If you're looking for some smooth, heart-felt folk music that deals with the darker side of things. The band is no stranger to heartache, and that really comes across on this record. From front-to-back, it's thoughtful and sober, with the same great performance we're used to from this grou. It's just $7.99 for the 12-track album.
This new-to-me band, NEEDTOBREATHE is led by two brothers whose father was a preacher. The lyrics and melodies sound like a southern gospel rock band and are full of heart and soul. The music is engaging and teases you to keep turning it up just a little bit louder and a little bit louder. (Also available on Amazon.)
It's no secret I'm a big fan of Christmas Music. I generally prefer instrumental, jazz renditions of classic Christmas carols. But Michael Bublé's new Christmas album is pretty great, too. We've been listening to it pretty regularly for the past couple of weeks, interspersed with our normal Christmas jazz. It's also available as MP3 on Amazon and iTunes.
If you find yourself often listening to music or watching movies through the built-in speakers on your MacBook or iMac when at your desk, then a compact, well-built, subwoofer may be just the perfect companion. The Twelve South BassJump is a USB-powered audio peripheral that will provide that much needed, much appreciated, low-end thump that your internal speakers don't have. Giving a…
Sennheiser is world-renown for their quality in sound equipment. They make great headphones, in-ear monitors, and earbuds. And these iPhone-friendly earbuds which feature the in-line microphone and sound-isolating rubber tips are currently on a fire sale at Amazon. Now's a great time to get professional-grade ear buds for what a pair of the stock white Apple replacements would cost.
Mylo Xyloto is the brand-new album by Coldplay. Literally, it just came out today. I'm downloading it as I type this sentence. (Also available on the Amazon MP3 store.)
Long have I been a fan of MuteMath. These guys write great music that packs tons of punch. Their most-recent album, Odd Soul, is Mutemath at their finest. Fun, energetic, thoughtful, artistic, and crazy. (Also available on Amazon MP3 Store.)
This little black beauty is an oldie but a goodie. I purchased an Apple TV last fall when these new ones came out, and it though it's the cheapest addition to my home entertainment center, it is perhaps the most important. Well, other than the TV and stereo. But that's just it: you don't need much more than a TV and an…
I've long been a fan of the genuine music that Switchfoot makes. They're classy and they rock. Their latest album, Vice Verses, is fantastic. I've been listening to it at least once a day (Preferably very loudly) since it came out. (Also available on Amazon MP3.)
This little iPod nano has turned out to be quite the utility device. Not only does it provide musical entertainment while you're working out, but it can also help you track your walking or running. Plus it has an FM radio, a slew of awesome-looking watch faces (because the nano makes a great watch), and it comes in a handful of colors.…
The iPhone 4S is "the most amazing iPhone yet". I think the design of the iPhone 4 is already stellar, and so keeping that same casing while massively updating the internals is just fine by me. The iPhone 4S has a much faster processor, handles graphics even better, has a longer battery life, a better camera, and comes with everyone's favorite new…
The Jawbone Jambox is a Bluetooth speaker rig that packs a surprising amount of punch. When I first turned mine on I was shocked at the clarity and fullness that such a small speaker box could produce. It connects to any device that has Bluetooth (such as your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, etc...) and can pump the jams for over 8 hours.…
So long as we're talking about music today, here's another recommended album: The Social Network soundtrack. I spend most of my working day writing at my desk. And writing is, for me, a mostly quiet endeavor. Too much noise or distraction and I can't concentrate. But there are times when I really do need some background music and for those moments soundtracks…
Oddly enough this album was recommended to me by the record store employee in this Rdio promo video. And the truth is I really do like the new Foster the People album. Maybe you will, too. (Torches is also available in CD, vynil, and MP3 versions on Amazon.)
Mat Kearney's music is the sort you keep hitting Play on. His 2011 album, Young Love has fun and up-beat beats, with clean and classy lyrics. Mat's music makes the perfect companion for late-night projects and August road trips alike. (Young Love is available on iTunes for $9.99, but is currently $5 on the Amazon MP3 store.)
The Sony 7506 headphones are about as good as a headphone can come for the price. For less than a C-Note you get a studio-quality headphone that will last for a lifetime. Whether you're recording a podcast or the next platinum record, or even pumping the jams so you don't have to listen to your co-workers, these are a great choice.
These bad boys are the perfect companion to sit side-by-side with that big computer monitor of yours. Who cares if you're mixing an album or blasting your iTunes library, the point is it'll sound good and you won't make your wallet cry in the process.
I don't know what's better: the movie, or the soundtrack. Okay, actually yes I do know: the soundtrack. Sometimes I wonder if they decided to make the movie just so Daft Punk could write the soundtrack. But no matter the reason, I'm glad they did. And note: this album sounds best with the volume turned up loud.