#nowplaying 04.14
Songs In My April 2014 Rotation
Wasteland
by NEEDTOBREATHE
NEEDTOBREATHE is the college band that I never fully got into, but that’s my fault completely. “Rivers in the Wasteland”, their new album, is a solid offering. It starts off with “Wasteland”, which for better or worse is not T.S. Eliot’s poetry set to music. It is, however, heartfelt, and exactly the type of song that works because of lead singer Bear Rinehart’s unique style and tone. When he sings “In this wasteland where I’m livin’ / there is a crack in the door filled with light / and it’s all that I need to get by”, you can hear the struggle and shadows and experience behind his voice. “More Heart, Less Attack”, “Brother” and “The Heart” are other tracks to queue up from the album.
Rdio: http://rd.io/x/QUU0ijddkg53/
iTunes: https://itun.es/i66Q3Y8
Hold On, We’re Going Home
by Christina Grimmie
I mean, PLEASE. I remember first discovering Christina Grimmie back in college (or maybe even before) when she covered “Just A Dream” with my other favorite YouTube star, Sam Tsui. I’ve watched all of her YouTube videos and am borderline obsessed. I just think she’s crazy talented, and almost lost it when I heard she was going to be on the Voice. She has killed nearly every performance, but “Hold On, We’re Going Home” is the best so far. It is a good cover but more than that it showcases her range and control and overall vocal prowess.
Rdio: http://rd.io/x/QUU0iiJtwBE/
iTunes: https://itun.es/i66Q4g3
Take It Easy
by Eagles
I know this isn’t new, but it is good. I searched for every cover version I could find of the Eagle’s classic hit, but none of them match the original. It is a staple on my roadtrip playlist. Sometimes you need to reach back and listen to the classics again. Also, I definitely have visiting the corner in Winslow, AZ on my bucket list.
Rdio: http://rd.io/x/QUU0ijdepvy3/
iTunes: https://itun.es/i66W33D
Beat Me Down
by Wade Bowen
I’ve been driving a fair amount this month, hence my search for good roadtrip music. Wade Bowen’s contribution to my list is “Beat Me Down”. It has the lyrics and feel of a go-to driving song. Bowen exists as a sleeper on the periphery of my country music awareness—I like him whenever I hear him but I often forget he exists. His album “The Given” came out two years ago and houses “Beat Me Down” as well as perhaps his best known song “Saturday Night” which is perfect if you are single and lonely and want to indulge in some me-against-the-world misery. “Beat Me Down” isn’t much more optimistic but it will keep you moving down the highway.
Rdio: http://rd.io/x/QUU0ijdeXFig/
iTunes: https://itun.es/i66Q3YF
Hey Now
by Dave Barnes
In honor of Dave Barnes coming to Washington D.C. for a concert, I wanted to feature a song or two of his on my April playlist, and in honor of summer peaking around the corner, one of them was “Hey Now”. It oozes sunshine, and if you’re like me you’ll start itching for some Rainbows and Ray-Bans as soon as the steel drums come in. It’s a must add to any beach soundtrack.
Rdio: http://rd.io/x/QUU0ijdeXA53/
iTunes: https://itun.es/i66W33F
