I'm going to try something new. Every month I'll post a little music podcast. Click that little play button up there to get it started. Whazit about? Eh, whatever stikes my fancy. This month it's the End of the Summer. Here's the playlist:

1. The Dandy Warhols - The Last High
2. Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out of This Country
3. Old 97's - Melt Show
4. Spoon - Rhythm & Soul
5. The Blue Hawaiians - Last Days of Summer

I was kinda surprised when I saw that new paint commercial - the one with the school bus, and the light blue paint, and the joyous kids who just painted their parent's flat-screen TV (ah, good times). The song playing is by the Pernice Brothers (website | wikipedia), whose happy beautiful music usually belies their sad lyrics. This song, The Weakest Shade of Blue, is no exception. Did the suits at Sherwin Williams listen to this line?
"it's ruinous and true / how this sheltered loveless life / fades into the weakest shade of blue"

Don't get me wrong, I really like the Pernice Brothers. And I'm happy they were able to get some coin. So the commercial becomes much like their music - superficially happy pretty, but darker upon paying attention.

Here's the song:Pernice Brothers - The Weakest Shade of Blue

I've got two more songs before that third ghost appears.

Joseph Spence, a musician from the Bahamas, "sings" Santa Claus Is Coming to Town. I love this recording because the only line he knows is the title -- yet it doesn't really matter. You know the lyrics, there're stuck in your head. So you can sing along with his muppet-like delivery.

On the other side of the 'meaningful song' continuum is I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day. This version is by Pedro the Lion is spare and plaintive, focusing the attention to the cynic-challenging lyrics

Happy Eksmas to all!

So last week we saw Aimee Mann's Christmas show at the Birchmere. It's the third time she's doing it and the third time we've seen it -- always a hoot. Which reminded me that I should post some Christmas music on this fine website you are now perusing. Just a couple of songs related to the show.

In his stand-up bit, Paul F. Tomkins mentioned a pet peeve of mine. Song: It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year. Line: "There'll be scary ghost stories..." No. There's really only one Christmas-related ghost story. Don't exaggerate. But despite that line, I actually enjoy that song. It's as American of a Christmas song as you can get: big, happy, and full of hope. It's not really the most wonderful time of the year - the weather sucks, it's stressful, and full of obligations. But during the song, you actually believe that it is.

Here's the original by Andy Williams:

And here's a Shrift remix version (a bit less saccharine):

And Nelly McKay, another singer at the show, has a really catchy and sweet Christmas song, Take Me Away.

The last line of McCain's 2000 convention speech was the enigmatic "And I am haunted by the vision of what will be." Which seems an appropriate starting point for a Halloween ringtone. This is the last one, so after this we'll be back to the pretty pictures and non-controversial topics. ;)

Download haunted.mp3
Download haunted.m4r (iPhone)

This one is the first one I created, because nothing is more easily mocked this season than that disasta from Alaska.

Download russia-from-my-house.mp3
Download russia-from-my-house.m4r (iPhone)

I'm a political junkie. I read the blogs, watch that TV, give a bit of coin. But I keep this blog away from that. You can find plenty of other folks on the internets smarter, pithier, and more dedicated than me. The world already has too many blogs dedicated to ranting and whining.

But having said that, I'm not above poking a little fun.

So I've gotten into creating ringtones -- and no, I don't really know why. Here's the most recent from last night's final (thank god!) debate.

Download joe-the-plumber.mp3
Download joe-the-plumber.m4r (iPhone)

Some Cambodian pop from Dengue Fever to heat it up a bit.
One Thousand Tears Of A Taratula:

And some sweet melody from Hem to cool you back down.
Half Acre:

UPDATED: That Dengue Fever song it just too smokin'. Here's some Hooverphonic to help cool things down even more.
No More Sweet Music: