Now that July is here, here's my half-year half list.

5. Panic at the Disco: Pretty. Odd.
This album was surprisingly enjoyable as a whole. While there are not many songs that particularly stick out to me, there are still some precious gems, like Behind the Sea, which features guitarist/songriter Ryan Ross on vocals, and the eccentric closer, Mad as Rabbits.

4. Colin Meloy: Colin Meloy Sings Sam Cooke
Can I even put this here? This is a solo tour exclusive, and it's a shame. It's incredible. When I heard about it, I was pretty skeptical. Sure, he did wonderfully covering Morrissey, but Sam Cooke? I was not so sure.I'm glad that I was won over easily. The first track,Cupid, drew me in immediately, and the brief but lovely EP is an amazing little slice of Meloy's diversity.

3. Ballyhoo!: Cheers!
Addmittedly, I did not even know about this band like 4 months ago or so. But my best friend's brother told me to listen to them, so I did. This reggae rock album is purely wonderful. I don't really have words for it. Just, listen for yourself.

2. Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend
I know, I know. They're the "it" band. This year's Artic Monkeys. But, unlike AM, or The Strokes, I really think there is substance behind the band. People constantly compare this record to Paul Simon's Graceland. But, in all honesty, is that really a terrible thing? I'd much rather a band sound like a musical genius than say, My Chemical Romance. I'd choose VW over bands that make terrible, generic music anyday.
The record is poppy, and catchy, and intricate. Gorgeous string arrangements, afrobeat drums, quirky keyboard riffs, yelping vocals. I think that all sounds like the makings of a truly classic modern record.

1. Death Cab for Cutie: Narrow Stairs
From the atmospheric opening of Bixby Canyon Bridge to the dreamy ending of The Ice is Getting Thinner, there is not one damn thing about this album that I do not like. I'd say I absolutely adore every millimeter of this record, but sometimes the 4 and a half minute long intro to I Will Possess Your Heart drags a bit. But, the rest of the song is beautiful in the creepiest of manners. No Sunlight is a catchy little number about losing optimism, and Cath... is amongst their finest. Talking Bird is a slowly winding path into the slow and slight You Can Do Better Than Me. The grooviness of Your New Twin Sized Bed is mesmerising. Grapevine Fires angelic chorus is one of the most gorgeous harmonies I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. The upbeat pounding of Long Division is a welcome refresher. Pity and Fear's tabla experiment worked out well, providing the band with a lovely little detour from their usual sound. And the slow, sad The Ice is Getting Thinner is one of the best closers in a very long time. All in all, a incredible record from start to finish.


-O

We've not been here in a while.

I guess I haven't had much to write about. The new Death Cab album came out, and it's great. Listen to it any way possible. Trust me on this. I can't wait to see this material performed live.

In Bonnaroo news, in case you weren't aware, David Cross had to cancel. Damn. I was looking forward to standing in line for hours to see him. He was replaced by Louis CK though, so that's cool. He's funny. Just ask Dane Cook. (OHHH!)

I haven't made another Roo mix, I know, but I've been having trouble listening to anything but Narrow Stairs.


-Orange.

It's a bit early still, but technically, it is the season.

2008 Spring Mix
1. The Elected: Fireflies in a Steel Mill (from Daytrotter)
2. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young: Our House
3. Nick Drake: Pink Moon
4. The Flaming Lips: Do You Realize??
5. The Traveling Wilburys: Handle With Care
6. Panic at the Disco: Mad as Rabbits
7. Feist: I Feel It All (Remix)
8. The Good Life: Under a Honey Moon
9. The Grateful Dead: Friend of the Devil
10. Fleetwood Mac: The Chain
11. Fiona Apple: Across the Universe
12. Incubus: Are You In?
13. Iron and Wine: The Devil Never Sleeps
14. Guster: Fa Fa
15. Soul Coughing: Circles
16. Peter Gabriel: Games Without Frontiers
17. The Dandy Warhols: Bohemian Like You
18. Superdrag: Sucked Out

I started on a soft note, went out with a pretty rocking jam, I'd say (at least in comparison), and it flows pretty well, I think. I've been rocking it pretty frequently.

http://www.mediafire.com/?t4zm9du1yyd

Orange.

PS Sorry about there not being a clickable link. The link wasn't showing up when I posted it.

im getting myself in the mood for 'roo

someone asked for this on a community that i watch, so i figured id up it here, too.

i think we had it up once before, but either way, that link has expired.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/li73qv
radiohead, live at bonnaroo, 2006! (i forgot what year they played when i upped it, but i assure you its the correct set.)

hope someone enjoys this. its a huge file though, so beware!!!

~apple.

I've pretty much been a ghost here.

And everywhere else. On a good note, that's allowed me to listen to more new music.

Good: REM "Accelerate", Death Cab "I Will Possess Your Heart"
Okay: Vampire Weekend's self-titled (I definitely understand the Paul Simon Graceland comparison), (suprisingly!)Panic at the Disco "Pretty. Odd".
And lastly, I listened to Bon Iver. I don't really get the hype that's startng to build. Call me crazy. I could not get into it. I tried. :\


-Orange

and now

im swearing off music indefinitely.









just...no.

although i swore off american idol a few years ago, ive been sucked back in this season. i was watching the other night, and jason castro sang leanord cohen's "hallelujah" (most people know this song as covered by one jeff buckley.)




now, the jeff buckley version was released on "grace" which, according to my copy sitting in front of me, was released in 1994. (p.s. what a good fucking year for music!) this was 14 years ago, give or take a few months.

when i opened itunes two nights ago (ironically, to up "grace" to my ipod) i noticed the top-selling singles...number two was "hallelujah" by jeff buckley.


there's something really powerful in that. a tv show that almost wasnt has the ability to bring a song from the attic of indie back to the mainstream 14 years after the song was released. maybe in this is the answer to where the future of music lies.


just a thought.


~apple

THE HOLD STEADY

so, brand new is my favorite band, right? but my current buzz band is, and has been for a few months now, the hold steady.

http://hypem.com/search/the%20hold%20steady%20stay%20positive/1/

joke about jamaca
http://youtube.com/watch?v=CuF2Ao_ZjQc

ask her for some adderall
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FdLD-KB6A_M

lord, im discouraged
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FGh9coUzCaI


as far as ive seen, there isnt a streetdate yet, but im a happy camper just knowing that theres new stuff floating around.

~apple.

in case you havent seen it everywhere else

here is the line-up for this summer's bonnaroo festival.






i cant figure out how to make the whole poster show up. go to www.bonnaroo.com for more info.

i cant wait.

Dear Jack,

The Story of Andrew McMahon has a new trailer. For some reason, blogger won't let me imbed the trailer, so go see it here.

For those of you that don't know (I'm going to go with 99.9% of you, since I'm fairly sure only Apple does know) I have Lupus. I was diagnosed the same time that Andrew got diagnosed with Leukemia. At the time, Something Corporate were one of my favorite bands, and now their spot has only been replaced with Jack's Mannequin. Anyway, reading about Andrew's struggles and his eventual win with his battle helped me a lot with my own. So, Andrew, thank you for all the hope you instilled me with.
Also, buy/go see this (I'm not sure about it's theatrical release), and buy The Glass Passenger with it comes out. Nothing but good will come from that I'm certain.

With much love,
Orange.

im in a sharing mood, watch out!

someone asked for this a few days ago, ive just been too busy/frustrated with mediafire to get this stuff upped, but here it is...
xx=tthxxp://www.mediafire.com/?dxtl9vddtyz
random brand new covers and covers of brand new songs...
including brand new/jesse lacey covering:car (built to spill)am i wrong (love split love)accident prone (jawbreaker)oh comely (nmh)two headed boy pt2 (nmh)web in front (archers of loaf)upward over the mountain (iron & wine)
jesse and kevin devine covering trailer trash (modest mouse)
and straylight run covering play crack the skykevin devine covering jesus christ
please comment when taking. thanks!
(x-posted to indie_exchange)

~apple

After months of speculation and rumor, the Kids are coming back. A well-placed source tells PEOPLE exclusively that New Kids On The Block are indeed getting back together.
The band's Web site, www.nkotb.com, which had been dormant, is now back up and running in anticipation of the official announcement, which the source says will be made in the next few weeks.




from:http://lauhal63.newsvine.com/_news/2008/01/27/1257960-new-kids-on-the-block-stage-comeback-




I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~apple.

loving and leaving:for jen

loving and leaving:for jen.

http://www.mediafire.com/?0mbyx0bx3t2


track listing:

1. cant stand losing you~the police
2. gone for good~the shins
3. not the sun~brand new
4. go away~eisley
5. please come home~dustin kensrue
6. am i wrong~love split love
7. hear you me~jimmy eat world
8. blue in the face~alkaline trio
9. you wont know~brand new
10. if you had a bad time~alkaline trio
11. trapeze swinger~iron & wine
12. naked as we came~iron & wine
13. 23~jimmy eat world
14. upward over the mountian~iron & wine
15. sell my old clothes, im off to heaven~saves the day
16. someday you will be loved~death cab for cutie
17. we will become silhouettes~the postal service
18. exit music (for a film)~radiohead
19. pictures of shorelines~further seems forever
20. smoke~natalie imbruglia
21. settle for a slowdown~dierks bentley
22. dont look back in anger~oasis
23. just until sundown~further seems forever
24. gone~n'sync
25. toolsheds and hottubs~straylight run



i made this for a friend, but thought id post it here, too.

phenoemena~winter 2008 mix

track listing:

1. phenomena~yeah yeah yeahs
2. turn on me~the shins
3. rollerskate skinny~old 97's
4. web in front (archers of loaf cover)~jesse lacey
5. apologize~timbaland
6. at the stars~better than ezra
7. open water~thrice
8. emily jean stock~clap your hands say yeah
9. just live heaven (cure cover)~gatsbys american dream
10.massive nights~the hold steady
11.when i get to 11~the terrible twos
12.handle with care~jenny lewis and the watson twins
13.your love(outfield cover)~midtown
14.it beats 4 u~my morning jacket
15.no one~alicia keys
16.banditos~the refreshments
17.your ex-lover is dead~stars
18.still alone~straylight run
19....slowdance on the inside~taking back sunday
20.say goodbye good~the promise ring


http://www.sendspace.com/file/gd325n


enjoy!!!

~apple

God i wish i could hate you...

Oh, how i miss midtown. Seeing Gabe with his new band all over MTV this week is really making me more angry than seeing someone on MTV should. I hate that he broke up Midtown to create a band that really should have MAYBE existed for one song...the theme to snakes on a plane.

I wanted to badly to see Midtown again...and was given a chance a few years back, but that was yanked out from underneath us because of some reason like a few of the members couldnt get to vintage vinyl or something. i dont remember exactly what the reason was, but i do know that a few weeks later, midtown ceased to exist and cobra starship was all over the place.

i guess this started a back in '03, when gabe was part of the real world/road rules challenge. i remember them being on the beach and gabe coming out from the water to introduce to the cast what the next challenge was going to be. i know that is when a friend of mine (who previously was a HUGE midtown fan and was the person who got me into the band to begin with) decided he could no longer be a fan of the band. he called gabe a sell-out. if only we knew then how right my friend was.

some weeks i get really excited to see bands featured on MTV. others it makes me want to cancel my cable subscription. this week falls to the latter.