Zune Insider

I should have done this yesterday! I totally would have said I was listening to Viva La Vida by Coldplay over and over again…but it wouldn’t have worked, because anyone who knows me would have realized it was an April Fool’s joke.

So, what are the Zune Insiders really listening to?

Well, Candice (Bliss16) is currently obsessed with Dave Matthews Band’s song “Crush,” and I have to admit, I love this one, too. “It’s perfect for a die-hard romantic like me,” she says…and I agree. It’s very sweet.

Matt – skipdeez – has this to say: “At first, I wasn’t sure what to think of Gorilla Zoe’s new album “Don’t Feed Da Animals.” It seemed a little too much like Kanye’s new hip-hop/RnB/pop/diva trend. But after a few days it’s grown on me. Check out “Echo,” “I Got it,” and “What it is.” Anyone else think some of this sounds like what Kanye tried to do with “808’s and Heartbreaks”? I like some of that, but with all due respect, I hope it’s not the new trend…”

And Justin says, “I’m listening to the Video Games Live disc, with memories of the concert they did in Seattle earlier this year. From classics like Tetris and Castlevania, to modern epics like World of Warcraft, video game music is an art form of its own.”

What about me? Um…okay, I fail. I know I’m supposed to be checking out new stuff for you, but I’m still obessed with The Prodigy and Pendulum. And The Prodigy will be here in Seattle May 30!!! YAY!!! Okay,but for new stuff, this week I downloaded Ferry Corsten’s latest album Twice in a Blue Moon, and a bunch of remixes by Martin Roth (to find ‘em, you’ll have to search in the Zune software and check out the songs, as he’s not the main artist on any of the new ones I found this week).

As for somebody random in Zune, this week I ambushed a software developer named Scott. Scott has pulled quite a few all-nighters recently, so I was curious as to what he might be listening to. “Dan Auerbach. I love the Black Keys- he was their guitarist. He’s a bit more mellow and really easy to listen to,” Scott says.

I would have thought you’d need, well, The Prodigy to stay up all night, but to each his own! Post your current obsessions in the comments!

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It’s that time again….this week, we’ve got some special “guests” in this blog post – a few of the Zune MVPs! MVPs are folks from the community who help to spread the Zune word by blogging, forums, and other public activity. They rock! Let’s see if their music does, too!

NSILMike is listening to a playlist that includes O.A.R., Red Hot Chili Peppers, Cat Stevens, U2, Santana and Collective Soul. He says he’s listening to this list for two reasons:”1)  I’m old enough to have heard the older ones when they were owners of ‘recent’ hits…  2)  My college age kids intro’d me to O.A.R.”

Tromboneforhire recently started a series of blog posts called Jazz 101 on his blog – Inside the Circle. So he says, “Well right now, because of my Jazz 101 thing, I’ve re-discovered my passion for the music of J.J. Johnson, specifically his albums “Quintergy” and “The Brass Orchestra” (J.J. was the reason I studied trombone). Outside of the jazz realm, I’ve had my ear on “Oceanlab” from Above & Beyond. I’m totally digging that record from top to bottom.”

Indmusic adds, “I’ve really been into Beastie Boys lately. I’ve also been coming out of a (month long) Candlebox craze. Their new album is really good. I’m also really into the new Scott Weiland album. He does a really great cover of David Bowie’s “Fame” on his new album.”

EnzoTen has kudos and a recommendation for me! “Very nice on the Deadmau5 Jessica – that’s a killer album. There is a mixed version that keeps the day flowing a bit better. Also on the electronic side I have been listening to Aphrodite – “A Break In Reality” and the slightly more old school “Aftershock.” Somewhere you profile said you need more drum and bass in your life… that might do the trick.”

Solar257 says, “Recently, I discovered Mark Ronson’s first album “Here Comes the Fuzz.” I love all of it. I decided to take a look at M.I.A.’s album ”Kala.” The original version of ’Paper Planes’ could definitely be remixed with T.I.’s ’Swagga Like Us.’ I also saw a few tracks on NSILMike’s Zune Card that reminded of an album I hadn’t heard in a while; the Verve Remixed series. Does anyone else pull tracks off of their friend’s Zune cards? I love the flow of the first half of Q-Tips ‘Move‘ and the entirety of ‘Stranded in Your Love‘ by Sharon Jones. Changing aural gears a bit, two tracks on Sparkadia’s debut album, “Postcards,” that are catchy are ‘Morning Light’ and ‘Connected.’ Speaking of debut albums CSS’s debut album “Cansei De Ser Sexy” is a complete win all the way through.”

As for the Zune Insiders, Justin (The Social) is listening to The Lonely Island - a band consisting of Andy Sandberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone of SNL. “I can’t stop listening and laughing to the ironic genius of the album they just dropped this week: Incredibad. It’s a collection of their best SNL music videos and some really great new songs, including I’m On a Boat featuring none other than T-PAIN!”

Matt – Skipdeez – is going back a year with “Day & Nite” by Kid Cudi. “The song is simple but extremely catchy. If Kid Cudi sounds familiar, you may recognize him for his work he did on Kanye’s 808s & Heartbreak album on the track “Welcome to Heartbreak”. Download it and you’ll be hooked!”

Candice (Bliss16) says, “I have the song ‘Bum Like You’ by Robyn on repeat. She is one of my fav breakout artists from 2008 and this song is the highlight of her album, but all the other songs are great too!”

As for me…I found some new Toby Emerson tracks on a compilation disc that I really like, and I’m listening to my bro EnzoTen and discovering Aphrodite. And there’s some new Chris Lake in the Marketplace too – the newer stuff I’ve found is more chill, great to listen to while I’m at work.

OK, that’s it! Post what you’re listening to in the comments!

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Time for this week’s recommendations!

Matt  – otherwise known as Skipdeez – says, “For a little Northwest hip-hop action, check out Portland’s Serge Severe. I just picked up his latest album “Concrete Techniques” from the Zune Marketplace and I’m lovin’ the old school flavor. “Bring the Horns” and “Slow Down” are the must listen tracks. Get on that Zune Pass and download this!

Miss Bliss16 – Candice – says, “I have been listening to this old-sounding, acoustic, rustic-feeling, stripped down song from The Maccabees called Toothpaste Kisses. It’s a really sweet and simple love song.”

Justin – The Social himself – adds, “Ah Toothpaste Kisses is a great song. My pick this week is a sweet take on an old love song. The Bird And The Bee has a wonderful cover of How Deep Is Your Love. I first heard The Bird And The Bee when I went to a Lily Allen concert at Seattle’s awesome Showbox theatre and really liked them. I recommend everyone check out their EP Please Clap Your Hands.”

And as for me, I find I stay put at my desk and work harder when I listen to trance…and this week, I found a bunch of remixes of Dj Tatana’s work, and a mix CD she did called A Tribute to Trance.

Let’s see, who is walking by…oh, it’s Felicity, known as Quornflour in The Zune Social. What’s she listening to? “Right now, I’m listening to Nillson’s The Point. It was my favorite album as a kid…and punk. Interspersed. For punk, The Damned and the Damn Yankees.”

That’s it for the week! Post your recent finds in the comments!

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Hey folks – Some of the Zune Insiders and I missed our weekly round-up of what we’re listening to – so we’re starting again. We’ll try to bring you fresh recommendations from our regulars – Candice, Justin, Matt, and me – and we’ll keep in interesting with a few suggestions from whoever is walking by my desk when I’m writing this post. Fun!

So here goes:

Candice has the song “Love is a Losing Game” by Amy Winehouse on repeat this week. Maybe you should head over to Candice’s profile and give her some comment love!

Justin first submitted Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You,” saying, “I know, I know, more forgettable pop, but it’s just really catchy. Max Martin writes another Billboard hit!” But then, he asked if he could change his submission to Lily Allen’s “The Fear,” which, he says, “is pretty awesome right now from the pop world.”

Matt, our resident hip-hop dude, sent along “NOTORIOUS Music From and Inspired by the Original Motion Picture.” He says, “Check out the songs “Letter to B.I.G.” feat. Faith Evans and Jadakiss, and “Brooklyn Go Hard” feat. Jay-Z and Santogold. This soundtrack is a must for any Biggie fan, or anyone in need of some Notorious B.I.G. education.”

I’m kind of obsessed with Garbage this week, honestly…maybe because it’s been sunny here in Seattle and I’m sick of it. “I’m only happy when it rains” – it’s just so true. In the electronic world, I’ve discovered some new trance by Carl B. and some electro from Toby Emerson.

Well, nobody is walking by me right now, but I put my next-door-neighbor Chinmay on the spot for a recommendation. He’s listening to “Love, Save the Empty” by Erin McCarley, and says, “This Nashville-based singer/songwriter is poised for breakout success in 2009 thanks to her captivating voice and radio-friendly melodies.”

Well that’s it! Why don’t you post what you’re listening to in the comments!

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Welcome, dear blog reader to the eigth edition of: So HOT Right Now: what the Zuneinsider Editors are Listening to (right now). Check it:

• Jessica:  ”Okay, this week I’m listening to my usual favorites – Paul van Dyk, Matt Darey – but in addition, Rock Band 2 is out so I’m singing along in the car to prepare for upcoming Rock Band house parties with my friends! I’m especially liking “Eye of the Tiger,” “You Oughtta Know,” “Alive,” “Livin’ on a Prayer,” and “Man in the Box.” If you didn’t think I was a dork before, now you know.”
• Justin: “Heading to Vegas at the end of this week, and T.I. got the perfect song to get me going: Whatever You Like. As long as you got me you don’t need nobody.”
• Matt: “I just started listening to Kardinal Offishall’s new album Not 4 Sale. I’m feeling it so far. “Set it off” Featuring The Clipse, and “Go home with you” Featuring T-Pain are a couple of standout tracks that are a must listen. Check it!
• Cesar: I’m gonna take it back to the 90s on this one. You know, retro style. Check out Destination Failure by The Smoking Popes. Picture a Vegas-inspired crooner singer over melodic pop-punk rhythms.
• Rob: – I am listening to gadget talk on “GDGT Weekly” podcast with former Engadget guys Peter Rojas and Ryan Block.  I am also watching HBO’s Entourage video podcast.

Ok, enjoy the music recommendations and have a great weekend, everypeoples!

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