Jack Skuller - "Love Is A Drum" Video

Jack Skuller apparently won a talent show with "Love Is A Drum", which led to him recording it with the producer who recorded the Ramones and Misfits in the 80s and 90s. He even got Nada Surf's Ira Elliot to play drums, although he was apparently dropped for the video in favor of a shirtless tween. If I was 14 I would be amped to have written a retro pop song that was just a couple waves of distortion short of the Raveonettes. While it is pleasantly simple and catchy, it's a little too clean and sparkly for my taste. I'll keep an ear out for when he has discovered the secrets of the Big Muff.

 

Nada Surf - Lucky (2008)

The first album of the year that I really liked. The songwriting is pleasant and upbeat and a couple of the songs (Whose Authority, I Like What You Say) stayed in heavy rotation all through January. Lucky may not be challenging enough for some people, but I can enjoy listening to this album in the morning over coffee with my wife.