THEMACGIRL*

01. Rooney – “I Can’t Get Enough” [ iTunes ]
I tell you yes, you tell me no, I ask you why, you never let me know, you close your eyes, I hold you tight, but it’s no surprise, I’ve got nowhere to go.
When I think of Rooney I think of summer, and this is a danceable summer song that everyone needs!
**For fans of Phantom Planet, The 88, and OK GO

02. Court Yard Hounds – “The Coast” [ iTunes ]
Blue skies, green waters, white birds in the air, brown skin, blue collar, and the wind blowing in my hair.
Another great summer song that everyone needs!
**For fans of Dixie Chicks and Sheryl Crow

03. The Swell Season – “Young Hearts Run Free” [ *free* download ]
Young hearts to yourself be true; never get hung up when love really don’t love you.
I recently saw this band live and I was blown away by their performance, needless to say, their albums have been on heavy rotation. This is a cover from the 70′s that they’ve modernized quite a bit.
**For fans of The Frames and the movie “Once”

04. Neon Trees – “Animal” [ iTunes ]
Here we go again, we’re sick like animals, we play pretend, you’re just a cannibal and I’m afraid I wont get out alive, no I won’t sleep tonight.
This is a gem I found on iTunes as a *free* discovery song that causes me to speed… among other things.
**For fans of fun., The Rocket Summer, and VHS or Beta

05. Hanson – “Give A Little” [ iTunes ]
Give a little heart and soul, let your body lose control, give a little oh oh ohhh…
I’ve been a fan of this band for over half of my life (!) and I can’t say enough good things about them. I know many people who are reading this are probably scoffing but do me a favor give them another chance. It’s been many years since “MmmBop” was released and their music has changed quite a bit. This is a fun song with a nice horn section.

06. Band of Horses – “Compliments” [ iTunes ]
If there’s a God up in the air, someone looking over everyone, at least you’ve got something to fall back on, and what do people really hope?, Does anybody even care?, I bet you get a lot of compliments down there.
A recent download that I highly recommend, in fact, the entire album (Infinite Arms) is fantastic.
**For fans of The National, My Morning Jacket, and The Shins

Happy 4th of July! To celebrate I wanted to pass along a few of my favorite songs that I’ve been playing a lot this summer. A few new songs as well as an oldie. I hope you enjoy!

01. Alexi Murdoch – Blue Mind
“So watch your time turn to sand, let it spill quietly from your hands. Oh, and the time is at hand when all things under the sky. Go free of time, no time is passing you by. Got no time and I am drifting.”
After seeing “Away We Go” only a couple weeks ago Irediscovered my love for Alexi Murdoch. “Blue Mind” is one of my favorite songs off of his debut full-length album Time Without Consequence.

02. Phoenix – Lisztomania
“So sentimental not sentimental no. Romantic not discussing it, darling I’m down and lonely. When we’re the fortunate only? I’ve been looking for something else. Too late too late too late she’ll be late too late too late. So go slowly discourage distant from other interests. On your favorite weekend ending this love for gentlemen only. That’s where the fortunate only. No I gotta be someone else. These days it comes it comes it comes it comes it comes and goes. A Lisztomania. Think less but see it grow, like a ride like a ride oh! Not easily offended, know how to let it go. From the mess to the masses.”
I remember reading about this band a couple of months ago on a music blog based out of Louisville called Backseat Sandbar. I didn’t check out their music immediately but saw it at a record store here in Seattle, and as it turned out I really liked it. If you like infectious songs this one is for you. Thanks for the recommendation Backseat Sandbar, and sorry I didn’t listen sooner!

03. Bat for Lashes – Daniel
“But in a goodbye bed with my arms around your neck. Into our mouths our tears crept just kids in the eye of the storm. And as the house spun round my dreams pulled me from the ground forever to search for the faith for home again for home again.”
I really want to love Bat for Lashes but this song is about the only one I can tolerate. Plus the video is pretty cool.

04. Regina Spektor – Dance Anthem of the 80′s
“I’m walking through the city like a drunk, but not. With my slip showing a little like a drunk, but not. And I am one of your people but the cars don’t stop. And I am one of your people but the cars don’t stop. And it’s been a long time since before I’ve been touched. Now I’m getting touched all the time. And it’s only a matter of whom, and it’s only a matter of when.”
I’ll be honest I haven’t listened to Regina’s latest album Far a great deal but this is one song that has stuck out. “Dance Anthem of the 80′s” is catchy and fun to listen to while you’re driving, the windows are down, and your music is blaring.

05. Ryan Adams – Memory Lane
“Sometimes when my memory fails I look into my book of spells. Cards we wrote and pictures taken by someone else. I feel the pain, memory lane. I sleep by the window sill sounding out and dream for real of simple times of hands in tangle, fingers engaged. Memory lane.”
This is one of my latest finds and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite songs of his. Personally I don’t think Ryan Adams can do no wrong when it comes to songwriting so I guess I am biased. I find this to be a truly sad but beautiful song. Hopefully he returns to music soon to share his beautiful music with us again!