8 minutes of awesome instrumental? Yes!

I had trouble deciding what to post today and then this just came to me. I’m usually not huge on instrumental music because I feel I need something to sing to but Explosions In The Sky are fantastic. I truly enjoy their music that I’ve heard and really should listen to more of it. And so should you.

Explosions In The Sky – The Birth And The Death Of Day [YSI]

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I love this band! Straight up. I was only introduced to them about 2.5 years ago but have definitely fallen for them. It’s not even so much the recordings as it is their live shows. They play with so much energy and you can tell they are on that stage for the audience, not themselves. This coming weekend, the SK6ers will be playing their 1000th show in NYC. And I’ll be there!!! This will be my 5th time seeing them (which is only very few to any veteran SK6ers fan) but that’s still more than I have seen any other artist. Take a listen and enjoy. Here’s one of my many favorites and their only song that got a little radio play. Also, if you’re in the NYC area and aren’t busy this Easter Saturday, check out Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers at the Fillmore near Union Square. (I’ll be posting two more SK6ers songs on Saturday too, the day of the show)

Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers – Start The Day Early [YSI]

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Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers – Shady Esperanto & the Young Hearts [YSI]

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I’ll be quite honest. I had to let this song grow on me. I wasn’t feeling it the first listen but after a couple times, I started to dig the blend of folk with hip hop vibes. I don’t really know Kidd Russell’s other work but this one was worth posting. Take a listen and accept it for what it is.

His album Backyard Heroes is now available on iTunes as well.

Kidd Russell – E North Ave [YSI]

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Like her or not, you have to respect the amount of success Gaga has had in the past year.

And today Miss Stefani Germanotta turns a mere 24 years old. I wish her a very happy birthday and great success in the future. Posted for you today is Gaga’s medley from the 52nd Grammys featuring Elton John. If you are interested in the video too, contact me (contact link on home page).

Lady Gaga (ft. Elton John) – Grammy Medley (Poker Face, Speechless, Your Song) [YSI]

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Like the show or not, you have to admit that Scrubs had an excellent soundtrack for all the seasons it was on. Here’s another song I found on Scrubs and then randomly heard a few years later and could immediately picture the scene.

As with many songs I post, it’s really just a matter of feeling it. And I do feel it. The amount of honesty in Brett Dennen’s voice adds so much to the music.

Brett Dennen – Ain’t No Reason [YSI]

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So The Fray covered Kanye’s Heartless and I do honestly think they’ve done a good job with it. It’s definitely worth a listen to hear a real singer take the lyrics, get rid of the autotune and add that bit of soul that the song calls for. I can appreciate Kanye’s original and the whole autotune concept of 808s and Heartbreaks but The Fray have stepped it up just a little more with this cover.

The Fray – Heartless (Kanye West Cover) [YSI]

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How does a song from 1972 that I haven’t heard in quite some time get stuck in my head all day? Not sure but that’s exactly what happened with today’s song.

I honestly can’t remember when I first heard this song but it’s stuck with me and is probably my favorite song from Paul Simon in his solo career. The lyrical meaning is often debated but it doesn’t matter. It’s fun.

Paul Simon – Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard [YSI]

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Watch the video below too! You all know my opinion of Lil Jon and just how much I love him. His absurdity is just fantastic. This song won me over for two reasons: the video looks like they’re just having a good time and, well, Lil Jon yells “¿Qué?” That’s about as good as it gets. For as much as I do like Lil Jon, I completely understand those that hate his music. But for me, it’s about having a good time and he’s just about the epitome of that.

Black Point ft. Sensato, Pitbull Lil Jon, and El-Cata – Watagatapitusberry [YSI]

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The first time I ever heard Kweli was when I was on stage with him! I was shooting a performance of his for a video back in college and I had honestly never heard his music before. However, he had such an impact on me and was a one of the defining artists that got me into hip hop (along with Saul Williams, Lupe Fiasco, Jay-Z, and others). Because I didn’t know his music, it was really cool to here these brand new songs (to me) in which Talib was playing to the crowd and substituting “Penn State” into the lyrics. Anyway, here are two of my favorites from Mr. Kweli, which just happen to be singles.

Talib Kweli – I Try [YSI]

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Talib Kweli – Listen [YSI]

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Back in 2007, Fallout Boy released an official remix to their song “Arms Race.” After that official remix was released, another remix of the remix was recorded which included a lot more than just Kanye. They brought on all type of superstars from Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes to Lupe Fiasco to Lil Wayne. It’s an interesting mix of characters who all have their own style as they flow on this track.

Fallout Boy (ft. a lot of people) – Arms Race (Remix) [YSI]

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