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).