Friday, I'm in Shuffle

I haven't done this one in awhile. So heres a few songs of the old pod.

The Lightning Seeds - Change [mp3]
(Fun Fact: From the montage in Clueless, when Cher sets up her teachers)

A Tribe Called Quest - One Two Shit [mp3]

Rogue Wave - Debaser [mp3]
(Fun Fact: Pixies Cover)

The Strokes - Ask Me Anything [mp3]

Damien Jurado - What Were the Chances [mp3]
(Fun Fact: From one of my favorite OC episodes, when it didn't suck)

Xiu Xiu - FTW [mp3]

The Ninties Are Alive

Well, only in memory. And through amazing covers like this one by the Kooks! Ace of Base was the pinnacle of my elementary school existence. "The Sign" was everywhere in those days, and you couldn't go a few minutes without a radio station blaring that wonderfully synthesized pop sound and 4-grade reading level lyrics into the airwaves.

The Kooks are famous in my book for their Radio One set alone. But this cover of AoB's "All That She Wants" takes the band to a whole new level of admiration, turning the one hit wonderish chorus of the original into a legimate indie rock song.

The Kooks - All That She Wants [mp3]

Both Salt n Pepa and Ace of Base covers in one week. What's next in this rainstorm of gifts? Is Vampire Weekend going to do a cover of "Rump Shaker"?

A girl can dream.

It's a Good Day for New Things

Everything old is new again. But new things are just new, and usually yummy. Heres some music I'm loving this week and why. Theres some selections from newly released albums, remixes, covers, and spanking new singles.

OMG new Gnarles Barkley is here. The CIA might shoot me in the face for posting this. As long as its a Jason Bourne type or even Clive Owen's character that dies in the first movie, I'm okay with it. PS: This song is SO good.

Gnarles Barkely - Run [mp3]

Matt Albert Costa is such a chill guy. The pro skateboarder-turned musician (after a horrific leg-shattering accident) has been making music on his 4-track recorder for a while, but really started turning heads in 2005 with Songs We Sing. Jack Johnson and the rest of the Brushfire recording co took an avid interest in the indie hitmaker, allowing Matt to open for Jack's 2005 summer tour, and re-releasing his previously independent album under their label. Now Matt is back with a new cd entitled Unfamiliar Faces, which I might love more than his last. But don't quote me on that one yet. The jury is still out...

Matt Costa - Mr. Pitiful [mp3]

Matt Costa - These Arms (From Songs We Sing) [mp3]

Nada, Nada, Nada Surf is turning 17 this year - only one year shy of being able to smoke, porn, and vote it up! Unfortunately for as long as these guys have been around, they don't get nearly enough credit for their eclectic sound. Since their conception in '92, all focus has been on their hit single "Popular." An excellent ode to the angst of teenagerdom, but defintely not their best single. Their latest release, Lucky is more proof why NS has been able to maintain a cult-like fan base. Not many bands have emerged from the 90s alt rock phase successfully; finding a way to evolve past the post-grunge-i-live-in-my-parents-basement-but-still-rock-out era, and resurface better than ever.

Nada Surf - See These Bones [mp3]

I'm sure you all know I love Britney Spears - even crazy trains can make good dance records. This cover of "Toxic" puts me in an entirely different mood though. Yael Naim's vocals are near perfection for this seductive, sensual take on the smash pop hit. Move over Marvin Gaye, theres a new song to get it on to. Sidenote: F'in Apple has already made me hate her a little bit by putting her song "New Soul" all over the f'ing place. Gosh darn those iPod commercials!

Yael Naim - Toxic [mp3]

Yael Naim - New Soul [mp3]

A few badass remixes. Like I said, whats old is new again.

Tegan and Sara - Back in Your Head (RAC Mix) [mp3]

Kanye West - Get 'Em High (Ratatat Remix) [mp3]

Songs that make me a sell-out, but provide pure entertainment value that no one can dispute. In other words, I shamefully love these.

Flo-rida ft. Timbaland - Elevator [mp3]
(OMG more "Ella - ella -ella" in a song)

Ashlee Simpson - Rule Breaker [mp3]

Usher - In This Club (Ft. Young Jeezy) [mp3]

Tomorrow: New Kooks!

I Just Blue Myself: An Arrested Movie?!!

Arrested Fans come together on this one: a movie is in the works! If I don't get to see Tobias, (that blowhard) on tv anymore, I still might be able to watch him and Gobias Industries on the silver screen!

Take a look at this post from the amazing blog, "The Playlist". I take NO credit for the following life-alterning, newsbreak story...

Steve Holt! 'Arrested Development' Movie Becoming A Reality?!?

Attention all never-nudes, banana stand employees, 'Poof!' magician subscribers and those who may or may not have committed light treason, the Bluth family might be returning for a big-screen version of the much-beloved and prematurely cancelled TV sitcom "Arrested Development."

Talk about a feature-film adaptation of the show have been going on since the last episode when in a meta, inside-joke moment, cousin Maeby sold the Bluthe family rights to Ron Howard - the real life producer of the show and uncredited narrator (and a pretty good one at that, above average of most shoddy narrators).

Leading the charge for the big-screen reunion was lead actor Jason Bateman (Michael Bluthe) who confirmed to E!Online today that talks are indeed moving forward. "I can confirm that a round of sniffing has started," Bateman said. "Any talk is targeting a poststrike situation, of course. I think, as always, that it's a question of whether the people with the money are willing to give our leader, [series creator] Mitch Hurwitz, what he deserves for his participation. And I can speak for the cast when I say our fingers are crossed."

Jeffrey Tambor who played the bumbling patriarch, George Bluth, also told XM Radio's the Ron and Fez Show that he had been approached by Ron Howard to see whether he was willing to do an "Arrested Development" film. "I think we have good news, I think we're going to make a movie," Tambor said. "There's a real push to get movie made."

Bateman recently stoked the 'Arrested' embers in December of last year telling MTV News that creator Mitchell Hurwitz, bored during the writer's strike was getting an itchy creative urge. “This writers strike, it’s a devil’s playground,” grinned Bateman. “The guy doesn’t have anything to do. [During the strike] you’re allowed to write things you’re not being paid to do. I’m trying to talk [Hurwitz] into writing the ‘Arrested Development’ movie. And he could be coming around.”

E! claims sources tell them that other cast members (who include among Michael Cera, Will Arnett, Portia de Rossi, and David Cross) have also been contacted about their interest in participating and that everyone seems to be excited and onboard.

Fingers crossed everyone. Now if you don't mind, we're going to do our version of the chicken dance in cautious celebration. Oh, C'mon! [cue "The Final Countdown"] Just remember: just because there's a writer's strike doesn't mean you can't write a script for the hell of it. AM I RITE!? AM I RITE!?

Get it While It's Hot

What's on the menu today my peoples? Seattle's own, Throw Me the Statue. I am so excited for this band's debut CD, Moonbeams to be released on February 19th! If I was home in the Emerald city right now you best believe I would be going to their Bellingham release Party with No Fi Soul Rebellion on the 22nd. Western Washington University attendees of course, you're available; you lucky B-stock wearing bastards.

I'm telling y'all, buy your tickets and see this band at a small venue while you can. My astronomical predictions say that TMtS will be blowing up in the next few months, and then all us cheap bastards (I like my concerts 15 dollars and under thank you) might be screwed. On March 12 these guys will be making their SXSW debut in Austin, and then its back to Seattle for a few more shows. If Spring Break blesses me with perfect timing, I'll be catching one. Front row.

Throw Me the Statue - Lolita [mp3]

Throw Me the Statue - Conquering Kids [mp3]

If I can't convince you of their greatness, maybe these guys can:

"This standout track ("Lolita") has the straightahead bedroom vocals of Guided by Voices, the lilting pop instincts of fellow Seattleites the Long Winters, and chutes-and-ladders melodies recalling the Shins. All are in service of a breezy July-afternoon song full of ramshackle bells, electronic beats, and simple, chugging guitars.” - Pitchfork Media

"TMTS throws a perfect storm of clatter into his homey pop...The absolutely addictive "Lolita" hits like Bob Pollard's beloved Kinks asking us to, please, come dancing." - Stereogum

"This guy is from Seattle, and, good lord, he is good!" - USA TODAY Pop Candy

"Offering a breed of ludicrously melodic synth-driven pop." - The Guardian

"Moonbeams, the debut album from the group, is a collection of catchy, upbeat indie pop with enough experimental twists and turns to keep it interesting..” - NPR

"88%. A captivating set of songs that begs for repeated listens.” - Filter Magazine

"Throw Me the Statue’s live show is wildly energetic...an abandon grounded by serious musicianship." - The Stranger Weekly Blog

"Scott Reitherman's bedroom pop - catchy melodies, uke and synth, part Guided By Voices & part Magnetic Fields, - wields a wistfulness that's sometimes breathtaking." - Said The Gramophone

"Nods to everything from Of Montreal to the Beach Boys make his a tough sound to corral, and that’s the beauty of it." - Seattle Weekly

"One of the catchiest and most enjoyable indie records of the summer." - I Guess I'm Floating

Peace love and records

Yes We Can

Whoever you vote for tomorrow, belief in change is a beautiful thing.

Chris Martin Transcends Gravity

Brand new Coldplay has my iPod all smiles today! The new album is slated for release sometime in the first half of this year, and fans are buzzing on all seven continents. The only preview we have so far is a live rendition of a new song called "Gravity" - Chris Martin's vocals on this one are beautiful enough to move me to tears. I'm talking classic CP, Parachutes style. Not that I've been disappointed by any of their releases, but I have expressed a certain affinity for Coldplay's earlier work. If "Gravity" is any indication of whats to come, sign me up, and book me front row seats on their tour. April-June-July can't come soon enough...


Coldplay - Gravity (Live)

Jump Under the Covers

OMG yes! Someone has finally been brave enough to cover Salt and Peppa's 1987 hit "Push it." I had only sampled The Rosebuds up until this point, dabbling in songs from Night of the Furies and Birds Make Good Neighbors, but now I can say I'm truly a fan. Whats not to love?

The Rosebuds - Push It (Salt-n-Peppa)


In addition to Hot Chips "Sexual Healing" (posted 2/2), other awesome covers this week include Franz Ferdinand's attempt at LCD's amazing hit "All My Friends," as well as gems from Xiu Xiu, My Morning Jacket, and Jesse Malin.

Franz Ferdinand - All My Friends (LCD Soundsystem)

Xiu Xiu - Under Pressure (Queen/David Bowie)

My Morning Jacket - Rocket Man (Elton John)

Jesse Malin - Questioningly (Ramones)

Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova (Once) - Into the Mystic (Van Morrison)


Eric Hutchinson (Loves him!) covers Whitney Housten


Eric does a Medley - A little Temptations, R Kels, and BEP