Song of the Day: "Contagious" by The Isley Brothers ft. R. Kelly

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The song that taught me how to correctly interject "Oh I" into conversations to add dramatic effect. I was doing it all wrong for so many years.

"Contagious" by The Isley Brothers featuring R. Kelly

Song of the Day: "Walking The Dog" by fun.

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So, I think I found my favorite video of the year. And I bet, 9 out of 10 of you will hate this. First off, I love this song, off one of my favorite albums of both last year and the decade, and just so much fun. Get it.... fun. heh.

"Walking The Dog" by fun.

Song of the Day: "Maps" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

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Just because it felt right, and when I hit play on my computer, this was the first song that came up that I didn't want to hit 'next' on. But that was actually the Wakey!Wakey! cover version, but nonetheless, here you go. It's a great song and a beautifully shot video.

"Maps" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Song of the Day: "Be My Thrill" by The Weepies

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So, there have been some albums that I have really looked forward too this year, and most have been a let down. I mean, Arcade Fire was disappointing at best, Band of Horses was borderline mediocre, and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals fell flat. But, there is still hope, later this month, one of my favorite secret bands is releasing a new record that has already shown some teeth, and I'm super excited.

Here is a quick sample to get you excited as well. If you are a fan you will recognize, well no one, which is in itself is recognizable, considering that the band themselves have never been in a video. So, enjoy this quick animated clip.

"Be My Thrill" by The Weepies

Band of the Week: Ray LaMontagne

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Now, on to whom I like to call The Bearded Musical Messiah, Mr. Ray LaMontagne, for no other reason, then he has a beard, and if you squint, kinda looks like Jesus.

It still shocks me to this day, when I bring up his name in conversation and people do not know him. And understand, that I bring up a lot of bands that no one knows (most of the time I do this on purpose to sound like a genius), but, this guy, should be known by everyone by now. One of the most unique voices, one of the best writers out the today, and just a hell of an artist, and has one of the best "stories" in music.

Band of The Week: Ray LaMontagne

Allegedly, while working in a shoe factory, he heard a Stephen Stills song, I like to imagine "Tree Top Flyer," quit, and picked his guitar back up and decided to make a go out of it. And the rest is history.

"Trouble" (his biggest hit, you probably know if, even if you didn't know it)

"Shelter" & "Hold You In My Arms" (both of my favorites by him, shelter melts me.)

"Be Here Now" (I love the simple beauty in this song. This song proves that something does not have to be complicated to soar)

"Till The Sun Turns Black" (It is hard to believe that all these songs are recorded live. Crazy great voice)

Song of the Day: "Trouble In Mind" by Erland and the Carnival

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So, I'm getting back to making lists this week, and the list I am currently struggleing with is the best "and the" bands. You know, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, or Hootie and the Blowfish, you get my point.

So, with that list in my, I had this song stuck in my head all day. I hope you enjoy. There is a great little story behind this find, but I will save that for the full "and the" blog. For now, just take it in. Know this band, if you like that whole english indie rock vibe, you'll be hearing this name in the upcoming year.

"Trouble In Mind" by Erland and the Carnival

Song of the Day: "Chillin" by Wale feat. Lady Gaga

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On a rainy Sunday morning, I made a quite promise to myself. Never to put Lady Gaga on any blog I write. This promise felt good, it felt needed. But, then I found a song that I loved, a rap song with a hell of a hook, a hook that was forever stuck in my head. And if I ever had a clue it was the Ga, I would have probably hit next, but, I guess in this case, I am thankful I did not know she was singing it.

"Chilln" by Wale feat. Lady Gaga

Song of the Day: "Old Mary" by The Dead Weather x2

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So, this is a band that I have been very VERY resistant of. Supergroups are always void of creative urgency and spark, and are rarely worth anyones time. But, after some prodding, I picked up their most recent release, and I have to say, it does NOT suck. Is it groudbreaking? Not remotely, but it is quality.

Below you will find my current favorite track from the record. I have also included the live version of the same song, as it takes on a different life. Personally I like the tidiness of the studio cut, but there is something guttural about the on stage performance.

"Old Mary" by The Dead Weather (Live)

"Old Mary" by The Dead Weather (Album Version)

Song of the Day: "Giving Up On Love" by Slow Club

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Yeah yeah yeah. You're sick of all my Slow Club posts. And I understand, to an extent. Yes, they have been mentioned 8 times on this blog. Yes, I do have a rule about not repeating bands/songs. Yes, I constantly break that rule. But, fuck all of that. I love this band, and this is my song of the day. And from the sneak snippits I have heard from the new record, this is probably only the beginning of me mentioning this band. Super excited.

When I first saw this video, I was way disappointed and I HATED it. But, I think that was just me rejecting a video that did not involve the band itself. But, as I have delved further, and watched with open eyes, this work has really grown on me. To the extent that it has become one of my favorites and probably the most interesting music videos I have found. Oh, and this is my favorite song from their 2009 release, "Yeah, So." So, there's that.

"Giving Up On Love" by Slow Club

Song of the Day: "Your Winter" by Sister Hazel (Acoustic)

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I watched 10 Things I Hate About You today, and was reminded by how great of a soundtrack that was, in its time. I mean, most of those songs do not have a lot of staying power, Seriously, where is Save Farris or Letters to Cleo now?

But, one song does stand the test of time, and it is great.

"Your Winter" by Sister Hazel (Acoustic)

Song of the Day: "Home" & "40 Day Dream" by Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros

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So, Stevie posted this song a few back, and then, by luck or happenstance I stumbled upon this blissful live off-mic version that is...... just.... is.

Not often do you find a song, or a version of a song, that grows happiness from with in you.

*there are actually 2 songs on this video, and the second one is just as good as the first. But this lovely little writeup is mostly about the opening track.

"Home" & "40 Day Dream" by Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero's - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Song of the Day: "I Made A Resolution" by Sea Wolf

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Most of you that read this know I hate to use videos that are not actually something the band put together, whether it be live, a music video, or an acoustic encounter, I want it to be something that the band them self had a hand in. Makes it feel more real and palatable. But, some songs, outside of all of those parameters, still need to be shared. Thats where this comes in. I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do. I have found an AMAZING clip, but it is not embeddable, but you can check it out here thanks to Daytrotter.

"I Made A Resolution" by Sea Wolf

Song of the Day: "Yea Yeah" by Matt & Kim

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I have been looking for my good mood song. So I feel back to an old favorite and it perked me right up.

Matt & Kim always make entertaining videos. But this one, the one that introduced me to the band, is easily my favorite. Watch the whole video and I SWEAR you will smile and chuckle.

"Yea Yeah" by Matt & Kim

Songs of the Day: "Writing To Reach You," "Driftwood" & "Why Does It Always Rain On Me" by Travis

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I like the urgency of these songs. It fits today.

This was my goto wtf album in high school, and still to this day, I gravitate towards it on those bad days. Sometimes you don't want music to pick you up, but you need a good album to swallow you up in that pity blanket for a couple hours. That is this.

All songs below are from The Man Who. One of my favorite albums of all time. #21 to be exact.

"Writing To Reach You" by Travis

"Driftwood" by Travis

"Why Does It Always Rain On Me" by Travis

Song of the Day: "Flood" by Jars of Clay

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I put my entire music collection on shuffle the other day. I think I am searching for something, but I have yet to determine what. And this song came on, and for 3 mins, I stopped looking. I just listened to it again, and it didn't work, so, I guess the lesson learned is that one song cannot solve find the lost forever.

But, 3 mins is 3 mins. And, I am thankful.

*Side note. I am not much of a religious man, anymore. And I know I talked about searching for something, and then this song found me, and I understand how you can make a connection of faith from this fact, however, I do not make that connection. I just love this song.

"Flood" by Jars of Clay

Song of the Day: Tegan and Sara "Walking with a Ghost" (acoustic)

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Last night: a kiddie pool of beer, glow sticks, campfire, beer pong, attempting to pee like a lady outdoors. Today: Tegan and Sara while sitting on the couch recovering. Enjoy.

Song of the Day: "Shoop" by Salt-N-Pepa

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Yup. You read that correctly. I don't know if its summer time and the warm weather and endless days full of outdoor adventures has taken over my brain but this song just felt fitting. Plus who doesn't like a reminder of amazing 90's fashions. Oh if only I could wear a striped body suit with booty shorts again. Just kidding. Either way, watch the vid, turn it up and order a pair of knee pads for your next choreographed dance routine.

Song of the Day: Home by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

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You could say I've been obsessed with this song. One part folk, one part Oregon Trail, and a dash of 1840's barn dancing and you've got this amazing song you've sure to have heard a million times by now. It makes me want to put on a red checkered shirt and do-si-do around the living room.