What An Experience

 

Published:  September 3rd, 2013

Are You Experienced?

By: Jordan Sonnenblick

Feiwel & Friends

ISBN-13:  9781250025647

 

Rich is fifteen and plays guitar. When his girlfriend asks him to perform at protest rally, he jumps at the chance. Unfortunately, the police show up, and so does Rich’s dad. He’s in big trouble. Again. To make matters worse, this happens near the anniversary of his uncle’s death from a drug overdose years ago. Rich’s dad always gets depressed this time of year, but whenever Rich asks questions about his late uncle, his dad shuts down.

Frustrated by his dad’s silence, Rich sneaks into his office and breaks into a locked cabinet that holds his dad’s prized possession: an electric guitar signed by Jimi Hendrix. Before he knows it, Rich is transported to the side of a road in Upstate New York with a beautiful girl bending over him. It will take him a while to realize it’s 1969, he’s at Woodstock, and the girl’s band of friends includes his fifteen-year-old dad and his uncle, who’s still alive. What Rich learns, who he meets, and what he does could change his life forever.

 

Review

 

     Rich is fifteen and loves playing his guitar.  This time is gets him in trouble, when he plays at a rally not realizing it's for the legalization of marijuana and he gets himself arrested.  His Mom and Dad are a lot older that any of his friend's parents and Rich's Dad is especially hard on him, because his brother (Rich's Uncle) died of a drug overdose when they were teenagers.  After a really horrible fight, Rich breaks into his Dad's office and finds a signed guitar from Jimi Hendrix.  When he plays it he's electrocuted and transported to a road in New York.  Picked up by his Dad, his Uncle and his Uncle's girlfriend, Rich goes to Woodstock with them for the concert of a lifetime.  But is there anything that Rich can even do to change the past and prevent a tragic end?  Or will things still happen the exact same way?

     Anyone who reads this blog knows that I have an extremely unholy addiction to books dealing with time travel!  And as someone who is more into folk and 60s rock than any other music (besides 90s pop/rock - it's a weakness!), Woodstock appeals to my inner mellowed-out hippie.  I liked that Jordan started out the book with the flashbacks so we could see how Rich even got to Woodstock and the family dynamic leading up to his decisions.  The relationship between Rich and his Father was especially difficult, because Rich wants to connect with him more than anything.  But he feels like his Dad is living in the past and holding too tightly to the leftover hurt from his brother overdosing.  Rich feels like he's getting smothered as a result.  Further into the book we learn the reasoning for a lot of the life choices and personality traits of Rich's Dad (a major one being his own really fucked up home life and parents), which lets us really understand just how hard it is for him to relax and let Rich make his own mistakes.

     Rich starts off the novel being kind of spoiled and sheltered without realizing it on the level it actually exists on.  The relationships that he builds over the weekend at Woodstock with his Uncle Michael, Willow (Mike's girl) and David (his Dad) were really in depth for being as sudden as they were.  Being picked up naked on the side of the road and thrown into a completely different subculture definitely gives Rich a different perspective.  There are some lighter moments and Rich's inadvertent experience with drugs definitely shakes up the narrative of the book a little bit.  The music is really a major driving force behind the plot though and the meeting with Janis Joplin was pretty cool.  Really the major one though was the life-changing conversations that Rich has with Jimi Hendrix about drugs, life and legacy.  The destruction of heroin use is shown in this book, without being overly graphic.  I liked the revelation about why Mike ended up dead and what he was trying to avoid.  I won't say anything else cause I don't want to give it away, but it made my heart hurt.  All in all, the fantasy elements get a little out of control at times but this was a really well written book that I highly enjoyed.  Definitely interesting to see a teenager get the chance to become best friends with his own Dad when he was a teen.  The conclusion of the book was slightly clichéd but it was a nice ending and made sense for it.  If you're into music, time travel and history (in that order) I'd recommend reading it.  As much as I liked it, the connection I felt wasn't all that personal and that's why the rating is what it is.

 

VERDICT:  3.75/5 Stars

 

*I received an Advanced Reading E-book Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley.  No money or favors were exchanged for this review.  This book was published on September 3rd, 2013.*

HALLOWEEN PLANNING!!! In other words, the entire month of October needs to start being mapped out.....

 

     Confession time!  It's September 1st and I'm already thinking about that day two months from  now, filled with costumes, pumpkins, cider and chilly moonlight.  In case you can't guess from the picture above, Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday (not a particular fan of Christmas, although I do have a fondness for Peter Cottontail and Irontail bunny!) of the year!  I want to do something special for it this year as I haven't managed to since I started my blog about two years ago (this will probably include as giveaway as well, since I skipped over my blogoversary again due to car/money troubles). 

     I think some of the best things about Halloween are the more simple ones, including getting a good creepy thrill.  I don't mean watching slasher 'horror' films or pranking people.  I happen to be referring to the creepy thrills you get from a good, scarily written book.  I also enjoy the crafts and recipes that come along with Halloween.  There are some really cute activities for kids AND adults in regards to this extremely fun holiday.  What I want more than anything is to have a month filled with fun posts leading up to a scarily good giveaway! :)  Something special to celebrate my followers and new things to tickle our fanciful whims. 

     So here is what I need from you guys.  I am going to set up a poll for which book you would prefer to have multiple weekly read-along posts for.  The list will be books I am really wanting to read (maybe a couple I already have) that I think will be fun to read along with.  I also would ADORE suggestions from you all!  If there are crafts, recipes, books or movies that you would like for me to read/review/attempt for your amusement please let me know.  As it is, I will probably actually be using my Pintrest account this month, which I normally rarely go on there.  Keep in mind that I prefer creepy, spine-chilling horror over a gorefest when you're chiming in.  In the meantime, take the time to vote for the read-along and I will be cooking up a good witch's brew of a month for y'all!  Get prepared to have fun and participate as much as you want to - I welcome it with all my black little heart! 

 

***** A quick sidenote, if you would like to donate any creepy prizes for the giveaway (which is basically a blogoversary, holiday and birthday giveaway in one) just contact me through e-mail at: partrick18@yahoo.com  I would love to work with you and have you share the holiday joy with me! :)  I leave you all with this:

 

 







Teen Movie Review #1: Valley Girl (1983)

     Hey guys!  Since it's Friday and i feel like I haven't been updating this blog nearly enough, I decided to throw in a movie review.  I still haven't watched Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters or Jack The Giant Slayer (even though both are sitting on my shelf waiting).  So I'm going back to a favorite of mine, which is what we YA nerds like to call a 'teen' movie! :)  I'm coming up with the criteria for this review kind of on the fly so please bear with me!  Plus it's really early in the morning and almost bedtime for me.  Cause as my friends and family will tell you, I stay up about three or four hours past everyone else's normal bedtimes.  Without Further adieu, here is one of the five (maybe six) Nic Cage movies I can stand at all: Valley Girl.

Title: Valley Girl (1983)

Availability:  DVD, YouTube, Netflix

Reason:  To See Yet Another Star-Crossed Couple Find Love (Old Friends or New Ones)

The Low Down According to IMDB:  

Julie, a girl from the Valley, meets Randy, a punk from the city.  They are from different worlds and find love.  Somehow they need to stay together in spite of her trendy, shallow friends.

My Take On Things: 

Randy and Julie are two teens from different worlds - or at least their zip codes make it seem like that's how it is.  But when they meet its instant attraction.  Can they overcome her snobby friends and expectations of how things are 'supposed to be' or are they doomed from the start?  Also, Julie's hippie parents and douchebag, wannabe ex-boyfriend provide some serious entertainment value along the way.  Plus there is a skeevy subplot about one of Julie's friends, Suzi, competing for the romantic attentions of her friend Skip with her young stepmother.  All in all, about what you'd expect from an 80's film - especially one mostly cribbed off of Romeo and Juliet! 

The Cast:

Nicolas Cage as Randy

This has the distinction of being the only movie in which I ever though Nic Cage was hot.  The chemistry between him and Deborah Foreman is OFF THE CHARTS.  He makes a very convincing punk and yet has an underlying sweetness that lets you know he's just a big ball of fluff inside - even with the leather and crazy hair.  Plus, bonus is that he has hair in this - with no signs of balding.  Ahhh, for the days of youth! :)

Deborah Foreman as Julie

I don't know what happened to her acting career over the years after this movie, but maybe staying out of the spotlight isn't such a bad thing if being in it means you make horrendous movies like some of the ones Cage has been in!  She has such a sweet spark in this movie and her smile is absolutely GORGEOUS.  Yes, the feathered hair is questionable and she does go to the prom with Tommy instead of Randy (which is seriously insane people!).  But Julie also happens to be a teenager and for her age she does a decent job of being true to herself and I wouldn't mind go shopping for an afternoon with her.  Plus, there is always the adorableness of this:

I REST MY CASE.

Michael Bowen as Tommy

His clothing alone and it's preppiness makes it obvious that he's a) A complete douchebag, and b) The enemy in every way.  He's no Hardy Jenns but he plays a good enough sleazebag that you want to punch him in the face.  Plus, apparently someone thinks he's a pretty good actor cause IMDB informs me that he was in Beverly Hills Cop III, seven episodes of LOST, some really random one episode parts on lots of TV shows, and most recently (and notably) was in an episode of Breaking Bad, along with a small role in Django Unchained.  

Elizabeth Daily as Loryn

The most gullible of Julie's friends and is known as the group slut.  Immediately falls into Tommy's web of bullshit after Julie dumps him and allows him to go almost all the way, only stopping short of the one last event.  Watching the movie you can't help but feel bad for her, cause it's obvious that all she wants is desperately to be liked.  The outfits are atrocious and the actions are worse, but the heart's in the right place.  And she went on to be Dottie in Pee Wee's Big Adventure.  After that it was all voice work, most famously Tommy on Rugrats and Buttercup on Powerpuff Girls.  I know, right? :)

Frederic Forrest as Steve Richman (Julie's Dad)

He is absolutely hilarious as one half of a hippie relationship, whose parenting style towards Julie is so out of touch with the times.  The health food store scene when she's 'working' is a really great example of this.  But he's just uncool because he's a Dad.  He still loves her though and is definitely one of the less cookie cutter teen movie parents in existence.  In the picture above he's supposed to be getting the camera for Prom pictures...he's smoking weed instead.  IT beats shining a shotgun I guess!

*I did not spotlight Julie's friend Stacy or Randy's friend Fred, mainly because Fred is somewhat of a clueless creep (even if he is somewhat funny) and Stacey spends all her screen time complaining (and not in a humorous way either).  Neither of them are very interesting characters in my opinion when up against the others in the movie.

Romance Rating Scale:  5/10 (Sweet, with an edge)

There is too much dithering and wishy washy behavior on Julie's behalf while trying to follow the pack for this to be truly swoonworthy.  There are a couple hot makeout sessions, but mostly its just beautiful smiles and angst (the best way to mirror R&J, anyways).

The Soundtrack:  

Not really sure how to grade this, other than on personal enjoyment.  Martha Coolidge definitely has an ear for music and the stuff that's played for Julie and her freinds fits them to a tee.  It's the same for when they're cruising Hollywood on Randy's side of things.  My favorite usage of a song in this though would be Modern English "I Melt With You" being played during the Julie/Randy montage and then the end credits.  It fits the spirit of the movie and the whirlwind, consuming romance that the two become involved in.  Also liked Josie Cotton's "Johnny Are You Queer?" and The Plimsouls "A Million Miles Away."  The whole soundtrack is killer though and deserves a listen.

Recommended Viewing:

If you're in the mood for a sweet romance, some smiles and tears involved, this would be the one for you.  With punk-boy Cage, a pint of your favorite ice cream and comfy pair of PJs this is great Saturday night viewing for a relaxed night in.

Lions, and Tigers and Gargoyles...OH MY!

Expected Publication: September 8th, 2012
Redemption (Hearts of Stone # 1)
By: Veronique Launier
Flux
ISBN-13: 9780738730745

Guillaume: For five hundred years I've existed as a gargoyle. Perched atop an old Montreal church, I've watched idly as humanity wanders by. With the witch Marguerite gone, there is no one left to protect, nothing to care about. I never planned to feel again. But then a girl released me from my stone restraints, allowing me to return as a seventeen-year-old human boy. I must find out all I can about this girl's power . . .

Aude: Getting attacked twice in as many days is strange in itself, but even stranger is the intriguing guy I keep running into. There's something so familiar about him, like a primal drum rhythm from my dreams. But spending time together only raises more questions--about my heritage, a native Mohawk prophecy . . . and an unearthly magic threatening our city...

Review

   Aude, called 'Odd' by her friends, thinks that she is abnormal to begin with.  All she wants is to stay in the background of life, except when she's on stage with her band Lucid Pill.  But then she is attacked twice in one week and her life begins to spiral out of control, shifting her priorities.  It might be important to finally find out who her Father was after all...and maybe puzzle out why she might have a connection to an ancient Mohawk prophecy that seems to fortell the apocalypse.  Guillame was a gargoyle for over five hundred years.  But only for the last seventy have he and his brothers been on top of a church in Montreal, forced to watch the world pass them by.  Once able to shift between human and gargoyle the end of the family line of their charge, witch Margeurite, put an end to that ability.    Marguerite's family had a bargain with Guillame's - protection in exchange for the essence that kept the gragoyles alive.  Then Aude is attacked near their church and chants some words, bringing them to life again.  But without a witch of Margeurite's line to give them essence, the boys will become gragoyles again soon.  Determined to find out why Aude was able to wake them, Guillame insinuates himself into Aude's life to get the answers.  But Aude is hearing tribal drums and having odd encounters that point to her involvement in a prophecy.  The gargoyles aren't the only ones interested in her and it will take some team work to make sure that they all make it out alive - starting with Aude and Guillame trusting each other.  I thought that I had read almost every type of supernatural fiction humanly possible.  Then I saw this book and the word GARGOYLES in the description and flipped out!!!  I was super excited to read something so out of the common way.  Plus, the connection to Mohawk culture completely sold me, because I love anything Native and always have.  Aude is stubborn, a little bit selfish but totally full of heart and love for her Mom and her friends.  Guillame has lived a long life with plenty of mistakes, but he still has something in him that is heroic and redeemable.  My main complaint would be the slow-build, but that is understandable considering it's the first in a series.  I liked the double point-of-view, because it let me see things from Aude AND Guillame's perspectives which fleshed out the story considerably.  The major conflict was with the Terra Cotta Man and it felt resolved too easily, but I can see the makings of a superb villain in Vincent.  It will be interesting to see where Launier goes with it.  The romance wasn't immediate which was a nice change from most YA paranormal books.  The shock of Aude's heritage was pretty interesting as well.  I should have seen it coming but didn't.  I am really excited and highly recommend this for anyone looking for something fresh and original.

VERDICT:  4/5

*I received an Advanced Reading E-book Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book's expected publication date is September 8th, 2012.*

Listen Closely Wednesday # 10

   Hi everyone! As my followers have by now learned, I am passionate about Young Adult books. But I also love many other forms of expression, including music. I truly believe in the quote that is pictured above and as such have decided to create a weekly meme that is dedicated to sharing music that I believe in, music that has touched me, made me laugh/cry or just plain feel something more. Every week, Listen Closely Wednesdays will talk about five songs that have been important to me that week, why they made the list and I will post all pertinent info about the song itself as well. If you wish to do this on your own blog, please credit me. It is something that I would love to share but I do want to be recognized as this having been my own, original idea. On that note, feel free to comment about the things I share with you or about the music that's on your mind at the time. I'd love to hear all about it! Without further adieu, let's kick off this week's Listen Closely Wednesday!

Five Songs That Pay Tribute to Davy Jones

1.  'The Monkees (Theme Song From The Show)' sung by: The Monkees
- This song is available the album "The Best of the Monkees" (2003) but also in many othe places on Amazon, iTunes and the Android Market.  I won't be repeating this spiel because it's the same for the others.

- Reason Behind It:  So, I don't even know how many of my followers even know who Davy Jones is.  But at least they've heard of The Monkees (hopefully).   Davy Jones was the lead singer of the band, which was a sensation in the 60s, selling more records at one point than the Rolling Stones and the Beatles combined.  Plus, they had a T.V. show.  That makes this song more important than you'd think and Davy was a major reason why.

2.  '(I'm Not) Your Steppin' Stone' sung by: The Monkees

- Reason Behind It: This song reminds me somewhat of the Rolling Stones' style and lyrics.  Except for the fact that I can actually STAND listening to The Monkees!  Plus Davy Jones has a great voice, not to be dismissed as simply the lead singer of a boy band.  This song shows his range.

3.  'I'm a Believer' sung by: The Monkees

- Reason Behind It: Who can call themself an American and not have heard this song at least once in their life?  Plus, anyone who has seen Shrek has at least heard Smashmouth's cover of it.  Let me tell you, the original is way better.

4.  'Last Train to Clarksville' sung by: The Monkees

- Reason Behind It: This song really reminds me of The Beatles song, Ticket to Ride.  However, I like that this song is less existential and more down to Earth.  Ther is actually a destination.  Plus the beat it pretty good for this one, even with the 'no-no-no's.  Listen and you'll see what I mean.

5.  'Daydream Believer' sung by: The Monkees

- Reason Behind It:  This song truly brings home that The Monkees were the teen idols of their time.  It makes you believe that Davy Jone is singing straight to you and gives you a taste of what it was like for all the girls who watched him rise to fame in the 60s.  And it's just a beautiful song in general! :)

   That's all for this weeks edition of Listen Closely Wednesdays. I'm honored if you decided to read this post and I would love to hear your thoughts. Happy listening my friends! :)

IN MEMORY OF DAVY JONES

RIP: DECEMBER 30th, 1945 - FEBRUARY 29th, 2012

Listen Closely Wednesday # 9

   Hi everyone! As my followers have by now learned, I am passionate about Young Adult books. But I also love many other forms of expression, including music. I truly believe in the quote that is pictured above and as such have decided to create a weekly meme that is dedicated to sharing music that I believe in, music that has touched me, made me laugh/cry or just plain feel something more. Every week, Listen Closely Wednesdays will talk about five songs that have been important to me that week, why they made the list and I will post all pertinent info about the song itself as well. If you wish to do this on your own blog, please credit me. It is something that I would love to share but I do want to be recognized as this having been my own, original idea. On that note, feel free to comment about the things I share with you or about the music that's on your mind at the time. I'd love to hear all about it! Without further adieu, let's kick off this week's Listen Closely Wednesday!

Five Songs I Think People Should Hear At Least Once

1.  'Santa Monica' sung by: Everclear

- This song is available most notably on the album "Sparkle and Fade" (1995)  I'm sure it is fairly easy to find! :)

- Reason Behind It:  I love Everclear.  Art Alexakis and the rest of the badn are just plain awesome.  The lyrics get into your soul, the music keeps you going all day long and they are so into their performance you can't help but be too.  Everclear is EPIC.

2.  'I'm Only Happy When It Rains' sung by: Garbage

- This song is available most notably on the self-titled album "Garbage" (1995)  Which can be found on iTunes, Amazon and the Android market. 

- Reason Behind It:  Talk about 90s grunge rock and these guys come up in the conversation most likely.  They are great lyrically, forerunners of emo music in my opinion but with more rock and less whine.  Definitely a song everyone should hear at least once.

3.  'Wonderwall' sung by: Oasis

- This song is available most notably on the album "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?" (1995)  This is available on iTunes, Amazon, and the Android Market.  It should also be fairly easy to find other places as well because Oasis is a very popular band of the 90s.

- Reason Behind It: I love this song, it always makes you feel like you're floating.  It also reminds you of all the important people in your life and how empty you'd be without them.  We all need saving sometimes.

4.  'Tubthumping' sung by: Chumbawamba

- This song is available on the album "Tubthumping" (1997), which can be found on Amazon, iTunes, the Android market and in many other places.

- Reason Behind It:  It's one of those really annoying songs that somehow manages to make you sing along and know all of the words.  You never happen to forget the words, even though you should really only be drunk when singing this song (it's the only real excuse for it).  That's all the explanation needed.

5.  'Say It Ain't So' sung by: Weezer

- This song is available on the album self-entitled "Weezer" (1994), which can be found on iTunes, Amazon, the Android market and many other places were music is sold.

- Reason Behind It:  Until recently I associated this song very strongly with the 90s, but had no idea that Weezer was the band that sang it.  That's how Weezer is, they sneak into your everyday listening until Rivers Cuomo writes the soundtrack to your life.  That's why everyone shoudl hear this song at least once.



   That's all for this weeks edition of Listen Closely Wednesdays. I'm honored if you decided to read this post and I would love to hear your thoughts. Happy listening my friends! :)

Listen Closely Wednesdays # 8

   Hi everyone! As my followers have by now learned, I am passionate about Young Adult books. But I also love many other forms of expression, including music. I truly believe in the quote that is pictured above and as such have decided to create a weekly meme that is dedicated to sharing music that I believe in, music that has touched me, made me laugh/cry or just plain feel something more. Every week, Listen Closely Wednesdays will talk about five songs that have been important to me that week, why they made the list and I will post all pertinent info about the song itself as well. If you wish to do this on your own blog, please credit me. It is something that I would love to share but I do want to be recognized as this having been my own, original idea. On that note, feel free to comment about the things I share with you or about the music that's on your mind at the time. I'd love to hear all about it! Without further adieu, let's kick off this week's Listen Closely Wednesday!

Five Songs That Spotlight Buddy Holly (Who Has Been on My Mind This Week)

1.  'That'll Be The Day' sung by: Buddy Holly
- This is availble in so many places, on so many albums it isn't funny.  The same goes for all four of the other songs, therefore I WILL NOT be repeating this spiel again! :)

- Reason Behind It:  This is one the three Holly songs people are most likely to recognize, even if they are unsure who sings it (the others are 'Peggy Sue' and 'Everyday').  It is a great song and it put Holly and his band The Crickets at the forefront of the beginning of the rock n' roll movement.  Everyone should listen to this at least once.

2.  'Maybe Baby' sung by: Buddy Holly

- Reason Behind It:  This song has such a blatant sense of longing about it but the lyrics are ones that cheer you up (even when causing your heart to ache inside of your chest).  It speaks of rejection but hope for the future.  It's wonderful.

3.  'Not Fade Away'  sung by: Buddy Holly

- Reason Behind It:  I love all the jumps Buddy's voice makes in this song and the way the music complements them instead of overshadowing.  Also, the constancy hinted at in the lyrics is the stuff of dreams.  At least my dreams anyways! :)

4.  'Rave On'  sung by: Buddy Holly

- Reason Behind It:  It's SO freaking catchy!  I love this song's beat and general rhythms, plus the lyrics are just plain fun (maybe not so serious, but not every song has to be).

5.  'True Love Ways'  sung by: Buddy Holly

- Reason Behind It:  The unfairness of life makes me want to cry.  You can tell by this song just how much Holly loved his wife Maria and that he was taken from her so suddenly is cruel.  The day the music died is on my mind when I hear this song, but so is every beautiful the world has ever given me - and that is the wonder of Buddy Holly.

   That's all for this weeks edition of Listen Closely Wednesdays. I'm honored if you decided to read this post and I would love to hear your thoughts. Happy listening my friends! :)

IN MEMORY OF BUDDY HOLLY, THE BIG BOPPER, RITCHIE VALENS, and the pilot, ROGER PETERSON. 

RIP:  FEBRUARY 3rd, 1959 (THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED)

Listen Closely Wenesdays # 7

   Hi everyone! As my followers have by now learned, I am passionate about Young Adult books. But I also love many other forms of expression, including music. I truly believe in the quote that is pictured above and as such have decided to create a weekly meme that is dedicated to sharing music that I believe in, music that has touched me, made me laugh/cry or just plain feel something more. Every week, Listen Closely Wednesdays will talk about five songs that have been important to me that week, why they made the list and I will post all pertinent info about the song itself as well. If you wish to do this on your own blog, please credit me. It is something that I would love to share but I do want to be recognized as this having been my own, original idea. On that note, feel free to comment about the things I share with you or about the music that's on your mind at the time. I'd love to hear all about it! Without further adieu, let's kick off this week's Listen Closely Wednesday!

Five Songs That I Found This Week

1.  'Maybelline' sung by: Chuck Berry
- This song is available just about anywhere because it was Chuck's first single ever and a hit on the charts at a time when rock n' roll was just starting! :)

- Reason Behind It:  Obviously I've heard songs by Chuck Berry before, but I've never gone out of my way to listen to new stuff sung by him.  The only songs I've ever really heard have been in movies or on the radio.  Which is a shame, because this is a pretty great song and the lyrics are RACY for the 50s!

2.  'Change' sung by: The Lightning Seeds
- This song is available most easily on the soundtrack to the film 'Clueless' which is by no means difficult to find.

- Reason Behind It: I've always loved this song and I had never before bothered to know the name or who sings it.  That has thankfully been remedied.  It's a cheerful song, with a nice melody to it.  Just enough of a mid-90s feel to make me adore it.

3.  'Video Games' sung by: Lana Del Ray
- This song is newly available in the U.S., as of yesterday on Lana's debut album "Born to Die" (2012).  Should be easily found in the U.S. and U.K. (she is a British artist). 

- Reason Behind It:  If you don't already know, I'm obsessed with British artists for some unknown (probably subconcious) reason.  Lana Del Ray is deserving of much internation fame.  Her lyrics make me sing along and the music is honestly composed.  Plus, her voice is gorgeous. 

4.  'Ocean Wide' sung by: The Afters
- This song is easily found on YoutTube.  I'm unsure about iTunes or retail outlets as I haven't checked yet at this point.

- Reason Behind It:  There really is no reason other than the fact that I've completely fallen in love with this song.  Do I need any other reason?

5.  'Broken Arrow' sung by: Pixie Lott
- This is available on YouTube and on Amazon.com, if you import the album "Turn It Up Louder" which is not yet available in the U.S.  It is available in the U.K. though.

- Reason Behind It:  I've featured Pixie before because I absolutely love her, but somehow I've never talked about this song before.  This is the first song I ever heard by Pixie Lott and the lyrics make me melt because they are so TRUE.  You can't move on until you fully let go of the past, even if the future looks like it's going to be even more beautiful.

   That's all for this weeks edition of Listen Closely Wednesdays. I'm honored if you decided to read this post and I would love to hear your thoughts. Happy listening my friends! :)

Listen Closely Wednesdays # 6

   Hi everyone! As my followers have by now learned, I am passionate about Young Adult books. But I also love many other forms of expression, including music. I truly believe in the quote that is pictured above and as such have decided to create a weekly meme that is dedicated to sharing music that I believe in, music that has touched me, made me laugh/cry or just plain feel something more. Every week, Listen Closely Wednesdays will talk about five songs that have been important to me that week, why they made the list and I will post all pertinent info about the song itself as well. If you wish to do this on your own blog, please credit me. It is something that I would love to share but I do want to be recognized as this having been my own, original idea. On that note, feel free to comment about the things I share with you or about the music that's on your mind at the time. I'd love to hear all about it! Without further adieu, let's kick off this week's Listen Closely Wednesday!

Five Songs That Took Me Back To The 1990s This Week

1.  'Iris' sung by: The Goo Goo Dolls
- This song is available on the album, "Dizzy Up the Girl" (1998) and can be found on iTunes, Amazon, and many other places. 

- Reason Behind It:  This song is just so ingrained in the 90s for me it isn't funny.  They played this on the radio A LOT when I was a kid and I loved the Goo Goo Dolls then - I still do.  It's just a good song.

2.  'Bitch' sung by: Meredith Brooks
- This song is available on the album, "Blurring The Edges" (1997) and can be found on iTunes, Amazon, and many other outlets that distribute music as digital files or hard copies.  Not a hard song to locate! :)

- Reason Behind It:  This song makes me mellow out, believe it or not.  It also makes me confident in who I am, ready to tell someone to shove it if they don't like me.  I am perfect just the way I am, even if that means I'm full of contradictions.

3.  'One of Us' sung by: Joan Osborne
- This song is available on the album, "Relish" (1995) which can be found on iTunes, Amazon and just about anywhere older music is available for sale (I recently saw it on Salvation Army shelves).

- Reason Behind It:  In the 1990s everyone thought they were SO original and philisophical.  But Joan Osborne is just asking a question people have always asked: what would God be like if he was just another person?  That's the reason you still hear this on the radio occasionally.  Because it's an ages old question we all wonder about.

4.  'I Don't Want To Wait' sung by: Paula Cole
- This song is available on the album, "This Fire" (1996) and can be found on iTunes, Amazon, YouTube and many other places.  Plus, I'm sure many of you recognize it from a certain TV show...

- Reason Behind It:  When I think of the 90s, I inevitably think about Dawson's Creek.  That leads me to this song, which was the theme song for the first year and a half of the song.  When they switched theme songs I WAS PISSED OFF.  This is still the theme to me and they used it on the series finale.  Therefore, it is one of my quintessential 90s songs.

5.  'Sunny Came Home' sung by: Shawn Colvin
- This song is available on the album, "A Few Small Repairs" (1996) and can be found on iTunes, Amazon, YouTube, etc.  It's an easy find! :)

- Reason Behind It:  This song is one that I was obsessed with as a kid.  I got a Walkman for Christmas in 1997 and this is one of the first cassette tapes I owned (this and the Backstreet Boys' first album).  I played this so much you'd think it was the only song in existence.  Plus, I heard it on the radio quite a bit as well.  This song just got into me and I still sing along every time I hear it.

   That's all for this weeks edition of Listen Closely Wednesdays. I'm honored if you decided to read this post and I would love to hear your thoughts. Happy listening my friends! :)

Listen Closely Wednesdays # 5

   Hi everyone! As my followers have by now learned, I am passionate about Young Adult books. But I also love many other forms of expression, including music. I truly believe in the quote that is pictured above and as such have decided to create a weekly meme that is dedicated to sharing music that I believe in, music that has touched me, made me laugh/cry or just plain feel something more. Every week, Listen Closely Wednesdays will talk about five songs that have been important to me that week, why they made the list and I will post all pertinent info about the song itself as well. If you wish to do this on your own blog, please credit me. It is something that I would love to share but I do want to be recognized as this having been my own, original idea. On that note, feel free to comment about the things I share with you or about the music that's on your mind at the time. I'd love to hear all about it! Without further adieu, let's kick off this week's Listen Closely Wednesday!

Five Songs That Have Helped Me Feel Good About Myself and My Life

1.  'Tonight' sung by: Seether
- This song is available on their album "Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray" which was released in 2011.  It should be fairly easy to find! :)

- Reason Behind It:  I LOVE the lyrics of the first verse of this song.  They remind me that I have it a lot better than I think sometimes, when I'm feeling down.  It reminds me to smile and be grateful for the general ease of my life.  My favorite verse:

"I'm not gonna waste this
This opportunity's mine
I'm sick of complaining
About a beautiful life."

Who else is so totally sick of complaining about a beautiful life?  Because it IS beautiful you guys, more than we ever realize.

2.  'Pop! Goes My Heart' sung by: Hugh Grant

- This song is available on the soundtrack to the film "Music and Lyrics."  It's a few years old and easy to find in America at least.  Don't know how the movie did in other countries! :)

- Reason Behind It:  This song makes you sing along, mimicking the ridiculous dance moves from the movie.  The whole idea is for it to mirror an 80s Pop song - the music video is TOTALLY HILARIOUS.  Not even kidding.  The movie is cute but this song is def my favorite part of it! :)

3.  'Manic Monday' sung by: Relient K

- This song is a remake of a Bangles song from the 80s.  It is on an album on American iTunes called "Punk Goes 80s" and I don't think it's particularly widespread.

- Reason Behind It:  I love the original, but this one a has a certain crazed energy to it that makes you want to run around the room, dancing like a crazy person.  Plus, remakes are seldom that great.  This happens to be an exception.  It's worth checking out! :)

4.  'Determinate' sung by: Lemonade Mouth

- This song is a product of a fictional band from a Disney Channel original movie, based on a truly AWESOME YA book of the same name.  It is available on the soundtrack.  Very easy to find! :)

- Reason Behind It:  I love the fact that Disney did not totally wreck the heart of the book.  And the music is so very catchy and danceable it isn't funny.  These kids can actually sing, which is a rarity for Disney Channel stars.  That justifies my love for this song, if nothing else does.

5.  'Wonderman' sung by: Tinie Tempah ft. Ellie Goulding

- This song is available as a single on iTunes and on the album "Disc-Overy" released in 2011.  This is recent and he is a pretty big rapper in Britain I believe, so it shouldn't be hard to find! :)

- Reason Behind It:  I love this song because of the awesome lyrics that are relevant to my world and the great beat/back-up singing by Ellie Goulding (who I am obsessed with)!  It just makes me feel good! :)

   That's all for this weeks edition of Listen Closely Wednesdays. I'm honored if you decided to read this post and I would love to hear your thoughts. Happy listening my friends! :)

Listen Closely Wednesdays # 4

   Hi everyone! As my followers have by now learned, I am passionate about Young Adult books. But I also love many other forms of expression, including music. I truly believe in the quote that is pictured above and as such have decided to create a weekly meme that is dedicated to sharing music that I believe in, music that has touched me, made me laugh/cry or just plain feel something more. Every week, Listen Closely Wednesdays will talk about five songs that have been important to me that week, why they made the list and I will post all pertinent info about the song itself as well. If you wish to do this on your own blog, please credit me. It is something that I would love to share but I do want to be recognized as this having been my own, original idea. On that note, feel free to comment about the things I share with you or about the music that's on your mind at the time. I'd love to hear all about it! Without further adieu, let's kick off this week's Listen Closely Wednesday!


Five Songs That I Discovered This Week For The First Time

1.  'Something More Besides You' sung by: The Cowboy Junkies
- This song is older (1996), so I'd imagine that as long as you're in posession of the band and song names, it should be easy enough to come by! :)

- Reason Behind It:  I don't know what it was about this song, but the melacholy of the score and the pain in the lyrics got to me.  I have a penchant for sad music, oddly enough.  This was no exception, plus the singer's voice is BEAUTIFUL.

2.  'Shake It Out' sung by: Florence & The Machine
- This song is available in many places because the popularity of this band is amazingly widespread (yet another British musical contribution!).

- The Reason Behind It:  I got the band's newest CD for Christmas and only recently began to listen to it closely.  This song has wonderful lyrics and it has such a confessional, churchy feel to the composition of it.  It has a redemptive quality that makes you want to sway along.

3.  'All Mixed Up' sung by: The Red House Painters
- This song is available on American iTunes most notably, as well as other outlets because it's from the 90s.  Therefore no need to pirate it! :p

- The Reason Behind It:  So, I technically didn't just discover it this week, but I did recently find out who sings it.  This made it possible for me to listen to it on a almost permanent loop.  This is because I always associate it with the movie Excess Baggage, which I absolutely LOVE.  Of course, lots of people hate it.  Including the critics but then again, who counts them?  *Laughs maniacally*

4.  'I'm the baby (Gotta love me)' sung by: Kevin Clash a.k.a. Baby Dinosaur

- This song is not available on iTunes, but probably on Amazon.  The music video is also on YouTube! :)

- The Reason Behind It:  Every time I hear the song I think of Baby Dinosaur and it puts a smile on my face no matter what kind of day I'm having.  I recently rediscovered his hilarity (he was a dinosaur version of Stewie from Family Guy!) and love him to pieces - I still have my action figure from when I was little!!!  'Nuff said.

5.  'Push Me To The Floor' sung by: The Parlotones

- This song is available on American iTunes and other places, because this band is either British or Australian (not sure which).

- Reason Behind It:  This song reminds me of how it feels in a relationship sometimes when you feel like you can't live with someone but you can't live without them either.  Plus the music video is hilarious and sad at the same time! :)

   That's all for this weeks edition of Listen Closely Wednesdays. I'm honored if you decided to read this post and I would love to hear your thoughts. Happy listening my friends! :)

Listen Closely Wednesdays (LCW) # 3

  
   Hi everyone! As my followers have by now learned, I am passionate about Young Adult books. But I also love many other forms of expression, including music. I truly believe in the quote that is pictured above and as such have decided to create a weekly meme that is dedicated to sharing music that I believe in, music that has touched me, made me laugh/cry or just plain feel something more. Every week, Listen Closely Wednesdays will talk about five songs that have been important to me that week, why they made the list and I will post all pertinent info about the song itself as well. If you wish to do this on your own blog, please credit me. It is something that I would love to share but I do want to be recognized as this having been my own, original idea. On that note, feel free to comment about the things I share with you or about the music that's on your mind at the time. I'd love to hear all about it! Without further adieu, let's kick off this weeks Listen Closely Wednesday!

Five Songs That Have Been Played Over and Over Again This Week

1.  'Words I Couldn't Say' Sung by: Leighton Meester
- This song is available on the soundtrack for the movie Country Strong, which can be found on iTunes.  Also can be heard on YouTube.

-Reason Behind It: Leighton Meester's normal style of music is dance/pop and this definitely off the beaten track for her.  That said, I love this song.  It's absolutely gorgeous and if you like ballads, you'll enjoy it whether or not you like her other music, or watch her on Gossip Girl.

2.  'Black and Gold' sung by: Ellie Goulding
- This is NOT available legally in the United States as far as I know.  Ellie Goulding is an amazing British artist and you should all listen to this song on YouTube.

-Reason Behind It:  This song is SO CATCHY.  Ellie is awesome to begin with, but the lyrics to this one flow down in a way that makes you want to dance and sing along.  How many technoy-pop songs manage that?

3.  'These Times' sung by: SafetySuit
- This song is available at most places music are sold in the U.S. (not sure about other countries).  SafetySuit's new album finally dropped yesterday! :)

-Reason Behind It:  SafetySuit is a band that does NOT get enough recognition.  They have wonderful lyrics and melodies, with this song being no exception.  For some reason they always make me feel like I'm floating under water.  It's beautiful.

4.  'Happy Days Are Here Again' sung by: Johnny Marvin and Leonard Joy Orchestra

- This song should not be too hard to find, considering it's from the Flapper era (1920s/1930s)!  All you really need are the name of the song and the artist.  I bought it from iTunes.

- Reason Behind It:  Swing/Ragtime/Blues music is awesome.  I love this song because it speaks of a bygone era and with the current economic slump, it fits right in with the times.  I can totally relate to the Great Depression y'all.  I couldn't find an upload of this song, so I just found one of Johnny singing.

5.  'Never Grow Up' sung by: Taylor Swift

-This song is available on the album "Speak Now" pretty much everywhere music is sold in the U.S. and many other countries! :)

- Reason Behind It: I am not as much of a Taylor Swift fan as some people, but I'm not a hater either.  This song has to be my favorite though, because it really captures the pain of growing up and losing the innocence that comes with being little.

   That's all for this weeks edition of Listen Closely Wednesdays. I'm honored if you decided to read this post and I would love to hear your thoughts. Happy listening my friends! :)