So The Days Float Through My Eyes

If there's one thing I am certain of myself it's that I wear my music like a mood ring. A tricky thing, really. Does the ring turn the color of the mood you're currently experiencing? Or does your mood change to better match the color of the ring? I'd like to think that we have more control over our emotional state than most people give themselves credit for. If life is a series of choices, then I'm making an active decision to enjoy mine a bit more. I'd very much like to embrace the changes I see are necessary in my life rather than struggle against them. To be the change I want to see. Trust me, it's harder than it sounds.

I think that's why I enjoy this time of year so much. I am so in awe of the seamless transition from Winter's cold and dreary wet to the bright and beautiful Spring. Everything in nature seems to know its place. All of the tiny pieces fall in line behind the scenes to create the bigger picture. It always seems so effortless to me. I'd like my life to be more like that. I'm not expecting the changes to be quite so effortless, but I'd certainly like to facilitate them as best I can. That's where this mix comes from. Facilitating change. Making the mood ring as blue as I can get it. Enjoy.





Shift

(Zshare)

1. "Each day you draw a new line, this is the last time."

2. "It's hard to leave all those moments behind."

3. "Traces of something I long to feel again."

4. "You just can't go back no more."

5. "Past and present -- they don't matter not if you just sort it out."

6. "You cant carry it with you if you want to survive."***

7. "Shake the frame of this house, distress the wood, make it shout."

8. "Let's face this night and see it through."

9. "We are constantly uprooted from them."

10. "I'll tell you everything I know, any little thing I know."

11. "This is what the world is for, making electricity."

12. "Yes, I see you open wounds in everyone I dated."

13. "But something seems to beat in me, I just don't seem the same."

14. "You don’t need eyes to see if someone's got a heart of glass."

15. "This might just buckle under all of the weight."

16. "'Cause we are always trying to be strongest at our weakest points."

(To ensure these tracks play correctly, highlight all tracks in itunes, right click, select "get info" , click the "Options" tab and make sure the box is check for "Gapless playback" and it reads "Yes")


*** a HUGE thank you to Daniel for introducing me to # 6 artist and for making the incredible album art for Shift. You know me all too well.

Covered in Love.

Valentine's day is here again. Meh. It's not my favorite holiday, even when I am part of a pair. But I guess I can stay topical. I've got a few dance diddies to get your heart racing if nothing else tonight will.

Stacy Q. Two of Hearts. I don't know anything else she ever put out. I don't really care. I've loved that song ever since I was a gay youth. Recently it's been covered a couple times recently and I love those just as much.** Enjoy.

The 1st is by Norwegian ElectroPop-Tart Annie. It's got a serious freestyle sound behind the wheel while the vocals remain pretty true to the original. It was originally released as the first single in October from her as yet unreleased album Don't Stop. But the last time I checked up on the album, I didn't see the song on the track list. Hmmm... I've included the single version as well as my favorite remix (Duh!).

Annie - Two of Hearts (MediaFire)

Annie - Two of Hearts (Skatebaards High Energy In The Night Remix) (MediaFire)

The second cover comes from the wonderful Buffetlibre Rewind. If you don't know what that is go do some digging. It's well worth your time! The song is the work of Electric Valentine and Ultraviolet Sound and while I don't know anything about the two groups who've come together to produce this most perfect pop track, I do know that it has been at the very top of my playlist since I downloaded it! The kid in me loves that it doesn't stray too far from the original version, but the grown up in me loves the retrofitted electro sound. Yeah, I just referenced a frosted miniwheats commercial, Jealous?!

Electric Valentine + Ultraviolet Sound - Two of Hearts (MediaFire)

And just in case you don't already have it (For Shame!) the original.

Stacey Q - Two of Hearts (MediaFire)


** it should be noted that Kelly Osbourne covered this song as well. It was not good. I will not be including it.


Check out the artists featured above and buy their music so they can make more!

Annie

Electric Valentine

Ultraviolet Sound

And go check out the full roster over at the Buffetlibre! Do it!

Watch Out Boy, She'll Chew You Up.

Today I blog for a cause. Well sort of. When I heard Neko Case had a new album coming out I was excited. When I learned she was giving away her 1st single for free I was thrilled. When I learned that her label was going to donate $5 to Best Friends Animal Society for every music blog that reposts the single I decided to do my part for I am nothing if not philanthropic. Ok, so I just read that word in a book the other day. I am not alone in my desire to give back apparently. I can't click a link without stumbling on another music blog who is helping out by doing a post on this track. Awesomely donating to charity whilst making sure that your single is EVERYWHERE aside, Neko certainly doesn't dissapoint sound wise. "People Got a Lotta Nerve" is 2:30 of wonderful twangy guitars backing Case's soaring voice. She sings of elephants and killer whales and maneaters. I'm down for it all. Give a listen and check out the link above and the video below to learn more about the charity. Enjoy.

Neko Case - Some People Got a Lotta Nerve (MediaFire)



Visit Neko's Myspace for more info about her album, Middle Cyclone, due out March 3rd

Like Buried Treasure

I can't stop watching this video, I can't stop listening to this song.

iTunes gave this video away for free like a month ago and I didn't bother to watch it after I downloaded. I wish I wasn't dumb! It's exquisite.

Enjoy.

Soon We'll Be Found




From Some People Have Real Problems

Sia - Soon We'll Be Found (MediaFire)

Buy it Here


See More Sia at her Myspace

La Roux Is On Fire!

If Prince's "When Doves Cry" and Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence" had a beautiful, if not coke induced one night stand the result would surely be the 1st single from British newcomer La Roux.


(Tilda Swinton Sings?)


Effortlessly produced and effervescent, "Quicksand" is a brilliant bit of pop perfection from fire haired siren Elly Jackson and producer Ben Langmaid that retains all of the intensity from its parents without all of the weight.

She is currently touring with Lily Allen and has a full length album due out this spring. Until then, load this onto your iPod and push the repeat button.

Enjoy.

La Roux - Quicksand (MediaFire)

and a remix for good measure

La Roux - Quicksand [Chateau Marmont Remix] (MediaFire)

Check out the Music Video


(You are not mistaken, She is indeed leaning on a giant pineapple)


Visit Her Myspace for more.

So Crazy in Love

It funny sometimes the connections that lead you from one place to another. Like the other day I was searching for a remix of "Single Ladies" by Beyoncé (Don't judge me!!!) and ended up discovering a completely unrelated new artist I am exceptionally excited about.




His name is Gavin Castleton and I cannot stop playing his music. I stumbled upon his blog where he had posted a video cover of "Nothing Compares 2 u" and was hooked. I must've watched it 5 times all the way through back to back. And that's something as it clocks in at just over 9 minutes. From there I began to listen to the snippets he had available on his Myspace and now it seems I'm completely obsessed. He has a few albums out now (check out Hospital Hymns, it's gorgeous!!) but I am most interested in his forthcoming endeavor titled Home. His myspace is almost baren, spare a creepy hand rising from the dirt and this :

When your lover tears your heart
clumsily from your chest
and holds it up to your face
you will first wonder "How an I still alive?"
But then you will think,
"I had no idea my heart was that big."
Your friends will tell you to hury up and get over it.
they will prescrive all sorts of bandaids,
exalting the near ad distant future
while you can't see two feet in front of your face.

The truth is, there is no right way to cope
and there is no wrong way to cope...
You just cope.
This music is how Gavin Castleton chose to cope.

"HOME," and album designed to heal heartache.

I'm in!

The bits and pieces I've heard from this album have me salivating at the thought of the outright feast. Ordinarily I would have no problem with searching for an advanced copy to quench my desires but at the artists specific request (as per his blog about the album's leak) I have decided to wait very patiently for it's Friday the 13th release date next month. I was able to track down some downloads made available from him that are completely guilt free and will share those with you now in the hopes that you too will be one of the 1rst in line to purchase Home when it drops.

From Home


This track is bouncy and fun with a retro sound that makes my heart smile!

Gavin Castleton - CoffeeLocks

and although I won't post it for download, Gavin put up this track on his myspace and you have to hear it. I keep the player open all day just to listen over and over again!!! It's called "Sugar in the Sheets" and the time change makes my pulse quicken! I also threw in a couple othe misc. Gavin goodies. GO BUY THIS GUYS STUFF!!!



This next track appears as a b-side on the 1st single released on itunes from Home, it's creepy and the cover has what looks to be zombies and I love it!!!



Gavin Castleton - Since 1968 (The Overclock Orchestra Remix)
Download from RCRDLBL (after the jump)


and finally the aformentioned cover of the Sinéad O'Connor track

Gavin Castleton - Nothing Compares 2 U (MediaFire)


Nothing Compares 2 (Sinead O'Connor cover) from Gavin Castleton on Vimeo.


Visit his Myspace

his blog

buy his stuff, learn some more all here.



ps. Thanks for the tip, Boo-yonce!

Don't Sugar Coat It.

Of all the girls out there who are not afraid to sound really British when they sing, Lil's still my favorite and I'm really excited for her new album.

Here's a tidbit.

Enjoy.

Lily Allen - Fuck You (MediaFire)

Pre order It's Not Me, It's You HERE

Visit Her Myspace For More