My Favorite 4 Minutes of Music This Week- July 6th

So with my love of music, I've decided that I want to start a recurring set of posts called "My Favorite 4 Minutes of Music This Week".  It will be my opportunity to share with you what I'm currently listening to... whether that is a new tune, or maybe a throwback.

For this week, I'd like to feature the new song King of Anything by Sara Bareilles. 

Now... I'm usually not one of those people who boast about music artists with lines like "I knew them before anyone else did!"  In fact, one of my favorite tshirts from threadless.com is this ------>

I like this shirt because it makes fun of all those uber chic hipsters that think they are so ahead of the music curve. But I do have to admit... that with Sara Bareilles, I obtained her first hit Love Song when it was the "Free Download of the Week" on iTunes.  After listening, I immediately bought the whole album.  Then about 6 months later, Love Song hit radio airwaves and then other people started to love this artist that I already loved so dearly.  I saw her open for Maroon 5 and actually got to meet her and get her autograph at the show.  She was so sweet and nice, which made me like her even more.

Now Sara is back with a brand new album, and King of Anything is the lead-off single.  All it took was one listen and I am hooked on Sara again.  This song has the perfect combination of staying true to herself as an artist (and what we know of her), but bringing just a little bit more to the table.  It starts with a simple piano melody and her vocals... and as the song builds she adds percussion and brass instruments (and some infectious hand claps).  By the second stanza the song really has a great pop rhythm and beat going that even makes me want to dance a bit.  It just makes me happy! 

The lyrics of the song are great too!  She's telling a great story about a guy who seems to think he's all that and a bag a chips.  But Sara is realizing that she doesn't have to listen to everything he says... and really, who is he to seem any better than anyone else?  I particularly love the line "All my life, I've tried to make everybody happy... while I just hurt and hide.  Waiting for someone to tell me that it's my turn to decide".  I think a lot of people can relate to this!  Whether its a boss, a parent, or a significant other... everyone probably has a "King of Anything" in their lives... and really... we just need to be confident in ourselves and overcome that person! 

The video is cute too.  Creative... and we get to see her have a little bit of fun.  I think people may have a preconceived notion that she is such a serious artist... so its nice to see her dancing around and having fun in the video. 

So check it out!  I was pleasantly happy to find that the song is in the top 30 of iTunes downloads right now.  I hope that it gets some radio airplay and that she can have a great first single leading into her new album.  Personally I can't wait. 

Here's the video.  Enjoy!

"....and we're back!"

So let's try this again... 

If you read the last post on this blog, you'll notice that I had high hopes of starting a blog once I moved out to California.  Well its been almost two years later, and we can see how well that worked out. 

But... when you are inspired, you gotta run with it.  One of my most favoritest people on this planet, Ms. Candice Fortman,  has started a blog (check her out at Confessions of a Candegirl) and reading her first posts tonight made me want to get back in the game.  Sure I do my American Idol blog... but I kinda want something more comprehensive...

Something where I can share a favorite new song or artist I've found.
Something where I can vent about my frustration with a reality TV elimination.
Something where I can get on my soap box and rant about a celebrity gossip topic.
Something where I can write a review about a new board game. 
Something where I can post links to YouTube videos that make me laugh. 
Something where I can recap a super cool event or activity that I've done in my life. 
Something where I can have a creative outlet!  Lord knows... I need it. 

Because let's face it... Twitter's 140 characters are sometimes not enough.

New blog!

I've got a new blog!!! YAY! Some of you may remember that when I went to Nashville back in 2003 I started a blog to keep in touch with my friends and family back home. With another long distance relocation happening, the thought once again came to me... but then over the last week or so as I've been wrapping up things in Michigan, several people have said "you should blog about your journey!". That was all the encouragement I needed. :-)

So here it is... Maybe (just maybe...) I'll actually remember to keep this up. I know I've tried bloggig on myspace and what not and I was always horrible with keeping on top of it. I will do my best to stay with it this time!

Happy reading!