Not That Will Smith is Musically Relevant or Anything...

...But c'mon. This is such a fun song!

"Switch" - Will Smith from the 2005 album Lost and Found

Noel Gallagher Quits Oasis

Oasis guitarist, Noel Gallagher quits Oasis and cancels a number of upcoming European tour dates. It sounds like some "verbal and violent intimidation" that "forced" his decision to quit came from his little bro, Liam, the band's frontman.

"All Around the World" - Oasis from (What's the Story) Morning Glory?

Rest in Peace, Ted Kennedy

I hope you can take a moment to send a positive thought to the Kennedy family today, and you all keep pushing for responsible health care reform.

20 Most Anticipated Albums (to be released in 2009)

#20. David Guetta - One Love - Aug. 25 (US Release)
David Guetta, the French producer/artist behind Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling," has hit techno/dance gold. Collaborations with Akon and Kelly Rowland are the highlight of this album.

"When Love Takes Over" - David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland

#19. Weezer - Raditude - Oct. 27
After their last release, The Red Album, you would think it's high time for Weezer to go back to their roots and end their stay in shallow, but catchy mainstream-dom. But even I'm not sure I want them to leave...

#18. Shakira - She Wolf - Oct. 5
I have to admit, I’m not a fan of the first single and title track, but I have faith – it’s Shakira!

“She Wolf” – Shakira

#17. The Swell Season - Strict Joy - Sept. 29
Irishman Glen Hansard and Czech-woman Marketa Irglova team up again after modest fame and recognition in 2007 when they won an academy award for their song "Falling Slowly" from Once.

"In These Arms" - The Swell Season

#16. Muse - The Resistance - Sept. 14
The talented trio are soon to release, their fifth studio album, which promises to be one of the best rock albums of 2009. Check out their first single, "Uprising"


#15. Brand New -Daisy - Sept. 22
The sophomore album from this quartet will (hopefully) be a great mellow-rock addition to their repertoire.

"Sowing Season" - Brand New (from their first album The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me)

#14. The Gossip - Music for Men - Oct. 6 (US release)
I keep going back and forth on this group between whether I really like them, or think they're annoying. I think they're just a guilty pleasure.

"Love Long Distance" - The Gossip

#13. Jay Sean - All or Nothing
You know when Lil' Wayne agrees to collaborate with you, you're on the fast track. Fore-going the usual Brit-pop techno "takeover", the British-Asian artist adopts the less chaotic US hip-hop style. This sounds convoluted. Just listen to "Down," his debut single.

#12. Boys Like Girls - Love Drunk - Sept. 8
I don't know if their first album was this tweenie and annoying and I've just grown out of it, or if Boys Like Girls has regressed in musical intellect, but the first single, "Love Drunk" gives me much, much less hope for this band. I'd love to see a great album from these guys.

"Love Drunk" - Boys Like Girls

BONUS (or not): “She’s Got a Boyfriend Now” – Boys Like Girls

#11. Colbie Caillat - Breakthrough - Aug. 25
"Falling for You," the first single is another one of my guilty pleasures. Similar to "Bubbly" and "Realize," this new album promises to mix a soul sound with pop.

"Falling for You" - Colbie Caillat

Top Ten …halfway there!
#10. Lil' Wayne - Rebirth - Nov. 24
C'mon?! Who doesn't want to see Lil' Wayne take a stab at rock? “Prom Queen,” which was released back in January is supposedly the first single:

#9. Ingrid Michaelson - Everybody - Aug. 25
Yes, the ukulele queen is back with her most accessible album yet. I heard a story about an incident in the ER while she was in stirrups on the table because of ambiguous "feminine problems." The doc looks up at her face and asks, "Oh my god, are you Ingrid Michaelson?!" Go out and buy Everybody, out this week.

#8. Jay-Z - Blueprint III - Sept. 11
Jay-Z's ELEVENTH studio album, and the third of the Blueprint trilogy, is the hip hop event of the year. that is, unless Dr. Dre actually releases Detox (fat chance). I imagine he’s keen to put the disappointment that was Blueprint II behind him. "Run This Town" by Jay, Kanye and Rihanna is the first single off Blueprint after Rihanna turned it down for her album. Go find it on youtube :)

#7. Cartel - Cycles - Oct. 27
This seriously underrated band may actually hit the radio this time around. It'll be hard to out-do their classics "Lose It" and "Honestly," in my opinion.

"Let's Go" - Cartel

#6. The Summer Set - Love Like This - Oct. 17
Finally, the Summer Set will release their first full-length album! This band has been absolutely outstanding since the beginning when they covered "Love in This Club" (better than Usher). They have 3 EP's to their credit and they'll be touring with Cartel Oct. 22-Nov. 27. Also, Jess Bowen, the only girl, is one hell of a badass drummer.

"Chelsea Chelsea (demo)" - The Summer Set

Top Five …getting there!
#5. - Arctic Monkeys - Humbug - Aug. 25 (US release)
The UK phenomenon finally hits the US this week! Seemingly nonstop touring the past three years has spawned many of the new tunes on this LP, including the breakout hit "Crying Lightning." I'll always have a special place in my heart for Arctic Monkeys for giving those of us in the 505 a shout out, or at least, I like to think so.

"Five Oh Five (505)" - Arctic Monkeys from Favourite Worst Nightmare

#4. Gary Go - Gary Go - Sept. 15
Ok, ok so I really love "Wonderful," we all know this, but I really think Gary Go will go far (haha). Here's more from the man:

"Open Arms" - Gary Go


BONUS: Still awaiting an album announcement from these guys! "15 Minutes" - The Yeah You's

Top THREE …woohoo!
#3. Pixie Lott - Turn it Up - Sept. 14 (UK release)
Pixie, 18, is frequently referred to as "the new Adele," but I have to beg to differ. She's poppier, less soulful, but just as good. I believe (having trouble cross referencing) that she went to the same performing arts school as Adele. Maybe Pixie's a cross of Adele and Duffy? Nevertheless, check these two tracks out.

"Mama Do (Uh Oh, Uh Oh)" - Pixie Lott


"Boys & Girls" - Pixie Lott

#2. Wale - Attention: Deficit - Sept. 22
This D.C. rapper has a bright, bright future ahead of him. This is only the momentous beginning. He should move on from Lady Gaga, though.

"Chillin' " - Wale ft. Lady Gaga

Drumroll, please…

#1. Every Avenue - Picture Perfect - Nov. 2009
I start bouncing on the soles of my feet in excitement when I think about this album. The boys have gotten a taste of how to play the game of showbiz, and I have a feeling that this experience in conjunction with their already amazing material is going to be bombastic. Something to be stoked about.

"Where Were You" - Every Avenue

Dry Campuses SUCK

"Patron Tequila" - Paradiso Girls feat. Lil John

One last summer tune and one back to school

I LOVE Oasis and not just Wonderwall. If you haven't, check out their most recent album Dig Out Your Soul ("The Shock of Lightning" is a great record from that album). From What's the Story (Morning Glory) here's "She's Electric".


I was entirely disappointed when Snow Patrol's latest album, A Hundred Million Suns, didn't do so well in the States.
Do me a favor: Before you go to college, on your last drive around your hometown with your best friends in that car you've had so many memories in, give this one a listen.

"It's a mess, it's a start/it's a flawed work of art" - "Take Back the City" - Snow Patrol

Time Warp: 1992

Such a good song. Have a listen, crack a smile, and have a good day.

"Walking on Broken Glass" - Annie Lennox

Studio vs. Live: Augustana

I accept the assertion that "Boston" may have some merit, but "I Still Ain't Over You" always hit me harder. It flows nicer, Dan Layus sounds more confident singing, and most importantly it's got these big, HUGE, absolutely gorgeous chords.

Check out the studio version first. From Can't Love. Can't Hurt.
"I Still Ain't Over You" - Studio version


And now, from Live in San Diego, behold the live version.
"I Still Ain't Over You" - Live version

New Brendan Benson Out Today

Brendan Benson, the guy who shares the reins of The Raconteurs with Jack White, releases another solo album today.

I think this one may be my favorite:

"Eyes on the Horizon" - Brendan Benson

Ukulele Dos and Don'ts

I used to like NeverShoutNever. Unfortunately, now's he's an annoying redneck. If you get a chance go check out Dare4Distance. That's decent.

"First Dance (Lovin' on You)" - NeverShoutNever!


Sophie Madeleine, on the other hand, knows her way around a ukulele. This is one of the finer products from her debut album Love. Life. Ukulele.

"Take Your Love With Me (The Ukulele Song)" - Sophie Madeleine

Awesome single: Jessie James

Mark my words, this single is going to make Jessie James a lot of money. From her self-titled album, which just released this past Tuesday, here's her single "Wanted" which has been out for a few weeks.

Jessie James - Wanted
by UniversalMusicGroup

New Jay-Z/Rihanna/Kanye West Single

Yes, yes, it is going to appear on Jay-Z's new album Blueprint III (set to be released Sept. 11. 2009), but according to the producers, "Run This Town" is an equal effort by all three artists. In fact, Rihanna was given the opportunity to put this one on her new album, but she turned it down! She must have an ace in the hole...

Anyhow, having trouble embedding at the the moment, but it's not too much trouble to pop on over to youtube for a listen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1yUs-fyTOc

Gary Go's "Wonderful" free single of the week on iTunes

I just now realized that "Wonderful" my favorite song of the week just happens to be iTunes' free single of the week. Head on over there to download it! It's fantastic.

RIP: The Verve...if they can manage to let it rest.

Apparently, the Verve, the band that produced "Bitter Sweet Symphony" and more recently, "Love is Noise" (the former #382 on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time") has split up for the 3rd time in 13 years. Can they let it rest in peace??

"But the airwaves are clean and there's noboday singing to me now" - The Verve, "Bitter Sweet Symphony



Also, the Arctic Monkeys' new LP, Humbug, has been a sensation thanks in large part to the single "Crying Lightning."

"But your profile did not hide the fact you knew I was approaching your throne" - Arctic Monkeys, "Crying Lightning"

Speaking of Hip Hop

Keep an eye out for Shad.

Yeah, he gets his stage name from a fish, I know, but he put on quite a show at Warped.

"I'm the biggest thing out of Canada since Pamela's double D's!"
-Shad, "I Get Down"

Wale >>Drake

In my opinion, the best hip hop song of 2009.

Wale ft. Lady Gaga- "Chillin"

Think Lady Gaga tried to sound like M.I.A.?

Good Charlotte to Drop 5th album by the end of the year.

Artsy or distasteful?

Thanks, Rick.

These guys were fantastic at Warped

Every Avenue - "Days of the Old"





I suggest the music clip, not the video.

The first of what I hope to be many...

Check it out. I said I wouldn't...
and then I did.

I'll be learning this as I go, so cut me some slack every now and then. I'll do my best.

Gary Go - "Wonderful"