Acclimating and Exploring

"River's Waltz" - Murray Gold
Honestly, any song from the Doctor Who soundtracks for Series 5 and 6 could've gone here. They were a major part of my trip across country to my new home. I love them all. This one is simple, calming, with a hint of more to come. Much of what I hope my trip has and will continue to be.

"Until the Last" - The Album Leaf
Another staple during the driving. The less words, the more likely my dad would become frustrated while driving. And no one wants a frustrated dad driving. This is off the album A Chorus of Storytellers, and it fit the initial foggy drive along the California coastline beautifully.

"Riddles" - Minus the Bear
Minus the Bear was the first show I attended after my move. Granted, the show was in Pomona, but while the show in Solana Beach was underway, I was just passing thru Nebraska.

"By the Way" - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Scanning thru San Diego radio stations, and this was the first full song to greet me. A very fitting "Welcome to California" moment. Wasn't the last time I heard it, either. Some things about radio are the same everywhere.

"Panic Switch" - Silversun Pickups
Basically, the rest of these are all songs I've heard on the radio during my acclimation to California. Bands I love, and hearing them on the radio makes me feel like I belong. Like I fit in.

"Out of My League" - Fitz & the Tantrums
This one I hadn't heard prior to the radio, but I was familiar with the name. Annnnnd it caught me. And stuck. And stuck again. But I'm not complaining.

"Harlem" - New Politics
I have Kelly to thank for this song. She sent me the YouTube video for it ages ago and I made fun of the one kids hair. Hearing it on the radio reminded me just how much we traded songs and stories when we both had office jobs. If I were actually from New York maybe it would've even made me double-homesick. But nah. I'm cool. It's pretty spiffy here.

"Royals" - Lorde
Another friend of mine in Illinois posted this on Facebook and the very next day I heard it on the radio in Cali. The harmonies are captivating. And so young! Every day I'm more and more impressed with all the music I find around me.

Eccentric Progress

"Sonic Armada" - Air
This song has a steady beat that just... sucks ya in. Or it did for me. Simple as that.

"Kemosabe" - Everything Everything
Sometimes I have dance parties by myself, and Everything Everything has been on top of the playlist recently. Which also gives you an idea of why I don't go to legit dance clubs.

"Answers" - Ou Est Le Swimming Pool
Found this band thank's to Mark Hoppus' Spotify playlist. So far I think they're pretty nifty!

"The Void" - Metric
Metric's new album... does not disappoint. I do need to give it another listen though, I haven't given it all my attention yet.

"Rusted Wheel" - Silversun Pickups
I might've said this before, but I don't think I'd be able to hold a conversation with the singer for long in person.... But as a singer, his voice paired with the style of music is wonderful!

"Demons" - The National
This was actually the first song I had heard off of their new album, accompanied by this video. It wasn't the first to linger in my brainpan, but so many of the lyrics separate of each other really captivate me.
"I can't fight it anymore, I am going through an awkward phase."
"I am secretly in love with everyone that I grew up with."
"When i walk into a room I do not light it up. Fuck" (This I love more for referencing an older song of theirs. And the casual way they sing "Fuck.")

"Animals" - Muse
I'm wary of going to see Muse in concert, for how large the shows are. Unless you spend exorbitant amounts to get up close, the quality is (almost) the same as watching YouTube videos. But the other parts of me just want to experience his panty-melting voice live. Some might consider that worth the money.

"Under a Killing Moon (Live)" - Thrice
I typically do not like live tracks on albums. If I wanted to hear the crowd, I'd go to the show. Or perhaps watch a YouTube video. But I love the acoustic and raw sound of ths, and although there might be a non-live acoustic version, I do not own it.



Honourable Mention:

"New Direction" - Sugar Ray
A stream of it can be found here, since I did not include it on the mix. (It's the last one, not the first one.)
I purposely did not put this on the actual mix, because I'm not that cruel. Okay, so it's not really that bad, but I see it as a joke. And I don't actually seek it out to listen to it. My iPod just thought it was funny to play multiple times.
The addition of this song.... well, via my personal opinion, baffled me. But ultimately I do understand why they included it. I just would not have.
But. It is Sugar Ray.... If you see the progression of their albums, well, this isn't the only questionable decision they've made. Again, in my opinion. But do I love them less? HELL NO.

Influx Au Courant

Influx Au Courant from meganagitor on 8tracks Radio.

(Yes, I used thesaurus for the title, and yes the title and picture contradict themselves. But they are both accurate. This mix is almost a whole month late, but 90% of the music on here was new [to me] when I chose it.)

"Atomic Man" - Portugal. The Man
This was the first song I played, unintentionally, because my iTunes was still organizing by "Date Added" and not by Album or Artist. But it definitely caught my attention. I've been out of touch with Portugal. The Man for a while, it was nice to re-find them.

"Icarus" - Bastille
I actually listened to a suggestion from one of the emails I get from Spotify, and ya know what. Not half bad. Catchy, upbeat, and I like his voice.

"Instant Crush" - Daft Punk (feat. Julian Casablancas)
Because Daft Punk. I mean. Self explanatory, basically.

"Berlin" - Is Tropical
Ironically this is the first track on the album, but I caught it on shuffle. I need to be more well versed in actual music terms, and not things like it sounds like "summer" or "a rainy day." If you can mixed laid-back, yet up-beat, that might be what I want to say. Pain meds for wisdom teeth aren't helping my vocabulary, though.

"I Will Steal You Back" - Jimmy Eat World
New Jimmy Eat World. I am content. It's catchy... Their newer albums haven't grabbed me as much as Bleed American, or Futures (yeah, those two, I know,) but I still like it!

"Calling All Cops" - Motion City Soundtrack
Mostly the opening lyrics caught my attention and I used it when writing about my upcoming trip, whilst asking for participants. Sadly, no participants. Guess I'm not friends with any cops or autobots....

"Hooray" - Minus the Bear
This is from Minus the Bear's upcoming Acoustic album (you're welcome) that I'm a backer on. It made me so happy that they chose this song for the album, it is definitely one of my top 5, and most likely my overall favourite off of Menos El Oso.

"Main Menu" - Jesper Kyd
I never would have considered Borderlands 2, if my boyfriend at the time hadn't gushed about it from day one combined with it being free with the purchase of a vital piece for the computer I was building. I fell in love with it instantly. But the very first thing I said, at just the load screen, was "Is there a soundtrack for this? The music is really awesome."

Stress. Relax. Repeat.

Stress. Relax. Repeat. from meganagitor on 8tracks Radio.

"Young and Beautiful (DH Orchestral Version)" - Lana Del Rey
There's really not much to say. This song is haunting. On it's own, and as part of The Great Gatsby. Especially as part of The Great Gatsby.

"Cleanse Song" - Bright Eyes
"Don't forget what you've learned all you give is returned
And if life seems absurd what you need is some laughter
And a season to sleep and a place to get clean
Maybe Los Angeles, somewhere no one's expecting."
This isn't the only song on this list that mentions California. And this month has begun the nervousness and stress of making sure I get all my eggs in the basket.

"Green Eyes" - ColdplayThis was a little bit of an escape from reality. After having a dream (either the end of June, or early July) that resonates with me still... Well. What sticks, is the eyes of one of the boys I met in it. Surprise, they were (an extraordinary shade of) green! It didn't help that this song managed to ignore the laws of shuffle, somehow. Or stacked the deck in its favour. But honestly. If that person from my dream were to exist in real life, I would recognize those eyes in an instant. It was that vivid.

"Out Numbering" - Maritime
"If you bend spoons, move things around, around you
They will discount you, until you don't believe you."
Struck a chord. It seems so much anymore that everyone's goal is to just prove everyone else wrong. Whether or not they care about the subject, they must convince you that you're wrong. I know I've been guilty of it too, unfortunately. But I recognize the signs and try to hold my tongue.

"Don't Swallow the Cap" - The National
The intro really gets me, but more than anything I love the alternating harmony about.... 2:30 in, combined with the female vocals accompanying. I think I have a full top ten of voices I'd marry, but only a top 3 of actual people. I have voice crushes.

"Save My Soul" - Eisley
Eisley's new album Currents is phenomenal. However, this did not surprise me. It was really hard to select only one song for this month's mix, and although this wasn't the first song that got stuck in my head, it's the one that lingered the most and I found myself searching here.

"Calling All Skeletons" - Alkaline Trio
Sometimes, you just need a song to blare and sing along with.
Alkaline Trio is great for exactly this purpose, and this month, Calling All Skeletons was the repeat offender. If you know the song, you know you can't not sing along with it.

"City of Angels" - 30 Seconds to Mars
I know I'm starting off in San Diego (and would love to keep myself there,) but most likely I will end up following my passion to Los Angeles...  so this would be the (obvious) other California-themed song.
"The silver of the lake at night
The hills of Hollywood on fire
A boulevard of hope and dreams
Streets made of desire"
Call me silly, but what really caught me was just one line, towards the end:
"I am home, home, home, home..."
I hope that becomes the truth for me!

Feelings Don't Forget

Feelings Don't Forget from meganagitor on 8tracks Radio.

"Called Out In the Dark" - Snow Patrol
When I think about Snow Patrol, I like their songs but they tend to fade into the background quicker than others. Not out of dislike or blandness. They just seem to be good background music. You always know it's them, because of the distinct voice/style. But... they feel like they're just a part of it. A part of life, if that makes sense. And if it doesn't make sense, too bad.

"Reverse" - Now It's Overhead
For me, May seemed to be a very rainy month. I ultimately prefer the sunshine, but I love me some thunderstorms. But there's a particular type of rainy... During the day, where it's a little bit darker than dreary, but a little bit lighter than gloomy. It's raining, but just barely. Just enough to be called rain, rather than drizzle. And there are a fair few of Now It's Overhead songs that fit that type of rainy. This is probably second, only to Wait In A Line.

"Do You Believe Me?" - The Juliana Theory
A band I forget about, despite teaching myself bass to one of their songs. I missed this album when it came out, but once I found out about it made the effort to get it, and every once in a while it snags me from the shuffled playlists.

"Someday" - Cary Brothers
Zach Braff is the entire reason I know of Cary Brothers. First the Garden State soundtrack, then The Last Kiss, and now because of the Wish I Was Here Kickstarter. All of which you should check out, if you haven't yet. The Kickstarter is closed, but remember it when the movie comes out. I guarantee it'll be worth watching.

"Burying Luck" - Minus the Bear
To me, it's a very subtle song. But the lyrics that influenced the title are what make me love it most, the concept of someone burying your luck. And the acoustic version of it emphasizes the subtlety of it even more.

"Remains" - Matt Pond PA

"I can't remember which movie taught me purpose

I can't remember which movie taught me pain
I would've been the one baptized in all your water
I would've been the one submerged under your rain
This is not how I want to be forgotten
This is not how I want to leave remains"
Opening of the song, and it stuck with me. Just like the first song I ever heard by him.

"Oblivion" (feat. Susanne Sundfør) - M83
I saw the trailer for the movie Oblivion, and despite Tom Cruise, I wanted to see it. Then I found out that M83 was responsible for the soundtrack. That just intrigued me more. Sadly, I still haven't seen the movie. But I have at least listened to the soundtrack!

"Get Lucky" (feat Pharrell Williams) - Daft Punk
Well. It's Daft Punk. And the released an amazing album. And this was the amazing single. Pretty simple, right? And then, of course, there was this pretty awesome cover, and after that it was all over. Between the two, I couldn't get it out of my head.

Comics and Critters

Well, it seems that while I have mostly kept up with my music blogs, I have most definitely fallen behind on my charity resolution blogs.

Partly because I fell behind on donating in the month of March, but mostly because I am far from a professional writer and when my ideas come to me at work or in the shower, they don't do me much help. Especially when they make their escape before I ever navigate to a computer.

Because of this, and the fact that it is more than halfway thru May, I am combining my post about my charities for both March and April.

For March, I stayed local and donated to the Geneseo Animal Shelter, on behalf of them building a new shelter. Although the weather was a bit deceiving, spring was nonetheless on its way and with it many unintended baby critters. As much as I'd like to adopt a second (and third and fourth) kitty, in a few months I will be moving and unable to bring my Phoenix with me. At least initially. (I am beyond unhappy about it, but I keep reminding myself it is only temporary.) Because I can't offer my own place as a secondary shelter, I thought making my donation specifically for the new shelter would be a good idea.

HOWEVER, if you have a little extra room in your home and your heart, LOOK AT THESE BEAUTIES! They currently have an overflow and any help would be welcome! LOVE THEM. LOVE THEM ALL!

For April, I chose the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) because basically, well, fuck censorship.

Lazy, I know, but to quote their F.A.Q., the CBLDF is "...dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment rights of the comics art form and its community of retailers, creators, publishers, librarians  and readers. The CBLDF provides legal referrals, representation, advice, assistance, and education in furtherance of these goals." Basically, the CBLDF helps protect and defend those from stupid people who take offense easily. Helping keep books & comics from being banned in schools, freeing authors/artists from uncalled-for arrests, etc. As an avid reader and purveyor of arts in general, I wholeheartedly support this. And I hope that if you are my friends, you do too.

For such a late post, I feel like I should have more to say, but being as the world "charity" alone tends to scare people away, I feel less is more.

And once again, if you have any suggestions as to what charities I should look into for upcoming months, please share!

Lyrical Indulgence

"Live & Direct" - Sugar Ray
This came on shuffle a few times over the past month, and it would always make me chuckle, and then I'd forget about it. I listened to this album constantly during high school, but this song in particular... Well... Supposedly the lyrics are "Whata bye bye bye" but all I can hear is "What about my butt?" And now so will you, and because of that, this song needed to be first.

"Love Is Greed" - Passion Pit
When this first came on, I realized I had heard it, possibly a few times before. I can't remember when or where, but it was extremely familiar. So this time I actually paid attention to the lyrics. I think it depends on context, but I really fell for the line "If we really love ourselves, how do you love somebody else?"

"I Couldn't Be Your Friend" - Tegan And Sara
Forgot that I had gotten Tegan and Sara's new album, and this song came on shuffle to remind me. I like the whole album, and there will probably be more on mixes in the future, but I mainly picked this one because it was the first that caught my attention and brought me back to them. I love these girls.

"Be Here Now" - As Tall As Lions
As Tall As Lions... in my opinion they're great lyricists. Again, one line caught me the most: "It's been a good life, I'll be sad to see it go." And the way it's sung. It just gives me goosebumps. Seeing this trend, I've now realized how to titled my mix. I usually write these posts after I finish the mix, but now I'm thinking I should write these before I actually publish it. Titles are always so hard.

"Walk On Air" - Minus the Bear
Well, besides the obvious reason being it's Minus the Bear, I should state that it's a new song from Minus the Bear, and it's glorious, and it's on the soundtrack of Injustice: Gods Among Us. Wait, what? Yeah. It's awesome.

"Wooly Mammoth" - Local Natives
This one was less about lyrics, and more... chord progression? for me. The underlying music. It snagged me and wouldn't let go. (Not to play down the lyrics, of course. They just weren't what first caught my attention.)

"Cough Cough" - Everything Everything
So much about this song I love. The background keyboards. The drumming. The subtle "cough cough." And of course, "I'm coming alive. I'm happening now." Yes. Just yes.

"Brennisteinn" - Sigur Rós
I'm not sure how to translate all my Squees and jaw-dropped facial expressions into a proper explanation. So I'll just leave it at that.