EELS - P.S. You Rock My World

EELS was formed by singer/songwriter Mark Oliver Everett, otherwise known as E. Other members of this American rock band rotate frequently, whether it be in the studio or on the stage.

The song “P.S. You Rock My World” is from Electro Shock Blues, EELS’ second studio album. As opposed to their first album, Electro Shock Blues focused mainly on E’s personal life. It was a sort of tribute to his family: his sister, who committed suicide after EELS’ first album was released, his mother, who had been diagnosed with cancer, and his father, who E had found dead of a heart attack when he was nineteen. The album is definitely heartbreaking, cynical, mournful, creative. But more importantly, it’s one man’s way of learning to deal with disease and death. “P.S.” is the last song on the album - the realization that, in spite of everything, life goes on.

Tegan and Sara - The Con

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Tegan and Sara is an indie Canadian rock band formed by twin sisters Tegan Quin and Sara Quin. The two are known for their interchanging vocals and guitar playing, resulting in a completely unique folk-rock sound.  The duo grew up playing music together, learning to play piano at age eight and eventually switching to acoustic guitars at age fifteen. From there, they began to write their own songs. At age seventeen, they won Calgary’s Garage Warz and recorded Yellow Demo, using the studio time they had been given as a prize from the competition. Since then, Tegan and Sara have produced six albums. Their latest album, Sainthood, was released in October of 2009.

The track “The Con” was one of the singles taken from their fifth studio album under the same name. It’s catchy and upbeat, exactly what a single should be. It’s the kind of gem meant to draw fans old and new into an album that’s full of them.

Within Temptation (feat. Keith Caputo): What Have You Done

Within Temptation was founded in 1996 by Sharon den Adel (vocals) and Robert Westerholt (guitar). The two are now married and have just had their second child. As a band, they have been categorized as gothic rock, gothic metal, and symphonic rock. Despite this, Within Temptation resents the idea of their music being considered anything other than hard rock.
The Dutch band remained underground until 2001 when 'Ice Queen' hit the charts from their 2000 album, Mother Earth. Their next two albums, The Silent Force (2004) and The Heart of Everything (2008), debuted as number 1 on the Dutch charts. In America, 'All I Need' (The Heart of Everything) was featured on the Vampire Diaries, and Truth Beneath the Rose was used in the preview for The Tudors. The song I featured here is available on Guitar Hero: World Tour. Within Temptation plans to release their next album in March of 2011, titled The Unforgiving, in which all songs are based on a comic series authored by Steven O’Connell and drawn by Romano Molenaar.
This particular song also has vocals by Keith Caputo. He is known for shocking lyrics dealing with hard truths. Raised by two parents addicted to heroine, he had a painful childhood and draws on it in his music. Despite this, many of his songs are also seen as hopeful.In one of his most referenced quotes, Caputo says, “From my own feelings of displacement, dissatisfaction and yearning comes a vast sea of compassion." As 'What Have You Done' plays through, the dialogue and instruments clearly display this internal struggle for balance between two opposite feelings. The song comes from their album The Heart of Everything.

The Temper Trap:Fader

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Fader is the third single from The Temper Trap's first album, Conditions. The Temper Trap is a band from Melbourne, Australia. You might know their smash-hit first single, Sweet Disposition. Here in the U.S. the band is signed to Glassnote Records, a record label who's current roster also consists of bands such as Mumford & Sons and Phoenix. The Temper Trap first attracted attention after playing sold out shows in London in 2008, and then at South by Southwest in 2009. Their debut album, Conditions, was released June 19, 2009 to rave reviews. In July of 2010, the band estimated that they would release their second album sometime late this year.

1000 ft Krutch- Phenomenon

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Thousand Foot Krutch is a Canadian Christian rock band formed in 1997 and was an evolution of Oddball. They have been quite prolific, putting out seven albums. Their band name was chosen when they decided to base their music on their religious beliefs. Thousand Foot Krutch's newest album was released in 2009 and titled Welcome to the Masquerade. The idea for the album came from a public domain poem written in 1966, particularly the lines "Don't be fooled by the face I wear, for I wear a mask." The album was meant to reach beneath their listener's surfaces and into their hearts with strong, echoing chords and soft acoustic pieces as well.
'Phenomenon' was another YouTube discovery of mine as I surfed countless poorly made AMVs. The song was the title of their 2003-2004 album. Phenomenon was one of the all-time best selling albums of Tooth and Nail Records. Gavin Brown, who has also worked with Three Days Grace, helped produce 'Everyone Like Me,' which was also on Phenomenon. 'Phenomenon' in particular, was incredibly catchy and lifted my spirits. The lyrics cover topics that couldn't be farther from my own experience, but that was exactly what drew me into the song. It was a place I wanted to be; I could easily go their by popping in my headphones. If you like this song, I would highly recommend 'Fire it Up' as the next song on your playlist.

The Rasmus-In the Shadows

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The Rasmus is a Finnish rock band formed in 1994. Prior to the release of their 4th album, Into (2001), they added 'the' in front of their band name to distinguish themselves from a DJ by the same name. The band consists of four high school friends. They have since returned to their school to put on a performance and released their latest album in 2008, Black Roses. However, it was their 2003 release that gained them international notoriety, Dead Letters, which contained this song, 'In the Shadows.'
Whoever said that the YouTube cpu didn't have taste lied to you. Most of the time I brush off the inconceivably annoying module of recommended videos. This was a moment of exception. The song was attached to an AMV (anime music video) that took forever to load, and wasn't all too well done. And at risk of being cliche, I will say it was worth it. This was the not entirely downbeat rock song I've been craving. It's catchy, something I can sing with or just listen to, and survives the test of listening-to-it-three-times-in a-row. I only hope you can get as much enjoyment out of this song as I have.

Motion City Soundtrack: Fell In Love Without You

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A leading band in the punk-pop genre, Motion City Soundtrack includes guitarist Joshua Cain, drummer Tony Thaxton, lead singer & guitarist Justin Pierre, Jesse Johnson on the moog (moog synthesizers are electronic musical instruments that throw together a guitar, keyboard, and a drum set all in one...still confused...look it up), and bassist Matthew Taylor. After their Minneapolis high school graduation in 1999, Pierre and Cain formed their band. While touring through Pennsylvania, Motion City Soundtrack met Thaxton and Taylor from their own band, Submerge. The two decided to leave their hometown, Richmond, Virginia, to join Motion City Soundtrack and the group later grabbed Jesse Johnson. The band's punk-splattered debut, I Am The Movie, was released in the summer of 2003. They joined blink-182 on a tour in Europe and Japan and blink's bassist, Mark Hoppus, loved the band and produced a more pop influenced album, Commit This to Memory, in 2005. Motion City Soundtrack spent that summer on Warped Tour. Two years later, the completed product, Even If It Kills Me, was released and cracked the Top 20 on its first week. "Fell in Love Without You" was featured on Gossip Girl that same year. Their latest album was released last June.

Christina Perri: Jar of Hearts

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Christina Perri, no relation to Katy Perry, was born and raised in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. She moved to Los Angeles at age 21 and was married within that year, but divorced 18 months later. She then returned home to Pennsylvania by the end of 2009. During her time home she wrote "Jar of Hearts", then moved back to L.A. She recorded the song and it was featured on So You Think You Can Dance on June 30, 2010. Following the show, "Jar of Hearts" sold 48,000 digital copies, hitting #63 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #28 on Billboard's Hot Digital Songs. In a month it sold over 100,000 copies. Her music video for the song was displayed on the VH1 top 20 music video countdown. Christina signed a record deal with Atlantic Records on July 21, 2010. Her 5 single EP, The Ocean Way Sessions, was released on November 9, 2010.

Beirut:Nantes

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Beirut was founded by Zachary Francis Condon, a Santa Fe, New Mexico native. It was first created as a solo act, and then expanded into a full fledged band in 2006. The Flying Club Cup, released in October of 2007, is Beirut’s second album. It’s heavily influence by French music and culture because of Condon’s interest in French chanson during its recording. He was inspired by Jacques Brel, a French-speaking Belgian singer. Parts of The Flying Club Cup were recorded by Condon in his bedroom, but others were recorded with the full band, resulting in a more live sound.

Britt Nicole- Headphones

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 I first heard this song around Christmas. I was sitting in the middle of a bunch of freezing people at Anahiem Ice. My sister had already done her routine, and I can't remember the name of the girl who was twirling on the ice. Most of the music was mediocre and Christmas themed, as I expected. And then this song came on. In short, I liked it.
Britt Nicole is yet another Christian artist disguising her references to her beliefs in lyrics of music that is slowly climbing out the stubborn box labeled 'gospel.' Her voice is dainty and deliberate, her lyrics resound with people, and her sounds are catchy. Her music career started in her church at age three. By the time Nicole finished high school, she was appearing regularly on TV with her church and had sang with her school's advanced choir in Carnegie Hall. In 2006, turning down a scholarship from Belmont University, she signed with Sparrow Records and released her first album, 'Say It.' Her second album was released in 2009 and titled 'The Lost get Found.' Britt Nicole is from Kannapolis, North Carolina.

Born Ruffians:Hummingbird

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Born Ruffians, formerly known as Mornington Drive, are an indie rock band from the small town of Midland. It's in Ontario, Canada, located near Georgian Bay. Lead vocalist Luke Lalonde formed the band with bassist Mitch Derosier and drummer Steven Hamelin in 2004. The single "Hummingbird" was released in 2007 on their first album Red, Yellow, & Blue, which was nominated in the 8th Annual Independent Music Awards for Pop/Rock Album of the year. The band is currently signed to Warp Records.