Theme: None

"Word up, G!"
This song by the Forecast was on the radio for about two seconds, which I don't even think is enough time to even call it a one hit wonder, which is a shame. This song is what makes listening to the radio good. It's catchy, it's easy to learn, and it is clean and crisp. The band definitely falls into that emo sub genre with a sound similar to fellow band such as The Get Up Kids and Braid. They also make great use of two and three part male/female harmonies. The Forecast might have been a little to emo sounding for the masses, but I'll take these Peoria, Illinois rockers over a Nickelback (puke) song any day of the week. The albums In the Shadow of Two Gunmen and Late Night Conversations are great sounding and should be given a chance for any fan of emo music.
The Forecast - And We All Return To Our Roots

Herman Dune is not a single guy. Actually the band started out as a trio back in 1991 with Siblings André and David-Ivar Herman Düne(guitars and vocals) and original drummer Omé, now replaced by Néman Herman Düne (drums and sometimes backing vocals). The band has since become a duo as André had left the band and gone to do solo work under the name of Stanley Brinks. The bands sound has been described as anti-folk. However if I would label them anything would say they crank out some pretty catchy acoustic indie pop. The band has a very obvious playful side in both lyrics and music. I am sure it would be a delight to see this band preform live. A small factoid, the band was invited and played a live christmas session at the house of the legendary John Peel. Pretty big deal I'd say. I have been a fan for a while now and hope you will be to.
Herman Dune - Try to Think About Me (Don't You Worry A Bit)

Dolores O'Riordan really needs no introduction at all. You might not recognize her name but you'll for sure recognize her voice. Dolores was the lead singer for the oh so popular alternative band the Cranberries who just reunited this year and are touring now. I had no idea that O'Riordan had solo stuff out until this past week when I found this track. As I listened to it for the first time I had no clue who she was and I thought "Man, this sounds so familiar!" I couldn't put mt finger on it right away and it took a few listens for me to figure it out. When I found out who it was I broke out my old Cranberries CD's and gave them a spin. I can't say I love her voice, but it's definitely distinct and something different from the norm. I really like it in small doses, but I couldn't listen to it for hours on end. Either way this song is pretty.
Dolores O'Riordan - Stupid

(January 8, 1815) a largely symbolic but still significant engagement which ended the War of 1812. On December 23, one day before the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, Gen. Andrew Jackson, commanding a force made up of army regulars, New Orleans's free blacks, three state militias, and the pirates of Barataria, tried to fend off the British. The British, who were trying to relieve military pressure on Canada and improve their status during peace negotiations, attacked on January 8. American artillery shelled the British, who suffered 2, 400 casualties, while the Americans lost only seventy men. That, my friends, called, in the words of Charlie, "Going America All Over Everybodys Ass." I'm not one to condone war at all, but that is a pretty interesting story. Every interesting story needs an interesting song. Who better to make one than the long standing country-folk-rock veterans The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Even if you don't like country this song is great fun to listen to.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - The Battle Of New Orleans

I had a really hard time deciding which 30h!3 song to post so I am going to post two of my favorites. Both are by no means the usual indie-never-to-be-played-on-the-radio songs usually found here. These songs are energetic, fun and, "like, totally for the TRL generation." The lyrics are on the immature side and insanely catchy. It's the kind of songs that you will get in your head and you say "Good lord, why won't it go away!" but secretly you love it. The one saving grace is KiD CuDi spitting on one of the songs. That dude is the shizznit, and Katy Perry is cute. Not sure if that makes the song better but, ya know.
3oh!3 - Don't Trust Me feat. KiD CuDi (Remix)
3oh!3 - Starstrukk (Featuring Katy Perry)

under the COVERS

Once again I am doing a theme post, which there have been a lot of lately. I promise I'll get back to just going random soon. I am going to do another "Cover Songs" post. I am a cover freak and I have a lot of them in my collection. I was inspired to do this because of a conversation about O.D.B. with a friend. She said anyone who covers O.D.B. has to be good. I'd have to agree with her. So here are more recognizable covers rather than the usual obscure music. Hope you dig it!

I am once again going to throw up my white flag of surrender to the kings of coolness by posting another Justin Timberlake song. If you have been following for a while you know I am an in the closet fan of really insanely popular radio friendly tunes. I don't hide it here so much, but if you asked me in real life I would totally deny it. However I'll admit that I like the covers. This little ditty by Tender Forever, is strummed on, what I believe to be, a ukulele. I love the lyrics to this song. This song almost makes me want to go out and buy a Justin Timberlake CD. Must...resist....urge.
Tender Forever - My Love (Justin Timberlake Cover)

I don't know a lot about Alica Keys, but I do know that whenever I see her on TV I don't change the channel. She's an amazing performer. I always wished I could play the piano. She plays the piano, right? It's obvious that I have only seen her twice and I have never heard her perform this song. Guess what I am going to do as soon as I am done writing this? This cover has quickly made it's way to the top of my most played list. I have never heard anything from The Honorary Title as well. I guess I have some homework to do.
The Honorary Title - No One (Alica Keys Cover)

I am also not a fan of The Maine or Akon (well with the exception of Smack That). They just never really appealed to my taste of music. I'm not a modern R&B enthusiast I don't go to the clubs anymore. Now I'd rather throw on some Otis Redding or Solomon Burke and get down. As much as I loved pop punk back in the day, I can't really stomach it anymore. I have tons of old CD's that just sit on the shelf because they are too emo. Although my music pallet might have grown up, my love for the immature has not. This is one of the greatest songs about falling in love with a stripper you can find.
The Maine - I Want To Love You (Akon Cover)

Since I mentioned soul singers and getting down, lets take a listen to one of the super sexy songs of Marvin Gaye. Hot Chip are Grammy nominated a electropop group who have been making music since 2000. They have gain critical acclaim for their amazing music videos, and let me tell you they are definitely worth checking out. Before you go off exploring though give a listen to this amazing glitchy cover of Sexual Healing. I can't say it's as sexy as the original, but I'd like to think it would be sexy in a future where computers rule everything.
Hot Chip - Sexual Healing (Marvin Gaye Cover)

Another future sounding song. I have no idea why I sat on this song when I did my M.J. post 5 months ago because this cover is absolutely killer. I really can't say more than that. If you want cool points when you make a mix CD. This song would be it.
Discovery - I Want You Back (Jackson 5 Cover)

Marty McFly: Time circuits on. Flux Capacitor... fluxxing. Engine running. All right! Jump in the time machine and lets go from a future of computers to a simpler past. Alvin Robinson came up in the New Orleans R&B and Soul scene in the mid-60's. His career didn't last more than a few years but he did manage to cut a few popular singles. This is a B side from his first hit 45, which both songs were covers. Although this one was not as popular as the A side single "Down Home Girl", this song is a classic. If you want to read more about him head on over to the awesome Funky 16 Corners blog. You may already have heard the Peggy Lees sexed up origianl, but I always loved this song and wished there was a male version. Frankly isn't a very manly song to begin with but there is no denying it's greatness.
Alvin Robinson - Fever (Peggy Lee Cover)

The First time I heard Seven Nation Army I felt like a total badass! I loved the punch in the gut drums or Meg and the buzz saw guitar stylings of Jack. The lyrics scream "Don't mess with me" as if it feel out of the mouth of Shaft himself. I was very impressed with this cover. Nostalgia 77 maintains the songs toughness but adds a jazzy smooth hip hop texture with soulful vocals that you can tell are mustered from the toes of Ms. Russell. Feel it!
Nostalgia 77 Feat. Alice Russell - Seven Nation Army (White Stripes Cover)

Super Sweet "delivering upon my word for a friend" Bonus Song
Say Anything - I Got Your Money (O.D.B.)