Do you like cheap music?

Then go here:

http://www.amazon.com/Bad-Books/dp/B004671Z6G/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1287462717&sr=301-1

The Mp3 version of this release, a side project featuring members of Manchester Orchestra and Kevin Devine, is currently on sale for $2.99.

My friends, that's ridiculous.

I'm currently giving it a first listen, but I am liking it so far.

And here is what one reviewer had to say:

"If you're a fan of either Manchester Orchestra/Andy Hull or Kevin Devine, I can almost guarantee that you'll love this album. If you're a fan of rock, you'll love it. If you're a fan of indie stuff, you'll love it. If you like good songwriting, you'll love it. Hell, if you're a fan of music in general, I think you should like this album. Do yourself a favor and check it out - you might be missing out on two great songwriters and musicians otherwise."

(50) Sundays of Music: #11

#11: The All-American Rejects - The All-American Rejects/Move Along

Yes, there are actually two cds for today's (tonight's?) post. I absolutely could not decide which I liked more so I decided to just put them both. It's my countdown, I'm allowed to do these things.

I don't really remember where I was the first time I heard "Swing, Swing" but I know I liked it. The song was catchy at first, but then really started to stick with me. One time I went to some conference for some high school group I was in and the "entertainment" did a cover of the song, which was actually pretty good.

Sometime later I received a burned copy of the cd from somebody. My sister and I would sometimes drive to school together and I remember her actually liking "One More Sad Song" and I have to "actually" because she rarely likes the same music that I do. But I ended up really getting into the cd as a whole and we used for some of our drives.

The closing track, "The Last Song," is one that still sticks out to me even today. My friends and I kind of used to highlight our high school years coming to an end because we were all parting ways and it was just kind of fitting.

When word came my senior year of high school that AAR had a new cd coming out, I became excited. I liked the lead-off single, "Dirty Little Secret," and marked the release date on my calender. The day happened to come when I was in Los Angeles visiting family and I specifically remember making my mom take me to Target so I could get it.

While "Move Along" was more radio friendly (both the title track and the album as a whole), I still played the entire thing on repeat. In fact, when listening to the entire thing, it takes me back to that summer. To the beginnings of a four-year relationship with my now ex-girlfriend, to my transition from high school to college and to my brothers and I making my mom turn up "Dance Inside" and singing along.

Movie Thursday: #1

The Introduction

So it's obvious that I have a passion for music. But what I've sort of touched on here is my passion for movies. Seriously, if they wanted me to, I would do advertisements for Netflix because for someone like me, it is a Godsend.

But I wanted to set a "movie day" for two reasons. One, because I like talking about movies (I even used to have a blog dedicated to it). Two, it is a way to make myself blog a little more, even it is one more day.

I've enjoyed being in the rhythm of posting on Sundays. And after a suggestion, it seems Thursday will be the day for movies.

I also don't know the exact format yet, but I will tinker with that. And on a sidenote, hopefully I will be done with the (way too much thought put into) blog makeover by the time my #10 post comes around in the Music Sunday countdown.

So expect reviews or the latest news or what I am excited about. But when it comes to A Rush of Blog to the Head, Thursday's are for movies :)

I'm Kind of a Big Deal

Not really. I just like to quote Anchorman any chance I get. And love the fact that he was an anchor and I am a journalist. It's kinda sorta similar.

But while on the scene at a wreck today, I was writing down the statement while the TV crews, our competition, were videotaping.

I go on their website to see if I missed anything before I posted what we had as kind of a "double check" thing.

And I see this:

Why they had to get me when I was in the background squinting and such is beyond me...

(50) Sundays of Music: #12

#12: Fall Out Boy - Take This To Your Grave

I think Fall Out Boy gets a bad rap. Their name is synonymous with "skinny jean wearing emo kids" and then with "14-year-old girls who think Pete Wentz is hot." I honestly don't think that's fair to the actual band because this cd is a straight up classic.

Like discovering all good bands, I first heard a song from FOB on a mixtape a friend made for me. It contained "Chicago Is So Two Years Ago" and was a song that immediately struck with me. Jme ended up getting a burned copy of the entire cd and I borrowed it from her and the rest is history.

Not only was the music fun to listen to, but the lyrics cut to the core. The opening track contains the chorus: "Let’s play this game called “when you catch fire” / I wouldn’t piss to put you out / Stop burning bridges and drive off of them /So I can forget about you."

The album also contains the gem "Grand Theft Autumn/Where Is Your Boy" and is what I consider a "scene classic."

Honestly, I can still put this cd on and not only be transported back to my senior year of high school but can still enjoy a good record. And sometimes I do, because this is one of the rare releases I also have on vinyl.

Here are a few tracks but don't go anywhere, I'm not done just yet.

I really don't understand the "I miss the old Fall Out Boy" comments. If you played all their songs on one giant mixtape, I guarantee you will see that their style stays pretty similar. Yes, they got a little more radio friendly as time went on and as much as I love Jay Z maybe he didn't help all that much on Infinity on High. But the last album they released before their "hiatus," Folie a Deux, was actually pretty solid in my opinion.

But the other album I have to highlight is "From Under The Cork Tree." Though it contains the over-played and (poster song for Fall Out Boy hate) "Sugar We're Going Down" it also contains some gems as well. But their second single from that album is still one of my favorites to this day. If I hear the beginning to "Dance, Dance" I still smile a little bit before air-rocking out.

If music was a lady, I'd ask it on a date

Another reason why I am pretty much in love with music?

Because with no reasoning at all, other than I this was the week they both came out, my week started with this:

and ended with this:

I love the eclecticness

Also, in an unrelated note, if you have tumblr or would just like to follow, I'm doing a "31 Days, 31 Pictures" thing

http://themroshow.tumblr.com/

(50) Sundays of Music: #13

#13: Blink-182 - Enema of the State

I've learned a lot of things in the time I started really listening to music. One of those things is that if you throw out the word "punk" you won't be able to get 10 people to agree on which bands fall in to that category. Well in my honest opinion, Blink-182 is THE punk band of my generation and this cd in particular is the reason why.

In the TRL-era that contained boy bands and Britney Spears, Blink-182 made waves with a video for "All The Small Things" poking fun at the popular bands of the time. Ironically, the song that got them on the radio was the one that first started to get me to listen beyond the radio.

I realize "What's My Age Again?" came out first and I remember that video clearly, with the naked cartwheeling. I also realize this was by no means their first album, but like I've stated, I was strictly a radio guy at this point.

So while I came for the two lead singles, I stayed for this raw sound I had not experienced before. It had catchy, sing along elements - but also contained cuss words. And for my age at the time (I wanna say 12, 13?) that was big. Also keep in mind, this album came out JUST before the Napster craze (or right along side it - either way it came out before MySpace).

This was the first record of it's kind that got me into music other than "pop" and that is why it's so high on the countdown. The thing is, it's one of those timeless releases that high school kids today can still put on and relate to. One of my favorite memories is visiting California and walking around with this cd in my discman (throwback) and absorbing every word.

What still resonates to me is throughout a cd containing topics such as the state looking down on sodomy and girls with no underwear on, there was a game changer called "Adam's Song." That track, from my perspective is about a teen's struggle with suicide, is still one of my favorites to this day. And it is a testament to their talent that they can go from such an impactful song right into "All the Small Things."

So if you have Rock Band, play the drums on these tracks because Travis Barker is a living legend. If not, enjoy them below.