The other day I was watching some videos on TV, I happened upon O.A.R.’s video for the song “Shattered.” I kept looking, thinking it looked like it was shot with a lensbaby. The video that so looked like a lensbaby really got my attention. I just kept staring and wondering. I kept thinking, “how’d they do that,” until I remembered that the good folks at lensbaby actually do make a video lens. “Ah, but I’ll never know for sure if it were really done with a lensbaby,” I thought, “they’d probably never admit to it. Well, at least, not in public anyway.” A short click to the site (lensbabies.com) revealed that they actually had shot O.A.R.’s video with the ‘baby. Way to go ‘baby (and thanks for admitting in public you bend it like us.)
“Shattered” is not the only thing I’ve been listening to these days. Somebody was kind enough to write in recently and ask what’s been spinning ’round my playlist as of late, so I thought that I would share some of my more recent musical hankerings.
For driving, it always feels like a treat to me when I punch the radio button and happen upon Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida.” It’s a great driving song and I can’t seem to get enough of it, even if it’s from a band that’s becoming a bit too popular and running the risk of being labeled “mainstream.” Kings of Leon’s “Sex on Fire” is also great in the car, though they are much less famous than the Coldplay folks. I’ve already mentioned O.A.R.’s “Shattered,” they are a great band to check out if you’ve somehow managed to miss “Love and Memories.”
Airborne Toxic Event is a must listen these days, so much so that “Sometime Around Midnight” influenced heavily on my first inking of Pixel Fiction. Chances are good that, if I nick something and write about it, I probably liked it in the first place, so you probably could have guessed that song showing up here, but, just in case, it’s now official. I also find myself craving a lot of OneRepublic, still really like “Apologize” and now it’s follow-on “Stop and Stare” has me stopping to listen whenever I possibly can. Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” is also a treat for the ears, if not a bit unconventional. Gee, it’s not like we would actually like anything off-beat and a bit avant-garde here at Carol’s Little World now, would we? (Wink, wink.) The Killers have a new album out and “Human” also gets a lot of listen these days-always love, love, love the Killers.
Rodney Crowell’s “Sex and Gasoline” is another recent find. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “oh crap, she’s gone country!” but I just have to say, give it a chance, it just isn’t so. Really. Rodney has quite the way with words and the new CD is a stand-out, so this one gets a listen in my book. Even if you can’t stand the country all a twanging, he presents an interesting perspective and the songwriting is tight, which I always love. Show me a man who has a way with words and I’ll show you a sexy, talented beast anyday, regardless of genre, so, way to go, Rodney, you’re new work has earned a spot on my “must listen to” list (like, you know, you were so waiting for *that* to make your life complete. Ok, I can take a hint and I’ll shut-up now.)
Rodrigo y Gabriela’s “Diablo Rojo” is a “Red Devil” of a Spanish guitar infused treat for the soul. Talk about passion and technique mating. Phew! And, while they may not be known as the Trail of the Dead, Spoon’s “The Underdog” also gets a listen from my ears. Rumor has it too that they will have a new release, set to drop in early ’09, so be on the lookout for that to come next.
Songs by Vampire Weekend, Calexico, and Gomez round out my recent favorites list as well.
So, there you have it, from my ears to yours, it’s music, baby.
Until next time…
