Best of Soup 2008, Chris: N–Z

Today concludes the two-part look at our favorite songs from the 2008 Alphabet Soup shows. Hopefully everyone enjoyed our selections from A–M last week, and this week shouldn't disappoint either. Here's my contribution to the N–Z spoonfuls, with links to the original blog entries:

N: Nirvana, "Scentless Apprentice"
O: "On a Cloud," PPP
P: Portishead, "Machine Gun"
Q: "Questions and Answers," the Apples in Stereo
R: Ra Ra Riot, "Dying Is Fine"
S: Marnie Stern, "Shea Stadium"
T: "Trojan Horse," Bloc Party
U: "Underneath the Stars," the Cure
V: "Full Spectrum," the Violettes
W: "Wishing Well," Love Is All
X: X-Ray Spex, "Oh Bondage Up Yours"
Y: "You're Gonna Need Someone By Your Side," Morrissey (this was a bonus track at the end of an episode, so no blog entry)
Z: Zack Attack, "Friends Forever"

With all apologies to Zero 7, I had to end my list with Zack Morris and Co. May he and his blushing bride Kelly rest in peace. (Click here for coverage of the grisly Bayside murders.)

Marnie Stern's fantastic album, among my top 10 of the year, forced me to bump sentimental favorite Sally Shapiro from the list, while Ra Ra Riot (which just missed my top 10) kept the Raveonettes from making my cut, even though Lust Lust Lust was a stellar disc. Since I took the Dodos from Brittany, I ceded Vampire Weekend to her, even though it was my No. 2 album of the year.

Portishead's Third was hands-down my favorite of the year, and is represented by the first single, "Machine Gun." Anyway, here's my top 10:

1. Portishead, Third

2. Vampire Weekend, self-titled

3. M83, Saturdays = Youth

4. Black Kids, Partie Traumatic (just way too much fun to hate)

5. Sigur Ros, Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust

6. Marnie Stern, This Is It...

7. Girl Talk, Feed the Animals

8. Dodos, Visiter

9. Ray LaMontagne, Gossip in the Grain

10. The Kills, Midnight Boom

While the new Bloc Party album ended up being somewhat disappointing after a few listens, I do think "Trojan Horse" and "One Month Off" are great tunes. And the new Cure disc left me slightly cold—and not in a good way—but the opening track is solid.

Thanks for listening.

A card for you from Christopher

Best of 2008, BJ: N-Z

N: Noah and the Whale, "Shape of My Heart"
O: Okkervil River, "Westfall"
P: Peter, Bjorn and John, "Objects Of My Affection"
Q: "Quiet Houses," Fleet Foxes
R: "Roll On Babe," Vetiver
S: Starfucker, "Florida"
T: TV On The Radio, "Halfway Home"
U: Ugly Casanova, "Parasites"
V: Vampire Weekend, "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa"
W: Why?, "The Vowels, Pt. 2"
X: "X|Y," Pinback
Y: Yellow House, Grizzly Bear
Z: Z, My Morning Jacket

O: I don't really like Okkervil River's new album, but I still heard them for the first time this year. This song will forever remind me of this year -- especially the times and people at Donnelly's Pub.

P: I wanted to play Peppermint Patty by The Owls, but I decided against it because of a Pamida comment Chris made in an early post. Really, Chris? Where in the hell did that come from?

Q: Yes, Christopher. I will put Fleet Foxes in my top 10 this year -- they were AWESOME live. I managed to wiggle up close enough to sit on the stage when some friends and I saw their lake-front show in Madison, WI.

R: Here's my Vetiver, Chris. The band released Things of the Past earlier this year.

S: It was between She & Him, Sigur Ros and Starfucker -- all bands with incredible albums in 2008. Starfucker wins soley because they have the best band name of 2008. Oh yeah, and the self-titled album is good from start to finish.

Just in case you haven't heard, they'll be playing live on KEXP -- December 19.

T: How have we not played a song from this album yet?!

U: Sharpen Your Teeth is timeless.

V: Chris and I fought of this one. He gave me playing rights after I spit in his face.

W: Why is an INCREDIBLE band! I downloaded Alopecia last night and would highly suggest you give it a listen.

Y: The only Grizzly Bear album we (I) played any songs from.

Z: The lead singer fell off a stage while playing at the University of Iowa. How could I not include it on the "Best Of" list?

Best of 2008 Soup, Chris: A–M

We're spending the semester's last two shows looking back at our favorite songs from our 2008 shows—from A to Z, of course. This week we'll each tackle A–M, and next week we'll finish off with N–Z. Here's my A–M list, with links to each song's original blog entry:

A: ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, "Stand in Silence"
B: Black Nite Crash, "Losing Kind"
C: "Carnies," Martina Topley-Bird
D: Dodos, "Fools"
E: "Ether," Gang of Four
F: Future Sound of London, "Papua New Guinea"
G: "Gamma Ray," Beck
H: "Hummingbird," Born Ruffians
I: "I Woke Up Today," Port O'Brien
J: Joy Division, "She's Lost Control"
K: The Kills, "What New York Used to Be"
L: "Love Me Already," Black Kids
M: M83, "Graveyard Girl"

OK, so I didn't play "Graveyard Girl" during an official Alphabet Soup show—that was Brittany—but I did play it when we hosted the Film School/Airiel in-studio event. And M83's Saturdays=Youth is one of my five favorite albums of 2008 (No. 3), so I needed to represent it on my list.

The rest of my top 5 albums will be heard in due time; the only other one that makes today's list is Black Kids' Partie Traumatic (#4 on my list). Snicker all you want, but it's energetic and fun. It's brilliant pop. Take it from the campus's biggest Cure fan: your music preferences don't always have to be depressed and/or mad.

That being said, it wouldn't be a Christopher Clair list without Joy Division—although Japanese Motors' "Single Fins and Safety Pins" nearly won out in the J slot.

Other songs that just missed today's list: Airiel's "Red Friends"; Raveonettes' "Aly Walk With Me"; Be Your Own Pet's "The Kelly Affair"; and Explosions in the Sky's "Memorial."

Next week, my list will kick off with one of those songs that Jack from "Lost" loves so much, as well as a selection from my favorite album from 2008....(here's a hint: it will be the Third song I play)

Best of 2008, BJ: A-M

A: Animal Collective, "Fireworks"
B: B.R.M.C., "Ain't No Easy Way"
C: Cat Power, "Silver Stallion"
D: Dr. Dog, "The World May Never Know"
E: Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton, "Our Hell"
F: Fruit Bats, "Magic Hour"
G: Gorillaz, "Dirty Harry"
H: Holland, Jolie, "December, 1999"
I: "I," Andrew Bird
J: "January," Headlights
K: Kodacrhome, "Paul Simon"
L: Langhorne Slim, "Restless"
M: Metric, "Empty"

Since this is our first year of Alphabet Soup, I decided to go through my year in music. If you were to run into me on the street and ask to what was I listening, I'd tell you these musicians. If you don't know them, click on the links where you can find one or many personal explanations for their greatness.

Artists, A: ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead, "Intro: A Song of Fire and Wine/Stand in Silence"

From the album So Divided

...Trail of Dead:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I made an audio slide show about the douche bags who participate in the annual seal hunt in Canada, and used some Trail of Dead as the soundtrack. I should post it... — cwc

Artists, B: Blitzen Trapper, "God and Suicide"

From the album Furr

Blitzen Trapper:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: One of the numerous albums I've scooped up in the past two weeks. 2008 has been pretty good after all. — cwc

No vid for "God and Suicide," so here's an interview clip:

Artists, C: Cold War Kids, "Relief"

From the album Loyalty to Loyalty

Cold War Kids:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This album was more of a grower for me, at least compared to Robbers and Cowards, but I'm coming around. — cwc

Artists, D: The Damned, "Neat Neat Neat"

From the album Damned Damned Damned

The Damned:   Web site

DJ comments: I'm playing a lot of newer stuff tonight, but I'll be damned if I don't play some '70s punk. — cwc

What a bizarre video:

Artists, E: Eleni Mandell, "Girls"

From the album Miracle of Five

Eleni Mandell:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I cheated because I wasn't satisfied with any other "E" artists. I chose her because I love women with deep, mysterious voices.

Found this one on the Weeds soundtrack, which, as previously stated, has been one of my favorite places to find music. — BJ

Artists, F: Faded Paper Figures, "North By North"

From the album Dynamo

Faded Paper Figures:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I immediately compared these guys to Stars. Funny enough, the band doesn't include Stars as an influence or "sounds like" on their Myspace page despite having similar male/female vocals and background electronica. It's still better than listening to the same Stars albums on repeat... — BJ

Artists, G: Al Green, "Take Me To The River"

From the album Best Of...

Al Green:   Web site   Wikipedia

DJ comments: Oooh... Green is SO good. You may know this song as performed by the Talking Heads. — BJ

Artists, H: Headlights, "Market Girl"

From the album Some Racing, Some Stopping

Headlights:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I believe Headlights has made it into our Top Played Artists list. That's kind of funny to me, because I wouldn't say they're one of my favorite bands. I guess more than anything, this album has proved to be a pretty playable one. — BJ

Artists, I: I Love Math, "Only Clowns Are Scary"

From the album Getting to the Point Is Beside It

I Love Math:   MySpace

DJ comments: I would have no quarrel with this song title if it read "All Clowns Are Scary." However, "only" is terribly inaccurate. There are plenty of scary things that have nothing to do with clowns: snakes; swarms of killer bees; the thought that millions of Americans voted in favor of making Sarah Palin the country's second-in-command. — cwc

Um, the song is included in this gem:

Artists, J: Joy Division, "Disorder"

From the album Unknown Pleasures

Joy Division:   MySpace

DJ comments: This song made the cut for Pitchfork's latest book, which lists the best 500 songs since the punk-rock era of 1977. So I'm playing it, since it's so great. (It's no "She's Lost Control," but it's solid.) — cwc

Artists, K: The Kills, "What New York Used to Be"

From the album Midnight Boom

The Kills:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Not to be confused with the Killers. — cwc

Artists, L: Love Is All, "Wishing Well"

From the album A Hundred Things Keep Me Up at Night

Love Is All:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Pretty much a coin flip between these guys and Ray LaMontagne here. Maybe we'll have time to hear some Ray at the end of the show. — cwc

Artists, M: Modest Mouse, "Cowboy Dan"

From the album Lonesome Crowded West

Modest Mouse:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I can't believe I've only played Dramamine! I love old Modest Mouse... it reminds me of my dear friends from Newton, Iowa. They've all moved on... I'm just sitting here in Lonesome Uncrowded Iowa City.

Ugh! Isaac Brock played with Broken Social Scene in Toronto. I think my brain would melt... — BJ

Artists, N: Noah and the Whale, "Shape Of My Heart"

From the album Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down

Noah and the Whale:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: From what I've heard of it, this September release from the UK band rocks.

Just in case you were really pumped to see the band on their US tour, don't get your hopes up... they canceled all US shows. — BJ

Artists, O: Okkervil River, "Westfall"

From the album Don't Fall In Love With Everyone You See

Okkervil River:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: If you ever come to Donnelly's, there's about a 60% chance Okkervil River will be playing. Coolest restaurant in town.

This is the band's first full-length album. — BJ

Artists, P: Pica Beats, "Poor Old Ra"

From the album Beating Back The Claws Of The Cold

Pica Beats:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I have to thank Chris for introducing me to this band. — BJ

Artists, Q: Q-Tip, "Official"

From the album The Renaissance

Q-Tip:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Supposedly "Tip" has been recording quite often since the release of 1999's Amplified, including one album that reached promo distribution phase before getting shelved. A shame that one of the greatest hip-hop artists had to put up with that sort of treatment, but now he gets to drop an aptly titled disc on our collective ass. — cwc

Artists, R: Ra Ra Riot, "Dying Is Fine"

From the album The Rhumb Line

Ra Ra Riot:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Hate the band name, love the band's sound. — cwc

Artists, S: Marnie Stern, "Shea Stadium"

From the album This Is It...

Marnie Stern:   MySpace

DJ comments: Finger-tappin' goodness. — cwc

Artists, T: Martina Topley-Bird, "Something to Say"

From the album The Blue God

Martina Topley-Bird:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: One of the reasons Tricky's debut album was so good? Martina Topley-Bird. — cwc

Artists, U: Ugly Casanova, "Cat Faces"

From the album Sharpen Your Teeth

Ugly Casanova:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This album is PERFECT for this weather, as with most Modest Mouse songs. There's just something about Isaac Brock's voice that makes winter seem so bearable. — BJ

Artists, V: The Very Sexuals, "Anti-Valentine"

From the album Post-Apocalyptic Love

The Very Sexuals:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: If you like this song, you can download this whole album for free at http://www.theverysexuals.com/. — BJ

No Video -- I won't even post what came up when I typed "Very sexuals" into the YouTube search box.

Artists, W: The Whigs, "Production City"

From the album Mission Control

The Whigs:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: These guys performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live a little over a month ago. Generally when that happens, people start flocking toward said band's music. — BJ

Artists, X: Xavier Rudd, "Let Me Be"

From the album Solace

Xavier Rudd:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: He released Dark Shades of Blue earlier this year, but Solace produced the highest rated results on iTunes. The only other album I've heard is Food in the Belly, which I had a mini obsession with a few months ago. — BJ

I'm still amazed by his setup.

The P's: "PDA," Interpol

From the album Turn on the Bright Lights

Interpol:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I don't know what's crazier, that this is only the second time we've played Interpol on the Soup, or the fact that it wasn't me who played them the first time. — cwc

The P's: "Partie Traumatic," Black Kids

From the album Partie Traumatic

Black Kids:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This album is so much fun. Lighten up, everyone, and love Black Kids. — cwc

The P's: Portishead, "Nylon Smile"

From the album Third

Portishead:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: The fact that the live performance shown below is arguably superior to the studio version confirms this band's greatness. If you don't think Third is the best album of 2008, you're only fooling yourself. — cwc

The P's: "Planet," Sugarcubes

From the album Here Today, Tomorrow, Next Week!

Sugarcubes:   MySpace

DJ comments: I was into Bjork well before she went solo, which means two things: I am awesome, and I am old. — cwc

The P's: "Pictures of You," Angie Hart

Online-only single (available through the iTunes Music Store)

Angie Hart:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Gorgeous rendition. Even more powerful as part of a PSA on Australian TV. — cwc

The P's: Platinum Pied Pipers (PPP), "On a Cloud"

Released as a single

PPP:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This is some groovy stuff right here. — cwc

The P's: Public Enemy, "Welcome to the Terrordome"

From the album Fear of a Black Planet

Public Enemy:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Song never fails to get the adrenaline going. Just listen to Chuck's impassioned "STILL SOME QUIVER WHEN I DELIVER!" Indeed. I used to hate it when people made such a big fuckin' deal about Rage Against the Machine, like they were some sort of radical visionaries. They don't have SHIT on PE's output from 1988 to 1990. — cwc

The P's: "Papua New Guinea" [7" original], The Future Sound of London

From the soundtrack album Cool World

Future Sound of London:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: These guys just missed the cut for our "W" episode. The song was "We Have Explosive"; seeing as we were celebrating the lame-duck status of our current president, that would have made perfect sense. — cwc

The P's: Pretty Good Dance Moves, "P.G.D.M."

From the ep P.G.D.M.

Pretty Good Dance Moves:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This band must have named itself after my own rug-cutting skillz. — cwc

The P's: Pavement, "Rattled by the Rush"

From the album Wowee Zowee

Pavement:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: While all the cool kids were checking out Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks at the Picador, I was at home listening to Pavement and eating my son's Halloween candy. Rock 'n' roll lifestyle, yo. — cwc

The P's: "Parasite," Nick Drake

From the album Pink Moon

Nick Drake:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Damien Jurado and Beck each do serviceable covers of this song, but neither comes anywhere close to the original. — cwc

The P's: The Pica Beats, "Shrinking Violets"

From the album Beating Back the Claws of the Cold

The Pica Beats:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: As someone who works in publishing, it would be wrong of me not to like The Pica Beats. — cwc

The P's: Pablo, "Hey Luci"

From the album There's Rope to Leave

Pablo:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Muy bueno. — cwc

The P's: Port O'Brien, "I Woke Up Today"

From the album All We Could Do Was Sing

Port O'Brien:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Fun fact: this is M. Ward's favorite new band. — cwc

The P's: "Painter In Your Pocket," Destroyer

From the album Destroyer's Rubies

Destroyer:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: — BJ

The P's: "Paper Tiger," Spoon

From the album Kill The Moonlight

Spoon:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Holy crap -- Spoon's been around since 1993. I had no idea they were that old. The lead singer is even older than Chris! — BJ

He's way older than me! b. 1971! — cwc

The P's: "Past and Pending," The Shins

From the album Oh, Inverted World

The Shins:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Fun fact about the Shins: they lost guitarist Neal Langford to his real passion in 2003... hot air ballooning. — BJ

The P's: "Peppermint Patty," The Owls

From the album Daughters and Suns

The Owls:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I remember being a bit put-off by the name and beginning five seconds of this one the first time I heard it, but the song is really beautiful. There's just something enlightening about this woman's voice. — BJ

How many licks does it take to make an album worth listening to?

The P's: "The Plan," Built To Spill

From the album Keep It Like A Secret

Built To Spill:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: The band's lead singer, Doug Martsch, was in Treepeople before Built To Spill. Please watch one of their videos posted below; they are delightfully Nineties. — BJ

Treepeople, "Nod & Blink"


Treepeople, "Something Vicious for Tomorrow"


Treepeople, "Cartoon Brew"


Built To Spill, "The Plan"

The P's: Prolonging The Magic, Cake

Song: "Never There"

Cake:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I'm a big quote person -- I love the insightful words others. Cake's homepage features this good'n:

“He who gives way to violent gestures will increase his rage; he who does not control the signs of fear will experience fear in a greater degree; and he who remains passive when overwhelmed with grief loses his best chance of recovering elasticity of mind.”

Charles Darwin, 1872

— BJ

The P's: "Plans," Bloc Party

From the album Silent Alarm

Bloc Party:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I know they have a new album... actually, they have a couple of newer albums. I still love this one the most. — BJ

The P's: "Porno," Clinic

From the album 3 EPs

Clinic:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: It sounds like a porno. hee hee — BJ

The P's: "Poughkeepsie," Devendra Banhart

From the album Rejoicing In The Hands

Devendra Banhart:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: He was born in Texas, raised in Caracas, Venezuela, and then attended the Art Institute in San Francisco. If that's not enough to make you wonder about the guy, look at pictures of him. He and his friends just look interesting. — BJ

The P's: "Promise," Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

From the album Howl

BRMC:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I'm well on my way to playing this whole album before the year ends. When I'm done with that, I'll make my way onto their new album, The Effects of 333. — BJ

The P's: "Poi Rot," Sin Fang Bous

From the album Clangour

Sin Fang Bous:   Word Press   MySpace

DJ comments: Clangour was released earlier this week. I've never heard of the band before, and there isn't a lot of information out there on them. — BJ

The P's: Pedro The Lion, "Transcontinental"

From the album Achilles Heel

Pedro The Lion:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Bazan is just doing solo work now... no more Pedro. However, I've read that he is releasing his first solo LP next year. — BJ

The P's: The Pines, "Careless Love"

From the album Sparrows In The Bell

The Pines:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I constantly want to complain about how cold it is in Iowa City, until I think about how frigid the temp must be for The Pines in Minneapolis. — BJ

No video.

The P's: The Postal Service, "Clark Gable"

From the album Give Up

The Postal Service:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Postal Service is one of those bands I feel I shouldn't like... it's more like Death Cab's disco-loving little sister, but sometimes it's a really nice contrast. — BJ

The C's: Califone, "Sunday Noises"

From the album Roots & Crowns

Califone: Web site MySpace

DJ comments: Say you're having one of those Sunday afternoons where you drank WAY too much the night before, played God with your body chemistry a bit and you just feel lazy as hell. This is the band to listen to on that day.

Some may take that as a bad thing, but it's just some great, relaxed music. These guys aren't trying for 'Groove your bad things in 80's clothing at the Picador' nights.

If you don't know the band, start with this album.

Fun Fact: Lead singer Tim Rutili was a member of Ugly Casanova.

— BJ

Another song off this album:

The C's: "Chinese Translation," M. Ward

From the album Post-War

M. Ward:   Web site   MySpace    MySpace

DJ comments: What will America be like post-war? — BJ

The C's: Caribou, "She's The One"

From the album Andorra

Caribou:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: They're Psychedelic. They're Canadian. They're Caribou.

They're also a band that sounds trapped in the wrong era. Just listen to "Melody Day". If that video won't do it for ya, watch the videos posted on their Myspace page. — BJ

The C's: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!, "Is This Love?"

From the album Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This is absolutely one of my Top 10 favorite albums of all time. I have the Clap... Chris has The Cure. — BJ

That should absolutely be our show's tagline! — cwc

The C's: "Canyon Girl," Fruit Bats

From the album Spelled In Bones

Fruit Bats:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Another band that is NOT touring near the Midwest. ARGH!

Once again, I can't find any videos for the band. — BJ

The C's: "Corrido por Buddy," Jolie Holland

From the album The Living And The Dead

Jolie Holland: nbsp;  Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This is from her most recent album, released last month. If you haven't listened to much of her older stuff, I would highly suggest Catalpa and Springtime Can Kill You. — BJ

The C's: Sam Cooke, "Bring It On Home To Me"

From the album Greatest Hits

Sam Cooke:   Web site   Wikipedia

DJ comments: Sam Cooke had 29 Top 40 hits in an eight-year period. Apparently Britney Spears has had the same... wow, how far the top charts have come (or gone). — BJ

The C's: "Changing," The Moondoggies

From the album Don't Be A Stranger

The Moondoggies:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This young band (the front man, Kevin Murphy, is 22) harmonizes as well as anyone out there -- I'd put them on the same level as the Fleet Foxes. There must be something in the Seattle water. -- BJ

dash; BJ

The C's: "Conspiracy to Riot"

From the album Conspiracy to Riot -- EP

Sage Francis:   Wikipedia   MySpace

DJ comments: I don't listen to much Sage Francis, but I've seen him live once. Incredible on stage. I would highly suggest seeing him if you ever get the opportunity. Also, just look at some of his lyrics. He's pretty great with his words. — BJ

The C's: The Changes, "Water of the Gods"

From the album Today Is Tonight

The Changes:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Another Illinois band, this one out of Chicago. I'm pretty sure they've played a Lollapalooza before - they look incredibly familiar to me.

They're also another band who devoted their time to playing Obama benefits. I'm wondering if they were asked solely because their name includes the word change. — BJ

The C's: "Clickity Clack," Alela Diane

From the album Pirate's Gospel

Alela Diane:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Apparently her older brother got to choose her name when he was only three. What a fantastic name to be chosen by a little boy in 1983. — BJ

Another C song:

The C's: "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa," Vampire Weekend

From the album Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: It's actually kind of funny looking at the dates and events posted on the band's news page. You can see the progression of their popularity from release until now, including the point where it seems people pooped on their album for getting "too much hype".

Actually, I immediately thought of Vampire Weekend when I read the introductory statement on Daytrotter's about page. — BJ

The C's: "Catch Them All," Headlights

From the album Some Racing, Some Stopping

Headlights:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Headlights is out of Champaign, Illinois, so it should never be too hard to find a local show. If you got sick of them during their shot of popularity (right after this album was released), you should check out their Daytrotter session for a different mix on some of their songs. — BJ

The C's: "Cause=Time," Broken Social Scene

From the album You Forgot It In People

Broken Social Scene:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I haven't heard it yet, but BSS released an album for band member Brendan Canning. Apparently he also had something air on the Independent Film Channel. Some stuff to check out. — BJ

The C's: Cursive, "A Gentleman Caller"

From the album The Ugly Organ

Cursive:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: The last time these guys played the Mill, it was crazy fun, although as I've mentioned before, some of the more macho Cursive fans kinda creeped me out. — cwc

The C's: Jill Cunniff, "Happy Warriors"

From the album City Beach

Jill Cunniff:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This is one of three Jill Cunniff songs I got from eMusic just before I let my subscription lapse. I need to get the other nine songs... — cwc

The C's: Camera Obscura, "Let's Get Out of This Country"

From the album Let's Get Out of This Country

Camera Obscura:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I'd kinda like to hear something new from this group, but for now, the title track from this superb album will have to do. — cwc

The C's: The Clash, "I'm So Bored with the U.S.A."

From the album The Clash

The Clash:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Once Obama takes office, this might be the refrain of most stand-up and late-night comedians. — cwc

The C's: "California Uber Alles," Dead Kennedys

From the album Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables

Dead Kennedys:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Jello Biafra is cool. I implore you to get the movie Punk: Attitude from the Iowa City library, as Jello is one of many wonderful contributors to this documentary/love letter to the punk scene of the 1970s and 1980s. — cwc

The C's: The Cute Lepers, "It's Summertime, Baby"

From the album Can't Stand Modern Music

The Cute Lepers:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I thought this song might help us with our transition into winter. — cwc

The C's: The Cops, "Controller"

From the album Get Good or Stay Bad

The Cops:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Saw these guys at the Picador once. Good stuff. — cwc

The C's: "Could It Be," The Mugs

From the ep Ravel Day

The Mugs:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Brooklyn representin' in the Soup. — cwc

A different new song from the Mugs can be heard by watching the clip below:

The C's: Crooked Fingers, "Your Control"

From the album Forfeit/Fortune

Crooked Fingers:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I find myself describing this song as "neat" without the slightest hint of sarcasm. — cwc

The C's: Calexico, "Two Silver Trees"

From the album Carried to Dust

Calexico:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: My friend Heather, who refuses to guest DJ on the Soup, likes these guys. Just think, Heather, you could have introduced this tune with your radio-ready voice... — cwc

The C's: "Collapsing at Your Doorstep," Air France

From the album No Way Down

Air France:   MySpace

DJ comments: I try to include at least one song per set with no dominating guitars. And hey, they're Swedish! — cwc

The C's: "Counting Stars on the Ceiling," Stars

From the album Nightsongs

Stars:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I guess Stars weren't cool enough to make videos for songs from their first album. Or at least not this one. And no user-created videos either. At least Web Sheriff can chill on this post. — cwc

The C's: Cibo Matto, "Sugar Water"

From the album Viva! La Woman

Cibo Matto:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Not sure if Sean Lennon was in the group at this point. No matter: it sounds cool with or without him. — cwc

The C's: Tracy Chapman, "Behind the Wall"

From the album Tracy Chapman

Tracy Chapman:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Pretty sad song. — cwc

The C's: The Cure, "Sirensong"

From the album 4:13 Dream

The Cure:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This little slide guitar showcase is my favorite song from the Cure's new album, at least at this point. — cwc

The W's: "Write It All Down for You," Elliott Brood

From the album Mountain Meadows

Elliott Brood:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: They're (Elliott Brood is a band name, not a singer's name) Canadian. Not "I would have moved to Canada if McCain got elected" Canadian, but actually Canadian. — cwc

The W's: "We Are Not Who You Think We Are," Kunk

From the self-titled single

Kunk:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Nice name. — cwc

The W's: We Are Scientists, "Cash Cow"

From the album With Love and Squalor

We Are Scientists:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Science! — cwc

The W's: "Wendy," Descendents

From the album Enjoy!

Descendents:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I always imagined Milo was singing about Wendy the fast food restaurant girl. — cwc

The W's: "Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone?" Ted Leo + the Pharmacists

From the album Hearts of Oak

Ted Leo + the Pharmacists:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: What a fun song. — cwc

The W's: "Where the Devil Don't Stay," Drive-By Truckers

From the album The Dirty South

Drive-By Truckers:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This one goes out to my cousin Kevin Clair (my Penn State cousin Kevin, not my Arizona cousin Kevin), who just had a birthday on Monday. He requested some DBT, since he is going to see them tonight rather than sitting by his computer listening to the show. What a jerk! Go Hawks! :) — cwc

The W's: The Watson Twins, "How Am I To Be?"

From the album Fire Songs

Watson Twins:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Thank you, Jenny Lewis, for giving these gals great exposure. — cwc

The W's: "Who Needs the Peace Corps?", Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention

From the album We're Only In It for the Money

Frank Zappa:   Web site

DJ comments: Hippies. Ha. — cwc

The W's: Ween, "The Stallion Pt. 3"

From the album Pure Guava

Ween:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Geen and Dean Ween aren't mean. — cwc

The W's: "What I Meant to Say," Film School

From the album Hideout

Film School:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I still have nice memories of Film School/Airiel's show in Iowa City last spring. — cwc

Studio video of a different song, "Compare":



Live footage of "Compare":

The W's: "A Way to Survive," Snowpony

From the album The Slow-Motion World of Snowpony

Snowpony:   Wikipedia

DJ comments: If you like My Bloody Valentine and Stereolab, you'll like Snowpony...kinda by default. Both of those groups have a member in Snowpony. They didn't do a lot, which is why you won't see many links/video in this post. — cwc

The W's: Way Out West, "Melt"

From the album Don't Look Now

Way Out West:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Yes, my first time hearing this song was on The O.C. — cwc

The W's: "We Float," PJ Harvey

From the album Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea

PJ Harvey:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Hot. — cwc

The W Episode: "Wild Nights," Van Morrison

From the album Best of...

Van Morrison:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: You've heard. It rocks. If they tell me it's too mainstream, so I can't play it, I will show them all the Beatles songs that have ever been played.

Van Morrison RULES! — BJ

I couldn't find a video to this song... how has no one made a video?

The W Episode: "The Woman With The Tattooed Hands," Atmosphere

From the album Lucy Ford

Atmosphere:    Rhymesayers   MySpace

DJ comments: Atmosphere, Blueprint and others at The Englert tonight. Doors open at 7. Should be a good one. — BJ

The W Episode: "With Arms Outstretched," Rilo Kiley

From the album The Execution Of All Things

Rilo Kiley:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I'm still just amazed that there are former child stars who aren't crank addicts living in a gutter in LA. — BJ

The W Episode: "Wish Resign," Circa Survive

From the album Juturna

Circa Survive:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Apparently the band members met at the Burning Man music festival a few years ago. The members are from This Day Forward, Saosin and Taken. — BJ

The W Episode: "Will You Come And Fetch Me," Of Montreal

From the album Satanic Panic in the Attic

Of Montreal:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: They be crazy. I've heard that their live shows are unbelievable because they truly are insane. Unfortunately, they, like a lot of other bands, scheduled NOTHING in the Midwest this fall. Bastards. — BJ

The W Episode: "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?," She & Him

From the album Volume One

She & Him:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Apparently this album is a love letter for the artists who inspired it (if you've listened to it -- the songs are covers). In all honesty, M. Ward could shit in a bag and I would think it was a rainbow hand-crafted by God himself. It really doesn't matter what he does or why he does it... I dig him. — BJ

The W Episode: "Which Way Your Heart Will Go," Mason Jennings

From the album Boneclouds

Mason Jennings:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: If you haven't heard all of Boneclouds, buy it immediately. — BJ

The W Episode: "Where Has Sally Gone?," Caroline Smith and The Good Night Sleeps

From the album Backyard Tent Set

Caroline Smith and The Good Night Sleeps:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: OK... this is what some random iTunes person said when reviewing this album:

This band shattered everything I knew till there were too many pieces to put back together or even glue. Then I felt so sublime like I was riding the backs of monsters. And then big too, like I was the monster with the last pair of headphones in the world and wanted nothing more than to share them with everyone left uneaten.

Right... — BJ

The W Episode: "A Well Respected Man," The Kinks

From the album Juno

The Kinks:   Wikipedia

DJ comments: The Kinks Wikipedia page says they're regarded as one of the most important bands in rock 'n' roll history...

Discuss. — BJ

The W Episode: "Weatherman, Section Two," Page France

From the album Sister Pinecone

Page France:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Just in case there is any confusion, Page France is not a person -- it's a band. Michael Nau is the dude behind Page France. He and others come from Maryland. That is Page France. — BJ

The W Episode: "Weight of the World," B.R.M.C.

From the album Howl

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I recently had a friend tell me they refuse to listen to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club because they have the "worst band name ever." I told him he was an ignorant fool just before he exploded. True story.

Oh yeah, they just had new material come out on November 1. It's an independent release entitled The Effects Of 333. — BJ