Imma Be Bored

What a week. Today is my last day of work this year (in theory, at least) and boy am I thankful for the break. It's been a whirlwind couple of months. On the other hand, I am a little nervous I'm going to be bored with so much time off. When I had a week off in early November I couldn't handle the lack of direction or structure each day. I was bored out of my mind. Which I realize is ridiculous... But what do people do when they're fun-employed or retired? This is a real question - I want to know the answer!

Anyways, if you need me, I'll likely be working on making my Anti-Vacation Boredom list.

The First: Bad Boy by Miranda Lambert

Let's just take a moment to all say it out loud: Miranda's new album is real good. This song has been one of the many I keep hitting repeat on. Part of my love for this song is the raw intro line. At first I was confused but it's grown on me and is now quite close to being my favourite part of this song. That and it's super catchy. Other gems I'd recommend include, Tin Man, Running Just In Case, We Should Be Friends, and For The Birds. In case you were wondering what might be coming in future CMFs. Because *spoilers*: they'll likely be in future CMFs.


The Second: Hell On A Highway by Justin Moore

A classic country song plot: someone is driving away from someone else and one of the two individuals feels like they need to sing about it. Think early Miranda with New Strings, Carolyn Dawn Johnson's Georgia, or Tim McGraw ft. Taylor Swift with Highway Don't Care. It may sound like I'm making fun of them, and don't get me wrong: I am. But I also love these songs. Plus Justin makes a Springsteen reference in this one, so regardless of where you land on the country music loving/driving away song spectrum, you can probably appreciate that.


The Third and Final: With You I Am by Cody Johnson

This song takes me back to my early days of listening to and loving country music. Days of George Strait, Tim McGraw, and Martina McBride. Thanks for sounding like the good ole days, Cody.


I hope you all have an excellent weekend! Things will take a little break on here for the next few weeks as I try to dedicate some time to family and friends for the holidays. Or maybe I'll get so bored I change my mind. No one knows at this point. Merry Christmas and see you in the new year!

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Short and Sweet

Apologies in advance for the short but sweet instalment today. It's been a long and exhausting week for yours truly. Here's a snapshot: It's 11:38pm and I'm up because apparently so are the construction workers who are loudly pouring and smoothing out concrete on the site behind my apartment. No word of a lie. Whyyy.

The First: Drinkin' Problem by Midland

Well aren't these fellas talented with their harmonies and their hot pink egg shaker and their moody blue lighting.


The Second: She Does by Jackie Lee

Slow to start and then those drums kick in and you know Jackie means business. Unlike this guy.


The Third and Final: Today I Started Loving You Again covered by Michael Ray

Woah. Who knew he had this old school twang. I, for one, did not. Because this is what I think of when I think about Michael Ray. So. A step up here for sure.

Enjoy a snowy and safe weekend if you've been hit by this beautiful blizzard! A snowy walk is on the agenda for me.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Bad Analogies

It happened.
The tree is up.
The festive tea towels and mugs are out and about.
The advent calendar is ready to help build anticipation like when they dim the lights at the theatre. Except apparently this movie theatre worker is a big tease and is just dimming the lights verrrrry slowly for like 24 days.

I know that was a terrible analogy. Just ignore me. We all know I can't come up with good analogies when I'm tired.* Please instead allow me to redeem myself by telling you that Country Christmas 2016 is ready for your listening pleasure.

*Don't even think of saying anything along the lines of "she must be tired all the time then ha ha ha." because that would just be rude.


The First: Box #10 covered by Stoney LaRue

I've been very into the jazzier side of country lately and Stoney LaRue is a pretty good example of what I'm talking about. A blend of two of my three favourite genres of music. You can go ahead and be thankful that it's not a blend of country music with my other favourite genre: musical theatre. Because otherwise we'd basically just be listening to Oklahoma! and Annie Get Your Gun. 


The Second: Smooth by Florida Georgia Line

You know what really carries this song? The frog ribbits. I especially like that they're not just there for the intro. They're there for the duration. For the long haul. In it to win it. In it to ribbit.
Sorry.


The Third and Final: Tougher Than Love by Bobby Wills

Just... ignore the dramatic beginning. And the less-than-ideal video quality. Because the song is worth it, I swear. This is the title track off Bobby's newest album and for good reason, if you ask me. Which you kind of are just by virtue of reading this.
If you want to hear more about Bobby, I've featured him before (wink wink, nudge nudge).

I'll be spending my weekend celebrating the kick-off to this holiday season and baking probably too many cookies. Hope you have a sweet weekend too.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Country Christmas 2016

A very merry First of December to everyone!

I'd be lying if I told you that I didn't start compiling my 2016 Country Christmas round up approximately eight months ago. And since this is my blog and I have no need to lie about these things on here, I should just tell you straight up: I started compiling my 2016 Country Christmas round up approximately eight months ago.

So let's jump into this thing! Here are my picks for holiday tunes this year. Some of them are brand-spanking-new and some of them are a little more aged, but all of them are as magnificent as this time of year.

1. What Christmas Means To Me by Brett Eldredge

Jazzy and wonderful, as per usual with Brett.


2. Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) by Lady Antebellum

I used to be partial to the Buble version of this song... but way to go and ruin that, Lady A.


3. Mistletoe by Lucy Hale

I'll be honest: I thought that this was going to be a Lucy Hale cover of Justin Bieber's Mistletoe and that's why I originally listened to it. For investigative reasons only, of course. Of course. As it turns out it isn't but I think it's still a catchy and fun song in its own right.


4. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by Dan + Shay

I really don't think it's a coincidence that croon rhymes with swoon.


5. Do You Want To Build A Snowman by Mickey Guyton

Unabashedly including this because I feel like it will score me major Aunt Points with my niece (who is five and definitely doesn't even know what a blog is but whatever). I think she would be so happy that this cover exists. If she stopped correcting me about how it's pronounced "Ahhhhnna" not "Anna" long enough to actually listen to it, that is. Five-year-olds, I tell ya.


6. Santa Came Anyway by Jojo Mason

Weird cover photo, but who am I to judge.


7. Let It Snow by Kacey Musgraves

Kacey went for a bit of an oldschool vibe with this album and it totally works.


8. Home Christmas by Blake Shelton and Michael Buble

Apparently a Michael Buble version of the original song and a Blake Shelton version of the original song just wasn't enough. They had to also change the words and make it a duet.


9. Do You Hear What I Hear? by Carrie Underwood

Nothing like this powerful voice to sing this classic carol.


10. Meet Me Under The Mistletoe by Randy Travis

And finally, I thought it was only right to round out this Country Christmas post on an extra-twangy note.


And if this ten just wasn't enough, you are welcome to check out last year's round up as well.

Thanks for listening!
Karla