Hey Whatever We Are Called This Month Folks!

I got my CD in the mail today... this is so exciting... but RJ...you stole my Robbie Robertson tune! Great to hear it again anyway. I was listening in my car and haven't heard the entire CD yet, but my head is spinning with ideas. I am so glad I signed up for this.

Thanks everyone!

Andrea

Amalgram Notes
October 2006 mixed by Jamie

Northern Sky – Nick Drake

I've loved Nick Drake since I was introduced to him through Volkswagen's Pink Moon ad. Yeah, I know... an ad. Anyway this song, Northen Sky, is from the album 'Bryter Layter.'

Somewhere Down the Crazy River – Robbie Robertson

This is a solo effort from Robbie Robertson of The Band. The track is off the 'Greenpeace Rainbow Warriors' Album.

Such Great Heights – The Postal Service

This is probably the most popular song from 'Give Up,' which is one of my favorite albums of the last few years. I'll wax poetic and say I think it is one of the few really successful attempts at employing modern metaphors and themes in lyrics. That said, it's really just a great pop album.

Walking Out of Stride – Badly Drawn Boy

From the SoundTrack of 'About a Boy.' Jen, my wife, suggests you also listen to River, Sea, Ocean on the same album.

Transistor Radio – Cloud Cult

This is beautiful song, but maybe I should have picked a more pop/rock-ish tune from 'Advice from the Happy Hippopotamus.' Check out Breakfast with My Shadow and Outside of Your Skin on their myspace web site. What do you folks think?

Anyway I like this song bumping bunches.

Jisus Yu Holem Hand Blong Mi – The Choir of All Saints

This is from 'Melanesian Choirs (Original Soundtrack): Chants from the Thin Red Line.' I'm imagine this will be the least favored track on 'Amalgram,' but I hope a few of you find it as beautiful as I do. I thought it stood out in the movie -- which I suggest even if you normally avoid war movies.

The Sea – Morcheeba

First heard this song watching a video of Base Jumping in Norway. Originally on 'Big Calm' and re-issued on 'Parts of the Process.' Can't really say I like Morcheeba's other songs that much.

Coffee Talk – Jazzanova

Even though the survey suggested electronica wasn't very popular with the Flying Cougar Monkeys (FCM), I had to put some on the album since I listen to a lot of Acid Jazz and Trip Hip. If you would like to hear similar stuff, I would be happy to offer suggestions.

Miss Modular – Stereolab

Stereolab and Tortoise have been two of my favorite bands for years. Here is a more approachable tune from the album 'Dots & Loops.'

Whoever You Are – Geggy Tah

A fun song by an Australian band whose name comes from the way their younger siblings' spoke their names, i.e. Greg and Tommy. Sadly, I also heard this first on an ad.

She Don’t Use Jelly – Ben Folds Five

Hilarious cover of the Flaming Lips tune found on the 'Song for the Dumped' EP.

They’ll Soon Discover – The Shins

Yes, The Shins are so popular, instead of a song from 'Oh, Inverted World' or 'Chutes Too Narrow,' I picked a rare-ish track off the SpongeBob soundtrack. Laugh if you must, but it's a surprising good album (remeber I have kids) and also has the great track Spongebob & Patrick Confront The Psychic Wall of Energy by The Flaming Lips.

Dogs Got a Bone – The Beta Band

Get 'The Three EPs' by The Beta Band. Just a great album. I had a hard time choosing between this track, Dry the Rain, and Push it Out.

Song My Friends Taught Me – Laura Veirs

I like the story of how Laura Veirs became a musician. She's kind of like Jack Johnson, in that she never intended to be a song writer. As I understand it, she was a geology gradual student doing her research in some remote part of China, and she taken a guitar with her as a way to pass the time. When she returned to Seattle her friends loved her songs and .... well you get the idea.

I have a crush on her... Don't tell my wife ;^)

Welcome to our blog! I went with the most all-inclusive name since I needed to pick something, but feel free to rename the group when it's your month. I look forward to talking about our selections!
Beth