Music this month

As a service to the community I periodically post about tunes that I have been rocking out to lately. Here's what's kickin' on Brad's mp3 player this month

Kissing the Lipless, The Shins- This song may have officially replaced New Slang as my favorite Shins song. Great song for that little extra boost on the treadmill. I realize that I've mentioned this before, but people who don't like the Shins are probably child molesters and you should avoid them, or if you can't avoid them, you should publicly ridicule them. Go buy Chutes Too Narrow right now if you don't own it already. Too cheap, contact me and we will work out a Pando.

Introduction, Voxtrot- Voxtrot is one of those bands that I like on some days and love on others. Still, this song is awesome. "Your sun sets when my sun starts to shine" is just good lyric writing and moody introspection at its best. I know everyone is talking about Kid Gloves, but Introduction is just a better song.

Lazy Eye, Silversun Pickups- I'm almost embarrased to write about this song as it has basically crossed over into the mainstream and everyone knows it now. Oh well. As far as bands who sound frighteningly like smashing pumpkins, Silversun Pickups do it best. As long as Billy Corgan insists on wantonly violating his legacy, they may even be the closest thing we will ever get to a new Smashing Pumpkins album.

Typical, Mute Math- This is my absolute favorite new band. Period. They just freaking rock. If this song had been released in 1994, back when mtv still occasionally played music videos, it would have topped the charts. This whole album sounds like it could have been released in the 90's back before music died and went to hell. I cannot use strong enough language to say how much I like Mute Math, if they were a WWF wrestler from the 80's, they would be Hulk Hogan before the NWO debacle. They're that good.

Hang Me Up to Dry, Cold War Kids- Another song that has recently gone main stream. I swear I liked them before they broke out. Any song that dares to include an intentionally out of tune piano part automatically gets my vote.

Flathead, Fratellis- Certain people who shall remain nameless inform me that they are not fans of the Fratellis. I can't understand that. These guys remind me a lot of the Arctic Monkeys, which is a good thing. Flathead is another great, upbeat song for running. It will make you run faster. You know what else makes you run faster? EPO. But Fratellis are cheaper.

When God Made Me, Neil Young- Go ahead, try listening to this song and not be moved. I dare you, I double dare you.

Fields of Gold, Eva Cassidy- Sting who? Put this on the list of covers that are better than the original.

Needle in the Hay- Elliot Smith. I can't remember if I put this song on my last list or not, and I'm too lazy to look. It deserves another mention regardless. With the exception of Nick Drake, no one writes songs that capture outright despair as well as Elliot Smith.

Ooh La La, The Faces- This song freaking rules. It's a shame that the faces aren't paid more attention, they are every bit as good as some of the bands from the same era that receive way more attention. Plus, their drummer was tapped to replace Keith Moon. I defy you not to hit the repeat button and start singing along. Plus, the views on dating expressed in thsi song closely mirror my own.

Cryin', Aerosmith- If I ever have a rock band, I'm going to release a song that is based on Pachelbel's canon in D and make no attempt whatsoever to hide it. It's really impossible to screw up a song that is based on a masterpiece. Just off the top of my head, Oasis, Blues Traveler, and Green Day all released songs in the 90's based on Canon on D each of those songs were good. However, Cryin' is my favorite, if for no other reason than it had an awesome music video starring Alicia Silverstone back before Batman and Robin, AKA Batman: the Faggening ruined her career. There's no way to describe how hot Alicia Silverstone was back when I was in high school. There is no one to compare her to. I encourage you to check the video on youtube. It also features a prominent member of the Lost cast and Steven Dorff before he snorted away his career.

Pictures of You, The Cure- No, I didn't just break up with anyone, I just really like the song. Cartman was right, Disintegration was the greatest album ever.

A Thousand Kisses Deep, Leonard Cohen- One of the greatest song writers ever. Hallelujah is covered by essentially everyone and their dog (John Cale and Jeff Buckley split my vote for best cover of that song) but the man has written other songs, and this is one of his best. Listen to the words and you'll see why Bono worships the man.

Intervention, Arcade Fire- Yet another indie band that has started to gain mainstream acceptance. Neon Bible gets all the attention but this song is better. If you don't agree then you are wrong. Intervention is the Golden State Warriors to Neon Bible's Dallas Mavericks

That's it peeps, Two more finals next week and then I'm done. I'll blog about finals next week and maybe talk about Lost. Go buy Mute Math.