[Mixtape] Mellow Yellow

Sometimes I like to take a break from the everyday ho-hums of life. Different things inspire me to take some time off for myself, whether if it's from drama-rama, friends, family, and life in general. And when it comes to music, I've been known to be a bit of a music snob, but really, if a song has great lyrics, I'll probably love it (yeah, I'm a sucker for lyrics). Here are some songs that I am currently listening to.

Anyone Else But You - Michael Cera and Ellen Page
This song is featured prominently in the film Juno. I would have to say that the song pretty much summed up the overall feel of the film, dealing with relationships. Originally by the Moldy Peaches, Kimya Dawson is also featured throughout the soundtrack, and just by listening to her voice, you'd be surprised that she is a 35-year old singer/songwriter. I was shocked to find out that the voice belonged to a girl; I actually thought it was a young pre-pubescent boy.

Sugar Skills - Wolftron
Wolftron is a side project by Daphne Loves Derby's very own Kenny Choi. Don't let the name mislead you; even as a die-hard DLD fan, I was a bit skeptical when it came down to the name Wolftron - I mean, it sounds like an electronic-pop band name. But Kenny Choi released a bunch of songs to remind listeners that he's still that mellow guy who can do without all that jazz and pizazz from DLD's last album. Anyone who is trying to deal with this crazy thing called life can relate to his lyrics: "This time I want to take it slow and try to keep this life in line / Maybe fall in love so I can learn to love the night / We can sail the seven seas and just leave behind these ghosts of mine."

Not Myself - John Mayer
Practically everyone has that one John Mayer song that made them realize how amazing he was. And yes, I said it. Personally, I thought that "Continuum" was a let-down, but listening back to his earlier albums reminds me how great he could be. Honorable mention should go to 83, Why Georgia, and My Stupid Mouth, but Not Myself is such a great song in its simplistic lyrics: "Suppose I said I am on my best behavior / There are times I lose my worried mind / Would you want me when I'm not myself? / Wait it out while I am someone else?"

Boston - Augustana
The one complaint I have about VH1's attempt to expose a virtually unknown artist into airwaves is the amount of times you could possibly hear one song while watching one of their "I Love the 80's!" shows. I mean, that's the exact reason why I cannot listen to the radio.
When Augustana's Boston was first put into play as VH1's "You Oughtta Know" featured artist, I was ecstatic. The song is great, with lyrics "I think I'll go to Boston / I think that I'm just tired / I think I need a new town to leave this all behind / I think I need a sunrise, I'm tired of the sunset / I heard it's nice in the summer, some snow would be nice." But damn you, VH1, for making such a great song become annoying.

Overdue - The Get Up Kids
Influencing bands from Fall Out Boy to The Early November, Overdue is a favorite cover for bands who grew up listening to this indie-rock band. Fans and rockers alike can appreciate such heart-felt lyrics, which can be categorized as a bit emo: "Went on a limb for you / Capsized when I turned 22 / Did it burn as bad for you? / No bottle serves to soothe my wounds." Too bad the music video doesn't do the song any justice.

Show Show - Daphne Loves Derby
Anyone who knows me can tell you just how much I love the band Daphne Loves Derby, and this list would not be complete without at least a song from them. I wasn't too happy with their last album, "Good Night, Witness Light," which made me forget why I fell in love with the band in the first place. But a few tracks still held that touch, and Show Show is one of them. The string instrumental in the intro of the song sucked me in (I love string instruments!), and who doesn't like a song of heartbreak? "If you'll be my love, I'll be your mistake / If you need your space, I'll face a distance / It's not that I'm brave, I just finally realized that / I've never, I've never been there for you."