Jerry's Pick: "Plaster"

"PLASTER"-BEAST PATROL

You know that old "judging books" adage?  Turns out that proverb works for band names too.

As I was about to hit "play" on a song called "Plaster" from Beast Patrol, I was limbering up my neck for some serious head-banging while expecting to hear sounds akin to Megadeth meets Gargamel blaring from my speakers.

Instead, just the opposite happened.

The Beast Patrol single "Plaster" is what music from Surfer Blood would sound like after downing a couple shots of NyQuil.  But I mean that in a good way.

The track's drowsy feel is due to a combination of Vanessa Bley's lazy, subtle, dreamy vocals and Robert Granata's distorted, whammied, reverb-heavy power chords.  "Plaster" is actually quite intoxicating, providing you just relax and let the song's surreal sound-waves wash over you.

Apparently the Brooklyn-based trio has only been together for a little over a year and "Plaster" (one of four new tracks from an EP titled Fierce & Grateful) was a tune Vanessa had with her long before going on Patrol.

“‘Plaster’ came so quickly when I wrote it. Total explosion. I actually hated it at first because it was so personal, but over time the lyrics applied to more and more,” Bley explained to Rolling Stone. “We all fall apart and try to clean it up. It’s important to step outside yourself and try to get in. Keep the beast in check.”

So, no need to be afraid.  Go ahead… get (placidly) plastered! 

Jerry's Pick: "Closer"

"CLOSER"-TEGAN AND SARA

Indie-rockers Tegan & Sara have been on my favorites list for quite a while and I've been surprised they have yet to score a hit single on the US pop charts.  I mean, "Back In Your Head," "I Know I Know I Know" and "Walking With a Ghost" were all chart-worthy in my book. But it now looks as though the identical twins from Alberta, Canada may finally get that shot with a track from their forthcoming seventh album Heartthrob, due out this January.

Working with Greg Kurstin (who just recently help put P!nk's "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)" into Billboard's Top-10) -- Tegan & Sara have come up with their most radio-friendly recording to date, a perfectly crafted piece-of-pop called "Closer."  Like other T&S tracks the synths are there, but not in your face… and their lyrics (about young love) come with an uptempo hook that should grab a hold of your ears not long after that first listen.  (I'm guessing the way the girls twist those last syllables upwards suggest innocence.  Or flirtation.  Maybe both?)

Tegan Quin told Rolling Stone, "Although I do imagine that this would be an okay song to make out to, all I intended was to write something sweet that reminded the listener of a time before sex, complicated relationships, drama and heartbreak.  In short, I was writing about my youth -- a time when we got closer by linking arms and walking down our school hallway, or talked all night on the telephone about every thought or experience we'd ever had."

Okay… your first piece of business is to get "Closer."  Next, check those Tegan & Sara tour dates as they're opening up for the Killers this month and then the Black Keys in November and December.  Now that's a pair of terrific twin, twin bills!  Matthew & Gunner never had it so good.

Jerry's Pick: "93 Million Miles"

"93 MILLION MILES"-JASON MRAZ

On the heals of Phillip Phillips comes another "Home" song, but this one is 93-million times better.

Actually, the song's parent album (Love Is a Four Letter Word) has been out since the beginning of this year but Jason's record company is just now pushing this beautiful ballad as his next single. The acoustically-driven "93 Million Miles" flows so effortlessly from beginning to end -- punctuated with a Dorothy Gale-like axiom that is not-so-hidden in the middle-eight.

Using astronomy as an analogy, Mraz shines a loving lyrical light on the love of a mother, the wisdom of a dad.  But be it your parents, a friend, a place or someone who is in your heart 365/750, "home" can be a very powerful, moving concept.  And Jason does wonderful work of melding words and music into a heavenly homage to home.

Jerry's Pick: "Fitzpleasure"

"FITZPLEASURE"-∆

And now for something completely different.

This alternative track isn't for everyone… but I have to admit that it's thoroughly bizarre and totally buzz worthy.

"Fitzpleasure" is a schizophrenic blend of bass-booming synthesizers, acoustic breaks and unhinged, falsetto, Gregorian-like vocals that seem to be sung in some made-up foreignish language.  But, upon further review, the lyrics are indeed English and a bit disturbing to boot.

Turns out "Fitzpleasure" is basically a literary reference to "Tralala," one of six chapters to the controversial 1964 novel "Last Exit to Brooklyn." In the book, Tralala is a prostitute who makes a living propositioning sailors and stealing their money. In the end, Tralala is gang-raped and culminates with a death by broom. Because Joe Newman's nasally vocals are a bit difficult to decipher, here's a look at the song's lyrics:

"Tralala, in your snatch fits pleasure, broom-shaped pleasure;
Deep greedy and Googling every corner.
Dead in the middle of the C-O-double-M-O-N,
Little did I know then that the Mandela Boys soon became Mandela Men.
Tall woman, pull the pylons down,
And wrap them around the necks of all the feckless men that queue to be next.
Steepled fingers, ring leaders, queue jumpers, rock fist paper scissors, lingered fluffers.
In your hoof lies the heartland
Where we tent for our treasure, pleasure, leisure, les yeux, it's all in your eyes.
In your snatch fits pleasure, broom-shaped pleasure,
Deep greedy and Googling every corner,
Blended by the lights."

By the way, the British foursome goes by the Greek symbol ∆, which in mathematics signifies uncertainty or change.  But instead of "Delta," they prefer to be called "Alt-J" which they claim is how you create ∆ on an Apple keyboard*.

(*Incidentally, on my iMac it's "Option-J…" but ∆ is still most definitely Alt.  Very Alt.)

Jerry's Pick: "Anything Could Happen"

"ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN"-ELLIE GOULDING

Ellie Goulding burst onto the pop music scene earlier this year with "Lights," and while this folk-synth single is still bouncing around on the US pop charts, the English singer-songwriter didn't waste any time issuing a new track from her next album (Halcyon) which is set to be released in early October.

"Anything Can Happen" is still electro-pop, but a little bit poppier… even danceable.  The track begins almost Laurie Anderson-like with Ellie's stuttered, sampled vocals, then immediately launches into a booming marching backbeat behind her layered, almost trance-like quivering, innocent sounding voice.

Her lyrics seem to lament over a past relationship gone bad, but the overall message is definitely optimistic. The repetitive nature of the lines "Anything can happen" and especially "I know it's gonna be" both build up to an uplifting pay-off… a soaring, catchy chorus of electronic "Ooohs!"

And I love her poetry, especially the lines: "After the war we said we'd fight together; I guess we thought that's just what humans do." And then later: "Baby, I'll give you everything you need; But I don't think I need you."

Ellie explained to MTV News, "I suppose it's one of those songs where I sort of talk about bits of my childhood, but also about my friendship with this person, and, um, I suppose it's a song of realization." She added, "I hope it will provoke positivity, as opposed to make people really sad."

Jerry's Pick: "Breathing Underwater"

"BREATHING UNDERWATER"-METRIC

I've been a fan of Metric -- the Toronto alternative four-piece combo -- since I first heard "Gold Guns Girls" on the Zombieland soundtrack a couple of years ago.  Their fifth album, Synthetica, was released last June and features a track which recently caught my ear.

The song is "Breathing Underwater," an introspective yet inspiring single delivered via the angelic voice of lead crooner (and keyboard cutie) Emily Haines.  Emily handles the words effortlessly with pitch-perfect, flowing vocals… especially when she hits the chorus. Whenever she sings "It's my life," Emily emphasizes that last word with just a little bit of sass, and then her voice is delightfully double-tracked each time she gets to the song's two-word title making it virtually impossible not to sing along.

This uplifting track is layered beautifully with "Streets Have No Name"-styled guitar riffs and Emily's rolling synthetics, all of which are kept in time with Joules Scott-Key's march-like snare.

Although this indie-band has been around since 1998, I feel this is their best effort… so far. Click on the title above to sample the song for yourself. Enjoy!

Jerry's Pick: "What Went Wrong"

"WHAT WENT WRONG"-UNTIL JUNE

I like this track.  I'll admit, it took a few plays.  Probably because I was, at first, listening intently to only the lyrics. Once I took a couple steps back, it began to coalesce.

There's a brief 3-2-1 keyboard countdown and then the band immediately launches into a Coldplay-like jangly guitar barrage, backing off just in time to hear a heartbreaking plea: "Will you wait for me, when I come for you?"

The band is Until June, a Phoenix trio featuring ASU brothers Josh (vocals/keyboards) and Dan Ballard (guitar) with drummer Daniel Dempsey. Josh plays the part perfectly.  You can hear the hurt in his falsetto as he reflects on a relationship that meant the world to him.

"What Went Wrong" is the first single off of the band's second album, Young & Foolish.  According to Josh, “We decided that the most artistic way to present the songs on Young & Foolish was not just about how the melodies or chord progressions were constructed, but also the way my vocals came across. We didn’t want to have them right in your face like typical pop tracks, but rather tucked underneath.”

Side note: Until June has been around since 2000, but after five-years of struggling to make it in the music biz the band set a deadline saying that they would keep working hard "until June" of 2005 to score a record deal or they would call it quits.  Not only did they sign with a label, but they got a meaningful group name out of it as well.

Jerry's Pick: "Playing For Keeps"

"PLAYING FOR KEEPS"-ELLE KING

Here's a young bleach-blonde with an old soul and a bluesy voice accentuated by a perfect mix of grit and rasp.

Her sound is similar to Adele, but with depth.  Joplin, Holiday and Duffy also come to mind.

Singer, songwriter, multi-instumentalist Elle King feels every single syllable that rolls effortlessly out of her mouth on "Playing For Keeps," one of four original tracks off of The Elle King EP.  Despite being in her early-20's, the crackles in her voice hint at a seasoned veteran who sounds as if she's been performing in smoky bars for decades.

"I grew up loving Etta James and Aretha Franklin and Al Green and Otis Redding, and I just love old-school R&B," King told Vanity Fair. "It’s just music that moves you and grooves you, and it was very important, I think, for music. That sound was, and still is today, my favorite. And I also love country."

You may have caught Elle performing "Playing For Keeps" last week on Letterman or heard it as the theme song to the new VH1 series, "Mob Wives: Chicago."  Regardless, you should be playing "Playing For Keeps" as this one definitely is a keeper.

Incidentally, Elle is the daughter of comedian Rob Schneider and model London King.  Yeah, she made the right choice. The surname "King" works way better when you're singing the blues.

Jerry's Pick: "Sleep Alone"

"SLEEP ALONE"-TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB

I was happy to hear that Two Door Cinema Club has finally released a new single (which you can sample by clicking the music video below)! But if you've never heard of the Irish trio, I strongly recommend listening to a couple of tunes from the group's last album, Tourist History, first. "Something Good Can Work" and "What You Know" are two of the best indie-tracks of 2010 and still get recurrent spins on my iPod. Their latest, "Sleep Alone," is a bit more polished than anything on the band's first disc. Their new single may have lost a bit of the band's indie-edginess, but it's still a fine-crafted pop-tune… especially down to the track's final 30-seconds where they channel a bit of Viva la Coldplay.

Regarding their new album, singer Alex Trimble said, "Beacon is a much more intimate record than our first, but at the same time, it's much bigger and more inclusive. Trying to find that balance has been our goal for a long time and this record takes us one step closer to the band we've dreamt of becoming." 

The rest of Beacon will see the light of day in early September.

-Jerry Steffen

New Music "Picks of the Week!"

I'm kind of bummed.

I just learned Chumbawamba has called it quits after 30-years. Not... sure... if I can go on. That sudden and very unexpected news kind of bowled me over.  But, you know what? I'm not gonna let it get the best of me. I may get knocked down... but I get up again!

Anywho... here are a few interesting, just-released, recently discovered tunes that you'll want to add to your collection too!


"AT HOME"-CHRYSTAL FIGHTERS

Not quite sure where to file this one. How 'bout, Euro-electronic-alternative-folk-something-or-other.  This love-song is as diverse as the band's make-up. Chrystal Fighters is comprised of three guys and two gals... one American, two English, two Spanish... all experimenting in pop music, but with a definite Basque twist.

According to the band, "We are kind of like the sound that would be created if The Velvet Underground and The Gypsy Kings were to travel back in time to the Pyrenees, 1980, and make a record with Skream, Madlib and Luciano on production."

Huh?

All I know is that I like this track because it's definitely different, decidedly dreamy and the perfect antidote for whenever your ears overdose on Carly Rae Jepson.

"BLOW ME (ONE LAST KISS)"-P!NK

Do we really need another angst-driven, female empowered, tough rock-chick, piss-off single from P!nk?  Hell, yeah!!

She sings, "I won't miss all of the fighting that we always did. Take it in, I mean what I say when I say there is nothing left. I am sick, whiskey-dick, no more battles for me. You'll be calling a trick, cause you'll no longer sleep." You go, Grrrl!

The chorus may not be as catchy as "So What," but... so what?! "Blow Me" is a punchy P!nk sing-a-long hit with the usual dose of potty-mouth P!nk wit.

Double-entendre, anyone?

By-the-way... her new album (The Truth About Love) will be available in September.

Here are three other multifarious musical treats that, coincidentally, have one small thing in common... they are definitely down!

"SETTLE DOWN"-NO DOUBT

"PUT THE GUN DOWN"-ZZ WARD

"WINDOWS DOWN"-BIG TIME RUSH

New Music "Picks of the Week!"

Welcome back, new music maniacs! Glad to see you're still staying ahead of the curve.

By-the-way, you can listen to each of the tunes on these pages by clicking on the song title.  If you've been having problems with the link, you may have better luck through Firefox.  But if you're trying to play them via your iPad or iPhone... sorry.  Blame Apple.

Okay, here's your chance to be the first on your block to play these recently-released, soon-to-be-hit singles! Ready... GO!

"SHE'S SO MEAN"-MATCHBOX20

I've been a big fan of Matchbox20 from their start when they stopped up for a fun interview and a memorable acoustic performance of "Long Day" on my Orlando radio show just after they signed their first record deal and shortly before the release of their debut album in 1996.  Well, it's been over a decade since the last all-new MB20 album, but I'm happy to say that Rob Thomas and crew have come up with another gem.

Using a classic power-pop recipe featuring sharp guitar riffs, hand-claps along with that same passion Thomas supplied for "Smooth," Matchbox20's "She's So Mean" has hit-single written all over it... to the degree that if you avoided listening to radio altogether (like I do), this song will still find a way to seek you out.  So, you might as well give in now as the parent album (North) won't be out until September 4th.

Incidentally, Thomas pointed out that "She's So Mean" is not about his wife.  Instead, it's “really a tongue-in-cheek song about a girl who keeps doing you wrong, but you can’t stay away. Like a drug, every guy and girl have had someone like that in their life at some time or another.”

"GIMME TWICE"-ROYAL CONCEPT

This act sounds more like Phoenix than Phoenix sounds like Phoenix. But, after further review, they're actually a Swedish band that was originally called The Concept. But after they discovered there was another group on the East End called The Concept they had to rename themselves The Royal Concept. Then when The Concept decided to revert their name to The Regulars, The Royal Concept briefly considered going back to The Concept but instead thought, "What's the point?"

From what I understand, this track was recorded in Dublin so it's entirely safe to crank it up to 11.

Got time for two more? Great! These are pretty damn good too!

"CHANGE"-CHURCHILL

"NEXT TO ME"-EMELI SANDE

New Music "Picks of the Week!"

I am such a rock 'n' roll purist that I went through all of my iTunes songs and inserted and/or replaced the supplied album cover pic with the track's single artwork instead. It took a while to complete the project, but now I have a wider variety of images which are more directly associated with the song I'm listening to.  In fact, most of the artwork you see on this blog are from the cover of the song's single release.

It's real easy! Find the image on-line; save the image on your computer; right click on the iTunes song; click on 'get info'; click on 'artwork'; click on 'add', find the picture in your files and you're good to go!

Okay, here are a few just-released songs (and pics) you may want to add to your collection!



"COME ALONG"-VICCI MARTINEZ (with CEE LO GREEN)

One listen and I was hooked!  The slow, driving beat pulls you in but it's the perfectly paired voices of Vicci Martinez (who took third place on "The Voice") and Cee Lo Green who give this bluesy track its soul. It'll take just one-half of a listen to "Come Along" (which was originally recorded by Swedish artist Titiyo in 2001) before you accept Vicci's invitation and start singing with the chorus. 

“I think the lyrics are really important for people today, for all of us but especially for our generation,” says Vicci. “We can break the cycle and habits that our society has been stuck in. It is a time of evolution, evolving into our divine, most perfect self. I feel this is a step that I’ve been trying to take and by singing this song, I’m asking everyone else to come along with me and take a stand.”

"GUARDIAN"-ALANIS MORISSETTE

I know it doesn't seem as though it's been over 15-years since the release of her breakthrough Jagged Little Pill, but I'm here to reassure you that you will not be aurally bitch-slapped while listening to Morissette's latest single "Guardian." The gentler, kinder, more nurturing Alanis has, more than likely, once again borrowed words from her personal diary and set them to a flowing rollercoaster back-track.

For now, this is all you get from the Canadian songstress as her seventh album, Havoc And Bright Lights, will not be available until August 28.

"HEARTBEAT"-JJAMZ

Katy Perry and I both agree that the perfectly-produced "Heartbeat" from this California supergroup should be the summer song of 2012. The LA-based musical collective known as JJAMZ (pronounced juh-jamz) got its moniker from the first-name initials of the five best friends in the band: Jason Boesel (Rilo Kiley, Bright Eyes), James Valentine (Maroon 5), Alex Greenwald (Phantom Planet), Michael Runion (solo) and Z Berg (The Like). I hear it! Can you?

Also very good and worthy of a few moments of your time...

"THIS HEAD I HOLD"-ELECTRIC GUEST

"STARE INTO THE SUN"-GRAFFITI6

"TAKE A WALK"-PASSION PIT

New Music "Picks of the Week!"

Okay. I ditched the PC and bought an iMac a couple of months ago and had to learn how to use a computer all over again... this time, the Apple way. Still learning. (So, how do you word-search an internet page? Ugh.)  That's why I haven't updated my site since the last time I updated my site. But I think I have figured out just enough to finally post something Fresh & Easy... and with very few calories!

After listening to about 200 new releases this last week, only a half-dozen satisfied my inner-aural. Hey, what can I say? My ears are very picky.


"DANNY, DAKOTA AND THE WISHING WELL"-A SILENT FILM

The very first time I heard this song I said, "Wow."  I'm not a huge fan of the minute-long Eighties-styled synthesized opening on this track... but when it kicks in, look out! Behind their Springsteen "Dancing In the Dark" back-beat, the lyrics tell a love story not unlike Billy Joel's "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant."

According to A Silent Film lead vocalist Rob Stevenson, "'Danny, Dakota and the Wishing Well' is a love song to a bygone era of Americana that inspired us in books and films when we were growing up in England."




"DON'T LEAVE ME (NE ME QUITTE PAS)"-REGINA SPEKTOR

"Ne Me Quitte Pas" is considered an international, often-covered, pop classic that was written by Belgium singer-songwriter Jacques Brel over 40-years ago.  Apparently Regina has been fond of the song for well over a decade now and has finally come up with a version worthy of her new album, What We Saw From the Cheap Seats, which will be available at the end of this month. Her version of this song -- about love in Paris -- is a whole lot of "fun" with a good dose of "cute."

If you already have Spektor's "On the Radio" on the iPod... this one is an easy "Oui!"




"BLOOD FOR POPPIES"-GARBAGE

I remember the first time I heard Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." I instantly fell in love with the song's vibe but couldn't, for the life of me, figure out what the hell Kurt was singing.  Same vibe here.

“The song is meant to feel sort of like an abstract dream,” explains Garbage lead vocalist Shirley Manson. “The inspiration came from a story I had read in The Los Angeles Times about the opium trade and also from watching the documentary ‘Restrepo.’  It’s not literal in any sense whatsoever but it’s a song about disorientation and delusion and the human struggle to stay sane in the face of insanity.”

Works for me.  Thanks Butch!




"HOUDINI"-FOSTER THE PEOPLE

"DON'T STOP (COLOR ON THE WALLS)"-FOSTER THE PEOPLE

"HOUDINI"-FOSTER THE PEOPLE

"DON'T STOP (COLOR ON THE WALLS)"-FOSTER THE PEOPLE

The LA trio known as Foster the People (who were just here in Southern California at the Coachella Music Fest last month) came up with a couple of wonderfully unique melodic studio pieces which can be found alongside the overplayed "Pumped Up Kicks" on the band's just released debut album Torches.

"Don't Stop" -- which got a big boost in iTunes sales when it was used in a Nissan Versa TV commercial -- was apparently written about what a four-year old would do if it ruled the world.  Their latest, the ultra-catchy "Houdini," is an uptempo confessional about being on stage. Both are guaranteed to get repeated listens.

What else?  Well, check these out...

"CALL ME MAYBE"-CARLY RAE JEPSEN

"WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN"-BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

New Music "Picks of the Week!"

Don't you hate when you're singing along to a song and the artist you're listening to gets the lyrics all wrong? Just sayin'. (File under: "Bathroom on the right.")

Okay... here are a few very interesting recently-released sing-a-long alternative tracks that definitely stand-out from most of the crap corporate radio pushes on us daily. (Burn!) As usual, this blog is Nickleback-free.

"ANNA SUN" - WALK THE MOON

I love an uptempo tune that - with just a couple listens - can put you in a better frame-of-mind. Ready to get happy? Meet the Cincinnati-based indy-band Walk the Moon and a poppy-piece that keytar player Nicholas Pettrica says is, "about college, and maintaining that little bit of being a kid." Love the catchy synth-riff and especially the line, "We got no money, but we got heart!" (Be sure to check ou their music video!)




 "MEANT" - ELIZAVETA

A couple of months ago a posted a review of "Video Games" from Lana Del Ray. This ballad, "Meant," is comprised of a lot of the same heartbreaking, sultry emotion. Russian-raised Elizaveta delivers her vocals carefully, methodically while evoking a lack of trust. (Her, saying: "I still think that we were meant to be." Her, then thinking: "Lie to me now."  Genius.)  She said of her vocals, "I was coming down with a cold, and my throat was in shreds after singing it a number of times, in order to get the perfect take. Also because it is so emotional, and my voice kept giving out."

"1901" - BIRDY

It's hard to believe that English singer Birdy (Jasmine van den Bogaerde) is only 15-years old.  Her interpretation of the Phoenix hit from 2009 - about the ups-and-downs of a young couple living in turn-of-the-century Paris - comes across as if it came from the vantage-point of a veteran heart.  I've always loved the more-uptempo Phoenix original, but I think you'll agree with me when I say Birdy's Tori Amos-like take flies much higher.

New Music "Picks of the Week!"

Congrats to Adele for going six-for-six at the Grammys last Sunday. "Rolling in the Deep" definitely was one of the stand-out recordings of 2011. But so many other great songs go virtually ignored every year due to major label influence, music directors with tunnel-vision (tunnel-hearing?) and/or conservative corporate broadcast policies. But that's why I'm here... to shine my little light on those little songs that should!

Okay, here's your chance!  Be the first on your block to play these yummy indy-tracks!  Ready... set... PLAY!


"SO BRIGHT"-ALFRED HALL

This song and band are so new and obscure I wasn't able to find much about them in my Google investigation. All I know is that Alfred Hall hails from Norway and that their single "So Bright" is... so smooth... so hypnotic... so ethereal... but in a good, spacy, nitrous-oxide kind-of-way.  Warning: Do not operate heavy machinery while under the influence of this song.

"FREE"-GRAFFITI6

Although relatively new, Graffiti6 is just beginning to get some notice thanks to a few good reviews and last Friday's appearance on Conan O'Brien.  "Free" is steeped heavily in Sixties falsetto-styled soul backed by a slow-building orchestral string section. Why Graffiti6? Apparently these half-dozen dudes from London have a thing for illicitly sprayed wall art.




 "ORIGINS"-TENNIS

Boy, am I digging deep today.  Here's another promising track I stumbled upon a couple of weeks ago which I feel deserves a bit more attention. The tune's dirty and distorted keyboard riff (husband: Patrick Riley) becomes a wonderful contrast to the sweet and innocent sounding vocals (wife: Alaina Moore) on "Origins." By-the-way... from what I understand, this Baltimore duo was assisted in the studio by Patrick Carney of the Black Keys. Tennis, anyone?

Honorable mention:

"UNDERNEATH THE SYCAMORE"-DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE

"WE ARE YOUNG"-FUN.

New Music "Picks of the Week!"

I hope you had a chance to check out my recommendations from earlier this month as they're just beginning to take off.  The Gotye track "Someone That I Used To Know" is especially getting alot of attention nationally!  But that was yesterday's news!  On to this week's picks!

"TONGUE TIED"-GROUPLOVE

I know we're just a few weeks into 2012, but I'm gonna be bold and label this track the feel-good song-of-the-year!  I've been playing this Grouplove single for three-weeks now and still can't get enough of it.  And, odds are if you pull up next to me while I'm in my car, I'll be singing along to it at the top of my lungs.  You may have already heard "Tongue Tied" as it was used in an iPod Touch television commercial last month.  Trivia: Grouplove's Ryan Rabin (drummer/producer) is the son of former Yes guitarist Trevor Rabin.  Get to know it!




 "DEDICATION TO MY EX (MISS THAT)"-LLOYD

Okay, I'm was a little slow on this one as it was released four-months ago.  But what-the-hell... if it pleads, it leads!  What peaked my interest the very first time I listened to "Dedication To My Ex" is I immediately recognized that this soulful song (from R&B singer Lloyd Polite, Jr.) samples the bass loop from one of my favorite Duffy tunes: 2008's "Mercy."  The track, which features André 3000 of OutKast and is "narrated" by Lil Wayne, has enough funk to get your grandma dancing!  Just tell her that word she can't quite understand is "cookie."

New Music "Picks of the Week!"

It's a new year and everyone is making resolutions to eat less and exercise more.  I, on the other hand, promise to try and get these blogs out in a timely fashion because I've been slacking as-of-late.  So, how about updates once a week? Okay, that ain't gonna happen... so, let's make that once a month.  Deal.

Since my previous post, which was last October, I've discovered a handful of great tunes.  But, by now, you've probably heard of some of them.  If not, you gotta check them out.  And, I pledge to update this page with more shiny-new pop songs often, and... eat less and exercise more.


 "LONELY BOY"-THE BLACK KEYS

What's not to like about this track?  "Lonely Boy" has several layers of hook from the bluesy guitar to the motivating back-beat and a obsessive chorus that will have you singing along after your first listen.  ("Oh, OH, oh-oh... I got a love that keeps me waiting...")  The parent album El Camino was only released last month and has quickly been added to many critic's favorites lists of 2011, including mine.  The song was co-written and produced by Danger Mouse.




 "SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW"-GOTYE

I'm usually attracted to something that stands out from all of the others, a song that is definitely uniquely unique. This post-relationship point/counter-point set-of-lyrics starts out delicate but builds to an emotional climax with lyrics about broken promises and how to move on after an emotional break-up.  The roles are played perfectly by Gotye (Australia's Wouter De Backer) and Kimbra (New Zealand's Kimbra Agiejew). Love... this... song!!!




 "TONIGHT"-SEETHER

You don't have to be into post-grunge/alternative metal to dig this single from the South African band Seether.  "Tonight," which is part of their album Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray, is heavy but melodic and romantically uplifting as well.  It is by far the best cut from their new album and has already hit the top of several rock charts in North America.  Remember, it'll sound better at "11."

After you add the above three suggestions to your music library, here are a few others I've been playing on my iPod since Thanksgiving that you might want to get to know too!

"THESE DAYS"-FOO FIGHTERS

"TOMORROW"-CRANBERRIES

"UNDERNEATH THE SYCAMORE"-DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE

"PARTY IN MY HEAD"-SEPTEMBER

"GET BURNED"-SLEEPER AGENT