Music Monday 2.26.07

I've been listening to a lot of great new music lately.  You can see some of those CD's on my left sidebar and I will probably blog on a few of those soon.  But I thought it might be fun this Music Monday to list a few "guilty pleasures" on my iPod/iTunes. 

This sounded like a cool idea to me since a few of my friends think I like weird indie music.  I figured those who like the weird indie music should be equally offended.  Trust me, this isn't easy for me.  But I hope to set the music-humility bar high. :) 

So, here are a few CD's you may not expect me to own and like.  I'll also add a nice list of singles you may not believe I purposefully downloaded and still like.

CD's...

> Garth Brooks (his first five CD's)

At 18 years old I left home and went to Southern IL University, which I believe was the #4 party school in the nation my freshman year according to Playboy.  At SIU I learned to tolerate and even like things I never thought I could like.  One of those things was country music. 

It really started by foolishly (for many reasons) attending keggers with my golf team teammates and enduring Garth's "I've God Friends in Low Places" over and over and over again.  I still can't hear that song without smelling a mixture of spilled Coors Light (ick) and, well, stuff spilled Coors Light soaks into when not sopped. 

My next real connection to Garth was dancing with Molly to "Shameless" at Fred's Dance Barn (which I just learned is now closed).  Yep, put me with the Queen of Hotness and a sappy country remake and I'm hooked.  I really AM shameless!  Go Garth!

MP3's: "The Dance," "Rodeo," "Victim of the Game," "Unanswered Prayers," "Cold Shoulder,"

> Kelly Clarkson: Breakaway

It's not much of a secret to say I have watched and still watch some American Idol.  My wife and kids love it.  But once someone "wins" it's hard for me to keep liking them.  It's very hard for them to break out of the AI stigma, at least for me.

But Clarkson did with Breakaway.  This album is really well done.  It's my wife's soundtrack while working out, and therefore my soundtrack for watching my wife workout.

MP3's: "Walk Away," "Behind These Hazel Eyes"

> James Blunt: Back to Bedlam

This dude has a weird voice, but fantastic pop melodies.  This is the second most played CD in our house.  I don't know what else to say.  I like it!

MP3's: "So Long Jimmy," "High," "No Bravery"

> Gavin Degraw: Chariot

A certain best friend of mine introduced me to Gavin's music and I thought it was great.  It's the most played CD in my house by a mile.  This upbeat pop-rock album by a young NYC artist is really, really good and hasn't grown old on me after a couple of years.

MP3's: "Follow Through," "Belief," "I Don't Want To Be"

Singles...

"What's Left of Me" by Nick Lachey

Man, I'm sorry.  But it's better to admit my problem than get caught in the act of listening!  On top of that, it's redemptive-ish.

"Pieces of Me" By Ashley Simpson

I dunno, it's just catchy.  Sue me.

"Seasons of Love" from the movie Rent

C'mon, sing along with us!  The movie sucked cheese, but me likey the song.

"Cowboy Take Me Away" by The Dixie Chicks

I wanna touch the earth/I wanna break it in my hands/I wanna grow something wild and unruly/I wanna sleep on the hard ground/in the comfort of your arms/on a pillow of bluebonnets/in a blanket made of stars/oh it sounds good to me

Yeah, it sounds good to me too. *single tear*

"Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield

Ugh, I'm cheesy.  Yeah, just another stupid yet catchy song.  I keep listening, though.

Ok, I'm sick of being humble.  Back to real music next week.