The Crossover Country Singer says...

 I remember when first saw this video. My roommate bought the record this song appears on, Nocturama, and we must have watched this video (on an accompanying CD) five or six times. It's fifteen minutes long but it's doesn't seem like it. I've never been much of a Nick Cave fan but, along with the Grinderman project, over the last five years I've really come around, especially with the release of Dig! Lazarus! Dig!.

Anyway, I'm listening to this while I finish up updating an guide for Excel 2010. Seems like a silly project since Office 2013 is coming very soon but it's necessary since I don't think we'll be upgrading in the near future. Next project is a short guide to navigating webmail.

Sesame Street: Share It Maybe

Silly yet somehow still fantastic.

Call Me Maybe?

So this is one super catchy song. I think I like this version only because of the guy in background on the left. He's got the awesome combination head-bob / grin that puts everyone else to shame. Gotta love the Roots.

Art for Art's Sake

So I've decided to commission a piece for this blog. If all things go according to plan, it'll be done mid-June so I can add it as a banner or something. The inspiration will be one of my previous post about having to do the dishes in the bathtub. A throw away post could become something. I'm willing to pay for this because it's interesting and something I've always wanted. Oh yeah, it's going to be a 3 panel comic strip. I'm excited and a little nervous.

So why did I pull the trigger now? (1) I've actually got a little disposable income. The stability of my employment situation has allowed me to be a little less frugal. But more importantly, (2) while I don't intend for this blog to become a huge success, I wanted to commemorate the little changes I've made with my online presence, growing up a little (but not that much). Basically put my money where my mouth is. 

  

So Lucero is a new favourite of mine. I discovered them while watching this web series called $5 Cover (produced by MTV, so I'm going to link to the companion documentary $5 Amplified) about the music scene in Memphis, another American city I'd like to visit now. Lucero sounds like just like all my favourite country-punk / alt-country bands. Can't believe I didn't know about them before. Also discovered Jack Oblivian's solo work. It was worth watching all those episode.

Muzzle of Bees

I don't usually search YouTube for covers of my favourite bands/songs but I haven't turn of the television today therefore I must amuse myself online (I'm also trying to prepare for the upcoming week). What I like about this cover is the song selection. Muzzle of Bees isn't a song most Wilco fans would chose to cover. Jeff Tweedy has written lots of folk and country-styled songs that lend themselves to singer/songwriter covers. Muzzle of Bees is a full band song, a highlight off the A Ghost is Born album. Lots of distorting but he handles the song well. This is under 100 views so hopefully this will help jump start at least ten more views.

And, also there are lot of mediocre covers. They aren't bad just nothing special; simply lacking the spark. The last two sentences aren't anything new. Just thought I'd add my semi-positive spin on the amount of videos posted on YouTube.

Also, I find it difficult to watch the people sing directly into the camera. Then again, I'm not biggest fan of music videos in general so that might just be my preference to listen and not watch my pop music.

Finale Party - Talkin' Comic Books

I'm in the background! It was a different change of pace to talk about comic books with real people. Don't know if I'm becoming part of the "community" but sometimes a man needs to discuss the merits of North American Superhero comic books in an intelligent way.

The Anthem by Kardinal Offishall

So this song is all about Toronto, and not just the downtown core but all the great neighbourhoods around the city. Kardinal show the city in all its glory. I love this. So often people get hung up on the downtown and forget the larger city. This why people should explore their city. This video, along with the new book Stroll, is how people should think of the city. The last couple of municipal elects have had this suburbs vs. downtown division that I'm not liking at all. Love and enjoy the entire city, not just your neighbourhood. I could take or leave the song but I love the video with all the landmarks. Between this and Scott Pilgrim (with its focus on the post-university area of the city) this has been a couple tweleve months of Toronto love.

Most Likely NOT Ben Folds

All the Single Babies

All the Single Babies - watch more funny videos

He came into the store today.