"Here Is Gone" The Goo Goo Dolls

 
















These guys put on a GREAT concert last night. Thanks to my momma for taking me! :)  They played for over an hour including all of the classics with lots of enthusiasm. I was reminded how much I love this track off of their 7th album.

"Here Is Gone" The Goo Goo Dolls

"Lie in Our Graves" Dave Matthews Band

 















A classic DMB groove that has come back into my life. (IS, you have a little over two weeks to remaster the main riff on your plastic-stringed guitar before my arrival)

"Lie in Our Graves" Dave Matthews Band

"I Wanna Dance With Somebody" Whitney Houston

 
















It's a marvel that this hasn't already been the song of the day. Whitney gives this song an undeniable energy and the track's desire is always relatable. I mean honestly, who doesn't wanna dance with somebody who loves them?

"I Wanna Dance With Somebody" Whitney Houston

"Time Bomb" The Format

Flashback to freshman year. This album rocks... if only the band didn't dissolve. :/

"Time Bomb" The Format

"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" Santa Esmeralda

Don't be fooled by the absurdity of this album cover; don't misunderstand. This mariachi cover of Nina Simone's hit is stellar. So stellar, I don't mind its 10 minute duration at all.

"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" Santa Esmeralda

"You're The One That I Want" Angus & Julia Stone

 
















This is an admittedly strange, but I'd venture to say lovely, cover of the Grease classic sung by Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta. Definitely a song I could fall asleep to.

"You're The One That I Want" Angus & Julia Stone

"Imagine" Jack Johnson

 
















I've always loved this John Lennon classic, for more than just its auditory aesthetic. As expected, Jack Johnson's signature voice carries the weight of the song wonderfully.

"Imagine" Jack Johnson

"Mr. Brightside" Paul Anka

I thought I'd kick things up a little after three slower covers (and two more to come) with a lively jazz rendition of The Killers' hit. Paul Anka does the classiest jazz covers of non-jazz songs I've ever heard. Richard Cheese, a raunchier less-talented jazz cover man, doesn't hold a candle.

"Mr. Brightside" Paul Anka

"Everybody's Changing" Lily Allen

 
















For some reason I think this simplistic Keane cover with guitar, keyboard, and vocals is just too much fun.

"Everybody's Changing" Lily Allen

"Everytime" Glen Hansard

 















Another fantastic acoustic cover... never has Britney Spears been more heartfelt.

"Everytime" Glen Hansard

"Heartbeats" Jose Gonzalez

It's time for another COVER WEEK! I thought about making it annual, but honestly couldn't wait that long. Today's cover is a delectable acoustic redo that way outshines The Knife's original track.

"Heartbeats" Jose Gonzalez

"Everybody's Gone to War" Nerina Pallot

 
















I first heard this song when I was in Italy with CR four years ago. Sadly, this aptly written anti-war track never made it to the U.S. The money's in the chorus: "Don't tell me it's a worthy cause, no cause could be so worthy."

"Everybody's Gone to War" Nerina Pallot

"Stranger on the Shore" Pete Fountain

 
















This is truly one of my favorite songs of all time, as in, I could put this song on repeat until I die and be completely satisfied. A gorgeous melody, a little swing: what more could I ask for?

"Stranger on the Shore" Pete Fountain

"New Shoes" Paolo Nutini

New shoes aren't properly broken in until they've stepped in dog poop. Check.

"New Shoes" Paolo Nutini

"Jolene" Ray LaMontagne

 
















No one fulfills the need for smooth, soulful, raspy crooning like Ray.

"Jolene" Ray LaMontagne

"Things That Could Be Said" The Crash Motive

 















Grade A alt/punk. Someone get that dog some knee pads.

"Things That Could Be Said" The Crash Motive

"Been Here Once Before" Eagle-Eye Cherry

 
















Starting the week off right, with a little Eagle-Eye Cherry (of "Save Tonight" fame)

"Been Here Once Before" Eagle-Eye Cherry

"Seven Years" Norah Jones

 
















When you adore seven or eight of Norah's songs, it can be easy to overlook all of her other gorgeous tracks. Credit to KH for reminding me so. Sinfully, this song is not on Grooveshark so YouTube will have to suffice.

"Seven Years" Norah Jones

"Starry Eyed Surprise" Paul Oakenfold

It's been at least five years and I still can't listen to this song without thinking of that roller skating Diet Coke commercial. I guess there are worse things.


"Starry Eyed Surprise" Paul Oakenfold

"Make Her Mine" Mayer Hawthorne

 
















Another long overdue featured artist... I guess I was saving him for a rainy day. Although you wouldn't expect it from first glance, Mayer is a Retrotown superstar. Checking out the rest of his album is advised.

"Make Her Mine" Mayer Hawthorne

"Shambala" Three Dog Night

 
















I realize the referenced Shambala is a mythical Tibetan Buddhist kingdom, but this song really makes me want to go.

"Shambala" Three Dog Night

"Audience" Cold War Kids

I love this song's chill groove. It's the kind of track I imagine myself listening to during a commute to or from work. For now, imagining is all I can do.

"Audience" Cold War Kids

"Sweet Honey" Slightly Stoopid

 
















A surprisingly enjoyable track from what at first glance looks like an incredibly stoopid album. There's a chance you'll remember this one...

"Sweet Honey" Slightly Stoopid

"The Cave" Mumford & Sons

 I'm at least four months overdue on featuring this band. The entire album is great, but this song is driving me today.

"The Cave" Mumford & Sons

"Stay" Lisa Loeb

 
















I don't know anyone who dislikes this song. It's just so sweet!

"Stay" Lisa Loeb

"Angels on the Moon" Thriving Ivory

I first heard this band on VH1's "You Oughta Know" over a year ago. At least when it comes to this song, I think "Everyone Oughta Know."

"Angels on the Moon" Thriving Ivory

"Creep" Scala & Kalacny Brothers

 
















S & KB is a deceptive name, considering the Belgian choir is entirely women. I don't know how I feel about the movie The Social Network, but I do love that this song was featured in the trailer.

"Creep" Scala & Kalacny Brothers

"This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)" Talking Heads

 
















I watched Wall Street ('87) last night and found this final credits song incredibly amusing. Pure '80s.

"This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)" Talking Heads

"Signs of Life" Andrew Belle

Yesterday I became aware of a FREE Andrew Belle concert: this Friday, 12pm at the PSU HUB. I am incapable of refusing such an opportunity. I can't even wait.

Side note: props to Mr. Belle on becoming the first artist to be featured twice on the blog. you've earned it.

"Signs of Life" Andrew Belle

"Good Morning" Donald O'Conner, Gene Kelly, and Debbie Reynolds

Credit goes out to NK via JV for getting this song securely stuck in my head for the past couple days. Those who only want to hear when people are actually singing rather than tap dancing should listen from :56 to 2:22. Sorry for the inconvenience.

"Good Morning" Donald O'Conner, Gene Kelly, and Debbie Reynolds

"Heirloom" Sufjan Stevens

 
















The newest EP by Mr. SOOF-yahn STEE-vehnz. Or if you are like my former coworker Josh, you may pronounce it SUFF-jan.

"Heirloom" Sufjan Stevens

"Love the Way You Lie (feat. Rihanna)" Eminem

 
















I've never been into Eminem, but this song has stuck with me for months after its release. Rihanna is definitely the secret ingredient.

"Love the Way You Lie (feat. Rihanna)" Eminem

"You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb" Spoon

 
















You had BETTER blow out that Cherry Bomb, cause they've been illegal since '66.

"You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb" Spoon

"I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song" Jim Croce

 
















This single was released several months after Jim Croce's death in a plane crash at the age of 30. I can only imagine the songs he would have written if he had 40 or 50 more years to do so. According to Croce's wife, this song was written after they had a disagreement one night and Croce reacted by going downstairs to play his guitar. In the morning, he was waiting for his wife with this love song of all love songs.

"I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song" Jim Croce

"Gravity" Sara Bareilles

Sara came out with a great new album this month, but I keep finding myself coming back to the flawless tracks on her first album Little Voice. I love the combination of piano, strings, and solo voice (especially Sara's). The build at 2:30 and the apex at 2:54 get me every time.

"Gravity" Sara Bareilles

"I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire" The Ink Spots

 
















 Something about listening to The Ink Spots makes you feel oh so classy. I've always loved the concept of a whole group circled around a single microphone. I think it gives the music an extra close-knit feel that makes it really special.

"I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire" The Ink Spots

"For The First Time" The Script

 
















The first single from their new album. The album has already been released in the UK, but no US release date has been announced. For big Script fans, I highly recommend taking advantage of international shipping.

"For The First Time" The Script

"Goody Two Shoes" Adam Ant

For being written 29 years ago, this track's exceptionally rockin'.

"Goody Two Shoes" Adam Ant

"And So It Goes" Billy Joel

 
















There are so many amazing Billy Joel songs, but this one is particularly moving. I've always been a fan of dissonance to chord resolution and this song implements it to perfection.

"And So It Goes" Billy Joel

"Never Walk Away" Journey

 
















"Journey is NOT dead, Journey is LIFE!" After lead singer Steve Perry left the band in '98, Journey spent nine years being less than awesome. The band was revived in '07 when new lead singer, and spitting sound of Steve Perry, Arnel Pineda was discovered via YouTube, fronting a Filipino Journey cover band. Fans were skeptical, but this '08 album silenced concerns. Personally, I couldn't be more pleased.

"Never Walk Away" Journey

"Dinner Last Night" O.A.R.

 
















This track was mentioned to me today and fit the profile of a song I like a lot but may have missed the public eye. To slightly further exposure...

"Dinner Last Night" O.A.R.

"Trashing the Camp" *NSYNC & Phil Collins

 
















It's hard to believe this movie came out 11 years ago. I will always remember singing this song with CBR, complete with harmonies, for unsuspecting party guests. Too good. Wop, wop, wop, wop, wop, wop, wop, ooo wayyy!

"Trashing the Camp" *NSYNC & Phil Collins

"Please Speak Well of Me" The Weepies

..easily my favorite song off the new album: poignant lyrics and the beautiful soft sound I've come to expect from The Weepies.

"Please Speak Well of Me" The Weepies

"One Big Holiday" My Morning Jacket

 
















I love this song's opening and closing guitar riff, though the middle's solid too.

"One Big Holiday" My Morning Jacket

"If It's Love" Train

 
















...except cologne, 'cause it's poison.

"If It's Love" Train

"Man in the Mirror" Michael Jackson

 
















There's no need to justify the greatness of this song. A wise message from a troubled but earnest soul.

"Man in the Mirror" Michael Jackson

"Oregon Girl" Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

 















...I don't, but someone does.

"Oregon Girl" Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

"I'll Take You There" The Staple Singers

There is no good reason why this song is in my head today. Fortunately, it provides a wonderful Friday groove.

"I'll Take You There" The Staple Singers

"What's Going On? (Live)" Kris Allen

Kris Allen concert tonight at the State Theatre, a venue I love. I figure I owed Kris concert attendance after he made me some money by winning American Idol. Since the competition is based on live performances, I'm compelled to believe it will be well worth it. If the show consists of anything like this track, I can't wait.

"What's Going On? (Live)" Kris Allen

"Waiting For This" Hanson

The Hanson boys men deserve some serious credit. It's been thirteen years since their explosion onto the pop music scene. Not only do they remain talented songwriters and performers, they made it into adulthood without breaking down / losing their minds (as is so common with child and teen phenomenons). Props fellas. This track is from their 2010 album.

"Waiting For This" Hanson