Musical highs and lows

This was my music discovery of the week …

Sara Bareilles is brilliant.



Speaking of brilliant …

Hello.


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Those are the highs.

The lows?

It was announced this week that Death Cab for Cutie is touring this spring. With an orchestra.

They'll be hitting Chicago. Milwaukee. ... Kansas City? No.

I know I've said I wasn't impressed when I saw Death Cab in Milwaukee a few years ago. ... But I'd like a do-over. And they're playing with an orchestra!

Guster recently announced they're heading back to Milwaukee, too. They've played there three, maybe four times since our move. But no Kansas City.

I'm beginning to think Kansas City is a black hole for good rock bands. What gives?

Video of the week

I meant to post this video weeks ago, but it slipped off my radar until I saw it this morning and was reminded of it.

I fell in love with this song during my first play of Sara Bareilles' "Kaleidoscope Heart" months ago, and the video stands up well against the other videos off the album, "Uncharted" and "King of Anything."

Although, I'll admit the whole dancing-in-a-grocery store concept does feel a little bit like a ripoff of Michael Buble's "Haven't Met You Yet."

Either way, that Sara Bareilles is a charmer. I've got a crush.

 

For the love of music

In the midst of my business this weekend, I caught some of my beloved VH1 Top 20 Countdown for the first time in ages.

And I found a lot to like.  

Bruno Mars: "The Lazy Song." ... The choreography evokes something from an OK Go video. I love it, and I couldn't take my eyes away. I mean how many videos feature people wearing monkey masks -- and putting their hands in their pants?



Adele: "Rolling in the Deep." ... Powerful song. Powerful video. I was captivated by the set, the shadows, the floor filled with glasses half full ...



Sara Bareilles: "Uncharted." ... A video featuring Sara's best pals, aka some of my favorite artists -- aka Ben Folds, Ingrid Michaelson, Adam Gardner and Ryan Miller, Tegan and Sara, Ryan Tedder -- not to mention Josh Groban, Vanessa Carlton, Jennifer Nettles, Adam Levine and that lip-syncing kid. I was hooked in seconds.



Bonus video: Colbie Caillat performing an acoustic of "I Do," arguably my favorite song on the radio right now, for our beloved WTMX.

A winter song

I stumbled on this video tonight while searching for video of the ladies' performance of the same song at this winter's White House tree lighting ...

In an age when Lady Gaga and Katy Perry get more attention than they deserve, Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles are far more appealing and pleasant in my ears. ...


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