Song of the Day

**3/31/09

Cold War Kids - Hang Me Up to Dry

--------------Nathan Willett doesn't need to exaggerate his well-ranged voice, but he chooses to with humility and honesty."Hang Me Up to Dry" draws simple rock guitars, hypnotic rythems, and beautiful wails from Willett. Cold War Kids strays away from dashing theatrics and overcharged rock bravado. The technical simplicity echoing one of their main influences found in Radiohead makes the band a perfect complement to their current tour buds, Death Cab for Cutie. Get "Hang Me Up to Dry" from Cold War Kid's debut album Robbers and Cowards.

http://www.last.fm/music/Cold+War+Kids

Song of the Day

**3/30/09

Anberlin - A Day Late

-----------Let's get something straight: there's always been that friend, you know that friend. Is that second-too-long stare something more, and are we ever gonna find out what could have been? Anberlin isn't afraid to look back and say that even though the lovers were never star crossed, it would have been a hell of a ride if it didn't happen a day late. "A Day Late"'s lyrics emote the frustration of not having known sooner, and even though the present cant unwrap the past, the fantasy is a gift itself. Get "A Day Late" from Anberlin's sophomore album, Never Take Friendship Personal.

Make sure you catch Anberlin on tour this summer, performing with Envy on the Coast and the legendary Taking Back Sunday.

http://www.myspace.com/anberlin

Song of the Day

**3/29/09

Spill Canvas - Self-Conclusion

--------------This powerful acoustic play-by-play from Spill Canvas is not your sweetheart's fluff ballad. It's a reality check to the struggles, the confusion, and the seemingly impossible will to see the next day. "Self-Conclusion" is the hand that reaches out, the voice that says "hold on" and the heart that truly and deeply cares. Even at the worst moments, those lowest points that seem unbearable, there is a tiny glimmer of hope that you'll continue.

Nick Tomas' lyrics hurt - his words are stark and unapologetic, and yet comforting and encouraging. There is passion in every syllable, every cry, every breath.

Listen to "Self-Conclusion" from The Spill Canvas' album, One Fell Swoop.

"Fade in, start the scene

Enter beautiful girl

But things are not what they seem

As we stand at the edge of the world.

"Excuse me sir,But I had plans to die tonight

Oh, and you are directly in my way

And I bet you're gonna say it's not right

My reply:

Excuse me miss,But do you have the slightest clue

Of exactly what you just said to me

And exactly who you're talking to?

She said, "I don't care, you don't even know me."I said,

"I know but I'd like to change that soon, hopefully.

"Yeah, we all flirt with the tiniest notion

Of self conclusion in one simplified motion

You see the trick is that you're never supposed to act on it

No matter how unbearable this misery gets

You make it sound so easy to be alive

But tell me how am I supposed to seize this day

When everything inside of me has died

My reply:

Trust me girl

I know your legs are pleading to leap

But I offer you this easy choiceInstead of dying, living with me

She said, "Are you crazy? You don't even know me."

I said,

"I know but I'd like to change that soon, hopefully.

"Yeah, we all flirt with the tiniest notion

Of self conclusion in one simplified motion

You see the trick is that you're never supposed act on it

No matter how unbearable this misery gets

I would be lying if I said that things would never get rough

And all this cliche motivation, it could never be enough

I could stand here all night trying to convince you

But what good would that do?

My offer stands and you must choose"

All right, you win, but I only give you one night

To prove yourself to be better than my attempt at flight

I swear to God if you hurt me I will leap

I will toss myself from these very cliffs

And you'll never see it coming."

"Settle precious, I know what you're going through

Cause ten minutes before you got here I was gonna jump too.

"Yeah we all flirt with the tiniest notion

Of self conclusion in one simplified motion

You see the trick is that you're never supposed act on it

No matter how unbearable this misery gets

Song of the Day

**3/25/09

Muse - Hysteria

-------------Perhaps one of the greatest ways to release some extra emotional build (or, in this case, physical) is running. Even if your poorly tied sneaks can only huff you down the hallway or across the street, it'll be less like the Bataan death march if you're listening to octane-powered-no-prisoners-rock. "Hysteria" does just that: there's no contest with Matthew Bellamy's operatic, addictive vocals, and Dominic Howard's drumming is the fuel for Muse's fire. Next time a workout is planned or your party needs some CPR, turn up "Hysteria" from Muse's Absolution.

Song of the Day

**3/24/09

Weezer - Buddy Holly

------------If you've ever read the book (yes, read) Everybody Hurts: The Essential Guide to Emo Culture, you would know that Weezer is hailed as one of the top emo-punk bands in the eye-liner swiping bunch. "Buddy Holly" isn't about darkness and despair, however. It's happy-go-fonzy theme of rocking out in fifties garb is loads of fun for your modern day jukebox. It's off their debut album, their self-titled, primary-colored beginner, Weezer.

Song of the Day

**3/23/09

Solid State Logic - Denial

---------The Bay Area strikes again! I can't help but give props to the quartet that is Solid State Logic, an up and coming San Fransisco burst of commanding energy in the alt-rock scene. Though flying without the wings of a label, the band is proud to release their first album, Disarray, to the masses. "Denial" is a percussion-pumped testament to the SSL's electic combination of rock vocals and metal instrumentals, one of the band's first recording in 2007 on a self-titled album. Judging by SSL's large fan base and their tenacious sound, it won't be long before the band makes an undeniable impact on listeners who love to rock.

http://www.myspace.com/solidstatelogic

Song of the Day

**3/22/09

Ace Enders & A Million Different People - The Only Thing I Have (The Sign)

------------Ace Enders is currently The Daily Chorus' featured signed band, and with their energetic and compelling lyrics, it's a great choice. The Jersey rockers are busing a lengthy U.S. tour with Drive-Thru/Vagrant Records backing up their latest album, When I Hit the Ground. "The Only Thing I Have (The Sign) points towards having faith and looking for answers even when things aren't going so well. Their infectious sound can be heard on the 2008 Take Action compilation, and of course, on When I Hit the Ground.

http://www.myspace.com/aceendersandamilliondifferentpeople

Song of the Day

**3/19/09

The Scene Aesthetic - Beauty in the Breakdown

--------------Here is a scene to set the mood for this song by The Scene Aesthetic:

One of my best friends lives in my neighborhood, and all throughout High School we'd have jam sessions in the attic of his house. There would be at least ten of us crammed into a tiny little room packed with recliners, amplifiers, a mini fridge, a full drum set, and recording equipment. We muted the drums with a baby comforter and pillows, and you always had to duck to avoid being hit by a guitar neck.

"Beauty in the Breakdown" was one of our songs - everyone would get involved in harmonizing, strumming acoustics or unplugged electrics or just laughing and having a great time listening. This song brings us back together whenever we're home from our far off lands of education. The lyrics are loving and charming, and you can't miss out on this one. Get it from The Scene Aesthetic's self titled album.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=7435185

Song of the Day

**3/18/09

Lindsay Mae - Cable Car

-----------My immediate thought when I saw Lindsay Mae's MySpace was mellow, acoustic, and a wonderful voice. Her music delivers in the way other young songstresses can't begin to match. Influenced by Missy Higgins and Tristan Prettyman, Mae plays simple mellow acoustics and couples it with full-bodied lyrics that betray any hint of been-there-done-that teen crush whiners. Mae performs today's song "Cable Car" effortlessly on her self-titled EP.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=63410131

Song of the Day

**3/17/09

Annuals - Confessor

-----------The prog-rock band Annuals hails from Raleigh, North Carolina, and while it's not the music hot-spot of the south like Atlanta, it doesn't mean an intriguing and refreshing band can't come from it. Annuals channel an animated storybook tale from their whimsical "Confessor," retelling the hero's quest for truth, love, and sometimes true love. The band plans to take their sound to Austin Texas for the legendary SXSW festival beginning tomorrow. Wish them luck and give them a listen off their album, Such Fun.

www.myspace.com/annuals

Song of the Day

**3/16/09

Suburban Anthem - Don't Drag Me Down

------------Elton John. No, Suburban Anthem isn't a one-man piano band, but they are fond of Sir Elton's keys, covering his classic "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" swimming with punk revelry. The trio from Portland, Oregon does so much more than covers, however, and "Don't Drag Me Down" is the more I'm talking about. Rollicking guitars and a Ramones-esque chorus make you want to crowd surf and enthusiastically bob your fohawked head. Suburban Anthem is excited to announce their recent signing to Horns Up Records, and pledge their allegiance to the flags of punk in their album, Greatest Hits.

" Punk is an attitude that is bred in to you. It cannot be learned, practiced or preached but something that is pure, something you live on a daily basis. A punker can have a desk job and work 9-5; he can be a poet, a painter, a CEO, anything...All are welcome with Suburban Anthem."

www.myspace.com/suburbananthem

Song of the Day

**3/15/09

Bidwell - On the Trigger

--------a rockband without a song telling tales of unhealthy obsessions is like homemade tortilla chips without salsa. Bidwell puts the spice in their staple stinger, "On the Trigger," goes back and forth from love to hate. Nate Welch can't seem to get that closure, noted by his frustrated lyrics and sweet-minor chorus. Bidwell is passing through California with several tour dates set up, and fans are hoping they'll break the borders for more shows soon. Get "On the Trigger" from Bidwell's self-titled EP.

http://www.myspace.com/bidwell

Song of the Day

**3/13/09

Alicia Keys - Fallin'

----------If you can't listen to Keys' vocals in the first few seconds of "Fallin'" without getting chills, you need some soul searching. "Fallin' " sways with gospel tones and tugs at heartstrings with sweeping vocals. The classically trained pianist/R&B wonder made her relapse into romance a Billboard, radio, and MTV sensation. Her 2001 debut album Songs in A Minor sold a staggering 11 million copies, got her five Grammys, and flaunted her talents as an accomplished vitruoso.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=712cMG7DYY0

Song of the Day

**3/10/09

50 Cent - If I Can't

------------First of all, after an amber alert on my ipod for the past week, I have finally found it. All is right with the world.

Now, Fiddy's been in the mainstream game for a few years, first swaggering onto the top of the charts with "In da Club," prompting the ubiquitous change from "Happy birthday to you" to "Go shawty, it's your birthday."

"If I Can't" is a testimony to the triumphs of the rapper, unabashedly saying "If I can't do it/homey it can't be done." It's a toast of champagne and Bacardi to the good life of a G-Unit thug who went from the bottom to the top with his debut album, the grabbing Get Rich or Die Tryin'.

Song of the Day

**3/9/09

She Wants Revenge - Red Flags and Long Nights

-------------The name of this song attracted my attention the most, since it's something I'm absolutely desiring at the moment. She Wants Revenge plays this looming track with ominous and echoing instrumentals. "Red Flags and Long Nights" isn't about giving anyone what they deserve in the negative sense. Rather it touches on the obsession of fantasy, of the forbidden taste of a poisonous affair. Get "Red Flags and Long Nights" from She Wants Revenge's album She Wants Revenge.

Song of the Day

**3/8/09

Cat Power-Where Is My Love

-------------Echoing chamber piano doesn't get much more somber than Cat Power. "Where is My Love" is pretty self-explanatory, brushing the details of forlorn and forgotten affections with a piano waltz and beautifully aching vocals. Be warned: a pleasant or optimistic attitude may be tarnished by this song, for its content is rather difficult to stomach with a smile. Get Cat Power's "Where is My Love" from her album The Greatest.

Song of the Day

**3/7/09

Bloc Party - Your Visits Are Getting Shorter

------------Bloc Party's driving, rythemic techno belongs on every primary-color wearing electro-dance lover's ipod/boom box/8 track. The Brit band has released their latest album Initmacy in digital format in August 2008, then in CD form and on itunes two months later. "Your Visits Are Getting Shorter" is a techno-breakdown of the inevitable breakup, and if this kind of breakup involves a breakdown of strings and strobe lights, then maybe it won't hurt that bad. Get close (perhaps even closer, as the cover suggests) with Bloc Party and their new album, Intimacy.

Song of the Day

**3/4/09

Ben Harper - Walk Away

-----------It seems like this week in particular, there's a call for some serenity from some chordless telephone lying around. "Walk Away" warmly delivers a bittersweet acoustic ballad to the brokenhearted or the emotionally exhausted. The omnipresent theme of letting go is evident in Harper's melancholy yet pretty vocals, and even if you're not feeling blue, "Walk Away" is worth a listen. Get it from Harper's 1994 debut album, the aptly titled Welcome to the Cruel World.

Song of the Day

**3/3/09

Norah Jones - Those Sweet Words

--------The last place any of us would ever want to see Norah Jones is a karaoke bar. But the songbird takes the stage in an adorably shy-pink fashion in her music video for "Those Sweet Words," a sweet plea from Jones asking "I just have to hear/Those sweet words/Spoken like a melody." Well future persuers of Ms. Jone's heart, say your piece with a little musical flair, unless you want to balloon away without a chance to let her into the heart of your words. Get "Those Sweet Words" from her album Feels Like Home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYYK9mLjrls

Song of the Day

**3/2/09

Death Cab for Cutie - Your Heart is an Empty Room

------------If I was told to make a list of my favorite albums, Plans would most certainly have a spot near the top. "Your Heart is an Empty Room" rings true in its message that it's not all about the chase, and once its all over, vacancy takes over love. The lyrics are on the outside looking in, and the thoughtful and calming melody reiterates the mellow theme of the album. Get "Your Heart is an Empty Room" from Plans.

Song of the Day

**3/1/09

Jason Mraz - At Last/Sleep All Day

-----------Those of us on the east coast will be able to tomorrow: at last we have a snow accumulation that exceeds 1/4 of an inch and we can sleep in because of it. So what a lovely day to kick back and listen to Mraz's mellow magic on Live at Java Joe's. This wonderfully melodic album is fantastic from beginning to end, and "At Last/Sleep All Day" features pretty three part harmony and a swaying rythem bound to produce a smile. Also listen to the Spanish infused "0% Interest" and the traveller's triumph, "The Dream Life of Rand McNally."