Enter Spring

This mix is about as easy breezy (beautiful covergirl) as I get but still has the balance between fast and slow, mixing local bands, old favorites, and new finds. As always, ask and ye shall receive.

1. It's A Fine Day - Jane

2. Radio Nowhere - Bruce Springsteen

"Magic" is one of the best albums of the past year and with this song the Boss still proves that he is, well, the Boss. It has a powerful repetition of lyrics that reminds me of one of my other all time favorite songs, Unsatisfied by The Replacements. I play this song REALLY loud with the windows down in my car on nice days.

3.Lake Michigan - Rough Wave

4. Ok, It's Alright With Me - Eric Hutchinson

Get up and dance!

5. The General Specific - Band of Horses

Band of Horses is one of my favorites so it was hard for me to pick just one song off their latest album "Cease to Begin". I saw them at the TLA a couple months back and they blew my mind. The whole experience was transcendental and left me walking on air for the next few days.

6. Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? - She and Him

My Dad recently purchased their album "Volume 1" so I've been listening to it a lot at work. It makes me smile.

7. Heavenly Day - Patty Griffin

This song is like a warm breeze blowing across a green meadow under a cloudless blue sky...

8. The Pilgiming Vine - Basia Bulat

I have a post about her show at the Tin Angel that I haven't gotten around to finishing. She and I got into a lengthy discussion about Daniel Johnston (who I had seen at the Troc the week earlier) and Lou Reed. I will try to get that one up soon. She is cute as a button

9. My Eyes - Travis

My beloved band Travis delivers once again.

10. Waiting for My Real Life to Begin - Colin Hay

11.Angels Hung Around - Rilo Kiley

Jenny Lewis has a voice as sweet and smooth as strawberry ice cream. In this song she makes peace with her past.

"And I feared the best and loved the worst

And insisted that I go first

And watch your eyes as they poured

And I never really loved you more."

12. I'm Yours - Jason Mraz

It doesn't get more light hearted and optimistic than this.

13. The Emergency - Gileah & The Ghost Train

14. Cheer My Up Thank You - New Buffalo
15. Sunny Road - Emiliana Torrini

At this point I am so impressed that I can put together such a sunny CD that I still identify with.

16. My Own Worst Enemy - George Stanford

17. Walt Whitman Bridge - Marah

A local band who has had oodles of critical praise but not the commercial success to match. I think they are amazing and so does Nick Hornby. Another place and another time I think he and I could have really been something.

18. Just Like That - Dar Williams and Patty Larkin

If songs could hug...

What does "pure" even mean anymore?

"On a quiet Friday morning in a dressing room at Madison Square Garden, the Jonas Brothers hold out their hands to show off their purity rings. Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas—the teen-pop trio who stand, at this very moment, on the brink of hugeness—wear the metal bands on their fingers to symbolize, as Joe puts it, "promises to ourselves and to God that we'll stay pure till marriage." Joe is 18. His ring is silver and adorned with a cross. "It actually ripped apart a little bit, just on the bottom, here, but I didn't want to get a new one, because this one means so much to me," he says. Nick, who is 15, says, "I got mine made at Disney World. It's pretty awesome." Kevin, at 20, is the oldest of the three, and while a punk-rock purity ring from Tiffany might represent the ultimate oxymoron, that's exactly what he's going for. His silver vow of abstinence is covered with studs. "It's pretty rock and roll," Kevin says. "It's getting banged up a little bit because of the guitar."

Ok, so I don’t think God really cares much about who and how many people you knock boots with but more if you a good person or not. I guess it doesn't matter to me since I am not being married off with a dowry so I just don't understand. Personally, I just think it's stupid. Maybe I should come out with “I promise to not smoke crack” rings or “I promise to not commit white collar crime” or how about “I promise not to fail out of college my freshman year” rings. I know my parents would have bought one of those for me at my high school graduation!

I think if people wore rings showing commitment to living an environmentally friendly lifestyle it would be a lot less ridiculous than purity rings. Another thing that I can’t understand is why at such a young age someone would publicize a very private decision. And to wear it on their left ring finger! You aren't going to get too many dates if people think you are married my friends, and if you explain to them that you are not married and why you have the ring then you will probably get fewer. Nobody likes a Jesus freak.

Whatev. And the oldest brother is 20? Eek. Its cute at 16 but at 20... I don’t care how many studs are on his ring, vows of celibacy are only cool when it’s Morrissey.

Let's hear some of your predictions of how this whole thing is going to go for the Jonas Brothers!

It may work out. May I remind you that all of the Hanson boys are married!

Part 2

Here it is my loves:

1. Nora - Richard Shindell

I love this song so much. He is one of the premier songwriters in the contemporary folk scene today. His music is melodic and smart. It is from this song that I formed a fascination with the letters written between Heloise and Abalard who's legendary romance was plagued with great pain and misfortune. If you like this song you should buy his compilation with Dar Williams and Lucy Kaplansky; Cry Cry Cry. Or ask me to burn it for you.

2. Some Surprise - Lisa Hannigan & Paul Noonan

Lisa Hannigan is famous for lending vocals to the Damian Rice albums and Paul Noonan is the front man for Bell 1X.

3. Blood and Peanut Butter - B.C. Camplight

A local band who I hear is big in Europe. I cannot confirm this but they did draw a decent crowd when the played at Johnny Brendas.

4. We Get On - Kate Nash

The lyrics are like a poorly written diary entry that somehow really work when set to music. Perez loves this chick.

5. Eve, The Apple of My Eye - Bell 1X

Yup, I like this band.

6. Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out - Bessie Smith

Gerry & The Jeepsters opened with this song while performing at a sports bar in Rhode Island. I got so drunk that night that I asked my brother-in-law for cash to buy their home made album (I didn't) and loudly proclaimed that if I ever got married I would hire them to play at my reception. There was also a man there with the biggest face tattoo I have ever seen. He caught me staring and I made no attempt to be subtle about it. I think if you are going to get your face tattooed you should expect drunk girls to stare at it when you are out in public.

7. If I Ever Leave This Wold Alive - Flogging Molly

An Irish band I should have saved for my St. Patty's day mix. It's off the P.S. I Love You soundtrack. I will probably rent it when the DVD comes out.

8. Things We Don't Need Anymore - Jenny Owens Young

I listened to this on Perez. Autumn and I loved it. This song describes how I felt Chistmas 2006.

9. Graduation Day - Chis Isaac

10. What's a Girl to Do - Bat for Lashes

11. Lost Count - Ebba Foresberg

This was my anthem for a quite a while a few years back.

12. Sorry - Maria Mena

I am ending this mix on a sad note.

*This is the earliest painting of Heloise and Abalard and art historians say that they are holding an invisible bible. I like to think about why the artist chose to do that.

Music Is My Hot, Hot Sex

I’m sure you notice that I have been not been posting with that 2007 zeal lately and I apologize. Well, not really. I don’t give a shit – deal with it. I only post when I feel compelled to so if you want to read something while you are wasting time at work I suggest Perez Hilton, the Onion, or my favorite; online shopping at Amazon (mostly books), Anthropologie (clothes), Zappos (shoes), ebay (clothes and shoes). Only on sale – Colleen loves a deal! Today I spent my lunch trying to get my hands on a bottle of absinthe which proved to be quite difficult with Pennsy’s draconian state controlled liquor distribution. To Hell with them for throwing a wrench in my plan to ritualistically prepare a nice hallucinogenic cocktail after a long day at the office and unwind. It's my God given right!

Also, I have been busy with broker school and since we are selling one of our properties my boss has me preparing all the due diligence documents. Once you get over 20 million $$ offers, getting ready for settlement becomes quite a task. A task I have no experience doing. Baptism by fire I guess.

So, the here I present Aut, Colleen soundtrack Vol. 5: Music Is My Hot, Hot Sex. Usually I create play lists with an audience in mind but this one is probably the closest one to what my personal mixes are like. It is a motley crue of genres and I hope you enjoy it. If not, again I don’t give shit.

Disc 1
1. Music Is My Hot, Hot Sex – CSS
If you had to, what would you give up; music or sex? This is if baby making is not part of the equation (there are other ways to conceive) and you could never listen to any music again.

2. San Jose – Joe Purdy
Joe Purdy is a wonderful singer/songwriter and this new song is his best to date. For me this song satisfies my craving for intense music.

3. Run - Snow Patrol

4. Colleen – Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
Because I admit it, I am a little vain.

5. My Love For You is Real – Ryan Adams
He’s my baby. This would be a really good wedding song.

6. All the Right Friends – R.E.M
Maybe you noticed that I like very early R.E.M. – Life’s Rich Pageant is one of my all time favorite albums. Not only is R.E.M. a great band but I feel that they are also a very important one. For anyone who will listen, I make an excellent case that the “Seattle sound” was born in Athens, Georgia. You have to listen to the early albums before they transitioned into a more palatable/radio friendly pop band in the 90’s. To really understand my point you must try to listen to the music set apart from Michael’s Stipe’s vocals which are what people will do and associate it with that alterna-pop for which they are most known. Note: this is not the original recording.

7. Eternal Flame – Joan as Policewoman

8. Band of Gold (Remix) – Kimberly Locke
This one goes out to all you American Idol fans.

9. England 2 Columbia 0 – Kirsty MacColl
My dad’s pick.

10. Moonlight Mile – The Rolling Stones
Have you every thought to yourself “I wonder what Colleen’s favorite Stones song is…” Well here it is off Sticky Fingers.

11. Non je ne regrette rien (I regret nothing)– Edith Piaf
I just saw her bio pic La Vie en Rose for which she is nominated for an Oscar this year. I highly recommend it. For all you philistines out there I must warn you: this film is subtitled.

Enough for now. Disc Two list will follow shortly.

Comming Soon!

New Aut, Colleen music mix! I'll post the track list probably sometime tomorrow.

"The DJ that speaks to my insomnia and laughs at all I have to fear"

I am often asked “Colleen, how can one woman be so apprised in the music sphere? You blow my mind with your erudition and thought provoking insights.” Well, my little coterie, it doesn’t happen overnight. I wasn’t born with this but I was born with an intense personality that helps facilitate my insatiable need for music that helps my life make sense.

Also, I have YRock on XPN. I listen to it all day at work, in my car, and at home. http://www.yrockonxpn.org/

Their focus is on contemporary alternative music but they will often play artists who influenced said music so if you stick with the program you will develop a familiarity with the roots of alternative, punk, and rock. Plus you get to listen to marvelous new music and wonderful DJs who really know their stuff.

Program Director Jim McGuinn (see picture with him hanging with Iggy Pop and with an autographed guitar – I think he looks like Sting) is my musical guru and I am his devoted disciple. He understands that music isn’t just music. It is emotive and visceral to people like he and I. It’s life blood and like life it is a learning process.

Go forth with this knowledge and touch lives.

Title is from the Dar Williams' song "Are you out there"

Rosebud

The Union Forever

It can't be love

for there is no true love

It can't be love

for there is no true love

Sure I'm C.F.K.

but you gotta love me

the cost no man can say

but you gotta love me

Well I'm sorry but I'm not

interested in gold mines, oil wells, shipping or real estate

what would I liked to have been?

everything you hate

cause It can't be love

for there is no true love

It can't be love

for there is no true love

There is a man

a certain man

and for the poor you may be sure

that he'll do all he can

who is this one
who's favourite son
just by his action has the traction
magnets on the run
who likes to smoke
enjoys a joke
and wouldn't get a bit
upset if he were really broke
with wealth and fame
he's still the same
I'll bet you five you're not alive

If you don't know his name

You said the union forever

You said the union forever
You cried the union forever
but that was untrue girl
cause It can't be love
for there is no true love

It can't be love
for there is no true love

Last night I finally watched Citizen Kane for the first time. It’s phenomenal (of course) but the most enjoyable part for me was discovering that the lyrics from the White Stripes song “The Union Forever” are taken from the movie. I have previously expressed my deep affection for that band and especially for the White Blood Cells album so I was quite tickled to realize that the song I would sing along to in college was actually about Charles Foster Kane/Orson Wells/William Randolph Hearst. The bulk is taken from the song the showgirls sing (see picture) but there are lines picked up from different places in the movie. Neat.

You learn something new everyday.

Halloween Head

Some old and some new make up my Halloween Head double disc mix to get you in the mood for my favorite season. Apple cidar, pumpkins, leaves changing colors, cozy sweaters… Ahh. I know I have been bad getting the last few out to some of you but this time it’s different, I swear. I am going to be sending them with stolen postage from work so email your requests with your addy to my ASI email.

Breaking Up – Rilo Kiley
Wonderful Scar – Now its Overhead
September - Earth, Wind, & Fire
Gabriel and the Vagabond – Foy Vance
Halloween Head – Ryan Adams
Graceland – Paul Simon
Worked Up So Sexual – The Faint
My Moon My Man - Feist
Ah, my girl Feist… My Dad and I are totally diggin’ her new album.
Colleen – Half Japanese
This song was written for me. At least I like to pretend it was.
Back Where I Was – The Hereafter
People Have Parties - Sorry About Dresden
Explosions – The Mary Onettes
November - Azure Ray
Otherwise – Morcheeba
Hey Eugene! – Pink Martini
I let my dad pick out this song for the mix.
Girl in the War – Josh Ritter
Old Whore’s Diet – Rufus Wainwright
The gay Messiah is coming y’all. To The Mann that is and I missed it. It broke my heart to give up that ticket. I don’t want to talk about it anymore. Its over so lets move on.
Maggie May- Rod Stewart
Brighter Discontent – The Submarines
Life in Disguise – The Slip
These Photographs - Joshua Radin
Dead Leaves On the Dirty Ground – The White Stripes
Oh, Canada Girls - Dar Williams
Pumpkin Soup – Kate Nash
Breakable – Ingrid Michaelson
Swan Swan H. – R.E.M
Mississippi – Dixie Chicks
Don’t throw stones at me but I like this version better than the original by Bob Dylan.
The Scientist – Aimee Mann
Smile – Madeline Peyroux or Lyle Lovett or Nat King Cole
I am letting you pick which version you want to cap off your new favorite compilation.

Get a room please

For the longest time I just assumed that my discomfort with touchy feely PDA it was my problem to deal with. Mind you, I am not talking about casual hand holding, hugs, or brief kisses though I personally think hand holding is cheesy and awkward but it doesn’t bother me to see others do it. I actually find those things to be very endearing and necessary. It's the other stuff and you know what I mean.

Although I come from an extremely close and loving family we are not couch spooners or neck nuzzlers with spouses/boyfriends/girlfriends. Part of my distaste for it is because I just find it downright tacky as well as lacking a certain amount of class. Have you ever seen a picture of Jackie Kennedy sucking on John’s neck? Have you ever seen one of Britney doing that (or something even more cringe worthy) to K-Fed? Exactly. Like private parts, private acts should be kept, well, private.

Those things should be done when only the participants are present no matter how close you may be to the unfortunate third party. It was my sister who validated my feelings when she agreed with me describing that behavior as “alienating”. One of my favorite married couples, Corey and Leslie, joke about how they were one of those annoyingly saccharine couples when they first began dating back in college. Leslie pointed out that the closer she and Corey cuddled on the couch the farther away their friends went. I met these two years later and have never known them to act like this which I guess is why I love to hang out with them. In that same vein, I am not afraid this post will offend any of my friends who may read this as I don't know any of them to act this way.

A couple nights ago I was at XPN Live to see Suzanne Vega where I encountered the grossest display of “affection” I have seen in a long time. After the opener I got myself a beer at the bar I sauntered over to the balcony to find a spot with an unobstructed view of the stage. I could not believe my luck when I found one right up front! What luck, though how odd that people were not moving forward into the closer spot? I soon found out why. This couple… this couple… The man was leaning on the railing and she was leaning into him in full embrace. As if this wasn’t enough to make me barf the guy was constantly rubbing this girl’s back and arms while she was kissing his face and neck. What am I to do? Should I give up this great spot or see if I can endure this? I was torn until their hummus plate arrived and I couldn’t take it anymore. They opted not to sit at the bar or at a table but have him hold the plate while she loaded up the warm pita slices and hand fed him each bite following them up with a kiss. Hell, why doesn’t she just smear the hummus on her neck so he can lick it off?

Once I moved I was able to relax and enjoy the show though I was still bothered by the lack of regard this couple had for the people around them. Did they think that we would be jealous or think “wow, they are so in love” instead of “wow; those two are really behaving inappropriately”? Sure, some would agree with me that often times the reason rooted in insecurity where they feel as though they need to have people see that someone does care for them and or find them attractive to make the relationship more real. But, does that make me cynical? And some could argue that I am jealous though I would point out that I was in a medium sized music venue full of couples of all ages only annoyed by these two people. This is something Dr. Klenk and I have discussed when I thought that I must have some emotional issues that are causing me to react this way and then subsequently how I always assume that the something is wrong with me. She assured me that there is not.

Your thoughts on this?

note: I chose this picture in hopes to entice my furry fan friends. I like to think they still read Aut, Colleen.

"You're Like a Whitney Houston Song and I'm Like Whitney Houston After Everything Went Wrong"

That is a lyric off the hereafters' self titled album which I think is pretty great.

I also think this picture is pretty amazing. I don't know who these kids are or where I found this online or if whoever took it realized its subliminal brilliance but maybe that is part of what makes it so interesting to me. The colors, the composition, the emotion carried between the indoor and outdoor space with the child at the window creating three distinct planes... I could easily write an essay on this picture. I won't, but I could.

I wonder if this would qualify as "found art".

The empty bottle – it misses you and I’m the one it’s talkin to

Ryan Adams has released nine albums since 2000, although Adams said he's actually made 15.

“…the sheer volume of his output means listeners need to sift through a lot of less remarkable songs to find the special moments, and many simply don't have the patience. He released three albums in 2005 alone, and one of them had two discs.” - AP

I have the patience. I am not a “favorites” person but Ryan is my favorite and he probably always will be, even more than Dar and Morrissey. A few weeks ago I went to see him play with his band The Cardinals at the TLA. Although I never know what to expect that doesn’t matter because he’s my baby. That night there was no opening act and no encore which I considered a fair trade off. The “Dear Chicago” requesting former frat boys and their generic looking dates bitched and moaned on the way out about how they didn’t recognize any of the songs and how come he sat all the way on the side of the stage. Me? I left elated. This was one of the best of his I had seen, and I have some seen some of his worst drunken nightmare shows. But again, I have the patience. When you love something you just kind of have to stick it out and have faith it will get better and sure enough it did.

Ryan Adams is clean and sober these days and just put out “Easy Tiger” which is amazing.

Of course it is.

Be smart and listen.

I always wondered who listened to them.

That is what my sister said to me when she saw the Babyshambles CD in my car. Well, I loved The Libertines' first album and although nothing else that they or Pete Doherty put out after delivered the same way I continued to check them out. Sex, drugs, rock & roll gang. He is like our generation's Keith Moon but unfortunately with the press everywhere there is no mystery here. When I listen to bands like Pantera or Metallica (May at WYSP FM 94.1 is Maytallica month) I like to imagine how cool it must be to be a rock star. I dream about being back stage taking in the smell of stale cigarettes and sweat, the floor sticky from spilled Jack Daniels, and the sound of squealing groupies with their feathered hair and cut off tanks. Seeing these guys pasty and disoriented with their shirts stained with their own vomit being hauled off to rehab ruins it for me. Sure, this kind of music is not my primary listening but I get it. It is an escape into another world, like playing with Barbies. Actually seeing the total mess these men turn their lives into brings it down to that hard cold reality I don’t want to think about when I am lying on my bed zoning out to my music. Their life has to be cooler than mine, right? I don't want to hear, let alone see proof that it isn't. So it’s a shame that Pete’s antics have now made him a joke with people who never listened to The Libertines and with what we have all seen, that label is valid. He crossed the line which is even thinner now in the YouTube/gossip blog era. Sad, I know.

The upside – Perez posted this quote from Pete Doherty made about his ex beau Kate Moss that I find very amusing.

- “She rang last night and left a drunken answerphone message, singing Moon River. She’s ripped my heart out. I don’t know what I’m doing.”

Moon River? Who knew she was a Johnny Mercer/Henry Mancini fan?

Me too!!!

Rock and Roll Saved My Life

I really believe that. Ok, maybe not in a literal sense but I cannot imagine how I would have gotten through anything without music. My bedroom and living rooms are littered with issues of Paste, No Depression, Spin, and various music magazines as well as CityPaper and other local rags reporting on great local acts. Seeing bands live is way beyond a social event for me; it is my favorite pastime. At least once a month I can be found at one of this city’s great live venues such as Tin Angel, Northstar Bar, World Café, the Khyber, Circle Thrift, Mroom, and most recently Johnny Brendas.

So, I guess you can imagine how very excited I was when I heard that Rachael Yamagata is now officially a Philadelphian! She has a new album coming out that she is in the final stages of putting together. She is doing her residency at Johnny Brendas performing there for three consecutive Tuesday nights. Luckily I can walk to JB and have been able to see her first two shows (this picture was taken right outside of Johnny Brendas) where she was trying out new material as well as playing some of the tracks off her last album. She’s great. She is intelligent, funny, and she has the kind of hair I always wanted that just casually falls perfectly into place without doing a thing. Anywho, this is such a thrill for a music dork such as me to feel like the feedback that myself and her other 25 fans in Philadelphia are giving her is helping shape the new album. She has this one really good sad song about elephants or some bullshit that I know is going to hit my top 25 song list for the fall. The atmosphere there is cozy and comfortable (also hot) so I am actually getting to talk to her. Apparently she is not a lesbian at all. I guess I just assumed since there were a lot of lezzies at the show I went to a couple years ago. Not only that she was not using any clear masculine pronouns in her songs, plus she went to Vassar! Made sense to me... Maybe I was just hoping she was since she has the dreamiest drummer with tousled hair and bedroom eyes and I am a tad jealous…

She isn’t the only townie that I dig right now. Below are a couple of other bands I am into that are starting to get some much needed recognition that I suggest you check out:

http://www.drdogmusic.com/
http://papertrigger.com/

Please feel free to send any suggestions to broaden my musical horizons my way!

Cause I Can Thrill You More Than Any Ghost Would Dare to Try

When I was really little I would tell people that I was going to marry Michael Jackson.

During that time I also told many people (and believed it to be true) that I was born in Disney World.

Enjoy this fresh take on the Gloved One's classic Thriller as interpreted by the inmates at Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnk7lh9M3o&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Epoetv%2Ecom%2Fvideo%2Ephp%3Fvid%3D19841

Thanks Autumn!

I've Had it With You, and Mexico Can Fucking Wait

Friday I purchased two Rilo Kiley tickets for September 25th at the Troc. I was just going to get one but I think it might be fun to attend with another fan. I haven't seen a show with someone else in a while so If you are interested let me know.

People who aren't familiar with the band at all need not apply.

In other news there is no real news. I had a wonderful low key relaxing weekend, Clay came home last night, and I have been trying to get rid of my old couch so if you know someone... Downside is I haven't really thought of anything interesting to write about but don't worry, I will think of something soon. Probably because I have been happily cutting the stressful fat out and feel a bit lighter. Like when you get a haircut. The only thing that has me bummed is how I am going to miss Rufus and Neko on the 17th. I was thinking maybe Leslie could wheel me in on a gurney to try to get backstage pretending it is some adult Make a Wish Foundation shit.

Hey, it could happen.

How cute is this vintage Jenny Lewis picture?

That's My Daughter in the Water

I have been pumping out a lot of mixes lately which is probably because I am reorganizing my CDs so I am coming across a bunch that I forgot about. Check 'em out y'all.

I found A Reason – The Velvet Underground
Did you know Lou Reed had electric shock therapy as a child? How horrible that must have been. It explains a lot about his musical perspective.

Blue Letter – Fleetwood Mac
Like most teenagers in the mid 90’s I was really into Stevie Nicks. Other music that I should be embarrassed that I listened to at the time: Joan Baez, Linda Ronstadt , Eva Cassidy, Barbara Streisand, Brian Eno, Rosemary Clooney, the Monster Ballads cd (ordered off the tv with my dad’s credit card), and Jewel.

Your Love is The Place I Come From – Teenage Fan Club
This comes off the album “Songs From Northern Brittan” which is one of my all time favorites so it’s songs pop up on a lot of my mixes

I Love You, Your Perfect – Kathy Rigby
I can’t think of anyone else who writes song from the perspective of a suburban wife and mother of teenager. If I play this song in the few days before I get my period I tear up.

Daughter – Loudon Wainwright III
I am obsessed with this song right now. I keep it in my car’s CD player and listen to it on repeat.

Never Leave Your Heart Alone – Butterfly Boucher
Good advice huh? This is a Grey’s Anatomy song from season 1.

Private Conversation – Lyle Lovett
I saw him with my sister and brother-in-law Ed at Foxwoods, the mega casino in Connecticut. He’s pigeon toed. Lyle Lovett, not Special Ed.

Honey and the Moon – Joseph Arthur
This is one of my friend Tanya’s favorite songs. It reminds me of driving around Manhattan Beach on one of my trips to LA to visit her. I love the lyric “if you weren’t real I’d make you up”.

I Hear Noises – Tegan & Sara
Everyone’s favorite lesbian twins wrote this catchy tune. I haven’t checked out their new album yet but I hear it’s really good.

Tennessee – The Wreckers
I love Tennessee. If you get a chance visit Chattanooga I would highly recommend it. It’s a really cool city especially if you like outdoorsy stuff since it is in the mountain part of the state. For a fun challenge try to think of all the states that border it. In college I had a crush on two guys; both were named Jeremy, both were architecture students, and both were from Chattanooga. Oh, and both were gay. Shut up! I didn’t know.

I Found a Reason – Cat Power
I am book ending this list with two versions of this song. Obviously Lou Reed wrote the original and you can find it on Chan (pronounced "Shawn") Marshall’s Covers album which is superb. Autumn says this song gets stuck in her head. I don’t think that’s a bad thing at all.

When this picture was taken quite a while ago it got a decent amount of press for being so cute. My dad saw it in the paper and clipped it out and put it on my dresser for me. I think I must have been around 12 or 13. I love my dad...

who likes to smoke? enjoys a joke?

I love The White Stripes. I mean, who doesn’t? Even my dad listens to them. Though, is it possible that one could love The White Stripes too much?

I think so.
http://www.laist.com/2007/06/18/icky_thump_to_b.php

What Is Tommy Listening To?

I bet it's my new playlist!

World Before Columbus – Suzanne Vega
I remember listening to my Architectural Drawing II one hot summer in Savannah on repeat. Playing it takes me back there being all sweaty walking to class and smoking outside on the side tables of Eichberg Hall smoking cigarettes with Chrystal. Our prof. was Scottish and really pretty. She only wore black.

The Sadness – Ryan Adams
This is off his latest album 29 and unlike anything he had put out before. It has a Spanish/Mexican feel to it plus I love it when he hits that falsetto. I just found out that his XPN Friday Free At Noon Concert is sold out. How can a free concert be sold out? I'm a little pissed I didn't know about it.

Love is Everything – Jane Siberry
She recently changed her name to Issa (eeee-sah) after a long career as a musician and conceptual artist. I am not too surprised as this woman is a new agey space cadet. I saw her perform at The Painted Bride which is a haven for performance art. She was very…beguiling.

St. Augustine – Band of Horses
Because my best is still my worst.

Hold On, Hold On – Neko Case
Leslie and I are gearing up to see her with Rufus Wainwright in August. Girlfriend loves the reverb and the reverb loves her. I find it interesting that when I saw her at the Troc Martha Wainwright opened. Her voice is jaw dropping.

What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life – Barbara Streisand
The recording of this song I have is off Just For The Record… It is a demo so when she sings it you feel like Babs is right there in the room with you. I hear she is touring again. You have to pay for the whole seat but you'll only need the edge.

Yer So Bad – Tom Petty
Not a huge Tom Petty fan although I will check out his albums whenever one drops. Why you ask? Because of this song.

The Ride – Joan as Police Woman
This song is hot off the presses and worth checking out. I heard it on XPN where I agreed with Jim McGuinn (host of Y-Rock) that it is mesmerizing.

Travis – Love Will Come Through
The world needs more songs like this.

I Want To Marry You All Over Again – Derek Webb
How sweet is that title? New music you would be wise to check out.

King of Yesterday – Jude
This is a catchy pop song that I discovered on an episode of Felicity (her senior year). I don’t care what anyone thinks; the two Felicity soundtracks are fantastic.

In Love But Not At Peace – Dar Williams
I am going through a Dar renaissance these days in part to all the driving I have been doing during the weekends for the past couple months. Her music is great sing-a-long stuff for the car.

“The moon hangs above like a Valium pill and I say that I will be fine but I don’t think that I will. But today I have work and I like it that way, It's a case of a still life gone cinéma vérité ”

I used that lyric for a paper on a David Lodge’s “Nice Work” at Villanova. The professor loved it so much he started listening to Dar. I like to validate my love for reality tv by calling it cinéma vérité.

Accidental Babies – Damien Rice
This is a hopeful yet realistic song about the parts of our future happiness we cannot control and not knowing if you will love someone forever. That fear.

Fire Sign – David Berkely

I’m a fire sign (Leo) and so are both my brother (Saggittarius) and sister (Aries). I went to World Café to check out his show where I ran into my friend Marissa at the bar who had never seen him perform. I told her “he is really good live but his albums are a total snooze fest”. Right after I said that he came out to greet his buddies who were right in front of us and I noticed they looked at me when I said it. Open mouth insert foot.

Dreamboat Alert!

It is probably abundantly clear to all of you by now that I am a bit of a Francophile. I love all that is French; art, music, fashion, perfume, history, language, food (even as a vegetarian I still shamelessly crave foie gras), and especially French men and especially this one right now:

Sorry, they took the video down but I will check if they put it up again. His name is Julien and he is a contestent on the French Version of American Idol; Nouvelle Star.

I'm Not Going Anywhere

Check out this video from one of my favorite singers ever, Keren Ann. She is a French singer but has a few albums with some songs in English that are just as beautiful. The music is mellow and perfect for sitting out enjoying the lovely weather. I have seen her about 4 times whenever she comes to town and she is so sweet to sign my CDs and take pictures with me (we both look terrible in this one but there was a huge thunderstorm that night and I guess she got rained on too). There are usually only about 30 people at the little venues she plays so when I see her it feels extra special. I guess she is gaining a larger following because she is playing at World Café in June.

I will be there. Of course.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=G7t2jrVoGc0