Danny Carbo: Diversified Style

Danny Carbo appeared in my blog last month for a video post/music preview I did, and I am blogging about him again this month to review his music because his album is nearly finished! I recorded Carbo performing three of his original songs with his friend Jonathan Freeland so that you can hear his music before it even makes it to iTunes. Think of it as my Christmas present to you :)

First up is "Not Even Me," a fierce, bluesy track that warns its audience of the vulnerability created by trusting others. Carbo belts out the song's cynical lyrics while an angry chord progression gives the song even more attitude. Carbo's vocal range soars in this song, making the lyrics impossible to ignore. The musical intensity of "Not Even Me" will not only cause you to sing along but to also question those around you.

"When Ya Gonna Get It" is a B.B. King-esque jam with sleazy-sounding guitar riffs that propel the song to blues greatness. Carbo varies the style of his singing with this song to express the frustration and impatience felt with the fool he describes in the lyrics. The seductive, drawn-out chords of the guitar pair perfectly with the aching heart heard in Carbo's voice. His passion for blues is definitely showcased in "What Ya Gonna Get It."

Lastly, "Lovesick Lullaby" might be the cutest song of 2010. It consists of gentle guitar chords blended with Carbo's sassy belting and love-drunk lyrics. Its melody is reminiscent of a 1960s bubblegum pop tune with a dash of updated blues. This song is my favorite from Carbo because it flawlessly showcases his incredible song-writing talent. From start to finish, the song sounds complete, polished and precise.

Danny Carbo's music mixes pop, blues and rock to create an ear-pleasing fusion that is his unmistakable, diversified style. I will definitely be posting about him again in the future when the album goes to iTunes. Until then, I encourage you to keep jamming to these videos so you can be his biggest fan even before his music makes it to the masses.

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Secret Secret Dino Club is Good Clean Fun

Today is a first: I am going to review an indie HIP HOP pop band. Exciting, right? I think it is because I love when unlikely genres are blended together. Secret Secret Dino Club, a three -piece band from New York, produces quirky lyrics, catchy rhythms and delicious hooks to hypnotize their listeners into a bubblegum pop trance.

"Upside Down (Spin Me All Around)" is an adorable duet about a lovey-dovey relationship. I am usually a cynic for such songs, but I could not turn this one off. "I love you so much with all my bones" tugged at my heartstrings. The electronica style instrumental parts are the perfect backdrop for the dialogue between boy and girl. The rhymes in this song are genius. This song is too cute from start to finish.

"Look at Me Now!" is a triumphant love anthem celebrating finally establishing a relationship and being proud of finally getting a great catch. This song made me realize I appreciate Secret Secret Dino Club's lyrics the most out of their music's characteristics. Everything rhymes just right, and they always tell a story. I like when music is a narrative so Dino Club definitely has me in the palm of their hand.

"Ain't Falling in Love" is a slow, cynical song with stellar guitar parts. This song definitely has more of a hip hop feel than their other music, and it works. The beat is very easy to follow, making it easy to keep up with everything going on in the song. This song is just good clean fun.

Secret Secret Dino Club is the perfect band for fans of Hellogoodbye, The Rocket Summer and The Friday Night Boys. Here's a lyric video for "Upside Down (Spin Me All Around)." What do you think of this band? Comment and let me know what you think!

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Photo Credit: http://www.purevolume.com/secretsecretdinoclub/photos/3073556

It Pays to Have Music Lovers as Friends

Thomas Cornell and I became friends at the beginning of the fall semester in our history class. At some point, I chose to tell him about this blog, and since then he has become one of my most faithful readers. Our conversations about music exist on this blog and in our classroom, and sharing our passion has made our friendship very fulfilling.

Thomas is such a good friend that he decided to make a set of CD's for me of music that he thinks I need to listen to, which is incredibly appropriate considering the theme of my blog. I thought it would be a sin not to blog about some of the artists Thomas blessed me with.

After listening through almost half of the hundreds of songs Thomas gave me, I have created a list of artists, in no particular order, that everyone should check out.

1. Who: Leslie Hunt

Sounds Like: Fiona Apple, Liz Phair

Why Listen: Hunt's powerhouse voice and personal lyrics should not be ignored.

2. Who: The Bird and The Bee

Sounds Like: Cute Daft Punk, Lily Allen

Why Listen: The Bird and The Bee's tracks are full of life and fun. Their techno remixes of Hal and Oates classics are fantastic, and their originals are even better.

3. Who: Elizabeth and the Catapult

Sounds Like: Sara Bareilles, Regina Spektor, Lisa Loeb

Why Listen: Elizabeth has a beautiful tone to her voice that is wonderfully relaxing and the instrumentations in her songs fit her lyrics perfectly.

4. Who: Eisley

Sounds Like: Sara Bareilles, Florence and the Machine

Why Listen: Eisley's tunes are catchy and her voice is irresistibly sweet.

5. Who: Paloma Faith

Sounds Like: Amy Winehouse, Duffy

Why Listen: Faith's tracks span a broad array of styles. Her music is sassy, fun and fresh.

What do you think of these artists? Who do you like and dislike? Let me know by leaving some comments. Let's have a conversation!

A big thanks to Thomas for making this post possible!

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Photo Credit: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150355791135157&set=a.10150355790700157.583505.892080156

Hot Chip Makes Hot Hits

Diversified sound has never been showcased better than in the music of the UK's Hot Chip. Their electronica jams feature differing musical styles yet they are all cohesive. Hot Chip is obviously not afraid to experiment with their sound, and that boldness filters into their phenomenal music.

"Ready For the Floor" is a techno-heavy song with pristine, delicate vocals. It has a very Klaxon/La Roux feel to it and makes for an ideal dance hall hit. Looped vocals give it a hypnotic vibe and the pulsing rhythm makes it easy to groove to. Listen to this song if you feel like dancing.

"Made in the Dark" is a slow, melancholy piano ballad with soft vocals. It almost sounds like a Don Henley tune. I was surprised at how different it was from "Ready For the Floor" because I was expecting another upbeat techno song, but instead I was met with a beautiful, simple ballad. This song is a lullaby.

"Shake a Fist" sounds like a mash-up of old school video game sound effects that evolve into a mysterious, tribal percussive sounds. This song reminds me of a lot of MGMT, which is definitely a good thing. It is very anthem-like and space-y. There is a breakdown halfway through the song that involves some listening instructions from one of the band members and an outbreak of techno chaos that excites the ear. This is my favorite Hot Chip song by far.

I recommend Hot Chip to fans of experimental and techno music. They vary their sound from song to song, but in the end it all turns out to be electronica gold. Here's a video of them performing an addicting groove called "Over and Over." What do you think of them?

Thank you for reading. Shuffle on.

Photo Credit: http://www.purevolume.com/hotchip/photos/2239832

Perfect Timing with Lovedrug

Let's get a little personal. I am obsessed with being in the Christmas spirit. After Black Friday happens, I am all about the holidays and enjoy as much Christmas-related things as possible: Christmas television specials, Christmas cookies, Christmas sweaters, Christmas socks, Christmas decorations, etc.

The top dog of all my Christmas favorites? Christmas music. I crank it until the voices of Bing Crosby and Burl Ives are stuck in my head for the entire month of December. In fact, I don't even really listen to any non-Christmas music during the holiday season, but of course I have had to make an exception for my blog.

I didn't have to compromise today though because Purevolume led me to Lovedrug, an adorable rock pop band that just released a Christmas EP. HOW PERFECT? Not only are they featuring some of my favorite Christmas songs on their Purevolume, but they make those favorites sound better than I have ever heard them before.

"The Christmas Song" is interpreted in a very blues/jazz fashion by Lovedrug. They have slowed it down a good bit and given it a killer guitar part. The vocalist takes his good old time with each word making the song almost trance-like. The tempo speeds up halfway through the song making it sound really grunge-y and wonderful. I cannot get over how well Lovedrug plays this song. It has so much more style than any version I have heard before.

"Blue Christmas" is crooned to perfection. The vocals sound almost sleazy with how whiny yet whisper-y they are. The instrumentation sounds exactly like the original except the percussion has a lot more life in it, and the guitar solo towards the end of the song really rips into the usually hum-drum chords. I love this version because Lovedrug pumped a lot more flair into it than the original.

"Christmas All Over Again" impressed the life out of me. Lovedrug definitely captured the fun vibe of the holiday hustle and bustle with this one. The vocals again are simply delectable, and the percussion parts are very tight and polished. It sounds like they had fun recording this one, and that's what Christmas music is all about to me. Five stars for Lovedrug on this one, especially for the awesome guitar parts.

If you are looking for some fun, updated Christmas tunes, listen to Lovedrug's Christmas EP. You will not be disappointed.

Here's an adorable holiday video from Lovedrug. What do you think of them?

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Photo Credit: http://www.purevolume.com/lovedrug/photos/3228713

Darynyck: Folk Pop Perfection

Folk pop almost always appeals to me, and quirky music duo Darynyck is no exception. In fact, members Daryn and Nyck (adorable choice of band name, I know) create some of the catchiest, cutest folk pop I have listened to in a while. Their simple lyrics and easygoing rhythms make listening to them very enjoyable. They have an irresistible charisma about them that makes me want them to write a song about me.

"Same Old Song" features an upbeat tempo and a variety of instrumental parts. Layered vocals enhance the song's fullness to a high degree, while the rattle of a maraca breaks up the repetitive guitar part and gives the song a fun edge. There is a bit of a campfire-sing-along vibe to this song that makes it perfect for a party playlist. This song is packed with sinfully sweet folk fun.

"Chaotic (Under Control)" is a mellow, guitar-driven track with a tambourine that fits in perfectly. My favorite aspect of this song is a rugged harmonica part that accompanies the attitude of the lyrics very well. The tone is somewhat cynical and pessimistic, making it a nice departure from Darynyck's often brighter vibe, yet it is impossible not to bob your head to this song. It's addicting.

"Now or Never" features a terrific harmonica part and song structure. The harmonica waits for the vocals finish, as if they are taking turns expressing themselves. It makes for a very fun interaction. Halfway through the song, everything slows down to make way for a quiet, slow verse that ends the song with the woeful lyrics, "Will you ever love me again?" Because of their creativity, I am willing to love Darynyck over and over again. This song is proof that this band writes catchy folk pop like it is the only thing they were put on Earth to do.

I recommend Darynyck to fans of Bob Dylan, Dave Melillo and Busman's Holiday. This duo makes fun folk with a dash of edginess that is sure to please any folk pop lover. Watch this live video of them and tell me what you think! Do you like Darynyck?

I also found this gem while perusing Darynyck's YouTube videos. It's one of my favorite Weezer songs. I simply could not pass up posting it.

Thank you for reading. Shuffle on.

Photo Credit: http://www.purevolume.com/darynyck/photos/3118914

Last Conservative Produces Great Alt-Rock

Nothing is more musically refreshing to me than a dose of decent alternative rock. Buffalo, New York's Last Conservative bring a feisty attitude to their energized music that makes listening to them feel like someone is pouring their soul out to you. I like what they do because it is clear that they have whittled away at their sound to find a musical identity that is unique to them.

"Your Place or Mine (All This Fire)" is a passionate, sex-driven inferno of a song. There is so much emotion behind the vocals and the powerful guitar riffs that it is hard not to understand what the song is trying to say. This song is loud, outspoken, fearless and honest. It's a winner.

"Pretty New Things" is a slow, symphonic song with deep lyrics. "The whole world shudders every time we sneeze" is just one example of the lines that calls for individual interpretation. I like when bands leave the meaning up to the listener because it makes listening a more personal experience. This song never falls flat once. It is incredibly polished and epic.

"The Way You Would Kiss Me" is another slow song that romances the ears with a quiet piano part and low vocals that sound like they are being directly whispered into the listener's ear. With lyrics like, "You can't give what you haven't got," the song packs a heavy meaning that is adequately expressed not only through the lyrics but through the tone of the instrumental parts. It's not all romantic hums though. An alternative rock vibe is heard in several parts of the song, especially in the vocals. Very well done.

Fans of Pearl Jam, Edwin McCain and Lifehouse should try out Last Conservative. They have a clean sound with a lot of heart. Here's a video of them performing "The Way You Would Kiss Me." Do you like Last Conservative?

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Photo Credit: http://www.purevolume.com/lastconservative/photos/1693704

Q: Dream Job? A: Rock Star.

This week I had to create a quiz to post on my blog for an assignment in my multimedia class. I could have made a quiz to help you find out what indie band you are or what genre best describes you, but I decided to dream a little bigger and a little louder.

I made a quiz to help you find out what kind of rock star you would be if you were in a rock band. Take the quiz and tell me what you think of your results! Do you think your answer is accurate?

Quizzes by Quibblo.com

Thank you for answering. Shuffle on.

Photo Credit: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/f/f3/20051022203016!Question_mark_alternate.png