Hey Snow White, It's Gonna Be Alright...

Calming down to tons of music... Actually, just found the one song that finally made me calm (Hey Snow White by The New Pornographers). Of course, I should have gone to this band in the first place. They go well with the fake fish tank my dad has activated in the computer room.

As every post states, yes: I should be sleeping. New day at camp tomorrow... All new campers, all new group. Oh gosh, shivers and shakes. I really hope tomorrow goes well.

And now, with the heart quivers finally ceasing, I can focus on something I've been meaning to create...

If you know me well enough to... well, know me, music is an absolute obsession of mine. If it were a chakra, it'd basically be my heart. People bond over it, create it, listen to it... Maybe not with as much intensity or passion as I have, but STILL! And with that, I give you my Top Five Favorite Bands (in no particular order, mind you)...

1) Los Campesinos!: 7 Welsh siblings of delight and joy. They have been described as having a "blog"-writing style, meaning pretty hip and sounding... well, blog-worthy. Their CDs, Hold On Now, Yongster... and We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed (although they say this is not a true second album- they are working on the new one at the moment) received outstanding ratings. I am constantly re-obsessing with these albums every few weeks, and I never cease to find an occasion where a Los Campesinos! song does not comply. They have inspired me from my poetry to songwriting to exercising to dancing to power points in class... Think pop, think witty, think absolutely beautiful. This is the one band I am most excited about seeing in '09 (which was my goal), and it's happening August 22nd :)

2) The New Pornographers: Another group of... 7-8 members that I have been fortunate to witness in concert every year for the past three years! I was introduced to them by the song "Sing Me Spanish Techno" in... oh gosh, 10th grade? I have every CD (Mass Romantic, Electric Version, Twin Cinemas, Challengers), and their quality in concert is just superb... Three of the members have solo projects which are just as impressive (Neko Case, A.C. Newman who goes by Carl in the band, and Destroyer aka Dan Benjar). It is finely constructed indie pop genius at work, and I wouldn't have it any other way (except I wish Dan would tour more often with them...). Out of all my favorite bands, this group is always consistant in my life.

3) Stars: A band that (and I hate to admit it) I overlook sometimes, but are absolutely amazing. I can go through their entire collection in one sitting quite easily and feel as if I've just traveled a lifetime. Reccomendations: "Your Ex-Lover Is Dead" (a gorgeous music video), "Take Me to the Riot" (ahhh, a definite go-to song), "Midnight Coward"... I could go on, it's that ridiculous. I need to see this band- they were in town about three years ago, and I couldn't see them due to not being old enough :( There is so much electronic hips and hops and happenings, but it all feels so... genuine and unpretentious. I can't even decide a go-to album for this band! Oh gosh, and just talking about them makes my obsession with them begin all over again (and this is definitely not a bad thing!) <3

4) Rilo Kiley: This band has probably influenced me the most musically. I aspire towards the perfection that is known as the album More Adventurous (aka the album that got me into the world known as "indie music," as pretentious as that sounds). I can go on and on about any of their songs, and I honestly discover one new element of a song through each listen. "Portions for Foxes" has been a huge favorite of mine, "Love and War 11/11/46" was a self-declared theme song for myself during high school, "Don't Deconstruct" has a trumpet part that is to-die for, "Silver Lining" is lyrically beautiful... Seriously, each album has so many songs that I truly adore (not-as-strong for Under the Blacklight, but still...). Jenny Lewis has grown stronger vocally through each album, which is a lovely progression to observe. Blake Sennett and Pierre de Reeder (guitarist and bassist) both have lovely solo efforts out, but Jenny Lewis is absolutely remarkable (Acid Tongue = a song to die for). Basic point: This band is the basic make-up of my being, pretty much

5) Tegan & Sara: Now, this is where I almost have an argument with myself as to whether or not they are truly Top Five Worthy. I have seen them twice in concert (both times absolutely spectarcular. They are the cutest girls- so funny and always talkative). When I listen to their albums, I get so connected to their songs... Oh yes, they are that good. I sing harmonies to their songs on So Jealous every time I listen to it. Songs to try are "I Know I Know I Know"and "The Con"... oh gosh, I really could name off whole albums even. They seem so thoughtful in their lyrics, and know their oddities... gah, beautiful.

OTHER BANDS: If I could name a million more, I would. Fleet Foxes, Frightened Rabbit, Broken Social Scene, Hey Ocean!, The Hush Sound, Get Back Loretta, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs (especially them), Zwan, Death Cab for Cutie... Ahhh, so much music. But the thing about the Top 5 are that they are in constant rotation (or, at least, in some sort of rotation), and have influenced me with their beautiful albums. AND HEY- I finally did this list :) Soon I'll have my Top 5 Favorite Songs (oh GOSH, this could take a while)... Until then, goodnight!