Okay, the Groovee Playlist™, which I started last May is intended to be a monthly (or at least bi-monthly) series, but I forgot to continue it in the past two months. So to catch up, here’s a list of songs that I’ve grown to like within the last three months.

As an addition, I’ll link to the Wikipedia article about the song (if it exists) as “[W]”, and to the YouTube search for the song as “[U]”. I’ve come to count on YouTube as a reliable way to listen to songs, even some of the obscure ones, so I’m linking to it to let you hear the song for yourself. In addition, because a particular YouTube video might be removed, I’m linking to the search results page instead of an actual video.

On to the list.

• “What I’ve Done” by Linkin Park. [W] [U] Wow. This Transformers soundtrack song is a pretty good piece and it departs from the formulaic Linkin Park composition where Mike Shinoda raps the verses and Chester Bennington screams the chorus. Here, Mike only does backup vocals, and Chester conclusively convinces us that he can sing decently without screaming.

• “Magbalik” by Callalily. [U] I’m having a hard time finding a local Pinoy song to like, so Callalily’s third single is a breath of fresh air. I really dig this rock ballad’s earnest chorus.

• “Shining Star” by Get Far. [U] Damn. This house song is so addictive. I agree with one person’s observation that this is going to be this summer’s house music anthem. It’s intro is so trancey and uplifting that when the bass and drum line kicks in, it kicks you hard.

• “The Adventure” by Angels & Airwaves. [W] [U] While this song was released as a single last year, I think it only entered Philippine shores this year. The song sounds so inspirational and positive that it would make for a great wake-up song.

• “Umbrella” by Rihanna feat. Jay-Z. [W] [U] I’ll admit that I’m taken by the “ella ella eh eh eh” lines in the chorus—it’s catchy! The music video is pretty interesting as well. Among the dance remixes, I like the Lindbergh and Jody den Broeder Lush remixes the best. Try to listen to the Chris Brown answer song “Cinderella” for an interesting take as well.

• “Stolen” by Dashboard Confessional. [W] [U] This song sounds like a more sedated version of their 2004 hit, “Vindicated,” which I liked as well.

• “Face Down” by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. [W] [U] I guess it shows that I’m not really a rocker boy when I say that I much prefer the acoustic version of this song rather than the album version. Well, the song has a powerful message and the acoustic rendition highlights it more.

• “For You From Me” by Jon McLaughlin. [U] Okay, here’s our first cheesy pop love song.

• “Big Girls Don’t Cry” by Fergie (Stacy Ferguson). [W] [U] If you didn’t tell me, I wouldn’t have thought that this was a Fergie song. I guess her Black-Eyed-Peas-image and other singles have stereotyped me to what her songs should sound like. Anyway, this song is pretty good and its minimal accompaniment during the verses shows that Fergie is actually quite a good singer and not just a sexy dancer.

• “When We Die” by Bowling for Soup. [W] [U] This is apparently a rare serious song from pop-punk group Bowling for Soup, who normally dishes out comedic songs. I guess it’s like Aqua’s “Turn Back Time,” songs that break the mold of the band or group and showcase their versatility.

• “When You’re Gone” by Avril Lavigne. [W] [U] Avril goes back to her stylistic roots of her earlier work after her fun first single “Girlfriend” (featured in the the first Groovee Playlist™).

• “Sunday Morning” by k-os. [U] What a fun song! Makes you wanna go out and dance in the weekends.

• “Home” by Daughtry. [W] [U] I initially thought that this was a local song. Hehehe. Anyway, this rock ballad is really easy to listen to. I don’t follow the American Idol shows so I’m not quite familiar with Chris Daughtry, the frontman of the eponymous band.

• “Little Wonders” by Rob Thomas. [W] [U] Understated, yet beautiful song with a good message about how the little things and the little moments in our lives are important.

Now you pretty much have a good idea of what songs I like. Can you recommend me some nice songs?