Rainy Day Music Videos

Recently we've been experiencing a massive amount of rain where I live.  Thanks to the flooding and the chilliness that is starting to set in, I can finally start to believe it's fall.  It also got me to thinking about music of course.  There are certain songs you tend to listen to while it's raining.  I seem to always get lucky with my song choices, since most of the time my iPod will randomly suffle to the perfect rainy day song.

Now I also happen to be a very visual person.  Not since MTV actually played music videos have probably met someone like me, who enjoys watching numerous music videos.  So here are my rainy day music video selections, to really get you in the mood for curling up on the couch and watching outside as mother nature does what she does best:

1. Dido "White Flag"


2. Linkin Park's "Numb"


3. Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn"


4. Coldplay's "Yellow"

Coldplay - Yellow
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5. Matchbox Twenty's "Unwell"

Matchbox Twenty - Unwell
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What music videos or songs remind you of a blissfully rainy day?

September Albums Outlook

Every year we, the American public, have to hear those famous words: "Back to School!".  Well, we always get bombarded with that typical phrase, usually right after the grads and dads marketing campaign is through in late June.  But for me, the fall always brings forth a certain maturity toward another topic I love discussing: music. 

The fall music selections for this year are vast in nature, ranging from a plethora of genres and skill levels.  We have Brandon Flowers' first solo album debut, another Weezer record (already?), Jimmy Eat World's return, Maroon 5 breaking out once again, and a slew of other contenders that are all out to get your hard earned summer dollars.

To highlight the artists I'm most looking forward to hearing this fall, it may take a long while, simply because the selection is quiet impressive.  Going down the list, my most anticipated albums of the fall include:

                    1.  Sara Bareilles' "Kaleidoscope Heart"

What works well for this saucy, in-your-face girl is her powerful lyrics and poppy attitude.  She scored big in 2007 with her hit "Love Song" which had literally nothing to do about love.  And now she's got a hit single called "King of Anything" that is in the same vein as her major label debut.  Her CD dropped today and judging by the reviews, people are mixed about the singers ability to thwart off a sophomore slump.  But from the songs I've heard and the direction the album seems to be taking, I'm game for whatever this talented girl brings us.

           2.  Brandon Flowers' "Flamingo"

The Killers, this is not.  But Brandon Flowers honestly didn't want to go solo as much as you might think he did.  Most of the songs on his first solo debut album "Flamingo" are songs that he has been quoted as saying were meant for a future Killers record.  Let's be honest, The Killers is influenced by Flowers the most and Brandon has a knack for trying new things in the most mature and a little over-the-top fashion on the newer Killers records (see Sam's Town and Day & Age).  I've heard clips of the songs and of course the very heartwarming single "Crossfire" and must admit, I am ready for a little more charm from Flowers.

                 3.  Maroon 5's "Hands All Over"

Maroon 5 has been around for nearly a decade now.  And yet the band has been successful simply off of only releasing 2 albums thus far.  The stellar debut album "Songs About Jane" took 2 years to break out and thanks to the radio friendly singles, stood out for a long time.  But 2007 was the last time we got a Maroon 5 fix with "It Won't Be Soon Before Long".  Things have changed since that album dropped, and lead singer Adam Levine seems to be aware of what their 3rd album stands for.  The band left the country to record this album in Switzerland, allowing for them to creatively go where no band has gone before.  Oh am I kidding, Maroon 5 has a sound all their own that I highly doubt will change too much this time around.  But the band has been quoted as trying to revisit their roots and have a more funk/soul vibe on "Hands All Over".  If that's true, I can't help but be excited for the next chapter of radio hits and sexy music videos that are sure to come.

                4.  Kanye West TBA album

Oh sure, Kanye West has had a very rough few years personally.  His last album was an auto tuned poetry piece of heart break and depression (a very good one at that though!).  The Taylor Swift thing last year certainly didn't help his persona any more either.  But lucky for us, the man is back to doing the one thing he CAN do: Rap.  While the new Kanye West tracks that have leaked, including the lead single "Power", aren't impressing me as much as the older Kanye West, that doesn't mean I'm not excited.  He's still got the producing chops of a pro.  Listen to the leaked track "Monster" to understand his abilities as both a rapper and a collaborator toward other artists who haven't yet been heard.  Nicki Minaj, Bon Iver, Rick Ross, and Jay-Z all on one track?!  See, that's the great thing about Kanye, he actually strives to be different.  It just sometimes doesn't always work out in his favor.

There are more albums I'd love to feature but that will be saved for later this fall.  Coming up soon, the fall albums we really didn't need to hear. ;)