tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45732791263907122682024-03-05T03:29:29.610-08:00Miss AlternativeThe Alternative Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630240645839840833noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4573279126390712268.post-48802797952324999782009-04-25T08:37:00.000-07:002009-04-25T08:38:41.140-07:00Album Comparison: Sufjan Stevens<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So here I am again.<br /><br />Comparison. Which album is better?<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sufjan Stevens' <span style="font-style: italic;">Michigan</span> or <span style="font-style: italic;">Come On! Feel the Illinoise!</span>?<br /><br /><br />You've probably heard Sufjan (pronounced Soof-yan) before. He's been feautured on the Little Miss Sunshine soundtrack, he's been on Austin City Limits (he's the guy with his entire group wearing wings), and has seven albums dating back to 2000. He decided that he was actually going to have an album for all 50 states, but, only Michigan and Illinois came out of the idea. He also has <span style="font-style: italic;">Avalanche!</span>, the outtakes from<span style="font-style: italic;"> Come On! Feel the Illinois</span>!<br />Frankly, all of his albums are great, with a soft, folk/indie-like sound and some of the best lyrics I've ever heard. His songs are a little odd, but his charming collaboration with a gentle, yet upbeat chorus and numerous instruments never fails to get stuck in your head. (The l</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">yrics are a little hard to memorize though. Be prepared to simply hum.)<br /><br />So, we'll start with <span style="font-style: italic;">Illinoise</span>.<br />On the album, there's a variety of songs, the popular <span style="font-style: italic;">Chicago</span>, to the sad and </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtnzeVSmyebXIJdVT4TLQZfH_qq51QGa7kpHLRTgEWsaHLQ6KzljcqvWNnRDJzaAxZc0gbO6CqgPMQjo_Mk5X4oGltxql1M08HyTmkh99TIPPRaznRcXPkTiMyjS_gEmwOTrR9iSnP7Hu/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtnzeVSmyebXIJdVT4TLQZfH_qq51QGa7kpHLRTgEWsaHLQ6KzljcqvWNnRDJzaAxZc0gbO6CqgPMQjo_Mk5X4oGltxql1M08HyTmkh99TIPPRaznRcXPkTiMyjS_gEmwOTrR9iSnP7Hu/s200/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328638753276160098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">poetic <span style="font-style: italic;">John Wayne Gacy Jr.</span> (really depressing, yet beautifully put together.) Several of the songs on the album are very happy, though; each instrument getting its time, all being placed in each song,</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> at just the right moment, to come up with an inspiring and thoughtful musical experience.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Michigan</span>:<br />In my favorite song off the album, <span style="font-style: italic;">Vito's Ordination Song</span>, Sufjan does an incredible job </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">of putting the song together, coming up with just the right amount of each instrument inclu</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ded,</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> pulling the song to a nice, simple beat, with smooth, light vocals. The majority of the songs </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhPt4ubZgtT1kC2W0w-ysVUchPT2I6VYlP1PZpnPeOkwHhkjeBagA0LoKr2aJqmbSsdwONVf64_HI7P_lv35Fho8Az2Auz7WmqwE_Ognd9rVlzjdfefoSeu0xTl28ebDnRqU0QshDnALT/s1600-h/images-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhPt4ubZgtT1kC2W0w-ysVUchPT2I6VYlP1PZpnPeOkwHhkjeBagA0LoKr2aJqmbSsdwONVf64_HI7P_lv35Fho8Az2Auz7WmqwE_Ognd9rVlzjdfefoSeu0xTl28ebDnRqU0QshDnALT/s200/images-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328638813204519778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">on the album are much calmer than on <span style="font-style: italic;">Illioise</span>, and, though sweet, can easily be tuned out if you're focusing. <span style="font-style: italic;">Michigan</span> (the album, not the state.) is a great listen, but can easily be placed in the background music. Don't let that fact stop you, though. The album also includes<span style="font-style: italic;"> For the Widows In Paradise, for the Fatherless in </span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ypsilianti</span>, which, though still a little quiet, is unique in it's folk-y, eclectic instrument choices.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So, after returning to the albums, I've decided that Come On! Feel the Illinoise is probably a better listen, with its ability to both inspire and keep you listening through the entire album. Michigan is great, don't get me wrong, it's great to have a calmer listen every once in awhile, whether it be while you're working or just for pleasure.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; margin-left: auto; visibility:visible; margin-right: auto; width:450px;"> <object width="435" height="270"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/mp3player_new.swf"></param> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <param name="flashvars" value="config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Fext%2Fpc%2Fconfig_blue_noautostart_shuffle.xml&mywidth=435&myheight=270&playlist_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Floadplaylist.php%3Fplaylist%3D62679096%26t%3D1240673722&wid=os"></param> <embed style="width:435px; visibility:visible; height:270px;" allowscriptaccess="never" src="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/mp3player_new.swf" flashvars="config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Fext%2Fpc%2Fconfig_blue_noautostart_shuffle.xml&mywidth=435&myheight=270&playlist_url=http://www.indimusic.us/loadplaylist.php?playlist=62679096&t=1240673722&wid=os" width="435" height="270" name="mp3player" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" border="0"></embed> </object> <br/> <a href="http://www.profileplaylist.net"><img src="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/images/create_blue.jpg" border="0" alt="Get a playlist!" /></a> <a href="http://www.mysocialgroup.com/standalone/62679096" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/images/launch_blue.jpg" border="0" alt="Standalone player" /></a> <a href="http://www.mysocialgroup.com/download/62679096"><img src="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/images/get_blue.jpg" border="0" alt="Get Ringtones" /></a> </div><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span>The Alternative Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630240645839840833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4573279126390712268.post-58276614599218575412009-04-04T09:37:00.000-07:002009-04-04T10:47:22.913-07:00The Decemberists<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaI4HXyNldlCwtJw4KFFzjEAnX04rLzdFg5daNcJ9-96-CTQKvYr4rvlxNKcutgy2rba6UNB955UWE720rLqo_xGv7ESTXhYgueSDdhCEjwimb7oiBzrknQZaSYmOr5Akz07v0w4fDopP/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 171px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaI4HXyNldlCwtJw4KFFzjEAnX04rLzdFg5daNcJ9-96-CTQKvYr4rvlxNKcutgy2rba6UNB955UWE720rLqo_xGv7ESTXhYgueSDdhCEjwimb7oiBzrknQZaSYmOr5Akz07v0w4fDopP/s200/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320893617303594418" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">New Post!!! Finally, right? And... Here. We. Go.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Decemberists- The Hazards of Love<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span><span><span>I have yet to listen to the entire album, but from what I've heard, it's great. In fact, <span style="font-style: italic;">the Decemberists</span> have managed to pull me into their songs many a time, yet, I have to say, the <span style="font-style: italic;">Hazards of Love</span> might just be one of those few CDs that manages to get you singing along or tapping your foot less than a minute in.<br /><br />If you have yet to listen to <span style="font-style: italic;">the Decemberists</span>, I highly suggest you pick up <span style="font-style: italic;">The Crane Wife</span>. <span style="font-style: italic;">The Hazards of Love</span> is good, but, in my opinion, <span style="font-style: italic;">the Crane Wife</span> beats all others. In the album, you'll hear songs on the Japanese folktale upon which a man falls in love with a crane/woman, gets married, and eventually betrays her. (That was a terribly summary- why don't you read the story <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crane_Wife">here</a>.)<br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crane_Wife/<br />So anyways, <span style="font-style: italic;">the Decemberists</span> have a very folk-y sound to them, think Death Cab For Cutie meets the Mountain Goats. The lyrics are amazing, very meaningful, if you like that stuff; the vocals don't take up all the songs, though. The other instruments also get their time, don't worry.<br /><br />So, check them out.<br /><br />I'll be back soon with another post, it might be awhile. Until then, watch this for me? It'll make you feel better, really.<br /><br /><object height="265" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YXG83p2nkHw&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YXG83p2nkHw&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="265" width="320"></embed></object><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span>The Alternative Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630240645839840833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4573279126390712268.post-6641825753142214022009-03-14T13:53:00.000-07:002009-03-15T10:32:34.565-07:00Birthday Books, Music, and U2!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It's been awhile since I've posted, but I've saved up some great stuff for this post. So, here we go!<br /><br />It's my birthday! Hooray! Anywho, back to the reviews.<br /><br />The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins:<br /><br />I'm sure several of you have already heard the great things* on Suzanne Collins' science-fiction adventure romance (oh, so many genres you could identify this with...), <span style="font-style: italic;">the Hunger Games</span>. I was recently pulled into reading it after my book club decided on</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRWHEa2PcIfCN3Tnfg9Ff46Rc_OjAeOc8ygs0mhR2l1oQtqH6HOWvmcVTlBAxzc2V0tY95t66IL2J3RIblWRi1fGArwWYbqY63v642k-TpCCVDGXCKTrU8vm4fUHCkKIcjCzr3BxXSemK/s1600-h/images-1"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 85px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRWHEa2PcIfCN3Tnfg9Ff46Rc_OjAeOc8ygs0mhR2l1oQtqH6HOWvmcVTlBAxzc2V0tY95t66IL2J3RIblWRi1fGArwWYbqY63v642k-TpCCVDGXCKTrU8vm4fUHCkKIcjCzr3BxXSemK/s200/images-1" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313196459714981010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> researching it and checking out reviews. We searched site after site, blog after blog, and</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> ended up finding that all the reviews published were raving about everything inside this book. It's won numerous awards for young adult literature, and, quite recently, a place in my nerdy, bookworm heart.<br />I'm not much into sci-fi, (I still haven't finished the Otherworldlies...) but as I flew through the pages of the Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins' never failed to remind me exactly why I love reading.<br />In the Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins' covers numerous topics as she creates a world so creepy, mysterious and vicious, you can't help but start whispering "Look out!" as you read. (Does anyone else do this? Or is it just me? Seriously- I did this. No joke.) The characters are all tough, since they are forced to supply food for themselves after they are placed with 23 others in a forest full of danger. And as I placed my book mark in my stopping place for the day (I didn't do this much, I finished reading it after staying up till 1 in the</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> morning reading two days in a row.) I was full of thought at what the main character, Katniss Everdeen, would venture into next.<br />I loved the Hunger Games, and- get this- it's the first book to a series! (Series? Really? More to come?! *cheers*)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">*If you haven't read much about it, I'm probably not gonna say much about the plot, but here's <a href="http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20223443,00.html">a link to my favorite review</a> that covers all of it.<br /><br />On the music side of things, I've discovered <span style="font-style: italic;">Florence and the Machine</span>. With only 2 singles</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_II2zr9mJa18KfLfOkSkBN4g9X-0p_tY55c9V8tyT74DitqCgskKvY7lX0I-rZx3aIak8MORs-fteTKR21xYwkVYcgcjISNWhMOmYeLZ0VHQuE9g5J9vRoFgfl1n_aMjMJIPbr5HoR574/s1600-h/images-2"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_II2zr9mJa18KfLfOkSkBN4g9X-0p_tY55c9V8tyT74DitqCgskKvY7lX0I-rZx3aIak8MORs-fteTKR21xYwkVYcgcjISNWhMOmYeLZ0VHQuE9g5J9vRoFgfl1n_aMjMJIPbr5HoR574/s200/images-2" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313197099149378226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> out, the band has racked up quite a following. After hearing "the Dog Days Are Over" on iTunes Indie Spotlight, I decided to check them out. Each single includes two songs full of vocals that will not let you go from their sweet, soulful rock'n'roll grasp. I really enjoyed the first single, so I decided that the band was by far worth my other 2 dollars, so I bought the other single, "Kiss With A Fist," which is so good, it kind of gives you a feel that you've been rocking out on a music-high for hours, and you're just getting started. Thoughtful, well-written lyrics complete my new love for the band, which I highly recommend, and will be listening to for a long time. Check 'em out. Now. It'll change your life.<br /><br />Also, I'd just like to point out how Kelly Clarkson is currently holding the top spot on itunes for albums. Her newest, <span style="font-style: italic;">All I Ever Wanted</span>, is above U2's (U2!!!) latest, <span style="font-style: italic;">No Line On the Horizon</span>, which is odd, but that's just me. Leave your comments on the matter, if you want.<br /><br />I leave you with <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoGYx35ypus">this</a>.<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /></span></span></span>The Alternative Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630240645839840833noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4573279126390712268.post-82149750300160968442009-03-01T15:50:00.000-08:002009-03-01T16:59:31.607-08:00Lots of Joy from "Little Joy"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4uxPw5qK6bO4pYkQiz6loFhLNO49qYjT-Uy6CpmGOF62qvovZRTkbrJrkMoBVtiPyAVZTbzK1S06maeYpoKP9g4VQhdJGXZa22CU_yYendPZ81M3TupQKJesvlCCIQwIcskarnRahvBXu/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 168px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4uxPw5qK6bO4pYkQiz6loFhLNO49qYjT-Uy6CpmGOF62qvovZRTkbrJrkMoBVtiPyAVZTbzK1S06maeYpoKP9g4VQhdJGXZa22CU_yYendPZ81M3TupQKJesvlCCIQwIcskarnRahvBXu/s200/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308371679235724018" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">You'll quickly get sucked into the constant beat and guaranteed-to-get-stuck-in-your-head three to four minute songs that are sweet and calm, but beware, <span style="font-style: italic;">Little Joy</span>'s easy listening is only part of it. The band, consisting of Los Angeles' Rodrigo Amarante, Binki Shapiro, and Fabrizio Moretti (of the Strokes), is sure to have you even more in love with the light, breezy feel of the sitting-around-the-bonfire guitar and the vocals you can sway to.<br /><br /><br />Other songs by other artists that you should try before the weekend and possibly pass on to others:<br /><br />*Everything Turns to You- Lonely, Dear.<br />*Never Had Nobody Like You- M. Ward<br />*The Howling- the Phantom Band<br />*Xavia- the Submarines (Also check out the soundtrack to Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, this song is featured on it!)<br />*Sugar and Song- Thieves Like Us<br />*That's Not My Name- the Ting Tings<br />*Feel.Love.Thinking.Of.- Faunts</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span>The Alternative Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630240645839840833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4573279126390712268.post-68416535464547881532009-02-21T16:52:00.000-08:002009-02-21T17:13:33.616-08:00Quick Update- Dark Was the Night<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToUhf1tUwPlwx9Lpmkpr3_5DXihj1l2wqyno3Qg4pfxqxSijMfbv-qGk0LIrb3TMqHYP3OtfIgr-yDz5MlhIxvpvrNEPEjmai3mFlEl-9o6LtqEVd3GZA-uW4AVR05insGhJjkAQxHarD/s1600-h/dark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToUhf1tUwPlwx9Lpmkpr3_5DXihj1l2wqyno3Qg4pfxqxSijMfbv-qGk0LIrb3TMqHYP3OtfIgr-yDz5MlhIxvpvrNEPEjmai3mFlEl-9o6LtqEVd3GZA-uW4AVR05insGhJjkAQxHarD/s200/dark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305418888779608722" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So it's been awhile since I've updated my few followers, so here's a quick recommendation, then I'll see when I can get back to posting more often.<br /><br />So it's called Dark Was the Night. I have yet to listen to the full album, which includes 32 tracks from varying artists, but from what I've heard so far, I can easily say that it's well put together, and the songs are beautiful and all fit together in a nice, calm compilation. It features incredible bands and artists on the mix, which include Ben Gibbard (of Death Cab for Cutie); Feist; Cat Power; Iron and Wine; the Decemberists; Sufjan Stevens; and Spoon.<br /><br />The compilation's profits also go to AIDS/HIV awareness fund. You can find the album on itunes, for $15.99, or on Amazon.com, for $9.99.<br /><br />On books, I'm extremely behind. It's been an extremely busy week. I have yet to finish any of the books mentioned in the previous posts, but I'll work hard on completing atleast one by my next post.<br /></span>The Alternative Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630240645839840833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4573279126390712268.post-9419559177257902562009-01-30T20:55:00.000-08:002009-02-07T10:57:16.601-08:00Swimming... in a Pool of Books.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsXXAtRaF_A_FQAHExKRLEDJcjP0daJeSuDsAK5p9_VgqEjYy0RF5l8CC50YJVBPIPHVp6HoLxNnwnfNVhGf88GgAL9ChyphenhyphenejEeAg6Fc5kfDRKyIDee3Gk85M_LE0NN7NeNVjXnYh12dKC/s1600-h/IMG_0802.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsXXAtRaF_A_FQAHExKRLEDJcjP0daJeSuDsAK5p9_VgqEjYy0RF5l8CC50YJVBPIPHVp6HoLxNnwnfNVhGf88GgAL9ChyphenhyphenejEeAg6Fc5kfDRKyIDee3Gk85M_LE0NN7NeNVjXnYh12dKC/s200/IMG_0802.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300120841501697426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hey everyone, sorry it's been forever since I posted something, (It's really not Friday, it's actually Saturday, Feb. 7) So I'm here to update y'all on my surprisingly busy life now.<br /><br />If you look around my blog, somewhere I posted that I was going to read Jennifer Anne Kogler's <span style="font-style: italic;">The Otherworldlies, </span>unfortunately, I STILL haven't finished reading it. I'm currently on a ridiculous page 68. That's right, I was only capable of reading a mere 68 pages in 2 weeks. (More?) So I have to get on that.<br /><br />I'm reading a whopping 5 books all at once, which include <span style="font-style: italic;">Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban</span> (page 184) The previously mentioned the <span style="font-style: italic;">Otherworldlies</span> (68), my homework, Scott Westerfeld's <span style="font-style: italic;">Uglies</span>, which I haven't yet started, but I have to read a hundred pages of by Monday, then at school, I'm rereading <span style="font-style: italic;">New Moon</span> (382), which is seriously depressing, and I can't bring myself to read any more, even though I know what's going to happen, and John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson's creative compilation of somewhat love stories all set in the same town during the winter. Although I'm only 5 pages in, it's pretty good, and I've had a couple of people recommend it to me, followed by them saying "You have to read it NOW, it's amazing." Which adds on to the current book jam, and I can't even find time for the poor Chris McCandless in John Krauker's <span style="font-style: italic;">Into the Wild. </span>I promise you readers this: <span style="font-style: italic;">I will finish all of the books within the next few weeks, have some patience, please.<br /><br /></span>But I have had time for music! I recently got my copy of Hank Green's So Jokes, which is specifically intended for nerdfighters, partially because it includes numerous inside jokes, which several normal people would certainly NOT get. But if you are a nerdfighter, this CD is golden!<br /><br />*the picture featured was taken by me, please note: I am NOT a photographer.*<br /><br />The biggest news in the music world at the moment is revolving around pop artist Kelly Clarkson, who has a talent for sucking you into every song she sings, even if it sounds just like her other one that you remember ever so vividly because you had been sucked into <span style="font-style: italic;">it</span> as well.<br />I understand your pain. In the American Idol winner's recent album, <span style="font-style: italic;">My Life Would Suck Without You</span>, the singer/*cough* clone *cough*, let's her vocal chords reign, and I eventually quit. Breakaway was great, Since U Been Gone was okay, My Life Would Suck Without You is boring. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I mean, Kelly can sing, her voice just gets old. Fast</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. But if you enjoy listening to repeats of the same sound, you'll love it. I don't, so I pulled my brain out from the upbeat pop song, and moved on.<br /><br />On the Alternative side, here are a few songs to consider as always:<br /><br />Quiet:<br />I'm Outta Time- Oasis<br />Wonderwall- Oasis<br />Skinny Love- Bon Iver<br />Crack the Shutters- Snow Patrol<br />Brandy Alexander- Feist<br />My Beloved Monsters- The Eels<br />How to Save A Life- The Fray<br /><br />Fast and Full:<br />Troublemaker- Weezer<br />Sweater- Weezer<br />Where It's At- Beck<br />Once In A Lifetime- Talking Heads<br /><br />Rock:<br />Somebody Told Me- The Killers<br />Sex On Fire- Kings Of Leon<br />We Didn't Start the Fire- Billy Joel (Heck. Yes.)<br />Let It Die- Foo Fighters<br />Vertigo- U2<br />My Girls- Animal Collective<br /><br />What I'm Listening to While Doing Homework:<br />Phantom Limb- The Shins<br />Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois- Sufjan Stevens<br />Piano Man- Billy Joel<br />The Scientist- Coldplay<br />Lost- Coldplay<br />Let's Dance- David Bowie (Cause for Celebration)<br /><br /><br />I've mostly been listening to random playlists, so I don't really have much else to share with my readers in this post, but I do have one radio recommendation. Enjoy, and I'll post soon!<br /><br />If you have itunes, and it includes the radio feature, I recommend you try out KRock2 under the Alternative tab. The New York station includes songs mentioned here, and many more that relate to the bands listed in several other posts.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">*Sign up for my e-mail list! Get the latest post notifications fast! E-mail thealternativegirl@yahoo for your subscription today! Just include your name and e-mail, and you'll be added!*</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>The Alternative Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630240645839840833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4573279126390712268.post-51368412928701361582009-01-25T10:39:00.000-08:002009-01-25T11:10:48.380-08:00Emails and Death Cab.<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hi all.<br /><br />First off, I've decided to start up an e-mail list for anyone who's interested in being notified of the newest post. You can e-mail me at thealternativegirl@yahoo.com if you are interested, just tell me your name and email. I'll probably start sending notifications next weekend. So be sure to email me if you're interested! Thanks! Now on to the post...<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAAr_vZ4zCvPZ9voYrFWuxsuelnO0LDjKVua-hF6FcFQSRVC-uyrdKXjsavsoGVlJt9vxkY1c6c-ZDD4OGg3cdKa_BrGsRUKAjVDNxhpWkmU45J9vPYOpzSwRnX6bfvvjoHrddUGp6dAr/s1600-h/images-1.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 135px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAAr_vZ4zCvPZ9voYrFWuxsuelnO0LDjKVua-hF6FcFQSRVC-uyrdKXjsavsoGVlJt9vxkY1c6c-ZDD4OGg3cdKa_BrGsRUKAjVDNxhpWkmU45J9vPYOpzSwRnX6bfvvjoHrddUGp6dAr/s200/images-1.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295305179173639218" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So, everyone knows I'm a sucker for Death Cab For Cutie. One of the most popular alternative genre bands, Death Cab leaves me satisfied after every album released.<br /><br />Most songs are calm and consist of sweet lyrics that are incredible and by far beat out all my other favorite lyrics in other songs.<br /><br />Guaranteed to get stuck in your head, make you think, and all together make you press the 'repeat' button. All the CDs are amazing, though "Plans", is by far my favorite. With songs like "Crooked Teeth", "Marching Bands of Manhattan", and "I Will Follow You Into the Dark", you'll be taken away with the incredible imagery in every song, and a feeling of peace after listening.<br /><br />On their newest CD, "Narrow Stairs" (shown above) the band features the hit song, "I Will Posses Your Heart" Which starts with an amazing intro., and also includes "Cath..." (Which is incredible live).<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Also, the album cover is one of my favorites. :)<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Happy listening! See y'all next weekend!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 102);">Peace, Love, Nerdfighters, and Twihards.</span></span><br /></span>The Alternative Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630240645839840833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4573279126390712268.post-34017454974349922722009-01-23T19:28:00.000-08:002009-01-23T20:20:55.572-08:00The Return of ReinaDelCid.<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Awhile ago- say, September? I was on Youtube, and I discovered this amazing musician, "<a href="http://youtube.com/ReinaDelCid">ReinaDelCid</a>" who has several songs, in which I listened to obsessively for a few days, but then, in an epic computer-history erasing, she was wiped clean from my Youtube account. Tragic, I know. So I desperately looked for her for a few days, hoping she'd turn up. I'd say back then, she'd had a following of maybe a few thousand. So I had an slim chance. Plus, to add on to the misery, I forgot her username. (Which resulted on me banging my head quite harshly on the desk.) I finally gave up and forgot about my run in with the videos that were constantly playing on my computer for those few great days.<br /><br />Until now. (dun-dun-dun) I was lazily exploring Youtube (carefully avoiding explicit videos, thank you very much.) and I was staring at the boring slide show that shows what other poor shmucks on youtube were watching, and I saw the song title "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gn5r8wVWgU&feature=channel%20page">Come Back Over</a>" go through. And I was like- "WHOA! Ohmigosh!" (Obviously...) I quickly clicked on the picture of the 20 year old with the blue guitar and was led to watching </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">my ever so missed video (*music cue* <span style="font-style: italic;">Reunited and it feels so good</span>...) and have been re-listening to all her songs since. So I'm fairly happy.<br /><br />Anyways, I have linked a couple of her songs at the bottom of this post for your listening pleasure, and will have a new post up some time this weekend. (I recommend "Come Back Over" located above. It's my favorite.)<br /><br />"<a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=LLAwpINKtfA&feature=channel_page">Emily (I Need To Ask You)</a>"<br />"<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZnQV344EXI&feature=channel_page">Salem</a>"<br /></span>The Alternative Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630240645839840833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4573279126390712268.post-82669141086943821182009-01-23T17:59:00.000-08:002009-01-23T18:15:39.782-08:00"Her Morning Elegance"<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'm not usually one for music videos, but I couldn't resist this one I found on Itunes called "Her Morning Elegance" by Oren Lavie. Great song.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2_HXUhShhmY&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2_HXUhShhmY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /></span>The Alternative Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630240645839840833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4573279126390712268.post-57769241572251736092009-01-19T15:11:00.000-08:002009-01-19T15:38:45.476-08:00The Last Shadow Puppets to the Musical Rescue!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hope everyone caught Fleet Foxes on SNL! If you didn't, have no fear, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLVkzfq08TI">Youtube's got you covered!</a><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95dctb9zY9sDjWF66c4h9imATqv3guwrkhv1Urp5znV0USZgEWQrtUG6cchTwnH-ek-d1laUcPdXmV3ncDtLWhf2HmyuNjx9E107mNCLyz3MYroVmY4dMjzP5cp7xqQsPYvavA1bpsC2S/s1600-h/images-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 189px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95dctb9zY9sDjWF66c4h9imATqv3guwrkhv1Urp5znV0USZgEWQrtUG6cchTwnH-ek-d1laUcPdXmV3ncDtLWhf2HmyuNjx9E107mNCLyz3MYroVmY4dMjzP5cp7xqQsPYvavA1bpsC2S/s200/images-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293147878686707250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I'm low on music at the moment, due to a packed schedule with absolutely nothing interesting on it, but with very long boring items. But that's not the point.<br /><br />What I have for you now, is a band I recently discovered on Itunes, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Shadow_Puppets"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Last Shadow Puppets</span></a>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">With an old-school feel, the band is full of skilled guitar playing, great vocals with a David Bowie- feel, and witty lyrics. (As previously mentioned, I'm a bit lyric-obsessed.)<br /><br />The band, consisting of Alex Turner and Miles Kane and in a few songs, the Metropolitan Orchestra, are a great choice when looking for a catchy, upbeat song.<br /><br />See you all in a few days! <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 102);"><br /><br />*Peace, Love, Nerdfighters, and Twihards*</span></span><br /><br /></span>The Alternative Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630240645839840833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4573279126390712268.post-40407792393716206902009-01-16T14:48:00.000-08:002009-01-16T20:44:59.211-08:00Quick- To the TVs!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39yJJboOsr0ULzf0Tf1-3gpUfNTIcBpX6gJloUrKdU2YLmRBU_KrOBUbxsL2wVam2pmNFZ7y5SPGFuYdNZ5XtDVBAp1a0sQ8s0afWNn4lcvsdgaBeMwOKm4jkyJdzwIvT1RiXUv3R-tCy/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39yJJboOsr0ULzf0Tf1-3gpUfNTIcBpX6gJloUrKdU2YLmRBU_KrOBUbxsL2wVam2pmNFZ7y5SPGFuYdNZ5XtDVBAp1a0sQ8s0afWNn4lcvsdgaBeMwOKm4jkyJdzwIvT1RiXUv3R-tCy/s200/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292070270110108018" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Behold- the new band obsession of 2009! *raises CD into air* Huzzah!<br /><br />So, what is the new band of the great new year?<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Fleet Foxes!</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On their new self titled album, <span style="font-style: italic;">Fleet Foxes</span>, t</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">he band shows off their amazing talent in the indie genre with soft songs that are upbeat and nice. I've had several recommendations for this band, and after trying just one song, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrQRS40OKNE">White Winter Hymnal</a> I was </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">officially hooked on the clever band. Intelligent songs and folk beats, I enjoyed the entire CD from start to finish. I highly recommend all the songs, but if some of you are still a tad sceptical, please try a few of my favorites. You can find them down at the bottom of the post. Thanks!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">ALSO, you can catch them on Saturday Night Live (As in the January 17th Saturday) So tune in!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">So, in the books category:<br /></span></span>I only have a few more pages left in Harry Potter, which is great. But most of us who actually read this blog have <span style="font-style: italic;">already</span> read it, so I'm not going to write a review...</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVH3m524wBy5Jn1mAUOI0lUB-Q1sKzxO51sthG15KIg34FX5sZFXj-vuwE3M7EmkPxtCRxcS6b8px9EGry-5O-yK08vAvD00ORl98Evclz1fX8wNqlppA74d5i3dXCpm9w4TFsRw1fFC2/s1600-h/images-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVH3m524wBy5Jn1mAUOI0lUB-Q1sKzxO51sthG15KIg34FX5sZFXj-vuwE3M7EmkPxtCRxcS6b8px9EGry-5O-yK08vAvD00ORl98Evclz1fX8wNqlppA74d5i3dXCpm9w4TFsRw1fFC2/s200/images-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292083009556627362" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />I also plan to read The Otherworldlies, and feel free to join me in reading this, as well. You can never read to many great books. (Or, that is, <span style="font-style: italic;">I hope it's great-</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">we shall see</span>.) If you do read it at the same time as me, which should be in a few days, feel free to post your individual reviews under mine! That would be spectacular!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Also, I just discovered a new Podcast!</span><br />So it's called <span style="font-style: italic;">Indie Spotlight</span>, but my favorite part is the <span style="font-style: italic;">Indie Spotlight: Rock and Alternative</span>. It consists only of 30 seconds to a minute tid bits of songs that are popular in the Alternative and Rock section of Itunes. With mentions of some of my favorite bands just in the first episode, I quickly got the next free episode and listened to the samples of the great songs in the spotlight. I bought a few of the songs mentioned, and they were amazing. I highly enjoyed the podcast, and recommend it to anyone with access to Itunes. Plus, it's <span style="font-style: italic;">free</span>. Hooray!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here are the links to a few of the Fleet Foxes Songs I enjoyed:</span><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAsXvX37IVc&feature=related">Sun It Rises </a><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugxXqqGepCU&feature=related">Quiet Houses</a><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lobwr6pBbmU&feature=related">Meadowlarks</a><br /><br />Well, that's about it. I would appreciate help getting the word out, guys. That would be great! Looks like it's back to waiting for my CD (Hank Green's <span style="font-style: italic;">So Jokes</span>) that STILL hasn't arrived. I may be back over the weekend, it depends...<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div>The Alternative Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630240645839840833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4573279126390712268.post-91516618326121160642009-01-10T08:35:00.000-08:002009-01-10T11:06:22.577-08:00The Morning Benders!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_di9BvTU9dd48YYN3BMg7DqIg8QciZMDVE7SRKNPFvYLKZMBr_RrAXlU8zTG2besOsxd43ZO4Ne4OFw_Ld8HqDwQnk7GflIqwARQHplnofWVBji3LM7V_yhyphenhyphenqEwSy1u4btRj8KMlAlwpc/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_di9BvTU9dd48YYN3BMg7DqIg8QciZMDVE7SRKNPFvYLKZMBr_RrAXlU8zTG2besOsxd43ZO4Ne4OFw_Ld8HqDwQnk7GflIqwARQHplnofWVBji3LM7V_yhyphenhyphenqEwSy1u4btRj8KMlAlwpc/s200/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289705702535056674" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After listening to "Indie Spotlight: Alternative & Rock" I heard the band <span style="font-style: italic;">The Morning Benders</span></span>. <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I adore them. Turns out, I already had '<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ00pKcoh3E"><span style="font-style: italic;">Damnit</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Anna</span></a>'</span>, <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">and I got the entire album, <span style="font-style: italic;">Talking</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Through</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Tin</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Cans,</span> for 5 bucks! OK, but it's not the deal, it's the quality of music. I love them. They're an alternative band, with a nice beat and great lyrics. If you enjoy Vampire Weekend, they have a Vamp.W. feel, as well. The album consists of a little rock, with some pop-y songs, alon<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">g with a few sad songs. I highly recommend it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Oh yeah-- Look down! I just added a rockin' gadget. You can easily look up songs that I mention right here on youtube! </span><br /></span></span>The Alternative Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630240645839840833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4573279126390712268.post-22806889703680129372009-01-09T16:01:00.000-08:002009-01-15T13:16:33.719-08:00After Great Research...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRZxXMiYX97-AGLxL6xyoSQVWUNLrSVrQb7h8hyphenhyphenlAceUdzne8E_9IZ7-PA0QikM5FjJhn5OIWRFeaOZY6f_kbIaLKhbTHJZqR8JeW-D16icaqVkp2N9NSkuqsQsKRf0LQHALMSIIm15GY/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRZxXMiYX97-AGLxL6xyoSQVWUNLrSVrQb7h8hyphenhyphenlAceUdzne8E_9IZ7-PA0QikM5FjJhn5OIWRFeaOZY6f_kbIaLKhbTHJZqR8JeW-D16icaqVkp2N9NSkuqsQsKRf0LQHALMSIIm15GY/s200/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289460525247113058" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >A LOT of songs to listen to...</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Blink of An Eye</span>- Hodges</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Dawn of the Dead</span>- Does It Offend You, Yeah? *My New Favorite*</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Evident Utensil</span>- Chairlift</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Time On Your Side</span>- Emily Jane White </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">God D*** Best</span>- French Miami<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">All Over You</span>- Spill Canvas<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Gives You Hell</span>- All American Rejects (which is currently #1 on alternative Itunes)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Eraser</span>- New Age<br /><br />So, It's the awards season, and I've had a few minutes to come up with stu</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">ff, here are a few songs and albums that have won my awards:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Overplayed But Still Good:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Chasing Cars</span> by Snow Patrol</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwcLO-ArXz5NYh_1dh6LPiGdhzxD5LLPsECcomKokaLIKCWrsWNQkiqZYwbRqFsi5Zt3D12o2ll4dtqAtTXy9bsk4DJMUIwZCvSlcdljXa7hg5eI1IBw3Zy4m2uXEpG1KiAZqaVWm7KpM/s1600-h/images-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwcLO-ArXz5NYh_1dh6LPiGdhzxD5LLPsECcomKokaLIKCWrsWNQkiqZYwbRqFsi5Zt3D12o2ll4dtqAtTXy9bsk4DJMUIwZCvSlcdljXa7hg5eI1IBw3Zy4m2uXEpG1KiAZqaVWm7KpM/s200/images-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289460898187490514" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">New Old Band:</span><br />CAKE<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Comfort Eagle, Dime, Wheels</span>, etc. All great songs that I have discovered thanks to some old folks I know.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Not Really My Type Of Music, But I Still Love Them:</span><br />Paramore (Previously Mentioned in earlier posts...Look down...)<br />MIKA You might have heard his dance hit <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiWsWzUgcXE">"Grace Kelly"</a>, but the en</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">tire album, <span style="font-style: italic;">Life</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">In Cartoon Motion</span>, was literally was on repeat all day at my house. The entire album is outstanding. It's pop-y, but I haven't met a person yet who hasn't loved him.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijt60LlRa-x0veTLdPZQ8p_I1iB6mYYHSchx4nMEnm6x0sEhM1HGzUAUh-UXo-Br4LAWubaJ_8UbLBK2f2Hl4S87pdTqdNL9EnMlqlhv-QCQsvq95XM-8UMuDwtkyRaDkCXU-lwQInSJxQ/s1600-h/images-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 114px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijt60LlRa-x0veTLdPZQ8p_I1iB6mYYHSchx4nMEnm6x0sEhM1HGzUAUh-UXo-Br4LAWubaJ_8UbLBK2f2Hl4S87pdTqdNL9EnMlqlhv-QCQsvq95XM-8UMuDwtkyRaDkCXU-lwQInSJxQ/s200/images-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289459196509321746" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Most Catchy Song of 2008:</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bruises by Chairlift.</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Guaranteed to get stuck in your head. In a good way.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh533ilLHZlmJWlvoQs24q5S6CFmxlbN8tN_DNTA0ILK1mG936Oz7KuKh8aRcnaspJ_ITvar6C30bn23imktza_bjCs2ygZR84kVe2KfjB_76AUd5d9EDE5tZEIwuSr5E4UVsZQlVKdqXNM/s1600-h/images-4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh533ilLHZlmJWlvoQs24q5S6CFmxlbN8tN_DNTA0ILK1mG936Oz7KuKh8aRcnaspJ_ITvar6C30bn23imktza_bjCs2ygZR84kVe2KfjB_76AUd5d9EDE5tZEIwuSr5E4UVsZQlVKdqXNM/s200/images-4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289461253047125970" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Best Songs on Commercials:</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1234 by Feist (ipod)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bruises by Chairlift (ipod)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Silly Boy by the Blue Van (some kind of ridiculous cell phone)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Best Sad Song:<br /></span>Hallelujah- Rufus Wainwright. Absoulutley amazing song. I've cried every time.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Great Thinking Songs:<br /></span>DeVotchKa. There are a lot of great songs, but I recommend <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2dKs0BPc5c"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Winner Is.</span></a><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6PGrub3jUc">Breath Me</a>- Sia. I love Sia, here calm voice and sweet songs are great.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">To see other recommendations, please check out my entire page. There really is some good stuff on here, trust me.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Peace.Love.Nerdfighters.Twihards.</span>The Alternative Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630240645839840833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4573279126390712268.post-7089165218807859262009-01-04T12:11:00.000-08:002009-01-04T15:26:54.072-08:00Themes to the Week<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS45QUS3cplbhD7edZTx-7HtoTwVdyzVX_i2rWKIE_86kZnrvGvV-BssoB84G5J721U6SeU3UOudGJTvtgTlPmBcA-P92ZX0ia27c5STj0U_ZO4wkK0RHviOSqoJajVfYtIeosFoVV-Brw/s1600-h/image01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS45QUS3cplbhD7edZTx-7HtoTwVdyzVX_i2rWKIE_86kZnrvGvV-BssoB84G5J721U6SeU3UOudGJTvtgTlPmBcA-P92ZX0ia27c5STj0U_ZO4wkK0RHviOSqoJajVfYtIeosFoVV-Brw/s200/image01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287534677854538162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Now that Christmas break is almost over, I won't be able to get on as much and update as I would like, so until next weekend, or maybe earlier, depending on how much work I get finishrd, I have a few items worth checking out.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Another Like You </span>by Sean Fournier is an amazing calm and happy song, and the lyrics are very thoughtful.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Bonfire</span> by Blue Foundation. A nice breath-y song, I guess it's sorta inspiring, maybe? <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HORpOWzmFWc&feature=related">Check for yourself.</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Great DJ</span> by the Ting-Tings. A very dance-y song that may be a little repetitive (the</span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> drums, the drums, the drums, the drums...) but is very catchy. After a few listens, it grows on you.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Phantom</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Limb</span> by The Shins. Like a lot of other songs by the Shins (<span style="font-style: italic;">See Caring is Creepy</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Australia</span>.), <span style="font-style: italic;">Phantom</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Limb</span> is a cleverly written, catchy, and up-beat song that I loved right off the bat.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Winner Is</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">We're Gonna Make It</span> by Danna/DeVotchKa, off of the Little Miss Sunshine Soundtrack. Without any lyrics, the songs and others off of the soundtrack</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooNpcFUyeiCCFcGzoio7nQmz8VkipiUoXRnYyBuhdRTFCasV_19Of1foavjP-RnwXTNAx0SrKJtLtzziMqvkZapoYm3c736rHEGHnQjRkFoFKCwtySAVuqgPMgn8QytGNzLIO3A3CRB8E/s1600-h/images-3.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 168px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooNpcFUyeiCCFcGzoio7nQmz8VkipiUoXRnYyBuhdRTFCasV_19Of1foavjP-RnwXTNAx0SrKJtLtzziMqvkZapoYm3c736rHEGHnQjRkFoFKCwtySAVuqgPMgn8QytGNzLIO3A3CRB8E/s200/images-3.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287582397298017634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> make great music for playing whenever. It's great thinking music, as well. (I</span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> recommend the entire soundtrack, seeing as it also includes Sufjan Stevens, yay!)</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Hysteria</span> by Muse. It kind of has a Radiohead feel to it, and the</span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> song totally rocks whenever you blast it. Trust me.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Into Dust</span> by Mazzy Star. After being recommended, I decided to check this one out. Pretty sweet.<br /><br />Okay, I suppose that's all I have for now, but have no fear whoever actually follows this blog, I will be taking notes on songs and books and will return with more by at least Saturday! Have a rockin' week!<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Peace, Love, Nerdfighters, and Twihards.</span><br /></span>The Alternative Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630240645839840833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4573279126390712268.post-86055517393428023892009-01-02T14:24:00.000-08:002009-01-02T20:22:54.443-08:00Happy New Year!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Happy New Year everyone!</span><br /><br />First off, I've been taking a break from reading new books, and am currently re-reading</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zhxE3UUT97hiK8nxiSrQLzGKqAFYO1ZJ3aaGlgPQMJvfxYA3qcN0psQrczCnftPGID3o2kpqPEXYCUt8pgOdxXFdQ8ZkhNUAgAzBhEqMZFA8zadhzP_DyIqnZV8oaHoUBOupUUss1-3M/s1600-h/05e1e5fd42a193c8.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 71px; height: 108px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zhxE3UUT97hiK8nxiSrQLzGKqAFYO1ZJ3aaGlgPQMJvfxYA3qcN0psQrczCnftPGID3o2kpqPEXYCUt8pgOdxXFdQ8ZkhNUAgAzBhEqMZFA8zadhzP_DyIqnZV8oaHoUBOupUUss1-3M/s200/05e1e5fd42a193c8.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286917928902253554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Twilight (it was a spur-of-the-moment book craving) So, I'm on page 200 and something, since last night. Anyway, here are a few books that are worth re-reading for me:</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">When It Happens by Susan Colasanti</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">Honey, Baby, Sweetheart by Deb Caletti</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);">Looking For Alaska by John Green</span><br /><br />So, after I finish Twilight (and possibly New Moon, Eclipse, and maybe even Breaking Dawn) I plan to start the Harry Potter Series... (Good?)<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uuumEdlP9tFNyziEo4HqFJd2sq0FOPrNodRHhSeLOiUoXiqpEjOJu8M6ZaYnBZgg8JVls4HbciyWGEtlywyQ5IMkj7RIzw1JYZRw90_WgMnHE6uwCvQ2CeUKKQO8uPgW99UnjMlGEqku/s1600-h/e8a7242bc08433ca.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 145px; height: 105px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uuumEdlP9tFNyziEo4HqFJd2sq0FOPrNodRHhSeLOiUoXiqpEjOJu8M6ZaYnBZgg8JVls4HbciyWGEtlywyQ5IMkj7RIzw1JYZRw90_WgMnHE6uwCvQ2CeUKKQO8uPgW99UnjMlGEqku/s200/e8a7242bc08433ca.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286916730764148146" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Anyway, so that should keep me occupied for a while. On the music side:</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Paramore</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> (previously mentioned in December blogs) is a teenage rock band. Of course, like any other teen-fan driven band, red hair, whines, and guitar solos are included frequently, I'll admit that. But, Hayley, the lead singer, is cool. She may be</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> petite and innocent-looking in real life, but she certainly rocks out in recordings. Though, not necessarily being my genre of music, after hearing their singles 'Decode' and 'Misery Business' I was drawn in.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Also, I highly recommend Spotlight by Mutemath and Coming Home by the 88. You gotta try those out.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);">Peace, Love, Nerdfighters, and Twihards.</span></span>The Alternative Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630240645839840833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4573279126390712268.post-25769130466185439812008-12-29T16:26:00.000-08:002009-01-04T11:51:48.476-08:00BOOK & BANDS...and Nerdfighters.<span style="font-family:verdana;">OK, just finished Paper Towns.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">All I can say is WHOA. <span style="font-style: italic;">John Green, you are amazing. </span>The characters </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">were</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRTwEIycs6BFvXZ2Ubz2HAfE6vmgONKE60pOjFbi6XssMH4aU-HVW5St95CvlAqQMjRM-LjHIzZaocUjAxyytN3va-RaV86tU4KMyRMpH5vWWVbRHJPwuCzjccakG4a8dS4eCTDQDZqRw/s1600-h/images-2.jpeg"><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 172px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRTwEIycs6BFvXZ2Ubz2HAfE6vmgONKE60pOjFbi6XssMH4aU-HVW5St95CvlAqQMjRM-LjHIzZaocUjAxyytN3va-RaV86tU4KMyRMpH5vWWVbRHJPwuCzjccakG4a8dS4eCTDQDZqRw/s200/images-2.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285700603148811794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> easy</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> to</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> identify with, and the story was thoughtful and inspiring. The conversations that</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> took place were incredible, and I never lost interest. I highly recommend this book. Five stars for Paper Towns! It's by far my favorite book by John Green.</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Also, J.G. includes the AWESOME band The Mountain Goats. You can check out my personal favorite song by them <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYCzDhaRV60">here</a>.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Also, I was in Barnes and Noble and heard a great song, so I asked the worker-dude, and he grabbed the CD entitled 'Perfect Symmetry' by Keane. After I got home, I went on Itunes and bought the entire CD. Keane is amazing. The band's songs have a pop feel, but are upbeat and some are a little rock. Great lyrics, too. (I enjoy making sense of the lyrics) I recommend Spiralling. Great dance-y song. :)<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIuw3WyIWNr2Cxd61j3h7l9EMjU0Zv9mswld7kVwfvS95oK3EiO5plbaNE3jBfSqwsWVh3cY7BIh1zAjgmalogi1fUcZMlBkmjCk9JLl3Knwltlg6y6-Kidr6HTPxRK8L6awBhgac8Cj2/s1600-h/keane_spiralling_cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 143px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIuw3WyIWNr2Cxd61j3h7l9EMjU0Zv9mswld7kVwfvS95oK3EiO5plbaNE3jBfSqwsWVh3cY7BIh1zAjgmalogi1fUcZMlBkmjCk9JLl3Knwltlg6y6-Kidr6HTPxRK8L6awBhgac8Cj2/s200/keane_spiralling_cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285699836175175714" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Also, I'm proud to be a nerdfighter.<br /><br />WTHing? Check them out here: <a href="http://nerdfighters.ning.com/">http://nerdfighters.ning.com/</a><br />(It's John and Hank Green) Yay!<br /><br /></span>The Alternative Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630240645839840833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4573279126390712268.post-57202396517448809532008-12-29T11:58:00.001-08:002009-01-10T11:03:45.365-08:00The List of 2008!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Ok, so I'm like, REALLY bored. So, here are a few of my favorite things of 2008...</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">MUSIC</span><br /></span><ul style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><li>Garden State Soundtrack</li><li>The Shins</li><li>The Killers</li><li>Muse</li><li>Twilight Soundtrack</li><li>Across the Universe Soundtrack</li><li>Elbow</li><li>Little Miss Sunshine Soundtrack</li><li>Paramore</li><li>Iron and Wine</li><li>Death Cab For Cutie</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >BOOKS</span> <ul face="trebuchet ms"><li>Looking For Alaska<br /></li><li>Down the Rabbit Hole/ Echo Falls Mysteries </li><li>Deb Caletti</li><li>John Green<br /></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">John Green>>></span></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKM5s0MYYL-oXuDinTHoqhIBCQJOIYbDeAB_VTJGWPu52xKhpulkJ2UWDjn8E4ZV0FcUNxPRDPh9B3nZHwBO1JP_HBlRSrsP1gPAy3vgc5gdpQVJ-5Z0KS-h9ypfAnMmE9lbw3bEvZLuMM/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 82px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKM5s0MYYL-oXuDinTHoqhIBCQJOIYbDeAB_VTJGWPu52xKhpulkJ2UWDjn8E4ZV0FcUNxPRDPh9B3nZHwBO1JP_HBlRSrsP1gPAy3vgc5gdpQVJ-5Z0KS-h9ypfAnMmE9lbw3bEvZLuMM/s200/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285331151333663698" border="0" /></a> </li><li>When It Happens</li><li>Susan Colansanti</li><li>Sarah Dessen</li><li>Lauren Myracle</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >PODCASTS</span> <ul face="trebuchet ms"><li>This American Life <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbA0RY_j2-Ag_yYaH0uEl-b45grVhzGnvxxFZPTcjRVG-P4aepS7dvRC05VznEtZ4AAM2cGUZB_nmptm1s2WHV3KnTtFpz79cHNWUa1ICqRFmQBnzCt869bbUeBWtHOeZO9mIdohiTCPK/s1600-h/l20778076336_2445.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 76px; height: 76px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbA0RY_j2-Ag_yYaH0uEl-b45grVhzGnvxxFZPTcjRVG-P4aepS7dvRC05VznEtZ4AAM2cGUZB_nmptm1s2WHV3KnTtFpz79cHNWUa1ICqRFmQBnzCt869bbUeBWtHOeZO9mIdohiTCPK/s200/l20778076336_2445.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285331967891684498" border="0" /></a></li><li>Imprint</li><li>Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Top 10 FAVORITE SONGS OF 2008:</span> <ul face="trebuchet ms"><li> Bruises - Chairlift.<br /></li></ul><ul face="trebuchet ms"><li> <span style="border-bottom: medium none; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1230581848_9">Campus- Vampire Weekend</span><br /></li></ul><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li> Calling You- Blue October<br /></li></ul><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li> The Winner Is- Danna/DeVotchKa.</li></ul><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li> New Soul- Yael Naim.<br /></li></ul><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li> Tie. New Slang/ <span style="border-bottom: medium none; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1230581848_13">Caring is Creepy/ Phantom Limb- The Shins</span>.<br /></li></ul><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li> Machisimo- Gomez.<br /></li></ul><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li> <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1230581848_14">Supermassive Black Hole</span>- Muse.<br /></li></ul><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li> Tie. Decode/Misery Business- Paramore.<br /></li></ul><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li> Tie. Come On! Feel the Illinoise!- Sufjan Stevens. Human- The Killers.</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >MOVIES<br /></span><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li>Across the Universe</li><li>Little Miss Sunshine <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6BTnhU1GPy0knCHRdUq1XTEL76PvLuyGw7z38_5mhOka5Q5wE6x_FPfE-s_l5T0A01eeArlxFtdNHghRPM0Ywr4t_kJbYbYT4_ueEEBUUccMYFeWFo73V6IPStQCnPNn577quT-I7L6q/s1600-h/images-1.jpeg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 67px; height: 67px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6BTnhU1GPy0knCHRdUq1XTEL76PvLuyGw7z38_5mhOka5Q5wE6x_FPfE-s_l5T0A01eeArlxFtdNHghRPM0Ywr4t_kJbYbYT4_ueEEBUUccMYFeWFo73V6IPStQCnPNn577quT-I7L6q/s200/images-1.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285332962563729698" border="0" /></a></li><li>Juno</li><li>The Dark Knight</li><li>Twilight (of course)</li><li>Edward Scissorhands</li></ul>The Alternative Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630240645839840833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4573279126390712268.post-58265076182143727902008-12-29T11:58:00.000-08:002009-01-10T11:01:27.387-08:00A few songs to acknowledge...<span style="font-family:verdana;">OK, so I've been exploring Itunes, and have stumbled upon these...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Flightless Bird, American Mouth- Iron and Wine</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Apocalypse, Please- Muse</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Forget Myself- Elbow</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Lonely Holiday- Old 97s</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Check Back Soon for more good stuff!</span>The Alternative Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630240645839840833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4573279126390712268.post-2838762188433483152008-12-28T14:37:00.000-08:002008-12-28T15:42:45.044-08:00BAND RECOMMENDATION, AND A FEW BOOKS.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQCUdnfSCIyzTq-ZpprdBwngAlFm8B4mFIbuOcbmJv9DknI5Cv1ocnbHgCD_EdV0rVEu8_CSgQA_j_W6l489OslzjjYA2R4BLUk-R9057qcW1Rop2iux1M3PIETXWTCLU3l_ZyCCmqxPW/s1600-h/VampireWeekendCD2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQCUdnfSCIyzTq-ZpprdBwngAlFm8B4mFIbuOcbmJv9DknI5Cv1ocnbHgCD_EdV0rVEu8_CSgQA_j_W6l489OslzjjYA2R4BLUk-R9057qcW1Rop2iux1M3PIETXWTCLU3l_ZyCCmqxPW/s200/VampireWeekendCD2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284980404770694514" border="0" /></a><br />Vampire Weekend <br /><br />Why I like them: They have a touch of Talking Heads meets Radiohead to them, and are a little reggae (only a little-I can't handle a lot). Lyrics are clever, and the beat is crazy catchy.<br /><br />Songs you should try: 'Campus' is my personal favorite, but 'A-Punk' is fast and<br />upbeat, while 'I Stand Corrected' is calm and has a nice beat in the background. (Kudos to the drummer, Chris Tomsom.)<br /><br />Okay, on the <span style="font-style: italic;">book end</span> (hardy-har-har) I've recently pulled an all-nighter reading...<br /><br />Looking For Alaska <br />by John Green<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sb8HWqr6VG75UlAEAqDSHX2nYGrQduavYRhoXcWiKC5NqimlJRQR9CsQ8kzWh4qIJ3jxSEOle7-YNy5VtLHbZ1-1Bc79GuAS-OzjMHfS8FOb4wOtD6f9sRzRiN29joUMzWUyeaA6z7bU/s1600-h/Cover+of+LOOKING+FOR+ALASKA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 101px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sb8HWqr6VG75UlAEAqDSHX2nYGrQduavYRhoXcWiKC5NqimlJRQR9CsQ8kzWh4qIJ3jxSEOle7-YNy5VtLHbZ1-1Bc79GuAS-OzjMHfS8FOb4wOtD6f9sRzRiN29joUMzWUyeaA6z7bU/s200/Cover+of+LOOKING+FOR+ALASKA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284980947018182290" border="0" /></a><br /><br />OK, this is by far one of my all time favorite books. I cried so hard. Author John Green pulls off a tear-jerker book about 16-year-old Miles "Pudge" Halter, (who's adorably obsessed with famous people's last words) adventures at Culver Creek Boarding School with friends gorgeous 'Alaska', and short but rockin' Chip a.k.a 'the Colonel'.<br />Split up cleverly into 'Before' and 'After' sections, 'Pudge' goes into the truths of life, and will leave you thinking about him and the gang long after you finish...trust me.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn.<br />all by Stephenie Meyer.<br /><br />Thanks to all the fangirls, I think we all know these books are like crack. It's been getting a lot of press lately, and the movie was ranked #9 on highest grossing films of '08. Crazy. But, the books totally beat out the movie in so many ways. Stephenie brings out every teenaged girl in Bella, the main character. And certainly has all the girls *and boys* flipping out over Edward and Jacob's delectable personalities and features. The Nomads, that threaten Bella's life in the first few books are both creepy and delightful, and I guarantee you'll be hooked by the 1st chapter of Twilight. *cough*Team Edward*cough* :)<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Also, a quick note for the future (Before I forget):</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I'll be reading a book a week- I hope- and will be posting recommendations soon. Luckily, I still have a few books in my memory...</span><br /><br />*Quick Reviews*<br />An Abundance of Katherines by John Green. 1) Big fan of J.G. 2) Cleverly written 3) Easy to see the main characters take on things. 4) Easy to connect with the personalities and characteristics of the characters featured.<br /><br />Honey, Baby, Sweetheart by Deb Caletti. 1) Connected with the characters immediately. 2) Loved the characteristics of the ladies featured. 3)Thought-provoking dialogue 4) Note: I've met a dozen people who all loved it.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RNgnEjL-IBtFTV24OKFdZeaoIU7TDuhAV0p9lMZ1jz5t3AXfSteyP2AqMh4reiVh1MK46vjBByNVyT6EWPgEA28qyR8UcgY3TQJWMGjiYZUQDbCqfOUqOwdcznzFihzLTMRWtAl2APY6/s1600-h/images-1.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RNgnEjL-IBtFTV24OKFdZeaoIU7TDuhAV0p9lMZ1jz5t3AXfSteyP2AqMh4reiVh1MK46vjBByNVyT6EWPgEA28qyR8UcgY3TQJWMGjiYZUQDbCqfOUqOwdcznzFihzLTMRWtAl2APY6/s200/images-1.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284988923386946978" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="file:///Users/dluther/Desktop/images-1.jpeg" alt="" /><br /><br />OK, that's just about it for now. Now, to end my weekly post. Try these songs by next week...<br /><br />Bruises- Chairlift. (That song off the ipod commercial)<br />Decode- Paramore<br />Supermassive Black Hole- Muse <3<br />Grounds for Divorce- Elbow<br />Sea Lion Woman- FeistThe Alternative Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630240645839840833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4573279126390712268.post-88357209708486751532008-12-28T14:06:00.000-08:002008-12-28T14:14:41.141-08:00Greetings!<span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >Hey Guys!</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">OK, so at exactly 4:03 this grand idea came to me:</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I'm gonna start a blog in which I recommend books, music, etc. to every one who cares to go as I call, 'Dorky Chic'. I already have a few lined up, and can't wait to start! So... thanks for visiting. Now, just check back a few times a month, and we shall see...</span><br /></div>The Alternative Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630240645839840833noreply@blogger.com0