stuck in my head: the Melodores

This is why the Vanderbilt Melodores are awesome: they realized that the only all-male a cappella group at Vandy was really just a bunch of frat guys who weren't that good, so they created their own.  Now, the Melodores is only a few years old, and they're already a strong contender in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) each year.  Two of the new members of the Music Group (the students who put on Rites of Spring) are Melodores, and you need to hear how good they are:

"Never Gonna Leave This Bed," originally performed by Maroon 5

Augie Phillips, soloist

"Time is Running Out," originally performed by Muse

Ted Moock, soloist

Rites of Spring

I spent my weekend working Rites of Spring, Vanderbilt's two-day music festival.  This year's lineup included Gloriana, Fitz & the Tantrums, MUTEMATH, Tyler Hilton, Sleigh Bells, and Wiz Khalifa.  The days were long but so fun!  Here's what I was up to:

Kate, Dwayne (my boss), and me seeking shelter from the rain Friday night

With Fitz & the Tantrums

The lovely merch crew!

Rachel Lampa from The Collective (from my favorite show  The Sing Off) 

Dwayne, me, and Patrick (our awesome booking agent)

The boss man, AKA "Mama." Yes, my famous owl hat had to make an appearance, per Dwayne's request.

Tyler Hilton from One Tree Hill

Me and the Music Group with Sleigh Bells

stuck in my head

One of my absolute favorite things is a cappella music.  I'm sure everyone already knows that.  Remember when I professed my love for my college a cappella group, the FUtones?  Well, I'm still obsessed with them.  They even got a shout-out on a blog entirely devoted to a cappella!

The Sing Off is definitely in the running as my favorite TV show.  I mean, it combines two of my greatest loves: a cappella and addicting television.  And the genius that is Ben Folds doesn't hurt either.  

Last season's winner and clear frontrunner all season, Pentatonix, is incredible.  Three of the five members are only 19 years old!  When they sang this, I was entirely hooked.

But right now, the song that just won't leave me alone is "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Goyte.  So addicting!  And the Pentatonix version might even be better.  Mitch's voice is so pure and clear--what I wish I sounded like!

I plan on making "stuck in my head" posts a more regular sort of thing, since I'm always stumbling upon great new a cappella covers.  If anyone else is an a cappella fan, let me know if you have suggestions!

keep your eyes open

I'm sure everyone was expecting to see a 3 AM post from me about how great The Hunger Games was last night (well...maybe all three of my devoted readers).  For the sake of not reinventing the wheel, visit my friend Leah's blog for the story of why my glowing review is absent.  I STILL HAVE YET TO SEE THE MOVIE.  So don't talk to me about it.  I really wish I could block out the rest of the world until I can see it, but that would be rude.  I promise my review will come as soon as I leave the theater.  Until then, I'm listening to these two songs on repeat...

Post title: "Eyes Open," by Taylor Swift 
Appropriately titled for my struggle at work today after (maybe) four hours of sleep. 

The Hunger Games Training, Day 8

Have you heard?  The Hunger Games soundtrack, The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond was released yesterday and is garnering positive reviews from music critics everywhere.  I'm really hoping this is truly the movie's soundtrack and not simply songs that are inspired by the movie, as some fans are wondering.  Including some of my favorite artists (The Civil Wars, Arcade Fire, The Decembrists, and Miranda Lambert), the music is a pleasant surprise.

Since I'm not and won't pretend to be a music guru, here's what Jason Lipshutz from Billboard.com has to say:

"The Hunger Games" soundtrack has a few miscues -- Kid Cudi's a dynamic performer, but feels out of place when surrounded by acoustic guitars -- but ultimately, the 16-song set is both a tender companion for "Hunger" diehards and a rousing folk-rock compilation for non-enthusiasts. It doesn't matter if you live in District 12, or have no idea what the hell District 12 is; this ornately produced soundtrack makes the most of the franchise's gigantic platform.

1. Arcade Fire, "Abraham's Daughter" - An intense lullaby opens the soundtrack, with beastly distortion serving as bookends and militaristic percussion guiding Regine Chassagne's vocals. The title is a reference to the Biblical tale of Abraham's sacrifice. 

2. The Secret Sisters, "Tomorrow Will Be Kinder" - A gorgeous, sorrowful waltz that recalls the strained hope of Rue's song. The sentiment of the line "I know the present will not last/And tomorrow will be kinder" captures the spirit of the series. 

3. Neko Case, "Nothing To Remember" - Case lends her sturdy alt-country twang to the soundtrack, forsaking her past and trying to get to "the finish line." A short, steady-handed plea. 

4. Taylor Swift featuring The Civil Wars, "Safe & Sound" - A decidedly non-Swiftian anthem that embraces the folksiness of the soundtrack. Backing up the country superstar, the Civil Wars add a little bit of gravitas to the melancholy tune. 

5. Kid Cudi, "The Ruler And The Killer" - One of the few curveballs of the album, "The Ruler And The Killer" finds Kid Cudi still noodling around in WZRD mode, with heavy drums and buzz-saw guitars propping up his pained groans and lurching hooks. 

6. Punch Brothers, "Dark Days" - A song that addresses a mother and a sister harkens back to a certain literary heroine. A gentle ode to hiding fear away that (hopefully) could soundtrack an emotional scene in the film. 

7. The Decemberists, "One Engine" - The pace picks up with this straightforward Decemberists rocker, as Colin Meloy's signature warble gets overshadowed by the uncharacteristic electric guitar reliance. 

8. The Carolina Chocolate Drops, "Daughter's Lament" - Can't you picture the sun rising over District 12, Katniss and Gale stalking through the woods as this song chronicles their last morning together before the reaping? CCD even works the word "mockingjay" into this sparse tune! 

9. The Civil Wars, "Kingdom Come" - After providing Taylor Swift an assist earlier in the soundtrack, the Civil Wars get to shine on their own here, their weaving harmonies becoming more striking as the subtly crafted song progresses. 

10. Glen Hansard, "Take The Heartland" - One-half of The Swell Season (and star of "Once") Glen Hansard injects some much-needed urgency into the album, debating the merits of murder and sounding a lot like Dave Grohl in an righteous change of pace. 

11. Maroon 5 featuring Rozzi Crane, "Come Away To The Water" - Another artist stepping out of his element: Adam Levine slows down his "Jagger" instincts and acts as a Siren alongside Rozzi Crane by beckoning a "little lamb" to the "slaughter." 

12. Miranda Lambert featuring Pistol Annies, "Run Daddy Run" - Like the best songs on Pistol Annies' 2011 disc "Hell On Heels," "Run Daddy Run" surrounds Lambert's natural charisma with fleshed-out production and soaring harmonies. 

13. Jayme Dee, "Rules" - From a vocal standpoint, newcomer Jayme Dee holds her own against the bigger name on the soundtrack, although "Rules" is admittedly one of the weaker tracks on the disc. 

14. Taylor Swift, "Eyes Open" - The stronger of Swift's soundtrack contributions, "Eyes Open" places the singer in her own version of the Hunger Games, trying to stay alert and keep her sense of self as the whole world watches her. A clever spin on the trappings of fame. 

15. The Low Anthem, "Lover Is Childlike" - Although it strays from the imagery of "The Hunger Games," the wistful "Lover Is Childlike" sneaks up on the listener with its poetic approach, and buries itself in his or her skin.

16. Birdy, "Just A Game" - The soundtrack ends with a stunning anthem in which Birdy exhibits her full range and declares, "There comes you, to keep me safe from harm/There comes you, to take me in your arms." Is it just a game? It sure wasn't for Peeta!  


Any favorites?