The Vowels: If You Come to Greet Me, Laura Gibson

The Song: "Hands In Pockets"

Laura Gibson:   Laura on NPR   MySpace

DJ comments: Please do not confuse this one with "One Hand In My Pocket".

I love girls who sing and play guitar. If I were a dude I'd totally get on the Jolie Holland, Alela Diane and Laura Gibson types. — BJ

The Vowels: Animal Collective, "Fireworks"

From the album Strawberry Jam

Animal Collective:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I hated Strawberry Jam for the longest time... it wasn't until my friend Rob gave me a KEXP interview with the band where they played this song. I retracted all my previous statements at that point in time.

On a side note -- Animal Collective is the reason I hate all-age shows at the Picador. ALL THE GOOD BANDS SELL OUT TO THOSE DAMN 16-YEAR-OLD KIDS. I HATE ALL YOU PRE-PUBESCENT HIPSTERS! — BJ

The Vowels: Almost Live From Eli's Live Room, Why?

The Song: The Vowels Pt. 2

Why?:   MySpace

DJ comments: The title of the song was too appropriate to pass up.

This Why? (the one from Oakland, not the U.K.) album literally came out yesterday. Their Myspace page makes no mention of the Almost Live album release, so I'm not really sure what's up with it. — BJ

The Vowels: Architecture in Helsinki, "Kindling"

From the album Fingers Crossed

Architecture in Helsinki:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Their genre on Myspace is Concrete. Not sure about that one... I guess I just prefer Rock. — BJ

The Vowels: "You Promised Me," Caroline Smith And The Good Night Sleeps

From the album Backyard Tent Set

Caroline Smith And The Good Night Sleeps:   Last.fm   MySpace

DJ comments: So this chick's performance career started with B.B. King when she was 15. Can you even imagine playing with the King when you're 15? — BJ

The Vowels: "Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood," Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!

From the album Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I still can't believe this was a self-released debut album. I very rarely like a band's first album as much as I love this one. — BJ

The Vowels: "Inside and Out," Feist

From the album Let It Die

Feist:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I don't know what to say outside of you should know Feist by now. This is her first album, from 2004. — BJ

The Vowels: "I'm Good, I'm Gone," Lykke Li

From the album Youth Novels

Lykke Li:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: If you like Swedish music, you'll love this one. Youth Novels, her first release, was co-produced by Björn Yttling of Peter Bjorn and John earlier this year. — BJ

The Vowels: "Around the Bay," Department of Eagles

From the album In Ear Park

Department of Eagles:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This is Daniel Rossen's (Grizzly Bear) band with his roommate from NYU. In Ear Park is their most recent release -- the album came out on October 7th. If you've already heard the album, you should check out their Daytrotter session.— BJ

The Vowels: "Ordinary Song," The Little Ones

From the album Morning Tide

The Little Ones:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Another album released on October 7th. Apparently every indie band got together and decided to release albums simultaneously. I'm kind of surprised CNN didn't predict our nation's implosion because of such a catastrophic event. — BJ

The Vowels: Arcade Fire, "Neighborhood #2 (Laika)"

From the album Funeral

The Arcade Fire:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I haven't heard anything new about Arcade Fire since they released Neon Bible and went on tour. The band's website is pretty cool... that's about all I got. — BJ

The Vowels: "Oh No," Dr. Dog

From the album Easy Beat

Dr. Dog:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Lots of stuff going on in Philadelphia. Dr. Dog's makin' music, their baseball team is winnin' games... and playing in a few feet of snow. — BJ

The Vowels: "Amsterdam," Peter Bjorn and John

From the album Writer's Block

Peter Bjorn and John:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Though I'm not playing a track off the album, PB & J just released an all-instrumental LP entitled Seaside Rock. — BJ

The Vowels: "And Darling," Tegan and Sara

From the album If It Was You

Tegan and Sara:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Are they lesbians? No, they're sisters. Canadian sisters. — BJ

The Vowels: "In Step," Girl Talk

From the album Feed The Animals

Girl Talk:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Someone just asked me why I would play Girl Talk, stating that if they wanted to listen, they could just go home and start up four dance CDs simultaneously. Please let me know your opinion on this matter.

By the way, I named my own price for this album via GT's Myspace page. Love it. — BJ

The Vowels: "Underneath the Stars," The Cure

From the album 4:13 Dream

The Cure:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Reason No. 3,482 to like the Cure: they know how to open an album. This song joins the long list of incredible openers ("Plainsong," "One Hundred Years," "Open," "Out of This World," "Lost," "Want," "Shake Dog Shake," "The Kiss") — cwc

MTV in Italy played the Cure's recent show in which they played the new album front to back before playing a second set of old favorites. At the same time, MTV in America probably played more, um, non-music television. Awesome. Here's "Underneath the Stars" from the Italy show:

The Vowels: "One Month Off," Bloc Party

From the album Intimacy

Bloc Party:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I picked up this CD and the new Cure one Tuesday morning; it seems once every four years, I make a rare trip to a record store to pick up the Cure's latest. But I opened the Bloc Party disc first, because I have more apprehension about it than I do the Cure disc (after all, the Cure released four singles from the new album this summer/fall). Aside from "Mercury," I'm really digging what I'm hearing on Intimacy. But then again, I really liked A Weekend in the City, so take my initial endorsement with a grain of salt. I'm a bigger fan of songs such as this and "Trojan Horse" (played last week on the Soup) than the early singles. — cwc

The Vowels: "Angel, Angel, Down We Go Together," Morrissey

From the album Viva Hate

Morrissey:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Three songs, three British acts. This probably happens quite often in my playlists without me even noticing. Anyway, enjoy the Mozz. — cwc

The Vowels: Explosions in the Sky, "Yasmin the Light"

From the album Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever

Explosions in the Sky:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I know my previous EITS comments ("Domination.") aren't all that helpful, but when people ask me why I love this band so much, all I can really tell them is to devote the time to really listen to them, perhaps digesting an entire album at once. It seems that everyone who gives them that chance comes back to me and says one of two things:

1. Dude. Those Explosions guys are really fucking good.
2. I loved the movie Friday Night Lights.

I'm guessing you'll say the former. — cwc

The Vowels: "An End Has a Start," Editors

From the album An End Has a Start

Editors:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: More Brits! I am an editor, just not an Editor. — cwc

The Vowels: "In Dust We Trust," Chemical Brothers

From the album Exit Planet Dust

Chemical Brothers:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I bought this album after getting into Chemical Brothers' stuff on Dig Your Own Hole, and ended up liking this album even more. — cwc

The Vowels: Eric Avery, "All Remote and No Control"

From the album Help Wanted

Eric Avery:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Apparently he's playing gigs with Jane's Addiction again. Maybe they'll be good again. — cwc

The Vowels: Office, "Company Calls"

From the album A Night at the Ritz

Office:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I was hoping Dwight Schrute would be singing lead vocals on this. — cwc

And since I can't find a video for "Company Calls," enjoy this:

The Vowels: "Ill Love," Pete and the Pirates

From the album Little Death

Pete and the Pirates:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I'd like to see a battle of the bands with Pete and the Pirates vs. Paul Revere and the Raiders. — cwc

The Vowels: I Love Math, "Josephine Street"

From the album Getting to the Point Is Beside It

I Love Math:   MySpace

DJ comments: I used to tell people my favorite subject was math, until other kids mocked me for not saying P.E. It was then that I became a self-loathing jock. — cwc

The Vowels: Underworld, "Born Slippy (Nuxx)"

From the soundtrack album Trainspotting

Underworld:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Trainspotting was an event movie when it came out, at least for those of us in college at the time. — cwc

The B's: "Because," Elliott Smith

From the soundtrack American Beauty

Elliott Smith:   MySpace

DJ comments: Just watched American Beauty for the eighth time recently, and was reminded how great this song is once the end credits started rolling. — cwc

The B's: Beck, "Gamma Ray"

From the album Modern Guilt

Beck:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Yet another sweet groove from the Beckmeister. — cwc

The B's: Blind Pilot, "Go On, Say It"

From the album 3 Rounds and a Sound

Blind Pilot:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: A recent Google search yielded a headline that read, "Blind Pilot: Portland's next breakout indie band?" Perhaps. I like this song, anyway. — cwc

The B's: Born Ruffians, "Hummingbird"

From the album Red, Yellow & Blue

Born Ruffians:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I love bands that aren't afraid to turn lyrical nonsense into a great hook. — cwc

The B's: Black Kids, "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You"

From the album Partie Traumatic

Black Kids:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Will likes to sing along to the "Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance!" part in the car. He rules. — cwc

The B's: The Black Ghosts, "Tears from a Gun"

an iTunes "Discovery Download"

Black Ghosts:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: One of the 206 groups with the word "black" in their name that I like. — cwc

The B's: The Blows, "Two Minutes"

From the album Upskirts

The Blows:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I'm not entirely convinced that these guys aren't the Killers in disguise. — cwc

The B's: Bang! Bang! Eche!, "4 to the Floor"

From the ep Bang! Bang! Eche!

Bang! Bang! Eche!:   MySpace

DJ comments: That's pronounced Bang! Bang! Ekayzay! From the unsourced Wikipedia entry:

Bang! Bang! Eche! formed at a LARP (or Live Action Role Playing) convention in Minsk, Belarus. Centred around a mutual love for dinosaurs and cartoons, the original trio of Sullivan, Ryder, and Burgess began practicing across the road from a homeless shelter in early 2007.

After playing a a 10 date residency at local venue PartyCentral, the band recruited the duo of Worsley and Doney as security. Worsley was chosen due to her notoriety in underground fighting circles and Zach was always close to the band as he was the only person with a driver's license.

Over the next few months BBE began incorporating the two into their live performances, and thus the band grew to a five piece, with T'Nealle taking up bass parts, and Zach becoming "lead sermonizer".

Towards the end of 2007, Worlsey wrote the 5 songs which make up the band's self titled EP. The band has described the EP as "a five-track foray into the 'Land Before Time,' but in this case the dinosaurs play synths and sixteenth beats while the T-Rexes bust rhymes."

So yeah, there you have it... — cwc

The B's: Buffalo Tom, "Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here"

From the album Schoolhouse Rock! Rocks

Buffalo Tom:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: My son is really getting into the old Schoolhouse Rock! videos, so I thought I'd bust out a song from a mid-'90s tribute album. You might just learn something... — cwc

The Buffalo Tom version:



And the original:

The B's: Badly Drawn Boy, "Everybody's Stalking"

From the album The Hour of Bewilderbeast

Badly Drawn Boy:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: If you aren't into Badly Drawn Boy, start with the "Bewilderbeast" album and, well, maybe stop there. — cwc

The B's: "Blown a Wish," My Bloody Valentine

From the album Loveless

My Bloody Valentine:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: What!? Have I played these guys before? :) — cwc

The B's: Black Nite Crash, "Losing Kind"

From the album Array

Black Nite Crash:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Kinda feeling a Pacific Northwest vibe in my picks tonight (these guys are from Washington). I could do a lot worse than that. Based on their shoegaze sound and band name based on a song title from the band Ride, I'm guessing they kinda like the band Ride...and you should too. — cwc

The B's: "Black Eyed Dog," Nick Drake

From the album Time of No Reply

Nick Drake:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Kinda sad. Not much else to say. — cwc

The B's: The Breeders, "No Aloha"

From the album Last Splash

Breeders:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I loved this group something fierce back in the day. Unfortunately, they seemed to peak with the album that provides this song, as Title TK and Mountain Battles did nothing for me. — cwc

The B's: Bikini Kill, "Capri Pants"

From the album Reject All American

Bikini Kill:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: At the risk of reigniting the whole Riot Grrrl movement, I always thought Kathleen Hanna and Tobi Vail were both kinda hot. — cwc

The B's: "Been a Son," Nirvana

From the album Incesticide

Nirvana:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Kurt's dad must have been an awesome guy. — cwc

The B's: Bloc Party, "Trojan Horse"

From the album Intimacy

Bloc Party:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: We'll see if the new album stands up to the previous two. I do really like this tune, and the new single "Talons" is pretty good. You can get the album from the band right now, or wait until the 28th for retail joints to sell it. — cwc

The B Episode: "Baby Driver," Simon & Garfunkle

From the album The Essential Simon & Garfunkle

DJ Comments: MY GOD I LOVE PAUL SIMON! -- BJ

The B Episode: Beirut, "The Canals Of Our City"

From the album Gulag Orkestar

DJ Comments: The way these guys layer music is absolutely incredible. Thanks to the person who requested this song -- I would play Beirut in every show, but I don't want to be like Chris with his Cure obsession.

I actually had a couple come into Donnelly's a few weeks ago, and as we were playing Beirut over the speakers, they said, "Can we say something about this music? It's incredibly odd. It sounds like something you'd hear on the streets in Turkey... and we've been to Turkey before!" Had to include that.

The B Episode: "Baby," Of Montreal

From the album Cherry Peel

DJ Comments: I had to cut myself off at three songs with "baby" in the title. There are just so many good songs to choose from, baby! (Sorry, that was lame.) -- BJ

The B Episode: "Baby I," Amy Milan

From the album Honey From the Tombs

DJ Comments: Another lovely lady from my old favorite, Broken Social Scene. I never really listened to Millan's solo work because I thought it was all country. This song slapped me in the face and called me a moron.

The B Episode: "Bad Things To Such Good People," Pedro the Lion

From the album Winners Never Quit

DJ Comments: Pedro is always fitting on a rainy day.

So, about the album title and that whole "Quitters never win" thing... what about people who quit smoking or quit drugs? HUH?! -- BJ

The B Episode: "Between The Lines," Atmosphere

From the album Lucy Ford

DJ Comments: Atmosphere is playing at The Englert on November 5. The Englert seems like an odd venue, but I bet it would rock at the same time. -- BJ

The B Episode: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, "Ain't No Easy Way"

From the album Howl

DJ Comments: Howl is definitely the most dynamic of the B.R.M.C. albums. Take Them On... and B.R.M.C. are great, but each just kind of follows a single thread. -- BJ

The B Episode: "Barnacles," Ugly Casanova

From the album Sharpen Your Teeth

DJ Comments: I would have to say that I like this album more than any Modest Mouse album I've listened to. Not to say Modest Mouse isn't great, but Isaac really hit it on the head with Ugly Casanova. -- BJ

The B Episode: "Banana Ghost," Man Man

From the album Six Demon Bag

These guys just played here on Sunday (October 19). Sadly, I missed it. One of those things where it was my own damn fault... I really wanted to go too!

Anyway, I would highly suggest watching the video, as it is rather spectacular.

The B Episode: Broken Social Scene, "Fire Eye'd Boy"

From the album Broken Social Scene

DJ Comments: The sixth song off my second favorite BSS album. I've always had good luck with the sixth song on any album -- it always seems to be a gem.

I'd highly suggest going to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broken_Social_Scene and looking at all the musical acts related to BSS -- related meaning one member/former member of the band has some involvement. The list is enormous. -- BJ

The B Episode: "Beware," Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire

From the album Oh! The Grandeur

DJ Comments: Some of Bird's older stuff is great because he really shows the music that's influenced his career. His newer stuff is a much more evolved, modernized version of that. -- BJ

The B Episode: "Black Hole," She & Him

From the album Volume One

DJ Comments: A great take on some old songs. Plus it's M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel (that one chick who played the older sister on Almost Famous. -- BJ

The B Episode: "Black Jack," Mos Def

From the album The New Danger

DJ Comments: I think this is the most hip hop we've ever played in one show. -- BJ

The B Episode: "Blue Skies," Tom Waits

From the album The Early Years (Disc Two)

DJ Comments: It's strange listening to Tom Waits before the whiskey and cigarettes really soaked in. I'm pretty sure this song was released on a demo in '71. -- BJ

The J's: "Just Drums," Tapes 'n Tapes

From the album The Loon

Tapes n' Tapes:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: They have to be cool if David Cross is introducing them at concerts. I mean, he is MR. SHOW! — BJ

The J's: The Jayhawks, "Blue"

From the album Tomorrow the Green Grass

The Jayhawks:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I told my friend Jeff that our focus was the letter J, and he immediately responded with The Jayhawks. This one goes to to Jeff Erickson -- the biggest Hut Hot lover in Coralville. — BJ

The J's: Joanna Newsom, "Bridges and Balloons"

From the album The Milk-Eyed Mender

Joanna Newsom:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I know her voice is a little hard to take, but I still love her. Take it or leave it, just enjoy her harp playing. — BJ

The J's: "January," Headlights

From the album Some Racing, Some Stopping

Headlights:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: We haven't heard this Champaign, Illinois, band in a while -- probably because we played it a lot when it came out earlier this year. — BJ

The J's: "Jodi," The Dodos

From the album Visiter

The Dodos:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This is my second favorite female-named song on the album, right behind "Ashley."

It seems like these guys had their 10 minutes of fame, then fell off the air waves. I'm not sure why this one didn't stick around a lot longer. Maybe the flood just put a damper on the playing for this campus. — BJ

The J's: "Jeepster," T. Rex

From the album Electric Warrior

T. Rex:   Wikipedia

DJ comments: A prime example of how late-Sixties English rock was destroyed by all that Seventies' glam. I guess I shouldn't say destroyed -- I love their hair-filled release, Electric Warriior (1971). In reality, I love the idea of Glam Rock. I'll just be quiet now. — BJ

The J's: Jukebox, Cat Power

Song: "Silver Stallion"

Cat Power:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: God, she's hot.

This was originally a Highwaymen's song. Compare the two versions by watching the video below. — BJ

The J's: Jake One, "Trap Door (feat. MF Doom)"

From the album White Van Music

Jake One:   Web site   Wikipedia

DJ comments: Since I'm playing Hip Hop, I have to comment on this. If you haven't heard, Vibe voted Eminem the Best Rapper Alive.

My. God.

Anyway, this album is out this month off Rhymesayers. — BJ

The J's: "Jimmy," Of Montreal

Of Montreal:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Song sound familiar? This is Of Montreal's version of M.I.A.'s "Jimmy".

If you haven't already been, you should head to Of Montreal's Myspace page. It's an Eighties' lover's wet dream! — BJ

The J's: Joshua Radin, "I'd Rather Be With You"

From the album Simple Times

Joshua Radin:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: If you like this, he's playing at the Picador tonight and in Des Moines tomorrow. — BJ

The J's: "Just Another Day," Her Space Holiday

From the album Sleepy Tigers

Her Space Holiday:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Her Space Holiday released its new album xoxo, panda and the new kid revival on October 7. I've seen it featured on several music sites, so I'm assuming you should give it a listen. — BJ

Video for Japanese Gum

The J's: "Jump In the Pool," Friendly Fires

From the album Friendly Fires

Friendly Fires:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Is the genre DISCO featured anywhere but Europe? I know we scrapped disco when everyone started dying from AIDS and cocaine addictions. I guess a lot of Europe has Universal Health Care, so they don't really have to work about that kind of stuff. — BJ

The J's: Jenny Lewis, "Acid Tongue"

From the album Acid Tongue

Jenny Lewis:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This is the title track of Jenny Lewis's most recent release. I guess she doesn't like liars. — BJ

The J's: "Jesus On The Mainline," The Moondoggies

From the album Don't Be A Stranger

The Moondoggies:   Moondoggies on indieducky.com   MySpace

DJ comments: Harmonize, you Seattle Moondoggies! — BJ

The J's: Jane's Addiction, "Stop!"

From the album Ritual de lo Habitual

Jane's Addiction:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: My high-school Spanish was beneficial in figuring out the intro to this song. Thanks to last week's caller (the nice caller, not the douchebag caller) who requested some Jane's in the J mix this week. — cwc

The J's: Japanese Motors, "Single Fins and Safety Pins"

From the album Japanese Motors

Japanese Motors:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: A little surf rock, some lo-fi attitude, and I bet they get great gas mileage! — cwc

The J's: The Jesus and Mary Chain, "Never Understand"

From the album Psychocandy

Jesus and Mary Chain:   JAMC's Sub Pop web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Another song (along with the Japanese Motors tune) that I find to have more than a hint of Beach Boys influence. And I don't really like the Beach Boys all that much. Weird. — cwc

The J's: The Jam, "In the City"

From the album In the City

The Jam:   Wikipedia

DJ comments: These guys are the punk era's version of the Kinks, meaning the band that gets the least amount of praise for their contributions to music. The Sex Pistols flat-out stole this riff for "God Save the Queen"; I'm guessing the number of people who note the Pistols' contributions outnumbers Jam fans 20:1, at least. Bah. — cwc

The J's: "Just One Fix," Ministry

From the album Psalm 69

Ministry:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: My cousin Mark can be seen in Ministry's concert video, In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up, the stage-diving fool. — cwc

Check out William S. Burroughs in the song's video:

The J's: "Just Kickin' It Like a Wild Donkey," Minus the Bear

From the album This Is What I Know About Being Gigantic

Minus the Bear:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: One thing (and pretty much the only thing) about MTB that reminds me of Sufjan (who you'll hear later this evening): despite the goofy song and album titles, they both are really good. Hope many of you were able to enjoy the Picador show on Monday! — cwc

Minus the Bear will stare at you if you click play below:

The J's: Joy Division, "Digital"

From the album Substance

Joy Division:   MySpace

DJ comments: "This song is dedicated to Ian Curtis!!!!" (inside joke for me and my friend Sam.) — cwc

Here's the song as performed by the Control cast:



And a live version:

The J's: "July, July!," The Decemberists

From the album Castaways and Cutouts

Decemberists:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Colin Meloy might look like a hefty Dwight Schrute, but the man can rock. Check out the episode of Austin City Limits that the Decemberists shared with Explosions in the Sky for evidence. — cwc

The J's: "Jumpers," Sleater-Kinney

From the album The Woods

Sleater-Kinney:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: "Four seconds was the longest wait." Great way to end a song about leaping from the Golden Gate Bridge. — cwc

The J's: "John Wayne Gacy Jr.," Sufjan Stevens

From the album Illinois

Sufjan Stevens:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I remember listening to this song with my wife during a car ride some time ago. It got to the "he took off all their clothes for them" line, and she turned to me and said, "What the *%$!#$*& are we listening to?" to which I said, "You shouldn't end your sentences with a preposition."

Actually, I said, "It's a song called 'John Wayne Gacy Jr.,'" as if that made it all better. I'm not sure why I like this song; I think it's more that I respect the emotion Sufjan is able to extract from the listener. Even the melodramatic touches like the deep breaths at the end, that shit works for me.

But as a father, the song does disturb the shit out of me. You don't realize how f'd up things are until you consider the various things that could prey on your children. And that concludes my free birth control message. — cwc

The J's: "Jack Killed Mom," Jenny Lewis

From the album Acid Tongue

Jenny Lewis:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Jane's Addiction was by request from a random caller last week; this song was a recommendation from our friend Eric in Cedar Rapids. Jenny Lewis has been quite popular on KRUI recently...and Alphabet Soup this week! — cwc

The J's: Jurassic 5, "Quality Control"

From the album Quality Control

Jurassic 5:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: About six years ago, I was hanging out with one of my wife's cousins at a wedding reception, talking about music, and "the J-5" came up. I mentioned how they were one of the few current rap groups I liked, to which I was told "they aren't rap (sneer)." I know I'm old, but am I already deaf? Isn't this rap? — cwc

The J's: "Just Can't Get Enough," Depeche Mode

From the album Speak and Spell

Depeche Mode:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I know I've said this about 37 albums, but DM's Violator is definitely in my top 10 albums of all time. But today's song comes from DM's early days, when the synths were aweseome and hypercolor shirts were just around the corner. FUCK YEAH — cwc

The R's: Raveonettes, "Dirty Eyes (Sex Don't Sell)"

From the album Chain Gang of Love

Raveonettes:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I'm loving Mad Men right now, and this song sounds like something from that era. — cwc

NO video for "Dirty Eyes"; here's a Letterman performance from the same album.

The R's: "Rag and Bone," White Stripes

From the album Icky Thump

White Stripes:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Jack White burnout? Nope. — cwc

The R's: The Raincoats, "Lola"

From the album The Raincoats

The Raincoats:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: One of those bands beloved by Kurt Cobain. I put these guys ahead of Flipper but behind the Vaselines. — cwc

I usually hate posting these "album cover" videos from YouTube, but I love the Raincoats album cover, so here goes...

The R's: "Raincoat," The Blacks

From the album Nom de Guerre

The Blacks:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Come back to the Mill, Blacks! (Nice transition from the Raincoats to "Raincoat," no?) — cwc

No video for "Raincoat," but here's another Blacks tune, "Elegant Walk":

The R's: "Relax," The Glove

From the album Blue Sunshine

The Glove:   Wikipedia   MySpace

DJ comments: I love that the Wikipedia entry refers to these guys as a "supergroup." Sure, I think that, but does the common human being agree? — cwc

This is a video for a different song. Some videos are hilarious.

The R's: "Rio," Duran Duran

From the album Rio

Duran Duran:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Damn right. I pity you youngsters who didn't experience the peak of Duran Duran hype. Their videos rule—seriously!—as you'll see below. — cwc

The R's: "Remedy," Black Crowes

From the album The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion

Black Crowes:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: A great concert moment...me and three buds ordered tickets to see the Crowes a week before their show in Des Moines back in 1995. We got seats in like the very back of the Civic Center, but since the show was fast approaching, we were doing the will call thing with the tickets. We show up, and I give them my name. "Uh, no tickets for Chris Clair." I ordered the tix with a friend's card, so I gave them her name. "Oh yes, here you go. Row A, right up front, how nice!" We grabbed them without another word and spent the entire show getting blasted by Marc Ford's guitar monitor, but it was so worth it. Wonder how the people in our seats liked the show... — cwc

The R's: Ramones, "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker"

From the album Rocket to Russia

Ramones:   Web site

DJ comments: I didn't go to the Lollapalooza show in Des Moines in 1996, but some friends of mine did. The Ramones played in the stifling afternoon heat and never once shed the leather jackets. Studs! — cwc

The R's: R.E.M., "Pop Song 89"

From the album Green

R.E.M.:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Ah yes, I remember when this band was vital... — cwc



And if you want to see the video for this song (with boobies! and Michael Stipe rocking '80s metal hair!), click here.

The R's: Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Around the World"

From the album Californication

RHCP:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I used to love these guys. Then Frusciante left the band. I bought the Dave Navarro-RHCP album the day it came out. Liked it. For a few days. Frusciante came back. I like them again, but not nearly as much. But this album is great.

And to the guy who called in to complain about this song: Your mom told me to tell you to study harder. — cwc

The R's: "Razorblade," The Strokes

From the album First Impressions of Earth

The Strokes:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Too bad this band got hyped up so big; people forget how good they actually are. — cwc

The R's: Ride, "Seagull"

From the album Nowhere

Ride:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: One of the best shoegaze efforts ever. — cwc

The R's: "Road," Nick Drake

From the album Pink Moon

Nick Drake:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I mentioned Kurt Cobain earlier; I often wonder if Drake's death is more tragic. I think so. — cwc

"Road" is part of this video.

The R Episode: "Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second," Starfucker

From the album S********r

Starfucker:   Urban Dictionary:Starfucker   Band's MySpace

DJ comments: The first thing you see when you visit Starfucker's Myspace page is "No we will not change our name." Reading it for the first time, I knew I'd met my soul mate in band form.

These guys just signed to their record label (badman recording co. out of Portland); this is their debut album. This means there is yet another Portland band that rocks my socks off. I suppose this just solidifies my need to move to the Oregon city. — BJ

No videos. Sorry.

The R Episode: Random Spirit Lover, Sunset Rubdown

Song: "The Mending of the Gown"

Sunset Rubdown:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Saw these guys last Wednesday when they played at the Picador (thanks to Mission Creek). The show was awesome -- around 100 people there, which is perfect for the venue.

If the voice sounds familiar, go back to your old Wolf Parade albums and see if you notice a difference. — BJ

The R Episode: "Roll On Babe," Vetiver

From the album Things of the Past

Vetiver:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Did you know that Vetiver is a grass native to India?. Did you also know Vetiver, its members and its touring partners comprise about 1/6 of my play list today? I hope our listeners are green to that music. — BJ

The R Episode: "Ring of Gold," Pieta Brown

From the album In The Cool

Pieta Brown:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Pieta has an EP called Flight Time coming out on October 10th. Thus, she's currently on tour with Bo Ramsey. I can imagine that show would kick some ass. — BJ

Pieta and Bo Ramsey doing Muddy Waters

The R Episode: "Rave On," Buddy Holly

From the album Greatest Hits

Buddy Holly:   Web site   Wikipedia

DJ comments: I've been itching to play a Buddy Holly song, but continued to put it off 'til now. Enjoy him or die. — BJ

The R Episode: "Re: Stacks," Bon Iver

From the album For Emma, Forever

Bon Iver:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Remember last year when Chris couldn't stop playing and talking about BON IVER!? Yeah, we went on a much needed hiatus, but now it's time to bring it back. So, Chris, how was that concert again? — BJ

The R Episode: Return to Cookie Mountain, TV On The Radio

Song: "Wolf Like Me"

TV On The Radio:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I was shocked when I saw that we'd never played TV On The Radio since starting up Alphabet Soup. Chris seemed to not care so much. Regardless, this is a great album from TV On The Radio. If you haven't heard their newest release, I've been told it's rather incredible. — BJ

I believe the first track from this album was the first song you and I played on KRUI, pre-Soup days. It was one of the first two or three songs in our KRUI history, anyway. They rule. — cwc

The R Episode: "Ringing In My Ear," Adem

From the album Homesongs

Adem:   Adem on NPR   MySpace

DJ comments: Added this guy at the end after seeing his name and performance in this week's Vetiver video from the 0 Degrees of Separation Tour. I just love those random finds. — BJ

The R Episode: Radiohead, "Optimistic"

From the album Kid A

Radiohead:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Gotta have Radiohead in an R show.

Kid A is probably one of my all-time favorite underrated albums. A lot of people call on OK Computer or their earlier albums (Radiohead scored a top-selling single with "Creep" from their first album Pablo Honey), but this was obviously when Thom Yorke really grasped his current, signature sound. I guess some people don't like that because he "strayed from what Radiohead was really about."

Whatever. — BJ

The R Episode: "Rejoicing In Hands," Devendra Banhart

From the album Rejoicing In Hands

Devendra Banhart:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: And this ends the 1/6 of Devendra Banhart/Vetiver-related music for this episode on kRui. — BJ

The R Episode: "Re-Entry Means Less," Umbrella Sequence

From the album Sparkler Cliché

Umbrella Sequence:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Minneapolis-based band. I would highly suggest listening to their song "Loop Theory". — BJ

The R Episode: "Reprise," Grizzly Bear

From the album Yellow House

Grizzly Bear:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I really need to get another Grizzly Bear album. — BJ

The R Episode: "Rawhide," The Blues Brothers

From the album The Blues Brothers Soundtrack

DJ comments: I saw this and knew immediately that it was meant to be played on this show. Please, dear God, watch the video. — BJ

The M Episode: "March of the Pigs," Nine Inch Nails

From the album The Downward Spiral

Nine Inch Nails:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I've decided that being on after a talk sports radio show demands a pretty big, attention-grabbing first song. I'm pretty sure this one will do accomplish that. — BJ

The M Episode: Midlake, "Roscoe"

From the album The Trials Of Van Occupanther

Midlake:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I feel like I've had Midlake on my computer for a really long time, but I haven't listened to it until I had to look through my M's. What a great band! — BJ

The M Episode: M83, "Graveyard Girl"

From the album Saturdays=Youth

M83:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: So, M83 is described as a Shoegaze band on its Myspace page. I've seen the genre name before, but I've never really understood what it meant. Just in case anyone else was also curious, I decided to google the term.

According to Wikipedia, Shoegaze is

a genre of alternative rock that emerged from the United Kingdom in the late 1980s. It lasted until the mid 1990s, peaking circa 1990 to 1991. The British music press (notably NME and Melody Maker) called this genre "shoegazing" because the musicians in these bands often maintained a motionless performing style, standing on stage and staring at their effects pedals or the floor while playing their instruments; hence, the idea that they were gazing at their shoes.[1] The shoegazing sound featured extensive use of guitar effects, and indistinguishable vocal melodies that blended into the creative noise of the guitars. Few shoegazers were dynamic performers or interesting interviewees, which prevented them from breaking through into markets in the United States.

And there you have it. — BJ

The M Episode: The Miracles, "Love Machine, Pt. 1"

From the album Motown 1's

The Miracles:   Web site   Wikipedia

DJ comments: Chris told me this is what his wife plays for him every time he walks in the door after work. — BJ

The M Episode: The Mountain Goats, "Cotton"

From the album We Shall All be Healed

The Mountain Goats:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This one goes out to the anonymous fan who requested it last week. Hope you enjoy an entire show devoted to your M request!— BJ

Emedding disabled by request. To see the video, click here. Otherwise you can watch some fake rap video below:

The M Episode: Mostly Bears, "Airports"

From the album The Ed Mitchell Clinic

Mostly Bears:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Who the hell is Ed Mitchell? — BJ

The M Episode: Mott The Hoople, "All The Young Dudes"

From the album Juno

Mott The Hoople:   Wikipedia

DJ comments: David Bowie wrote this song for Mott The Hoople. It was featured in Ziggy Stardust long before you kids all saw it on Juno. — BJ

Woah, hair!

The M Episode: "Magic Hour," Fruit Bats

From the album Mouthfuls

Fruit Bats:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: So... there are an unusual number of videos on Youtube where fruit bats are humping or doing other sexual things. I couldn't NOT play one:

The M Episode: "Masters of War," Bob Dylan

From the album The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan:   Web site   Wikipedia

DJ comments: It was between this Dylan song and "Man of Constant Sorrow" -- chose this one because of the incredible depth of political issues we're all drowning in right now. Funny how history constantly repeats itself. — BJ

The M Episode: M. Ward, "Chinese Translation"

From the album Post-War

M. Ward:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This is obviously the most popular M. Ward song, seeing as it's been played it on nearly ever night talk show. — BJ

Official Video:


"Chinese Translation" on Letterman:

The M Episode: "My Old Ways," Dr. Dog

From the album We All Belong

Dr. Dog:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I love what The Fader said about Dr. Dog:

Not that any great band really comes from anywhere expected or anything, but HOLY FUCK where did these guys come from?

— BJ

The M Episode: "Maddening Cloud," Blonde Redhead

From the album Misery is a Butterfly

Blonde Redhead:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Haven't listened to Blonde Redhead in a while. I was kind of thrown off their scent, which captivated me for a long time, after I was rather unimpressed with their Coachella performance a couple years ago. — BJ

Another M song by Blonde Redhead:

The M Episode: "Mother," Page France

From the album Sister Pinecone

Page France:   Daytrotter   MySpace

DJ comments: Just in case you didn't know, this album is pronounced PINE-CONE, not PIN-A-CONE. Go figure. — BJ

The M's: Clint Mansell, "Crimin' and Dealin'"

From the soundtrack album Requiem for a Dream

Clint Mansell:   MySpace

DJ comments: Part of one of the greatest scores to one of the all-time greatest movies. Nice way to open up the second half of the show. — cwc

The trailer features this song in some form:

The M's: "Mixed Bizness," Beck

From the album Midnite Vultures

Beck:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This is from one of Beck's overlooked albums. This is a fun song from a fun album. Cure fans can have fun. — cwc