The amount of people that love Christmas music more than me is minuscule. I'm thinking like maybe 3 or 4 people tops and that's probably only because they are elves. I love the month of December because Christmas music quite literally takes over the world. Every store, every restaurant and every party you walk into is playing it. In fact, I mostly just feel indebted to Christmas music for it decreases the chances I have to hear anymore Nickelback or Katy Perry on the radio and for that, I am forever thankful.

I think my love for it is rooted in my childhood and I had a pretty good one (minus the time when my Mom and Dad didn't notice that I ran away and the part when my Mom told me Santa wasn't real. Other than that though, smooth sailing). I simply cannot resist the familiar holiday music that brings me back to simpler times and simultaneously makes me feel like I have a stuffed animal donating money to charities inside me. I'm absolutely the person who listens to it in June but then complains that "it's too early" when the radio stations start playing it before Thanksgiving and Goddamn it, it is! Completely rational. I could go on, but I think my point is made.

Below are my top 10 absolute, you-complete-me, favorite Christmas songs but just because I am a big fan of honesty, I need you both to know one thing. I could have just written Mariah Carey's first Christmas album (Merry Christmas) in a different order than how it appears on the track list and called it the same thing.

10. "Christmas Song" - Dave Matthews Band

> A story about Jesus. One that has been told many times before, but not like Dave Matthews.

9. "Christmas Time Is Here" -Vince Guaraldi Trio

> Charlie Brown Christmas is pretty much my favorite television special of all time so it is no wonder I love the soundtrack to it as well. This song doesn't even need words to evoke the Christmas spirit.

8. "Rockin' Around The Chrismas Tree" - Brenda Lee

> A classic and a staple in any holiday playlist. Did y'all know she was only 14 years old when she recorded this? Me neither.

7. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" - The Pretenders

> This is usually a beautiful Christmas song no matter who is singing it. It's always been one of my favorites but when paired with Chrissy Hynde's voice, it doesn't get too much better. Although, Christina Aguilera's version is right on its' heels.

6. "White Christmas" - The Drifters

> Home Alone. 'Nough said.

5. "The Christmas Song" - Nat King Cole

> This song is the epitome of Christmas songs to me. Listening to this song is like wrapping yourself in a velvet blanket next to a fire with a cup of eggnog and opening presents in the company of people you love. How can people hate Christmas music with songs like this?

4. "Merry Christmas, Baby" - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

> I just came here tonight to say, I just wanna say...I just wanna say...

3. "Blue Christmas" -Elvis Presley

> A Blues Christmas song? Yup, I'll take it. Where's the repeat button?

2. "All I Want For Christmas Is You"/"O Holy Night" - Mariah Carey

> Of course Mariah gets to have two on my list. You should have seen this coming. If you don't like "All I Want For Christmas Is You," I now know that you are made of steel and hate joy. Mariah's version of "O Holy Night" is basically the most beautiful one to exist ever on the planet Earth and I am more than certain no one will ever top it. It is simply the most divine vocal performance around.

1. "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)" - John Lennon

> I could tell you how much I love this song but, I didn't put a Mariah Christmas song in my number one spot. Actions speak louder than words.

Merry Christmas, Y'all! Buy me something good!

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I say y'all now. But enough about me. Let me tell you both about a little music festival called ACL in a little place called Austin, Texas. I was lucky enough to be there for three memorable days filled with my favorite things. These are a few of my favorite things: friends, family, live music, eighty degree weather (but definitely not seventy-six degrees), "throbbing tribal beats," more live music, frozen corn, Jameson, newspapers, concerts, cover songs by The Eagles, Ford Flex's, animals (or just one by the name of Boone) Four Loko (but pretty much none of the flavors), and hours and hours and hours of live music. I would have to say that the only thing that could have possibly made this weekend any better would be meeting a real cowboy. Oh, and maybe the absence of fat, drunk men tripping and falling on nice girls and spraining their ankles. Other than that though, fuckin' rockin' time, man. I had an awesome time. In fact, I think the whole town knows I had an awesome time.

I've decided I'm breaking this three day, massive concert down for y'all in superlative form. Remember superlatives in high school? Ya know, least changed, class clown, mostest awesomest and so on and so forth. I got most Hale_arious in high school. How could I not though, really? Anyway, I digress. Superlatives. The process of picking which band got which superlative went a little something like this: there was only one person who got to vote and it was me. Ready. Go.

BIGGEST WASTE OF TIME

> M.I.A.

Sucked. Sucked bad. I was semi-excited to see her perform just because she is pretty out there and I most likely would never purchase an actual ticket to see her individually. I thought she would be entertaining at the least. She didn't even achieve that much. It was like she put a boom box up there and a kareoke screen and a weird video for everyone to watch. She barely sang at all. Frankly, I have no idea what she did up there during her prime Saturday night, 8:00p.m. slot. 100% of the other bands that were there would have done a better job and deserved that spot more.

M.I.A. - "Paper Planes"

MOST I CAN'T BELIEVE I MISSED THEM

> Girls

I don't want to talk about it. It's hard to be the only girl with 5 dudes and get them motivated to go do something. Even if it is to see Girls. Seriously mad at myself.

Girls - "Hellhole Ratrace"

MOST PERSONALLY UNDERESTIMATED

> Matt & Kim

They were highlighted on our list of bands to see but I didn't color it in. I was indifferent to seeing them. I knew one song by them and found the lead singer's voice, Matt Johnson, to be extremely annoying. I was in no way excited to see them but my cowboy loving friend, Dan, really wanted to. So there we were at 7:30 on the dot at the Honda Stage. Matt & Kim greeted the crowd with so much freaking energy that I wanted to rip my face off (in a good way). I don't know if it was because they came out to "Where Brooklyn At?" or because they were running all over stage or because I chugged a Four Loko but I was excited. They were the most energetic band I have ever seen in concert. And I've been to a lot of concerts. Their songs are already high energy but seeing them play live, with Kim always wearing a huge smile on her face while giving all of her energy to the drums and Matt playing the piano whilst doing yoga poses on his bench, literally makes you want to burst open with energy. They were electrifying to say the least and though I don't necessarily love their songs, I would highly recommend seeing them live. They know their audience well.

Matt & Kim - "Daylight"

MOST FUCKING COOLEST BESTEST SOLIDEST MUSIC

> Monsters of Folk

Monsters of Folk outta nowhere, grabbed me by my pervertible nut-sack and had sex with my ears. Sorry for the vulgarity (not really though) but that's how I feel. For those of you who aren't familair, MOF are somewhat of a young supergroup if you will, consisting of Jim James (My Morning Jacket), M. Ward (She & Him), Mike Mogis and Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes). Also for those of you who aren't familiar, a few words of advice from me to you: get familiar. I own their album and liked it but seeing it live was a horse of a different color. I don't even think I can articulate justice into it but all of their individual sounds come together and each of their styles can be felt not to mention heard. I could feel how much fun they had together making these songs. I must say though, my favorite part was when Jim James played, "Golden," and Conor Oberst backed him up. My heart pretty much melted and it wasn't because it was eighty degrees outside. Overall, great set by these dudes that made me love America.

Monsters of Folk - "The Sandman, the Brakeman and Me"

MOST IMPROVED

> The National

It's hard for me to believe that there was a time when I did not like them. How embarrassed am I now that they are on my top five favorite bands in the history of my top five favorite bands? I'm turning red just thinking about it. This was my third time seeing this band, the first being in a small bar in Boston in 2007 with about 200 other people max. To see them in this setting with thousands of people cheering, outside with the sun setting, I couldn't help but turn to my brother (also a major National fan) and say how proud I was of them. They killed every single song they played and with so much power and force behind each of them. They are going to be around for a long time. Y'all better hope so.

The National - "Conversation 16"

BEST COVER SONGS

> The Eagles

One of the first people I saw when I arrived on Sunday morning, alright, alright, Sunday afternoon, was a girl wearing a shirt that read, "I fuckin' hate The Eagles, Man." I laughed and kind of wanted my picture taken with her for I admired her badassness. The Eagles of course, were the headliners of ACL. Along with everyone else that attended ACL, I thought that was pretty random and kind of a waste. My friends and I had a lot of questions regarding the fuckin' Eagles as a headliner. Why couldn't it have been Arcade Fire or Radiohead? And more importantly, what do The Eagles even sing? Umm..."Desperado", "Hotel California", annddd uuhhhh, yeah, maybe "Boys of Summer?" The National finished playing and we just were not ready to leave Zilker Park so we spread out our blanket about four hundred yards from where The Eagles were getting wheeled out on stage and drank beers. Let's see what this band even sings. Turns out, every song that came on, without fail, one of us would say, "Wait a minute, I know this song!" "Wait, this is The Ealges?" "Are they covering this song or is this just their song?!" There was a whole lot of that going on. Turns out, my friends and I were Eagles fans the whole time and just didn't know it.

The Eagles - "Lyin' Eyes"

Until next year ACL...

P.S. Smells like dead rabbit in here.

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Part II of my restaurant employee, pet peeve, bitch fest!!! I don't know about you, but I'm excited. It feels great getting this off my chest. At this point, this is just gonna have to be a running list. Just when I think I've seen it all, another asshole gets sat at my table/sits at my bar. Besides, I just like complaining in general. No one likes a complainer in person. I feel less bad complaining on my blog because it's my blog and I can say whatever I want! Let the bitching commence and for the love of God, stop doing that!!

11.) This may come as a surprise to some of you but, "to go" containers mean you can take it home. My biggest restaurant pet peeve of all time is when people ask to get their food wrapped up and then I come back to the table to find the people gone, but the styrofoam box still sitting at the table. Styrofoam is bad for the Earth. The shit doesn't ever decompose. Ever. It will be here after you die. So the less we use of it, the better. At least if we have to have it, really use it! Geez, Louise.

12.) "Hi, my name is Haley. I'll be your server tonight. How are you doi.."

"Ya, um can I get a bud light draft?" Manners, Asswipe. Let me finish my sentence. Now I'm not telling you the specials, so put that in your pipe and smoke it!

13.) Do you reeeaallllyyy need something each and every single time I pass the table? Can't just ask for it all at once, maybe think it through a little more? I'm pretty sure Princess Diana wasn't that high maintenance.

14.) I will take an actual cash tip over a verbal tip any day. Call me crazy. Don't tell me how great I am and how wonderful everything is and then leave me $10 on a $100 tab. Your words are nice and all but I can't take them to the bank.

15.) Please do not start off a sentence with, "I don't mean to take this out on you but..." and then continue to take it out on me with a couple swears in there at that. The nerve! I'm sorry you have had a few bad experiences here in the past but they certainly have not been with me because I've never seen you before in my life so if you could stop being a miserable bitch to me, that'd be great. I'd be willing to bet no one speaks to you like the way you just spoke to me at your job. Please know that it has taken every ounce of energy to restrain myself from flipping the fuck out on you right back. You should commend me. And hey, how about you stop coming here if you hate it so much? Just a thought.

16.) My favorite is when I am carrying three heavy, hot plates all at once and I attempt to put them down on the table and no one moves their shit out of the way. Then there are the seven awkward seconds when I'm just standing there, burning the skin off my arm until finally, a retard gets a whiff of burning flesh and realizes that they actually have to make room for me since my hands are full. I can just drop it on your lap instead. That looks like a good spot to me.

17.) On a Friday or Saturday night when it's packed, EXCUSE ME!=MOVE! I've actually just started kicking people's legs.

18.) The whole fighting over the bill thing is cute and all but don't do it in front of me and throw a bunch of credit cards at me. "No, take my credit card!" "No, take mine!" I don't know which fuckin' credit card to take! You're making this weird.

19.) This one is more bartending related but I gotta say it. I just listened to you for two plus hours talk about your life. More specifically, your fucking glory days on the Brockton High School Football Team. And I acted like I gave a shit! Leave me a good tip! Christ!

20.) Nah, you still can't have my number.

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Oh my Blog, Blog, Oh my Blog. I sort of forgot I created this little pastime for myself, hence the no posts. Actually, that is a lie. I didn't forget. I keep thinking, I should blog but them I'm all...meh. I've just been majorly uninspired with music that's been in my ears the past couple of months, with a few exceptions of course (stay tuned). What gives, Bands? It's not like I haven't been trying either. Actually, that is a lie as well. Laziness and I have been getting a little too comfortable with each other. Finding new, good music is a process. Do you know how much shit I have to listen to to find one good song? A lot. A whole freakin' lot. In the end though, it's worth it for that amazing three to four minutes of a song that you know you'll suck the life out of 'cause you'll listen to it so much. Or am I the only one that does that? I'm not sure where I'm going with all this I'm just bored and my cat is sick of hearing me talk to him. Oh yeah, uninspired ...

Even bands I have loved are letting me down. Kings of Leon. Exhibit A. I've been into this band since 2004ish, before Caleb even knew he was hott and before anyone knew that their sex was on fire. Their new single is just really not gettin' it up for me. What is this "Radioactive" bullcrap? Haven't heard it yet? If you have three minutes and thirty seconds to waste, here you go: Predictable. I'm fairly certain that KOL strictly follows this formula when writing songs now: upbeat guitar riff + Caleb belting out chorus = KISS 108 FM. It's just so typical of them nowadays. I'm sad about it because I truly had high hopes for them. I mean, yeah, yeah, yeah, good for them, they're successful and shit and I guess that's what most bands strive for but don't forget about the real rock songs! There's just no throw down in their songs anymore. I feel as though they are robotic in their writing process now. There are no more Trani's, Slow Night, So Long's, or Knocked Up's on their most recent release and I'm predicting that will be the case with their upcoming album, Come Around Sundown. I hope I'm wrong. Come back to me, Kings of Leon. Come back.

This has been such a debbie downer post. (waaaah waaaaahhh)

How's about some good, hard to come by songs? Ok! The following have been my only rays of sunshine from my speakers:

Deerhunter - "Helicopter"

Sufjan Stevens - "Heirloom"

Warpaint - "Undertow"

See, Kings of Leon? See what those people did there with their songs? Remember how you used to do that?

Slata.

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The songs I've been listening to as of late are legit. I mean, I guess I'm a little bias being that this is a blog where I write about music I love but trust me. I aim to put songs on here that don't sound like shit. My three songs that I can't stop listening to this week arrrrreeeeeeee (drumroll please):

Damien Rice - "9 Crimes (feat. Lisa Hannigan)"

First off, I am psychic. I have been listening to this song all week and what song do the HBO people close out an episode of my favorite show (True Blood) to? This one (but a different version and yes, I knew they were going to do that). I don't know if that makes me psychic but it makes me something. Maybe awesome? Or it's a sign that I should be a song picker outter for television shows? I don't know why I bother listening to this song. It mostly just makes me cry. I'm not big on pin pointing what songs are about or what they mean because to me, half the beauty of music is being able to create your own interpretation and make it be whatever you want it to be but this song intimates cheating and feeling guilt for doing so. "Leave me out in the waste, this is not what I do." The subject and lyrics alone are enough to grab your attention but then comes the combination/overlapping of Damien Rice's and Lisa Hannigan's voices. Fuhget aboud it. This song is so incredibly haunting, much like relationships past.

The Sundays - "I Feel"

I wish more people appreciated The Sundays but unfortunately, I would estimate that 84 people know they exist. Don't be misled. It's not that you are unhip (I feel uncool for saying unhip) or can't keep up with what the kids are listening to these days. They are actually a band from the 80's/90's who found a little spot in my heart where they like to stay. My favorite album of theirs, Blind, came out in '92, so that would have made me ... 9. My mom used to have Blind on repeat in her car and since I was attached at the hip to her, I listened to it a lot as well. I'd always ask her to go back to number one on the cd, "I Feel". I love the airy, ethereal sound of this song and all of their songs. Harriet Wheeler's voice can only be described as loose and boundless and is one that can't ever be copied. There is something truly original about this 80's indie band.

The National - "Conversation 16"

I listened to this song the other day and had a real life epiphany: I love The National. Their music is always something I enjoy, I've seen them live twice and listen to them regularly but alls a sudden it hit me like a ton of bricks. I love The National. A huge smile appeared on my face once I came to that realization. I couldn't even begin to tell you what I think this song is about. I have absolutely no idea and it is my favorite song off their new(ish) album, High Violet. I love blasting this song in my car (but really, what song don't I love blasting in my car?) singing lyrics like, "I was afraid I'd eat your brains...cause I'm evil." What does that even mean? I don't know but I love singing it. It's only something The National could do. If anyone else sang that I would likely hate it. They just have this way of creating imagery soaked songs and making me stop and think throughout each one even though I tend to come to the same conclusion of, "I have no idea what that means". Truly a great band and "Conversation 16" is one of their many truly great songs. Gimme more.

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Yikes. It's been a minute since I've posted anything, huh? Good thing no one reads this but me. (Don't be fooled by the visitor counter I added, that's just me.) Sorry I've made you wait so long, Self, but as you know, I've been a busy bee and dealing with a lotta crap. Let's get to it, shall we? The songs I been listening to this week are a bit on the melancholy side/sorta feeling down kind of songs 'cause well, I was, but don't worry, the last song is upbeat enough to make you forget how sad the first two songs were. Nonetheless, all stellar (I just said stellar? I don't really know what that even means) songs. My three songs that I can't stop listening to this week arrrrreeeeeeee (drumroll please):

Elliot Smith - "Pitseleh"

I fell in love with this song the first time my sister showed it to me when I was a sophomore in college. I forget about it a lot but that is not the case this week. I can never listen to this song just one time. Usually during the first run through, my ears tend to only hear the amazing guitar playing and the soothing melody and I completely forget to listen to the lyrics which are equally amazing, hence the second, third, and fourth listen. This song is the definition of eloquence. See fo' yo'selves.

Bob Dylan - "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright"

Oh, Bob. Why are you so good at understanding humans and how they feel and then translating it into a beautiful song? Oh right, you're gifted. I've heard this song throughout my whole life but it's been taking on its own meaning for me lately; one I can relate to and understand now. I love every single word in this song. My favorite line comes at the end..."So long honey babe, where I'm bound, I can't tell. Goodbye's too good a word babe. So I just say fare thee well. I ain't saying you treated me unkind. You could have done better but I don't mind. You just kind of wasted my precious time but don't think twice, it's alright." A song written in 1962 that people can identify with 48 years later. That's more than impressive.

P.S. I big time love harmonicas.

The Love Language - "Heart to Tell"

This is a band out of North Carolina if I remember correctly and I believe I read somewhere that this is a song off their sophomore release, Libraries. It's the first record I've heard from them though and I'm hooked on this single song just as you will be shortly. Again, it's a song that has sort of a 50's feel laced through it. I guess I love that. This song is fuuuuuunnn and something about it is so damn magnetic and charming. If you are ever in a band and want me to instantly like your songs, just add clapping in the background. I'll love it. I'll blog about it. I'll drive it into the ground. "Heart To Tell" is one of the better pop rock, indie songs I've heard in a while. Get ready to have your pants charmed off of you.

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I'm having a major dude week this week. Probably, because I overloaded on Christina Aguilera once I got my hands on that album. Anywho, my three songs that I can't stop listening to this week arrrrreeeeeeee (drumroll please):

Dr. Dog - "Where'd All The Time Go?"

That's a great question, Dr. Dog and I wish I could tell ya. You probably passed a lot of time making this little gem. This song is off Dr. Dog's new album, Shame, Shame, which I don't have but will be sure to get after hearing this song. Whenever I listen to this, all I can think of are watercolors. That's what it reminds me of. The little instrument that makes that cool sound at the beginning is likely to blame for that. I probably should get better at identifying instruments if I'm going to continue having a blog about music, huh? Maybe a wind instrument? Maybe an instrument that the computer made up? Anyway, this is extremely ornate song from Dr. Dog and reminds a lot of The Flaming Lips. Listen because I said so.

David Bowie - "Heroes"

I have no idea why, but I have been in an odd David Bowie phase for this past week. This has never happened to me before. I wasn't sure what to do about it at first because I wasn't aware that I liked him to the extent that I was [liking him] so I decided to just go with it. I'm glad I did. Dave really knows how to get songs in your head. I downloaded a lot of DB (David Bowie - not to be confused with the ever popular Douche Bag) this week and it's been a glorious week ever since I did. All of his songs are super catchy and majority of them put me in the jolliest of moods. "Heroes" is one of those songs. Go blast it in you car with the windows down and then come tell me you're not in a good mood. In a related story, I suddenly want to watch my second favorite movie ever, The Labyrinth.

Arcade Fire - "The Suburbs"

Fuck yes, fuck yes, fuck yes. Sorry for all the cursing but Arcade Fire brings out my passion. I, along with plenty of other AF fans, have been waiting not so patiently for new material from this disgustingly talented band. They could come out with an album monthly and I would not be satisfied. They're just that good that you always want more (that's what she said). The band teased us with a sample of this song as well as another ("Month of May") last week. The sample was literally about 12 seconds long and gave me the worst case of blue balls a girl can get. Just knowing that they were alive and making music, filled me with great warmth and excitement. Shortly thereafter, they released the full song and here it is for your enjoyment. I have been enjoying it more than one should and don't want to hog it all so please, come enjoy with me.

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The first time I ever heard Christina Aguilera sing, it was the summer of 1999 and I was 16 years old. They premiered her song on Kiss 108 and after the first minute of "Genie In A Bottle", I hit 'record' on my huge tape player. I sat on the living room floor that night and rewound that tape over and over again. I don't think the purpose of this song was to showcase her voice so much as it was to be a huge pop hit to get her foot in the music door, but I could tell, under all the synthesizers, her voice had real texture and this girl could saaannnnnggg.

So, here we are, eleven years later and look at that, Christina Aguilera is a pop phenomenon, a Grammy winner, and one of my favorite singers (and I'll have you know my favorite female singers group is super exclusive and extremely impossible to get into. Too many girls think they can sing and you can't). When the little girls of 2010 grow up and become famous singers, they'll say they were influenced by Miss Aguilera.

Besides the obvious greatness that is her voice, there are so many reasons I love being a Christina fan. It's always something new and you can bet your bottom dollar that you'll never see her do the same thing twice. We started with a little bubblegum pop singer and a self titled album containing songs mostly about thinking about boys in her room. Then we broke free from the record label restrictions and got to write our own material which materialized into Stripped. No more teeny boppin' for X-Tina anymore. Time to get naked, dye our hair black and be "Dirrty". Next up, a double disc release, Back To Basics. Christina softened up for on this one, (after-all, she was in love now) but at the same time never let us forget that she was "Still Dirrty." Hew newest album, Bionic, is set for release on June 8th but I was too excited so I had her send me a copy early. On this album, she's not a pop princess, she's not dirrty, she's not throwing us back to the 20, 30's and 40's music wise, in fact, she's hurling us into the future.

I was extremely nervous about listening to this album. I was certain I was going to hate it being that I'm not a huge fan of disjointed beats and electronic music but since it was Christina, I'd allow it. After listening to it for two days, I can confidently say, my hesitation about this album was unnecessary. I can trust Christina not to disappoint. This album is again, showing us a completely new side of her both vocally and artistically. What Christina did beautifully on Bionic is balance the fun, playful, electronic songs with the raw, vulnerable ballads. She also worked with some really cool people on many of the songs featured including, Sia Fuller, M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj.

Overall, I really like that this album fits in with Christina's theme of having heavily themed albums. This one is fun, not taking itself too seriously and simultaneously, letting you know Christina is back and that she will be here for a long, long time, so let's stop with the Gaga comparisons. (Gaga, you ain't progressive. Wear all the crazy outfits you want but Madonna already did that sh*t. I'll give it to you though, your songs get in my head like woah.)

Here are two songs that I really like from Bionic. They are like black and white. The first is a melodic ballad with amazing lyrics and cool vocal arrangements. The first time I heard it, I cried. I'm a sucker. The second is a collaboration she did with Nicki Minaj. It's about going down on girls so, make sure you don't sing it at work or around your parents.

"You Lost Me"

"Woohoo"

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Who's pumped about the three songs I've been lovin' this week?! :crickets:: Well I am so let's just get to the point. My three songs of the week aaaarreeee (drumroll please):

The Morning Benders - "Excuses"

My long time friend, Bill, told me I need to give this band a listen. I know nothing about them except that my good friend likes them and that is all I need to know. I trust his music judgement and have confidence that he wouldn't steer me wrong. Steer me wrong he did not. I have their album, Big Echo, and have not given it a fair listen at this point and that is mostly because I can't get passed track one, "Excuses." This song is simply a joy to listen to. It makes me want to go put on my Poodle skirt and go kiss a boy on the lips (and that's it) while watching a drive in movie. In other words, it sounds like a song from the 50's. Check it out cause it's neato.

Fiona Apple - "Shadowboxer"

An oldie but a goodie. It was recently brought to my attention that this song was not taking up any megabytes on my iPod and how could it? It wasn't there. That, my friends, is a damn shame. I remedied that right quick and ever since, "Shadowboxer" and I have been frolicking like the old friends we are. Naturally, Fiona kills it (this is a good thing) with the lyrics and the music is heavy and rich. If this song was a fabric, it'd be velvet. I love the subject matter she chose for this and it's one I think everyone can relate to. Fiona Apple, I love you.

Frightened Rabbit - "Backwards Walk"

"You're the shit and I'm knee deep in it." I appreciate the creativeness and funness (I love making up words) of that line so much. This whole song is a solid one and definitely another that everyone can relate to in a been there, done that sort of way. I always liked this band but never really got into them until a few weeks ago, when I went to a show of theirs. I was blown away. It's kind of fun to go into a show with no expectations at all. If you're lucky, the result will be a pleasant surprise.

Hope you enjoy 'em! Check yah laatttteeerrrr.

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I've come to notice over the past few years, twenty seven years to be exact, that I have a very distinct music listening pattern. Usually, this pattern consists of me listening to nothing but the same three songs for about a week or until I find another three songs to replace them with, whichever comes first. And they don't even have to be new songs. They can be songs I've heard a million times but for some reason, I just reconnect with them hard. I tend to obsess over songs that I love. If I didn't happen to stumble upon other songs, I probably would never listen to anything else and the sick thing is, I know I would never even get sick of these songs because I sweat them so much. I know, it's a sick relationship. That being said, I have been listening to the same three songs for about a week now and thought I'd share them with you two. (I love that joke, clearly.) I'm thinking I might just make this a regular, reoccurring blog post section because good songs need to be shared and loved. I hope you dig 'em as much as I do! My three songs of the week aaarrreeeeee (drumroll please):

Tegan and Sara - "Call It Off"

I had this song on my iPod for a long, long time and never listened to it. Thankfully, MTV chose it as a background song on one episode during The Hills marathon. (I wasn't watching it, my cat, Smallz, looooveess Spencer.) That's the first time MTV has shown me music since, well actually, that might have been the first time. I download so much music that much of it gets lost in the shuffle. This song was one of them. I hate not knowing about good songs, especially ones that I have. I get extremely angry. It's kind of funny. It's bound to drive me crazy one day.

Local Natives - "Airplanes"

Dope. This song is dope. This band is dope. I recently got their debut album, Gorilla Manor, and I'm digging it. Because I love comparing bands, they remind me a bit of Fleet Foxes and Arcade Fire with their echoey verses (Fleet Foxes) and their collective, everyone in the band yelling choruses (Arcade Fire). Both influences can be heard in "Warning Sign." "Airplanes" in particular though, is so, so good. I love persistent songs that charge at you for four minutes. I also love bands with really good lead singers. Local Natives front man has an amazing voice. Dudes with good voices are my weakness.

Band of Horses - "Laredo"

Is it May 18th yet? That's when the new BOH album, Infinite Arms, is released. I am seriously counting down the days (22) until this comes out. I only do that with Mariah albums, leave your judgements at the door. "Laredo" is the first single off of the album and it is awe-sem (Hi, Frond). This song has actually been on my "songs I can't stop listening to" list for about two weeks now. It's going to be hard to replace. I just took a look at my play count on iTunes: 77. I'm not lying about this whole obsessed thing. This is a perfect spring song and just makes me want to drive around 'with my windows down 'till I run out of gas. Ben Bridwell, you may or may not have the best voice ever.

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Since this is my blog and I can write about whatever the hell I want to write about and because the 1st Amendment supports me, I'm going to write about my favorite band. Radiohead. I remember when I first laid ears on Radiohead my sophomore year in high school. I think I stole The Bends from my older sister's cd collection, put it into my Discman (What? It was the 90's), waited for sleep and that's all it took. I was a Radiohead addict and could not be stopped (think Tiger and skanks). Love at first listen. My love only deepened with each new album. Every time they come out with a new album, believe me when I say it is my Christmas. Just like you never know what is going to be under the tree (actually in my case I always know. Pink everything because my mom always forgets I hate pink), I never know what to expect from a Radiohead album.

The list of reasons why I love them is an endless one but I admire them for there genuine, authentic originality. There is no band out there like them and there never will be. Try all you want Muse, but you got nothing on Radiohead. I'll never quite get why people don't like Radiohead but I understand, to each his own. I just will eternally feel bad for those closed minded m effers. No judgement. Recently, I doled out a challenge to myself, mostly so I could have an excuse to listen to Radiohead excessively and not feel guilty for neglecting other music. The challenge was this: Pick one song off of each Radiohead album that is my absolute, hands down favorite. I was overly excited for my self assigned task and thought it would be a breeze. A breeze it was not. I apparently had forgotten that majority of songs on any given Radiohead album are all my favorites. Boy, was my face red. After listening to a lot of Radiohead for the past two weeks, and I mean a lot, I think these are my favorite Radiohead songs off of their respective albums. One song per album just like the directions said. And a runner up because, god damn it, this was hard.

Pablo Honey - "Creep"

Runner Up - "Thinking About You"

Did you really expect anything else? It is my duty as a Radiohead fan to make sure this gets on the list. This song single handedly put Radiohead on the map so thank you, "Creep." I can't imagine what would have happened if this single wasn't on this album because let's all be honest adults here, this album is, uh, not that good. I feel like a mother admitting her child is ugly but this album sounds like they all just picked up guitars for the first time just to see what would happen. If this single didn't exist, would Radiohead still be around? Jesus, just saying that almost made me pass out. "Creep" is cleary the "fuckin' special" one here.

The Bends - "Black Star"

Runner Up - "Street Spirit (Fade Out)"

I fought with myself a lot with this pick. I love so many other records on this release but for some reason I always come back to this. It probably is directly related to the fact that I simply love sad songs. I think it's the lyrics on this one that really get me though. "I keep falling over, I keep passing out when I see a face like you." Really, Thom Yorke? You're killing me the way you dropped that line. He may as well just take my heart out and put it on a cutting board.

Ok Computer - "Let Down" AND "Paranoid Android"

Runner Up - "Lucky"

This was impossible and unfair. Seriously, who thought of this stupid "challenge" anyway? I don't wanna play anymore. This is undoubtedly a tie. "Let Down" is one of the most beautiful songs that has ever entered my ears. The melody is so hopeful but when you listen to the lyrics it's just the opposite. The song makes me happy, and then it makes me sad, and then it makes me happy and so on and so fourth. It's like an abusive relationship that I can't get out of. Show me one person that does not like this song, and I will show you someone without a soul.

"Paranoid Android" is an anthem and possibly one of the best musical pieces to come out of the 90's. Haha, the 90's. Every time I think of that as from the 90's, I am shocked. Radiohead was light years ahead of anyone else in the world when they created this. If my memory serves me correctly, this song came out in 2021. It sounds like it is from the future. If I ever had to sum Radiohead up in one song so that someone could get a taste of what they are about, I would show them this. "Paranoid Android" is everything you need to know about Radiohead in about six minutes.

Kid A - "Kid A"

Runner Up - "Everything In It's Right Place"

This song is cool. I don't know what they did to Thom's voice to make it sound like that, but I'm glad they did it. This album was a huge shift in Radiohead's "typical" style and I applaud them for going outside of the box (that they were never really even in). I love that they are experimenting with all different sounds, sounds that are not familiar to the average listener's ear and yet the song is still catchy. At some points in the song it sounds like a UFO is coming to land on earth. If this is the music they listen to on another planet, take this earthling away on your UFO.

Amnesiac - "Knives Out"

Runner Up - "Pyramid Song"

Sometimes you just get a feeling about a song and you can't really explain it. I have that going on with "Knives Out." My ears like it, more so than the other tracks on the album. I think they [my ears] enjoy the two guitars playing separate melodies throughout the record. The guitars in combination with Thom's voice dominate the song and really made it stand out to me. It's definitely not the lyrics that make this one my favorite as I have no idea what it is about. It just gives me a feeling.

Hail to the Thief - "A Wolf at the Door"

Runner Up - "There, There" (sick drums)

Probably the most untraditional sounding Radiohead song, "Wolf at the Door" is by far my favorite from this album. I love that Thom basically is talking during the verses which in turn makes the chorus catch your ear. The chorus is a beautiful melody on its own and that is all the song needs. This is another great example of me not knowing what the song means at all but loving it for the feeling it gives me. Thom's voice has the power to make me feel emotions even if I have no idea what he's talking about.

In Rainbows - "House of Cards"

Runner Up - "Reckoner"

How cool is Radiohead for this jam? This is the most laid back song I think they've ever done and it fits them well. It's so sparse, repetitive and simple. All things that sound like they would be negative but these are the things that make it the stand out track to me. They're Radiohead. They can write a song with the simplest guitar riff ever and make it an awesome song.

Radiohead 4 Life.

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The only person I know in this whole wide world that does NOT have Facebook and never has, is Ben Johnson, a fellow Mansfieldian/Shitbum. I'm not really sure why this is but if it helps explain it any, he also doesn't own a cell phone. It's just how he operates so get off his back, alright? The day Ben Johnson gets a Facebook account, I will stop listening to Mariah Carey.* I'm not passing judgement here by any means, but it makes me think about how addicted I am to the 'book, especially now that I have an iPhone. It's like putting Cadbury Mini Eggs in front of me and telling me not to eat them. At times, I find myself on it and suddenly coming to and asking myself, "Haley, why the F are you even on Facebook right now?" Look for me on the next episode of Intervention. I can't wait to hear your letters on how my Facebook addiction has affected you negatively in the following ways. I can't really pinpoint why I really even like it other than the fact that helps me keep in touch with people I might not otherwise. It's not even that I love it so much as it is another source of procrastination/something to pass the time/laugh at. In fact, the more I think about it, there are actually more things about Facebook that I hate than love.

My adopted brother, Matthew, recently wrote a blog about 10 'New Rules of Facebook Etiquette'. Yes, I agree that does exist if only in our minds and yes, I agree with most of his points EXCEPT... #2 and #3 because I'm not trying to date or pick anyone up via Facebook but if I was, I guess these would be legit. #5 because I did that. It's a long story and I'm right. #7 because I do that. Hey, why not? Having an account to begin with is in a way self promoting. And lastly, #10 because well, I'm not a dude and don't care. Overall though, it was a good list and made me want to do my own. I hope he doesn't get me for intellectual property.

Anyway, the combination of his blog post and my addiction to Facebook got me thinking. Let's make the Face a better place. And we can start by never putting statuses (statusi?) about the following:

1.) "Oh my god, it's so nice out today!" "Loving this weather!" "It won't stop raining!" I know, Captain Obvious, I have eyes and I'm alive too.

2.) "Little Joey has the runs and is throwing up everywhere! But then he took his first step, got his first tooth and looked at me!" Get off Facebook and go take care of your children. You know, the ones I don't care about. (Sorry, this is mean. I probably just don't understand because I have no children and am the host of zero maternalness.)

3.)"Gym." I always viewed Facebook statuses differently than AIM away messages. I guess others don't. And besides, you're just putting that post up so people know that you go to the gym and then feel bad about themselves for being fat and lazy.

4.)"Ughh Monday/Yay Friday!" Really, Sherlock? You have nothing more creative for me to read?

5.)"Errands, lunch, gym, brushing my hair, washing my car, picking out an outfit then out with the girls in the city!" With each comma, I die a little inside from not caring.

6.) "Sitting in traffic." I understand that you are bored, but no need to spread the boredom. Besides, Oprah would be pissed if she knew you were Facebooking while driving.

7.) "Blah, blah, blah. FML" I'll pay you all to never type FML again. And while we're at it, "It is what it is," and "GTL." If you don't know what these acronyms mean, I envy you.

And those my friends, are my personal, top 7 most hated statuses. I'm sure I have been guilty of one of these a time or two in the past and I will never forgive myself for it. Please don't get me wrong. My statuses ain't nothing special either but 97% of the time, it's original. If you do post these statuses, you'll be happy to know that you are the winner of the most uninteresting, least fun to read, unoriginal status of the day! Along with 112 other people! Let's all just take a moment and look at what Facebook is really asking us. What's on your mind? This blog post would have been my status but it was too many characters.

Happy Facebooking!

*No I won't.

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It's probably a safe assumption to say that pretty much everyone knows at least one other person who is in a band. There's always a friend of yours or a friend of a friend that just joined a new band or is trying to get one going. Everybody's doing it. Frankly, I would too if I had the slightest idea how to play an instrument because people that are in good bands ooze cool. I just write about bands instead. Here's the thing though about all these bands your friends are in... majority of them most likely are horrendous and not oozing cool. I'm not trying to be mean, but let's be real. It's a daunting task to find good bands. Even bands that are signed to record deals, let alone hometown bands making records in their basement. But I guess you have to start somewhere, right?

I have known a character by the name of Bobby Washburn since I was a wee little one. I've known the kid for quite some time now. I'm talking like playing tag and red rover red rover send Bobby right over kind of shit. Recently, he read my blog and asked if I would write a review for his band that he is in, The Keeping (Bobby plays the guitar). Of course I said I would because I'm the nicest person on the block. After I said I would do it, I got to thinking how much his band was going to suck (just being honest, Bobby). For an outgoing, upbeat person, I can be real cynical and pessimistic. For some reason and I have no idea why, I thought his band was going to be hard core, death metal stuff and I can't tell you how much I hate that "music." So, here I am, completely regretting the fact that I agreed to do this review when Bobby tells me he is going to send me some of his music via the internets. So, I'm sitting and I'm waiting and I'm preparing myself for some rinky-dink recordings of some horrible pile of crap music when I get a link to six songs from The Keeping. Here goes nothin', I thought.

Wrong. I was wrong. Real wrong. I believe the phrase is "pleasantly surprised." It was real, legitimate, well produced music and was absent of any hard core, death metal. These are songs I can already hear being played on the radio. Given a chance, they will be. The melodies are catchy as hell, the lyrics will make girls round the world swoon (including me), and the lead singer (Thomas, from what MySpace tells me) has a perfect voice for the music he is singing over. My personal favorite is "Daybreak." I was relieved and really proud of my friend. If you know me at all, you know that I love comparing bands to other bands. I'm really good at it and always dead on. That being said, The Keeping reminds me a lot of The Fray. I bet they get that a lot and that ain't a bad thing. I believe The Fray is an extremely successful band with a handful of singles on the radio, so if people compared my band to them, I'd be pumped.

I don't know any of the other four band members but I do know that they are all talented musicians that genuinely enjoy the music they are making and that comes through loud and clear in the songs.

Check em out and don't say I never did anything for you!

http://www.thekeeping.com/exclusive/

Username: exclusive

Password: hesitations

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Everyone is being so mean to MGMT with regards to their new album, Congratulations. It's making me mad/sad. Hey everyone! Why don't you make a ridiculously good first album that shouldered huge success for the band and then try to make another equally ridiculously good one? I would imagine the difficulty and challenge in that would be painfully hard. You're screwed from the start. No one's ever gonna like another MGMT album better than Oracular Spectacular and I can't really blame them. That album is stacked with singles and anthems. But let's stop comparing the two albums because this new one is a horse of a different color and breed.

Let me be clear, this is not a pity like. I genuinely have been enjoying Congratulations. I won't lie though, it took me about ten full listens to realize I liked it which is odd because many of the songs bear vivid, familiar sounds to famous bands of the past, all of which I love. "Siberian Breaks" is one of those songs. The first time I listened to it, I thought my iTunes shuffled wrong and I was listening to a a song from the 60's (those were the days, eh?). This song is literally 12 minutes long and smack in the middle of the track listing. That's an unorthodox move, no? During those 12 minutes, you feel like you're listening to 3 separate songs. I even went back to my computer after playing "Siberian Breaks" to see what the name of the new song was I was listening to. Look at that, still "Siberian Breaks."

Another track that my ears likes is, "Someone's Missing." Length wise, it's the shortest record on the album but it stood out to me for some reason.

"Lady Dada's Nightmare," makes me think I'm listening to Dark Side of the Moon. Listen to it and you'll agree.

I really, really, really like the title track on this album. "Congratulations" closes out the sophomore album and I think it's beautiful. It sounds like nothing MGMT has ever done before, mostly because it's so simple and leaves out their signature psychedelic pop sound. Just an acoustic guitar, a little banging on the drums and maybe a keyboard? (Forgive me, as I am not all that skilled in identifying instruments.) I have a feeling this is a very personal song to the band. "I'd rather dissolve than have you ignore me." Very Beatles-esque to me.

Honestly, I don't think MGMT ever had any intentions of even trying to make this album anything like Oracular Spectacular. I just think they are experimenting with their talent and sound and don't give a fuck what any of us think or the amount of success they get. And I think that because I am great friends with Ben and Andrew and they told me that and also that they only care what I think and ya know what?

Congratulations, MGMT. I think ya done good. ::clapping::

MGMT - "Congratulations"

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I'm gonna digress from my usual subject of music this time. I hope you two don't mind. I just have a lot to say about being employed as a waitress and I am in need of venting. Don't even get me started on the music that is played at my work. If I hear anymore John Mellencamp...(insert something horrible you would do to someone or yourself).

I'll start by saying I completed a vicious, what seemed to be never ending, three days (25 hours) of waitressing and am pregnant with hate and anger for people that dine out. I apologize in advance as everything I'm about to say is going to sound really mean, whiny, and judgmental but I'm not. I'm a nice girl. I've just been a waitress for far too long and being mean to people in my head makes the hours just fly by. I just thought I'd make a small top 10 list of things I, as a waitress, would appreciate you stop doing. On behalf of all the people that have ever worked in the restaurant business...

1.) Please don't order a bottle of beer (that we also have on draft) and then ask for a pint glass. 'Cause really, what's the point? Do you know something I don't?

2.) NEVER, I repeat NEVER vigorously wave me down when I am clearly at another table cause I'll just look at you and wonder if you're retarded or having a seizure.

3.) Customer: "I think we are all set to order."

Me: (Inner monologue: Good for you, I don't give a sh*t, get it yourself, I wonder what Smallz is doing.) "Ok great! I'm ready when you're ready!"

Customer: ::looks around at others at the table:: "Do you guys know what you want? What are you gonna get? Oh, that sounds good? Maybe I'll get that, or should I get this? Wanna spit two meals? Have you ever had..."

Me: (Inner monologue: oohhhhhhh mmmmyyyyyyyyy ggoooooooooooodddddd, someone interrupt my thought with an order already for fucks sake, you retards.) "Yup, you can get onion rings instead of fries!!"

Just let me know when you are for real life ready to order. I have places to go and other peoples' shit to deal with.

4.) That 20% tip is greatly appreciated but you sat at my table on a Friday night for four hours and nursed a couple O'Douls. I know you left me $4 on that $22.00 tab but you probably cost me about $60. Go home.

5.) If you come into my restaurant and sit at my table, I'd advise not to inform me that you have a time restriction or are on a tight schedule. AND THEN ORDER A BURGER COOKED MEDIUM. We are a restaurant where regular human beings are employed, not a magic show. And I'm pretty sure there is an asterisk at the bottom of menu. *None of our cooks have superpowers. Besides, you aren't that important anyway. You should have had a granola bar.

6.) If your beers are $8 and you give me $10 and ask me to go get you change, I hate you.

7.) Nothing would make me happier if people would stop asking me to list beers we have (while the beer list is right in front of them) and then while I'm mid-list, "Do you have Michelob Ultra?" Yes, you skinny bitch, we do have that but maybe you should drink a real beer, no? Just a suggestion. Maybe I wouldn't be being so mean to you in my head right now if, since you already knew what you wanted, just asked me for that in the first place. (Did that sentence make sense? I don't think so, but I'm not changing it.)

8.) For the love of all that is good, get off your cell phone. Don't give me the, erect index finger signaling, wait one second, while you wrap up your phone call. You're rude. Don't make me accidentally drop a beer on your phone.

9.) Unless I do an atrocious job of serving you (psshh, as if), don't leave me less than 15% percent. If you can't afford it, it's called take-out, my friends.

10.) No, you cannot have my number.

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Because this is a music blog, I can't stop listening to this song and would like all of my favorite bands to remake it...

The Smiths - "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want"

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