Ithaca Mafia.

Oh My God

Ida Maria

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.

• 17 plays

Represent

Weezer

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.

• 5 plays

Stranger

Dr. Dog

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.” 

• 6 plays

Afraid of Everyone

The National

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.

• 9 plays

All Future And No Past

The Baseball Project

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.

• 9 plays

The Ballad Of El Goodo

Big Star

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.

• 24 plays

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!

• 12 plays