Song of the Day

**12/31/08

Empire of the Sun - Walking on a Dream

-----------As 2008 comes to a close and we look back at all of the surreal events that the year brought us, it makes some wonder if we were dreaming. Walking on a Dream takes a stroll through nu wave techno and falsetto voices from Empire of the Sun. The song is hip enough to get your head bopping through traffic, yet it has the right amount of sci-fi flavor to make your playlist a little nerdy. Get Walking on a Dream off their album, Walking on a Dream.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmM2RwlxGt0

Song of the Day

**12/30/08

Flight of the Conchords - Hiphopopotamus vs. Ryhmenocerous

---------------New Zealand has something to brag about other than the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The songwriting talents of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement have landed the comedy duo a Grammy and recognition as "Formerly New Zealand's fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo." Hiphopopotamus vs. Ryhmenocerous features the rap-funk aspect of Flight of the Conchords, and you have to give it to Jemaine, it is no easy task to think of words that rhyme with "Rhymenocerous." Get Flight of the Conchords new CD, and of course, check out their show on HBO.

www.myspace.com/conchords

The Infectious Nature of Bubonik Funk

High School bands. In stereotype, they were either sononymous with explosive, raging rebellion in their metal core bands, or their influences were abound in pshycadellic paraphenalia.

Maybe the pinnacle of a HSB career is a couple of inimate gigs, playing at parties, or just getting 100 plays on Myspace.

Bubonik Funk, a Charlotte, N.C. based group, is a funk rock band that deserves the bigger stage beyond the school gymnasium. Their chemistry goes beyond simply paying attention. It is a cohesive synergy, giving BFunk's music a clean, technical sound. Their music is a testament to their education in music history, with influences ranging from Jimi Hendrix and Parliament/Funkadelic, to Red Hot Chili Peppers and Radiohead.

Bubonik Funk will be playing a show at The Evening Muse in North Davidson on January 2nd. Get out there if you can, and take a listen on their Myspace page.

http://www.myspace.com/bubonikfunk


Take a listen to Bubonik Funk. On a personal note, this band is very close to my heart, and holds some good memories of great times.

Song of the Day

**12/29/08

A Rocket to the Moon - If Only They Knew

--------------Nick Santino's soaring vocals power the high-energy pop rock out of his Braintree, Mass hometown and into millions of Myspace hits and blog buzz (like this one!). With a Rocket Summer attitude and an Alex Gasgarth type voice, Santino's one man band is chock full of party rocking, catchy choruses. Get If Only They Knew from A Rocket to the Moon's Greetings From....

http://profile.myspace.com/WWW.MYSPACE.COM/AROCKETTOTHEMOON

Song of the Day 12/28/08

**12/28/08

Sex and Candy(Acoustic)- Marcy Playground

----------One hit wonders are exciting little nuggets of pop magic that will be revered for as long as the good lord intends-Stacy's Mom, I Will Survive, and Marcy Playground's Sex and Candy. Simple yet sexual, the acoustic version contains all the dreamlike fantasies of lead vocalist John Wozniak. Sex and Candy is a sweet, yet spicy choice from Marcy Playground's self-titled 1997 album.

Song of the Day

**12/25/08

Christmas Don't Be Late-The Chipmunks

-------------Only 48 hours until the big 25 and everyone had better be anxious and excited, especially when listening to this wonderfully charming and cute Chipmunk carol. Alvin wants a hoola hoop, Simon wants a plane that loops the loop, and Theodore wants his two front teeth (but that's another song...!) Enjoy this one, and the commentary by Dave is fantastic, especially when he goes all "producer" on Alvin, telling him he's a little flat.

Song of the Day

**12/24/08

Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas is You

-------------I could say some little yuletide cliches about Christmas being the time of year when we all need to love each other, but MC beats all other Christmas love songs with her legendary vocal range and snuggly pop lyrics. Carey captures the spirit of the holidays and how even though we're with the ones we love at this time of year, there's always something - or someone - on our Christmas lists that we especially want. Get All I Want for Christmas is You from her 1994 album, Merry Christmas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8rY0Fyws20

E A D G B E

I was leafing through some old work, and I found this poem that I threw together for my school's literary magazine.

Pinstraight steel lines hover gracefully
Over a long, smooth neck,
Anticipating a daily muse,
To pluck, strike, or strum away

Left and right work in harmony
With a touch of thin diamond
That lasts through thick and thin
And sometimes, even medium

While they are twisted, bent,
Beaten, hard, and snapped,
The sharp steel that grazes my left
Feels like the loveliest lace,
Dressing naked, cold emotions

A trinity of tones
With a simple turn transforms
Smoth sounds of water
Into raging, rapid fire
And a mellow moan
Into thunderstruck throwdowns

The deep colored sunset silk body
Embodies the vibrations
That take a winding journey
To amplify, cry
Yell, rebel
Praise and amaze
Once silent souls

Song of the Day

**12/21/08

Jimmy Eat World - If You Don't, Don't

-----------"what's wrong baby? Don't they treat you like they should?" Ahh yes, it's a favorite from Bleed American and I love it so. Lyrics are key in this song, if you don't love, then why not say you don't? Those games we all play.... . Have fun with this one and check out all of Bleed American-it's a must have for anyone's CD//digital file collection.

Song of the Day

**12/20/08
Last Night at Face Value-The Mile After
---------The beautiful thing about myspace is between all the lame cover bands and videos of 80 year old body builders, you CAN still discover some decent stuff to rock out to. The Mile After's 2006 demo, before the band was even signed, they released several rock with pop-hook tracks like Last Night. Guess what? they're based in Charlotte!

http://www.myspace.com/themileafter

Song of the Day

**12/18/08

He Can Only Hold Her-Amy Winehouse

-------Sure she said no to rehab, but Amy Winehouse's album Back to Black says YES YES YES to intriguing, soulful ballads. He Can Only Hold Her shows off Winehouse's vocal range and the fantastic instrumentals behind it. The song is short, with somber, heavy lyrics. Take a turn to Winehouse and her swanky, R&B songs."How can he have her heart when her heart got stole?""He tries to pacify her/But what's inside of her never dies"

Song of the Day

**12/16/08
Teyana Taylor - Google Me
----------------Music is filled with teeny boppers lately, and with the success of Mylie Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers, it's no surprise that being young and fresh is the way to sell. But Harlem hip hop heroine Teyana Taylor takes the cuddly cuteness out of her seventeen year old swagger and delivers her ryhmes with a seasoned, no-fuss attitude. Google Me proves why she's been buzzed over Vibe and Rap-Up magazines and featured on an episode of MTV's Made as an R&B prodigy. Hear Google Me on Teyana Taylor's myspace.


http://www.myspace.com/rockstarteyana

Song of the Day

**12/15/08

Joss Stone - Fell in Love with a Boy

-------------Before she had changed her hair to a fiery scarlet, this R&B diva let out the heat in such provocative tracks as Fell in Love With a Boy. Joss put her own flare onto the White Stripes' original recording of "Fell in Love with a Girl." In a slowed down and sensual funk swagger, Stone takes her boy troubles (secret flings and contemplation) and melts them into lyrics of moaning "oohs" and a blues melody that says it all. Don't go telling on Ms. Joss, but do get this track for your very own from her 2003 debut "Soul Sessions."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDU2EXsW9tA

Song of the Day 12/14/08

**12/14/08

Notorious B.I.G. -Juicy

---------------No other rapper than Notorious B.I.G. could impact the hip hop world the way he did with 1994's Juicy. An unforgiving look into the rags and the unbelievable rise to riches, B.I.G. leaves nothing behind. His slow ryhme rythems command attention and continue to fuel the flame of posthumous recognition. Gunned down at just 24, Notorious B.I.G. continues to influence artists and shut down haters. Get "Juicy" from 1994's Ready to Die.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNFwpYyJRFM&feature=related

Song of the Day 12/13/08

**12/13/08

Something Corporate - Bad Days

---------------Ok, I'll admit it: I was pretty sure I was scrolling through every single SoCo song that an Andrew McMahoniac would ever want. But then, by the grace of an album cover with a burning piano, Audioboxer came into my life. Even though Bad Days has melancholic lyrics, the instrumentals make it feel alright with fantastic barhouse piano and Sunset Strip rock riffs. Get Bad Days from Audioboxer, and let all your Something Corporate friends know you love them.

Song of the Day

**12/12/08

Digable Planets - Rebirth of Slick

--------------Something so fly that it doesn't even need the pants. Digable Planets starts off this jazz-inspired swagger with a rolling bass riff, and from there it's jive like that. And when the trio's called Ladybug, Doodlebug, and Butterfly, there's no contest as to how fly they could get. Don't believe me? It's a Grammy winning hit. Spread your wings and take it high with 1993's Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space).

http://www.myspace.com/digableplanets

Song of the Day 12/11/08

**12/11/08

Avion - Seven Days Without You

-----------------The obligatory breakup song is a necessity for an artist that's as important as their instrument. For Steve Betrand and company, one week doesn't seem to be a sufficient bandaid to dress the wound of heartbreak, and the video says it all. He checks the cellphone - no messages. He looks around with a dissatisfied "whatever happened to us?" frown. The band plays the shows, meets the fans, but its not the same.

But you get the idea. If you're in the mood for some longing, some meaning, or a three-minute, forty-seven second distraction, get Seven Days Without You from Avion's self titled album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18oZntxuq-c

Song of the Day 12/10/08

**12/10/08

Picture Atlantic - Muses

----------------Every artist has one, and Picture Atlantic's are highlighted in the Greco-graphic album artwork on their new album, Kleos. Nikolaus Bartunek's sweet and low vocals remind listeners of Kings of Leon frontman, the alto almighty Caleb Followill. Bartunek's vocals are surrounded by a euphonic drum dream in Muses. Find today's muse from Picture Atlanitc's Kleos.

http://www.myspace.com/pictureatlantic

I'll Picture You...Mute Math

Lots of these were taken from the balcony, yet the colors are captivating.

Song of the Day 12/9/08

**12/9/08

Whitfield - Wait

----------------Unfortunately, this season is all about waiting: waiting for Christmas, exams, those letters in the mail that decide our futures. But you know that already, like I need to tell you.

A Vancouver quartet wants you to wait a little longer - but not for something material, as any "we-could-be-so-much-more" ballad would imply. The band seems to draw their nu wave rock from the same deck of cards as Coldplay in the days of Parachutes. Wait slows down with a lovely electro-lullaby and sleepy electric guitars, ideal for a minute's relaxation. Get Wait from Whitfield's 2008 album, "Well Behaved & Working for You."

http://www.myspace.com/whitfieldtheband

Song of the Day

**12/8/08

Missy Higgins - The Special Two

-------------------Heartbreak is legendary. Missy Higgins is its author. The Special Two is a vow to ressurect a lost love. The soaring piano and Higgin's gut wrenching lyrics surely and starkly pull at your heartstrings. The Australian acoustic songwriter has the smooth vocal quality of Kate Walsh and and a Norah Jones influenced sound. Get The Special Two from her 2004 album, The Sound of White.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tqUYrfSlac

Song of the Day

**12/7/08

Rhett Miller - Come Around

--------------Rhett Miller's sound has a vocal-centric asthetic and warm acoustic guitar touseled by electric instrumentals. Come Around embodies the ever-doubting air of the holiday season, topped off with the ultimate question: Am I gonna be lonely for the rest of my life? Some may denounce his lyrics as "emo," but the stark reality of Miller's Come Around isn't screaming and tears. Get Come Around from Miller's The Instigator.

www.myspace.com/rhettmiller

Song of the Day

**12/7/08

Relient K - We Wish You A Merry Christmas

--------------Christmas carols aren't all about somber renditions of "Silent Night" and thundering trumpets. The little drummer, guitar,bass, and vocal boys of Relient K are decking the halls with hellacious Christmas cheer, giving yuletide yells into an instrumental breakdown that not even Santa's elves could create. Get We Wish You A Merry Christmas from their 2007 holiday album, Let it Snow Baby...Let It Reindeer.

Song of the Day

12/5/08

Dissenea - A Waste of  a Life

------------Green Day esque licks with an unexpected face melter at the end, the boys from Charlotte NC pay tribute to the hardcore video gamers who never leave their gaming seat, if only to feast on Hot Pockets. Get A Waste of a Life from their album, A New Start.

http://www.myspace.com/dissena

Song of the Day

**12/4/08

Massive Attack - Teardrop

---------------A the pulse of time's ticking clock has a rythem all its own, yet each second echoes a beat in the heart - our internal clock that has the power to tell us when to feel exhilerated, frightened, or when time stops. Teardrop is a patient, nu wave metronome that sets a distracted mind into an inescapable focus. It's the water drop from the sink faucet - when will it fall? The music video ironically coincides with the song's reason for popularity, as it is the theme song for the medical tv series, House.Get this mesmerizing song from Massive Attack's 1998 Mezzanine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG8eQBSp9Ao

Song of the Day

**12/3/08

Amazing Baby - Pump Your Breaks

-------------------Organic rock and roll can pack a punch. Amazing Baby are MGMT's proteges who've played buzzworthy shows at the country's finest venues.The drums and guitars break down with slick precision and a wonderfully sick nasty attitude. Pump Your Breaks is the obscure indie label chocolate coating with a deep, feedback filled center. Get Pump Your Breaks from Amazing Baby's EP, Infinite Fuckin' Cross.

http://www.myspace.com/theamazingbaby

Song of the Day

**12/2/08

Lil' Wayne - I'm Me

-----------------What does the greatest swimmer in the 2008 Bejing Olympics listen to right before he takes off in a wave of gold? Why, Weezy of course. Confirmed reports have surfaced that Micheal Phelps, the sultan of the stroke, listens to I'm Me, Lil' Wayne's unabashed ego trip on Tha Carter III. Exuding a confidence reserved only for the greatest players in the game, "I'm Me" defines the ultimate contender, from school swim meets to the Olympic legends. And for an athlete whose Ipod headphones are as part of his uniform as a swim cap and goggles, Phelps could only hear the sounds of victory.

"Yes I am the best/and no I ain't positive I'm definite/I know the game like I'm reffing it"

Song of the Day

**12/1/08

A Day to Remember - Since U Been Gone

-------------------Kelly Clarkson trashed her ex-video-beau's apartment because she was fed up with his drama. A Day to Remember wants you to always remember the girl power pop anthem - but in a hard rock, screaming, dude-ified way. Yes, Since U Been Gone comes to you in the raw rock way you like it, complimented by the band's own interpretation of Miss Independent's pad attack. Get Since U Been Gone from A Day to Remember's album, For Those Who Have Heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkmTAt1aKUg