Special Edition:"Driving CDs"

How many CDs do you have in your collection that you can honestly say you can put into your CD player either to listen to or to make a long drive to and just enjoy beginning to end? Not many right? (Mix CDs don't count) This was the conversation between me and Mandy a couple of weeks which sparked my interset to see if I could find 15 albums in my personal CD collection that I could honestly pop in and listen to straight up. I ended up making a list of ten and here it is, in no particular order. Feel free to reply back with your albums either on here, fb or twitter.

Artist: Rent Cast

Album: Broadway/Movie Soundtrack

Release Year: 1996/2005

Reason: I decided to include both of these albums together (as one album) because it was just easier that way. This is my favorite broadway show, par none. The movie was fantastic as well. I have been able to listen to both of these sountracks non stop for no other reason than the music is amazing, insprining and just enjoyable.

Artist: Rock of Ages

Album: Broadway Soundtrack

Release Year: 2009

Reason: This might be the most unconventional broadway soundtrack ever made. It's a rock concert with a storyline. The soundtrack is by far of the best "best of" CD ever made but done in a way that it fits the show and is amazing to listen to and rock out to. Just a great soundtrack and albums for that reason alone. 

Artist: Zac Brown Band
Album: The Foundation
Release Year: 2008
Reason: This is just a great country album. If someone asked me to give them an album that best shows why I love country music, this would be the one. There's some pop, some rock, a little reggage, but then some hardcore country. There's a little something for anyone and it's just an easy way to get through a hour.

Artist: Brad Paisley

Album: 5th Gear

Release Year: 2007

Reason: When this album was released Brad said in an interview that it would be the ultimate driving CD. Well from the opening song to the ending instrumental, he was right. It's a fun ride with great stories and just a way to keep or put you in a good mood.

Artist: Barenaked Ladies

Album: Disc One:All Their Greatest Hits

Release Year: 2001

Reason: Okay so I know people are going to say that greatest hits albums shouldn't count, but I disagree. This CD has the best of my favorite band all in one place so I don't have to keep switching CDs around  to find the songs that I like. That's the main reason I love this album. If I need to get my BNL fix, I can just pop this in and I'm good.

Artist: Linkin Park

Album: Meteora

Release Year: 2003

Reason: When Linkin Park just came out, I'll admit I became a big fan and picked up Hybrid Theory. While that is a good CD with some great songs, this is a great rock/hip hop album. This is one of the few rock CDs that I can honestly say I can pop it on track one and I get so into it the music just flows and suddenly the album is over. It's awesome for rocking, especially if you are down in the dumps.

Artist: Stephen Lynch

Album: The Craig Machine

Release Year: 2005

Reason: Normally you would think that comedy CDs don't count for this list, but this is not a typical comedian. Lynch is a funny songwriter. While I do own three of his albums, this is by my favorite and the only one that I can listen to all the way through nonstop. It's just a very funny show that lead to a very awesome live DVD and great live show.

Artist: The O.C. Supertones
Album: Hi Fi Revival
Release Year: 2002

Reason: At one time I was really into Christian music. At that time, this album by far was my favorite one. While at times it's very religious, at it's core this album is about a journey through the crossroads of life. I always refer to songs off this album when I talk religion with people, it's very well done and when I need a reminder, I pop it in. It helps everytime.

Artist: Relient K

Album: Mmhmm

Release Year: 2004

Reason: For a couple of years I was a Relient K fan. I really liked some of their older songs but still not the best in the world. This album came out at the right time for me. I was going through alot in my life, and this album told that story perfectly from beginning to end. It's about heartbreak and fighting and redemtion and just finding yourself. I still listen to this album alot now because it's that good.

Artist: World Wrestling Entertainment
Album: WWF Forceable Entry
Release Year: 2002

Reason: As a wrestling fan, I was trying to figure out if there was one WWE album that stood out to me as my favorite, this one is by far the best. It was their first "rock" album and the only album I can blast now and still love every second of it.



Dancing with the Stars:The Semifinals Aftermath

Yesterday I had a review of the semifinals all started but got really busy and never got around to get a computer to post it up. So that being said, I'll just post my thoughts on the overall two days and then for the finale next week get back to my normal format.

First all, how did Bristol and Mark survive? How do they do? Even they were shocked last night when Brandy and Maksim got eliminated last night. The facts are they know they are on borrowed time but still keep chugging along.

#2, I am officially rooting on Kyle & Lacey to win this thing. They are by far the most entertaining duo on the show and they deserve to win.

Finally, let me say this. This has been the most unpredicatable season of this show. It is always making want to watch again next season. I have to thank ABC for that. I didn't expect to get so into this season at all, and now that I am, I am fully invested and even want to watch Monday's finale live instead of delayed the next day like I usually do.

Glee (11/16/10):Epic Substitute Teacher

After watching last night's Glee, I really want to know why I could never get a substitute teacher like Holly Holiday. I would love for a teacher to break out into Conjunction Junction, but I always ended up with "Phil". Someone in the Garfield school system alumni reading this will get that. Anyway, back to this show.

Last night, Shue got sick so that lead to one of the most unpredicatable, fast paced, fun shows of the year. Definately keeping the ball going into Sectionals in two weeks. Let's get right into the music. It was an awesome night for songs.

Holly and New Directions-Forget You
I didn't even like this song, well now I do. This was so much fun to watch and I just stop listening to the song. It's performances like this why I love this show. Plus it was a great way to bring in a new character and show her attitude on music. I also loved Rachel's not-impressed attitude during this, brillant for her character, but how hard was it for her not to break? A+

Will-Make Em' Dance
This was awesome! If you've never seen Singin' In The Rain this performance makes no sense. If you have, this was amazing. Simply a reason for Will to get a solo in the genre he's the best at and give Mike Chang a reason to just dance with him. This was entertaining and so much fun to watch. Even if it was just a sickness-endused dream sequence. A

Rachel & Holly-Nowadays
I wasn't a big fan of this performance. I understood that it was Holly's way of winning Rachel over, but it didn't work for me. Lea Michelle isn't as hot as she once was and he seemed so tiny next Gwyneth during this song. It didn't come across to me as good as it could have. C

Will, Holly & New Directions-Singing in The Rain/Umbrella
Before Glee I HATED mashups. I thought they were overdone and kinda lame. This song showed how you can take as all time classic and a new popular song and turn into something very special. I really loved this performance. I mean Mandy said it best last night when she said that they can't afford a bus but they can afford water effects, but at the same time this a musical so I will let that slide. A+