Song Review: Love Actually

ARTIST: Cady Groves
GENRE: Pop
DATE RELEASED: Jun 29, 2012
THOUGHTS: As the beginning of the lyric video clearly states, this song is for every girl who's been hurt by a guy. Cady Groves expresses that with expert ability, giving us a song that makes you want to belt it out and shout out to every time you've had your heart broken. The pleading tone tugs at your emotions, while at the same time the catchy music makes you want to throw your hands up with reckless abandon and dance. A good summer song, or anytime you decide to take a listen. ;^) Her girlish tone gives this song a feeling of innocence, even though the lyrics describe a heartbreak that can pretty much be universal.
OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 5, because it pretty much describes the life of every girl who's gotten her heart smashed. (myself included!)

**Sidenote** If you go to this website and type in your library card number/PIN number, you can get this for free! And it's legal, to sweeten the deal.

Ciao for now,

~Singing Midget

Song Review: Stay With Me

ARTIST: LIBERA
GENRE: New Age
DATE RELEASED: Sept. 1, 2004
THOUGHTS: I love Boy's Choirs. They have a beauty that is simply otherworldly, and they possess some of the most beautiful vocal skills I have ever heard. This gem features soaring harmonies, striking dynamics, and heavenly accompaniment. They are wonderful. Plus, they are so cute!
OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 5 stars. This song gives me chills.

Ciao for now,

~Singing Midget

Song Review: Homeward Bound

I have been really bad about posting on here, but today I thought I would give you guys a good Sunday song.

Written By: Marta Keen Thompson
Sung By: The Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Date Released: May 21, 2005
Thoughts: Lately I have been thinking of this song a lot. It is a story of life's journey. There comes a time in everyone's life's when you need to be set free and find your way through life. What this song teaches, is that you are never alone, there is someone who is always going to be there for you. So, go have fun, learn and grow from the trials and tribulations you are going to have in this life, but remember to come back home.
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5

~Note Worthy

Song Review: Primadonna

ARTIST: Marina and the Diamonds
GENRE: Alternative
DATE RELEASED: March 23, 2012
THOUGHTS: This is a super dancy, fun song! I was kind of surprised it fell under "alternative", because I would have pegged it as pop, but that's irrelevant, really. The lyrics are bratty, but fun, and I LOVE her unique, deep voice! It's different, but in a good way. The music video is also really fun, too. I love the retro feel.
OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 5. I can't get enough of this song!

Ciao for now,

~Singing Midget

Song Review: Parachute

ARTIST: Ingrid Michaelson
GENRE: Pop
DATE RELEASED: September 14, 2010
THOUGHTS: This is a fun, dancy, song with a driving rhythm. It's a fun song about love and how it makes her feel, and I love belting this out. Ingrid's style shines through in this song that is rather different from her usual light songs, but in a good way.
OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 5. This is a rocking song. :^)

Ciao for now,

~Singing Midget

Song Review: Lonely Lullaby

ARTIST: Owl City
GENRE: Electronic
DATE RELEASED: July 19, 2011
THOUGHTS: This song breaks my heart just a little bit every time I hear it. It's a beautiful, sad song of loss, and it's sung so gently, and so genuinely, it makes me want to cry. You can practically see the memories hes describing, which gives this song another level of deepness. It's a delicate song sung with real emotion behind it, and trademark of Adam Young, this song lingers.
OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 5. This song is brilliantly and gently crafted.

Ciao for now,

~Singing Midget

Song Review: I Fell In Love

ARTIST: Whitton
GENRE: Pop
DATE RELEASED: March 30, 2012
THOUGHTS: I stumbled on this via Pandora, and I fell in love with it! It's a sweet, simple love song, complete with banjos and clapping. This song sounds like sunshine to me, honestly. I got it stuck in my head instantly, and by the second chorus, I was singing along. I love the bouncy, sweet rhythm she gives the song, and the lyrics just make me grin. "You're like a piece of gold/ I wear ev'rywhere I go", "I wasn't looking for love/ until you flew in like a dove". I love this song!
OVERALL RATING: 4.5 out of 5. Her voice gets a bit irritating after a bit, but overall it's an adorable song. :^)

Ciao for now,

~Singing Midget

Song Review: All The Rowboats

ARTIST: Regina Spektor
GENRE: Alternative
DATE RELEASED: February 28, 2012
THOUGHTS: This is a wonderfully intense song, full of pounding drums and piano. In true Regina style, she  is abstract in her lyrics, talking about a museum and the sad life of an exhibit. It's a haunting song, and I can't get enough of it!
OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 5 stars.

Ciao for now,

~Singing Midget

Song Review: Cristofori's Dream

ARTIST: David Lanz

GENRE: New Age

DATE RELEASED: 1988

THOUGHTS: This song is positively splendorous, with it's gentle, sparkling piano and it's slightly haunting melody. It reminds me of an old music box, with it's twinkling sounds and beautiful dynamics. This song makes me want to slowly dance around an empty dance hall in a flowing dress- too weird? That's how I feel when I listen to this. It IS a longer song- 6:08, but I think the time passes too quickly once you get caught up in the sounds of it. This is a piece of pure, unadulterated art if I ever heard one, and it is well worth the listen. It simply floats over your senses, leaving a pleasant feeling inside you.

OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 5 stars, most definitely. This is a perfect song.

Ciao for now,

~Singing Midget

Song Review: Telephone Lines

ARTIST: Jack and White
GENRE: Pop
DATE RELEASED: June 5, 2012
THOUGHTS: This is a wonderful, relaxing, summery song. It makes me want to walk along the beach, which is difficult to do, living in AZ. Jack and White bring the song to perfection with their warm vocals.
OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 5, because it's the perfect summer song. :^)

For more listening, here's their album:  http://smarturl.it/undercover
Also, Brooke White is having a J&W giveaway on her blog! Read more about it here.
Thank you, J&W!
Ciao for now,

~Singing Midget

Song Review: Movie Loves a Screen

ARTIST: April Smith and the Great Picture Show
GENRE: Pop
DATE RELEASED: February 23, 2010
THOUGHTS: This song fairly bounces out of the speakers! It's a cheery, sweet song that makes you want to dance around in a swingin' kind of way. Her light and playful lyrics are so optimistic and simple- no need to ponder on these. It's basically perfection. I can't get enough of it!
OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 5. This song makes me feel good about life. :^)

Ciao for now,

~Singing Midget

Concert Review: He Is We (featuring Windsor Drive, South Jordan, and Deas Vail)

WINDSOR DRIVE:

SM: As opening act, Windsor Drive had the arduous task of getting the fans ready for a night filled with music, and they certainly did! They were energetic, and clearly passionate about what they were playing. You could tell what performing meant to them, and their hard work showed. They poured their all into their music, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The guitar player was my favorite, because while he clearly pulled his weight, he was able to let loose and have fun while doing it. The lead singer was powerful and passionate about the lyrics. Overall, this was a performance well done.

NW: I'm not going to say as much because my friend, SM, pretty much summed it up for you. I will say that I loved the guitar player, he was so fun to watch and he had a great stage presence. And after the show he called SM and me his favorite 2 ladies! Hahahaha!

SOUTH JORDAN:

SM: This act clearly served as the eye-candy portion of the night of music, as it was made up of several attractive twenty-somethings singing about love and relationships. I honestly wasn't expecting to get keyed up during this concert, since I didn't know any of the acts super well, but South Jordan fairly worked me into a craze; and who could blame me? When there's an attractive male singing right in front of you, dancing, and occasionally flashing a small peek at his toned abs, you can't help but get excited. Their songs were flirty, and the lead singer definitely commanded the stage with his strutting about. It was a very enjoyable performance.

NW:This was definitely the funnest part of the evening. The drummer was also extremely gorgeous, which always helped. The lead singer sure was having a fun time dancing on the stage in front of a auditorium of teenage girls, screaming. Super fun and their music just made me want to dance.

DEAS VAIL:

SM: This was the calm before the storm. Deas Vail's music proved to be calmer than the rest, and rather than make an exaggerated effort to steal the show, they immersed themselves with the thrill of performing and just flowed with the music. The lead singer's voice was a very light, almost angelic tone, and it gave the songs a gentle feel. It was a welcome break from the screaming and the jumping, both of which were prevalent in both of the first two acts. This was more about enjoying the music, rather than the people onstage. In one of the numbers, the lead singer stepped away from the mic, and the instruments faded out, and he sang the rest of the song without any aid; an interesting and artistic twist. His pleading tone held all our attention captive, and the quietness of his raw voice without a mic caused a wide-spread hush to permeate the crowd. My one regret in this performance was that I couldn't fully enjoy it because a girl was pushing me out of my spot- very irritating. Don't EVER do that.

NW: I loved when the main singer, sang part of a song a capella. He sang so sweetly and clearly that it was hard not to be mesmerized! I was also pretty bummed out when a girl behind us decided to squeeze her way in between SM and me. Sorry SM!

HE IS WE:

SM: This was the act we all were waiting for! He Is We immediately brought us out of our relatively relaxed mood from Deas Vail, and made the crowd go crazy. Unfortunately, Rachel Taylor, the lead singer couldn't come due to health issues, but her stand-in, Stevie Scott, filled her shoes wonderfully. Her sweet, girlish voice lent an innocence to the songs that made them all seem somewhat fresh and different. You could tell that she really felt the meaning of each lyric she sang, and she punctuated her singing with deliberate movements, rather than meandering onstage without clear direction. In one song, she knelt down for the duration of the number, which gave the whole song a new depth- it was amazing to see. Trevor, the guitarist, was so fun to watch, as he was dressed extremely casual- jeans and a basketball jersey, with no shoes on. It communicated his personality to a T, and he was clearly dedicated to his instrument.

NW: Trevor and I were meant for each other. 'Nough said.

 OVERALL THOUGHTS:

SM: I thought it was a night well-spent, in the company of my best friend, and other fellow music lovers. It was so fun to be able to be immersed in song for just a few hours, and I appreciated the effort all the acts collectively exhibited. All in all, it was a wonderful night. I would definitely recommend seeing any and all of these acts when you have a chance!

NW: Definitely worth the money SM and I spent (which wasn't that much). I got an awesome poster which all of the bands signed, and the signed both SM's and my t-shirts. TREVOR TOUCHED MY SHIRT!  You could really tell they all loved music and it was great to spend the night listening to could clean music with my besty!

Ciao for now, 

~Singing Midget

&

~Note Worthy

Song Review: Watching You Watch Him

ARTIST: Eric Hutchinson
GENRE: Pop
DATE RELEASED: April 13, 2012
THOUGHTS: With drums and clapping, Eric Hutchinson opens this song sounding deceptively cheerful. While it's a song of hopeless attraction, and speaks of what could (and should) be, regarding the object of his affection, this song is bouncy and so fun to sing along to. The foot-tapping beat and Jason Mraz-esque vocals bring just a hint of summer whenever you listen to it. It's the perfect song for a sunny day!
OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 5. This song is super catchy, and really easy to sing along to- it'll get stuck in your head!

Ciao for now,
~Singing Midget

Song Review: Burn It Down

ARTIST: Linkin Park
GENRE: Alternative
DATE RELEASED: April 16, 2012
THOUGHTS: I'm not a very avid Linkin Park listener, but every once in a while a song catches my attention- and this absolutely did. The opening notes were what first drew me in- it sounded like a synthesized organ, which is always cool. Soon, I was hooked. It's such a powerful song, you just want to sing it at the top of your lungs. It's one of those songs I enjoy repeating- and have been doing so frequently. Gosh, this song is awesome. It's also clean- a huge plus. And I actually liked the rap part, which is something I usually do NOT like.
OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 5 stars- this song is composed of three parts: Epic, Jaw Droppingly-Awesome, and Win.

Ciao for now,
~Singing Midget

Song Review: The Man Who Can't Be Moved

Have you ever been listening to the radio and you hear a song you really like, but never figure out the title name? That happened to me like 2 years ago! I really, really liked this song they kept playing on the radio, but I could never find the title. The other day I was listening to Pandora and the song came up! Go Pandora! I love, love, LOVE this song.

Artist: The Script
Genre: Irish Rock (?)
Date Released: August 2008
Thoughts: First off, they are an Irish rock band from Dublin, who would have thought? Ireland and Scotland have always been close to my heart, so them being Irish just got them very high on my list of favorites. I love the beat to this song. The melody and harmonies are amazing. And the main dude is attractive, so there. Check this song out here!
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. This song is very catchy (I mean I have been singing it in my head for 2 years). Danny O'Donoghue has a voice I could listen to all the time. Let's just face it, this band has a unique sound and they could get somewhere in the music business.

Ciao for now,
~Note Worthy

Song Review: Honey.

 I find out about new artists in the most random ways sometimes, and this one was really no different. I was looking up dates for Owl City's summer concerts, and I saw that she was performing with him in San Francisco, so in an effort to get to know his opening acts (just because I'm a creepy stalker-fan), I looked her up and discovered that if you signed up for her email list, you would get a free single! So I signed up immediately, and got the free song. Score! I had to check this chick out more, just to make sure her song was all okay and stuff. And I love her! Honestly, who couldn't? She is adorable!!

ARTIST: Jayme Dee
GENRE: Electroacoustic/Jazz/Pop (self described)
DATE RELEASED: January 1, 2009
THOUGHTS: This is a very fun song, light and flirty, and dripping with witty wordplay, for example: I don't think you could fit through the door/ With a head that big,/ Surprised it don't hit the floor. Clever, right? She doesn't stop there, rather, she gathers steam, dissing her ex to no end, remarking how he was "just a phase", and things like that. The slight, bouncing rhythm is faintly reminiscent of older country-style songs, and she sings with a clear attitude throughout. It makes you want to cheer for her "You GO, girl!"-at least for me. She reminds me of a jazzier, less beachy, slightly younger Colbie Calliat. It's also nice how this is not over-produced at all, it's just her and some simple instrumentals, and that's really all this song needs.
OVERALL RATING: 4.5out of 5 stars. While the song is super cute, after a while, the rhythm gets a bit redundant.

Ciao for now,
~Singing Midget

Song Review: Go Do

ARTIST: Jonsi
GENRE: Alternative
DATE RELEASED: April 6, 2010
THOUGHTS: This is a song best listened to when the house is utterly quiet, and you aren't distracted by anything, using headphones to make the sound closer to your ears in order to hear everything clearly. If you want to take it further, close your eyes and just immerse yourself in the song. In case you were wondering, music is a very pleasurable experience for me, and I don't like much getting in the way of me and my sounds. This song just... Flows, and it almost feels as though it's floating through the air. The complicated melody, the falsetto, and the energetic drumming makes this song the perfect confection of soaring vocals and unique instrument effects. The one thing that might annoy some is the fact that his music is more about the overall musicality of the piece, rather than focusing on the words. I, however, think this adds a certain mystique and charm to it all.
OVERALL RATING: I give this song a five out of five, because it quite simply takes me to my happy place.

Ciao for now,
~Singing Midget

Song Review: Titanium

ARTIST: David Guetta and Sia
GENRE: Dance
DATE RELEASED: August 29, 2011
THOUGHTS: Titanium is a very powerful song about being independent and not being affected by what others do, which I LOVE. It isn't a pointless song about getting drunk/high, or one-night stands. This is a song with an empowering message, and a great beat. I read in Billboard magazine last week that "Dance music is resurrecting", and I totally agree with that. I've always been a fan of fast, danceable beats, and this song fits the description perfectly. There's one specific part, however, that may irritate some people in between the chorus and verses- a pounding, surging beat that at first listen may weird some people out. My first thought was "seizure alert!", but quickly found myself loving the song. If you are someone who hasn't heard much of Sia, I encourage you to get more familiar with her sound- her lyrics are often hard to understand, due to her singing style, but she has a good sound, and VERY creative music videos (bordering on just plain weird). I'll probably do a feature on her soon, so you can get better acquainted.
OVERALL RATING: 4 out of 5, because the pounding, surging beat can get a bit dizzying, and you have to really focus hard on what she's singing. But it's a marvelous song! Check it:

Do you get what I'm saying when I talk about the pounding, surging beat?

Ciao for now,
~Singing Midget

Jonas Brothers

Alright, I know what you all are thinking, "The Jonas Brothers? Really?" Before you exit, let me explain: lately I have been really fed up with the crap I have to listen to on the radio. Luckily I have a tape adapter and a tape player in my car so I can plug in my I-pod. I have made a few playlists that are clean, up-beat, and don't distract me from driving cautiously :). One of my favorite bands to listen to is the Jonas Brothers because they are so positive in (most) of their music, and I don't have to worry about skipping songs that I think are inappropriate. The Jonas Brothers became well known around the year 2005. I began to listen to their music when they released their singles, "We're The Kids of the Future" and "The Year 3000". Sadly the boy band has kind of dissipated since Nick, the youngest Jonas brother, decided to go solo and the eldest Jonas brother, Kevin, got married. If you have a chance, pick up their CD, and have fun dancing to the beat!

Ciao for now,
~ Note Worthy

Album Review: Shooting Star EP

ARTIST: Owl City

GENRE: Electronic, Pop

DATE RELEASED: May 15, 2012

THOUGHTS: When I first heard that Owl City was coming up with a new album, I was extremely ecstatic- I am a Hoot Owl through and through, and I jumped at the chance to get new music from him. I soon after heard that he was experimenting with "a new sound", and I got apprehensive- not wanting to lose my undying devotion, but not wanting a drastic change from OC's usual, bubbly electronic feel, I almost resisted listening to his new EP, but I caved, and... I loved it! It wasn't dramatically different, he simply is experimenting with different effects. The first thought that came to me in regards of the sound was more "mature", for lack of a better word. It's not as bubbly as his other works, the instruments sound a bit "heavier" (does that term make sense?), and his lyrics seem more grown-up. Not, of course, in a vulgar way, because he is extremely clean in his lyrics (just another reason to love him), but the messages sound more serious. 

• "Shooting Star" is a comforting song about showing the world who you are. In a way, it's almost reminiscent of Katy Perry's "Firework", as far as messages and pyrotechnics go. 
• "Gold" is a really awesome song about not hiding your talents (that's what I got from it, anyway), and it's got a great hook to it, sucking you in.
• "Dementia" is more rock-infused, featuring Mark Hoppus from the band Blink-182. I don't love it as much as the others, but it's still a good song with a good beat.
• "Take It All Away" (sorry, no preview on this one) is a slower, more melancholy song that is quite pretty, and kind of peaceful at the same time.

OVERALL RATING: 4 out of 5 stars. While I embrace OC's new sound, I'm not a huge fan of rock, so "Dementia" kind of threw me off. However, I really enjoy the rest of the songs, and I think you should give it a listen!

Ciao for now,
~Singing Midget