A Day to Remeber

This is a band that i first heard about when i was into, i guess you could say, hardcore music. I grew out of the rest of it but A Day to Remember stuck with me. They have really catchy songs that you can't help but sing along with.

Jeremy McKinnon - vocals

Neil Westfall - guitar Tom Denney - guitar Joshua Woodard - bass Alex Shellnutt - drums

They have produces two records thus far one under Victory Records and the other under Indianola Records. Their first album is called And Their Name was Treason. It was very successful for the fact that it's existence was spread through word of mouth only. Then they got signed to a new label and they came out with For those who Have Heart. They were nominated for an award for this album, the best international newcomer, but they didn't win, sadly. They have been on many tour including the all famous warped tour in 2008. I saw them live with The Devil Wears Prada, in Iowa City, which was Amazing.
Their style is post-hardcore however their meldoy is more pop punk which always invites a good sing-alongs. The music has an up-beat, happy, jump up and down feel that i need in times of termoil. Monument is my favorite song on their second CD and it should be yours.



Alas A Day to Remember is coming out with a new CD titled Homesick. The CD is scheduled to be released February 3rd.

Atmosphere

Atmosphere is an independent hip hop group from Minneapolis. They are extremely successful for being independent and enormously diverse and excellent. The beginning days of Atmosphere are a little confusing and besides the point so basically now the hip hop group consists of Ant and Slug. Ant (Anthony Davis) is the producer and has produced every album except one. Slug (Sean Daley) writes and performs all of Atmosphere's songs. The two are a perfect combination and create amazing music.

Slug has a way of writing lyrics that develop into more complex and intelligent works of art every time i listen to his songs. Lucy Ford is a theme that is seen in many of Slug's songs and is thought to represent his ex-girl friend and the mother of his son. However, she has developed into a symbol that represents all women and a device that only his fans will understand. His lyrics cease to amaze me and he has so many songs a can discover something new every day. His song Love Life displays his lyrical genius. It's like he is an award winning essayist, but he just write songs and if you listen close he knows you will discover his well written songs. Can you figure out what he is describing?

Individually wrapped, placed in neat little rows
Becoming A piece, of everything that grows
Some numbers, A name, to indicate you played the game
Came empty handed and left the same

Atmosphere is different then the mainstream rappers who know their music will sell so they just do whatever to get by. Atmosphere actually has intelligent lyrics that tell a story.
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Lykke Li

Lykke Li is a singer-song writter from Sweden.


She has her own Blog! Lykke Li's Notes


She has one ablum called Youth Novels that came out in Februaury of '08
Her music is very unique and folk sounding which is the feel you get from this debut album. She says that the album is very personal and is mainly about her own teenage expiriences. She says that she is a very shy person but in her album she can express her deepest feelings and emotions. Lykke Li says that she wouldn't like to be famous and be scrutinized by the public eye, corrupting her personality and life. She enjoys her quiet little apartment with her close friends she hangs out with.


I idolize Lykke Li because she has her own opinions and views much like my own. I like how she knows who she is and what she wants. Someday i want to be as sure of myself as she is of herself. I also love her music and the uniquness of it. She truley is an inspiration to me because of the way she thinks and portrays herself. She doesn't care about fame or even money she just wants to be happy and let other people enjoy her music.


She is inspired by visual things such as photos, movies and books
She is a fan of Richard Avedon Photos
Sally Mann Photos<----her mom Pedro Almodovar Movies


Her favorite musicians are
Dizzee Rascal
Tribe Called Quest
Amy Winehouse

The Black keys

The Black Keys have been producing music since 2001, but their latest album, Attack and Release, seems to be headed in a whole new direction. The producer, Danger mouse, has helped this rock duo find the soul they needed to produce an album better then any they ever have. They seem to have broken free of any restraints allowing them to open up and experiment with new ideas. The product is a psychedelic bluesy rock album with great harmony and catchy lyrics to match.

The Black keys were asked by Brian Burton, better known as Danger Mouse, to write songs for an album by Ike Turner. The passing of Turner in December put an end to the project. However, Danger Mouse decided to help The Black Keys make their fifth album. This was a change in luck for The Keys because he helped them produce an amazing new sound. It is much different then their normal rythem and blues album.

Attack and Release has a whole new element that opens the album up to a greater variety of fans. They have included new instruments, instead of the same old guitar and drums, they now have a bango, synthesizer, organ, clarinet, new vocal harmonies and much more. Danger Mouse has really helped these guys to up their game and there is no backing down from here.