what i’m listening to – august 29, 2009.
August 29th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
I’m going to start doing a list of bands I’m listening to every week or so [maybe every other week]. Anyway, this is what I’m listening to heavily, right now.
#1. The Devil Wears Prada – A metalcore band from Ohio. No: Their name has nothing to do with that god-awful movie [nor is it about the book]. I’m not really sure what I can say to sell you on this band…I like them. They have a good name. Prada is a respectable brand and the Devil is a character that pretty much everyone knows about. Oh! I was just reminded why I like them: They have clever song titles. So…get on it. Listen. Go.
#2. My American Heart – A rock band from Sacramento, California. Yeah, I know their name is kind of lame, but they do a cover of 2pac’s song “California Love” [which is the main reason I like them] but I downloaded their albums [The Meaning In Makeup and Hiding Inside the Horrible Weather] and they were both pretty good.
#3. Emmure – A hardcore band from New Fairfield, Connecticut [Which is odd because when I think hardcore...I certainly don't think Connecticut]. I just downloaded Goodbye To The Gallows and I’m pretty pleased with it. They are sort of…really hardcore so if you don’t like a lot of abrasive screaming [sprinkled with some pretty nice vocals from time to time], you should probably avoid them like the plague [or be a good listener and ease them in to your ears...excuse the sexual innuendo].
#4. Mayday Parade – A perfect [alternative] band from Tallahassee, Florida. New album due in October. Everyone needs to listen to them. The only people who don’t like Mayday Parade, are Nazis and terrorists. Ronald Reagan hates both of them almost as much as he hates Communists. So honor President Reagan by liking them too.
evening trips to the beach are the best.
That’s about all. I’m headed to the beach. Later days.
Cody.
My next post…
Will hopefully be the real debut of my new author on the site. Get excited…hopefully a fresh look at some interesting music. If not the debut…I’ll probably just ramble about other stuff instead. I’m feeling the need for a rant soon.
upcoming albums.
August 28th, 2009 § 1 Comment
2009 is finally winding down and the next few months look promising as far as albums go. I’m going to tell you a few that I’m excited about and hopefully you’ll get excited about them too.
#1. Mayday Parade – There aren’t really words to describe how excited I am about this album. As most of you know, Mayday Parade is probably my favorite band [followed closely by Death Cab for Cutie and Mae]. The album is titled Anywhere But Here and is going to be released on October 6th. Two songs: “The Silence” and “Anywhere But Here” are available to stream on Mayday’s MySpace and “The Silence” is available for purchase through iTunes.
#2. Say Anything – Say Anything is a fun band, with songs like “Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too” and “Every Man Has A Molly”, you can’t help but like these guys. Well, get prepared to like them even more [again?]. Their new album, titled Say Anything is due for release on October 16th. According to the band’s MySpace, the album will have 13 tracks, including: “Mara and Me”, “Death for My Birthday”, “Do Better”, “Crush’d”, and “Hate Everyone” [which was released for purchase on iTunes or streaming on MySpace]. Get pumped because I have a good feeling about this record.
#3. Jay-Z – Jay-Z Is my favorite rapper of all time [I feel like I've said this before] and it just so happens that he isn’t in retirement anymore [although I feel like he never really went in to retirement]. It was announced recently that he will be leaving Def Jam and has signed with Live Nation [I worked for them!] to release his new album The Blueprint 3. The album has a sort of…odd release date: September 11, 2009. I’m really stoked for this album. ["Run This Town" has a pretty sweet music video, watch it on Jay-Z's website].
#4. Boys Like Girls – Since releasing their debut album in 2006 [which has had pretty decent success], I haven’t heard much from/about Boys Like Girls. Then I heard their new single “Love Drunk” on the radio this morning and was like “Holy ____ this is good!” So I did a bit o’ research when I got home and discovered their new album, Love Drunk, is going to be released in a little over a week [September 8th]. The album features Taylor Swift [for better or worse] in case any of you are in that sort of thing. Hear some tracks from the new album on their MySpace or buy some singles on iTunes.
#5. Brand New – Brand New is one of the only bands that has an album that I can listen to from start to finish. I’m really hoping their new album, titled Daisy, has the same gripping quality that hasn’t been seen from them in years. The album will be released on Sept. 22nd [my dad's birthday!]. If you’d like a taste of things to come, go stream the first single “At the Bottom” on their MySpace or buy it off iTunes.
Well that’s all I am really excited for, but that is only within the next two months. Listen. Enjoy.
Cody.
My next post…
I want my next post to be a suggestion from one of you. Please-Please-Please email me suggestions.
yoklookie@gmail.com
cjkloock@vwc.edu
shockhound.com for the win.
August 27th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
So I’m in Scranton, Pa. right? And I go to Hot Topic because I figure “Maybe they’ll have a nice Death Cab for Cute shirt or a sweet Secret & Whisper jacket that the one in Virginia Beach doesn’t have.” Well, Hot Topic is different everywhere you go because they did, in fact, have a nice Death Cab shirt, but unfortunately…my fat self can’t fit in to a Large (surprise?).
So the sales guy sees that I’m bummed and offers a remedy to my failed clothing adventure. That remedy, ladies and gentlemen, is Shockhound. Shockhound is a digital media extravaganza brought to us by the fine folks at Hot Topic.
Released in 2008, Shockhound is sort of like if Amazon.com, Facebook, and Hot Topic had a baby. It has the simplest pieces of Facebook (you can have friends and comment things and have photos), the best parts of Amazon (like a search engine and the capability to buy things without leaving the security of your home), all topped off with the faux satanic wonder of Hot Topic.
So basically what you do is you create an account and you can begin buying things and making friends who like the same music as you do. (It’s almost like PureVolume but it isn’t supersaturated with people who thing their crappy band is better than legitimate bands).
Why Shockhound Matters To Me
I’ve been looking for months for a way to make some type of revenue from this website, and since I can’t figure out how to advertise on WordPress, this is the next best thing. I’m in the process of setting up a store through Shockhound where you fine folks can purchase music, band merchandise, etc. through my store.
So what I’m asking is that next time you buy music (if you buy music) or the next time you want a shirt from your favorite band (because everyone likes supporting their favorite band), consider buying it through me. If I don’t have the merchandise you’re looking for, email me and I’ll add it. I don’t make a lot of money off of commissions (like 5%, which off of a $20 purchase is $1) but every little bit helps.
My store will be up at the beginning of next week (hopefully).
Cody.
My next post…
I’m not actually sure. Is there a band you want me to talk about? A band I should know about? Music you’d like to see on the “iPod suggestions”? Email me your suggestions or leave a comment in the box below.
songs you should have on your iPod – august 26, 2009.
August 26th, 2009 § 1 Comment
Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I just got back to Wesleyan and I’ve been trying to get my routine set and I finally have some time to write.
Here is this week’s picks.
#1. “About A Girl” by The Academy Is… off of Fast Times at Barrington High. I really like The Academy Is and I just picked up their two most recent albums (FTABH and Santi) and I’m pretty pleased with them. This song just makes me feel good for some reason. I think it reminds me of myself a little bit or atleast who I used to be, but I’m not entirely sure. —> Download!
#2. “Hold Me Down” by Motion City Soundtrack off of Commit This To Memory. I saw Motion City Soundtrack at Warped Tour back in 2006 and they were wonderful. I sang this song for an audition and I’ve loved it since I heard it. It has always kind of spoke to me. You know, the way some songs just mean a lot to you the second you hear them? Well that’s how this song is for me. —> Download!
#3. “Summersong” by The Decemberists off of The Crane Wife. The Decemberists are the epitome of folk/indie band. I love that their songs always have interesting stories behind them (their new album, The Hazards of Love is one big story). “Summersong” has good instrumentals behind the vocals (which are also wonderful). —> Download!
#4. “Papercuts” by Gym Class Heroes off of The Papercut Chronicles. This is the first song I ever heard by GCH and I really like it. It’s also always kind of made sense to me, I can kind of relate to it. —> Download!
#5. “The Writhing South” by Say Anything off of …Is a Real Boy. Say Anything fantastic as a band. …Is A Real Boy is probably my favorite album from them (though a new one is due for release this year). I think you’ll like this song, even if you don’t necessarily like the South (it has nothing to do with the actual South…that I can grasp atleast). —> Download!
#6. “Public Service Announcement (Interlude)” by Jay-Z off of The Black Album. I know this song is just an interlude, but this is pretty much my favorite track from this album. Jay-Z is my favorite rapper ever. Hands down. No questions asked. —> Download!
#7. “Safe To Say” by Vanna off of A New Hope. I got turned on to Vanna by my girlfriend and I really like them. (I’ve been getting in to a lot of hardcore music lately). Anyway, A New Hope is the best album by them in my opinion. (if you disagree, leave me feedback.) —> Download!
#8 and #9. “Hot Water On Wool” & “Hot Water On Wool (Reprise)” by Dance Gavin Dance off of Dance Gavin Dance. This is one of their better songs and as to not leave you wondering how the song ends, I posted the song AND the reprise. You’re welcome.
Song —> Download!
Reprise —> Download!
#10. “Me vs. Maradona vs. Elvis” by Brand New off of Deja Entendu. Brand New is another band that Kelly got me interested in. Deja Entendu is an album I can listen to from start to finish without skipping a track. It’s really pretty grand. —> Download!
Well that’s it for this week. Now that I’m in my rhythm for the semester (hopefully), I’ll try to be writing more faithfully. There should be a lot of new things occuring from now on, so look forward to that.
Cody.
My next post…
Learn how you can buy band merchandise…FROM ME! Get excited. 
Shockhound.com
break.
August 10th, 2009 § 3 Comments
Hey everyone. I’m going to Pennsylvania for a week or so and won’t have internet for the first portion of the trip. When I do get internet though, expect me to post something.
I just wanted to make sure you all didn’t think I forgot about you.
Be back soon.
Cody.
ap tour fall ball 09.
August 8th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
Well, I just bought two tickets to the Alternative Press Fall Ball 09…and I’m not going to lie: I’m friggin stoked.
The tour is being co-headlined by Mayday Parade and The Academy Is… and it is also featuring Set Your Goals, The Secret Handshake, and You Me At Six.
So in this post, I’m just going to introduce the bands to you, the reader, and tell you why you should try and go to this.
Mayday Parade – Rather than save the best for last, I’ll start out with the best. (If you haven’t been able to tell over the course of the past few months, I really like Mayday Parade…and that is an understatement). Anyway, Mayday Parade is an alternative band from Tallahassee, Fl. formed in 2005. They have one full length album out right now: A Lesson In Romantics and a new album coming out October 6, 2009: Anywhere But Here. On August 4th, the album’s first single, “The Silence”, was released on iTunes for 99¢ …so go but it? (It’s worth it. I bought it today…and it’s practically perfect. I can’t wait for their new album)
The Academy Is… – The Academy Is…is an alternative band from Chicago, Ill formed in 2003. I really like TAI and I have for years. I saw them at Warped Tour in 2006 and I really enjoyed it. They have three full length albums: Almost Here (2005), Santi (2007), and Fast Times at Barrington High (2008).
Set Your Goals – I just recently discovered Set Your Goals, thanks to my friend Kelly. Set Your Goals is a hardcore band from the San Francisco Bay Area, Ca. I don’t quite know what to make of Set Your Goals…I mean I like them for the most part, but I’m not a big fan of their new album: This Will Be The Death Of Us (2009) and definitely prefer their debut album: Mutiny! (2006) [but that may be for the very fact that the name is much cooler].
The Secret Handshake – I’ve only heard one song by him (I think) and I really enjoyed it: “Summer of ’98″. The Secret Handshake is an electropop (not techno) music project from Dallas, Tex. He (yes, The Secret Handshake is one person) has three full length albums: Antarctica (2004), One Full Year (2007), and My Name Up In Lights (2009).
You Me At Six – …I don’t have any clue who this is at all. I’m not going to sit here and act all elitist about a band that I, frankly, have never even heard of. I am, however, going to go listen to them after I post this. youmeatsix (apparently this is how they are known) is an emo/punk band from Surrey, England. They have one full length album: Take Off Your Colours (2008) [and clearly by the spelling you can conclude that they are indeed English].
Well…I’m definitely going to this (even though I only want to see Mayday Parade and The Academy Is…). I’m really looking forward to Halloween (which is when they play the NorVa! Woop Woop!)
For more information about Fall Ball 09, go to – the website.
Thanks for paying attention.
Cody.
My next post…
Possibly debuting a new author to the blog?? Or I’m possibly going to talk about how great Say Anything is (the band not the movie)…although I do like John Cusack. Maybe I’ll talk about both…
