So I Guess I'm Doing This.

First off, my name is Dani and I'm about to be in my Junior year at the University of North Florida.  I'm a pretty run-of-the-mill 20 year old.  I spent last year getting kicked out of my sorority, switching jobs 3 times, taking classes, being desperately poor and consequently eating intense amounts of Ramen.  The only thing that I know really well is music, so that's what I'm going to write about.

The issue with the internet is that there are really no playlist sites that satisfy me.  This is probably because although I like all types of music, I am rarely satisfied listening to the same genres for very long.  That means I've heard all of my "Recommended" crap before...and I can't be the only one with this problem.  So bearing that in mind, I have some lists of songs I'm listening to right now and stuff I think people would like based on what is popular right now.  Hopefully I do a better job than scary corporate computer robots.  After all, when they say your music is personalized I think it should actually be personal.  I'm done ranting about that.

Without further ado, here is what I've been listening to lately.  I just started classes and have been driving a lot to and from work, so I have had a couple CDs in my car on repeat.  I also have a couple oldies that I just drug up from my archives.  

In my car right now I have:

Michael Jackson's "HIStory" Vol. 1

This is just to gain your trust, I hope you know now that I have at least the basic good taste in music.  That being said, I'm about to confuse you a little bit.  Next thing I've been listening to:

Lady Gaga's "Born This Way"

Yup. Lady Gaga is one of my favorite artists out right now.  I offer no excuses because I'm not sorry.

Ed Sheeran.  Enough said.

Florence and the Machine's "Ceremonials"

I'm not tired of this album yet and it's been months of continuous listening.  EVERY song is awesome and that's hard to do.

Here's what's on my random playlist:

1. High Enough-Damn Yankees.  Why do I love the 80's hair bands so much?  They harmonize better than anybody bothers to nowadays.  That and I enjoy a good synthesizer every now and again.
2. 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover-Paul Simon. Recently I was in Barnes and Noble just cruising and I heard this song in the background.  It was then that my love for Paul Simon was rekindled.  I just love that he doesn't look at all like a rock star.  In fact, there are many musicians that look more like uncles or bank tellers than Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees.  That's a discussion worth having, but at a later date.  Getting back to the song, if you like its gentle humor, you might also enjoy "50 Ways to Say Goodbye" by Train.  It's not the same genre, but there are some additional tips on breaking up with annoying bitches.
3. Do You...-Miguel.  If you like Prince, Usher, or any other number of R&B singers with seemingly no last names, you will like Miguel.  He's got a couple other notable songs, All I Want is You with J. Cole and #Beautiful with Mariah Carey.
4. Called Out In the Dark-Snow Patrol.  Snow Patrol has been killing it lately, I've heard a couple new songs from them and they are excellent.  This should be in a movie during a travel montage scene or opening credits.  It will happen, mark my words.
5. Raise Hell-Brandi Carlile.  I have been exploring a more bluegrass sound lately, and I know that this genre isn't very listenable for most people.  Therefore, the best of both worlds is blues rock that is catchy and expertly sung, which is exactly what Brandi Carlile is awesome at.  She's reminiscent of Melissa Etheridge or K.D. Lang, and I'm not just saying that because they are all lesbians.  They are also all amazing vocalists with a bluesy flare in their music.
6. I'm About to Come Alive- David Nail.  This song was originally written and by Pat Monahan of Train, but I like the country version better simply because of the female harmony.  It's heartbreaking in the best way, the way all timeless songs are.

In Other News:

I have super mixed feelings about this movie, but that is neither here nor there.  I am simply stating that people are going ape shit for the soundtrack and I totally understand why.  This album demonstrates perfectly the progression of jazz music from the twenties to the rap of today.  I'm not talking about novelty rap music, I'm talking about Jay-Z and Kanye.  There are a few things I think listeners would like to know if you'd like to hear more by similar artists.

• Lana Del Rey's music sounds almost nothing like "Young and Beautiful".  I thought I was really going to like her music outside of this single, but I just don't.
• Bryan Ferry, who orchestrates some of the music on the album, had a band a while back that was similar to the work he does here.  His band, which my dad ingrained into my adolescence and I will never forget, is Roxy Music.  I recommend songs like "In the Midnight Hour" that are jazzy and upbeat.
• The reason the XX is on the album, I think, is because they are just a great band with a sound a lot of people enjoy.  Their style of music doesn't fit the album, but it still works with "Together".  The bands I think of immediately after considering the XX are the Dirty Projectors and The National.  There is also a song in particular that comes to mind, "Golden Skans" by the Klaxons.
• Jack White, as I'm sure most people know, is in The White Stripes.  He also has done a lot of other great music with The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather.  If you like that type of raw, unrefined sound you might like The Black Crowes, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, or maybe if you are feeling really bluesy, Muddy Waters.  Also, seeing as the song he performs on the album was written by the men of U2, it's worth giving one of the best bands in the world a shot if you haven't already.