Guilty Pleasures

You must be wondering to yourself just why, exactly, Barry Gibb and Barbara Streisand are staring at you with their icy, vapid, soulless eyes. Don't worry, I'm not subjecting you to anything objectionable, but rather presenting you with a collection of "guilty pleasures" (note the title of the above album and make the connection!) I've been searching for an excuse to post for the past few days and while nothing incredibly amazing jumped out at me, I did have this idea for a post revolving around those songs that you secretly like, and you're too embarassed to admit it. This all stems from a girl who shall remain nameless, who repeatedly claims that she doesn't like "emo-shit", yet still loves hellogoodbye, which is a band that I would file under "emo-synth pop". Either way, here's to all the songs that you tap your foot along with in the privacy of your own home, but denounce it quicker than a white supremacist rally in public.

Hellogoodbye - Here (In Your Arms) - for a band that reportedly derived its name from a line that Screech delivered in the episode of Saved by the Bell when the gang heads to Hawaii, they're not all that bad. This song is downright infectious and the video features a Pog tournament rather prominently.

Soul Decision - Faded - remember this pop gem from '98? Didn't think so. Soul Decision was one of those boy bands that actually played their instruments, not that it really made any difference, but I'll sadly admit that I still know most of the lyrics to this song.

Frou Frou - Let Go - now I understand that Zach Braff included this tune in his flick Garden State, and that Imogen Heap is getting all sorts of crazy indie-hipster street-cred, but I mean, come on, this song is pretty queer.

Annie - Chewing Gum - I'll admit it, I find Annie to be light-hearted, breezy, fun, unabashed pop, but there is a little side of me that is afraid to confess it.

Sia - Breathe Me - I almost considered not putting this song up, mainly because one would find it easy to question my sexuality after listening to it. With that said I decided to include it because the simplicity of this song coupled with an amazing voice is a genuinely hard thing to find these days.

The Postal Service - Such Great Heights - granted they're a poor mans Notwist, and I'm really not a huge fan of their generic emo-ish vocals, but still, a bunch of nicely done bleeps and bloops.

Stars - Fairytale of New York - yes, I have one of their albums, I'll admit it, but you also have to admit that some of their catalog is downright corny.

Mates of State - Fraud in the 80s - now don't get me wrong, I like Mates of State a lot, and they call the town over from mine home so they're kind of like my distant neighbors, but as catchy as their songs are, lyrically theres not much there but bubblegum gushings about how much they're in love. We get it.

Sufjan Stevens - The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out to Get Us - personally, I really like Sufjan. I even have his Christmas boxset. However there are a lot Sufjan haters out there, my rarely heard from writing partner being one fo them, who think he sucks, so I figured that earned Mr. Stevens a spot on the list.

Asobi Seksu - Thursday - I was rocking this track on my Ipod the other day and a friend of mine asked me what the hell I was listening to. After I informed her, she told me that it was "kinda queer".

Thats all for now, feel free to mention any "guilty pleasures" I might have left out in the comment field. Hopefully after my trip to Montreal I'll find some time to post some pictures and some music, so check back on Monday.