Who says you can’t learn anything from Gossip Girl? Not me. I find something worthwhile in every episode and normally it’s along the lines of how to layer a knit vest over a sweater and sequin skirt. Serena’s stylist shut it down once again last night. Anyway, this week GG gave me something even better than fashion aspiration – a new band. The Naked and Famous (fantastic name), have two amazing singles - Young blood and Punching in a Dream, that were released late last year and a forthcoming debut album. Listen and download at itunes.com/thenakedandfamous.

About a month ago I tuned into Saturday Night Live, which I do sparingly because it can be hard to watch some of the slough they are trying to pass off as comedy. But every now and then they get it right and I like watching the musicians. This particular evening The Black Keys, a unique bluesy-rock duo, were the featured artists and their song, Howlin’ for You, made me sit up and pay attention. Apparently I am coming a little late to the party, they have recorded five studio albums already but it seems their latest, Brothers, is getting the most attention. In addition to Howlin’ for You, I downloaded these five tracks: Tighten Up (also performed on SNL), Next Girl, Everlasting Light, She’s Long Gone, and Too Afraid to Love You. Listen and download at itunes.com/theblackkeys.

Speaking of assertions of independence – One of my lifelong bfs recently committed to losing 3o lbs by April! In support of her, I put together this playlist for 30+ minutes of motivation on the treadmill: (1) Rihanna – Only Girl (In the World), (2) Katy Perry – Firework, (3) David Guetta (feat Kid Cudi) – Memories, (4) Kesha – We R Who We R, (5) Enrique Iglesias (feat Ludacris and DJ Frank E) – Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You), (6) Natasha Bedingfield – All I Need, and (7) Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina – Stereo Love. Download all at itunes.com.

I know my posts have been a little sparse lately, I plead your patience as I get the new site ready and deal with feeling very ill! More on that later.

]]> http://www.missknowitall.com/natasha-b-is-back/feed/ 0 http://www.missknowitall.com/five-fantastic-singles/ http://www.missknowitall.com/five-fantastic-singles/#comments Mon, 13 Dec 2010 04:56:48 +0000 Melina http://www.missknowitall.com/?p=1909 Getting sick of Christmas music? Need something a little less saccharine to keep you from going bananas by the time the holidays arrive? Well here are five antidotes that should keep your inner grinch at bay.

Adele, Rolling In The Deep – You will have the first single off Adele’s new album, 21, on repeat and be singing along in no time. Just don’t let anyone else hear you…it’s doubtful you’ll sound anything like the soulful powerhouse. Listen and download at itunes.com/adele.

The Ting Tings, Hands – It’s impossible to download this song on iTunes unless you live in the UK or have a UK account. For some reason they are not offering it on their US site. This seems to be the first single off their yet untitled new album, which rumors say is set to be released in early 2011. However, it is worth the effort to find a way to get it now. Listen at myspace.com/thetingtings. You can download the remixes directly from their website – thetingtings.com - but the original is the best. I have yet to find it so please share your source when/if you do!

Cee Lo Green, F**k You – Who doesn’t need a F-U anthem? Cee Lo Green of Gnarls Barkley magically sings the lyrics we’ve all wanted to scream at times but with an upbeat, retro R & B style that will make you forget you are angry. Download at itunes.com/ceelogreen

The Black Eyed Peas, The Time - The first song off their new album is a remix (kind-of) of the finale song in Dirty Dancing. If you plan to be in a club or any venue with a DJ this New Year’s Eve be prepared to dance to this song. I guess it was only a matter of time before The Black Eyed Peas put out a techno-pop album? Download at itunes.com/the-black-eyed-peas

The Killers, Boots – This is actually a holiday song disguised as a cool Killers track. itunes.com/thekillers

Enjoy!

By now you are hearing holiday music everywhere you go…Starbucks, Saks, the supermarket – even my doctor’s office has it playing. My personal Christmas playlist was in desperate need of an update so I listened to all the new albums released in 2010 and put together this list of my favorites.

Annie Lennox, A Christmas Cornucopia – Download: Angels from the Realms of Glory, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Lullay Lullay (Coventry Carol), The Holly and the Ivy, and Universal Child. Got to itunes.com/annielennox.

Various Artists, Now That’s What I Call Christmas, Vol. 4 – Individual songs are not available for download but there are no shortage of great performers on this album, making the purchase worthwhile. Standouts are: A Child Is Born (Rihanna), What Child Is This (Carrie Underwood), Merry Christmas Baby (Sheryl Crow), Where Are You Christmas (Faith Hill), Drummer Boy (Sean Kingston), Wonderful Christmastime (Kelly Rowland), and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Christiana Aguilera). Go to itunes.apple.com/us/album/now-thats-what-i-call-christmas.

Wilson Phillips, Christmas in Harmony - Download: Silent Night, and The Christmas Song. Go to itunes.com/wilsonphillips.

Indigo Girls, Holly Happy Days – Download: O Holy Night, Angels We Have Heard On High, and Mistletoe. Go to itunes.com/indigogirls.

Pink Martini, Joy to the World - Download: White Christmas, Pt. 1, Schedryk, Little Drummer Boy, Do Yo Hear What I Hear, and We Three Kings. Go to itunes.com/pinkmartini.

What are your favorite Christmas albums?

Without question these are three of the best songs on the album and if you haven’t downloaded them already, do. But the rest of the album has some unexpected standouts. Man Down features RiRi’s reggae talent and Raining Men with Nicki Minaj is a funky ode to being a hot young female and the many men you have to choose from when you are R and N. Cheers (Drink to That) is a fun, girl-empowered anthem with some great back-beats and vocals. I also downloaded S & M, California King Bed, and Fading. Listen at myspace.com/rihanna and download at itunes.com/rihanna. Enjoy!

Any piece of classical music takes me immediately back to my Grandfather’s study overlooking 77th Street and Madison Avenue. He always had it piping through the walls via hidden speakers. Music was his constant companion and, I think, a very calming influence on a man who was not known for being easy-going. In fact, he was one of the most intense people I have ever known. A shrewd businessman, he enjoyed strategy and the art of persuasion. And music softened his sometimes very rough edges. It was his passion and he shared it with me by taking me to the Opera several times a year. Not entirely because of my Grandfather, but in large part, I now turn to classical music when I need to concentrate or feel more centered. After finding these two albums – The 50 Most Essential Pieces of Classical Music and 50 More Essential Pieces of Classical Music – I felt I should share my secret with you and do some research as to why this type of music has such a profound effect on people.

In the early 90s Dr. Gordon Shaw, a professor at the University of California-Irvine, found a temporary spike in IQ in college students after they listened to Mozart. His findings were published and then the media took over pushing headlines claiming that “Mozart’s Music Makes You Smarter.” The study was later discredited by skeptics who could not find any correlation between listening to Mozart and increased cognitive ability in children.

According to an article on Livestrong.com, however, Dr. Shaw never claimed that Mozart’s music could permanently make anyone smarter but rather that listening to it might be useful to warm up the part of the brain involved in abstract thought. Dr. Kevin Labar of Duke University says that classical music can improve your intellectual performance by releasing pleasure-inducing dopamine and inhibiting the release of stress hormones, all of which generates a “pleasant mood.” And inducing a “pleasant mood” says Labar, “seems to clarify thinking.”

There have been many studies showing that music therapy can assist in patient recovery and treatment. In a study published in the December 2007 issue of “Critical Care Medicine,” postoperative patients were treated to Mozart sonatas and responded with a reduced need for pain medication, lower blood pressure, and lower levels of stress hormones. It seems classical music also has crime fighting capabilities – In 2004 various British railway stations in high crime areas began playing Mozart, Bach and Handel around the clock which resulted in a one-third drop in the number of robberies and other crimes.

The health benefits aside, having a basic understanding of classical music and its composers makes you a more well rounded and interesting person. Not only do these two albums cover the masters, they are performed by some of the world’s leading conductors, orchestras and opera singers. Listen to these with the album catalog open so you can learn the names of each piece and its corresponding composer. Right now I am listening to L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande perform Bolero and I have to say I am feeling pretty darn good.

Download both at itunes.com.

]]> http://www.missknowitall.com/the-mozart-effect/feed/ 1 http://www.missknowitall.com/four-fun-new-singles-to-start-off-your-week/ http://www.missknowitall.com/four-fun-new-singles-to-start-off-your-week/#comments Mon, 25 Oct 2010 14:08:52 +0000 Melina http://www.missknowitall.com/?p=1421 I realize I’ve been posting music almost every Monday and even though I am not trying to make it a weekly feature, I can’t help it. These songs must be shared.

Loca, Shakira – You need to watch the video just to see Shakira’s sick, sick body (thanks to her new trainer, Tracy Anderson). Tracy, once again I am impressed – I didn’t think you could make Shakira look better. This song is great for the dance floor or an impromptu dance party in your bedroom. I had about seven of the latter after hearing it. Watch the video at youtube.com and download at itunes.com/shakira.

Well, Well, Well, Duffy – Her new album drops in November and from the sound of this single round two should be very good. Check out the video on youtube.com and download at itunes.com/duffy.

I Could Be Wrong, Chromeo (feat. Ezra Koenig) – I happen to like Chromeo so I didn’t mind buying the whole album in order to get this bonus track featuring Vampire Weekend frontman, Ezra Koenig. The album is fun, early-80′s dance. It takes me back to Turbo’s dance solo in Breakin’ 2 Electric Boogaloo. You will certainly find the entire album worth the download if you like “I Could Be Wrong”. Listen on youtube.com and download at itunes.com/chromeo.

Grenade, Bruno Mars – Frankly I am not a big Bruno Mars fan but I seem to be in the minority. This song, however, is powerful and catchy. His voice sounds great and apparently I like the chorus because yesterday I belted it out in the car sitting next to my husband. So, I guess that means it’s a keeper. Watch him perform it live at The Grove in LA on youtube.com and download it at itunes.com/brunomars.

Enjoy everybody. Leave a comment and let me know what you are listening to.