IV. Best of the radio: Fall '09.

In my opinion, the radio doesn't have too much to offer and I don't hate the following artists so that's saying something. Let me know the picks for your list!

Beyonce - Every single off of "I am Sasha Fierce" except "Video phone" (even though that video is SO INCREDIBLY HOTT). I just love, love, love her. She's as close to perfect as a celebrity comes these days. Gorgeous, stylish, great dancer, classy, well-spoken, philanthropic, over-all appealing, BEYOND GIFTED vocalist & entrepreneur... who else does that apply to? Anyway, "Diva" had me bouncing, "Halo" had me belting it out, and "Sweet dreams" had me attempting to crump. Ha.

The Fray. Period. Love baldy's voice. If I weren't so lazy/unprofessional, I'd look up his the leadsinger's name, but you get the point.

Taylor Swift - I'm not her BIGGEST fan, but she's an acceptable medium for delivering sugary pop songs with a G-rated message. "You belong with me" is uber-catchy. Keep it coming, Miss Swift.

Iyaz "Replay" - Haven't heard anything else by him, but I am soo into this song. It WILL get stuck in your head for at least 30 min, but it could be worse. Download now.

Chris Brown "I can transform ya" - So what if he slapped a ho in his personal life? His music doesn't sound any less awesome to me!! Lyrics are a little.. OK, a LOT shallow, but it's a step up from "LOL Smiley face" and the joke that is "Baby by me" by 50 cent so i'm not complaining.

I'm forgetting a few. Did I mention I don't listen to the radio often? So, this blog will have to remain skimpy for the time being.

III. My local scene

After living in Central Florida for 20 years, I've had no choice but to take notice of the following artists. Most originate in my homestate, but a select few are from Georgia because I figure, hey, it's close enough. There are hundreds more to add so I'll surely be updating this list. I am not claiming that every single band listed deserves your time and appreciation, though I am only truly opposed to one band on the list (spot the :( ). Anyway, I used asterisks to denote my top picks and have left notes next to some artists you probably should check out!

Under the radar...
Midnight Matinee [GA]* - I love, love, love them! Though young, this Georgian ensemble holds a lot of promise in my eyes. "The Feeling" is totally gripping at first listen and got me hooked a year and a half ago! Leadsinger Patryk McLaughlin's voice has a moody, yet melty-smooth quality to it that is paired with interesting riffs and original breakdowns. Hear at: www.myspace.com/midnightmatineemusic
Easton
Doubting Benefit
Vega Under Fire* - I'm convinced that this adorable Naples-based pop quintet WILL catch a break. They have the looks, the drive, and most importantly the talent. "Catapult" and "Fabricated Air" are the highlights of the Life of the Party EP and great choices for singles. Good going, boys.
Broadway
Polaroid
The Soundtrack [GA]* - Giddy girly goodness! As alluded to in their promo pics, the Soundtrack's music is great for blasting at an all-girl sleepover or something along the likes. Singer Rachael Petit has an amazing voice and a knack for writing cutesy-clever lyrics that pop fans can happily embrace and memorize easily. www.myspace.com/thesoundtrackatl
Select Start
Transmit Now
I See Stars* - Don't know why I love this band, but I do. I'd call them a cross between Breathe Carolina and good music. "Project WakeUp" and "The Common hours" bring something new and fun to the table, mixing dancey synth backtracks with melodic hardcore vox. Oh, and I believe every member of the group is younger than 20 years old.
Amely
Go Radio - Post Mayday Parade, Jason Lancaster started this twangy pop project. It doesn't have a lot of momentum yet, but time will tell if they can eventually make it.
Maisie
Tela Flora*
The Rise of Science [GA]

On the rise...
Black Kids* - Unlike others on this list, BK is making it's way into the indie club scene with their popular single "Not gonna teach your boyfriend how to dance" which has been remixed by the Twelves and Lil Wayne. While I am a fan of their 2008 full-length Partie Traumatic, I wouldn't say it's for everyone.
Oceana
A Day to Remember* - There is not one bad song on their latest album, Homesick. Give tracks 1-12 a listen ASAP!
Hey Monday!
VersaEmerge* - Their old stuff with a guy lead vocalist was heavier, and arguably better. However, current leadsinger Sierra Kusterbeck is adorable and plenty talented, so get to know them! Signed to Fueled by Ramen in late 2008, VE released their self-titled EP this year with a track or two eerily resembling labelmates' Panic! at the Disco's theatrical styling.

You already know...
Between the Trees* - See "II. Current must-listens" blog.
There for Tomorrow
Mayday Parade* - Mayday, oh Mayday. We go back to high school years with "Your song" and "Three cheers for five years" off of Tales Told by Dead Friends. Four years later, I am still a fan of your emo/pop-rock tracks. This band continued to satisfy with their 2007 follow-up A Lesson in Romantics and the revamped single "When I get home, you're so dead".
We the Kings - :( Boys like Girls is already a band, and they have better hair. Thanks for trying, though!
Cartel [GA]
Yellowcard - An old obsession of mine, YC is the first band (excluding NSYNC) that I saw live... and saw multiple times in one year. You've gotta admit a little classic violin blending into a sugary pop song is a pleasant twist. I still smile when I hear anything from the Underdog EP through the Ocean Avenue full-length. Sadly, I cannot defend any of their following releases :(

*My top picks

II. My "must-listens" of the moment

1. TEGAN AND SARA - Perfect (girly) Fall music. The Tiesto mix of "Feel it in my bones" won't leave my head, and I'm OK with that. With a Madonna-style, club-esque feel (not my normal preference) I, myself, am shocked at how much I love this song about lovers growing distant. "Like O, Like H" is another recommendation of mine by the Canadian sisters, off my favorite album of theirs, The Con, released on my birthday (July 24th) of 2007. A huge theme on the CD seems to be facing and overcoming anxiety and loss of a huge crush or first love. So if you're in need of a soundtrack for sadness and heartbreak* that somehow manages to still be lovable and sweet, get your hands on some Tegan and Sara and lock yourself up in a room with a view.
*Btw, things will get better eventually.

2. Dear and the Headlights - I could listen to Ian Metzger's voice from morning-to-night, summer-to-winter, but I truly feel that Autumn best complements their ingenious, melodic debut album "Small Steps, Heavy hooves". My close friends know I am this Phoenix-based bands' biggest fan, and now you do too! If you're feeling down and want to wallow, I'd suggest "Paper bag" or "Now it's Over" which boasts "and yes, you really are NO ONE". Blissfully enjoying a wonderful relationship? "Happy in love" and "I Just Do" are perfect for you. For the bitter, biting, and sarcastic "Sweet talk" and "Talk about" are fast-spoken singles that will suffice to make you, well... more bitter.

3. Tela Flora - Now this one's random, retired, and hard to find online, so I'm providing their myspace page with the few songs they released. They are a medium-to-low production quality "myspace band", and the male vocalist is heavily reliant upon autotune to corect his pitchiness, but there is something endearing about this twosome that warms me up inside. Perhaps it's their "behind the music" story. The co-singers in this St. Pete band once dated, have split, and are now pursuing two very different musical ventures (Oceana - Hardcore/Progressive, and The Soundtrack - Bubblegum pop, which I will write more on later). If "fashionismymiddlename" doesn't make you reminiscent of sharing a tireswing with your eighth-grade love, well then, you're not me. http://www.myspace.com/telaflora

4. The album Spain by Between The Trees - "We can tryyy, oh yeah, we can tryyyy" Just trust me, they sing it way better than I do on their newest release with their relatively small-time label, BondedRecords. The Orlando natives have their hometown proud in my opinion (and I guess in that of the several hundred people that sell out the House of Blues Orlando when they headline). The band has downsized in the past year to it's current standing of three original members, Ryan, Jeremy, and Josh. Clearly, i'm a fan of the first single "We can try" and the title track "Spain" is also far from bad. I've only heard a few other songs from the album but i'll say, it sounds extremely promising. Give it a listen: http://www.myspace.com/betweenthetrees

I. Introduction

To be brief, it's a beautiful October Sunday in Orlando, if not surprisingly chilly, but I can't bring myself to step out of my cozy bed. I have no homeward or errands to attend to, so at the suggestion of my boyfriend, I decided to start this blog.

I have ALWAYS been super opinionated about music (lyrics, melodies, live performances, artist development and discovery, etc.) and I don't think I'm an awful writer so we'll see how this goes. I am excited about being able to share some musical findings with people who share my taste, as well as defend my opinions against those who disagree (a healthy little argument never hurt anyone). Ultimately, I would like this to be an interactive, open forum about mostly current pop/indie/dance/pop-punk/acoustic musical genres, as those are my areas of expertise. I will make it a point to listen to any suggested music left in comments, and review it accordingly.

Basically, I want to be the friend you can always talk to about music.

Hopefully you will find something you can relate to, elaborate on, contend, or contribute to in any other way. Just remember - it's all for fun :)