Brad 2006-12

1. A Wonderful Christmas Time - As Fast As
My favorite Christmas song. Though the McCartney original isn't on Rhapsody, this cover does it justice.
2. Anna Molly - Incubus
This song joins Our Lady Peace's "Clumsy" as first videos I've watched on a new game console.
3. The Payback - James Brown
This tribute to what is arguably the coolest James Brown track will now have to serve as a farewell. One thing we know about James. There were some things he just couldn't take.
4. Pepper - Butthole Surfers
The band with quite possibly the worst name (or job description) had this hit in the 90s.
5. Lonesome Valley - The Fairfield Four
A great old spiritual from "O Brother Where Art Thou".
6. Remember - Air
A smooth bit of electronica from a great mellow album.
7. Black - Aaron Lewis
Staind's vocalist does an excellent job with the Pearl Jam original.
8. Distraction - Angels And Airwaves
One of several awesome tracks from this album.
9. Welcome Back - Mase
The world's laziest rapper returned in 2004 (cleaned up and having earned a degree in theology) with this single.
10. Letterbox - OK Go
This clever spin on They Might Be Giants original further cements Ok Go's reputation for me.
11. Shalom - Pax 217
Crank this one up loud for old times sake.

Brad 2006-11: The Depressing 80s:

In grade school, I would often stay up late cramming for tests. Occasionally, I would turn to soft rock radio for some comfort. There was no comfort to be found there.

1. Take My Breath Away - Berlin
2. Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes
3. Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
4. Making Love Out Of Nothing At All - Air Supply
5. Drive - The Cars
6. I Want To Know What Love Is - Foreigner
7. If You Leave Me Now - Chicago
8. Hello - Lionel Richie
9. Against All Odds - Phil Collins
10. Africa - Toto
11. Open Arms - Journey
12. Total Eclipse Of The Heart - Bonnie Tyler
13. The Lady In Red - Chris De Burgh

Brad 2006-10:

1. Pretend We're Dead - L7
A radio ditty from my high school days.
2. Crystal Ball - Keane
Another spin in the player yields a new favorite.
3. Eyes Without A Face - Billy Idol
Morning drives into work with Bob FM.
4. I'd Rather Dance With You - Kings Of Convenience
Last months Royskopp pick lead me to this excellent little band.
5. Why Do I Keep Counting? - The Killers
The dirtier, more warbly Killers score several standouts on thier new disc.

Pop. Pop.

Brad 09-06:

1. Dirty Second Hands - Switchfoot
A sampling of things to come from the ever evolving Switchfoot.
2. Be Yourself And Five Other Cliches - Rock Star: Supernova
Okay, so maybe Lukas was the right choice afterall. Creepy cool studio vocals help make this band an interesting one to watch.
3. Ever (Foreign Flag) - Team Sleep.
Deftones light.
4. Pressure Drop - Toots and the Maytals
From Rolling Stone's Top 500 Songs of all time. Foundational reggae.
5. Monkey Gone To Heaven - The Pixies
"...and if the devil is six..."
6. Mother Of Pearl - Roxy Music
After about a minute twenty of "cabaret rock", Roxy settles into a lenghty and memorable verse.
7. Remind Me - Royksopp
Bittersweet electropop. I eat this stuff for breakfast.
8. (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais - The Clash
Foundational to many a rocker.
9. Standing In The Shadows Of Love - The Four Tops
Man, how many hits can one band have! Several entries in the RS Top 500.
10. Ask - The Smiths
My girlfriend's favorite Smiths track.
11. Growin' Old - Pigeon John
My favorite rapper's beats are slicker than ever on this new album. The older I get, the more I can relate to the waves of nostalgia described in the finale track.

Pandora Internet Radio

You know, sometimes we all need good music advice from someone we trust. Enter Pandora. Good music may not be an exact science, but Pandora is sure close. Rather than suggesting music based on something general like genre (a wide sprectrum), they analyze each SONG based on 200-400 factors (time signature, tonality, etc.) and then make recommendations.

Check it out and see if it can't find something for you.

Brad 08-06: Top Ten Songs:

This month marks 1 year of blogging on Rhapsody!
I made many musical discoveries and rediscoveries in the past year, but these were my favorites. Your psychoanalysis welcome!








I first saw this band with TMBG in Pittsburgh. They were impressive then and they show no signs of slowing.








This Scottish four piece have reintroduced disco's "unn tsss" to rock, influencing many others to follow suit.








The dark new wave originals who birthed New Order have also influenced several bands on this list.








If this ends up being the last album they ever record, it will go down as one of the best. A glimpse into the future of punk, it's up to every other punk act to play catch up.








I endlessly listened to this album since it hit my radar last November. If this is thier talent in high school, what is to come?








Imogen is a one girl powerhouse. She understands how to use technology to her advantage and the results are awesome.








The Johns certainly hold the record for the longest lasting artists in my headphones. I expect to still be appreciating thier wit and ingenuity when I'm 60.








An enigma of a band that I randomly discovered one night. I would have laughed at them if they weren't so intruiging and creative. Eagerly awaiting thier next album.








The band with the snobby underground name that I avoided for so long. Thankfully, I gave in shortly after hearing The Postal Service. Vivid, often dark, lyrics that move me on many a listen.








The extremely tight and polished band that every modern secret agent should have in his car. Despite being a Rhapsody member, I will buy thier new CD on day 1.

Brad 07-06:

1. Exactly Where I'm At - Ween
A slick recommendation from a fellow artist at work.
2. Starlight - Muse
The unanimous pick (in my social circle) for best new Muse track .
3. In The Deep - Bird York
This song plays endlessly at Loews Cineplex. I don't really mind.
4. Never Tear Us Apart - INXS
A good track to pick the pace back up in any playlist.
5. Sloop John B - The Beach Boys
From an episode of Sports Night.
6. Suzie - Boy Kill Boy
The sweet, new wave-y single from a fairly new band.
7. Brandy Alexander - The Walkmen
More organ and drum madness from the new CD.
8. Peace Train - Cat Stevens
"Everyones high on the B String!"
9. Teen Angst - M83
From the trailer for "A Scanner Darkly".
10. Damaged - Plumb
This mellow finish went undiscovered during the years I listened to Plumb.

Brad 06-06:

1. Breathe (Extended Remix) - Telepopmusik
Lately, I've been trying to create playlists that cover a full workday. This song is a regular opener.
2. The Pageant Of The Bizarre - Zero 7
A smooth track from the band that Garden State popularized.
3. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
This song's coolness is only amplified by the "Star Warsian" performance during the MTV movie awards.
4. Darts Of Pleasure - Franz Ferdinand
This song had to be included for the final 45 seconds. Ich heisse Superphantastisch!
5. The Mollusk - Ween
I'm sure I'll never decode what inspired this bizzare but cool song.
6. The Sky Is Broken - Moby
Moby whispers his way through this calm rainy track. Bonus for being a techno artist who uses his pipes.
7. The World Before Later On - They Might Be Giants
John Flansberg asks the questions many of us have ("wheres my jetpack?") and some that only the Johns can.
8. One Lonely Visitor - Chevelle
An old album now, perhaps, but as "hard ballads" go, this is choice.

Brad 05-06:

1. We've Only Just Begun - Run Kid Run
The awesome single from a friends new band.
2. Turn Me On - Vitamin C
Guilty pleasure of the month. "Vitamin" weighs the pros and cons of a relationship.
3. Glued To The Girl - Self
Not nearly enough of this band on Rhapsody. May have to buy "Subliminal Plasic Motives".
4. All The Hands And The Cook - The Walkmen
Loud, low quality, goodness from the new album.
5. The Plumbing Song - Weird Al Yankovic
For fans of Al or Milli Vanilli.
6. Miss Murder - Afi
The dark video raised my interest in this well known band.
7. New Hampshire - John Linnell
The latest in nearly monthly Linell tracks. No one else has these lyrics.

Brad 04-06:

1. Royal Oil - The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
As the cold weather leaves Pittsburgh, here's a toast to warm spring days.
2. Hello - Hawk Nelson
A recommendation from one of the high school guys I counseled at a recent retreat. Am I too old for pop punk?
3. Bedroom Suite - Joe Christmas
"Muchas veces" (many times) his mother said he would be a man.
4. Fully Alive - Flyleaf
Sure, the first scream caught me off guard, but this girl fronted grunge act has potential to match it's positive lyrics.
5. Bodies - Smashing Pumpkins
A dark but awesome song from the nearly flawless "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness".
6. Why I Cry - The Magnetic Fields
The end credits to the Pete and Pete" episode where Ardy ("the strongest man in the world") leaves.

Brad 03-06:

1. Yeah! Oh, Yeah! - The Magnetic Fields
The first in a trilogy of non-love songs from this months fav.
2. Uptown Girl - Billy Joel
Somewhere there's a picture of a younger me "playing" this song on a tennis racket. Karaoke Revolution fans will know it as one tough nut to harmonize.
3. On The Other Side - The Strokes
The down and out Strokes attempt to come to grips with thier problems.
4. I Don't Really Love You Anymore - The Magnetic Fields
More love on the rocks from TMF.
5. Truth About It Is - Dogwood
Supposedly, a favorite album around The Simpsons art department. Stick around for the title lyric toward the end.
6. Aftermath - The Southland
This band was recently featured on Scrubs. Scrubs was recently featured in my DVD player.
7. I Didn't Believe You - The Magnetic Fields
"I had a dream and you were in it....."
8. Someone Saved My Life Tonight - Elton John
This bittersweet tune still packs a punch 30 years later.
9. Jorge Regula - The Moldy Peaches
An extremely minimal track which finishes off the work day nicely.

Brad 02-06:

A short playlist for a short month. Enjoy!

1. Making Plans For Nigel - XTC
The band that helped inspire They Might Be Giants has been around even longer and has an equally large reputation for cleverness .
2. Saint Simon - The Shins
After wearing out the many popular tracks from thier 2 great albums, I stumbled on this number.
3. Blue Light - Bloc Party
Ditto for this track from the hit heavy "Silent Alarm"
4. Tiny Vessels - Death Cab For Cutie
Many people have already heard this, but it's practically worthy of it's own playlist. Crushingly honest. It breaks my heart for this generation: Men trained to look at women as objects. Women seking real love. Kills me almost everytime I listen.

Brad 01-06:

1. This Scene Is Dead - We Are Scientists
I've been anticipating this band's US release ever since I first saw their two awesome videos, directed by The Lonely Island's Akiva Schaeffer. Fortunately, those weren't the only good tracks.
2. Pressure - Skindred
A harder edged reggae metal act. Featured in the Xbox 360 version of Project Gotham Racing.
3. My Coco - Stellastarr
A cool British 80's track. Except that it's neither.
4. L.A. Song - Fischerspooner
A song I like to play in my car as I pretend I've just gone crazy.
5. Just For Now - Imogen Heap
One of my top three tracks from the artist who recently impressed David Letterman with her "one woman band". I imagine that it's about overhearing various family members at Christmas time.
6. Marlene Dietrich's favorite Poem - Peter Murphy
This former Bauhaus singer can hold his own with the deepest of deep voiced new wave. I love this stuff.
7. Men Of Station - 13 and God
In the sea of repetetive electronic music, only a few rare gems shine through for me. This is one of them. In constant rotation on my Rio Carbon.
8. Anxious Arms - The Jealous Sound
A cool optimistic song with a cool optimistic chorus.
9. Goods - Mates Of State
A married couple who make sweet dancable harmony together. I discovered this little band on Rhapsody. A week later, my enjoyment was amplified by this homemade video: http://www1.matesofstate.com/vid/gj-goods.mov
10. Island Of The Honest Man - Hot Hot Heat
I avoided this band because of all the hype. But, this song is worth it just for the chorus.