Song of the Day: "I'm Mad" by The Dead Weather

>> Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Today was a crap day. But that does not excuse me not sharing a song of the day. So, I'll just share the song I listened to twice on the way home for work. It helped. And, this is a dope (yup, dope) live version.

"I'm Mad" by The Dead Weather

Song of the Day: "Who Knows Who Cares" by Local Natives

>> Monday, November 29, 2010

I make decisions.
That's it.
I stick with my decision, even if I know there is a good chance I just just wrong and impulsive and stupid. This is very very prevalent with my music likes and dislikes. I'll give a couple spins to a record, and if it doesn't grab me, I toss it in the "eh" or "disappointing" pile and move on. Now, sometimes, (although rarely, I must point out) I am dumb and impatient. Sometimes a record not grabbing me has nothing to do with the tunes, and everything to do with me not being in the mood to hear it. Now, I am not admitting I was wrong about this entire record, I still feel like it is pretty generic and a retread of other sounds, but I was incorrect about this song. I never gave it a chance, until I had a good catch up session with my Austin music connection earlier today. Turns out this is a great tune. So, thanks....

This video is not from the band, but its not bad for what it is.

"Who Knows Who Cares" by Local Natives

Song of the Day: "Rivers and Roads" by The Head and The Heart

>> Sunday, November 28, 2010

So, The Head and The Heart blew my fucking mind last night. Like, literally. My brain matter ended up all over the nice people Stevie and I were chatting up all night. My apologies, nice people.

For the last 3 months I have been working on a list of my all time favorite concert memories, and now I have to start all over. Dammit.

I know I softly follow a rule about not posting the same band more than once for SOTD, but after last night, you will be lucky to see any other band featured in this segment.

"Rivers and Roads" by The Head and The Heart (filmed in Tacoma)

Show of the Day: Damien Jurado, The Head and The Heart, and David Bazan

>> Saturday, November 27, 2010

Tonight, at the Showbox at the Market here in Seattle, Stevie and I will be mildly rocking out at a very exciting show. David Bazan (Pedro the Lion) is headlinging with two of my favorite local acts playing along. Damien Jurado and my personal favorite, and leading band to hold my record of the year spot, The Head and The Heart. It's a northwest trifecta of awesome. Enjoy below.

"Cloudy Shoes" by Damien Jurado 


"Down in the Valley" by The Head and The Heart


"Bless This Mess" by David Bazan

Song of the Day: "I Need Love" by LL Cool J

>> Friday, November 26, 2010

We can all learn something from young LL. This song taught me a valuable life lesson. I need to own a white velour bucket hat.

"I Need Love" by LL Cool J

Song of the Day: "Happy Birthday" by Altered Images

>> Wednesday, November 24, 2010

So, today is a day. As usual. But this day happens to encompass the date of birth for our most avid reader and the best friend of my Co-Blogger Stevie. So, today's song of the day is for you, Ade.

"Happy Birthday" by Altered Images

Song of the Day: "Ready Or Not" by The Fugees

>> Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Because I needed to hear this song. So, this song of the day is mine. Find your own.

"Ready Or Not" by The Fugees

Song of the Day: "Night By Night" by Chromeo

>> Monday, November 22, 2010

I find a reason to listen to this song like 3 times a day. I know it's not "cool" to like this dance jam stuff, and I'm supposed to be all like elitist and indie and shit, but this is just a good tune, and there are like 3 more fantastic ones on the album too. So, if you like this song, pick up the album, you will not be disappointed.

"Night By Night" by Chromeo

Song of the Day: "Sleepless" by Lo-Fi-Fnk

>> Saturday, November 20, 2010

I follow the musical trends in Europe as best I can, you know, from my couch in Tacoma. And from everything I can see, the world is moving further away from lo-fi and into the world of electropop/techno. Now, this may surprise you, but, I love this swing. When I make my best songs of 2010 list, you will see it peppered with stupid dance pop music, and this will be one of them.

"Sleepless" by Lo-Fi-Fnk

Song of the Day: "The Resistance" by Drake

>> Friday, November 19, 2010

So, taking things in a completely different direction from yesterdays post, WHICH I HAVE GOTTEN A BUNCH OF SHIT FOR, I give you one of my favorite songs of the year. But let me preface it first....

I wanted to hate this album. It was recommended to me by like 4 people, over and over and over again, but, he is an actor. I mean come on! How good of a flowist (word I just made up) could this Canadian teen melodramatic actor be? It had to be a garbage album, a throw away record, right? Yeah, I wish. That would make me feel better. I hate being wrong about things, especially music. But, this record is solid, with some fantastic tracks. Here is one of my favorites.

"The Resistance" by Drake

Top 33 John Mayer Songs of All Time

>> Thursday, November 18, 2010

This might be the stupidest blog I have ever published. I mean, who does this? Who takes the time out of their life to put such mundane info into ordered lists? 

I do. It is just how my mind works.

I have had this list in my back pocket for years. I have similar lists for some of my other favorite artists who have extensive catalogs as well. Like I said, it's just how my mind works. 

I know there is a lot of flack that surrounds John Mayer, most of which I have already covered here. But, honestly, the man is a beast. He is easily the best guitar player out there today, refer to the first song below or link above to see proof. I think when all is said and done, 20 years from now, he will be considered rock and roll royalty from this, and hopefully the up coming decades. I mean, the guy has 7 Grammy's and he is only 33. Beast.

Below you will find that I have ranked his best 33 songs. 33, just because that when I felt like quitting. 

This blog was a lot more fun to write than I expected it would be. Expect others. 


Read more after the jump....


1. Covered in Rain
2. Gravity
3. Man On The Side

4. Comfortable
5. Slow Dancing in a Burning Room
6. Victoria
7. Dreaming With A Broken Heart
8. Breakaway
9. Midnight/Quiet
10. My Stupid Mouth
11. Why Georgia?
12. I'm Gonna Find Another You
13. I Don’t Trust Myself (With Loving You)
14. Neon
15. Sucker
16. City Love
17. Vultures (John Mayer Trio Version)
18. Back To You
19. Say
20. Who Says
21. In Your Atmosphere
22. The Heart of Life
23. Love Song For No One
24. 3X5
25. Why Did You Mess With Forever?
26. Belief
27. No Such Thing
28. Stop This Train
29. St. Patrick’s Day
30. 83
31. Come Back To Bed
32. Love Soon
33. Daughters


Song of the Day: "Penitentiary Bound" by Bishop Allen

>> Wednesday, November 17, 2010

I just need me a little Bishop Allen. I really hope their forthcoming (assumption, no knowledge of said record) is just as amazing as their first 2 full lengths and their year long EP project, and less like their 2009 release, which was the most disappointing record of the year, sadly. I hope you find your way guys.

This is actually a track off their first album. Its a good one.

"Penitentiary Bound" by Bishop Allen

Song of the Day: "Never Forget You" by The Noisettes

>> Sunday, November 14, 2010

"Whatcha drinkin'? Rum or Whiskey? Now won'tcha have a double with me?"

Just a great way to introduce a sound/lyric/artist. This is just the right sound for a do nothing, clean the house, dreary sunday. It fits. Enjoy.

"Never Forget You" by The Noisettes

Song of the Day: "Need Your Love So Bad" by Little Willie John

>> Saturday, November 13, 2010

I am taking it back today. Like way back. Back to 1956.

This is my #4 song of all time. Honest, I have proof. One of the best written heartbreak songs of all time, from one of the most underrated songwriters of all time (original writer of "Fever"). Little Willie John was a master at stringing words in such a way that he transformed wallowing into beauty. Sadly, he was not around long enough to be truly celebrated. After stabbing a man in a barfight in Seattle, he was charged with manslaughter and sent to prison in Walla Walla, where he later died from a rumored heart attack at the age of 30.

"Need Your Love So Bad" by Little Willie John

Band of the Week: Lemolo

>> Friday, November 12, 2010

This is a band that I saw open up for Wakey!Wakey! at the Sunset Tavern. I walked away utterly impressed by their talent, poise and songwriting skills. The band was mature in a way you do not find in local "waiting to hit it big" indie type bands. I left the tavern with a strong sense that I will be seeing more and more of this lovely duo. Now, sadly, they have not made the instant impact I had expected, but hopefully, they will get some more attention, and actually make the noise they deserve.

The Civil Wars are playing a show at the Tractor Tavern in December that I am super excited about. Suprisingly, their opening act is currently listed as "TBD". I emailed the band and asked them who they had lined up, cause I love me an opening act, and was told they were still looking to fill the spot. I emailed them back and urged them to snatch Lemolo up asap. I really hope they let these ladies join them on the bill, as it would be the perfect pairing, and I would love to see them again.

Band of the Week: Lemolo
Photo Credit belongs to the bands Myspace Page


"Who Loves" by Lemolo


"Beautiful Night" by Lemolo

My Up and Coming Music List. Updated. Again. Again. And Again.

>> Thursday, November 11, 2010

Originally written on 4/24. Updated on 5/20, 6/6 and 8/25 (Which I somehow accidentally deleted. Dammit) Since that time, I have indeed wasted more money. I have updated this list. I have also reformatted this list. Looking back I was composing it on paper the same way the titles rest in my head, but, that only really makes sense to me. So, I have broken the records down into easily digestible categories.
Inspired by Stevie's Up And Coming Book List, I am going to start the same thing with my music purchased for the year. My favorite blog to write is my year end music review. And it be honest, I start it in January of each year. I start collecting music as soon as possible, and use a smart playlist to amass them all in one place for easy listening and examining. As we stand on 11/11, I have purchased 116 albums from 2010 (including records released after 10/1/2009 to today. How am I expected to judge an album in less than three months? It's impossible. So the last 3 months are tagged on to the next year.) That is 28 more records added to this list since 8/25. This is an issue that may actually be a compulsion. This is depressing, yet joyful. Anyways....
Below you will see a quick list of the albums I have picked up so far this year. I will try to update them every month or so. If I have an opinion of the record, will post a quick note, but keep in mind, I may change mine.

Surefire. Albums that will absolutely make my year end list.
Bad Books – “Bad Books”
Born Ruffians “Say It” The personification of fun
Drake – “Thank Me Later”
Fences – “Fences”
First Aid Kit - "The Big Black and The Blue" AMAZING. I LOVE THIS RECORD. I have since purchased the whole catalog and seen their amazing live show.
Girls - "Album" Released last week of Sept. in 2009. This is the record I regret the most leaving off last year’s list. It is a hell of a record, and I am bending my Oct. rule to get it the attention it deserves.
Mumford & Sons – “Sigh No More” Great record.
Steel Train – “Steel Train” & Steel Train Covers - “Terrible Thrills Vol. 1” One hell of a record with an even more amazing bonus albums made up completely of covers by some of the most interesting females from the indiesphere.
The Black Keys – “Brothers”
The Head and The Heart – “The Head And The Heart” Just one of those records that makes you love life and love the fact that some bands still just make music because they need to not because they want to find fame. Breathtaking.
The Tallest Man On Earth - "The Wild Hunt" Surefire. Top spot possible, top three probable.
The Tallest Man On Earth – “Sometimes the Blues Is Just a Passing Bird – EP”
Wakey!Wakey! - "Almost Everything I Wish I'd Said The Last Time I Saw You...." The best record of the year so far. It's overtly poppy, but in an unobnoxious way. It is really wonderful. Songs like Car Crash and Dance So Good will surely be near the top of my best songs list.
Yeasayer - "Odd Blood" Strange fucking record that I am really really liking. This album may not make the list, but it may have my two favorite songs of the year so far. But, do two songs make a record?

New Category… Albums That I Mistook Lust for Love. That Were Surefire but have since fallen off some. Still great, but not certain. /Climbing up, but not there yet.
Damien Jurado – “Saint Bartlett”
Frightened Rabbit - "The Winter of Mixed Drinks" Very Very Good.
Janelle Monae – “The ArchAndroid” There are a few spectacular songs on this record.
Local Natives - "Gorilla Manor" Surefire.
Mimicking Birds - "Mimicking Birds" Falling like a stone since May.
Samantha Crain “You (Understood)” If the show she JUST put on at The Vera Project is any indication, this record could be very special. CLIMBING!!!
the bird and the bee – “Interpreting the Masters Volume 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates” This should NOT work. But it does, and it has a REAL chance to grow on me enough to make my list. If I ever make an ironic music list, this will be a shoo-in.
The Dead Weather – “Sea Of Cowards” There are some very very good songs on here, but the album has holes
The Middle East - "The Recordings of the Middle East EP" Has my favorite song of the year on it.
Vampire Weekend - "Contra" When I first picked this up, I thought it was too much the same. But now that I have run it through more than a few times, I am starting to love it.
Wale - "Attention Deficit" Very good. So far, the second best hip-hop of ‘10
Why? – “Eskimo Snow”

Albums that are SO FAR very enjoyable, but have not gotten me excited…. Yet.
Allo, Darlin’ – “All, Darlin’”
Cold War Kids – “Behave Yourself EP”
Delta Spirit – “History From Below”
fun. “fun. Presents Selected Selections From Their First Full-length Album, Heretofore Known as, 'Aim and Ignite', Performed Acoustically Live At Fingerprints” Very Very good
Jeff Jacobson - "Lunch in the Park" This should be forgettable, its run of the mill singersongwriter stuff, but I never change the song when shuffle stumbles onto this. I think I like it.
Matt Pond PA – “The Dark Leaves” Good, but kinda forgettable.
Niki & The Dove – “DJ, Ease My Mind”
One-Eyed Mule – “Drifting to a Happy Place” So far, so good. Very Excited to see where this record takes me.
Portugal. The Man - "American Ghetto" Very good record with great potential.
She & Him - "Volume Two" Borderline, but probable. Fading
Stars – “The Five Ghosts”
Summer Camp – “Young EP”
The Morning Benders - "Big Echo" Pretty good. Need more spins.
Wakey!Wakey! – “Silent As a Movie (live) EP” One word. “Cokehead”
White Hinterland – “Kairos”


I really like, but probably will get less enjoyable with repeated listens.
Gold Motel – “Summer House”
Good Old War – “Good Old War”
Little & Ashley - "Stole My Heart EP" This is the music behind those adorable amazon kindle commercials. Very cute indie pop.
Nick Jaina - "A Bird In The Opera House" This is really growing on me.
Peirson Ross – “Reverse & Ready – Side B – EP” Forgetable.
Sad Brad Smith - "Love Is Not What You Need" SOLID
Sleepy Sun – “Fever” & “Open Eyes EP” I never realize that I like this album, but I never change the songs when they come on during shuffle mode.
The Album Leaf - "A Chorus of Storytellers" Falling From the Sun is a hell of a song, have not absorbed the rest of the record yet..
Trent Dabbs - "Your Side Now" Very solid singersongwriter stuff. Might really grow on me. Hasn’t so far.

Eh, Alright, has an outside shot.
Adam Green (from The Moldy Peaches) - "Minor Love" Pretty good, like Mike Doughty lite. I think if he took himself more seriously, so would I.
Beach House - "Teen Dream" Borderline and fading. People really seem to love this, so I might have to give it a closer listen.
Broken Bells - "Broken Bells" Recommended by Stevie's Mister, so far it’s a good pick up, need to cycle through a few more times.
Drink Up Buttercup “Born and Thrown On a Hook” A fun ruckus of a record.
Dum Dum Girls - "I Will Be" Couple GREAT tracks, but a few tracks do not make a record.
Fang Island - "Fang Island" Why the hype? Nothing special so far.
Horse Feathers – “Thistled Spring” Very relaxed record. Great to just shut your eyes too.
Julian Casablancas - "Phrazes For The Young" Interesting, but unsure.
Justin Nozuka - "You I Wind Land And Sea" If I was in an unhealthy place in my life. If I was heavily depressed or sedated, I would LOVE this record. But I think I am too content for it. It is good, but very depressing.
Mike Doughty - "Sad Man Happy Man" Little disappointing, except for the bonus tracks and covers.
Surfer Blood - "Astro Coast" I texted KGB and asked, "What is the best album of the year so far?" and Surfer Blood was what they told me, so I buy. Just alright. Damn KGB.
Sweetheart 2010 - Various Artists. Quality all the way through. Likes of Hey Marseilles, Spoon and Jose Gonzalez.
The Dutchess & The Duke - "Sunset/Sunrise" Slipping from very good to…eh.
The Joy Formidable – “A Balloon Called Moaning” Interesting, but unsure of where it fits in
World History – “You Can’t Stop Trying”

Have not listened enough to gain a usable opinion.
Avi Buffalo – “Avi Buffalo”
Cary Brothers – “Under Control”
Colonies – “Thirty Thousand”
Egyptian Hip Hop – “Some Reptiles Grew Wings”
Grace Potter and The Nocturunals – “Grace Potter and The Nocturunals”
Heart- Sick Groans – “Gentleman, If You Ain’t Right, Get Right!”
Hot City – “Twist”
Hustle Ent. – “I’m Reppin”
Jenny And Johnny – “I’m Having Fun Now”
JoJo – “Can’t Take That Away From Me”
Junip – “Fields”
Junip – Rope and Summit EP
Lo-Fi-Fnk – “Sleepless”
Passenger – “Divers & Submarines”
Pearly Gate Music – “Pearly Gate Music”
Peter Wolf Crier – “Inter-Be”
Phosphorescent – “Here’s To Taking It Easy”
Sea Wolf – “White Water, White Bloom”
Silver Columns – “Always On”
Spectrals – “A Spectrals Extended Play”
Spectrals – “Peppermint LP”
The BGP – “Love and Rent”
The Lights – “Acoustic”
The Love Language – “Libraries”

Disappointing…
Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah Dogs – “God Willin' & The Creek Don't Rise”
Citizen Cope – “The Rainwater LP”
David Gray – “Foundling”
Los Campesinos! - "Romance is Boring" This was my most anticipated release of the year, but the band has lost something for me. Do not get me wrong, this is a good recording, with some great individual songs. But this is not a great record. Not like their first two. Not sure if it will make my list, which is shocking to me.
The Weepies – “Be My Thrill”

Not Impressive Enough To Rank, But Not Horrible Enough To Hate.
Arcade Fire – “The Suburbs”
Band Of Horses – “Infinite Arms”
Bear In Heaven – “Beast Rest Forth Mouth”
Erland & The Carnival – “Erland & The Carnival” & “Trouble In Mind EP” & “Was You Ever See EP”
Four Tet “There Is Love In You”
Free Energy - “Stuck on Nothing”
Greg Laswell “Take A Bow”
Jason Castro - "Jason Castro" Former American Idol singersongwriter needs to continue to grow. Not a bad release, but a little immature.
LCD Soundsystem – “This is Happening”
Mia Carruthers and The Retro's - "We Will Grow EP"
Murs & 9th Wonder – “Fornever”
Owen Pallett – “Heartland”
Sufjan Stevens – “The Age Of Adz”
The Big Pink – “A Brief History Of Love”
The National – “High Violet

Just Flat Out Do Not Like
Big Boi – “Sir Lucious Left Foot...The Son Of Chico Dusty”
Broken Social Scene – “Forgiveness Rock Record”
Bryan Scary & the Shredding Tears - "Mad Valentine" Don't like.
South China - "Washingtons" Unimpressed for the most part. Almost always hit “next”
The Magnetic Fields - "Realism" My least favorite of the year so far.
Titus Andronicus - "The Monitor" When I heard indie rock themed around the Civil War I thought I could be very interesting. And it is interesting, just not very good.
Toro Y Moi - "Causers Of This" Don’t really like.

Song of the Day: "Colorblind" by Counting Crows

>> Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Sometimes I need to hear a song. It's like an urge or driving force. But the strange thing is, I rarely know what song I need to hear. I know it sounds crazy, and it goes even further than this, but I am not going to share all my crazies on the interweb. Anyways, tonight was one of those nights, and I just found what I needed. Enjoy


For a student made music video, its not awful.

"Colorblind" by Counting Crows

Song of the Day: "Sleepyhead" by Passion Pit

>> Tuesday, November 9, 2010

So, I cannot believe I have not shared this song as a SOTD. It baffles me. But, its about time. I LOVE this song, in fact, it was my #10 song of 2009. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

If you are a fan of Passion Pit, you can find an awesome and free cover they did of The Smashing Pumpkins "Tonight, Tonight." I would be happy to share a link, but the site is down, maybe they are no longer offering it, but if you really want it, send me an email and I'll email it to ya.

"Sleepyhead" by Passion Pit

Song of the Day: "Icarus" by White Hinterland

>> Monday, November 8, 2010

So, I hate posting videos that don't have video in them, but this song is just too good to not share. I have been waiting for the band to do the right thing about actually put together a video, but they are being uncooperative and have not returned my calls. So, here you go. Love it. I do.

"Icarus" by White Hinterland

Song of the Day: "Lump" by The Presidents of the United States of America

>> Sunday, November 7, 2010

Yup. You love it. I win.

"Lump" by The Presidents of the United States of America

Song of the Day: "Mesa, AZ" by Bad Books (Kevin Devine solo)

>> Saturday, November 6, 2010

Off one of the most anticipated albums of the year in my opinion, this track is one of my quite favorites.


Bad Books is a new indie band supergroup. Comprised of 4 parts one of my favorite bands (featured on this blog countless times) Manchester Orchestra, and 1 part Kevin Devine (featured once) who is just a fantastic singer songwriter.

This clip is just of Kevin, but its pretty close to the record version, minus the birds and bus compression breaks. The album is a pretty fail split of songs from both Kevin and Andy Hull (MO lead singer), which is a nice balance since they both bring so much to the table. Pick it up, enjoy it. I have been.

"Mesa, AZ" by Bad Books (Kevin Devine solo)

Song of the Day: "Love Is All" by The Tallest Man On Earth

>> Thursday, November 4, 2010

What's sure to be the song of the day on blogs around the world, I give you one of my top 5 favorite songs of the year and my favorite from my second favorite album of the year. The video was just released today, so remember where you saw it first.
Spectacular.

"Love Is All" by The Tallest Man On Earth

Songs of the Day: "Leech" & "Open Road Song" by EVE 6

>> Wednesday, November 3, 2010

I forgot how much I loved this album. Outside of the radio hits, it was just a quality album from start to finish. Here are two of the deeper cuts for you to enjoy. The second is my favorite track from the album.

"Leech" by EVE 6

"Open Road Song" by EVE 6

Song of the Day: "Too Afraid To Love You" by The Black Keys

>> Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Ok, so for analogy this to work, you have to suspend this concept called "time." We are working on "Addi time" here.

First off, let me point out, that I know I am well behind the times on this band, but I got a bad taste for them several years ago, and just never gave them a second chance, until I did, and now I'm pumped.

I love this bands sound, its like (absurd broken-time analogy coming) if The Dead Weather, Sleepy Sun, and Cold War Kids all had a threesome, and somehow, one of those bands had an illegitimate rockchild, it would sound like The Black Keys when it cried.

Yes, again, I am well aware that The Black Keys have been around for much longer than all of these bands, but, in my mind, the the timeline of discovery, this all makes sense. Deal.

"Too Afraid To Love You" by The Black Keys

This album has quickly become a favorite for the upper half of my year end blog.

Song of the Day: "The Passenger" by Stars

>> Monday, November 1, 2010

I feel like my year has been missing this song. Especially when she kicks into the chorus.... perfect.
Sorry about the crap video, but it's one of the afterthought tracks on the record and this is all I could find.

"The Passenger" by Stars