Theme Songs of Casey's Life

so i made a list of an average day for me, put my i-pod on shuffle and went down the list putting whatever song was next on the playlist... i got nothin better to do right now, ok!

Waking up: Such a Cold Winter -Bayside

Song sung in the shower: Gentlemen -Teddy Geiger

Traveling to class: Drinkin' 'Bout You -Big & Rich

Meeting a good friend along the way: The Sun Song -Michael Tolcher

Taking a test: Ammunition -Switchfoot

Running/ Jumping after class gets out: Texas Flood -Stevie Ray Vaughn

Traveling to work: Air Force Ones -Nelly

Ultimate Panera Bread theme song: Days Go By -Keith Urban

Seeing an attractive young woman walk by in slow motion: Constellations -Jack Johnson

Traveling back home: Senorita -Justing Timberlake

Just chillaxin with friends: I'll Be OK -McFly

Wrapping up the day and going to bed: Stitched Up -John Mayer

and for some added daily emotions-

Super happy: It's The End of the World -Great Big Sea (cover)

Very sad: Sussudio -Phil Collins

Afraid: Tangled -Maroon 5

Terribly ANGRY: Don't Turn Around -Mika

I got a couple good hit like Days Go By referring to me at work and I'll Be OK while i hang out with friends

but i got a couple really big misses like 'Gentlemen' while i'm in the shower... eww.  Drinkin' 'Bout You while i drive.  And for some reason i'm happy about End of the World!

I dunno, this wasn't as cool as i thought it would be... maybe its because i haven't slept since Tuesday night.

EMINOH

Its becoming a monthly thing now, and at this rate ill have gone through my artist alphabet by the time school starts back up... and by then im sure ill have a whole new list

M

Marc Broussard- If i were an awesome singer i would strive to be like this man.  He mixes his soulful voice with a funky acoustic guitar style and a slight hip-hop undertone.  In other words if you have ears, they will be happy; if you have feet they will be tapping; and if you play guitar, it gives you something to strive for.  He also has several gospel songs that he's released and let me just say, this Holister wearing white boy can BELT IT OUT!  Top 3 favorite songs of his: Home, Blue Jeans, Come Around.

Mat Kearney- Just another one of Casey's acoustic rockers.... NO, well yes BUT he throws rap into the equation.  Not a Gangsta rap, Crunk rap, or a G Funk style of rap.  Nor is it Oldschool, Mobb rap, or even Snap rap.  Its more of a slower more mellow sound that compliments the acoustics in the background.  His typical faster song can be formulated like this: 1)Guitar picking then a sharp drum hit quickly followed by the rhythm guitar and bass.  2)He sings the chorus a couple times and quickly switches to "Rap Mode" for the 1st verse, usually going on about a girl or how good life is then sings the chorus a couple more times.  3)Another verse, the chorus again.  4)This is followed by a bridge in which the lead guitar takes over the tempo of the song and Mat sings the same sentence over and over again holding the last note out while his "alter song ego" raps a couple mellow verses to overlay said held note.  5)A quick break happens then back to the chorus a couple more times and finally finishing with the rhythm guitar/drum/bass playing the same measures over and over.  6)Always the fade out. FIN.  But dont get me wrong, just cause he's predictable doesn't mean he sucks, he just knows how to work his formula!  He also has a lot of good slow songs that kinda make me think... about stuff... like... life i guess...

McFly- Lets see, if we were to define British Pop-Rock it would be these kids (i can say kids cause im older then ALL of them, so give me your lunch money!)  Really juvenile topics but they're just so darn cute its hard to hate them... so i dont... in fact i like their stuff a lot.  Its pretty obvious their main audience are British TeenyBoppers but that doesn't make me any less of a person.  I blame my adoration for this type of music on Becky Wodzak's little sister who, while i was in England, gave me Busted's self-titled album which i promptly lodged into my Stereo when i returned to the states only to leave it in there for way too long.  Any-hoo, Just My Luck is just my favorite album of their's and my top 3 favorite songs of their's are as followed: 1) Obviously 2) That Girl 3) Five Colours In Her Hair.

Michael Tolcher- (not pronounced Tolker like i originally thought. oops)  BUT yet again i find myself describing an acoustic rock genre.  Pretty basic set up: drums, bass, acoustic guitar, singer-songwriter stuff however he does have a slammin' voice.  He only came out with one album but it was really addicting.  There is no way in Hell Heck i would have even come across him if it weren't for the Gavin DeGraw concert I saw a while back.  Michael opened and blew the crowd away, or at least me and my friends.  I just remember Sam leaning over and asking if it is ok to think that the opener was better then the main performance.  We saw him again about a year later hoping for some new stuff for us but alas there was none.  We also saw Kelly Clarkson that day too... give me a break it was a free concert.  CAVALO!

Modest Mouse- Straying from the pop genre we enter a whole new side of my playlist.  These guys have been around for a while but they're still coming out with new stuff, in fact their new single, Dashboard, is pretty good.  They are defiantly a nonconventional band and the only thing their songs have in common is the awkwardly screechy voice of Isaac Brock which when combined with awkwardly screechy guitars makes for an interesting experience.  Float On will always be my favorite song of thier's

N

Nickle Creek-  Good ol' fashion banjo pickin', mandolin strummin', violin bowin' bluegrass with a modern twist.  Let me tell you, these guys are GOOD at their instruments and the male/female vocals complement the music very well.  Nickle Creek is the kind of band that i would give my left arm to sit around and just jam with for hours and hours... course i would have to give them my arm AFTER the session cause i would kinda need it.  Lyrically they are pretty good, but it gets overshadowed by their instrumental skills.  Defiantly my favorite bluegrass/indie fusion band ever!

O

O.A.R.-  Its funny cause it really is 3am and i really do want to go to bed!(chorus to Night Shift)  I like the Sca sound they have, there is more of an emphasis on the sax then the trumpet.  And is it just me or does the lead singer, Marc Roberg kinda sound like Adam Sandler singing the Hanukkah song?  its probably just me, but dang i cant help it!  I gotta give props to Kristi's old boyfriend for getting her hooked on these guys so that she could get me on the O.A.R. bandwagon.  I really like their live stuff, they put on a good show and i would probably buy a ticket for one of their shows if they weren't 40 bucks... and they didn't play on the other side of the country all the time.

Oasis-  I heard somewhere that these guys would be as big as the Beatles if they would just stop fighting all the time.  Brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher defiantly had some sibling rivalry issues in their careers but were able to come out with some MONSTER songs (wonderwall, Champagne Supernova, etc)  They blew up in the mid 90's with their British Rock style and have gone through several band members since.  I have yet to listen to any of their new stuff but im sure its gonna be the heat, i just gotta find someone who has the albums and will let me borrow them for a bit.

so yeah, the M's defiantly dominated the music list today.  see you next month!

J, K, L(ol)

Jason Mraz- A rock-pop (not to be confused with pop-rocks, though i do like it when they crackle on my tongue) genius!  His fast talkin upbeat tracks will echo in your head for weeks... which is by no means a bad thing.  Jason's albums Mr. A-Z and Waiting For My Rocket To Come are always close by for road trips and his live CD: Tonight, Not Again is chalked full of all my Mraz favorites.  He came to Jesse Aud a couple years ago, unfortunately i saw John Mayer instead : (  notice John is not on this list at all. 

Jet- This Australian rock band has been a favorite of mine for a few years now with their Rolling Stonesish/ Oasisish/ Beetlesish/ Queenish sound.  Even their old stuff is still popping up on my playlists and there is nothing wrong with that at all.  Their "ballad", Look What You've Done, despite its lack of rowdy rock is one of my top "Sing as loudly while driving with my windows down" songs

Journey- Why did i spend so much of my life neglecting this wonderful band?!?!  Fortunately, it wasn't Too Late for me, Journey takes me to a Higher Place even with Cloudy Days all around, but i dont fret, Its Just the Rain.  They taught me that if you Be Good To Yourself, Dont Stop Believing and Faithfully look for True Love you will get it Any Way You Want It.  Ok that was pretty pathetic... how many song names can you find?  ps. me and a couple of my friends hold the title of worst Karaoke singers in Rolla with out rendition of Dont Stop Believing.  Woot.

Keane- These jolly ol' chaps from England have a very soothing and melodic form of piano rock.  I've found myself watching Vh1 at 3 in the morning waiting for their video to come on to assist me into slumber... but that doesn't mean i dont like them, their songs are just very relaxing and easy to listen to.  Also, please dont mistake them for Keen the old 1990's computer game.

The Killers- HECK YEAH!  Their album, Hot Fuss changed my life!  ok, maybe not, but it did (and still does) provide me with hours of audio entertainment.  The follow up album, called Sam's Town just recently came out and it was not a disappointment.  Top 5 Killer songs: 5) When You Were Young 4) Smile Like You Mean It 3) Somebody Told Me 2) Bones 1) Mr. Brightside.  Listen to them all over and over.

KT Tunstall- A kind of Bluesy-pop-stomp-folk-punk-girl-rock... get the picture?  She's got interesting yet catchy lyrics and trippy videos which definitely gets her a place on my favorite list.  You can hear her scottish accent really come alive in a few of her songs but many of them you wouldn't even know.  She is all over the radio so id be suprised if you have never heard of her.

Landon Pigg- This young heartthrob is an up and coming singer/songwriter with a lot of potential.  His first album is a little iffy but still had a few really good songs.  PLUS-SIDE: He has fun and easy to relate to lyrics, mostly about young love and having fun.  DOWN-SIDE: a lot of his songs sound the exact same... some are even the same length so when played at the same time im pretty sure they would match up perfectly (not that ive taken the time to do that or anything...) PLUS-SIDE: he has a long future ahead of him and im sure his next album will rock the charts.  DOWN-SIDE: His last name is Pigg, and i just cant help but smile at it.

Lily Allen- I Saw her perform on SNL and just had to listen to some more of her stuff... and it is GOOD stuff.  Especially if you like extremely british sounding girl hip-hop-punk-rock.  She uses great dancing beats in the backround usually accompanied by some sort of brass or other instrument then lays her beat filled lyrics to top it all off.  If you've never heard her stuff, get up ons you will thank me for it later

Lucky Boys Confusion- A punkish-rock band from Chicago that often uses hip hop themes in several songs.  They've come to Columbia several times and i've had the pleasure of being squished around in a massive group of people right in front of the stage... good times!  They stand out because of their lead singer.  He is a middle eastern rocker but when he switches to hip-hop mode his voice almost completely changes.  They are all really cool guys except they continuously asked the audience if they could score some weed after the show... lets just say i did not stay after to talk to them.

Part 3!

G through I

Gnarls Barkley- An amazing and unique blend of Hip-Hop, Jazz, and techno all thrown together with gospel-style singers.  Their music makes me either sit back and chill or jump on my feet and shout like a old fashion black church!  Their hit song 'Crazy' made it big but its the entire St. Elsewhere album that keeps them poppin up on my playlists.  (btw, no relation to Charles Barkley... that i know of.)

Guster- I don't know if id like these guys as much if me and Kristi hadn't accidentally stumbled onto an outdoor concert they were performing in Iowa with the band Kansas.  Random.  But they were good so i got some of their music and generally i liked what i heard.  The term 'Jangle Pop' has been used to describe them (look it up i dont wanna explain) and the singers' voices can be extremely soothing at times.

Gym Class Heroes- A combination of hip-hop/rapping singers, rock music in the back, and lighthearted lyrics.  These guys are one of my favorite bands as of right now for many reasons, mainly 'cause i can sit through their entire album and NOT get bored of it.  I can see a couple of their songs being played in the background of my day to day life which is always a good thing for a band to do.  "A beautiful day", "Cupid's Chokehold", and "Taxi Driver" are my fav's, so much so that i used the word Fav's.

The Hush Sound- Typically i don't like the guy/girl singer combination but as they sing their sperate parts in each song it really brings the whole sound together (not to mention their fantastic harmony.)  Its a rock sound with a large emphasis on piano and often times has a swingish tempo... if that makes any since at all to you.  well it does to me.  I kinda stumbled upon this band when i was trying to click on a link to Gym Class Heroes' Myspace but clicked on The Hush Sound instead and let me just say i do not regret that mistake.

Idlewild- These guys have been around for a while but their style seems to change with the times.  What started out as British punk/indie music has almost become a hardcore sound nowadays.  I probably would have left Idlewild out of my list but i needed a band in the "I" category.  Nonetheless i do approve and occasionally look for them in my i-pod when the time is right.

D through F

Part 2 of my 9 part miniseries:  NOT SO CRAPPY MUSIC! 

Sorry, lots of D's

D through F

Dave Matthews Band- Come on now, who DOESNT like the DMB?  Pure musical talent with both lyrics and music (and that big black guy that plays the violin is pretty much awesome).  Everyone has their own favorite Dave Matthews songs, mine include Gravedigger, Mother Father, Dream Girl, and any song on the live CD.  Seriously, Kristi taught me this, next time your in the car with any of Dave's live albums, blast the volume and take it all in... its flippin cool.

David Gray- Singer/songwriter/guitar playing/ piano pounding soft rocker David Gray has only recently hit mainstream so i only recently even heard his name, but i must say i do like it.  He has a slower tempo but its mostly feel good music (with the occasional 'lost love' song.)  Nothing too fancy or stand-out-y but his easy listening kinda songs can be a decent portal for happy memories.

Death Cab for Cutie- I have their albums Transatlanticism and Plans but i just cant get into most of their stuff.  I try to listen to entire songs but most of them have too much synthesized repetition for me.  Crooked Teeth and Soul Meets Body are bearable but if it wasn't for the song I Will Follow You Into the Dark, i just don't know if i would listen to them that often.  But to give them SOME credit, their lyrics are very vivid and well laid out.

The Decemberists- Wow, these guys hit America like a wrecking ball but they have yet to live up to their instant fame.  A good alternative rock slash indie with a dash of punk, they have a few really good songs but they do take some getting use to i think.  I like them but i need some time to see if i REALLY like them.  And by the way, my favorite song on any of their albums, O Valencia, has become so overplayed on the radio i'm thinking about finding a NEW favorite song of theirs.

Donovan Frankenreiter- A mirror image of Jack Johnson (in fact they often collaborate.. and surf together)  Most songs are comprised of a plucked acoustic guitar, an acoustic bass, and occasionally some congas or bongos... or bongas... But he does have a funky side to him too which oddly reminds me of Jameriqua.  Hmmm.  You can't help but feel good when hearing his smooth voice and guitar solos.

Evanescence- I know i said NO Y107 music but just because they overplay one or two of Evanescence's songs doesn't mean you should hate them.  The hauntingly angelic voice of Amy Lee infused with the hard music background create a strangely appealing gothic rock sound.  Favorite song ever by them: Tourniquet.   

Fall Out Boy- I wont talk too much about them cause i despise their cliche guitar rifts, ridiculously difficult to understand singer, stupid looks and retarded blah lyrics... but i do admire their intensity.  If the lead singer, Patrick Stump would just use his tongue while singing they might have a future in my playlists!

Flogging Molly- YES!  Some good ol' fashion Irish drinking/fighting music.  Good to play at parties for several reasons:  One- most people know at least a couple of their songs (Irish Drinking Song/Salty Dog)  Two- people cant help but (try to) dance or jump around.  Three- the occasional "playful" punches get thrown which lead to "intentional" punches which lead to a good show.

The Fray- Eh, they're OK.  Unfortunately for them, their best couple of songs are being destroyed by airtime and will eventually have to come out with some better songs (which they probably wont be able to do.)  Their sound isn't hard or soft, they found a cushy middle ground and pretty much stay in that area.