Mike's Daily Song

Taking Down This Blog

2009-08-18T07:37:00.002-06:00

I want to thank you all for reading this blog over the past couple of years, but I have decided to take it down as of today...well, actually, I will leave it up with all the archives, but I'm going to start a new blog in its place, one geared toward my favorite albums of all-time as opposed to about random songs. Thanks again and stay tuned!

Countrymen

2009-08-17T06:02:00.002-06:00

Song: "Countrymen"
Artist: The Sheila Divine
Album: Where Have My Countrymen Gone

I'm not sure if this band is still together, but back in the early part of this decade I was turned on to them and couldn't top listening to their albums. New Parade is still my favorite record of theirs, but this one is pretty good too.

Damn Yankees

2009-08-14T05:07:00.003-06:00

Song: "High Enough"
Artist: Damn Yankees
Album: Damn Yankees

I love this song...it has such a retro feel and why shouldn't it? Guys like Ted Nugent and Night Ranger's Jack Blades and Styx's Tommy Shaw formed the supergroup. And it mirrors my feeling right now on how bitter I am that the New York Yankees are awesome this year and my Mets just suck.

Raining in Baltimore

2009-08-13T10:35:00.002-06:00

Song: "Raining in Baltimore"
Artist: Counting Crows
Album: August and Everything After

This debut album from Counting Crows is still ultimately my favorite of theirs...it's so powerful and chill at the same time, especially this amazing song.

Daughtry

2009-08-12T07:18:00.002-06:00

Song: "No Suprise"
Artist: Daughtry
Album: Leave This Town

I'm reviewing the latest Daughtry album for Bullz-Eye.com and while this stuff is processed, over-produced, made for album rock radio, the songs are just really good.

Harmonium

2009-08-11T07:25:00.002-06:00

Song: "Harmonium"
Artist: Rogue Wave
Album: Asleep at Heaven's Gate

I love this band, especially their last two albums...ever since seeing them at SXSW like three years ago. If you like brooding alt-rock, check out Rogue Wave immediately.

Sunburn

2009-08-10T06:51:00.002-06:00

Song: "Sunburn"
Artist: Fuel
Album: Sunburn

When rock band Fuel burst onto the scene about 10 or 11 years ago, they were very cool and alternative, while maintaining very heavy songwriting roots. Later on, their success bred record company and producer slickness, which was good for them and their wallets, but not great for fans...it's just that this first album is so raw and awesome, and while I dig the second album a bit too, I kind of lost interest in Fuel after that.

Basia

2009-08-07T06:33:00.003-06:00

Song: "Promises"
Artist: Basia
Album: Time and Tide

My brother turned me on to this jazz/pop singer about 20 years ago....yikes, has it really been that long? Yes, it has. Anyway, I don't know if she is still making music, but this stuff is timeless and great for Sunday morning or any time to just chill to.

Keri Noble

2009-08-06T07:12:00.002-06:00

Song: "Leave Me in the Dark"
Artist: Keri Noble
Album: Leave Me In the Dark

I did some tour press for this awesome singer/songwriter last year, and this is one of my favorite tracks of hers...an amazing piano/vocal song.

Gabe Dixon

2009-08-05T07:29:00.002-06:00

Song: "Disappear"
Artist: The Gabe Dixon Band
Album: The Gabe Dixon Band

This is one of my favorite albums from last year, and I remember first putting it in the CD player and having that "holy crap" feeling like I just discovered greatness. The first two songs on this album are particularly amazing. It's just pure, simple, yet powerful piano-driven pop/rock.

Hold On

2009-08-04T07:40:00.002-06:00

Song: "Hold On"
Artist: Santana
Album: The Essential Santana

I loved this song when it came out, but it took a few years for it to show up on iTunes. When it did, I grabbed it. Killer song, and even more killer guitar work, as you might suspect from this living legend.

Marwa Blues

2009-08-03T06:36:00.002-06:00

Song: "Marwa Blues"
Artist: George Harrison
Album: Let It Roll

I recently reviewed a retrospective album by the great George Harrison, and in addition to many forgetting what a great songwriter he was, many also might forget what an incredible guitar player he was too. This song proves the latter, big-time. Check it out if you haven't heard it yet.

Diane Birch

2009-07-31T06:52:00.001-06:00

Song: "Don't Wait Up"
Artist: Diane Birch
Album: Bible Belt

I don't know where this artist came from, but she is awesome....combining elements of pop, soul and rock, and even a little Gospel, her debut album is just stunning.

Dream Weaver

2009-07-30T07:51:00.002-06:00

Song: "Dream Weaver"
Artist: Gary Wright
Album: The Dream Weaver

This '70's classic is one of my favorite songs of all-time...I don't think I could ever tire of it, because I haven't yet 30-something years later.

Is is a Crime

2009-07-29T06:40:00.002-06:00

Song: "Is it a Crime"
Artist: Sade
Album: Promise

Sade's music is soothing, as soothing as anything you'll listen to, but I wasn't hip to this track until I saw her in concert.

God of Wine

2009-07-28T05:43:00.001-06:00

Song: "God of Wine"
Artist: Third Eye Blind
Album: Third Eye Blind

I love this album, the debut from rock band Third Eye Blind, but the last four songs on it are particularly awesome. They are dark and somber but strangely pull you in.

Buffalo Springfield

2009-07-27T07:25:00.003-06:00

Song: "Rock and Roll Woman"
Artist: Buffalo Springfield
Album: Buffalo Springfield Again

I represent the band Poco as their publicist, and they were one of the bands that was an offshoot of Buffalo Springfield. This song has incredible harmonies and some really great guitar work.

Angie Aparo

2009-07-24T05:14:00.003-06:00

Song: "She's Alright By Me"
Artist: Angie Aparo
Album: For Stars and Moon

Angie is not a woman, he's a dude.....and he has a monster voice. This is one of my favorite tracks of his, and I'd love to find out what he's up to these days...Angie, you out there?

Sponge

2009-07-23T06:36:00.002-06:00

Song: "My Lackluster Love"
Artist: Sponge
Album: New Pop Sunday

I played the crap out of this album when it came out, some time around 1998 or 1999....it's guitar-driven, brooding alternative rock with melodies that somehow stick in your head for days.

In My House

2009-07-22T07:24:00.002-06:00

Song: "In My House"
Artist: Mary Jane Girls
Album: 20th Century Masters

If you know my taste in music, you'd know that this registers as more of a guilty pleasure. It's a dance/pop song from the mid '80's, but for some reason I just find it infectious as hell. And it brings me back to that summer of 1985.

Secret Smile

2009-07-21T07:21:00.003-06:00

Song: "Secret Smile"
Artist: Semisonic
Album: Feeling Strangely Fine

Everyone knows the song "Closing Time," but this Semisonic album is just full of great songs. I'm not a huge fan of their other releases, but this one is just killer.

Kim Richey

2009-07-20T09:28:00.002-06:00

Song: "Come Around"
Artist: Kim Richey
Album: Glimmer

I've been a fan of Kim Richey for about ten years now, and her music is very melodic and yet smooth and soulful. And this, in my opinion, is her best album.

Coffee

2009-07-17T05:48:00.003-06:00

Song: "Coffee"
Artist: Paige Aufhammer
Album: Paige Aufhammer

This is a great song and appropriate for right now as I am on my second cup of coffee trying to wake up!

Blue Epic

2009-07-16T06:50:00.003-06:00

Song: "Love and Hate"
Artist: Blue Epic
Album: Love and Hate EP

This rock band didn't have much of a shelf life, at least as far as I know. This EP came out maybe 7 or 8 years ago with some killer songs like this one, but I'm not sure what happened after that. Does anyone know?

Hello It's Me

2009-07-15T06:34:00.002-06:00

Song: "Hello It's Me"
Artist: Todd Rundgren
Album: Sensational 70's

I am old enough to remember when this was a radio hit in the early '70's, and it's still a timeless, melodic classic today. What is it about Todd Rundgren's way of weaving prog rock into pop that is just so awesome and unique?

Soul Food To Go

2009-07-14T06:02:00.003-06:00

Song: "Soul Food To Go"
Artist: Manhattan Transfer
Album: The Very Best Of

I'm working on a top 10 list of the best songs to cook to, and this one is going to be near the top of it. Great, happy and uplifting song, and the theme is perfect.

Jon Secada

2009-07-13T09:04:00.002-06:00

Song: "Just Another Day"
Artist: Jon Secada
Album: Jon Secada

This may classify as a guilty pleasure, since it's one of those semi-cheesy lite rock type staples, but I love this dude's voice and this song is just catchy as hell.

Achin' To Be

2009-07-09T06:29:00.002-06:00

Song: "Achin' To Be"
Artist: The Replacements
Album: Don't Tell a Soul

This album is maybe in my top 10 of all-time, and this single just touches the surface of Paul Westerberg's brilliance.

I Don't Want To Hear Anymore

2009-07-08T06:05:00.002-06:00

Song: "I Don't Want To Hear Anymore"
Artist: The Eagles
Album: Long Road Out of Eden

I also don't want to see anymore, and I'm referring to my New York Mets, who are sinking to new depths of suck each day. Sure, they have lots of players on the DL, but they look like the Bad News Bears out there. Ugh. Anyway, this song is a good theme for how I feel about the team right now, because the manager and GM keep saying blah blah blah, our players our hurt, blah blah blah.

This Fine Social Scene

2009-07-07T07:36:00.003-06:00

Song: "This Fine Social Scene"
Artist: Zero 7
Album: The Garden

My brother-in-law turned me on to this awesome group, and while it's not typical of my musical taste, their electro-pop is just mesmerizing. The best news is that they have a new album coming out soon.

Kris Allen

2009-07-06T08:09:00.003-06:00

Song: "Ain't No Sunshine"
Artist: Kris Allen
Album: Ain't No Sunshine (American Idol Studio Version)

I'm proud to say I pegged Kris Allen as the one who should win "American Idol" this past season and he did win. The kid had likeable charm and great vocal skills without being over the top a la Adam Lambert, and he was not the one-trick pony Danny Gokey was. Anyway, this version of the great Bill Withers classic was pretty much what won the competition for Kris.

Trouble Sleeping

2009-07-02T09:15:00.003-06:00

Song: "Trouble Sleeping"
Artist: The Persihers
Album: Music from the O.C. Vol. 2

I loved all the music from the O.C. even though I never watched a single episode of the show. Music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas has an amazing knack for finding great musical talent.

Don't Bother Me

2009-07-01T08:06:00.003-06:00

Song: "Don't Bother Me"
Artist: The Blakes
Album: The Blakes

I have a lot of work to do today, so this is a good theme song. I love this rock band too...they remind me a lot of The Plimsouls.

Mark Selby

2009-06-30T06:16:00.002-06:00

Song: "If the World Was Mine"
Artist: Mark Selby
Album: Dirt

This guy is a hit songwriter in Nashville but this solo album he released is just awesome...not just the songs but his smoky, countrified-but-not-too-countrified vocal.

Day After Day

2009-06-29T07:18:00.002-06:00

Song: "Day After Day"
Artist: Badfinger
Album: Choice Rock Cuts: Badfinger

This is one of those classic '70's melodic pop/rock songs that I never get sick of. But just what is a Badfinger, anyway?

Never Can Say Goodbye

2009-06-26T06:05:00.002-06:00

Song: "Never Can Say Goodbye"
Artist: Jackson 5
Album: Jackson 5: The Ultimate Collection

But I guess we do have to say goodbye to Michael Jackson, RIP. This was one of the first songs by his boy pop group that I loved, and later I was one of the 25 million who bought the Thriller album. Long live the king of pop.

Can't Get It Out of My Head

2009-06-25T06:27:00.002-06:00

Song: "Can't Get it Out of My Head"
Artist: Jody Raffoul
Album: Like a Star

I grew up with 70's pop, and loved ELO (Electric Light Orchestra). Here, Canadian artist Jody Raffoul does an awesome cover of this hit song. But Raffoul can write great songs too, and there are lots of good ones on this record.

With a Little Luck

2009-06-24T06:56:00.002-06:00

Song: "With a Little Luck"
Artist: Wings
Album: London Town

As a kid, I pretty much worshipped Paul McCartney and Elton John. I went on to worship Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, but my roots in musical taste were of the melodic pop variety. So I had this album by Wings when it came out and played the crap out of it.

Eric Darius

2009-06-23T06:52:00.002-06:00

Song: "Lover's Paradise"
Artist: Eric Darius
Album: Just Getting Started

Eric Darius is a young, extremely talented sax player, and I reviewed his album a few years back. This is great Sunday morning music.

Teach Thy Children the Classics

2009-06-22T06:08:00.003-06:00

Song: "Let's Stay Together"
Artist: Al Green
Album: Al Green: Greatest Hits

My wife and I decided that we were getting sick of playing Sesame Street, Teletubbies, and Handy Manny stuff for our almost-two-year-old son, and so we put together two CDs of classic music that he should start learning about....one of the first tracks is this timeless beauty by Al Green....one of my favorite songs of all-time.

While You See a Chance

2009-06-19T06:19:00.002-06:00

Song: "While You See a Chance"
Artist: Steve Winwood
Album: Arc of a Diver

This song reminds me of graduating high school, in (yikes) 1981. This song was popular on the radio at the time, and its familiar keyboard riffs and cheesy drum beats bring back memories.

Broadripple

2009-06-18T07:37:00.002-06:00

Song: "Broadripple Is Burning"
Artist: Margot & The Nuclear So and So's
Album: Not Animal

This is a really cool band but I liked their debut album much more than the more recent one. It's brooding, melodic alt-rock at its finest.

Zero 7

2009-06-17T07:06:00.002-06:00

Song: "Home"
Artist: Zero 7
Album: When it Falls

My brother-in-law turned me on to this trippy, lo-fi, pseudo-electronic act.....their songs are just mesmerizing...and while they have a new album coming out soon, I have lots of their earlier material in my database of songs.

Chickenfoot

2009-06-16T06:34:00.003-06:00

Song: "Oh Yeah"
Artist: Chickenfoot
Album: Chickenfoot

What could suck about a Sammy Hagar-fronted band? Add in former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, guitarist Joe Satriani and drummer Chad Smith from Red Hot Chili Peppers. This one just came out, and I can't stop listening to it....great summer rock!

Four in the Morning

2009-06-15T06:09:00.002-06:00

Song: "Four in the Morning"
Artist: Night Ranger
Album: 20th Century Masters: The Millenium Collection

I remember two decades ago when I had a one-hour car commute to work and would listen to cassette tapes of my favorite bands. This was one of them and one of my favorite songs from that summer.

Marvelous 3

2009-06-12T06:57:00.002-06:00

Song: "Until You See"
Artist: Marvelous 3
Album: Hey! Album

Before the brilliant Butch Walker had a solo career and a great career as a producer and songwriter, he fronted this band Marvelous 3. This was an amazing rock band, that, had they come around 10 or 20 years earlier, would have been as big as Aerosmith...I am convinced of it.

Amanda

2009-06-11T06:47:00.001-06:00

Song: "Amanda"
Artist: Boston
Album: Third Stage

It was 8 years between albums for Boston, but their 1986 release was pretty damn good, and while many folks would consider this single as cheesy, it was catchy as hell and still generates airplay on classic rock stations.

O Girlfriend

2009-06-10T06:42:00.002-06:00

Song: "O Girlfriend"
Artist: Weezer
Album: Green Album

There is something about Weezer's green album that sucks you in....aside from the two singles, "Hash Pipe" and "Island in the Sun," this album has a bunch of ultra-catchy pop tunes that may sound alike, but will suck you in nonetheless.

We Just Disagree

2009-06-09T05:54:00.002-06:00

Song: "We Just Disagree"
Artist: Dave Mason
Album: Let It Flow

I remember when this song came out from former Traffic member Dave Mason, and the harmonies were just magical. They still are magical today, 30 or so years later. And dude is still making music today.

Way Away

2009-06-08T07:33:00.003-06:00

Song: "Way Away"
Artist: Yellowcard
Album: Ocean Avenue

This Florida rock band does pop/rock that is absolutely blistering, the kind of music that is great for working out to, or driving really fast with the windows rolled down.

In the Summertime

2009-06-05T05:22:00.002-06:00

Song: "In the Summertime"
Artist: Mungo Jerry
Album: Barry Williams Presents '70's Music Explosion

Yeah, this song is pretty cheesy, but dammit if it doesn't bring me back to the '70's and summers when nothing mattered but playing wiffle ball in the driveway and eating ice cream.

Let it Rain

2009-06-04T06:31:00.002-06:00

Song: "Let It Rain"
Artist: Amanda Marshall
Album: Amanda Marshall

This Canadian artist could really wail.....does anyone know what she's up to these days? This album came out in the mid '90's and I listened to it like a million times.

Wanna Be

2009-06-03T06:37:00.002-06:00

Song: "Wanna Be"
Artist: Nine Days
Album: The Madding Crowd

This band kind of came and went after their big hit, "Story of a Girl," from this debut album. For my money though, this is the best track on the album, and I'll go as far as to say it's one of my favorite songs ever. Slow, pulsing, and brimming with emotion, it's positively gut-wrenching and has a haunting melody.

Life in a Northern Town

2009-06-02T06:39:00.002-06:00

Song: "Life in a Northern Town"
Artist: The Dream Academy
Album: The Dream Academy

Some songs are just soundtrack bits to our lives, and this one was one of those songs for me in the mid '80's. Listening to WLIR on Long Island, I was falling in love with all of the great "new" music that was coming from the UK and everywhere else.

Matchbox Twenty

2009-06-01T05:57:00.003-06:00

Song: "Unwell"
Artist: Matchbox Twenty
Album: More Than You Think You Are

It's funny how critics like to bust on bands like this who write sugary pop hits while the artist laughs all the way to the bank. Matchbox has never been a cutting edge or critic's darling type band, and I am willing to bet they don't care one bit. Good for them.

Just One Victory

2009-05-29T06:20:00.002-06:00

Song: "Just One Victory"
Artist: Todd Rundgren
Album: The Very Best of Todd Rundgren

I lived in Cleveland for over 10 years and became enrapt in their sports culture....which has a history of hard luck. So I'm pulling like crazy for the NBA's Cavaliers to keep playing, and advance to the NBA Finals. Last night they needed one victory and got huge assist from superstar LeBron James, so this song is appropriate today...and also for tomorrow, when they will need just one victory again to force a Game 7. Go Cavs!

Particle

2009-05-28T05:45:00.002-06:00

Song: "Particle"
Artist: Better Than Ezra
Album: How Does Your Garden Grow?

This is one of my favorite albums of all-time. I'd go so far as to say it's in my Top 10 and one of the few I'd want on a desert island with me. I love everything this band does, but nothing equals this entire album, at least to my ears.

Don't Hold Back Your Love

2009-05-27T07:38:00.003-06:00

Song: "Don't Hold Back Your Love"
Artist: Hall & Oates
Album: The Essential Daryl Hall & John Oates

This is one of the lesser known "hits" for Hall & Oates but one of my favorites. I believe it came out around 1990 or 1991. Go check it out!

Hideaway

2009-05-26T05:34:00.001-06:00

Song: "Hideaway"
Artist: Fuel
Album: Sunburn

This first Fuel album is so great, mainly because it's before the big money radio, record and producer types got a hold of them. It's full of pure, emotive, dark, heavy, and awesome songs like this one.

Love Will Find a Way

2009-05-22T07:01:00.002-06:00

Song: "Love Will Find a Way"
Artist: Pablo Cruise
Album: '70's Rock Greatest Hits

Okay, it's a guilty pleasure.....a song that takes me back to my childhood, when awesome melodies ruled the airwaves.

Listen

2009-05-21T07:05:00.001-06:00

Song: "Listen"
Artist: Toad the Wet Sprocket
Album: Dulcinea

Ah, Dulcinea and Coil are my two favorite Toad the Wet Sprocket albums, and two albums in my own collection that I absolutely never tire of.

Past in Present

2009-05-20T06:59:00.002-06:00

Song: "Past in Present"
Artist: Feist
Album: The Reminder

Every time I hear Feist's music, I'm reminded (no pun intended) of how awesome she is. If you haven't heard her or heard of her, do yourself a favor and remedy that.

Who Could Care Less?

2009-05-19T06:04:00.003-06:00

Song: "Battle of Who Could Care Less"
Artist: Ben Folds Five
Album: Whatever & Ever Amen

It was funny at the time that Ben Folds called his band "Five" when in fact there was just him and two other dudes. But either way, this to me is his best album...there is not a bad song on it, and it's just chock full of brash, witty, and fun piano alt-pop.

Monday Morning Rock

2009-05-18T05:45:00.003-06:00

Song: "Monday Morning Rock"
Artist: Marshall Crenshaw
Album: Field Day

I was turned on to Marshall Crenshaw back in the mid to late '80's, and his simple pop/rock melodies and arrangements were and still are incredible to me. This song is appropriate for today since it's Monday.

305

2009-05-15T06:40:00.001-06:00

Song: "305"
Artist: The Southland
Album: Influence of Geography

Amazing, amazing alt-pop from Los Angeles. This album came out a few years back but I keep hoping the band will come out with something new.

China Crisis

2009-05-14T06:22:00.002-06:00

Song: "Bigger the Punch I'm Feeling"
Artist: China Crisis
Album: Flaunt The Imperfection

I loved this album by this band.....it's poppy and jangly and full of super cool melodies, and the singer has a really unique voice.

UFO

2009-05-13T06:54:00.001-06:00

Song: "Cherry"
Artist: UFO
Album: Obsession

A few tracks from my favorite UFO album, Obsession, are finally available on iTunes, including this melodic rocker. These guys never got the recognition they deserved.

Hold On

2009-05-12T05:44:00.002-06:00

Song: "Hold On"
Artist: Santana
Album: The Essential Santana

This is one of my favorite Santana songs of all-time, and it was the start of what you might call Carlos' pop era, but before he started having stars like Rob Thomas sing his songs. Great guitar work too, as always.

1000 Julys

2009-05-11T06:06:00.002-06:00

Song: "1000 Julys"
Artist: Third Eye Blind
Album: Blue

Back when Third Eye Blind was just starting out, they were hip and somewhat ahead of their time. Now they've kind of melded into more of the melodic alt-pop that has ruled AAA radio for years. But I still love their debut, and to a lesser extent, this second effort.

Boston

2009-05-08T06:16:00.003-06:00

Song: "A Man I'll Never Be"
Artist: Boston
Album: Don't Look Back

I saw Boston on their Don't Look Back tour, and I remember when they did this song with Brad Delp (RIP) on piano...it was just so powerful live, and while they could never recapture the magic of this song live in the studio, it's still awesome.

Catapult

2009-05-07T06:48:00.003-06:00

Song: "Catapult"
Artist: Counting Crows
Album: Recovering The Satellites

This is easily my favorite Counting Crows album, and while this song wasn't a hit per se, it's one of the best album cuts.

Anticipation

2009-05-06T08:19:00.002-06:00

Song: "Anticipation"
Artist: Carly Simon
Album: Carly Simon: Clouds in My Coffee

There is something incredibly comforting to me about Carly Simon's '70's hits....I mean, let's face it, she doesn't have the best voice in pop history, but those songs are timeless and amazing.

Green

2009-05-05T07:00:00.001-06:00

Song: "Green"
Artist: ViV
Album: Flawed

I had the pleasure of working with this amazing indie pop band a few years back, and sadly they are no longer making music as a unit. But grab this album or some of the songs if you can....it's chock full of some of the catchiest pop/rock you'll ever hear.

Under Your Charms

2009-05-04T07:30:00.002-06:00

Song: "Under Your Charms"
Artist: Josh Rouse
Album: 1972

This is one of my favorite albums ever.....if you dig '70's pop, you owe it to yourself to check out Josh Rouse's (released in I believe 2003) album, 1972. The sounds and melodies are breezy and smooth like music from one of the greatest music decades.

Red Elvises

2009-05-01T05:53:00.003-06:00

Song: "Rocketman"
Artist: Red Elvises
Album: I Wanna See You Bellydance

I'm sure I've written about this band before, but it's worth writing again....back in the late '90's, my band had the chance to play a few shows with them, and they were so much fun and had incredibly energetic and hilarious material. It was also catchy as hell...kind of Russian accented surf rock. And the best part? When one of them said, "We are Red Elvises....the more you drink, the better we sound." Awesome.

Le Concorde

2009-04-30T06:45:00.002-06:00

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

2009-04-29T07:52:00.003-06:00

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

2009-04-28T07:05:00.003-06:00

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

2009-04-27T06:52:00.002-06:00

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

2009-04-24T06:42:00.002-06:00

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

2009-04-23T08:14:00.003-06:00

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

2009-04-22T09:49:00.002-06:00

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

2009-04-21T06:12:00.002-06:00

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

2009-04-20T06:54:00.002-06:00

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

2009-04-17T07:02:00.003-06:00

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

2009-04-16T07:14:00.001-06:00

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

2009-04-15T07:57:00.002-06:00

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

2009-04-14T05:50:00.002-06:00

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

2009-04-13T06:36:00.002-06:00

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

2009-04-10T06:30:00.003-06:00

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

2009-04-09T06:54:00.002-06:00

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

2009-04-08T08:17:00.002-06:00

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

2009-04-07T07:13:00.001-06:00

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

2009-04-06T07:06:00.002-06:00

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

2009-04-03T06:49:00.002-06:00

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

2009-04-02T07:42:00.001-06:00

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

2009-04-01T08:33:00.003-06:00

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.

Classic Case

2009-03-31T06:46:00.002-06:00

Song: "Sub Rosa"
Artist: Classic Case
Album: Dress To Depress

This is one of those "album rock" bands that the modern rock genre sort of morphed into over the last several years. But for whatever reason, this band's music remains in my iTunes because it's really good....melodic yet heavy, and just plain good.

I Am a Rock

2009-03-30T07:36:00.002-06:00

Song: "I Am a Rock"
Artist: Simon & Garfunkel
Album: The Essential Simon & Garfunkel

These guys were/are one of the most dynamic duos in pop music history. The melodies, lyrics and arrangements are timeless.

Digby

2009-03-27T07:58:00.002-06:00

Song: "Too Late"
Artist: Digby
Album: Falling Up

This is one of those under the radar rock bands that just writes infectious-as-hell pop/rock stuff. I'm not sure what they are currently up to, but this album is full of really cool songs.