Le Concorde

Song: "People Mover"
Artist: Le Concorde
Album: Universe and Villa

I have some tracks in my iTunes that I don't remember how they got there. I think either I reviewed this album for Bullz-Eye.com a few years ago or just came across this band somewhere else. Either way, this is hip, super-melodic stuff.

Jeffrey Gaines

Song: "To Love Her Inside"
Artist: Jeffrey Gaines
Album: Galore

I had forgotten how awesome Jeffrey Gaines was, but had the chance to see him up close and personal at a house concert a few weeks ago. This guy is such a great songwriter and singer, and well worth checking out on iTunes, etc. I went and purchased a bunch of his songs afterward and his songs bring me back to the late '90's or so when I became a fan. Great stuff.

Sense Field

Song: "Here Right Here"
Artist: Sense Field
Album: Tonight and Forever

There are a ton of bands that come and go and only enjoy cup-of-coffee type success. Sense Field is one of those bands...I remember loving this stuff but that was like 10 years ago. I wonder what the guys are up to these days or if they are even still together. Leave a comment if you know!

Eric Johnson

Song: "Trademark"
Artist: Eric Johnson
Album: Ah Via Musicom

Everyone knows Eric Johnson's "Cliffs of Dover" instrumental, but this tune, also an instrumental track from his landmark Ah Via Musicom album almost 20 years ago, is subtly awesome as well. The dude can flat out shred.

I Am By Your Side

Song: "I Am By Your Side"
Artist: Corey Hart
Album: The Singles

This is a bit of a guilty pleasure, but I've always dug Canadian singer/songwriter Corey Hart's stuff, even beyond "Sunglasses at Night," and including this sappy but melodic track.

The Album Leaf

Song: "Shine"
Artist: The Album Leaf
Album: Into The Blue Again

This band does really mellow, moody, interesting music, but it's more than good background stuff. There is a hipster quality about them too.

Little Favours

Song: "Little Favours"
Artist: KT Tunstall
Album: Drastic Fantastic

KT Tunstall writes catchy melodic alt-pop, and while she came out of nowhere a couple of years ago, it's not like she decided to start making music overnight. Now she's a big star and deservedly so.

Eye Candy

Song: "Eye Candy"
Artist: Jill Cunniff
Album: City Beach

I love this album by former Luscious Jackson singer Jill Cunniff...she is from Brooklyn NY and for whatever reason this album has a NYC summer feel, probably exactly what Jill was going after when she wrote and recorded the songs. Great stuff, go check it out!

Midge Ure

Song: "If I Was"
Artist: Midge Ure
Album: The Very Best Of

This is one of those songs that reminds me of WLIR, the great radio station I grew up listening to in New York. Kind of a one-hit wonder, but that's okay with me.

99

Song: "99"
Artist: Toto
Album: The Essential Toto

Interesting that here is a band that likely got its name from the dog in the Wizard of Oz, but they were a progressive pop/rock band--meaning, amazing musicians playing pop songs that were doctored up according to their skill level. With good songs, this was a band that couldn't, and didn't, miss. I think they are all doing solo projects now, but I'll have to do some research on that.

Susanna Hoffs

Song: "Darling One"
Artist: Susanna Hoffs
Album: Susanna Hoffs

The loveable lead singer of The Bangles was one of my '80's crushes and this was her first solo album, coming out I believe in the late '90's. Susanna is button cute and so is her voice, but she's also a heck of a songwriter.

More on This World Fair

Song: "No Someone"
Artist: This World Fair
Album: This World Fair

If you like the alt-pop of bands like Augustana or Keane, you're going to love this new band. Easily one of my favorite albums of 2009 and maybe my top pick this year so far.

Miguel Migs

Song: "So Far"
Artist: Miguel Migs
Album: Those Things

I'm not typically a fan of boppy dance music, but there is something about this artist and this album that is incredibly infectious, and it puts me in a good mood...something I need after watching my Mets lose another game last night that they should have won...in the home opener for Citi Field no less!

Dinner Lady Arms

Song: "Dinner Lady Arms"
Artist: The Darkness
Album: One Way Ticket To Hell...and Back

What happened to this band? They were so hyped and rightly so a few years back, but their second album kind of flopped. Anyway, this song is from that second album and it's one of my favorite tracks of this fun British band.

What A Pity

Song: "What A Pity"
Artist: Under The Tree
Album: Your Perfect Life

When I lived in Cleveland and was doing the artist thing myself, this duo was playing some of the same venues I was, and the female singer, I think her name is Vicki, has a velvety, awesome voice. And their songs conveyed heartache and other emotions beautifully.

Only a Rehearsal

Song: "Only A Rehearsal"
Artist: Zack Hexum
Album: Open To Close

I had the privilege of working with this talented singer/songwriter a few years back, who is the younger brother of 311's Nick Hexum. Zack is still pretty young, and has the potential to be a household name if he keeps making great music.

Feet Don't Fail Me Now

Song: "Feet Don't Fail Me Now"
Artist: Utopia
Album: Anthology

I'm a big Todd Rundgren fan, at least a fan of his early stuff, and this is one of the best Utopia songs that is under the radar but quite awesome.

Play Ball

Song: "Play Ball"
Artist: The Mike Farley Band
Album: none

I haven't released this song yet, but maybe I should....it's the second day of baseball season so the second straight day I am pimping my own baseball related song! Here's to baseball season 2009!

This Game

Song: "This Game"
Artist: Mike Farley
Album: This Game

I would like to take this opportunity to pimp my own music, and since it's opening day across the country in baseball, this is the song I released last year as a single that I co-wrote with Jason Vigil and Zack Nichols. It's a song about steroids in baseball, but has a light catchy melody that even my very young son likes.

Give Me Love

Song: "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)"
Artist: George Harrison
Album: Living in the Material World

Most people think of John Lennon or Paul McCartney when they think of the Beatles, because those guys wrote most of the band's huge hits. But George Harrison was one heck of a songwriter himself, and some of his solo stuff borders on brilliant.

Man on the Corner

Song: "Man on the Corner"
Artist: Genesis
Album: Abacab

I loved Genesis before Phil Collins became a commercial superstar. This music is heartfelt and awesome and this is one of their best songs ever, and maybe one of the best songs in the history of rock music. Seriously.

Fools in Love

Song: "Fools In Love"
Artist: Joe Jackson
Album: Look Sharp!

Joe Jackson does not get the credit he deserves for being one of the most iconic and compelling songwriters in pop music. His first two albums, this one and I'm the Man, are full of some amazing songs that are interesting melodically and lyrically.