The Letter R

 Kicking it off with a little fun number by Aussie band The Riptides!
The Riptides - 77 Sunset Strip

This tune by french band Revolver, reminds me of a 1940's crime setting. A time when bad guys had curled bushy mustaches, wore bowler hats (and actually looked cool, unlike today), and donned classy long overcoats that hid their flint lock pistols. If you read the lyrics it seems as if there is a group of bad guy who have no been so cautious in their crime sprees, and are gaining some notoriety with the local law enforcement.  They are now on the hunt for a patsy, someone they can pin the blame on. They figure if they can maintain their level of stardom, that the patsy will have a cushy time in prison.
Revolver - Get Around Town

A long time ago, my mother went on vacation with some of my aunts to Alaska. Which left my father, my sister and I together for a week. We were pretty young at the time, maybe I might have been about middle school age. That whole week we binged on movies. My Dad rented a ton of older must see movies, these weren't our typical feel good family movies. He got movies like Jaws, Rambo, The Birds, and John Carpenter's film Christine, which is based on a Stephen King book. If you haven't had the time to see the movie or read the book, do yourself a favor and get on that. It's a story of an evil car! How can you not love that!? Trust me it's not super scary, my sister and I loved it. This is a song by a nerdy hip hop guy named Rappy McRapperson. He's hilarious! His humor may not be in everyone's wheelhouse, it's pretty wacky and can be a bit off color, but it's all in good fun. If you can take a joke then you should check it out. If not then stay away you knucklehead. If you are totally bored and want to be entertained, you should check out a podcast called The Phone Show. He makes many appearances doing prank phone calls.
Rappy McRapperson - Devils In My Car



I love listening to this at night. Especially if you are out star gazing. The band, named after poet Rainer Maria Rilke, split up back in 2006, but put in a good 10 year run in the budding indie/emo music scene. This track is off their album Look, Now look Again. If you come across this album it's definitely worth picking up. I'd also recommend songs like Rise, Atlantic and if you want to get real emotional Tinfoil.
Rainer Maria - Planetary


Raised Among Wolves is a seven-man orchestra from Copenhagen. They have create a nice blend of indie pop and indie folk, that is easy on the ears. I honestly haven't hear much by them but, I am cleaning up my iTunes library and Boys Will Be Kings came on and it caught my attention. I will definitely be checking them out further.
Raised Among Wolves - Boys Will Be Kings



Stan Rogers is the man! This is Canadian folk music at it's best!

Stan Rogers - White Collar Holler


Blake Robinson is an orchestrator who dabble primarily in all things media related, such as games, TV, and movies. I first heard of him by looking up the soundtrack to my favorite game Terraria. He did an AMAZING version of the title theme for that game. As I perused his collection I loved him more and more. I am a huge orchestra fan and he doesn't create on a small scale either. The sound is big bold and very professionally produced. If you are a geek you'll want to check out work. He has covered things from the Star Trek Voyager Theme, to numerous video game scores. Great stuff here folks. These are two of my favorites. The first is mainly here because I am a huge Adventure Time fan, and I love the two songs he covered from this episode (click to watch it). The next song is one I am sure most people will recognize, so no explination needed there. 
Blake Robinson - All Gummed Up (Adventure Time)

Blake Robinson - Super Mario Brothers 3 - Overworld 2

...and I said what about Breakfast At Tiffany's?

You should probably take a ride with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. Reppin' some mitten state pride!
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - Vocal Chords


I have had no desire to see the movie Breakfast At Tiffany's until recently. I came across this clip while cruising around youtube. I watched another clip or two from the movie and now I sort of want to see it. Even if the movie is boring, at least I get to watch a young and smoking hot, Audry Hepburn. I also have never been a big fan of this song, it's so boring. I still am not a huge fan of the song, but this definitely gets my stamp of approval.


You might not recognize the name Spence Krug, but if you are familiar with indie music you just might recognize his voice. Spencer has been the lead singer for Sunset Rubdown, Wolf Parade and many others. Since Wolf Parade is on indefinite hiatus status, Krug has gone solo and taken to a more synthesized experimental sound. Personally, it takes me a few listens to really begin to love anything from Krug, he makes the kind of songs that grows on you. I don't say that as a slam to him or his music. In fact that is more of a compliment than anything. There are a few songs I like instantly, but for the most part, that is how it works with me. When I do come around though, I end up loving the songs. This is one of those songs. This guy can write some damn good lyrics too.
Moonface - Fast Peter


A few mornings ago I successfully made scrambled eggs and bacon. This is a feat I have been trying to accomplish since my Mom stopped cooking for me. I always end up burning everything. I gave it another try and before I started I got online and watched a how to video. I don't know why I never thought of that before. God, I love the internet.
Rainer Maria - Breakfast Of Champions


The first time I heard the beginning of this song I thought I was listening to Never Tear Us Apart by INXS, which then made find that song so I could add it to my collection. I would have bought this too, but she doesn't have an album out yet. If she keeps putting sick beats and inspiring lyrics like this, I will definitely add her to my collection. Pepper you are on the Bradar!
Pepper - Wish It Away


Interesting fact: The lead vocalist and drummer for the band The Big F, were also in the band Berlin. That's right, the same Berlin who did Take My Breath Away. Only to disassociate themselves with that band, they used fake names. You can understand why after listening to this song. Trust me, this is nothing like Take My Breath Away. Enjoy!
The Big F - Idiot Kid Heads Out

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This blog has been neglected, a feeling of emptiness and death inside. No love, no life, just hallow. Left out in the rain cold and wet. Peering into the window of joy with tear filled eyes, begging "Please. Please, won't you let me in." If you thought that was depressing here is a song thats sure to cheer you up.
Rainer Maria - Feeling Neglected
Lamb Of God - Laid To Rest

I've had a lot of things going on lately so updates have been...minimal to say the least. I recently moved from the big city of Grand Rapids to the county like town of Zeeland. The two cities are night and day difference. I wish I could combine some parts of each in order to make the perfect city. I now live in an apartment by myself which is also something to get used to. On top of all that I also have a new career as a banker. For the past few months I have been adjusting to a lot and have had a lot to do. However now everything has become a little easier and finally set some sort of normalcy. So no more long face, Horse! Rop Bop is back! At least for this quarter of the year.

One for the move:
The Avett Brothers - A Lot Of Moving
One for the job:
Tony! Toni! Tone! - If I Had No Loot
One for the country:
The Silver Seas - The Country Life
One for the city:
Mattafix - Big City Life

I love songs that tell a story! "Daddy tell us a story with a funky beat and bad men."
Pacific Gas And Electric - Stagolee
Tony Christie - I Did What I Did For Maria