The Best Laid Plans...

So a few days ago it was gloomy and rainy here in Pasadena. So I dove into the collection to look for something musically appropriate for the weather. I pulled out a couple of CD's from the New York group BAND OF SUSANS. These guys were a minor obsession of mine years ago because they were making records that sounded a lot like MY BLOODY VALENTINE (and let's face it, MBV wasn't coming out with anything new at the time...or now for that matter). But then I got sidetracked and didn't post them that day. So of course what happens...the DAMN SUN COMES OUT!!! All of a sudden it's 90 degrees and people are back to the beach. So posting these songs seemed like it would kill the weather renaissance and I don't want to be accused of stealing the sunshine from SOCAL.

But I digress. This band is noteworthy in my life for three reasons. 1) It used to feature Page Hamilton (later to found the ridiculously good band HELMET) on guitars. 2) The lyrics had that vaguely political/ slightly depressed vibe that made me seem a little cooler than everyone else who was busy listening to Stone Temple Pilots. 3) This was the first band I actually interviewed. I was so nervous about this phone interview that I read the press kit the label sent me four times. I prepped something like 40 questions to ask. The lead singer, a very nice guy by the name of Robert Poss, must have thought I was an absolute freak. Later, after several other band interviews where I realized that you should really only ask like two questions, have them do a couple of radio ID's for your station then get the hell out of the way, I reeled in horror at what I complete dork I must have been to that guy. But I still dig their music on rainy days.

(mp3) Band of Susans -- The Red and The Black

(probably my favorite song of theirs. Just an absolute wall of noise that hearkens back to Spaceman 3 and MBV)

(mp3) Band of Susans -- Dirge

(more subdued and a little more mellow but still has a nice guitar bite to it)

(mp3) Band of Susans -- I Found That Essence Rare

(it was a toss up between this one and their version of Paint it Black, but this was live so it gets the nod)

JUST ANOTHER HALO VICTORY ! ! ! !

There are few moments that a sports fan can truly rejoice. When you team wins something big, it almost validates the hours you put in watching the games, swearing at the radio in disgust, or pouring over the newspaper for useless tidbits of minutiae (injuries, locker room altercations, minor league batting averages, etc.) So when the Los Angeles Angels won today to clinch their 3rd American League West in the past four year I celebrated. I yelled and pumped my fist in joy. Now I realize that I had nothing to do with the team winning. I did not strike anyone out or hit a game tying home run along the way, but I did root, cheer and support the team as hard as I could. My wife and I have literally sacrificed a good portion of our summer to watching the games. It's just part of the routine of the sports fanatic. So as the playoffs loom I once again break out my vintage Angels jersey and outfit my boys in the latest Angel fashion for the long playoff drive to a World Series Title.

(mp3) Train -- Calling All Angels

(mp3) DoF -- Explosions over Baseball Fields (care of Motel de Moka)

(mp3) John Fogerty -- Centerfield (care of Here Comes The Flood)

Driver Eight -- The band not the song

Tooth and Nail Records was this fun little record label out of Seattle that specialized in pop and punk records in the mid 1990's. Not the hardcore punk stuff coming out of NY and LA but the softer edge stuff (MxPx and the like). Then they shifted gears to more of a traditional indie rock fare and sent me this little gem of a record called "Watermelon" by the band DRIVER EIGHT. Now any band that uses one of my all time favorite R.E.M. songs as it's name automatically got at least a cursory listen but the more I listened to the record the more I fell in love with it.

The band is nothing really special; just a typical three piece rock group. Their songs had all the markings of REM and other Alt Rock heroes. The best analogy I could come up with at the time was BUFFALO TOM. I just kept thinking to myself, wow I really dig this record and can't really say why. I must have played it a hundred times and was still entranced by the simple yet direct musicianship and the conviction of the music. Whether it was the fuzzed up guitars of "Getting This Thing To Go" or the sunny poppiness of "Waiting for Godot", the record was just contagious.

I hadn't listened to it for a long time but as I was pulling things out of the collection I dropped it into the pile and now I am re-listening to it again. It still has that same feel. Good records rarely get worse with age.

p.s. The lead singer, Matt McCartie, seems to have continued to record music under the name THEFT. Check out some of his new work here.

(mp3) Driver Eight -- Getting This Thing To Go

(mp3) Driver Eight -- Waiting for Godot

(mp3) Driver Eight -- Sunbitten (love the way this one keeps building and building to it practically explodes from the speakers)

Songs for Doing Dishes Part Two

So I'm kind of devoid of any real thoughts or ideas tonight so a few random selections from my Ipod that were playing tonight as I cleaned the kitchen:

(m4a) UNKLE (Featuring Ian Brown) -- Reign

This was taken from the second UNKLE CD (after DJ Shadow left the group) and features the vocals of former Stone Roses lead singer Brown. I like this song mostly for it's way over the top melodramatic string usage behind a driving techno beat. I remember it took me forever to track this album down because it wasn't available in the US for like a year after it's release...but it was worth the wait. I can't say the same for the groups latest which is not nearly as good as their first two albums.

(mp3) Paul Hartnoll (Featuring Robert Smith) -- Please

Got this the other day from the excellent blog 17 SECONDS mainly because it has the great Robert Smith from the Cure doing the vocals to what might as well be a lost Orbital song (since Hartnoll is one half of that duo). A great song that I will probably listen to another dozen or so times in the next 48 hours.

(mp3) The Tears -- A Love As Strong As Death

Hype is a funny thing. Suede was about as hyped a band coming out of England as I could remember. They were supposed to be the new Smiths. They were supposed to be as big as the Stones. They weren't either. About two years ago the lead singer and the guitarist got back together and formed a new band (why they didn't use the old name I have no idea) called the Tears. Alas they are still over hyped and not very good. I downloaded this record and can honestly say I have only listened to the whole thing twice. But this song is alright.

Tomorrow I should be back on the creative beam...goodnight all!!

Zencast #7 (Acoustically Speaking)

This episode of the Your Moment of Zen zencast is dedicated to the acoustic guitar in all its glory. A long time ago I bought an acoustic guitar, back when I still entertained notions of rock stardom (or at least coffee house anonymity) and tried to learn to play. But unlike Bryan Adams, I did not play till my fingers bled, and therefore did not master the instrument. Today it sits quietly in the hallway, mocking me and what might have been. So in honor of my unplayed acoustic guitar I bring your Episode lucky #7...

Zencast #7 -- Acoustically Speaking

Tracklisting

1. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova -- Falling Slowly

2. Joseph Arthur -- Honey and the Moon

3. Billy Bragg -- Northern Industrial Town

4. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club -- Complicated Situation

5. Bright Eyes -- From A Balance Beam

6. Cat Stevens -- Moonshadow

7. Coldplay -- Till Kingdom Come

8. Goo Goo Dolls -- Acoustic #3

9. Josh Ritter -- Snow is Gone (Live)

10. The Hereafter -- Eulogy

I'm In Heaven

It's my 100th post!!! (Okay so it took me a little longer to get here than some others but still I think it's quite an achievement)

To celebrate we have the new ROGUE WAVE record "Asleep At Heaven's Gate". Continuing where the brilliant "Descended Like Vultures" left off, Rogue Wave have continued to refine their Beatles influenced lofi pop sound into a smooth and catchy blend. Zach Rogue has continued to use his slightly hushed falsetto to good use given that this time out the tone of the record seems a bit darker and more reflective in nature. At first listen it appears that any real change to the sound seems to be very subtle which should please long time fans (myself included). As I listen more I can see the depth and breadth that has been added. The songs, particularly the single "Lake Michigan" and the upbeat "Like I Needed" have a nice sing song quality to them that should translate well live. Elsewhere, Matthew Caws of Nada Surf (another fave around here ), pops up to sing vocals on "Chicago x12". The back half of the record finds the band slipping into a more somber tone to finish with the simply gorgeous "Missed" and the more epic "Phonytown" (although I would have probably switched them to close the album with a slower pace...but it's a small quibble on my part.)

No doubt this will be one of the biggest and best records for me this year. I can't wait to dive into it in greater detail.

(mp3) Rogue Wave -- Lake Michigan

(mp3) Rogue Wave -- Like I Needed

(mp3) Rogue Wave -- Chicago x12 (Care of an excellent Blog "The World Forgot")

Random Soundgarden Post

I was big into the Seattle Grunge movement of the 1990's. I loved the energy and raw emotion of the music and the apparent genuine nature of the artists. It seemed that the bands that came out at that time were pure and undoctored. They didn't care about their image, which unfortunately became just as big a deal as their sound. Despite the images of long hair, flannel shirts and disheveled hair, the music was about the freshest collection of sounds to come around since the punk movement of the 70's. Each band had a part to play. Nirvana lead the pack with their punk ethos and rock star charisma. Pearl Jam played the role (somewhat reluctantly) of stadium stars. Alice In Chains cornered the market on the spiral of drugs and self destruction. Then there was Soundgarden.

If Nirvana was the Beatles and Pearl Jam the Stones, then Soundgarden was Led Zeppelin. More metal than any other Seattle band, Soundgarden hit you over the head with thick distorted guitars and pounding rhythms and bass lines. There was nothing subtle about this quartet. Chris Cornell even sounded a bit like Robert Plant (with more testosterone). With their two major releases, "Badmotorfinger" and "Superunknown", the band staked their claim to the label of the thinking man's metal band. Where the songs on "Badmotorfinger" were more akin to the early material, with their constant barrage of guitars and screaming vocals, "Superunknown" was more melodic and more song oriented. Both records showcase a band immersed in their own work, not caring about what others where doing or if their music would be accepted by the public. As with all the Seattle bands, Soundgarden seemed almost surprised by their success and after one more album they broke up. Cornell did some solo work and worked with members of the Rage Against the Machine (under the name Audioslave) but has never really sounded as good as he did with his original band. I think it's probably best that they did break up when they did, their place in music history was already secured and they could have only damaged their sterling record.

(mp3) Soundgarden -- Outshined (from Badmotorfinger)

(mp3) Soundgarden -- Rusty Cage (from Badmotorfinger)

(mp3) Soundgarden -- Spoonman (from Superunknown)

(mp3) Soundgarden -- My Wave (from Superunknown)

So That's Who That Was

A few days back I posted a song I heard on a children's show Yo Gabba Gabba but an artist I could not identify. Through some cunning research (read:reading the credits at the end of the show) I discovered that the song was written by Mark Kozelek but I couldn't figure out where I had heard that name before. Then it finally hit me, he's the principle member of THE RED HOUSE PAINTERS. Another one of my 4AD bands from college, the Painters worked in the melancholy shades of acoustic guitars, minor chords and hushed vocals. Kozelek has recorded solo albums and with other musicians under the name SUN KIL MOON, but in all his incarnations he has stayed somewhat true to this folksy style of music. Often the songs extend into rhythmic dirges that can be a bit much to bear, but when he keep things relatively short and tight the impact of his voice and music is really quite powerful. Artists like M. Ward and Low certainly owe a lot of their sound to this guy.

Certainly music for a hazy, kinda dark day.

(mp3) Red House Painters -- Lord Kill The Pain (from Down Colorful Hill)

(mp3) Red House Painters -- Michael (from Down Colorful Hill)

(mp3) Red House Painters -- I Am A Rock (from Red House Painters)...yes it's the Simon and Garfunkel song but with a very different spin.

Zencast #6 (Music From The Left Of Center)

Note: this is a pic of my brother the last time he went to Iraq

I have tried to stay away from politics on this blog. I like to find lighter things to speak of but with my brother about to be deployed to Iraq sometime in the next few months I seem to be thinking about heavier things lately. So I compiled this podcast with songs that have a message about either war or revolution. I have no real political statement to make but I do feel that we have to take a hard look at what we are doing in the Middle East and why we are there. So here are songs that make a statement and ask questions about America's place in the world.

Zencast #6 (Music From The Left Of Center)

Tracklisting

1. Husker Du -- Makes No Sense At All
2. Billy Bragg -- Price Of Oil
3. Pearl Jam -- Army Reserve
4. Micheal Franti and Spearhead -- Yell Fire!
5. REM -- Orange Crush
6. Rage Against The Machine -- Killing In The Name Of (Live)
7. Son Volt -- Jet Pilot
8. Warren Zevon -- The Envoy
9. Joe Strummer -- Redemption Song

Band Crush -- The Miss Alans

First a short definition. A "Band Crush" is a quickly developed love for a band based on a single album (or in some cases a single song) followed by championing the band to anyone and everyone who will listen. It means carrying a copy of the CD (or back in the day a tape) at all times so you could spring it on someone who was looking for something new. Band crushes usually apply to little known bands that only you and about 6 other people have heard and often result in ridicule by people who "just don't get it."

The problem with band crushes is that they blind us to the faults of the artist. I give you THE MISS ALANS as a case study. This band was four piece from Fresno, CA who released their second record, "Blusher", to very little fanfare. But I remember hearing it and instantly falling in love. Did the lead singer sound a little off key in some places, sure. Did the music scream "We Love The Velvet Underground" a little too much...absolutely. Did I give one lick about any of that. Hell No!!! I was determined to make these guys stars all by myself. I played every single song on the record on my college radio show. I managed to convince the school to book them to play our campus (a disaster where only 30 people showed up). I copied and copied the record and actually canvased the dorms at one point handing out tapes one Wednesday evening. But I didn't care, I believed in these guys.

Sad to say, the band is no more. They recorded one more record, broke up and formed another band. But I still love this album. I can't really say why, I just do. As I listen to it today I see that it is deeply flawed and some of the songs are really not very good. But a few still get me excited. "El Dorado" is a great rock song that combines Luna and Jesus and Mary Chain but with a dose of sleeping pills to ease the guitar feedback. "Supercharged" was their attempt at the big stadium anthem, with the slow build of lyrics and guitars to a crescendo at the end (and who isn't a sucker for a good crescendo). The rest of the record lacks the beauty of these songs and shows a band that just didn't have the real stuff. But what a wonderful crush it was.

Feel free to share any band crushes you have had or are having...

(mp3) The Miss Alans -- Supercharged

(mp3) The Miss Alans -- El Dorado

(mp3) The Miss Alans -- The Sad Last Days of Elvis Aron Presley

I've made the Big Time

Just a few random thoughts for the day. No real theme, just stuff.

I secured a spot on the latest edition of the CONTRAST PODCAST. I want to thank Tim for putting me and my pithy commentary on the Soul Coughing song "Circles" on his collection. If you've never checked these podacsts out, they are a real treat.

Itunes is currently offering the new single by BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN for FREEEEE!!! (so they won't mind me posting it here)"Radio Nowhere" is an upbeat rock song with the E Street Band. If you're into vintage Boss then you should enjoy this one. I haven't heard much else from the record but this is a step in the right direction.

My kids have developed a minor obsession with the new kids show YO GABBA GABBA. Created by members of the band THE AQUABATS, the show is a variety kids show with weird puppets and music from all the it indie bands. But the reason I allow such mindnumbing entertainment in my house is because hidden in the show is some suprisingly good music. Here is a sample. I have no idea who the singer is or the name of the song, so if anyone has any idea please let me know. (link below)

Finally, and with much excitement, ROGUE WAVE is back with a new single off their latest record (coming out in September). "Lake Michigan" is pitch perfect Rogue Wave, containing everything you love about indie pop music (acoustic guitars, drums that sound like clapping hands and quirky lyrics) I've probably listened to this at least 4 times in the last 20 minutes. By all means get this!!

Back tomorrow with a proper post. Enjoy!!

(mp3) Rogue Wave -- Lake Michigan

(m4a) Bruce Springsteen -- Radio Nowhere

(mp3) Artist Unknown -- Yo Gabba Gabba Song

A Saturday Spent on the Couch

So I managed to spend a large portion of the today glued to my couch, or occasionally my chair, watching movies and bad TV. The joy of this is that I didn't have to think very much and actually saw a few things that I enjoyed that I probably shouldn't have.

The day started with the Kevin Costner/Ashton Kutcher film THE GUARDIAN. The film was about swimmers in the US Coast Guard and despite some horrendous acting by the leads, I was entertained. I guess I'm a sucker for formulaic action movies with plots so obvious a six year old could predict what might happen.

Next up was PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST. This was the 2nd of the trilogy and suffered from a terrible plot and more hammy acting than necessary. I've actually seen this one a couple of times before so it was no suprise that I drifted in and out of this on a couple of occasions. But it does have Keira Knightley, and she is hot!!

After that it was MADAGASCAR. This was on for my kids, who loved it. But I also found mysled actually paying attention and enjoying the film. I'm amazed that it seems more and more "kid" movies are really sly adult themed films hidden behind pretty colors. Just because an animated lemur sings "I Like To Move It" doesn't make the song any less lewd. But hey, who can resist dancing lemurs.

Late night brought a channel flip war with APOLLO 13 and REMEMBER THE TITANS. I have seen both of these films several times and really enjoy both. Both tug at the heart strings and both end with positive messages of overcoming the odds. I guess it helps to have actual actors emoting (take notes Mr. Costner) to make a formula film rise above the material.

Overnight I'm recording THE DEPARTED, which I have been looking forward to for awhile. Hopefully it won't disappoint.

Some mp3's to go along with the day...

West Indian Girl --Hollywood

The Postal Service -- Nothing Better

Pearl Jam -- Life Wasted

Eric More Morillo -- I Like To Move It (From Madagascar...what does it say that my kids love this version of this song?)

On the Road...The LBC with the New Fads

So I'm in beautiful Long Beach attending a work convention. This means spending a night away from the family (which I hate) and sleeping in a lumpy bed with a bad shower to look forward to in the morning. I REALLY HATE TRAVELLING!!!

Anyway, all I have with me to post on the blog is a record by the NEW FAST AUTOMATIC DAFFODILS. These guys are an easy entry into the dumbass band name hall of fame but their music was actually pretty interesting. This record, 1993's "Body Exit Mind" is an unusual mix of Brit rock and vocals that are reminiscent of Mark E Smith from The Fall. "Stockholm" is probabaly my favorite track on this album with it's simple guitar intro that builds to a crescnedo as the vocals by Andy Spearpoint drift in and out of singing and wordplay. He uses sing speak style that gives the songs a poetry jam feel. "I'll Take You To Sleep" is a more manic song with huge drumbeats and battling guitars. The band also scores points for using bongos...yes kids, bongos!!

Anyway, so a fun little record. Not the greatest but a few choice cuts that made their way onto my IPOD.

(m4a) New Fast Automatic Daffodils -- Stockholm

(m4a) New Fast Automatic Daffodils -- I'll Take You To Sleep

(m4a) New Fast Automatic Daffodils -- It's Not What You Know (Kind of approriate for all the networking and bootlicking I've done today...)

A Hidden Gem From The CD Collection

I love ep's. I think they are about the most brilliant invention in music history. The simple nature and limited songs allow an artist or band to express themselves quickly and with the same emotional impact of a full length record. Case in point is the 1995 AIR MIAMI ep "Fuck You, Tiger" (priceless for the title alone). Air Miami was formed when a beloved 4AD favorite of mine, UNREST, fell apart. Two of the members went on to record as Air Miami, released one ep and one album and then broke up. Air Miami's sound is very indie pop with a hint of electronic knob twirling (a little POSTAL SERVICE but more rock). At four songs, the ep gives a good balance of upbeat rockers ("I Hate Milk"), slower mood pieces ("Warm Miami May") and Radiohead style spacey ballads, even if they did predate that era of Radiohead by a year or two. I still pop this in for about 10 minutes of fun. It reaffirms my belief that shorter can sometimes be better.

(mp3) Air Miami -- I Hate Mile (re-mix)
(mp3) Air Miami -- Warm Miami May
(mp3) Air Miami -- Afternoon Train (re-mix #3)
(mp3) Air Miami -- See Through Plastic

Bonus
(mp3) Air Miami -- Airplane Rider (from the official band site)

NEW RADIOHEAD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've seen this track a couple of places and it seems legit. There are older live versions of this song running around but this seems to be the newest studio version from an album due out in 2008. Can't wait...

(mp3) Radiohead -- Arpeggi

Bring That Beat Back (Drum n' Bass Edition)

I had a very brief fling with drum n' bass just after college. It has already been well established that dancing and I are at odd with each ohter, and adding to the mix is that drum n' bass music tends to be very hard to dance to to begin with. Nevertheless, I did find the music very appealing mostly because it was a way to indulge in my jones for Hip-hop without being the poser white guy who bought NWA and Public Enemy. What I did appreciate about artists like GOLDIE, LTJ BUKEM and RONI SIZE was their seemless combination of hip-hop, jazz, techno, and rave cultures into a aural pallette that was danceable, listenable and memorable all at once. The closest American version of drum n' bass I could get was MEAT BEAT MANIFESTO. Jack Dangers and his various producing partners took some of the drum n' bass textures into their later works, but I think as a musical style it was more fitting for British artists.

Although over time the music began to be very repetative in nature and later artists were not as original as the groups I was listening to at the time, the genre still has some appeal for late at night work sessions when I need something upbeat but not hard to ignore. Not the most ringing endorsement but a good description of it's current place in my life.

(mp3) Goldie -- Inner City Life

Kind of the gold standard (no pun intended) of the drum n' bass tracks and the only one to be any sort of hit in the US.

(mp3) Meat Beat Manifesto -- Edge of No Control Part Two

Not a true drum n' bass track but more of a mix of tecno and industrial with the same hip-hop influence as the others.

(mp3) Roni Size/Reprazent - Brown Paper Bag

This is the vocals verison that was the single which I think is far superior to the verison on their record which was just an isntrumental. Great jazz influenced bass line.

What the F**K Was I Thinking

So my wife has gotten into gardening of late and wanted a flower bed created in the back yard. Not a problem says I and I promptly go out with shovel in hand to dig up a suitably sized plot of land for her flowers. After about a half hour of digging up grass, weeds, rocks and other stuff I realize that I'm starting to really perspire. No worries, I take off my hat and glasses and continue digging my merry way to China. Another half hour goes by and my shirt is soaked so I take it off in a fit of testosterone filled manliness. Now I am the first to admit my physique is not easily confused with Brad Pitt but it's my backyard so no one will be subjected to the sheer horror that is a shirtless me. Anyway, now that that image is forever burned into your mind's eye, it take me another hour or so to finish off the flower bed. I gather my things and head inside.

After lunch I lay down for a short nap only to be interrupted halfway through by a searing pain all over my body. When I reach the mirror I discover I now resemble the color of a ripe strawberry (which is fine for fruit but not terribly desirable in human flesh). Needless to say I know am the proud owner of a significant SUNBURN. So what is the lesson for the day... being a macho, macho man is better saved for Matthew McConaughey or the Village People.

Here are some songs to remind us of today's theme

(mp3) Depeche Mode -- A Pain That I'm Used To

(mp3 )Matt Nathanson -- Blister in The Sun (Live)

(mp3) Lapdog -- Staring at the Sun

(mp3) Death Cab For Cutie -- Summer Skin (and I had almost gone the whole summer without a sunburn and now I'm crispy...DAMN)

I'm trying to be relevant...I really am!!

I always find aging artists careers very fascinating. Now I'm not talking about people who had hit or two and then made a radical alteration to the new fad to stay in the spotlight, these artists are a dime a dozen (come on we all remember the thug version of MC Hammer, which was just SAD). I'm talking about a true visionary artist who is trying to find a way to fit in to the current musical culture. These albums can often be brilliant (like Bob Dylan's TIME OUT OF MIND) but more often they are train wrecks. Case in point is late era DAVID BOWIE. After spending a good portion of the 80's floundering around looking for commercial viability Bowie hooked up with Trent Reznor and explored his darker side. He also explored the dance and drum n' bass world to try to adapt to his unique style. The resulting album EARTHLING was a intriguing mess. It almost sounds like a Bowie impersonator, and probably would have been more successful if it had been. "Little Wonder" is a generic drum n' bass track not worthy of mention other than it drones on for no real reason for about 6:00. "I'm Afraid Of Americans" is a little more traditional Bowie (and the one truly decent song on the record).

So why waste all this space on a less than stellar record. Because I applaud Bowie (and for that matter other aging artists who continue to tinker) for not settling into a relentless cycle of greatest hits packages (which sadly he has done more of lately) and trying to find new ways to expose people to their music. The nice by-product to this sort of experimentation is that it usually opens new listeners up to the entire artists' catalogue. This can in the end be a good thing. So keep up the mediocre work Mr. Bowie, more people need to hear your best work.

(mp3) David Bowie -- Little Wonder

(mp3) David Bowie -- I'm Afraid of Americans

(mp3) David Bowie -- Golden Years

(mp3) David Bowie -- Heroes

Back to the Salt Mines

Tomorrow marks my return to work after my week and half long vacation. After spending the summer moonlighting as an English Teacher, I'm back into the world of Administration at a comprehensive urban high school. So in what may be the most cliched post I have ever done, here are some work themed songs to enjoy.

Even though I really enjoy staying at home and playing with my wife and kids, I do miss the rush of adrenaline that comes with the beginning of a new school year. I also enjoy the possibilities that come with a new start and new challenges. I remember as a kid beng so excited to get back to school and seeing my new classroom, meeting my new teacher and all the cool things that came with school (give me a break I was like 6!!). I know it's the cool thing to not like school but I still really enjoy the learning environment, no matter how warped it's become.

It's also my work so there are the usual office politics and realtionships to navigate which make the job harder. So hopefully you enjoy your work and are good at it, becuase after all if it ain't fun then why do it at all...

The Smiths -- Work Is A Four Letter Word

New Order -- Working Overtime
Jimmy Eat World -- Work
Green Day -- Working Class Hero
The Perishers -- Weekends (Love the line "Don't you worry, Friday's not that far away...")
Oasis -- A Bell Will Ring (For the obvious school related concept)
XTC -- Senses Working Overtime

Zencast #5 (Songs For People I've Lost Touch With)

Music can transport you to some truly amazing places. It can also remind us of fond memories that we have long since forgotten, repressed or otherwise chose to ignore. Such is the theme of the latest podcast. I was taking a short trip down memory lane to when I was DJ at a college station in San Bernardino, CA. We had virtually no signal, about 3 listeners on average and no real format or direction but man we did some truly amazing stuff. There was a core of people who I worked with for those years at both the radio and TV sides of things that I truly enjoyed hanging with. These times came rushing back at me recently and I thought of some music that was reminiscent of those years. So I hope you enjoy this episode...

Zencast #5 (Songs For People I've Lost Touch With)

Tracklisting

1. Boy Eats Drum Machine -- From An Oregon Coast
2. The Perishers -- My Heart

3. The Dead Kennedys -- Holiday In Cambodia (added bonus, my wife love this song, which is one reason she is one of the truly cool people in the world.)

4. Fugazi -- Cassavetes

5. The Stone Roses -- Elefant Stone

6. James -- P.S.

7. The Devlins -- Everything Comes Around

8. Dead Can Dance -- American Dreaming

9. Matt Nathanson -- You're Smiling

10. Toad The Wet Sprocket -- Fly From Heaven