Lightning Dust :: "Highway"

There's something Blair-Witchy-creepy-good about this track from the band Lightning Dust. It's a track from their self-titled disc which came out back in June. Turn the lights on and take a listen.

Ben Folds :: "Still Fighting It"

This is off of Ben Fold's 2001 disc Rockin' the Suburbs. Found myself listening to this one a lot since the birth of my own son.

A Fine Frenzy :: "Almost Lover"

This is the third time MMB has featured a tune by A Fine Frenzy this year. Her One Cell in the Sea disc is one of the best of year. Enjoy "Almost Lover" by this immensely talented young artist.

Stephen Fretwell :: "Emily"

This is an older song from Stephen Fretwell, however I found myself singing it when I woke up this morning. It's the title track from his ep Emily. In September, the Manchester UK artist released a full length cd Man on the Roof. You can listen to a few tracks from the new release on his MySpace page. In the meantime, enjoy reminiscing about that someone who may or not be named Emily, but we've all got that special someone from a past relationship who haunts us from time to time.

Six 2 Know :: #1

THE DO (pronounced Doe)
"Playground Shuffle"
"On My Shoulders"

You have to listen to both songs to get an accurate picture of what The Do is all about. Fusing tribalism, rock and electronica, The Do are unlike anything you've ever heard. Sometimes sounding like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and other times veering into a tribal acid trip. They are quite simply unbelievable. They are a French duo and are said to be "ferocius" live. Singer Olivia B.Merilahti does seem to attack the mike at times. Their first cd, A Mouthful, will drop in January 2008.

Six 2 Know :: #2

DARREN HANLON
"Happiness is a Chemical"
"Elbows"

Darren Hanlon is one of the best new song writers I've found since starting this blog. I couldn't commit to posting only one song, and had a tough time narrowing it down to only two. He is a truly talented artist that should be around for a long time. Both tracks are from his cd Fingertips and Mountaintops.

Six 2 Know :: #3

IMMACULATE MACHINE
"Jarhand"

From their new cd Fables.

Six 2 Know :: #4

DARREN HAYMAN

His new cd Darren Hayman and the Secondary Modern is available now. "The Protons and the Neutrons" is a strange, hypnotizing spectacle but damn I like the song.

Six 2 Know :: #5

THE POSTMARKS

New 11 track cd is out now.

:: SIX 2 KNOW :: #6

MANHATTAN LOVE SUICIDES

Debut cd out now. Buy it.

Tullycraft :: "The Girl Who's Above Us"

This song by Tullycraft comes from the Songs from The Bigtop Soundtrack which is an upcoming film by Devon Reed. "The Girl Who's Above Us" is love at first listen.

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Static of the Gods :: "Pushback" and "Cycles Follow Signs"

The folks at Green Light Go Entertainment Publicity & Promotion were kind enough to send Mister :: Music :: Blog a care package filled with delicious ear candy. Static of the Gods new cd, Cycles Follow Signs sounds like that cd you hear before anyone else and you feel like you have a secret that's all your own. However, Gods will not be a secret for much longer. I'm featuring my favorite two cuts off Signs here, but that doesn't mean the whole cd doesn't deserve a listen. Go over to Green Light Go and check out their other artists too...and tell em MMB sent ya.

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Get this widget | Track details | eSnips Social DNA

Reader Submission :: Wendie Colter :: "The Peephole Queen"

Check out this track by Wendie Colter sent in by MMB's brother. It's an older track from 2001, but he gets a pass...after all...he's family...and old.

Get this widget Track details eSnips Social DNA

Rilo Kiley :: "Dreamworld"

I wasn't a huge fan of Rilo Kiley's first single "Moneymaker" off their new disc Under The Blacklight, but "Dreamworld" has really grown on me. Sounds sort of like you're revisiting a 70's or early 80's jam session...as if I wasn't riding my big wheel or watching Knight Rider at that time.



Buy Rilo Kiley's Under The Blacklight Album

Anthony Hamilton :: "Do You Feel Me"

John Fogerty :: "Creedence Song"

Thom Yorke :: "Videotape"

The Killers featuring Lou Reed :: "Tranquilize"

Mister Music Blog apologizes to all its readers for being away so long. Now, I'm back with a vengeance. So, what better way to say sorry than posting a bunch of really great new music. First up, a Killers and Lou Reed collaboration. I'm going to keep the chatter to a minimum and just post a lot of my newly discovered favorite music.

Chromatics :: "In the City" and "Lady"

The Chromatics are a Seattle based band that I've heard described as Vampire Disco music. Apt description. Who knew dark disco could be so engrossing? LOVE this new band. "In the City" and "Lady" are two of my favorites. Their newest disc is titled Italians Do It.





Chromatics MySpace Page

The Thrills :: "Midnight Choir"

Listened to this one constantly on the vacation. Enjoy the Dublin based The Thrills video for "Midnight Choir" off their new Teenager disc. "This Year" off the same cd is also a great song. Enjoy.




The Thrills MySpace Page

Leona Lewis :: "Bleeding Love"

The official video for Leona Lewis new single, "Bleeding Love" is not MMB's usual fare but it gets in your head and her voice is amazing. I believe she has a big mainstream career ahead of her. This one is taken from her debut album Spirit.

Leona Lewis Official Site

::: MMB UPDATES RESUME SOON :::

Mister Music Blog has been away on a much needed vacation. However, rest assured, I've spent a lot of my downtime sampling some great new music and listening to some more deserving artists recommened by readers...which I will soon feature. Look for MMB to be back up and running very soon.

Remember, you can receive updates via email by simply filling in your email address in the space provided in the upper-right corner.

Reader Submissions :: Your 33 Black Angels :: Nada Surf :: Efterklang

Here are a few artists/songs recommended by readers that MMB has been listening to quite a bit:

Artist: Your 33 Black Angels
Album: Lonely Street
Submitted by reader: Bryan Fitzgerald
Listen if you like: Pavement/The Strokes

Artist: Nada Surf
Song Recommended: "See These Bones"
Submitted by reader: Gerrick Rhodehamel
Listen if you like: Er, well...Nada Surf

Artist: Efterklang
Album: Leaf & Rumraket
Submitted by reader: Alysia Savoy
Listen if you like: Sigur Ros

Everyone, keep those recommendations coming in, and look for more featured artists on MMB brought to us by readers just like you.

Ingrid Michaelson :: "The Way I Am"

Had a lot of requests to give Ingrid Michaelson a little love. Here's a live version of her single "The Way I Am" from her new disc Girls and Boys. Nice one for a laid back autumn day. Chilly? Take my sweater and rake some leaves. I could see my breath for the first time tonight while listening to this song. Mmmm....is that burning leaves I smell?





Ingrid Michaelson Official Site

Elisa :: "Dancing" Live at the Vatican...

The Elisa post I did back in June for her "Dancing" routine on the tv show So You Think You Can Dance performed by Kameron and Lacey and choreographed by Mia Michaels has been the most popular post of the year for MMB. I had the urge to listen to the song again and found this live version from a concert at the Vatican. Also, here are a few more videos from Elisa...and a brand new live "Dancing" routine from the So You Think You Can Dance Tour videotaped very recently in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Enjoy.

Modest Mouse :: "Little Motel"

Give some love to the newest video for Modest Mouse's "Little Motel" from the We Were Dead...disc.

Check out this video: Modest Mouse - Little Motel



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Over The Rhine :: "Don't Wait For Tom"

I may have spoken too soon when I declared Iron & Wine's The Shepherd's Dog as the cd of the year. Over The Rhine's new release The Trumpet Child is just as incredible and after several listens of each, MMB just doesn't have enough mojo to declare a clear cut "winner". But who cares...both CDs are insanely great. Over The Rhine's Child is a bit jazzier, happier and more fun than past releases. They are lyrical geniuses and continue to have one of the most underrated bodies of work in music today. Like Iron & Wine's Dog, OTR's Trumpet Child is a pure delight from beginning to end. By the end of the year, I might declare a winner but if you just want to hear some great, great music pick up both releases.

"Don't Wait for Tom" is just one example of OTR's Trumpets playfulness and diverseness.

OTRTom.mp3

Over The Rhine Official Site

Johnathan Rice :: "We're All Stuck Out Here in the Desert"

Further North is another new discovery by Scottish-American artist Johnathan Rice. The first single is "We're All Stuck Out Here in the Desert" and it has a sort of stoner je ne sais quoi flave to it. Enjoy the cameo by Winona too.

johnathan rice we re all stuck out in the desert

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Johnathan Rice Official Site

CD of the Year...So Far :: Iron and Wine :: The Shepherd's Dog

Iron and Wine's The Shepherd's Dog is the best cd beginning to end I've listened to this year. Incredible. "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" is just one of many great tracks. Can't recommend this cd enough.

Iron and Wine Home Page

Breaking the Language Barrier :: Sigur Ros :: "Hoppipola"

MMB has no idea what this song about which only proves that often times music is a much better communicative tool than actual speech. "Hoppipola" is one of our favorite tracks from Sigur Ros' incredible Takk cd.

Sigur Ros Official Site

Kate Nash :: "Mouthwash"

What's with all the female British artists coming out of nowhere and making the States their bitch? The latest in the Lily Allen / Amy Winehouse club of feminine attitude is Kate Nash. Featured on MMB in June, she's back with her new tune "Mouthwash" which can now be purchased on iTunes.

Kate Nash MySpace Page

September Obsession #3 :: Patrick Watson :: "The Great Escape"

Patrick Watson's 2006 cd Close to Paradise recently won the Polaris Prize for Canada's top album of the year. The track "The Great Escape" is one reason why.

Patrick Watson Official Site

September Obsession #2 :: The Blakes :: "Two Times"

So much for my subdued, laid-back mood. Sound off like you gotta pair with this Blake's song from their upcoming October 16th release Light in the Attic cd.

Listen to the official version of "Two Times" here:

The Blakes - Two T...

or

Watch The Blakes Jam live here:


Listen to the official version here:

The Blakes MySpace Page

Roddy Woomble :: "Every Line of a Long Moment"

This is the latest from Roddy Woomble's solo disc My Secret is My Silence titled "Every Line of a Long Moment". Roddy is the Scottish frontman for the band Idlewild. I prefer his solo stuff because with fall coming on, I guess MMB is just feeling a bit more subdued and laid back...at least until tomorrow...or the next song I hear.

Every Line Of A Lo...

Roddy Woomble Official Site

September Obsessions #1 :: Tegan and Sara :: "Speak Slowly"

I get this question a lot:

What's in my iPod right now...stuck on repeat? Start with this new one by Tegan and Sara.

Stars :: "Elevator Love Letter"

"Elevator Love Letter" is one of my favorite Stars songs. Their new cd, In Our Bedroom After the War, was released in July on iTunes but can finally be found in stores on September 25th. In Our Bedroom...is now listed in MMB's favorite cds of the year list. Great emotional, driving music with unexpected twists and emotional pulls with a beat.




STARS MYSPACE PAGE

Nikola Sarcevic :: "Soul For Sale"

Enjoy your Saturday with this soundtrack from Nikola Sarcevic titled "Soul for Sale".



Nikola Sarcevic MySpace Page

Amandine :: "Faintest of Sparks"

In the midnight hour, sometimes we need quiet, calming introspective music. Love this track from Amandine. It's off their newest Solace in Sore Hands enjoy "Faintest of Sparks"

Amandine - Faintes...

Amandine Official Site

Rilo Kiley :: "Silver Lining"

MMB didn't much care for the first single from Rilo Kiley's new cd Under the Blacklight but this track, "Silver Lining" has grown on me.




Rilo Kiley Official Site

Ani DiFranco :: Both Hands

Ani DiFranco is one of my favorite artists of all time and she just released her career retrospective cd CANON. No artist can re-imagine and re-record a song like Ani. This is the new incarnation of one of my favorite Ani songs "Both Hands". If you haven't listened to Ani's discography then well, you haven't lived and I'm not sure I want to know you.


Ani DiFranco Re-Records Both Hands

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Ani's Righteous Babe Records

Reader Submission :: 30 Seconds To Mars :: The Story (LIVE)

Reader Gerrick pointed out this great performance and song by Jared Leto led 30 Seconds To Mars.




30 Seconds To Mars Official Site

A Fine Frenzy :: "You Picked Me"

Here's another one from an artist featured earlier this year. "You Picked Me" is the latest from A Fine Frenzy off her new release One Cell in the Sea. Every now and then MMB likes to check up on past featured artists just to see how they're getting along. See if they need any gas money or groceries...if the rents getting paid...stuff like that. The kids seem to be doing fine.




A Fine Frenzy MySpace

Reader Submission :: Brandon Schott :: "Golden State"

Brandon has been a featured artist on MMB in the past, but reader Oliver let me know about his latest single and video "Golden State". Thanks to Oliver on the heads up. Check out more of Brandon here.

Chris and Thomas :: "Take These Thoughts"

Chris and Thomas, recently featured on the Indiefeed podcast, are now on tour throughout the U.S. Enjoy "Take These Thoughts" off their most recent release Land of Sea.

Chris and Thomas -...

Chris and Thomas MySpace Page

Me Loves Me Some Feist

Check out Feist's awesome performance of "1, 2, 3,4" on Letterman. Look closely and you'll see members of Grizzly Bear, Broken Social Scene, the National, New Pornographers and my other female musical obsession of the moment, Nicole Atkins. How can you not watch that and clap along?

Feist MySpace

Single of the Week :: Spoon :: "Black Like Me"

This one by Spoon has been on repeat in my iPod for the past week. Enjoy and have a nice weekend. MMB.

Powered by AOL Video

Spoon Official Site

Golden Boy feat. Miss Kittin :: "Rippin Kittin"

Nothing ends a hot week in August like some spooky techno.

Eisley :: "Marvelous Things"

Here's a tune to get you over the hump on a Wed-nes-day. Eisley's newest cd titled Combinations is out now.




Eisley's Official Site

Fionn Regan :: "Be Good or Be Gone"

Uplifting serene, peaceful melodies accompanied by a floating voice, haunting lyrics and a tender accoustic guitar blend together on Irish folk-singer Fionn Regan's first full-length release The End of History. Check out the first single "Be Good or Be Gone".




Fionn Regan Official Site

The North Atlantic :: "Bottom of This Town"

"Bottom of This Town" is from The North Atlantic's Wire in the Walls CD which is out now. Funny how one line in a song can mean many things to a listener.

The North Atlantic Official Site

Reader Discovery :: Nicole Atkins and the Sea :: "Neptune City"

Thanks to Jodie from New York for letting me know about artist Nicole Atkins. I've been listening to her on MySpace and I'm loving her. Reminds me a bit of Debbie Harry. She hails from Neptune City which is just a stones throw from Springsteen's Asbury Park in New Jersey. Her debut cd is named after her hometown. She's been called the female Roy Orbison and you can certainly hear that wavering Orbison quality in her voice.

"Neptune City is just this old place," Nicole says. "There was this glory time, way back when, that I never experienced, but that you cannot escape if you live there. Everyone talks about. They almost yearn for it, but I never experienced it. So maybe this album is my attempt to build something new on top of all that."

"Neptune City" is the first single and video single.




Nicole Atkins and the Sea Official Site

Jason Isbell :: "Dress Blues"

Former Drive-By Truckers singer-guitarist Jason Isbell's debut Sirens of the Ditch is an impressive collections of songs and a bit of a detour from the Southern Jam-Rock of the Truckers. Check out this rock-waltz from Sirens titled "Dress Blues".




Jason Isbell MySpace

A Note From MMB

The whole point of Mister Music Blog is to give recognition to lesser known musical artists that deserve a stage and a spotlight. I search daily to find deserving artists, but some days it just ain't happenin'. It's a tug-of-war situation. I'd love to update MMB everyday or multiple times per day because that would mean I'm finding phenomenal artists right and left AND I'd be increasing traffic and hits to the site. However, I refuse to blog in support of any artist I don't really feel is deserving or up to par with the other featured artists to this point. And I'm not going to blog an artist just to get my numbers up.

So, there may be days at a stretch when MMB is not updated, but don't think I'm not out there searching the ethos for an artist you need to hear if the site sits idle for a while. MMB needs to be the place you come to hear the next big thing...not just the next thing. Bottom line is I love music and want to share what I like with everyone else who loves music. Some days, I discover exceptional, worthy artists...other days, not so much. But keep checking back, and eventually we'll both hear something we like.

And by all means, if you hear something new that talks to you and you think I'll like it, drop me a line and a link and let me know.

Peace Out,

Jay (AKA Mister Music Blog)

Pela :: "Cavalry"

This is the second time we've featured Pela in the past month. Cavalry is a great song to get you in the mood to kick Monday's ass.

Pela MySpace Page

Mr. J.Medeiros :: "Constance"

Not MMB's usual fare, but we give exposure to songs that have something to say or make you feel something. This one does both.




Mr. J. Medeiros MySpace

Song(s) of the Day :: Regina Spektor :: "On The Radio" and "Samson"

Damn. MMB loves these two songs, loves the videos, loves Regina, loves her cd Begin to Hope. Excellent. A whole lotta damn love going on. It's a MMB Love Fest duo to kick off August.

On The Radio

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Regina Spektor - Samson

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Regina Spektor MySpace

6 Pack :: Songs You Should Have Heard By Now

These aren't new songs....just some of my favorites from the past couple of years...that you should have heard by now.

Rilo Kiley :: "Portions for Foxes"



The Dresden Dolls :: "Coin-Operated Boy"



Calexico / Iron and Wine :: "He Lays in the Reins"



Frou Frou :: "Let Go" (From Garden State Soundtrack - Official)



BONUS TRACK :: California Golden Overtones, U.C. Berkeley's Only All-Female A Capella Group performing their version of "Let Go"...posted because it's very impressive.


See more videos by the California Golden Overtones


Tom Rush :: "Child's Song"



Ani DiFranco :: "Hynotized"

The Snake The Cross The Crown :: Cotton Teeth CD

Cotton Teeth is the new cd by grassroots folk-rock band The Snake The Cross The Crown. Imagine if Iron & Wine and Matt Pond PA had an illegitimate bastard band-child. They even have beards. Cotton Teeth is one of the best overall discs I've listened to this year. Check out this hodge-podge of a video that sums up what they're all about.

Check out this video: The Snake The Cross The Crown



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The Snake The Cross The Crown MySpace

The Snake The Cross The Crown Official Site

Bat For Lashes :: "What's A Girl To Do?" and "Prescilla"

MMB decided to wave its freak flag this weekend. Enjoy the haunting video and track "What's a Girl To Do?" by Bat for Lashes. She's currently touring North America in support of her debut release Fur and Gold. Then check out her even trippier clip for "Prescilla".

Bat For Lashes MySpace

Bat For Lashes Official Site

Grinderman :: "No Pussy Blues"

Just in time for the weekend. I'm sure Grinderman, Nick Cave's newest project, speaks for a lot of readers with this song...especially from Friday to Monday. In the words of Dane Cook, this song makes me want to punch a baby.




Grinderman MySpace

Grinderman Official Site

The Cat Empire :: "Sly" and "The Car Song"

Happy Friday. Enjoy some Cat Empire as you kiss off yet another week of your life.







The Cat Empire Official Site

The Cat Empire MySpace

Pink & Noseworthy :: "Please Forgive Me"

The greatest thing about doing a blog like this is obviously discovering new artists and new songs to love, however every now and then MMB finds a new artist or band that stands out even more than the artists you've discovered before. That's the case with Pink & Noseworthy. I've been listening to their MySpace songs for a while and am totally hooked. Here's the only video I could find for them, but trust me, EVERY song I've heard by them is incredible. Especially "Balls" :). Enjoy...something tells me Pink & Noseworthy might be featured again...and again...and again.

Check out this video: P&N Forgive Me- Music Video

Pink & Noseworthy Official Page

Pink & Noseworthy MySpace

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KT Tunstall :: "Hold On"

MMB usually shies away from exposing the over-exposed, but the new single, "Hold On" by KT Tunstall is too good to not give it a little love and attention. Go ahead, just try and not move some part of your body...we dare you.




KT Tunstall MySpace

Minnie Driver :: "Beloved"

Yeah, her. I was always on the fence regarding her acting abilities but she won me over with her performance on the FX series The Riches and now on her 2nd cd release Sea Stories, she's winning me over regarding her singing abilities. Listening to the lazy simplicity of the first single "Beloved", I'm tempted to believe she's more than a wanna-be-singer actor. Strangely, I'm liking most of the songs on Sea Stories. Hmmm.

Minnie Driver Belo...

Minnie Drive MySpace Page

Song of the Day :: The Avett Brothers :: "The Ballad of Love and Hate"

Sometimes, you listen to a song at the right time and this one by the Avett Brothers struck me as one of the most thought provoking single I've heard in a while.

Ballad of Love and...

The Avett Brothers MySpace Page

Tiger Army :: "As the Cold Rain Falls"

Is it the 80's again already? Nope, this is a new song by Tiger Army. I wonder if their heroes include The Smiths and The Cure?




Tiger Army MySpace

Plain White T's :: "Let Me Take You There"

Future hit alert.



Plain White T's MySpace

Zeph and Azeem :: "Everything's Different"

Another odd track for me to like, but again found myself enjoying this one quite a bit in traffic. I think I might be repressing road rage through music therapy. DJ Zeph and Azeem's Rise Up disc is an eclectic take on hip hop and a refreshing escape from what you'd expect from the genre.

Everything's Diffe...

DJ Zeph and Azeem's MySpace Page

Pela :: "Tenement Teeth"

Lately, I've been listening to alot of slow or quiet indie songs, so it was nice to finally hear an upbeat song I felt worthing of the blog. Actually, I've liked most everything I've listened to by Pela, but this is definitely my favorite driving song in a while. Makes you just want to run everyone over.

Pela Tenement Teet...

Pela MySpace Page

Pela Official Site

Guilty Pleasure :: Summer Dancing

So You Think You Can Dance on FOX is officially MMB's guilty pleasure of the summer. MMB is usually neutral on all things dance, but this show's dance routines tell better stories than any scripted show on tv. By utilizing great music with innovative, never-seen-before choreography, the dancers manage to evoke unexpected emotion each week. Here are two of MMB's favorite routines from this week's episode...along with the official video for One Republic's "Apologize".


Lauren and Neil dancing to One Republic's "Apologize"





Danny and Anya dancing to Roisin Murphy's "Night of the Dancing Flame"






One Republic :: "Apologize"




One Republic Official Site

One Republic MySpace Page

Roisin Murphy Official Site

Roisin Murphy MySpace Page