Sunday, September 26, 2010

Favorite Albums of 2010 - The Black Keys, Beach House, Broken Bells

There are some albums this year that grabbed on to me and never let me go. Three albums in specific I have listened to over and over again and even while making this post I loved listening to each video. Mostly I listened to these albums while I worked, and read. I have to share them with you! Incidentally, they all happen to be Duos. From Garage Rock to Dream Pop to Space Rock. Check these albums out if you haven't already!


The Black Keys - Brothers
The Black Keys are Dan Auerbach & Patrick Carney and the duo are placed in the blues-rock/garage-rock genres. Already a TBK fan, my husband got this album and played it to death. Then, I got it from him and continued playing it to death.
Here are two of my favorite songs on the album and the only two that have official videos:

Next Girl:


Tighten Up:




Beach House - Teen Dream
Beach House is described as an "indie rock duo" comprised of Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally. Also described as "dream pop".
The first song I heard from them, Norway, off Teen Dream, grabbed me and never let me go. I was smitten with the band right away.
The music is definitely more mellow rhythmically, but also really haunting and at times creepy. The songs also are built with a lot of layers musically and vocally. Victoria's voice reaches to very deep places inside of me. Yes, that is a woman singing, and she might very well be the female version of Steve Perry, in my opinion.

Norway:
ohemgee this song is still gorgeous to me even though I have heard it now 1,000,000 times.


Lover of Mine:


Better Times:
*swooooon*


Used To Be:
No on the Teen Dream album, but I had to post this song anyway. You might remember it from The Royal Tennenbaums movie.




Broken Bells - Broken Bells
Broken Bells is another duo comprised as James Mercer (lead vocalist & guitarist of The Shins) and Brian Burton (better known as Danger Mouse). They are included in the Indie Rock and Space Rock genres. This album was composed and created as a duo, and what an album it is. It's been on repeat, repeat, and more repeat on my iPod.

The Ghost Inside:
Awesome Sci-Fi video featuring the gorgeous Christina Hendricks (from Mad Men & Firefly)!


The High Road:


The Mall & Misery:
My favorite song off the album! Interesting concept where James & Brian interview children on what they think of the song.




HONORABLE MENTION SONG because I love house and dance music (don't h8!). Mostly I love to shake my booty and dance around the house, but also I have to have running music that has good beats. I have found that house and dance music overall really help me zone out while I'm running. This is one of my most favoritely FIERCE songs of 2010.


Kaskade featuring Dragonette - Fire in Your New Shoes
fierce fierce fierce fierce fierce

Friday, September 24, 2010

Spaz Reviews: Grimspace - Ann Aguirre

My new review of Grimspace - Ann Aguirre is up at Wicked Lil Pixie. Come check it out!

I have wanted to pick up this series for what seems like forever, and I finally did! This is my first introduction to Science Fiction and I can tell you I am hooked on this series and am a “Jax” fan.

Grimspace is the first book of the Sirantha Jax series and not only my first Science Fiction book but also my first time reading Ann Aguirre. I am still reeling from the worlds that Ms Aguirre created and took us through. It is one of the most edgy books I have read. Because I love movies and television, I couldn’t help but get the feel of Firefly/Serenity meets Star Wars. Sirantha Jax is born with the rare J-gene that enables her to lead a ship through a shortcut bend in space called Grimspace. After her last mission goes very wrong and she is blamed for it, a group of rogue fighters help her escape so that she can help them with their own agenda.

Check out the rest at Wicked Lil Pixie!

Interview & Giveaway with Jennifer Estep

Visit us over at Wicked Lil Pixie for an interview with Jennifer Estep and a Venom Giveaway!
Jennifer Estep's Elemental Assassin series is one of my most favorite Urban Fantasy series this year. You need to check it out!! I've reviewed the first two books in the series, 1- Spider's Bite and 2- Web of Lies and now Venom is releasing on Tuesday. This series is a must-read, ya'll!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Spaz Book Reviews: Queen of Shadows - Dianne Sylvan

Visit Wicked Lil Pixie to read my review here: Queen of Shadows by Dianne Sylvan

I picked this book up on a whim at the recommendation of a fellow Urban Fantasy fan, and I am so happy I did. I was immediately enthralled from the first page and could not put this book down.

.... Read the rest of my review over at Wicked Lil Pixie here: Queen of Shadows by Dianne Sylvan

Friday, September 3, 2010

I AM A BANANA

If you have never seen this Animated Short Film by Don Hertzfeld titled "Rejected" before...
you have to take 9 minutes and watch this!!

For those who have, it should be watched at least once every year! If you haven't seen it again this year, here's your repeat opportunity.

 
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