What I listened to last week.

This week was very blink and Wilco heavy, as you can see. When I listened to blink it was exclusively their new album, which is addictive. Wilco was a little bit of everything, but I suppose it was mainly their newest album as well. I also re-discovered Good Old War, a band from my past, and how good their debut album is.

15 Song Shuffle

Today's theme: Indie/Indie Rock

I hadn't posted in awhile - the past couple weeks I was unable to post my weekly roundups but I am back on a regular basis now. I'm also listening to a lot more music now as I'm commuting and using my iPod a lot again now. I have been really feeling music I call "indie" lately, so I'm anxious to see what comes up.

Anberlin - Burn Out Brighter (Northern Lights): I adore this band, and am not sure they really classify as Indie Rock, but nonetheless. There are very few songs by them I dislike. 9/10

Good Old War - Making My Life: I prefer their first album over their self-titled album that came out last year, but it's still really good. A band I think is unfairly overlooked and underrated. This is one of my favorite songs on their self-titled. If you like soft acousticy music, I highly recommend them. 9.5/10

The Kooks - You Don't Love Me: An indie rock band I haven't listened to in a long time, but really like. They're almost disgustingly catchy. Almost. 9.5/10

OK Go - Before The Earth Was Round: This band is really a hit or miss with me. I adore some of their songs, and then really dislike others. This song is just annoying and hard to listen to. Musically, it's really good, but I have no idea why they did the vocals like that. 6.5/10

The Flaming Lips - Mr. Ambulance Driver: This is a band I recently discovered. Late to the party, I know. So I'm just getting into their discography. I find their music interesting and intriguing though. 8.5/10

Hanson - Go: And now for some softer indie stuff. I actually really like Hanson's stuff in their recent history. I prefer their faster songs, as I often prefer faster stuff. But I can't deny their talent. This song coming up makes me want to listen to some of their albums in their entirety. Maybe I will. It didn't get a higher ranking because vocally, the chorus is kind of.. icky sounding. 8.5/10

Guster - The Prize: Ahh. Brings me back to my Jason Mraz concert on July 2nd; they opened for him. I haven't listened to them much since then, but I really like their music. 8.5/10

Bloc Party - Better Than Heaven (No Age Remix): I adore Bloc Party, but I don't really like their remix albums. I figured I would. This remix is decent though. 8.5/10

Wilco - I'm A Wheel: Hee. My first perfect rating. Hell, they get above a 10. They're that good. One of my favorite songs from A Ghost Is Born. I adore this band so much. I'm a wheel, I'm a wheeeeel. 10.5/10

The Flaming Lips - The Last Drop of Morning Dew: It's possible The Flaming Lips weren't that good in 1993. Or else this song just really stinks. Maybe my version is low quality or something, but... do not want. 4/10

The New Pornographers - Broken Beads: They're so catchy! Another recent discovery for me. 9/10

Death Cab For Cutie - Talking Bird: Some Death Cab songs I find really great. Others I find pretty boring. This is somewhere in between. 7/10

The Flaming Lips - Bad Days (Aurally Excited Version): I'm not entirely convinced I like this band yet. This song is okay. 7/10

Hellogoodbye - All Time Lows: Another perfect+ score. This song is just so catchy I can't give it anything less but a perfect+ rating. It's probably my favorite song from this particular album. I listened to it another time before moving on to the last song. 10.5/10

Panic! At The Disco - Pas de Cheval: Another perfect+. This album ranks as one of my favorites. I could easily listen to it all day. I haven't fallen in love with their newest album yet, but Pretty.odd is amazing. 10.5/10

Overall grade: 85% / B

Band of the month: Motion City Soundtrack

How I first got into them: They opened for blink-182 in 2004. I had never heard of them before, but I walked out of there a fan!!

How they rank: They are very high on my list of favorite "pop punk" bands. I find them severely overrated. All of their albums are fantastic.

Favorite show: I would cite the same show as I did for Fall Out Boy, because Motion City opened for them. It was the only time, aside from Warped, that I saw them "hometown", and it was awesome!!

First show: Summer 2004, Milwaukee, WI with blink-182

Last show: Summer 2008, St. Paul, MN on Warped Tour

How many times I've seen them live: 4

Favorite album: Like I said, I like all of their albums so this is a really tough choice. As of right now, I would have to say My Dinosaur Life might be, though it's the one I've listened to the least (since it's their newest).

Favorite songs on each album

I Am The Movie: The Future Freaks Me Out

Commit This To Memory: Together We'll Ring In The New Year

Even If It Kills Me: This Is For Real

My Dinosaur Life: Worker Bee

What I listened to this week.

Not a lot of listening this week, either.. but I think I am going to listen to music rather than have my TV on in the background more often. I am slightly ashamed Britney Spears made it on my chart this week, but I have to admit that I find her newest album a little catchy. I'm sure I'll grow out of it soon, but a few of her songs are going on my running playlist.