mika: the boy who knew too much

Posted by tobysturgill in culture, feature, music on July 6, 2010

OK, so I’m a little behind on getting this one as it released last fall, but I’ve got it, love it, and wanted to share it with you.

This is MIKA’s sophomore album following his debut album “Life in Cartoon Motion” that released in January of 2009. You can purchase “The Boy Who Knew Too Much” on iTunes here.

(From Wikipedia:) Mika has described the album’s themes as dealing with his teenage years, and “in a sense is kind of part two” of his first album. In contrast to his first album which “contained innocent fairytales” Mika pitches the new album’s songs as “gothic Tim Burton-esque fantasies.”

Fans of Queen, Elton John and Marc Martel will love this one!

Oh, and be sure to check out MIKA’s new single, “Kick Ass (We Are Young)“

anna johnson: ready to go

Posted by tobysturgill in feature, music on April 30, 2010

Ok, if you like “Hey, Soul Sister” by Train, then you’ll LOVE “Ready to Go.” It’s perfect for a sunny day; windows down, back road weekend day trip. Maybe you’ve got your +1 with you… I dunno. It’s your imagination. But it’ll run with this one. I love it.

It comes from Anna Johnson, a girl I met a few months ago. She’s a new artist in town and working on her new project. I believe this is the title track of said upcoming release. I’m going to go ahead and say it… she can be the next Colbie Caillat if she plays her cards right. *Woah… I know.

You can check out more of her stuff on her YouTube channel and her MySpace page. Listen to Ready To Go – MP3 right here!

needtobreathe: the outsiders

Posted by tobysturgill in feature, music on April 28, 2010

I’ve been a fan of NEEDTOBREATHE since their first album “Daylight” in 2006. Their second release, “The Heat” in 2007 brought a little more “South” into the mix. Not just southern rock, but a vision of life in the South…something I’m all too familiar with.

With the release of “The Outsiders” that Southern Gentility is multiplied even more. Each album these guys put out continues to mature and evolve into a sound that’s uniquely their own. They’re the most refreshing band in Christian music right now. I would compare them to Mumford & Sons or Kings of Leon.

You can buy it on iTunes here or listen to the whole album for free on Lala.com.

mumford & sons: sigh no more

Posted by tobysturgill in feature, music on April 19, 2010

I just heard about Mumford & Sons last night and am listening to the entire album for free over at Lala.com.

Four young men from West London in their early twenties, they have fire in their bellies, romance in their hearts, and rapture in their masterful, melancholy voices. They create a gutsy, old-time sound that marries the magic of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young with the might of Kings Of Leon, and their incredible energy draws us in quickly to their circle of songs, to the warmth of their stories, and to their magical community of misty-eyed men. C’mon… what’s not to love about these guys?!

Listen to the whole album for free here. | Buy Sigh No More on iTunes here.

hey, soul sister

Posted by tobysturgill in music on March 31, 2010

I know I’m a little late on this one, but I just heard this song on the radio and it’s my new summer soundtrack. I love it! I can see myself at sunset, grilling out on a roof top deck with a cold drink in my hand soaking up the warm humid air.