Top 10 Music Blogs of 2011

I don't consider my blog a "music blog" in the slightest. (I wish) I actually don't think there's a category for this blog...I'm kinda all over the place. However, thanks to We Listen For You, one of my favorite music blogs, they've put together a list of the Top 10 Music Blogs of 2011 including my all time fave, Aquarium Drunkard

Enjoy :)

Get Familiar: AWOLNATION

I have to thank my good buddy and co-worker Kevin for this recommendation. He played this song for me and I was sold...then of course I bought the album...that's all it took. So now I'm sharing it with you guys because I'm sure you're gonna want to buy the album too...or at least I hope so ;)

AWOLNATION

 

I can only give you everything

Nick Waterhouse is one of my new faves of 2011. I love him, his music, his style...everything. He's just too cool for school!

Check out his new video for his single "I Can Only Give You Everything" off his debut EP "Is That Clear"

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back...

"Shake It Out"

by

Florence + The Machine

Regrets collect like old friends

Here to relive your darkest moments

I can see no way, I can see no way

And all of the ghouls come out to play

And every demon wants his pound of flesh

But I like to keep some things to myself

I like to keep my issues strong

It's always darkest before the dawn

And I've been a fool and I've been blind

I can never leave the past behind

I can see no way, I can see no way

I'm always dragging that horse around

All of these questions, such a mournful sound

Tonight I'm gonna bury that horse in the ground

So I like to keep my issues strong

But it's always darkest before the dawn

Shake it up, shake it out, shake it up, shake it out, ooh woaaah

Shake it up, shake it out, shake it up, shake it out, ooh woaaaah

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back

So shake him off, oh woah

I am done with my graceless heart

So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart

Cause I like to keep my issues strong

It's always darkest before the dawn

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back

So shake him off, oh woah

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back

And given half the chance would I take any of it back

It's a fine romance but it's left me so undone

It's always darkest before the dawn

Oh woah, oh woah...

And I'm damned if I do and I'm damned if I don't

So here's to drinks in the dark at the end of my road

And I'm ready to suffer and I'm ready to hope

It's a shot in the dark and right at my throat

Cause looking for heaven, for the devil in me

Looking for heaven, for the devil in me

Well what the hell I'm gonna let it happen to me

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back

So shake him off, oh woah

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back

So shake him off, oh woah

You ain't alone, so why you lonely?

Look, I know I've said it before, but I'm gonna keep saying it until EVERYONE is familiar with this band...ALABAMA SHAKES is the shit!!! I'm obsessed and a fan for life!

Lead singer Brittany Howard, sings with her whole soul...you can feel her passion...she is life.

WINTER IS COMING!!

I'm gonna need April 2012 to hurry up and get here because I can't wait any longer!

RetroSexuals: Funny is the new Sexy

Love this spread in People's Magazine "The Sexiest Man Alive" Issue with the cast of SNL and Parks & Rec recreating classic looks from the 30s and 60s.

"Woody Allen: A Documentary" (The Man Behind The Dream)

If you know me personally then you know that I have many obsessions; films, music, graffiti, guys with accents, guys who can dance and Woody Allen.

And now thanks to PBS, we can all get a closer look into the life and career of the person I like to call "The Man Behind The Dream", Mr. Woody Allen.

 

Airing this Sunday, November 20th on PBS (Woody Allen: A Documentary)

Oh Andy...

Can we all just agree that Parks & Rec is killing the comedy shows right now? I mean really these past two seasons have been flawless.

We already know "My Hero" is quite possibly one of the best characters in TV history, and now Mr. Andy Dwyer has officially secured a place in my heart with this AMAZING quote...

LESLIE

 I need a few more volunteers, Andy will you be Iceland?

ANDY

The bad guys from Mighty Ducks 2...don't think so.

LESLIE

Okay, how bout Japan?

ANDY

The bad guys from Karate Kid 2...even worse. 

How bout Germany? They've never been the bad guys.

Can I just be her for a day, please?

Fat Belly Bella AKA Lo Down Loretta Brown AKA Miss Erykah Badu is the fiercest of them all! She's the shit! If you can catch her live, DO IT! Your life will thank you for it.

Listen to Miss Badu's rendition of Lady Day AKA the late great Ms. Billie Holiday's "Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do"...speechless.

Hidden Gem: WARRIOR (my Best Picture front runner)

I know I'm making a pretty bold statement this early in award season, but when I know....I know. And after seeing Gavin O'Connor's WARRIOR, I knew that this film right here was my "Best Picture" front runner. There...I said it.

I can't even begin to explain to you why this movie was so brilliant...but I will. For starters, I can recall not being interested in seeing this movie when it first came out. I was like, why is this movie trying to be like "The Fighter/Rocky?" So now imagine how surprised I was to find out that The Wrap was screening it last week as part of their "Award Series" I thought there must be a reason Lionsgate is pushing this movie...so I went. Now let me tell you, I'm a person that doesn't mind being proven wrong when it comes to movies. Going into it, I already had it in my mind that this movie was going to just be okay but boy was I wrong. This movie left me speechless...literally. 

Starring Tom Hardy (Inception, The Dark Knight Rises) and Joel Edgerton (Animal Kingdom), the movie follows two brothers, both MMA fighters, on a path of finally confronting the forces that tore them apart, all in while wagging the most intense, winner-takes-all battle of their lives. Tom and Joel both give the performances of a lifetime! Physically and emotionally. Nick Nolte, who plays their recovered alcoholic father,  gives the most heartfelt and fearless performance of his career. 

This movie has real emotional resonance, vivid flawless performances and a story so powerful that I was blown away from its opening moments. I must say, that the true genius lies in the way Gavin O'Connor balances the violence of the fight scenes with tender moments of human weakness.

A MUST SEE!!!!!

Official website

PS. Mr. Hardy...thank you.

Ain't that the truth

They're at it again...and I love it!

Oh Justin and Jimmy can do no wrong in my book...well except for "In Time" and "Taxi" but we all make mistakes sometimes ;)

Here's another brilliantly "History of Rap" medley from the dynamic duo.

I miss her :(

A new song from the late Amy Winehouse feat. Nas called "Like Smoke"

Get Familiar: Lana Del Rey

This girl is fire! She's like a modern day Nancy Sinatra (kinda moody and dark yet soft and sweet)...and her style is very reminiscent of a sixties bombshell. I highly recommend you check her out because she's seriously about to blow up! Her EP Video Games is available on iTunes for only $2.99...definitely worth it!! 

Lana Del Rey - Official website

Lana Del Rey - Video Games 

Rolling Stone knows what's up

Rolling Stone's "The Hot Issue" features the best, the brightest and the baddest of 2011.

Check out their picks for the new British Invasion!