My Top 10 Favourite Singers/Bands. Currently.

When I was thinking of things to write about on my blog, I couldnt think beyond the fact that I really, really like making lists. Like, I really do. I mean, I had the realization when I found out how much I loved making the list for the TV characters I wouldnt mind marrying. So this time, the list would be of my favourite music artists/bands.

Not that I have made a show of mentioning it every five seconds during a conversation, I have to say that I do love music. I really do. Even if I dont talk about it as frequently as others do. I do three things with a lot of zest - listening to music, reading, and watching TV. These are the reasons why I do not have a social life. At all. This makes me an annoying nerd if some people's eyes, and beyond cool in yet other people's eyes.

Now, I am not one of those people who blow their own trumpet, but I actually am really cool. Ask this person - she will let you know how unbelievably cool and AWESOME I am. And the best part? I dont have to pay her for saying so!!

Okay...after that burst of detail I probably didnt need to mention, let me come back to the real deal. My favourite music artists, currently. Here it goes -

1. Ingrid Michaelson - I got two words for her. Bloody Genius. Most people know her because of the genius that is 'The Way I Am', but if only they bothered to go beyond it and see that ALL her songs are actually flawless, they would feel like kicking themselves for not noticing her before. Atleast, that is what I did. I literally kicked myself. Pinky swear.

2. Joni Mitchell - I think she is the most under rated, under appreciated singer/songwriter EVER born. She flawlessly mixed folk - rock with Jazz, and the result was beautiful, heart warming outburst of music. And even though she gets lots of mentions by famous singers like Dylan and Morrissey (!), her name is not really on top of people's tongue - a fact that makes me sad.

3. Taylor Swift - She is young, I know. And really famous. And people usually carry the notion that in today's world, if a singer is famous, he/she definitely has to be a sellout - has to suck. Well, I aint one of those fools. Talent is talent. You cant judge a person on the basis of his/her popularity. Because if we start donig that, we might as well stop listening to music altogether. Back to Swift. Yeah, she brought country music to fore fronts of people's mind, although her music is more country-pop. But since she talks about country music with such passion, more and more people have started noticing country scenario - and you have to be thankful to her for that. Plus, the young girl in me idolizes her, for talking about first love(s), heartache, moving out...and the rest.

4. Slow Club - I am not ashamed to admit that I started listening to this band after a song of theirs, 'Christmas TV', was featured on Chuck. I mean, it does not matter how I came across them, the thing that matters is, they are absolutely, fricking amazing. And seriously, the next person who compares their music to 'teeny bop' music and them to 'The White Stripes' is going to die a painful death. Yes, they heard (read) me right. I will personally hunt that person down and kill him/her. I swear.

5. Don Williams - I listened to this guy's music when I was a foetus in my mother's womb. Also, the fact that my mother randomly (and in a completely off-tune way) sings his songs even to this day makes it hard for me to NOT like the person. He is the reason why I started listening to country music in the first place. I like to believe he is one of the last great country musician of our times. If you dont agree with me, listen to 'I Believe in You' or 'Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good'. Just pure, shenanigans-less geniune music, straight from the heart.

6. Ani DiFranco - For me, no one can put people in their place better than she can. Her music generally deals with matters close to our hearts, and it has a message. Every song, every lyric in her music means something substantial..and that is why she is the one person I look up to, and respect a lot. Amazingly talented and vastly intelligent.

7. The Byrds - How can I not love them? They completely revolutionized folk music. They popularised psychedelic music. They were able to carve their separate identity at a time when 'The Beatles' were hogging off all the limelight. That is how good they are. Oh, and Bob Dylan likes them. And vice-versa.

8. Laura Marling - One of the most important things that goaded me to listen to her music was the fact that she adores Joni Mitchell. I thought that if someone in today's world can be sensible enough to love Joni Mitchell, that person deserves a chance to be heard. Luckily for me, I was not wrong. Oh boy, how right was I. She is as good as any folk rock musician can get today. And that is a huge compliment.

9. Beach House - There is only one word for their music - haunting. I do not generally love the mystical, really slow, sleepy kind of music, but this is pure genius. This band reminds me strongly of Mazzy Star. And that fact makes them really good in my eyes. They are the 'couldnt-care-less' kind of musician, who make music because they love it. And their efforts earn my love.

10. Hayley Taylor - I nearly committed suicide trying to search for er album. I really did. But nothing compared to the joy I felt when I got her music (thanks to a friend of mine). That is because she knows what she is doing. She maybe be shy and soft spoken, but when she is singing, her voice transforms. And beauty flows out. In fact, I feel sorry for people who do not like her music, and sorrier for people who are unfortunate enough not to have listened to her - because she really is that good.

Here my list ends. I had so many other artists I wanted to mention, but I had made a promise to myself that I will stop at 10. Otherwise people will get crazy bored and not even bother to read.

YEE HAW!!!

Peace.