Rossotron.com » music

NaBloPoMo’s Over! (Yay!)

Ross — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:13:37 +0000

Well, it seems 30 days of consecutive blogging is enough to kill my sense of creativity (or maybe it was the excessive food and drink of my post-thanksgiving dinner). Either way, at the time that I'm writing this, I have neither the inclination nor the energy to put together a coherent blog post for my last day of NaBloPoMo. And since I'll be in the car for over 8 hours on Sunday driving home from my parents' house, I don't want to leave it to chance that I'll feel up to posting something when I do get home. So here you go – I made it 30 days, technically, but may be shy a few of the quality posts I had hoped to get out during the month of November. I still have plans to write some of them in December, though, so I don't feel like I failed in what I was trying to do this month.

To celebrate, here's a couple of tunes – no special theme or reason behind my choosing these, except that I like them and they're hitting the spot right now.

Soundtrack to Mary

Soul Coughing

Paper Bag

Fiona Apple

Helena (So Long & Goodnight)

My Chemical Romance

The New Kid

Old 97′S

NaBloPoMo 2008!

[NaBloPoMo 2008 - #30/30]

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Guilty Pleasure Tuesday: Roxette

Ross — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:41:45 +0000

I must confess, I have a sweet-spot in my heart for many of the Swedish/Scandinavian pop and rock groups out there. I'm not sure what the attraction is, but even some of the lightweight song out there have ended up in my music collection, and I've even been known to sing along with such "classics" as Ace of Base's "All That She Wants" or any number of ABBA songs. My current obsession in the Swedish arena is with The Sounds, a popular group that unfortunately only has released two albums to date (but more on that in another post).

However, this post is about another favorite Swedish group of mine – Roxette. Even though their songs are sweet and simple, they're fun to listen to and the hooks are not only catchy, but don't get tired after many replays. I'd probably be embarrassed to have my coworkers catch me bopping along to some of their songs, but I'll definitely belt out a melody or two along with vocalist Marie Fredriksson when I'm driving in my car.

Here's a handful of my favorite tracks, off the only album of theirs that I've currently got in .mp3 format, in no particular order:

Roxette

Roxette

Roxette

Roxette

[NaBloPoMo 2008 - #18/30]

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’90s Music Monday: Screaming Trees

Ross — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:05:14 +0000

When I ask people if they recall the Screaming Trees, most folks give me a puzzled look. Some of those with better memories might recall their hit "Nearly Lost You" from the album Sweet Oblivion, which made it big, in part because it was part of the soundtrack to Cameron Crowe's movie Singles.

Nearly Lost You

Screaming Trees

Of course, judging the Screaming Trees by this one hit is akin to judging Elvis Costello by "Veronica" – sure, it gives you some idea of what kind of chops the band has, but in no way can give you the breadth of their talents. I urge you to check out some of Screaming Trees' other albums, as there is some excellent stuff to be found (especially on Uncle Anesthesia). Unfortunately, Sweet Oblivion is the only album I've got in .mp3 format right now, so I'll post a couple other tracks from the album that might help you decide if a little grunge by the Screaming Trees is right for you:

First up – "Winter Song" – a little slower and more mellow, this may be my favorite track on the album:

Winter Song

Screaming Trees

Next, "Troubled Times". When people who really liked "Nearly Lost You" ask for me a recommendation for another track, this is the one I recommend. Very similar in feel to that song, it's also got a little bit of an Alice in Chains type feel to it:

Troubled Times

Screaming Trees

If you liked these, be sure to check out Uncle Anesthesia and Screaming Tree's final album Dust. Or you could follow up by checking out lead singer Mark Lanegan's followup act – (Queens of the Stone Age) or his latest efforts in a duo called The Gutter Twins with former Afghan Whigs vocalist Greg Dulli.

NaBloPoMo 2008!

[NaBloPoMo 2008 - #3.2 / 30]

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V. Thirteen :: Bible Thumper

Ross — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:07:11 +0000

Sodom South Georgia :: V. Thirteen

http://calliopeno…

Previously on the Calliope

Hi Calliope No. 8! Did you miss me?

Well, I noticed a distinct trend in the songs lately, and since everyone knows that Halloween gets all those sinners out there out of their houses and onto the streets, carousing and drinking and praying to some sort of hoodoo voodoo you-know-who, too, I thought we could all do with a bit of bible thumping around here. Welcome our guest preachers today – Solid Gold! Show those sinners a thing or two, fellas!

Bible Thumper

Solid Gold

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Sounds Like: Chris Garneau Covers Elliot Smith

Ross — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 19:42:45 +0000

I'm not sure where I came across this track, but I heard it the other day in my random playlist and was very impressed. I'm a big Elliot Smith fan and although I do enjoy his version more than this one, something about Chris Garneau's performance gives me goosebumps.

Between the Bars

Chris Garneau

Between the Bars

Elliott Smith

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Guilty Pleasure Tuesday: Prozzak

Ross — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:57:19 +0000

Most people wouldn't know Prozzäk if you hit them over the head with a copy of one of the bands' CDs. Prozzäk (now known as Simon and Milo) was a pop music side project by two members of the Canadian band The Philosopher Kings, James McCollum and Jason Levine, conceived as a lighthearted mockery of their own romantic troubles.

The sound is hard to describe – hits of hyper-pop and rock, with a latin/euro dance beat thrown in, all mixed in a blender to a sweet and frothy finish. Definitely not the kind of sound you'd probably have blaring from your car stereo with the windows rolled down. However, these are just a couple of the songs by them that have my toes tapping and bring a smile to my face whenever I hear them.

Sucks to Be You

Prozzäk

Omobolasire

Prozzäk

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Binge

Ross — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:22:15 +0000

Every week, Coolest-Gadgets.com holds a "coolest gadget of the week" contest. All you have to do to enter is vote for one of the featured gadgets, and leave a comment on their contest post. In each week's contest, a randomly selected individual wins a $50 Amazon gift certificate. I only found out about it last Friday, so last week was my first entry into the contest drawings. Imagine my surprise when I found out Monday that I had won the contest!

Today Al from Coolest-Gadgets sent me my Amazon certificate, and I debated what I would spend it on. Even though I could have been practical and bought something useful (in my house, we always need diapers, etc), I figured I'd treat myself to a little something special and decided to pick up some Amazon Mp3 albums that I've had my eye on for a while. I'm only halfway through my certificate and have already picked up some awesome albums

Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
The New Pornographers – Mass Romantic
Frank Black – Frank Black
Mike Doughty – Golden Delicious

I think I'm going to have to take a break from the buying before my ears explode from pure aural joy.

Oh, and in case you're interested, this week's contest is on. Go try your hand at winning your own gift certificate!

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Psycho Killer :: Heropsychodreamer

Ross — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:14:15 +0000

Sex Killer : : Psycho killer – Calliope No.8

http://calliopeno…

Previously on the Calliope

Thank you Calliope No. 8, for letting me share this song!

I always thought Live's album Secret Samadhi got a bit of a bum rap. After Mental Jewelery and the radio play of chart-toppers from Throwing Copper, I know a lot of folks that felt very let-down by Samadhi (although not as much as by Bush's Razorblade Suitcase after their hit Sixteen Stone). But if you give it a chance, there are actually some really interesting/catchy songs on the album. Here's one of my favorites…

Heropsychodreamer

Live

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Get Your Rock On

Ross — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:29:29 +0000

Nothing cheers me up quite like counting down the hours on my last day before a 5-day vacation (it starts tomorrow for me). Except maybe some Nirvana, played on a group of ukuleles.

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain – Smells Like Teen Spirit

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Flyswatter/ice water blues :: Flyswatter

Ross — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:13:00 +0000

‘Lectric Chair Blues : : Flyswatter/ice water blues

http://calliopeno…

Previously on the Calliope

I think this was one of the first Eels tracks I ever heard, and got me interested enough to buy the album it's on. As a bonus (for The Calliope), the lyrics include the words "Ice Water, Flyswatter".

Flyswatter

Eels

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