Music Musings Category

Note: I write these events as they happened from my vantage point. My friend Johna can validate the Boulder part of my story as she was there to witness it all. I write this with no judgment of any parties involved and leave the facts up to reader interpretation.   It has taken me almost four months to figure out how to tell the story of my almost interview with the now somewhat infamous DJ duo, The Chainsmokers… I fought with myself about how to best relate the tale. But after allRead More

We all have those days when we don’t feel great about ourselves or are struggling through a rough time. Here’s a colorful playlist to give you the self-esteem boost you deserve!   All About That Bass, Meghan Trainor This body-positive anthem is all about embracing your curves. It’s a really wonderful message, not to mention a great pop song. Preach, Ms. Trainor, preach. Can’t wait to see what this up-and-comer does next!   Beautiful, Carole King There are no lyrics more empowering than, “You’re beautiful as you feel.” Carole King is aRead More

Well, fans of Writtalin, I’m back.  I know you’ve all missed me terribly over these past several months, but I assure you, there is an excellent reason for my absence.  I could blame work or my incessant travels, but there’s really only one acceptable response: I’ve been jamming out 24/7 to the amazing slew of new music 2014 has hurled my way. But Anthony, you ask.  Isn’t there new music all the time?  First of all, don’t interrupt me.  And second of all, yes, but 2014 still puts its olderRead More

If you love music then you probably grew up listening to classic bands like The Beatles and Rolling Stones. We may have lost Jimi, John, Jim, and Janis, but amazingly a lot of the musicians your parents listened to when they were in high school are still touring today. After decades of touring these artists have mastered their craft and can play hours of hits you know the words to, even if you don’t realize it. You need to catch them in concert before you lose your chance.    Read More

A girl power playlist of all these great songs you totally forgot about. Ladies night karaoke anyone? Nasty Girl – Destiny’s Child (2002) This Destiny’s Child jam was overshadowed by the singles “Survivor” and “Bootylicious” off of their third studio album, also titled “Survivor.” It’s a fun, sassy song with catty lyrics like “Shakin’ that thang on that man / Lookin’ all stank and nasty / Swore you look cute girl in them dukes / Booty all out lookin’ trashy.” Damn. This song might not fly if released today considering it’s totally slutRead More

  1. Band of Horses Formed in 2004 in Seattle, Band of Horses is an American rock band that has released four albums. One, Infinite Arms, was Grammy nominated. I came across them on Spotify while listening to Kings of Leon radio. “The Funeral” from their album Everything All The Time struck me in the sense that I could not get enough. My true favorite is “No One’s Gonna Love You” from Cease To Begin. I take the song as a rocky relationship that the singer wants to save. Definitely a band to check out whenRead More

There’s a lot of bad music out there. Granted, people have different tastes and one man’s trash may be another’s treasure. But some songs are such complete and utter shit, such poorly-written nonsense, that most of humanity has come to accept their utter suckitude. I give you ten of the worst songs to ever (dis)grace the airwaves.   #10: “Friday” by Rebecca Black Awww, poor Becca. She was only a 13-year old, naive girl when the High Priest of Shit Music, producer Patrice Wilson (who will make another appearance onRead More

Move over, Top 40. With a track record of running out of singles and swiping my credit card at the jukebox, I am a self-proclaimed aficionado (So far, the only song I’ve ever paid for to be skipped by the bartender has been Tearin’ Up My Heart and it was 10 p.m. in a biker bar so I deserved it). Next time you find yourself up against the jukebox, have a little faith in some of these gems — fingers crossed nobody played an entire Metallica album before you. In that case, leave immediately.Read More

A singer-songwriter known for her cinematic sounds, Lana Del Rey never fails at amazing me. I am the only one of my friends and family who truly loves her and listens to her religiously. I have my reasons:   1. She is so vintage – it’s cool, trust me.   2. Her words are like poetry and they speak truth.   3. Her inspirations are Elvis, Bruce Springsteen, Eminem, Amy Winehouse, Britney Spears and more.   4. She is weird. Weird is fun.   5. She’s from New York (I’mRead More

These 11 bands have released a grand total of zero albums since June 20, 2011. In that time, Ty Segall has released six albums with another around the corner. It’s time to get in the studio and lay down some tracks, guys. Your fans have been waiting long enough!   11. Social Distortion Last Album: Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes, January 18, 2011 Reason for the delay: When you’ve been a band for three full decades, you can take as much time between albums as you damn well please.  Read More

Fed up with waking up and still not being Beyoncé? Well here we present to you 8 tracks that will get you a little closer. Sometimes we all need a little pick-me-up and one of the best ways to do that is to play any one of the tracks, listed below,to give you that little boost and a spring back in your step. It’s the kind of music that will leave you feeling like you can take on the world, you’ll feel empowered and so uplifted that you can take onRead More

Fame is random. Sometimes cream rises to the top, others a well-executed plan brings desired success. Well-deserving artists struggle to gain notoriety while some actively avoid it. Fame will be fleeting if the machine isn’t fed. Lana Del Rey wants to be famous. Every public act she makes speaks this truth. She struggled in the shadows of NYC for several years until talent, timing, and execution created the perfect storm to propel her into the mainstream. Lana has cultivated her fame ever since by blending iconography, controversy, and improved songRead More

I’ve pieced together a few summer jams. New music with a couple of classics. Listen loudly for Tim this 4th.Read More

How many angsty away messages were comprised of the lyrics to these classics? Dust off your Chuck Taylors and get ready to be rocked by some hardcore nostalgia.   The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows – Brand New Brand New reigned the scene after Deja Entendu dropped. “Quiet Things” was the album’s lead single, followed by equally epic “Sic Tansit Gloria…Glory Fades.” Though both fantastic songs, the “Quiet Things” music video was one of the best of its time.       Cute Without the “E” – Taking BackRead More

A while back I wrote “Rappers I’d Totally Kick it with in a Non-Sexual Way,” and in the name of more rapper-inspired lists that no one cares about but me, I’m coming back at ya with my list of rappers with the sexiest voices. Everyone always asks what got little ol’ white me into rap…well this is one of the reasons, albeit a very small one. Just a warning: some of these voices may be NSFW. I recommend having a change of underwear near by. Here we go:   5.Read More