Take Me Back

I feel like we're in that sad little gap in between fall album releases and summer singles blowing up the radio. Aka unfortunately we're in a bit of a new country dry spell, if you ask me.

So you know what we're doing this week? We're throwing it back. I realize this is Country Music Friday and not Throwback Thursday, but flexibility is a virtue people. So this week I give you not just oldies and goodies, but oldies and goodies that talk about the good old times. Ooooooh. Inception. (< a movie I still have yet to see because I simply don't have the energy to deal with it).

The First: Mayberry by Rascal Flatts

I love this song. It has always been one of my favourite Rascal Flatts songs, which I think says a lot since I am a fan of nearly all of the many, many songs they've released over the years. I think part of the reason I love Mayberry so much is because:

a) It totally reminds me of growing up in a small town where passing someone on the sidewalk and not smiling and saying hello was pretty close to being an offence worthy of jail time. It just wasn't a thing that happened. So much so that when I first moved to university it took me about a month and a half to figure out that this was why I was getting so many strange/confused looks on campus. I was that weird girl walking around smiling and making eye contact with everyone.

b) It launches me into a world that exists in my daydreams in which I own a cute little yellow house with a massive front porch that I hang out on in the warm evenings with some really funny and good-looking man.

As a bonus with this one, you get to enjoy a now vintage photo slideshow of the Rascals while listening to the song.


The Second: 19 Somethin' by Mark Wills

Please enjoy the pre-Instagram filters, all the weird facial expressions, and of course, that goatee.


The Third and Final: Automatic by Miranda Lambert

The newest of the oldies, I thought it was only appropriate to also include this hit from Miranda. The only thing that concerns me is the unsafe amount of time she spends staring out the driver's side window - instead of at the road in front of her - while driving. Equally excellent throwback song from Miranda is her duet with Keith Urban, We Were Us.


As much as I love all these songs, here's hoping there's an infusion of new songs soon! Perhaps that's what each of you can work on this weekend: writing and producing the next country hit. You know, if you don't already have plans that is. Just a thought for your consideration...

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Trucks and other clichés

So, I've been doing this for several years now and I would say that I have worked hard to two-step sidestep or at least downplay a lot of the classic country music clichés (unless I do so ironically, which is different and allowed). You know the ones I mean: tractors, dirt roads, boots, beer, cut-off jeans, hay/fields, ballgames/caps and of course, trucks. Basically anything and everything you can find in a Luke Bryan song these days.

But today, yours truly has faltered. I know, you're asking yourself: "But how could this be?!"
It's because I'm human, folks.
Don't hate the player. Hate the cliché-ridden game.


The First: Getaway Truck by Aaron Watson

How much fun is this song?! I love that it is upbeat, kind of funky and different in its melody, and kinda funny. I can't remember how I stumbled upon Aaron Watson, but my oh my am I happy about it. Basically I'm just super into this. Even if he is made up like a rodeo clown (weird).


The Second: Too Tennessee by Chris Lane

I've been super into Chris Lane lately. Something about that southern drawl pulls me in, you know? Anyways, that's basically the only reason I'm sharing this with you today. Well, that and I like the song, which is kind of what CMF is all about.
~enjoy~


The Third and Final: By The Way by Lindsay Ell

This song is a bit more sassy and girly than my usual selections, but I was just really feeling it today. My apologies if you don't like it. But, as the internet says, I can't make everybody happy all the time. I'm not a jar of nutella.

PS I made this for you.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Cool music, bro.

No, I'm not talking to my brothers. (Neither of my brothers receive CMF - apparently "they're too cool for it" or something?). I'm talking to you!

Do you find it weird that I've spontaneously adopted the term "bro" as a slang form of addressing you? Maybe, but that's what I was feeling when I looked at this week's selections. And I say: you do what feels right to you.

I also spilled red wine down my shirt prior to writing this, however, so I may not be the most reliable source for life advice. The choice is yours.


The First: Love Would Be Enough by Dean Brody

Shout out to my friend Mike who boldly declared last week that this is his favourite Dean Brody song and reminded me of it's existence. I've since not been able to get it out of my head, so of course it's found a home here. I love how fun this song is and how I can't help but bop along to it whenever it comes on.
Concerning music video moment: 2:10


The Second: From The Ground Up by Dan + Shay

So, I found this video to be... not terrible (please hold your gasps, they're super distracting). In fact, I actually found the storyline to be rather cute but not in a you're-taking-the-attention-away-from-the-music kind of way (*cough* FGL *cough*).
My only question for you is: have you ever seen hair as tall as theirs outside of Danny Zuko and the Tbirds in Grease? This is a serious question.


The Third and Final: Snapback by Old Dominion

You all already know how much I love them and that I've already declared my interest in marrying literally any of them (Valentine's Day dreams, amirite?) and so I, for one, am shocked that I've held out so long before sharing yet another one of their songs. Now, some of you will complain and tell me that there's nothing country about this song. You're entitled to your opinion and I would respond that although this song may not be, they as a group are. I would also say: did you misunderstand me when I said Valentine's Day dreams?

However you're spending your weekend, I hope it's a love-filled one! <3

Thanks for listening!
Karla

The weekend is just around the corner!

And that means it's time to celebrate! So we're just going to jump right in, a la Dallas Smith/Zac Brown Band. Okay? Cool.

The First: Wild At Heart by Gloriana

Man, oh man. Here's a good one if you're looking for a song to enjoy on repeat this weekend. This is old school Gloriana. You know, back when Gloriana was still four people. But then Kimball left. And apparently, as of last month, so did Reinhart. #awkotaco #whatwilltheboysdo?

This song takes me back to the summer of 2010 and getting up to ridiculous antics with one of my best friends, Claire. I think we thought we were approximately as cool as Miley Cyrus thought she was being in Party In The USA, which coincidentally was our other anthem of that summer. Don't be jealous. 

Hands down best part of this song? The frosted tips. (I think somebody was exchanging styling tips with Lance Bass... #awkotacotimestwo)


The Second: American Love Story by LANco

Slowing it down for just a little bit with this one. But between the twang and the way they switch up the rhythms in this song, I think it's well worth the slow down. Plus it's kind of a cute little story.

Please don't ask me what LANco stands for/means because I don't know.


The Third and Final: Red Fire Night by Green River Ordinance

A few weeks ago a friend suggested I take a listen to this song and ohmygoodness THOSE HARMONIES. Into them for surrre.

I will say, however, that a small part of my heart hurts every time I'm reminded that the bonfires of my childhood are no longer a thing that I am able to enjoy. As much as I totally get why it's important, I still greatly dislike the bonfire bans in Vancouver and Victoria. All I want is to sit on a log with my friends while I toast a marshmallow or two over an open flame. But instead I have to settle for roasting marshmallows on my stove and my friends think that's weird so they never join me.


I hope you all have a wonderful Family Day long weekend, if you happen to live in BC where the provincial government has decided that it was 2 cool 4 school to conform to most of the rest of the country on this holiday. Anyways, please enjoy some time with whoever you consider your famjam!

But remember: no bonfires, k? (Or at least not without extending the invite...)

Thanks for listening!
Karla