There are still four more days left in August.

So let's make them all count, okay?

And what better way to do that than through song??


The First: Absolutely Nothing by Randy Houser

GET READY FOR A GOOD TIME. Because that's what Randy is all about with this one. He is basically just singing through a run-on sentence for every verse and I'm super into it.
It may not be your style, and I get that. Just like how Mountain Dew and Slim Jims are not my sort of thing, but I can appreciate that others might enjoy them. (< that would only have been a rando sentence for you if you didn't listen to the song.)


The Second: Honey Jack by Madeline Merlo

First off: she's not just Canadian, she's from Maple Ridge. So well done, local lady!

Secondly: I like the chill vibes of this song. Yes, that's right, I said vibes. Get over it.

She starts this song off by saying "slow and easy" and I really don't know how else to describe the mood of this one other than that.

Thirdly, a confession: I'm actually really not a fan of Jack Daniels Honey. For the record. Shhh. But I am a big fan of this song, so that's something at least.

Finally: If you like Madeline's voice then Sinking Like a Stone is another lovely one, should you be in need of a moodier song.

The Third and Final: Drunk by Courtney Cole

My thoughts on this song/video, in "order of appearance":
0:11 - Nope, don't care for this song. No real need to sing about your over-intoxication.
0:15 - Oh, you're not.
0:35 - Who is this girl? Is she intentionally over-acting?
1:03 - I changed my mind: can we be best friends?? (take me with you to Tim McGraw, please.)
1:22 - I want your shoes and somewhere to wear them. Maybe to the concert?
2:00 - Yep. Basically this is what it would be like if I were to ever star in a music video. I would just have a slightly less aggressive side part in my hair. Confetti could not be more on point though.

That's it for this week! This will be my last official free weekend of summer, so I plan to fill it with friends and brunch and music and I couldn't be more excited about it.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

I came across Halloween candy in the store yesterday.

That title doesn't really have anything to do with this week's selections, other than indicating that the wind down of summer is starting. That, and I felt it was extraordinarily important that you all know that you can get peanut butter cups en mass now.

But! While it's still summertime, let's all enjoy it with these three songs.

The First: Gentle On My Mind by The Band Perry

Song starts at 1:13 because I know that you care.
I don't know what I was doing when this song was first released, but clearly I was not paying attention (or maybe I just grew too bored of having to watch over a minute of music-less storyline in this video...). I've been a lover of TBP for many years, mostly because I think Kimberly Perry's voice is not something to be messed with and that I wish I had her self-confidence. Having said that, I really can't explain to you what in the world they are up to right now. (If anyone has any insight, please share).
Of course, I have to do my due diligence and give Glen Campbell credit for his song. And also share that I'm a big fan of this modern rendition of a classic. Big fan.
Sidenote: I'm happy with the one brother's decision to refresh his look and tie back that hair, even if it was just for this video.


The Second: Fire by Brett Eldredge

I like the gradual build up of the beat in this one. Also there's clapping, which as you'll remember last week, we've established I'm a big fan of. I don't really have that much else to say about this song other than I like the way he says "fire" ("fah-YA"). That, and having Brett Eldredge's face stare at you for three minutes and twenty-four seconds amongst CGI'd flames is kind of intense.


The Third and Final: Stop Drop + Roll by Dan and Shay

Before you even start with me, I know there should be a comma between "Stop" and "Drop" but that's not the way they do it. Don't you worry: I've already written them about their blatant avoidance of punctuation rules.
Something we can discuss, however, is how these boys really know how to sweep a girl off her feet through song. My goodness. If you require more examples, here. you. go. That should keep your ears occupied for a bit.

Hope you all have a great weekend! I'll be hanging out with my dad and a handful of my siblings.

Thanks for listening,
Karla

My Top Ten Songs of Summer 2015

It's August 19th.
I'm just going to go ahead and call it now. I hope you're all okay with that because, if not, it's kind of too late since you're already reading this. Besides, there's a bonus in doing this now, instead of sometime in September: you can actually enjoy the songs while the season is still upon us.

So here are my top ten Songs of Summer 2015.

I will preface with saying that yes, I know not all these songs were brand new this summer. That's not really the point. The point is they're just the ones I've just been listening to a little bit too much lately. So, in no particular order, here you go:


1. Until I Met You by Sundy Best

We all know how these boys changed my life. Is that an exaggeration? Probably not. They gave me a newfound faith in music videos potentially not being awful forever and also gave us this really adorable song.


2. Break Up With Him by Old Dominion

Don't even pretend to be surprised. I've gushed over these guys three separate times. We all know my love for them and their humour and their talent and their faces.


3. Gonna by Blake Shelton

Still love it every time it comes on.


4. Rodeo by Mackenzie Porter

I think I just like how straightforward she is. I also still think he is adorable at the end with the laundry.


5. Take Your Time by Sam Hunt

My friend's almost three-year-old, Lily, doesn't like this song because "he spends too much time talking." Unfortunately, I disagree with lil' Lily. I'm a fan of the slow jam rap (at least that's what I call it..)


6. Loving You Easy by Zac Brown Band

It would take me forever to link all my past love for ZBB. Y'all get it. They're wonderful. They're talented. And every one of their future singles will probably end up being a CMF feature. Some things in life are just predictable like that.


7. Stay A Little Longer by the Brothers Osborne

So what I actually wanted to link here, and have been waiting (im)patiently for for months, is the extended version of this song. JRFM plays it once in a while and it's just such a treat. If you can find it on iTunes or are lucky enough to catch it on the radio, please enjoy.


8. My Mistake by Cam

Her voice is just so beautiful and the harmonies in this one still make my heart happy.


9. Don't It by Billy Currington

I think I just love the way he sings "as far as I can tell that finger ain't got no ring on it" and then goes on to talk about karaoke for kind of no reason at all.


10. Crash and Burn by Thomas Rhett

I'm into the video almost as much as I'm into the song. I like the part when he's walking next to his car rolling in neutral. I like the look on his face when he's recreating a little 1989 Say Anything and she's throwing his stuff out the window. I even like his jacket. The only thing that I don't really like is this girl's overacting. It's really the only upsetting part of an otherwise lovely music video.

Thanks for listening,
Karla

Déjà vu?

So basically I may have featured/listened to all of these artists too much this summer but if I’m being honest, I don’t really care. I will not apologize for selecting super talented people and their noise art! #noregrets*

*That was a shout out to my friend Jam. Yes, that’s his real name. Poor guy.

The First: Beer Can in a Truck Bed by Old Dominion

They’re back again. They’re still charming and hilarious. They’re still not coming to Vancouver anytime soon and I’m actually really torn up about it. How else will one of them fall in love with me?! (Yes, I really don’t care which one). Sigh.
I like this song because it is light-hearted, fun, and has a good beat. And they have a clapping part! Who doesn’t love a little clapping interlude? Fools, that’s who. I personally love it (obviously). After all, I’m Spanish. I’ve been clapping along to songs since I was an infant.

The Second: Smoking Gun by Sundy Best

Because these guys are still so wonderful to me, ever since I discovered them back in May and fell in love. I selected this particular song a) because it’s heartbreakingly beautiful and true, and b) because it has some smart lyrics that I’m just super impressed with. I mean, just listen to the chorus! “I can’t rewrite all the words that have set foot on my tongue” and “I can’t do one damn thing to change the road that I’ve run.“ Because guess what? No one can. We can only change our future.
CMF just got real.
Life lessons from Sundy Best.

The Third and Final: Front Porch Thing by Little Big Town

Because I will never get over their perfect harmonies and this one exemplifies their pipes so wonderfully. When I hear this song I legit picture them sitting on an old porch next to a creek somewhere in Alabama. It makes me want to join in with a banjo or something. I should probably learn how to play the banjo first though. And then I guess I’d need to find their porch somehow, even though I know nothing about wayfinding in the state of Alabama. Also Alabama has that whole alligator thing, and alligator/crocodile encounters are kind of my greatest fear. This dream is actually turning into more of a nightmare.

Thanks for listening,
Karla

Find me and the CMF playlist on Spotify @karcarr8.

My Top Ten Loud-Car-Singing Songs

I spend a decent amount of time in my car and would argue that that's really where my best vocal performances occur. In fact, the best ones usually happen at around 8:30am when I'm driving to work and trying to get myself super pumped for the day. I also feel that this practice doubles as a public service to other drivers who get to see me rockin' out without restraint and thereby have a slightly brighter day because of it. You're welcome, fellow commuters.

Here are my favourite songs to sing loudly along with while I'm driving:

1. Here Comes the Thunder by Tim Hicks

I really can't express to you just. how. excited. I get whenever this song starts playing on the radio. My hand immediately shoots to the volume dial and the music takes over. This one arguably turns into something more akin to screaming than singing. Tim's Hell Raisin' Good Time is a good substitute, if you need one (the vid's weird though).

2. Kerosene by Miranda Lambert

Because who doesn't love a good revenge-filled cowgirl kiss-off?


3. Friday Night by Eric Paslay

Bonus points for singing this on a Friday, post-work.


4. Young and Beautiful by Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood's powerful voice really just invites you to duet with her in the car.


5. Natural Disaster by Zac Brown Band

You can hear more about my thoughts on this gem here.


6. Want To by Sugarland

This song reminds me of my lovely high school friend Melissa and our adventures driving around our small hometown.


7. Drink In My Hand by Eric Church

Even though I love my job, I can't help but sing this anthem real loud when it comes on.


8. Sparks Fly by Taylor Swift

Because let's get real, once a commercial break comes on the radio I'm switching to the CD player and TSwift is in there 70% of the time. Haters gonna hate.


9. Catch All the Fish by Brad Paisley

I explain my tactic with this song in great detail here.


10. Who's Bed Have Your Boots Been Under by Shania Twain

Shout out to by good friend Lawrence, because this is the only country song he knows (but at least he loves it) so we sing it together sometimes.


Thanks for listening,
Karla

Country music is good for your health.

That’s a little lesson I learned while recovering from an annoying cold this week by having country on in the background while I was sleeping or zoning out on my couch. It really kept me from going stir crazy while cooped up at home. Sick days are the worst.

The First: Dime Store Cowgirl by Kacey Musgraves

I like this song because it’s an easy song to listen to without being too slow or too loud. It’s the little bear bowl of porridge to my goldilocks, if you will. It also has a really lovely melody that keeps you on your toes. My favourite line from this chanson is “maybe for a minute I got too big for my britches, but…” mostly just because I really like the way she sings it. Finally, I think it reminds me a little bit of Mississippi Girl by Faith Hill, which was one of my favourites when I was younger. Those are all of my thoughts.

The Second: Yup by Easton Corbin

I don’t think I ever realized what a nice face Easton Corbin has. Interesting.
Please ignore the awful syncing job they did when editing the beginning of this video… Easton really deserves better. Also, let’s talk about the name “Easton”. Who came up with that? I kind of like it. Is he the only Easton on earth?
After a quick google search, I just answered my own question (kind of). Easton is a widely known sports equipment company and sometimes a last name. I appreciate that his parents got a little creative when naming their born-to-be-country-crooner son. Or maybe they were just big into the sportsing.

The Third and Final: Lay It On Me by Dylan Scott

I thought I had shared this months ago, and then realized I didn’t. Immense apologies!! I hope that you blare this at least once this weekend. Do it for me. Better yet, do it for yourself. My favourite part is when he kind of raps the bridge. I can’t say I’m always a fan of rapping in country music, but once in a while it works and for me this is one of those times. Well done, Mr. Scott. P.S. It’s a little weird that you won’t let us see your eyes in this video…

Thanks for listening!

Karla