(50) Sundays of Music: #31

#31: Nelly - Country Grammar

Looking back, I think Nelly was marketed for people like me. The ones who said they listened to rap because of what was being played on mix stations. I even saw once an a VH1 story about Nelly (remember when they used to do those? Good times) that members of the rap community didn't take Nelly seriously because of his pop appeal. But it's what got me at the time. A time when all I could really listen to was mix radio stations. This was before I discovered all the different kind of genres and sub-genres out there. However, please don't think I'm embarrassed of this cd. I think it's just a good point to make that if this cd came out now, I don't think there is any way I would have even thought about buying it.

I can't remember exactly when, but I think I was in middle school (junior high). I think it was actually one of my vacations to California that I bought this cd. I even remember buying it at Target because they were one of the few sold "parental advisory" cds. It's kind of blurry, but I think I had to get my grandpa to get it for me haha. After that, I just remember sitting in my room at my grandparent's house and doing nothing else but listening to it. Not listening to it while I was playing games or reading. I was just laying there, listening to it. Probably thinking I was cool.

I think this cd was just plain... fun. All the radio singles were especially, "Country Grammar," "E.I." and "Ride Wit Me." But I started liking other tracks like "Batter Up" and "Greed, Hate, Envy."

You know how I said earlier that I probably wouldn't have gotten this cd today? Honestly, I would have missed out. Because as much as Nelly was all over the radio at one point, there were some pretty good tracks on this release. As a whole, it was a glimpse into a rapper that at some point would become one of the biggest names in the world.

I listened to this cd again later in life and not only liked it due to nostalgia but some of the tracks hit really hard and I appreciated them even more. Tracks like "St. Louie" and "Thicky Thick Girl," a track I came to understand as I started to discover what traits I liked about the opposite sex.

I don't know what's happened to Nelly in the past, what, 5 years? I know he had a song with Fergie that was pretty good but I feel like nothing ever came of it. All of his releases afterward were pretty straight (read below). Could he hang with the likes of today's rap artists? I'm not sure but I would like to see.

Here are some tracks from "Country Grammar"







From "Nellyville," a cd that I bought the morning it came out and spent an entire summer jammin to





From "Da Derrty Versions," the first explicit cd I bought on my own



And finally, from his two-cd release, "Sweat" and "Suit"

The Good, The Bad and The Great

The Good:

So yesterday at my internship, I got a forwarded email from my editor about a concert that was coming up in Montgomery. It's a small thing, but the more I read the more excited I became. The band that is being featured is called Terrible Things. I had actually only heard of them once before in a magazine, but they are basically a group made up of people that used to be in other successful bands. The drummer, who used to be in Coheed & Cambria, is Josh Eppard and one of the guitarists/vocalists is Andy Jackson formerly in Hot Rod Circuit. Jackson is actually from Montgomery, so it's kind of a hometown feel to it. The third member of the group is the other guitarist/vocalist named Fred Mascherino. What group was he once a part of? Oh, just a little thing called Taking Back Sunday. (For those of you that don't realize why that is a big deal, just look to the left and see how many times I have mentioned TBS on this blog). Now the reason for this being called "great"? I get to interview them (by phone) on Friday :)

Now I am just trying to get my editor to let me go to the show and do a review and I am trying to be sly about it and figure out a way to meet the guys. It also helps that the headliner is Emery, a band that I would put as one of my favorites.

The Bad:

Honestly, when I thought of the concept of this post I had something "bad" ready, but there's not really anything bad to talk about. Only a few minor complaints: some of the journalists around me are a little too arrogant/cocky and it gets a little annoying and the 50 mile drive between Auburn and Montgomery is starting to take its toll. However, I also feel I will be used to it eventually. I guess the only major bad is that I am running out of money fast. This really sucks because I still have plans for the summer that include spending dollars.

The Great:

The pre-baby steps (fetus steps?) are in place for that project I have previously spoken of. I'm not trying to create suspense, but well... I'm trying to create a little suspense so that hopefully you guys become interested haha. But I don't want to start talking about details yet in case it falls through, but I'm starting to get the feeling it may happen. It just may not happen quickly. And I'm fine with that.

Random lyric of the day:

Well all that we need is just a reaction,
It's too much to ask for when there's no attraction anymore
If chasing our dreams is just a distraction,
I want to remember when I know that I can't go back.

...Another Door Opens

The reason I had to leave my job on Friday even though I'm not graduating until August is because today I started my internship. For 10 weeks I will be working at the Montgomery Advertiser. With no pay. But not to sound too overly optimistic, but I think this will definitely be a learning experience that I can take with me in the future. At least some great clips to put on a resume.

So consider this a warning. As part of the college credit portion of this internship, I have to talk about what I've been doing, like the day-to-day stuff. He actually said "maybe start a little blog or something." So I will have one prepared for them, but I'm going to share it with you guys. So guess what? You are coming on this ride with me.

So I'm not sure if I'm going to post everyday or just recaps (more than likely just recaps) but here is what I did today:

*got introduced to various people

*was shown how to put stuff on a "budget" that lets the staff know who is working on what

*also shown various parts of publishing the article

*had to record the voicemail greeting for my desk phone. Really awkward, at least for me. Because though I'm in a cubicle type setting, there aren't really "walls." So everyone can hear everyone else. I need to gain some confidence about talking in front of people because I realize this is my weakness

*was taken out to lunch by my editor. Thought that was cool. Said I got one at the beginning and one at the end. Went to a little soup, sandwich and burger type place and I got a club sandwich that was very tasty.

*Was assigned three articles and spent the rest of the day gathering information. One is a Titanic Museum in Tennessee, one is about the city of Alpharetta, GA and the other is a preview piece for Bamajam. (jme, I know you're gonna love that and thanks for the good luck text by the way).

After work, I came home and decided to do my radio show. I say decided because they said I can keep my slot this summer even though it will be kind of sporadic when I can come in. It turned out to be one of the best ones I've done (the theme was music from this year). Hopefully it got recorded and you guys can hear it.

So that's about it. Hopefully I can keep this thing interesting for the summer.

Random lyric of the day:

I wanted love, I needed love
Most of all, most of all..
Someone said 'True Love' was dead
but I'm bound to fall
Bound to fall for you
Oh what can I do?

(50) Sundays of Music: #32

#32: Aerosmith - Big Ones

File this one under: "stuff I listened to growing up"

Before I started getting cds of my own, I would listen to whatever my dad had laying around. Actually, to be honest, when I was little I didn't care for "his music." It was all classic rock - Guns N Roses, Poison, ACDC, Boston... stuff like that. Now, I listen to that stuff frequently. Call it appreciating the past, blame it on Guitar Hero/Rock Band, maybe it's an attempt to connect with my dad. Who knows, but what's certain is that some bands have actually become some that I would even go so far as to call my favorites. Aerosmith is one of them.

For some reason, even thought I hated my dad's music at the time, there was something that struck me about "the cd with the blue label." I don't know how this is going to sound, but my dad left me at the house alone a lot when I was little. Mostly it was be getting home from school before he got home from work and sometimes I would turn on his stereo and jam. "Big Ones" was one of the selections I would always choose.

Also, I remember it at my grandparent's house too. My grandpa has always been into music, or at least talked about how he was (however, that's not where my brothers and I got it from. I actually have no idea where we got it from). So maybe it was his, but I remember putting it in their stereo as well.

I actually didn't know till later in life that "Big Ones" was a greatest hits compilation. But then again, I didn't know there was such things as greatest hits at the time. I just knew there was music, haha.

Maybe it was Steven Tyler's raspy, imperfect voice. Maybe it was the loud, on point guitars. Maybe it was the jam-session feel to the drums. Maybe it was the fact that the music as a whole was just... fun.

Either way, if you asked me my top 5 favorite tracks of all time, "What it Takes" would be somewhere in there. I know every word, every note of that song. And I love belting it out. If I ever go to a karaoke bar and they have that song, you can bet money I will tear the house down.

Of course since it's a greatest hits, most of the songs are "classics" but some of my other favorites of this disc include "Cryin," "Angel," "Rag Doll" and "The Other Side."

So pretend we're at a karaoke bar, and let's jam:

As One Door Closes...

Yesterday was my last day at my job. I worked as a delivery driver for a flower shop for four years (almost exactly -- I started just before Mother's Day in 2006).

Like all big things recently, including the day I left South Dakota in Christmas and my last day of classes, it just kind of came and went. I thought it was going to be some big thing, but it just kind of happened.

Until I got a card from one of my bosses, Molly. You see, the flower shop is kind of a "mom and pop" type store. I got very comfortable there, to the point where it wouldn't be uncommon for me to call and ask if Joe (Molly's husband) can cover for me on a random day. Sometimes, the covers would be for something justified -- interviews for the paper, finals -- other times not so much -- going to see my sister, concerts. And he always responded "yea, no problem."

So when Molly handed me a card with a very nice graduation present inside, I looked at the first line and it said "you were very likable from the start." As I drove away, it finally hit me and I had that moment where I realized it was ending.

That place didn't even feel like work. All I did was deliver flowers and do odd jobs around the store. I mean, I got paid to drive around, listening to the radio, and give people flowers. It was actually great.

I have been fortunate to have great bosses at both my high school job and my college job. This moving into the real-world thing is going to be a hard transition after two great time periods.

It's A Struggle (MVP: Edition 2 - Imma Be Rockin That Body)

I'm not supposed to like this music. This is the kind of stuff I am supposed to hate on and make fun of people that like it. But sue me, I like the Black Eyed Peas.

I first got into BEP back in 2005 and have had an on again/off again like with them. Fergie has also gone in and out of my celebrity crushes because sometimes she is smokin hot and others she is not that fun to look at.

When "Boom Boom Pow" came out, my sister and I jammed to it. I acquired the cd, but after one listen my response was "eh" and that was it. Then "I Gotta Feeling" came out and once again it was cool to sing at football games when they played it at the stadium, but I never listened to the song on my own. Then I heard "Imma Be" on the radio and bobbed my head, but once again nothing more.

However, lately I've been hearing "Rock That Body" and I don't know what it is about that song, but I can't stop listening. I've probably played it like 5 times today. And then I discovered this video.

I'm not supposed to like this. And I struggle because the alternative-rock loving musical side of me wants to be like "that damn autotune is taking over and every song sounds the same blah blah blah" but I just end up... dancing. Or trying to at least.

Sidenote: I do listen to more than just alternative. In fact, I'm waiting for Lupe Fiasco's new cd to come out, Jay Z is one of the best musicians I have ever heard and I have two hip hop cds coming up on my Music Sunday countdown.

But back to the Black Eyed Peas. This video is great. It has a concept, the two songs mash together perfectly and Fergie is bringin sexy back.

So let me indulge in my guilty pleasure and I will go back to hating on Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus and Ke$ha.

*Because I do hate Ke$ha. The fact that I took a couple extra seconds to find the dollar sign to type her name makes me feel like I sold out. So thank the Internet when a fellow blogger posted this gem:

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Life Update

I have a few things on my mind that could make for their own posts, but I like bullet points. Think I'm gonna go with it and develop over time. Let's do this.

Quick hits:

*I saw Iron Man 2 this weekend. This is what I thought of it.

*I start my internship next Monday at the Montgomery Advertiser. It's not paid, but it's time consuming and I talked to my dad about it and I'm not going to get a second job this semester. What does this mean? It means no friggin income. Which sucks. But it also means I can see my friends and have a little fun before I get kicked in the face by the real world.

*Speaking of this summer, here are some things I plan on doing and some things I would like to happen. Possible beach trip with friends, at least one trip to Troy to see my bfff, Silversun Pickups concert, seeing my friends before they ship off to Texas in June, seeing my sister and brother-in-law when they visit from South Dakota, making the most of my last two months with my roommate since 2005, and if I can work it out I would like to attend this year's Warped Tour in Atlanta. Basically, I plan to make this one hell of a summer.

*Summer is going to be cool because of something else. I don't want to go in to too many details, but I'm kind of working on a "project." I'm trying to get other parties involved because I know if left to myself, it won't get done. But stay tuned about that because if it goes through, I am really excited about it.

*I just want to put out there that if I had time and resources, I would love to visit blogger friends. Just sayin.

*Less than three months till I graduate. I can't wait.

*I think I'm starting to realize that if my life takes a certain turn after I graduate, the thought of being a relationship may be a future thought. I might have to be one of those "career-first" kind of people. More on this later.

*Another story to talk more about in the future? How my iPod broke. And how I got a new one. It's a great story. Warmed my heart.

*I'm pretty sure the percentage of my friends that have a kid has been raised to at least 60% now. It's kind of ridiculous.

*I rented a video game. Specifically, some Spider-Man game. So if you will excuse me, I'm going to go web sling around New York City for a little while.

Random lyric of the day:

Now that I'm grown I've seen marriages fall to pieces.
Now that I'm grown I've seen friendships fall to pieces.
Weekend warriors and our best friends.
The writers weren't kidding about how all good things must end.
Then again somethings, then again somethings are far too good,
Somethings are far too good, to go when you let go.

(50) Sundays of Music: #33

#33: Underoath - They're Only Chasing Safety


Sometimes you need a good chill cd after a long day. Sometimes you need a good jammin cd for a party or get together. Sometimes you need a good hard cd that makes you want to rock and out and break things. This is that cd.

Admittedly, I had to force myself to get into Underoath. If you recall from my the last entrant in this countdown, my brothers were listening to this kind of stuff a lot. The screaming-in-your-face fast, loud music. But at it's core, it was still music. The reason I was able to get past the screaming is because there was actually singing somewhere in there. And what I could make out, I loved.

So I had the cd and kept trying to get into it, but just couldn't do it. Then, in the late 2006 I saw that Taking Back Sunday was coming to Birmingham. Opening up for them was Armor for Sleep and Underoath. I was excited for AFS, but decided to try my hand at learning Underoath. I was glad I did because I kept that cd in my car and honestly, it took a while to get out.

Underoath has always intrigued me. I've seen them twice (the opening slot for TBS and at last year's Warped Tour) and both times after there were done melting the faces off of the crowd, they took the time to thank their lord and savior. They didn't push anything on anybody, they just said their thanks. Regardless of your beliefs, that was pretty cool.

The cds that came after "They're Only Chasing Safety" have been good (their latest got 5 star reviews in some circles) but this is the only one that has captured my attention fully.

I admit this music isn't for everybody. For a long time, it wasn't for me. But if you can give it a chance, here are my favorites off of this cd:

(EDIT: I actually found videos where people put the lyrics. Try to listen, I think you will be surprised)







Ok, if you click on any one of these make sure it's this one. It's not their normal stuff at all, but it made me take notice that these guys are legit.

Wordless Wednesday: My Senior Prom

In a recent post by Allison, she put a prom-themed playlist and showed a picture during her prom, or grad, back when she attended. At the end, she challenged us to share our pictures. Challenge accepted. Let's get ready to travel back 5 years in time.

Most of the guys posing outside

My date and me making our entrance

Stole somebody's glasses for a pic. Thought it elevated me to baller status.

Gettin the party started

w/ Shedrick

Hey, you know her

with my sister

The chick in high school that I always wanted to date, but never got the chance

Frisco. The Man.

Chillin at the "after party"

Looking at these pics brings up a lot of stories. Maybe they will make for some good posts one day...

Hello Again

Aside from my Sunday posts, this is my first real post in, what, 3 weeks? That's what happens when the world comes crashing down on you. Ok, that was stretching just a little bit. Really, it was everything you have to do at the end of school (presentations, finals). But now that is over. Hello Summer!

So I just wanted to write this and check in with everybody. First off, thanks for the feedback on the Sunday posts. I have been slackin on replying myself but hope to change that starting with this Sunday. Second, in neglecting my own blog I've neglected reading most of yours. That also stops now.

I have some plans for this blog in the near future (aka, over the summer). I'm thinking about a layout change, blogging about more than just music (my internship should be fun to talk about), getting new readers (not to replace the wonderful ones that have stuck around, just to try and add), weeding out those bloggers that I haven't really connected with and lastly trying to get some of my themed posts going again.

So hopefully you guys will stick around for all that. I'm gonna enjoy spending my summer with you :)

Random lyric of the day:

You won't believe what I tell you,
White coats and clever minds will choose
You get a lot from this
Loose tongue and arrogance
It's not appropriate
Don't think that this is it

Edit: So I realize this post is kinda... dull. So let me entertain just a little bit. I'm doing a cover theme for my radio show tonight and I'm not playing the following, but I really like it:

(50) Sundays of Music: #34

#34: Lost Ocean - Lost Ocean


To tell this story, we need to go back. Way back. To 2007.

Ok, three years ago may not seem like that long of a time but definitely feels like it. As some of you know, I was born in California but raised in Alabama after I moved here at the age of 8. Well, only my dad and I moved out here leaving behind nearly all of my family on my mom's side. As a result, I go back to California frequently. Two members of my family I always look forward to visiting are my younger brothers. They are about four years younger than me meaning each step I take, they are only a few behind (I was leaving high school right as they were entering).

The summer of 2007 will always be memorable for me because in that short amount of time I grew very close to one of my brothers and grew apart from the other. In that regard, I guess it's a bittersweet memory. On one hand, I will always have that summer that took a good relationship and made it great. On the other hand, I will always have that summer that took a good relationship and turned it fragile. Three years later I am still close with one and while things have gotten better with the other, we both just know that it is never going to be as great as it could have been.

How is all this relevant to my Sunday Music Countdown? Because during that great/tumultuous summer, this cd basically provided the soundtrack. It was cool because this was during the time after my brothers started heavily getting into the "screamo" scene, a genre of music that took me a while to embrace (and even still I pick and choose who I listen to). But amidst all the yelling coming through the speakers, they put in this self-titled cd by Lost Ocean. I was pleasantly surprised to hear a sound referred to as "piano rock." It was a different kind of chill, the kind that you could drive to. And that's what I did, having to spend a lot of time in the car between the city where my grandparents lived and the city where my brothers lived.

This is the kind of cd that as soon as the I start the opening track, I am instantly transported back to I-5, McHenry Avenue in Modesto and the streets of my brothers' hometown of Stockton.

So I hate to sound like this, but I'm pretty sure the majority of you don't know this cd, at least compared to the feedback I've gotten from the selections from artists like Yellowcard, Coldplay, No Doubt. However, I would have NEVER heard of this band if not for my brothers. So take a chance like I did. I think you will like it.

(50) Sundays of Music: #35

#35: No Doubt - The Singles

Based on longevity, Gwen Stefani may be my biggest celebrity crush of all time. Ever since I first learned of No Doubt, I was attracted to this spunky not-your-ordinary-type girl. It helped that I learned of them around the time posters of half-naked girls where going on my wall. Ah, adolescence.

I first saw No Doubt headline a summer festival in California called Wango Tango. I'm not sure what year it was, but it was pretty soon after "Rock Steady" had come out. I was amazed at the way Stefani captured the stage and when I say them years later in 2009 for their summer reunion tour (after Gwen had gone off and done her solo thing) I had the same reaction. That girl (woman) owns that stage.

Now I have just devoted two paragraphs gushing over my love for the lead singer of No Doubt. Here is where I need to state the obvious: the band itself is amazing. Pretty much why I had to put the greatest hits cd on here.

This cd had it all. "Don't Speak" "Sunday Morning" "New" "Hella Good" "Underneath It All"... at this rate I would name the whole track list. I just love this band though. From the super fast pumped-up songs to the slower melodies, they can do it all. It helps that Stefani's voice can rise and fall to compliment the band really well.

And I have to talk about this. I truly feel Paramore has to owe some of their success to the path that No Doubt paved for them. Am I sexist and saying it's because they both have female singers? No, there are plenty of female-fronted bands that don't get compared to No Doubt. But Paramore is the closest when at times I felt like Hayley Williams could have been Gwen's little sister. Plus, I think this comparison speaks for itself (just my opinion though):

But the real reason this cd made the countdown? Because the entire thing is available for download on Rock Band. And since I got it, I have enjoyed drumming many a times. And yes, I've even grabbed the mic here and there.

So while I could post every single song because, well, it's a greatest hits cd, I will try to keep it to a few.









And if you haven't seen this already, this is me from when we saw them in Atlanta: