What came first, the music or the misery?

So since I have started writing about my adventures with Sloan and throwing in some music now and then, I can tell Sloan is developing an interest in music, among a million other things. She is very curious about things here lately, asking a ton of questions all the time. The ones I can’t answer I usually send her to Kristen (my secret is out now). Here lately she is starting to be quite the actor/singer at the house. A lot of the time she is dancing in her room or in front of us, or putting on a concert in her room (yes she does charge us admission to get in). Did I mention she is a great road manager as well?

With her curiosity, and due to the fact it was plastered everywhere in the world, she asked us about the King of Pop. Well, first question of course, is that a boy or a girl? A valid question for a six year old about MJ. We told her that was indeed a boy, and although we know he looks strange, he is a boy. The next thing was what kind of music. I had to admit I probably haven’t listened to MJ probably since high school or even Junior High. I had to go and do what everyone else did last week, and download some of his music. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with his music, he did earn his nickname as the King of Pop. Of course, Sloan loved it and we have been listening to it off and on this past weekend, while she dances in the living room. (I have to burn her a CD she can listen too)

I guess the biggest part of this, is that I learned that even though I can’t stand pop music, all of it isn’t that bad. (I do still hate the fact that the Jonas Brothers have now been on two Rolling Stone covers.) I went through my phase of listening to pop music when I was young, which it led me to other areas of music after that. There only a few musicians that a world of people can gravitate too, like the Beatles, Elvis, The Rolling Stones, and Michael Jackson. I can remember the Jackson 5 cartoons as a kid, and his “short movie” videos. (Although after watching said videos, I sometimes wonder how I thought that was cool) I guess Sloan taught me something this weekend, don’t be so quick to judge things. I guess a rule of thumb I learned, is you should listen to an album at least seven times, before you pass final judgment. Although you won’t catch me giving the Jonas Brothers or Lady GaGa, seven listens (or one for that matter), but due to Sloan I will at least give it a chance. (Don’t worry, I won’t be getting a tattoo to commemorate MJ’s death)

Music for this week:

Well, I am now going back and forth listening to music that I should have got a while ago, to stuff that just came out. So with that said here are four albums for this week.

Manchester Orchestra- Mean Everything to Nothing
I have had mixed feelings for a while about this band, I really loved their song they released (I’ve Got Friends), but it started getting over played and I started to dislike it. I gave in and got their album, and I like it. There are a few songs I don’t like, but over all not a bad album. Listen too I’ve Got Friends and My friend Marcus.

Iglu and Hartly- & then boom
Well this band is a little different than what I like to listen too. They are a mix between electronic/hip-hop/ and New Wave. I still need to give this one a few more listens to know if I like them or not. It would be great at a house party, not so much in a work environment (still feeling out what people can tolerate). Overall not bad, but needs a few more listens. Listen to In this City and Whatever We Like.

Silversun Pickups- Swoon
This is their second album, and I love it. Their first album Carnavas was great, and I was worried they might not come back as good with the second album, well thank you Silversun Pickups for not letting me down. If you haven’t got their first album, I would grab that one too. Some people say they sound like early Smashing Pumpkins, but I think these Cali guys have their own great sound. Listen to Panic Switch and There’s No Secrets This year.

Santogold- Santogold
Ok this is one of the albums I should have bought, but dragged my feet for, well let’s just say about a year. I gave in to peer pressure and got the album, and I have to say I am not disappointed. Love this album, and regret not getting it earlier, she is a nice new sound that you need to hear sometimes, just to get out of a rut. Listen to L.E.S. Artistes and Lights Out.