I'm Taking A Road Trip

As you read this, I will (hopefully) be in the throws of home (yes...again), as I will be spending the weekend at the lovely home of my closest friend from college. Saturday sees my college's annual concert they organize every year with a nearby school -- it's a free show complete with a street fair earlier in the day. The tradition first began when I was a freshman, and now the idea is in its 5th incarnation -- making this trek my first as an official college alumnus (ugh....). The setlist includes Bad Medicine (a Bon Jovi cover band...I am not joking...I much prefer SNL's version Jon Bovi -- but I won't knock it till I see it) and headliner Jack's Mannequin. It seems to follow a pattern of random cover band and mid-level male artist that appeals to the male demo (last year was a Journey cover band with Eve 6; the year before was a Queen cover band with Head Automatica; you get the picture). I'm more going to see my gal pals from my college days of yore -- most of which I haven't seen since graduation almost a year ago.

Hence this post, as a general mixtape mashup of what will be playing in my ears during the 2.5 hour bus trip to Albany and back again -- giving you a keen idea of the songs that tend to get the most "repeat" performance on my iPod these days.

I apologize right now for the formatting of this post. Blogger is choosing to screw with me. Grrr.

Currently Spinning:

(In addition to the recently mentioned Mini Viva's "One Touch", Robyn's "Dancing On My Own", 2AM's "I Was Wrong" and all of Glee's Madonna playlist...)

B.o.B (featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore) - "Airplanes"

Yes, I've fallen prey to the craze. I actually quite prefer it to "Nothin' On You", to be honest.

The Knife - "We Share Our Mother's Health" (Ratatat Remix)

I'm not quite sure why this Swedish duo wasn't on my radar before, but I'm glad they are now.

Kaskade (featuring Dragonette) - "Fire In Your New Shoes"

Because anything featuring Dragonette is full of epic win.

Penguin Prison - "Worse It Gets"
Shimmery, funky, light, airy....it's a good 'um. Wish they'd call Melly, instead of Jenny.

Two Door Cinema Club - "Something Good Can Work" (The Twelves Remix)

Another late-bus rider to the 'Club' with these folks, but hot damn the album is amazing. Can't wait for this to bust wide open in the States.

The Black Keys  - "Tighten Up"

I love the snazzy, vintage feel of this tune. And the whistling.

Drake - "Over" (Amtrak Remix)

Le what, you say? Drake may be riding a little too high on his arguably self-made career, but this remix in particular is a lot of fun.

Empire of the Sun - "Walking On A Dream"

Something about this screams summer to me. Hence the fact I tend to listen to it over and over on days that are particularly sunny.

Nicki Menaj - "Massive Attack"
Definitely not jumping on the Menaj-a-Twain (hehe, I'm so funny....not) with Nicki just yet, but the sound effects and the everything-including-the-kitchen-sink production is kind of addicting. Bwat-Bwat-Bwat-Bwat. Mangos?

And the College Days Staples:

Journey -  "Don't Stop Believin'"

I don't think I really need to introduce why, other than apparently every college student in America, regardless of age, tends to take ownership of this song. And as they should, it's a fun one -- and it kind of exemplifies that optimistic outlook you have (until you graduate and can't find a job...hehe...sob sob).

Justin Timberlake - "SexyBack"

180 randomness you say? Sure. But when this song came out, early during my sophomore year, my roommates and I took to imitating the dance amidst breathless giggles in our dorm. We even videotaped it and forever captured the magic via a ridiculously awful karaoke video. No, I'm not linking. If you haven't already saw it, I suggest you try your ninja-like abilities to find it. Stalkers.

ABBA - "Take A Chance On Me"

Basically the same reasoning as above, except it holds a more sentimental meaning between my closest friend and I. In fact, during our senior year, we had taken to calling each other Bjorn and Anni-Frid respectively. Yes, we're weird. I'm fine with that.

OneRepublic - "Apologize" (Timbaland Version)

Once again, more of a private joke, but all you need to know is our fascination with the line "I loved you with a fire red/Now, it's turning blue", pondering Ryan Tedder's thought process far too deeply. Is he saying his love was once passionate and has now grown cold? Or, considering a flame is hottest when it's blue/purple rather than red, it's burning with a new kind of fervor? Hmmm. Haunting.

Bon Jovi -  "Wanted Dead Or Alive"

Reason #1: Bad Medicine is playing. Reason #2: At one point, my college BFF and I had a run-in with a local videostore (I'm not going into details, I am still a fugitive), and ever since -- whenever we passed the store, we would sing acapella this song's chorus. The store has since gone out of business. We feel slightly guilty. But not really.

Kansas -  "Carry On My Wayward Son"

This is all you need to know. That and The Gospel is on every Thursday, at 9PM Eastern, on the CW. Watch it.