Music You Need to Know- Alabama Shakes

If you don't already know about the Alabama Shakes, you would have sooner or later because they are blowing up.  I've known about them for a while, because they are from Alabama and play a lot of local shows, but I hadn't really listened to them much.  They are playing with Neil Young at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater (my former workplace), and since I'm going I decided to give them a listen.  Needless to say I really haven't stopped listening since.  I have an odd musical taste and if you asked me my favorite genre, I would say heavy metal.  I have no idea what genre to put the Alabama Shakes in except for just plain good.  The video above is for their song "I Found You" and was recorded in my hometown at Pegasus Record Store (and is also my favorite song of theirs).  I spent a good bit of my high school days in the band rooms above this store (oh the days....).  Now, do yourself a favor and check them out.

Record Store Score

 

A few weeks ago, we went to Montevallo and came across Dharma Records.  I was really surprised by how many awesome records they had!  And their prices were fantastic.  We ended up coming out with like 10 records.  Above are my favorites...

Harvest- Neil Young

This is the Moody Blues (Greatest Hits)

James Taylor's Greatest Hits

Aqualung- Jethro Tull

Little Queen- Heart

America- America 

Do you all listen to vinyl?  We just recently acquired a record player along with a ton of albums. and we've been enjoying them!  I love listening to them while I'm cooking or cleaning.

Weekend Plans

So I am actually working today at the Amphitheater here in Birmingham, selling tickets to New Edition.  Woohoo.  I have to work Mon-Wed as well, which isn't that bad, but seems worse because I haven't had to work in 3 weeks.  I can't believe it's actually been that long since I left my job!

 

Anyways, tomorrow I'm going out to Tuscaloosa to the grand opening of the Rivermarket (aka Farmer's Market).  I'm pretty excited to see my former co-workers again.  I've missed them dearly!  Tomorrow night, my husband and I are going to see WhiteChapel and some other bands that aren't WhiteChapel.   My husband asked me if I was going through venue withdrawal since I actually WANT to go to a concert, but I'm definitely not. 

Despite the loss of our little Pumpkin, this had been an ok week.  I was really down on Monday, but I think his passing just inspired me to carry on and make the most out of everyday.  

 

Did you have a good week?  What kind of plans do you have lined up the weekend?

 

 

 

Rammstein Concert

So I've been a Rammstein fan almost since they became popular in 1995.  They've always been known for putting on an elaborate stage show, and they did not disappoint.  With 26 trucks of production equipment ( a big show usually might have 7 trucks or so at the most), they came with pyro, flame thrower guns, masks, and wings, confetti, foam, and lots more.  My husband and I got 2nd row seats, so we were about as close as you could get to the stage, and it was pretty awesome.  I've seen a lot of shows, from Kiss to Celine Dion, to Miley Cyrus (obviously not by choice but at work), but this was by far the best production I've ever seen.  I'm so glad we got a chance to see them live!

Quiet Sunday

I'm sitting here on a Sunday morning drinking a nice cup of English tea and contemplating what I should do for the day.  I love Sundays that are relaxing and stress-free.  

My husband and I have been collecting a lot of vinyl as of late and so I've been on a classic rock kick.  Here are some of my favorites that get me in the mood for a lazy Sunday.  Enjoy!

Music- Babymetal

I love Japanese stuff.  I'm a sucker all things anime and kawaii.  I also love heavy metal.  

This evening, I came across this band called Babymetal, and now, I'm not sure what I feel.  Confused would definitely be one of the strongest emotions.  Watch the video for yourself.  And no, this isn't a joke.

 

Music

I have to admit that I have a pretty broad range of music that I like.  But, if you ask me what kind of music I listen to, I'm probably just going to say heavy metal.  It's so hard to categorize music these days that I usually don't bother trying to explain my musical preferences.  Here's a sampling of bands I love, and if you are offended by any of it, too bad.

Rasputina 

Rasputina is by far my favorite band.  If you go to the band's website here, you can learn a little more about them.  I say they are a band, but it's really just Melora Creager and whomever she is playing with at the time.  I would describe them as historical cello rock? I guess?  You pretty much just have to take a listen to them.  The above video is the only "real" video that they have.  Although it's hard for me to pick a favorite song of theirs, I would say one of my favorites would be "How We Quit The Forest". 

 Neko Case

I really just started listening to Neko Case last year.  I run the box office at the venue here where we are living and she played here with My Morning Jacket and I didn't know who she was.  She also had a few songs on the last season of True Blood, so that's how I happened upon her.  Some of her music gets a little too close to country for my liking, but the majority of it is just kind of mellow.  I did get to eat backstage with her while she was at the venue.  She seemed very nice and laid back.

Opeth

I would say Opeth is a good transition from the above into the "heavy metal" side of me.  I love Mikael Akerfeldt's voice (no I didn't spell Michael wrong; they are from Sweden).  They have a mix of heavy metal songs and lovely acoustic songs.  I prefer the later, but I really haven't heard anything from them that I didn't like.

 The Sword

I love the above song sooo much.  The video is pretty cheesy, but that's ok. The Sword appeals to my inner fantasy dork.  I love that I can just put on their music and listen to all of their albums all the way through. I usually have pretty bad tenancy to only listen to one two songs and change to something else. 

Rammstein

 Rammstein is really the only band that has really stood the test of time for me.  I listened to them in high school (I had my 10 year reunion this year..urgh...) and I still love them.  In fact, my husband and I are going to see them in April and I'm super excited.  I have sort of lost my desire to see concerts  (since it's part of my job), so it has to be someone I really want to see for me to buy tickets.  Anyways, Rammstein is from Germany and they tour all over the world and rarely come anywhere near the Southern U.S. I'm really just looking forward to the pyrotechnics. 

Behemoth

 Ok so here's where it gets real.  So I like Black Metal. It's not a huge deal, but I do live in the bible belt of America.  I've gotten used to the fact that people here are always going to think I'm strange, but it doesn't always make it any easier.  People here are just expected to be Christian, and when you're not, it kind of knocks them back.  It's really only been in the last few years that's I've had the guts to openly say that I'm an atheist, even though I've been one my whole life.  Anyways, back to music.  First, I usually don't care about lyrics.  I'm more interested in the music, and if I like the lyrics, then that's just a bonus.  Second, I do like Black Metal, but it's hard to take it seriously.  I mean can you really be threatened by guys that look this silly?  I hope not.

  (via: SUN AND CAVE)