The Mountain Movers hail from New Haven, Connecticut, which is under mountains of snow right now, so I guess they have their work cut out for them. A friend recently described their record “Let’s Open Up the Chest” to me as “hipster church music,” which sounded promising but I wasn’t sure exactly how. Pleasantly surprised I am – what we have here is big, wide open country rock, with shades of Camper Van Beethoven / Cracker as well as a bit of Cake and Mother Hips. Going back further, this actually sounds a lot like The Band.  On the single “When I Die,” a massive Hammond organ grows tornadoes around a miles-deep-in-the-pocket bass and drum groove, with rootsy guitar and piano accompanying sublime, chill vocals like a sunset over calm seas. Quite lovely.

The Mountain Movers
“When I Die” (mp3)
from “Let’s Open Up the Chest”
(Safety Meeting Records)

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Vic Chesnutt’s craft is at such a high level, between lyrics and voice and accompaniment, that listening to his songs one can forget oneself and become entirely transported into the musical picture. “Chain” from his latest album, is a soft cinematic masterpiece, each instrument a character, conversing and dancing ethereally with the protagonist/singer, illuminating a scene far more nuanced and colorful that pop music is expected to be. Perhaps this is why Mr. Chesnutt’s reputation amongst pop stars is so well established – to list his famous admirers would be something of a cliché at this point – while his own fame among the general public is still relatively limited. The quality of this work is so self evident all I can suggest is, download it and have a listen. And if you’re wondering if the rest of the album, and indeed the rest of the output from this artist is as original and beautiful as this, this answer is yeah, it is.

Vic Chesnutt
“Chain” (mp3)
from “At the Cut”
(Constellation)

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In the best tradition of modern Americana, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada’s Ox delivers an unhurried, wide as the sky ode to futility. The guitar work here is stellar, shiny and stark, accompanying a delicate lyric that could fall down so easily in one misplaced word, but it never does. Gorgeous harmonies and a full, superb lead vocal, lift this from a simple lament to something far more glorious. I don’t often find myself in the mood these days, for sad country music, but when I do, it has to be this good.

Ox
“Burnout” (mp3)
from “Burnout”
(Weewerk)

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Easily mistaken for a “jam band” at first listen, The Mother Hips are on closer inspection a tight, country flavored rock unit in the tradition of The Band and other 60’s and 70’s masters of song arrangement and organic, live combo playing. Plopped as they were by fate in the early 90’s, the Hips’ sweet guitar serenades and soulful harmonies were in contrast to the flood of Nirvana sound-alikes which came to dominate the airwaves then. Signed to Rick Rubin’s American Records for a while, then back to indie life, these generous and talented musicians remained true to their art through it all, never straying from their vision nor trying for to fit into any style but their own. Commendable, but more importantly, their music is gr8. This single, “One Way Out” is from their most recent album, “Pacific Dust,” and it’s a gem.

The Mother Hips
“One Way Out” (mp3)
from “Pacific Dust”
(Camera Records)

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A band name like that can be the headline of my post, sure, why not? Here is some alterna-pop that is a cut above the noise. Edgy and minutely arranged, “Heart Surgery” by The Aimless Never Miss weds prog rock sensibilities like odd time signatures and angular, syncopated riffs, with a more contemporary emo-ternative lyrical approach. Emoternative? But yes! The guitars and vocals on this track are quite beautiful. The pieces all come together to evoke a unique feeling that is delicious yet hard to describe. Ultimately, that is what original art accomplishes, isn’t it? Lovely work from this Cotati spawned, San Francisco / Oakland based California band.

The Aimless Never Miss
“Heart Surgery” (mp3)
from “Tran EP”
(500 Records)

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I swear if Paul Westerberg were born in the Appalachians instead of Minneapolis, he would have started a hillbilly band and recorded this song. Or I could say, if Bill Monroe were a young New Yorker, he might have done. These are compliments to all parties, if there’s any wondering. Curtis Harvey, at the time of this writing, has a whopping 47 myspace friends for his brand new solo outing, in which he emerges from a respectable run as a multi-instrumentalist with Rex, Pullman and others, to take the leading role. Listen to the beautiful guitar and banjo arrangement, and picture perfect lyrics of the single “Oldertoo,” and I’m sure you’ll agree this was an idea whose time had come. A gr8 new music find, folks, from a brilliant under-discovered artist, on the visionary Fat Cat Records label. Enjoy.

Curtis Harvey
“Oldertoo” (mp3)
from “Box Of Stones”
(Fat Cat Records)

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Soul music legend Eddie Floyd has been singing, recording and touring for something like five decades, and the man shows no sign of letting up today. This classic recording of “Ninety-Nine and a Half” is pure molten gold – just puts a lot of more contemporary records flat to shame, I’m afraid.  Probably best known for “Knock On Wood” – a song he co-wrote with Steve Cropper which was a hit in 1966 and subsequently covered by like a hundred major artists, some of whom also charted with it – Eddie Floyd is a real as real gets. Listen to his voice on this, and then tell me how you feel about the auto-tuned piffle that’s so prevalent these days. This is a gr8 record you should have at the ready, to heat up those cold winter nights.

Eddie Floyd
“Ninety-Nine and a Half” (mp3)
from “Sweet Soul”
(LocoBop)

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In the lush, synthetic universe, inhabited by Bear In Heaven, anything can happen. The arrangement of “Wholehearted Mess” is surprising at every turn, with each bridge, verse and chorus opening a new door. An unusual and inspired chord progression, expressed in bold strokes on saturated, pitch-melting keyboard patches, frames a sweetly understated vocal magnificently, and it all adds up to, well, a wholehearted mess. Lovely, original work.

Bear In Heaven
“Wholehearted Mess” (mp3)
from “Beast Rest Forth Mouth”
(Hometapes)

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Beginning with a sweet and ponderous bell intro that hints of Balinese Gamelan music, Sleep Whale’s “Cotton Curls” evolves into a weaving, waving, softly delicious dream. Rather extreme filters and other effects on the vocals add to the originality of the piece, rather than distract from it. Intriguing and foreign, while strangely accessible and distinctly human. Also, I have to say arbitrarily, really perfect early autumn Sunday afternoon music. So it goes up today! Enjoy.

Sleep Whale
“Cotton Curls” (mp3)
from “Houseboat”
(Western Vinyl)

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Virtuoso acoustic guitar jam fer daze. Perfect find for the slow autumn drizzle that descends like fine mist on this SuperFan’s Oaksterdam home today. “Today is forever, now that we are through” is the haunting refrain that frames this instrumental exploration of steel string slide guitar, furious pluckin’, and one suspects, a little blood.  Mad @ The Live Creek? Or Live @ The Mad Creek? Take your pick. Mad flatpickin’ from a talented solo artist on the ever lovin’ ItsAboutMusic label.

The Lew Jones Act
“Today Is Forever” (mp3)
from “Mad @ The Live Creek”
(ItsAboutMusic.com)

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With a voice that reminds favorably of Steve Earle and Bob Dylan, Wisconsin’s Graham Lindsey has an arresting way with words and a painfully clear gaze on the human condition. His minimal, elegant accompaniment seems to draw as much from European folk musics as it does from more distinctly American forms. This song grows with repeated listens – on first pass I was moved, by the third time I was convinced this is major. What a magnificent, smart, and poetic lyric. I get angry when I discover artists like this, who deserve a lot more exposure than they are likely to get during this age of corporate ersatz musik. But b4 I get on that soapbox again, let me just say: TWO MONTHS TO GO! I have posted a song a day for all of 2009, and I am proud to share and shout about each and every one of them. Give this mp3 a spin, and if you like it as much as I think you will, do yourself a favor and pick up the perfectly titled album – “We Are All Alone in This Together” on SPACEBAR Recordings. I bought it after posting another Lindsey gem called “Old Roger” back in August. A gr8 record from an artist who merits our support. Thanks, getting off soapbox now! Love, SuperFan

Graham Lindsey
“Tomorrow is Another Night” (mp3)
from “We Are All Alone in This Together”
(SPACEBAR Recordings)

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Still. To this day. Iggy Pop is my favorite rock star. And like it ever was, you either get this music or you don’t. It’s well known, to the point of being a cliché, I suppose, that nothing under the sun has rocked any harder than Detroit’s four horsemen, the first harbingers of punk rock, The Stooges. Yet there will always be new generations to be inspired, enthralled, elevated, corrupted, disgusted and possibly destroyed by the insane power of this singular act. The bare frontal assault of sex, gleeful aggression and reckless abandon perpetrated by Iggy and the Stooges in the early 70’s obliterated much that was making mainstream rock music increasingly unbearable at the time. Yet it didn’t become clear until years, even decades after the last echoes of Ron Ashton’s apocalyptic power chords finally faded away, what had happened.

Iggy And The Stooges
“Cock In My Pocket” (mp3)
from “Metallic K.O. – The Original 1976 Album”
(Jungle Records)

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Ah, the travails and adventures of a good motorcycle road trip. Somewhere between a Bob Dylan yarn and a Lynyrd Skynyrd cautionary tale, we find Nathaniel Street West seeking help from a stranger, sleeping under a stove and running for his life. I won’t tell ya the rest, that would be a spoiler. But I am delighted to present this honky tonk, rock and roll, blues-y fried number for your listening pleasure.

Nathaniel Street West
“Motorpsycho Nightmare” (mp3)
from “Light Out For The Territory”
(Puffin Records)

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This band is a trip. Their bio is entertaining in itself, but it would only amount to a cute story if it the music didn’t rock so. “Easy,” the lead off track from Deer Tick’s latest full length, “Born on Flag Day,” features some brave, intuitive combo playing and lovely instrumental work. Chief tick John Joseph McCauley III sings with a wild man’s spirit and effortlessly good pitch, which isn’t something you hear in your average drunken indie garage band. The lyrics are engaging and intriguing, and these ticks have excellent guitar tones, too. So what’s not to like? Have a listen.

Deer Tick
“Easy” (mp3)
from “Born on Flag Day”
(Partisan Records)

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Well it is Sunday after all. Last Sunday of September no less, in that lovely precipice between summer and fall. Lots of block parties and festivals, reggae and hippie bands playing back to back in the park, punkers and ravers looking on amused, pondering the similarities between Jerry Garcia’s guitar playing and the meanderings of a ganja soaked mind. Our song for today, fellow music lovers, is one of love, unity, and (allegedly!) 420 active ingredients. Will segue nicely into Peter Tosh’s “Legalize It” or Bob Dylan’s “Everybody Must Get Stoned.” From Fortville, Indiana, I give you Rich Hardestry and his friends, singing.. um.. wait, what was I saying? Oh wow.. the day just got hella wider. I might need to bake some cookies and build a tree castle.

Rich Hardesty
“All My Friends Are Stoners” (mp3)
from “The Comic Musings of Rich Hardesty”
(Uproar)

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Rediscovered in recent years through re-releases and bootlegs of her classic 1970’s records, Betty Davis’ amazing voice and incendiary vision blew away the walls between soul, funk, and rock. I’ve crowed about her in these pages before, but I think we need another dose of her exquisite musical medicine. The vocal on this song is an unrestrained outburst of passion that is physically affecting. This is the uncut, the real, the antidote to auto-tune. Take it away, Betty!

Betty Davis
“Is It Love Or Desire” (mp3)
from “Is It Love or Desire”
(Light In The Attic)

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True Brian Wilson love is shown here by Choir of Young Believers – aka young Danish singer-songwriter and producer, Jannis Noya Makrigiannis. Actually this sounds like a blend of Air (the French poptronica duo) and Pet Sounds, spiked with sweetly cynical lyrics reminiscent of The Pixies. The towering vocal harmonies really do sound like a choir of believers – quite a trick from a solo artist. Gorgeous work.

Choir of Young Believers
“Action/Reaction” (mp3)
from “This is for the White in Your Eyes – Bonus Track Version”
(Ghostly International)

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Dramatic headline, yes, but I had to get your attention. For the record, K’Naan is the real deal. The exploding buzz around this young Somalian expatriate is entirely justified by the quality of his output. His music is fearlessly original and widely accessible, with lyrics that are nothing less than profound. You’d never guess that English is K’Naan’s second language, but indeed, he mastered it by studying and emulating the hip-hop and rock artists that he loved as a kid. Check his media rich website, and illuminating wikipedia article for some background. This mp3 is gr8, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg. This is a major, major talent, and he’s going to be a big star. For all the right reasons.

K’Naan
“I Was Stabbed By Satan” (mp3)
from “The Dusty Foot Philosopher”
(Interdependent Media)

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Update, Sep. 23 – Wouldn’t you know it! K’Naan and J. Period have made a tribute to Bob Dylan, Fela Kuti, and Bob Marley. Read about it on Henry Adaso’s about.com blog. Makes sense. Gotta hear that one too.

This is beyond cool. This is so way beyond cool I can’t say much about it. Words are trivialized before the over-arching way very damn wow cool of this. Melvin Van Peebles – painter, actor, recording artist, star of big screen little screen and purty much everything else – lays it down funky and I mean funky. I might just hafta write a letter now. With a pen. Remember pens? This is some happy, gr8 music. Enjoy.

Melvin Van Peebles
“Come on Write Me” (mp3)
from “Confessionofa Ex-Doofus-Itchyfooted Mutha”
(YEAH INC / MAGIC CITY RECORDS)

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Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, now living and performing in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Ben Kyle is an old school song smith whose music echoes his transatlantic journey. There’s so much heart in this track, it practically bleeds out the speakers. An accomplished vocalist with gr8 songs, teamed up with a dynamic and sensitive backup band that breathes his every line like it’s their own, well, this is the sort of stuff stars are made of.

Romantica
“Queen of Hearts” (mp3)
from “America”
(2024 Records)

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How happy can one Superfan be? Did I just find Chuck Berry’s hits “Maybellene,” “Memphis” and more, on a new comp, available as legal DRM-free mp3? And they had the generosity and sense to make  “Johnny B. Goode” a free promo track? Catch me! I give you, ladies and gents, one of the greatest singles of all time, by the man who probably more than anyone else deserves credit for inventing rock and roll. This sounds as joyous and powerful now as it did in 1958. What an amazing song, cut live in the studio (that’s the only way technology allowed back then!) with guitar, upright piano, drums and bass, and Chuck Berry wailing out over the top.

Chuck Berry
“Johnny B. Goode” (mp3)
from “The Essential Collection”
(Spectra Records)

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Graham Lindsey’s latest album, “We Are All Alone in This Together” is one of the freshest country records to come along in recent memory – a hard left and several states away from your standard Nashville fare. Lindsey’s first brush with fame came at the tender age of 12 as a member of the punk novelty trio, Old Skull, and he has since grown into a full fledged singer-songwriter with a distinct and original voice. On “Old Roger,” the troubadour’s punk roots shine through as clearly as his love for Bob Dylan and Ramblin’ Jack Elliot. A gritty work of great imagination.

Graham Lindsey
“Old Roger” (mp3)
from “We Are All Alone in This Together”
(SPACEBAR Recordings)

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Aussie singer-songwriter Nik Phillips wields a large palette, with which he paints fearlessly. Recklessly even, and I mean that in a good way. The starkly titled “So Alone” rips through a dark empty room, illuminating the spidery corners with a wondrous spectrum. There is light, but can anyone see it? Summer of love fluffy barefoot music this is not! Mind bending power-pop prog-rock this is. Psychedelic music with teeth.

Nik Phillips
“So Alone” (mp3)
from “Nik Phillips”
(IMI)

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Wow. Someone reached deep for this one. Whether it sprang from the voice of experience, or simply an awake songwriter, “Find Your Own Dumpster” is “Brother Can You Spare A Dime” for post-industrial America. Every line is precious. Musically, it sounds like Nirvana staggering drunk through a Hendrix record with Camper Van Beethoven in tow, howling along. Gritty, relevant work from Austin’s Bankrupt and the Borrowers. No bailout here I expect, but this is definitely too big to fail!

Bankrupt and the Borrowers
“Dumpster” (mp3)
from “Beers on the Bible”
(SPAT! Records)

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With a criminally catchy chorus, delirious electro pop dance tracks, and ecstatic, unspeakably cool vocals, this gem from Eskimobot made my day. Blatantly, shamelessly pop though it is, “All Around Town” is nonetheless a subtle triumph. A shimmering soliloquy that succeeds so well in putting a listener in the storyteller’s shoes, it’s almost eerie. I’ve played it about 10 times now, as I try and figure out how to say exactly how much I love it without gushing. Oops! 2 L8!  Enjoy, this is a smash.

Eskimobot
“All Around Town” (mp3)
from “Lullabies for Insomniacs”
(Sanguine Recordings)

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“What’s all this about walking on air?” asks Amy Allison in her quietly stunning revelation about love, “Why Must It Be?” Allison’s unique voice and unpretentious melodic inventions have brought her recognition amongst country pop aficionados, including Dave Allen and Elvis Costello – both of whom collaborated on her latest full-length of original material. The musical combo is top notch, the production simple yet tastefully inventive. Unexpected fat sax section parts sit beautifully atop a sultry swing country drum shuffle, all of it providing spotless accompaniment for the song’s nakedly honest lyrics. GR8 work, as pretty as it is real.

Amy Allison
“Why Must It Be?” (mp3)
from “Sheffield Streets”
(Urban Myth)

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The Steve Earle penned hit “The Galway Girl” as sung by Earle himself – as one of the stellar guests on The Best Of Sharon Shannon. Just GR8, completely unpretentious, old school music. Matter o’ fact, this record speaks for itself so well, I think I’ll stop talkin! You can read about Sharon Shannon’s remarkable career on her wiki. Enjoy.

Sharon Shannon, Steve Earle
“The Galway Girl” (mp3)
from “The Galway Girl – The Best Of Sharon Shannon (Bonus Track Version)”
(The Daisy Label)

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A completely dry and honest acoustic guitar recording lays the foundation for this tale of toil and striving. Sharon Lang builds this song in an unhurried, softly ominous way, her purring whisper-sing getting richer and warmer with each verse. A naked singer-songwriter testimony, without a shred of protection from accompaniment or cute production tricks. Tip o’ the hat to Moose for this yummy discovery. Enjoy with those Sunday pancakes.

Sharon Lang
“Skyline” (mp3)
from “Lovers and Thieves”
(Per Capita Records)

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Brooklyn’s Santogold continues her massive roll in 2009. Here is one of the tracks that propelled her to international recognition in ‘08. This is not an artist locked in any genre set. Instead, she hits genres head-on like a bowling ball, sending the pins flying every which way. “L.E.S Artistes” is a gem, with Santogold’s voice floating luminescent over tracks that will sound bright and new even years down the road.

Santogold
“L.E.S Artistes” (mp3)
from “Santogold”
(Lizard King)

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Oh my, what a GR8 song. The Mother Truckers never fail to raise the little hairs on the back of my neck, with their passionate, sexy and original (yes original!) take on rootsy American rock and roll. There’s just there’s n0thing not to love about the dashing married couple of Josh Zee and Teal Collins, and their miles-deep songwriting, singing and instrumental talents. If you luv ya’s some roadhouse rockin’ don’t come a knockin’ bed sock hoppin’ then be warned! Once you hear this you may have to pick up all their records. I did.

The Mother Truckers
“Streets of Atlanta” (mp3)
from “Let’s All Go to Bed”
(Funzalo Records)

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For Dave Coleman, recording music is about capturing a moment when it happens, rather than creating the impression that a moment happened with the endless menu of studio tricks available these days. With that philosophy, his band The Coal Men made their album Kids With Songs on an old 16 track analog reel to reel tape machine, mostly live in the studio, and the result is lovely. In a Stones, Replacements and Elvis Costello ballpark, but with a distinctly Nashville slickness and southern twang, this is an old school record that more than holds its own in the new school world. Fans of the Jayhawks, Wilco, and the Old ’97’s are gonna love this.

The Coal Men
“Nightingale” (mp3)
from “Kids With Songs”
(Funzalo Records)

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When we come across a title like “Lust In Space” by an artist named Trailer Park Rangers, our expectations run understandably high. This record does not disappoint. I hear everything from Bob Dylan and Joe Strummer to David Byrne and Captain Beefheart, in front-ranger David T. Carter’s voice, with a crack steel string and vocal harmony ensemble accompanying him as only veteran musicians can. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, from the storied Northern California towns of Graton and Petaluma, the Trailer Park Rangers. Outstanding work.

Trailer Park Rangers
“Lust in Space” (mp3)
from “Lullabies of All the Mess”
(FlightSafe Music)

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A lazy summer folky pop song, as sweet and refreshing as lemonade in the shade when the Mercury tops 100. This Los Angeles based artist known simply as Wisely lives up to a name that could easily be considered pompous. The vocal has that Beatle-y double tracked sound and it works brilliantly over a clear-as-day acoustic guitar snuggle. Refreshing!

Wisely
“Through Any Window” (mp3)
from “Wisely”
(Ella Records)

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Hot hot hot! Str8 up rubber-burnin’ soul-rockin’ country rock from Larry Pancake.

Larry Pancake
“Harley Ridin’ Woman” (mp3)
from “Everyday”
(9 Lives Records)

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Without gimmicks or slick production tricks, Australia’s Revelators win the old school way: with great composition and performance. It’s nice to hear music like this – so rooted in American country, blues and rock – stand out today, and sound original and contemporary in its own right. Real high quality stuff here.

The Revelators
“When the Spell Is Broken” (mp3)
from “The Revelators”
(Head Records)

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Ryan Adams now legendary meltdown on Jim DeRogatis‘ answering machine made the rounds back in ‘04 and soon became immortalized on the Interwebs. Utterly hilarious, or unbearable depending on your perspective, this is what happens when an artist gets one too many personal insults from a critic, throws decorum to the wind and fires back. Little could Adams know that his rant would soon be downloaded millions of times and take on a momentum of its own.  I happen to like Ryan Adams’ music a lot, but I think I’d be down with this even if I thought it was shite! Little lite humor for your holiday fun =)

Somewhere in the Milky Way between Pink Floyd and Portishead there is a mysterious shining comet with guitars and a beautiful wailing female lead vocal, soaring across the night sky. ALyX’s debut is strong and accomplished, more the work of a veteran than a newcomer. Somehow I expect gr8 things from this stylish Texas songstress.

Alyx
“Bluest Skies” (mp3)
from “ALyX! – EP”
(Intravenous Records)

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The great Jerry Butler revisits his hit song “He Don’t Love You Like I Love You” and takes it higher with the wisdom of a man who has lived it all at least twice. And the lyrics – “he’s had so many rehearsals” – I mean give me a break! This is a top flight old school song by a class performer and a truly great singer. Hats off to Jerry Butler.

Jerry Butler
“He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You)” (mp3)
from “Brand New Me”
(LocoBop)

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Take a truly old school motor city blues, with guitar and piano boogying and harmonica wailing out, add 100% contemporary lyrics and you get a modern classic of industrial strength blues. Perfect lemonade made out o’ some raw lemons.

Harmonica Shah
“Blues for Ford, Chrysler and G.M.” (mp3)
from “If All You Have Is a Hammer”
(Electro-Fi Records)

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The inimitable Del tha Funky Homosapien. This guy is so many heads and shoulders above most of his peers, they can’t even see that high. He’s the missing Bugs Bunny cartoon when the Tasmanian Devil, Elmer Fudd and Daffy all died. Sit down.

Del tha Funky Homosapien
“Jaw Gymnastics” (mp3)
from “Both Sides Of The Brain”
(Hieroglyphics Imperium)

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Supertramp goes to Monty Python’s house! Radiohead visits Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood? Jellyfish takes some real acid! Mmm, trippy, fun song from a band simply called Clues. We study, we consider, we try to add it all up and solve the mystery.

Clues
“Perfect Fit” (mp3)
from “Clues”
(Constellation)

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What a total hit. Great song, great vocal, great recording, great in every way.

Cha Cha, Tony Evans and His Orchestra, Tony Evans
“Mercy” (mp3)
from “Dancebeat 15: Don’t Stop the Music: Latin Heat 7″
(Tema International)

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Here’s some trippy psychedelic modern pop with some really innovative sounds. Great female vocal. Excellent, original work.

Tune-Yards
“Sunlight” (mp3)
from “Bird-Brains”
(Marriage Records)

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Truly this is some sweet soul music. Old school meets new school for the best of both worlds!

Soul Of Black John
“Black John” (mp3)
from “Black John”
(Eclecto Groove Records)

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Whenever I think of Cake now, I remember this quote from my landlocked buddy, Trans Am:

Amazing that a band like Cake could come from Sacramento. Not that there’s anything wrong with Sac, other than it’s a barren land of government sleaze, oppressive heatwaves, and xanax yuppie despair. Hey, I can say that, I’m from Fresno!

Hehe.. well let me try a reverse approach: ANY city that can birth a band like Cake can’t be ALL bad! Even if the guvernator is there and all, and they can’t pass a budget and they’re closing the parks and schools and letting the rich run amok and steal everything and hide in private country clubs without paying a dime and basically letting the state go to sh!t, but NONE OF THAT IS CAKE’S FAULT!!

Cake
“Jolene” (mp3)
from “Motorcade of Generosity”
(Upbeat Records)

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Jolene is a wonderful and funny song. This album is full of wonderful and funny songs. Buy it before Ah-nold shuts down teh Internets.

Hmm. You want to hear a beautiful new female pop voice? Look no further than Natalie Walker. The musical arrangement here is just exquisite and her voice is one in a million. I like Natalie as much for what she does with her voice, as for what she doesn’t do. A common malady in radio-friendly pop these days is to over-emote, and drench every line with so much inflection that style becomes gimmick and whatever song lies underneath is buried. No so so with this lady. Walker sings with boatloads of style, but it is a symptom of the meaning and the feeling of the song she is singing. She doesn’t have to overstate anything, because the work is good, the craft and art are brilliant, so there’s nothing to gloss over.

Natalie Walker
“Over & Under” (mp3)
from “With You”
(Dorado Records)

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As I listen to this on repeat, I like it better each time. And I realize what has been bugging me about so much pop music lately, is that it’s become a cover-up, a sham, an imitation of itself. You can auto-tune a few hooky lines and cram it on top of a half-decent composition and fool half the people half the time these days, maybe because they’ve been starved for good new music for too long. Which is where my passion comes in: I truly love finding something like this, and sharing it with as many people as I possibly can. Adult contemporary without being dull, alternative modern without being stupid. Check it out.

If you survived the early 80’s then you remember Heavy Metal Mondays at your local beer swilling trough. The stage would be overrun by furry, speed-addled stoners named Lars and James and you’d laugh and say, these guys are never going anywhere, and wait for the sold out new wave show on Friday. Ok, well maybe you didn’t. But this artist who goes simply by the name of Carlos, I think he knows exactly what I mean. Gr8 song, Carlos, way to put it to song.

Carlos
“Heavy Metal Monday” (mp3)
from “Devil’s Slide”
(Amazing Grease Records)

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A str8 up dancehall rocker from the brilliant and lovely Nadine Sutherland. Signed by Bob Marley himself to Tuff Gong records when she was a teenager, Sutherland has throughout her career blasted through stereotypes with her fresh delivery, sincere approach and real class.  Big Tingz is her latest single and it lives right up to its name! Spin this when ya needs ta move a lickle.

Nadine Sutherland
“Big Tingz” (mp3)
from “Big Tingz”
(Eight76 Records)

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When I think of Juliana Hatfield, I think of that Replacements song, Sadly Beautiful. She’s a brave and lovely soul, and this is a real grown up record from the former Blake Baby. Redemptive and powerful work from this tireless lyricist, sometime rock star, and club touring veteran.

Juliana Hatfield
“Shining On” (mp3)
from “How to Walk Away”
(Ye Olde Records)

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Shamelessly romantic, shamelessly pop, delightfully sweet and sincere and just basically shameless, this is one of those songs you just know would be a hit if pop radio weren’t a dead thing rotting in a coffin under the Clear Channel building. Well, anyway I really like it. Enjoy.

Ian McGlynn
“I’ll Bring You Diamonds” (mp3)
from “Diamonds EP”
(Bailey Park Records)

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