Pretty obvious–anything with music, evadethenoise.com, etc.
If there’s one album that I’ve had on repeat the last few weeks it’s The Great Awakening by Leeland. It’s only $5.99 on AmazonMP3 right now and I definitely think it’s worth it. Leeland’s lyrics always bless my soul and challenge me to greater thoughts of God. After 4 albums I’ve found that Leeland hasn’t lost the wonder of Jesus. Seriously, buy this record–you will be blessed.
Alright, they’re up! Here are my top 5 picks from this month’s $5 albums for the month of June from AmazonMP3:
Death Cab For Cutie – Codes and Keys
Foo Fighters – Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
Two Door Cinema Club – Tourist History
Anberlin – New Surrender
Buddy Holly – Greatest Hits
No, this is not an April fool’s joke. Every month I try to pick the five best albums on AmazonMP3’s 100 $5 albums. This month has definitely got some winners, and here they are. I’ve put my short thoughts below each album:
Augustana – Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt
This rock album is one I come back to often. Augustana has got the goods–no doubt about it.
Leeland – Opposite Way
Good worship record. Leeland usually has solid lyrics and I’m always challenged by his writing.
Owl City – Ocean Eyes
Say what you want about this digital pop, but it’s catchy, and it’s good. I just listened to this album yesterday.
Sigur Ros – Takk…
Icelandic rock music with classical elements. Confused yet? Just listen to them.
Raphael Saadiq – The Way I See It
One word: classic. This is your mom’s music and your music rolled in to one.
Alright, here are my picks of the top 5, $5 albums on Amazon.com/MP3 for the month of March. If you’re still buying music on iTunes, you’re wasting your money. Please, make the switch. You’ll save money and you won’t miss iTunes one bit.
Here’s a brand new record from the duet The Civil Wars that deserves every accolade it gets. You might recognize the girl because it’s Joy Williams (old school, Christian girl artist). I don’t love this album, but the title track “Barton Hollow” and the incredible “Poison & Wine” are with double what you’ll pay.
The “breakthrough” record for Jimmy Eat World. It’s a classic, no doubt.
Despite how you feel about 90’s bands, this record from Counting Crows just has hit after hit after hit. I know you probably here it every time you’re in a department store, but “Mr. Jones” is just a great song.
Probably one of the most under appreciated bands in rock music is Incubus. Sure, you heard them on the radio every now and then, but it was never the song I wanted them to play. Morning View was a new direction for Incubus, but they still kept their flavor.
Just a great, chill record. Dave Matthews signed David to his own label and this record was the first release. If you don’t have it, buy it.
Runners-up:
Eisley – The Valley – Brand new record from Eisley, which is dropping today. The song “Smarter” is worth the record.
The Killers – Hot Fuss – I just dig this record sometimes. Not all the time, but sometimes.
I’m only sharing about the albums below because they are legitemately good albums. I don’t have any affiliation with any group or artist–I just love music, and when it’s free I love it more.
Artist: Ascend The Hill
Album: Hymns – Take The World But Give Me Jesus
This album is just a good rock worship album, with old rearranged hymns. It’s probably not for everyone, but I am really enjoying it. Click the album artwork below to be directed to where you can download it. There will be a link at the top that says “Download For Free” which is being provided by the band’s record label–100% legal and free.
Artist: Andrew Belle
Album: The Ladder
If you’re a fan of Mat Kearney, Brett Dennen, or Andrew Bird then I think you’ll enjoy this record. If you have no clue about any of the artists I just mentioned, you can stop reading now and move on. This is a good record, and a little more mainstream style. Just all around feel good songs and something you can do work or drive around to. This album is only free for two more days, so get it quick! Click the album below to enter your email address and get a free download.
Everyone knows OK Go from their famous treadmill video for their song “Here it Goes Again,” but I’m willing to bet you haven’t followed that band for a while and are definitely missing out on some awesomeness. Their new video for the song “This Too Shall Pass” is definitely a little more produced than their camera-on-a-tripod treadmill video, but it’s equally as enjoyable. Give this video a second to get going…it won’t let you down:
OK Go – This Too Shall Pass from OK Go on Vimeo.
I can’t stop listening to this song, and this video has beautiful tension:
More from the Civil Wars:
Free live album available here.
“Poison and Wine” EP (4 songs) available on Amazon.com.
Follow The Civil Wars on Twitter.
HEAR: Dashboard Confessional – Alter the Ending
I feel like I’ve gotten a lot of flack for sticking with Dashboard Confessional over the years, and you know what? I’m kind of tired of it. If someone keeps writing good songs, I’m gonna listen to them. This is exactly why I’m saying you should hear their new record “Alter the Ending.” There are actually two versions of the album, an acoustic and a full band version. For a band that has continually struggled with the acoustic versus band vibe, this was a really good move. The songs are good, catchy, and Chris Carrabba consistently writes well. The third track “Everybody Learns from Disaster” is especially good.
SEE: Art In My Coffee
The first time I ever experienced “foam art” in my coffee was in Seattle. There’s a coffee shop our good friend Megan told us about called Victor’s Coffee that literally made designs in coffee. It’s something I’ve seen pop up more in the internet world and now the site Art in My Coffee is completely dedicated to this beautiful art. I really appreciate the quality of the images here as well as the fact they are basically considering it an online museum. You can even submit your own photo which is fabulous. Oh, and if you’re looking for them in short form, they are on Twitter.
DO: Buy Me This In-N-Out Clear Cup
For those non-Californian types this won’t make sense so if you want to move along that’s fine. But for my California natives, I know you understand how awesome this is. Some people may have already spent their hard earned money on one of those (way overpriced) Starbucks clear cups, but I’m telling you right now that this In-N-Out cup should be mine. For only $10.50 from the In-N-Out company store, this is a no-brainer. My family already purchased the beautiful, stunning, fabulous, hand-painted, hand crafted In-N-Out Double Double, fries, and drink Christmas ornaments, but those can only be brought out once a year and for a limited time. This perfectly clear, palm tree lined, 16oz plastic cup of goodness is exactly what I need on a daily basis. I promise I will treat it right, never microwave it, and always hand wash so you know it’ll be in good hands.
