Listening as of Late

It's officially Fall.

Did you know that?

I know I'm a little late with my official declaration, but I've been caught up in a whirlwind of cranial nerves, face and neck muscles, white coats, etc.

Oh, but I noticed.

Even in my med school-induced haze, I've been breathing in the smell of falling leaves, consuming pumpkin EVERYTHING, and just enjoying my favorite season.

And with a new season, comes, of course (my go-to writing topic) new music.

There have been a lot of new releases lately that I have very quickly become obsessed with. I love how the music released at this time of year just feels autumn-y, you know what I mean? Or just me?

Okay. First up:


The Paper Kites - States

Remember these guys? One EP and two whimsical music videos and I was smitten. Another EP, another smile-inducing video, completely hooked.

Well, the long-awaited (at least for me) LP (and, quite possibly, my favorite music video of all time...one word: Bubbles) was finally released in the US and I am officially head-over-heels in love.

The songs on States has a wider range than the two EP's partly because a few songs (Cold Kind Hand, In Reverie) feature Christina Lacy on lead vocals. While some songs, such as Tenenbaum, St. Clarity, and Young are as dreamy and soothing as ever, songs like A Lesson from Mr. Gray are a bit of a deviation from their up-to-now style (think: more guitar, less banjo), but still so good. (Side Note: Does anyone else hear a similarity to I Am The Walrus? Just me again?)

This whole album deserves a listen. It is seriously the perfect thing to listen to on a crisp (probably rainy) fall Sunday as you drink hot apple cider and read anatomy textbooks...whoops, that's just me again. Feel free to leave out the anatomy textbooks.


Agnes Obel - Aventine

Here's another new release from an old Fall-favorite!

Agnes Obel is back with her second album, Aventine, and it is just as gloomy and haunting and beautiful as her first.

So perfect for October. Her album artwork always look like movie posters for scary psychological thrillers. And her songs would then be the creepy underlying soundtrack. But, like a good creepy. Just maybe not listen at night, by yourself, in the dark. Whoops.

(Added 5 minutes later: So. Remember that so-called scary psychological thriller I was talking about? Apparently, it's her music video below. Again, don't watch by yourself, at 1 in the morning, in the dark. You've been warned)

Haim - Days Are Gone

Switching gears to more sunny-Fall-day music, this is another highly anticipated (by many people) first-release LP.

These three wacky sisters are crazy-talented, and have been getting a lot of well-deserved attention as of late. They have a very unique sound (Fleetwood Mac plus 80's-90's synth, with a little R&B thrown in for good measure) that you will be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.

Echosmith - Talking Dreams

Okay guys. Let's stop, take a minute, and just watch (or only listen, if you must) to the video below:

Okay, now I can tell you that these three fellows and one gal that make up Echosmith are siblings and...wait for it... all under the age of 18. Craziness I tell you.

If you don't check out iTunes' weekly free (!) Single of the Week, you really should...they have been hitting it out of the park lately in my personal opinion. And guess what this week's is?!

Which means, that up until a few days ago, if you asked me who Echosmith was I probably would have come up with some really terrible joke about a guy who lives in the mountains crafting echoes...

But today, if you said "Echosmith" I would echo (no more corny jokes after this, I swear) back: "Obsessed".

If you listened to the two above songs, some of you may be thinking: "They sound kind of pop-punk synth-y, and I've been too cool for that since, like, 2005". And you may very well be right, but, trust me, this is another album that has a lot of range with different sounds for different tastes. Even if you hate it, then you at least have to have a lot of respect for this troupe of siblings, just sayin'.

My favorite:




The Vernons - Volume I EP

Here is another recent free download I stumbled across (no longer available) that I instantly loved.


The Vernons are an Australian band that just released their debut EP in September. Blues-y rock, so good. Especially for Fall.




Arcade Fire - Reflektor

Dude. Arcade Fire has a new song. And if you listen closely you can hear David Bowie. And they have a whole new album coming out October 29. This is just awesome on so many levels.

And the music video is so weird and so beautiful in a way that only Arcade Fire can pull of.

The Head and The Heart - Let's Be Still

Guess who else has a new album out in a few days?! These guys (meaning The Head and The Heart...if you couldn't tell from above)!

I was excited to see how they followed up their debut self-titled album since each song was different from each other, but all lovely, and then when the first single was released, I got REALLY excited.

Based on this, I could tell that we were still going to get the same sound that we knew and loved (both playful and sorrowful indie folk), just kicked up a notch further.

Don't feel like waiting until next week to give the whole album a listen? Me neither!

Here you go! (Yes, that is a link to where you can stream the album in it's entirety for free)


Random

Great new(ish) albums to listen to for Fall that I don't have time to go into more detail about:






Here are a few honorable mentions of songs that have been on rotation on my iPod lately:

WE ARE TWIN  - The Way We Touch

A good song to help get you going in the morning. And, no, they're not actually twins, bummer. (Another free Single of the Week...seriously, check them out...they're free).


City and Colour - Unthinkable (I'm Ready)

One of my absolute favorite artists just released the third EP in his series of cover songs, and this Alicia Keys cover is addicting.




Ou Est Le Swimming Pool - Dance the Way I Feel

Best. Band Name. Ever.

And then, because, you just have to when it's Fall:




Enjoy.

Let's hope that we can get through October this year without some kind of Frankenstorm/Hurricane/Snow & Ice Storm playlist having to be made. 

Frankenstorm Playlist

I planned on putting together a Autumn/Halloween-ish playlist like I did last year, but then when I learned that my area was going to be hit hard by a hurricane, I thought about putting together another hurricane playlist like for Hurricane Irene...and then I thought: why not combine the two?

I therefore present to you my Frankenstorm Playlist; a collection of spooky-ish, storm-themed, "I need something to listen to that appropriately fits a hurricane in the middle of Fall", songs. At least, my interpretation of what kind of a playlist would be. 



Frankenstorm

1. Silversun Pickups – Mean Spirits
2. Mumford & Sons – Whispers In the Dark
3. Cassino – The Levee
4. Freelance Whales – The Nothing
5. Agnes Obel – Brother Sparrow
6. Band of Horses – Is There A Ghost
7. Jose Gonzalez – Storm
8. Feist – Caught A Long Wind
9. Ed Roland & The Sweet Tea Project – Shelter From The Storm
10. She & Him – I Put a Spell On You
11. Ella Fitzgerald – Stormy Weather
12. Maroon 5 – Come Away To The Water
13. Neil Young – Harvest Moon
14. Vitamin String Quartet – Sally's Song
15. Bon Iver – Holocene

I hope you enjoy it. If you're on the east coast these next few days, please stay safe and dry. If you're not on the east coast, have fun trick-or-treating in normal weather!

Dear Snow,

We interrupt your regularly scheduled Monday post for this important message:

Dear Snow,

I never thought I would have to write a letter like this to you. We have had many happy years together, filled with laughs, sparkling days, and quiet nights. I’ll admit, we have had our tough times. I know that I certainly have had my fair share of restless, cold nights, and sore muscles from having to clean up after you. But even when things got tough, and everyone said I should give up on you…I never did, I’ve always defended you and your often unreasonable actions.

But this time is different. I don’t think I can forgive you this time.

There’s no going back for us after what you have done.

I don’t even understand why you would do it. You never have before. You even made yourself look bad by ruining your yearly debut, and you increased others’ distrust and dislike for you.

And I have to admit; even I could forgive all that. I could even forgive the fact that, because of you, my family and many others will not have power for several days. I could maybe even learn to deal with the huge mess and misery that you caused all over Berks County.

But this,

This, I can not forgive you for.

You took away Fall from me; my favorite season, which I barely got to appreciate. You ruined all of the beautiful leaves, pumpkins, and mums. You made me go straight to my winter jacket rather than just a sweatshirt and scarf. Even my mom, who has always welcomed you into our home so graciously, said that this weekend was meant for bike rides, not shoveling snow. You hijacked my favorite season and turned it into something cold and troublesome. And that is unforgiveable.

Were you jealous of what Fall and I had together? Is that why you did it? Cause if so, all you did was make me not trust you and have an even greater respect, appreciation, and love for Fall.

Or did you just want the attention? Because then you certainly achieved your goal.

But just remember, that as you bask in all your Snowtober glory, you have forever lost a faithful and loving companion because of your selfish ways.

Sincerely, Mandy

Taking Back Fall: Playlist and Peanuts

Since we are apparently in store for some winter weather this weekend (even though it's October), I thought I would put together and post a Fall Playlist. I plan on listening to it this weekend in protest of Mother Nature. I'm a true rebel. Just like Linus.

If you would like to join me in my act of insurgeance, you can listen to each song individually, or listen to the entire playlist on Spotify, here.

1. Nat King Cole – Autumn Leaves
2. She & Him – You Really Got a Hold on Me
3. Green Day – Wake Me Up When September Ends
4. Cassino – The River
5. Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald– Autumn In New York
6. Death Cab for Cutie – Underneath The Sycamore
7. Coldplay – Yellow
8. Bonejangles And His Bone Boys – Remains Of The Day (via The Corpse Bride)
9. Band of Horses – On My Way Back Home
10. Catherine O'Hara – Sally's Song (I also highly recommend the Fionna Apple version)
11. Frank Sinatra – Witchcraft
12. Feist – Graveyard
13. Modest Mouse – Autumn Beds
14. Rachael Yamagata – I'm Going to Go Back There Someday
15. Vince Guaraldi Trio – Great Pumpkin Waltz (It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!)

In another display of rebellion, I plan on cozying up with a blanket and some hot apple-cider to watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! right here, since I unfortunately had to miss it on television last night.

Who's with me? Together we can take back the night season!

 

New Music Monday: Favorite New Albums

Fall brings many a’wondrous thing. Leaves changing colors, pumpkins and apples galore, snuggle-y weather, and some great new music releases. Rather than featuring the latest artist I have been listening, I thought I would mention my favorite new albums from some of my already-favorite artists. So here you go (in no particular order):

Feist – Metals

 

Feist is probably most widely known for the hit “1234” from her 2007 album, The Reminder, which was featured on a popular iPod Nano commercial. If you are looking for another “1234”-type song, this album isn’t for you. If you are looking for an even more soulful album than the 2007 hit, you have come to the right place.

Having been recorded on a cliff in Big Sur, it almost seems as if the ocean winds have seeped into Metals. Some songs are bare and simple with just Feist’s sweet voice and a guitar, others consist of rising melodies, percussion, and strings. Each song on its own takes you on a journey, one that you don’t really want to come back from, but woven together, the album takes you straight to those famous rocky cliffs, and let’s you stay there. But my favorite song, by far, is Cicadas and Gulls.  Described as “the early morning song”, it is a song for sunrises and sweet goodbyes.

It is clear by Metals that Feist’s continuing evolution as an artist means that we can only expect increasingly wonderful music from her.

blink-182 – Neighborhoods

 

Anyone who was over the age of 8 in the 90’s has a strong fondness for blink-182. Their music was a late 90’s staple, hands-down one of the defining bands for that time period. Since then, these guys have been through a lot while on an indefinite (now finite) hiatus, including side-projects and a plane crash.

Now back and raring to go with the album Neighborhoods, it’s clear that I’m not the only one who did some growing-up since the last blink album. This album showcases the best of the boys that we knew and loved years ago, but it has a more mature sound than what we’ve seen from them in the past.

Welcome back to the neighborhood. It was worth the wait.

Coldplay – Mylo Xyloto

 

Do I really need to explain this one?

It’s Coldplay.

It’s Coldplay doing a concept album.

It’s Coldplay doing a “love story with a happy ending” in a “dystopian-urban environment” concept album.

It’s Coldplay doing a “love story with a happy ending” in a “dystopian-urban environment” concept album, inspired by 1970’s New York City graffiti.

It’s Coldplay doing a “love story with a happy ending” in a “dystopian-urban environment” concept album, inspired by 1970’s New York City graffiti, that just dropped today and I’m already in love.

What more explanation do you need?

Oh, okay, fine, here:

I think Rollingstone put it best when it described the album as "a bear-hug for bear-market society".

She & Him – A Very She & Him Christmas

Again, this was just released today and I feel that there is no greater explanation for its wonderfulness other than the fact that it is Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward singing Christmas songs. I’m a particular fan of the good ol’ classics on here: “Have Yourself and a Merry Little Christmas” and “The Christmas Song”

Let me reiterate: Zooey. Singing. Christmas Songs.

If you are one of those people right now saying either a. “But it’s October” or b. “I hate Christmas music”. I challenge you here and now to listen to the album first, then you can go ahead be a Grinch all you want

Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials

 

Okay, this one I am kind of cheating on since it doesn’t come out for another week still.

But, but, but I have already listened to “Shake It Out” and “What the Water Gave Me” about 100 times each already!

Florence Welch can do no wrong in my eyes. Lungs is hard to beat, but I will not be surprised if Ceremonials blows it out of the water. Then I can say the water gave me lungs (yea, I don’t know either…just go with it).

Honorable Mentions: Jack’s Mannequin’s People and Things (Andrew McMahon I will always cherish our time together, but you lost me along the way somewhere), MuteMath’s Odd Soul (good, but perfect example of a band that is failing to really evolve with each record), and Ryan Adams’ Ashes and Fire (simply on here because I heard it’s great, I just have listened to it yet)

What new albums have you heard and loved this fall?

Fall Recipes: Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes

About a year ago I discovered the website Bake It in a Cake. It is a cupcake-lover’s dream come true.

My favorite recipe from the site is a cream cheese cupcake with a mini pumpkin pie in the middle and cinnamon cream cheese frosting.

BakeItinaCake.com...mine do not look this fancy

It may as well be called “Mandy’s Dream Dessert”

It is also perfect for this time of year. And they are so gosh darn cute.

Behold my terrible frosting abilities

I can’t lie though, these little guys are time-consuming. But it’s all worth it when someone says “These are the best cupcakes in the world!”

Here is the recipe, and be sure to check out Bake It in a Cake for more fun cupcake creations.

For the pumpkin pies you’ll need:

1 batch of your favorite pie crust dough (Don’t have a favorite? Use pre-made refrigerated dough, it will work well too.)

1 15 oz. can pumpkin pie filling, prepared according to the can’s
directions (or you can make your pie filling from scratch, you
overachiever, you—either way, you’ll need enough for one pie).

For the cupcakes you’ll need:

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature

8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature

1 1/2 c. granulated sugar

3 eggs

2 t. vanilla

2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1 1/3 c. whole milk

2 1/2 c. flour

For the buttercream you’ll need:

2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature

8 oz cream cheese, room temperature

2 c. powdered sugar

1 c. Hershey’s cinnamon chips (or any cinnamon chips you like)

splash of whole milk

Directions:

Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees (F).

First, prepare the pumpkin pies. Mix up the pumpkin pie mix according
to the can’s directions (or make your own-fancy!). Roll out the pie
crust dough and cut it into small circles that are large enough to cover
the bottom and sides of mini cupcake tins (I used the opening of a
small juice glass as a cutter).

Press the dough into the lightly greased mini cupcake tins, and then
fill them with the pumpkin pie mix. (Don’t go all the way to the top,
the filling will expand a little while baking.)

Bake the pies for about 7 minutes at 425 degrees (F), and then turn the
oven down to 350 degrees (F) and bake them for another 10 minutes or
so, until the crust is brown and the filling is completely set.

After taking them out of the oven, cool them on a wire rack for about
10 minutes, then take them out of the pan and allow them to cool
further while you mix up the batter.

For the cupcake batter, combine the butter and the cream cheese
together on medium speed for about 90 seconds—you want the ingredients
to be well incorporated. Then mix in the sugar until the mixture is
fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, and then the vanilla, baking soda,
baking powder, and salt. Then mix in the milk and the flour,
alternating between the two ingredients. Scrape down the sides and
bottom of the bowl, to make sure everything is getting well-mixed—beat
again on med-high speed for about a minute. It should be smooth and
creamy.

Spoon a heaping tablespoon of batter into regular-sized, paper-lined
cupcake tins. Plop a cooled pumpkin pie into the center, and press
gently into the batter. GENTLY. You don’t want it to touch to the bottom
of the pan.

Cover the pies with another heaping tablespoon of batter, so the top and sides are completely covered.

Bake at 350 degrees (F) for about 25 minutes, until the cake is set and
the edges and tops of the cupcakes have turned golden brown.

Allow them to cool in the cupcake tray for atleast 10 minutes before
moving to a wire rack—they’ll be a little fragile at first.

Once the cakes are cool, frost ‘em!

To make the buttercream, melt down the cinnamon chips with a splash of
whole milk. Pop ‘em in the microwave for about 45 seconds on high. Stir
until all the chips are melted, and allow it to cool a bit while you
whip up the rest of the frosting (you can put the bowl in the fridge,
it’ll cool faster that way, and the milk will keep it from
solidifying).

Cream together the butter and cream cheese until they’re well
incorporated. Then whip in the powdered sugar, a cup at a time, until
the mixture is smooth and creamy. With the mixer on low, drizzle in the
cooled cinnamon chip “ganache” (if it’s too hot it’ll melt the
buttercream and ruin it—you don’t want that). Put in about half, then
stop to taste it and decide if you’d like to add more. Some like it
strong, others like it milder.

If you have any pie crust left over, roll it out and cut smaller discs
and sprinkle them with a little bit of cinnamon and sugar. Bake ‘em
for about 10 minutes at 350 and look at that, a cute and tasty cupcake
topper!

You can also try candied pecans or a drizzle of caramel on top. Tasty!

Fall Recipes (Part 2- PUMPKIN SQUARES!)

I couldn't let the first, official fall weekend go by without posting the recipe for the holy grail of all fall recipes: Pumpkin Squares.


Seriously, these bundles of pumpkin-y goodness are legendary. And super easy to make.


You will never go back after making these. Your family, friends, coworkers, etc. won't let you.


Pumpkin Squares Recipe


Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 1 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 cup oil
• 1 lb. can purée pumpkin
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Beat first 4 ingredients in mixer until light and fluffy (about 2 min).
3. Combine dry ingredients together and add to pumpkin mixture. Mix together.
4. Bake in ungreased jelly pan for 20-30 min.
5. Let cool completely before icing.

Cream Cheese Icing Recipe


Ingredients

• 3 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Cream together cream cheese and margarine/butter.
2. Stir in vanilla.
3. Add sugar a little at a time while mixing together.

Enjoy!

Fall Recipes (Part 1 of Many)

Fall is hands down my favorite season.


The cooler weather, the colors, the leaves, the clothes (scarfs and sweaters and jackets, oh my!), the food, baking, and drinks (pumpkin, apples, cinnamon, maple...these are a few of my favorite things). I love it all. To the point where it may be a problem.


So to celebrate the first weekend that really feels like fall to me, I made a breakfast worthy of the season I love oh-so-very-much.

Apple Cake


I love (I really need to come up with an adjective for "love") apples. Hot apple cider, apple pie (make it with some apple spice wine and you will never look at your grandma's homemade apple pie the same), apple crisp, the list goes on and on, but this is one of my favorites, courtesy of my granny's recipe box. Also, note, once again, the trend of turning a dessert into a breakfast, that reigns supreme in my house.

Recipe


Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour rectangular cake pan.



Add to large mixing bowl and beat:
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 sticks butter2 eggs
Peel six medium apples, dice into small pieces, and add to bowl. 

Mix together:
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon

Add dry ingredients to apple mixture and mix well. Can add chopped walnuts if desired.

Bake 30 to 40 mins at 350.


Pumpkin Spice Latte


If I love apples, then I am obsessed with pumpkin. I also have an addiction to coffee, which means I am one of those really annoying people that counts down the days until the first Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season. But as all of my fellow Pumpkin Latte Anonymous members know...this is not always very easy on my wallet. I would therefore like to present my homemade version of this fall staple.


Recipe (for 1 serving)


Brew 1-2 cups of expresso (I will be able to do this one day I hope) or strong coffee.


In saucepan, combine:
1 cup milk
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 Tbsp sugar


Heat, constantly stirring, until mixture begins to steam.


Add to milk mixture:
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg


Bring mixture to a boil. Remove from heat. Whisk mixture thoroughly, add to expresso/coffee in your mug o' choice. Top with whipped cream and cinnamon sugar if desired.


Warm apple cake and a pumpkin spice latte on a beautiful, cool Sunday morning? You'll never look back at summer.