Owl City

Every now and then a song comes along that is so catchy and has such great hooks, that it just sucks you in after the first listen and doesn't let go.

Currently, for me, that song is Fireflies by Owl City. (As of this writing the song plays as soon as you get to the web page.)

This is electronic music that has also been described as "computerized pop". There's no band, just Adam Young sitting in front of his computer. Don't write it off until you hear it - my 11 year old was hooked after one listen as well. In fact, I dare you not to like it.

Fireflies had the potential to be the monster hit of the Summer - it's THAT irresistible. Unfortunately, as I type this, it's the last weekend of the Summer. Nevertheless, I suggest cranking it up loud -- in your car, on iPod, at home and ride the wave for nearly four minutes.

Owl City's Fireflies - Music You Need to Hear

Voice of the Beehive

Can you picture music that's sugary, brash, feminine, sassy, saucy, full of catchy little barbs, and original? If your answer is no, then listen to Voice of the Beehive.


Let It Bee is the group's quintessential work. Released in the late 1980's, this album, (at least in the U.S.) came out of nowhere and ended up charting as high as #11 on Billboard's Modern Rock chart. The harmonies, guitar arpeggios, and lyrics all make for very enjoyable listening. I Say Nothing is instantly catchy and a great intro to the band. Personally, my favorite is Sorrow Floats, but don't overlook the dreamy Man in the Moon, and the Beat of Love either. All of the aforementioned songs are four or five stars on my iTunes.

If that weren't enough, anyone who writes a song titled There's a Barbarian in the Back of My Car from a feminine point of view, is okay by me.

The group's website has a great bio of the band. They have an up-to-date page on MySpace as well. All of their music is available on iTunes.

A reviewer on Amazon sums it up perfectly:

"I wouldn't rate them as a classic or an all-time great, but I agree with the sentiment of the other reviewers. If you want a band that gives you a really alive, fresh feeling when you listen to their music, Voice of the Beehive will do it."

Nineteen years after Let it Bee was released, that feeling is still alive.

Voice of the Beehive - Music You Need to Hear

Music You Need To Hear

The purpose of this blog is simple -- to make it's readers aware of great music.

While I can appreciate all genres of music, if I had to pigeon hole it, I suspect my focus will be mostly be singer-songwriters, contemporary folk/bluegrass, classic rock, alternative, and classical music. I'm sure, from time to time, other musical styles will drop in as well.

If you like one of my suggestions, I hope you'll tell me. If you don't, I hope you'll tell me also. If you choose to post a reply, I sincerely hope you'll go beyond "I loved it" or "I hated it".

In other words, please share the "why".

Why did you like it? What spoke to you? Was it the beat? The lyrics? The musicians? Did it make you drive off the road? Did the music change your life in some way? Do you just want to belt it out every time you hear it? Please share the details. Music is powerful enough to change lives. And I don't mean just going to the symphony when you were a kid and deciding to take up an instrument. Little did I know, one night a few years ago, one song was the building block for changing parts of my life.

Most importantly, what other music is out there? Who do you listen to and why? What songs are tagged as five stars in iTunes? And when the song comes around, do you stop everything your doing and take in the moment? I want to hear from you and tap into the collective brainpower that's out there. There's so much music being made these days and keeping up with it all is next to impossible. Please, let's separate the wheat from the chaff.