(64) Maria Taylor :: Time-Lapse Lifeline

Maria Taylor :: Time-Lapse Lifeline

I hate to admit it, because it makes me feel trendy, but i first learned of this artist on the FOX program Bones.

TV is pretty hit and miss in terms of soundtracks. I'd say one out of five songs i even bother looking into after hearing them on a TV show are worthwhile. That's not even including all the music that i don't even bother with.

That all said, there are the occasional gems and this is one of them.

In addition to discovering the impressive Maria Taylor, I've also discovered her previous bands; Azure Ray and Now It's Overhead. Both of these bands are equally impressive.

Go ahead and give her a listen, she's got an indie-folk sound with a slight edge (depending on the song).

Enjoy!

(63) Scarling :: Stapled To The Mattress

Scarling :: Stapled To The Mattress

I really dig this band (and their previous gig, Jack off Jill).

They are kind of a noise driven goth-rock.

Jessica Fodera is the vocalist and really basically competes with the guitar for prominence, which is pretty cool.

I can't really tell you much more about the band then that: Gothic-Rock, with obvious counter-culture connections and a female vocalist (which i love,
remember?).

Also the video is of important note, as i assembled it.

It's nothing fancy just a collection of images from two separate events:

(1) Me sticking my finger through a bandsaw.
(2) My buddy sticking his arm through a window.

They are gross... and awesome, as we've both survived with minimal
lasting affects. Enjoy!

(62) Lisa Loeb :: Do You Sleep

(62) Lisa Loeb :: Do You Sleep
Real short, cause I'm tired.
Lisa Loeb rocks socks (i never watched her reality TV show)
So i still like her.
This song is from her 'Tails' album which came out in the early 90's.
She was the first concert i ever saw, i was like 9.
Back when there was an Odeon.
I was on her mailing list, and received an autograph from her.
I also have the drum stick from that show.
I need to crash, enjoy!

(61) Staind :: Mudshovel

Staind :: Mudshovel

Admittedly there is not much i can tell you about this band. I'm not a huge Staind fan, don't know a lot of there music, and really only remember this song from high school.

But i can tell you a few things. They were on the Family Values Tour with bands like Korn and Limp Bizkit. So could perhaps be categorized as Nu Metal?

I dunno, categorization of musical genres isn't really my forte.

This song rocks. It has a great pumping bass line that drives the depressing lyrics.

As depressing as the song is, I'm an optimist, so i ignore the downer lyrics and focus on the music, which gets me pumped.

Regardless, listen to it. Loudly.

(60) Elysian Fields :: Bend Your Mind

Elysian Fields :: Bend Your Mind

First an announcement: I cannot figure out how to make post 59 all the same size text. Thus the Internet has either beaten me in a battle of wits, or i have broken it. Sorry.

Back to business!

Elysian Fields is amazing. This is fact, not opinion. Elysian Fields was founded sometime in the 1990's and is composed of the wonderful Jennifer Charles (see post 29) and Oren Bloedow.

They have a beautiful sound. The following words could describe it, but i can't commit to any one adjective or grouping there of: artsy, noir, sultry, sexy, indie, dreamy, in-you-face awesome, lyrical, melancholy, ect.

The list could go on.

Here are the things you need to know:
(1) Elysian Fields are easily in my top 5 favorite bands of all time.
(2) They have several albums: Bleed Your Cedar, Queen of the Meadow, Dreams that Breathe Your Name, Bum Raps and Love Taps, and (in 2009 according to the Internet) The Afterlife.
(2a) Their side projects include, many guest vocals, collaborations and the project La Mar Enfortuna. An excellent Sephardic study, playing 11th-16th century songs.
(3) This band has nothing to do with the Megadeath song titled Elysian Fields.
(4) Choosing a song has been incredibly hard, as there is little that is on the Internet, and I'm no pirate.

I urge you, please listen to more of this band! Find more on the Internet, go to your library and check out their Cd's, buy the albums from Itunes. Just do it!!

(59) Hank Green :: What Would Captain Picard Do

Hank Green :: What Would Captain Picard Do

So in honor of like 9 different things (not really i made that number up) I've chosen Hank Green's What Would Picard Do.

Let me explain why:

(1) I've recently discovered (unfortunately, several years late) the video blog "Brotherhood 2.0"; it's fantastic. You can check it out on the YouTube here, or through the amazing nerdfighters.com.

(2) It's an amazingly nerdy song. Hank is a fantastic wordsmith (both of the Green's are)!

(3) The new Star Trek movie comes out in a few days! If you aren't stoked for it, i will fight you.

(4) It seems I'm on the loosing side of the following discussion: Stewart vs. Shatner: Picard vs. Kirk. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of Picard (i grew up on The Next Generation), but I'm a huge Shatner fan. It hurts sometimes.

(4a) So one day several friends were discussing this topic: "If you combined all the characters that one actor has played into a super-being who would be the most powerful?" I came into the discussion late, but the general consensus at this point was Patrick Stewart would win (Captain Picard + Charles Xavier = Win). Of course at this point the biggest contender was Sir Ian McKellen (Magneto + Gandalf = Win). At this point i derailed the conversation (which has never been finished) making the stubborn stance that Shatner (specifically Kirk) was better then Stewart (specifically Picard). So far i think the odds are something like 8:1 prefer Picard. I have no means to test this on a large populace however. Perhaps one of the Green's can ask their audience (if they take the time to read my senseless, unread, song-a-day blog).

Now that I've ranted extensively about Star Trek instead of talking about the song/artist as i customarily do, I'll leave this be.

Let me end with this:

Dear Hank,

Thank you for writing a plethora of nerd driven songs. It warms my heart and tickles me in all the right places.

Sincerely,
Matthew Sullivan

PS. Dear John, thank you for writing Teen Fiction.

(58) Rosemary Clooney :: Come On-A My House

(58) Rosemary Clooney :: Come On-A My House

After yesterday's Mambo Italiano, I was in a Rosemary Clooney mood all day! Plus this song rocks and is the perfect feel good jam for an 80 degree, sunny, beautiful Friday evening!

If you didn't know, Clooney is a 1950's Jazz Singer and is the mother of actor George Clooney.

This song got a resurgence of fame after it was used in some holiday commercial.

Give it a whirl, it's a great track!

Again, if you don't like it ...
... I will fight you.

(57) Renato Carosone :: Mambo Italiano

Renato Carosone :: Mambo Italiano

You may recognize the song from a Visa commercial getting some crazy air time. The guy in the commercial (doing crazy shit with pizza dough) supposedly practices 6-8 hours a day.

This song was originally written in 1954 and the most popular version is Rosemary Clooney's. While the Clooney version is fantastic, Carosone's has that authentic Italian sound that excites my travel nerves.

Carosone is one of the most famous Italian musicians with an awesome amount of Naples' influence. He spent his early career gaining fame all around Africa, and didn't return to Italy until after the war in '46, where he had to start his career all over again, being virtually unknown in Italy.

That's pretty impressive if you ask me, gaining fame, then starting all over again.

Anyway, the song is fun, and i hadn't included much "world" or "ethnic" music on the blog, and thanks to Visa, this song is gaining quite a bit of popularity!

(56) Deidre Flint :: Cheerleader

Deidre Flint :: Cheerleader (if this link doesn't work, be sure to let me know!!)

Deidre Flint is hilarious, talented, enthralling, and did i mention hilarious?

She plays a mostly acoustic solo set with heavy folk influences and comic gold.

I first heard her on Cleveland State Universities radio station. So glad i did. It was a great find for me!

This satirical song about cheerleaders is genius!

Give her a listen she's fantastic!

(55) Wild Horses :: Funky Poodle

Wild Horses :: Funky Poodle

Wild Horses is a Cleveland (my hometown!) based band.

According to their website they are North-East Ohio's hardest working band (Colin Dussault may argue this, i can't say for sure). They've been around for years however, and are a party band that plays several classic rock covers as well as some originals.

In 1980, with heavy promotion from some WMMS (a local rock station) personalities at the time Funky Poodle gained coast to coast airplay and the band gained some national fame.

This song kicks ass, and if you don't believe me I will fight you.

(54) Holly Golightly :: Black Night

Holly Golightly :: Black Night

This song is pretty rad, a little slower then some of her other tracks, but equally good.

Holly Golightly has a very 1960's rock sound, reminiscent of Nancy Sinatra, and perhaps cooler though i can't confirm that as of yet.

She has a boat load of studio albums and several studio collaborations with other groups, the most notable two with The White Stripes and The Greenhornes.

She is a British singer-songwriter, and i can't confirm if Holly Golightly is her real name, but, if it is not, it is most likely based off of the Breakfast at Tiffany's character. But that is purely speculation on my part.

(53) Cage The Elephant :: Ain't No Rest For The Wicked

Cage The Elephant :: Ain't No Rest For The Wicked

I can't tell you much about this band. Except everything I've heard sounds great!

This single, which is fast climbing the charts (and i first heard on the local rock station), is the Itunes free download currently.

They have a nice bluesy rock sound with a good alternative pump as well.

They will be coming to (my) town next week and I'm stoked, hopefully i can make it!

(52) Focus :: Hocus Pocus

Focus :: Hocus Pocus

Three letters can explain this song: L S D.

I can't be certain of course, but this prog rock song is so off the wall that drugs had to be involved.

Their are no lyrics ... just hard rock and yodeling. That's right, i said yodeling. It's badass.

The band is Dutch, which may explain the yodeling, and all the yodeling and organ sounds are done by front man and band founder Thijs Van Leer.

Be sure to turn this song up loud at a BBQ. It's certain to get you some looks.

(51) Mazzy Star :: Fade Into You

Mazzy Star :: Fade Into You

In my humble opinion the 1990's produced some of the best music ever.

I'm biased, however, as the 90's was the first complete decade i lived through. Most of the music during the 90's that i heard is lost in a labyrinth that is my brain, every so often finding their way out, allowing me to remember some lost, linked song-memory.

This is one such song. I know I've heard it, several times, but it wasn't until i had the full resources of the Internet at my disposal that i stumbled upon it.

Regardless, it's an amazing song, with beautiful vocals, and an incredibly haunting presence.

Enjoy it.

(50) Cowboy Mouth :: Jenny Says

Cowboy Mouth :: Jenny Says

Cowboy Mouth is a Louisiana based rock band, whose popularity was highest in the mid 90's.

Jenny Says is their biggest radio hit to date. It is also a fun song to spaz out to. Just as my little sister.

She loves the song, it's one of her favorites, and she and i have often spazed out to it on max volume several times.

Also, an interesting note, for my sister if she's reading. The lead singer is also the drummer . . . so start practicing your drums more!

Their most recent work was a post-Katrina album, largely focused on, you guessed it, bringing people back to New Orleans post hurricane. It's pretty good, from what I've heard.

Turn up the volume, eat a lot of sugar, and spaz out.

(49) Flobots :: Rise

Flobots :: Rise

Tax Day. Several Tea Parties all over the nation to protest the administration.

Home Depot parking lot: a stranger gives my girlfriend and I a $20+ piece of equipment to safely leash some over sized plywood to my car. When i offer to pay him refuses and leaves.

Pretty frigging cool if you ask me. That guy was a grade A dude in my book. He stopped to help, and went the extra mile.

You may have heard the Flobots before, most likely 'Handlebars'. But i feel this song is a better representation of their full body of work.

The bands music is driven by political and social ideologies. This song should be pretty clear it's message, but in case you missed it; "rise together... we rise together".

With that line as the chorus' driving force it seemed fitting for my experience today: people helping people.

That's worth something no?

(48) AFI :: Total Immortal

AFI :: Total Immortal

I first heard this song when the Offspring covered it. I was a fan, and at the time not much of a fan of AFI.

One of my close friends at the time was a large AFI fan, and fervently argued with me over which version was better.

In the end, she won. AFI's version (the original) is amazing.

Enjoy.

(47) Joe Walsh :: Ordinary Average Guy

Joe Walsh :: Ordinary Average Guy

Today's been a pretty terrible day. Let me preface this posting by sending my love, thoughts, and prayers to the Mase family. Dom Mase passed today, and we're all thinking of him and his family.

I try, not always successfully, to tie in the song a day with something in my life. Which makes today particularly hard.

However, i swung by the bar this evening to have a drink with some friends. During a lull in conversation, when no one was talking this song was on in the back ground. Through no fault of my own, nor Joe Walsh's this song will no be associated in my mind, with this not so wonderful day.

(46) Heart :: Crazy On You

Heart :: Crazy On You
#1. Heart is perhaps one of the greatest bands of all time, they shred your face, and if you have anything different to say... kindly don't.

#2. One of the rare bands that i feel got the shaft with 'digital remastering' on the release of Cd's. I have Dreamboat Annie on vinyl and it sounds so much better. It just pumps harder!

#3. This song spawned an attempt on my part to create an awesome metal band, we planned to cover this song. but, I'm talentless and the rest of the "band" were far to talented for my crappy band.

#4. This song is the greatest, don't question it, just embrace it.

(45) Weezer :: Drugs

Weezer :: Drugs

Everyone knows Weezer. Even if they don't know it!

This is one of their newer songs, and I find it far more enjoyable then some of the other new radio hits.

A lot of their music is full of Nerd Pride. Which I'm all about.

Also, this song is really enjoyable because you can read through the 2000 ridiculous comments on YouTube arguing about whether this song supports or opposes drug use... highly entertaining.

(44) The Doors :: Roadhouse Blues

The Doors :: Roadhouse Blues
I can't tell you much about the Doors that you can't learn about them with a quick google search.

LA based, pure California-American Classic Rock (though of course they weren't classic rock when they were still performing.)

Since i can't tell you much, i share a nostalgic story:

A good childhood friend of mine, whom i lived with for sometime, had a huge Jim Morrison poster above his bed. It wasn't until years after living with him that i made the association between Jim Morrison and the Doors (a band i only heard when the classic rock radio station spun them). But now, whenever i hear the Doors i think of him.

So, not much of a nostalgic story, in fact pretty boring.

Who cares? Not me. Enjoy some Roadhouse Blues... rock organ, say what!?!

(43) G. Love and the Special Sauce :: Cold Beverage

G. Love and the Special Sauce :: Cold Beverage

Mississippi Delta Blues plus Hip-Hop influences with a twist of nerdy white boy and you have G. Love and his band, The Special Sauce.

G. Love has many very similar stylings to his musical buddy Jack Johnson, but a little less singer-song writer.

I love genre blending (as you know) and i was tickled to discover this bluesy hip-hop blend.

Be sure to check out more of his stuff; his live versatility is pretty impressive!

(42) Handsome Boy Modeling School :: The Truth

Handsome Boy Modeling School :: The Truth

Handsome Boy Modeling School is a collaborative concept project between Dan the Automater and Prince Paul. Both fantastic producers.

This particular track includes Róisín Murphy (of Moloko) on vocals and J-Live with a brief interlude.

Murphy's Vocals are amazing and are a nice departure from her standard electronica-styled music.

J-Live kills his 30 seconds worth of rapping. Just as impressive are the live versions at Róisín Murphy's concerts where she does J-Live's rap.

Handsome Boy Modeling School has worked with several amazing artists: Jack Johnson, The RZA, Sean Lennon, Mike D, and Del the Funky Homosapien ... just to name a few.

Their first concept album was 'So... How's Your Girl' and their second was titled 'White People'.

Unfortunately it looks as if "business conflicts" have caused Prince Paul to retire from working on Handsome Boy Modeling School. Hopefully these conflicts can be resolved in the future, because these albums are some of the best collaborations I've ever heard!

(41) Miranda Lambert :: Gunpowder and Lead

Miranda Lambert :: Gunpowder and Lead

As you should know my now, I'm a sucker for female vocalists. Something about the sound that i really dig.

Miranda Lambert's Gunpowder and Lead is such an awesome song. It has everything you could possible want in an angry girl country song plus guns!

My girlfriend and I both love this song, but the country stations in our area seldom play it. I guess that's why the YouTube is so great!

Enjoy!

(40) The Ting Tings :: That's Not My Name

The Ting Tings :: That's Not My Name
The Ting Tings are UK based duo that formed in 2007. A friend of mine turned me on to them, stating, that they were both easy on the ears and easy on the eyes.

It seems, after reading through the YouTube comments, that many listeners share his point of view.

I personally enjoy the sing-along anthem style they have going that makes me want to dance. Until i remember how poorly i dance (especially to pop music) so i just sit and enjoy.

Feel free to dance if you want to though!

(39) MC Chris :: Hijack

MC Chris :: Hijack
MC Chris is a nerdy white boy rapper. He raps about important things like, candy, being a geek, dinobots, and starwars.

He's badass!

You may recognize him if you enjoy Adult Swim on Cartoon Network, specifically Aqua Teen Hunger Force, as the voice of MC Pee Pants (and several other reincarnations of the character).

I saw him live, he puts on a pretty awesome show.

Definitely worth checking out.

(38) Metallica :: For Whom The Bell Tolls

Metallica :: For Whom The Bell Tolls

The new round of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions are here, i believe the ceremony is actually today, and Metallica is amongst the inducted.


Good for them, it's about time.


While their music has gone through some evolutionary changes and i may not like those, or their battle on music piracy, i still have a soft spot for the band.


This is one of my favorite songs, it's got some awesome licks which are all it takes to get me pumped.


Enjoy, and grats to them.

(37) Kris Kross :: Jump

Kris Kross :: Jump
today i listened to about 50 different songs, over half of which i thought would be great song choices for today.

the on the drive home from work i was singing, because i don't have a car stereo, and this song came into my head.

i loved Kris Kross back in 92-93 ... so i was 8-9 years old. I can't honestly believe my father didn't yell at me for blasting my Kris Kross more, as he's not a big fan of rap in general.

I watched a bunch of old Kris Kross videos on the YouTube and had a sufficed about of nostalgia that i needed to share it with you.

Enjoy. Because inside it's a wiggity, wiggity, wiggty, wack.

(36) Joan Osborne :: St. Teresa

Joan Osborne :: St. Teresa
A quick one today, cause i'm feeling under the weather.

This one goes out to my buddy Mastiria, who may be the only other man i know who shares my love of Lilith Fair, and the artists and bands that have contributed to it.

Joan Osborne is incredibly talented, and unfortunatly is condemed to live under the shadow of her single One of Us, which by comparison to most of her other work sucks.

St. Teresa is her next most well known single, and is vastly different. It also shows some of her range as a vocalist.

Give some of her covers a listen if you like this song, and some of her live performances as well.

(35) Atom and His Package :: Mustache TV

Atom and His Package :: Mustache TV
It's the mustache.

Nothing is cooler.

Ever.

April 31st is national show of your Mustache day. Start growing now!!!