(This was supposed to be posted yesterday - but in a moment of I-just-got-hit-by-the-Mac-truck-of-exhaustion, I pushed "save draft" instead of "publish". So sorry about that!)
Tuesday is one of my favorite days of the week. It is the day after Monday, first of all. Second of all, it's a little more laid back overall for us - less running around, more actual things accomplished.
Glee is on. (That alone would be worth a favorite day status.) But the main reason?
New books. New music.
Let's just put it this way - Tuesdays at the iTunes store and the bookstore (
Barnes and Nobel for me mostly because of my beloved
nook) are very hard on my self-discipline and wallet. The second one more when the first one is in short supply.
Most of you who know me realize that my love of music is wide and varied. I mean WIDE and varied. I like a little bit of everything. Last night we were at
Applebees (hello, Shrimp and Spinach Salad!) and they were having some sort of alternative universe country night. Brian continued to be shocked and amused as I quizzed Melanie on the "who is singing this song?" game. I don't turn to country music in my normal day to day life, but I find that their voices are very unique and easy to recognize. I think that for over the hour that we were there, I only didn't know one artist. I'm not sure whether to be proud or a little embarrassed by that fact!
Today's new music offerings are a glimpse into my wide and varied love of different genres of music. Here are a few on my wish list, and a few I went ahead and splurged on too, in no particular order.
Sugarland - The Incredible Machine. I have everything they've ever done, for a few different reasons. Number one, I like the style of music that they do - it's "country" - but not annoyingly my-wife-left-me-and-took-the-dog-too country. Jennifer Nettles has one of THE best voices I've ever heard; she has serious control and can turn her voice into any emotion she wants it to be. Plus - she's spunky, got great control, and has so much fun doing her job that it looks like a hobby. I love the tracks "Stuck Like Glue" (although if Melanie gets ahold of this one it could get old fast - she'll overplay it) and "Little Miss". I went ahead and got this one - although not the deluxe version that I wanted to get.
Third Day - Move. This is a band I've seen...gosh...maybe 5 times in concert? Could be more. I've followed them for almost 16 years now, and they just don't change their quality at all - it is always above and beyond what I expect. Mac Powell is the lead singer, and he is just terrific. I saw a show of theirs the day after his wife gave birth to their first daughter, and his joy and expressions and everything about it will be permanently etched in my heart. Their songs are always curious, questioning songs about their day to day thoughts and life, but also so strong and sure about who God is. I admire those qualities. They're just normal guys. I will end up with this album, but I haven't gotten it yet. All of the tracks sound terrific.
JJ Heller - When I'm With You. Another Christian singer/songwriter, and boy do I love her music. My good friend Stacie introduced me to JJ at a retreat one time, and her music continues to follow me around in my head, even as I struggle with how to live out my own faith. This album is no different from the rest, in that it stays true to what she believes. She speaks of relationships with others, her own questioning thoughts, and her awe of who and what God is. I don't own this as of writing time, but it's top on my list to get. I'm not sure it's allowed to have a JJ Heller album out and me not own it.
Glee - Rocky Horror Glee Show. I have this one. I love it. I know that there are people who either love or hate Glee, and it's musical artistry, but I think that the show has put back into the limelight the public school's need for good art and music education and opportunity. Plus, it's just freakin' well done. I have all the Glee stuff. I will continue to have all the Glee stuff - even if I can't watch the show when it airs and I have to catch up with it later. My number 2 show on tv right now (the first being, of course, The Big Bang Theory).
There are other new albums out that I have my eye on, but these are on my "I will own them" list. But here are a few other things that are catching my ear that aren't new, but that are getting a LOT of playtime right now on ye ol iPhone.
Phil Collins - Hits There was a Phil Collin's shaped hole in my library. There no longer is. I love his stuff. This is getting a good amount of air time.
Patty Griffin - A Kiss in Time Patty is a fairly new artist to me, re-introduced to me by my friend Linnie. I could sing every song on this album, and now the rest of her discography is on my "need to purchase" list. Love the song "Rain" best.
Carole King and James Taylor - Live at the Troubadour I love James Taylor. I love Carole King. Carole King and James Taylor TOGETHER? Bliss. Pure bliss.
Fleetwood Mac - The Dance I'm a fan of Fleetwood Mac any day - it seems to go with anything in my opinion. The Dance is getting a lot of play right now for two reasons: it's a live album, and it's one that
Brian and I both can listen to over and over again.
Taylor Swift - Fearless I'm not ashamed to admit it - I'm waiting for the release of her new album in 5 days
Ingrid Michaelson - Everybody (I am listening in mourning because I'm going to miss seeing her in concert tomorrow night. I'm not ready to talk about it yet.)
There are books on my list too - most of them went onto the very cool "wish list" feature on my nook. I'll tell you more about those in a few days.
What music are you listening to, new or old? What's inspiring you these days? I'd love to hear!
Have a very musical
Tuesday! Wednesday!
Oh, and PS - Christmas music is out! :-D It's after September, so I can officially listen (by the CKS ruling of 1993).
