There may only be four days til Christmas, but whether you need a soundtrack to keep you full of Christmas cheer during your last-minute shopping or you need a little boost of Christmas spirit to make up for those Christmas parties you had to miss because of the blizzard of '09, we've got you covered with some of the most fun holiday pop and rock songs. From classics by the Beach Boys to dance songs released just this year, this list may seem a bit eclectic, but I can assure you it's nice.
Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 - Trans-Siberian Orchestra: It's just not Christmas without an overly dramatic, full-orchestra-meets-heavy-metal rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" colliding with "Carol of the Bells" like two monster trucks... No, seriously, it's not.
Santa Claus is Thumbing to Town - Relient K: A very imaginative Night-Before-Christmas tale of everything going wrong in the North Pole, culminating with Santa trying to hitchhike around the world in one night, told over thrashing guitars riffing on "Jingle Bells."
Ugly Christmas Tree - Oh, Hush!: Whoever the members of Oh, Hush! are, they must the masters of Christmas spirit. It takes a true believer to pen a bouncy little tune about your ugly Christmas tree without losing any of your “Christmas glee.”
Girl of My Dreams - Jonas Brothers: Forget sticking your tongue on frozen poles; I triple-dog dare you to listen to this song without jumping or dancing around... Can't do it? Aw, it's one of the most fun songs the JoBros have ever recorded; I'll let you dance around a little. It's Christmas.
Angels We Have Heard on High - Relient K: Hands-down best pop-punk performance of a traditional Christmas song ever. Why can't we rock out like this during the Christmas eve service?
My Girlfriend (Forgot Me This Christmas) - The Click Five: Okay, Eric, maybe I can see why the other guys kicked you out of the band (unverified rumor alert): you seem a bit obsessed with your possessions. Despite the two entire verses devoted to things the singer bought or received, the song is fun and supremely danceable. Also, way to have a better attitude than the guys on "Last Christmas" - you still have New Year's!
Little Saint Nick - The Beach Boys: What can I say? The sunny, harmonious music of the Beach Boys both preceded and perfected the art of swoon-inducing pop songs The Click Five and JoBros always seek to emulate. Gotta respect the classics.
Disco Christmas - Oh, Hush!: The title says it all. Also, I will definitely top my tree with a disco ball instead of a star next year.
Last Christmas - Wham!: I've loved this song ever since I first heard Hilary Duff sing it on her Christmas album Santa Claus Lane. (Yeah, I bought it... Okay, okay, quit laughing!) Last year, I looked under every igloo and toy shop in the North Pole, searching for the greatest cover of this song. I checked out everything from Ashley Tisdale and Cascada to Jimmy Eat World and Busted, but I couldn't find a cover that could top the original.
Step Into Christmas - Elton John: I must admit, I think this one of the most festive Christmas songs of all time... Aw, go ahead and laugh. I'll keep dancing around the house, playing this on repeat.
Greatest Time of Year - Aly & AJ: A true Christmas miracle: two uber-Christian Disney pop princesses who don't believe in evolution release the most politically-correct, non-denominational holiday song Hollywood Records has ever produced. We only get a hint of which holiday they are celebrating when they casually mention decorating the tree and hanging mistletoe. Oh, and that whole "joy to the world" thing is kind of a Christian slogan, isn't it?
Why Doesn't Santa Like Me? - Skye Sweetnam: This song simultaneously shows the impish little tween pop-punker at her most rocking and her most adorable. It's told from the perspective of a little girl fearing that Santa won't give her any presents, even though she's been such a good girl this year (hey, her brother has recovered from the time he took the remote control). Skye, Santa may not like you, but we adore you.
Wild Christmas - Huckapoo: Sure, the over-produced vocals are even more sparkly and plastic than fake snow, but this song is pure pop music joy. (And for all you former Dreamstreet fangirls out there, I would like to note that Chris Trousdale's cover is slightly less saccharine but still highly recommended.)
The Christmas Song - Owl City: Adam young brings his usual misty-eyed magic to this original holiday song. Guaranteed to make your heart as warm as a night spent by the fire. And this song's inclusion on my list shouldn't surprise anyone: you know I believe Adam Young can do wrong. His label, Universal Republic, might not agree. They pulled a scheduled November release of this song when they realized its one line about Jesus being the only way might upset fans of other religions. Still, check out this song on YouTube and enjoy his sweet (and totally secular) story of meeting a girl and not having to spend Christmas alone.
I Hate Christmas Parties - Relient K: What this song is missing in Christmas cheer and jingle bells, it more than makes up for with its honest and simple tale of teen heartbreak during the holidays. With less spunk than the similarly-themed "Mood Rings," this is one of Relient K's most clear-eyed and poignant songs about being hurt by girls they don't understand.
Showing posts with label oh hush. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oh hush. Show all posts
Monday, December 21, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
New Moon-inspired song lives up to its name
It can take a while to ease out of final exam mode into summer mode. To help ease the transition, this blog is in multiple choice format.
Directions: For each question in this entry, select the best answer form among the choices given and do not fill in any corresponding circles please because writing on your computer screen in No. 2 pencil is never a good idea. Trust me.
You have 10 seconds to answer the following question because there is an amazing song you have to hear ASAP. No wasting time!
Which of the following is the best cheesy introduction to the new song "Irresistible" by Oh, Hush!?
a) Oh, Hush!'s new song "Irresistible" will have you howling with delight.
b) Oh, Hush! is very familiar with secret identities. Maybe that's why these top-secret Internet music sensations sympathize so strongly with werewolf Jacob Black... or maybe it's just because of his abs.
c) Note to Jacob: Bella so would've chosen you if she'd heard this song.
d) This song is "irresistible!"... ha... ha...
e) Dude, those are all the lamest things I've ever heard.
I think E is correct... aw, just watch the video. It's definitely the catchiest Twilight-inspired song I've ever heard.
Choose the best course of action after watching the video:
a) Use you supernatural super speed to run over to Oh, Hush!'s MySpace and ask the guys what they think of Twilight. They'll actually comment back.
b) Wait to see what fabulous surprises they have in store for 6/22/09!
c) Hit play on the video again. Then again when it finishes. Then again. And again. And again...
d) Drag the playhead to that picture of Taylor Lautner with his shirt off... what?
My answers for that last one were A and C. I didn't do D, I swear... really...
Directions: For each question in this entry, select the best answer form among the choices given and do not fill in any corresponding circles please because writing on your computer screen in No. 2 pencil is never a good idea. Trust me.
You have 10 seconds to answer the following question because there is an amazing song you have to hear ASAP. No wasting time!
Which of the following is the best cheesy introduction to the new song "Irresistible" by Oh, Hush!?
a) Oh, Hush!'s new song "Irresistible" will have you howling with delight.
b) Oh, Hush! is very familiar with secret identities. Maybe that's why these top-secret Internet music sensations sympathize so strongly with werewolf Jacob Black... or maybe it's just because of his abs.
c) Note to Jacob: Bella so would've chosen you if she'd heard this song.
d) This song is "irresistible!"... ha... ha...
e) Dude, those are all the lamest things I've ever heard.
I think E is correct... aw, just watch the video. It's definitely the catchiest Twilight-inspired song I've ever heard.
Choose the best course of action after watching the video:
a) Use you supernatural super speed to run over to Oh, Hush!'s MySpace and ask the guys what they think of Twilight. They'll actually comment back.
b) Wait to see what fabulous surprises they have in store for 6/22/09!
c) Hit play on the video again. Then again when it finishes. Then again. And again. And again...
d) Drag the playhead to that picture of Taylor Lautner with his shirt off... what?
My answers for that last one were A and C. I didn't do D, I swear... really...
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
April Showers & a Fount of New Info
While homework and studying have been eating my life for the past couple weeks, a few random things have happened. Here's a post to get you all up to speed...
A few weeks ago, I fell totally completely hopelessly madly in love with Owl City's album Maybe I'm Dreaming. I actually listened to it in its entirety every day for about two weeks. Seriously. If listening to "On the Wing" and "The Saltwater Room" doesn't add a little beauty to your world, no electronic music will.
I've been planning to do a longer post about Owl City and several other similar bands, but there are these silly little things called AP tests I should be studying for over the next few weeks, so look for some updates after his show at Jammin' Java on Saturday, May 9th... I won't be going to the show, but I will spend the whole night obsessing over how someone so amazing is less than 20 miles away from me. But you should go to this show and experience the magic for yourself.
But if you're looking for a good concert, you really have no excuse not to see one soon. Fall Out Boy, Cobra Starship, Hey Monday, Metro Station, AND 50 Cent will all be coming to the Merriwether Post Pavilion this Saturday, April 25th. It actually looks like it will be the biggest assembly of talented pop-rock-punk-rap-techno artists to hit Merriwether Post this year, eclipsing Warped Tour, whose headliners are just kind of lame. General Admission tickets are still available, and because this tour has a funky ticket policy, it means you could be buying $36 lawn seats. But really, even 50 Cent will be there. This assembly of talent is certainly worth enduring a nosebleed.
Truly hardcore patyhoppers could try to attend Towson U's big TigerFest-ish thing before the FOB concert. The All-American Rejects, along with Ace Enders, Shiny Toy Guns, and that other band they're touring with will all be playing, probably throughout the afternoon. And I've heard there will be a mechanical bull.
The All-American Rejects themselves probably won't play until the evening, long after the FOB concert extravaganza has begun, so AAR fans might be better off skipping the beer garden (oh, and the rest of Towson U's party) and heading over to AAR's in-store appearance at Wet Seal in Towson Town Center. Give the store a ring at (410) 825-3736 for more info.
And if you want to spend every minute of your weekend listening to live music, be sure to stop by the Change for China benefit concert at Montgomery Blair High School on Friday night. They're boasting four professional bands, which has nothing on Fall Out Boy of course, but is quite impressive for a student-run benefit concert. And they're giving out an electric guitar as a door prize. They can't promise you a mechanical bull, but it's totally the next-best thing. More info on their Facebook page.
Oh, and don't forget that Cash Cash will coming to Sonar on Friday, May 8th, along with Kevin Rudolf, who is actually more of a big deal. But Cash Cash is ditching the northeastern leg of Warped Tour this summer, so you'll want to see them while you can. I still maintain that they're going to hit it fairly big one of these days...
[*EDIT* Uhmmm jaykayy... The Kevin Rudolf tour has been canceled. So Cash Cash will now be in Baltimore supporting Sing It Loud at Fletcher's on April 29th. A Wednesday... Guess I'll see them someday...
But if you're interested in the Sing It Loud tour, Virginia band The Friday Night Boys will also be opening. At least one of their members went to Sandy Spring Friends School, which is a pretty cool place, fyi. So I'd really like to see them in concert sometime. Darn you, school nights...]
And in case you haven't noticed, Sonar is hosting concerts by tons of awesome artists in the near future. Everyone from The Ting Tings to Lady Sovereign to Kate Voegele will be stopping by, so you should stop by their website to check it out.
That covers just about everything on my concert radar. As for other events, you probably don't need me to keep you up-to-date on all the latest Jonas Brothers news, what with their zillions of fans dedicated enough to create crazy fansites, but in case you forgot, their news series JONAS premieres Saturday, May 2nd, and their new album Lines, Vines, and Trying Times drops June 15th. Check out their hilarious attempts at sexy facial expressions on the album cover! Well, Kevin and Joe are trying to be sexy anyways. I think Nick just has the sun in his eyes.
Also, if you thought those JB updates were silly or trivial, you'll be glad to know Joe wore the same outfit to the airport and the 17 Again premiere. Isn't the Internet a fabulous educational resource? There is just so much useful information out there...
Anyways, with prom season fast approaching, girls might feel the desire to deny that they are still single or convince everyone that the random guy who asked them really is cool! And what's more impressive than dating an Internet music sensation? Act fast if you want to be able to tell the world that you are dating a member of Oh, Hush! Pink tank tops proclaiming that MY BOYFRIEND IS IN OH, HUSH! don't go on sale every day, you know. But they do go on sale tomorrow at 8:00 EST. And if you think everyone who sees your shirt will be able to call you on the fact that your boyfriend is not in Oh, Hush!, you clearly aren't in on the secret behind Oh, Hush!'s unique success. (Okay, maybe their awesome dance-rock tunes are their secret to success, which isn't really the best-kept secret...) Either way, stop by their MySpace or Facebook pages to check out their music and shirts. The sale ends on Monday, so you might want to hurry!
And finally, Meg & Dia's new album came out today! I would love to review it for you, but homework calls, so you'll have to listen to it and decide for yourself.
So that's about everything that's happened in the past month. Oh, and I've been told that Hottub's album sounds better than their live performances. I don't know how any music could top their angelic voices, but if you say so...
A few weeks ago, I fell totally completely hopelessly madly in love with Owl City's album Maybe I'm Dreaming. I actually listened to it in its entirety every day for about two weeks. Seriously. If listening to "On the Wing" and "The Saltwater Room" doesn't add a little beauty to your world, no electronic music will.
I've been planning to do a longer post about Owl City and several other similar bands, but there are these silly little things called AP tests I should be studying for over the next few weeks, so look for some updates after his show at Jammin' Java on Saturday, May 9th... I won't be going to the show, but I will spend the whole night obsessing over how someone so amazing is less than 20 miles away from me. But you should go to this show and experience the magic for yourself.
But if you're looking for a good concert, you really have no excuse not to see one soon. Fall Out Boy, Cobra Starship, Hey Monday, Metro Station, AND 50 Cent will all be coming to the Merriwether Post Pavilion this Saturday, April 25th. It actually looks like it will be the biggest assembly of talented pop-rock-punk-rap-techno artists to hit Merriwether Post this year, eclipsing Warped Tour, whose headliners are just kind of lame. General Admission tickets are still available, and because this tour has a funky ticket policy, it means you could be buying $36 lawn seats. But really, even 50 Cent will be there. This assembly of talent is certainly worth enduring a nosebleed.
Truly hardcore patyhoppers could try to attend Towson U's big TigerFest-ish thing before the FOB concert. The All-American Rejects, along with Ace Enders, Shiny Toy Guns, and that other band they're touring with will all be playing, probably throughout the afternoon. And I've heard there will be a mechanical bull.
The All-American Rejects themselves probably won't play until the evening, long after the FOB concert extravaganza has begun, so AAR fans might be better off skipping the beer garden (oh, and the rest of Towson U's party) and heading over to AAR's in-store appearance at Wet Seal in Towson Town Center. Give the store a ring at (410) 825-3736 for more info.
And if you want to spend every minute of your weekend listening to live music, be sure to stop by the Change for China benefit concert at Montgomery Blair High School on Friday night. They're boasting four professional bands, which has nothing on Fall Out Boy of course, but is quite impressive for a student-run benefit concert. And they're giving out an electric guitar as a door prize. They can't promise you a mechanical bull, but it's totally the next-best thing. More info on their Facebook page.
Oh, and don't forget that Cash Cash will coming to Sonar on Friday, May 8th, along with Kevin Rudolf, who is actually more of a big deal. But Cash Cash is ditching the northeastern leg of Warped Tour this summer, so you'll want to see them while you can. I still maintain that they're going to hit it fairly big one of these days...
[*EDIT* Uhmmm jaykayy... The Kevin Rudolf tour has been canceled. So Cash Cash will now be in Baltimore supporting Sing It Loud at Fletcher's on April 29th. A Wednesday... Guess I'll see them someday...
But if you're interested in the Sing It Loud tour, Virginia band The Friday Night Boys will also be opening. At least one of their members went to Sandy Spring Friends School, which is a pretty cool place, fyi. So I'd really like to see them in concert sometime. Darn you, school nights...]
And in case you haven't noticed, Sonar is hosting concerts by tons of awesome artists in the near future. Everyone from The Ting Tings to Lady Sovereign to Kate Voegele will be stopping by, so you should stop by their website to check it out.
That covers just about everything on my concert radar. As for other events, you probably don't need me to keep you up-to-date on all the latest Jonas Brothers news, what with their zillions of fans dedicated enough to create crazy fansites, but in case you forgot, their news series JONAS premieres Saturday, May 2nd, and their new album Lines, Vines, and Trying Times drops June 15th. Check out their hilarious attempts at sexy facial expressions on the album cover! Well, Kevin and Joe are trying to be sexy anyways. I think Nick just has the sun in his eyes.
Also, if you thought those JB updates were silly or trivial, you'll be glad to know Joe wore the same outfit to the airport and the 17 Again premiere. Isn't the Internet a fabulous educational resource? There is just so much useful information out there...
Anyways, with prom season fast approaching, girls might feel the desire to deny that they are still single or convince everyone that the random guy who asked them really is cool! And what's more impressive than dating an Internet music sensation? Act fast if you want to be able to tell the world that you are dating a member of Oh, Hush! Pink tank tops proclaiming that MY BOYFRIEND IS IN OH, HUSH! don't go on sale every day, you know. But they do go on sale tomorrow at 8:00 EST. And if you think everyone who sees your shirt will be able to call you on the fact that your boyfriend is not in Oh, Hush!, you clearly aren't in on the secret behind Oh, Hush!'s unique success. (Okay, maybe their awesome dance-rock tunes are their secret to success, which isn't really the best-kept secret...) Either way, stop by their MySpace or Facebook pages to check out their music and shirts. The sale ends on Monday, so you might want to hurry!
And finally, Meg & Dia's new album came out today! I would love to review it for you, but homework calls, so you'll have to listen to it and decide for yourself.
So that's about everything that's happened in the past month. Oh, and I've been told that Hottub's album sounds better than their live performances. I don't know how any music could top their angelic voices, but if you say so...
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Off the Charts: Music in Fashion Spring 2009
I don't want to diminish my integrity as a music blogger, but I would just like to say that I am madly in love with our crappy U.S. (and global) economy. Why? Because it means people bought less for Christmas, meaning stores have more merchandise to move, meaning everything in the world is 70% off.
In honor of the hardcore bargain-hunting I've been doing this weekend ($3 shorts at Pac Sun! $9 cardigans at Ann Taylor Loft!), I thought I'd give you kids a few music-related fashion tips on what to spend your Christmas money on.
[P.S. Please actually click on a few of the links since I spent some hard-earned time finding those pictures/sites!]
Plaid seems to be a hot new trend for spring, as demonstrated by everyone from the Jonas Brothers to Demi Lovato to the guys from Hey Monday.
Okay, not the world's greatest examples (not too keen on Demi's outfit in particular), but I'm not much of a fashion blogger. The mall seems to be filled with colorful gingham shirts - dELiAs has the basic gingham down, while Forever 21 adds some pizazz with ruffles. Some more traditional plaids are also around, such as at dELiAs, which are more what the guys in the pictures are wearing.
But really kids, you gotta trust that once the Jonas Brothers start wearing something, it's gonna be in style. Joe totally called the Ray Bans wayfarers and colored skinny jeans, and Kevin's scarves were big this fall. (They say they love reading Teen Vogue - call them what you will, but you can't deny they've got style.)
Next up: possibly the biggest fashion debate of 2008 was how stupid you have to be to wear a romper. They were in, people laughed, they were out, Katy Perry wore one on MTV, people laughed harder, critics said they were soooo totally the next big thing...
I'm on the team saying that, although they look absolutely adorable, you have to either be missing a brain or possessing astounding bladder control if you want to rock a one-piece. I think that an equally adorable alternative, however, is the also-Katy-Perry-endorsed shirtdress. I believe Katy rocked one recently in at least a few scenes in her "Thinking of You" video. Camilla Bell also wore one in the Jonas Brothers' video for "Lovebug," and if Joe Jonas's new girfriend wears it, you know it's in style.
Another note about both of those videos; they're both set in the 1940's. I could speculate about how Americans are more optimistic about war and foreign policy (cuz who didn't love WWII?), but I'd rather just note that retro 40's styles seem to be coming in, with Katy Perry leading the way, then move on to talk about the next trend I've noticed...
Crazy neon clothes, because who doesn't want to dress like a highlighter? Aspiring pop bands Cash Cash and Varsity Fan Club certainly do.
VFC doesn't mind rocking some gingham either. Not saying these guys are the height of cool, but Capitol seems to think VFC are the next Nsync, and I think they are dressing them in whatever will drive teenage girls crazy.
Cobra Starship, of course, pioneered the recent trend toward crazy colors, and they don't seem to be toning it down anytime soon.
And I think Gabe's checkerboard pants up there will continue to be a pretty hot seller at Hot Topic. Hot Topic and Pac Sun are some good stops to find pants and tees brighter than your Sharpie highlighters.
Those are the top three trends I've noticed on musicians these days. Oh, and as I'm sure you've realized, yellow is the hot color for spring. It didn't become 100% inevitable until Michelle Obama donned that yellow jacket/dress combo for Inauguration, but one of my fave bands, Oh, Hush! totally predicted it a few months earlier in their blog. (Real article about mimosa yellow here.)
There are even price cuts at some bands' merch stores. Danger Radio is having a huge sale at their store, and I for one want to snatch up that $10 sleeveless hoodie.
That's all the fashion advice I've got for now! Now back to the tunes I'm actually supposed to be reviewing...
[edit: I accidentally referred to rompers as jumpers a couple times there; sorry about that! It's all fixed now!]
In honor of the hardcore bargain-hunting I've been doing this weekend ($3 shorts at Pac Sun! $9 cardigans at Ann Taylor Loft!), I thought I'd give you kids a few music-related fashion tips on what to spend your Christmas money on.
[P.S. Please actually click on a few of the links since I spent some hard-earned time finding those pictures/sites!]
Plaid seems to be a hot new trend for spring, as demonstrated by everyone from the Jonas Brothers to Demi Lovato to the guys from Hey Monday.
Okay, not the world's greatest examples (not too keen on Demi's outfit in particular), but I'm not much of a fashion blogger. The mall seems to be filled with colorful gingham shirts - dELiAs has the basic gingham down, while Forever 21 adds some pizazz with ruffles. Some more traditional plaids are also around, such as at dELiAs, which are more what the guys in the pictures are wearing.
But really kids, you gotta trust that once the Jonas Brothers start wearing something, it's gonna be in style. Joe totally called the Ray Bans wayfarers and colored skinny jeans, and Kevin's scarves were big this fall. (They say they love reading Teen Vogue - call them what you will, but you can't deny they've got style.)
Next up: possibly the biggest fashion debate of 2008 was how stupid you have to be to wear a romper. They were in, people laughed, they were out, Katy Perry wore one on MTV, people laughed harder, critics said they were soooo totally the next big thing...
I'm on the team saying that, although they look absolutely adorable, you have to either be missing a brain or possessing astounding bladder control if you want to rock a one-piece. I think that an equally adorable alternative, however, is the also-Katy-Perry-endorsed shirtdress. I believe Katy rocked one recently in at least a few scenes in her "Thinking of You" video. Camilla Bell also wore one in the Jonas Brothers' video for "Lovebug," and if Joe Jonas's new girfriend wears it, you know it's in style.
Another note about both of those videos; they're both set in the 1940's. I could speculate about how Americans are more optimistic about war and foreign policy (cuz who didn't love WWII?), but I'd rather just note that retro 40's styles seem to be coming in, with Katy Perry leading the way, then move on to talk about the next trend I've noticed...
Crazy neon clothes, because who doesn't want to dress like a highlighter? Aspiring pop bands Cash Cash and Varsity Fan Club certainly do.
VFC doesn't mind rocking some gingham either. Not saying these guys are the height of cool, but Capitol seems to think VFC are the next Nsync, and I think they are dressing them in whatever will drive teenage girls crazy.
Cobra Starship, of course, pioneered the recent trend toward crazy colors, and they don't seem to be toning it down anytime soon.
And I think Gabe's checkerboard pants up there will continue to be a pretty hot seller at Hot Topic. Hot Topic and Pac Sun are some good stops to find pants and tees brighter than your Sharpie highlighters.
Those are the top three trends I've noticed on musicians these days. Oh, and as I'm sure you've realized, yellow is the hot color for spring. It didn't become 100% inevitable until Michelle Obama donned that yellow jacket/dress combo for Inauguration, but one of my fave bands, Oh, Hush! totally predicted it a few months earlier in their blog. (Real article about mimosa yellow here.)
There are even price cuts at some bands' merch stores. Danger Radio is having a huge sale at their store, and I for one want to snatch up that $10 sleeveless hoodie.
That's all the fashion advice I've got for now! Now back to the tunes I'm actually supposed to be reviewing...
[edit: I accidentally referred to rompers as jumpers a couple times there; sorry about that! It's all fixed now!]
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