"Smokestack Lightnin' " Howlin' Wolf

 
















I abhor that I can no longer listen to this track without thinking about Viagra® and the mystical Age of Knowing How to Get Things Done. I guess I hoped they would leave well enough alone after the "Viva Las Vegas" defamation.

"Smokestack Lightnin' " Howlin' Wolf

"My Body" Young the Giant

If my new laptop had better speakers I imagine the chorus to this song would be less a fuzzy intense. Let me know if I'm wrong.

"My Body" Young the Giant

"Insensitive" Jann Arden

 















Another song I completely forgot existed. Haha, oh the 90s.

"Insensitive" Jann Arden

"Tomorrow Is A Long Time" Bob Dylan

 















This song was perfectly featured on last night's season finale of The Walking Dead. Waiting until the end of October for the start of the second season is going to be considerably agonizing.

"Tomorrow Is A Long Time" Bob Dylan

"Rio" Hey Marseilles

 















I particularly like this song for the clapping and that I legitimately thought the lead singer was Ben Gibbard until Wikipedia proved otherwise.

"Rio" Hey Marseilles

"Everybody's Talkin' " Harry Nilsson

 
















I can't help but grin when I here this song. Nilsson's super-casual appearance on this album cover really makes me regret not owning a bathrobe.

"Everybody's Talkin' " Harry Nilsson

"Make You Smile" +44

 
















This band had a brief existence when Blink-182 was on hiatus. When Blink-182 reunited and needed 2/3 of its members back, +44 met its demise. Blink's planning on a new album next summer. In unrelated news, I noticed Grooveshark has a new format! I hope all of you are open to change.

"Make You Smile" +44

"Amelia's Missing" Jon mcLaughlin

Again I find myself with an artist I'm surprised was yet to be featured on the blog. Jon's first album Indiana showcases his piano and vocal talents to a T. Unfortunately, his second album (released < 1 year later) seemed hurried and included far too many tracks with effects that cluttered his pure sound. It has been over two years. Chances are what Jon has in the works will be a return to exactly what I initially loved. Until then,
 revisiting Indiana will have to (and does) do.

"Amelia's Missing" Jon mcLaughlin

"If You Go" Javier Dunn

 
















While many artists are capable of writing and performing pleasant tunes, few have mastered the awkward photo pose quite like Javier. Bravo.

"If You Go" Javier Dunn

"Club Can't Handle Me" Flo Rida

 















It's been a while since I've posted something to dance to. The fact that I still enjoy this track after five months is rare for its genre, so that gives it extra points. As with all club jams, a little volume boost is a step in the right direction toward the intended listening atmosphere.

"Club Can't Handle Me" Flo Rida

"Rolling In The Deep" Adele

 The first single has been released off of Adele's sophomore album that is set to drop in January! I, for one, can't wait.

"Rolling In The Deep" Adele

"Suspicious Minds" Elvis Presley

Easily my favorite song by the King.

"Suspicious Minds" Elvis Presley

"To Be With You" Mr. Big

I have been so bad about posting promptly this past week... I'll try to fix that. This fantastic song popped into my head during dinner. If/when I start a cover band, this earnest ballad will definitely be on the set list.

"To Be With You" Mr. Big

"Holiday Flight" John Williams

As I write this post, Americans hungry for merchandise bargains are camping out at department stores and retail centers around the country. This is the music that plays in my head when I picture shoppers spilling through the doors, racing in all directions in a frenzy to claim their favorite products that are in limited supply. It's a terrifying vision.

"Holiday Flight" John Williams

"Thank U" Alanis Morissette

 















Sly & the Family Stone or Dido would also have worked...

"Thank U" Alanis Morissette

"Change of Seasons" Sweet Thing

This song's beat is strikingly similar to that of the Temper Trap's "Sweet Disposition". Since I love both songs, I'm convinced this is one of my soul's rhythms. ...shallowly deep, I know.

"Change of Seasons" Sweet Thing

"You & Me" Elizabeth and The Catapult

A fun little light-hearted love song. I'm a big fan of this band's name... would James and the Trebuchet count as copyright infringement?

"You & Me" Elizabeth and The Catapult

"Typical" Mute Math

 
















 I'm in the mood for some electro-aternative-rock. The guitar in this song is simple, but infectious.

"Typical" Mute Math

"Twenty-Four" Switchfoot

 
















Sorry for the late post on another lazy Sunday. I listened to this track pretty regularly sophomore year of high school. Now every once in a while it returns in my shuffle and I couldn't be more pleased.

"Twenty-Four" Switchfoot

"Married Life" Michael Giacchino

 
















Just listening to this song makes me relive this movie's emotional whirlwind of a beginning. The wah-wah muted trumpet is to die for.

"Married Life" Michael Giacchino

"The Stroke" Billy Squier

Apparently this song is a reference to how musicians are used by an industry hungry for Billboard hits. Must be a subtle reference.

"The Stroke" Billy Squier

"Running With the Wolves" Cloud Cult

 
















This song's not nearly as trippy as the album artwork would indicate. For some reason I'm reminded of Jimmy Eat World when I listen to this track, though the voices aren't alike. In fact, it may be just what their most recent album was lacking.

"Running With the Wolves" Cloud Cult

"Tonight" Kate Walsh

 
















A pretty and relaxed song from a Kate Walsh that isn't of Grey's Anatomy or Private Practice fame.

"Tonight" Kate Walsh

"Dancing With Myself" Gen X

 
















Few things get me going like '80s English punk rock. Billy Idol (2nd from the right) got his start as a member of Gen X before his successful solo career and memorable cameo in The Wedding Singer.

"Dancing With Myself" Gen X

"Love" Matt White

As much as I'm terrified by the concept of the McRib, I'm thrilled that its commercial has reacquainted me with this delightful tune. Thank god they didn't just reuse this 1991 McRib Commercial

"Love" Matt White

"Somebody's Baby" Jackson Browne

 
















The other day I woke up with this song in my head and it's been in there ever since. Strangely, I don't have this song in my iTunes, nor have I heard it on the radio or in a movie in years. Gotta love random firing of synapses!

"Somebody's Baby" Jackson Browne

"Violet Hill" Coldplay

 A solid track off one of my favorite albums. So ends color week, thanks for humoring me.

 "Violet Hill" Coldplay

"Indigo Blues" Llorca

Please overlook the fact that this song has two colors in its title; the first word is what's important. This track is a lovely lounge samba. Maybe it's just me, but listening to a samba and fighting back urges to groove is nearly impossible.

"Indigo Blues" Llorca

"Blue Eyes" Cary Brothers

 
















Selecting a single song to post for today was especially difficult. Apparently, and appropriately, blue is a popular color to sing about. My first CB exposure came with the 2004 release of the legendary Garden State soundtrack. Though I'm not always in the mood for some of the soundtrack's other songs when they pop up on shuffle, I have yet to be able to bring myself to skip this one.

"Blue Eyes" Cary Brothers

"Green Hornet" Al Hirt

Fast, furious, and oh so classy.

"Green Hornet" Al Hirt

"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" Elton John

 
















I remember when my dad first introduced me to this album. My life has never been the same.

"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" Elton John

"Orange Colored Sky" Nat King Cole Trio

NKC is the man. When I listen to tracks like this I wonder if I may have been born in the wrong musical generation; I can only dream of what it would have been like to see these legends perform live.

"Orange Colored Sky" Nat King Cole Trio

"Please Turn Red" Andy Davis

 















This week is color themed, in the vein of ROYGBIV. I love the familiar concept of today's song: wishing and pleading for something to slow time or delay the inevitable.

"Please Turn Red" Andy Davis

"December 1963 (Oh What A Night)" Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

...a PSU game classic for today in honor of Joe Pa's potential 400th career win. Do it to it.

"December 1963 (Oh What A Night)" Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

"My Little Dove" I Hate You Just Kidding

 















I was immediately drawn to this duo by their name and chose to stick around when I heard this ever so pleasant song. The rest of their debut (?) EP can be heard on their MySpace.

"My Little Dove" I Hate You Just Kidding

"Love the One You're With" Stephen Stills

I can't listen to this song without remembering an occurrence three years ago: I witnessed a woman in her 50s jiving and singing along to this song down the cereal aisle as it played in the grocery store. LOVE it.

"Love the One You're With" Stephen Stills

"I Miss You (acoustic)" Incubus

 
















A shining example of when acoustic versions are better than the original. ...great guitar riff, complete with a harmonic or two.

"I Miss You (acoustic)" Incubus

"Beware of the Boys (Mudnian to Bach Ke remix)" Panjabi MC

 















After my cross-cultural, Indian jams will always have a special place in my heart / musical preferences. It doesn't hurt that this track gets some help from Jay-Z.

"Mudnian to Bach Ke (Beware of the Boys)" Panjabi MC

"Still the One" Orleans

 















Kicking the week off right. I had honestly forgotten about this song; doing so again is not an option. However, I would gladly forget about this album cover.

"Still the One" Orleans

"Que Sera Sera" Pink Martini

 
















For the occasion of Halloween, I present the creepiest song I know. I typically enhance this particular listening experience by opening my eyes really wide, grinning maniacally, and slowly bobbing my head to and fro.

"Que Sera Sera" Pink Martini

"Radioactive" Kings of Leon

It's difficult to follow up three incredible albums, but I deem the KoL's latest release a success. Interesting trivia tidbit courtesy of wikipedia: the band consists of three brothers and their cousin (if only their last name was Partridge instead of Followill)

"Radioactive" Kings of Leon

"Darling, It's True" Locksley

 
















This song was a delight to wake up to this morning, starting out with a cheerful groove and then exploding with peppy choruses.

"Darling, It's True" Locksley

"The Rocketeer" James Horner

 















I'm not sure when I first watched this Oscar worthy film (at least in my elementary school eyes) from 1991, but I'm almost positive it started my love of movie scores. Now that I think about it, it also may be why I've always had a thing for Jennifer Connelly... hmm. Even if you haven't seen the movie, you may recognize the main theme from its use in a plethora of movie trailers.

"The Rocketeer" James Horner

"Dance The Night Away" Van Halen

This is such a feel good tune. Though admittedly, at least tonight, I'm more likely to learn Spanish the night away.

"Dance The Night Away" Van Halen

"Young Love" Gavin DeGraw

It's nearly a sin that this song has been on my "Top 25 Most Played" smart playlist in iTunes for the past couple years and is only now appearing on the blog. With the amount of times I plan to listen to this track today its position on the playlist should rise significantly.

"Young Love" Gavin DeGraw

"Keep Holding On" Avril Lavigne

People are typically disgusted at how much I enjoy this song. What can I say? I love a good power ballad. Something tells me that if you let loose a little and belt along to the chorus while pumping a hand in the air as you see fit, you'll find the whole experience rather refreshing also. My apologies if I'm way wrong.

"Keep Holding On" Avril Lavigne

"Let Your Light Shine On Me" The Venice Four (feat. Rose Stone & The AKL Choir)

 The Coen Brothers' movies regularly have quality soundtracks, and their less popular flick The Ladykillers is no exception. Here's a little gospel for your Sunday. If you can't make it through the whole high-spirited song, at least be sure to listen to the grand ending around 5:40.

"Let Your Light Shine On Me" The Venice Four (feat. Rose Stone & The AKL Choir)

"When The Music's Not Forgotten" Deadman

Today, a month and a half ago, the music WAS forgotten. Thank god for timestamp manipulation.

"When The Music's Not Forgotten" Deadman

"Cindy" Tammany Hall NYC

 















Unsurprisingly, this band is often confused with a late 1700s to mid-1900s political organization. Or, maybe this is just how the organization manifested itself after its political work was done...

"Cindy" Tammany Hall NYC

"Doorways" Radical Face

 
















This song completely ignores establishing a traditional "verse, chorus, bridge, etc." format and just goes for it. I love how it starts out with a simple chopsticks-esque piano pulse and continues to build, adding instrumentation. Keep the decibels reasonable, as I never condone hearing loss, but I suggest playing it loud enough that 2:00 has some real power behind it.
 
"Doorways" Radical Face