The Letter I

Ida is one of the best chill out bands that you will ever hear. Their music is very minimalistic, and dual guy/girl vocal harmonies that create a beautiful and peaceful landscape. The band has released many albums since it's debut in 1994 on both major and independent record labels. I love throwing on an Ida album when I am reading. So relaxing. I'd suggest their album I Know About You, but this song is off of their most recent full length Lovers Prayers.
Ida - Lovers Prayers


80's synths, catchy lyrics, and a beat you can most certainly work out to. Definitely the type of song that gets stuck in your brain, so be ready to sing it all day!
Iglu & Hartly - Day Glo


This band hails from the Great White North. That's Canada if you weren't sure. Take off you hoser! Straight up indie rock. I first heard this song on my way home from work, I found myself going a lot faster than what I should have been. Neat fact, the bands name is taken from the Paul Simon song One-Trick Pony.
Immaculate Machine - Dear Confessor


I posted a song by the Islands quite a long time ago but I can't resist posting another from them. This is a rowdy little number that breaks down to an almost Caribbean calypso feel half way through which makes it really hard not to dance to. These boys are also Canadian, hence the french title of this song which I believe translates to "I love to see you leave."
Islands - J'aime Vous Voir Quitter


I don't know much about Ingrid Michaelson, she's fairly new on my radar, but from what I have heard I really dig her stuff. She did a really good Ukelele version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow. This song is a poppy post break up song. Happy isn't what you would expect for a description of break up song. The lyrics are simple yet convey a great deal of emotion perfectly. On a side note, I always laugh a little when I hear this song because back in my middle school days I had a gym teacher named Mr. Weeber who nick named me B.O.K. I used to camp seasonally in the summer with my family at a campground called Baldwin Oaks. One weekend I saw him at the campground and he gave me the name "The Baldwin Oaks Kid" which was shortened to B.O.K.
Ingrid Michaelson - Be OK


Immortal Technique is one of the best underground rappers I have ever heard. He's super hardcore and voices his views with no filter. In other words this cat is raw. I have listened to his album Revolutionary Vol. 2 so many times I have lost count. The album as a whole is very political, by that I mean it attacks the united states government, particularity the Bush administration, which is fitting for the time the album was released. However, do not let that be a deterrent from checking out this album, it's filled with great lines and fresh as it was 10 years ago. This song is exactly what rap should be!
Immortal Technique - Industrial Revolution


I know I posted this song before, I am sure it was one of the first few posts for this blog, but I LOVE this song! Mmmmm whatcha say....

1890

Give me something to break!

I am in a horrible mood right now. Shit has just been rolling downhill all day and I have been standing at the bottom. I could go into it all the issues that led to the turd covered angry state that I am in, but that isn't what this blog is for. I will say this though, because it makes me laugh. I decided to try to quit smoking and this is first day not smoking. Which I am sure is contributing to my overall crankiness, however I can't help but remember Steve McCroskey from the movie Airplane....
With that said today's songs are going to be my go to angry songs. Warning: I am sure most of these songs will have some bad language, so don't listen to them around old ladies, children, or nuns. Let's do this!


This song is pretty hardcore, but sometimes you just need to vent.
Toxic Narcotic - Asshole

I don't know if anyone else does this, but sometimes I make up scenarios and then think of what I would do in that situation. Example: I thought to myself, Man, if someone decides to mess with me tonight, like say mug me, I might just go insane and release all this pent up aggression. I'd give them a beat down but right before I did I'd give an awesome one liner straight from a movie like, "You picked the wrong guy to mess with tonight. Then afterward I'd give them the advice "That's why you don't fuck with people!"
Black Lips - Short Fuse

I'll never get tired of hearing this song....ever. This video is pretty badass too, tons of celebs, Snoop, Dre, Eminem, Jonathan Davis (of Korn), Pauly Shore (WTF) I'm sure there are more that I don't know.
Limp Bizkit - Break Stuff


Even though they may have your best interests at heart and genuinely want to know what is bothering you, it's best to walk away or tell them you will talk to them when you are in a more rational state and can speak without offending. Or simply tell them you do not wish to discuss the issue with them. Just remember be polite.
Delta 5 - Mind Your Own Business

How 'bout some ol' funky shadiness?
The O'Jays - Back Stabbers


On the surface the lyrics seem like a nice homage to friends but once you listen to the song you soon realize that this song is filled with nothing but bitterness. Brilliant song right here.
Big Star - Thank You Friends


Being angry is a great time for some guttural growls and a lot of yelling. It also helps if it's got an insane wall of guitar and angsty lyrics (even though you can't make out most of them).
Planes Mistaken For Stars - Belly Full Of Hell

No matter how angry or upset you get at a situation or outcome staying angry isn't healthy, you'll just end up bitter and alone. So here are a few songs to help you dig in and climb back to the top and reclaim your place as king of Mt. awesome, where you belong.

Apartment - Fall Into Place

Flaming Lips - Bad Days


The Tallest Man On Earth - Troubles Will Be Gone

Cloud Cult - Unexplainable Stories

Van Halen - Right Now

The Winter Of Our Discontent Vol. 2

I opted out of doing a holiday post in order to do a Winter mix. I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday. This is a mix compiled of songs that remind me of winter or are about winter. Nothing more nothing less. Sorry the artist and song name format are switched from how I usually list them.

The Winter Of Our Discontent Vol. 2

01. Lightnin' Hopkins - My Starter Won´t Start This Morning
02. The Pharmacy - Coldest Morning Light
03. U.S. Royalty - Equestrian
04. The Radical Dudez - Girls Who Play in the Snow
05. Archers Of Loaf - Wrong
06. Superchunk - Winter Games
07. The Raveonettes - Dead Sound
08. Lucero - Kiss the Bottle
09. Harlowe and The Great North Woods - Roses
10. Grizzly Bear And Feist - Service Bell
11. Doug Hoyer - Oh, The Wind Will Blow (ft. Jessica Jalbert)
12. Michael Gungor - Doxology
13. Alela Diane - White As Diamonds
14. Bonnie "Prince" Billy & Matt Sweeney - Blood Embrace
15. Mike Knott - Double
16. Low Anthem - This God Damn House
17. Patrick Wolf - Theseus
18. Kevin Devine - She Stayed As Steam
19. Frightened Rabbit - Living in Colour

Click here to listen on YouTube Click here to listen on Spotify

The Letter H

A British singer/songwriter named after the protagonist in Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's. She's been cranking out albums since 1995 and got her start with the band Thee Headcoatees.
Holly Golightly and the Brokeoffs - Gettin' High For Jesus

I don't know what to say about this song other than it reminds me of getting strange in the summer.
Highlife - F Kenya Rip

I first heard this song on a chill out mix I randomly found on the internet. Gotta love Stumbleupon!
The Helio Sequence - Shed Your Love

I don't know much about this band as this is the only song I know by them. The main member is Chris Otepka and several other musicians. He's from Chicago. I need to check out more of his stuff. I like the nervous and awkward singing and the fast paced jittery musicianship. Reminds me of high school.
Heligoats - Fishsticks

If you have never had a chance to see Headwig And The Angry Inch, it's definitely worth seeing. It's a twisted musical movie, think Rocky Horror Picture show only more fucked up, however the music is phenomenal. This is one to add to the morning playlist for sure.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch - Wig In A Box

This is a rare track from the best bar band in the world. This was part of the Virgin Digital Sessions.
The Hold Steady - 212 Margarita

The nightime, sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy, head, fever so you can jam out medicine

So I have been sick for the past week. Thankfully, it wasn't the throwing up sick, or the symptom that happens at the other end (you know what I mean). It was more of a Nyquil tagline sickness. Not fun times. Although I did have to go to the doctor, I called to make an appointment and they were all booked up so I had to go to a walk in clnic that they were partners with and I got to get checked put by a super hot female doctor. As Borat would say "Very nice!" So today I am going to post songs that are in some way related to sickness. Note: It's super hard to find songs related to being sick, so most of these won't be theme specific, but they will be good.

Nerds + Rap = Sick
Rappy McRapperson - Sick As Doggerooskies (Feat. MC Ecniv)


The Thermals - We Were Sick

Check out their website It's pretty badass(click on the band name below) This is one of those unknown and underrated bands.
The Protomen - The Good Doctor

The Cold War Kids - Hospital Beds

The National - Cold Girl Fever

Nurses - Fever Dreams

Auto Tunes For Your Life

I was out killing time this weekend and I saw The T-Pain Mic. Supposedly it auto-tunes your voice. I wanted it so bad but it was way to expensive for me warrant a purchase for something I would only use for comedic purposes. Although I might be able to make a song sort of like this.
Muchuu - Adventure We Go


Florence Welch and company (A.K.A. Florence + The Machine) have just released their new album Ceremonials last weekend and from what I have heard so far it is not one to be overlooked. Florence has such a powerful voice that demand attention, and the music to back that sort of vocal talent is unique and highly enjoyable. I will be picking up my copy in the near future and going to see them live as soon as I can. I also can't deny I am a sucker for redheads. Seriously though this is a band to keep an eye on.
Florence And the Machine - Shake It Out

Speaking of new albums, Wilco has a new album out as well. I was lucky enough to hear it this weekend and I am impressed with the results. I have to add this one to the buy list as well. I dig the cover art a lot.
Wilco - I Might


I know I have posted a song by these Michigan natives before but a few days ago a girl I know, with awesome taste in music, posted a song from Small Brown Bike that I had completely forgotten about. I have had the CD this song is on in my collection for a long time but I never play the album anymore, due to a small crack in the disc. I pulled it out last night and discovered that the crack does not really affect it's play-ability for this song. Needless to say I was super excited to re-listen to what I could from the album. These guys put on a hell of a good show.
Small Brown Bike - No Place Like You


I found about this artist through one of the many Adult Swim Mixes. You heard that right Adult Swim, as in the TV show on Cartoon Network. I have to admit that they make some damn good mixes. How To Dress Well is an R&B project headed by Tom Krell. The music has a ethereal twist and leans a little to the 90's side of things.
How to Dress Well - Us In The Sense Of Forever


A few weeks ago I had to get rid of my favorite pillow case. I wore that thing out. I kid you not it had so many holes in it that the pillow didn't stay inside. It made me sad. This is my ode to my pilly little buddy. My you rest in peace.
Titles - Pillow Case

The Letter G

Gauntlet Hair hail from Denver. They're music creates sprawling landscapes of tripped out, reverb heavy, electro chill. It's nothing too ground breaking but it is weird, has a nice vibe and a nice edition to any mix. If that doesn't make sense to you then let me put it this way, if you are a fan of Animal Collective you'll be into this.
Gauntlet Hair - Keep Time

Here is a very different version of Crazy by Gnarls Barkley. It's not the bopin' version you are used to, this one goes down a much darker path. I would recommend that you check out not only the rest of Gnarls Barkleys live sessions but all of the other From The Basement sessions from artists like My morning Jacket and Radiohead.
Gnarls Barkley - Crazy (Live From The Basement)

Do you like your music to be fun? I know I do! So does the band The Go! Team. If you can't already tell by the name of the band, this band is all about making stadium anthem songs to get you pumped up. They blend elements of hip hop and rock perfectly into a super charged ball of energy, and then hurdle it at you. They are great for those, like me, who have trouble getting motivated. Check out their new album Rolling Blackouts for more great music.
The Go! Team - T.O.R.O.N.A.D.O.

It's Sunday, it's sunny, and I'm feeling good despite the fact that I am looking at a really crappy up coming week filled with mandatory overtime. Sometimes you just need music with a positive message.
Grits - My Life Be Like Ooh-Aah

I am a HUGE fan of a show called Trailer Park Boys. This morning I watched a short documentary about how it all came together and how it was produced. It was pretty interesting. I also watched an episode that they recently created that was supposed to be an ending to the series but the thing is, they already closed it out with what I thought was a nice ending to the series. The first ending left them in a good place, but this new ending episode did not. It did however leave the series open in a way that if they wanted to they could continue the story line. However judging by the so called finale, I don't know if they should. It didn't really impress me and it felt very forced. Sometimes it's better to just let sleeping dogs lie. P.S. The only thing this show and this song have in common is The Great White North, Canada.
Gordon Downie - Vancouver Divorce