Joshua Radin - Someone Else's Life

Here is another favorite new acoustic tune. Like other tunes on this blog, this song isn't very new. In fact it's from 2006. Again, though, it's new to me thus qualifying for a place as my favorite new song.

Artist: Joshua Radin
Genre: Folk
Album: We Were Here
Song: Someone Else's Life

Rating: 5 Thumps

Note about the video: Contrary to the video below, this song is not found on the Twilight soundtrack.

Dukes of Daville - Cry Baby

Like Grey's Anatomy, its spinoff Private Practice aims to play catchy new tunes during their shows.

If you like a little throwback tune that's catchy and emotional at the same time, this one's for you.

Genre: Pop / Hip Hop
Artist: Dukes of Daville
Album: No album yet, songs available for download
Song: Cry Baby

Rating: 4 Thumps

Dido - Quiet Times

If you like Dido, and have been hoping to hear acoustics added to her music, look no further than "Quiet Times." This isn't her first single off of her new album, but this could be the landmark tune.

Coincidentally, this song makes its debut on Grey's Anatomy tomorrow night.

Genre: Pop / Alternative
Artist: Dido
Album: Safe Trip Home
Song: Quiet Times

Rating: 5 Thumps (I know what you're saying: Tony, all of your songs recently are getting 5 stars. My reply: That's why they're my new favorite songs ;)

ps - Will add to my playlist once it becomes available.

Morgan Page - Call My Name

Another DJ turned hit maker, Morgan Page is best known for his recent hit, "The Longest Road." I just happen to like this one better ;)

Genre: Dance / Electronica
Artist: Morgan Page Featuring Tyler James
Album: Not one I know of, single is downloadable
Song: Call My Name

Rating: 5 Thumps

Matt White - Love

Straight from a McDonald's commercial for the McRib sandwich, to my new favorite song.

Genre: Acoustic / Surf
Artist: Matt White
Album: Best Days
Song: Love

Rating: 5 Thumps

Madonna - Miles Away

Guilty pleasure #146: Madonna. Sorry! But true. As much as her personal life is completely offensive and that she can't decide which accent to speak in public with, her music has lasted decades. Besides, I rarely ever consider someone's personal life in my music choices. More music than the person behind it.

Genre: Pop
Artist: Madonna
Album:Hard Candy
Song: Miles Away

Rating: 4 Thumps

New Rating System

Ok, so I've started rating my songs by "Thumps." 5 Thumps is the highest rating, with 0 Thumps being the least. Even though I might put a song on here that I really like, it doesn't necessarily mean it'll be a 5 Thump song.

I invite you to rate the songs too! See poll to the right.

Coldplay - Lovers in Japan

I like Coldplay. I don't love them, but I'll listen and bob my head. This song makes me like Coldplay more.

Genre: Rock/Alternative
Artist: Coldplay
Album: Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
Song: Lovers in Japan

Rating: 3.5 thumps

What's your rating?

The Rumble Strips - Boys and Girls in Love

The UK group, The Rumble Strips, brings back a little Counting Crows feel with this up-tempo song, "Boys and Girls in Love."

Genre: Rock/Alternative
Artsit: The Rumble Strips
Album: Girls and Weather
Song: Boys and Girls in Love

Why do I like it?: Fun, peppy song that leads us nicely into autumn.

MGMT - Kids

Here's another great example of 2 people working together to make fresh sounds. MGMT consists of Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden, former college mates. Sounds familiar, no?

Genre: Alternative / Electronica
Artist: MGMT
Album: Oracle Spectacular
Song: Kids

Why do I like it?: It's been sorta grey here in the northwest, so peppy tunes are my current flavor.

About the video: This is not the official video. From what I can tell, they don't have one yet....

Meck - Feels like home

I honestly don't know a ton about Meck except that he's from the UK and is a popular dj over there. This particular song has a lot Depeche Mode feel to it that really drew me in initially. This song is also found as a mashup with Madonnna's "Like a Prayer."

Genre: Dance / Alternative
Artist: Meck
Song: Feels like home

Why do I like it?: Roll the windows down baby and drive!

The Killers - Human

Great, great song. I was totally disappointed with their last album, but this song gives me hope they're back to the basics: Quick and catchy tunes.

Genre: Rock/Pop
Artist: The Killers
Album: Day and Age
Song: Human

Why do I like it?: Makes the head bob up and down without having to think too much.

Leona Lewis - Better in Time

I told you before, my taste in music is very wide. "Better in Time" by Leona Lewis, Simon Cowell's English protoge, is a great new song.

Genre: Pop/Top 40
Artist: Leona Lewis
Album: Spirit
Song: Better in Time

Why do I like it?: Honestly, this song takes me back to 8th and 9th grade when I'd dance to Mariah Carey songs at my school dance. I wish Mariah sounded like Leona.

This is not the greatest videos quality...Sorry ;)

Leona Lewis - Better In Time
Uploaded by wonderful-life1989

Breathe

Angels and Airwaves is the band former Blink 182 front man Tom DeLonge formed in 2005. I've liked most of their tunes as they're heavy on effects producing full sound.

Genre: Rock/Pop
Artist: Angels and Airwaves
Album: I-Empire
Song: Breathe

Why do I like it?: Powerful, strong love anthem. We have a lot of love songs floating around, but anthems are few and far between.

Falling Slowly

A friend of mine introduced me to "Falling Slowly" a few weeks ago and my wife and I finally got around to watching the movie it came from, "Once." Brilliant.

There is no official video for the song that I could find, so below is a live performance of "Falling Slowly."

Genre: Folk
Artist: Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
Album: Once (Soundtrack)
Song: Falling Slowly

Why do I like it?: Just a genuine song, sung with passion.

5 Years Time

This is a great tune I heard on a friend's blog and then just yesterday started hearing it on the radio. Noah and The Whale is the name of this English group that seems to put out fun folksy tunes.

Genre: Folk/Pop
Artist: Noah and The Whale
Album: Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down
Song: 5 Years Time

Why do I like it?: Love the mix of the ukulele and a smooth beat in the background.

Look Up

Oppenheimer is a fairly new groove coming from Ireland. I really like to find out the make up of bands and these guys are no different. Just two guys who love music kicking out some tunes.

Genre: Electonica/Pop
Artist: Oppenheimer
Album: Take The Whole
Song: Look Up

Why do I like it?: Because it ends so quickly, it definitely leaves me wanting more.

You Don't Know Me

This is a great match up with Ben Folds and Regina Spektor. Their voices play really well together.

Genre: Pop
Artist: Ben folds and Regina Spektor
Album: Way to Normal
Song: You Don't know Me

Why do I like it:? Catchy simple love tune.

ps - There is one little word in the middle of the song that might surprise you ;)

Love Generation

Bob Sinclar (stage name) is a French DJ who works with artists from around the world. "Love Generation" is actually from 2005, but it's new to me and I like it.

Genre: Dance
Artist: Bob Sinclar
Album: Western Dream
Song: Love Generation

Why do I Like it?: Love the mix of the acoustic guitar and a steady beat. Makes me think summer isn't quite over.

Shattered

When I went to find this video, I saw a lot of comments that O.A.R. were now sell-outs because their stuff sounded too Top 40's. This blog does not care about a group. I focus on songs that I listen to over and over again. This is one of them.

Genre: Rock
Artist: O.A.R.
Album: All Sides
Song: Shattered

Why do I like it?: This is a good "drive with your windows down on a sunny day" song.

Two Ways Out

Came across this song this week and had to find out more about it. The band is Darker My Love out of LA.

Just a cool, smooth rock tune. Kind of makes a nice transition from summer time to fall.

Genre: Rock/Soul
Artist: Darker My Love
Album: 2
Song: Two Ways Out

Why do I like it?: The vocals are very smooth. Not trying to do too much. The blend is refreshing.

P.S. - Song is now available on my playlist....

The Story

When I began this blog, I committed to myself to only place songs up that I really listen to over and over again. I've struggled recently to find new stuff to highlight, thus the lack of posts.

Thank goodness for commercials during the Olympics. "The Story," by Brandi Carlile, is featured in a GM commercial that has been playing the past week and a half and caught me the first time I heard it. What I didn't know is that she's from right here in Seattle.

Genre: Folk/Alternative
Artist: Brandi Carlile
Album: The Story
Song: The Story

Why do I like it?: Brandi sings with a ton of passion. Mix this passion with a song that sounds like one big chorus, and you have a hit.

The Story - Brandi Carlile

Lil' King Kong

Very Beck like, Simple Kid drives his tunes with heavy sampling / voice overs to create a hip hop/country/alternative sound.

I first heard this song on a Saturn commercial recently, and I just had to find out more about it.

Genre: Alternative/Rock/Country
Artsit: Simple Kid
Album: 2
Song: Lil' King Kong

Why do I like it?: The mix of the banjo and hip hop beats makes me happy.

First Day Of My Life

Folks, this song is not new at all. In fact, it's over 2 years old. But it's new to me thanks to another friend of mine who introduced me to the group, Bright Eyes.

Honestly, I don't want to continually post sappy love songs that were made for weddings. But when a song is good, a song is good. This actually might be my favorite song I've posted about so far.

Genre: Folk/Alternative
Artist: Bright Eyes
Album: I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
Song: First Day Of My Life

Why do I like it?: I think the song speaks for itself.

Mercy

Some people say Duffy is an Amy Winehouse wannabe. I say Amy Winehouse wasn't the first, nor will she be the last, to bring soul driven retro pop back to the mainstream. With Duffy and her unique voice, I think you either like her or she might drive you nuts. I happen to like a lot of what I've listened to on her debut album.

And, because I like you so much, I'm adding a second video which is an acoustic version for your listening pleasure (I go back and forth on which one I like better, but often it's the acoustic version).

While she's reached the top of the charts in the UK, she's slowly gaining traction here in the US.

Genre: Pop/Soul
Artist: Duffy
Album: Rockferry
Song: Mercy

Why do I like it?: I love soul mixed with a retro pop feel that makes you move.



Acoustic Version:

It's About Time

This Seattle based band infuses a lot of piano into its music that offers similarities to Coldplay and Keane.

Genre: Alternative
Artist: Barcelona
Album: Absolutes
Song: It's About Time

Why do I like it?: While the video is a touch odd, the song moves and keeps my attention.

Madi Don't Leave

This song isn't as fresh as most of the ones I've posted about, but since my blog is fairly new I thought I would take the liberty of stepping back briefly.

PlayRadioPlay! is pretty much one person, Dan Hunter. At the ripe age of 18, Hunter has already gone through the ups and downs of being signed to a major record label and as of recently, unsigned.

Genre: Electro/Pop
Artist: PlayRadioPlay!
Album: Texas
Song: Madi Don't Leave

Why do I like it?: A brief shout to my current city of residence, Seattle, mixed with nifty instrumentation and a simple tune.

ps - I don't love the version I have on the play list, but it was the best I could find.

New Play List

By popular request, I've added a play list at the bottom of the page that plays all of the songs I have recently added continuously. To get it playing, simply scroll to the bottom and hit play. If you want to want a particular video, just pause the playlist and play video.

Enjoy!

Home in the Woods

This is hot off the cutting room floor folks. Heard this song on the radio a few nights ago and it turns out Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons are just embarking on their major label life.

Growing up, we listened to a lot of folk music on our family trips in the minivan along the east coast. So I've always had a love for tight harmonies, acoustic sounds and catchy sing-a-long type tunes.

Their debut EP is called Cabin Ghosts which was recorded in Cory's hometown of Appleton, WI. This song is a live performance that can be found on the EP and as a single off of iTunes.

Genre: Folk/Americana
Artist: Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons
Album: Cabin Ghosts
Song: Home in the Woods

Why do I like it?: The chord progressions are unexpected and very welcomed.


Cory Chisel - Home In The Woods from aaron manders on Vimeo.

I'm not over

After providing the background music to the MTV show, The Hills, it seems Carolina Liar is on its way to headlining future gigs much larger than an MTV reality show.

Why their name, Carolina Liar? Chad Wolfe, lead singer, is from South Carolina. From what I've read, he seems to be older than most newly signed artists. 20 points to whoever let's us know how old he is.

Genre: Alternative/Americana
Artist: Carolina Liar
Album: Coming to Terms
Song: I'm not over

Why I like it?: Sweet rhythm mixed with catchy tunes makes this song a favorite.

Lucky

My best friend led me to this seriously cute song. Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat make a great duet that seems effortless.

Genre: Top 40/Folk
Artist: Jason Mraz featuring Colbie Caillat
Album: We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.
Song: Lucky

Why do I like it?: Again, they make a great duet that makes it easy to visualize walking in a park with your best friend.

Black and Gold

A friend of mine sent this one to me a bit ago. She told me then, and I'll tell you now, listen to this song a few times then come back to it. I liked it okay the first few times, then the following day I listened over and over again.

Genre: Soul/Dance
Artist: Sam Sparro
Album: Sam Sparro
Song: Black and Gold

Why do I like it?: Smooth beats that make you bob your head.

Float

This song definitely gets turned up on my car stereo if it happens to grace its presence over the airwaves. Floggin Molly has been around now for nearly a decade, with some band members bringing over 20 years in the industry.

This isn't a great video but was the best I could do.

Genre: Folk Rock/Rock
Artist: Flogging Molly
Album: Float
Song: Float

Why do I like it?: I'm a sucker for acoustic sounds and this Irish anthem sucked me in the first time I heard it.

Sometime Around Midnight

I heard this on the radio recently. You know a song is good when you have to check out the radio station's website to see what/who the song/artist was.

I honestly don't know much about The Airborne Toxic Event. Except that if their name was an acronym, it would be my son's name: TATE.

Genre: Rock/Alternative
Artist: The Airborne Toxic Event
Album: The Airborne Toxic Event (Releasing in Sept. 2008)
Song: Sometime Around Midnight


Why do I like it?: Any rock song that can incorporate strings effectively into a song immediately jumps up in my book.

Say (All I need)

You'll learn quickly that my tastes in music vary greatly. If a song is good, I'll listen. It doesn't matter the genre nor performer.

One Republic has had an amazing debut year with multiple #1 hits. I'm not sure this song will have the same success, but it's easily their most interesting song.

Genre: Top 40
Artist: One Republic
Album: Dreaming Out Loud
Song: Say (All I Need)

Why do I like it?: The intro is sweet with the synthed vocals. The beat is awfully similar to Apologize, but it works here.

Going Wrong

A friend of mine showed me this video and I haven't stopped listening. This is Armin Van Buuren featuring Chris Jones: "Going Wrong."

Armin's widely considered one of the top DJ's in the world and collaborates with vocalists to pump out his tunes.

Genre: Dance/Techno
Artist: Armin Van Buuren Featuring Chris Jones
Album: Imagine
Song: Going Wrong

Why do I like it?: Catchy and simple. And I love the acoustic sound used in the chorus.



What do you think?