In the Morning of the Magicians - The Flaming Lips

It's Flaming Lips week over at Music Togetherness and I have a new appreciation for a song I've liked since I first was introduced to "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots."

On our way to Cincinnati last weekend, David and I had a long conversation about this album and concept albums in general, and I saw this song in a whole new light that made me like it a whole lot more. As the setting for the wake of our heroine, Yoshimi, who has failed in her quest to defeat pink robots who are trying to take over the world, I love the calm feeling that saturates the track, along with lead singer Wayne Coyne's unique voice and beautiful instrumentals.

I also love the lyrics - "The universe will have it's way, too powerful to master - oh, what is love and what is hate - and why does it matter - is it all just a waste - how can it matter?" That's some heavy stuff right there, but totally relevant in almost any time, and it gives you as the listener, something more than the beautiful melody to really think about. It kind of makes me think about the war going on right now and whether the U.S. is in it for the right reasons. Isn't it really because our two nations are different? Is this really going to solve anything, or is it going to have the same turnout no matter what, because that's what the universe demands?

...and We're Back! Almost.

Lots of new albums coming out soon as well as a few from my favorite "Idols," so I'm going to see if I can resurrect this thing with a bit of a change in format.

Unlike David, I'm not going to be numbering mine from now on. It's too obvious when I miss a day and let's face it, I get busy sometimes. The rest of the blog will stay pretty much the same.

Starting Jan. 1, I'll pick up the habit of updating each and every day for as long as I can go. Until then, enjoy the posts as I write them ;)

18. Breathe (2 a.m.) - Anna Nalick

At one time, this song meant something to me, about someone. It was a hectic time in my life, where I over analyzed everything I thought or did... I did things and made myself suffer for what I thought was the betterment of another person who didn't care. It was who I was. And I didn't like it. I needed to stop, take a deep breath and step back.

Today, I still like the song because it's pretty, but I hope I've come a long way since then. I'm no longer up at 2 a.m. wondering about this and that and I can spend my time thinking about myself, and people who actually deserve it. :)

17. Wait for Me - Jamie Lidell

Yes, I realize I haven't been doing this very long and that I've already used Jamie Lidell for one song of the day. Being that I'm only familiar with this particular album, that does seem like a lot, but maybe I spoke too soon with "Little Bit of Feel Good."

I listened and sang along to "Wait for Me" yesterday on my way to Edwardsville and as I hit the back button repeatedly I got chills every time. I mentioned before, I believe, that Jamie's voice really gets me, but the emotion in this song is so strong that it's easy for anyone to feel overwhelmed if they're open to feeling the song. If you sing along, the sensation is even stronger. This is probably my favorite off the album "Jim."

16. Throw It on the Ground - The Lonely Island (2009)

I have seriously been slacking on my song of the day postings. Does that annoy you? Do you need a way to let it all out? Why don't you THROW IT ON THE GROUND!

David and I saw a clip from the Lonely Island's new SNL digital short last night on Jimmy Fallon and loved it. So we didn't laugh as hard as when we read the reviews for "Three Wolf Moon," but this video is classic.

"Happy Birthday to THE GROUND!" The Lonely Island has done it again.

15. All I Ask of You - Andrew Lloyd Webber (1986)

"Phantom" was a great show last night, my first time ever to the Fox, so I thought I'd commemorate it.

"All I Ask of You" was a definite high point of the show. I hadn't seen the movie and I hadn't studied the play since my freshman year of college so I wasn't sure why I was so familiar with the but I'm glad I was. I think it helped bring some clarity to the show, and made it a more memorable experience for me.

14. Jessica - The Allman Brothers Band (1973)

Today is transition day from Thrice to The Allman Brothers Band on Music Togetherness, so it's a celebration!

Other than "Ramblin' Man" and thanks to the Guitar Hero franchise, a whole new generation got to know this song and love it over the last decade. One interesting fact even earlier than that - a live version of the song won a Grammy Award in 1996, decades after it was released.

This song is smooth and rich and beautifully mastered - one doesn't really even realize how long it is because it's enjoyable all the way through with no low points (and is one helluva fun tune to play on GH).

13. Only Happy When It Rains - Garbage (1995)

At one point in my life, I actually felt this way. Today, as I sit here with a heater trying to dry off my pant legs, it feels kind of ironic.

Singer Shirley Manson once said the song was a dig at themselves because of the type of music they were into, which is interesting.

Why do people like music that makes them depressed? Because it's not normal to feel happy cheery all the time. It's enlightening, almost exhilarating to feel this kind of range of emotion - it's what makes us human, what separates us from the animals (although some would argue that one).

Manson's voice is so pretty against the harder sounds of the guitar... despite the lyrics and the idea behind the song, there's something uplifting about it. Ever laughed at a funeral? There's something so wrong about it, yet the people who do it do so because aren't sure how to deal with these types of feelings and that's how they come out. The conflict of emotion here (happy and dreary) is intriguing and leaves me wanting more.

12. No Rain - Blind Melon (1993)

I've been in a very blah mood - maybe because it's gotten cold and rainy and I haven't felt very good lately. Although yesterday was a higher point for me than the rest of the week in that I felt good enough to get out there and do my practice run for Homecoming - still, it was cloudy and overcast in the morning and that has set the tone as of late.

Again, I feel bad I missed another post, so I've promised myself I'll try to step it up.

I love everything about this song - the singing, the lyrics (which at one point in my life I could connect with), the guitar, the mood - except maybe the dancing bee girl. Wow, she's unfortunate looking.

11. Bad - Michael Jackson (1987)

So, my office space co-habitant has decided that today is 80s day. She got on Pandora and started with Madonna, and we went from there, which brings me to "Bad."

I always liked a number of Michael Jackson songs, including this one, but never really understood his full impact on popular culture and pop music until he died. That weekend was nonstop Michael Jackson music videos, songs, movie specials and more - all very impressive, especially crammed into one sitting, one after another.

This song also reminds me of a game we used to play in the DEN newsroom - Escape from Neverland. I feel kind of bad for the man, but it's all in fun.

Shamon.

10. U Can't Touch This - MC Hammer (1990)

One, I am sorry that I didn't feel well and laid around last night then fell asleep early and didn't get a chance to post this in time. Two, I am sorry that I couldn't think of anything for yesterday's song of the day and then landed on this one.

Typically, I like to choose songs that I love and showcase them on this blog, but from time to time I'll hear something silly while flipping through the radio on my way to or from work - which is exactly what happened in this situation.

I don't consider this music "good" by any means, but it does bring back a bit of nostalgia for the kid in all of us.

Break it down.

9. John Carpenter - Halloween Theme (1978)

Tonight, I am watching a movie marathon based around the Halloween franchise with Brian and David - the perfect way to kick off Halloween season if you ask me - so this was an obvious choice.

Need I say more?

Halloween is my favorite holiday of all time and this theme is just as scary as the movie itself.

I used to have this as a ringtone on my phone, but I didn't know about transferring ringtones so I held off from downloading it to my new one and got "Thriller" instead. You can probably expect to see that on this blog sometime this Halloween season.

8. AC/DC - Highway to Hell (1979)

It took me awhile to think of a good song of the day - but Brian's here this weekend and we've been watching scary movies, Final Destination movies to be exact, so this only seemed right.

The second movie is the scariest of the three, with the pileup scene especially. I don't have any other particular reason I like this song, I just do and I love AC/DC's energy.

What I wouldn't give to see these guys live...

7. The Beatles - Tax Man (1966)

I've liked the Beatles forever, I've loved them since high school, but I've never paid much attention to this particular song until Beatles Rock Band.

Sad, I know, but I love singing it on the game. I LOVE George's voice.

If you think about it, it's kind of a song for the times - with all the talk about public health care and people worrying about their taxes being raised crazy high.

Anyway, I couldn't find an album cover photo so I thought this photo from the game would suffice. Enjoy!

6. Rilo Kiley - Silver Lining (2007)

Boring image, I know, but I love the song. And I just so happened to dig it out of my car and listen to the album its featured on, "Under the Blacklight" on my way to work this morning.

Kind of interesting for a dark, dreary day. The song almost sounds happy, but with its dreary overtones it's not quite there. Almost like you're in a dream state, a sort of limbo while listening to it. I love the crisp sound throughout the song - especially the part with the triangle in the third verse. And I LOVE her voice.

The song was my first venture into the world of Rilo Kiley, although I had inadvertently been a Jenny Lewis fan ever since her days in "Troop Beverly Hills," which was a favorite movie of mine growing up.

I watched the music video and loved who'd she'd become, pretty, sure and self-confident. From there, I got into her solo stuff and even caught a few songs live at Bonnaroo 2009. This song was the beginning for me.

5. Taylor Swift - You Belong With Me (2009)

Off Taylor Swift's SECOND (yes, it surprised me too when I saw) album "Fearless," I have chosen this song for today because of my love for nostalgia and real respect for her as an artist.

See, I'm not really a fan of country music, but every now and then a song or artist will catch me off guard. Taylor Swift has done just that, with a little help from Z107.7 and other pop radio stations that have been playing pop versions of her tunes and helping them reach a wider audience. While I prefer the country versions of these songs, which this is, I think her talent translates well.

What's more is that Swift is so young and pretty and poppy, yet she's talented and original and writes a lot of her own material, so you can tell it's from the heart. I like this song in particular because I remember being back in high school and being in those shoes. The words hit home so much so that they could have been written by me ;) Except I would make a terrible songwriter.

Short hiatus

This blog was on a short hiatus Monday and Tuesday because I was in Madison, WI without computer access. Song of the day returns today.

4. Gomez - Airstream Driver (2009)

I chose this song because I've been on a real Bonnaroo kick again lately. Only 200+ more days to go until 2010.

Anyway, I'd never heard Gomez before but we got into Centeroo early and decided to park at the Which Stage to get good seats for Animal Collective, which followed right after. (Which reminds, me, I really need to start posting again over at Bonnaroo Virgin, maybe late reviews of all the shows I saw in 2009?)

They were a pleasant surprise. This song's been stuck in my head since.

P.S. Couldn't find this song on Grooveshark, so I went to YouTube and found footage of the actual show. I was to the right of the stage, and I found the guy in the plaid shirt extremely fascinating.

3. Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek (2005)

I didn't mean to choose a song so similar to the one I posted two days ago to start this blog, but I've been listening to this song nonstop since then and realized it deserves its own highlight.

I can't help it. I mentioned that I liked the sample from this song sped up in "Whatcha Say," but I didn't mention that the slower, original version is much more haunting and it really sticks with you.

Apparently, it stuck with people in the entertainment biz as well.

Off the 2005 album "Speak for Yourself," this song has been all over television and back. I knew it was featured on an episode of "The O.C." as I mentioned before, but I didn't know all the other references, including Survivor and Lost, until I read more on Wikipedia. Listen for yourself.

2. Jamie Lidell - Little Bit of Feel Good (2008)

I always imagined that American Idol 2009's Danny Gokey should sing a similar type of music - after all, their voices do sound similar. Let's face it, I'm not a fan of Christian music, and even Danny Gokey can't make me go there.

"Little Bit of Feel Good" off Lidell's 2008 album by contrast is pretty naughty, but it's not the lyrics, the meaning of the song, or even the creepy weird video where the girl he's with has the head of a horse that attracts me to this track.

I love, love, love, love, love, love Jamie's voice and that, coupled with the funky, upbeat tempo, is bound to have me hitting repeat for a long time to come.

1. Jason Derulo - Whatcha Say (2009)

I heard this song in my car the other day, and it's not very often I hear hip hop or rap that I can't wait to hear again...

Something about the chorus sounded comforting, familiar, yet haunting. I couldn't get enough. So I told David about it and he pointed out that the sample is taken from an Imogen Heap song called "Hide and Seek." Not only is that song great as well, but it was used in the episode of "The O.C." when Marissa shoots Trey. No wonder it was familiar! For those who don't know, David and I went through an O.C. thing very recently.

I like both quite a bit, mostly because of the sample they share, and I like that this song speeds the sample up a bit.

It's interesting that the auto tuner has become such a staple in pop music when Imogen Heap has been doing it for years. Turns out I prefer the effect it has on a woman's voice to a man's.