So I go insane (like I always do)

You may have noticed I've been writing a lot more about music on TV lately (more then usual, anyway.) The reason for that is I've been tapped to write the MUSIC ON TV/FILM posts for a new site that was launched today, Film.com.

Not only am I contributing in that way, but I'm also the photo editor on the site, so I've been SICK with the busy-bizzy of late.

But, just to show you that I'm not just 'bout the boob tube, here's a nice nugget to take you through the weekend (from someone quite familiar with writing music for film.)

Album: Lindsey Buckingham - Under The Skin
AOL Free Album stream

Lindsey Buckinham's latest is a home-studio wonder of acoustic fretwork mastery, and is right up there with his best ("Go Insane" anyone?) Highlights are the opener ("Not Too Late") and "Down On Rodeo." Album comes out this coming Tuesday, but is in the fold for Rhapsody a week early, so enjoy!

tags: music, lindsey buckingham, album review, filmcom, music on tv, rhapsody

See you messed up my mental health

Lily Allen's Smile digipack just became available here in the US (and in Rhapsody,) which makes my birthday extension a bit brighter (thank you J Shifty.)

Single: Lily Allen - Smile

Featuring the song that shot to #1 in the UK back in July, Smile also has the b-sides "Cheryl Tweedy" and "Absolutely Nothing," which for throwaways aren't so bad.

On "Cheryl Tweedy" Lilly professes a wish to "look just like Cheryl Tweedy," which begs the question: Just who is Cheryl Tweedy and why would Lily Allen want to look like her? Well, Cheryl Cole, née Tweedy, sings in the UK group Girls Aloud and is married to the Chelsea and England footballer Ashley Cole. She's barbie doll gorgeous, which probably signals that there's a dis in there somewhere, knowing Lily's inclination.

The 4th track, a gutter mix version of "Smile", is rather pointless, unfortunately.

Lily hits North American next week, with stops in Toronto, New York, San Francisco, L.A. and Chicago (but alas, no Seattle - it's back to the birthday blues...)

Of course, I could just pay up and get her here (Celebrity Dream Date charity aucton on eBay.)

More:
Alright, Steal is a compilation of the songs that Lily Allen samples for her album Alright, Still. (music like dirt)

tags: music, lily allen, uk, ska, cheryl tweedy, rhapsody

Birthday blues

It was my birthday yesterday and I'm feeling a bit blue... not about getting older, just about the ridiculous amount of work that I'm doing right now. It's hard to get out from under this weight... but it will come.

We're holding off celebrating until this weekend, when I will forget about work and drink myself into a stupor.

In the meantime, here's a bunch of songs about birthdays that make me smile (even under the weight of the world.)

Playlist: Birthday Songs

Danger when you taste brown sugar... or wear peanut butter

You can add Melissa Gilbert to the parade of stars from the 1980s that have guest appeared on Nip/Tuck so far this season. Larry Hagman, Kathleen Turner, Richard Chamberlain, Jacqueline Bisset, Brooke Shields, Tracy Scoggins... we haven't seen this many has-beens on board since The Love Boat. Of course you never saw ship Dr. Adam Bricker treating Charo for a bitten off nipple.

You see soldier's wife Shari (Gilbert) was feeling lonely in her little house on the prarie, so she does what any lonely housewife would do. Play some smooth jazz, (oooh, that's nice,) get situated on the bed (yes, feeling good...) take off your top (I like where this is going,) smear some peanut butter on your body (ooh, now that's getting kinky,) then call in the family dog (what what what?)

Playlist: Nip/Tuck - Ep 404

There actually wasn't any smooth jazz played in the episode (the dog/peanut butter scene only explained, not seen.) However, Gotan Project makes another appearance (more times now then Dr. Troy's white ass) along with a couple songs from Bitter:Sweet, who's "The Mating Game" also appeared on last week's Grey's Anatomy (is Nip/Tuck music playing catchup?)

But the two more interesting songs were saved for last. The Stories' "Brother Louie" is played while Christian lets his sexy African-American boss sit in on surgery. The song's interracial subject matter was a bit controversial back in it's day:

She was black as the night;
Louie was whiter than white,
Danger, danger when you taste brown sugar,
Louie fell in love overnight

Meanwhile, Sean comes back to the scene of last week's infidelity and, while stoned on hash brownies (impossible, I might add, as it takes at least an hour to take affect,) watches Monica dance/strip to Animotion's "Obsession," which alludes to her fixation on the good (now bad) doctor.

Tracklisting compiled by Avalon at Niptuckfans.com

Previously:
He's the greatest dancer (Episode 403)

tags: playlist, music, soundtrack, niptuck, animotion, the stories, bittersweet, melissa gilbert, rhapsody

That's how he got to Memphis

So how does the King of Rock and Soul end up making a country album? While it's true that Gospel and Country used to be more intertwined, Solomon Burke actually grew up on the songs of the cowboy, watching Gene Autry and Roy Rogers television shows at the behest of his grandmother (they watched for the music.) He even has a clock radio that wakes him up to "Back in the Saddle Again" (and let's face it, he's always looked durn good in a cowboy hat.)

Album: Solomon Burke Nashville
Playlist: Songs Covered on Nashville

It's been four years since he amazed us with the heart-felt soul of Don't Give Up on Me, and Nashville finds him once again sounding inspired in a new environment, singing song of Tom T. Hall, George Jones and the like. This time 'round he's assembled a star-studded list ofwho he calls the "queens of his soul": Dolly Parton, Emmy Lou Harris, Gillian Welch, Patty Griffin and Patty Loveless. It's a great listen, and a welcome return for Burke from last year's puzzling and disappointing If You Need Me.

tags: playlist, music, country, soul, solomon burke, album review, nashville, rhapsody

Why you gotta give me such a sourpuss?

OK, I admit my timing on this sucks, but I just can't recommend enough the IFC comedy series The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman. Why does my timing suck? Because the season finale just happened this past Friday night... but don't let that stop you! IFC is rebroadcasting the entire series starting this Sunday, October 1st (11PM EST) and you don't want to miss it.

Comedian Laura Kightlinger (writer/producer guest on Will & Grace, Lucky Louie) created the series and stars as Jackie Woodman, a sarcastic and witty flailing screenwriter trying to make it in Hollywood without kissing (or killing) an ass. The humor is offbeat, to say the least, and had my wife and I spitting our drinks on many occasion (I'm still convulsing over the peyote-induced desert scene.)

The opening to the show is by far my favorite of all time, and mostly in part to Moris Tepper's wonderfully disjointed theme song "Sourpuss."

Song: "Sourpuss" Moris Tepper (Minor Accomplishments Theme Song)
Download MP3 (Moris Tepper's site)

Video:
IFC Promo introducing Jackie Woodman
Scene from episode 3 (YouTube)

tags: music, television, soundtrack, minor accomplishments, laura kightlinger, ifc, moris tepper video

You've been waving your nuts in my face for too long

On The Simpsons last night, viewers were treated to both The Ramones' "Beat on the Brat" and an allergies-as-light-sabre fight to "The Duel of the Fates" from Star Wars: Episode 1. Classic... The Simpsons really are in rare form this season so far (in anticipation of The Simpsons Movie?)



Playlist: The Simpsons - Ep. 1803

1. "Beat On The Brat" - The Ramones
2. "We Will Rock You" - Queen
3. "Duel Of The Fates from Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace" - John Williams

tags: music, television, soundtrack, the simpsons, john williams, star wars, the ramones video

Ear on TV: Week of Sept. 25

This week sees an all out Ludacris blitz... as he appears on four, count 'em four different talk shows. His new album, Release Therapy, hits the shelves Tuesday. The Killers get the nod for Saturday Night Live's season premiere, but the Tivo moment of the night might just be tonight on Letterman, where Elvis Costello and Tony Bennett appear singing a duet. The rest of the picks for the week goes as follows...

Monday, September 25:
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Joan Jett
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Elvis Costello and Tony Bennett
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (RERUN)
NBC: The Tonight Show With Jay Leno: Death Cab for Cutie
SYNDICATION: Live With Regis and Kelly: Nelly Furtado
Tuesday, September 26:
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Sean Lennon
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Scissor Sisters
SYNDICATION: Live With Regis and Kelly: Ludacris
Thursday, September 28:
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Ludacris
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: M. Ward
Friday, September 29:
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Ludacris
NBC: The Tonight Show With Jay Leno: Snow Patrol
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Ludacris
Saturday, September 30:
NBC: Saturday Night Live: The Killers

tags: playlist, music, television, talk shows, ludacris, letterman, conan, elvis costello

Bonds, BALCO and... Tower of Power?

Late yesterday, SF Chronicle Journalists Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams were held in contempt and (barring appeal) will face jail time - up to 18 months - for refusing to reveal their sources in the grand jury leaks from the steroids/BALCO case. Anyone that's read Game of Shadows : Barry Bonds, BALCO, and the Steroids Scandal that Rocked Professional Sports knows that the authors, in their investigative work, did the job that the government was supposed to (and essentially refused to) do.

The whole investigation, initially, seemed more an election year ploy by the Republican party, and when the election was over (and main proponent, Atty General John Ashcroft, stepped down,) the whole thing was nearly swept under the carpet... that is until someone started leaking testimony and evidence to the press. The leak likely came from both sides of the case. On the 'whistleblower' side would be IRS investigator Jeff Novitzky, who aggressively pursued the case only to see it end up in the Feds (bumbling) hands. On the 'blowing my own horn' side is of course the huckster himself: Victor Conte.

Play it: Tower of Power "We Came To Play"

Of all the things I learned reading Game of Shadows, the most amazing thing is that BALCO founder Victor Conte played bass for Tower of Power. He only played on the album We Came to Play before getting ousted along with his brother for trying to take more power of the group, but he was in the band nonetheless. How appropos that the only album he plays on is ToP's 'sports' related album?

Anway, that's probably not reason enough to recommend it so I'll just say that what lies between the pages represents a crisis of not only baseball, but of nearly all of sport. While Barry Bonds is truly a monster (of ego and lies) in this book, plenty more are deserve condemnation... he's just the one on top, thus (should) fall the farthest.

Read an excerpt from Game of Shadows (SI.com)

Support the authors, and the first amendment.

tags: books, game of shadows, barry bonds, baseball, steroids, balco, tower of power, first amendment

McGuilty as charged

Was it just me, or did that Coldplay song on Grey's Anatomy last night sound a bit off? Mat Kearney's voice is a dead-ringer for Coldplay's Chris Martin, and "Crashing Down" carries the ruse a bit too far. But it's just the sort of middle-of-the-road, guilty pleasure schlock that Grey's leans on for their 'moments.' In better news, Grant-Lee Phillips' take on the Church classic "Under The Milky Way" was a nice choice, the cocktail electro-pop of Bitter:Sweet ("The Mating Game") which livened up some otherwise boring flashbacks. Gnarls Barkley's fine Violent Femmes cover of "Gone Daddy Gone" has now appeared in at least three TV episodes that I've seen, making it now past it's prime.

Playlist: Grey's Anatomy - Ep. 301

Tracklisting

Previously:
So pick me, choose me, love me (Grey's Anatomy Season 2 & soundtrack)

tags: playlist, music, soundtrack, greys anatomy, mat kearney, grant-lee phillips, gnarls barkley, rhapsody

Turn on Headlights for safety

Last Thursday night I decided to check out my neighbor's band (Friday Mile,) based on the fact he's a good guy, and the fact they were playing with Headlights and Decibully.


Both Headlights (Champagne, IL) and Decibully (Milwaukee, WI) shared bandmates through their sets, highlighted by the multi-instrumental work of Nicholas Sanborn (solo as Made of Oak.) But the real enchantment of the evening was the voice of singer Erin Fein, which effortlessly moved from sexy cute (Velocity Girl's Sarah Shannon) to spine-tingling (Bjork.) I'm sure it's that mix that endeared them to Grey's Anatomy music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas, who featured them on an episode last season. Just listen to "Put Us Back Together Right" and you know their bound for more TV glory.

Album: Headlights The Enemies
Download: "Put Us Back Together Right"
Download: "TV"
Download: "Hi Ya"
From the latest album Kill Them With Kindness (not in Rhapsody yet, for some reason)

After the show was over, all the bands went back to my neighbor Chad's house and sat around a backyard campfire making s'mores. I wish I could've stayed longer, but I had to hop the fence home for some zzzzs. The Headlights/Decibully tour drove off to Missoula the next day, the first of their shows dotting the horizon on their journey back to that Illinois/Wisconsin land they call home.

Album: Decibully Sing Out America
Album: Friday Mile Using Up Our Trust (New songs up on MySpace)

tags: music, concert review, headlights, indie rock, decibully, friday mile, rhapsody

He's the greatest dancer

How many times are we going to see Christian 's (Julian McMahon's) ass this season? Three episodes in and I'm pretty sure I can pick it out in a police lineup. Last night's episode featured a YouTube posting of one of Dr. Naughty's sexual encounters, and gave us the pause-rewind-play-by-play of Christian's very white dereare.

Playlist: Nip/Tuck - Ep. 403

Cue ass #2: the suddenly ubiquitous Mario Lopez, who's about to win (if he isn't disqualified) in the latest edition of Dancing with the Stars. (Programming note: Sister Sledge's "He's The Greatest Dancer" was played earlier in the show, perhaps in anticipation of Super Mario?) Christian runs into him at the gym and admires his younger, less-white posterior in the shower and some liposuction ensues - conveniently enough, Lopez's character is a plastic surgeon as well.

But the real fireworks come when Sean cheats on his very pregnant wife with a prospective nanny (Jennifer Hall from HBO's Unscripted) after they connect while listening to Oasis' "Wonderwall." Something about 'being young,' 'taking advantage of it while you got it' and, well... boots knockin'. She didn't get the nanny job, but she did get a nose job - more pro bono for bonin' a pro.

Tracklisting:
1. "He's The Greatest Dancer" – Sister Sledge – Sean/Christian show off their new cars - Sean gives Christian a beeper
2. "Le Freak" – Chic – Christian sees Matt at the gym - Matt won’t let him back in his life
3. "Wonderwall" – Oasis – Sean drives Monica back to her hotel - cheats on Julia
Tracklisting compiled by Avalon at Niptuckfans.com

Previously:
No pro bono for bonin' a pro (Episode 402)

tags: playlist, music, soundtrack, niptuck, oasis, sister sledge, mario lopez, rhapsody

Risking life and limb for the coupon

For some time now, I've been meaning to talk about Sean Moeller's Daytrotter Sessions, a blog/live music happening that's been going strong now for 6+ months. Thankfully, this week's guest coincides with a new release that I'm inhaling like crack right now, Appreciation Night from Chicago's Bound Stems.


Album: Bound Stems - Appreciation Night
Download: "Andover" , "Western Biopic"
Download: Daytrotter Session

Bound Stems made an appearance on the Daytrotter Sessions this week, which means they record four songs and shoot the sh*t with Sean. Simple enough of a concept, but the key to it's success is more then just that - it's two things: the quality of the bands that stop by each week, and Sean's gift for engaging the band and writing/putting the package together. This session gives a good example at his writing craft:

Songs like "Andover" are patchwork quilts that involve so many different blocks of fabric that it’s a feast visually and audibly, forming together a piece of warmth and depth that should raise our expectations of what it takes for a song to really be complete, to feel intact. It calculates out to a successful coat of mesmerizing paint that was obviously applied by five different people, using five different hues and brushing with five different strokes. Instead of turning out a cringe-worthy muck, the songs and Appreciation Night as a whole, strikes as a microcosm of life spent loving music unabashedly, getting caught up with the most thrilling aspects of song, taking them to heart and striving to make something as relevant and influential as their influences.
- Sean Moeller, Daytrotter

With a description like that, why should I even bother to go on about Appreciation Night. I'll just add that drummer Evan is a former 'acquaintence' of mine, having previously drummed in the (forever underappreciated) Harvey Danger here in Seattle. It's good to hear his craft put to use in such a fascinating way.

tags: music, album review, bound stems, indie rock, daytrotter, harvey danger, rhapsody

Watching some good friends screaming let me out!

Song: "Under Pressure" Queen w/ David Bowie

Aaron Sorkin's new series STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP makes good on it's promise to hold a mirror up to TV, complete with a Howard Beale moment from Paddy Chayefsky's NETWORK in the intro (and of course Chayefsky comes up in Sorkin's dialogue.) The show, a behind the scenes look at a Saturday Night Live-like sketch comedy, is smartly written and demonstrates incredible promise, much like Sorkin's previous work (SPORTS NIGHT, THE WEST WING.)

And if that weren't enough, they adeptly used "Under Pressure" (Queen/David Bowie) to end the show, which works to sell me on nearly anything. Damn them... they seem know my weakness!

Missed it? Watch last night's pilot in it's entirety. Or, watch a 2-minute recap. (NBC)

tags: television, music, soundtrack, studio 60, aaron sorkin, queen, david bowie, paddy chayefsky, rhapsody

Always took a penny, never left a penny

Playlist: MY NAME IS EARL - Season 1

Once upon a time the great Eastern guru Carson Daly said "do good things, and good things will happen to you" and it was a morphine-induced Earl Hickey (Jason Lee) that heard that karma call. Today the first season of MY NAME IS EARL comes out on DVD, and in celebration of that I've compiled all the great (and so-so) musical moments from show's inaugural bow.

Heavy on the classic rock (Earl's mustache demands it) you could call this EVEN MORE DAZED AND CONFUSED, except for the occasional deviation. In the middle of all the Allman Bros., Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bachman-Turner Overdrive are songs from Nick Drake, The Cardigans and Red Hot Chili Peppers. But if you had to pick one artist that encompasses the show, it would be Country Funk legend Jerry Reed. You might remember "East Bound and Down" (from SMOKEY & THE BANDIT) was used during an episode (Episode 1x07 - 'Stole Beer From a Golfer') when Earl and Randy drove in the original BANDIT car from the movie.

Also out today is MY NAME IS EARL - THE ALBUM, which has many of the best song memories from the show, including both Jerry Reed songs ("Amos Moses" being the other,) Young MC's "Bust a Move" (which you might remember from Joy's wedding) and Sammy Davis busting out the great "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette.)" But like the show itself, the soundtrack takes some sharp corners. Instead of using the original versions of many songs, artists like John Hiatt and Matthew Sweet contribute covers. On paper it sounds interesting, but even the dream matchup of Sweet doing ELO ("Livin' Thing") falls flat. The others are, at best, wholly unnecessary.

tags: television, music, soundtrack, my name is earl, jerry reed, dvd, lynyrd skynyrd, rhapsody

The hardest Simpson to button

Play it: THE SIMPSONS - Ep. 1802

Last night, the White Stripes got the Matt Groening treatment (that is, drawn yellow) and appeared on The Simpsons. Bart becomes a drummer and while perfecting his craft, goes on a "The Hardest Button to Button" psychedelic ride and runs into Jack and Meg White (now yellow,) and a battle ensues.



For those that have forgotten (or haven't seen) the "Hardest Button to Button" video (that the scene is based on,) YouTube has that as well. (PLAY)

Elsewhere, Lisa rescues some animals and walks down the sidewalk to "Little Green Bag" ala RESERVOIR DOGS, and Bart sits in on a rendition of Dave Brubeck's "Take 5." A most disjointed episode, as the second best line from the show attests: "I can't believe the plot lines intersected!"

Best line? Bart, after learning he'll never drum again: "I used to be a great drummer, but now I'm nobody, just like Phil Collins."

tags: music, television, soundtrack, the simpsons, indie rock, white stripes, dave brubeck, reservoir dogs, video

Dwell on the swell Kweller feller

Song: Ben Kweller - "Sundress"
Stream the S/T full album at Ben's MySpace page

Notoriously nice guy Ben Kweller releases his third album this coming Tuesday (9/19,) and while his single "Sundress" is already available, the rest of the album is being streamed for a limited time from Ben's MySpace page.

T and me have gotta babysitter set up for his show at the end of the month, but I have to confess... Sam Roberts is opening, and is the main reason we're going. T loves her Sam Roberts, but I predict the Austin MOT will make her a fan by the end of the night.

Here's the video for "Sundress."

tags: music, ben kweller, indie rock, sam roberts, video

Dear in the Sub Pop headlights

Download: Loney Dear - "The City, The Airport" (SXSW)

Sub Pop does it again... it was recently announced that Sub Pop added Sweden's Loney, Dear to their roster. For anyone that look/click at all on my EARS: albums to the right, you'll know I've had Loney, Dear's album SOLOGNE up there for ages - since I brought it back from Europe with me in early July, to be more exact.

February 7, 2007 is the release date for a new album entitled LONEY NOIR, which begs the question, when/where does SOLOGNE see a release in the US?

And, in case you missed it, here's TV On The Radio setting Letterman on fire two nights ago:


Previously:
Between Soda Lake and Butter Bridge (TV On The Radio's RETURN TO COOKIE MOUNTAIN)
Lupus like me (Video/Single for "Wolf Like Me")
TV On The Radio On TV

tags: music, loney dear, sub pop, tv on the radio, letterman
, video

Swimming in it

Playlist: New Releases of Note (09.12.2006)

So while I've only posted on the new ones from TV on the Radio and Yo La Tengo, there were a ridiculous amount of fine releases dropped yesterday.

Here's the other releases that have peaked my interest (and popped into my Sansa:)

Junior Boys - So This is Goodbye Sounds so smooth and slippery I'm sliding down a warm waterslide right now just writing about it. Especially notable for the Sinatra cover ("When No One Cares")

The Rapture - Pieces of the People we Love More refined then their last punk-disco shaker ECHOES, The Rapture take off where James Chance left off years ago in the post-punk movement. Just because you're indie doesn't mean you can't dance.

Justin Timberlake - Futuresex/Lovesounds Don't stop dancing now... JT's serving up some more beats fer yr booty. Folks close to me know that JT represents a guilty pleasure, so it will come as no surprise then that I've already got his new one on heavy rotation. Want to know why? Just listen to "Lovestoned/I Think She Knows" and tell me you're not the least bit moved (and grooved.) Sexy is back (and vice versa.)

Viva Voce - Get Yr Blood Sucked Out Speaking of lovestoned, this one is already one I love to... well... you get the smoky picture. "From the Devil Himself" rolls one up for ya.

Mastodon - Blood Mountain Whoah... Mastadon ventures further into prog-metal territory, but leave a trail of bread crumbs so we can find them in Valhalla, or whereever it is that my bleeding eardrums are being kept. Features vocal turns from both Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme and Mars Volta's Cedric Bixler-Zavala... so Pitchfork should hate it (but I'm wrong... they loved it.)

Page France - Hello, Dear Wind This one really came out last year (to a chorus of indie pop sighs) but is finally seeing full reissue this week. Bright Eyes meets Of Montreal is a terrible cop-out description, but kind of accurate. Makes me close my eyes and smile, and that should be enough.

Other releases that are good to great, but I don't have clever things to say 'bout 'em right now:
Richard Buckner - Meadow, Starflyer 59 - My Island, Xiu Xiu - The Air Force, Brazilian Girls - Talk to la Bomb, Los Lobos - The Town and the City, and (local faves) The Purrs - The Purrs.

Previously:
Between Soda Lake and Butter Bridge (TV On The Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain)
Go ahead, beat my ass (Yo La Tengo - I Am Not Afraid of You and Will Beat Your Ass)

tags: music, album review, indie rock, page france, mastodon, junior boys, the rapture, viva voce, justin timberlake

No pro bono for bonin' a pro

Playlist: Nip/Tuck - Episode 4.02

Christian's still dealing with his 'could I be gay?' issue, so that means lots of strip clubs and sex. As a result we get a guest starring role from former Playboy Playmate Angela Little (Miss August 1998) who strips to Nick Gilder's 70s classic, "Hot Child in the City."

Elsewhere there's yet more Gotan Project ("Lunatico") and the great Eveylyn Champagne King's "Shame" (for yet more stripping.)

Also guest starring this episode were Richard Chamberlain and Jacqueline Bisset. This after Larry Hagman, Brooke Shields, Tracy Scoggins and Kathleen Turner guested in the first episode. It's almost like casting director Liz Dean is trapped in an I LOVE THE 80'S episode.

Tracklisting compiled by Avalon at Niptuckfans.com

Previously:
Psycho Therapy (episode 4.01)
Money is the revenge of the ugly on the beautiful (Season 4 promos)
Carving out a niche (Season 3 soundtrack playlist and dvd)

tags: playlist, music, soundtrack, niptuck, nick gilder, gotan project, evelyn champagne, angela little, i love the 80s, rhapsody

Cane vs. gravity

Song: "Gravity" - John Mayer

HOUSE (Hugh Laurie) is defined by his pain, so what happens when that is taken away? Can a cantankerous genius become a caring doctor? Nobody watches HOUSE for warm fuzzies, so you had to know the other shoe (attached to hurt leg) would drop sometime.

To illustrate House's transition back to being cane-enabled, John Mayer's song "Gravity" was used (almost in entirety.) "Gravity wants to bring me down" sings Mayer, and HOUSE reaches for his cane. Like a hammer to the head, the blunt message is pounded into us to end the episode. Makes me want to reach for some of House's vicodone (but then again, what doesn't?)

John Mayer's new album CONTINUUM was just released yesterday.
Free Full AOL Album Stream

tags: music, television, soundtrack, house, john mayer

Between Soda Lake and Butter Bridge

Album: TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
Stream the tracks

I was a lover, before this war
- "I Was a Lover" TV On The Radio

2006's album of the year has finally dropped... so does that mean we can all stop reviewing and get back to listening? Seriously... no? Alright...

Sometimes, when your immersed in an atmosphere, like... say... a room with dirty diapers; it's hard to remember what 'fresh' is like. Well, in an environment where a lot of indie rock sounds a lot like it's forebearers, TV On The Radio are like a breath of the freshest air a lung can breath. When their previous album Desparate Youth and Bloodthirsty Babes, dropped two years ago, it was so original sounding that David Bowie almost flattened three other Brooklyn bands driving himself to try and acquire this new chameleon skin.

Bowie actually appears on Return to Cookie Mountain, singing on "Province", one of the bands highlights. The first single, "Wolf Like Me," is the closest they get to a rock song structure, and it certainly has to please their label (bohemoth Interscope) that it just might draw more then just us indie rock snobs to the party.

Other highlights (in an album chock full of 'em) include the opening track, "I Was a Lover," and "Playhouses." The US release has some bonus tracks that I'm ignoring in looking critically at the album (note that they're calling them non-album tracks.)

GET YOUR TIVO/DVR SET: TV on the Radio plays Late Night with David Letterman tonight...

Cookie Mountain is a reference to World 4 in Nintendo's Super Mario World 2 game - just above Vanilla Dome, between Soda Lake and Butter Bridge



Previously:
Lupus like me (Video/Single for "Wolf Like Me")
TV On The Radio On TV

tags: music, album review, tv on the radio, indie rock, video game, nintendo, super mario world

Cheddarella!

Playlist: WEEDS - Episode 205

It's hard to feel sorry for son Silas... while his girlfriend makes the difficult choice to end her pregnancy, we all know he conspired to get her preggers in the first place. So why am I having pangs of empathy for this evil son of a 'bitch-ass-bitch'? Prolly 'cause he's locked in mourning listening to Rogue Wave's "Kicking the Heart Out." Works nearly every time. Also on this episode is "Pirates" from Gabby La La, who's a good friend of Primus' Les Claypool. Not only his her debut on Claypool's label, but he also produces, arranges, and plays all over the release.

Elsewhere, in a bit of tasty cheese (cheddar+mozzarella=CHEDDARELLA!) is the queen of Australian yodeling, Mary Schneider, who's "Yodelling Mozart" provides some comic relief in the midst of all this drama. Chedarrella indeed!

WEEDS' MySpace blog on this week's music.

Previously:
Both Of and from Montreal (Episode 204)And it gives you the munchies (Weeds Season 1)

tags: playlist, weeds, television, showtime, soundtrack, rogue wave, gabby la la, mary schneider, cheddarella

So pick me, choose me, love me

Playlist: GREY'S ANATOMY - Season 2

When the dust settled from Super Bowl XL, this past February, it became clear that the real winner was in fact GREY'S ANATOMY. ABC followed the big game with a riveting cliffhanger episode (#216 - "It's the End of the World") that had folks on the edge of their seats (that was #217, "As We Know It" for all you REM fans.) After that, the series was a mainstay at the top of the weekly ratings, and with a move to Thursday nights this season, looks to squash that other musically oriented series, THE OC. GREY'S actually seems like the cool older sister to THE OC, musically speaking. She can impress you by playing Dressy Bessy, but then immediately embarrass you when you see she's got James Blunt in her collection as well.

The second season of GREY'S ANATOMY is out on DVD tomorrow, but that's not all... there's also a CD soundtrack, GREY'S ANATOMY: VOLUME 2, featuring 15 songs that appeared on the show, including an exclusive acoustic version of Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars," which closed the season out in chilling fashion.

More:
Episode by episode tracklisting (ABC)

tags: playlist, music, soundtrack, greys anatomy, snow patrol, dressy bessy, the oc, rhapsody

Go ahead, beat my ass

Album: Yo La Tengo - I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass
MP3: "Pass the Hatchet, I Think I'm Goodkind" (Matador)
MP3: "Beanbag Chair" (Matador)
Free Full AOL Album Stream

Worth buying for the title alone, Yo La Tengo's latest signals a slight return to their prowess of I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One. From the opening 10+ minute guitar jam of "Pass the Hatchet, I Think I'm Goodkind" to the straight pop of "Beanbag Chair" YLT let you know right off that despite the album and song titles, this ain't no novelty release. Throw in the falsetto soul of "Mr Tough" and already it's their most eclectic effort to date, which can make it difficult to listen to as a whole. Better in chunks, I say... unlike the title might suggest, beating your ass in and of itself isn't enough - other body parts need some beating as well.

Ladies, feel free to start with my ass:


More folks lining up to beat your ass (YouTube)

Previously
Gilmorepalooza (Yo La Tengo played "Beanbag Chair" on last season's finale of GILMORE GIRLS)

tags: music, video, yo la tengo, indie rock, sado-masochism

Lupus like me

Song: TV On The Radio "Wolf Like Me"
Video (via AOLMusicIndie)

2006's album of the year will finally see it's US release next week (it's been available in Europe since July,) so to wet your appetite here's the video for the first single "Wolf Like Me."

The video is a tasteful black and white w/ color for emphasis and follows the age old story:

Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy finds girl, girl bites boy under a full moon and they (and the band?) turn into werewolves.
Ah... young love!

Previously:
TV On The Radio On TV

tags: music, video, tv on the radio, indie rock