Kanye

New song from Mr. West. Check it out here.

The Bird Man

Below are two videos by singer/songwriter Andrew Bird. I personally like the first song, "Heretics", much better than the second, but the video for "Spare-Ohs" was too good not to put on here. Enjoy!

Multi-part Jams

I have always been a huge fan of songs that have two or more distinct parts. Until recently, I never really understood why I liked these songs, I just thought it was pretty cool to have completely different styles, tempos, and instruments mixed on the same track. When I was home for my dad's birthday last weekend, I realized why I love these songs so much. Two of my dad's favorite songs of all time, "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" by Billy Joel and "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" by Paul McCartney, are songs with two or more distinct songs on one track. These songs bring me back to my childhood.

Two of my favorite tracks that have different sections on one track are "Come Downstairs and Say Hello" by Guster and "Ragged Wood" by Fleet Foxes. I know I have put "Ragged Wood" on here before, but it deserves to be on here again. The song is just that good and Robin Pecknold is my idol. "Siberian Breaks" by MGMT came in a close third for today's entry, but I didn't think many of you had the dedication to sit around for 12 minutes and listen to that one. Enjoy!

Stream BOH new album

At this website. Not only is the music great, but it takes me back to one of my favorite childhood memories- The View Master!!

Girls

Don't really have much time to post about this band but I wanted everyone to listen to them anyway. Girls' self titled album is really awesome. The most well known songs are "Lust for Life" and "Hellhole Ratrace". Both are MJOTW worthy, but I instead chose the Beach Boy-esque "Big Bad Mean Mother Fucker". The band is really interesting (one of the members was raised in a cult), I suggest you read more about them.

Oldie but Goodie

I recently found my copy of Illinois by Sufjan Stevens and it's been stuck in the CD player of my car ever since. This is a concept album based on the history of the state of Illinois. Stevens has planned to make an album about each of the 50 states in the union. Illinois was released in 1995 and was his second such album (the state up north was the first). He has failed to release the next volume of the collection.

Although "Chicago" is by far the most well known song on the album, I prefer "Decatur". It's very subtle and simple but the melody and soft spoken lyrics are pretty stunning. Enjoy!

Modest Mouse

This song has been stuck in my head for the past few days, so I'm putting it on here in hopes it will do the same to you! Modest Mouse's No One's First and You're Next EP followed their previous releases that gained them mainstream success. "Satellite Skin" is the opening track off this offering and it's pretty awesome. If you're looking for more the classic Modest Mouse sound, check out "Guilty Cocker Spaniels".

Annuals

I'm up early to study for the CPA. It's crazy to think the first part is only two and a half weeks away. I feel like I'm not prepared at all yet, but I have two weeks of review built into my study plan so I should be fine.

This morning I'm rocking out to a band from North Carolina, Annuals. They're a six piece band that relies heavily on harmonies, nonsensical emo lyrics, and strange electronic noises. I listened to this band a ton last year during my internship and it kept me sane while I was doing tax returns 13 hours everyday. I really enjoy their earliest work. It's much more upbeat and edgy. Their most recent full release, Such Fun, is more mainstream and has a few great tracks. Below is a song from both stages of their career. "Dry Clothes" is off of 2006's Be He Me and "Confessor" is the title track off Such Fun. If you like these songs, check out "Brother", "Hardwood Floor", and "Complete, Or Completing".

Pearl Jam

I'm sure everyone out there is surprised that I'm not only alive but actually coherent enough to write after the mayhem that was the house warming party last night. Thanks for everyone who came out and brought very generous gifts. I hope everyone had as much fun as DeFrances did.

Tonight I'm heading to the Band of Horses/Pearl Jam concert with Pete, Tommy, and Dan. I figure that I've posted enough stuff about Band of Horses on this site in the past few months, so I'll put a video of Pearl Jam instead. Have a happy Sunday and Happy Mother's Day!

Happppy Friday

Today's jam is "The Right Place" by Monsters of Folk. It's a great tune by a great mega group. It also has a significant meaning to me right now as I have quickly grown very fond of my new home and neighborhood. Special shout out of the day goes to Brooke Bockelman. She's responsible for my first phone call from the Bier Markt (aka my new second home) as she gifted to our house warming party mass quantities of delicious beer. Gracias Senorita B.

Upbeat Thursday

Hey all! I apologize for my recent lapses between posts. I've been pretty busy lately with moving into my new apartment and studying for the CPA. Today I'm rocking out to one of my favorite songs by Animal Collective. The song "Fireworks" was the bands first taste of mainstream success before they blew up with Rolling Stone's 2009 Album of the Year Merriweather Post Pavilion. Enjoy.

Wasted State of Mind

Below is a song I rediscovered this weekend while moving. I put in an mixtape from my buddy, Mike Rocco, who listens to some really odd music. Mike is a strange child, which I was reminded of when reading the name of the mixtape, Baby Snack Delights and other prospects of interest, Volume 1. Anyways, the CD is a collection of Animal Collective's older stuff and other random tunes. This song, "Wasted State of Mind" is the opening track of the compilation. Enjoy!