Barcelona

SO. Barcelona, not the city, the wicked awesome band. Now, I'm sure Barcelona is awesome, never being there... when I went to Spain we went to Madrid for some random reason instead of Barcelona. Anyway that's beside the point. This band... is... AMAZING! They were one of my many random downloads a little while ago and I put one of their songs on a playlist and one morning ended up waking up to the song and BAM. The love began.
The band hails from Seattle, Washington (think they're fans of Starbucks? Or get asked that a lot?) There are three guys, as you could have gathered from the picture, in the band and they ooze awesome piano rock. I may be in love with them because of the piano, but seriously who can resist some piano?! It just brings everything together and adds class right?
So, the people in the band. The lead singer, Brian Fennel, is the pianist, therefore my love in the band. He has a voice of an angel, or that could be the piano talking... nevertheless he does have a good voice. The guitarist is Chris Bristol who also does some vocals and the drums are played by Rhett Stonelake (Lesley, think he could be some distant cousin, and you family built a bridge over the lake so changed your name?!). Not that it matters but I kind of like the name Rhett... it's interesting, therefore like this guy!

NOW, their album is called Absolutes. They released it themselves, THEN re-recorded it when they were signed to Universal Midtown. When they re-recorded it they added some tracks, BUT in my opinion some of the re-recorded songs are better on the original album, but that's me.
Songs to download you ask? Or the top 5 songs in my opinion?
Let me tell you!

Response
It's About Time
Colors
Please Don't Go
Lesser Things

Response... so, THIS is the song that sucked me into the band. Not only are the lyrics oh so captivating, and Fennell's voice just sucks you in but there is my newest obsession in music. Song breaks, or at least I believe that is what they're called. But oh so good.

It's About Time... again amazing lyrics and they have a video for this song, which adds to it's appeal when you're searching for it sometimes, the video is a little weird... but hey whatever floats your boat. This song is kind of upbeat about a depressing thing in lurve, not being yourself. and it's oh so catchy.

Colors... it urks me to spell it the American way... ewww... BUT another cute song, this is the one that sounds almost live on the re-recorded one... the original is much better.

Please Don't Go... this song is a really really slow love song. Best lyric in it is, "get these left handed lovers out of your way..." holy gives me the chills everytime--not just because I'm left handed either.

Lesser Things... it's a mix type song some of it starts out slower and builds. And again the original recording, in my opinion is way better.. but both are good. And of course, lyrics my favourite part of the song are clever... though these ones are more direct than the other lyrics, no masking meanings through metaphors here.

So go download... seriously.

Mother Mother

Mother Mother... different, Canadian, and lead singer hotness all in one. But hey most lead singers have that certain je ne sais quoi about them, eh?
As I said they are Canadian, coming Vancouver and they are phenomenal. The lead singer, Ryan Guldemond came into one of my classes to talk about songwriting... and since then my obsession for them has increased two fold. Not only because he was SO SMART but because he had a very "meh" outlook about the record industry and seemed to just want to write music and share it with people. On top of this, he wrote all of the music himself! Ya, I know everyone is swooning now.
The rest of the band is made up of his sister, Molly Guldemond who also fills vocals and their new addition is Jasmin Parkin, who plays keyboards and also vocals. The drummer is Ali Siadat and the bassist is Jeremy Page. Page fits the typical bassist role, he appears calm cool and relaxed the entire time they are playing.

Alright, so their most recent album is O My Heart. It came out last September and is awesome. They toured with Matthew Good this past fall and seemed to fly into success. They even got considerable radio play on their song, Body of Yours so WOO for that.

Now... I'm not going to ramble about the different aspects of the album, just know it's different and it's good. In other words... it's love!
Songs to download by Mother Mother?
Ghosting
O My Heart
Hayloft
Arms Tonite
Sleep Awake

Ghosting... is slow and cute and I'm so in love... SO IN LOVE with it. And it mentions Halloween in it and that's my favourite "holiday" sooo ya it gets bonus points for that

O My Heart... obviously the title track... catchy and fast and dancy. Therefore, gets kudos from me.

Hayloft... this song is super super alternative, it's so weird and I love it for that and the lyrics make me chuckle.

Arms Tonite... even though tonight is spelled incorrectly I still love this song, it is yet again a cute song.

Sleep Awake... NOW this song... Ryan Guldemond said was his favourite on the album... and it's awesome. Have I mentioned that I love him?

Oh yes, I love him.
Enough said.
Download them, they're good and Canadian and awesome and I love him.

Manchester Orchestra

Next band is Manchester Orchestra, they didn't really have any really funny pictures to follow my previous pattern but oh well, this picture will have to do.
Now, I happened by this band purely through accident. My friend, the one who is obsessed with Juliet Simms, sent me a link telling me to watch a video, but this video was also on the page. Long story short I watched the wrong video but FELL IN LOVE!
This group comes from Atlanta, Georgia and formed back in 2005. According to wikipedia, they are an "indie rock group". I group them more of alternative rock, the only reason they've been smooshed over to "indie" is because they are on an indie label.
The group is headed by Andy Hull, who is lead vocals, plays guitar, piano and is the group's songwriter. It's from him that we get all of their metaphoric lyrics, which at sometimes are a little twisted but hey who isn't at some point in their life. He also has a pretty wicked beard that I believe many men would be jealous of. Jease I'm even jealous of it!
The lead guitarist in the group, playing all the wicked melodies and putting you in the rocking out mood is Robert McDowell, who also adds some backing vocals.
Another backing vocals guy is keyboardist Chris Freeman, who is secretly my favourite... as I said before, I'm a sucker for a piano. He does some additional percussion too... so oooo ahhh a pianist who is multi talented, dream come true.
Bass is played by Johnathon Corley, he's just cool. I love his hair and if I ever meet him, will ask how he gets it so silky smooth looking!
Finally the drummer is Jeremiah Edmond, he just plays the drums so quickly and well, I love him. He looks like he's a wee little guy (as in really short) BUT still... I may let it slide. Evidence of his drumming is seen in the video I happened across when I first found them. (Link below)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCttzQSsdWc

On to the music, the music, the music. Now their most recent album, Mean Everything to Nothing, is above. It was released in 2009, and is AMAZING.
It's filled with crazy guitar, Andy Hull's soft voice and deep lyrics and just oozes pure awesome.
Before this they released an album called I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child, which was also sooo good. BUT I'm much more in love with Mean Everything to Nothing.
Currently, everytime I need to get "pumped up" I listen to their music... as I said before filled with awesome guitar that's hard rock-esque and then Hull's voice comes through and it's calming, then right back into the chorus filled with guitar and drums and piano and bass and everything that's right. The lyrics echo in the back of your head and in almost song there's a crazy climax that's every bit as satisfying as the rest of the song.
Holy, I am obsessed with this band right now.

As per usual, songs to download

Now That You're Home
Golden Ticket
Everything To Nothing
I Think I saw You
My Friend Marcus

Now That You're Home: three syllables A-MA-ZING. This is the song that has that amazing climax that I was talking about, the entire song builds to the last minute and then the lyrics, the music EVERYTHING becomes the most amazing thing you've ever heard, or one of the most amazing things.

Golden Ticket: this song is a bit slower and not as rocky BUT the best part of the song is the echo or far away voice that comes in the middle saying "I've lost my golden ticket back home". Just reminds me of Willy Wonka... and Wizard of Oz, or an sweet combination of the two.

Everything to Nothing: the song that I first heard by them. Again, it's epic... the lyrics make it sound like a hate filled song, but it's not really right? You mean everything to nobody but me, and again... builds to the end and is phenomenal. Holy.

I Think I Saw You: kind of slower and cute and just adorable. It's off of the first album and has references to other songs on the album, but is so good.

My Friend Marcus: this is kind of a mash of a bunch of songs, it contains part of Everything to Nothing but is it's own song. And I have an uncle named Marcus, so it kind of hits home... kind of?

Seriously, download them. They're epic and awesome and I need to see them live!
Friends said they didn't really like them live, but they're folksy people... if you like to rock out then these guys are a must! (Based on watching their live footage on youtube).

All Time Low

I know I originally stated that I was going to post once a week, but I have found inspiration!! And am also sort of procrastinating, but that's beside the point.

Anyway, my new inspiration is an old favourite of mine. All Time Low!

These guys fit in with all of those pop punk/alternative/indie/rock/pop bands, BUT something about them just gives me the chills! Maybe it's because their songs are relentlessly catchy and the lead singer, Alex Gaskarth is just soooo dreammmyyyy, or because guitarist Jack Barakat is so goofy? Or maybe because bassist Zack Merrick always plays topless with his dreamy six pack? Or because Rian Dawson has the nicest teeth anyone has ever seen!? Regardless, I love them.

This quad hails from Baltimore and are just filled with cute, catchy lyrics that you just want to dance to! Their first album, The Party Scene came out in 2005, and was good but was not as good as the band would get! It was followed by their sophomore album So Wrong, It's Right! This album, just rocks your socks off. Filled with cute lyrics, dancey tunes and just gushes amazingness. The album, though a pop punk album doesn't seem to conform to mainstream music. Though, they had some hits off of the album that were played on MTV!

This is what made the band fly into popularity and it seems that now TONS of people show up at their shows! (Just this past summer I saw them for the 4thish time at Warped Tour and it was PACKED!!!)

Last summer, or springish, they released their third album, Nothing Personal. Though it's still amazing, it has kind of conformed to pop music, which sucks BUT it's still filled with catchy lyrics, cute songs and of course some humour!

They were also featured on the Jennifer's Body Soundtrack. Now, I haven't seen the movie and have heard that it was horrible, but the soundtrack was pretty good so get that instead. All Time Low's song was called Toxic Valentine and was an original song that they had written for the movie, so it was a bit more conformist than their usual stuff but whatever, still filled with the amazing voice of Alex Gaskarth.

Now that I've rambled on forever, you're probably wondering, why oh why are you posting this about All Time Low?

Well my friends, I shall tell you! The reason IS the new Alice and Wonderland Soundtrack, which is supposed to be out March 2 and will be epic!

Now still wondering... here is the inspiration for the post. All Time Low HAS A SONG ON IT!

My curiosity got the better of me and I youtube'd it...

The song is called Painting Flowers, it's a little weird when you listen to it at first, but I promise it grows on you. You just have to listen to the lyrics and it takes you away to paradise. (Again, I blame Alex Gaskarth and his dreaminess). Now because I suck at technology and have no idea how to get a video on here... here is a link to the song! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqCfAulTuVM

Via the video you also get to experience the four best things about the band! The dreaminess, the goofiness, the shirtlessness and the teeth!!

So maybe it's time I tell you other songs to download by this awesome group?

Also I should note that Painting Flowers shouldn't be your first impression of the band... there are much better songs by them, even though I'm slightly obsessed with this song now.

Anyway, here are my top 5 songs to download by them (again with an explanation below)

Lost in the Stereo

Remembering Sunday

Stay Awake (acoustic) or even regular

Six Feet Under the Stars (acoustic)

Hello Brooklyn

Lost in the Stereo; this is kind of my anthem... the chorus "SHE'S DANCING ALONE, I'M READY TO GO, BUT SHE'S SO LOST IN THE STEREO" yes I'm obsessive... but it's catchy, dancey and just full of awesomeness (it's on Nothing Personal)

Remembering Sunday: features Juliet Simms from Automatic Loveletter, who my friend Jeremy is seriously obsessed with, but it's so cute and has the acoustic but not feel about it, leading this to be a twist for them. (this one is from So Wrong, It's Right)

Stay Awake: now I'm obsessed with the acoustic version of the song because I'm obsessed with his voice, but the regular version is good too. And as he says "Dreams only last for a night..." ahhh swoon!

Six Feet Under the Stars: again, obsessed with acoustic, and regular version is good too!! It's a regular cute catchy pop song... one of my many guilty pleasures.

Hello, Brooklyn: again catchy and dancey AND they shout out to Toronto, along with a bunch of other cities but whatever that's why I love it.

Ok and I know I said six BUT Coffeeshop Soundtrack, from their first album is also pure greatness, and I realized it halfway through typing this. It has a super long intro that's more "punk-esque" but holy love it so much and the music video for it is pretty epic, again link posted below...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrqNvnPkYmw

ENJOY! Oh and also... see them live, they banter back and forth all the time and it's hilarious. Just another reason to love them!

Twin Atlantic

First band up, Twin Atlantic.

They're an awesome alternative band from Glasgow, for those non-geography people that's in Scotland. The quartet are energetic and offer something that's a little different to "alternative rock" music. That something is not mocking an American accent while singing. The lead singer, Sam McTrusty (until now I haven't realized how much I love the Scottish for their awesome last names) sings with a Scottish accent, distinguishing them from most other radio play or even other groups in their genre.

They have super catchy lyrics and genuine talent, all four members sing. Ross McNae, who plays the bass also plays the piano (ya I'm a super sucker for a piano in any song). Barry McKenna, the other guitarist in the group also plays the cello in some songs, which ads a new sort of Yellowcard flare (I'm referencing the violin). Their drummer, Craig Kneale even sings and contrary to most rockish bands, he has the shortest hair in the band, not that that's relevant.

The band's most recent release is an album called Vivarium. Upon first listen, it's easy to see that they have catchy lyrics that are coated in metaphors so everyone can have their own interpretation of the song (the best part about music). One song on their album is even a wee bit controversial, "You're Turning Into John Wayne" has been viewed as anti-American, which as a Canadian I love, but according to the band it's not. The song is apparently about bands putting on a fake accent to sound American. But we can just pretend that it's the first reason.

NOW.

If you're interested.

Songs to download... with explanations of what they're like below

Better Weather

You're Turning Into John Wayne

What is Light? Where is Laughter?

Lightspeed

Human After All

My number one favourite song on the album is Better Weather. It's slower and filled with greatness.

You're Turning Into John Wayne, the "controversial one" is catchy AND very Scottish, voice wise.

What is Light? Where is Laughter?... This is a mix of fast and slow, which is PERFECT. And what a clever song title eh? Unfortunately the song doesn't answer either of the questions.

Lightspeed... probably the catchiest song on the album, or in my view. And you can dance to it, or try to, which is very important!

Human After All... this song is catchy AND he swears in it, for all you rebels. Overall it's cool and I like it.

The entire album is awesome and I highly suggest you go out and buy it. This band, according to articles I've read about them, is super energetic and plays an amazing live show SO if they're anywhere near you GO SEE THEM! DO IT!!!

Allow Myself, to Introduce... Myself

SO. Dancing with myself is not only a tribute to Billy Idol BUT also a little bit of an introduction to my current situation.

That current situation is me dancing, by myself to "my" music. Constantly asking people if they've heard my most recent musical obsession has gotten on a lot of people's nerves. This is why, I have taken to cyberspace to spread the word of my new musical obsessions. Hopefully each week I'll pick a new band and tell everyone WHY they are so AWESOME. There may be some that everyone will like and some that everyone will hate... we'll just have to wait and see.

Maybe someone will understand and people will soon ask me for music as opposed to me forcing it on them.

One can only hope.

And in the good words of King Theoden... "And so it begins..."