Ethan's Playlist 8/28/12 [Alternative]

So I have been flipping through genres, and today, I chose Alternative. This genre is definitely one of my favorites. I don't exactly remember when I started liking it, but I just know I love it now! Lots of variations of the genre include: indie, folk, alt-rock and more! And yes, the youtube links are back and the album covers are still here!

[Ho Hey] - The Lumineers

So, How did I hear about The Lumineers, to be honest I don't really remember... I think I saw it on iTunes, and I decided since it sound folk-y, I would try it, and I loved it so much! Ho Hey is the best from the album in my opinion! The world will be hearing so much more from The Lumineers in the coming years. 

[I Will Wait] - Mumford & Sons

Wow, with one album Mumford & Sons have captured my attention and made me appreciate folk music so much more from the clean version of Little Lion Man and The Cave. I hope this song is a reflection of their new album, Babel, I really love the upbeat parts rather than the slow. 

[Not Your Fault] - AWOLNATION

So, I have actually no idea where I heard of AWOLNATION, wait scratch that, I do remember. I remember first hearing Sail from Tap Tap Revenge... yeah, but Sail was like on of my favorites and another great one from the album is Not Your Fault. It is so awesome and am glad that the BMW commercial featuring their song, Sail, is giving AWOLNATION the attention it deserves. 

[Just a Game] - Birdy

Listening to Skinny Love, originally by Bon Iver, was amazing, her vocals are just stunning, and her power from a thirteen year old is truly just shocking. This song was featured in The Hunger Games Soundtrack, The Hunger Games: Songs From District 12 and Beyond. Love the title of the song and how it fits the hunger games, Just a Game.

[Gold On the Ceiling] - The Black Keys

So, this is really iffy on the alternative side, on iTunes it is considered alternative, but it really is jazz. These guys make the biggest noise from just 2 people! This song is one of the best from their latest album, El Camino which is Spanish for the way, along with Dead and Gone. 

[Birds of Prey] - Christina Aguilera

I am usually not really a big fan of Christina Aguilera, her songs are sometimes not good, and by not good I mean not good morally. This song is such a stand-out. Her album, Bionic, was mostly electronic, but this was a bit on more of the alternative side. I heard of this song when Lindsey Pavao said she wanted to cover the song and I was like, ok I'll give this song a whirl, if Lindsey wants to cover it, it has to be decent. I was wrong, it wasn't decent. It was great! 

[Some Nights] - fun.

[Eyes Wide Open] - Gotye

I remember downloading the whole debut album, Making Mirrors, the first day of its release, and listening to Somebody That I Used to Know that first time! It was shocking and to hear that become summer's number 1 hit was unreal. Yeah, I knew that song before anyone else. This song is not as good, but it was still really great.

[Some Nights] - fun.

When everyone was raving about We Are Young,  I was into Some Nights. I got the album the day it got out, not when the single was released, but the whole album and the stand out was Some Nights, not We Are Young.

[It's Time] - Imagine Dragons

UPDATE: I cannot believe I forgot this sogn! Ok, I have to admit I did not find this song on my own... yeah... but the entire EP from Imagine Dragons is just amazing! It is one of the reasons I love this genre so much. This song is such a testament to its genre! I love it SOO MUCH!

Say Aah for a Part Of Lindsey Pavao from a Heart-Shaped Box who is Somebody That I Used To Know.

So continuing my series about contestants on The Voice. If you couldn't guess by the title, this person is no other than Skrillex hair, indie, Lindsey Pavao. I have so many favorites on this show, and she is one of them.

Lindsey before Skrillex hair!

Unfortunately, I don't have much things to relate with to Lindsey like I did with Mathai... I wish we had more in common, but we just don't can't say I am of pure American descent, or have a half-shaved awesome head, but we do have one thing in common, indie. Alright, I have a confession to make. I am very off pitch, so technically, we don't share indie, but we share our love for indie, there. Whew, spilling the beans feels better. Now everyone will want me to go on The Voice and embarrass myself. Well that is not happening.

So back to Lindsey, Lindsey Pavao is a 22 years old, I really hope I got that right... she is either 22 or 23. I am  pretty positive about that, but to the best of my knowledge she is 22 soon to turn 23. Well she just graduated from CSU, Sacramento, and until recently worked at Zen Sushi.

So during Lindsey's blind audition, She sang "Say Aah" by Trey Songz. For me, this was the best audition of the whole second season. I am a really big fan of new things and just pure genius. Lindsey was both of these things, and her song even charted on Hot Billboard 100 at 80! Only person of the season to get a Billboard slot for the blind auditions!

Lindsey after her Blind Audition

So, I first saw her audition on a preview of the season, at first I thought it was pretty bad. Honestly I did, for 2 big reasons. First, I didn't even know the song, and 2nd she hadn't started :) So as we got to the middle, I was wondering who sang this and when I saw it was Trey Songz, I was really surprised, a rapper for real? So I youtube-d the song, and listened to it, I really liked it, pumped me up. So I went back to the song, and listened to it from the beginning. I was blown away. First, I know that The Voice does not provide special things like that, meaning, they don't know how to play that arrangement, so Lindsey must have done everything by herself! She is so ingenious! Secondly, I was blown away by that hidden power. Mostly on the show, I hear her soft side, but when her moments of power come, it sends me to the edge of my seat to soak in all the lyrics; to me it is just that powerful. I was extremely excited that 3 judges turned around, but was rather saddened that Adam didn't turn around and was even more saddened by the fact that he was surprised 3 turned around, because that must have meant he didn't think she was that good.

Ok, enough of "Say Aah", even though I could talk a little bit longer, but for sake of my sanity, let's keep going down or up the roller coaster. So, battle rounds... I must admit I do not really like the battle rounds all too much because of the fact one has to go home and usually my favorites are paired together. For example, I liked Anthony Evans and Jesse, but would have loved to see Anthony move on as well. I did not really like Lee's audition, but he had a good voice.

"Forever in debt to your priceless advice,iiice"

I didn't know again what the song choice was yet again, I guess I'm a hermit, but they were assigned "Heart-Shaped Box" by Nirvana. I was so happy to hear the amazing talent both of them put on the table! It was legit stuff, even though it was a bit creepy. My all time favorite line is the line that was on the preview, "Forever in debt to your priceless advice." Lindsey sang that very well. I was super glad that it was not really a battle, it was a beautiful duet. I was glad that Christina picked Lindsey.

Then comes her live round show, I was super excited to know that she was singing Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know." I was a little bit saddened at the fact that she didn't bring the power that Gotye brought in the chorus, I felt like she could really bring that well, but I was glad that the staging was good, and creepy. I downloaded the iTunes version and was quickly engaged and was happy to hear that she did bring the power in the studio version. She charted to #23 in iTunes, but she failed to chart in Hot Billboard :( she was #6 on the Bubbling Under The Hot 100. So close!

Creepy and Good coincided!

Last week I was so ready for a S&M/We Found Love Mashup! I felt she could turn it into something so amazing, but she failed to connect with it. I was a little disappointed with her performance with "Part of Me' by Katy Perry. I felt like she wasn't in sync with the band and didn't put it all out. I was happy with her iTunes performance, but I personally thought this was her worst performance of the season.

Bad picture, but best representation

Then I was super upset that she wasn't saved by America and was so nervous for her. I was preparing for the worst. But when Ashley didn't sing too well, I felt a little more optimistic, and when Lindsey started singing Mike Posner's "Please Don't Go", I remember why I loved her voice so much. It was everything I wanted, moving, versatile, special, and her powerful voice. I was totally with Christina and Cee Lo. I thought it was so moving and beautiful, and I was on the verge of ______. What? I didn't say anything! Maybe... For me, that was her best performance on the show yet. I was super excited by it and still am I still listen to it a lot and it is just Lindsey at her best. (Hopefully that means another vulnerable performance next week!) I was a little bit sad that it wasn't going to be on iTunes, but I downloaded it via Realplayer.

I can not wait for her next week! I am so glad Christina save her and she has what it takes to go extremely far. She better sing something so good next week! #PavaoArmy! Fave from TeamXtina! I'll include album covers!

EK10 with DJ Kwokodile 2/27/12

YAY FOR EK10 MAKING IT ON TIME! BC of Snowboardin!

1. [Back Home] - Tyler Ward & Alex G
YAYA! CLEAN VERSION OF THE SONG! TYLER WARD IS SO AWESOME! I really like Alex G's vocals and I hope you like them too! P.S First song I actually bought. :)

2. [Apologize] - Charlotte Sometimes
I think she had the most unique voice this season. I think that Blake has the gift of nurturing uniqueness, so I am glad she picked him. ALL 4! This is the best rendition of OneRepublic's song I've ever heard!

3. [Rumour Has It] - Mathai
I spelled Rumour instead of Rumor, cause that's how ADELE spells it. She was the best of the night! I'm glad she picked Adam! I think Adam would be able to nurture her the best. She was so good and I hope her voice gets even better than it already is!

4. [Butt Back Home] - Gym Class Heroes
Well I can say the rap is kinda bad... it's not that great. All I love is the catchy chorus... Not all that great of a reason to like this song... That's all I have to say is that, and oh btw... I listen to the clean version :) and now Tyler Ward's version

5. [Country Girl (Shake It For Me)] - Luke Bryan
Wow, long song name... Oh well, It makes up for it in the song :) It's a pretty great song. Great country, makes me happy, all I care about :P Luke Bryan has to be one of my favorite country artists! Him and Blake Shelton are my favorite!

6. [Somebody That I Used To Know] - Gotye
Totally lost faith in this song! I was so wrong! I still love it and it's great! Still love it for the same reasons... This is now such a nice song with great meanings!

7.  [Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)] - Kelly Clarkson
This is an amazing song! I love the lyrics, and even though it's by Kelly from IDOL, I still like it :) "Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone!"

8. [We Are Young (feat. Janelle Monae)] - Fun.
I love this song! It's so catchy and it so awesome! I really love Fun.! Just recently heard it and I need to listen to it more!

9. [Find Your Love] - James Massone
He was really good! I love this Drake rendition! He was really good! He is really strong and Cee Lo will do well with him. I think he did it better than Drake :)

3. [The Lazy Song] - Naia Kete
She was really good! She reminded me of Dia, so that's why I am so glad that she picked Blake! Her voice is really really really like Dia's! I hope she does well!








I think that I cheated a bit by copying and pasting, but I did edit some ;)

DJ Kwokodile

EK10 2/20/12 with DJ Kwokodile

WOW! I really don't like this @ all! I regret not posting The Voice reviews, but I couldn't find the songs anywhere but iTunes... I'll leave it @ that... I regret this choice, but there was a lotttt of pop this week. I apologize for that... I do have a good country song :) Voice songs are almost all gone but that's because this week's songs weren't available... I will publish this one earlier... I feel like I'll forget... So disregard the date I put up :) I have no idea when the Voice songs will come out so... don't anticipate... I've been checking my phone every hour to see if the phones are there... It hasn't paid off. I really wish that I didn't wait those 3+ hours looking around. So enjoy this pop filled charts. Again apologies, I'm usually an alternative guy.

1. [Butt Back Home] - Gym Class Heroes
Well I can say the rap is kinda bad... it's not that great. All I love is the catchy chorus... Not all that great of a reason to like this song... That's all I have to say is that, and oh btw... I listen to the clean version :)

2. [Country Girl (Shake It For Me)] - Luke Bryan
Wow, long song name... Oh well, It makes up for it in the song :) It's a pretty great song. Great country, makes me happy, all I care about :P Luke Bryan has to be my fave country artist!


3. [God Gave Me You] - Blake Shelton
Wow! I love this song. :D He has to be my second favorite! Blake Shelton is the bomb! I really want to go to see his concert... If any of my friends want to go with me, I would love to go to watch a race! It's 39 for a ticket + 20 for better concert seats! So you get a race, and a good spot @ a concert for $59! Not too bad! It's a Nascar Race btw... MEG & DIA THERE 2! Another reason Blake is great, is that he actually invited Dia to go on tour with him! No other coaches did that! But this is one of my favorite country songs :)

4. [The Cave] - Mumford & Sons
Wow! I remember listening to this album April of last year! So glad my school friends got me hooked on the Mumfs! I think they're amazing! My fave song used to be Little Lion Man... but I totally didn't know the f-word was in it. :( So the Cave erupts as my favorite! :D

5. [Bed Intruder Song] - Antoine Dodson
Wow! What a story behind this song! I totally did not know that this song was a real deal! I totally thought this was a gag! I just realized this was real when we watched the news cast on Thursday... I am so smart!

6. [Somebody That I Used To Know] - Gotye
Totally lost faith in this song! I was so wrong! I still love it and it's great! Still love it for the same reasons...

7. [Say Aah (feat. Fabolous] - Trey Songz
Well, this song faded away from glory... It's still good but ehhh its very meh now to me. It's still the same image :) Not to appropriate of an album cover still.

8. [International Love (feat. Chris Brown)] - Pitbull
Hmm... This isn't a very good song :( But I kinda like Pitbull at times, and this is one of the songs I do like. That's all I'm saying, and the album cover's not that great either...

10. [7 x 70] - Chris August
YAY! I still love this song! For the same reasons!

 Well enjoy my overly pop chart!

DJ Kwokodile :)

Took #9 out :) one of my better collab decisions :)

EK10 with DJ Kwokodile 2/13/12

Well, if you haven't noticed yet, I have dropped from 14 to 10. This is due to the fact, I am now introducing album covers, and youtube links, and I have no idea how I'm going to find time for 14, so I'm just doing 10 :)

1. [Say Aah] - Lindsey Pavao
It's a new season of THE VOICE! If you didn't notice, I love the voice and I think that Lindsey is the front-runner for TeamXtina! This is a lovely rendition of Trey Songz's Say Aah! His rendition will also be included in the EK10 this week!

2. [Somebody That I Used to Know (feat. Kimbra)] - Gotye
This song just got on to the EK10 on 2/11/12  so its relatively new.  It is such a simple song, but it sounds so good! I really like how the voices are really melodramatic, but the topic is super serious.

3. [7 x 70] - Chris August
I really really like this song! This makes me feel happy! I think this is a really good song. If you don't already know, this song is about forgiveness! I remember when Caleb taught about forgiveness @ youth group,  he said God looks at our sin stack from a bird's eye view! It's all the same! Aren't we glad our God is so forgiving!

4. [Bleeding Love] - Raquel Castro
I think this song is lovely! I didn't know the Leona Lewis song until after the season was over, so I didn't know the Raquel covered it! Her voice is great and she should have been a semi-finalist! :( I am terribly sorry, but there is no link for Raquel's song, because I cannot find it on youtube. :( I am sorry for any inconvenience.

5. [Say Aah] - Trey Songz
Sorry no image! I do have it, but it is a little inappropriate and I couldn't find an appropriate one... I like this song a lot... a lot a lot! Sounds so good, and it was covered by Lindsey! Nice rap, nice beat! :) Also, not the music video, because I didn't know if it was appropriate or not...

6. [I Don't Want This Night to End] - Luke Bryan

Thanks Lisa for getting me into country and liking this song! Not the Lisa who has the other blog, we call her little lisa, the one I'm talking about is Big Lisa! Well I love this song, me and Big Lisa sing it in her car! It's a great country song and it's so much fun to sing with friends!

7. [Complicated] - Jermaine Paul

I thought this song was really good. I like Avril's version a little, but I don't have it. I don't have any of her songs... I don't have a lot of pop stars on my iTunes... He sings it really well, and it's good. He has a nice voice, but that's obvious being a background singer for Alicia Keys. 

8. [Live Like You Were Dying] - Tim McGraw

I love this song, this is another one of me and Big Lisa's songs. I think its a good sounding song with a great meaning. This song is old, but I still love love love it!

9. [The Last Great Star in Hollywood] - Meg & Dia
I think this is a great song, not the best Meg  & Dia song, but it is pretty good. Their best is Fighting for Nothing, it is not on the EK10 but it is on the EK14! I think Dia's voice is great and in my opinion, the best on Season 1 of THE VOICE!

10. [Someone Like You] - Angel Taylor
Wow! I totally thought this was Adele! Her voice is super good, but she was really nervous. She was smart to pick Adam! I think he can help her the best. It was a very similar rendition to Adele! Great job!








I hope you liked it a lot! This is the first post with youtube links and album covers! Enjoy!