May's Playlist on Channel 2 Pt. 2

Piers Faccini - The Taste Of Tears
A very nice song. I wished the album was better, but of course, this was the only good song.
Sean Lennon - Parachute
I was really surprised about this album. I loved it! It should be good because I think it took him 6 years to make it. Papa Lennon would be proud.
Tall Pony - I'm Your Boyfriend Now (live at BBC Maida Vale)
This song is hilarious! Take notes, girls. "We will talk about war!" I love that line. Thanks to Mostyn for this one. The actual single is horrible. It sounds really cheezy and electronic. This live version really emphasizes the creepiness and the humor of the song.
The Amphetameanies - This Boy
I haven't heard a good new ska song for a long while. Now I have.
The Bicycles - Gotta Get Out
Another band from Canada. Aren't they all lately? The song is cute and will get stuck in your head. I like 5 songs on this debut album. If you like this song, I recommend this album.
The Fiery Furnaces - Benton Harbor Blues
I like 3 songs from this band and this is one of them.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen - History Song
Damon's other band. The best song from this album. Don't believe the hype. Mediocre.
The Maybellines - Quietly
A cute song from a cute band. The only song I like from this band.
The Perishers - Pills (Featuring Sarah McLachlan)
I prefer the original version of this great song but I figured people would get a kick out of Sarah's guest vocal on this live version.
The Tellers - Second Category
I thought this was sung by a girl. I was wrong. This is the best song from this album.
Tom Waits - Never Let Go
Every now and then Tom Waits comes out with a great song. This is one of them. This album
has a bunch of good songs but you have to weed through this 54 song collection.

May's Playlist on Channel 2 Pt. 1

Cerys Matthews - Open Roads
I like the chorus. I woudn't be surprised if this is on the O.C. soundtrack. I just checked. It's not, but I bet you a billion dollars it will be.
Erase Errata - Cruising
Great sound from an all girl trio. I like a couple of songs off of this album.
Hotel Lights - Anatole
This is Darren Jessee's band, the drummer from Ben Folds Five. This is the best song on the album. Skip this album.
Imitation Electric Piano - What We Do We Do
I thought this was Stereolab when I heard it. When I learned more about this band I found out that some members of Stereolab are in the band. There a couple of good songs on this album.
Jeff Alexander - Come Wander With Me
This is from the "Late Night Tales" series of compilations by current bands. This one happens to be from the band "Air." It was also from the "Brown Bunny" soundtrack, so that's probably where they heard it. The song is actually from a "The Twilight Zone" episode of the same name in 1964. I'm a sucker for songs like these.
Kathryn Williams - Sandy L
A beautiful song. Go out and buy this album.
Koop - Koop Islands Blues
The singer does her best Billie Holiday impression. The interesting thing about this band is that the majority of the music is based on samples. Koop, themselves, play piano/accordion (Oscar), sampler (Magnus), and wear dresses.
Laura Gibson - This Is Not The End
Another delicate song with a gentle vocal. I can't have enough of them. The above picture is Laura. I think this is the only good song on the album.
Little Barrie - Yeah We Know You
The guitar work is wonderful. A good summer song. Sadly, the only good song from this album.
Little Birdy - Hollywood
I loved the last album. This album was a big disapointment. The songs on this album didn't have the magic I heard on the last album. This was the only song that I liked.
Loney, Dear - Hold Me
I love the steady, rising, movement of the melody. It starts with the main vocal, then the sparse piano and organ, and then the addition of a choral vocal. Then it slowly goes away.
Mando Diao - Welcome Home Luc Robitaille
It's a decent song.

May's Playlist on Channel 1 Pt. 2

12. Maria Taylor - Smile And Wave
Another wonderful song from her new album "Lynn Teeter Flower"
13. Moss - Me For You
A solid debut album of catchy tunes from a great new band.
14. Norah Jones - Little Moon
I just love her soulful voice.
15. Rubik - Bill Withers
An new Finnish indie band (following in the footsteps of Radiohead). This is the only song I like from their debut album. I love the driving melody but the lead singer's voice is too thin at times for this song.
16. Schwarz - Spit
The catchy guitar riff gets you hooked from the beginning and a couple of variations keep you entertained enough to the song's end. The other songs on the album, however, are not this interesting.
17. Shade - Forever
The only decent song on their second album. I have to check out their debut album because this band has potential.
18. The Apples In Stereo - 7 Stars
I had to re-evaluate my opinion of this album. I'm liking it now. Grab a copy of this album if you havent already. The distorted vocal on the chorus makes the song for me but the other vocal treatment really makes me sick.
19. The Broken West - You Can Build an Island
Another great debut album! This band from California have created an album of instant classics that would make any fan of melodic pop satisfied.
20. The Comas - New Wolf
It's a great song because it doesn't waste any time leading you to the catchy chorus.
21. The Eames Era - Last To Know
Just a fun song that will have you thinking happy thoughts.
22. The Sails - Let's Get Started
I was hoping to have hear more songs like this on their album. Sadly, this one was the only one. There is a part in the song that, to me, seems to be lifted from a Chris Bell song. The song rocks regardless.
23. Winterpills - June Eyes
A relaxing song. Nothing fancy.

May's Playlist on Channel 1 Pt. 1

Here are the songs playing on Channel 1
23 songs this month!

1. Arctic Monkeys - Brainstorm
I didn't understand the hype around this band last year. I still don't, but this song is a breath of fresh air. Look for the copycats to arrive soon.
2. Blonde Redhead - 23
I really loved the last album. This album doesn't do it for me. I like a couple of tracks, this being my favorite, on the album. People say it's their most accessible effort. I was really looking forward to this album, oh well. It sounds like a rehash of their previous material.
3. Coconut Records - Summer Day
A good song to relax on your deck while you sip on some iced tea. The only song I like from this group. I just found out that this song is also on the Spiderman 3 soundtrack. Weird.
4. Dinosaur Jr - Been There All The Time
I was never a fan of their music. However, I kinda like this song.
5.Fields - If You Fail We All Fail
I like this song even if it reminds me of the Broken Social Scene.
6. Illinois - Screendoor
Another great song clocking in a little over 2 min. The only song I like from this band.
7. Julie Doiron - I Left Town
I love her wavering voice. Another good song from her latest album.
8. Julius Airwave - Broken Bells
A definite toe tapper! Woo wooo.
9. Klaxons - Atlantis To Interzone
This song would sound much better without the sirens and that repetitive noise. It's still a good song nevertheless. The only song I like from this band.
10. Last Days Of April - Hanging High
A good song but it lacks that extra punch to make it a great song. I like another song from this album which has a similar feel.
11. Lucky Soul - One Kiss Don't Make A Summer
I can't stop listening to this song this week. I will explain in another entry. The picture above is Ali Howard, the lead singer of this band.

What's playing on Channel 5?

Just a collection of videos from YouTube (of course) that I think you should watch.
Advance to the number to see the video.

1. Rufus Wainwright - Going to a town
Great new video for a fantastic song. It's a candidate for my best song of the month.
2. Feist - 1 2 3 4
I didn't like the song at first, but I loved the video at first sight.
3. Arctic Monkeys - Brianstorm
Booty shakin' + an awesome song...what else can be better??
4. Klaxons - Atlantis to Interzone
I love this video, it's cheaply made and it's different. It captures the energy of this song.
5. Tilly and the Wall - Sings Songs Along
Like the title of their 2004 album, "Wild like Children." The second video for this song has the band dressed as zombies.
6. Tilly and the Wall - Reckless
I just love this song when it came out. There is a common theme in their videos, they are always running.
7. The Go! Team - Junior Kickstart
Best Video of the Year. My daughter loves this video!
8. Smog - Rock Bottom Riser
A beautiful video. Mesmorizing.
9. Peter, Bjorn and John - Young Folks
The freckled kid playing the bongos cracks me up every time.
10. The Black Keys - Your Touch
Senseless violence. I love it.
11. Piers Faccini - The Taste of Tears
Nothing special. If you like the song, here is the video for it.
12. The Broken West- So It Goes (Live at LG)
A live version.
13. Psapp - Hi
Interesting video for this song. One of my favorite songs from last year.
14. El Perro Del Mar - God Knows (You gotta give to get)
A cute video. The melody will get stuck in your head. Beware!

Bands cover "The Smiths" Part 1

The Cover
Grant Lee Phillips - Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me
Grant is from the band Grant Lee Buffalo (if you didn't know that already). He released an album last year full of covers from the 80's of bands that influenced him in his career aptly called "Nineteeneighties. I liked the selection of songs he chose but his execution of the songs made me yawn. When I hear a cover, I'm looking for something new or something accentuated. The songs sounded the same to me except this cover. He stripped the song down and focused on it's tender melody. I wished he would have given the flute more volume and stayed away from synthesizers for the strings. The guitar arpeggios drive the melody delicately through the song beautifully. I'm glad he didn't recreate the long 2 min intro that the original had. I really liked this version.

The Original
The Smiths - Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me
from the "Strangeways, Here We Come" album in 1987. Wow, that long ago. 20 yrs ago. I remember listening to this album in high school. I can see distinct images in my brain from that time flashing back to my consciousness while I listen to this song. It's been a while since I've actually listened to this album. I loved the Smiths at the time (and I still do now) which is why I was bummed when I found out that this was their last album.

Listen above in Channel 4!