The Letter D

Ever since I first heard the song Mother by Danzig I have been in love with Glenns voice. Powerful and creepily dark, it reaches into the blackest parts of the soul and dredges up the inner demon within. This song is less metal and more ballad. Don't mistake that for weakness though, this song is nothing but killer.
Danzig - Blood And Tears

I found this song while I was watching through the TV show United States Of Tara, which is a perfect song for a show that deals with uncertainty. This song is perfect for those stressful situations, very calming, nice easy tempo that works itself into a light build up. Whenever I hear this I can't help but picture the sculpture The Thinker by Auguste Rodin. I bet if he had an iPod this would definitely be on his playlist.
David Karsten Daniels - That Knot Unties?

Want to hear a weird song? Good because James Scott "Jimmy" Tamborello knows how to make 'em. This is a glitchy ethereal walk down electro lane. If you think this reminds you are listening to this and it reminds you a little of The Postal Service, you wouldn't be wrong in your assumption. Jimmy is one half of The Postal Service.
Dntel - Umbrella

Canadian alt country at it's best. The background instrumentation reminds me of the Shins song Sleeping Lessons.
Doug Paisley - Take My Hand (No Longer Available)

There is nothing mature about this band, which I am sure you can guess by their name, and the song title. However this song will rock your face off and the simple lyrics will get stuck in your head. Besides what is more fun than yelling "Ghost with a boner" over and over while thrashing around playing air guitar. Pure unadulterated fun.
Diarrhea Planet - Ghost With A Boner

Random old songs

If you have never heard of Pedro The Lion you owe it to yourself to give him a listen. I say him because it basically one guy, David Bazan, with a revolving band line up backing him. Bazan writes heartfelt lyrics that can at time be a little depressing but also very thought provoking. The music definitely tends to lean more towards the calm side, although there was an album or two that seemed more upbeat closer to the end of the bands career. I remember coming across this band at a local christian bookstore, and being very surprised that they actually carried it upon listening to the album. It's definitely not preachy by any stretch of the imagination. In fact quite a few of the songs deal with much more adult themes and even foray into darker themes (check out the album Winners Never Quit.) Don't get me wrong his music isn't all rainclouds and sour grapes, the music will leave you with the feeling that no one is perfect and that we are only human.
Pedro The Lion - The Longer I Lay Here

Get ready to rock the eff out. Ska punk rockers Less Than Jake produce the happiest music you have ever heard with majorly jaded lyrics. It's like eating ice cream and being hit in the head with a rock. If you like to dance and you want to re live those angsty anti-everything teen years I suggest giving these dudes a whirl. I guarantee you after hearing this it will be stuck in your head just like...well, glue.
Less Than Jake - Krazy Glue

A long time ago I used to work at a gas station/ car wash. Working the car wash was one of the most slack jobs I ever did. I got to listen to music all day, I could do my homework, I'd cut pictures out of magazines and make humorous word bubbles for other employees to find, and I worked a great bunch of guys. One particular guy was named Jason. He was one of the funniest dudes I have ever met. We used to just sit around and listen to Whatever And Ever Amen by Ben Folds Five constantly (It had just came out then). One day he had randomly gave me a CD by this band called Arch Stanton, which he was a member of. I had talked to this guy countless times and he had never mentioned he was in a band. I never got to see them play because I was to young to get into any bars, but he was kind enough to give me a CD. Which he comically signed, "To Brad. From Quality" Quality was the name of the gas station/car wash.
Arch Stanton - Forever (No Longer Available)


This is a home state band that I always loved. They had a few big hits back in the 90's with the songs Plowed, Molly and the less popular Wax Ecstatic. All very good songs in their own right. They were also featured on the soundtrack to the Kevin Smith film Chasing Amy and a great compilation called Saturday Morning: Cartoons' Greatest Hits. Here is they killer version of the theme song to Speed Racer. P.S. I would highly suggest picking up this compilation, especially for The Violent Femmes outstanding version of Eep Opp Ork-Ah Ah from the Jetsons and Matthew Sweet re-doing Scooby Doo, Where Are You?
Sponge - Speed Racer

This song needs nothing enticing said about it. It's that good. Also I really need to go to bed. Also check out some cool art by this dude.
Little Wings - Last Time

RopBop Special Request
Radical Dudez - Tahiti Treat

Kind of relevant

It's been a while since I had the motivation to update this here so called blog. Where have I been one might ask? My answer is, Lazytown. If you have never been there it's a wonderful place filled with naps, comfortable furniture, filling food, and televisions that only play captivating movies and shows. However I am here today, and that is what really matters.
Trampled By Turtles - Wait So Long

Just a little something I found stumbled upon. Click here to view!
Exene Cervenka - Trojan Horse (No Longer Available)

I decided that it is time for me to move on from my current job and find something that is going to actually make me feel good at the end of the day. I work for a bank and my particular position is one where I have to deal with angry people multiple times through out the day. It's especially fun when they are already pissed off and you have to deliver them more bad news. Quite often it's justified, sometimes it's not. Either way it's not what I want to do forever. This past month so much has changed there and it's causing a lot of unnecessary turmoil. Fee changes, new systems (both internal and external). I never really wanted to work there in the first place but I really needed a job. I applied to a few place I actually worked for in the past, both really good companies that I enjoyed working. Here's hoping! I just realized that this song is really two songs in one. I could edit it or pull the song from the CD but I am lazy and I sort of like it this way.
Suicide Machines - So Long and I Don't Want To Hear It (Minor Threat Cover)

I am horrible at making myself exercise. I never do it and if I try to keep a regimen, I usually don't make it through 2 weeks. I am trying again though I have made it two days in a row. Along with that I haven't done done anything that physical in months, I know bad, right!? To say that I am feeling the burn is an understatement. I am sure I will feel it even more tomorrow. I am starting out little and working my way up and skipping a day through out the week. I have a playlist filled with fast tempo music to keep me going and I also make it so it goes for a certain amount of time. When a few songs go by I know to change to something else. It works really well.
Los Campesinos! - Sweet Dreams Sweet Cheeks

Random funny song
Muckafurgason - Spanish Fly (No Longer Available)

The Letter C

I used to work for Goodwill and I have to admit it was one of the best jobs I ever had. Not only is it a great place to find awesome treasures, but they also do a lot for the community. They have programs that help people with barriers to employment get jobs. It's really a fun place to work too. I learned a lot working there. Like how to spot expensive pottery, how to tell a fake Coach purse from a real one, how e-bay works and what sells. Did you know Goodwill has their own version of E-Bay? This song has nothing to do with Goodwill Stores, but I thought I'd give a big up to the old GW. Listen to this and then get in your car and drive to a local Goodwill store and buy something from them. Then feel good knowing what you spent is doing something good in the world.
Carlis Star - The Goodwill Robot (No Longer Available)

This song reminds me of that Sean Kingston song Beautiful Girls. Only more countryfied. This is what radio stations are missing, if they played more songs like this I might not hate the radio so much. At least we have college radio stations and small local stations. By the way check out Deer Tick's version of Beautiful Girls because it's friggin' great.
Corb Lund - Devil's Best Dress

It's funny, I just now noticed that the lead singer of The Cure is included in this song, and The Cure is another band that begins with the letter C. Crystal Castles have been making electronic music for a few years now and making people dance to their glitchy gameboy space techno. However this song doesn't sound like that at all. It sounds like a perfectly reworked version of a lost cure song. I have been rocking this song a lot lately. Sooo good.
Crystal Castles - Not In Love (Feat. Robert Smith)

Speaking of super team ups how about some little known positive hip-hop meets depressing alternative superstars? Why should you listen it? Because...
Chiddy Bang - Because (ft. Radiohead)

This song is well done musically as well as lyrically. It is also super funny!
Corky & The Juice Pigs- Eskimo

I don't sweat. I rain.

Last night I decided to watch a movie as I fell asleep. I can't get Netlix in the bedroom (because I'm too cheap to buy wireless) so I camped out on the couch. I always try to pick a movie that I have seen so if I fall asleep, it doesn't matter, I'm not missing anything. Netflix just recently made the movie Angus available to watch instantly, and how can you pass up watching that movie?! The movie is one of the quintessential high school nerd movies of the 90's. Along with being a great movie, it also had a really kick ass soundtrack. It features one of my favorite green day songs J.A.R.as well as contributions by some great bands such as Tilt, Dancehall Crashers, The Muffs, The Smoking Popes, and Weezer. However my favorite song on the album was always Am I Wrong by Love Spit Love. I can't say that I have listened to any other song by them, or I did and I wasn't into it, but this song is beautiful. Emotional poetic lyrics backed by an amazing string section.
Love Spit Love - Am I Wrong

I must admit, there was a long span of time where I didn't watch SNL. I still am not a "must tune in" fan, but I have found myself watching the show more than usual. When I do, I know that any SNL Digital short featuring The Lonely Island is going to be a treat. Some songs are better than others but, I at least get a chuckle or two even from the duds. These dudes know who to mix comedy and hip hop like mad scientists. Their new album Turtle Neck And Chain just recently dropped and I suggest checking it out. Not only is the album gut busting funny, but the production and beats are top notch. The video is from the new album but the song is from their previous album Incredibad.

The Lonely Island - Space Olympics

Speaking of funny, I started listening to this podcast called The Phone Show. It's a podcast where a bunch of people get together and make prank phone calls. Sometimes cruel, but always entertaining. It is a off shoot of a group called Phone Losers Of America or, PLA. The site is full of interesting and funny stories of the group tormenting individuals and doing fun things with phones. On the show they have a nerdcore rap celeb who calls in named Rappy McRapperson. It's not mature sophisticated rap by any means, but that is what makes it wonderful. The dude is pretty witty in his rhymes and can provide a hook that will stay stuck in your head for hours. I first heard this song when I was eating lunch at work. Couldn't think of a song more fitting.
Rappy McRapperson - Food


I have become a huge fan of The Hold Steady for the past couple of years, however I was disappointed when I learned that they were losing one of the best parts of the band, their piano player Franz Nicolay. Although I am sort of upset with Franz Nicolay leaving The Hold Steady, I can't stay mad at him when he puts out a solo CD like Luck and Courage. Like fromer band mate Craig Finn, Nicolay has a unique sing/talk style that works so well with the eccentric moody music. For some reason I picture the singer playing the part of a old timey preacher spreading the word at the top of his lungs.
Franz Nicolay - Anchorage (New Moon Baby)

The weather is finally getting nice, time to shed those hats and coats, crank the windows down and the tunes up. Why not start with this?
Your Youth - Diamond

The Letter B

I am not a huge sports fan but I really like the concept of a band singing songs about baseball. Not to mention that this band is composed of some decent song writers. Most notable Peter Buck of R.E.M. fame. I posted this song not because I am a Twins fan but I am a fan of Craig Finn (The Hold Steady) who lends his vocals on this tune. I'd say this is a must for a sports/music fan. No three strikes here, this is a home run all the way.
The Baseball Project - Don't Call Them Twinkies

I don't know exactly what to say about this song. I love the laid back feel and the lyrics remind me of those old 60's girl groups. You know, the smitten girl gushing about her boy. The song is pretty rocking and swimming in a sea of reverb goodness.
Best Coast - When I'm With You

Buddy Guy is one of the great blues legends, although this isn't sad sounding as one might think. This is a biting dark gritty song meant to be blasted on a stereo with lots of bass. I can't help to think how the song has a sort of Hendrix vibe to it. Every rapper can claim dirty south, but this would be my definition for sure.
Buddy Guy - Baby Please Don't Leave Me

How about something a little less heavy and more happy? This song reminds me of every feel good family friendly movie I have seen. It mostly reminds me of the movie Race The Sun. This song was not in the movie, it did feature Send Me On My Way by Rusted Root. I think it could have fit right in perfectly though. This song will make you want to go somewhere with palm trees or on a Safari. Seems fitting since the band is from Zimbabwe.
Bhundu Boys - Hatisi Tose

80's hair metal will never die, and I am glad. Break out the male eyeliner, spandex or skin tight leather (your pick) and hot guitar licks. Let the cheese begin!
Big Bang Babies - Shes My Candy Girl

"I get by with a little help from my friends..."

Today's post is brought to you by the the letter J, as in Jake. Since I have been lame with my posting habits lately I an pleased to present a guest RopBop post!! I also want to send a big thank you to him for taking the time to do this. He's got a lot more going on than I do. Much appreciated, man! With that said let's check out his jams!

First off is a flashback from the vault. Being only a casual follower of music, I’ve generally depended on more knowledgeable friends for new tunes. This song by The National was part of RopBop’s inaugural post. (Check the archives on the right.) Only recently have I discovered the Kent District Library, and without getting too much into the benefits of taxpayer-funded public services, I’ll only say that the library is the best place in the world. In addition to all of the children's books and Star Wars graphic novels one could ever want to check out, it’s also allowed me to listen to all of the music I’ve always wanted to, but have been too cheap/broke to purchase--in this case, The National’s “Alligator”. Good stuff!

The National- Mr. November

If any of you out there have small children, you’ll know how rare it is to find kids’ music that parents can enjoy, too. Yeah, some of you may like Raffi, but I hope you keep that to yourselves. “If You Ever See An Owl..." however, is a staple of my ipod rotation. I discovered these guys while listening to Pandora a couple years ago by recognizing the singer’s voice from The Get Up Kids’ version of “Close To Me”--a cover song RopBop-worthy in it’s own right--which was made known to me courtesy of Brad.
The Terrible Twos - Old Man Miller (not from album)

Back when we were living on Paddock Ave., Brad and I also had a musical goldmine next door named Dice. There among the treasures unearthed was that of Dinosaur Jr. Screaming guitar solos rule, and the last three minutes of this song understatedly wail.
Dinosaur Jr - Pick Me Up

This is my cousins’ band (as in both singers, Max and Rory) and their inclusion here is more than just a nepotic plug. I really, really like this album. It’s got a double entendre title, a few subtle Wilco, Pearl Jam, and Ishmael references, and a strong social conscience that makes me re-evaluate my existence every time I listen to it. Keep it up, BDR, and check it out, readers.

Big Dudee Roo - Michigan


I hope you all enjoyed my post, and I hope Brad will invite me back, because I got more songs! Thanks, Brad! And Happy Easter, everyone.