CYH's Songs of the Moment: Summer Kirtan Playlist

You know me and my mix CDs...one for each season, of every year, for all different moods or occasions. I'm such a nerd and don't care who knows it! For all my yoga folks out there, here's my latest summer kirtan playlist. It's beautiful, fun to chant along with and really high energy (well, except the Snatam Kaur but that song equals pure peace and can mellow you out after a long day or if you're ever feeling stressed). Enjoy your chanting!

CYH's Songs of the Moment: Thievery Corporation, Culture of Fear

You know the days where you just can't figure out what to listen to? Sometimes no matter what you put on it just doesn't jive with you? When I have those days, I click on anyone of the songs in my Thievery Corporation playlist and just let it play. No matter what, it always ended up being just the right musical choice. If I want to chill and listen to something that will mellow me out, Thievery does it. On the flip side, if I need energy and want to get into a grove while working, cleaning or something...Thievery does it. I've been anxiously awaiting their new album and it's finally here with lots of tasty dub, just how I like it. Thank you, Thievery, AGAIN, for a totally awesome album.

CYH's Workout Song of Summer 2011: Work That by Mary J. Blige

I've been obsessed with getting my cardio in these days and have turned into such a gym rat but am loving every moment of it. I love doing my cardio to fun, poppy music that gets me going. My best friend, Jessica, from college recommended this song to me and it's taken the number one spot on my ipod during my workouts. PERFECT for me, right now, exactly where I am with everything!

CYH's Songs of the Moment: Stars All Seem to Weep, Beth Orton

Love.

CYH's Spring Tunage: Detox Mix

Seasons change, our bodies change with them, so why not change our music up as well? I do. I've got a new mix-CD for each season. Call me dorky, but I love it. This Spring I'm all about detoxifying from the rough Winter we just experienced. These songs are energizing and super fun to help shake off those Winter blues. So far for me, it's working. I hope you're inspired and into what I dig this season!

CYH's Songs of the Moment: Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes

I am LOVING Lykke Li's new album, Wounded Rhymes!

I saw her a few years ago at All Points West on one of the smaller stages in the afternoon. She gallivanted around the stage in this outrageously gorgeous outfit, radiating style and sex. As I was walking away from watching her play she closed her set with "Knocked Up" by Kings of Leon. She creatively put her own twist to the song and I've loved her ever since. Anyway, this new album is totally doin' it for me. She is SO sexy!!!!

CYH's Song of the Moment: Living on a Rainbow

I woke up this morning with this lovely tune in my head. Needless to say, its been a beautiful morning with the sun shining onto my bed through the cracks of my shades. I love, love, love Angus & Julia Stone. And now, I will go cook some oatmeal. Enjoy-

CYH's Songs of the Moment: The King Of Limbs, Radiohead

...Slowly we unfurl, As lotus flowers...

I arrived home from India (pictures and blog coming soon) to the good news that Radiohead was releasing a new album. I will be honest, I'm on the fence about it. Of course, I love it because it's Radiohead and to me (and many other fans) they can do no wrong. However, I do find this album to be almost incomplete, lacking interest. Their albums are always so precious and filled with gems. Little By Little, Feral and Lotus Flower stick out to me, but nothing really jumped out as a gem. It is by no means their best work, nowhere near any of their previous albums. I say this, and am upset that they released the album, wishing they gave it a little more time, at least a few more songs...but then I go about my day with the songs stuck in my head, aching to hear it again. So, the songs and album are growing on me. Either way, I love the fact that I'm on the fence about it, because its forcing me to listen over and over again allowing me to fall back in love with them all over again (smitten smile on my face, looking up towards the sky, sighing...).

Anyway, this video is totally awesome. Thom Yorke's interpretive dance moves are always so right on with his music (how else would you dance to their music?!). I've always enjoyed watching him let go at his shows, allowing the music to flow right through him, moving his body however it's telling him to. This video is a full 5-minutes of his awkward and totally free moves. I LOVE it!!!!

CYH: Song of the Moment - He Doesn't Know Why by Fleet Foxes

Amongst all of the wonderful new music we've been blessed with lately, this still remains one of my favorite Winter albums ever since it was first released in 2008. If I could have, I would have embedded the entire Fleet Foxes album on here. It is by far one of my top 10 favorite albums of all time.

Download and/or listen to their new song, here. New album out this Spring. Eeee!

My Phun New Years Weekend!

HAPPY 2011!!!!

Phish - "Meatstick" 12/31/10 New Year's Eve from Phish on Vimeo.

Due to the lack of nothing going on the past decade of New Years eve's for me, I decided to go all out and spend a long weekend in NYC to celebrate and go all out. First, I attended my good friend's wedding which was filled with smiles and love, such a nice time! It's always so nice to see two people genuinely be happy together. Sparks were surrounding them each time they would look at each other throughout the night. New Years Eve my best friend from college and I attended a yoga class at Laughing Lotus and then enjoyed a kirtan with the amazing Bhagavan Das. There is nothing more powerful than chanting with others, especially to ring in the New Year!!! Then I spent the first night of 2011 at MSG enjoying my favorite live band, Phish. It was a fantastic show and a great way to kick off the New Year! Above is Phish's performance right before the ball dropped, and is the perfect example of why I love them SO much!!! Phish shows radiate amazing energy and that's what keeps me continuously going back for more. I can never get enough of those guys. Take a moment and see for yourself. They rock my world!!!!!!!

I hope you enjoyed your New Years!

Best Albums of 2010

Throughout this past year, I've been logging in and jotting down a sentence or two each time a new album comes out that is worth mentioning. Here is my list below, along with many others that I totally enjoyed along the way.

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

Best album of the year. Period.

Sufjan Stevens - All Delighted People EP

I wrote a blog post on how beautifully amazing this EP is. I'm not gonna lie, I'm not too into Age of Adz. It's good, but too electronic for me. I totally dig electronic, but this was a little to over the top.

Local Natives – Gorilla Manor

This album is totally ridiculous from beginning to end. The sounds of drums have never excited me the way they do in this album. It may just make my list of one of my favorite albums ever.

Beach House – Teen Dream

I went to see the National at Prospect Park this past summer and as I was walking towards the park I heard Used to Be playing. I skipped along to it thinking they were just playing the album but it turns out they were opening and my girlfriend never told me! Best surprise EVER!

Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record

I was definitely hesitant of how this album would be since their last were so right on and complex, but they blew me away. I was lucky to catch a show this past Spring around my birthday in NYC. Amazing watching so many of them live on stage together!

Yeasayer – Oddblood

I still think I love their first album more, but Oddblood was definitely amazing. I missed their show this past Spring because I had stupid strep throat, boo!!! Sleigh Bells opened for them and I heard they blew so it made me feel a little bit better about missing the show.

The Black Keys - Brothers

When I hear the Black Keys I think: Raw. SEXY. Blues. Garage-rock & roll. This is their best album yet, hands down.

Gonjasufi - A Sufi And A Killer

A yogi with a raspy voice, hip hop beats with a psychedelic-rock twist. Yes please. The Caliph's Tea Party (his latest album, released 7 months after this one), is much more haunting and trance-like...I dig it.

The National - High Violet

This album is brilliant.

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - The Wonder Show of the World

My friend, Colin, one of my few musically inspiring friends (you know who you are) that I constantly exchange albums with, introduced me to Bonnie 'Prince' Billy this past year. It was love at first listen and luckily enough, he came out with a brand new one to enjoy this year. I love the song, With Cornstalks or Among Them!!

Wolf People - Tidings

This album is totally unrefined, but that's what I love so much about it. Along with its British rock sound, it's so reminiscent of early Floyd that it makes me turn on The Piper at the Gates of Dawn after listening.

Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest

I love Bradford Cox and anything musically that he is affiliated with! Did you know his blog offers albums of the music that Atlas Sound creates on the side for free?! Just another reason to love him more.

Tama Impala - Innerspeaker

This album will forever remind me of the Summer of 2010 and my drives to and from Asbury Park. Sun, ocean, sandy feet, boardwalk, paying parking meters, rompers, beach bars, sun-kissed skin…all that beachy-summer stuff.

Junip - Fields (and Rope & Summit EP)

Dear Jose Gonzalez, how I love thee. Your soft voice and lovely guitar strumming continually captivates my heart. Junip's new album does just this along with your Rope & Summit EP. Please don't stop.

Govindas & Radha - Light Inside You: Kirtan Vibrations

Let's not forget, I am a yogi so I totally get down with kirtan…like, at some point of each and everyday. I chant during my long commutes, while I clean my house, as I cook, work, etc. I've been anxiously awaiting Govindas & Radha's new album since their last one. This one has quite a few solid tunes on there to chant along too, yay!!

If i had all the time in the world I would write a bit about each below because there are definitely some gems, but life gets in the way. You know how it goes!

Some of my other favorites this past year:

The Morning Benders - Big Echo

Wild Nothings - Gemini

The Drums - The Drums

Band of Horses - Infinate Arms

LCD Soundsystem - You Wanted A Hit

Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part 2: The Return of the Ankh

Los Campesinos - Romance is Boring

Sean Carey - All We Grow

Department of Eagles - Archive 2003-2006

She & Him - Volume II

Natacha Atlas - Mounqaliba

Caribou - Swim

Philip Selway - Familial

Vampire Weekend – Contra

Broken Bells - Broken Bells

The Radio Dept. - Clinging to a Scheme

DId I miss any? What were some of your favorite new albums this year? Please do share below!!

CYH's Song of the Moment: Roses & Cigarettes by Ray Lamontagne

I've been wide awake since 4:30am this morning. It was pitch black when I left my place and there were wispy light flurries throughout my drive to NY. It was a Ray Lamontagne morning. This song was an extra on his 2nd to last album, Gossip in the Grain. I adore his song-writing and but for some reason these particular words in this song just get to me, especially this morning.

Ray LaMontagne: Roses And Cigarettes

Plastered in your newspaper palace

Dishes and the backdoor slams

The dogs on the floor

They don't roam anymore

And the rivers gone deaf at the dam

The dust falls like rain on your doorsteps

Chokes you when you lift your rake

A wine so sweet is the taste of your mouth

But your love aint the kind you can keep

Oh roses and cigarettes

Pillow case that remembers you

the scent of you still lingers on my fingertips

Till I think I might go insane

When will I see you again

Seen how you look at the stranger

I see how you waite when he's gone

If I told you I thought that there was a sin in your heart

Could you honestly tell me I'm wrong

Oh roses and cigarettes

Pillowcase that remembers you

the scent of you still lingers on my fingertips

Till I think I might go insane

When will I see you again

He tells you that he needs you, he's a liar

He tells you he's a hero, he's a fool

He tells you he'll stay till the lords breaking day

Then babe he ain't nothing but cruel

Oh roses and cigarettes

Pillowcase that remembers you

the scent of you still lingers on my fingertips

Till I think I might go insane

When will I see you again

CYH's Song of the Moment: Jon Hopkin's Vessel

i love art, dance & music!!!!

CYH's Song of the Moment: Andrew Bird - Lull

I love Andrew Bird. I love Andrew Bird even more during this time of year. The strings in his music seem to compliment the dancing of the leaves as they fall from the trees. This is an older song from his album, Weather Systems, but it's a special version of it. I love the video and of course every moment of the song. Click above to listen.

CYH's Song of the Moment

I've been listening to this song all week and wanted to share.

Looking forward to Botany's debut EP release in November.

Sufjan's All Delighted People EP

Sufjan Steven's new 8-song EP, All Delighted People, is straight up wonderful. I love how Asthmatic Kitty Records describes him, "Sufjan mixes autobiography, religious fantasy, and regional history to create folk songs of grand proportions." His indie-folk sound is so eclectic and broad with an electronic twist, I just can't get enough of it. I adore ALL that he has ever created and always look forward to more. He will be releasing his next full length album in October. I obviously am counting down the days!

The song Enchanting Ghost, (click image on right to play on YouTube), is lovely and reminiscent of his unmistakable sound that resonates so well with me. The Owl and the Tanager (click Sufjan image to listen on YouTube) may be the most gorgeous song I've ever heard him sing (I'm totally exaggerating, because I can say that about 10 of his other songs) as he wails through a bunch of "ooooo's." I sing along and try to harmonize with him but it probably doesn't sound as pretty as I think it does. The end of the EP is Djohariah, a 17-minute treat for the ears with noisy guitar jams, strings and horns while a dramatic chorus and beautiful Sufjan sings. Heaven!