(50) Sundays of Music: #36

#36: The Academy Is... - Almost Here


Like any good story about how you discover a band, my first taste of The Academy Is... came after a friend of mine put them on a mixtape cd for me. The song in question was "Checkmarks" and I found myself going to back to that song more than the others on that mix cd.

I'm actually not sure how I came across Almost Here, but a part of me thinks I actually went to Target and bought it. What captured me was how young, yet mature it sounded. Lyrics like "you kiss me like an overdramatic actor, starving for work, with one last shot to make it happen" made me take notice. During my time with it, I would come across certain songs that are still favorites to this day.

"Black Mamba" is a cool song with an attitude, "Slow Down" was the first music video I saw for them where I was shocked at just how skinny William Beckett was (I wanted to get him some food), and "The Phrase That Pays" is a song that is kind of told in story mode. One time I was on the radio and said I was going to play some TAI and someone called in and said he loved them and I told them I was going to play Phrase and he said thanks. That was pretty cool.

So here are some tracks from Almost Here, but don't leave just yet...





BONUS

Almost Here is the cd that gets on the countdown, but since this is the only time that TAI appears, I have to give love to there are other releases that if I was doing a top 100 would definitely be on there.

From the album Santi:



From the album Fast Times at Barrington High



From the EP Lost in Pacific Time

The Results Are In...

Man. This is a pretty big post. Here's why:

*It's #170. That's 30 away from 200 if you are counting. And 200 is a big deal, right?

*Today is the "anniversary" of the passing of one of my best friends. Last year, it hit me really hard. I don't want to say I'm getting used to it, but I think the sadness is definitely going away replaced with just trying to remember the life and not the fact that it has ended. It was four years ago that we all got the news. And on today's four year mark, I ironically received some wonderful news.

*I got offered an internship for the summer. Of course I accepted and after details are worked out, I will be working at the Montgomery Advertiser for the summer. If you believe in those kinds of things, one would think it was fate that I got good news on a day that a memory of bad news. One would think.

*But let's get to why we are all here: THE RESULTS FOR THE TOP 30 VOCALISTS!!!

This week was successful because the recording worked perfectly. I had to make a few edits due to noise levels and the guys after me cutting of the last song, but I don't think it's noticeable.

Now, I would like you to listen to the show. I even made it to where you can download it and take it with you. Put it on your iPod, listen in the car. But that is how I would really like you to hear it. Ask Sara, Lisa and Lola. They will tell you it was a good show. (HUGE shoutout for those guys tuning in).

However, if you are really impatient e-mail and persuade me to give the goods away. My address is okarmmr@auburn.edu and I will let you know if you absolutely can't wait. But please listen, I'm not trying to be egotistical but I really think this was a good show. I mean, it involves my top 15 Vocalists, so that has to be good, right?

(Edit: When you listen to the beginning, I decided my first track on to a song that was already playing in the station. The song in question was not in the countdown, but I figured due to comments, it was a good way to start the show.)

(Edit #2: I was definitely acting like a rookie on this show. My co-host sounded better than I did and it was only her second show. But I moved away from the mic quite a bit and a mumbled way too much. Consider this my apologies for the moments where you go "what did he just say?")

(Edit#3: To download, click on the button that has an arrow pointing down. Then just follow the directions and you should have this file on your computer and can be able to take it with you wherever whenever).

Enjoy...

Top 30 by okarmmr

(50) Sundays of Music: #37

#37: Yellowcard - Ocean Avenue


Seriously, who rocks out with a violin? Apparently these guys.

I bet you are thinking that I am going to talk about playing this cd nonstop during the same summer that everyone else was getting to "Ocean Avenue" the song. Well, almost.

I first heard "Way Away" on believe it or not, NFL Madden. I believe it was 2003? It was the year Micheal Vick was on the cover (good times). Madden has always had a good soundtrack and "Way Away" was one song that stuck out to me.

THEN came the summer where I got obsessed with "Ocean Avenue" just like every other kid at the time. Though, I'm not sure if everybody who really loved the song got into the cd which is a shame. The whole cd was pretty good and in my opinion, the last good cd they put out.

"Breathing" is probably still my favorite track on the cd just because I like the rock out factor. Obviously "Ocean Avenue" is a classic, but almost every track is great on its own. "Empty Apartment" is a good chillish track, "Twenty Three" makes me think of my friends, "Inside Out" I didn't really appreciate until going through a break-up, and the closing track "Back Home" is one of my all time favorites.

However, the stand out track for me was and always will be "Only One." Yes, I will admit I was one of those who cheesily dedicated it to a girl I liked. (Trivia: that girl would be the one that I would go on to date for nearly 4 years and ended pretty damn horribly, but that story is for other blog posts). It's just a track full of emotion and a song that you just feel.

I have to say, this album is pretty damn good. All the instruments and vocals came together to create something really unique and will always mark a time period in my life. Sadly, they haven't matched the quality since but I will always have this cd. Enjoy some tracks while I go reminisce...

A Good Week?

I guess they do happen.

Monday: Had my radio show that I feel went really well. I had a co-host in there with me and I always feel better when someone else is in the studio. I feel looser. Plus, the songs were selected with help from you guys (which songs exactly? -- keep reading).

Tuesday: Went to a carnival. Yep, at 23 years old I went to a carnival. There was a random one in our town and I was like "let's have a little fun" so I told my friend Jessica to not dare make any plans cuz we are going out. We had a really good time in that "we are too old to be here but eff it, let's have some fun." Went on a ferris wheel, watched her get hussled into spending 20 dollars on a stuffed monkey, and of course got a funnel cake. Ended the night by riding The Zipper. That thing was intense and I spent more time trying to grab my cell phone that was being flung around like a pin ball than enjoying myself. Ended the night with some mexican food. Taco salad's are my favorite.

Wednesday: Made the return to my bowling league after missing the week before because I was puking my lungs out. Bowled pretty awesome, if I do say so myself. 206, 180, 198. We won all our games cuz it's what we do. But really, what we do is have fun and that's what I did Wednesday night.

Thursday: Got my speech grade back and made a 97. Pretty happy about that. Then for dinner I got a craving for some breakfast type food so I asked Jessica if she wanted to go to IHOP (side story: Jessica and I haven't been hanging out much lately, so I guess this week was good too because of reconnecting). Had a really good time at IHOP meaning great service, great food. Then, I'm sitting there watching Lost when I get a call from jme. Wants to know what I thought about "The Men Who Stare at Goats" which I couldn't give her an answer because I haven't seen. But all the sudden the subject of Rock Band got brought up. I love technology. With us living hours apart, we were all able to jump on and get a full band going consisting of myself, her, her husband, and Kami. Ok, maybe that last one wasn't actually a part of the band. But it was really fun, I even got the Lady GaGa tracks so "Bad Romance" was definitely blasting in my living room.

Friday: Just chillin. If I can find somebody willing, I may go see Kick-Ass tonight. If not, probably more Lost and Tiger Woods on Xbox. Life is good right now.

And for Allison and anybody else who was curious, these are the songs I played on Monday's show with two exceptions. I played the acoustic version of "Anna Molly" and "Lingering Still" by She and Him, not "Sentimental Heart" but those two tracks weren't available. Also note that to be accurate, #1 on the playlist is #30 in the countdown and so on. To match with the list, go back here. Enjoy these tracks and hopefully you will enjoy the final spots in the countdown.

Random lyric of the day:

Summer comes and leaves you with a fever
That you caught
When you were young
Summer goes, makes you feel like life is real
And hanging on for more

Top 30 Vocalists: 30-16

So before I get started with the results, allow me to share with you something I thought was pretty cool.

We got our yearbook's yesterday and I normally don't get a yearbook but since I figured this is my last year, what the hell. It also helps that the theme this year was "I Am Auburn" and people joined a facebook group and said what they were with examples being "I am a senior who has no idea what they are doing" or "I am someone who bleeds orange and blue" or "I am addicted to facebook."

Mine was published below:


Mine starts about 11 or 12 lines up. A Fight Club reference and a Taking Back Sunday lyric in the same block? Yea, I went there.

But let's get to the point of this post: the results of the top vocalists feedback.

As you noticed from the title, there was more than ten. That's because you guys gave me names I had forgotten and some names I wouldn't have thought to put there, but since they got so many mentions had to make the list. I have to confess that I was looking for more in the type of genre that I play, so artists like Frank Sinatra and Springsteen didn't make it, but that doesn't mean I don't respect them. Just had a different set to get to.

Right here is where I would post a recording of the show I had on Monday night, which was part 1. But something went haywire and the recording didn't work. I am going to do everything I can to make sure next Monday's show works. I mean, that's the one that counts (15-1), right?

As far as the actual list goes, I had to take off some great names that if there would have been a top 40 definitely would have been on there. Jack White, Chris Cornell, Bert McCracken, Karen O, Gerard Way, John Mayer, Bono, Davey Havok and (very, very sadly) Anthony Keidis were a few names that didn't make the cut. I'm sure I'm going to get some arguments, which is good. I don't consider myself a know-all; just someone with an opinion and this is just mine. So here are numbers 30-16.

30. Brandon Boyd (Incubus)
29. Regina Spektor
28. Combo of Spencer Chamberlain and Aaron Gillespie (Underoath)
27. Andrew McMahon (Something Corporate; Jack's Mannequin)
26. Zooey Deschanel (She & Him)
25. Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie; The Postal Service)
24. Jason Mraz
23. Ryan Hunter (Envy On The Coast)
22. Liam Gallagher (Oasis)
21. Feist
20. Andrew Stockdale (Wolfmother)
19. Dan Layus (Augustana)
18. Anthony Green (Saosin; Circa Survive; Solo work)
17. Isaac Brock (Modest Mouse)
16. Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional)

Special thanks to those that tuned in. I feel you caught a good show. Hopefully, next week's (more important) show will be even better.

(50) Sundays of Music: #38

#38: Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything To Nothing


I first heard of Manchester Orchestra when their single "Wolves at Night" started getting some radio play off of their first major release, "I'm Like A Virgin Losing A Child." It was only one song, but it was a song that was good enough that when Say Anything came to Atlanta and Manchester Orchestra opened up for them, I was excited to see them live. On that night, I remember watching a burly man who looked like he had spent years in the woods come out and own that stage. I heard a couple songs off the new record they were working on and they also played "Wolves" making their opening slot one to remember.

I started paying attention to them after that, realizing that they are actually from Atlanta. For a person like me, who attends Auburn University, Atlanta is basically right down the road so it kind of feels like a hometown vibe. When their second release, "Mean Everything to Nothing" came out, I was sort of slow to get into it. But then I got into it heavy.

I remember the slow process consisted of Hedman getting it first and telling me how much he loved a couple of the opening tracks where the band seemed to bend some of the notes. Then, this girl I was hanging out with for a little bit that summer purchased that cd on a whim and I heard it over at her house a little bit. Finally, when we went on our road trip I put it in and just drove.

After all that, it was just a matter of multiple listens. The opening tracks basically grab you by the throat and force you to feel the intensity and as the album goes on his voice starts to mellow out and you feel like you are listening to a bear with a soft spot. "Shake It Out" made it's way to the alternative stations and every time I heard it start I would go nuts and basically put on a mini concert in my car (video is the last one below).

Mark my words: Manchester Orchestra will be major players in this scene in the next few years. And I will always remember this cd as a sign of what was to come.





And quite possibly one of my favorite videos of all time:

Help Wanted

*If you see these couple sentences in your reader, please click on it. I would just like a few minutes of your time. Please? Thank you.

So I've mentioned this a few times before, but I have a radio show I do for my university. Sometimes, I try to do themes but other times I am lazy. Well, I just had an idea for my next show.

I was going to do a countdown, which I have never done before. But I wanted to do my top ten vocalists. But then I got to thinking, "well that's pretty selfish" so I wanted to change that. First, an explanation.

When you think of your favorite vocalist, try not to think of your favorite band. Actually for this show, I will take all kinds of vocalists. While in my head I am thinking of lead singers of bands, I wouldn't hesitate to put a John Mayer or a Jack Johnson on the show, if the people thought they should be on there.

Here is an example of what I mean: Taking Back Sunday is my favorite band, yet if I were to make a top ten list, Adam Lazzara would be on there but he would not be at the top. Conversely, Chris Martin would definitely be in the top.

So please, give me your top ten (or however many you can think of). That way, when I get on the radio, I can say something like "I polled a pretty smart group of people and here are the results for the top ten vocalists." I will say nothing but nice things.

And don't worry if your pick is considered too popular or too rare. Any and all kinds of choices are welcome. For example, without too much thought, here is my top ten

In no kind of order at all:

*Adam Lazzara
*Chris Martin
*Anthony Green
*Brandon Boyd
*Hayley Williams
*Ryan Hunter
*Jonny Craig
*Stephen Christian
*Vic Fuentes
*Zooey Deschanel

Like I said, that's just off the top of my head. So please, give me some other names to consider and I will even try to give you a shoutout on air :)