The Grande Life

Urban Outfitters Saved My Life!

2009-11-07T23:19:00.000-08:00

Unless you live in a black hole, at some point in your life, you've heard of Urban Outfitters.

When I first heard of this place (and visited it, at the Mall of America) I was confused. I had heard of Urban Behavior, Urban Planet, and now Urban Outfitters. I didn't spend too much time in the store, thinking all three stores were the same place and there wasn't much new to see.

I was dead wrong.

Since living in Vancouver, I've been to this place a couple of times, and I have to admit - IT'S FREAKING AMAZING.

Besides it having the most amazing collection of clothing and accessories (from multiple brands, some at incredible prices), this store has an incredible mix of collectibles, trendy gadgets, and a whole lotta other junk. I'm seriously addicted, and I'm trying to stay off of their website, which has an even greater selection of merchandise, as I am major brizzoke.

SO, if you've heard of Urban Outfitters and haven't been, or have not heard of Urban Outfitters and also have not been, I'm telling you now - GET TO THE NEAREST STORE!!

You'll love it!!!

Annie - I Know Ur Girlfriend Hates Me

2009-11-07T23:01:00.000-08:00

I just came across this song, apparently from 2008, and it's hot. I'm lovin' the beat, and the chorus is catchy.

P.S. Why is it that all the great pop/techno/electro music usually comes from countries that are NOT the US or Canada? I could almost rationalize moving to Europe just for their great taste in music.

Almost.

Check out I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me by Annie HERE on Youtube.

Lady Gaga - Dance in the Dark

2009-11-07T22:16:00.000-08:00

NEW LADY GAGA!! Those three words always make my heart so happy. At this rate, we'll have all of Lady Gaga's new album by the end of next week!

A new song, Dance in the Dark, has leaked. In my opinion, it's good - but not GREAT. It might grow on me, but I'm not counting on it. It samples some old song that I can't quite put my finger on, and there's spoken word portions of the song that are reminiscent of Madonna's Vogue. All in all, it's definitely worth a listen. However, Bad Romance and Alejandro - both previous leaks from her upcoming album The Fame Monster - are FARRRR better than this track.

Check it out on Youtube HERE.

Dragonette - Easy (Remix)

2009-11-07T22:07:00.000-08:00

So if you've been reading my blog, you'll already know that I'm a Dragonette fan. Their music is simply pure, delicious electro pop.

Their song Easy, from their new album Fixin' to Thrill is easily (har har) one of my favorite songs on the album, and to my excitement, I found a great remix of it. It's a bit more electro and fun! Check it out HERE (you can also right click the link and choose save as to download the track).

To hear the original, check it on Youtube, HERE!

Aqua, Rihanna, and...Nick Carter?!?! Oh My!

2009-11-07T01:24:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, I've just got a few new tracks for you to check out.

Aqua's song My Mamma Said was apparently on their greatest hits album that was released this year. It was an additional track, and they've just released a music video for it, and it's a great song. It's slower, and a little darker - much different from what we're used to with Aqua. Check it out HERE.

P.S. I also have some AMAZING news about Aqua. Aqua die hards everywhere out there can finally breathe a long awaited sigh of relief - they will be releasing an entirely new album next year!!! Thank freaking God! I've been waiting for this news FOREVER.

A Rihanna song has surfaced on the net, and it's apparently going to be her second single from her upcoming album. The song is called Hard, and I actually really like it. I'm definitely not feeling her current song, Russian Roulette, so I was very pleased to hear this new track.

And lastly, I posted this song last week or so, but it was only a minute and a half clip, as the whole song hadn't been leaked yet. Fortunately, though, the song has made its way to the internet, along with the music video! Check out Nick Carter & Jennifer Paige's Beautiful Lie - I love this song!

Keri Hilson - I Like

2009-10-27T23:39:00.000-07:00

Random new track from Keri Hilson called I Like. And, surprise surprise, I like. It's catchy, smooth, and very mainstream - like most of her music.

Check it out below.

Paranormal Whhhhat?

2009-10-27T23:28:00.000-07:00

What's all this buzz about Paranormal Activity? Is it actually that good? I have a feeling it's just another one of those Blair Witch type movies that gets all hyped up and turns out to be a major let down.

So - should I check it out?

Cheryl Cole Album Favorites!

2009-10-23T23:44:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I just have a few last words about Cheryl Cole's album. I was able to find the whole thing online, and listened to each track, and am mostly dissappointed. However, I did find a few tracks that I enjoyed, and you can check them out below.

Parachute is a mid-tempo track, a little repetitive, but catchy.

Heartbreaker, apparently her new single, is actually pretty good. You can find Will.I.Am on this track. Also a mid-tempo song.

And lastly, this song isn't actually on the album, as it was a demo for Cheryl Cole

(not actually sung by her) but it seriously should have been on there. It's sooooo good and it took me a good half hour to find this track to download off the internet! Listen to Puzzle below.

Cheryl Cole - Stand Up

2009-10-23T23:15:00.000-07:00

As some of you may already know, Cheryl Cole - a member from the UK girl group Girls Aloud - has ventured out on her own and is attempting to create a successful solo career. So far, I'm not over the moon with what I've heard, however, I'm finding she's another one of those artists who consistently release songs that are growers (aka. songs that you hate at first and come to love).

Exhibit A for me was her first single, Fight for This Love. I thought it was a total bomb the first time I heard it, but after a few more listens, I became hooked!

Now has come time for Exhibit B. The song is called Stand Up, and I honestly HATED this song the first time I listened to it. But trust me, give it a chance, it's actually very catchy. Maybe listen to it a bit louder, when you're in a good mood, maybe heading out to the club or something. Enjoy!

[Unfortunately I couldn't find a YouTube video for this song, but go to THIS LINK to both listen to the song and download it!]

Oh! and one last thing - that Rihanna song is growing on me as well. I know, this is ridiculous!!

Mya - Everything or Nothing

2009-10-23T13:04:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share with you guys one of my favorite songs. A few years back I purchased the video game 007 Everything or Nothing, which suprisingly, had a star studded cast. Mya, Charlize Theron, and Shannon Elizabeth were the sexy ladies in this James Bond venture.

Anyways, the theme song for the game was done by Mya, titled Everything or Nothing. The song is so hot! I can guarantee I was probably the only boy who played that game and thought to download the theme song because Mya sang it. Haha. Oh well.....Enjoy!

Marina and the Diamonds - Mowgli's Road

2009-10-22T13:09:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if I've mentioned this artist on my blog before, but I only recently became aware of their existence. The lead vocalist has a very unique voice, and so far I've loved every song I've heard from them.

Mowgli's Road is their most recent release, and I've gotta say - the music video is AWESOME. You've gotta check it out for yourself to understand.

Also, if you want to check out a couple of their previous tracks, follow these links:
I Am Not A Robot
Obsessions

Rihanna - Russian Roulette

2009-10-20T20:01:00.000-07:00

The wait is over. We can all un-bunch our panties. Rihanna's new single has dropped...

...and honestly, it's extremely disappointing (especially if you consider her intense cover art for the single, pictured above). I can never understand when artists make their return to the music scene with a ballad. It's never as successful as a more upbeat track.

Any who, the song's not a total bomb. I'm actually beginning to like it more and more each time I listen to it, however, it's definitely no Disturbia/Umbrella. Check it out below, and let me know your thoughts (aka leave a comment!).

Dragonette - Liar

2009-10-20T00:07:00.000-07:00

I just thought I'd share this song with everyone, as (a) I love Dragonette, and (b) this is by far my favorite song from their new album.

The song is called Liar, and it's addictive. Please check it out, I doubt you'll be unimpressed.

Tiesto ft. Tegan & Sara - Feel it in My Bones

2009-10-18T23:40:00.000-07:00

I'm not quite sure when this song came out, but it was apparently some time this year. Any who, this here song is a colab between Tegan & Sara and Tiesto, and it's pretty much amazing.

Check it out below!

The Saturdays - One Shot

2009-10-18T21:29:00.000-07:00

I heard this song the other day and wasn't majorly impressed. A couple of days later, I am HOOKED.

One Shot is so catchy. I basically love everything The Saturdays do. Almost everything.

Nick Carter & Jennifer Paige - Beautiful Lie

2009-10-18T21:23:00.000-07:00

Before you jump to conclusions, I am highly aware of Nick Carter's solo career (or lack there of it), HOWEVER, this song is actually pretty good! It features Jennifer Paige (remember that song Crush from the late 90's?) and although I can only provide you with a one and a half minute clip, it sounds like they've got themselves a good track here.

Check it out below.

Dragonette Concert Review!

2009-10-18T21:08:00.000-07:00

So last night, I had the privilege of obtaining two tickets ($20 each - I know right? I would have paid way more!) to the Dragonette show at Venue in Vancouver. As usual, the show was slated to begin at 7:30pm (or so the tickets suggested), however, an opening band played until about 9ish.

Dragonette chose to start of the night with their most recognizable song, I Get Around. The performance was gold, and a great way to hype up the crowd for the evening. The band actually played quite a few songs through out the night, which was pretty impressive.

True Believer, my most anticipated song besides Fixin' To Thrill, was a great performance. The only unfortunate thing I'd have to say about it though was that they tried to rock it up a bit more than it is on the album, and I much prefer the slower version that Galore provides.

They closed the show with everyones favorite, Fixin' to Thrill, which was an extremely energetic, lively performance. I totally loved it, and was sad to see them go at the end of the song.

However, once off the stage, it only took about 30 seconds of clapping in anticipation for an encore to get them right back up there....and perform the biggest disaster of a song ever!! Don't get me wrong, it was cute how she stated that she sang this song to her husband on their wedding day, but the song was so banjo-country-rock-I-don't-even-know-what that it was definitely a ridiculous final impression to leave the audience with!

Throughout the show, Martina (the lead singer) was adorable! Constantly smiling, flipping her hair, and chattin' it up with the audience in between songs, she was so hard not to love. About halfway through the night it seemed to me that she was getting a sore throat or something to that effect, as she was having trouble with some of the higher notes, but regardless, she plowed right through them like a trooper!

All in all though, the show was a blast - definitely worth the measly $20 bucks!

I <3 Dragonette!

(I'll leave you with the music video for their hot single, "Fixin' to Thrill")

I Get Arrouuunnndd

2009-10-17T17:36:00.001-07:00

I'll be checking out the Dragonette show tonight at Venue in Downtown Vancouver, and I can't wait! I'll be back tomorrow with a review of the show.

PEACE.

I Want It That Way

2009-10-17T12:36:00.000-07:00

I came across this video on Facebook and I was totally amazed. This small group of people were capable of doing something so incredible, yet so simple. It really brought a smile to my face the entire time, I hope it does for you as well!!

p.s. I wish I worked with people like that!

Lady Gaga - Alejandro

2009-10-17T12:13:00.000-07:00

This bitch never ceases to amaze me. A new song has just been leaked from Lady Gaga's upcomming re-release of The Fame. This song is called Alejandro.

Love it Love It LOVE IT!!!!! Check it out below! (p.s. Not sure how long the video will be up and running before it's taken off of Youtube, I'll try and keep it up)

Shakira - Men in This Town

2009-10-16T19:56:00.000-07:00

The following song is from Shakira's new album. Men in This Town is a really catchy tune, with somewhat whacky lyrics. Check it out below!

Owl City - Fireflies

2009-10-15T22:42:00.000-07:00

This song was released earlier this summer, but today was the first time I'd heard of it. Lol. Sometimes I can be VERY behind...oh well.

Anywho, the song is called Fireflies by Owl City. I'm not usually into this emo/alternative type music (or whatever you want to call it), but this song is TOPS. Think of Hey There Delilah, or similar shit like that.

It's a nice slow little ditty, so check it out below!

Lady Gaga Announces New Tour!!!

2009-10-15T13:52:00.000-07:00

This is why I cannot be with out internet. I miss IMPORTANT THINGS!! Like, not only did Lady Gaga cancel her tour with Kanye West two weeks ago (most likely because he's a douche and she didn't want to be associated with his douchyness), but she has now just announced a NEW tour that kicks off next month!!

The Monster Ball Tour is apparently supposed to be like some sort of "Electro-Pop Opera" (her words, not mine), but regardless, I'm SO IN.

She will be in Vancouver December 9th and 10th - yes, that's right, TWO SHOWS in Vancity.

I'm so excited I could pee my pants!

Natalie Portman's Shaved Head - Sophisticated Side Ponytail

2009-10-14T21:14:00.000-07:00

This song is crazy. I love it. Check it out!

Taio Cruz - Break Your Heart

2009-10-14T20:46:00.000-07:00

This song is HOT. Props to my friend Jeff for showing me the light that is Taio Cruz. His song "Break Your Heart" is soooooooooooo good. Upbeat, lyrically fun, and a truly catchy track. Check it out below!

(I couldn't find a video that would let me embed into my blog, so you'll just have to follow THIS link to view the video on Youtube.)