Song of the Day

**7/5/09


Harvard - Red Dress
----------------In every issue of Alternative Press magazine, two pages of rock research are given to the up-and-coming movers and shakers for today and tomorrow's scenesters. One group most recently included is Harvard, the prog-rock sludgy band from Charlotte, North Carolina. While in their hometown, the members of Harvard can be found judging local battle of the bands tournaments and "in the lab (as it says on their Myspace page)" recording a fresh demo. "Red Dress" floats unevenly and mystically through jaunted guitars and discordant vocals. True, it may seem like a mess, but any fans of Circa Survive will dig it.

http://www.myspace.com/harvard (Photo by Patrick Emmons)

Happy Fourth of July!

**7/4/09
----------On this day in history, Joey Chestnut consumed 69 hotdogs in ten minutes. Now that I've made you lose your appetite, you can spend time enjoying the all-american tunes that have made their way through the speakers of a 1966 Mustang convertible to the iHome system in your backyard. Kick your bare feet back, pop open a cool one, and tune in to these hits as the fireworks go off tonight.

1. Don McClean - American Pie

2. American Woman - The Guess Who

3. Bruce Springsteen - Born in the U.S.A.

4. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - American Girl

5. The Scenics - The American Way

6. Jack's Mannequin - American Love

7. Estelle - American Boy

8. Prince - America

9. Lee Greenwood - God Bless the U.S.A.

10. John Phillips Sousa - Semper Fidelis

Song of the Day

**7/3/09

The Black Eyed Peas - Imma Be

-----------Ever since first grade, teachers have asked the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Well, Fergy-Ferg and Will.I.Am and the crew who brought you "My Humps" want to tell you all about what they'll be, where they'll be, and everything they want to brag about. Toxic and exceedingly radio-popular, "Imma Be" is a look into the fly futures of the Peas, from partying to writing on blogs. The song features a diconnected breakdown into jarring jazz piano that takes a different turn from the thick techno in the first movement. Get "Imma Be" from the Black Eyed Pea's latest album, The End.

Red Blue Records

-----------On the color wheel, red and blue make purple (I graduated first-grade art). But these colors also blend together to make Red Blue Records, which features the latest New England punk and hardcore bands that pack more punch than a case of Monster.

Working out of Medford, Massachusetts for several years, Red Blue Records is currently painting the music scene with a handful of New England bands, from the metal-punk Ice Nine Kills to the the mall rock guitar stylings of Brunswick.

"The original idea to create the label was to help brings, like my own at the time – Gone Baby Gone, to the next level," said Michael Krilivsky, owner and co-founder of Red and Blue Records.

Krilivsky said the label began "by hard work, kids that love music, and non stop planning, adapting and executing to help get our artists to where they are now." The label is committed to bringing New England bands the best promotion and networking to get under the spotlight to have their music heard all over.

http://www.myspace.com/redbluerecords

http://www.redbluerecords.com/

(Photo courtesy of myspace.com/redandbluerecords).

Song of the Day

**7/2/09

Clutch - (Notes From the Trial of) La Curandera

---------------Amid a smoke and beer-filled Tremont Music Hall, I saw the southern dirty rock band Clutch when I was the tender age of fifteen. The show was eye opening (I discovered how creepy the male population of Charlotte's rock scene is) to the outlaw rock that pisses on power chords and expells the usual rock resume. Clutch's "La Curandera" channels a mysterious muse through pounding drums, intense guitars, an the muscled-up, growling voice of Neil Fallon. Clutch has been called funky, bluesy, and even hardcore punk over their nineteen years together. There's something for every ear in this band, particularly "La Curandera" from their 2004 album, Blast Tyrant.

Song of the Day

**7/1/09

Brooke Hogan - Falling

----------Thank heavens that Brooke "Heartbreaker" Hogan (as it's called on her Myspace) has a famous daddy to get her into the studio to run through track after track of honestly predictable pop beats. Sure, she made a glittery brush over 2007 ears with her single "About Us." Well, when it comes to making a sexy-cute pop song, Brooke knows best. "Falling" is a kissy-goo eyed crush performed with her ex beau, a rapper by the name of Stack$. Males may want to stray away from this one, however the music video features the busty blonde in a blue bikini (sexy alliteration, no?). Get "Falling" from Brooke's latest album, Judgement Day.

http://www.myspace.com/brookehoganmusic

Song of the Day

**6/29/09

Diana Krall - Let's Fall in Love

------------The history of humanity in terms of romance has had some not so stellar moments: Ro and Jules kicked the bucket, King Henry VIII went through wives like hankies, and Elliot Spitzer made one hell of an unfaithful high-class phone call. Grammy-winning jazz songstress Diana Krall makes the moment passionate, spontaneous, and sensually matter-of-fact in her no worries sway, "Let's Fall in Love." Hesitation is thrown to the winds with slinky jazz guitars, ballroom piano, and devilish lyrics from Krall. Fall in love with her sixth studio album, 2001's The Look of Love.

Song of the Day

**6/28/09

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Bad Moon Rising

-------------Ever wonder what the greatest songs of all time were? Back in 2004, Rolling Stone magazine dug through the archives, interviewed countless icons in the music industry, and forgoed sleep, food and smoke breaks to compile a 500-strong list dauntingly titled "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." Sure "Bad Moon Rising" hits 355 on the list, but it's the last of four songs by CCR that made the list. CCR takes original American heartland rock to its finest extent of southern rock and a 1960's vintage sound. Get "Bad Moon Rising" from Creedence Clearwater Revival's 1969 album, Green River.

Song of the Day

**6/26/09

Boyce Avenue - No Air

--------------Artists have been covering Billboard topping hits and crowd favorites over the decades. And with endless Youtube hits of mediocre mooks off the streets stumbling over notes in their garages/living rooms/dorm rooms, one tends to think "where can I find a decent cover of my fave songs, yo?"

Fear not, for among the smog sub-par musicianship there is Boyce Avenue. Begun by the three Manzano brothers from Florida, the trio have played acoustic sessions for years, including deeply respectable covers of pop treats the likes of Justin Timberlake, Natasha Beddingfeild, and for today's song, American Idol Jordin Sparks.

Alejandro Manzano's strong piano gives the original recording a run for its money. Absent of synthesizers, "No Air" is stripped of bravado and given intense vibrato from Manzano's crooning vocals. Get the cover from Boyce Avenue's Acoustic Sessions Vol. 2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guWHD4a1wOM

Other Key Covers (Over Various Albums):

Natasha Beddingfeild - Pocketful of Sunshine

Rihanna - Umbrella

Justin Timberlake - Lovestoned

Song of the Day

**6/25/09

Michael Jackson - The Girl is Mine

-----------------Though the King of Pop has passed away and is moonwalking his way through the great beyond, Michael Jackson's unforgettable and innovative music will always remain here for his family, friends, and fans to enjoy forever. "The Girl is Mine" is a playful battle for one lady's affections between Jackson and his close friend, Sir Paul McCartney. Argued over a smooth R&B pop ballad, Jackson coyly reminds his friend that he's "a lover not a fighter." So who wins, the King or the Sir? I think we all know who got the girl.

In light of his passing, simply listening to "The Girl is Mine" and nothing else from Michael Jackson's Thriller would do no justice to the tremendous impact the album had in its release and still has today. Changing the face of pop music forever, every track on Thriller is more than worth a listen.