Why Country Music is Good

Football is a big part of my family's Thanksgiving.  The TV is always tuned into the current game, God help the poor soul who even thinks about changing the channel to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  This year is a little different for my family though, because this year we have actually left our Georgia home to travel all the way down to Oxford, Mississippi in order to attend the Egg Bowl. This game is the highlight of my parents and brother's year, all three being die-hard Ole Miss fans and extreme haters of anything to do with Mississippi State. 

I have not been in Mississippi since I left (escaped) back in 2000.  I can safely say I miss nothing about the small town I grew up in (where I currently am now).  It has "urbanized" according to my old neighbor. Yeah, instead of only having the option to do your shopping at the Piggly Wiggly, you can now go across the street to the brand new WalMart.  Great.  However, I do love one thing about being back.  And that's the music. 

Country music has got to be one of the greatest types of music there is.  THere is a little bit of something for everyone, it's not just guitars and bluegrass.  If you say you like drums and electric guitar, then check out band such as Montgomery Gentry.  If you like a soulful singer, try Darius Rucker, orginally of Hootie and the Blowfish.  If you are a Jimmy Buffett fan, then try the Zac Brown Band.  Country gets a bad rep for being too downbeat and "twangy" whatever that means.  It's not true.  If the South got anything right, it's the country music.

Getting Ready

So tomorrow is the big Lehigh-Lafayette swim meet.  I know this is not really on the top of everyone's "to watch" list..but for me, this meet is a big deal.  The one thing that gets me in the zone is a good playlist of songs to pump me up.  So here are my top songs to listen to before an athletic event:

1. C'mon Feel The Noize- Quiet Riot
2. Whip It- Devo
3. Sandstorm-Darude
4. The Final Countdown- Europe
5. You Shook Me All Night Long- ACDC
6. Not Afraid- Eminem
7. All the Above- Maino
8. Pour Some Sugar On Me- Def Leppard

Anything with a lot of drum and fast beat. Let's go Lehigh University Swimming and Diving!!!!!

Cool Site!

What is probably the best week of the year, definitely the best week of the fall semester, is upon us.  Lehigh-Laf week! Its a time for wild antics, crazy parties, and all sorts of illegal activities that make college so much fun.  However, for those unlucky few that aren't allowed to partake in these festivities due to studies or sports, we can drown our sorrows by turning up the music.  Check out http://www.8tracks.com/.  This site is much like pandora, but it is run completely by the viewers.  You have the chance to make your own playlist or listen to someone elses.  The playlists are divided by genre, and it is really a great place to discover new music that you love.  So go check it out and go ahead and make that rage-tastic playlist so it will be ready when you are finally allowed to go out. That's at least my plan of action.

The Cataracs are coming to Lehigh!

The much anticipated Lehigh-Lafayette week is upon us.  The artist preforming at the pep rally this year is the self-described indie-pop group, The Cataracs.  Known for many upbeat mixs such as "Like a G6" ft. Dev. and The Fareast Movement and "On Top of the World"  ft. Dev. The Cataracs promise a good show. The show is scheduled for Thursday night, the location is to be announced.  I'm counting down the days.....5 more to go!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTlY2_1VhvE

Don't Whip Your Hair

This past weekend was a weekend of party hopping for me.  Every party was different, from packed parties of dancing to relaxed parties of drinking games, all the stereotypes of the typical college party was present.  However, besides the obvious alcohol supply, every party had a common denominator.  At each party I stopped by, "I Whip My Hair" by Willow Smith was playing. 

This song has a very catchy beat, and granted, the repition of "I whip my hair back forth" over and over might be fun to scream the first time hearing the song.  But that's all there is to the chorus of the song.  The lyrics aren't any better, much to mature for the 9 year old vocals of Will Smith's only daughter. When I was 9, I was not going to "hop out of bed turn my swag on". Quite frankly, I'm not sure what swag even is, let alone did I know the meaning when I was a decade younger.  And "pay no attention to the haterz cause we whip them off?" these are not lyrics a 9 year old should be singing!

The music video is interesting, a Lady Gaga-esque inspiration with the outfits of Willow. However, again, Willow is 9. 9 year-olds should not be wearing the absurd outfits of Lady Gaga. Lady Gaga shouldn't be wearing the outfits of Lady Gaga. What is Will Smith thinking?  Also, I don't encourge anyone without the spinal cord of a noodle to attempt the dance unless you have insurance against extreme whiplash.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymKLymvwD2U

Yes the song is fun.  Yes the beat is catchy.  Yes, it is good to hear the song every once in a while.  However, the lyrics have no substance, the dance is stupid, and all in all, I am very uncomfertable with the fact that drunken college students are screaming along to the words of a 4th grader. I will be ready when this song goes away forever.

Taylor Swift Makes History

Taylor Swift'ts sophomore album, Speak Now, was released the week of Oct. 25.  Within the first week, the album sold 1,047,000 copies.  Swift now owns the title for the biggest first week sales since 50 Cent's The Massacre back in March of 2005. Speak Now has already hit #8 this year after only being in stores for a week.  Swift has sold more than Lil Wayne's Rebirth and Ke$ha's Animal all year.  Not bad for a country singer.  Wonder what Kayne has to say about this?

Free Weezy

Tomorrow morning, the rapper known as Lil Wayne will be released from his stint in prison. He was officially sentenced to one year in prison due to attempted gun possesion back in July 2007.  However, in January 2008 Lil Wayne's tour bus was pulled over, searched, turning up 105 grams of marijuana, 29 grams of cocaine, and 41 grams of Ecstacy.  Lil Wayne is walking out just after serving eight months in prison.   http://www.mtv.com/videos/?id=1651251

It amazes me that stars such as Lil Wayne and T.I. are able to get off on such small convictions due to their fame. Any normal citizen would be locked up for much longer than eight months with the amount of drugs found on the Weezy bus.  And once released, that person would forever live with the label of "druggie". However, for some reason this does not apply to the rich and famous.  Not only did Weezy get off on a minor charge and only spend 8 months in jail, his sells during his imprisonment went through the roof.
Lil Wayne released his eighth album, I Am Not a Human Being   on October 12, which hit #1 on Billboard.com, with help from the single "Right Above It" featuring Drake which also hit #1 on the Billboard Rap Chart.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fo9akQvsNI