Caitlin's Music Blog

Frenchy Time

2007-04-10T21:25:00.000-04:00

Song: Quelqu'un ma dit - Carla Bruni
I first of head of this woman when Nina gave me her song "Le ciel dans une chambre". After getting the album I fell even more in love with this song which means "someone told me you still loved me". I love her phrasing in this song and the music is as sweet at the words.

Back At It!

2007-03-26T16:04:00.000-04:00

Song: Parkdale

I'm back to the land of music blogging!

This tune is from a local band called Run With the Kittens, and I love them. I first heard about them at a party Alex Pangman and her Husband Colonel Tom threw. They are some of the funniest performers I have seen live, complete with fake moustaches, chest wigs, velvet jumpsuits and mardi gras beads. Who couldn't love that?

This song here is a very accurate and loving tribute to a Toronto neighborhood we all know and love (kinda).

Looking For a Pretty Song

2006-07-26T13:19:00.000-04:00

Song: Betting on Trains - Hem

Here's a pretty songs that I think should be listened to.

War Time

2006-06-12T17:43:00.000-04:00

Song: Everybody's Gone To War - Nerina Pallot

I haven't posted in a long while what with being busy traveling and moving to a new condo!

I thought I would wrap up the catchy tunes moment with a video! I saw this on MTV in Finland and don't know if she's hit any charts here yet. Either way, its rediculously radio friendly and kind of teenage pop-ish.....but catchy and I have to admit that I have it totally stuck in my head. So I downloaded it. But the reason I am choosing to show you all the video is because its better than the song is solo. Its actually a really interesting video. The subject matter comes off as quite crative to me and I love the way it was shot. And the overall concept of this is quite wellt hought out for a pop video. So if you haven't seen this one yet, check it out!

Tomato Juice Helps a Hangover

2006-05-19T19:32:00.000-04:00

Song: Hangover Days - Jason Collett

Here us another guy of the Arts and Crafts label - along with Feist, Metric, Broken Social Scene, Peaches, and many other great artists. I first really payed attention to him when I saw him as one of the opening acts for Metric in Toronto. I was especially excited when Emily Haines came out and sang this song with him. I really like the harmonies on this one, along with the whole general vibe. Generally it just makes me all happy and nostalgic, it reminds me when I was first living on my own in Toronto and how much I was loving doing my own thing. I was lucky enough to get him to sign my cd after the show, he seems a bit odd but was really gracious and nice to his fans and hung out at the merchandise table for a while.

New York Smells Funny

2006-04-25T13:38:00.000-04:00

Song: Luke Doucet - New York

Pardon me folks for not posting in a while, I thought I had posted this, but it was still a draft....silly me.

So here is the popularity gaining Luke Doucet, yet *another* canuck for you. He's not too well known, not even amongst Canadians, but his last album "Broken (And Other Rogue States)" threw him into the spotlight a bit more. This was the second song of his I ever heard and is off "Aloha Manitoba". I liked it, but the whole album is so good, that it took some time for this particular song to stick. When I saw him play it at the Horseshoe in Toronto for the NXNE festival last year, this tune completely blew me away. He's a very expressive singer and performer, as long as he's not too drunk. Either way, I got Todd, Skye and Nina (musical name dropping ahoy!) hooked on it and I'm sure I can do the same with you :)

Middle Man

2006-04-21T14:30:00.000-04:00

Song: Stealers Wheel - Stuck in the Middle With You

Here's an old but goody many of you know. This song is *oh* so sweet, and just rolls along. It rocks just hard enough, but not so much to that it slays you at the end....This little gem came about around 1973 and the album has a lot of very obvious influences from the Beatles to Dylan but at least they aren't stealing from Styx or Skynard.

Yeah!

2006-04-19T16:44:00.000-04:00

Song: Clap You Hands Say Yeah - The Skin of my Yellow Country Teeth

Pardon for the very long names here. The song is also rather lengthy (in my oppinion most songs - the shorter the better) I've recently turned into quite the fan of these duders. This doesn't fit into the catchiest of catrgories, but this song has totally wormed its way into my head. These guys are pretty new up and comers in the indie world, so I highly suggest you go get the album this is from, also titled "Clap Your Hands Say Yeah". They also recently appeared on the NPR podcast "All Songs Considered" where they broadcast them live from the 930 club in DC (which regularly gets some fucking awesome acts!)

Oh and ps this dude sings kidna weird, but I promise it grows on you.

Crash, Bang, Boom

2006-04-17T15:03:00.000-04:00

Song: Stone Temple Pilots - Big Bang Baby

After the Easterly weekend, I figure its time to jump back in the saddle and post some more songs!

Here's an oldy but goody! I think this is about 7th grade for me, back in my short lived grungy days.....oh the memories. I remember happening upon this song about 4 years ago and thinking 'Holy shit, that was a good song!' I remember I listened to it over and over again after it came out.....that and some Porno for Pyros, and Smashing Pumpkins....but I'm going to *not* post that stuff.

So here is a little of the Ol' STPs......now everyone get high!

Remote Controller

2006-04-12T00:49:00.000-04:00

Song: Controller.Controller - PF

Here's a Toronto based group, whose lead singer has the coolest name ever: Nirmala Basnayake. And she's hot. These guys play with such a rawness in all their songs that I haven't heard in a while. That's one of the things that really gets me about music in Canada these days, these bands are making such a unique sound that is so them, but is also so orginal. I feel so incredibly lucky to be living in the city where a lot of these incredible musicians are from, and playing in. There is so much musical brilliance and inspiration in this city, in all genres, that we truly are blessed here.

Bye, Bye Baby

2006-04-11T11:28:00.000-04:00

Song: Metric - Combat Baby

This was my #1 stuck-in-the-head song of winter 04/05. As many of you may know this is my favourite band.....and they're getting a bigger name now, whee! Let's hear is for more good music on the radio! Steve actually saw them last night in Minneapolis with some friends and I hope they rocked their socks off for me because no one makes you want to girate like a crazy quite like Emily Haines.

Again, I love the beat in this song and I love the way it starts off. They really know how to build tension in a song. So enjoy, off their album "Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?" - let's rock!

Sweet & Sour Dreams

2006-04-09T19:03:00.000-04:00

Song: The Coral - Dreaming of You

This is the song I currently have stuck in my head, i have to listen to it at least 2 times a day. Goddamn my iPod for dying 3 days ago!!!!

I first heard this on the show Scrubs....oh that Zack Braff. Such good taste in music has he.

This little ditty is so angry and hot and short and sweet. Can't go wrong with 2:21. There is just enough time to express your emotions with a hot melody, hot bassline and hot backup vocals, then *poof*, its over.

an addition: I'm extending the number of posts that remain up so that this little series can all show at once and the songs will remain downloadable as long as they are on the main page.

The Swedish Swallow

2006-04-06T11:15:00.000-04:00

Song: Jens Lekman - A Sweet Summer's Night on Hammer Hill

So thus I start a series of my favourite catchy pop/rock songs......a tribute to the song that you listen to over and over again for a week straight, to the song that gets stuck in your head more than the "I Dream of Jeannie" theme. I think what attracts me to these songs in particular is the combination of a really good beat and a really solid, catchy melody over some nice chord changes....if you wanted the dorky answer.

Yes indeedy, boys and girls, here some of my favourites over the past year, some of them you may like and some of them you may not, but either way, enjoy getting really sick of them!

This one also goes out to my luva boy Steve who has jumped on and started his own music blog. Take heed children, this man has fantastic taste and knows way too much random shit about popular music, so check it out:

Steve's Music Blog

On the Topic of Sad...

2006-04-03T20:03:00.000-04:00

Song: Lenny Welch - Since I Fell For You

This is one of the saddest songs I have ever heard. The version I knew first was off a Nina Simone record that my dad used to play alot. I remember when I first heard this version, my mom and I were driving in South West Louisiana surfing radio stations and this came up. I went to change the station since it sounded super-schmaltzo but my mom didnt let me. After hearing it all the way through, I decided I didnt hate it and downloaded it when I got home. Then I listened to it some more and I love it to pieces. Rarely do I hear *any* version do justice to the meloncholy nature of this song......but this one tears the shit out of your heart.

Country Music Likes Sad Stuff

2006-03-21T13:55:00.000-05:00

Song: Shawn Colvin & Lyle Lovett - Faded Love

This here is a song I found years and years ago by accident, its actually one of the first songs that really introduced me to more of Lyle Lovett. I downloaded it being a long-time Shawn Colvin fan, and think its a lovely gem. It turns out these two work together all the time; he appears on "The Facts About Jimmy" on her Album "A Few Small Repairs" and she also did backup on the song "One Eyed Fiona" on his brilliant album "The Road to Ensenada".

I highly encourage everyone to check out their previous works, both solo and together. Also, on "A Few Small Repairs" you can really hear John Leventhal's distinct production. Listen to daughter Cash's album "Rules of Travel" (the album from which I posted a few posts back, tying it all together!) to hear the similarities.

I Play What I Want!

2006-03-09T00:05:00.000-05:00

Song: Connie Smith - Darling, Are You Ever Coming Home?

This is dedicated to some friends - Alex Pangman and Her Fiance Colonel Tom. He plays in a country string band called "The Back Stabbers" and she is Jazz vocalist with her own band "Alex Pangman and Her Alleycats" I first heard her sing country whiel stepping up with The Backstabbers for this song at the Cameron House, and she blew my mind. She did such a lovely tribute to Connie Smith without losing the quality that makes Alex so Alex. It was so nice to see them at the wedding, and I can't wait to see the at theirs. They are the cutest Olde Tyme singing couple in the world.
Anyhoo, this goes out to them.

Sequins and Plastic, And By That I Mean The South

2006-03-07T17:36:00.000-05:00

Song: Dolly Parton - Jolene

Moving back to the country and western theme I had intended to roll with for awhile, here is a Dolly Parton song for you. I was re-inspired to post a song of hers after her performance for the Oscars, which I must note was the only one that did not feature some sort of interpretive dance.

This is one of my favourites by her and it really showcases her vocal and songwriting talents. Appareantly she's writing all the time and tries to create something everyday. She may be a goofy Southerner with platinum blonde hair, fake boobs and white sequined outfits, but she knows it and could kick you ass with those stiletto boots. Besides she shares my birthday which *obviously* raises the cool level.

More on That....

2006-02-14T11:46:00.000-05:00

Song: Huey "Piano" Smith - Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu

Thanks Peeeeetski for inspiring the shit out of me in your past few posts. I'm going to avoid posting white girl college music still (as much as the urge is there) and post some Huey "Piano" Smith. This also goes out to my woman Ash, who has rocked with me many a time at the Res as the pretty Tyler plays this song. Huey Piano Smith is another New Orleans early funk pai-an-ah master and deserves alot more credit from the general public than he gets. And his name is Huey. How can you not love this guy?

Inspired By Peter

2006-02-14T11:37:00.000-05:00

Song: Gary Jules - Mad World

Recently, Peter posted Tears For Fears - Shout to his music blog which got me thinking.
This song is from the Donnie Darko soundtrack, but was originally done by Tears For Fears. Their version is pretty trippy, but Garly Jules took it and made it a very pretty, very sad song.
Take note world, this is not REM, though people often think it is. This guy hasnt done too much, and its hard to find much by him, but I did find him covering a Cat Stevens song on the Starbucks Sweeheart '05 album. Go Figure.

Some More Random Tune-age

2006-02-09T13:36:00.000-05:00

Song: Rosanne Cash - September When It Comes feat. Johnny Cash

I first heard this song off Rosanne Cash's album, Rules of Travel, while listening to a special on her on NPR: Music. It's a really beautiful song and her father joins her in the second half of the song. I haven't had a chance to listen to it that much, but its a touching song with a pretty melody.

When I was first listening to selections from the album on NPR, I was surprised how much the feeling and production of this album reminded me of Shawn Colvin's last two albums, A Few Small Repairs and A Whole New You. After checking out the album info, I found that Roseanne's was produced my her husband, John Leventhal, who has been writing and producing with Shawn Colvin from the beginning.

You can also find this song on Johnny Cash's recently issued 4-disc set, Legend.

Aussie Love

2006-02-02T16:35:00.000-05:00

Song: Ben Lee - Gamble Everything For Love

A little Aussie love upon my return from Oz. Peter and I were teaching there and had a lovely time. This was an artist I found last year during our trip there, who's video for this song was playing on their MTV.

He's come to Toronto and Minnie so many times and I keep getting thwarted! He wasn't even playing in Australia while we were there either time. Boo. But someday I will see this man and he will play his catchy song that I love.

PJ Rocks My Free World

2006-01-09T19:51:00.000-05:00

Song: Pearl Jam - Leaving Here, Live in Toronto, September 2005

This is an old Motown song, originally recroded by Eddie Holland, and covered by the Who. Pearl Jam has taken it on as a cover they are famous for, my guess is because they are quite big Who fans. They often play "Baba O'Reilly" (often incorrectly named "Teenage Wasteland") as an encore in their shows. I had the good fortune of getting to see these guys last September and what a fucking blast. Steve, being a *HUGE* PJ fan, got me fancy good fanclub seats and the show was the day after I got let back into Canada. So this recording is from the show he and I went to. In fact, Steve saw I think 6 Pearl Jam shows, basically their Eastern Canadian tour, but this is from their Toronto show. He made me a fan of these guys and it was this song that really did it.

Ooooh video.....

2006-01-03T19:52:00.001-05:00

Song: Metric - Empty

This is the first track on their new album "Live it Out". They also opened their last Toronto show with this song which was a hot way to start off the evening. Go Emily for inspiring me with some hot new dance moves, including the twist, hair tossing and a revised version of the robot.

Screw the Imperial System

2006-01-01T15:14:00.000-05:00

Song: Metric - Siamese Cities

I introduce to you: Metric!! They are my favourite band these days. This is off their way old "Static Anonymity" EP. Their other albums out and available now are "Live It Out" and "Old World Underground Where Are You Now?". This is another group Steve introduced to me last year and after completely loving them and Emily Haines (their singer) to no end, I got to see them live at the Phoenix this fall, two nights in a row!! It was gorgeous. Maybe I'll even post a *video* next time! That way you can see Emily's hot dance moves.

Here they are in all their Canadian glory!

I heart Hawksley!

2005-12-22T12:18:00.000-05:00

Song: Hawksley Workman - Dirty and True

This post is dedicated to my man and husband to be Steve!!! Thanks to this man for introducing me to the lovely Canadian's music. I've always thought of Steve whenever I hear Hawksley. Hawksley is one of those rediculously talented brilliant guys who is so amazing he's just nutty. I cant wait to see him live in March!! So this is for my boy and everyone else who should hear ths guy. Recently Added: Check out his book "Hawksley Burns for Isadora"