FAS: Andrew Greer

Continuing my "Best of Affiliates" series, which is featuring a few of the amazing musicians I have had the pleasure to play with that have recently released albums, including MK & The Gentlemen, Amy Stroup, Katie Warren, Manic Bloom, Andrew Greer, and Paul Banks & The Carousels, we hit upon the Nashville super-one-man-group Andrew Greer.

ANDREW GREER

Nashville artist Andrew Greer will make you think. Nashville artist Andrew Greer will also make you forget.

With his most recent release, Open Book, this Azle, TX native brings in a feeling of nostalgic wonder and has really come into a great sound all his own. Andrew finds the perfect balance with hints of country, pop, contemporary and indie stylings that keeps you on your toes and provides a thoroughly enjoyable music listening experience.

Teaming with such heralded artists as Ginny Owens and a plethora of successful Nashville musicians backing him, Andrew's natural composing talents really shine. He seems to always find the common thread that ties all people together, be it through his writing, composing, producing, or interviewing. No matter what the medium, Andrew's true talent is making people feel comfortable and at peace. He comes from a place of selflessness, servitude, creativity and confidence, all of which are shown throughout the album.

I first crossed paths with Andrew after my sophomore year of college when a good friend (and former band-mate) (and crazy talented person), Julee Duwe - who produced Andrew's GREAT music video, which you can see below - called me up asking if I wanted to do a small summer tour playing bass with some classmates of hers from Nashville. I jumped at the opportunity and soon found myself cramped in a silver Durango pulling a U-Haul across 5 states, practicing every morning and playing most nights. It was a great time in my life and one that I am very thankful for having. It was the only time that I have been what would be considered a "full-time musician" on the road.

The next summer I landed an internship up in Nashville at EMI records and Andrew and I shared an apartment. He almost killed me one time. And I introduced him to tequilla shots. We were bosom buddies.

He frequents Texas and Nashville concert halls and if you have a chance definitely look him up.

• Buy "Open Book" on iTunes


• Visit his official website


• Follow Andrew on Twitter

"Learning To Live" by Andrew Greer


"Emmylou" by Andrew Greer


"Gone Are The Days" by Andrew Greer - Music video produced by Julee Duwe



GONE ARE THE DAYS Official Music Video from Andrew Greer on Vimeo.

Cheers,

FAS: MK & The Gentlemen

After a few week hiatus, the Friday Afternoon Song is back in full force.

In the past few weeks there has been an onslaught of great music coming out from some incredible musicians. And while they are all very different in style, they have one very important thread tying them together - me.

It was the plan to have a "Best of Affiliations" post, due to the massive amount of previous bandmates that are putting out records right now. MK & The Gentlemen, Amy Stroup, Katie Warren, Manic Bloom, Andrew Greer, and Paul Banks & The Carousels are all stellar, STELLAR, S-T-E-L-L-A-R musicians whom I have been lucky enough to play with at one time or another. But unfortunately all their albums aren't out yet for purchase, so instead I will push one a week.

This week's FAS comes from good friend, former band mate of Mick Kelleher and The Ray Smiff Project...


MK & The Gentlemen

That funky beard touting bard, Mick Kelleher, has done it again as he puts out his second EP, Mixed Tape EP.

Changing the moniker to "MK & The Gentlemen" (first coined on this poster), Mick's sophomore EP is a fantastic listen. The sound and writing have matured while still keeping the irreverant, tongue-in-cheek tales of bars, strippers and travels that promises a party where ever Mick plays. And the addition of horns and keys perfectly compliment the funky grooves and are reminiscent of Bob Schneider's early SCABS work (who he gives a subtle shout out to during "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang").

Mostly made of new work, he also brings back a remastered "Baby Come Back," a superbly remixed "Hollywood Hello," and redoes a WAAAAY early crowd favorite, "Go On." Those that have followed Mick from his beginnings opening up for College Station super-group Bobbing For Tucker will not be disappointed, while this album carries the momentum to pick up plenty of brand new listeners.

Also of important note, MK&G recently sold their souls to reality tv (we would all do the exact same thing if given the opportunity... but Kristi already shot down my goal of being of Real World/Road Rules Challenge). Be sure to catch Style Network's Dallas Divas and Daughters this week where the girls hit up a MK&G concert at the Dallas House of Blues. The song featured Mick and the song "Highland Park."

I had the pleasure to play with Mick during his start in College Station and travel back and forth to Los Angeles to record his first EP. I also got to work with him at Winter X Games, US Open of Surfing, and a few Dallas shows when he was still writing all the songs on the new release and he was just testing them out live.

There are too many to choose, and am tempted to put the whole album up, but I had to limit it. Take your pick below but be sure to pick up your own copy on iTunes.

"Tonight" by MK & The Gentlemen (explicit)

"Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" by MK & The Gentlemen

"Highland Park" by MK & The Gentlemen (featured this week on Dallas Divas & Daughters)

"Baby Come Back (Remastered)" by MK & The Gentlemen (featuring the bass stylings of yours truly)


** UPDATE - I just found out that AMY STROUP's song "Hold Onto Hope Love" will be featured this Sunday as well on ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" at 9PM CST. Man, two former band mates both on shows this Sunday... Be sure to check them both out.

Cheers,

FAS: "Ramble On" by Led Zeppelin

For the next three weeks we will be choosing songs done by each of the savant guitarists featured in It Might Get Loud, which includes Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Jack White (White Stripes, The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather), and The Edge (U2). If you are a guitarphile or simply interested in people who take their craft to a whole other level, this movie is a must see.

This week is from, in my opinion, the greatest rock n roll band of all time, Led Zeppelin.

“Ramble On” by Led Zeppelin

I could go on and on and on and on about the history of this band (a super group), the scandalous stories that surrounded their career (the “shark” incident), and the recording intricacies (headphone bleed throughs and squeaky drum pedals that you can hear on certain songs), but I will leave that for your own study because it requires a much much much longer post than what this is for. You’ll just have to buy me a beer sometime and listen to me wax poetic about them. Right now we will focus on the song alone.

“Ramble On” is from Led Zeppelin’s 1969 album Led Zeppelin II and is listed in the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. But this song is famously known not only for its catchy acoustic intro and “bongos” throughout (it is actually Bonzo hitting a plastic trashcan), but for its heavy use of The Lord of The Rings references. Speaking of either Frodo Baggins as he travels to Mordor, or that of Aragorn as he has to choose between staying with his love Arwen or going to destroy the Ring in Mordor:

“Mine’s a tale that can’t be told,
My freedom I hold dear,
How years ago in the days of old,
When magic filled the air.
Twas in the darkest depths of Mordor
I met a girl so fair.
But Gollum, and the evil one crept up
And slipped away with her.”

Also the opening line - "Leaves are falling all around" - is guessed to be a paraphrase of the opening line of Tolkien's poem "Namárië". The poem may also be the inspiration for the entire first verse.

And now ladies and gents,

“Ramble On” by Led Zeppelin


Cheers,

Remember the Summer of 2009?

Today is the first full day of fall, so I thought I'd take you all on a stroll back through the simpler time that was the Summer of 2009. It truly was the best of times and the worst of times wasn't it? And although Top 40 radio would have you believe it was the summer of Miley Cyrus, the Black Eyed Peas, and Beyonce, Music Is Art casually reminds us that there were actually some pretty solid albums released in the last few months.

For example, have you checked out Jack White's new band The Dead Weather?

Anyways, click here for MIA's list of the Best Albums of the Summer of 2009, and let me know if there are any glaring omissions (Chris, Matt, Blake, Hal I'm looking at you guys)?

FAS: Double Shot by The Felice Brothers

Hal Denbar is never wrong. Whenever I get a message from him telling me to check out a band, it is guaranteed to be a winner. He first introduced me to FAS's own Black Joe Lewis, and recently a group called The Felice Brothers. I cannot stop listening to their album, and it was too hard to pick a single song to represent this week's Friday Afternoon Song so I chose two.

THE FELICE BROTHERS

"Theirs is a world of moons and moonshine, mountains and cabins, a place where men get drunk on Jack Daniels and stalk off, guns in hand, to confront their cuckolding wives. The Tennessee-bred Kings of Leon sang about a familiar world... but while those siblings were blessed with a fashion sense and rugged good looks, the Felices are ragged, scruffy, and dirty-faced. They're a pack of earth-stained country boys from the wilds of the Catskill Mountains..."

The Felice Brothers - which originally consisted of 3 real life brothers, which one eventually left to start his own group - got their start playing a their father's afternoon barbecues for his fellow carpenter colleagues, and eventually moved their show to the New York subway system. They began doing small tours and putting out a couple records on their own dime. Playing at arts festivals and folk festivals the brothers slowly got momentum and notoriety from their lively, upbeat live shows, and word quickly spread. They began touring with some larger acts (most notably Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band last fall) and landed their first record deal in 2007 from a European label.

The band now consists of two of the brothers, Ian and James, and their friend Christmas (bass player who was previously a traveling dice player... really), and Greg Farley (who plays the washboard and fiddle).

The vocals are uncannily reminiscent of Bob Dylan - that is if Bob Dylan was in tune.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

"Frankie's Gun!" by The Felice Brothers

"Take This Bread" by The Felice Brothers

• Buy the album on iTunes


• Official Website

Cheers,

FAS: "Sugarfoot" by Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears

The stories are almost too perfect. Tales of ragged beginnings, blues and soul music that congers up images of hot and dry lounges filled with fedora-adorned patrons (before they became trendy) wearing suspenders and smoking their Lucky Strikes, and a lightening-fast acclaim and rise to stardom... but don't be fooled into thinking this happened during the Dust Bowl. This is happening now.

While working in a pawn shop in down in Austin, Joe Lewis walked over one day and picked up a guitar. He took it home that night and started teaching himself how to play. Sharpening up his chops inside and outside of work hours he decided to hit up some local open mic nights as a solo musician, a period he now laughingly recalls as “horrible…I was usually too drunk or too scared to put on a good show, but people kept asking me to come back.”.

While he eventually put together a band with a solid lineup, Lewis couldn’t capture the mojo he was looking for and was seriously considering retiring from music in his mid-twenties -- until future bandmate, guitarist Zach Ernst entered the picture. Ernst was a student and UT and a part of a student organization that put on concerts and asked Joe Lewis - who was down on music and working at a restaurant shucking oysters - to open up for Little Richard in 2007. Enrst then put together a new group - consisting of Black Joe Lewis, Sugarfoot Watkins, Rooster Andrews, Big Show Varley, Wild Bill Slyder, McKnight the Night Train, and Sleepy Ramirez - and four weeks later Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears played their first gig.

The labels quickly began knocking down their door and after signing with Lost Highway in 2008, they released their first full length album, Tell 'Em What You Think, on March 17, 2009. Filter Magazine named their song "Bitch, I Love You" this year's anthem for Valentines Day. (I also asked Kristi if it could be our first dance at our wedding. Turns out Van Morrison is more appropriate. Probably a good call.)

Ladies and gentlemen, in the vein of James Brown, Lightenin' Hopkins, Joe Tex, here comes the sugarfoot...


"Sugarfoot" by Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears

• Buy the album on iTunes


• Check out the official website

Cheers,

How to Pick Your New Favorite Band (in chart form)

(Via The Daily What)

FAS: "Lump" by Presidents of the United States of America

Ladies and gentlemen, let's just get right down to it. I present this week's Friday Afternoon Song.

"Lump" by Presidents of the United States of America

"Lump lingered last in line for brains
And the ones she got were sorta rotten and insane
Small things so sad that birds could land
Is lump fast asleep or rockin out with the band"

This song, and frankly entire album, has special memories for me recounting early high school days of driving around in my old '82 Chevy Silverado with a 350, saddle gas tanks, and dual exhaust (yes, I am from West Texas. Those things are standard issue and you are expected to know what they do.), and could literally blow up if I ever got hit hard from the side. We got a "Safety Recall" letter from Chevrolet on that one telling us to stop driving it. It is still at our house, live and kicking. But I digress...

For this week's background, I do not think that I can state it any better than our friends at The Burning Ear (a music blog for people who don't have time for music blogs). So take it away:

The Presidents Of The United States Of America exploded onto the scene in 1995 with “Lump,” the endlessly catchy thump-fest that grabbed me by the face and dragged me to my local record store. Anyone else smart enough to pick up their self-titled debut was treated to one of the most solid rock albums of the 90s. “Lump” was followed by “Kitty,” “Peaches,” and “Dune Buggy,” for all I’m concerned, the whole album could have been singles. Surprisingly, POTUSA are still around and recently released their 5th album. I haven’t heard anything since 1996’s disappointing II and I don’t think I will. Unless someone tells me to… Anyway, if you don’t already have it then you should pick their debut from Amazon. It’s going used for a penny. How’s that treatin’ you? Still got an excuse? Yeah, thought so. [check out the original post]

I agree 100% with Mr. Ear, and even considered making this week's FAS a hit list of Dune Buggy, Kitty, Boll Weevil and Kick Out The Jams (which the noted college cover band, Drying Off Grandpa, attempted to cover at one time, which along with Party Hard by Andrew W.K. was unfortunately received with little fan-fare.). But frankly that would take to long. Sorry.

Now, put down your iPhones, close those spreadsheets, grab the closest pin-wheel and/or penny whistle and start finger drumming...

"LUMP" by PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Cheers,

Contra Jay-Z

This is the rebirth of auto-tune:




And just because I love this song, here's Jay-Z's "Death of Auto Tune":

FAS: A Double Shot

This week we are featuring a double shot of Friday Afternoon Song... Enjoy...

"Dancing Queen" by ABBA

Regarded by many to be the Swedish pop groups' signature song, as well as one of the best singles of the '70s, this worldwide hit reached #1 on the pop charts in 13 countries (including Rhodesia... try to find that on a map. I dare you.)

This little lyrical gem began to sparkle when one of the lead singers brought a demo tape back to his fiance while they were in the studio recording the song, who started crying when listening.

And then the sparkle faded a little when in 2008 then-presidential candidate John McCain named "Dancing Queen" as his favorite song... Coincidentally the same year that the Australian LGBT voted it as "The Gayest Song of All Time." No wonder he lost. Do your research, Johnny.

"Friday, I'm In Love" by The Cure

The final recording of this song has an interesting story. It was originally written to be a slower ballad and in a darker key, but lead singer and goth idol, Robert Smith, forgot to turn off a speed control on the tape after toying with it before recording. Thus resulting in a faster tempo on the record and having a Gin Blossoms-esque sound. Oops. But if you happen to see them live, you will hear the song in its intended original key and tempo because, well, I guess they just like it that way.

Ironically, the song was featured in Sugar & Caffeine's previously reviewed movie "He's Just Not That Into You," which we will let slide for FAS purposes.

Released in 1992, the song was the band's last American Top 40 hit (unless they decide to bring it back).

Ladies and gentlemen. Enjoy.

"Dancing Queen" by ABBA

"Friday, I'm In Love" by The Cure

Cheers,

Best. Concert. Ever.

(I want this t-shirt)

As Lee Greenwood would say, "God bless the US, AAAAAAA!":

SPECIAL EVENT LINE-UP:

• Live concert with country super-stars Billy Ray Cyrus, Charlie Daniels, Michael W. Smith and Lee Greenwood
• Guest appearances by Ollie North and more
• Autographs, book signings and photographs available

The show is Sunday at Six Flags Over Texas. And don't worry folks, tickets are still available.

FAS: "Use Me" by Bill Withers

This week's Friday Afternoon Song... a very personal favorite of mine....

"Use Me" by Bill Withers

(cheer)(applause)(fainting)(crying)

The History:
Born in West Virginia as William Harrison "Bill" Withers, Jr, he worked as an aircraft assembly worker while putting what money he had into recording demo's in his free time. Even after the song that lead him to his first Grammy "Ain't No Sunshine" he kept his job thinking that he still wasn't going to survive as a musician. A humble man was he.

"Use Me" was his second biggest hit in the US, reaching #2 on the Billboard charts in 1972.

The content is that of a dramatic nature, with the crooner complaining about his friend's advice about his love life, which they see as one-sided and him being "used." But he's totally OK with that apparently, saying "when you love me, I can't get enough." He ends this love/hate riddled poem by turning the tables and admitting the he is being used, but says that that is made up for by "using you to do the things you do."

It has been covered by the likes of Mick Jagger, Isaac Hayes, Better Than Ezra (which as a bonus, I have included in this post), Widespread Panic, Ben Harper, Fiona Apple, Aaron Neville, and notable College Station groups Drying Off Grandpa, Bobbing For Tucker, and Enjoy Chris Clonts.

Ladies & Gentlemen... Use me.

"Use Me" by Bill Withers

"Use Me (cover)" by Better Than Ezra

FAS: Friday Afternoon Song

Ali-like Return To The Ring!

This is a special day. Not only is it my triumphant return to the blogosphere, but more importantly the return of the legendary "Friday Afternoon Song."

A little history.

6 years ago, a shaggy haired college Blake interned at EMI Records in Nashville where every Friday one of the executives would crank up either a) The Pointer Sisters "He's So Shy" or b) AC/DC "Back In Black." I mean CRANK. Didn't matter if you were on the phone, there was a vendor with you, or whatever (it was a record label... people expected music to everywhere and the people to be a little weird. Ah... I miss those days.). Every Friday you knew it was coming.

Coming back to school after that summer, I felt the burden to continue the tradition. Every Friday I would come back to The Speakeasy (our aptly nicknamed house) after a "rough" day of classes, throw down my one book, grab a Capri Sun, go into my room, turn up the speakers as loud as I could and blast what became known as the "Friday Afternoon Song."

This tradition continued into my first job where employees would gather in my office at 4:45 each Friday and listen to the chosen song. There was to be no discussion of work, no complaining about the song choice, and no burdens. It was all positive energy only.

The FAS then went national. I created a little web page where friends from around the nation who had recently moved could each log in at exactly 4:45 (CST) and share the FAS with the knowledge that those they are close to were doing the exact same thing. It even went into the classroom as one Mr. Bryan Beene played it for his high school students every week as a treat for a good week.

FAS was then democratized, and people were allowed to submit their favorite songs to be chosen. The most famous case of this was when Mr. Beene's class voted and submitted their own. It was chosen, and if I'm not mistaken they then voted FAS as Amarillo High homecoming king.

Then, just as quickly as it arrived, it left. A change in jobs and a move to Dallas brought the FAS to a standstill.

Until now. A shaggy haired married Blake is bringing it back. He is bringing it all back.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present the all-new FRIDAY AFTERNOON SONG (blog edition).

The parameters are simple. The song must be upbeat, bright, creative, and put you in a good mood to kick off the weekend. And of course, mash-ups are most definitely encouraged.

The rules still stand. No negative comments about the song. Only upbeat, positive feedback encouraged. If you have been to a Cowboy Mouth concert, just picture Fred slapping his hands together yelling "Give Me Rhythm!"

And please, submit your own songs for consideration as well.

Now without any more waiting, I present this week's FAS.

I give you Jay-Z + Radiohead = Jaydiohead. Note: There are two b/c the whole freaking album is amazing and I couldn't pick just one. Go to that link and download the whole thing. And in the future I will include some background on the singer/song, but this post is already too long.

Jaydiohead - Dirt Off Your Android
Jaydiohead - Song and Cry


Cheers and Salud.

Top 10 Michael Jackson Moments

(R.I.P.)

10. We Are the World




9. Captain EO (Disney 3-D Video)

Personal note, I saw this video for the first time on a family trip to Disney at the age of 5. I'm pretty sure I spent the next few months of my life learning to moonwalk and do that leg kick thing.




8. Moonwalker (for the SEGA Genesis)




7. Don't Stop Till You Get Enough

MICHAEL JACKSON - DON'T STOP TIL YOU GET ENOUGH
Uploaded by hushhush112. - Explore more music videos.

6. Michael Jackson meets Michael Jordan (causing 10 year old Michael Ivey's head to explode)

Michael Jackson - Jam
Uploaded by djoik. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

Bonus video - Black or White

Michael Jackson - Black Or White
Uploaded by hushhush112. - Explore more music videos.

5. Bad

Michael Jackson Bad



4. Smooth Criminal




3. The Jackson Five

The Jackson 5 - I Want You Back
Uploaded by hushhush112. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

2. The Debut of the Moon Walk




and finally...

1. The "Thriller" Album

Michael Jackson - Thriller
Uploaded by GGG40. - Click for more funny videos.

Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
Uploaded by hushhush112. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

Michael Jackson - Beat It
Uploaded by sofresh305. - Explore more music videos.

UPDATE I: Music is Art has a great compilation of Michael Jackson cover songs for you to enjoy.


UPDATE II: Andrew Sullivan manages to uncover a Bollywood knock-off of Thriller that must be linked to.

Best of the Web

Who Are They?

We Are Hunted is an online music chart.

It listens to what is happening in online music across blogs, social networks, forums, Twitter and P2P networks to chart the top songs online.

In the physical world, charts are built on shipped albums. Online, traditionally, they have been a count of digital downloads.

We Are Hunted is different in that it tracks sentiment, expression and advocacy.

Visually driven, intuitive and simple, We Are Hunted seeks to be a daily destination for music lovers looking for their next favourite artist track or song. Through We Are Hunted, music fans can discover new music and more importantly, join the conversation about it.

My Two Cents

One of the simplest and slickest ways to follow what bands are garnering the most attention online, as opposed to simply listing the top 40 songs on the radio or iTunes.

Bonus: you can talk to your kids about music again.

Technorati Tags: Mike,We Are Hunted,Music

FREE MUSIC!

(Courtesy of Kanye West)

You know, if you can get over his self-important persona and his over the top antics (or most recently his love of the auto-tuner), that Kayne West guy isn’t half bad. His blog isn't either, that is assuming your passions include music, expensive tennis shoes, and avante-garde architecture.

He updates the site pretty regularly though he doesn’t write a great deal. What he lacks in prose however he more than makes up for in “free” music downloads. Here’s a sampling of my favorites, and just in case anyone from the RIAA is reading this, please purchase the album if you like the song (follow the links below for download instructions):

LIL' WAYNE – HOT REVOLVER

BON IVER – THE PARK (FEIST COVER)

HOT CHIP - "TRANSMISSION" (JOY DIVISION COVER)

THE DECEMBRISTS – THE RAKE SONG

FEIST & BEN GIBBARD - "TRAIN SONG"

SANTOGOLD - "SHUV IT" (FEAT. THREE SIX MAFIA & PROJECT PAT)

Top Tracks of 2008

The only thing that generally comes out of making a list is that everybody will think your list is bollocks (sorry for the Brit slang...just saw Oasis a couple days ago). I have seen the list by Pitchfork of best albums of 2008, and despite being a music snob myself, I have heard of maybe 10% of the bands they picked. They honestly must pick albums that nobody has heard of simply to be difficult and try to put themselves on a pedestal. I'm not taking the bait, Pitchfork. On the other end of the spectrum, you have your bubble gum pop magazines like Blender, who basically pick the top ten selling albums as their albums of the year. Well, im going to try to land somewhere in between.

If you disagree, you are wrong.

10) You Won't Be Fooled By This- Albert Hammond Jr.- A very solid second effort from Hammond. This guy has been great on two albums, which makes me fear the Strokes are officially done forever. If that's the case, I hope Hammond has a few more albums. This album is perfect driving music.

9)The Kooks- See The Sun- nothing mind-blowing, but a catchy tune by a very solid band

8) Counting Crows- You Can't Count on Me- a very honest song about explaining to somebody that despite your best efforts, you still are (sadly) unreliable

7) TI (feat Jay Z, Lil Wayne, Kanye, MIA)- Swagger Like Us- For two reasons

a) the beat is absolute smoke
b) Jay Z rips the best rap verse of the year

6) Sigur Ros- Gobbledigook- The background drums are relentless, the guitar chords catchy, the words unintelligible. There is no possible way you don't love this song.

5) Bon Iver- Skinny Love- the most popular song off a very emotionally raw and emotive album.


4) Kings of Leon- Sex on Fire- While I disagree with most critics that this album was one of the top of the year, I do agree that this song is a stellar track.

3) Kanye West- Street Lights- anyone that says the new K. West album is bad is plain wrong. West really allows his vulnerable emotional side to shine through in this effort. Street Lights is a reflective effort that will make you think about your life.

2) Oasis- I'm Outta Time- Despite largely being ignored by the US, the Gallaghers continue to churn out better rock and roll tunes than anybody else. If they interacted more with their fans, they would be bigger and more loved than Coldplay, because their music is far superior. The songwriting talent is top notch in this track.

1) MGMT- Kids- These guys couldn't possibly have been more tailor made for ipods of hipsters and hipster wannabes. Their synthesized music is catchy and enjoyable. I can listen to this song thirty times in a row and be just as excited about it the thirtieth time. I guarantee you will catch yourself singing "control yourself....take only what you neeeeeeeeed from it," for at least a week after listening to this track.

Everytime Kat Perry Sings, Another Untalented Hack Thinks They Can Make It in the Music Industry

Starting in high school I all but gave up on the radio as primary source for music. Why did this happen you might be wondering? Well it's pretty simple; Creed happened.

More specifically though, it was thanks to the likes of pandora.com, emusic.com, Last.fm, SPIN/Rolling Stone, the iPod, and pitchfork.com (for when I want to sound particulary snooty) that radio became all but irrelevant. Also, in college I was lucky enough to leverage my years in the high-school band (insert nerd joke here) / marginal skills on the drum set to help start a moderately successful alt-rock band and a pretty successful cover band. Being surrounded by people who were actually passionate about music apparently makes you care about music as well (mob mentality is sometimes a good thing). And when you care about music it becomes easy to spot the frauds... Kat Perry is a fraud.

I am not saying that she's a bad singer (she isn't) or that her beats aren't catchy (I'll dance to them if our wedding band decides to play that sort of thing), it's her lyrics. I'm sure you've all heard the following poetic masterpiece from the song "Hot N Cold" currently playing incessantly on Clear Channel's radio waves:

"You... change your mind, like a girl... changes clothes."

By this one can only assume that she's accusing the antagonist in the song of changing their mind only after looking at themselves in the mirror and asking whoever is in earshot whether they look fat, but we'll just call that an educated guess. What I am sure about is that this is perhaps the worst simile ever uttered by someone that isn't named Chad Koeger.

So to help Kat Perry improve her song writing abilities, I strongly urge any and all OSS readers to contribute a phrase in the comments section below. Keep in mind that the original verse rhymes "clothes" with "know", so something like "You... write a song, like a child... writes a joke" would work.


UPDATE: Kristi brought to my attention the fact that Kat Perry also blantantly ripped off Jill Sobule's "I kissed a girl" from 1995.


UPDATE II: It may be worth mentioning here that sarcasm (to steal a line from Matt Chandler) is my love language.

"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. " - Berthold Auerbach

With the increasingly dour news coming out of Washington today, I needed something music related to clear the mind. A mind laxative if you will. Plus, Chris’ eloquent post a couple months ago detailing the brilliance of Lil Wayne, inspired me to take a stab at creating a music post of my own. We'll call these the "OSS September Music Awards" or OSSSMAA for short.

Best chance at following Vampire Weekend’s meteoric rise through the blogosphere:

Young Coyotes

Best (and most confusing) trend in music:

Beach Boys envy

Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal

Panda Bear - Comfy in Nautica


Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby

Best music search tool you don’t have yet:

Songbird

Best online music promo:

Emusic (leave your email address in the comments section and I'll refer you... it's a win-win)

Best album receiving a 3.8 rating by Pitchfork:

Kings of Leon – Only by the Night

Best chance at alienating their fan base thanks to their most recent turd sandwich album:

My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges (just try and get through "Highly Suspicious")

Best album of 2008 that has no chance of winning an Album of the Year award:

TV on the Radio - Dear Science


UPDATE: I had the Young Coyotes video posted twice, and forgot to include the Panda Bear video. My apologies.