Ithaca Mafia.

Song For The Moment

“Oh My God” by Ida Maria

I could have sworn that I posted this one already, but I didn’t see it in the archives.  Perhaps I just thought about posting it and forgot.  Either way, it’s here now, chock-full of energy and exclamations.  It’s the perfect tune on a rainy Wednesday, and if it doesn’t get your heart pitter-pattering and your feet tipper-tapping… well, go to the doctor — because you’re probably dead inside.

Song For The Moment

“Represent” by Weezer

This isn’t a great song.  It isn’t even a great Weezer song.  But Rivers Quomo, #1 soccer fan, wrote it specifically for the US National Team’s World Cup appearance.  So, I figure that’s got to count for something.  The players themselves love it.  You can download it free from iTunes.

Myself, I’ll be pumping myself up with a little Street Sweeper Social Club on the way into the office today.

Win and we’re in.

UPDATE: They’ve put together an official video for this jam.

Song For The Moment (by Stevie C.)

Stranger by Dr. Dog

I heard these guys last week and couldn’t help but love their sound.  Slightly melancholy, slightly familiar, very cool.  Being that they are from Philly, it all makes sense.  It’s some good retro white boy rock that I have a tendency, according to my wife, to favor.  An eclectic sound similar in some regards to Wilco.  (Later in the album I swear I hear some Bowie.)  

The catchiest of tunes, one of my two favorites which bookend the album, is Stranger.

“Dr. Dog has created a song cycle of doubt and despair, bookended with the woozily swirling harmonies of Leaman’s lonely opener “Stranger” and the harsh self-critique of the title track, a gnarled admission that sometimes it’s best to admit your mistakes and move on.” 

Song For The Moment

“Afraid of Everyone” by The National

Little D shot me a message from Londontown this morning, letting me know that The Grey Lady — aka, The New York Times — will be streaming The National’s forthcoming album (High Violet), beginning this Friday, April 23rd.  

I’ve been waiting with bated breath for the past few months in anticipation of this Album.  Nice to see that it’s almost here.  In the meantime, enjoy a slice of it with the track “Afraid of Everyone”, above.

Song For The Moment

“All Future And No Past” by The Baseball Project

I was a big fan of The Baseball Project’s (supergroup consisting of members of R.E.M., the Minus 5, more) debut album, Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails.  A solid collection of pop-rock tunes focused on America’s Pastime, I was hoping they’d have something new for the upcoming season.  Lo and behold, I discover today that they’ve teamed up with ESPN to give us new tunes — gratis — throughout the upcoming 162 games.

This first one is a jam about Spring Training (taken from Lou Boudreau: “On Opening Day, the world is all future and no past”) and the infinite possibilities contained therein.  Even the Royals have a shot at this point.

Nice way to start the season.

Song For The Moment

“The Ballad of El Goodo” by Big Star

Had a nice exchange with Brother Ben last week about the passing of Alex Chilton.  Chilton was one of those musical figures I knew of tangentially — he was well respected; he was oft-referenced as a major influence for many artists and bands; plus; there was that little Replacements tune about him.  Big Star, his group from the 70’s, was something I had always intended to check out (after all, how many bands are referred as “one of the most mythic and influential cult acts in all of rock & roll”) — but, sadly, I never got around to it. 

I picked up Big Star’s three albums last week at Brother Ben’s insistence (“all of that sweetness is where I’d start, literally all”) and commenced listening.  I spent the first few days enjoying #1 Record and the last few days enjoying Radio City.  Third/Sister Lovers will finish off my week. 

Thus far, it’s been an absolute delight.  It pains me that I didn’t get to them before (but, I suppose, better late than never, no?).  I expected something a little more dated — a little more 70’s, perhaps — but have found only timeless, glorious, power pop rocking.  I inquired as to whether Ben would like to pick a tune to post, but he gracefully declined (citing something about a tendency to be “an indecisive ninny”) so I just went with my gut and picked this track off #1 Record. 

I first listened to it with sun shining on my shoulders and the early spring filling my lungs.  My steps became lighter, my smile wider, and when it was over I immediately went back for seconds. 

‘Cause there ain’t no one gonna turn me ‘round.

Song For The Moment

“The Worst Day Since Yesterday” by Flogging Molly

Nothing like a little Celtic Punk to start off Lá Fhéile Pádraig.  So, for all my Irish pals (and everyone else who becomes Irish on the 17th of March), this one’s for you.  Sláinte!

Song For The Moment

“Fall Hard” by Shout Out Louds

Matty tipped me off to the new album by everyone’s favorite Swedish indie rockers earlier this week.  I procured it from a well placed source, and have now been enjoying it for the past 24 hours.  These boyos write some sweet-ass pop tunes that never fail to put a smile on my face.

Can’t really ask more of a band than that.

Song For The Moment

“We Are The Champions” by Queen

For the first time in the eight-year existence of our Fantasy Football League, yours truly has brought home the title.  It was a spirited Mafia Bowl against Lars and his “House of Reid” — but, in the end, my boys came through like they had all season.

Next year, we start again… but for now, we are Champwins.

Song For The Moment

“Drowning Men” by Fanfarlo

I dropped my little sis off at the airport yesterday, as she left on her big London adventure.  Therefore, this song is for her — one of the (many) bands from Londinium that I’m sure she’ll be checking out very soon.  My pal Kyle gave me the album a few weeks ago, and I’ve been enjoying it greatly since then — it’s a nice combination of Arcade Fire and Sufjan Stevens (epic and folky at the same time.)

Do yerself a favor and check it out.  And Al, I’ll get you the CD soon…

Song For The Moment

“Fannin Street” (Live) by Tom Waits

In honor of our boy Erik, I’m popping up a track from the forthcoming Tom album, being released next week.  Glitter And Doom: Live comes out on the 24th, a 2-disc set collecting tunes from his most recent tour (with the second disc containing just Tom Tales!).  If you’re interested in hearing the first few tracks, Tom’s offering them for free, and you can download them here.

Get behind the mule, friends.