About: cct

She & Him - Volume One

Song #5 She & Him’s Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?

Why I Picked It: I was reminded of the duo She & Him (Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward) after writing the Regina Spektor song Us pick which was featured on the [500] Days of Summer soundtrack. I was reminded of them because:
1) Zooey is in the movie and
2) She & Him are also on the soundtrack with a Smiths cover.

I know that the Nobel Peace Prize is a big deal, but in a lot of ways it isn’t a big deal.  It’s an award.  It’s a recognition gained after nominations are made and a group of people vote on them.

There have been jokes as of late that Barack Obama hasn’t done anything (SNL, anyone?), but I’ve always believed that the problem with change is that people want to see it too fast.  People are too quick to criticize because they’re in the position to do so, they’re not leading a country, entering into office in the midst of a recession, a war that was supposed to be over, and trying to find the balance between helping people find jobs and have healthcare.

Regina Spektor's "Us" was featured on the (500) Days of Summer Soundtrack

A Song A Day #4: Us

Why I Picked It: I was actually tempted to pick a Brandi Carlile song from her latest album that was the catalyst for yesterday’s song pick, but I have more than 5000 songs, I should shake things up a bit with my artist selections!

I also bought Regina Spektor’s Far [Deluxe] yesterday (I was on a music buying kick), which reminded me of my favorite song on the [500] Days Of Summer soundtrack.  Actually Spektor’s song is a tied favorite with The Smiths’ There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, but I’ll leave that song for another day.  Regina Spektor’s song doesn’t have such a lengthy title.  It is merely Us.

The Story by Brandi Carlile

Song #3: Brandi Carlile’s The Story

Why I Picked It: Today I bought Brandi Carlile’s new album Give Up The Ghost, but I was reminded by how much I love her song The Story (from the album The Story).  And since the last two songs have been a bit forlorn in the love songs department, I thought this would be a nice pick me up as well.

Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson's Break Up album

Song #2 Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson’s I Am the Cosmos

Why I Picked It: I was on my lunch break and listening to my ipod when this song came up at random. I’m a great fan of Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson’s duo effort “Break Up”, about the demise of a relationship, but this song wasn’t the first song to catch my attention nor is it my favorite.  This is perhaps because musically it begins a little odd/off with its slightly off-beat percussive.  Then even when the vocals start, the bass that begins is almost too low – continuing the jarring experience.  I am aware that this is a cover from Chris Bell’s original piece (see YouTube), which – between the two – Bell’s is easier to digest musically, smooth like a good beer.  But there was a moment today where Yorn & Johansson’s version suddenly grew on me.