A Musical Recap of 2012: My Favorite Albums

It’s strange to think I stepped on campus all the way back in mid-August. It’s strange to think I’m already into my second semester of college. It’s strange to finally experience how freaking cold it is here (Geez!). It’s strange to think I’m back in chemistry again (ew). And it’s strange to think I was just home and now I’m back already.

Hmm.

A lot of things seem strange to me, I guess.

One thing that doesn’t seem strange to me? I can’t seem to choose a favorite album from 2012. But, then again, what’s really new? A lot of great albums were released this year – some were expected and some were pleasant surprises, if I do say so myself.

Anyway it’s a new year and I thought it would be a great idea to do a little recap of  my favorite albums from 2012 (Dale, I swear I had this post saved before the break, haha).

Hope everyone’s break went well and that they slept tons and had lots of good homemade meals, because I know I did!

Til next time,

Ayolah

Ed Sheeran – Give Me Love [from + (Deluxe Edition)]

Kendrick Lamar – Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst (from good kid, m.A.A.d city)

Frank Ocean – Pink Matter (from Channel Orange)

Taylor Swift – Red (from Red)

The Fray – Heartbeat (from Scars & Stories)

Killer Mike – Big Beast (from R.A.P. Music)

Mumford & Sons – Broken Crown (from Babel)

The Script – Six Degrees of Separation (from #3)

Nas – Bye Baby (from Life Is Good)

Don’t Worry, Be Happy: 15 Sunshine-filled, Feel-good Songs to Boost Your Pre-Finals Spirits

I know, I know; you’re stressed. You had four papers due this week and eleven midterms and sixty-two chemistry problem sets and then your car caught on fire and you broke your leg after you tripped over your shoelaces (even though you were wearing flip-flops), and life just sucks.

But given the option, which would you prefer: to wallow in pre-finals self pity, or to feel as happy, relaxed, and without-worry as a cat anesthetized with ketamine? I think the answer is pretty obvious.

With finals just around the corner, it can be extremely easy to get yourself caught up in the hype and forget that no matter what, you’re still going to be well and breathing in about two  weeks from now. Get those teeth away from the bloody little nubs that used to be your fingernails and just try to remember that everything will be alright!

In order to try to calm some of those poor suffering nerves of yours, here is a playlist of 15 songs meant to soothe the soul with sunshine. These tunes always boost my mood, and hopefully they can give you some relief, as well!

Spread happiness,

Allison

Don’t Worry, Be Happy: 15 Sunshine-filled, Feel-good Songs to Boost Your Pre-Finals Spirits (Opens in Spotify)

1. Givers // Noche Nada

2. Buck O Nine // My Town

3. The Beatles // Twist and Shout

4. The Clash // Revolution Rock

5. Corinne Bailey Rae // Put Your Records On

6. Givers // Up Up Up

7. Jackson 5 // I Want You Back

8. Noah And The Whale // 5 Years Time

9. Mungo Jerry // In The Summertime

10. Matt and Kim // Daylight

11. The Avett Brothers // Kick Drum Heart

12. Sugar Ray // Every Morning

13. Vampire Weekend // A-Punk

14. Talking Heads // This Must Be the Place

15. Zac Brown Band // Toes

A City Girl’s Guilty Pleasure

Okay all you blog-readers out there, I’m about to change things up a bit down here at BU Central. As you may know, I’ve recently become a bittt of a country fan — don’t judge! Yes, it’s true you don’t hear that too much in a city like Boston, but I’m telling you, at least give it a chance :]

I don’t know why, but there’s just something about Darius Rucker’s voice that gets me everytime. Not ringing a bell? He’s known for his lead vocals in the classic 90′s rock/pop/country band Hootie and the Blowfish (“Only Wanna Be With You,” “Hold my Hand”). The band actually got together when a band-member-to-be heard Rucker singing in the dorm showers as a college freshman, so don’t hold back just because you think your Warren floormates might not want to hear you – you never know, it could lead to a 16x multi-platinum album, like theirs! Rucker’s launched a solo country career since then and I’m personally loving it. I’m a big fan of anyone who can appreciate the little things in life, like he does in the two feel-good songs below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re feelin the country after that, I would definitely recommend these if you haven’t heard/seen them (or even if you have!) :

Take a Back Road – Rodney Atkins

Crazy Girl – Eli Young Band

Chicken Fried – Zac Brown Band

If you’re not into it, go ahead and flip back to MTVU ;]  To each his own, right?

<3 Katie