Leila's Infinite Playlist: Move Over Nick and Nora

Round and Round by Ratt

2009-04-22T15:30:00.000-07:00

I first heard this song on a lonnng car trip around California. It was during that awkward stage in car rides when the stations change (i.e. station playing Pink Floyd which suddenly morphs into Toby Keith?)between cities and the radio is static...horrible experience. Anyways, "Round and Round" came on the radio and it was very catchy. They definitely fit into my favorite genre of hard rock. After the DJ announced it was Ratt...oh no it was that glam rock band that my uncle had three albums by? Was I a glam rock lover? I was in denial since previously I became a fan of David Bowie, T.Rex, Queen, Kiss etc...other definite glam rock bands. It was in fact Ratt that finally made me admit I was and am a glam rock fan. Ratt started in around 1976 by vocalist Stephen Pearcy. Originally the band was called Mickey Ratt. Ratt has experienced several breakups and reunions...they are even still rocking now! The catchy intro guitar riff and Stephen Pearcy's piercing voice that makes this song so awesome oh and of course the "round and round" chorus...why do I feel like Dr. Seuss after writing that sentence? This song makes me want to tease my hair and learn some "choreographed" glam rock head banging...actually I change that I want to go around giving my friends glam rock makeovers.You got to admit the glam style is very fun...everyone needs to dress glam rock at least once in their life!

Crash Through a Ceiling:

Lump by The Presidents of the United States of America

2009-04-20T12:23:00.000-07:00

I first heard The Presidents of the United States of America in the movie George of the Jungle...it's one of those guilty pleasure movies...you know you love it but you kinda don't want anyone to know you like it i.e. spongebob squarepants.Anyways they did the theme song for the movie and I really liked their sound but never figured out much about them.Then a few years later a friend showed me a Weird Al spoof of the song "Lump" which he titled "Gump." Forrest Gump is one of my top favorite movies and my friend kept hating on my open love for the movie. Anyways I loved the spoof...so then I wanted to hear the original...original is always better with the exception of the "Man Who Sold the World" by Nirvana. David Bowie's original version is amazing but the Nirvana version is very amazing.The Presidents of the United States of America is an alternative rock band that started in Seattle in 1993.Their most successful song is "Peaches" but their best hit is "Lump."Chris Ballew the vocalist/bassist created the lyrics from a crazy dream he had from sideffects (from antibiotics) he he took during his struggle with pneumonia. This song makes you want to headbang.It starts off subtle but then you find yourself really headbanging.This song reminds me of being an early teen for some reason? The catchy beat and wtf lyrics make this song a teenange angst ballad even though it has nothing to do with that idea...Anyways this song makes you remember how the 90s really did kick ass!

Head bang for the 90's:

I Melt With You by Modern English

2009-04-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

I first heard this fabulous 80's hit on the movie Valley Girl. I was going through this 80's movies binge constantly watching 80's movies which stemmed from seeing the cult classic The Breakfast Club.I'm actually somewhat obsessed with 80's movies to the point where I quote them. Anyways this song came on during the scenes when Randy (Nicholas Cage...actually his first movie) and Julie (Deborah Foreman) are going on cute dates. It's a great movie full of nostalgia and leaves you wanting to say "Screw the hierarchy of social clicks!"It's like an 80's version of Romeo and Juliet...but even better. So when the movie was over I thought to myself, "That song was awesome..I wonder what it's called?" I went to the special features sections on the DVD and there was a music video of "I Melt with You." I probably watched it five times that day cause it was stuck in my head. Modern English started in 1979 by vocalist Robbie Grey, but they really got their break from their 1982 hit "I Melt With You." The band has that addictive 80s new wave style...makes you want to be in the 1984 movie Footloose . This song creates a dreamy, run across the fields and dance desire...especially with someone you love. It's one of those songs that gets stuck in your head when exchanging glances/smiles across the room with your crush.It's even been used for a bunch of commercials like Quiznos, Burger King, and Hershey's.This song is definitely tubular!

Dance across the field:

Old Friend by Future Islands

2009-04-09T08:19:00.000-07:00

I first heard Future Islands play live when I was dating a guy who turned out to be a creeper. He brought me to this show with his friends. The creeper went off to rave leaving me in a crowd of people stuck with my bag that was full of everyone's jackets?! One of his friends, "blue eyes" saw that I was being suffocated by the crowd. He told me he would make sure I was safe and stayed with me. I thought he was adorable but I was in a relationship, a terrible one, but it was still a relationship.I joked with "blue eyes" and told him I would help him find a girl, since he was single. I helped him start to talk to a girl, that looked like an elf. She was cute but kind of rude.Anyways, at one point someone bumped into me and I fell backwards! Someone reached out and pushed me back up before I hit the ground. It was "blue eyes". We both smiled...it was actually very intense... Probably a week later, I finally escaped from creeper. I texted "blue eyes" to go job hunting with me since I knew he was searching and I thought it would be fun. I didn't realize that I liked him until halfway through the job hunting adventure!? After the job hunt, we went to his apartment to fill out applications. I had been here a few times prior so I wasn't uncomfortable at all. I leaned in to point something out on the screen of his laptop...then he kissed me. We both screamed "Oh shit!" He grabbed an application and started writing and I did the same. Suddenly, he dropped his application on the floor. I look at it and in the name slot was my name.Shortly after that we became a couple. Yes I was a homewrecker I suppose...but tomorrow will be our one year anniversary.We both agree that we fell in love that night at the show. "Old Friend" is our official love song. This is a get-up-dance-bobble-rave-just-dance song. The band has an indie yet new wave dance-y feel. They started in Baltimore but really got their start from playing shows in that bar and in the nearby area.The band members are nice and friendly unlike a few indie bands that I've spoken to. The latest Future Islands show me and my boyfriend went to, "blue eyes" told Sam (vocalist) about our story and how we fell in love at their show. Sam announced to the crowd when the show began that a young couple told him to make them fall in love again and he dedicated that song to us.It was a great moment for us.

Sway:

You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) by Dead or Alive

2009-04-08T10:22:00.000-07:00

I just heard the remake of this song?! Flo Rider how dare you remake this rad song? I first heard the original when I was probably 6 years old. My mom was born in the 60s, teen in the 70s, and young adult in the 80s...which must have been awesome! Anyways, she has great taste in music. She had this random CD of 80s hits that she would play in the car all of the time.I remember asking my mom what spinning like a record meant. Then, she demonstrated with a record player and a Cat Stevens record. Thus, my fascination and obsession with collecting vinyl began...This song was, like many wonderful new wave 80s hits very catchy and intriguing.The band Dead or Alive started in 1980 by vocalist Pete Burns mainly because of his androgynous- gender-bender image that David Bowie had started. Pete Burns took it to the next level inspiring many other New Wave bands to have an creative look such as Culture Club's vocalist Boy George. This song makes me want to get up and mimic Pete's dance moves and antics featured in the video...Oh by they way how is it that all these androgynous men from the 80s can put their makeup on beautifully? I still have to use makeup wipes to fix the unintentional Alice Cooper smearing that always occurs when I try to wear eyeliner.

Spin that record:

La Girls by Jupiter Rising

2009-04-06T10:34:00.000-07:00

I first discovered this song through my sister. She found it on Myspace when she was browsing through random artists and Jupiter Rising came up. There are only two members, Spencer Nezey and Jesse Payo that create this incredible and unique sound. This guy and girl duo have a great electro-poppy feel...ironically one of their songs is called "Electropop." They performed on MTV's My Sweet Sixteen and "La Girls" debuted on an episode of the Hills. Before they got this exposure, I was already a fan so I kind of got that sassy attitude of "Hey I found them first, damn now they're going to be famous and everyone will be listening to them." You can relate if you liked M.I.A. before the movie Pineapple Express or if you thought of wearing pouffe skirts with leggings before Hot Topic created a new line.This song is by far the greatest runway song ever! I had this epiphany when I had to walk to campus from my house.I was running late per usual. The sidewalk was long,treacherous, and full of fallen leaves that can sometimes be slippery.I felt like a goldfish with all the cars passing by.Right as I was about to take the pathetic way out and call a friend in hopes of being scooped up, "La Girls" came on my ipod. I started to walk which quickly turned into a strut.Granted, fast beat songs make people move or even drive faster, but there was something exhilarating about this song that made me envision Tyra Banks applauding at the end of the sidewalk or should I say runway. Miraculously, I got to my class with two minutes to spare.Try it. You can't help but turn wherever you are into a catwalk. Watch out Right Said Fred.

Bring out your inner runway diva: