Head Like a Kite: "Director's Cut"

Love, love, love it. Can't stop listening and watching this one.

Radiohead: From the Basement - "Bodysnatchers" & "Bangers 'n' Mash"

For all of you Radiohead fans out there here is one of a series pf amazing videos they released recently, entitled - From the Basement. I remember seeing them around 2004 at Hi-Fi Buys amphitheater - which was awesome, but this is a lot better in some ways. For one I can actually see them. At Hi-Fi Buys I could hardly make them out through all the pot smoke out on the lawn., but this is different, this is crystal clear (especially if you purchase they real thing of iTunes), this my friends, - this - is awesome. The concert was awesome to, just frustrating being so far away and all of that. It is also a lot cheaper. Here are two of my favorites.


By the way "Bodysnatchers" is a heck of a lot of fun to play! Just in case you were wondering.

Radiohead -"Bodysnatchers"

Radiohead - "Bangers 'n' Mash"

Switchfoot: In the beginning there was Chin

I remember the first time I heard Jon Forman sing. His band, Switchfoot, had just released their debut album, "The Legend of Chin" and I was only 14 or 15 years old. I had found them will surfing the web for new music and then had begged my dad to take me to several music stores to find their album. Eventually, after searching through the racks of several stores we found it buried among a sea of other bands. I had heard other bands before and had bought the Beatles "Help!" album and spun it a million times, but this was different. This was a band that I had found that no one else I talked to knew about it. It was such a rush to tell my friends about them and get them hooked to the music.

The band I was in during high school, Frontline, even covered one of their songs when we played a few gigs. What attracted me to the band so much was not only their music, but also the way they presented themselves to the world. They were undoubtedly Christians and were unafraid to tell anyone that if you asked them. However, they did not feel the need to make their faith blatantly and annoyingly obvious to their listeners. They had deep faith and conviction and this came through without having to mention the name Jesus in every other song. To me their lyrics gave their beliefs both the poetic and intellectual merit that it so deserves. Moreover, they did not label themselves as a "Christian band" which I liked. Labeling yourself a Christian band seems to imply that the music is only for Christians and that it was exclusively for those who believe the same way they do. I found this attribute of the band to be both inspired and encouraging. I felt that someone else understood me. I liked the authenticity that these guys displayed without the facade of what some say Christianity should be. They sung about real things, they sung about love, life and why.

Switchfoot helped me in many ways to become who I am today because of how they lived out their faith. They weren't trying to be religious, they weren't trying to be perfect - they were just trying to be people who believe in Christ singing about life from that perspective. This influence on my life was profound.

Since their debut, they have released several other albums over the years, some of which I have connected to more than others. They have gone from a trio to quintet. They have gone from nobodies to somebodies and while I still feel partial to some of their earlier albums, maybe it is the nostalgia, I still can find that certain authentic quality in each of their albums that reminds me why I have always liked this band. And even now I still listen to their music when I need a little encouragement.

Here are a few of my favorites from over the years. In no particular order.

"Let that be Enough" - From New Way To Be Human

"On Fire" - From The Beautiful Letdown

"Daisy" - From Nothing Is Sound




"Dare you to Move" - From Learning to Breath




"Don't Be There" - From The Legend of Chin

The Last Shadow Puppets: "Standing Next to Me"

Occasionally while searching for new music on the web, I trip across something really special that is new and exciting to me.  Yesterday it was The Last Shadow Puppets.  This duo is made up of the Arctic Monkeys lead singer, Alex Turner, and the lead singer of The Rascals, Miles Kane.  The boys met while on tour and began to write music together that is a clear departure from the sounds of their own bands.  Together their music feels straight out of the 60's and the British invasion. 

However, what really annoys me about these guys is that they are younger than me.  But I can get past that.  I really love this little song.  I have played it so much that my wife is beginning to hate it now, but I am telling you the song is  brilliant. 

Acoustic version of 'Standing Next To Me' 

David Bowie: Rock & Roll Suicide

Some mornings I wake up with a song just running through my head.  Doesn't everybody? This morning, rather humorously, it was David Bowie's "Rock & Roll Suicide."  Specifically, my mind started playing the song about 2 minutes and 28 seconds into this morning -  you know the part when Bowie starts singing "give me your hands, because you're so.. wonderful," with the bgvs chanting "wonderful" along with him all the way.  A great way to start the morning if you ask me. Random, but still nice. 

Here is a video of the song.  I admittedly picked the boring video, mostly because I didn't want to scare the children.  David Bowie can be just a bit much in the morning.  He is just so weird. Yet still I have to confess a very guilty pleasure.  Few believe me, but I am telling you his song writing is amazing!  You have got to look past all the hair and makeup. 

Rock & Roll Suicide

The Walkmen: "If Only it Where True"

Another great indie band coming out on New York City - The Walkmen.  This is just a really simple little song that I haven't been able to get out of my head for the last few days. 

"If Only It Where True"

John Lennon: Jealous Guy

Happy birthday Mr. Lennon.  Here is one of my favorite John Lennon songs - Jealous Guy.  I heard he actually wrote it while he was with the Beatles, maybe that is why it's so good.  I just love the chord progression, you have to look past some of the cheesiness. 

Jealous Guy

Spoon: "Don't You Evah" & "The Ghost of You Still Lingers"

I give you Spoon, a band out of Austin, Texas that has been around for longer than you would think, like 1994.  Their album "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" was highly reviewed last year and I have to admit it has it's sweet moments.  

Here are two of my favorite songs from that album.  Somehow they are refreshing to my musical pallet.  Somehow different.  Often I get Elvis Costello vibes from their music, but that could just be me.    

"Don't You Evah"

& "The Ghost of You Still Lingers" 

Santogold: The Creator

A guilty pleasure. I can't explain to you why I like this song, I just like it. Its really weird ska, rap, electronic mix.

TV on Radio: Dear Science - Golden Age, Danceing Choose

Update:  This band is awesome!

Just tripped across the band TV on the Radio out of New York and specifically their album Dear Science. They are pretty intresting. Give them a listen.

"Golden Age"

"Dancing Choose"