Spinning This Week:

Jon Foreman : Fall and Winter
Steven Delopoulos : Me Died Blue
Waterdeep : Heart Attack Time Machine
Feist : The Reminder
The Rocket Summer : Do You Feel
Mindy Smith : One Moment More
Iona : Beyond These Shores
Josh Schicker : howsweethowcruel
David Crowder*Band : Remedy

Dragging (or Shuffling) My Feet

I've finally stepped into the world of iPod -- with one foot, mind you. (The other is in the Stone Age.) No, I have not decided to join the ranks of those waging war against "the album" (see my 10.27.07 On Behalf of Albums post) -- I was gifted an iPod Shuffle via a work-related giveaway. Nothing speaks louder than my use of the iPod thus far (or lack thereof). I have had my Shuffle for 18 days now and have not used it once. Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for the gift that I received. I am glad I have an iPod. I have loaded music on it and charged it. I just haven't needed it yet. You see, when I take the occasional walk outside, I don't want to be distracted with music -- I like to think, pray or simply observe the surrounding beauty. When I'm at work -- planted in front of a PC for seven plus hours -- I like to take that opportunity to listen to entire albums (thereby celebrating the life of "the album"). I believe that if my job was more portable -- or if I exercised on a regular basis -- I would have a need for my Shuffle. Admittedly, my winning Shuffle prize has influenced my consideration of a possible iPod purchase in the future...

The Times They Are a-Changin'

So, I downloaded my first album yesterday. As far as I know, it's the only way to get a copy of Sixpence None the Richer's new EP, My Dear Machine. I went to noisetrade.com, referred three friends and got the album for free. While I support the forward-thinking mission of NoiseTrade -- "If artists and fans realized how they could help each other and started making direct connections, without a middleman, the whole industry would change overnight," concludes Derek Webb, singer-songwriter and NoiseTrade co-founder. "It would start a revolution." -- and I pride myself on being a "fru-gal" (I love a good deal), I completed the transaction feeling empty -- with no artwork to admire, no lyrics to read and no credits to peruse. Call me old-fashioned (I do), but I'd rather pay to get a hard copy -- something I can hold in my hands. Downloading seems so impersonal, so sterile. Change is hard. Only time will tell if I ever get the hang of this technology thing. Regardless, liking it is another matter altogether.

Spinning This Week:

Velour 100 : For an Open Sky
Matthew : Everybody Down
Coldplay : Viva la Vida
Sixpence None the Richer : My Dear Machine
Over the Rhine : The Trumpet Child

' Richer Reunites

I was thrilled to hear that one of my all-time favorite bands, Sixpence None the Richer, recently reunited after retiring in 2004 -- and giddy to discover that they are playing in Nashville this Sunday. I believe this weekend's concert will be my seventh 6P show.

Delirious? Dissolves

I learned yesterday that Delirious? has "decided that at the end of 2009 (they) will take a break from recording and playing as a band," according to the group's Web site. Frontman Martin Smith requested leave of his band duties into order to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests. In honor of the English rock powerhouse, I plan to compile a list of my favorite Delirious? tracks in the days to come. Stay tuned...

Spinning This Week:

Coldplay : Viva la Vida
Mute Math : Reset [EP]
Lifehouse : Who We Are
Sixpence None the Richer : Divine Discontent
Sixpence None the Richer : Self-titled
Jon Foreman : Fall and Winter
Jon Foreman : Spring and Summer
Amos Lee : Last Days at the Lodge

Katy Hudson begot Katy Perry

I've always wondered where Katy Hudson went. I saw the singer-songwriter open a show in Grand Rapids, Mich. in 2000/2001 and witnessed her amazing potential at 16 years of age. After purchasing her self-titled debut, I heard nothing more of her. 

Last week I was interested to discover that Hudson is still singing, now under the moniker Katy Perry. I learned that the pop songstress has taken a sharp left, going from preacher's kid to party girl. I'll let you read for yourself.