Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Little Shadow

Okay so originally I wanted to post something by Karen O, the lead singer of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, because she released this obscure little album of random tracks (I mean really random), but of course it's not on youtube and I'm a little too lazy at the moment to make a video. All of this to say that here's a track from Yeah Yeah Yeahs. This is, by the way, not the original track of Little Shadow, but the bonus track that's a little different, has more instruments and strings which is always good. Yeah Yeah Yeahs are awesome, much more upbeat than this song indicates but this is my favourite. Check out some of their stuff.

--Vivian

Patrick Watson - The Great Escape

Okay so Patrick Watson is normally the type of music that I find boring, and some of you might find it boring, but there's an eerie attraction to it. I'm not entirely sure what it is. At first I thought this unobtrusive sound would be great for studying but it just turns out to be really good at putting me to sleep at the desk. My enjoyment of Patrick Watson is strange to me, I don't like the sound and it's kind of anti-climatic to me, but at the same time I can't stop listening. Well you can decide for yourself.

--Vivian

A Perfect Circle - Fiddle and the Drum

In continuation of my list for the new President, this is Fiddle and the Drum, brought to you by A Perfect Circle. It's difficult for me to introduce bands that are already well known; it almost feels like they don't require introductions. Here we go anyways. A Perfect Circle was formed by the lead master mind of Tool, Maynard James Keenan, hence you would hear a lot of similarities in the two bands. For some strange reason, I love listen to APC, but can't find much appeal in Tool. Weird.

Moving on, the new presidency is marked by a very prominent and often repeated word: diplomacy. This song seems to be perfect to mark the end of the Bush era, and a time to begin reconciliation. Even during Obama's inauguration speech, hope for peace resounded. I only hope that this will be done in the most time-efficient manner, with consideration for the various countries whose people and government we've affected.

--Vivian

Tegan and Sara - I was Married

Hmmm this seems a little overdue. So President Obama has had almost a week now to get used to being the most powerful man on earth, and so far he's doing a fantastic job. Almost every other blogger out there has already written a full list of what they want the president to accomplish over his term, I guess it's now my turn. Let's start this one off with something controversial, something to jump start the atmosphere.

This is Tegan and Sara: a pair of Canadian twins, and extremely talented musicians. Tegan Sara wrote this song "I was Married" not long after one of them got married engaged to a long-time girlfriend. (I'm full of inconsistencies I know!)

There are a lot of extremist views when it comes to gay rights, but please, before you make up your mind or get defensive, listen to this song. Let it bring you to that sunlit wedding, and tell me this isn't about love.

So here's our first challenge for the freshman President, he's been reportedly associated with religious anti-gay rights pastors, but I want to here what HE has to say himself. I want to see him do something about this.

--Vivian

The Working Title - Something She Said

Music today is brought to you from the far corner of South Carolina. Unfortunately, despite having toured with some really big names (Our Lady Peace, Circa Survive), and at one point being signed by Universal Records, The Working Title never did catch the whirlwind of fame. Their sound is simple, with catchy lyrics and a mature voice to deliver them, so hopefully one day things will start going their way and they can climb up from obscurity.

--Vivian

Alive in Wild Paint - A Vespertine Haunting

You are listening to Alive in Wild Paint. At least I am. They were another one of those bands that got selected during one of my crazy whirlwind phases to gather as much music as I can in a 2 hour period. Then they got lost in the maelstrom that is my music collection, until I uncovered them again this week. Now I'm listening to their album on repeat.

The lead singer (you'll excuse me if I don't go wikipedia his name) has one of the most emotive voices I've ever heard, and the beautiful thing is when you look up youtube live performances of this band, his voice is just as spectacular without any processing. You've gotta love a true voice that's beautiful raw or manipulated.

--Vivian

Muse - Time Is Running Out

So basically, in my mind, anyone who doesn't like Muse is a loser (ahem Jeff). They're hardly the cool indie unknown band anymore, but they're still pretty effing awesome. They're like the new Funeral for a Friend, except... well okay they're really not like FFAF but they ARE both British! What's with the British and producing some of the BEST MUSIC EVER anyway?

Okay back on topic, this is one of the best songs by them, it was actually really hard to choose just one song to post. Oh well, you're bound to see more of them here in the future. Enjoy!

--Vivian

BEDlight for Blue Eyes - Ephemeral Addictions

This is BEDlight for Blue Eyes, a band that made me believe in rock again. Their sound is so polished, you can hear it even in this song which came from their very first album. The singer of this song has left and been replaced, however, their sound remains pure, so check them out.

--Vivian

The Spill Canvas - Hush Hush

-- Jocelyn