The Day The Music Died: Joe Cocker and ‘The Wonder Years’

“What would you do, if I sang out of tune,” echoes in the hearts of millions as the famous lyrics first penned by Lennon and McCartney (more of a ‘Paul song,’ no question), and later endured by Joe Cocker’s 1969 cover and subsequent opening theme for the classic TV show, The Wonder Years. Clearly, the… Continue reading The Day The Music Died: Joe Cocker and ‘The Wonder Years’

[MP3] Mexican Summer revives 1970s Brit psych with Ramases’ “Balloon”

Gorilla vs. Bear just posted some new tracks sent over by super label Mexican Summer (feeling a little snubbed over here) and one of the more interesting tracks was “Balloon” by Ramases. Now, if you’re not up on your 1970s British pop/rock/psychedelia (I wasn’t), you might not know that “Balloon” is actually a single from… Continue reading [MP3] Mexican Summer revives 1970s Brit psych with Ramases’ “Balloon”

[KR Flashback] Hometown: Glorious

If any of you (maybe, one, two?) were reading the blog at this time last year, you’ll remember I posted a little something about hometowns and their glory and all that. I actually didn’t say anything, but I got you in the mood. With Adele. Because, duh, she always gets you in the mood. It… Continue reading [KR Flashback] Hometown: Glorious

Bands that need to reunite: Desaparecidos

2002 was a simpler time. Apple’s iMac G4 was being touted as the next generation iMac; the Maryland Terrapins won the NCAA championship (HELL YEAH THEY DID); Kelly Clarkson won the very first season of American Idol; Conor Oberst had literally no muscle mass. Also, he was splitting time between fronting Bright Eyes and the… Continue reading Bands that need to reunite: Desaparecidos

A small tribute to Elliott Smith on his 40th birthday

OK, it’s time for me to take off my Humor Hat and put on my Morose Mittens. Today would have been the 40th birthday of one Elliott Smith, who, as you probably know, died about six years ago under rather hazy circumstances. I don’t have terribly much to say, of course, but I just thought… Continue reading A small tribute to Elliott Smith on his 40th birthday

Commercial Flashback – Liberty Mutual

Another trip down memory lane. Loved this commercial, loved the music, loved my life. Actually, not so much the latter. But when I first saw this on TV four years ago, I began a little Hem phase. BTW, as if we couldn’t get any more folk collective-y around here, Hem, out of Brooklyn, has 8… Continue reading Commercial Flashback – Liberty Mutual

Flash(not so far)back: The Format

That headline made me sad to type. There was a period of high school during which I listened to The Format (primarily Arizona natives Sam Means and Nate Ruess, though their tours included many other members) non-stop, as some of my friends can attest. They put out some of the catchiest pop songs I had… Continue reading Flash(not so far)back: The Format

Remember when Green Day wore masks?

I recently dug up a copy of my Network CD from back in 2003. If you don’t know, The Network (aka Network!), was a six piece new-wave band consisting of Green Day and some friends wearing masks and silly costumes. It was like, seriously weird. Each band member had a pseudonym and a background story.… Continue reading Remember when Green Day wore masks?

Rewind 2: Indie Bands covering the 80’s

(image from http://www.buffetlibredjs.net/) “Hello ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys, and all other life forms. Welcome onboard this RWD2 flight to the sounds of yesteryear.” – Buffetlibre’s Rewind 2 Wow. 90 covers. 90 mp3’s. Buffetlibre has done it again. Like last year, they have posted several covers. But this year is even more comprehensive and… Continue reading Rewind 2: Indie Bands covering the 80’s