Sheri Miller

Whimsical! This is the word I thought of as soon as I heard Sheri Miller. A few more words: refreshing, carefree, and fun. Sheri's voice is incredible and her lyrics are lyrics that make me want to tap my fingers and car dance.


I bought her LP recently on iTunes, and love listening to it while I am driving. It just makes me feel good! The first track on this LP titled Spoons is my favorite track. The first time I heard this song, I knew at the very beginning that it was going to be wonderful. As I am driving down the road listening to Spoons, I end up feeling all bubbly and cheerful. Another fantastic track is Winning Hand. I love how Sheri uses poker has a metaphor for love in this song.


If you like a good, carefree time, then Sheri Miller's music is right up your alley. Check her out on twitter @sherimiller and her website http://www.sherimiller.com/ . I highly recommend Sheri and cannot wait to hear more from her.   

Carrie Oeding

This week, instead of a music review, I am going to review the poetry reading I went to at Indiana University South Bend, as well as the book that was read. I had never been to a reading before, and the fact that this was a reading of a poetry book I am currently reading in one of my classes, I was very much looking forward to it. The book is titled Our List Of Solutions and is written by Carrie Oeding. Oeding won a contest and her book was published through 42 Miles Press, the Indiana University South Bend publishing company.

I started reading this book at the beginning of the semester and instantly fell in love with it. I love how the book is simple, yet intense. I instantly liked the way that Oeding writes. She has a way of taking an idea and conveying it in an obscure, yet understanding way. My favorite poem from the book is I Have Been In More Uncomfortable Situations Than This. This poem makes me smile as I read it because most women have felt like this one time or another, and Oeding just puts it out there in a way that makes it humorous. That is the greatest thing about her book to me. The subtle humor is fantastic.

The reading began at 7 o'clock and started with a wonderful introduction from a professor at IUSB, David Dodd Lee. Lee was also a judge in the contest and edited Our List Of Solutions. Hearing Lee speak of Oeding was thrilling. I could feel how excited he was to have her at the school and it made me even more excited to hear her read. When Lee spoke of Oeding, it was so authentic and I could tell how much he believed in her book. After Lee spoke, Carrie took the stage. She was refreshingly funny and seemed right at home reading her poetry. She read a number of poems from her book and gave a little explanation of them before reading. Oeding stuck around after the reading to answer any questions people had and after the questions, she stayed to sign books. I got mine signed! First reading and first signed book for my collection.

I am recommending that my readers pick up a copy of Our List Of Solutions. Oeding is also on Twitter and I am including a link to her website. Check her out! She is an amazingly interesting poet and I promise enjoyment from reading her stuff.

www.carrieoeding.com

Brandy's Top 5

I have decided to stray a bit from my concept for this post, although it is still all about music, and let my readers know what my top five albums of all time are. I have thought about this all week, and I have concluded that this might be the hardest thing I have had to do. I love music and I love that I can listen to a song that fits my mood perfectly, or hear a song that totally changes the way I feel. I love that a whole album can bring me back to when I was younger, or a whole album that I have never heard before can make be change my top five instantly. Basically, the top five I give to you today is most certainly not set in stone, but as of right now, these are the albums I chose to put in Brandy's Top 5.

1. Kaleidoscope Heart by Sara Barellies

This album was released in 2010 and the moment I bought it, it played on my iPod constantly. I am huge fan of all things Sara. Her voice is amazing and she can play the piano wonderfully. This album accentuates Sara's incredible lyric writing skills. If you have not given this album, in its entirety, a listen, then I say to you, "DO IT"!!!

2. Darkside of the Moon by Pink Floyd

I do not think that this album will ever leave my top five, and has been in my top five since I first listened to it. This is one of those albums that makes me think of my days as a teenager. The album, with its beautifully melodic instruments, is perfect for any occasion. I have listened to Darkside of the Moon driving, writing, cleaning, and even while working out. Pink Floyd, as they do in many of their albums, tell a story through Darkside of the Moon, and for that alone, it is a must listen. This album is most certainly a classic.

3. Anti-Christ Superstar by Marilyn Manson

Yup, you read correctly. I adore Marilyn Manson and this album in particular. The raw and hard sound that comes from Anti-Christ Superstar is fantastic. The lyrics on this album, although some think sinister, are real. I am a strong believer that Marilyn Manson, himself, is a terrific showman, and this album in its entirety is one hell of a show.

4. Abbey Road by The Beatles

Abbey Road is another album that will never, ever leave Brandy's Top 5. This one has been my favorite album since I was little. My dad had the record and I remember listening to that, and then the cassette tape. Now of course, I have the remastered c.d. and a digital copy to boot. I love every single thing about this album. I am a huge The Beatles fan, and have every album by them, but this one is just irreplaceable. From Come Together all the way to Her Majesty, I am in complete and utter awe of how incredible this album is.

5. Alice in Chains Unplugged by Alice in Chains

Melancholy, harmonious, and raw. Those words, to me, describe this album. I love Alice in Chains and believe that their Unplugged session was not just amazing, but the best Unplugged album that has ever been released. Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell are right on with their harmonies on this album, and the guitars, drums, and bass are just as perfect. By "right on" and "perfect" I do not mean mistake free, but that is what makes this album even more beautiful. Their mistakes even sound amazing. If you have never seen, or heard this album, I urge you to do so. Not only will you thank me, but I am pretty sure you will add it to your top five.

As I said earlier, these albums are not set in stone, but for right now, they are Brandy's Top 5.

Arrest My Sister

If you are a fan of awesome rock bands from the 80's and early 90's,this band is for you! Arrest My Sister not only has an interesting and unique name, but they have a sound to go with it. The band is based in L.A. and has been together since 2009.

I recently purchased their first album, Make Your Move, which was released in 2010. I have enjoyed every track very much. I fell in love with track number 2, appropriately called Take the Fall. This track makes me want to throw my hands up in the air and be free. I love how this song makes me feel like I can conquer anything. I am also a huge fan of track 13, Through the Looking Glass. The guitar is amazing on this song, and the lyrics are just as amazing.

Arrest My Sister is a flashback to the sounds of the 80's and 90's, but also very modern. I can honestly say this album is one of the best I have purchased all year, and if my readers know me, I purchase a lot of music. Check these guys out at the website below, then go to iTunes, and buy their album. I promise my readers will enjoy Arrest My Sister has much as I do!

www.ArrestMySister.com