Fall 2009 Craidio Music Awards

Updated with Workout Ratings. Should you put it on your power mix at the gym? Based on rhythm not speed.

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)
Workout Rating: * * * 1/2 out of 4 stars

Weezer – (If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To (preview)
Workout Rating: * * * 1/2 out of 4 stars

Thrice – In Exile (preview)
Workout Rating: * * 1/2 out of 4 stars

From Autumn to Ashes – Autumns Monologue (preview)
Workout Rating: *  out of 4 stars

Tegan and Sara – Two songs “Hell” and “Arrow” (preview)
Workout Rating: * * * 1/2 out of 4 stars

Honorable Mention (* * 1/2 stars)

Anya Marina – Whatever You Like (cover song)
Workout Rating: * * 1/2 out of 4 stars

Anya Marina – All the Same to Me
Workout Rating: * * * out of 4 stars

One Republic – Secrets
Workout Rating: * * * out of 4 stars

Matt & Kim – Daylight (preview)
Workout Rating: * * * * out of 4 stars

Snow Patrol – Just Say Yes
Workout Rating: * * 1/2 out of 4 stars

Owl City – Fireflies
Workout Rating: * * * out of 4 stars

Poetry of the Deed – The Road
Workout Rating: * *  out of 4 stars

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.
Workout Rating: * * * out of 4 stars

Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling
Workout Rating: * * * * out of 4 stars

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.”
Workout Rating: * * * 1/2  out of 4 stars

Lady GaGa – Paparazzi / No Ms. GaGa, I’m your biggest fan. Please don’t call the cops.
Workout Rating: * * * out of 4 stars

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.”
Workout Rating: * * * * out of 4 stars