The Alphabet List: Letter "F"

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And on we go..... This is our continuing, 26 part, Alphabet List. We have been trying to limit these lists to 10 entries, but I do not deal with limits well. Especially since I was so excited to write the list for this letter. I actually bartered letters with Stevie to get this one. I have so many bands that I love that begin with the letter "F" that I absolutely love.

Now you will notice on this list that I do not have those classic rock bands on here. In fact only four of these bands were even created in the 90's. There are so many up and coming bands that choose f names for whatever reason, that I just could not find the room to include them.

*Side note.... This is our 200th post. WooHoo!!! This kinda snuck up on us, or else we would have put together a calabro, competition list. We will try to set that up for 250 or 300. Enjoy.

Song of the Day: "Your Biggest Fan" by NeverShoutNever!

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I just want to date a girl so I can break up with her so I can give her this song. I've had it in my backpocket for far too long and I need to use it as it is intended.

"Your Biggest Fan" by NeverShoutNever!

Band of the Week: First Aid Kit

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First Aid Kit is a duo of Swedish sisters Johanna and Klara Soderburg, aged 19 and 16 respectively. First off, thats impressive. Talent and youth will always get my attention. But this is more than just that. I got the album, because its often described on websites as indie-folk, and I love me some indie-folk,so I picked it up to see if it sticks. Now, it has been in my ipod and on my computer for weeks, but I did not even give it a cursory glance, until I did. And they stopped me in my damn tracks. This shit is special. This shit is powerful. Their harmonies are years beyond most groups with ten years on them. I have included three tracks below, 2 of whiche were filmed live and acoustic in the woods outside their home in Sweden. I really hope you take the time and enjoy it.

Personal note. Both girls have great voices, but I would like to see the younger girl take a little more of the lead, her voice entrances me a bit

The first track is the first song I fell in love with by them. It is not off their 2010 release, but rather their 2008 EP. that would have made them 17 and 14. Even crazier.

The second is a live recording of a great track from their recent release. Great song. Great voices.

The third video is the song that got this all started for the girls. Before any releases, before any record deals, the recorded a few YouTube clips, one of which is FUCKING AMAZING. They cover The Fleet Foxes better than The Fleet Foxes do. Watch and be amazed.

"You're Not Coming Home Tonight"

"I Met Up With The King"

"Tiger Mountian Peasant Song (Fleet Foxes Cover)"

Song of the Day: "Falling From the Sun" by The Album Leaf

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This is gonna end up in my top ten songs of the year, I can feel it. This version is a little stripped down and beautiful. Its honestly great.

"Falling From the Sun" by The Album Leaf.

Song of the Day: This Too Shall Pass (OK Go)

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This is one of my favorite videos in a while (thanks Kyle) and I'm so excited to see them on Thursday live on the Colbert show - this is a not to be missed video!

Alphabet List: Letter E

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My co-blogger Adam has been bugging me to post this guy so he can throw down on the next letter so here it is- the next letter in the series of our Alphabet List, version letter E. Since this is my favorites, and not say, my dads favorites, you will notice I left some heavy hitters out (The Eagles, Earth Wind and Fire) and instead included the stuff I actually listen to. Without further ado, here it is...

1. Eels (Novocaine for the Soul)




2. Elastica (Connection)



3. Everclear (Santa Monica- live at Woodstock '99)



4. Eminem (Stan)



5. Missy Elliot (The Rain Supa Dupa Fly)



6. Eagle Eye Cherry (Save Tonight)



7. En Vogue (Don't Let Go)



8. Eve 6 (Inside Out)



9. Eazy E (Boyz in Da Hood)



10. Eurythmics (Sweet Dreams)

My Up and Coming Music List.

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Inspired by Stevie's Up And Coming Book List, I am going to start the same thing with my music purchased for the year. My favorite blog to write is my year end music review. And it be honest, I start it in January of each year. I start collecting music as soon as possible, and use a smart playlist to amass them all in one place for easy listening and examining. As we stand on 4/24, I have purchased 38 albums from 2010 (including records released after 10/1/2009 to today. How am I expected to judge an album in less than three months? It's impossible. So the last 3 months are tagged on to the next year.) That is a little more than 2 albums a week. Hell, there was one today, two yesterday, and 6 on Thursday. Yeah, 6. I have issues. But, I also have a kick ass music collection, and a good jump start on the end of the year blog.

Below you will see a quick list of the albums I have picked up so far this year. I will try to update them every month or so. If I have an opinion of the record, will post a quick note, but keep in mind, I may change mine.

Adam Green (from The Moldy Peaches) - "Minor Love" Pretty good, like Mike Doughty lite. I think if he took himself more seriously, so would I.

The Album Leaf - "A Chorus of Storytellers" Falling From the Sun is a hell of a song, have not absorbed the rest of the record yet.

Beach House - "Teen Dream" Borderline

Broken Bells - "Broken Bells" Recommended by Stevie's Mister, so far its a good pick up, need to cycle through a few more times.

Bryan Scary & the Shredding Tears - "Mad Valentine" Don't like.

Dum Dum Girls - "I Will Be" Too new to judge.

The Dutchess & The Duke - "Sunset/Sunrise" Very good.

Fang Island - "Fang Island" Too new to judge.

First Aid Kit - "The Big Black and The Blue" Too new to judge.

Frightened Rabbit - "The Winter of Mixed Drinks" Surefire. Very Very Good.

Girls - "Album" Released last week of Sept. in 2009. This is the record I regret the most leaving off last years list. It is a hell of a record, and I am bending my Oct. rule to get it the attention it deserves.

Jason Castro - "Jason Castro" Former American Idol singersongwriter needs to continue to grow. Not a bad release, but a little immature.

Jeff Jacobson - "Lunch in the Park" Too new to judge.

Julian Casablancas - "Phrazes For The Young" Interesting, but unsure.

Justin Nozuka - "You I Wind Land And Sea" If I was in an unhealthy place in my life. If I was heavily depressed or sedated, I would LOVE this record. But I think I am too content for it. It is good, but very depressing.

Little & Ashley - "Stole My Heart EP" This is the music behind those adorable amazon kindle commercials. Very cute indie pop.

Local Natives - "Gorilla Manor" Surefire.

Los Campesinos! - "Romance is Boring" This was my most anticipated release of the year, but the band has lost something for me. Do not get me wrong, this is a good recording, with some great individual songs. But this is not a great record. Not like their first two.

The Magnetic Fields - "Realism" My least favorite of the year so far.

Mia Carruthers and The Retro's - "We Will Grow EP" Too new to judge.

The Middle East - "The Recordings of the Middle East EP" Nice so far but, too new to judge.

Mike Doughty - "Sad Man Happy Man" Little disappointing, except for the bonus tracks and covers.

Mimicking Birds - "Mimicking Birds" Top five as of today. Great, GREAT, album.

The Morning Benders - "Big Echo" Pretty good. Need more spins.

Nick Jaina - "A Bird In The Opera House" Too new to judge.

Portugal. The Man - "American Ghetto" Very good record with great potential. Surefire.

Sad Brad Smith - "Love Is Not What You Need" SOLID

She & Him - "Volume Two" Borderline, but probable.

South China - "Washingtons" Too new to judge.
Surfer Blood - "Astro Coast" Purchased today. I texted KGB and asked, "What is the best album of the year so far?" and Surfer Blood was what they told me, so I buy.

The Tallest Man On Earth - "The Wild Hunt" Surefire. Top three possible, top five probable.

Titus Andronicus - "The Monitor" When I heard indie rock themed around the Civil War I thought I could be very interesting. And it is interesting, just not very good.

Toro Y Moi - "Causers Of This" Too new to judge.

Trent Dabbs - "Your Side Now" Very solid singersongwriter stuff. Might really grow on me.

Vampire Weekend - "Contra" When I first picked this up, I thought it was too much the same. But now that I have run it through more than a few times, I am starting to love it.

Wakey!Wakey! - "Almost Everything I Wish I'd Said The Last Time I Saw You...." The best record of the year so far. It's overtly poppy, but in an unobnoxious way. It is really wonderful. Songs like Car Crash and Dance So Good will surely be near the top of my best songs list.

Wale - "Attention Deficit" Very solid hiphop. Will make my year end list. Surefire.

Yeasayer - "Odd Blood" Too new to judge.

Sweetheart 2010 - Various Artists. Quality all the way through. Likes of Hey Marseilles, Spoon and Jose Gonzalez.

Song of the Day: "Regulators" by Warren G and Nate Dogg

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Sticking with the nineties vibe, I roll into 1994 with a bounce. I had a little trouble picking the track for today. I narrowing it down to 3 finalists including Collective Soul's "Shine" for the angst in me, Ace of Base's "The Sign" for the humor in me, and Warren G and Nate Dogg's "Regulators" for the gangsta in me, but could not decide from there. So, I turned to the world wide web and text messages to gather a few votes. I thought for sure that Collective Soul would win out, just based on my own leanings, but I could not have been more wrong. Out of the 13 responses I received via Facebook, Instant Messaging, and Texting, 12 votes went to "Regulators" and one was for Ace of Base. My frontrunner didn't even pick up a damn vote. This is why I don't play the ponies.

Anyways. I hope you enjoy. You know you want to sing along.

"Regulators" by Warren G and Nate Dogg

Band of the Week: Gin Blossoms

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You know what I forgot? The Gin Blossoms don't suck.

I am on a bit of a 90's kick lately, so I was looking at some of my favorite soundtracks from the nineties, and saw a little band littered all over them. That band was not Gin Blossoms, it was Better Than Ezra. For some reason/crossed wire in my head I confused them for the of the Gin Blossoms. My head is broken in parts. For as much music knowledge I hold in there, I should be able to tell the difference between these two very different bands. But oh well, that is life. While researching, I quickly realized that "Til I Hear It From You" was not by Better Than Ezra, nor am I that big of a fan of them in the first place. God Bless Google for helping to straighten me out, and you are rewarded below.

So, instead of a song of the day, here is the Band Of The Day.

Gin Blossoms

"Til I Hear It From You"

"Follow You Down" (Personal Fave)

"Hey Jealousy"

Song of the Day: "What's Up" by 4 Non Blondes

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Don't judge me. It's just one of those songs, it's just one of those days.

"What's Up" by 4 Non Blondes

Song of the Day: "Feral Love" by Wakey!Wakey!

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OK, so I know I have these unofficial rules about posting the same band more than once in a relatively close amount of time, but this one day, screw that rule. I just found this video from the same session of a Wakey!Wakey! and God Damn Cobra's collaboration, this time doing one of their own songs. And to my great enjoyment, and I mean GREAT ENJOYMENT, there is much more camera time for the FEMALE BASS PLAYER, whom I do not love, but would move to Alaska for. For those of you who know me, and know how much I HATE Alaska, really understands what that means.

"Feral Love" by Wakey!Wakey!

Song of the Day: "Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley

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This needs no fucking explanation.

"Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley

Songs of the Day: "I Won't Be Found," "The Gardener" & "Pistol Dreams" By The Tallest Man On Earth

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So, I picked up an album yesterday, because I like the name of the (one person) band. I had no other reason to get it, but sometimes we tumble into happy accidents. The Tallest Man on Earth is just one of those accidents. For one of the first times, I agree with pitchfork.com on their review of this record.

As it stands, as of 4/18/2010, this is one of the best records of the year. Top spot possible, top three probable.

This video that I am posting, is not songs from his new album, as it was just released this last Tuesday, but its a good example of what this guy does. I want to avoid the Bob Dylan connection that you will surely hear, but, it is unavoidable, but as I have told a few people while talking about this record, sometimes, while trying to emulate your heroes, you fail and stumble into yourself....

I also urge you to look below the video where I have placed a playlist with the most recent release "The Wild Hunt"

This clip is 3 songs long, its from NPR.ORG's Tiny Desk Series.

"I Won't Be Found," "The Gardener" & "Pistol Dreams" By The Tallest Man On Earth

Tallest Man on Earth

Kaki King "Playing with Pink Noise"

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Undoubtedly you know Kaki King but I am still awed everytime I see what she can do with a guitar. I mean she's not even holding the guitar in her arms for some of these shots. Just thought it was something that needed to be shared...

Fictional Characters I (Stevie) Would Date If They No Longer Were Fictional

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So Addi wrote this list of fictional characters he would date if only they weren't, well, made up. Fictional characters make great prospective love interests because they are always "first date" ready. What do I mean by this? No matter what kind of person they are- the wounded bad boy, the thoughtful geek, the clever jokester- they always no what to say, how to make it up to you, and always have the perfect thing to say (thanks jewish writers!) So below is my fictional male character date wish list.

1. Logan Echolls in Veronica Mars (Jason Dohring) : Wounded, sexy, and oh so bad boy in all the right ways. The back and forth love affair of Veronica and Logan is one of my favorite all time love stories on tv and I'd be happy to step in any time.


2. Bobby Keller in Dream a Little Dream (Corey Feldman): Yup, Corey Feldman. This is my all time favorite movie and Bobby Keller is that great mix of cool and deep that just gets me.



3. Drew Baylor in Elizabethtown (Orlando Bloom)


4. Bobby Newman in tv show My Boys (Kyle Howard): Classic good-guy with that totally adorable hair. This guy makes me fall head over heels. Plus his name is Kyle. I had the hardest time finding a video of My Boys so I'm linking here a video of Kyle Howard on CNN. Just seeing his face should be enough for you to understand why!



5. Sebastian Valmont in Cruel Intentions (Ryan Phillipe): Yea he's a douche at the beginning of the movie (and he supposedly bangs Tara Reid which shows he has no taste) but his transformation after meeting Annette totally saves this character for me.



6. Van Wilder in Van Wilder (Ryan Reynolds): I pretty much could have picked any of Ryan's movies/shows- Just Friends, The Proposal, Two Guys A Girl and a Pizza Place... since Ryan basically plays himself in every acting job he does. I adore him, he's funny, he's hot, he has great hair. Once again his only draw back is doing Tara Reid in this movie. Otherwise, mmmmm...



7. Chris McCandless of Into the Wild - okay so technically this is a real person but I love the way Emile Hirsch plays him that I count him as a character (plus I love Emile Hirsch and would love to date him in any form, even Johnny Truelove). Someone who is willing to give up everything and really live? That's inspiring.



8. Cameron James in 10 Things I Hate About You (Joseph Gordon Levitt): Yes in this movie he's a high schooler and in many ways I'd like to date Joseph Gordon Levitt's character in 500 Days of Summer sans the whiney baby stuff- but in this movie he is just so sweet and comes in to his own, it's when I fell in love with JGL so maybe there's a bias there? Maybe I want to date the actor not the character? Hmm....




9. Romeo in Romeo and Juliet (the movie version- Leonardo DiCaprio): Wounded bad boy again, sometimes rash, doesn't recognize consequences but tragically gorgeous all at the same time. Are we seeing a pattern?



10. Brian Shelby in Vanilla Sky (Jason Lee): A writer trying to make it. Classic. No good videos up of the Brian Shelby brilliance so I'm including this great picture.

Song of the Day: "Ambling Alp" by Wakey!Wakey! (Yeasayer Cover)

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2 points need to be made about this clip. From my understanding, this is the first go through of the song. Wakey!Wakey! was invited by The Goddamn Cobras Collective to cover this Yeasayer song, because, well I assume, Wakey!Wakey! is kinda known for his ability to cover almost anything, and its kind of an awesome song. Second point. FEMALE BASS GUITAR PLAYER = HOT.

This is a clip that I have already watched like 3 times. It goes from the construction of the song, to the masterpiece itself, to the celebration/mulling around after its over. Its a special experience. I hope/dream to one day be in a room like that while something like this happens.

"Ambling Alp" by Wakey!Wakey! (Yeasayer Cover)

Fictional Characters I (Addi) Would Date If They Were No Longer Fictional.

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This list is a little different. Hell, I don't even know how to label it. But, I was watching "Definitely, Maybe" the other night, and I couldn't help but wish I could date one of the female leads, and that got me thinking further. And as OCD minds like mine go, I had to create a list. So, below you will find some of the most interesting, beautiful, feisty, strong and funny women ever "created" from the world of Cinema, Television, and a few Books. Enjoy

Read More....

Song of the Day: "Cold Hard Bitch" by Jet

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This song does not really need any introduction. Juslisen.

"Cold Hard Bitch" by Jet

Song of the Day: "Confessions" by City and Colour

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This is a new song for me. I have had it on my ipod for probably a year now, but never gave it a listen. It's funny how things work out. And how I can often be an idiot.

"Confessions" by City and Colour

Song of the Day: "Will Smith Medley" by Pearl and The Beard

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This is one of those bands that you will only really find out about on accident, until they did this, which I am sure will make them an internet sensation and the next big thing on the indie scene. It is pretty incredible.

**Note that this is not what they generally sound like. Here is a better example of their general sound, which, if I must say, is even better.

Oh, Death! - Pearl and the Bea...

"Will Smith Medley" by Pearl and the Beard

Pearl and the Beard - Will Smith Medley from Goddamn Cobras Collective on Vimeo.

Song of the Day: "Learning to Fly" Tom Petty

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This song really resonates with me lately, I'm making a big change soon and it has me both totally thrilled and totally scared. I've been listening to a lot of Elizabethtown soundtrack lately (perhaps preparing for my own cross-country road trip?) and started playing this one over and over again. 'Well some life will beat you down, break your heart, steal your crown, So I've started out, for God knows where, I guess I'll know when I get there'
Thanks Tom Petty for singing my heart song.

The Alphabet List: Letter D

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So the letter D has some great standouts... and a whole lot of random. You might have some personal favorites that are not on this list: Devo, Def Leppard, Destiny's Child - but I could only pick 10 faves and here they are. Note again that we're not including people (hence on this list you will see that Damian Rice, Damian Jurado, or Dave Matthews don't appear). So here goes, the next installment of the alphabet list: letter D.

1. Death Cab for Cutie (I Will Follow You Into the Dark)



2. Dishwalla (Counting Blue Cars)


3. The Doors (Light my Fire)


4. Digable Planets (Cool like Dat)- *note, not my favorite video- go check out the real video on youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY0c2ZAeMK4



5. Dixie Chicks (Goodbye Earl)


6. Depeche Mode (Enjoy the Silence)


7. deftones (My Own Summer)


8. Da Brat (Funkdafied)


9. Dinosaur Jr. (Feel the Pain)


10. Dido (White Flag)

Song of the Day: "Help Yourself" Sad Brad Smith

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Kind of a sad, lonely- get your shit together- kind of song but there's something really beautiful about it. I first heard this in the film "Up in the Air" and I think its well placed. Favorite lyrics: "Oceans of water underneath our feet, terrible design, Dusty rooms you cannot sweep, Clouding up your mind" - take a listen. Not my favorite video, I was trying to find a live play but have yet to find it. Will update if I do.

Song of the Day: Eddie Vedder "Rise"

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So I've listened to this song literally 8 times already today. The culprit? The new Deadliest Catch previews on The Discovery Channel. Not only can I barely contain my excitement for the new season but I also have to physically restrain myself from crying each time I see Phil's face and listen to Eddie Vedder sing this great song. It's both beautiful and heart-breaking somehow. I've included here the commercial (you have to see it) and the full song with a video from "Into the Wild"- Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "Crossroads" by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

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Sometimes you just need a lil Bone Thugs. Thats all it is.

"Crossroads" by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

The Alphabet List: Letter "C"

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Tada! We continue our Alphabet List with the letter "C." I must admit, this list was so much easier to put together than my debut list for the letter "A." Actually, in many ways it was harder, there are so many good bands that start with this letter, it was actually hard to only pick ten. I had to leave some of my favorites off, including Cat Power, Charilift, Collective Soul, Coldplay and Cage the Elephant.

1. Counting Crows

2. The Civil Wars

3. Cold War Kids

4. Citizen Cope

5. Clipse

6. The Clash

7. Choir Of Young Believers

8. The Cardigians

9. The Cranberries

10. Cage

Bonus Clip

Coolio

Song of the Day: "Bear" by The Antlers

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There are some songs you love on first listen, but they slowly lose their shine, and just become another song you used to love. In fact, that is the majority of all music. However, there are a select few that not only continue to glimmer, but often begin to glow. This is one of those songs.

"Bear (live)" by The Antlers

Song of the Day: "Cousins" by Vampire Weekend

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Slowly but surely this record is growing on me. I was resistant at first, too much the same as their debut, but the more I listen, the more I don't give a damn. So-the-fuck-what if they sound the same, I probably would have jumped on them if the changed drastically as well. What can I say, I'm confusing. But this song, and this video are just good times.

"Cousins" by Vampire Weekend

Song of the Day: "War Sweater (acoustic, walking around a secondhand clothing store)" by Wakey!Wakey!

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Wakey!Wakey! has released one of my favorite albums so far in 2010 in Almost Everything I Wish I'd Said The Last Time I Saw You..., and has a real shot at ending up at the top of my year end list. But this is not from that record. This is a song from the EP he released last year, an EP that is worth what ever amount someone is willing to charge you for it. I hope you enjoy this song. I do.

"War Sweater (acoustic, walking around a secondhand clothing store)" by Wakey!Wakey!

Songs of the Day: "The Only Thing I Care About" & "Shine It All On" by E

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I am taking it back. And I am being as obscure as I know how to be with out giving you something crappy.

This is a track from one of my favorite albums of all time, an album that maybe sold 10,000 copies world wide. But cemented itself into my collection and onto my top 100 of all time list. The album I am referring too is Broken Toy Shop by E. You may know the voice or recongize the name as the front man of The Eels. This is a track from his solo debut just after The Eels broke on the mainstream. I picked it up, and get this, it had a hand painted disc.

This is not the best track, but, I think it is the only video that was made from the album. So, I have also included a slideshow video of a better song from the same record.

"The Only Thing I Care About" by E

"Shine It All On" by E

Song of the Day: "Have a Little Faith in Me" (live) by John Hiatt

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I just watched Benny & Joon and was inspired to post this version of this song. Its one of those songs you forget you love until you hear it. Its never the song you reach for to put on, but when it comes on, on its own, you crank it.

So, I hope this song brightens your day a little.

"Have a Little Faith In Me" (live with a gospel choir) by John Hiatt.

Songs of The Day: "It Doesn't Have To Be Beautiful" and "Thinking Drinking Sinking Feeling" by Slow Club

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I CANNOT believe that I have not posted Slow Club as a song of the day. I am the biggest idiot of all time. Just fyi. This is easily my favorite band of 2009, and have not yet relinquished that title in 2010. I have chosen two videos to share, that exemplify both sides of this amazing duo. The first is one of my current favorite songs, and it keeps growing on me. Its raucous, playful and frenetic. So much enegry from a little group. And yes, she does really play the drums standing all the time, you should see her play the chair. Yeah, you read that right. The second video is just as great, but such a different feel. It is a mellow little acoustic ditty with lots of wordplay. Oh yeah, these guys can write a song too. As mentioned by Gareth Los Campesinos of Los Campesinos! on his best albums of the year blog "I am desperate to play shows with Slow Club. Rebecca’s is my favourite voice of the year, and their live shows are life affirming. Lyrically as well, I don’t think they get anywhere near the credit they deserve. Really beautiful, touching stuff."

This may be the most random blog I have ever written, but I am so damn excited to share these guys with more people. Seriously, one of my favorite records of all time now, spend 10 bucks and pick it up. Support indie music!

"It Doesn't Have To Be Beautiful" by Slow Club

"Thinking Drinking Sinking Feeling" by Slow Club