new: David Byrne and Brian Eno

"Someday's We Harmonize"

A great way to kick start the week. Listen to Everything That Happens Will Happen Today below, then buy it. Great to hear this classic pairing making tunes again. Highly rec'd.

good peeps: Jonathan Richman

"He's Stoned/And I'm Straight"

After the New York Football Giants played one of the worst games in the recorded history of man I knew there was only one way to cheer up. That's where Jonathan Richman comes into play. You may have heard us mention Richman's deadpan wit before, or perhaps your familiar with The Modern Lovers from LCD Soundsystem's history of indie chic "Losing My Edge" ("All the Modern Lovers records"), or maybe you've seen Farrelly Brothers classic There's Something About Mary and wondered who that skinny old dude that serenades you with a spanish guitar is. The answer, of course, is Jonathan Richman.

In his teens the Massachusetts native became infatuated with The Velvet Underground and moved to New York in search of all things VU. He found himself penniless and sleeping on the Velvet's managers couch. After an extended stay he moved back to Boston and formed The Modern Lovers with Jerry Harrison (future Talking Head) and David Robinson (of The Cars). Not a bad crew, respectively. The Modern Lovers are most famous as the fore bearers of punk rock's three chord progression, exemplified in classics like "Roadrunner" and "Pablo Picasso."

Richman's lyrics, often whimsical, come from a place so pure that some songs sound as if they could be credited to a Natick kindergarten class ("I'm a Little Dinosaur"). However, it's his simple sing song, often remiscent of 50's boogaloo ("Dodge Veg-o-matic"), that has endeared pop fans for over 35 years.

"Roadrunner Once/ Roadrunner Twice/ I'm in with Love Rock and Roll/ And I'll Be Out All Night"

Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers- Roadrunner
Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers- Pablo Picasso
Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers- I'm a Little Dinosaur

"I Was Dancing at the Lesbian Bar" at the Knitting Factory, NYC

nu musick: Brazilian Girls

I will argue til the day I die that no one on this here planet earth is sexier than Sabinna Sciubba of the Brazilian Girls. While not Brazilian, Sabinna is without a doubt just as fiery, mysterious and downright sexy as any hottie from the streets of Rio. We've seen them live and they definitely know, to quote the Wu, how to "bring the mutha fucking ruckus." Coincidently, so do the Talking Heads, which makes the Brazilian Girls dirty electro cover of the Remain In Light classick "Crosseyed & Painless", a sure fire party starter. While it doesn't hold a candle to the classick Phish version, it's definitely worth a listen. Peep it below.

Brazilian Girls- Crosseyed & Painless

nu musick: Vampire Weekend

"As a Sophmore/With Reggaeton"

Vampire Weekend has been dubbed the funkiest NYC buzz band since the Talking Heads. Rolling Stone claimed they sounded like "Pavement covering Paul Simon's Graceland." We hear it (maybe with a hint of Islands thrown in fo' flava). NY Times said "Even without an album Vampire Weekend has made one of the year’s most impressive debuts." "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" blends the signature rhythmic elements of afro-beat (minus driving horns) with an obtuse, folky simplicity. Minimalist in its approach, "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" sounds like it was made for a Wes Anderson Soundtrack (or Graceland). "Mansard Roof" is like CYHSY at a sideshow carnival, with a touch of Arctic Monkey's rapid fire guitar, naivety and vocal inflection. Its worldly, fun, literate pop for kids getting ready to spend another year hittin' the books. Makes me long for autumnal walks to the library. Brisk breeze, corduroy jackets and old books.


Vampire Weekend- Mansard Roof
Vampire Weekend- Oxford Comma