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.

Tunes you need Tuesday

So, I’m still trying to get my iPod back up to speed since I lost so much music with the crash of my old laptop. Gotta say I love the new laptop, but I have to get my music back. I have to upload a lot of music before next week’s scrapbook retreat in Natchez, MS — I only have half the music that I had pre-crash and that simply won’t do for a 3 day retreat.

For Tunes you need Tuesday I thought I’d tell you what’s on my iPod and what I’m putting on it for the trip. know a lot of people don’t use playlists and this leads to what I refer to as “iPod schizophrenia” such as my bff Megan’s. Meg’s iPod will — no lie — go from Michael Buble to Garth Brooks (eww) to Feist to the Lowrider song to Jimmy Buffet. My playlists make sense. I have them separated according to artist or type of music, like I group John Mayer, Jack Johnson, & Corrine Bailey Ray together in a playlist. If you wanna hear everything on your iPod, you just hit shuffle, easy peasy. Here’s my iPod:

80s — good 80’s (read: mostly alternative, no hair bands). You’ll find lots of Blondie, the Police, my theme song: Adam Ant’s “Goody Two Shoes”, Culture Club, Wham, Elvis Costello, Crowded House, Human League, Prince, Simple Mind, and the best band ever in the world: Morris Day & the mothereffin’ Time. Bonus points if you get this reference. I do have a few Morris Day hits on there. Jerome, bring my my mirror! Lots more, too many bands to list.

Just Fun — All my Aretha Franklin, Motown, & Dusty Springfield is on this one.

Kids — I hate kids’ music, so I’ve had to find music the kids will listen to that won’t drive me insane. They Might be Giants has a great kids album, as well as Lisa Loeb (really good), and my kids requested “Manic Monday,” “Breakout,” and a few other 80’s tunes on this playlist.

PSP (Pet Shop Boys) — I love PSB for exercise music (don’t laugh) and listening in general. “Being Boring” is a beautiful song inspired by Zelda Fitzerald’s writing — gotta love that. And for street cred how’s this — Axl Rose is a big PSB fan. For realz.

REM — just get everything they’re ever recorded, simple as that.

Amy Winehouse — love her sound.

Counting Crows — my favorite band behind the Beatles. Adam Duritz is such an underrated lyricist.

10,000 Maniacs & Natalie Merchant –I’ve been a fan since 1987 (great year for music)

Oasis — I love Oasis’ lyrics.

Simply Red — Picture Book, a New Flame, Stars, Blue are a must.

and my newest playlist, Retroverb — my bff from high school’s band you can find on iTunes, check them out, totally worth a listen. They’re my Tunes you need Tuesday choice this week. Love the song “Far Away From my Mind.” The album is Lost Letters, it’s fab, go get it.

I’m working on a playlist of a current music mix with Feist, the Killers & stuff. If you have any good suggestions for me, let me know.

Tunes you need Tuesday

Uploaded some of my faves last night and came across Come on Feel the Lemonheads and it’s one y’all need to get. And no, it’s not on iTunes either. The Lemonheads are still around and are touring Europe right now, they’re playing in Croatia on July 4th, if I have any readers there. Anyway, Come on Feel the Lemonheads is my favorite album by Evan Dando & company and it’s supergood. Julianna Hatfield is on backing vocals and she’s great on “Dawn Can’t Decide” and “I’ll Do it Anyway.” You can’t beat “Style” for a great stoner song. I’ve never done a drug or drank (unless you count chocolate and coffee), but that song is pretty cool. Here’s a lyric: “Don’t wanna get high/I don’t wanna get high/But I don’t wanna not get high/And I don’t wanna not get stoned.” Now really, and as a grammar freak, that’s just crazy town.

You can get other Lemonheads songs on iTunes and if you’re not a fan now, just listen to “It’s a Shame About Ray” and their version of “Mrs. Robinson.” Good stuff. Quintessential alternative ’90s fare. More tunes next Tuesday and I promise a layout tomorrow. Be good.