I do not have any clue what makes a good rapper, but I do know what makes a not so good one.  If your song has a man, who is known more for the effects put on his voice than his ability, “singing” in it, I will not listen to you. If kids across the nation are learning your dance move or how to be like you I will not listen to you. Essentially, if you are popular and little kids like you, I will not listen to you.

Now, this may seem like a ridiculous statement and me being extremely close-minded. But I live in a world and go to a school where I have to hear the chorus of the same song sung by 17 different people in a day. I do NOT want to move my body like a cyclone. I do NOT want to crank that Soulja Boy. I do NOT EVER want to wear apple bottom jeans and boots with the fur. But popular rap music’s greatest quality (in most people’s eyes) is in my opinion it’s greatest flaw. People should not be able to listen to your song once and get the general idea of your song. These rappers on the radio aren’t clever at all. They don’t have any originality. They just layer up the effects, have somebody write a good beat for them and automatically have a hit.

Another thing I have to get past before I can like rap music again: The lack of superstars or even talented people. Sure, you have your Kanye’s, your Lil’ Wayne’s, your T.I.’s; but for every 1 of them there is 15 Flo-rida’s or Soulja Boy’s. From my outside looking in perspective, there is nobody out there with talent enough to put out more than one successful album. The problem is, these rap songs get so massively popular (which getting your song popular is about as likely as getting struck by lightning) that that artist will NEVER come close to surpassing it. Never will Soulja Boy be able to put out another song and be successful, or even another album. People will just compare it to Crank Dat Soulja Boy and be disappointed.

I am not saying that I am a rap connoisseur, but I would say that the few rap songs I have liked have been by Indie rappers that don’t get much radio air time. I listened to Lupe Fiasco (who put out some sweet free mix-tapes and has a song posted below) for a long time. I even have enjoyed the little Clipse I have listened to. The reason is that these guys don’t follow the formula that makes other people popular; they just rap. These guys are clever with their lyrics, and can “flow” as my brother and his friend call it.

So, we just need to stop settling for the “one and done” formula of modern rap. We can’t let these guys who can only have enough material for one song be such a major part of a great genre. I hate rap, but that doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. Really, it isn’t rap I hate so much as I hate the way the genre has evolved. Let’s get back to the Dr. Dre’s, the Biggie’s and the 2Pac’s. People looked forward to their albums, something that never happens today. If I never had to hear a kid’s version of a rap song again I would be totally content. Let’s make it stay that way.

Now I step off my soap box and leave you to consider my thoughts...

Cory, Le Blog

The Dodo is Definitely Alive and Kicking

Thanks to my brother Joel Thomason (Who also writes a great blog, check it out HERE), I have discovered the great band The Dodos. I guess duo is more fitting, as there is only two members of this great indie rock band. Meric Long plays guitar and does vocals and Logan Kroeber does drums and percussion. This unique lineup gives The Dodos a great sound. They seem to pride themselves on making things sound as loud, crazy and full as they can with as few instruments as possible. Many times it sounds like there is only three tracks on each song: drums, vocals, and guitar. This is pretty incredible; considering Jodi may be one of the most chaotic songs I have ever heard.  I would have to say, at the beginning of the song (which is posted below), it sounds like things are just going crazy and all the parts of the songs aren’t in line. But as you listen to the song, things just magically line up like some musical solar eclipse.

For only have two members, The Dodos do a great job. Their album Visiter is a great example of how varied a sound you can get if you really try not to run a good thing into the ground. Never once does the two-person duo seem “gimmicky”. Long’s guitar playing on the record is almost reminiscent of recent Spoon songs, or at least the guitar sounds are. The drumming is pretty incredible on the disc too, coming from the critical eyes  of a drummer.

I think with this album, The Dodos have established themselves as a leader in the simplistic two man band scene (which yes, is a “scene” I just made up). The drum beats are sometimes just down right crazy and Long’s guitar playing makes you think there has to at least be 3 or 4 players, not just one guy. Check out Jodi for sure (embedded below) and if you are really into The Dodos, check out Fools or Park Song.

The Dodos' Myspace

 Cory, Le Blog

Start a “Riot!”, Cory Loves Paramore

“Paramore. Are you serious? You like Paramore? What are you, some top 40 loving middle school girl?”

2 or 3 months ago, this could have well been my reaction to someone telling me that they are a Paramore fan. I pride myself in the music I listen to, and feel like I have a generally wide range of musical influence. But within the over arching “Rock” genre, I like quite a bit. I find myself listening to hardcore screaming metal and soft melodic Sufjan Stevens in the same day. Now, know this: almost none of the music I listen to is played on the radio.

But the thing is, Paramore IS played on the radio. My own opinion is that it takes no talent to be top 40 and that anyone with the Mac I am typing on now and a pretty face can be popular. But finally, a band that is MASSIVELY popular is actually good. Hayley Williams is an incredible singer (and is only a teenager) and the rest of the band are no scrubs. Jeremy Davis is a great bass player, and has some really cool bass lines (check out Fences, that is one pretty sweet bass line). Drummer Zac Farro does a great job too, changing up things on most every song and not really running any one beat into the ground (like some popular drummers tend to do). His brother Josh plays lead guitar and is no slouch. Sure they use power chords and distortion like most popular bands, but at least they are varied and there are a few licks in each song.

But the main reason Paramore is so good is Hayley Williams. She has to be one of the best girl rock singers I have had the pleasure to listen to in the band. Without her, Paramore would essentially be Fall Out Boy, putting the same crap out there over and over again with different names (that try to be funny). Williams has a sick range and pulls every single song out of the ordinary dump of popular music. Like I wrote in my post about how catchy Misery Business was, she could make grown men want to belt out her (surprisingly well written) lyrics. Plus, I will always applaud a Christian band for finding their way into the secular world. 

If you are like me, popular music is something you laugh about and make fun of. Don’t let your hate of it make you miss out on a great band. Some may say now, “Well, if you found a good band in Paramore, how do you know others aren’t great?” Well for the most part (this is coming from seeing top 40 radio decline over the last few years), my stereotypes are generally true. Paramore is one of the few exceptions. They actually have a lot of talent (or at least Hayley Williams does). 

Check out Misery Business in my Top 5 Catchiest Songs Post and also check out their other hit (which found it’s way on to my favorite music game, Rock Band) Crushcrushcrush that is posted below.

Cory, Le Blog

Urban Outfitters + Sales = Greatness

Recently, I have made attempts to change the way I dress. So long to the elementary style of wearing only Nike shirts and clothing devoted to the (recently NATIONAL CHAMPION) Kansas Jayhawks. Basically, I owe this feat to one store:

Yes, Urban Outfitters has changed my look on clothes. No longer will brand name athletic clothing define how I am. I recently had a couple friends over at my house, and in my room, I realized that the last 5 or 6 things I had worn or used were from this great store. Wallet, hoodie, shirt; all from the great UO.

I have to admit that most people might think that Urban Outfitters is really expensive, but I have one word to bust this myth.

SALE

Urban Outfitters sale prices are INCREDIBLE. I don’t think I have bought anything from that store that costs more than 15 dollars. They have also sorts of great shirts for 10 dollars or less. All you have to do is wait long enough, and their great selection of clothes will eventually go on sale.

Also, this store has caused me to discover some really comfortable hoodies (that aren’t like warm winter hoodies) that are cheap and really comfortable.

Here is the link to the sale section of the site. Check it out and be amazed at the wonder that is fashionable clothes at reasonable prices.

SALE

Cory, Le Blog

APPLE -- More Bang, For Your Buck

Since Apple Inc.’s founding in 1976, it has been THE computer company as far as innovation. Today – Macs are the computer to have if your purpose is anything related to the arts. It is the best for recording music, editing music, graphic design, web design, editing photos, and taking photos. It is essentially the perfect computer for the rising artist, and is a fun toy for everyone else. In the past ten years, Mac has really outdone themselves and created countless products that make life 8 million times easier. These include the MacBook, the iPhone, the iPod, AirPort, Apple TV, the Mini Mac, iTunes, Quicktime, Logic Studio, Garageband, Final Cut, OSX, Aperture, iLife, iWork, Safari, Apple Remote Desktop, the iMac and much much more.

You may be thinking – well sure Connor, Mac has all these products and programs that let you do all these things.. but so does the PC – WRONG! Sure, PC makes lame excuses for alternatives to these programs, but they are incomparable. If it’s Apple made, it’s simply the best. Think of how many people have the iPod… you can’t argue with the numbers.

For those of you who aren’t caught up with the APPLE world, I’ll break down some of the main reasons why Mac is better than PC.

iTUNES

iTunes is Apple’s music player. It is very user friendly, and easy to use. It allows you to listen to music, watch movies, purchase songs, movies, audiobooks, and t.v. shows, and download podcasts to your library. When you have those things in your media library, you can then easily drag and drop the files onto your iPod. Windows Media Player… psh. iTunes is constantly making the newest version, and it is completely free for download online.

iPOD

The iPod is hands down the best MP4 player on the market. Its compatibility with iTunes is enough by itself to buy this player, but that’s not nearly all. It has games, holds pictures, stores movies and podcasts and audiobooks. And the new iPod touch’s even let you get online using WiFi. They come in different sizes and amounts of storage so you can get the iPod just right for you.

iPHONE

The iPhone is like an iPod touch, but better. It also (hence the name) is a fully functional phone. You can text on it, call people, listen to your music, get online, access maps, write notes, and do much much more. It’s sleek design isn’t a con either.

MAC

Mac computers, whether it is the MacBook Pro, the Macbook Air, or the iMac.. they just rock. They are beautiful and come with the greatest software out there. They do take some getting used to from the avid PC user, but once you get the hang of it you will never use a PC again. Mac’s are on the rise, and before you know it PC’s will be obsolete. Jump on the Mac train and buy one. You get more bang for your buck.



OTHER REASONS WHY PC SUCKS
-It lacks an ‘Open Apple Key’ (the control key doesn't do it for me)
-Lack of Innovation (bill gates lacks creativity)
-VIRUSES! VIRUSES! VIRUSES! (mac's don't get viruses)
-Bill Gates is boring. (steve jobs is a savage)

So basically – Mac’s rule.. Apple is superior
And Bill Gates will be out of the job in a matter of years.. if we’re lucky

Connor, Le Blog

YES! I LIKE BLUEGRASS!

I don’t mean to boast, but I contain what some people might call 'creative mind’, and I pride myself on thinking of creative things.. However, thinking of cool things to blog about.. Isn’t one of my strengths. So I took a look at cory’s top 5 blog.. I didn’t really want to listen to every one of my songs on my iTunes.. To determine which is the best at whatever.. For lack of time or care.

BUT, cory’s blog did inspire me.

I am going to do my own top 5.. Make it TOP 10 (beat that cory).

THE TOP TEN COOLEST INSTRUMENTS ever created. And no, I’m sorry but the acoustic guitar or piano is extremely boring.. [don’t get me wrong.. I play, sorta, both of them so this is not a bashing session.. They are wonderful instruments]

10. Rolling in at number ten is THE MANDOLIN.. rep it electric or acoustic, its an amazing instrument. It sounds beautiful and its size makes it very interesting. Multiple bands use the mandolin like Nickelcreek, and Beirut. Nickelcreek, before you ask, is a modern Bluegrass band. YES! I LIKE BLUEGRASS! They are PHENOMINAL and have many catchy songs. Watch the video --

9. Despite the amazingness of this instrument, THE SYNTHESIZER, its abundance knocks it down to a lowly number 9. It can produce amazing sounds, and effects.. and this specific synth' has a vocodor. You can do basically anything musically and produce any sound you want. It's basically a musical workstation.


8. KEYTAR -- LETS GET KEYTARTED! Forgive me for that, but it had to be said. Now then, the keytar is an amazing instrument. It can act as a midi-controller or as a straight keyboard, but ultimately allows the keyboardist to move freely throughout the stage. It was a brilliant invention and changed the way keyboardists see involvement.



7. This instrument I stumbled upon (thanks abby) when trying to find the last few cool instruments to throw in. It is called the CAJON. It is actually really cool. You sit on the box, and hit the sides and corners, and edges of the box to produce different sounds. There are a ton of videos on youtube with crazy people who blew their money on one of these boxes and learned how to bang them.. (thats what she said)


6. THE DULCIMER! This instrument, is a table top guitar/piano thing... that is hit with hammers to produce the notes. It s apparently commonly played by the Amish??


5. Ever wondered what that thing was the Peter Frampton used to make his voice.. all cool and all (haha) ? Well it's called a VOICE BOX or a TALK BOX and it's insane. It is hooked up to your electric guitar, and the notes you play correlate with the sound it produces for your voice. If you have an electric guitar, but don't own a voice box.. kill yourself.


4. Pardon the lack of a picture, but number 4 is Apple Inc.'s GARAGE BAND. If you own a mac, Garage Band is a must have. It is an essential for recording, adding effects, or producing your own music on your mac. It is one of the best products out there for such editing. GET IT

3. Well.. Garage Band was one of the best.. this one is the best. It's called PROPELLERHEAD REASON. It is similar to garage band but gives you, COMPLETE CONTROL. It come's preset with many different on screen synthesizers, drum machines, and samplers. It is very expensive.. but if you are in a band and do effects.. it is a necessity.


2. I have always been a fan of the ACORDIAN and so it is my number 2. It is simply amazing the different combinations of notes and keys, and buttons and levers that are involved in making music. Watch this video and be in awe of the complexity in playing the simplistic tone of what is THE MARIO THEME.

1. DRUMROLL PLEASE
Number one is the little known ATARI that lead singer Paul Meany, of MUTE MATH uses at the end of Reset. It is a guitar shaped instrument that has been set up to play different techno effects and noises. It is very impressive, and the fact that it was hand made is even more impressive. Meany also rocks the keytar, as his main instrument. Watch the video, and be amazed.

Thanks for reading..
As of now, friday is the unofficial COUNTDOWN DAY.. not sure what next week will be
CHECK DAILY


Connor, Le Blog

Top 5 Catchiest Songs on Cory's iTunes

I have been thinking a lot lately about how whether or not a song is catchy matters a lot in how much I like songs. Now some bands are just not catchy at all. You have to listen to their songs over and over again and have them soak over you for days or even weeks just to like them. These songs are songs I liked from the first time I heard them:

5. Get Ready (Hot Machete) - Jonezetta

This song is a surprisingly wonderful blend of electronic sounds and great guitar riffs. I also have never heard such a ridiculous saying sound so cool when sung loudly. "Get (Get) Ready like a hot machete!" screams the lead singer. It is near impossible not to sing along. Plus, the falsetto sound when he is singing "ooooo, back and forth again" is pretty incredible. This song is just a party anthem, complete with  a great guitar solo and a catchy drum beat. If you need a song people can dance to and sing together (the words are pretty easy to pick up), this is the one.

4. Bright Lights - Ben Rector

Not many people outside the K-West family or Arkansas (and I guess the Dallas area?) will know who Ben Rector is. I experienced him first term at K-West last summer and just found a great musician. In Bright Lights, the piano is in full force. I have to admit, hearing this song wants me to pick up a keyboard and play, but unfortunately it is not quite that easy. Rector also spins together some pretty cool sounding little phrases that are fun to sing. "I just waste my time anymore, I just sit around and make rhymes in twos and fours" is probably one of my favorite lines I have ever heard in a song. Once you know the words to this song, you will sing to it. It is impossible not to. Some mild head bobbing and compulsive foot tapping may occur too.

3. Misery Business - Paramore

Now, Paramore is one of the guilty pleasures that I hate to love. I bought the cd not fully realizing just how massively popular they are (and how many middle school girls love them). Thankfully I didn't know this, because otherwise I may not have discovered one of the catchiest bands in popular music today. The song starts out with a cool little low quality sounding mariachi band playing the guitar riff that continues throughout the whole song. Hayley Williams is just a ridiculous good singer and the chorus of this song is just done really well. I hear the chorus and am forced to sing the song, albeit under my breath (would I let myself be caught singing Paramore? no way). I have to admit that when I drive and this song is playing, I may get many strange looks by passerby when I belt the chorus to Misery Business. 

2. The Underdog - Spoon

Now who doesn't like the Underdog? As a sports fan you ALWAYS cheer for the Underdog and as a music fan, it is near impossible not to like this song. The little horn riff that plays throughout the song is pretty awesome. A bad case of the "duh duh duh's" as I call them will probably happen to you. Every part of this song fits well together (especially the infectious clapping in the little bridge parts). By the end of The Underdog you will have got the basic melody down and be humming. Plus, when those guitar players strum that G chord for about 25 seconds at the end, it's tough to not play air guitar.

1. Must Have Done Something Right - Relient K

For a band that seems to make catchy song one after another, Relient K outdid themselves with this one. "We should get jerseys, because we make a good team" is hands down in my opinion the best opening line to a song there ever will be. The bass line for this song is great and gets you into the song from the .5 second mark. If you don't want to sing this song, you may not have a heart. This is just a happy go lucky song that is all about finding the person that is just right for you. Relient K is fully deserving of the number 1 spot in my countdown of the most catchy songs on my iTunes.

12$ For Couple's Counseling

Me and Death Cab for Cutie have had a long relationship, full of ups and downs. I bought Plans on the day it came out. My favorite album for a long time (for almost an entire 7 or 8 months) was Transatlanticism. One of the first songs I learned how to play on the drums was The New Year and I idolized drummer Jason McGerr for a long time. I even went to a concert and sat through 4 hours of mediocre bands like Alkaline Trio and The Psychedelic Furs just to see my favorite band headline a concert (which ended up being a GREAT concert). Me and Death Cab are like an old married couple. But recently, me and the DCFC have gone through a very long separation. I haven't listened to them solidly for a very long time. Since about 4 or 5 months after Plans came out. Plans was probably my favorite CD Death Cab put out in their long illustrious career as one of my favorite bands.

This separation has been a hard thing for me though. I consistently try to get back into the beautiful words of Ben Gibbard and the surprisingly high-pitched voice of guitarist Chris Walla but I just can't do it. I listen to Soul Meets Body and remember the great times we had. Then I listen to the next song and it just doesn't have the same sentimental feeling for me. I hate to be one of those "people", but even though Plans was a great album, I can't help but feel like they have sold out a bit. Atlantic records may have helped them put out a great record, but it just doesn't have the great feel of an indie label like Barsuk.


But Death Cab For Cutie and I have a chance for redemption; couple's counseling if you will. The counselor is their new album Narrow Stairs. I am yet to make the trip down to the local record store (Bestbuy or Target) to stare at the rack wondering if this 12 dollars will get me my Death Cab back or if it will end up being a 12 dollars that could have been better spent on 12 trips to QT or even a trip to the ridiculously overpriced movie theatre. We will have to see when I eventually make it down to Dallas for an attempt to reconcile (also known as listening to the album on my brother's computer). Below are some of the songs that have nearly turned me back into the Seth Cohen of yesteryear.

Brothers on a Hotel Bed
Soul Meets Body
The New Year
The Sound of Settling
Company Calls, Pt. 2
so many others


Cory, Le Blog

one word, RADIOHEAD

Radiohead is simply amazing
lately i've been on a Radiohead fix, and I must say.. its the greatest thing to be addicted to other than crack cocaine.. slash redbull

Radiohead are an English Alternative Rock band from Oxfordshire. The band is composed of Thom Yorke (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano, electronics), Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, other instruments), Ed O'Brien (guitar, backing vocals), Colin Greenwood (bass guitar, synthesisers) and Phil Selway (drums, percussion). Radiohead have released seven albums and have sold over 23 million records over their career.

They have recently.. (not too recently) come out with an AMAZING album called IN RAINBOWS. It has many great songs including Bodysnatchers, 15 Step, and Nude. The newest album is much more alternative, and experimental.. and includes many effects, and elements from genre's including powerpop, and electronic rock. The songs are highly addictive and set you into a trance.


If you aren't in with the Radiohead scene.. check them out on their myspace, and if you're lucky you can find parts from "Radiohead live from the Basement" on youtube.
moral of the story -- Radiohead owns


Connor, Le Blog

ARTIST U SHOULD KNOW

Hello everyone, This entry is about an ARTIST U SHOULD KNOW.

His name is Zach Condon and he is the lead singer for the “band” BEIRUT (It’s a john mayer kinda deal.. it’s basically him behind everything... he just has a band he conducts) from Albuquerque, New Mexico. You can find him on youtube, on last.fm searching Beirut, or on Beirutband.com. His voice is very different, and strangely catchy.. kind of like a Diego Garcia style of singing. Once you watch his video “Nantes” (not the actual music video, but him walking down the street singing and playing with his band) on last.fm you will immediately fall in love. This is today’s ARTIST U SHOULD KNOW.

http://www.last.fm/music/Beirut
[watch the NANTES video]

Connor, Le Blog

Aristotle Would be Proud (Cory's Must have Album of Spring).

The best album of each season is an award everyone seems to want to give. Well, I am everyone, so I am prepared to join the multitudes that have already chosen their best album of (insert time period here).

My best album of the spring is hands down Thrice’s The Alchemy Index. This album is the first “concept album” I have ever listened to. Thrice took the four elements (Fire, Water, Air, and Earth) and wrote six songs for each element. Everything, from the effects put on the tracks to the words, is completely based around the element they are personifying.

Thrice made it so the average bystander could come along and tell exactly what element that song is for. Fire has asymmetric time signatures and scorching guitars (They actually used Baritone guitars for most of the recording, in order to get a different sound). Water has soothing keys and drifting vocals. Air has a certain lightness and breeze to it. Earth is near 100% acoustic. A full drum kit is only used one song and electric guitar has only one riff. Earth seems more like lead singer Dustin Kensrue’s solo project than anything else. To say the least, Aristotle would be proud.

But this group of discs seems just so complete. I have listened to it surely more than anything else on my iTunes. Finally, Thrice’s creativity is able to shine. Kensrue in my opinion has established himself as one of the best lyricists in modern music. His Christian influences shine through in almost each disk. Fire has a near exact quoting of Isaiah 6 and a modern story telling of Sodom and Gomorrah. Earth has Come All You Weary, which is completely based on a passage in the book of Matthew. But you can also see his interests in ancient storytelling. Daedalus on the air disc is a telling of the story of Icarus flying to close to the sun and his wings melting. Digital Sea mentions the sirens of Homer’s epic tale The Odyssey. Overall, it has incredible lyrics that give me goose bumps when I listen to them.

But my main reason for loving the Alchemy Index is just the fact that it does everything it attempts well. Firebreather, The Messenger, and The Arsonist of the Fire disc just rock. The rhythm of Firebreather is one of the coolest I have ever heard (thanks to the fact that it is in ) You just want to sing along with every word that comes out of Kensrue’s mouth (and the vocal harmonies are pretty impressive). Water has great, almost electronic, sounds (Great stuff to listen to as you sleep). Earth has some solid folk music but shows a much different side of guitar player Teppei Teranishi than I have ever seen before. And thanks to Air, I have my current favorite song (and favorite guitar riff) in The Sky Is Falling.

Basically, The Alchemy Index is the most complete record I have heard in my life. It has 24 great tracks (split over 2 volumes and 4 discs) that I love to listen to. Album of the Spring (even though Fire and Water came out in October) for sure.

Cory, Le Blog

the first ever Le Blog

Hello everyone,
this blog is published by Connor Hickox and Cory Thomason

Why make a blog? you may ask
I'll tell you why,
because they are amazing, simple as that

Check this blog daily, to find anything from Music, to funny Videos, to the latest Gadgets, and some Politics.. and who knows what else.. whatever we feel like typing, really

Read, Enjoy, Laugh, Cry, BLOG
areyouabsolute.blogspot.com

Connor, Le Blog