in which a kamikaze heart is a straight up piece of guilty pleasure pop

so, a number of years ago now, i used to torture the husband with mandy moore’s candy. being the hipster music snob he is, he would give me these deep, long looks of despair and disapproval and mutter things like, “i thought you had taste,” and “my respect for you has slipped some.” he was mostly kidding. but the plain … Read More

in which i chat with tina dico + album review

so, it’s hard not to be impressed by danish singer-songwriter tina dico’s career. she’s in her early thirties and has already formed a record label on her own (early in her career, natch), won the equivalent of denmark’s oscar for a soundtrack she wrote, and is a multi-platinum artist who has outsold acts like coldplay and U2 in her home … Read More

in which matthew and the atlas make good use of a banjo

so, here’s what you need to know about matthew and the atlas: they’re pretty awesome. and here’s why – i know i’m constantly harping here on my blog about how underrated the piano is in music nowadays, but matthew and the atlas utilizes the other grossly underused yet great instrument: the banjo. yes, i said banjo. and man, do they … Read More

album review: searchlight by only son

so, i’ve finally got a chance to listen to only son’s newest album searchlight. i really dig how, when listened to, it doesn’t feel like the same song over and over again, just with new lyrics. each song has a very distinctive feel to it, like they’re separate people whispering their stories to you. jack dishel, the man behind only … Read More

in which laura jansen + piano + a sad song = beauty

so, when i first played this song for the husband, he was like, “what a shocker, you’re listening to mopey chick rock.” he unfairly claims that 70% of my ipod is filled with this sort of music (it’s not, i swear, but even if it was, SO WHAT?), so i sort of feel the need to clarify that i don’t … Read More

in which ari hest releases two new singles

so, ari hest has a new album coming out, his first in four years. ari is an interesting artist who, rather than conforming to what a label wanted him to be, opted out of his contract so he could write and perform music the way he wanted. the lead single off of his new album, how will i know, is … Read More

in which a walk through walls takes you back to the 80’s

so, as i’ve said before, i’m a gen-xer. i have no shame admitting i adore music from the 80’s and still listen to it often. and songs that have 80’s bits and pieces to them? love ’em, because it’s like they have the best parts of both worlds. case in point, kyla la grange’s new single walk through walls. while … Read More

in which a weighty ghost wants to be set free

so, in full disclosure, i discovered today’s song in a pretty cheesy new syfy show called being human. what the show is about is irrelevant, because i’m not even sure i can handle watching much more of it, but weighty ghost by canadian indie rockers wintersleep, is totally worth a listen. it’s all about dissatisfaction and feeling uncomfortable in one’s … Read More

wordless music post #19

find/buy this print at etsy HERE. (mp3) flow by laurie anderson learn more about laurie anderson, and her grammy nomimated song flow, HERE.

in which a tudor song is turned in a rocking, groovy tune

so, back when i was idealistic and thought, oh hey, i can really be anything i want to be (as opposed to my much more sensible goal now of becoming a published author), i planned on being an archaeologist who specialized in roman and medieval britain. no, i’m not joking. alas, the job field for that particular speciality is minute … Read More

in which a cover of a U2 song just might be better than the original

so, many years ago (or so it seems), the best friend introduced me to a really awesome australian movie called looking for alibrandi, which is based on the best-selling book of the same name. sometimes i almost wish she hadn’t shown it to me, because it’s rarely on television and only available on dvd coded for some other country (and … Read More

in which the head and the heart sings a perfect slice of americana

so, the seattle based the head and the heart has a really great sound that combines a number of themes: folk, rock, americana and alt-country. mellow at times and driven at others, the quintet sweeps their listeners away with gorgeous mixes of guitars, piano, drums and violins (piano! you know how i love me the piano!). case in point: down … Read More

in which a song transports its listener to the catalinas

so, today i wanted to share another song by the amazing amy seeley, who loyal readers will remember from two posts in late 2010 which discussed her album plum coulee. catalinas, a single released before plum coulee, is an interesting mix of folk and techno. it’s got a hypnotic piano beat i really dig, giving the song a unique sound … Read More

in which jesse harris offers a free live EP

so, jesse harris has just released an EP of live songs from through the night (read my review of that album HERE). you can stream the EP below, or if you want the free mp3s, simply head over to jesse’s facebook page and leave a comment with #livemusicisbettermusic – you’ll be sent a download link. Get the Jesse Harris widget … Read More

wordless music post #18

find/buy this print at etsy HERE. (mp3) girlfriend in a coma (the smiths cover) by noah and the whale

video for a saturday – lost things

so, i’ve got to admit, i lovelovelove this song and video. it’s got a very alice in wonderland feel to it, and i am such a sucker for all things alice. this is probably my big song crush of the moment… too bad it’s unreleased as of yet! find out more about a fine frenzy HERE.

in which the cowboy junkies cover vic chesnutt

so, back when i was an undergraduate in college, i worked for awhile at a movie theatre. there were these cds that we had to play over and over again, soundtracks for people to sit in theatres and wait for their movie to start to. it’s safe to say in one eight hour shift, i’d hear a song maybe…fifteen? twenty … Read More