Allein, Allein

Earlier this morning, a friend and I were browsing random European charts and talking about German gangster rap (laughing, mostly), and being generally shocked at the amount of a certain rapper's curse words and such from Germany, when he came across this catchy Dance/Electronica/Synth-pop tune (that isn't rap) called "Allein Allein," which translates to "alone, alone," from the German band Polarkreis 18. The song was no. 1 in Germany, but Katy Perry's "Hot N Cold" beat it to gain the top spot, so it's currently no. 2. in Germany.

The song is mostly in English, and the only words sung in German are the lines "Wir sind allein," which translates, if I'm not mistaken, to "we are alone."
The only other line in German is when the singer sings "allein allein."

It's catchy as hell, and I haven't been able to stop listening to it since he showed me the music video. I especially love the beginning, where the chant of "Allein Allein" and the music build up until the singer starts singing.
here is the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0yyHY56FpU

Winter song

aah winter, such a beautiful time.
Sipping hot cocoa while sitting cozily by the fireplace, snow, and Christmas carols. I don't think there's another time of year that I love more. But at the same time, winter can be an incredibly depressing time for some people. The lack of warmth and light from the sun can make one feel sullen and sad, and the general mood of winter is darker than the rest of the year.

After listening to a few Christmas songs, though, I finally listened to this lovely song from Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson. I was excited to learn earlier this month that they had collaborated on "Winter Song." After I had finally gotten a hold of a copy of the single, I anxiously waited to listen, hoping that it'd sound as good as I had hoped. Not only was it as good as I thought it was going to be, it was better.

Their voices, surprisingly, blend effortlessly together. The song, a tune that is featured on The Hotel Café presents winter songs album, starts off about the dark and morose mood of winter, progresses moods to that of an inspirational one and asks, rhetorically, "Is love alive?"
The music video, as well, is lovely. It's a cute animated video about friendship. (Sara Bareilles is the Brunette, and Ingrid Michaelson is the redhead)
check it out here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUO0gd7cr9o

Roxy Epoxy (and the rebound)

Once upon a time, there was this band.
They were known as The Epoxies.
They played music that could only be explained as punked up New Wave goodness. They were highly underrated. They released two of New Wave's best albums and several EP's on various indie labels.
Sadly, they broke up earlier this year. I, along with many, many of their fans, was incredibly sad that they wouldn't release more music or have their music get the proper attention it deserved.

On the bright side, though, the lead singer, Roxy Epoxy, is releasing a solo record!
And judging from the demos and the songs from the album that she's been rotating on her myspace, it's gonna be fucking rad!

This is what she said in a blog on her myspace about the full length album:
"The artwork and masters are complete and sent. It looks like it will be released in March. We are currently planning a tour for March as well. More info as I get it. K?"
So I, along with a couple of friends and many of her fans, will be looking forward to listening to what she has to offer on her solo album come March. Judging from the label that she has listed in her myspace, and a blog I read about her sending the music there, it seems that she'll be releasing the album through Metropolis records, which is the label that released The Epoxies' ep "My New World." Upon the release of her album, Roxy Epoxy (And the rebound) will start touring California, with added tour dates as it gets closer to the start of the tour.

You can listen to some of the demos and a song from the album (she tends to rotate them, so it won't be the same one all the time) on her myspace here.
You can also check out her blog where she writes about her solo album, life, and everything in between here.

2009 Grammy Nominations, say wha?!

The nominees for the 2009 Grammys were released earlier this month, and it's left more than a few people scratching their heads, saying, "say wha?!"

Lil' Wayne leads the pack with an impressive 8 nominations. Wayne, let's face it, isn't known for having much, if any, great earth shattering music or for having any thought provoking lyrics. He's no Kanye West.
In case you had any doubt, here is a sample of his lyrics: "I'm a young money millionaire...I'm a venereal disease like a menstrual bleed...sister, brother, son, daughter, father, mutha **** a copper...A million here a million there, Sicilian b**** with long hair with coke in her derriere..."
Lyrical genius, no?
I think I'm going to vomit.
It's a sad day in the music industry when you have to resort to nominating Lil' Wayne for a grammy.

You'd think that the music industry was on the precipice of totally collapsing, but that isn't the case. There are still artists and bands out there who are far more talented than the likes of Lil' Wayne and his ilk.

I guess it proves once again that the grammys have turned into nothing more than a popularity contest.
The grammys totally snubbed a couple of artists as well: Taylor Swift and Santogold, to name a few.

On the positive side, though, M.I.A, Coldplay, Adele, OneRepublic, Leona Lewis, Daft Punk, Rufus Wainwright, Kanye West, Death Cab For Cutie, and My Morning Jacket are all nominated in their respective categories.

The full list of nominees can be found here