Music Monday : 10 songs about love

For Music Monday I'm doing a little something different to celebrate Feb. 14th. I'm sharing 10 love centered songs that I really like -- some you may have heard, some maybe not...( in no particular order).



1. Adele's cover of 'Make You Feel My Love' gives me the chills. Her voice is incredible. (above)
2. Be My Man: Love ASA's modern yet classic sounding voice and the quirky dancers in the video.
3. Home : beware... this song gets really, really stuck in your head!
4. Addicted to Love cover : I heart Florence & the Machine.
5. Inside Out : Holy cow this song/cover is amazing live!
6. Had to throw this one in, haha.
7. A classic : go guitar fingers, go.
8. No words to describe this guy and song...no words, one of my ultimate favs.
9. Real Love : Again, another great live performance.
10. This has remained one of my favorite love songs, I sang it to my husband on our wedding day, I can't believe we are coming up on ten years in a few months, wow-wee!

What about your favorite songs about love... Shout 'em out!

Happy Music Monday!

Music Monday : Oh Land

The adorable Kelsey sent me over a gem of a band that I've never heard of before that is perfect for Music Monday today! Have you listened to Oh Land? The Danish singer Nanna Øland Fabricius is super creative and on her website it says she grew up in a incredibly stimulating envoirnment with an almost 'circus-like' upbringing with an opera singer for a mother and a theater organist for a father.

She is a trained ballet dancer and her performance style is 'a soundscape of dreams'. She is enchanting and has a unique and eclectic style that is refreshing, I want to hear more of her electropop music. She stated that her goals is "to sound like I'm from 2050, but still feel really classic, like the music is an old friend." Since I like her so much, today I am sharing two videos ....

First up her Fleet Foxes cover which is pretty great showcasing her pretty voice...



and then White Nights Live which shares more of the playful side of her spirit...





Oh Land- White Nights (Live) from Oh Land Music on Vimeo.

Her other clips are also amazing... see them here. I purchased her EP, you can get it from itunes here or Amazon here for $3.96. (purchases made from these links support B*E Music Mondays.)

(photos : Thomas-a & Elisabeth Heltoft for Soundvenue)

Music Monday : Keren Ann

I've been a Keren Ann fan for quite some time, so I am thrilled to hear about her new album coming out and to see a new video release for her single called, "My Name is Trouble". She is both Dutch and Israeli and also spent some time growing up in France so her interesting multicultural background I believe heavily influences her cool musical style. Her new album comes out in Europe at the end of February and the U.S. soon thereafter where she will also be touring. If you are new to her sound, you should check out her other music, it is really great! I posted about her previously here (wow-- it was over 3 years ago). Happy Music Monday. What do you think?

Check out her collection of albums or see what she has on itunes.-- (these links support B*E).

Music Monday : Agnes Obel

Searching for some fresh music this morning I came across Danish Singer/Songwriter Agnes Obel for the very first time. Her music is beautiful! I love the sound of soft piano with a pretty voice and she delivers with her lyrics being equally as lovely...

"Black turns beamy bright
Turning on the light
Today is gonna be the day
You hear somebody say
We need you wide awake"

She recently released her first album, "Philharmonics" in October or 2010. Another track and video -- Riverside is also quite stunning. Both of these pieces are little works of art, really. Give her music a listen and tell me what you think. Happy Music Monday!

You can find the album on itunes. (this link supports B*E)

(photo by Mali Lazell)

Music Monday : James Blake

Have you heard of James Blake? His electronic song creations are blowing my mind lately, pretty experimental and unique. His debut album hasn't even come out yet and he is getting lots of buzz. Check it out and Happy Music Monday!

*If you haven't heard his Feist cover, it is pretty amazing as well.

(photo from here)

Music Monday : Angus and Julia Stone

I sure hope that you had a magical New Year's holiday full of sparkles!

This song by Angus and Julia Stone is fantastic, and I have shared it before, but today for Music Monday I am sharing this song again because of their new whimsical video. It is a really fun one, that you should check out. Happy Music Monday!

Best Albums of 2010

Did you have a nice Christmas holiday? We sure did and I extended my holiday a few more days unplugged, which was really nice. I cannot believe how fast 2010 is coming to an end! Looking back over the year I compiled a list of my top ten favorite best albums of 2010. There is a little bit of everything on the list, because my taste is rather eclectic.



Pointer -- it is great how many of these mp3 albums are $5.00 and under on amazon -- follow the links below to preview each album.

Vampire Weekend - Contra $6.99
Beach House - Teen Dream $5.00
The Tallest Man On Earth - The Wild Hunt $5.00
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs $7.99
Angus & Julia Stone - Down The Way $5.00
Two Door Cinema Club - Tourist History $5.00



Laura Veirs - July Flame $8.99
Janelle Monae - The ArchAndroid $4.99
The Morning Benders - Big Echo $9.90
The Black Keys - Brothers $3.99

What were your favorite albums for 2010? Shout 'em out.

Music Monday : Ray Charles

The month of December I've focused on holiday songs for Music Mondays and today I've decided to throw it back to one of those classic Christmas oldies sung by the music genius Ray Charles. Happy Music Monday everyone! I've searched around a bit for this track but can't find it, any ideas? What has been your favorite Christmas song this year?

Here are my favorite holidays songs that I've posted so far...

Miracle song by Matisyahu (Hanukkah)
Christmas Lights by Coldplay
Your Song by Ellie Goulding

Music Monday : Matisyahu

Although Hanukkah has already passed this year, here is one of the best Hanukkah songs I've come across about it in quite some time called, "Miracles" by Matisyahu. The music video is both hilarious and informative. Happy Music Monday! If you've never heard of Matisyahu, read about him here.

(photo from Brooklyn Press Shots)

Music Monday : Coldplay's Christmas Lights

Here is something to put you in the holiday mood, check out the new song from Coldplay called, "Christmas Lights". I thought the colorful piano was fun, and what do you think of the violin playing Elvis impersonators in the background and the 'credo elvem etiam vivere' business on the stage? You can download this song here. Happy Music Monday!

Music Monday : The Narcoleptic Dancers

I hope that you had a lovely weekend and to those in the states a wonderful Thanksgiving. Here are the Narcoleptic Dancers for Music Monday! Enjoy.

*Me and the girls have a really bad case of the sniffles, I hope to be back with some great posts tomorrow.

Music Monday : Lissie

Today while cruising some music bookmarks, I was reminded of Lissie and then came across this video of her playing acoustically -- and it gave me some major goosebumps, she has an amazing voice! Check Lissie out and tell me what you think. Happy Music Monday!

Download songs from her album here.

Jambox

Alrighty folks, if you follow along with my posts (especially Music Mondays) you probably know I am a music lover -- but aren't we all? Today I'm digging on some classical tunes, what about you, what are you mixing this week?

I am stoked to share with you some of the hottest technology around that I have tried, it is called the Jambox ... and it blows my mind!


Basically the Jambox is a mini-portable wireless speaker that can talk to anything with a bluetooth connection (ipad, iphone, some tvs, computers etc...) and I am overly amazed at the sound. It truly has the biggest sound in the smallest package! Yesterday I actually put it in my coat pocket, played it in the car, and took it with me literally everywhere -- it rocks, and it can rock out loud and clear. Watch this video to see all of the features. The packaging it comes in is also rad, so I snapped a few shots for you below. I guess I am a really nerdy tech kind of girl when I get super excited about stuff like this. We are putting this on our Christmas wish list for sure. The Jambox runs $199 and you can learn more about it here.

Music Monday : Ellie Goulding

I'm excited to share with you a cover today for Music Monday. It is the rising English singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding singing Elton John's 'Your Song' which is also featured in this British John Lewis advertisement. I think this is definitely going to be one of those big holiday songs that we will be hearing lots of-- what do you think? Although I can't seem to find the song in the states, you Brits can now pick it up in UK itunes. Happy Music Monday!

Check out other songs by Ellie here.

Autumn Morning...

I hope you had a most excellent weekend! Did you do anything fun or relaxing? The highlight of our weekend was attending our food group that was centered all around Thanksgiving -- I guess we are spoiled this year to indulge in two turkey dinners.

These items all put together are making me happy and feel so autumn-like this morning. Pause and take a moment with me to enjoy ... pretend to turn on some tunes on that sweet Orla Kiely Radio, maybe something classic like Al Green. Get some yummy crust bread out of that bread bin and slather it with orange marmalade. Then indulge in some spiced hot apple cider or your drink of choice in one of those polka-dot travel mugs all while doing whatever it is you do this lovely Monday. Top of the morning to you!

Music Monday : Phantogram

My cool sister told me about this song, "Mouthful of Diamonds" by Phantogram and it definitely has a hip vibe and is a song that gets stuck in your head -- I dig their edge on electronic style. Happy Music Monday! Find the song and album here.

(Photo by Doron Gild)

Music Monday : Maps & Atlases

I wanted to share with you this music video by Chicago based "Maps & Atlases" not only for the sensory visuals but also the great sound and rad band name. The sensation of lying in a boat or canoe out in the open water and letting it move you freely is a feeling that is hard to beat. Happy Music Monday... I mean Tuesday folks.

Directed by Taryn Gould and Emily Kowalczyk.

You can download the album and song here.

Music Monday : The Honey Trees

Here is a adorable and enchanting music video by The Honey Trees that I believe you readers will enjoy. Let me know your thoughts. Happy Music Monday! Hope you had a wonderful weekend.

(Photo by Simon Filip // via Lily & the Muse)

Music Monday : Brooke Fraser

Kirsten from Simply Grove was kind enough to sent me a tweet about New Zealand singer-songwriter Brooke Fraser's new album "Flags". I have yet to listen to the album but I like how on her website they describe her music as the kind "that sounds like a pop marshmallow has dropped into a folk hot chocolate and become a warm, spicy chocolatey broth." Have a listen and see if you agree.

I like the video above-- 'Something in the Water', thanks again Kirsten for the heads up. Happy Music Monday everyone!

*Pick up the album here or download it here.

Music Monday : Sambassadeur

I hope you all had a great weekend -- did any of you lucky ducks get Columbus Day off? Happy Columbus Day! Today I wanted to highlight Sambassadeur for Music Monday. Have you heard of this chill Swedish band, I really like their sound. What do you think? Listen to more of Sambassadeur over at their mysapce page. Aren't their album covers pretty too?



Check out their newest album European *here or *here. I've streamed it online and it is really good.

(*purchases made from these links support Black Eiffel - thanks!)