Music I Want My Children To Listen To

I've been promising the lovely Susanne over at Ghostwritermummy for a couple of weeks now that I would link up to her wonderful 'Music I Want My Children To Listen To' meme but I just haven't been able to fit it in.  I even made a badge for her but still hadn't gotten around to writing a post.  Fail.

I think it's because I used to be very much into my music but it seems nowadays all I get to listen to is 'Jack & Jill' or 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'.  However, now I've taken some time out to write it's actually nice to sit down and think about some normal adult music.

So, without further ado, I present to you my two choices.  The Strokes and The Shout Out Louds.  One very famous band and one not so famous.  It was a tough decision for me as deep-down I'm a big Depeche Mode fan (I'm an 80's gal) but I'm not quite sure I want my daughter to listen to some of their more darker stuff.  Maybe my next post I will dedicate to their happier times!

I love, love, LOVE The Strokes.  Every time one of their tunes gets plays on the radio in the car I immediately jump for the volume switch.  Whenever I hear their music I get all giddy and I'm immediately transported to watching them live.  I was lucky enough to get passes to their aftershow party in Manchester.  How I ever managed to actually share a barstool with the gorgeous Nick Valensi (any woman would kill for that mans cheek bones!) I will never know but I did - I'll have to dig out the photo! Much to the embarrassment of my husband who kept telling me to 'be cool' but I think he was secretly jealous that I got to talk to Nick and Albert Hammond Jr.  Yes, read it and weep Matt!

I was a late-comer to loving The Strokes *hangs head in shame* and it was my husband who really introduced me to them with their 3rd album 'First Impressions Of Earth'.  I know I'll probably be shot by the die-hard Strokes fans who will always proclaim that 'This Is It' will always be their greatest album.  Sorry!

I think First Impressions of Earth rocks completely and holds 3 of my favourite Strokes songs.   The first has to be, in my opinion, one of The Strokes' all time best songs 'You Only Live Once'.  The intro to this song never fails to send my heart racing.

Secondly you have the amazing 'Heart In A Cage' - yet another great intro to set your heart racing and then there's the lesser known 'Ask Me Anything' on the album. Completely different Strokes song - no rock, no guitars or deep bassline pretty much just Julian Casablancas and a mic.  Don't be a coconut!  Brilliant lyrics ha.  This is definitely a song you need to hear live - it will, quite literally, take your breath away.

My second choice - the Shout Out Louds.  Who?  I bet that's what you're saying.  If you know them (and like them), welcome...you are now my new best friend!  I first discovered the Shout Out Louds, funnily enough, when I saw The Strokes live about 4 or 5 years ago.  My husband likes to claim that Bebban Stenborg flirted with him at the party but I think she was just being polite.  Anyway, they are from Sweden so not known so much over here but they still play gigs over here. Just before my daughter was born Matt and I went to see them again in Manchester on their own tour.  I am dying to see them live for a third time - they toured last year but we were away that date.  Gutted.

Their first album 'Howl Howl Gaff Gaff' is one of my favourites.  It's just blissfully great listening.  'The Comeback' which is the first track on the album is amazing.  Adam Olenius has this amazing edge to his voice that just makes me giddy (sense a giddiness pattern emerging here by any chance!). Another great track 'Please Please Please' will probably explain why I like this band and The Strokes.  However, my favourite track on the album has to be the last one, a little known track called 'My Friend And The Ink On His Fingers'.

So that's it.  I'm now off to dust down my iPod and fire up some amazing tunes with my daughter.  No doubt she'll want me to put Danny Kaye Sings Hans Christian Andersen on AGAIN.