Matthew's Finest

This week I'm picking a song that has been ignored by we two. The Rural Alberta Advantage is a band from Toronto that formed back in 2005 and stayed entirely off of my radar until they released their new album, Hometowns, earlier this year.

The band has been very well received, even making onto a substantial number of top ten of 2008 lists, including a few from prominent US bloggers; no small feat for a Canadian band. The album itself keeps yielding song after song that becomes an invaluable addition to my music library. I can't confirm the quality of the entire CD, thanks to my sporadic and infrequent method of attaining music, but what I've heard is fantastic.

The song is called Frank, AB and it's one of those musical journeys that gets a tighter hold of you the more you listen to it. I consider it to be a very obvious choice for my last official recommendation of 2008.

The Rural Alberta Advantage - Frank, AB [mp3]

Best of 2008 Playlist

This morning's show happened to fall on the last day of the year, which is a perfect time to look back on 2008 and listen to some of the best. The following is a small sample of wonderful songs we played on Green Eggs and Ham that made this year two thousand GREAT!

All the linked songs are downloadable mp3's.

1st Hour
Shotgun Jimmie - Bedhead
Said The Whale - This Winter I Retire
Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele - Meet Me In The Garden
Human Highway - The Sound
The Elwins - Dear, Oh My
Man Man - Rabbit Habbits
Throw Me The Statue - Lolita
Plants and Animals - Feedback in the Fields
Blitzen Trapper - Furr
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson - Buriedfed

2nd Hour
Wolf Parade - Fine Young Cannibals
Boxer the Horse - Rock 'n Roll Band
The Format - Janet
Mystery Jets - Young Love
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Modern Mystery
The World Record - We're #1
Hexes & Ohs - H-h-highschool
Chad VanGaalen - City of Electric Light
Brazilian Girls - Good Time
Woodhands - I Wasn't Made For Fighting

Matthew's Finest

This week my song comes from Brooklyn by way of Oregon. Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson [myspace] is the name of the artist and the song is called Buriedfed.

The song itself is hard to pin down. It's slightly melancholic but it switches between being heartfelt and depressing to uplifting and having an ehr of triumph despite adversity. I don't usually go in for things that are uplifting, because it's too easy to appeal to a person's sense of self pity, but in this case I actually feel like conquering my demons. For a whole four minutes and fifty-one seconds I want to punch my childhood bullies in the face and do push-ups.

Miles' voice is so powerful that despite the relatively low level of instrumental involvement the song is very moving. It's a bit like the Star Wars trilogy; boring for a combined 4 hours, but then you find out that Vader is Luke's father and the whole thing becomes a rollercoaster ride of emotion and Ewok related hijinx.

It is exactly like the Star Wars trilogy because I like it a lot.

Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson - Buriedfed [mp3]

Also check out the video, which is of poor quality, but if you turn the brightness on your monitor up enough you can just make out the ghosts of people.

SotW for Dec. 17, 2008

I hate Sloan. I don't really know when my hatred for them became as intense as it is, but I hate the status they enjoy as "icons" of Canadian music. Their songs tend to be pretty damned boring, although singer Jay Ferguson's voice is pretty good, I must admit.

However, I really like Waterloo's Will Currie and the Country French whom I came across last year on the I Heart Music blog. Their piano-inspired tunes with Will Currie's songwriting made for a jolly good time. So imagine my surprise when the two acts collaborated on a song.

Push Pins was written by Will Currie who shares the vocals on the song with Jay Ferguson. They harmonize very well together and the song is a sugary pop gem. They recorded while touring together and Will Currie and the Country French have seen some good publicity as a result. In fact, the song is nominated for a Bucky Award. Let's hope they continue doing well.

Will Curry and the Country French & Sloan - Push Pins [mp3]

SotW for Dec. 10, 2008

Musical siblings rarely share the spotlight well. For example, there is no doubt as to which Jackson is more talented, Michael or Janet. Same goes for the Hanson brothers. Clearly Zac is the best mmmbopper of the bunch.

But when it comes to the Matthew and Jill Barber, it's hard to pick a favourite. The two Ontarians are both great singers and songwriters and successful on their own terms. However, given the choice, I will choose the big brother who once played the part of amateur radio host at Queens University's campus radio station. (It's like I can relate to him.)

From the 2008 album Ghost Notes, here's a short but interesting song by Matthew Barber. I especially like the piano opening.

Matthew Barber - I'm Gonna Settle My Accounts With You [mp3]

Matthew's Finest

This week I've chosen a song by Talking Heads frontman David Byrne. It's a collaboration with notable producer Brian Eno, a person/musician that I've always heard about, but never had any express knowledge of.

The song itself is more of the same from Byrne, in that it's awesome, it makes me feel like a child and it calms the monsters that resides in my soul. Byrne has a playful and whimsical style that reminds me what it's like to be free of all creative insecurity. Every interview that you see with the man makes you realize just how comfortable he is with himself and his music, even the ones where he's interviewing himself:

It also frees him up to do fun and crazy things like rigging up old industrial buildings to be played by a modified pump organ:

Most people will recognize his work with the Talking Heads, and i think this has more to do with his artistry than his skill as a musician. He'll be the first to admit that his voice isn't great, but that doesn't stop it from ringing true. It an affecting voice that works well with what he's trying to do.

The song is called Strange Overtones and in addition to the mp3 file, you can check out the video for it below.

David Byrne and Bryan Eno - Strange Overtones [mp3]

Playlist for Dec 10, 2008

1st Hour
Pearson - The Fool I Am
Neil Halstead - Paint A Face
Ox - Burnt Out
H-Burns - Horses With No Medals [mp3]

FemBots - Good Days

AC Newman - Submarines of Stockholm [mp3]

Josh Ritter - Mind's Eye

The Danks - I Mean, Come On

Andrew Bird - Oh No [pitchfork]
David Byrne and Brian Eno - Strange Overtones

Octoberman - Run From Safety

Martha Wainwright - You Cheated Me [mp3]

2nd Hour

Matthew Barber - I'm Gonna Settle My Accounts With You

Jill Barber - Oh My My [mp3]

Winter Gloves - Hillside

Joel Plaskett Emergency - Fashionable People [CBCR3]

Sondre Lerche - The Tape

Elliott Brood - Miss You Now [mp3]

Oh No! Oh My! - Be A Star

The Maynards - Spinny

The Lovely Killbots - Ghetto A

The Coathangers - Parking Lot

Ruby Jean and the Thoughful Bees - You Don't Miss Me [mp3]

Matthew's Finest

This week I'm bringing you a bold new talent in the world of indie recording. Dent May is a kitchey sort of artist that very much follows the DIY style of musicianship. His vocals imitate the crooners of old a little too well to take them seriously, but that doesn't mean that they don't work well. He sings with a sincerity and a feeling that comes across very well and actually distracts the listeners from his use of ukulele and synthesiser as his main instruments. 

His playful songs and obvious enthusiasm make it easy to see why he's quickly gaining in notoriety in music spheres. His song Meet Me In The Garden is a neat little love song that takes full advantage of his adorable songwriting and unique musical sensibilities.

Dent May and His Magnificent Ukulele - Meet Me In The Garden [mp3]

Also check out this charming video for his song, Oh, Paris!

SotW for Nov. 26, 2008

What are they putting in the water in Athens, Georgia? How come so much good music comes out of that part of the States?

Well, Modern Skirts are a four-piece from that magical place in the state of Georgia. Their album All Of Us In Our Night doesn't drop until Jan. 20 but this teaser should impress you all. A few songs on that album, including my song of the week, were produced by R.E.M.'s Mike Mills. Don't worry if you can't remember that member of R.E.M. No one can.

Infinitely catchy, the song Motorcade is well worth downloading. Pinky-swear.

Modern Skirts - Motorcade [mp3]

Playlist for Nov. 26, 2008

1st Hour
Minus the Bear - Ice Monster
Pearson - Purity of Heart [myspace]
Andrew Bird - Oh No
Jane Vain and the Dark Matter - C'mon Baby Say Bang Bang [mp3]
Stacey Lloyd Brown - Living Rooms
Don Brownrigg - In It
Dent May and His Magnificent Ukelele - Meet Me in the Garden
Sleeping States - Planning My Escape [mp3]
Okkervil River - Lost Coastlines
Jukebox the Ghost - Victoria [mp3]
Cuff the Duke - Take My Money and Run

2nd Hour
The Swindlers - Sister, Oh Little Sister [myspace]
Said the Whale - This Winter I Retire [mp3]
The Submarines - The Wake Up Song
The Organ - Oh What A Feeling
Metric - Help, I'm Alive
The Bicycles - Walk Away (From a Good Thing) [mp3]
Rah Rah - Tentacles [mp3]
Sylvie - Please Make it Home
Modern Skirts - Motorcade
Franz Ferdinand - What You Waiting For (Gwen Stefani cover)
The Dance Party - A-List
Passion Pit - Sleepyhead [mp3]

Matthew's Finest

This week I am giving you three songs, which are kind of just two songs, but are different enough to merit the separation.

The first is a song by Elliott Smith (god rest his soul) from his album Figure 8.

Since he's been dead for over half a decade now I thought that I had already heard all there was to hear from him, but this song surprised me. I'm accustomed to the gloomy sounding songs that are more typical of his style, but this track delivers something in the way of pop-inspired, marketability. Of course, this makes it perfect for me because I believe that all music should exist in a form that you can either dance or sway to.

Elliott Smith - Son of Sam [mp3]

Also contained herein is an acoustic version of the song that Ishmael prefers to the more heavily instrumented one. I do not. I like knowing that what I'm listening to was produced in a recording studio.

Elliott Smith - Son of Sam (acoustic) [mp3]

And the last song is a from the Toronto songstress Kathleen Edwards. Miss Edwards was up for a polaris prize this year, even making it onto the prestigious shortlist. Despite that, prior to this week I hadn't heard her music, but it was worth the wait. 

Far from what I expected (another Canadian female playing a guitar and singing cute songs about an assortment of strange topics) the sound that I encountered was much more soulful country than it was folk. The classic themes of country music are covered; heartbreak, addiction, prison, etc... but it's done with a certain sincerity that is hard to come by in modern country music. It's easy to tell that Edwards has a love for the genre, and she writes in a style and sings in a timbre that is heavily reminiscent of the masters that made country great.

Kathleen Edwards - In State [mp3]

SotW for Nov. 19, 2008

For the second week in a row, I'm not offering anything new. I apologize. However, I rediscovered this cover of the Cardigans on my iTunes library after months of not having heard it and I needed to share.

The Morning Benders are a quartet from Berkeley, California who released their album Talking Through Tin Cans back in May. However, I also happened to have this cover of Lovefool from a free internet album they were giving away called The Bedroom Covers. Here's a song you'll want on the iPod.


The Morning Benders - Lovefool [mp3]

Playlist for Nov. 19, 2008

1st Hour
The Jealous Girlfriends - Secret Identity
Beirut - A Sunday Smile
Kathleen Edwards - In State [mp3]
Creature - Star
Ketch Harbour Wolves - So Long To The Ground
The Bicycles - Won't She Be Surprised [mp3]
Elliott Smith - Son Of Sam
Provincial Parks - Young Bride [mp3]
Los Campesinos! - Miserabilia
Human Highway - Sleep Talking [mp3]
The Morning Benders - Lovefool (Cardigans cover)

2nd Hour
Elliott Brood - Without Again
The Danks - Treaty Connector
Pearson - Cold Comfort [CBCR3]
Ride Til Dawn - Telephone Line
Christine Fellows - The Spinster's Almanac
The Chairs - Polly [mp3]
The Organ - Don't Be Angry
LCD Soundsystem - Watch The Tapes [mp3]
Blitzen Trapper - Devil's A-Go-Go
Pride Tiger - The Lucky Ones
Wolf Parade - Language City
My Little Pony - I Don'T Know Pt. 1 [mp3]

Matthew's Finest

This week's song comes to us from the east coast of our fine country. Sydney, Nova Scotia is home to the delightful little band known as the Tom Fun Orchestra. I've been hearing their songs through various channels for some time now but none of them has really grabbed me until this one. The song is called The Last Of The Curious Thieves and it's part of a musical movement from the maritimes that is a bit of a return to the gaelic roots of the people. It features a large band and a pretty serious attitude. 

The Tom Fun Orchestra - The Last Of The Curious Thieves [mp3]

SotW for Nov. 12, 2008

This week's pick is a bit of a cop-out.
We've played this song by Shotgun Jimmie probably more than any other over the last year. Therefore, it came as a surprise that neither Matthew nor I had posted it yet. So here it is, from the album The Onlys, Shotgun Jimmie with Bedhead.

Shotgun Jimmie - Bedhead [mp3]

SotW for Nov. 6, 2008

This week's pick is from Toronto's Michael O’Connell, better known as Culture Reject.
The self-titled debut has been getting some great reviews since its release earlier this year but Saskatonians won't have a chance to see him live for the foreseeable future, according to the MySpace.

Still, here's a taste to whet your appetite for more Culture Reject. My favourite part of the song is at 2:55.

I wanna get home, I wanna get stoned.
Make myself food, make myself good...

Culture Reject - Inside the Cinema [mp3]

Matthew's Finest

This week I'm going to bring you two songs. you lucky dog. You'll be so inundated with rockin tunes that it'll be hard for you to get anything done, save for the rockin. That shall get done with ferocious verve.

The songs actually don't rock that hard, but they do sound pretty sweet and that's all I really ask to feature something in these posts. The first is I Have Made You A Mixed Tape by Daniel Ledwell. The artist hails from Halifax, and his songwriting style - if you judge it strictly by this song - is a subtly funny sort of musical storytelling. It tells the tale of a couple in every phase; infatuation, romance, discord, separation, jealousy and finally, scorn. And the whole story is told through the time honoured medium of producing mixed tapes for a loved one.

Daniel Ledwell - I Have Made You A Mixed Tape [mp3]

The second is a song by the Norwegian pop sensation, Kings Of Convenience. The groups former collaborations involve Canadian recording superstar Leslie Feist so they're pretty heavy hitters. We've featured their songs before on the show, and I see no end in sight if they keep releasing such delightful music.

I'd Rather Dance With You is a tale of love on the dance-floor; a love which could not live in any other environment. Because sometimes love is conditional upon how little of each other you can actually hear.

Kings Of Convenience - I'd Rather Dance With You [mp3]

Playlist for Nov. 5, 2008

Happy Election Boxing Day!
As you are undoubtedly aware, Barack Obama was elected president after eight disastrous years of the Bush administration. And though our playlist only has two songs with a presidential theme, it's still hella good music. Enjoy.

1st Hour
Ben Sollee - A Change is Gonna Come
Lake - Blue Ocean Blue [mp3]
Laura Peek and the Winning Hearts - Stand Right There
Winter Gloves - Glass Paperweight [mp3]
Winter Gloves - Factories
Bells Clanging - The Law of Averages
Laura Barrett - Ferryland [mp3]
Daniel Ledwell - I Have Made You a Mixed Tape
The Unsettlers - Heavy Handed
Kings of Convenience - I'd Rather Dance With You [mp3]
Rich Aucoin - At War With the Cynics
The Rural Alberta Advantage - Sleep All Day
She & Him - Sentimental Heart

2nd Hour
Beirut - My Night With the Prostitute from Marseilles [mp3]
The Buttless Chaps - Death Scenes I II III
Polymaths - Duet
The New Pornographers - Myriad Harbour [YouTube]
Culture Reject - Inside the Cinema
Starflyer 59 - The Brightest of the Head
Au Revoir Simone - Sad Song (Pacific Remix) [mp3]
Clues - Perfect Fit
Adam & The Amethysts - Stupid Ocean
Death Cab for Cutie - President of What? [mp3]

Matthew's Finest

Well here it is. Boxer the Horse is a balls nasty band, and they have never stopped being good in the three months that I've known about them. And their song Boneyard is the closest thing to a halloween themed indie son that I think we have in the show. Boxer don't shiv, yo.

Boxer the Horse - Boneyard [mp3]

SotW for October 29th, 2008

They Tear Down Houses Don't They? That's my six-minute Song of the Week® for this Halloween issue of the show. Edmonton's Shout Out Out Out Out (that's 4 outs) have only released one album in 2006 entitled Not Saying Just Saying but they have toured relentlessly.

On Monday Nov. 3 you can see the guys play at Louis' on campus with opening act San Serac. It promises to be a good show. Here's a little taste of the madness.

Shout Out Out Out Out - They Burn Down Houses Don't They? [mp3]

Playlist for October 29th, 2008

Well folks, we're back for a slightly delirious edition of our show. Ishmael and I were carousing in Vancouver this weekend, fighting for our right to party.

This weeks show, as you might be able to guess, is a Halloween themed one. This is because Halloween is almost here. Here's the playlist.

1st Hour

The Ghost Bees - Vampires of the West Coast

Okkervil River - The President Is Dead

Josh Reichmann Oracle Band - Believe In Souls

The Spinto Band - Pumpkins and Paisley

The Moondoggies - Undertaker

The Rural Alberta Advantage - Don't Haunt This Place

The Sam Roberts Band - Waking The Dead

Laura Marling - Ghosts

Benji Hughes - The Mummy

The Terrordactyls - Zombie Girl

The Burning Hell - Grave Situation Pt. 1

2nd Hour

Forest City Lovers - Monsters

Mother Mother - Ghosting

Wintersleep - Weighty Ghost

The Mood - Eskimo Scientist

Chad VanGaalen - Clinically Dead

Dave Norris - Howl

Violent Femmes - Nightmares

Islands - Creeper [mp3]

Dress Whites - Give Up The Ghosts

Boxer The Horse - Boneyard

Los Campesinos! - How I Taught Myself To Scream

Tokyo Police Club - Graves

Shout Out Out Out Out - They Tear Down Houses Dont' They?

Natalie Portman's Shaved Head - Bedroom Costume

Creature - Don't Be Afraid

SotW for October 22, 2008

There comes a time in every man's life when he discovers love.
But more commonly, he rediscovers his love for Sam Roberts.

Here are two songs by the Montreal crooner. One is from his latest effort, Love at the End of the World, and the other is my favourite song from We Were Born In A Flame. Please enjoy and, just maybe, unearth your crush on Sammy Roberts.

Sam Roberts - Words & Fire [mp3]

Sam Roberts - No Sleep [mp3]

Matthew's Finest

Today's song comes to you all the way from sunny Amsterdam. Hospital Bombers are a delightful little Dutch four piece who credit their inspirations to such prominent groups as The Velvet Underground and The Mountain Goats. At least that's what I gleaned from their website, which is composed entirely in that guttural throatspeak known as Dutch. I did my best.

The Song, Neighbourhood, is a hard rocking, hard fighting, hard loving testament to - at least in my mind - The Stooges. It's high energy music at it's best, and hopefully we can look for much more to come from these talented young people.

Hospital Bombers - Neighbourhood [mp3]

SotW for October 15th, 2008

This edition's Song of the Week is a cover. 

M.I.A., whose music I can't stand, included the song Jimmy on her 2007 album Kala. 

Luckily for us though, the guys from Of Montreal covered it and turned it into yet another pop gem. Enjoy.

Of Montreal - Jimmy [mp3]

Matthew's Finest

Today's song is Tora Tora Tora, you may recognize the title, that's because it shares it's name with a truly classic film. One where dreams are a reality, and WWII is a playground of the wicked. I've never seen it, but if it's anything like Japanese cinema today, there are schoolgirls drinking radioactive zombie soda.

Pretty & Nice are from Boston, Massacheusettes, and I thank my lucky stars that the good lord gave them the inspiration for this song.

Pretty & Nice - Tora Tora Tora [mp3]

Playlist for October 15th, 2008

Here it is folks. Hope you enjoy the show, and the increased hold that our ineffectual leaders have on our country.

1st Hour

Andy Swan - Can I Pay You In Sunshine? [mp3]

Iron & Wine - Arms Of a Thief

Josh Reichmann Oracle Band - Believe In Souls

Woodpigeon - Cities Of Weather

The Rural Alberta Advantage - Frank, AB

The Broken West - Auctioneer [mp3]

The Saint Alvia Cartel - Don't Wanna Wait Forever

Crosstown Rivals - Waste Of Time

State Bird - I Don't Love U Anymore

These United States - West Won

Margot and the Nuclear So and So's - A Children's Crusade On Acid [mp3]

Hooded Fang - Fall Leaves

Of Montreal - Jimmy

2nd Hour

The Rumble Strips - Alarm Clock [mp3]

The Elwins - Only Friend

Tusks - Baby Noise

Hotkid - People Using People

Vancougar - Unmanned

Hexes & Ohs - Little Bird

The Umbrella Sequence - Urban Lull (At Once Charmed)

Starfucker - Pop Song

Pretty & Nice - Tora Tora Tora

Tigersapien - Youth & Vitality [mp3]

Woodhands - I Wasn't Made For Fighting

SotW for Oct 8th, 2008

This week, my Song of the Week is of the instrumental variety. Brasstronaut hails from a city I have never visited but I will rectify that later this month when I go for a weekend trip: Vancouver, British Columbia.

The song Fan starts off slow and feels like it's building to a crescendo but it never quite makes it there. Rather, it maintains a quirky tempo and is almost... "good". You know, for an instrumental song. I don't know what it is about the track that makes me love it so but it's worthy of being my endorsement for the week.

Brasstronaut - Fan [mp3]

Matthew's Finest

The Elwins are from Newmarket, Ontario. They are good at making rock music. Rock music like this:

The Elwins - Dear, Oh My

Playlist For October 7th, 2008

Here it is everyone.

1st Hour

The Olympic Symphonium - Intentions Alone

Jenny Omnichord - The Day We Sang Ba Ba Ba Ba (w/ Jeff "Glacio de Fluvial" Munro)

Dog Is Blue - Don't Think Twice It's Alright

Pete Roe - Let It Go

The Western States - Oh World

The Submarines - The Wake Up Song

Brasstronaut - Fan

Absentee - Bitchstealer

Castlemusic - You Can't Take Anymore

Sunparlour Players - Bless This City

2nd Hour

The Rosebuds - The Lovers' Rights

Okkervil River - Lost Coastlines

Dear and The Headlights - I'm Not Crying. You're Not Crying, Are You?

Dirty On Purpose - Mind Blindness
The Jealous Girlfriends - Organs on the Kitchen Floor

Fox Jaws - Karmonica

The Old Soul - Let's Neck

Wolf Parade - Soldier's Grin

Land Of Talk - Corner Phone

WOMEN - Group Transport Hall

The Ghost Is Dancing - People

The Elwins - Dear, Oh My

Matthew's Finest

This week I give to you, Hexes & Ohs. They're a playful little indie pop group from Montreal, and their song, H-H-Highschool has been stuck in my head for the better part of a week.

Hexes & Ohs - H-H-Highschool [mp3]

SotW for October 1, 2008

This week's song of the week is a charming number by Portland's Blitzen Trapper.
I have no idea what the rest of the album is like but the song Furr is charming enough for me to try the rest. Give it a listen, and download if you wish.

Blitzen Trapper - Furr [mp3]

Playlist for Oct 1st, 2008

Terribly sorry about last week. For those of you who came to the site expecting a playlist, you can blame the Man for taking us off the proverbial air.

This week, though, we're back with the full playlist and a full cotillion of weekly song choices.

1st Hour

Gonzales - Working Together
Islands - Creeper

TV On The Radio - Dry Drunken Emperor

Kaiser Chiefs - Always Happens Like That

The Saint Alvia Cartel - Don't Wanna Wait Forever

The Wedding Present - Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah

Hexes & Ohs - H-H-Highschool

The Broken West - Auctioneer

Mates Of State - My Only Offer

Department Of Eagles - No One Does It Like You

Blitzen Trapper - Furr

2nd Hour

Said The Whale - My Government Heart

Grizzly Bear - Knife

Born Ruffians - Knife

Two Hours Traffic - No Advances

Fred - Running

Mother Mother - Hayloft

Caribou - Melody Day

Woodhands - I Wasn't Made For Fighting

Thunderheist - Jerk It

Matthew's Finest

I'm late again.

Said The Whale - This Winter I Retire [mp3]

SotW for September 25th, 2008

You've seen the commercial. Here's the song, as played on the show this week.

Chairlift - Bruises [mp3]

Matthew's Finest

Spiderbait is a band from the late-80's to mid-90's who are called post-grunge. Aside from the fact that I don't think music, especially grunge music, the musical equivalent of the lowest common denominator, should be labeled post-anything, this band has been thoroughly and effectively rocking my face for a half a week now. 

They have many quality songs, interested parties should check out Take Me Back, or Buy Me A Pony, but only one was good enough to merit the illustrious title of song of the week. 

Spiderbait - Outta My Head [mp3]

SotW for September 17th, 2008

Montreal's Plants and Animals are coming through town on October 6 with Born Ruffians.
At first, I was more excited for the opener but this week's Song of the Week has changed my mind about Plants and Animals. I thought all their stuff was kind of slow and boring but boy was I wrong. Feedback in the Fields kicks a lot of ass and includes one of my favourite pop elements: whistling.

I can't help but like this song and I'm eagerly awaiting their show at Amigos. Please, listen, download, enjoy.

SotW: Plants and Animals - Feedback in the Fields [mp3]

Playlist for September 17th, 2008

1st Hour
Culture Reject - Fireflies are Fading [mp3]
Laura Barrett - Robot Ponies
Human Highway - Moody Motorcycle
The Burning Hell - The Second Cigarette [myspace]
Throw Me The Statue - Ship
Born Ruffians - I Need A Life
The Awkward Stage - Animé Eyes [mp3]
Elliott Brood - Write it All Down for You
The Rosewood Thieves - Silver Gun [mp3]
Peter Project - Fair and Square
The Fjords - Breezy Day

2nd Hour
Said the Whale - Curse of the Currents [vid]
Winter Gloves - Factories
The Golden Dogs - Strong
Blitzen Trapper - Furr [mp3]
Tacoma Hellfarm Tragedy - True Love Killed my True Loves Love for me
The Donkeys - Walk Through a Cloud [mp3]
Shugo Tokumaru - Parachute
Cloud Cult - Everybody Here Is A Cloud [mp3]
Spiderbait - Outta My Head
Plants and Animals - Feedback in the Field
The Knifings - Vicodin
Arsenal - Estupendo [mp3]

Matthew's Finest

Here it is. The song, which is sexily called Lolita, is by Seattle band, Throw Me The Statue. Seattle, and it may be due to it's size, is a nest of amazing musicians. A den of Auditory iniquity, and a place where easily marketable indie pop is grown like a weed.

Throw Me The Statue - Lolita [mp3]

Playlist for September 10th, 2008

BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH!

1st Hour

The New Pornographers - Myriad Harbour
Boxer the Horse - Boneyard

Kings of Leon - Slow Night, So Long

Kings of Leon - Sex On Fire

The Smittens - Doomed, Lo-Fi and in Love!

Olivier Jarda - Don't Wake The Baby

The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight

The Kooks - Kids (MGMT cover)

Julie Doiron - So Fast

Jenny Omnichord - Blankets and Bones

Constantines - Hard Feelings

Wolf Parade - Language City

2nd Hour

Modernboys Moderngirls - My Baby Says Boy, Don't You Ever Go

King Khan and the Shrines - I Wanna Be A Girl

Maybe Smith - Hearts Like Bears

Oh Fortuna - Wood Paint Rainbow

Peter Project - Fair and Square

Japanese Motors - Single Fins & Safety Pins

Throw Me The Statue - Lolita

Mardeen - City Lights

Cinderpop - blonder

Born Ruffians - I Need A Life

Phantom Planet - Do The Panic

The Wombats - Moving To New York

Check this shit out!

I'm watching MuchMusic and to my surprise, there's actually music videos on!

To my delight, they're playing the new Radiohead video for House of Cards.

Maybe I'm just a noob but this is the first I've seen of it. It looks pretty awesome.

SotW for September 3rd, 2008

This week's favourite comes from Montreal's Land of Talk. Their new album Some Are Lakes will hit store shelves on October 7th but the title track can hit your iPods right the heck now. Their debut EP had a much better name: Applause Cheer Boo Hiss. Still, Some Are Lakes promises to be a successful follow-up. Let's listen, enjoy, download, enjoy, shake and repeat...

Land of Talk - Some are Lakes [mp3]

Matthew's Finest

Hey Ocean! is a band from the mean streets of Vancouver. Canada's L.A.

The song that I am delivering to you an a friggin platter is called Too Soon.

It's happy with what it is, and you will be too after listening through it.

Hey Ocean! - Too Soon [mp3]

Playlist for September 2nd, 2008

Well, here we are again. Ishmael and I are fresh from an evenings labour. Slaving away at the digital presses. Any of you who are students at the U of S can check out the fruits of our labour when this week's copy of The Sheaf comes out on Thursday.
On to the playlist...

1st Hour

Matt & Kim - Good Ol' Fashion Nightmare [link]
The Avett Brothers - St. Joseph's
Josh Ritter - Girl In The War
Department of Eagles - No One Does It Like You [mp3]
Howe Gelb - But I Did Not
Tigers and Monkeys - You Know [mp3]
Chad VanGaalen - Willow Tree
Amos the Transparent - after all that, it's come to this [mp3]
Angela Desveaux - Sure Enough
Michael Rault - Honey Bee [mp3]
The Shaky Hands - We Are Young [mp3]

2nd Hour

The Guest Bedroom - Stranglehold
Hey Ocean! - Too Soon
Land of Talk - Some Are Lakes
Modernboys Moderngirls - A Hammond Organ Singing [mp3]
Oakley Hall - Confidence Man [mp3]
The Amps - I Am Decided
Feist - I Feel It All [mp3]
Immaculate Machine - Sans Issue
Velocity Girl - Sorry Again [mp3]
Creature - Pop Culture
Vancougar - Obvious [mp3]

Matthew's Finest

No long preamble. No funny shit. The band is from LA and they're rock solid.

The World Record - We're #1 [mp3]

SotW for August 7th, 2008

This week's Song of the Week is not very good. I mean that.
The only reason I have put it up is because I have neglected my shaving routine as of late and grown what some might consider a beard. So here's a band with the most creative name I have heard in years singing about facial hair: Natalie Portman's Shaved Head. Please enjoy.

Natalie Portman's Shaved Head - Beard Lust [mp3]

Playlist for August 26, 2008

This week's show featured three songs from the Saved By Saskatoon compilation that showcases some of the great talent available in our fair city. Also on the playlist: awesome music from all over the place. Check it out!

1st Hour

Jana Hunter - Babies [mp3]
These Hands - We Will Be Born Again
The Fifty Sixers - The Company
Ketch Harbour Wolves - Gold [mp3]
Josh Ritter - Mind's Eye
The Stills - Being Here [mp3]
Carbon Dating Service - Dead Dogs Love Us Still
Wintersleep - Drunk On Aluminum
Construction and Destruction - What the Non-Human Taught Us
Radiohead - House of Cards [zshare]


2nd Hour

The Gales - Cellophane
Jay Reatard - See/Saw [mp3]
Clark - Metal Boys
The Rumble Strips - Time [mp3]
The Blood Lines - The End of the World
Los Campesinos! - How I Taught Myself To Scream [mp3]
Ruby Coast - Brittle Bones
The Organ - Sinking Hearts
The World Record - We're #1 [mp3]
Joel Plaskett - I Love This Town
The Broken West - Auctioneer [mp3]
Natalie Portman's Shaved Head - Beard Lust
Creature - Who's Hot, Who's Not

SotW for August 20th, 2008

This week's Song of the Week comes from New York City, which happens to be the name of the new album by Brazilian Girls. My featured song is called Good Time and sounds like a summer song should: it's fun, catchy, and makes you want an ice cream sundae.

The singer, Sabina Sciubba, can speak German, Spanish, French, Italian, and English. Her bizarre accent comes through in the song and makes it all the more charming. Please enjoy.

mp3: Brazilian Girls - Good Time

Matthew's Finest

An oldie but a goodie is what I'm dishing out today onto the musical dinner plate. Over & Over is a song that was originally written as a techno pop song by the group Hot Chip. They do a fine job of putting together a catchy song, one that has kept my toe-tapping and my head bobbing for months now. But when you take said techno pop song and turn it into a violin driven power ballad... Well, there's only so much that one man can take...

I have included both of them, just so you can compare them and realize how amazing the transformation is.

Hot Chip - Over & Over [mp3]


The Miserable Rich - Over & Over [mp3]

The Playlist Strikes Back - Aug 20th, 2008

We're back after a one week break, ready to spring some more music on you. Here's the playlist:

1st Hour
Bruce Peninsula - Lift Em Up Jack, Can I Ride [mp3]
Construction and Destruction - Thank You
Woodpigeon - Knock Knock [mp3]
Hayden - Damn This Feeling
Colourbook - Lung Fung
Olivier Jarda - Victorian Faces [mp3]
Laura Barrett - Robot Ponies
A Gentle Forest - Because of the Wind
That's The Spirit - Every City [mp3]
The Thermals - Pillar of Salt
Jamie Lidell - Wait for Me
MGMT - Electrical Feel

2nd Hour
The Miserable Rich - Over and Over (Hot Chip Cover)
Modernboys Moderngirls - My Baby Says Boy, Don't You Ever Go [mp3]
I'm From Barcelona - Music Killed Me
James Pants - We're Through
The Weakerthans - Sun in an Empty Room
Culture Reject - Fireflies are Fading
Sea Wolf - You're a Wolf
Liz Durrett - Wild As Them [mp3]
Maybe Smith - Open War
Marching Band - Gorgeous Behaviour [mp3]
Brazilian Girls - Good Time