LIST: Music Makes For Great Gifts...

With the holidays here and Christmas fast approaching, I thought I'd help out and suggest some albums that would make for great gifts. These are albums (new and old) that I really enjoy. There's music from different genres, so hopefully there's a little something for everyone. Hope you agree...

(BTW... these are in no particular order, and like everything in this blog, is my own complete endorsement.)

1. Smashing Pumpkins - Any of their albums, I think would be a winner. I just LOVE this band. The end.
   
   
2. Radiohead - Anything by these guys. They are brilliant.
   
   
3. AA Bondy - American Hearts
   
   
4. Antje Duvekot - Snapshots
   
   
5. Augustana - Can't Love, Can't Hurt
   
   
6. The Brilliant Mistakes - Distant Drumming
   
   
7. Five A.M. - Raise The Sun
   
   
8. Val Emmich - Little Daggers
   
   
9. Matt Nathanson - Some Mad Hope
   
   
10. O.A.R. - All Sides
    
    
11. Emerson Hart - Cigarettes & Gasoline
    
    
12. Adele - 19
    
    
13. Kira Fontana - Inner Revolution
    
    
14. The Interiors - The Interiors
    
    
15. Mass Solo Revolt - Easy Mark
    
    
16. Aleksis Bilmanis - World Around
    
    
17. The Fray - How To Save A Life
    
    
18. Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
    
    
19. Leona Lewis - Spirit
    
    
20. Travis - Singles
    
    
21. The Kooks - Konk
    
    
22. The Ting Tings - We Started Nothing
    
    
23. Silversun Pickups - Carnavas
    
    
24. Christian Brown - When It's Perfect
    
    
25. Deftones - White Pony

And just because it's the holidays... My favorite Christmas album to suggest would be:

Any of the Harry Connick, Jr. Christmas albums.

Happy Holidays!

DISCOVER: Five A.M.

Hey all! New band to check out! From Northern California (Hey! Northern Cali girl here! Woo!) they are called Five A.M.

I have been listening to their newest album, Raise The Sun. That is some seriously good stuff! My favorite tracks are "Be Still" and "Fall Apart", although I enjoy the whole album overall. The lyrics are insightful and some songs seem to have a bit of a spiritual tone without being religiously overzealous. Which, I dig completely. I love songs that connect with me that way. This album has plenty of that.

I love the raspiness (is that a word?) of Trent Yaconelli's voice. The message he delivers is conveyed with raw passion. The music is edgy and fervent, yet with soulful moments. A definite must listen to album!

Band members are:

• Trent Yaconelli : Lead Vocals and Guitar
• Zach Hammer : Lead Guitar and Vocals
• Jason McGrath : Bass
• Jed Friesen : Drums
• Benjie Kushins : Piano, Keys and Percussion

They are touring with Sister Hazel. All you lucky Californians... go see what date/location is nearest you! Meanwhile, I have to wait 'til they come out to Georgia! For more info about the band and the tour...

www.myspace.com/fiveam
www.fiveam.com

Have a listen to this emerging and talented band. Their stuff is available on iTunes: Click HERE to check it out. I've already put the tunes into heavy rotation on my iPod!