Long time no blog...

I haven't been on here in so long. Things got a little crazy in my personal life. I am well aware that none of the links/downloads are currently working. I am trying to fix all of them... Bear with me.

"God can be funny at a cocktail party..."

This is such a beautiful song. I really cannot write much more than that about it.

Next stop...Wonderland.

Released in 2003, Wonderland, tells the story of the Wonderland Murders (aka Four on the Floor, aka The Laurel Canyon Murders) which occured in the early 80's. What is particularly interesting to me, was John Holmes' (yes, THAT John Holmes) involvement. For those that don't know the story...Google it. Okay? Those that do know have probably already seen the movie. If you haven't, or if sex, drugs and murder aren't your bag...check the flick out for the awesome soundtrack. Below are some of my favorites from it...

Terry Reid - Faith to Arise
Gordon Lightfoot - If You Could Read My Mind
Dobie Gray - Drift Away

Sleepytime.

Damien Jurado

It is rare for me to fall asleep without the help of...something. I typically drink a warm cup of tea (Sleepytime, of course), take a Simply Sleep, or listen to some soothing tunes. Occasionally I require all of the above. Here are some of my favorites off of my bedtime playlist. The playlist in its entirity contains about 150 songs, so I just chose a handful to link.

Goodnight.

Coldplay - Warning Sign (Acoustic)
Bon Iver - Re: Stacks (Daytrotter)
Damien Jurado - Everything Trying (Daytrotter)
The National - Lucky You (Daytrotter)
Ryan Adams - Drunk and Fucked Up (Live in Seattle)

This is what I call "baby-making music"...

Ray LaMontagne

Feeling amorous?

I may be alone here, but there is just something about this man's voice that screams SEX! to me. (Okay, maybe "making love" is a more Ray L appropriate phrase?) Whatever you wanna call IT, Ray's voice sure makes me wanna. These songs just make me think of rolling around in the sack on a rainy day. Check 'em out...and then take your sweetie to bed.

Lesson Learned **
Burn *
Empty **

** from Till the Sun Turns Black

* from Trouble

Cover Discovery - Vol. 4

Damien Rice w/ Ray LaMontagne - To Love Somebody (Live)
Damien Rice - When Doves Cry/Babe I'm Gonna Leave You
Damien Rice - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Snow Patrol - The Blower's Daughter

Boy Crazy!!!

My new favorite tank... By: Wildfox Couture

You can buy this hot little number (and other badass Wildfox tops) at www.80spurple.com , which happens to be one of my favorite online shopping destinations.

And now...some "boy crazy" songs...

The Donna's - 40 Boys in 40 Nights
The Waitresses - I Know What Boys Like
The Weather Girls - It's Raining Men
Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Tuesday Tunes...

The National

The National - Runaway (working title)
Tyler Ramsey - No One Goes Out (Daytrotter Session)
My Morning Jacket - Behind That Locked Door (Live George Harrison Cover)

Tuesday tunes...

Elton John and Ryan Adams - La Cienega Just Smiled (Live)
Ryan Adams - Wonderwall (Acoustic Oasis Cover)
Courtney Love with Ryan Adams - The Dark End of the Street (Acoustic Cover)
Ben Kyle (of Romantica) with Ryan Adams - The Dark (Live)

Quentin Tarantino is a damn genius...

I cannot even tell you how excited I am for this movie.

Pretty "Bird".

I spend an insane amount of time on music blogs and websites. I scour MySpace for new artists. On one of my hunts, I came across http://www.yellowbirdproject.com/ . This site sells tees designed by musicians. The profits from the shirts are donated to the artist's favorite charity. Cool, huh? I have the Bon Iver, Rilo Kiley, and The Shins (donations go to Interval House, Elliott Smith Memorial House, and Nature Conservancy, respectively) shirts thus far. The Shins tee is posted above. I actually purchased another Bon Iver tee, as well as The National's design for a friend. Check them out...

True Blood - Season 1 was released on DVD and BluRay today.

Season 2 airs on HBO June 14th at 9:00 pm EST.  

(I love the marketing for this show!)

New Music Tuesday...

Eminem

'Bout time...  Eminem's new CD Relapse dropped today.  Rejoice!!

Also, Tori Amos...  Abnormally Attracted to Sin.  So far, "That Guy," "Lady in Blue" and the title track are my favorites. 

Check them out on iTunes.  In the meantime, here are some older favorites...

Eminem (feat. Obie Trice, Stat Quo and 50 Cent) - Spend Some Time
Tori Amos - A Sorta Fairytale

Tunes of the Day... The 80's edition.

What's Your Damage?

The Bangles - Hazy Shade of Winter
INXS - New Sensation
Georgia Satellites - Keep Your Hands To Yourself
Billy Idol - Dancing With Myself

Just a Friend...

This is the best commercial I have seen in years... I think Heineken has really raised the bar on beer commericials. And no, I don't drink Heineken. I actually don't drink at all.

(Oh, and for the record, I was 7 years old when Biz Markie dropped this song in '89. I feel REALLY old.)

Songs of the day...

Jenny Lewis

I am feeling unusually romantic. It's weird, because, sadly, I have no reason to feel this way. My love life is in the crapper. (When, oh when, are things going to work for me???) I don't know why I torture myself and listen to love songs... Oh, yes, I remember...I am a masochist.

Look for my singles ad soon...I have a feeling it will be similar to this (minus the "famous" shit):

Lindsay Lohan's eHarmony Profile from Lindsay Lohan

Funny shit, huh?

Jenny Lewis w/the Watson Twins - Handle with Care
Jenny Lewis w/the Watson Twins - Melt Your Heart
Rilo Kiley - I Never
Rilo Kiley - Science Vs. Romance

"Shame, shame for the rooster..."

The lovely Fiona Apple (with an apple!)

High five for these ladies.

Fiona Apple - Get Him Back

I don't think there is a woman alive that cannot relate to this song. It really has it all...catchy music, smart lyrics, and Fiona's raw emotion.

Tracy Bonham - Behind Every Good Woman

This song contains some of my favorite lyrics EVER. Tracy is a favorite of mine...and this is her best work (in my opinon).

Martha Wainwright - You Cheated Me

Ah...how I love Ms. Wainwright. I love the entire Wainwright clan, actually. This song is a lot more POP than her other work, but I love it all the same.

Song of the day...

Rilo Kiley - Breakin' Up




**see more of these cartoons at www.americanhell.com

Cover Discovery Vol. 3 - The Fleetwood Mac Edition

I don't think my father would approve of these...but I still think they're great.

Ari Hest - Little Lies
Whiskeytown - Dreams (Live)
Death Cab for Cutie - Go Your Own Way (Live)
The Decemberists - Think About Me

The way that he sings...

My Morning Jacket

I have been listening to an obscene amount of MMJ the past week. Jim James' voice is hypnotic.

The song "Librarian" has become a fast favorite... I love this line, "what is it inside our heads that makes us do the opposite (makes us do the opposite) of what's right for us." Ain't that the truth folks??!!

Posted below (along with the studio version) is the live version... It is amazing. Truly.

Librarian - Live at St. David's Church
Librarian (Studio version)**

**Off Evil Urges.

"It's All Make Believe, Isn't It?"

Marilyn Monroe by Andy Warhol

This just happens to be one of my favorite quotes...ever. Just thought I'd share.

He's listening...and I am watching.

Gabriel Byrne as Dr. Paul Weston

HBO's show - In Treatment... Anyone, besides me, watching this?? I read somewhere that it is being called, "The best show that no one seems to be watching..." I agree! Everytime I talk about it, people have either never heard of it, or never watched it. That is something worth going to therapy over.

Cat Power - Crazy (Gnarls Barkley cover, Live in Berlin)

This is the song that started it all...

Ryan Adams


It set off my Ryan Adams obsession, turned my car stereo into "Ryan Adams Radio" (all Ryan Adams, all-the-time), and, ultimately, made me rethink all my ideas on what constitutes GOOD music. It is the most delightfully depressing song I have ever heard...enhanced by the notion that he actually sang it the very same day he wrote it. He had something to say - something to get off his chest. Now that, my loves, is passion.

Here it is...for a limited time only. Enjoy darlings.

Come Pick Me Up - Acoustic

Cover Discovery Vol. 2 - The Rolling Stones Edition

The Rolling Stones

I have been listening to the Stones since I was a little girl. My father owned all of their records. My favorite was "Some Girls" because it had really cool packaging - you could slide an inside card out and line up the band members faces with different hairstyles on the front. (Sorry if that doesn't make sense... If you are familiar with their old albums you should know what I am talking about.) Anyway... I will always have a special love for their sound, but that doesn't mean I don't love and appreciate a kick-ass cover...

Here are a couple magnificent ones.

Iron and Wine with Calexico - Wild Horses (Live)
The Black Crowes - Sympathy for the Devil (Live)
Band of Horses - Waiting on a Friend (Live)

Today is a good day for melancholy music.

Amos Lee

I am in a funk and I am blaming it on the rain.

Amos Lee - Careless
Aimee Mann - The Scientist (Live Coldplay cover)
Tracy Bonham - Whether You Fall
Ray LaMontagne - Burn (Live)

"Free" City.

If I had an endless cash flow, I would only wear Free City sweats. 'Nuff said.

Queen - I Want to Break Free
Neil Young - Keep on Rockin' in the Free World

Leila Moss (of The Duke Spirit)

Leila

The Duke Spirit has recently become one of my favorite bands. I first heard them on The Henry Rollins show a couple years ago. Their lead singer, Leila Moss, is fascinating. She has a captivating presence, Jagger-ish swagger and the uncanny ability to make playing a tamborine look totally hot.

If you are new to them I suggest checking out the compilation CD the band released exclusively for Target. It has a good sampling of their tunes, as well as a hidden *bonus* track...

"I told you to be patient..."

Justin Vernon

I still cannot get enough of Bon Iver, (for those that don't know...it is pronounced Bohn-eevair), especially the live stuff. Justin Vernon is captivating. Here is a sampling of live & acoustic tunes...


(This post is dedicated to a dear friend, who keeps me in check, reminds me to breathe, and is *almost* as obsessed with music as I am.)

Re: Stacks - Daytrotter Session
Skinny Love - Live at Rock & Roll Hotel, Washington, D.C.
Blood Bank - Live
Your Love - Live (The Outfield cover)

Cover Discovery Vol. 1

Cat Power

Cat Power - I Found a Reason (Velvet Underground cover - Live in Paris
Counting Crows - Crazy For You (Live Madonna Cover)
The Fray - Heartless (Kanye West Cover)

Tunes of the day...

Ryan Adams *sigh*

Since Ryan Adams' recent marriage to Mandy Moore, I have been neglecting his music. Today I realized, that by doing this, I am only punishing myself. Here are a couple of my favorites...

Two - Elizabethtown Session
If I Am A Stranger - Live