Every major country music star will be in attendance of the 43rd annual Country Music Awards. This year’s CMAs will be hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, and will air on ABC. Will you be watching?

This year’s nominees and performers are even bigger than last year’s. I always feel a little out of the loop when I look at these stars and their sales because country music isn’t all that popular in northern California, but the genre is far from dead. In fact, with artists like Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood crossing genre lines between pop and country, I would argue that country music is getting even more popular.

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Glee: The Music

I’m not sure if you’ve been watching Glee. I have. I thought the first episode (originally aired back in May on Fox) was great, and that the show had a lot of potential. I still feel that way—but sometimes the show can be frustrating. Some of the characters aren’t that likeable, some of the plot lines are either too thin or too ridiculous, etc. Jane Lynch is the only person who has been consistent throughout the show so far. Every single thing she says is funny.

To the delight of many viewers, Fox has decided to start releasing the music performed by the cast of Glee in album form (instead of just the singular songs on iTunes).  The songs are all covers of extremely popular music. Volume 1 was released on Tuesday and contains 17 songs from the season so far. From what I heard, Volume 2 will be released sometime next year, after the second half of the show airs. This volume features Broadway superstar Kristin Chenowith, and rumor has it that there will be more stars to take guest spots on the show/albums in the future (Adam Lambert was one rumor…Madonna was another. But who knows?).

Overall I think the album should be pretty good—and also for the price. Right now on Amazon, the whole hard-copy album is selling for $8.99, which is a really good price, in my opinion. It’s worth it for “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Take a Bow,” “Taking Chances,” “No Air,” and “Somebody to Love” alone, in my opinion. Lea Michele is absolutely amazing. I’ve never heard a voice like hers. Actually, it kind of sucks for the rest of the cast because she kind of trumps everybody. But, still, they’re good, too. Check out the album!

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Pink Martini – Splendor in the Grass

I don’t know about you, but I happen to love Pink Martini. (My favorite is “Let’s Never Stop Falling in Love,” in case you were interested.) They are so incredibly diverse in their sounds, styles, and languages—I don’t think you could throw any type of lounge/jazz music at them that they couldn’t execute perfectly.

Splendor in the Grass is no less impressive. Pink Martini combines French, Latin, and classical sounds with their own jazz spin to every song. My favorite off the album is “Ou est ma tete?” What? I like French.

There are 14 new songs on the album, and each one is more fun than the next. That’s not to say that the first song on the album, “Ninna nanna” isn’t fun. How can you go wrong with a title like that? I just mean that there’s something new in every song. Actually, you come full circle by the end because the last song is the reprise of “Ninna nanna.” So, there you go. You get great relaxing music, ballads, foreign languages, smooth vocals, and actual instrumental music (no autotune here!). What more could you ask for?

Check out Splendor in the Grass! I promise, even if you just listen to iTunes or Amazon 30-second previews (though I recommend listening to the entirety of each song), you won’t be disappointed.

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Flight of the Conchords- I Told You I Was Freaky

 

 

The boys are back with thirteen tracks on their new album, I Told You I Was Freaky. After just two seasons on HBO, “The Flight of the Conchords” has been successful with critics and fans alike. It’s incredibly difficult to write songs as it is, but to write comedic songs is in a league of its own. These guys have seemed to perfected this task: their songs are outrageous and hilarious.

 

“Could have said something nice about my profiteroles,” for example, happens to be my favorite line of the entire album, in the song “Hurt Feelings.” My favorite song, though, is “Fashion is Danger.” The music itself sounds like something you could hear at a bar or a club or something, but then you listen to the lyrics…it’s just great. Although, “You Don’t Have to be a Prostitute” is a close second.

 

The album, I Told You I Was Freaky, contains thirteen tracks from the New Zealand duo and ranges from techno beats to soft ballads—however, the lyrics are all equally ridiculous. If you’re in the mood to laugh, check out the album!

 

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Well, it’s that time again. Almost one month to the day until Twilight Saga: New Moon hits the theaters.

 

Twilight: New Moon Soundtrack

 

 

We all know my stance on this series. However, I will be the first to admit how much I like “Decode.” I think it’s a great song (maybe too good for the movie?) and was a smart choice to use as the single off the album. Anyway, the main track for the New Moon soundtrack is “Meet Me on the Equinox.” I’m going to be honest: it isn’t as good as “Decode.” However, it fits the mood of the movie and Death Cab for Cutie is always a solid choice.

 

The rest of the album contains 14 other songs from major artists such as Muse, The Killers, OK Go, Band of Skulls, etc. The compilation of songs was chosen well by whoever put together this album—there is so much teenaged angst that it’s a little hard to handle… but that’s just me. I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what the executives were going for; so, well done, guys. It’s just emo enough to work for the Twilight-lovers.

 

Lucky for us, the New Moon soundtrack has been released a week early (due to high demand, naturally), so you can pick up your copy right now! Have at it!

 

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