Rhye - Open

I wouldn't have known that Rhye was a musical duo rather than one singer but it is true.  Based in LA, the group is comprised of Mike Milosh and Robin Hannibal.  Even more surprising, to my tin ear, was that both are men - I really thought it was a female singer!  Regardless, the song is quite good - simple lyrics that convey meaning so well!!

The group has one studio album to their credit (Woman) that was just released a few months ago.  Though the album was alright, I thought this was truly the only standout song.  I'm hoping their next album demonstrates more of the brilliance shown on this song!

Please see the video below for music and lyrics.



If you like the song, please support the artists and buy their music!!!

Frankmusik - Better Off As Two

I hate to admit it but I am constantly playing this song in the background.  I cannot get it out of my head.  It may sound like something from the Eighties but I really like it.

While the title makes the song sound like a breakup song, I think Frankmusik (or Vincent James Turner, which just does not sound as cool) is saying that rather than trying to become one person, he and the object of the song would be better off celebrating their differences together.  Or something like that.  Or I could just be totally off...'cause how how could this beat really go with breaking up??

I thought Frankmusic would be some techno German group (not really sure why) so I was surprised that Vincent is from England.  He also seems to be a fan of changing his name since he has performed as "Mr. Mouth" as well as "Vincent Did It."  All in all, after seeing his previous choices, Frankmusik doesn't seem so bad.  

All kidding aside, Complete Me (2009) is quite good, with Better Off as Two just being one of many excellent songs.  I am excited about listening to his latest album which was released just a week ago, Between (2013).  

Please see the video below for music and lyrics.

If you like the song, please support the artist and buy his music!!  He needs the money for a new hair style!!

First Aid Kit - I Found a Way

First Aid Kit is a Swedish duo - two sisters which hopefully is the reason I cannot tell the difference between their voices.  Though it could be years of loud music that is the root cause instead...

I Found a Way is from their second album,  The Lion's Roar (2012).  
It's my favorite song from quite a few good ones but I have no idea what it means.  I suppose it means I just haven't found my own way yet. Maybe someone out there can provide an interpretation??

In any case, please see the video below for music and lyrics.




If you like the song, please support the artists and buy their music!!!!

Movie - Elvis and Anabelle (2007)

I had little to no expectations when I started watching this movie but I do like quirky movies - anything movie description that starts off with a pageant queen dropping dead on the stage after winning a title can definitely be labeled quirky.

Quick movie summary:

1. Poor Anabelle is driven to the pageant life by an overly obsessive mother who wants more for her daughter
2. Anabelle wins the very competitive Miss Texas Rose and immediately drops dead wearing the tiara on the runway 
3. Elvis, an unlicensed mortician, who is struggling to maintain the family funeral home while caring for his ailing father, accepts Anabelle's mom's plea to ask his father to make her daughter beautiful one last time for the funeral.
4. Elvis prepares Anabelle for embalming and is overcome by her beauty.  This leads to a kiss and she wakes from death, which starts all of the resulting drama.

I had little to no expectations regarding this movie. Nevertheless, it managed to entertain me, even through some of the more weepy and whiny (woe is me) parts.  Joe Mantegna played the hunch-backed father of Elvis well - amazingly so that I wondered if he was really in the early stages of dementia.  And Mary Steenburgen was excellent as well as Anabelle's mother.  I think the two stole the movie from the actors playing the title parts, Max Minghella (Elvis) and Blake Lively (Anabelle).

Life lessons from this movie: 

• Driving around in a hearse doesn't have to be viewed as creepy.
• Always wear makeup and appear your very best before you get to the mortician's table and maybe a magical kiss will revive you.  

I give this movie three stars out of five.

More movie information can be found on IMDB and you can always buy the movie on Amazon!!!

Beach House - Myth

I love this song by Beach House. I wonder how much of who we are is myth, edges softened as time passes to make the past more accommodating?

Beach House is a duo based in the US on the East Coast with four studio albums to date. Myth is from their latest, Bloom (2012).  Very cool album cover - mesmerizing!!

Please see the video below for music and lyrics.


If you like the song, please support the artist and buy their music!!!!

William Fitzsimmons - Let You Break (Feat. Julia Stone)

William Fitzsimmons is an American artist who is originally from Pittsburgh - it must explain his melancholy (joking!).

 He has five studio albums with several really good songs in each. Though I like his music, much of it sounds similar but for the lyrics. Let You Break is from Gold in the Shadows (2011).  I've included the UK version which features Julia Stone (the American version features Leigh Nash).  Both are excellent but I think Julia's quirky voice adds something extra to the song.

The video below contains music and lyrics.


If you like the song, please support the artist and buy his music!!!!

Chely Wright - That Train

Cool song by country artist Chely Wright. With seven studio albums and several compilation/extended play albums, she has an extensive body of work. I think her last album, Lifted Off the Ground (2010), had a lot more deeper and more contemplative songs than her previous music would show.

Please see the video below for music and lyrics.


If you like the song, please support the artist and buy her music!!

Bic Runga - Music and Light

New Zealand artist Bic Runga is hardly a household name in the US but she's had some really good songs.  Sway from her first album, Drive (1997) was probably her best known song and arguably one of her best.  I like Music and Light a lot as well.  It's really mellow but such a nice message from her fourth studio album, Belle (2011).

Please see the video below for music and lyrics.


If you like the song, please support the artist and buy her music!!!