Wishing a Happy Valentines Day to everyone! I find it so interesting that one Holiday could have so much angst surrounding it. In my book, it’s just another day, a reminder of our reality (whatever that may be). Being single is not the end of the world, and every relationship is not perfect. I’m just glad I didn’t buy a Hallmark card this year.

This video’s from back in 2008. The song from the video is actually Shh by Donora, who I did a post on in the beginning of February. Enjoy!

Say hello to Donora, the Rostrum Records band who made Pittsburgh’s hottest local album of the year. My friend Laura just put me onto this band this week, and I already love them. So far, they have shared the stage with bands like The Ting Tings, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!, Tokyo Police Club, Elf Power, Cracker, Walter Meego, and Dressy Bessy. Check out their MySpace here, and catch some of their videos after the jump.

Also, download their self-titled album on iTunes now. Hottest tracks: I Think I Love You, Shout, and The Chorus.

Clearly I’m not talking about the heavy metal Ronnie James. “Dio” is the alias of the 21-year-old Dutch rapper Diorno Braaf. Even though I don’t understand Dutch, I can still enjoy his sound and the videos! I was watching the video on the making of his track “Cool,” and Dutch sounds like such a bazaar language. (Check out my original post on Nederhop – hip hop of the Netherlands). Born in Amsterdam in 1988, Diorno was Influenced by Notorious BIG, Jay-Z and Eminem, and eventually started to write songs and rap in 2004. Check out some of his videos after the jump.
Visit his website here at diomusic.nl.

Dio feat. Jayh – Cool from Opslaan Als on Vimeo.

Dio – Cool Remix ft. Jayh, Ado’nis, KV & Kempi from Dux-Deluxe on Vimeo.

Dio & The Madd – Baby from Opslaan Als on Vimeo.

The High Road

Broken Bells | MySpace Music Videos

Bro­ken Bells “The High Road,” di­rect­ed by the ac­claimed So­phie Muller. If that voice sounds familiar to you, it’s because it should be. It’s James Mercer, the lead vocalist and guitarist from The Shins. James came together with producer Danger Mouse to form the young Broken Bells. And by young, I mean the pair first officially announced the project in late September 09.

Catch the self-titled de­but al­bum avail­able March 9, 2010. Find out more here.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Click on the picture above to download B.O.B.’s May 25th Mixtape, the title of which is also the release date of his album. Be sure to check it out.

Robin Thicke – Slow Down

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download.

Robin Thicke samples one of my favorite Counting Crows songs, Colorblind, on his new track, Slow Down. Even though I can’t say this with entire confidence (since I have never seen Robin Thicke perform life), I don’t know if he could come close to their live performances. I’ve seen the Counting Crows twice in concert, and they always blow me away. Their energy is just so amazing.

Check out the original here…

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Counting Crows

KiD CuDi “cudderisback” – Directed by Jason Goldwatch – DatNewCudi.com from DP on Vimeo.

It’s all fun and games in Cudi’s “documentary” for his track, Cudderisback. While on the road in Boston, he decided to shoot a little music video in the hotel. Can you recognize the bouncy melody from somewhere? It’s Vampire Weekend’s “Ottoman.”

Video Breakdown: Cudi displays his lip-syncing skills to his own music as well as his abundance of weed. Way to cut down expenses for the shoot… well, that is depending on how much that weed cost.

Andy Suzuki & The Method take a fresh new take on the lyrics and melody to Drake’s “Best I Ever Had.” I love these guys. Check it out!

I’m not crazy about all of DJ Earworm’s mashups (except for the one above), but it sure is a great way to sum up the top records of a year. Check out his tribute to 2009 with his mashup, United State of Pop (Blame it on the Pop).

And just in case you were wondering, here’s the track list (of 25 songs) for the master mashup…
The Black Eyed Peas – BOOM BOOM POW
Lady Gaga – POKER FACE
Lady Gaga Featuring Colby O’Donis – JUST DANCE
The Black Eyed Peas – I GOTTA FEELING
Taylor Swift – LOVE STORY
Flo Rida – RIGHT ROUND
Jason Mraz – I’M YOURS
Beyonce – SINGLE LADIES (PUT A RING ON IT)
Kanye West – HEARTLESS
The All-American Rejects – GIVES YOU HELL
Taylor Swift – YOU BELONG WITH ME
T.I. Featuring Justin Timberlake – DEAD AND GONE
The Fray – YOU FOUND ME
Kings Of Leon – USE SOMEBODY
Keri Hilson Featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo – KNOCK YOU DOWN
Jamie Foxx Featuring T-Pain – BLAME IT
Pitbull – I KNOW YOU WANT ME (CALLE OCHO)
T.I. Featuring Rihanna – LIVE YOUR LIFE
Soulja Boy Tell ‘em Featuring Sammie – KISS ME THRU THE PHONE
Jay Sean Featuring Lil Wayne – DOWN
Miley Cyrus – THE CLIMB
Drake – BEST I EVER HAD
Kelly Clarkson – MY LIFE WOULD SUCK WITHOUT YOU
Beyonce – HALO
Katy Perry – HOT N COLD

Visit his website.