Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Songs I Wish Were Books

Time for Top Ten Tuesday, an awesome meme held at The Broke and the Bookish. This week, the music-lover portion of the book blogging community is in for a treat as this Tuesday is reserved for books and music!

Top Ten Songs I Wish Were Books

"World Princess Part II" - Grimes
This song is like a modern epic. It's my personal favorite from Grimes' latest album Art Angels. The whole thing sounds like a cute yet serious video game, so that aspect in itself would be interesting to see translated into words. But a large part of the reason I love this song is that it's so empowering - I want to see our kickass World Princess in action in story format. I want to be further inspired by her and further moved by her demise at the end of the song: "My eyes are feeling heavy, my feet are moving slow..."

"Mountains" - Radical Face
This song would be contemporary beauty. Well, let me rephrase: It would technically be historical beauty because all the songs on this album are part of Radical Face's Family Tree series of albums, and "Mountains" is from the first one, The Roots. This song sounds so perfect, and the lyrics are so moving: It's about a boy who's lost his mother and believes she is still watching him. It'd be a tear-jerker; it'd be delicate and gritty all at the same time.

"What the Water Gave Me" - Florence + the Machine
"What the Water Gave Me" sounds like a lazy summer day that progresses into something bigger and crazier. Once again, we might have a contemporary - or not, because for one thing, it references Virginia Woolf's death, and for another thing, Florence's connection is borderline mystical and fairylike. Maybe historical fiction about Virginia Woolf's death... plus mystical water stuff? Sounds like an A+ novel to me.

"Design Your Universe" - Epica
Now this one is EPIC. (And I honestly didn't even mean for that pun to happen.) "Design Your Universe" is a nine-minute symphonic metal masterpiece that reminds me of magic and battle scenes. Since the song itself is about quantum physics and how humans have more control over our world and universe than we realize, this could easily be a science fiction novel about the power of the human mind.

"Brooklyn Baby" - Lana Del Rey
This one would be a great summer-time contemporary with a sassy protagonist. I mean, look at these lyrics: "Yeah my boyfriend's pretty cool / But he's not as cool as me / 'Cause I'm a Brooklyn baby." I want to read about this hipster and her boyfriend, and I want to be sucked into story that mimics the chill feel of this song.

"Army of Dolls" - Delain
"Army of Dolls" could go a couple different ways. This awesome symphonic metal track deals with body issues and the pressure women face to look perfect in a world that only glamorizes the thin: "Army of dolls stole your reflection / Army of dolls stole all your perfect imperfections." But, if someone really wanted to, this story could become very Twilight Zone-ish (and let's be real, some of the truest and most genius statements about beauty and perception have come from Twilight Zone episodes).

"Turn Loose the Mermaids" - Nightwish
To be honest, a lot of Nightwish songs could have made this list, but "Turn Loose the Mermaids" is easily one of my favorite Nightwish songs of all time because of its folky feel. More than any of the other tracks, I want to be stuck in a story-world that feels like this one. Nostalgia with a bit of fantasy? Yes, please.

"The Dance" - Within Temptation
The creepiest of creepy songs! A work of genius that lends itself so well to being a novel as it actually does tell a story in a more traditional way than most songs. This book would be about awakening the dead - it could be a bunch of them. And it would be from one dead person's point of view, of course, with lyrics like this: "I hear a laugh / It awoke my soul." The beauty and the beast vocal contrast can be epitomized in a beauty and the beast-type story. Good God, it would be beautiful.

"The Cross" - Within Temptation
The story this song tells has always intrigued me, and while I cannot for the life of me find the source (as I read this shortly after the album "The Cross" comes from - The Heart of Everything - was released in 2007) I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that the song was written about conflicts with the band. I'm not necessarily sure if I'd like to see the exact story in a book, but I'm definitely interested in seeing this deep conflict show through in some story or another: "I'm still wondering why I'm still calling your name, my dear."

"Imaginary" - Evanescence
I realize that this song's premise isn't exactly one of those novelty ideas - drifting into a dreamworld to escape reality has been done in different forms before. But I want to experience this specific song in a specific book form. The overall feel is quite epic, and a writer could easily create a world of paper flowers and candy clouds that only really exists in the protagonist's head. Sounds like a good plan to me.


As always, let me know what you think of my selections if you know any of them and feel free to leave your Top Ten Tuesday link in the comments!

The Complete List of Songs I Fell in Love With: 2015

Right before 2015 began, I decided to do something I'd never done before as a year-long project. Since I'm constantly searching for more music to love that fits my weird, eclectic taste, I decided to record each and every song I totally fell in love with in 2015 in the order that I became obsessed with them (not necessarily the order of discovery). I thought it would be fun to see how many songs I fall in love with on average in a year and how many different genres are included, but I also knew that when I looked at different sections of the list, I'd see different sections of the year, of my life. Additionally, I made myself a little survey to highlight the best of the best, which I listed before the list of 145 wonderful songs I became addicted to this year.

Nightwish and Grimes
(for those who have not discovered their respective works of genius)

MUSIC DISCOVERED IN 2015 SURVEY
*I cannot repeat any songs in these categories*
Best Artist: Grimes
Best Album: Visions by Grimes, Art Angels by Grimes
Best Song: “The Greatest Show on Earth” - Nightwish & “Genesis” - Grimes

Coincidentally, the two best songs I discovered out of all 145 happen to be the best representation of what I listen to. These two songs are completely opposite. "The Greatest Show on Earth" is a massive symphonic metal track - it's twenty-four minutes long, the instrumentation is enormous and bombastic, it's complicated. "Genesis," on the other hand is a four-minute electronic track that's more ballad-like than anything. While "The Greatest Show on Earth" is much darker and describes the gorgeous planet we live on, "Genesis" describes the lightness your heart experiences during perfect happiness. While Floor's voice has a darker tone, Grimes has a girly tone.

Best Symphonic Metal: “Shudder Before the Beautiful” – Nightwish
Best Metal (Non-Symphonic): “While We Sleep” – Insomnium
Best Classical or Film Score: “Mea Culpa” – After Forever
Best Rock: “Moaning Lisa Smile” – Wolf Alice
Best Indie: “Blue Pool” – Vanessa Carlton
Best Alternative: “What Kind of Man” – Florence and the Machine
Best Electronic: “Nightmusic” – Grimes
Best Trip-Hop: “Bullet Boy” – Massive Attack
Best Rap/Hip-Hop: “Bad Girls” – MIA
Best Pop: “Flesh Without Blood” – Grimes
Best Ballad: “My Sister Says the Saddest Things by Grimes
Best Throwback Discovery: “He Loves You Not” – Dream
Best Cover: “Skinny Love” – Birdy (originally performed by Bon Iver)
Best Song from an Artist I Don’t Usually Listen to: “Perfect Life” – Steven Wilson
Song That Depresses Me: “Only in Dreams” – Weezer
Song That Somehow Sounds Substantially Better When Played VERY LOUDLY: “Superstition” by The Birthday Massacre
Most Impressive Vocals: “In Remembrance” – Xandria

SONGS DISCOVERED IN 2015: 145
1. “Shake it Out” – Florence + the Machine
2. “Only If For a Night” – Florence + the Machine
3. “Big Eyes” – Lana Del Rey
4. “West Coast” – Lana Del Rey
5. “Brooklyn Baby” – Lana Del Rey
6. “Fair Game” – Sia
7. “Fire Meet Gasoline” – Sia
8. “Cellophane” – Sia
9. “Bones” – In This Moment
10. “Everytime” – Broods
11. “Andare” – Ludovico Einaudi
12. “Girl I Love You” – Massive Attack
13. “Amaranthine” – Amaranthe
14. “Black Lake” – Bjork
15. “Farewell to Dobby” – Alexandre Desplat
16. “Stardust” – Xandria
17. “Stonemilker” – Bjork
18. “Sagan” – Nightwish
19. “Arcadia” – Leah
20. “Zero Gravity” – Of Verona
21. “Outside” – Calvin Harris ft. Ellie Goulding
22. “Élan” – Nightwish
23. “Buddy Holly” – Weezer
24. “Cruel World” – Lana Del Rey
25. “Pretty When You Cry” – Lana Del Rey
26. “Burning For You” – Shiny Toy Guns
27. “Shudder Before the Beautiful” – Nightwish
28. “Perfect Life” – Steven Wilson
29. “What Kind of Man” – Florence + the Machine
30. “Uma Thurman” – Fall Out Boy
31. “The Eyes of Sharbat Gula” – Nightwish
32. “The Greatest Show On Earth” – Nightwish
33. “Yours is An Empty Hope” – Nightwish
34. “Failure” – Breaking Benjamin
35. “My Walden” – Nightwish
36. “Endless Forms Most Beautiful” – Nightwish
37. “Weak Fantasy” – Nightwish
38. “Mea Culpa” – After Forever
39. “Our Decades in the Sun” – Nightwish
40. “Alepenglow” – Nightwish
41. “Get the Devil Out of Me” – Delain
42. “Jenny” – Nothing More
43. “Army of Dolls” – Delain
44. “Mother Machine” – Delain
45. “Scarlet” – Delain
46. “Electricity” – Delain
47. “I Want You to Know” – Zedd ft. Selena Gomez
48. “American Beauty/American Psycho” – Fall Out Boy
49. “Black Beauty” – Lana Del Rey
50. “Moaning Lisa Smile” – Wolf Alice
51. “Here Come the Vultures” – Delain
52. “I’m a Disaster” – Wolf Alice
53. “American Oxygen” – Rhianna
54. “He Loves You Not” – Dream
55. “Supermodel” – Jill Sobule
56. “Tell Me, Mechanist” – Delain
57. “Tragedy of the Commons” – Delain ft. Alissa White-Gluz
58. “White Leather” – Wolf Alice
59. “Giant Peach” – Wolf Alice
60. “California Dreaming” – Sia
61. “Go Away” – Delain
62. “Nightmusic” – Grimes ft. Majical Cloudz
63. “Circumambient” – Grimes
64. “Go” – Grimes ft. Blood Diamonds
65. “Genesis” – Grimes
66. “REALiTi” – Grimes
67. “Oblivion” – Grimes
68. “Etude Op. 25 No. 12 (Ocean)” – Frederic Chopin
69. “Black Sun” – Death Cab For Cutie
70. “AM 180” – Grandaddy
71. “With(Out)” – Cheyenne Mize
72. “Dark” – Breaking Benjamin
73. “Save the World” – Leah
74. “Scorn” – Portishead
75. “Good for You” – Selena Gomez ft. A$AP Rocky
76. “Leave Everything Behind” – Amaranthe
77. “1,000,000 Lightyears” – Amaranthe
78. “Various Storms and Saints” – Florence + the Machine
79. “Queen of Peace” – Florence + the Machine
80. “Which Witch” – Florence + the Machine
81. “Only in Dreams” – Weezer
82. “Silk” – Wolf Alice
83. “Enter the Highlands” – Leah
84. “Saturday Come Slow” – Massive Attack
85. “Renegades” – X Ambassadors
86. “Remnant” – Leah
87. “In Remembrance” – Xandria
88. “Unembraced” – Xandria
89. “Don’t Say a Word” – Xandria (Sonata Artica cover)
90. “Man Next Door” – Massive Attack
91. “Superstition” – The Birthday Massacre
92. “High by the Beach” – Lana Del Rey
93. “Colour of Moonlight (Antiochus)” – Grimes ft. Doldrums
94. “Visiting Statue” – Grimes
95. “Be a Body (侘寂)” – Grimes
96. “Blue Pool” – Vanessa Carlton
97. “Jekyll and Hyde” – Five Finger Death Punch
98. “Bad Girls” – MIA
99. “Siúil a Rún (Acoustic)” – Leah (traditional Irish cover)
100. “Operator” – Vanessa Carlton
101. “Nothing Where Something Used to Be” – Vanessa Carlton
102. “Bullet Boy” – Massive Attack
103. “Danny the Dog” – Massive Attack
104. “Skin” – Grimes
105. “Theme from To Kill a Dead Man” – Portishead
106. “Origins” – Eluveitie
107. “Carousel” – Melanie Martinez
108. “God Knows I Tried” – Lana Del Rey
109. “Art Deco” – Lana Del Rey
110. “David” – Grimes
111. “Vowels = Time and Space” – Grimes
112. “My Sister Says the Saddest Things” – Grimes
113. “I Fail” – Scala and Kolacny Brothers
114. “Vanessa” – Grimes
115. “Hollow” – Breaking Benjamin
116. “All of the Stars” – Jackie Evancho (Ed Sheeran cover)
117. “Wings” – Birdy
118. “Doing the Right Thing” – Daughter
119. “Skinny Love” – Birdy (Bon Iver cover)
120. “Blinded by Hatred” – UnSun
121. “Flesh Without Blood” – Grimes
122. “Life in the Vivid Dream” – Grimes
123. “It’s a Fire” – Amy Lee (Portishead cover)
124. “Laughing and Not Being Normal” – Grimes
125. “Kill V. Maim” – Grimes
126. “Belly of the Beat” - Grimes
127. “Venus Fly” – Grimes ft. Janelle Monáe
128. “World Princess, Part II” – Grimes
129. “California” – Grimes
130. “Sparks” – Hilary Duff
131. “With or Without You” – Amy Lee (U2 cover)
132. “Talia’s Theme” – Two Steps from Hell
133. “Intro” – Ellie Goulding
134. “Soap” – Melanie Martinez
135. “Pin” – Grimes
136. “While We Sleep” – Insomnium
137. “Could’ve Been” – Two Steps from Hell
138. “Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing” – Amy Lee (Chris Isaak cover)
139. “Artangels” – Grimes
140. “Butterfly” – Grimes
141. “What the Water Gave Me” – Florence + the Machine
142. “Thriller” – Within Temptation (Michael Jackson cover, only performed live at Black Christmas concerts)
143. “There Are Worse Games to Play/Deep in the Meadow” – James Newton Howard ft. Jennifer Lawrence
144. “Science/Visions” – Chvrches
145. “Ship to Wreck” – Florence + the Machine


I hope 2015 brought you all a multitude of favorite songs as well. Cheers to 2016!

Top 30 Singles of 2015 Countdown: Part 2

Click here for Part 1 if you missed it.

15

"All of the Stars" - Jackie Evancho
Some may remember Jackie Evancho's brother Jacob, who she performed a duet with on an occasion or two. Well, this year Jacob debuted as Juliet, and Jackie showed her support for her sister (and transgender individuals in general) through a heart-warming cover of Ed Sheeran's "All of the Stars." The song and video are bound to give the warm-fuzzy effect. It seems like everything this girl does makes me even more proud to be a fan.

14

"Black Sun" - Death Cab for Cutie
I generally have not paid too much attention to Death Cab for Cutie. While I can say that I think many of their songs are 'nice,' "Black Sun" is the only one that has truly stood out to me so far. The repetitive guitar part is so soothing and the lyrics are quite exceptional: "How could something so fair be so cruel / When this black sun revolved around you." However, I must admit I'm a bit impartial to this one as I found it at a time where I could really relate to it. I suppose I could enjoy their other songs more if I found them at the perfect moment, but I really think "Black Sun" is special somehow.

13

"Jenny" - Nothing More
One of the few songs I've discovered through the radio this year. Nothing More wasn't able to capture my attention with their other singles, but "Jenny" stood out even beyond the tough lyrical topics. Musically, this heavier track may be one of the best things to happen to mainstream rock radio in a while with its damn near perfect chorus and middle eight. While the entire song stands out, the chorus is an especially good combination of catchy and moving: "Maybe you should just fall / And leave the world and lose it all..."

12

"Endless Forms Most Beautiful" - Nightwish
Nightwish's first album with Floor Jansen was a creative success. It's heavier and more cinematic than their past few albums, and the high-energy title single "Endless Forms Most Beautiful" provides an intriguing glimpse. While the fun guitar line is prominent throughout the song and Floor Jansen does a lovely job handling both the soft and louder moments, what really stands out is the middle eight. The band and the orchestra are basically battling, and as they combine with a soaring choir they reach an unforgettable climax.

11

"Queen of Peace" - Florence + the Machine
Florence + the Machine knocked me flat with the album How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful. It was big, kinda blue, and definitely beautiful - "Queen of Peace" is one of my favorites from that batch of songs. Only Florence + the Machine would be able to combine alternative with a prominent orchestra this well. It has been stuck in my head many a time in 2015 and I cannot complain. I love it.

10

"Doing the Right Thing" - Daughter
Daughter makes some of the best indie music that ever was, and they released "Doing the Right Thing" to promote their upcoming album Not to Disappear. Much like anything else they've written, "Doing the Right Thing" is incredibly soothing and incredibly sad-sounding. The guitar parts are gorgeous and subtle, and only Elena Tonra's voice could properly complement them. It's about dementia, so I'm sure many who have seen loved ones go through this will relate.

9

"It’s a Fire" - Amy Lee
This piano ballad is my favorite of Amy Lee's covers. Both instrumentally and vocally, it's much more accessible to my tastes compared to the Portishead original. I can see why Amy would have liked this song so much with those gorgeous, empowering lyrics, and I think her version is going to move her fans the same way the original moved her: "'Cause this life is a farce / I can't breathe through this mask, like a fool / So breathe on, sister, breathe on." But let's be honest - this woman's' voice could even make the "Happy Birthday" song sound beautiful.

8

"Good for You" - Selena Gomez ft. A$AP Rocky
I've liked quite a few of Selena Gomez's singles over the year, but "Good for You" might be my favorite. I could have lived without A$AP Rocky being featured on the middle eight, but I ultimately can't complain too much. Gomez doesn't try too hard vocally, she just lets herself flow over the sexy, subdued instrumental... I ultimately just feel sassy whenever I hear this. I haven't listened to her new album yet, but this song has my expectations set much higher than they would have been otherwise.

7

"What Kind of Man" - Florence + the Machine
Oh, sweet Jesus, THIS SONG. THIS ANTHEM. Florence + the Machine slayed me with "What Kind of Man." Florence Welch's attitude is fierce - she's pissed, and I was pissed with her... It an experience, okay? She put a ton of soul into this track and I felt it in my soul. "What Kind of Man" is a bit more rock-oriented than the norm for Florence + the Machine and I totally appreciate that. The overall sound just works.

6

"REALiTi" - Grimes
The story of "REALiTi" is a prime example that Grimes loves her fans. The electronic mastermind released this song and video in the first half of the year, telling fans that she'd never officially release it because she didn't like it much... Well, everybody loved it (although it took me a little while to really appreciate it) and we all cried hard enough that she 'fixed' this demo version and put a shiny new one (which is produced fabulously) on her album Art Angels. (She's such a sweetheart!) I still love this demo though. It's relaxing, retro, and dreamy (even more so compared to the new Art Angels version).

5

"Blue Pool" - Vanessa Carlton
Just before the release of Liberman, Carlton teased fans with the Blue Pool EP from which this single was extracted (although it's also on Liberman). I have enjoyed a pretty decent chunk of this woman's discography throughout the years, but "Blue Pool" is probably my favorite now. It's so pretty. The instrumentation is light but leaves a substantial impression (much like Carlton's voice), and the piano outro is just golden. I command everyone to listen to it right now - this girl deserves way more fans than she has.

4

"Flesh without Blood" - Grimes
Art Angels lead single "Flesh without Blood" wasn't what most fans were expecting. Grimes' electronic music is usually really dark and bizarre, but "Flesh without Blood" is an optimistic, guitar-driven anthem. Even as someone who loves the darkness of most of her music, I adore "Flesh without Blood." It had the power to make me feel better during times I felt like shit with its carefree atmosphere and liberating lyrics, like "I don't see the light I saw in you before / And oh, I don't...I don't care anymore," "If you don't need me, just let me go," etc. Plus, her production skills have improved loads! But I will love Grimes forever, no matter the production style.

3

"Black Lake" - Björk
Björk has always been able to convey emotion better than almost everybody. (It's the most noticeable thing Amy Lee seems to have learned from her.) It's almost difficult to listen to "Black Lake" because it's one of the most emotionally-drenched tracks she's ever made - it's the most honest cry of brokenness I've ever heard, but it's so beautiful. The prominent string line makes it reminiscent of some sort of excellent film score. Some of the intense/loud notes that the orchestra just holds without changing magnifies empty moments, and the lyrics are pure poetry: "I am a glowing shiny rocket / Returning home / As I enter the atmosphere / I burn off layer by layer." This woman deserves a golden monument.

2

"Digital World" - Amaranthe
Amaranthe has a lot of good songs, but "Digital World" may be the best of them all. The blend of synths and heavy guitars is at its best, and all the vocalists fit in so perfectly. But that chorus: "You don't ever have to cry 'cause the future is sold / You can never die and you never grow old / And everything surrounding you is digital." I don't care what anyone says about the ear-catching nature of Top 40 hits - those artists would kill to come up with a vocal line like this.

1

"Perfect Life" - Steven Wilson
An unexpected pick, but I knew right when I first heard it that it would belong on the #1 spot on this countdown, and my love for it hasn't wavered one bit. I didn't even know who Steven Wilson was until I read a positive review of Hand. Cannot. Erase. on The Metal Pigeon. "Perfect Life" is the only one I like, and it's one of the most beautiful pieces of art I've ever found. Although repetitive in nature, it's a song that builds, and each new element tugs at my heart harder and harder. The first half of the song is narrated, and Wilson sings "we have got the perfect life" over and over again in the second half. I'm rarely this moved by a piece... The whole atmosphere mimics real life so well.

Top 30 Singles of 2015 Countdown: Part 1

Now that 2015's coming to an end, it's time to talk about the best singles I've encountered this year. It seems that everyone can agree that 2015 was an epic year for music, from metal fans to pop fans and everyone in between. Hence, my list is a lot bigger than usual. I had to split the countdown in half. But, as per usual, I listen to a pretty interesting variety of music so don't be surprised if it seems like this list was compiled by about five different people (it wasn't), and I'm sure most will find a song of interest on this list (sorry, country fans). 

30

"On My Mind" - Ellie Goulding
When it comes to Ellie Goulding's music, I either really love it or really hate it. I wasn't a fan of the overplayed "Love Me Like You Do," but I can't resist "On My Mind." Goulding's semi-raspy voice is a great fit for the guitar-meets-electronics instrumental. It's choppy in a way that's flowy and it stands out among the typical Top 40 material because of that.

29

"Trini Dem Girls" - Nicki Minaj ft. LunchMoney Lewis
LET ME EXPLAIN HOW CONFUSED I AM. I have never liked Nicki Minaj's material. Ever. Then one day my BFF had me listen to "Trini Dem Girls" and alas, 2015 became the year I liked a Nicki song. I can't blame myself - this instrumental is a banger perfect for any and all club settings... But lyrically? I have no idea what's going on. That's hardly the point though: It's a fun, catchy-as-hell song that I can dance to. Funny how music we least expect to leave an impression can end up on a list of favorites in the end.

28

"Failure" - Breaking Benjamin
2015 also marked the long-awaited return of Breaking Benjamin with four all-new members. While their album Dark Before Dawn didn't impress me much overall and they admittedly don't have a ton of variety in their music, their songs are usually full of emotion and easy to appreciate. "Failure" stuck out to me for some reason. It reminds me a bit of Phobia, my favorite of their albums. But even though it's not too different from anything they've done, the fact of the matter is that this song is too likable to turn away from: Ben's voice is pure gorgeousness as usual, the chord progression is great, and the lyrics describe a special kind of exhaustion and frustration: "Tired of feeling lost / Tired of letting go...Tired of wasted breath / Tired of nothing left."

27

"Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing" - Amy Lee
Evanescence frontwoman Amy Lee has been doing some solo work scoring indie films during the past couple years, but this year she created a YouTube channel and uploaded kickass covers. Personally I have never heard the Chris Isaak tune "Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing" before this cover (and I was a little too annoyed with it to listen to that original the entire way through) but Amy made it awesome. It's the most upbeat of all her covers as it's a great combination of electronic and rock elements. This cover proves once again that I love Amy's musicianship - with or without Evanescence behind her.

26
"SCREAM" - Grimes ft. Aristophanes
(Is this technically a promo single? Well, it's obviously on the list anyway so I don't care.) This track may be little but it's a monster. It's mind-blowing. It's scary. Plus, it's difficult to tell what's going on for a multitude of reasons: Aristophanes isn't rapping in English, the translations are rather explicit, Aristophanes makes scary noises, and the only part that Grimes has in this song is the screaming. It's... kind of wonderful. The instrumental sounds like it could have been used in one of the Underworld films, and the guitars thicken a great deal by the time the second chorus hits.

25

"Stonemilker" - Björk 
When you have a musical career as long and as innovative as Björk's, I imagine it would be kind of scary - what if future releases can never top the classics? Well, the Icelandic legend apprantly doens't have to worry about something like that because released some of the best work of her entire career this year. "Stonemilker" is a string-led piece that has the power to instantly soothe. Even once the percussion comes in, it's light and echoey. It may in fact be one of the prettiest songs she's made - even those who cannot get past her unique voice can at acknowledge the instrumental beauty. Björk certainly knows how to create a whole atmosphere with her songs, and it's usually one I want to come back to. 

24

"Uma Thurman" - Fall Out Boy
Leave it to Fall Out Boy to make one of the most fun-sounding singles of the year. I wasn't crazy about "Uma Thurman" when I first heard it (much like "American Beauty/American Psycho," which I became crazy about long after I compiled last year's singles list) but it eventually grew on me. It's easy to dance and be crazy to... And it puts some kind of odd curse on me once in a while and I can't stop singing it. It makes me want to dance like Uma Thurman and I can't get it out of my head.

23

"Sparks" -  Hilary Duff
Early 2000-era Disney fans, 2015 was a Code Red Emergency: Hilary Duff made new music! Just in time to get us ready for her presidential election! I wasn't initially impressed with her single "Sparks" but then it just hit me like a ton of bricks in the second half of the year. But, I mean, it's  Hilary Duff, so it was only a matter of time before it grew on me. The melody of the chorus kind of reminds me of Rihanna's "Only Girl in the World," but I like this better. Everything from those whistles to the fun vocal line is purely infectious.

22

"Operator" - Vanessa Carlton
Vanessa Carlton finally released some new material this year. While I haven't listened to the entirety of Liberman yet, the singles are making me fall in love with her all over again. "Operator" is the perfect mixture of a soothing piano line and a hint of adventure that only Carlton can deliver. It's a piano-led song about running away - who doesn't love one of those? Indie fans will devour it - in a way, she was indie before indie even existed.

21

"True" - Amaranthe
Amaranthe is known for fusing electronic elements with metal, thus creating a catalog of high-energy tracks shared by their three unique vocalists. However, their latest single, "True," is a bit different. While it's still heavy and band-oriented, is one of the most melodic of their songs. A light piano line cascades atop the rest of the instruments throughout the track and only clean vocals are featured. It's ultimately quite pretty, and it has a nice message: "And if my dreams set everything on fire / Then I would still belong to you."

20

"I Want You to Know" - Zedd ft. Selena Gomez
Sometimes even the most potentially-energizing pop/electronic tracks can get boring since they follow similar patterns, but as long as there's an interesting chord progression I tend to be on board. Furthermore, I'm happy with most things Selena Gomez is a part of, and I most definitely approve of this Zedd track she's featured on. The two apparently make a good pair. This catchy, melodic electronic track boosts my energy level every time I hear it. It's one of those songs perfect for both clubbing and late night driving.

19

"High by the Beach" - Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey's unique fusion of indie, R&B, and electronic elements is epitomized in the Honeymoon lead single "High by the Beach." The electronics are subtle and Lana's voice is soothing as ever. The chorus can become one of the most annoying things in existence when stuck in your head, but that's just because it's catchy as all get out. Between the lead and backing vocals, I can't tell which is more entrancing.

18

"Giant Peach" - Wolf Alice
Wolf Alice was a lovely surprise in 2015. This new grungy/alt band from Britain impressed me immediately with their single "Moaning Lisa Smile," and eventually I stumbled into "Giant Peach" and loved it about as much. While not every song on their album My Love is Cool throws back to grunge, "Giant Peach" certainly does a little bit and seems to also mix it with a little classic rock with its too-cool riffs. The vocals are a great combination of soft and sassy. Altogether, it's just so damn enjoyable for the ears!

17

"Soap" - Melanie Martinez
Melanie Martinez's dark pop music and her odd correlations to childhood are intriguing. My closest friends fells in love with her music just as her debut album, Cry Baby, was released, and the whole Internet seemed to be falling in love with her as well. She takes huge risks with her music, and this is so evident in "Soap." The drop consists of bubbles popping. Bubbles, people - this is genius! The whole song has a great atmosphere - light enough not to be depressing, but dark and interesting enough to be attention-grabbing.

16

"American Oxygen" - Rihanna
Rihanna's made some pretty awesome singles throughout the her career despite a bit of a semi-recent dry spell. However, the keyboard-led "American Oxygen" is probably the best of them all. This song paints a picture of the American Dream and the tough reality of actually achieving it: "We sweat for a nickel and a dime, turn it into an empire." The fact that someone who's from a foreign country is performing this song makes even more special, contrary to what some conservatives might say.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I'd Give a Theme Song To

I'm participating in Top Ten Tuesday today, a weekly meme hosted at The Broke and the Bookish. Every week we get a topic for our lists, but once in a while we get a freebie to pick whatever topic we want. I decided to backtrack to a topic I missed a while ago that I thought would be fun and fitting for me as a music lover:

Top Ten Twelve Books I'd Give a Theme Song To

1

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath | "Asleep" by The Smiths

"Asleep" is widely known as the essential theme song to Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I do not disagree with this; "Asleep" is perfect for that book in every way. But I also think it's perfect for The Bell Jar. This song has an incredibly sad tone to it in my opinion, which matches the protagonists ongoing battle with depression, and I always believed that this song is about suicide, and the protagonist is always trying to kill herself in The Bell Jar. It's a beautifully written book and "Asleep" is a beautifully written song.

 

 

2

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan | “Powerless” by Linkin Park

Linkin Park's "Powerless" may be recognizable to book lovers as it was used in the trailer for the film adaptation of Seth Graham-Smith's Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. I posted the promo video that Linkin Park did for the movie, and if I'm not mistaken, it doesn't include the entire song but I wanted to post something official. I always associated this song with Carrie Ryan's Forest of Hands and Teeth follow-up The Dead-Tossed Waves because I think it really matches the conclusion. It matches a post-apocalyptic world and a love story, and The Dead-Tossed Waves appeals to both.

 

3

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan | “Edge of the World” by Within Temptation

 Much like its predecessor The Dead-Tossed Waves, The Dark and Hollow Places appeals to both the post-apocalyptic world and a love story, except this one's a bit darker. Within Temptation's bone-chilling power ballad "Edge of the World" always struck me as a perfect theme song for this book and all the travelling. The first half is soft, distraught, but then the second half ricochets into something huge and powerful, thus reflecting all of the book's intensity.

 

4

Across the Universe by Beth Revis | “Rise with Me” by In This Moment

 Everything about "Rise with Me" screams something along the lines of "the beginning of an epic science fiction adventure" with its electronic and dark instrumentation and Maria Brink's distant, echoey vocals. It definitely captures the feel of being stuck on a spaceship, and that's exactly what Beth Revis' Across the Universe is about. It's the tension before shit hits the fan and everything's about to explode. It's Elder's curiosity.

 

5

Night by Elie Wiesel | “Willow” by Emilie Autumn (the instrumental from Laced/Unlaced)

 *Keep in mind that I only really associate the first half of "Willow" with Night... the second half is just too happy-sounding*

Both times I've read the Holocaust autobiography Night, I've wanted to hear Beethoven in my head when Juliek is dying. Not only because the piece was probably beautiful, but because it's so utterly important that a Jewish person was playing Beethoven even though they weren't allowed - it's like sticking up one's middle finger right at the Nazis. But every time I read it, I hear the first half of "Willow" repeating and repeating because it's so sad and there's something about the way that scene is written hat feels more emotional. It's always been a perfect fit in my opinion.

 

6

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell | “Introspect” by Epica

 "Introspect" is the orchestral introduction to Epica's celebratory tenth anniversary show, Retrospect. I was watching this concert DVD right as I started reading David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas, and the first time I heard "Introspect," I thought it was so fitting. It captures the urgency of each storyline, for Cloud Atlas is about a series of lives intertwined throughout history due to reincarnation. It's hard to describe it... "Introspect" simply feels like Cloud Atlas.

 

7

Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork | “Tomorrow” by Daughter

 Marcelo in the Real World had a perfect combination of emotions, and so does Daughter's "Tomorrow." It's a fantastic match on a musical level, if I may say so. The wonderful indie vibe of Daughter's music is great for this book in general, but I really think this is THE track for the novel. It has the summertime feel, and it seems to echo some of Marcelo's anxiety throughout with the lyrics "So don't bring tomorrow, for I already know I'll lose you."

 

 

8

The Host by Stephenie Meyer | “Towards the End” by Within Temptation

"Towards the End," which happens to be one of my favorite songs EVER MADE, matches The Host on more of a musical level than a lyrical level, for when I hear these lyrics, I think of war, but I suppose one could put enough spin on it to match The Host in a couple ways. The very beginning of the song is full of lightness with its pretty harp line, which always makes me think of Wanderer's first experiences on Earth (and even her experiences on other planets), but after about a minute of the song passes, the feel completely changes. It's dark. It's large-scale - this is when Wanderer ends up in the caves and faces new challenges.


 

9

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer | “Blindness” by Metric

Coincidentally, I started listening to Metric's music when Twilight began to really skyrocket to popularity. But apparently Stephenie Meyer was also appreciating their music because "Blindness" is in fact featured on her Short Second Life of Bree Tanner playlist on her website. She really hit the nail on the head, because this song really is perfect. Both the music and the lyrics describe a somewhat bleak accept of fate: "What it is and where it stops, nobody knows / You gave me a life I never chose."


 

10

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green | “We’re On Our Way” by Radical Face

I discovered Radical Face's wonderful music when I heard "We're on Our Way" in the trailer for The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and within the next month or so, I picked up The Fault in Our Stars. This song was in my head for nearly the entire time I read it. It's lighthearted and serious all at once, and if that doesn't describe the laugh-cry-laugh-cry effect of John Green's masterpiece, I don't know what does. I almost fell off my chair when they used this song in The Fault in Our Stars' movie trailer.


 

11

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte | “Severus and Stone” by Radical Face

 This song does not fit Wuthering Heights on a lyrical level. "Severus and Stone" is a sad song about the death of a twin brother, while Wuthering Heights doesn't deal with this specific theme (albeit that book does have a hefty dose of death though). But when I hear this song, I think of the moors. I think of Heathcliff's misery, I think of how his son would suffer, and I think of Hareton. And at the end, all I see is Lockwood looking out (I won't spoil what he's looking at) thinking (in modern terms) "Well that was a mess."

 

12

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher | “The Little Things Give You Away” by Linkin Park

 Once again, not the best of examples on a lyrical basis. "The Little Things Give You Away" is about natural disaster, but Thirteen Reasons Why deals with suicide. Like I've mentioned about every song, it just feels like Thirteen Reasons Why. Because whether there's a natural disaster or a suicide, people are bound to suffer.

So, what do you think of my choices? Do you agree/disagree with any of them? Let me know what some of your bookish theme songs would be and feel free to link my your Top Ten Tuesday freebie for the week. It'll be fun to look at various different lists this week! Have a fabulous day!

Top 20 Musical Singles of 2014 Countdown

Last year I counted down my top thirteen of 2013, and as another year has come and gone, it is time again to count down the best singles of the year. (I don't do non-singles because I tend to prefer them and we'd be here for another year.) 2014 was an amazing time for music (especially for any fans of female-fronted metal) so I decided to expand the list size to 20 singles. Let me tell you, I changed my mind about which song to include as the final single at #20 about ten times (and I even considered making this a top 25 post), but right now I'm confident. A large range of genres is incorporated since I tend to listen to bits of everything, such as symphonic metal, alternative, indie, rock, pop, electronic, classical crossover, rap... and whatever genre Seinabo Sey is. No matter who's reading this, I imagine you'll find something you like. (Except for country fans - sorry!)

 

20
"Fancy" - Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX
I ABSOLUTELY HATED THIS SONG. I hated it beyond belief. But remember how Emma Stone hated "Pocket Full of Sunshine" in Easy A but kept singing it literally all weekend until she obviously felt differently? That's a perfect depiction of my relationship with this song. One minute I hated it, then I was singing Charli's chorus in the shower, then before I knew it I was blaring my car's speakers having some sort of jam sesh as I was driving to the grocery store. Furthermore, this video is adorable; I love that it throws back to Clueless and Iggy's hair is fabulous.



19
"I Forgive (But I Won’t Forget Your Name)" - Lacuna Coil
 "I Forgive (But I Won't Forget Your Name)" is one of the more mellow Lacuna Coil singles though it isn't a ballad. Cristina Scabbia really owns the song's chorus and pre-chorus (which, sadly, is only present before the second chorus) with her strong vocals, and of course, with the fact that the vocal lines are quite catchy in these sections. It's just a great rock track overall; most fans of the genre will be quite content with it.

18
"Victims of Contingency" - Epica
 Metal fans, ever hear a guitar riff and think "OMG WHAT IS THIS AMAZING THING THAT'S HAPPENING TO MY EARS?" That was my thought process as I heard the heavy intro to this song. This Epica track features Mark Jansen growling in the verses with Simone Simons (and the choir) coming in between his lines and dominating the chorus. Keep in mind that if this is your first Epica experience, try not to mind some of the awkward arm movements in the video.

17

"The Heart Wants What it Wants" - Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez has the ability to really impress me with her catchy music, and she did it again in a whole different way with the raw "The Heart Wants What it Wants," which deals with her complicated relationship with renowned douchebag Justin Bieber. Hence, it's an emotional track with catchy vocals and a great instrumental. Gomez is certainly not the first woman to feel as this song describes, and unfortunately she won't be the last.

 

 

16

"Big Bad Wolf" - In This Moment

 In This Moment is the only band I can say I have followed throughout the entirety of their career right from the start in 2007, and unfortunately I'm overall extremely disappointed in them for their latest release, Black Widow, but I did really enjoy the second single "Big Bad Wolf." The vocals in the verses are unconventional and off-putting at first, but in the grand scheme of the song, I don't care. Maria Brink sounds invincible, whether she's half-muttering "Even in these chains you can't stop me" or completely screaming "PIG!" Plus, the chorus is incredibly catchy and always has me bobbing my head along.

(The video, however, is the epitome of what I don't like about Black Widow: it's not interesting and overuses sex and horror to the point that they're trying WAY too hard. I realize I'm hating pretty hard right now but I just had to spit that out.)

 

 

15

"Shake it Off" - Taylor Swift

 Taylor Swift is awesome. There, I said it. I liked some of her past country singles, and I really love her new pop direction as well. "Shake it Off" is just so carefree and fun... I have spent many a time in my car having a major jam session to this single every time it came on the radio. It's utterly infectious and makes me so happy with all of its prominent brass instruments and catchy vocals!

 

14

"A Lifetime of Adventure" - Tuomas Holopainen

 "A Lifetime of Adventure" is the beautiful first single from Tuomas Holopainen's (keyboardist and primary songwriter of Nightwish) concept album The Life and Times of Scrooge. With a light, classically-oriented instrumentation and whispy female vocals, this single really could've been on a Chronicles of Narnia soundtrack. It's perfect for winter. And if you don't like too much classical instrumentation, have no fear, there's a guitar solo for the last minute and a half.

 

 

13

"Hard Time" - Seinabo Sey

 I discovered "Hard Time" through a promo for the current season of Mob Wives, and apparently it was on an episode of Teen Wolf (I'm so far behind on that show it's ridiculous)... I was destined to find it somehow. And honestly, with its relaxing (yet sort of dark) vibe I'm surprised it isn't more popular by now. It manages to sound both classy and badass all at the same time, and I love it!

 

12

"Drop Dead Cynical" - Amaranthe

 "Drop Dead Cynical" is one of those songs that I thought I didn't like, but at one point I thought to myself "Why is this song always in my head? Why do I enjoy it being in my head when I don't like it?" From that point on I realized that it was freaking awesome. I know a lot of metal fans like to hate on Amaranthe because they use synths, but I love the combination of elements they use. I'm so excited that this energetic single is giving them recognition.

11

"And We Run" - Within Temptation ft. Xzibit

If you read my review of Within Temptation's Hydra, you're probably confused right now. I didn't like "And We Run" that much when I first heard it, but it slowly grew on me with its seemingly rushing piano line, gorgeous chord progressions, Sharon's vocals, and yes, even Xzibit. I wasn't into his rap styles at first, but the more I heard the song, the more I got it and understood how he really does fit this song. Weirdly enough, what was once my least favorite part is now my favorite: "Don't blink, you'll miss it / Lift up your head / We gotta get gone / Yeah, we outta here." Plus, the music video is fantastic; it's one of my two favorites of the year.

 

10

"Nightfall" - Xandria

The symphonic metal band Xandria has been on my radar ever since Dianne van Giersbergen joined. People were ecstatic about her vocal abilities and I had to see what all the hype was about. As it turns out, her voice gets all the credit it deserves, and form what I've observed so far, so does the music. "Nightfall" is an epic single, particularly with the operatic and choral chorus: "Here it comes / The story / Of mankind's final glory / Into the nightfall."

9

"Centuries" - Fall Out Boy

 So one day I was listening to the radio and this magic filled my ears... It was this song. Although I don't talk about them much on this blog, I've really loved Fall Out Boy's music throughout the years, but "Centuries" definitely stands out as a highlight of their career. The piano line of the first couple choruses creates so much anticipation, and I absolutely love that they sampled Suzanne Vega's "Tom's Diner." A lot of people are really entranced by the music video as well, but I don't find it to be quite as amazing. The song itself is obviously a different story; it's wonderful.

8

"The Power of Love" - Various Dutch Metal Artists
The Netherlands is the home of several talented metal artists, and in order to get people to donate to the Red Cross this holiday season, they treated us with a cover of Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "The Power of Love." With so many amazing musicians involved, the cover turned out to be very bold. There's a choir, several vocalists of all types, from Dianne van Giersbergen's operatic high notes to George Oothsoek's growls and almost everything in between. I'm very happy with how it turned out.

7

"Best Friend" - Foster the People
This single helped define my summer. "Best Friend" was on repeat for a couple of solid weeks, and once in a while it gets stuck in my head. Even though it's different that a lot of what I listen to, I'm so drawn to this song, not only for the lyrics that seem so random at first ("When your best friend's all strung out...") and the weird-but-awesome video - those verses are genial and catchy.

 

6
"Nothing Stands in Our Way" - Lacuna Coil
Lead single "Nothing Stands in Our Way" is one of my favorite songs from Lacuna Coil's latest album Broken Crown Halo. The band truly does sound invincible with its powerful riffs and fierce vocals from Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro. To this day, it's still hard for me to listen to this song and not bang my head a little, especially when the chorus breaks down and pulsates for the middle eight. And Scabbia's last line? Perfect.

5

"Unchain Utopia" - Epica

 "Unchain Utopia" is the melodic (though still heavy) second single from their masterpiece album The Quantum Enigma. The choir dominates the powerful chorus and Simone Simons' pretty voice takes control of the verses, but in the final chorus, she gets to show off and it sounds incredible: "We won't succumb to your deceiving games / Conquer the insane / Time to free ourselves once more from the ball and chain." Go figure, Epica made another amazing song.

4

"The Mute" - Radical Face

Radical Face is one of the most underrated artists out there, so if you haven't heard his music yet, you need to. If you haven't heard "The Mute" yet, you need to, because it's remarkable. Every time I hear it, I love it a little more. The music video is one of my two favorites this year - and it's homemade by Radical Face and his friends and family. The video truly fits the song, for they're both simple, but they're so well done and oh so indie.

 

3

"Chandelier" - Sia
 Sia has worked on some great pop songs throughout her life, whether she was just writing for other artists, singing with other artists, or producing her own solo material. I'm sure many would agree that "Chandelier" is one of the best songs of the year and one of her personal best tracks. Sia's songwriting ability and vocal ability both shine - because we all know the explosive chorus of this song is NOT easy to sing (seriously, this single should have come with a warning label: Do not try this at home). This is definitely my favorite pop song of 2014. I just let it play and let loose (though not with as much enthusiasm and talent as the girl in the video... her performance was just as amazing).

 

2

"The Rains of Castamere" - Jackie Evancho

Jackie Evancho blew the world away on America's Got Talent with her gorgeous voice, and she did it again with the Game of Thrones cover of "The Rains of Castamere." Fans of both her and the fantasy series were raving over this single when it was released, for it is an extremely impressive cover in ever way, shape, and form. The instrumentation is beautiful, her voice is beautiful... It's an incredible first single that will undoubtedly stand out as one of the best of her career. Rather than show off her higher notes, Evancho shows the world she can hit haunting low notes as her voice has matured even more since her debut.

1

"The Essence of Silence" - Epica
 Lo and behold my favorite single of the year, "The Essence of Silence." This powerhouse is the lead single from The Quantum Enigma and it's utterly flawless. The verses are exemplary of beauty and the beast contrasts as the two vocalists sing every other line, with Simone Simons at her operatic best and Mark Jansen on growls and screams. Heavy riffs fill the song but the band's classical element is definitely still there with strings, choir, and piano making appearances throughout (especially that piano line in the second verse - perfection). I was stunned when I first heard it and I still love it just as much - what an amazing track!

 

 

...and that's a wrap! Let me know what you think of my list and tell me what some of your favorite singles (or just songs in general) were this year - I'd love to know! As usual, I'll be posting a Best Books list and a book-related survey sometime soon.

 

Here are my 2013 music links, if you're interested:

Top 13 Singles of 2013 Countdown

Songs I Excluded in 2013

(I made this Excluded post because there were a lot of fantastic songs in 2013 that I either didn't find in time or forgot about and I wanted to acknowledge them in some way... but I'm never doing this again because you know what I did? I forgot songs to put on it and remembered a month later. FAIL.)



Best Albums for Summertime

I realize that this post is a little late because summer's basically half-over (well... it technically isn't, but my personal definition of summer is June-August), but it's never too late to add new songs to your summer playlist. Here's a list of the albums I think are perfect for summertime in their own unique ways; I always make sure to listen to these during the summer because even though these albums are great any time of the year, their magic is at its climax during the summer months.

If You Leave by Daughter

Genre: Indie

Daughter's melancholy If You Leave brings a lot of summer stillness, like being peacefully alone in the middle of a wheat field - this is what I envision when I listen to the songs from this album. (Ironically, that's what its lyric booklet is filled with pictures of, so apparently the band thought so too.) If You Leave describes a lot of self-reflection and maybe even some recklessness. Overall, it conforms to a somber version of summer.

*My review

Harmonium by Vanessa Carlton

Genre: Piano pop, singer-songwriter

 

As Vanessa Carlton's music always is, Harmonium is a relaxing, piano-led album. I have so much respect for Vanessa Carlton, but I still this is her best work. The laxed feel is perfect for summer. There are some melancholy moments, but her songs are always free-spirited and never too deep. Songs like "White Houses" and "Who's to Say" fit that theme perfectly, but songs like "San Francisco" have a pure ability to cheer someone up. This album also contains a wonderful hidden track, "The Wreckage," and it serves as Harmonium's darkest piece but doesn't break the flow.

 



Origin by Evanescence

Genre: Rock, electronic

 

Before Evanescence signed with Wind-Up records and released their debut album Fallen, the band created Origin, an incredibly well-done demo CD that continues to stun fans. While the band's professionally-recorded material has a heavier rock sound, Origin is the best mesh of rock and electronic music I've ever heard. Sure you can jam to it with songs like "Whisper" and "Lies" but you can also relax and daydream to it. Origin's content is deep and inspirational with a highly nostalgic feel, unlike anything I've ever heard. It's an album that suits both summer nights and hot afternoons.

 

 

 

 

Evanescence by Evanescence

Genre: Rock

 

Evanescence's latest self-titled album also seems to suit the summer months, at least for rock fans. This is their most carefree record to date, which is why it suits summertime so well. It isn't as sad like Fallen and Origin were and it isn't as wildly unique as The Open Door, but Evanescence also isn't entirely lighthearted; it keeps the rock sound grooving in a way that makes it impossible to sit still whilst listening to the album.

*My review

 

 

 

The Fame Monster by Lady Gaga

Genre: Pop

 

I'm just now rediscovering The Fame Monster - even though I've always loved this album, I listened to it A LOT, and then Gaga's next two albums were her best and most creative... So I kind of forgot about how good The Fame Monster really is and how perfect it is to play in the summer. Whether you want "Bad Romance" and "Telephone" for a fun time or "Speechless" and "So Happy I Could Die" for some night alone, The Fame Monster has what you need.

 

*My REALLY OLD review

 

 

 

Born to Die by Lana Del Rey

Genre: Indie

 

Lana Del Rey's debut may not catch your ear at first; it certainly didn't make the best first impression on me. But after you listen to it a few times it'll hit you like a ton of bricks and you'll be listening to it all summer. Born to Die features a weird combination of indie and R&B influences, but it works. When Lana's singing a ballad, her voice is often deep and sad, but if she's singing something more playful like "Off to the Races" her vocals turn unusually childlike.

 

*My confusing review

 

 

Synthetica by Metric

Genre: Alternative, indie

 

Synthetica is another solid combination of rock and electronic music in a perfect indie/alternative blend. It's a very chill album overall. A listener can feel like a badass when hearing songs like "Youth Without Youth" and "Synthetica," but songs like "Artificial Nocturne" and "Nothing but Time" one can just sit outside to tan - or stargaze, for that matter. I absolutely adore this album, and I can't think of a better time to listen to it than summer.

 

*My review

 

 

 

Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd

Genre: Classic rock, psychedelic rock

 

Pink Floyd's experimental and relatable album Dark Side of the Moon is potentially the most loved album of all time, and once someone hears it, they understand why. Dark Side of the Moon has always been a soundtrack to how my summer day progresses. "Breathe" and "Time" are for the beginning of those dog days thick with humidity, any moment of loneliness is summed up by "The Great Gig in the Sky" and "Us and Them," "Money" is for summer fun, and "Eclipse" is for a moment of epic memories. Dark Side of the Moon is the quintessential summer album for me because it has every flavor of summer.

 

 

Enter by Within Temptation

Genre: Symphonic metal, doom metal

 

This pick may seem odd, for Within Temptation's debut Enter is still their heaviest and darkest album to date. But it isn't heavy in a rushing, fast-paced kind of way; Enter takes its time. So despite the heavy instrumentation and prominent growls, I find this album to be quite relaxing. Even apart from the progressive and repetitive song structures, Sharon's voice is so peaceful-sounding and high, and Enter's unique sound makes it one of my favorite albums of all time as well as one of my favorite Within Temptation albums.

 

 

 

Mother Earth by Within Temptation

Genre: Symphonic metal

 

Mother Earth is the follow-up LP to Enter, and already, the band has changed so much. The pace of the songs is much faster than that of Enter, but the songs are more noticeably outdoorsy. So at least that adds up: music + outdoorsy = summer music, am I right? While the title track is a song that's bound to grab attention from the get-go, a lot of these songs went relatively unappreciated by me until I heard them in a live setting. Between the band and the orchestra's full prominence, it's a lot to take in in their studio format.




Alas, I definitely recommend these albums for summer. I noticed that pretty much all the CDs on this list are albums I discovered in the summer, so perhaps that's another reason why I associate them with this season and feel the need to listen to them each year at this time. Do you like any of these albums and listen to them in the summer months? Let me know what's on your summer playlist.

Introducing: Summer Playlist

I love a lot of different music and I'm almost always listening to it. Like other music fanatics, I seem to crave certain music during each season, and summer is typically the most obvious. Sometimes in autumn, winter, or fall, I'll hear a song and think something along the lines of this: "I love this song! I remember listening to it nonstop last summer!" Then, that'll lead me to think of other things I did during that specific summer. But, if I hear such song in the middle of winter, I'm not really happy to hear it. I love all seasons, and I don't really care about summer in the middle of winter; I care about Trans-Siberian Orchestra, snow, and Christmas during that time. I love every season.

So, long story made short, I decided I'd share my list of these songs which I correlate to summer, which you can find right here.

I know I made note of this on the playlist itself, but I really want to stress this: I'm aware that a lot of these songs don't have an obvious correlation to summer, which would make more sense. (Of course, I have to be complicated!) These songs usually remind me of summer because I discovered them in the summer, and that brings more memories of that time.

Nonetheless, I hope you all enjoy the list of songs I've presented this summer. I know I'm excited for more musical discoveries and the general fun that summer brings!

...Plus, I'm hoping that reviews will come more frequently this summer.

I Downloaded Music From Amazon

Yeah, I downloaded music from Amazon's MP_3 shop, and I'm very excited about it. I don't download unless I really don't want to buy the C.D the song's on, so I only do this once in awhile and it is a BIG DEAL for me, especially since these are some of my favorite songs.

Here's what I got:
"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" - Marilyn Manson (4.5/5 stars)
"Ghostflowers" - Otep (4/5 stars)
"Snuff" - Slipknot (5/5 stars)
"The End is the Beginning is the End" - The Smashing Pumpkings (4/5 stars)
"Earth Intruders" - Bjork (4/5 stars)
"Superstar" - Sonic Youth (5/5 stars)
"Hear You Me" - Jimmy Eat World (5/5 stars)
"When I Look At You" - Miley Cyrus (5/5 stars)
"Hallelujah" - Rufus Wainwright (5/5 stars)
"Breathe No More" - Evanescence (the version from Elektra: The Album) (5/5 stars)
"Pagan Poetry" - Bjork (5/5 stars)
"In the Light" - Full Blown Rose (4.5 stars)