Tunes you need Tuesday & stuff

So, y’all know I’m big on Counting Crows, so of course I read Down the Rabbit Hole, Adam Duritz’s online magazine for fun and to check out bands he recommends.  A while back he wrote about The Negro Problem, a band with a politically incorrect name and great music.  Later they changed their name to Stew, their lead singer’s name and they just got better.  They have a big Beatles influence with ’60’s pop melodies and horns, strings, and funky lyrics.  You just won’t believe the song “Ahmnot Madatcha” — it’s just plain great.  Love the title.  “Come Down Now” is pretty perfect.  If you take a listen, you’ll immediately hear the difference between current music and what Stew is doing.  It’s night and day.  So, when the band changed their name to Stew, they put out an album you’ve probably never heard of called Guest Host, which was named album of the year in 2000 by Entertainment Weekly.  I defy you to listen to “C’mon Everybody” and not want to get up and dance.  It’s fab, just fun — love that song.  Stew is poppy, but socially conscience, if that makes sense.  You’ll find lyrics about race, Ken doll’s lack of anatomy, rehab, and more.  If you’d like to listen to The Negro Problem and Stew, check out my link to Down the Rabbit Hole, and you’ll be happy to know you can get their stuff on iTunes, ’cause Lord knows you won’t find them in your local record store.  Do people still call them record stores?  Music store?  I have no idea.  I’ve ordered online for so long, I wouldn’t know.  Anywhoodle, you’ll be glad you checked them out.

Oh, did you get my pick from last week yet?  Be sure to listen to Retroverb on iTunes as well — you’ll like them and if you’re in the Shreveport area this weekend you can catch them live Little Joe’s on King’s Hwy.  Bring a lighter or cell phone to wave back and forth, like you’re at a Journey concert and say hi to Will for me.  And ask him to play “Here Comes the Sun” for old times, while you’re at it.

Here I go to pick up my Town & Country fresh from getting an oil change and tires rotated.  Yea me!  Be good.