Surf City - Surf CIty EP (2008)

"Headin' Inside" kicks things off with ringing surf guitars, and boisterous party vocals. It's a short burst of melodic energy that announces this short 6 song EP is going to be awesome. The guitars sound like the Velvet Underground covering surf classics with a light haze distortion, which is another way to say it is indebted to shoegaze. However, the tone is really different – these guys have a lot more energy and don't ever come across as morose. This is music for a good time. On "Heading Inside" and "Dickshakers Union" the vocals have similar clipped phrasing to Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. The beat coupled with the vocal repetition in "Canned Food" reminds me of a bit of New Order. Throughout the EP lyrics are shouted over building chord progressions, chimes ring, and drum beats keep the pace poppy and fun. Seriously, I love every song.

Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy (2008)

Everyone has an opinion on Axel Rose—genius, loon, obsessive perfectionist, prima donna, unstable mad scientist... the list goes on. However, I will spare you the omnipresent psycho-analysis, and attempt to simply evaluate Chinese Democracy for what it is: a astronomically hyped, but restorative hard-rock album. Emerging from all the mythology, ridicule, speculation, back-story and unparalleled expectations is a pretty solid and compelling collection of songs. Nearly every track reaches for that "epic" echelon/moniker, in a "November Rain"-"Civil War" sort of way, something Axel pushed for with the original group, but was often reigned in. Here Axel's aspirations run wild: lead and backing vocals are stacked and staggered in dramatic, and sometimes unnecessary fashion, with most choruses building like massive tsunamis. Axel undoubtedly sings his ass off. The multitude of guitarists shred. Solos abound. Creativity & originality is present throughout, and although it comes off as pretentious at times, it doesn't overshadow the quality of most tracks. The production in a number of stretches is probably excessive, but not unexpected from Axel's "the bigger, the better" approach. Wouldn't it have been even more inexplicable and unsettling if after 13 years of production Chinese Democracy was simply a collection of conventional rocks songs, or simply a regurgitation of the "traditional" Guns N' Roses sound? That would have been unforgivable, and I'm glad the time was allotted for something I have never heard anything like before.

It is inevitable that Guns N' Roses fans will argue the quality of this album to the death, but the debate should be more a matter of perspective than opinion. Just as there is nothing normal about Axel as a person, there is nothing normal about this album. It is difficult to ignore the history and hype, as well as many fans' deep-rooted allegiance to Guns N' Roses as its original entity, but if that static can be set aside, there is no reason why Chinese Democracy cannot be enjoyed and respected. So, for those of you who flat-out cannot find something enjoyable out of Chinese Democracy, ask yourself, "Would it be better if Guns N' Roses' last album ever recorded was "The Spaghetti Incident?" ?!?!

Current favorites: "Prostitute," "There Was A Time," & "Madagascar."

Amazing Baby - Infinite Fucking Cross EP (2008)

All four songs on this EP are great and although they all more or less can be described as psychedelic rock, they cover a broad spectrum touching on glam, indie, and garage rock. Like MGMT, the band plays with sound textures, layering guitars, sound effects and choruses, while never loosing sight of the song and hook. "Pump Yr Brakes" rides heavy rough-edged guitar riffs, but the vocals and chorus keep it out of the sludge. "The Narwal" starts with hypnotic rhythmic guitar and drum beat and then introduces wordless backing vocals that recall the recent glam rock of Pop Levi or David Vandervelde. "Supreme Being" is dreamy, with chiming guitars, and chanted/sung vocals. "Head Dress" speeds things up, reminding me of All Night Radio with its low level-distortion shimmering over a beat that gets you nodding with it's ebb and flow. All in all, it is a solid four songs. I can't wait to hear more from them. Oh, and you can get it free on their website. Sweet.

The Killers - Day & Age (2008)

I have a soft spot for the Killers. Too many late nights included "Mr. Brightside" or "Somebody Told Me" on the soundtrack. But ultimately they are a singles band, which is to say they are perfect for the the iPod era, which is also to say their albums are only as good as the singles. Their best songs are standout tracks on mixes until they are overplayed – the songs that get even the most reluctant leftfeets onto the dance floor.

Overall, the album is good-ish, a return to the sound of their first album, but none of the tracks are awesome and it's not worth discussing any songs not in contention for dance floor singles. They do seem to be trying for another party anthem. There's plenty of bombastic lyrics and music, but the songs don't stick. "Spaceman" and "Human" seem like the two most likely to get you moving.

Young Jeezy - The Recession (2008)

You know times are bad when rap stars are hurting economically. But the recession apparently isn't hurting T.I. His ho's can still have whatever they like, ya know? Young Jeezy's The Recession is embarrassingly good. As in, I bump it so hard, sometimes I'm embarrassed when other cars pull up next to me. I probably need to get some rims if I'm gonna pull stuff like that off. He shines and elicits many head nods on tracks like, What They Want and Amazin', but my favorite track on the album is My President. "My President is black/My lambo's blue/And I'll be goddam if my rims ain't too." I consider it to be the catchiest political ditty I've ever had the pleasure of doing a little white-girl dance to. I rocked it pretty hard the two weeks leading up the election, so I'd like to take partial credit for Obama's landslide victory. You're welcome, world. If only a similarly banging song existed for No on Prop 8... well maybe we would have seen a different result there.

Hot Catato's 5

I'm not dead, only very very lazy. Here's my 5:

Raw Ramp - T. Rex
T. Rex is sexy music, its all about cars and broads and a base line. It's really that easy sometimes.

Fortune - Miracle Fortress
Oh, so pretty! I want to lie in bed with my eyes closed and some super dope headphones and kind of let myself swim in this song. Do you ever feel like having a good cry? Maybe its a chick thing. This would be a good song to have a little cry to.

Plaster Casts of Everything - The Liars
I fucking love The Liars. If this song doesn't get you pumped, then you're probably not the kindof person I would enjoy spending time with.

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea - Neutral Milk Hotel
iPod, I am feeling so close to you right now. This is one of my all time favorite songs. I thinks its in the running for like a first-dance-at-my-wedding kindof song. The opening lines never fail to make me happy: What a beautiful face, I have found in this place, that is circling all round the sun. Aw.

Some Things You Never Get Used To - The Supremes
I love girl groups! This 4 disc greatest hits Supremes box set I have on my iPod takes up way too much space, but I cannot bring myself to remove any of it. I like to do little girl groupy hand motions while I listen, so I'm gonna stop typing and focus on that now.

Afterthought: Sortof disappointed I didn't get the opportunity to discuss my love for mainstream hip hop.

War Machine's 5

After being shamed about not contributing by others, I'm going to ignore the 10 things I need to do today before leaving work and try to type this as I listen to the songs come up.

One caveat, my ipod only has about 10 to 15 percent of my music library. It is a brand spanking new ipod touch that I use mostly to keep up with my shows on the bus. I have a couple of playlists on it that I cycle through while being the douche that checks his blackberry on the bus next to you.

I am War Machine no more, or probably more correctly, I am more War Machine now than I've ever been in my life.

With that, let's begin:

White Collar Boy
Belle and Sebastian

-This song comes from the album our leader burned for me, The Life Pursuit. It is the first Belle and Sebastian album I ever really listened to from beginning to end and I really love it. I can pop it in at any moment and feel better afterward. That said, the B&S discography is so massive I've always been too intimidated to become more well read in their work. Save it for later, I guess. As a social experiment, I gave this album to my brother (a Blue Collar Boy) and he described it as modern 60s music. I don't remember if he meant that as a good thing.

Bonnie and Clyde
Luna

-Crap. Can I skip this one? It's fine, I guess. But it's all in French and I'm still holding a grudge about their votes on Iraq at the UN. Sure, they were right, but the only thing worse than a smug frenchman is a smug frenchman who is dead right about the most important American foreign policy decision of the last 40 years.

Back to the song, my friend gave this song to me on a mixtape way, way back. On that mix was Johnny Cash's cover of Solitary Man. I wish I was listening to that right now. Maybe I should go back up to the Belle and Sebastian section and check my spelling.

As a side note, my ipod thinks this song is by Ben Lee. whatever happened to Ben Lee. Did he die or something?

Rio
Duran Duran

-So, my ipod thinks that Simple Minds sings this song. I'm going to have to look into that after our experiment. Clearly, something is awry.

This falls into the category of potentially embarrassing song, save for the fact that it still f-ing rocks. Plus, it has the advantage of being retro-chic to love again. I'm cool with synths and keytars coming back in a big way, but I can do without the sax solo toward the end.

On a side note, I nearly paid $80 for a vintage Duran Duran concert T on Melrose about a month back. It was too tight, even for me. I don't know why I would have done such a thing.

Washington D.C.
Magnetic Fields

-I'm loving my ipod for playing this song right now because it gives me a chance to tell the following story:

I went to the Magnetic Fields show in D.C. a couple of weeks ago with PopQuizKid. Great show, even though it was more of a performance than a show. Needless to say, you would expect them to play this song, but they hadn't planned to. In between the show-show and the forced encore that all bands are expected to do these days, (I'm hitting pause now, screw it, I want to get this story out) Claudia returned to stage under the instruction of General Merritt to stall while he did whatever geniuses do when they are being petulant. She asked the crowd what she could do to stall. Someone yelled "Washington D.C." She asked if we would like her to do an acapella version. We said, "Well, now that you mention it, since we are, in fact, in Washington D.C., maybe you should consider it," or rather "YEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!"

But she couldn't remember the words.

The crowd helped her a little, but still.

Anyway, love this song because of where I live. It's actually kind of a crappy song, by Magnetic Fields standards, anyway.

As a side note, my ipod correctly identified that the Magnetic Fields do indeed sing this song. Maybe it just needs some coffee.

Hitting play again.

Opening Up
Chromeo

-I caught these guys about a month or two ago and felt really old. Like I said, I'm supportive of synths and keytars coming back, and this band is proof that that is indeed the case. Well, at least in terms of the heavy synth. No keytars to speak of...yet.

Needless to say, this is probably my least favorite song on what I consider to be an awesome album. Such fun. I know it's not exactly high art, but it's high times.

The show was a great dance party, by the way. It was sold out and there wasn't a soul in the balcony at the 9:30 Club, if that means anything to you. Crowded and sweaty and dancey. The old comment is only because of how young their target audience appears to be. Lots of sideways baseball caps, headphones worn around the neck as accessories and plastic sunglasses indoors.

One of these youngsters spent most of the evening trying to hit on PopQuizKid. It was cute.

The end of this song has one of those afterludes, or whatever you call it when a song completely shifts gears and sounds like it is another song but it isn't. Chromeo loves those. I don't.

Afterward: the next song to come up was Breaking it Up, by Lykke Li, now there is somebody I'm really feeling right now. Missed her show a month ago, but it looks like she's coming back to town in January.

So there, nothing too embarrassing, other than my ipod's confusion over who sings what, but why should I be embarrassed about that. My supposedly "genius" ipod is the one who is retarded.

Pop Quiz Kid's November 13th at 1:33 PM Shuffle

Oh, hello.

Don't You Evah - Spoon
This song is alright, not my favorite evah Spoon song, and I'm a fairly solid fan. The opening chords sound sorta Yo La Tengo mellow-jammy to me, in a good way. Reminds me of the 18-hour train ride I took during college, from Williamsburg, Virginia, home to Birmingham, Alabama. I ate some cinnamon Teddy Grahams, took 2 Tylenol PMs, and listened blearily to "And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out" on repeat, on my Sony Discman.

Play Your Part - Girl Talk
I'm sorta bummed I missed this show last month, but it was a verrry late show, packed with verrry drunk kids, and I'm too old for that shit. Also, when I get drunk and dance I fall over! I don't love each and every Girl Talk mash-up but in general they're fun and cool and make me happy nostalgic. When I figure out where a sample's from I feel like I got a POINT. This track has some lovely moments, like when the music opens up and slows down under "west side walk it out, east side walk it out, north side walk it out..." and later when a "Nothing Compares" sample pretties up the dirtydirty lyrics.

The Pioneers - Bloc Party
Not my favorite Bloc Party song - the high register of his voice stresses me out - but the refrain, like a lot of Bloc Party refrains, makes my heart ache in that awesome way. "We promised the world, we'd tame it, what were we hoping for?" ooooooh, right?

Hey Ma - Cam'ron
In case you're too new school to know this song, here's the chorus:

Hey ma, WHAT'S UP, lets slide, ALL RIGHT, all right
And we gon' get it on tonight
You smoke, I SMOKE, I drink, ME TOO, well good
Cause we gon' get it high tonight
Got drops, GOT COUPS, got Trucks, GOT JEEPS, all right
Cause we gon' take a ride tonight
So ma, WHAT'S UP, let's slide, ALL RIGHT, all right
And we gon' get it on tonight

Pretty much word-for-word my conversation with War Machine the night we met.

And finally...

Mr. Brightside - The Killers
I can't listen to a whole Killers album in one sitting, too repetitive, but this song always gets me movin.

Afterthoughts: Without War Machine's awes. ome. gift of a fully loaded (cute! red!) iPod Nano last Christmas, I wouldn't know what any of you were talking about, ever.

The Features - Some Kind Of Salvation (2008)

After a brief and forgettable introduction, the Features launch into the powerful and thumping "The Drawing Board". With horns blaring and piano banging, it's a full and exuberant sound. The rest of the album is filled with similarly anthem ready rock 'n roll. It builds and climaxes with crashing drums and hammered chords, working in a little soul into its charging garage rock. "The Temporary Blues" kicks of with a nervous strum that promises to explode and then it does, with plenty of bashing and a mess of hey's. "Wooden Heart" follows, cribbing an intro from STAX songbook to great effect. The band is tight and the highlights are worth playing over and over. They slip in some mellower tracks into the mix, making the peaks seem even higher. Sometimes you may just want to rock and have a good time and in those situations this album could serve you well.

Sandenuts' Fall Shuffle

I told Nighttrain my list would be complete on Friday, but I just got off my shift and I am on way too much caffeine to do Physiology or sleep, so peep game suckas...

17 Reasons - "17 Reasons"
I haven't listened to this song in years, man I miss how much bay area gangsta rap just absolutely kills it! This is off the 17 Reasons movie soundtrack, Bay Area Norte's, most of which are not alive or walkin the streets these days, this is not for the faint of heart.

Good Riddance - "This is the Light"
Good Riddance S.C Punk rock at it's finest, need I say more?

James Taylor - "Shower the People"
Now I know why I don't put the shuffle on. Don't get me wrong, I love this song, but after 17 Reasons and Good Riddance I don't feel like "showering my love". There is a time and a place for Mr. Taylor, and it's definitely not after your 24 hour shift in East Oakland.

The Abyissinians - "Mark of the Dub"
Awesome Jam. I love this group, in my humble opinion best reggae band of all time.

M.O.P - "Warriorz"
WOW! I haven't listened to this album since I was 16! How could you not love a rap duo with the name "Monkeys on Parole". "I'll have yo ass laid out for months, on a beep machine with a shit bag and a I.V., try me mothafucka". Couldn't have ended this experiment on a better note.

Cold War Kids - Loyalty to Loyalty (2008)

I imagine I'll step on some toes with this one: First off, let it be known, the Cold War Kids' first album, Robbers & Cowards, took a little time to grow on me. At the moment, I thoroughly enjoy some of the swaggering rollicks off that album, such as: "We Used to Vacation," "Hang Me Up to Dry," "Passing the Hat," & "Hospital Beds." I'm on the boat when it comes to these tracks. In contrast, Loyalty to Loyalty, with the dual exceptions of "I've Seen Enough" & "Every Valley Is Not A Lake," is remarkably boring. A quintisential mixed bag of things that work—such as the saloon-style piano at the beginning of "Every Valley Is Not A Lake"—and shortcomings. There's no 'tude to this album, and for me, too many "what-the-fuck-is-this?!?" stretches. The charismatic cockiness that was displayed on the aforementioned piano heavy and bass thumpin' romps is practically nonexistent, leaving just a sullen shell of their waggish debut. This bland sophomore effort leaves a lot to be desired. Does this album have what it takes to grow on me? It's possible, but not likely. For now, its going on the shelf.

Despite my criticism, "I've Seen Enough" cannot be denied! Check it out.

Sarah Blackwood - Way Back Home (2008)

On Way Back Home, Sarah Blackwood delivers a solid set of neo-traditional country songs. Her slightly worn - smokey, not scratchy - voice is perfect for the dark and heartbroken tone of the album. The songs are mostly stripped down to just her voice and a strummed acoustic guitar. Although the straight forward lyrics about the crap boyfriends dragged her through, recall classic country, some of the phrasing and perspective - direct, not overly sentimental - seem a little punk, which makes sense since she also fronts a horrorbilly punk band, the Creepshow. It's not quite tear in your beer music - her voice is strong and her outlook reflective, but if the liner notes are too be believed, these are based on real-life tough times. At points it feels a little too reigned in. Some of the songs seem like they could use an infusion of energy, perhaps borrowing a Creepshow riff or two. Regardless, it's a solid album and it'll probably make you want to check her other band too.

Ve1cro's 5 Fall Shuffle

Go Betty Go - "Es Mi Locura"
My co-worker, Eric, introduced me to their "Worst Enemy" EP. Initially, this song sounded to me like it was half in Spanish and half in a secret voodoo dialect. My itunes says that I have listened to it 3 times.

Voxtrot - "Mothers, Sisters, Daughter, & Wives"
I could happily carry on and on about this band...

The Black Keys - "Remember When (Side B)"
Thanks to this exercise in mp3 shuffling, I heard this song for the first time tonight. My homework is to listen to "Attack & Release" in its entirety STAT. They rock live!

Life Without Bulidings - "The Leanover"
This song says nothing and everything at the same time. It's fantastic!

The Polyphonic Spree - "Little Drummer Boy"
The Polyphonic Spree should leave this classic to Crosby and Bowie. This is another band that is fun to watch live. The backup singers always look like they are having a blast!

Afterthought
For all you Neil Diamond fans, check out "Little Drummer Boy" on his spectacular Christmas album. It's the gift that keeps on giving.

Ancient Indian Wizard's Shuffle Time

Tom Petty - Time To Move On
Love me some Tom Petty. This mp3 came to me courtesy of Tex Evans who made Crane Wife and I a mix for our cross country honeymoon. This song helped me not want to slit my wrists outside of Amarillo, Texas.

Stevie Nicks - Stand Back
Holy crap.. we're on a roll! If you don't love Stevie Nicks I will fight you. The only exception to that rule is Ian's wife Mary who hates Fleetwood Mac. I did not know this until I wore a Fleetwood Mac shirt to their pre-wedding bar-be-que.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Spread Your Love
Ok.. interesting segue. This song was in heavy rotation during my bar-tending days. Still sounds good now.

Modest Mouse - Invisible
Classic stuff by the now Johnny Marr infused Modest Mouse. To be honest this is not one of the songs I am most familiar with off of this album* but I do quite like it.
*the dead boat sinking one..

Gene - O Lover
Perfect! My favorite brit-pop band that the world never knew. From their stellar swan-song "Libertine"..


Closing thoughts: I can't wait to do this again! Slightly bummed that New Edition and/or Jermaine Stewart didn't show up but perhaps next time. Oh.. and I'm not going to fight anyone over Stevie Nicks. I just got really excited when that song came on.

Nightrain's Fall Shuffle

Guns N' Roses - "Think About You"
Its not too surprising that GNR would come up in this little mix, because the odds (GNR songs to total songs) are in their favor. I think Appetite For Destruction was the first cassette that I ever purchased, and my life has never been the same since. This song in particular doesn't blow me out of the water, but reflecting on the album as a whole--a debut scraped out of the gutters of Hollywood and is comprised of such amazing music--still amazes me.

The Vines - "Sunshinin'"
The Vines go trippy on this short little track. I like the song, but overall The Vines have never really ascended through the gallimaufry of bands that have a similar sound. Anyway...

The Donnas - "I Don't Care (So There)"
I always wonder how "badass" The Donnas really are. They undoubtedly write good pop-punk songs, but do they really not care as much as they say they don't care? I dunno, and personally I don't care because they are a quartet of smokin' hot bitches (and I mean that in and endearing, sexy way) who play rock and roll. The kind of rock and roll that effects you deep down in your pants.

Neko Case - "Knock Loud"
Speaking of smokin' hot, Neko Case is on my very short list of women who simply all-around rule. This is the live version off the Live From Austin TX album. Her live tracks are quite excellent, as are her live performances, but the live performances have the upperhand because there is a pleasant visual to go with her radiant voice.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - "Overture" from The Nutcracker Ballet
What a fantastic overture... I'm not even going to pretend to know what I'm talking about, but I must say Tchaikovsky is on of my favorites of all time... certainly better than Radiohead.


Afterthought: I'm too tired to write an afterthought at the moment... when was the last time you played 5 basketball games in one day?

The Cranewife's Ipod Autumn Shuffle Surprise

Badly Drawn Boy- A Minor Incident
Anything from the About A Boy soundtrack reminds of the day I graduated from college. Insanely hungover and just generally over it, ancientindianwizard and I got Tacos Moreno and watched this movie. It was the best part of the day hands down.

The Murder City Devils- Idle Hands
"Sat down to write her a letter/but I wrote this song instead." I wish I did things like that.

New Order- Blue Monday
While not my favorite New Order song, this track provides 7 and a half minutes of dance/walkable poppy rhythm.

Turbonegro-Boys From Nowhere
Who besides Turbonegro could create a song about how they're going to continue to rock superhard, even after the world's over? "Scarier than fear/but that's alright."

Old Canes- Face It
From "Early Morning Hymns," an album destined for my end of the year list. This song is, as far as I can tell, about someone who drinks too much and who is possibly being cheated on. But with a real upbeat tempo.

Afterthoughts:
Everything on my ipod is music I either walk or fall asleep to, so it doesn't really represent the wide variety of music to which I listen. This list, however, provides a pretty honest look into what is being pumped into my ears when I boogie on down to the bus stop every day.

Brasilliant's Fall Shuffle

Brendan Benson - "Tiny Spark"
This was the fourth song on the first "mixtape" that Awmercy made for me (I know the playlist by heart). It reminds me of dating, and grad school, and hanging out in D.C.

Sufjan Stevens - "Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Step-Mother!"
I have no idea why this song has a two-part title (it's really an awesome song about the history of Decatur, Illinois). However, it reminded me of how much I love Sufjan Stevens and his clever lyrics. I haven't listened to him in ages and will definitely bump him up on future playlists.

Cat Stevens - "Hard Headed Woman"
Also known as Brasilliant's theme song. I really don't need to explain the greatness of Cat Stevens.

Ditty Bops - "Fish to Fry"
A great song from the Ditty Bops' best album, Moon Over the Freeway. It perfectly captures their 1920s dance hall style and makes you want to sing along with their feisty lyrics.

Lenka - "Don't Let Me Fall"
Lenka is another lady that I've grown to love this year. Her happy songs and crisp voice makes me smile throughout the whole album. Awmercy has been bugging me to review this one for a while. Maybe I'll get around to doing that sometime.

Afterthought: Clearly, my iPod wasn't plotting against me today. Thanks, old buddy, for not revealing my dorkitude...ahem by burying Lisa Loeb.

awmercy's Fall Shuffle

Good Shoes – “Things To Make And Do”
With all the post punkish British indie coming out a couple years ago, these guys may have been over looked, or just weren’t that original. Either way, this is a decent song for the indie dance party.

Joey Ramone – “Venting (It’s A Different World Today)”
It’s just one big long bitchfest – an old man’s rant. Nice.

Charlotte Sometimes – “How I Could Just Kill A Man”
Not sure who this is - it came off a Magnet Magazine sampler - but the title makes a pretty sweet chorus for a pop song.

The Lost Sounds – “Bombs Over M.O.M.”
One of Jay Reatard’s old bands and one of the many Jay Reatard related songs clogging my iPod these days. It has a catchy retro keyboard riff plus a fun shouted/screamed chorus. I like his solo stuff better, but this song is pretty damn good.

Wanda Jackson – “It Happens Every Time”
A beautiful and reflective country ballad from the queen of rockabilly off a Sympathy for the Record Industry compilation. Way more classic country than the rest of the comp.

Afterthought: Phew. That could've been a lot worse.

Mona's Fall Shuffle

Track 1: "Little Dawn" by Ted Leo + The Pharmacists
This one encapsulates all the reasons why Ted Leo is the man: it's upbeat, fun, rocks hard, and it's damn near impossible not to sing along and/or tap your knees when he sings. Keep writing music, and I will keep listening! :-)

Track 2: "You Said Something" by PJ Harvey
This song makes me wanna go to Nick Cave's apartment and plant a kiss on his lips, just to see what the fuss was about ("your boy's smile, 5 in the morning, looked into your eyes, and I was really in love..."). From rooftop parties in Brooklyn, to being hungover in Chinatown, to a few life-changing words she's "never forgotten" in Little Italy, the amazing Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea details PJ's love affair with Nick, as well as with NYC itself. And "You Said Something" serves best as a reminder that NYC may just be the best city to fall in love.

Track 3: "Kill" by Jimmy Eat World
Oh Jimmy, I love your emo ways. I once asked Jim Adkins outside his Stone Pony show in Asbury Park, NJ what song he meant during the line "I pick up, put down the phone / like your favorite Heatmiser song goes / it's just like being alone." He smiled and said "Half Right." So for all you wondering, there you have it.

Track 4: "A Man and A Woman" by U2
I couldn't tell ya what tracks are on How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, but this song has such a sexy groove to it. They don't put out Joshua Tree-style music anymore, but I'm open-minded enough to appreciate U2's entire catalog. They've secured enough musical genius to earn the right to a few relatively subpar albums since, so no need to hate.

Track 5: "Windmills" by Toad The Wet Sprocket
Gotta love 90's alternative rock... still. I've always felt these guys are underrated and wish this style of music was still mainstream 'cuz if so, I think they'd still be relevant. This isn't my favorite song of theirs, but it's mad relaxing and the lyrics/music are beautiful. I only hope Glen Phillips still makes music. If not for the masses, then at least for himself.

Afterthought: This came out less embarrassing than I feared!?

quickcrit Fall Shuffle

Contributors were asked to submit the first five songs that came up when they shuffled the songs on their iPod or computer.

The trick was being honest.

Cheap Time - Cheap Time (2008)

I am such a sucker for sloppy rock n' roll, especially when it smashes around huge hooks. I like the way it sounds and I like the way it makes me feel. Cheap Time delivers over and over again. The songs range from garage rock to punk rock to the crunchier side of power pop. "Too Late" is snotty, juvenile and awesome. The guitars squall behind nasal, shout-sung vocals. The repetitive chorus on "People Talk" reminds me of Jay Reatard. And it's just as good. "Permanent Damage" and "Falling Down" are my other two favorites, but every song is full of short bursts of energy and the album never drags. The longest song is just three minutes and the whole album only lasts 28 minutes. Sweet.

David Byrne & Brian Eno - Everything That Happens Will...

So it's not hot off the presses but I am forever on the late freight so whatevs.. David Byrne has always been a hero of mine and I've celebrated Brian Eno's music and production for days. Since I judge books by covers I was excited about this album immediately due to Stefan Sagmeister's awesome album artwork.

Musically this album felt like an old friend. Sometimes the best reaction to an album is when you can put it on and go about doing what you were doing and then be surprised when the album ends. To me that means "wow this album is already so comforting that I can space out to it"..

I am a huge fan of the Talking Heads movie and soundtrack "True Stories" and keep being reminded of that when I listen to this record. There is a good chunk of electronic to this album but it isn't over bearing like I feared it might be. I guess they wrote it by e-mailing things back and forth to one another.. I think the IT dude at my work would be super bummed if I started e-mailing huge music files at work so I guess there goes my music career.

Do yourself a favor and if nothing else listen to the song "Strange Overtones".. it is simply amazing and you can get it free here. Also listen to "Life Is Long".. Music you can believe in. Real talk!