From the album Highly Refined Pirates
Minus the Bear: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: I felt this song was incredibly appropriate as the lead-off tune for our first installment of Fall Semester, 2008. The lyrics are right up the alley of all you expats, former expats and future expats. I feel like studying abroad is kind of one thing that sums up a lot of people's college experience and that's what this song is about.
Also, and this is BIG news for me, Minus the Bear is playing at The Picador on Monday, October 13. I had a fabulous time with the boys of Minus the Bear the last time they came through, so plan on making it! — BJ
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
B: "Be Here Now," Mason Jennings
From the album Boneclouds
Mason Jennings: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: I work at Donnelly's Pub and this song plays constantly... it has become one of those defining songs for a time and a place. And with that, I have to throw in a Donnelly's promotion:
IF YOU LIKE GOOD MUSIC AND GOOD FOOD, DONNELLY'S PUB IS WHERE IT'S AT! *wink*
— BJ
The embedding option is disabled for the video. To see the video, click here.
Mason Jennings: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: I work at Donnelly's Pub and this song plays constantly... it has become one of those defining songs for a time and a place. And with that, I have to throw in a Donnelly's promotion:
IF YOU LIKE GOOD MUSIC AND GOOD FOOD, DONNELLY'S PUB IS WHERE IT'S AT! *wink*
— BJ
The embedding option is disabled for the video. To see the video, click here.
C: "Cecelia," Simon and Garfunkel
From the album Bridge over Troubled Water
Simon and Garfunkel: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: I have this Best of Simon and Garfunkel CD that I probably bought my freshman year of high school. I recently put it in my car radio and let it play through a couple times. This is one of the single best road tripping songs ever recorded. How can you not want to throw your steering wheel to the side, causing your car to veer into a ditch when you listen?
On a side note, has anyone seen Simon and Garfunkel recently? Yikes! Click here to see what I'm talking about. — BJ
Simon and Garfunkel: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: I have this Best of Simon and Garfunkel CD that I probably bought my freshman year of high school. I recently put it in my car radio and let it play through a couple times. This is one of the single best road tripping songs ever recorded. How can you not want to throw your steering wheel to the side, causing your car to veer into a ditch when you listen?
On a side note, has anyone seen Simon and Garfunkel recently? Yikes! Click here to see what I'm talking about. — BJ
D: "December, 1999," Jolie Holland
From the album Catalpa
Jolie Holland: Web site MySpace
DJ Comments: I HAD to include Jolie Holland in our first show mix -- she's an absolute favorite of mine. This soft New York artist is known for her lyricism and bluesy voice. If you haven't heard of her, check out her other albums Springtime Can Kill You and Escondida, or her work with The Be Good Tanyas.
Good news for J.H. fans -- she's putting out a new album, The Living and the Dead, in October!
Jolie Holland: Web site MySpace
DJ Comments: I HAD to include Jolie Holland in our first show mix -- she's an absolute favorite of mine. This soft New York artist is known for her lyricism and bluesy voice. If you haven't heard of her, check out her other albums Springtime Can Kill You and Escondida, or her work with The Be Good Tanyas.
Good news for J.H. fans -- she's putting out a new album, The Living and the Dead, in October!
E: "Enjoy the Silence," Division Day
From the album Covers EP Project
Division Day: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: Almost as good as the Depeche Mode original. Actually, it's not even close, but that isn't necessarily an insult to Division Day. — cwc
No vid for Division Day, so here's the DM original, directed by Control director Anton Corbijn:
Division Day: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: Almost as good as the Depeche Mode original. Actually, it's not even close, but that isn't necessarily an insult to Division Day. — cwc
No vid for Division Day, so here's the DM original, directed by Control director Anton Corbijn:
F: "Forgive Yourself," The Little Ones
G: "Great DJ," The Ting Tings
H: "Hurricane Jane," Black Kids
From the album Partie Traumatic
Black Kids: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: I don't like this band because Pitchfork loved them last year. I don't like this band because Pitchfork hates them this year. I love this band because the music is like the Cure when they have fun (think "Lovecats," "Why Can't I Be You?"). Don't let the Pitchdork "LOLcatz" review of Black Kids's first full-length dissuade you. In fact, that should have been an endorsement. — cwc
Black Kids: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: I don't like this band because Pitchfork loved them last year. I don't like this band because Pitchfork hates them this year. I love this band because the music is like the Cure when they have fun (think "Lovecats," "Why Can't I Be You?"). Don't let the Pitchdork "LOLcatz" review of Black Kids's first full-length dissuade you. In fact, that should have been an endorsement. — cwc
I: "In Fear and Faith," Circa Survive
From the album Juturna
Circa Survive: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: This band is an OLD favorite of mine. I have a friend who recently reminded me that they still exist. I also didn't know that the lead singer, Anthony Green, has a fantastic, more upbeat solo collection as well. Anyway, Juturna is a great album if you like quasi-emo, indie rock. — BJ
Circa Survive: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: This band is an OLD favorite of mine. I have a friend who recently reminded me that they still exist. I also didn't know that the lead singer, Anthony Green, has a fantastic, more upbeat solo collection as well. Anyway, Juturna is a great album if you like quasi-emo, indie rock. — BJ
J: "Journey of the Featherless," Cloud Cult
From the album Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes)
Cloud Cult: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: My friend Cameron told me this album was a "good all the way through, must have," so I immediately bought it from iTunes (that's right, some people still buy some of their music). I haven't really had time to sit down with any of the songs, but you can see all the fun stuff the band chose to post about itself: http://www.cloudcult.com/news.htm. Another fun thing about this band -- they're from Minneapolis, which means there are plenty of opportunities to see them! — BJ
Cloud Cult: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: My friend Cameron told me this album was a "good all the way through, must have," so I immediately bought it from iTunes (that's right, some people still buy some of their music). I haven't really had time to sit down with any of the songs, but you can see all the fun stuff the band chose to post about itself: http://www.cloudcult.com/news.htm. Another fun thing about this band -- they're from Minneapolis, which means there are plenty of opportunities to see them! — BJ
K: "Kids," MGMT
From the album Oracular Spectacular
MGMT: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: For anyone who doesn't know, the name is pronounced "management". This album was just really starting to make some noise at the end of spring semester. I'm sure had Chris and I had more opportunities to play music over the summer, this would have made the list a lot. All in all, this is a great dance/party album from start to finish.
Fun fact for MGMT listeners -- there will be a show at People's Court in Des Moines on Oct 1. — BJ
MGMT: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: For anyone who doesn't know, the name is pronounced "management". This album was just really starting to make some noise at the end of spring semester. I'm sure had Chris and I had more opportunities to play music over the summer, this would have made the list a lot. All in all, this is a great dance/party album from start to finish.
Fun fact for MGMT listeners -- there will be a show at People's Court in Des Moines on Oct 1. — BJ
L: "Lesson 3 (History Of Hip Hop)," Steinski & Double Dee
From the album What Does It All Mean? - 1983-2006 Retrospective
Steinski & Double Dee: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: I love the Creative License on his Web site. He is an "Attitudinal Producer," "Troublemaker," and he's known as "Mr. Steinski to you."
I debated between his three "Lessons", especially because there was one that focused on the work of James Brown. This third Lesson was a little too good to pass up, though. For a little history on how these Lessons came to being, check out Waxy.org. — BJ
Steinski & Double Dee: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: I love the Creative License on his Web site. He is an "Attitudinal Producer," "Troublemaker," and he's known as "Mr. Steinski to you."
I debated between his three "Lessons", especially because there was one that focused on the work of James Brown. This third Lesson was a little too good to pass up, though. For a little history on how these Lessons came to being, check out Waxy.org. — BJ
M: "Mercury," Bloc Party
From the album Intimacy
Bloc Party: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: The new single from Kele and Co. I still wonder if someone stole the band's entire stock of guitars; I go back to Silent Alarm to remind myself of what they do best. But this song has grown on me, despite Kele's goofy "Mer-Mer-Mer-cu-ry" delivery. — cwc
Bloc Party: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: The new single from Kele and Co. I still wonder if someone stole the band's entire stock of guitars; I go back to Silent Alarm to remind myself of what they do best. But this song has grown on me, despite Kele's goofy "Mer-Mer-Mer-cu-ry" delivery. — cwc
N: "NYC Boy," Jill Cunniff
From the album City Beach
Jill Cunniff: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: I always liked the Beastie Girls. I'm glad Ms. Cunniff is still hard at work. Get Luscious Jackson's In Search of Manny and try not to shake yr booty. — cwc
I didn't have the "L" this week, but let me drop this "Lazy Girls" video on you, since I can't find a "NYC Boy" vid:
Jill Cunniff: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: I always liked the Beastie Girls. I'm glad Ms. Cunniff is still hard at work. Get Luscious Jackson's In Search of Manny and try not to shake yr booty. — cwc
I didn't have the "L" this week, but let me drop this "Lazy Girls" video on you, since I can't find a "NYC Boy" vid:
O: "Orphans," Beck
P: "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)," Michael Jackson
From the album Thriller
Jacko: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: The New York Post and the Daily News write some great headlines, and Jacko used to be the subject of many a gut-buster. Two of my personal favorites.....
"Lisa Marie to Jacko: You're HIStory" (a story about their divorce; if you don't know, Jacko has a compilation album called HIStory)
"Wacko Jacko Backo" (this was after the King of Pop was released from a hospital stay)
So why Jacko? For one, he just turned 50 last Friday; two, he shares that birthday with our very own Brittany Jade. — cwc
This is not an official vid for P.Y.T., but it's equally hilarious.
Jacko: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: The New York Post and the Daily News write some great headlines, and Jacko used to be the subject of many a gut-buster. Two of my personal favorites.....
"Lisa Marie to Jacko: You're HIStory" (a story about their divorce; if you don't know, Jacko has a compilation album called HIStory)
"Wacko Jacko Backo" (this was after the King of Pop was released from a hospital stay)
So why Jacko? For one, he just turned 50 last Friday; two, he shares that birthday with our very own Brittany Jade. — cwc
This is not an official vid for P.Y.T., but it's equally hilarious.
Q: "Quiet Houses," Fleet Foxes
From the album Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: I fell in love with this band over the summer, even though Chris's skeptical voice continues to harp against their harmonization. They just signed onto Sub Pop in Seattle and have started making a pretty big splash on charts and sites like Metacritic.com. For instance, check out their appearance at Daytrotter.
I would have preferred playing "White Winter Hymnal" instead of this song, but Chris had "W" and I needed a good "Q". I decided to post that song's video on this blog entry instead (see below).
I have to thank my friends Pink Sarah and Brown Sarah for giving me this record for my birthday. It sounds even better on vinyl, ladies! — BJ
Fleet Foxes: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: I fell in love with this band over the summer, even though Chris's skeptical voice continues to harp against their harmonization. They just signed onto Sub Pop in Seattle and have started making a pretty big splash on charts and sites like Metacritic.com. For instance, check out their appearance at Daytrotter.
I would have preferred playing "White Winter Hymnal" instead of this song, but Chris had "W" and I needed a good "Q". I decided to post that song's video on this blog entry instead (see below).
I have to thank my friends Pink Sarah and Brown Sarah for giving me this record for my birthday. It sounds even better on vinyl, ladies! — BJ
R: "Rich Woman," Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
S: "A Sunday Smile," Beirut
T: "The World May Never Know," Dr. Dog
From the album Easy Beat
Dr. Dog: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: It just wouldn't be a full serving of Alphabet Soup if I didn't cheat by putting "The" as my T letter. Despite Christopher's distaste for this little habit of mine, I hope he understands that "THE" is a word that starts with "T"!
(So when we return to artists, I can play The Cure at C AND T! Sweet! — cwc)
Seriously, though. Dr. Dog is an UNBELIEVABLE band. My favorite bass-wielding chick friend, Miss Mannix!, introduced me to this group from Philadelphia. If you're interested, Dr. Dog is making their Midwest stops in Omaha (9/29), Kansas City (9/30), and Madison (10/1). — BJ
Dr. Dog: Web site MySpace
DJ comments: It just wouldn't be a full serving of Alphabet Soup if I didn't cheat by putting "The" as my T letter. Despite Christopher's distaste for this little habit of mine, I hope he understands that "THE" is a word that starts with "T"!
(So when we return to artists, I can play The Cure at C AND T! Sweet! — cwc)
Seriously, though. Dr. Dog is an UNBELIEVABLE band. My favorite bass-wielding chick friend, Miss Mannix!, introduced me to this group from Philadelphia. If you're interested, Dr. Dog is making their Midwest stops in Omaha (9/29), Kansas City (9/30), and Madison (10/1). — BJ
U: "Unforgettable Season," Cut Copy
V: "Vivrant Thing," Q-Tip
W: "Wasted State of Mind," ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead
X: "X Marks the Spot," Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers
Y: "You Remind Me of Home," Ben Gibbard
From the album Home Volume V
Ben Gibbard: MOG
DJ comments: I don't hate Ben Gibbard, and I'm guessing most of you don't either. — cwc
Ben Gibbard: MOG
DJ comments: I don't hate Ben Gibbard, and I'm guessing most of you don't either. — cwc
Z: "Zombie Graveyard Party!" Be Your Own Pet
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