(ALBUM) Kaiser Chiefs - Yours Truly, Angry Mob

So these guys are probably going to get pretty big. Chances are good you've heard their first single off of this album "Ruby" (which is my grandmother's name, sweet). Anyway, they are continuing my love of the UK invasion this past year or so and this album is sweet. Enjoy the Kaiser Chiefs.


"Ruby" (Grandma WHAT?!)


"Angry Mob" (This song is sweet)

(ARTIST) Bic Runga

Okay, so I said that Bic Runga would be an artist on here and it is time to pay up. Bic has been pretty prolific for a while but I am pretty much still feeling her even now. Her song "Sway" was in American Pie, which was how I first introduced myself to her and I've been following her sporadically since then. Thanks to her very individual background, she has a very individual sound. She is from New Zealand but has strong roots in music thanks to her lounge singer mother. All of this leads to a beautiful mezzo-soprano range with a youthful clarity in her tone. All in all a very enjoyable singer/songwriter. Enjoy Bic Runga.


"Sway" (featured in American Pie)

This one won't allow me to embed, but it needs to be featured here, because it is a wonderful song.
"Winning Arrow" (This is from her latest CD Birds, released in 2005, which has a great jazz feel to it)


"Drive"

(ALBUM) Brandi Carlile - The Story

Miss Carlile has been recording for a little while now, but she has really come into her own with this album. I've noticed that I inadvertently have been covering the Grey's Anatomy soundtrack up in here recently, lol, but I maintain that I didn't know until today. Either way, Brandi Carlile is pretty sweet and rocks out live. She's talented, smart, has an amazing contralto, and is a practicing lesbian. Power. Enjoy Brandi Carlile.


"The Story"


"Downpour"


"Cannonball" (Recorded on the album with the Indigo Girls. Again, power.)

(ARTIST) Eef Barzelay

So this guy has the weirdest name, like ever. I saw him open for Ben Folds and was blown away at his stage presence, he just came out alone with a guitar and he was absolutely fantastic. You MAY know him from Clem Snide (I did), he's the lead singer. Either way, enjoy Eef Barzelay rockin' out.


"I Love the Unknown"


"Ballad of Bitter Honey" (Love it.)


"Well"

(ALBUM) Lily Allen - Alright, Still

This brit released in 2006 and had a #1 hit in the UK with "Smile" which is a slam of a song. I recently acquired her whole album to be pleasantly surprised by the actual song selection. Ranging from ska, to pop, to blues, to electronica, to circus-esque music, this is a pretty tight album. You might have heard her, you might not, but either way, enjoy Lily Allen.


"LDN" (I love how apparent her accent is in her singing)


"Smile" (This one has a great hook. The chord progression doesn't follow the vocal line and that is sweet.)


"Naive" (KOOKS COVER!)

(ALBUM) The Bird and the Bee - LP

Okay, so remember Frou Frou? Yeah, I've come across their half-retarded red-headed step child. This duo has some talent, but mostly, they just seem to enjoy their music. It is sort of an indie-alt sounds, ala Persephone's Bees or Frou Frou or even Bic Runga (who will be an artist later this week, I think). The singer, Inara George, can get kind of pitchy from time to time, but she has a very distinct vocal style. So enjoy The Bird and the Bee.


"Again and Again" (Live recording)


"F*ing Boyfriend" (A pretty funny song, actually)

(ALBUM) The Kooks - Inside In/Inside Out

So, I love the Kooks. Like love them. LOVE THEM. They are Franz Ferdinand and Paper Street Saints combined and I love them. That's pretty much it. Enjoy the Kooks.


"Jackie Big Tits" (Sweet song)


"Seaside"


"Ooh La" (Actual Music Video)

(ALBUM) James Morrison - Undiscovered

Here we have James Morrison, and his album "Undiscovered." You might have heard the single "You Give Me Something." We have been sort of establishing a trend of soul and blues here, but Morrison is more than just another grainy voiced crooner. He has pretty good lyrical content. Most of all, he has talent up the wazoo, check out his voice. Enjoy James Morrison.


Rare Live "You Give Me Something"

(ARTIST) Eva Cassidy

Okay, so I know she's not alive anymore, but her talent is UNDENIABLE. You might remember her version of a Christine McVie classic, Songbird, in Love, Actually a few years back. She sings Jazz, Soul, Blues, Gospel, Pop, Rock, essentially anything except Opera (although, she does a FABULOUS cover of Gershwin's "Summertime"). Eva died tragically of Skin Cancer just before her career really took off. Living her life in essential obscurity except to the lucky people of Washington, Eva Cassidy is one those voices that comes along once in a VERY long while. Enjoy Eva Cassidy, I always will.


"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (Katharine McPhee copied her version from Cassidy; one of my favorite musical moments of all time happens around the 4:00 mark)


"Time After Time" (Cyndi Lauper cover)


"People Get Ready"


"Summertime" (SO GOOD)


"Fever" (Recorded with Chuck Brown; sorry the video is stupid, but the song is fantastic)


"Ain't No Sunshine"


"Cheek to Cheek"

(Preview) Feist - The Reminder

With the first single out for her new album, The Reminder, Canadian songbird Feist shows that she is back to remind us what music should feel like. The single, 1234, is a fun, uptempo song that just makes me smile. It is a pretty far cry from her last 'hit' Mushaboom. The fact that she has an amazing voice doesn't hurt her cause, but that's beside the point. Enjoy Feist, I sure am.


"1234" (Love it.)

(ALBUM) Amy Winhouse - Back to Black

This album shows that even British Jews can give Lauryn Hill a run for her money. Winehouse has a voice that is straight out of the recordings of Sarah Vaughn and Etta James, and the soul of a 60 year old black woman. Don't be fooled by her little frame, this whole album is fantastic and works out the kinks of her earlier foray into the music world in her native UK. With a reputation for drinking on stage, performing absolutely wasted, and doing short sets to go vomit off stage, what's not to love? Enjoy Amy Winehouse.



"Rehab"


"You Know I'm No Good"


"Back to Black" (The title track and my favorite; sorry for the audio being a bit off)