Craidio Music

Winter/Spring 2010

With Winter: The Sequel hitting for what hopefully is its last gasp before Spring arrives (please) next month, here are the tunes (new and not-so new) that I have been spinning. Or whatever an iPod does…I guess electricking?

Alkaline Trio – This Addiction (* * * out of four stars)
While not a fan necessarily, I enjoyed their older single “Time to Waste.” Their new release is more straight-up pop/rock and nothing too unique, but it is a bright jam compared to the more Top 40 pop/rock that’s out now.

Phoenix
I had previously reviewed their single “1901″ at first as typical American Eagle background music (which it probably is) but as I’ve continued to listen this and more of their songs have become my favorite so far this year.They mix up the smooth and peppy quite well, and are barely unique..but just unique enough that they won’t sound just like anything else you’ve got.

1901 – (updated review) (* * * 1/2 out of four stars)
Lizstomania (* * * out of four stars)
Girlfriend (* * 1/2 out of four stars)

Four Year Strong – Wasting Time (Eternal Summer) (* * * 1/2 out of 4 stars)
It’s been a long time since I really liked this type of music (makes you want to drive fast, tap the table, air guitar, and beat someone up), but since my tastes were once “what goes best with the weather” it hits the spot. Ironically with “Summer” part of the title, it’ll probably get me through winter, into spring, and I’ll stop listening to it right before summer.

John Mayer – Heartbreak Warfare (* * * out of 4 stars)
Shutup. It’s not bad.

The Soft Pack – C’mon (* * out of 4 stars)
I bought it based on the chipper, breezy 60′s beach boys beat in the preview. It went on sale for “free” one week later. Which is about 25 cents less than I should’ve paid for it. This story is getting dumb.

Passion Pit – Little Secrets (* * 1/2 out of 4 stars)
Sometimes it sounds like the Jackson 5. Sometimes it sounds like a song from 1988 produced by Paula Abdul. It has clapping, kids singing, an electronic background, and I’m not sure why I downloaded it. Listen to the preview and you’ll probably be wondering as well while you download it.

The Rural Alberta Advantage – Drain the Blood (* * * out of 4 stars)
A bright, untampered with, sound in the mix lineup..the song builds from a very straight forward beat to a blast of intensity in the home stretch. Real guitars, real drums, unrefined. Nothing too indie, but something that sounds good on the iPod, and would love to hear it live.

Snow Patrol & Martha Wainwright – Set the Fire to the Third Bar (* * * out of 4 stars)
Even though I owned the album a few years back with this song on it, I never got into it enough to remember it. Apparently it was in the trailer for the movie Dear John and jumped the charts, finding me once again. I’m not sure if it is about something depressing, but don’t listen to it while you’re driving. Somewhat haunting and dream-inducing from the eerie combination of Snow Patrol’s monotone singing and Wainwright’s intricate tuning.

Timbaland (feat. Justin Timberlake) (* * out of 4 stars)
Big disappointment from their previous efforts together, otherwise a standard tune aimed straight at the 2am dance floor, but nowhere else.

Number One Gun – The Victory (* * 1/2 out of 4 stars)
Has a very good beginning and builds slowly to…nothing really. It’s almost like they had a good idea, just didn’t quite have a chorus that worked. After 3 years of trying they just decided to record what they had. Pretty good listen otherwise.

Ke$ha (yes, with a dollar sign. I’m legit.)
As with some pop music, there’s a weird vein of genius in her act. The lyrics are pretty bad (put a little love in my glovebox) and the singing is just “ok.” But she’s playing a character, that if you listen, sings ever so slightly off rhythm and stretches each line a nano-second too long as if she’s a little “tipsy.”  Eh, nevermind, not going to try to rationalize it anymore. It’s dumb, annoying, and it sounds good with the bass turned up.

Blah Blah Blah (feat. 3OH!3) (* * * out of 4 stars)
Your Love is My Drug (* * 1/2 out of 4 stars)
Tik Tok (* * * out of 4 stars)

Winter 2009/2010 Music Wintry Mix (updated Jan. 9)

30 Second to Mars – This is War (* 1/2 out of 4 stars)
Used to be a big fan of 30 Seconds to Mars, but this latest release just isn’t doing it for me. Less and less edgy each album, and just sort of whiny now.

Coldplay – Lost! (* * * out of 4 stars)
Classic Coldplay sound…smooth and moving. Not worse or better than their previous efforts. A good thing.

Dead By Sunrise – Let Down (* * 1/2 out of 4 stars)
If you could picture a Linkin Park song without the supporting band driven by only the lead singer..it’s just like that. It is also his side band, so to be expected. Not bad.

The Avett Brothers – Die Die Die (* * * 1/2 out of 4 stars) and I and Love and You (* * * out of 4 stars)
Apparently I’m late on the Avett Brothers bandwagon…but their folk/rock melodies are very addictive. Not for your workout, or if you’re having a bad day (it will make it worse) but truly quality music and deep lyrics. These two songs above are from their first, and latest albums.

The Veils – Sit Down by the Fire (* * * out of 4 stars)
Very slow, lots of piano, sounds european. I likes. Great vocals, a building rhythm, and an easy listen for the winter days you’re staring out the window looking for Spring.

Metric – Gold Guns Girls (* * 1/2 out of 4 stars)
If you like women-singing, electric inspired rock with a buzzing beat, Metric always comes through. A stellar effort, though not their best.

Lady GaGa – Bad Romance (* * * out of 4 stars)
I wish I wasn’t entranced by Lady GaGa…but her songs grow on me…and this one has oddly interesting lyrics and a multi-dimensional beat mixing strange pop singing with great melody singing. I don’t like Madonna, but Lady GaGa is probably the new Madonna.

Phoenix – 1901 (* * out of 4 stars)
You’ll feel like you’re in American Eagle looking at jeans as the store station is blasting. I’m pretty sure this is on their regular rotation. Straight up alternative rock, pretty decent but nothing special.

Fall 2009 Craidio Music Awards

Posted Nov. 7 – Weezer Raditude album review

Looking for something new to prepare you for the busy days ahead before the holidays? Here’s my list of picks from the past month or so. Not all of these are new songs, just some of my most spun on the iPod. Since I don’t hang out at the finer music establishments often, there are some embarrassingly lame picks on here. And if you end up downloading any of these songs, those will be the ones you get first. And in secret.

Worth the price (* * * stars)

The Almost – Hands (preview)

Weezer – (If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To (preview)

Thrice – In Exile (preview)

From Autumn to Ashes – Autumns Monologue (preview)

Tegan and Sara – Two songs “Hell” and “Arrow” (preview)

Honorable Mention (* * 1/2 stars)

(Updated) Anya Marina – Whatever You Like (cover song)

(Updated) One Republic – Secrets

Matt & Kim – Daylight (preview)

Snow Patrol – Just Say Yes

Owl City – Fireflies

Poetry of the Deed – The Road

Good Workout Songs

Since I have been pretending to be concerned that the gym is a hotbed of swine flu, good “workout songs” is code for songs that I roll the windows up on when I’m driving through town.

Jason Derulo – What You Say / They sampled one of my favorite songs by Imogen Heap and at first I was puzzled and disturbed. But much like watching a Hot Pocket cook, I quickly was enthralled and couldn’t wait for a second serving.

Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling

Miley Cyrus – Party in the USA / Maybe it’s just nostalgia for the more mature days of music gone by that was her father’s Achy Breaky Heart, but even after this song is over I find myself humming “And the Miley Song was on…and the Miley Song was on.” And the next thing I know I’m moving my hips like “Yeah.”

Lady GaGa – Paparazzi / No Ms. GaGa, I’m your biggest fan. Please don’t call the cops.

Britney Spears – 3 / A lot about Britney Spears embarrasses me. My high school romance with her (she to this day is not aware of it), the stupid lyrics of this not so subtly crude song, her personal life, and the fact that this is the only song on my playlist that – like its namesake – makes me turn up the subwoofer in my car to “3.”