Sponge

Song: "Live Here Without You"
Artist: Sponge
Album: New Pop Sunday


Some albums remind me of the year they were released, or in which I became hip to them...in this case, it was 1999 when I discovered this incredible album by Sponge, which a lot of you have probably, unfortunately, never heard. But go check them out!

Sarah M

Song: "Black and White"
Artist: Sarah McLachlan
Album: Surfacing

Many of you guys may make fun of me for having Sarah Mac on my iTunes, or for calling her Sarah Mac. But let me tell you....this album is one of my all-time faves by any artist, period. It's not all girly, but rather brooding and dark and melodic all the way around.

Rosie's Lullaby

Song: "Rosie's Lullaby"
Artist: Norah Jones
Album: Not Too Late

Sometimes I come across songs in my iTunes that I didn't know were there....this is one of them. I just love Norah's velvety voice...this is easy listening for today's music fan for sure.

Foghat

Song: "Easy Money"
Artist: Foghat
Album: Stone Blue

This is one of those tracks that I bought because I was feeling nostalgic. Foghat was one of the first rock bands that I listened to as a teenager, when I started getting into heavier stuff.

Doobies

Song: "Another Park, Another Sunday"
Artist: Doobie Brothers
Album: Live at Wolf Trap

I know this song will lose any street cred I may have had, but that's okay. I have lots of classic rock in my iTunes because I grew up in the 70's and 80's. And the Doobie Brothers' music always makes me feel good.

BTE

Song: "Beautiful Mistake"
Artist: Better Than Ezra
Album: How Does Your Garden Grow? (iTunes)

I know I wrote about these guys last week, but I love this album so much it was worth another post. There are like 8 or 9 songs on this record that are just timeless and awesome.

Tristan Prettyman

Song: "Madly"
Artist: Tristan Prettyman
Album: n/a

I really dig singer/songwriter Tristan Prettyman, who is a not a man, but she sure is pretty. Check out her new single available as a free download on iTunes this week.

All My Friends

Song: "All My Friends"
Artist: Our Lady Peace
Album: Spiritual Machines

Canadian alt-rock band Our Lady Peace has been around for about fifteen years now, and though they have had bigger albums, this one ranks as my favorite. This song in particular is particularly creepy and beautiful at the same time.

Budapest

Song: "Look You In the Eye"
Artist: Budapest
Album: Too Blind To Hear

I'm not sure what happened this dude, another of those singer/songwriters that goes under a moniker such as Magnet. Anyway, this album came out around 2000 or 2001 and it's really good, brooding, alt-rock.

Breaking Laces

Song: "Plain Jane"
Artist: Breaking Laces
Album: Sohcahtoa

I heard about this band through a friend, and now I have the pleasure of representing them as their publicist. This is still my favorite song of theirs, though the Laces have released a couple more albums since then. Check them out, please!

So Far Away

Song: "So Far Away" (Buy this song on iTunes)
Artist: Carole King
Album: Tapestry

Carole King is simply one of the best songwriters of the last few decades, and this is her signature album. Like 35 years later, it still sounds just as good as it did then.

James

Song: "James"
Artist: Josh Rouse
Album: 1972

Josh Rouse is one of my favorite artists and this is probably my favorite of his albums. The album is aptly titled because every song has a retro '70's feel to it...really great stuff.

Better Than Ezra

Song: "At The Stars" (iTunes)
Artist: Better Than Ezra
Album: How Does Your Garden Grow?

I may have mentioned these guys before, but they are one of my all-time favorite bands. They've only released two albums in the current decade, and in my opinion this one, their third, was their best. There isn't a song on it I don't like, and this one really hits home for me.

Just Another

Song: "Just Another"
Artist: Pete Yorn
Album: Musicforthemorningafter

This Pete Yorn album is one of my favorite by any singer/songwriter, ever. It's kind of under the radar, even in my own collection, but I know it's there.

Norman Brown

Song: "Let's Take a Ride"
Artist: Norman Brown
Album: Stay With Me

There are a bunch of songs in my iTunes that are the smooth jazz, Wave Radio fare....and I love having stuff like this on here, especially to listen to on Sunday mornings. I'm not sure why, but it's just something I have to have.

Jason Spooner

Song: "The Flame You Follow"
Artist: Jason Spooner
Album: The Flame You Follow

This is hands down one of my favorite albums of 2008 so far. It's breezy, 70's inspired pop along the lines of Paul Simon, with maybe a modern day flavor ala Josh Rouse. Every song on the record is good, but this title track is really amazing.

Lisa Papineau

Song: "Saxophone/Calypso"
Artist: Lisa Papineau
Album: Lisa Papineau

The debut album from this artist just oozes cool....it's kind of electro, kind of alternative, kind of pop and kind of jazz. Lisa has a great voice, and some pretty amazing tunes. I think this is her debut album and the only one that I know of and it was released about two years ago. Check it out if you like that sort of thing.

The Shins

Song: "Australia" (Amazon)
Artist: The Shins
Album: Wincing The Night Away

There are some songs and albums that are instantly catchy, and then there are some by bands like The Shins. These songs age like a fine wine and, as a result, I never tire of them. It's one of those albums you look back on and appreciate the fact that it's bordering on brilliant.

Black Tide

Song: "Light From Above"
Artist: Black Tide
Album: Light From Above

My editor for Bullz-Eye.com told me I had to check these guys out, because they're teenagers and can SHRED. He was right...they are like a young Iron Maiden, and that's no exaggeration.
Check them out now if you're into that kind of thing...for me, it's what I grew up on...melodic, guitar-driven metal.

Rain

Song: "Rain"
Artist: Patty Griffin
Album: 1000 Kisses

After Flaming Red, which is one of my favorite albums of all-time, Patty Griffin went back to more of her acoustic roots on 1000 Kisses. And while it's not my favorite work of hers, this song is absolutely riveting. And it's perfect soundtrack-wise as we're expecting rain all day here in Nashville.

The Coal Men

Song: "Natural Wonder"
Artist: The Coal Men
Album: Beauty Is A Moment

I just started doing PR for this great Nashville band called The Coal Men...if you've never heard of them, do yourself a favor and become familiar with them now.....they have a rootsy, Ryan Adams-like rock vibe, and some amazing songs.

Glorious Day

Song: "Glorious Day"
Artist: Weezer
Album: Green Album

This is one of the few albums I can honestly listen to from beginning to end. There is not a clunker on it. And why not "Glorious Day," in honor of April Fool's Day? Happy April 1 to you all, no joke!