Girl Power

The first time I heard of the Doubleclicks was from one of the many podcasts that I listen to. The song Technical Writer was used as the background music for a show called The Phone Show which I have talked about before. The song got stuck in my head due to it being played for most of the hour long show, but I am so glad it was played repeatedly. This Portland duo creates nerdy folk music backed mostly by cello and ukulele. By nerdy I mean these girls are hardcore geeks, they have songs about video games, internet breakups, a love of star trek and dungeons and dragons. These are the kind of girls I would marry in a heartbeat. Look them up on Youtube and you will find tons of songs by them.
The Doubleclicks - Technical Writer

Lana Del Rey has been all over the music blogs as of late and a for good reason. I honestly could see her taking the throne and reigning as the new indie queen (look out Regina Spektor). She's got a fresh approach to her music it's not groundbreaking but it is noticeably different, you can tell that a lot of time was spent perfecting and polishing. Add on her soft sultry melt like butter vocals and you got a sure winner. Seriously watch out for this woman in the coming months.
Lana Del Rey - Video Games

Fun Fact: Alynda Lee Segarra, the creative force behind the band, ran away from home at 17 and hopped freight trains for a time.
Hurray For The Riff Raff - Bricks

I love this strings in this song, absolutely beautiful. I always loved Canadian girls.
Jenn Grant - Blue Skies

Lets add something a little bit more danceable. How about a song written by a great man, covered by a electro pop princess from the UK, and remixed by Buffetlibre?
Little Boots - Love Kills (Freddy Mercury Cover)

Last but not least, I can not have an all girls post and leave out my favorite female singer, Neko Case.
Neko Case - Deep Red Bells

The Letter E

This weekend has been super busy, it's been fun but really busy.
Egill S - Crazy Like A Bee

A violinist who mashes hip hop and classical....yes please!
Emily Wells - Symphony 6: Fair Thee Well & The Requiem Mix

Fall is here. Make sure this is on your color tour mix.
Efterklang - Modern Drift

Dear Ernest,
I know what you mean.
Love,
Verne
P.S. We miss you.

Ernest - Gee I'm Glad It's Raining

Get your fill of 1970's tribal protest wierdness. This song is full of cool.
Exuma - Fire In The Hole (No Longer Available)

If I was your soundtrack man...

I love movies almost as much as I love music, however there is something amazing that happens when the two go hand in hand. If you have the right song playing in the background of a scene in a movie it can create moment that the viewer will never forget. For example take the opening credits for the movie Pulp Fiction with the song Misirlou by Dick Dale & His Del-Tones, or when Ferris Bueller jums into the parade and lipsyncs Twist And Shout by the Beatles. I always thought it would be a lot of fun to be the guy who comes up with songs for certain songs in movies. So with that in mind I decided to go through my library of music and pick out some songs that I could totally see being used in the movies. I call this mix "A Tarantino Type Thing: Music For A Film". I chose that name because all of his movies have superb soundtracks.

01. Howlin' Wolf - You Gonna Wreck My Life
02. Elvis Presley - Baby Let's Play House
03. Undertones - Teenage Kicks
04. Fergus & Gerinmo - Baby Don't You Cry
05. Little Comets - Joanna
06. Mum - School Song Misfortune
07. J Mascis - Not Enough
08. Suicide - Dream Baby Dream
09. Richard Hell and the Voidoids - Blank Generation
10. The Scientists - We Had Love
11. We Are The World - Fight Song
12. Patrick Wolf - Oblivion
13. Charles Bradley - The World (Is Going Up In Flames)
14. The Dixie Nightingales - All I Need is Some Sunshine in My Life
15. R.E.M. - Country Feedback
16. Eels - Millicent Don't Blame Yourself(Live)
17. Sparklehorse - It's A Wonderful Life
18. The Microphones - I Felt Your Shape
19. Ben Sollee And Daniel Martin Moore - Something, Somewhere, Sometime
20. James Carr - She's Better Than You
21. Damien Jurado - Cloudy Shoes
22. Daniel Johnston - To Go Home
23. Marc Bolan & T.Rex - Metal Guru


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

I have recently come to the conclusion that my job makes me really stressed out. More so than usual. I'm sure if you asked anyone who knows me, they would tell you I am a fairly laid back person. It takes a lot to get me worked up. However everyone has a breaking point and I think I have reached that point. What really matters is how you handle yourself once you have reached that breaking point. For me I don't get violent I just get stressed, which you can clearly see by the many gray hairs on my head. So, to save what little orginal hair color I have left I think it's time to hit that dusty trail in the not so distant future. I felt this amazing cover was appropriate.
Antony And The Johnsons - Knockin' On Heavens Door

This song makes me want to build a time machine travel back California in the early 80's, find an empty pool and skate the hell out of it with the Bones Brigade crew. Although I don't know how to skate a pool. I guess that if I had a time machine I'd have ample time to learn.
Jeff The Brotherhood - Shredder

I know I mentioned the podcast Comedy Bang Bang(formerly Comedy Death Ray Radio) a few times in the past but today I mention it for other reasons than how hilarious it is. Recently they did an episode with special musical guests Yo La Tengo. The band didn't really say much throughout the podcast but they did play a few acoustic in studio songs. All of which are amazing. The voices you hear at the start are that of the host Scott Aukerman, Paul F. Tompkins (impersonating Werner Herzog), and Zach Galifianakis. The show is pretty funny, but if you are a YLT fan you would be doing yourself a great disservice by not listening to this episode.
Yo La Tengo - Tom Courtenay (Acoustic)


I have had this song in my iTunes for a long time and I just got around to listening to it the other night. I really really dig it. This is a local band from my neck of the woods. Grand Rapids represent! It's definitely got a metal/hardcore sound but don't let that hinder you decision to give it a listen. It's not that sort of metal. Besides they have a sweet band name.
Victor! Fix The Sun - We Come From The Northwoods


I don't know if it's that this band sounds very similar to Frightened Rabbit or if it's the accent or that it's just good song, but I love it.
The Twilight Sad - Cold Days From The Birdhouse

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)