assaulted by musical contrast! don't fight it!

Track list:

1. Various - African Christmas - White Christmas

Comments: Aieee! No really, would it really be Christmas without painfully ill-advised re-thinkings of holiday standards? No it wouldn't. That's why I'm so glad they come up with new horrifying crap every year.

2. Melvins - a senile animal - a history of bad men

Comments: I was honestly hoping this would provide more of a list, but I guess this is okay. I like this the way I secretly love Faith No More. Seriously, when they had that album out in the mid-90s, with 'last cup of sorrow' on it, and the video was the band members all re-enacting Hitchcock's Vertigo? That was freaking amazing.

3. The Ghost is Dancing - the ghost is dancing - to french ave

Comments: I like the synthesized accordion. "Orchestral indie rock from Toronto." Indeed. Seriously, it's good. This song is on their myspace page, if it interests you to listen.

4. Ohbijou - swift feet for troubling times - widths and curves

Comments: she's sort of the Cranberries' singer without the accent, and maybe a little more undernourished. In short, I love it. I could listen to this on public transit all day and feel vaguely romantic and miserable. Every criteria is fulfilled.

5. The Purrs - the purrs - she's gone

Comments: love, love love love. Fabulous. It's like the animals but with a new and more vaguely miserable sensibility. And moan-y singing. I would sing along, but my throat hurts. And there are people.

6. K-Os - atlantis hymns for disco - born to run

Comments: sadly, not a Springsteen cover. In keeping with my usual enigmatic reasons for playing songs, I'm playing this first for Ash, who loves k-os even though he is a confirmed indy-rocker. It's also for Scott, who loves Brucie's Born to Run more than any other song. To both of you, I freakin' HIGHLY recommend this truly funky-ass song which I now completely love. I need to get this album I think! (It's not just the suburban nerd-boys who want to be mcs. It's me too. Hot damn.)

7. The Establishment - economy radio - economy radio

Comments: must be economy, because it comes in very large volumes. Pretty great actually, which is hard for me to admit, because I'm usually so anti-establishment. HA. Ugh.

8. In Ink Please - formica table for two - faster first half

Comments: cute, with matching glasses.

unironically listening to canconcoun

Hey, what's up. It's time again for me to waste my life at my former university AGHAHDOODOODOO spend an hour at the radio station I love so much.

Track list:

1. The Divorcees - you ain't gettin' my country - nearly fell

Comments: Hm. In order to appreciate this you have to turn off your inner skeptic. Mine is virtually impossible to squish, but I did my best, and there was some oooing I liked. I also love Blue Rodeo to absolute distraction when I'm drunk. Seriously, if Jim Cuddy got me liquored up, I'm not making any promises about where things might or might not go. This is about the situation with the delightful Divorcees (although they're not as pretty as Jim).

2. Ill Scarlett - epidemic - n.t.f.

Comments: I think ska is dead.

3. Career Suicide - anthology of releases 2004-2005 - There's Something Wrong With You


Comments: But there's nothing wrong with this track, which kicks ass. It could be a reaction to the first couple of songs. So what. I luuuuurves it. Oh hey, I never thought I'd say this but: nsfw. Seriously, that t-shirt is the dirtiest line drawing I have ever, ever seen, and I've been using the internet for several years now. As usual, I'm fascinated.

4. Hilary Grist - on my way - unless you're sure

Comments: Just playing it because we were friends in the fifth grade. Odd, don't you usually think these people just vapourize after highschool? Apparently she decided to be a singer/songwriter instead, so more power to her. She'll be on Melodies in Mind, the show after mine, on January 9th! That'll be good. You should listen.

5. Powder Keg - quality you can taste - beefcake

Comments: They have much energy. I'm exhausted. Also, it's not my fault I'm not linking to anything, their site must be all flashed up or something because google doesn't know them at all.

6. PJ Harvey - Peel Sessions - Wang Dang Doodle

Comments: love it. I am familiar with this song only from the Pointer Sisters version. If you don't have the Pointer Sisters Live album, you should immediately take thyself to whatever used record bin is in your vicinity and beg for it. It doesn't have 'I'm so excited' on it, so relax yourself dammit. Anyway, PJ Harvey does a damn good job and rocks and is generally awesome, like a young british Patti Smith. Maybe it's just the hair, but also the growling I think.

7. Ox - american lo-fi - Miss Idaho


Comments: Really great. The cover art didn't speak to me, but when Canadians write songs about American things in a sort of lamenting way I generally enjoy it. It all balances out.

8. Lesser Birds of Paradise - space between - Claire Danes if you ever get a nose job I swear to Jesus I'll hang myself

Comments: So nice I'd like to reminisce about Jordan Catalano twice! Speaking of which, didn't that guy turn out to be a world-class dick. Appropriate really considering what he did to Claire Danes in the boiler room. Asshole. I'd like to punch his pasty face.
This song has nothing to do with any of that, and is completely and utterly awesome.

9. Lesser Birds of Paradise - space between - do you remember when we overthrew the government

Comments: I must have been drunk or something, because no. But this song makes me wish I did, with its sheer excellence.

rainy day people

Da da dooo dedaada dummmm.

Track list:

1. Himalayan Bear - la lonesome island - I swam with turtles

Comments: I find it hard not to love this. So strummy and soothing with the high man singing and the lyrics about creatures, or something. Screw it, I am going to love it. You can't stop me.

2. Their majesties - lands where tales are tall - sweet sweet thunder

Comments: Trying to stick with the water theme here, and thunder tends to signal that I'm about to get wet. Clearly I'm enjoying being a little morose lately, because I've picked another song featuring a guy who can't really sing. But since that's the trademark of every really great band, I can't fault them for choosing the man-who-can't-sing direction. In fact, I applaud it. I like this quite a bit.

3. The Stolen Minks - family boycott - Batman (you're the sex)

Comments: Really this is an excuse to talk about Batman the animated series and how much I love it. Who cares! Oh my gravy, 'you can leave the mask on'? SO TRUE. Stolen Minks, you are awesome. Full stop.

4. Mathias Delplanque - ma chambre quand je n'y suis pas (montreal)

Comments: um, I think he actually set up a recording device in his room and just left for 45 minutes while the ghost of a reggae man messed with his laundry and whistled. Honestly. This is what we call a "soundscape", I believe.

5. Minisystem - madingley - cheddar

Comments: this is for my cousin, who likes cheese. She's too young to be allowed to listen to the station, but spiritually I think she feels the vibe. Plus, this is very danceable and there's no reason I shouldn't be able to play it back for her later, the odds are very slim that it'll cause her to start using crystal meth or something.

6. The Curtains - calamity - World's Most Dangerous Woman

Comments: Lucky bastards managed to land on Asthmatic Kitty, and are therefore beneficiaries of Sufjan and his magic industry love. Which isn't why I'm playing them, but it doesn't discourage me either. There's a reason the man has magic industry love, okay? Most of these bands are really good, as far as I'm aware. They're pleasantly consistent in that respect.

7. No Luck Club - prosperity - Birds on Parade

Comments: ooh, I'm soothed and I keep waving my arms around in interpretive dance fashion against my own will. Who doesn't love that. Perhaps I am biased toward liking these guys, since they have cjsf roots. Who cares. I say you have to use whatever you can to get ahead in this nasty harsh brutal world. Which is currently, for me anyway, flooded with a smooth beat and some panflute-like sounds. Aaah.

8. The Pants Situation - the ugly man - The bigamy was big of you

Comments: I wanted to talk about Britney here, but there was nothing I could say without embarrassing myself quite a bit. Even with the disclaimers I didn't do too well. Whatever, I'm so happy, I hope she comes back with some completely heinous single and a very stupid hat and kicks pop music ass.
The Pants Situation, on the other hand, are actually a good band, and this song has very little to do with Britney's marital situation, but is instead cool and interesting. Thanks TPS. Ha! TPS.

9. Destroyer - we'll build them a golden bridge - Islands in the Stream

Comments: I doubt there's a way I could love this concept more - random songs given the titles of famous songs. I now wish I was a musician so I could do this too. I would have a weird obsessive love ballad called Lady Stardust, and then a rocking power ballad called, um, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. This is the best idea ever. Destroyer, for the 57th time, I love you.

CRAB INVASION!!!

I am Jens, Drummer of the crab, the KING CRAB! (However, I don't play on recordings, I am
the useless performance drummer.)
First song: Rocky Monty
Really just about substance abuse and Dave and Josh's problems with it. Really a sad story. I didn't play on this track. I mean, I really didn't play on this track! really....
Watch out...tape recordings lead to bands....ARRGH!
Steroids are not my friend...
French's alphabet makes a very good folk song.
Swedish folk songs (or arias) by Flonk are very incredible.
Track 2: Straw House
Jens' poor singing. Bad.
Track 3: Sailin' Home
Skipping songs are hilarious. This song is about a man coming home from a deserted island. He gets nookie. I don't play on this track. Josh always rocks the house on guitar. Dave's drumming and falsetto make me laugh. That's why he plays bass.
Hello to Mr. Baker!! HI!!!
I like PSA'S!!!
Last names make me laugh!
Snobbery is not awesome!
Track 4: First Day Out of Jail
A messed up song for Josh! I like it! I didn't play on this track...again!
Track 5: Army of Love
Dave's in command!! Apparently Dave is Jimmy Smits! I didn't play on this track! BEWARE THE PROFANITY!
Dave is like David Byrne!!
Track 3: Town of Funk!
I named this song! I love it! I don't play on this track!

**update: listen to the show HERE:
The second half-hour (unfortunately the first half got toasted by the server. Sorry guys).

Guest appearance

And the guest is.......Jacob, Emily's brother. Well it's not that exciting at all. I'm subbing in for Emily today on the blogging aspect of the show. (This blog entry may be worth something someday....so copy it in a text file and keep it in a safe place.)

1. Lily Tomlin - This is a recording - Mrs. Mitchell
Comment - Halarious! We'll funny, I'm not sure I didn't listen to it fully. I'll need a second oppinion. Emily loves her, everytime she snorts everything is right in the world.

2. AA Sound System - Laissez Faire - Vermillion
Comment - Emily goes out on a limb and thinks that it is great. I'll agree with her on this one, it hits that soft spot.

3. Jane Siberry - The Walking - Red High Heels
Comment - Emily loves this song so so much. I mean a lot. She wanted you to know. Emily loves Jane Siberry or her new name Issa Jar Jar Binks...sorry, just Issa (eeee-sah)

4. Volcanoless in Canada - Volcanoless in Canada - We Win
Comment - First off to clear things up, they are from in Saskatchewan. Lots of drums, guitar, and I hear some tambourine. This combination produces some interesting music that Emily agrees with and would like anyone out there to buy her this CD for christmas. That means you Santa..... or Mom and Dad.

5. Gordon Lightfoot - Did She Mention My Name - The Last Time I Saw Her
Comment - Lightfoot! Lightfoot! Lightfoot! Come one, come all! What is not to like about this man. Other than his tailored tuxedo. "This is nice." quoted from Emily. Of course she would say that. She joined her boyfriend in the mosh pit at the Gordon Lightfoot concert.

6. Steve Bell - My Dinner With Bruce - Closer to the Light
Comment - I would like to have dinner with Bruce Cockburn. He's like a hero to me. I can say that I want a rocket launcher and my mother can't complain. I think it's hard to ruin a song of Brucy, unless it was someone like Avril Lavigne.

7. Ramonettes - Ramonettes - I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend
Comment - Totally awesome, living the dream.

8. Great Aunt Ida - How They Fly - Company You Keep

Mississip!

Track list:

1. Miss Violetta Beauregarde - odi profanum vulgus et arceo - the unbearable lightness of a farm tractor

Comment: oh crap, so weird. Therefore fabulous.

2. The Sadies - live vol. 1 - Tiger Tiger

Comment: The only way to see the Sadies is Live. I don't know what your alternatives are, but there it is.

3. Ghostrain - let the record show - the modern age

Comments: I can relate - I also fear the modern age. I feel I belong in the 1920s, with the girls with no boobs. Oh wait... damn.

4. The Old Soul - she's got party davis eyes - he's got larry david eyes/she's got party davis eyes

Comments: played almost solely for the titles. Absolutely love it, because anything weird is instantly my friend.

5. The Stance - shall inherit the earth - kiss me kiss me

Comments: masterful use of the word 'baby'. Really quite kick-ass musically also.

6. Giant Squid - metridium fields - versus the siren

Comments: Ack, too emo for me. Sorry giant squid, your ink is running all over my new dress, which cost me $5, and that hurts because I am poor and my boyfriend called me a whore. What? Sorry, just getting into the spirit.

7. Bettie Serveert - bare stripped naked - roadmovies

Comments: so perky. I'm going home everyone. Try not to fall on your swords, I'll be back two weeks from now (cjsf.com, 7-8pm)

emily sings the blues

Please disregard that. I promise no singing.

Track list:

1. Lake Holiday - The Curse of Sunshine - press record then play

Description: Ding! Love it. Happy sounding.

2. The Square Waves - s/t - dreams kept on machine

Description: Loopy. And there are some tinkly sounds. Love it also.

3. David Bowie - David Live - Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing (reprise)

Description: This is maybe in my top five albums of all time, so you don't even need to ask.

4. Rafter - Achoo! An Asthmatic Kitty Sampler Vol. 1 - zzzPenchant

Description: If you're a music student, try to count along with this one. Maddening. But so unspeakably great.

5. The Fabulous Kildonans - bottle rocket - marktember rain

Description: Kind of generic, but overall fairly okay.

6. Cat Scientist - cicada - pink dress

Description: How could I avoid playing a song called 'pink dress' really. Being the owner of a little Pepto Bismolesque number myself, I can fully appreciate the sentiment behind the song... maybe. Unless it's about some horrible person with a pink dress, and then I just feel sad for pink dresses everywhere... Honestly, this song is super great. It's sort of funky but country-ish... something. It's really, really good, I recommend it.

7. Bonnie Prince Billy - cursed sleep - cursed sleep

Description: Carla, this is for you. Or is it your friend who likes him? I can't remember. Anyway, you're the reason I know who he is, so it's your song, enjoy it.

ain't got nobody

Hey, where's the J? She's not here yet. I'll keep you posted. In the meantime I'm playing a song that is almost 8 minutes long, just to keep you occupied. I'm like a bad babysitter. But man, this isn't what I'm usually paid for!

Track list:

1. fond of tigers - a thing to live with - here, you are hated

Comments: horn-y. By which I mean there are horns. It's piano-y too, if that helps. It's sort of experimental band geek jazz. I quite like it.

2. super xx man - x - garage apartment

Comments: mellow! I like it. Summery.

3. dirty on purpose - hallelujah sirens - no radio

Comments: this song has the driving sound. I like it.

4. rae spoon and rodney decroo - trucker's memorial - double wedding

Comments: Jonelle's favourite today. I like it too. This also has a very summery feel. Country music screams delerifying heat and stultifying amounts of iced tea and beer. Mixed. Mmm.

5. tuxedomoon - bardot hotel soundtrack - effervescing in the nethersphere

Comments: selected solely because of the sailor moon factor.

live at last!

We have missed connecting with you live and in person, pookums. So we're back, we're live, and we're even semi-coherent. It's as much as you can ask. Any more and we'll probably just start crying, and that's never easy to stop.

Track list:

1. A/V - hot action - do you two know each other?

Comments: Good for dancing. Our compatriot thinks the vocals are "shitty, man", but we're not deterred. The sythesizer is wicked good.

2. Eux Autres - hell is Eux Autres - the sundance kid

Comments: Tag team singing is good. Doesn't sound very hellish though. Actually it's quite nice. I'd listen to this on the deck, sauced off my ass, but you know, with people around. Don't want to get too maudlin about it. Hey, they're from Montreal, where many good things come from. That explains everything.

3. Giant Panda - fly school reunion - 90s

Comments: I'm not usually a fan of high school or the 90s, but this is fairly soothing. Might have to change my mind. Hmm. Nah. (But the song is still pretty good.) Jonelle says it's hip-hoppy and "okay" and "she doesn't hate it". Oh, it's like a wave of love.

4. Oh Beautiful! Majestic! Eagle! - various: the radiator collective - l'emu de lumiere

Comments: Thanks to your band name, OBME, you are getting yourselves played on our show. Your music is seriously weird though. Hey, way to carve out your own niche!

5. The Donkeys - the donkeys - she's a wolf

Comments: And she'll gnaw you to death as slowly as possible, while crying sparkly tears. I also think she's wearing huge amounts of eyeliner. Just a guess.

June 12th disguised as June 13th

Track list:

1. The Capricorns - pure magical love - the sailor

Comments: hello sailor. Actually I picked this out solely because I'm a Capricorn too, and it's obviously all about me.

2. Tokyo Police Club - a lesson in crime - citizens of tomorrow

Comments: I think it might lessen the Tokyo police's credibility somewhat if they persist in referring to themselves as a 'club'. These fine people are from Montreal, where everything cool happens. I think it may have started with Jonelle and I visiting there - the epic visit of 1993!

3. Broken Social Scene - see you on the moon! - puff the magic dragon

Comments: Children's music is great and all, but on the 53rd listen you might find yourself feeling slightly less cool than you were as a childless person. It's very unfair, it's certainly a false impression, but it's true. So consider this instead, because it's awesome and kid appropriate all at the same time. Unlike most things that are truly fun.

4. The Fembots - see you on the moon! - under the bed

Comments: Another selection of children's music that won't make you want to stab yourself in the eye. Whoop!

5. Sunset Rubdown - shut up I am dreaming - I'm sorry I sang on your hands that have been in the grave

Comments: I approve of song titles that take ages to say and include miles of unnecessary qualifiers. Plus the band name always makes me giggle. It speaks vaguely of the mid-70s and cocoa butter.

**update - June 15th**
This show never actually aired. Because we burned the CD wrong or something. My theory is that we burned the thing, and then wrote on the data side, thus rendering the whole thing totally useless. But we honestly meant to make it happen. So consider yourself due some entertainment, and we'll get back to you. In the meantime you could listen to the music on your own time and provide your own insipid commentary in between songs. Who'd know the difference?

the pre-record blues

Track list:

1. Kokeshi Doll - japan for sale - Song for Hasuike

2. Jeremy Morris - tribute to the beatles - It's all too much

3. Minnie Driver - everything I've got in my pocket - everything I've got in my pocket

Comments: Please don't ask why we're playing this, it wasn't my idea, dammit!

4. Tegan and Sara - so jealous - I can't take it

Comments: neither can we, we're leaving now, goodbye cruel world!

pre-recorded deliciousness

Due to today's pre-recordedness, you'll be able to follow along with the show ahead of time! Special, no? Well, don't get too excited, it's all part of the service.

Track list:

1. The Television Personalities - my dark places - ex-girlfriend club

2. Darling Arms - all the ghosts - the hero

3. Julian Curwin - the tango saloon - man with the bongos

4. The Stolen Minks - the stolen minks e.p. - chug a lug

cat scratch fever

Track list:

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - show your bones - honeybear

Comments: It's great we love it, blah blah blah. Hasn't enough been said? Just listen to it already.

The Doers - whatcha doin? - keep yr shirt on

Comments: Yeow, it's like funk prudery! You'll be glad to know Jonelle gives it a 7.2 out of 10, 10 being the highest, and 1 being the lowest. That's not bad.

The Cosmopolitans - wild moose party - how to keep your husband happy

Comments: Hilarious girl band alert. They're so B52s, but it's forgivable because they were out at the same time. Now they're a distant memory, or at least a recently formed one, because I've never heard them before.

Loose Fur - born again in the usa - hey chicken

Comments: I think it's pretty good, Jonelle's not a fan. Hey, it happens. It sounds a bit grateful dead-ish, although did the dead ever sing about farm animals? I'll have to look that up.

Final Fantasy - he poos clouds - the arctic circle

Comments: hmm, violins.

filthy, nasty.

Track list:

1. Scissor Sisters - scissor sisters - filthy/gorgeous

Comments: This guy defies physics. How do you dance around shirtless, sing like you've got clamps on your nads, and drip irony out of every pore all at the same time? Well, maybe it's a generous irony, but still.

2. Frank Peebles - various: prince george covers - Sex at 31

Comments: Mmm, spoken vocorder jazz.

3. Death From Above 1979 - blood on our hands (single) - blood on our hands

Comments: will coloured vinyl ever get tired? My verdict: hell no. We actually meant to play the other side of this record, but we accidentally... didn't. What the hell, I love this song too. The elephant noses never fail to charm me, and the songs are all exactly the right length, somehow. It hits me pleasantly in my 'rage against the machine' cortex.

4. Orchards and Vines - tomorrow and yesterday - in the darkness

Comments: awesome, seriously, I'm not even kidding! Oh damn my eternal sarcasm.

rammy!

Tragedy: Jonelle just managed to drop her rammstein cd down a crack in the control board. It's lost forever, and it's probably going to start a horrible fire.

On with the show!

Track list:

1. Kid Koala ft. Lederhosen Lucil - various: see you on the moon - fruit belt

Comments: this is a kids album, and it's completely awesome. I WANT it.

2. Cat Power - the greatest - the greatest

Comments: this album is not very depressing, like we said. It's completely awesome. I WANT it.

3. Dr. Rage and the Uppercuts - hittin' wood and diamond hard - hittin' wood

Comments: doo da da da doo doo da da da DA DAAAAA! Yikes. We were hoping for some inappropriate content. Instead it just kind of is... wait! He said "between a memory and a dream"! TOM PETTY THIEF!!

4. Hank Williams III - straight to hell - thrown out of the bar

Comments: everybody's favourite.

Jonelle's favourite song of all time is...

Track list:

1. Rammstein - mein teil

Comments: Seriously, this wasn't my idea. Actually it wasn't Jonelle's idea either - she was going to play benzine. This was an accident. In fact, I think you, and I and Jonelle and the band should all wipe this one from our histories and move on. P.S. - have I mentioned before that he's talking about his "part"? Oh, it's disgusting.

2. Shapes and Sizes - shapes and sizes - boy, you shouldn't have

Comments: We'll be the judge of that! Actually, this is really good. It's a little bit alt-country, a little bit nerd-rock n' roll. The magic combination that feels so right. I like the chorus in the background, they're like the supremes!

3. Swearing at Motorists - last night becomes this morning - you will not die tonight (probably)

Comments: Driving guitar, high horror-movie vocals... fabulous.

4. Pink Mountaintops - axis of evol - slaves

Comments: I'm not going to lie to you, I'm playing this because it's an eight minute long song, and Jonelle is very ill and can't 'perform', if you see what I'm saying. And what I'm saying is that she can't comfortably sit in a chair, you perv.
Oh, and Pink Mountaintops? I love this guy. This song is a bit reminiscent of the Vietnam War... not that I've been. But I've heard it's super hot and goes well with hard drugs and Creedence Clearwater Revival. I don't know how else to explain it.

5. Turnstiles - 13 telephone towers - my town is on fire

Comments: I love it. The piano thing is always a bonus. It's frenetic. I really believe that his town is on fire. He's selling it, that's for sure.

6. Red Lights - unlucky genes - whisky and failure

Comments: It's a song about my retirement plan, ba-dump ching!

socan week!

Track list:

1. NOFX - never trust a hippy - you're wrong

Comments: I agree. Stop putting the hookers in jail! Also, did anyone really ever think that punk rock and politics don't mix? Or even that this song is punk rock? Hm. The questions just keep popping up. Seriously, dammit, stop with the acoustic guitar!! I am not linking to your website, you deserve no such attention.

2. Islands - return to the sea - rough gem

Comments: I am totally in love with this song. It's sort of a hipster sea shanty. Seriously, we looove it. (p.s. - you can get it for free at 3hive)

3. Maybe Smith - second best death - choking, kicking, screaming

Comments: The 'your call cannot be completed as dialed' intro is cool. And here comes the echo-ed slide guitar. Maybe, 20 seconds in and you're already great.

4. Cat Power - the greatest - living proof

Comments: I have to say that this album is excellent. Remarkably un-suicidal. Seriously, I'm shocked by the distinct lack of abject misery.

5. Islands - return to the sea - don't call me whitney, bobby

Comments: We had to come back to it, because it's ridiculously great. Jonelle has cousins named Bobbi and Whitney. Of course they're both girls, but it's still hilarious.

horrible, horrible song

Track list:

1. The Aldous Orwell Project - Cow - Ballad of the Bad

Comments: Oh, holy suck. Sheryl Crow could probably sue, but that might be too embarrassing.

2. Matthew Sweet - High School Reunion (compilation) - American Girl

Comments: Tom Petty is my favourite, and this is one of my favourite Tom Petty songs. Also, I believe he's dragging his decrepid ass out on tour this summer. If he comes here, I'm so going. Oh yeah, and Matthew Sweet, he's great too.

3. Ham - Comrades Demand Conquest - Slave Wage

Comments: I like the choral effect. If possible, get everyone to sing at once. It makes for a nice 'everbody' effect. Wow, suddenly they've cranked it up a notch. Usually I object - it's so system of a suck - but this time I don't mind. Really I kind of like it. It seems sincere. Ham, we're confused, but it's a good kind of confused.

4. Bossanova - "Hey Sugar" - In the Immortal Words of You

Comments: Apart from the scare they gave us ten seconds in, when everything cut out and we thought we had dead air, they're excellent. A little bit quiet, but that's not a bad thing. Oh, and now it's picking up. The organ is boss. Hey, they're on Teenbeat records, that's awesome.

5. Pink Mountaintops - Axis of Evol - Plastic Man, You're the Devil

Comments: Just love this guy. He's so diverse. And multi-talented. And this music is kind of folky and sounds like it could be played to great effect in an open car on a slow moving train, with a half-naked guy named Pete on mouth-harp. Who knows why. Art is so fickle that way.

wall-to-wall red shag carpet

Tracks:

1. The Lollipop People - we need a new f-word - Mature Fruit

Comments: I know Mr. Dressup is dead, but do you have to sing it that way? It was like losing him all over again. I don't know if I can handle it. It sounds like traditional Japanese music with odd pop culture lyrics. Hmm.

2. Red Shag Carpet - lift and drop - So and So

Comments: This is a song I already like and have listened to repeatedly. You should do the same. They have other good songs too, unlike your average band these days. Seriously, what is with that? Two good songs on an album and the rest of it is just repetitive crap. It's like a global conspiracy.

3. Saint Dirt Elementary School - fall (in love) by april - Every Day I Fall in Love

Comments: It's like finely crafted elevator music. Oddly enough, I love it. So smoothly lo-fi. So jazzily sleepy. If I was desperately stressed out I would put this on and it would just mellow me right out, like a smothering shiatsu massage.

4. The Ladies - they mean us - Empathy on a Stick

Comments: It's short, and just experimental enough to be odd. Also, it's pretty good! Plus who could lose with a title like that. Not to mention, the lady singing sounds an awful lot like a man.

5. Run Chico Run - slow action - Old Men's Clothes

Comments: This has some super cute piano. Woohoo!

Anyone in a band is automatically cool.

Track list:

1. MC Lars - Escape from Robot Island

Comments: so lame it's awesome. Nerd self-indulgence. Thankyou babs #3.

2. They Shoot Horses Don't They? - boo hoo hoo boo - the bugs

Comments: The album title alone... I love this, it's so carnivalesque, plus the yelling, and the horns... Love it, love it, love it.

3. John P. Strohm - high school reunion - somebody's baby

Comments: This song gets an automatic in, because we're getting the idea that this whole cd is fricking awesome. It might not have the most artistic merit ever, but who the hell cares. Also, this song is really good. He's like Tom Petty Jr. I love Tom Petty with a violent passion, and I think the world could use a few more of him.

4. The Robocop Kraus - they think they are the robocop kraus - life amazes us despite our miserable future

Comments: Wow, four for four! This is also really good, and I like the theme. It's uplifting for someone like me. They sure know their audience.

5. Knock Knock Ginger - hurry! - looks and books

Comments: A mellow end to a most excellent show. Listen to this if you'd like to slowdance with yourself, in your own living room, with a sad expression on your face. Aww. Well, at least you don't have to be ashamed of your awesome musical taste!