Song of the Day: "Cold War" by Janelle Monae

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I love this song/video/idea/concept/girl.

"Cold War" by Janelle Monae

Song of the Day: "The Blower's Daughter" by Damien Rice

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It is just a Damien Rice kind of night. One of the best songs ever, easy.

"The Blower's Daughter" by Damien Rice

Song of the Day: "What's In It For?" by Avi Buffalo

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I have not decided how I feel about this band yet. But, I feel like they are headed in the right direction. I think.

"What's In It For?" by Avi Buffalo

Song of the Day: "Day 'N Night" by Kid Cudi

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You may not know this about me, as I neglected to include it in my profile. But, I got mad flow.

"Day 'N Night" by Kid Cudi

Song of the Day: "The Story I Heard" by Blind Pilot

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This is one of those rare bands that both myself and Stevie stumbled upon separately and loved equally. It is becoming harder and harder for the two of us to find common ground on music that we both truly love. I mean, we like a lot of the same stuff, and tolerate almost everything else, but to both love the same thing, at the same time, it is uncommon.

"The Story I Heard" by Blind Pilot

Band of the Week: The Antlers

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I don't have a plethora of words tonight. It is has been a long long life/day. But this band seems to fit the weather, pace, expectations, and stale movements of life lately. And that sounds way more emo than I meant it. I am talking about summer stumbling into winter and the broken grace that shapes those steps.

If you have read my blog, you will have already heard one of these songs more than a couple times. It was a frequent song of the day last year, and eventually taking hold of the #3 song of the year. The album climbed from #11 up to #7 on my last quarterly review. It is the kind of album that takes hold of you, defines you for that three and half minutes, and makes everything in the world feel incredibly large and infinitely small at the exact same time.

Band of the Week: The Antlers

"Bear"

"Two"

"Kettering"

The Song of the Day: "The Odds of Being Along" by Trent Dabbs and Amy Stroup

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I found this song really early in the year, and loved it hard. Then I forgot all about it for months. Until, by chance or miracle, my iPod found it yesterday. So, here, enjoy the quiet beauty.

**Apparently, this song was featured on that show that will never die, One Tree Hill, and that makes me sad. As it is no longer my little secret. But, anywho, hit play anyways.

Song of the Day: "Blood" by The Middle East

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I think that every band needs a song the in the end breaks down to a good old fashioned campfire singalong. It's just simple. If you are a band, and you are reading this, thanks, but, also take heed. If you put a song with a ruckus sing your heart out ending on your album and in your show, you will be a success, guaranteed.

This is one of my favorite songs of the year, and, although it starts out rather mellow and somber sounding, you will ruckus out by the wrap.

Beautifully strange fucking video. Borderline genius, borderline something I could make in my garage.

"Blood" by The Middle East

Songs of the Day: "Pedals & This Is Our Blood" by The Love Language

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So, I just opened my itunes and saw a band sitting in my "recently added" playlist that I had no clue about. Turns out, I have been sleep downloading or something. But, I listened, I liked, alot, (it may make the end of year best of list) and I am happy to pass this accident on to you.

"Pedals & This Blood Is Our Own" by The Love Language (live from cd release party)

Song of the Day: "Beacon Hill" by Damien Jurado

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My favorite song of all time, today. The lyrics punch me in the gut. The rise and fall of the guitar, paired with the fall and rise of the voice is hypnotizing. I am in love with music.

"Beacon Hill" by Damien Jurado

Damien Jurado- Beacon Hill (If You Return To Me) 6-18-10 from gata blanca on Vimeo.

Song of the Day: "Woods" by Bon Iver

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I think it is the row row row your boat fan in my that loves a good cadence. I am always drawn to heartbreak repeated. repeated. and repeated. But this song always draws me in. It is one stanza, that really says nothing, but it means everything. It rises and crashes like waves. It's beautiful.

I do not normally like posting videos with slide show, but no clip could convey just listening to this in the dark. Wow, I sound all emo tonight.

"Woods" by Bon Iver

Song of the Day: "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon" by Urge Overkill

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Yup. I did. Win.

"Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon" by Urge Overkill

Urge Overkill - Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon from her boku bilen adam on Vimeo.

Song of the Day: "Superstar" by Sweet Water

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By request from Bumbershoot, I give you, Stevie's favorite band from day two of the three day festival. A festival that I wish so bad I was at today. But, I guess living vicariously is going to have to be good enough for now.

"Superstar" by Sweet Water

Song of the Day: "Was It Worth It" by Summer Camp

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I found this band at 8:30 this morning. And I am stoked. I love the internets. One day, not so long ago, before I was always out of money, I found that out my favorite indie label in the UK, Moshi Moshi Records, offered an annual membership for a measly $39 american dollars! With said membership, each and every Friday they would email you with every single release for the upcoming week to download for free. So, not only do I have the incredible little album for the fantastic little band below, but I also have it almost a week before everyone else. Be jealous!!!

Oh, but onto this band. I love 'em. If you look at my previous blog, here, you will see a great pie chart I created that clearly explains my love of bands with interlocking parts (both male and female lead singers), which is fabulously on display on this post. Oh, and I think I just fell in love with her.

"Was It Worth It" by Summer Camp

Summer Camp from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

Bakers Dozen: Best "And/& The" Bands

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First things first, I reserve the right to change this list at any time. Like maybe when my mind is working.

This is simple. I found bands that I love that have "And The" in their names and ranked them in order or preference.

Now, usually that means, a lead singer and a back up band, but, as you will see below, that is not always the case.

I know I left people out. I know I left some classics off the list. That may not be a mistake, it may be a choice, as I am a snob. But it could also just be an oversight, so, if you notice something missing, comment.

Enjoy.

1. The Head And The Heart

My current favorite band, and a northwest one to boot. This is the little band, that if they can keep their shit together, will storm the indie folk world by the end of next year. And, God, I hope they do. There are some bands I desire to keep secret, this will never be one of those. Infact, I'm gonna post two videos for them, just cause I love them that f'n much.

"Down in the Valley" (Live on KEXP)

"Ghosts" (also Live on KEXP)

2. the bird and the bee

This is a basic conundrum. Take an indie pop band, have them release an ENTIRE album of Hall & Oates covers and hilarity ensues, right? Nope. Wrong! This is an album that should not at ALL work, and yet is increasingly more charming upon each listen.

"I Can't Go For That"

3. Buddy Holly And The Crickets

I am not sure music would be where it is today with out Buddy Holly. Honestly.

"That'll Be The Day"

4. Samantha Crain And The Midnight Shivers

One of the best "and the" band names out there. Like, seriously, I need to know the story behind that. But, she is not just a name. Listen to this voice, the urgency, the power, the raw grace. And, if you get a chance to see her take the stage, do NOT pass it up, it is something that will stick with you forever.

"Lions"

5. Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros

I don't need to even see anything. Just watch the fucking video.

"40 Day Dream"

6. Bob Marley And The Wailers

I would be disowned if I left them off the list. By everyone I know.

"Stir It Up"

7. Ray LaMontagne And The Pariah Dogs

Normally, this guy would be dramatically higher on any list I put him on, but this is a new venture for the bearded musical messiah, and I am playing the wait and see game. But, so far so good.

"Beg, Steal or Borrow" (live on Sirius Radio)

8. Erland And The Carnival

This is both a new discovery and an old haunt for me. I fell in love with a singer songwriter name Erland Cooper back in 2002. He didn't release any albums, nor was he widely known outside of my ipod, but I loved him. Then he vanished, more so then he already had. Then last year, I googled him, and up popped a new band, and all was right in the world.

"My Name Is Carvival"

9. Pearl And The Beard

This band will never be more then they are. They are not going to climb any charts or sell out arenas, they will never have a top 10 single or be featured on Grey's Anatomy, but they will always do this shit well. They will pack a bar so it is standing room only and get the building to bounce off its foundation, they will lead a clamorous sing along in a park, and they will have more fun than anyone else.

"Oh, Death!"

10. Ryan Adams And The Cardinals

This is too low. But, I like old school, just post WhiskeyTown, Ryan Adams. Gold Ryan Adams. So, this is not bad, but it's just not mine.

"Two"

11. Grace Potter & The Nocturnals

She has a new album out that does not do her any justice. This, and maybe one other song are the only ones that really show the real bite that Grace Potter has in her live act.

"Paris (Ooh La La)

12. The Dutchess And The Duke

I buy all these different artists and albums, and then I never take the time to listen to them. And sadly, The Dutchess and the Duke have fallen into this little trap of over purchasing. But, then, on shuffle, a song will come on that stops me dead in my tracks, and 6 times out of 10, it is this lovely duo. Now, this is my favorite tune of theirs, but there is not a quality video of it, so you will just have to listen on this go around.

"Reservoir Park"

13. Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers

Overrated, but the quintessential example of this topic/list. And, do not hate me for that. I dig on a few songs, but they are not hall of fame material.

"Mary Jane's Last Dance"

Bonus

Hootie And The Blowfish

So, I am prepared to get bagged on for this pick. But I think there is just a Hootie backlash because they got so big so fast. They became uncool to like. But, there is something about them, and considering, this cut is from the 15th best selling album of all time, and 5th best selling since 1990, you know you secretly love it.

"Hold My Hand" (Unplugged)

Song of the Day: "Islands" by the xx

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The most grossly underplayed song from the most grossly overplayed album of the year. And, maybe my favorite music video from the last 3 years. It is an incredible story that literally unfolds from one shot to another. Stumbling from beauty to tragedy in a series of repeated takes. It is ingenious. And I am jealous for not thinking of it.

I beg of you, watch the video, closely, from beginning to end. It's simply moving, and movingly simple.

Song of the Day: "In These Arms" by The Swell Season

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Generally, I LOVE this bands music videos, they are bright, creative, and engaging. And although, I do not hate this video, it is none of those things. However, the song is wonderful. It is one of my favorites and I listen to it often. Its a quiet kind of beauty that I always look for in people and never find. Stupid songs always ruining my relationships....

"In These Arms" by The Swell Season

In These Arms from banjo bandstand on Vimeo.