Reggae Riddim

In my opinion, some of the best beach music has reggae roots.  Whether you're road-tripping, sitting poolside, or beach bummin' it, the sunny tempo of these tracks set the mood for a relaxing summer day.

Something To Say - The Movement

"Something To Say" celebrates the idea of co-existence among people of all kinds - "You gotta feeling tonight, gotta be feeling alright/Coming together as one, whether it’s black or it’s white".  The Movement was originally formed in Columbia, South Carolina in 2004 by its two founding members, Josh Swain and Jordan Miller.  But it was in Philly, Pennsylvania that they picked up musicians Jay Schmidt and Gary Jackson, adding a rhythm section, and completing the band.  Their music provides a commingling of rock, reggae and hip-hop.

Love Is My Religion - Ziggy Marley

"Love Is My Religion" shares a similar ideology to The Movement's "Something To Say" (above).  In this song, Ziggy claims that love is what he believes in, first and foremost.  Ziggy is the oldest son of the great reggae icon, Bob Marley, and is a five-time Grammy-winning musician, actor, artist and humanitarian.  Among other philanthropies he's involved with, Ziggy also founded Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment (URGE), which works to help children across the world, especially in Jamaica and Africa.

Yah feelin' more, mon?  Check out this mix from 8tracks:

For you, Mr. Marley. from FacesinthePines on 8tracks.

Lover Got Your Tongue?

Someone you can't get out of your head?  There's a mix for that.  Check out my mix on 8tracks, and succumb to your thoughts of that somebody:

Lover Got Your Tongue? from catiefreckles on 8tracks.

A great album to listen to when you're crushing hard is Grouplove's Never Trust A Happy Song (ignore the title -- on the contrary, this album is very sunny).  You've probably heard Grouplove's biggest hit, "Tounge Tied" on the radio, or in Apple's iPod Touch commercial, but my current favorite is "Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten".  Hit play and commence your crushing.

Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten - Grouplove

Another band that I can readily rave about is Aer.  David von Mering and Carter Schultz are from Wayland, MA.  They say that their music "finds its roots in reggae, acoustic pop and indie rock, with smooth guitar riffs and a strong rap component."  You won't find better music to chill to.  I recently became obsessed with Aer over winter break, when I heard their song, "Water On the Moon" in a friend's car.  I 'borrowed' the CD, and, uh never quite gave it back (sorry, Christine!).  I burned myself a CD consisting of nothing but Aer songs, and find it perfect for almost any mood or occasion.  A few friends and I are SO stoked to be going to see Aer play in Vienna in July.  We have a flawless plan to get backstage... I'll keep you posted on how that turns out.  But for now, enjoy the song that first got me hooked:

Water On the Moon - Aer

Behind the Covers

Here are two cover songs that are great to listen to anywhere, any time of day.  Both covers' lyrics display a contentedness and confidence, whether in one's choices or in one's self.

Watching the Wheels - Matisyahu

Matisyahu adds a little bit of his own reggae style to John Lennon's lyrics.  Lennon's lyrics discuss people criticizing him, probably referencing when he dropped out of the music business to raise his son, Sean.  Lennon, content with his own decisions, nonchalantly brushes off the critical remarks: "I tell them there's no problem, only solutions".  He talks about enjoying watching the rest of the world go about in its frenzy.  Matisyahu covered this song for the album Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur.  This campaign aims at alleviating the crisis in Darfur, and is part of Amnesty International's "Make Some Noise" project, which uses music by John Lennon to promote human rights.  Instant Karma is a great album with a great cause.  I have several other songs from the album in my music library and definitely reccomend checking out the rest of Instant Karma!

Sexy and I Know It - Noah

Noah is an unsigned, up and coming singer/songwriter from South Carolina.  He shows off his soulful sound brilliantly in this cover of LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It".  Noah says his influences are Dave Matthews Band, U2, The Civil Wars, Marc Broussard, and Ray LaMontagne.  I can definitely hear Ray's influence in Noah's voice, especially in this song.  Noah's YouTube channel hosts a variety of beautiful covers he's done, as well as some of his own songs.  Super talented guy!!

Smashing Mash-Ups

Two mash-up hip-hop/rap tracks that, as Nigel Thornberry would say, are simply "smashing".  (If you don't know who Nigel Thornberry is, please go educate yourself ... you are an embarrassment to 90s kids everywhere.)

Runaround Sue ft. Greg Banks - G-Eazy

I think we've all either met or befriended a Sue-like heartbreaker.  I really just love the beat of this and G-Eazy's use of samples from Dion & the Belmonts' "Runaround Sue".  G's James Dean meets hip-hop deal is a perfect fit -- I love the contrast.  This song pairs perfectly with a sunny day, windows rolled down.

Colours (Remix) - Skizzy Mars

Biggie's robust interjections paired with samples from Grouplove's "Colours" create the perfect canvas for Skizzy to paint his rhymes about, well, being arrogant.  This song is great on a late summer night.  Windows down, volume way up.

Shake Up Your Wake Up

It's too early.  These tunes have eased me into the day.  Here are two alternative tracks for when you're waking up.

Take a Walk - Passion Pit

I chose this song, not for the lyrics or subject matter but for the acoustics of it.  The beginning of this song starts kind of dreamily and sleepily, much like my mornings do.  Then it picks up, (and wakes me up) with a strong beat.  This song is from Passion Pit’s new album, Gossamer, which will be released July 24.  I really like the electronic sounds that Passion Pit’s music exudes.  They play with keyboards, synthesizers, drums, a bass and a guitar.

It's Time - Imagine Dragons

I chose this song mostly for the acoustics as well, but the lyrics are pretty awesome too.  The singer talks about how someone else tried to change him, but after trying, he realizes he’s never going to change and is actually content with who he is.  I liked starting my morning with this song because it’s kind of empowering, revs ya up for the day.  I love the clapping in the beginning combined with the pretty plucking of strings.  This band is fairly new to the music scene, with only a few EP’s released.  The acoustic version of this song is really pretty too, if you wanna check it out:

Hope these helped to jumpstart your day.

About Me & This Blog

Hi there,  I'm Catie.  I'm a junior in college, majoring in mass media communications and minoring in international studies.  I enjoy spending time with my abnormally large family, my two dogs, and my incredible friends.  I have a soft spot for fuzzy animals, guacamole, and good music.

In my personal experience, music is capable of some pretty powerful stuff.  It can change a mood, express the unspoken, make you smile/laugh/cry.  Ultimately, music makes you feel.   It reminds you that whatever it is you're feeling, there's someone else out there feeling the same way.  Whether it's silliness, excitement, sorrow, gratefulness... what have you.  Music kind of touches your soul and reminds you that you are a human being.


So, my goal is to share some music with you that has touched my soul in some way, big or little.  Now, I listen to just about everything (minus most screamo and opera music).  So I'm warning you now, my music taste is a melting pot of genres, and I'm not making any promises.  But I will say this -- don't completely close yourself off to anything.  If you hate country, rap, blue grass, whatever... I find that there's usually an exception to every rule (in life and in music taste).  So, maybe you'll be surprised.


Hope y'all enjoy!