HAIM - Days Are Gone

2013 was a big year for the HAIM sisters (Alana, Este, and Danielle Haim...you might guess how they named the group). They released a critically acclaimed debut album, Days Are Gone, performed on Saturday Night Live and Austin City Limits, played some of the world's biggest festivals (Glastonbury, Treasure Island), and performed with huge names like Phoenix and Mumford and Sons. So why the sudden rush of popularity? In my opinion, HAIM produces stellar pop rock in the vein of Fleetwood Mac and Genesis, but with the smiling, no-drama persona of the Von Trapp family. Another critic wrote how refreshing it was to review a mainstream band so "uncool." The girls seem to just love playing music and asking you to sing along. I would agree: the music video for lead single, "The Wire" has the girls leaving groups of heartbroken men in their wake, consoling each other with manly three-way calls and scattered bottles of wine! Silly, toe-tapping fun for everyone.

PCPL has got the "P"!

P. Funk, that is.

If you ever wondered just what P. Funk is all about, you can find out here at the library. Not only do we own a copy of Parliament's signiture album, Mothership Connection, but we also have two CD collections of P. Funk rarities to boot. If that ain't enough, Freegal has what is far and away my own personal favorite album of P. Funk available as well, Urban Dancefloor Guerillas by the P. Funk All-Stars. So get out your library card, and get ready to "blow the cobwebs out yo' mind."

I want my MTV: 120 Minutes, Alternative Nation, Headbanger's Ball, YO MTV Raps and the lost art of music video.

In my childhood and teen years, I fondly remember MTV being a terrific network that was led by creative professionals that were all about premiering quality music and entertainment. Much of their programming was all about introducing new and innovative music to the audience. Come reflect with me for a moment and let's revisit wonderful shows like 120 Minutes, The Headbanger's Ball, Yo MTV Raps, Alternative Nation, Amp, Beavis And Butthead, and Liquid Television.