Poptopia Parkway

Here we are now (once every 4 months)

2011-09-22T19:01:00.000-07:00

Re: "Anonymous" who suggested more live music on my radio show, and more blogs too. I hear ya! I do spend extra time posting my radio show statuses only on facebook. As far as the live thing goes, the perfectionist in me wants it to be a good experience for the listener - my interview with Ivan & Alyosha was too nervous but the music was great - my interview with Curtains For You was fun but the engineering was trickier. Rest assured however, I am definitely thirsting to feature more live performances, SOONER than later!

Where my headspace is, at the moment; where were you when you first heard Nirvana; "Smells Like Teen Spirit"? I was a dishwasher at Skippers in Montana, washing baskets and scraping off unwanted Alaskan "halibut", when that song blared over the boombox radio, fall of '91. Went to Budget CDs after my shift, bought the CD single with the B-sides, changed my life!

So come on and relive autumn '91 memories with me on my tribute show to 'Nevermind' on the eve of its 20th anniversary, Poptopia Parkway, Fri. 9/23 8:30 pm PST, KSER Independent Public Radio 90.7 FM, online at kser.org!

KSER Pop Pkwy Live Sessions #2

2011-05-05T17:20:00.000-07:00

Hot on the heels of my debut session with Ivan & Alyosha last week, here I go with a new live radio show May 6 on KSER with Seattle indie pop quintet Curtains For You. Look 'em up on myspace and facebook!

If you're a fan of classic baroque & psych pop, vocal harmonies, and lush theatrical rock as personified by The Beatles, Zombies, Beach Boys, Harry Nilsson, ELO and Rufus Wainwright, chances are you'll dig Curtains For You as well.

Earlier this year, I conducted a phone interview with lead vocalist & guitarist Matt Gervais, leading me to arrange this upcoming live session. Matt co-writes the band's material with pianist & vocalist Peter Fedofsky, who happens to maintains an informative blog, with info about Peter's solo music (some of which naturally overlaps with the music of Curtains For You).

The band is set to release their 3rd album, 'After Nights Without Sleep' [Spark And Shine Records], with a special CD release show at Columbia City Theater, Sat. May 14.

So join us Fri. May 6, 8:30-10:30 pm PST, on 90.7 FM KSER!

KSER Pop Pkwy Live Sessions #1

2011-04-28T19:29:00.001-07:00

I'm excited to feature the first official live band session on my Apr. 29 radio show with Seattle indie folk / pop quartet Ivan & Alyosha!

For the record, the distinction of the first ever live musical performance on my show belongs to a solo Phillip Gregory, representing Seattle indie / power pop quintet Carousel. Find out more about them on facebook or myspace.

Carousel's debut EP Love And War [Museum Records] was one of my favorite releases of 2009. That Nov. live interview with Phillip was truly a memorable session for me. I'm proud to be friends with the guys in Carousel, and I very much look forward to hosting the band another time, as I know they are hard at work on their first full-length album, to be released hopefully in 2011.

It seemed like good timing to invite Ivan & Alyosha this week, as the band is opening (along with Seattle chamber pop group Grand Hallway) for another up-and-coming Seattle indie folk / pop vocal sextet, The Head & The Heart, at their sold-out Apr. 30 Seattle concert.

Back in Feb., I conducted a phone interview with I&A's founding member Tim Wilson. The band has released 2 EPs (The Verse, The Chorus [Cheap Lullaby Records] {2009} and Fathers Be Kind [Missing Piece Group] {2011}). They will be opening for another great singer / songwriter, Brandi Carlile, at select west coast cities in May, and are also working on their first full-length CD.

Join us, won't you, Fri. Apr. 29, 8:30-10:30 pm PST, on KSER!

L & R's Top Albums of 2010

2011-01-03T18:19:00.000-08:00

2010 was a great year for new music, and on the 12/31/2010 episode of my Poptopia Parkway radio show (KSER 90.7 FM Everett, http://www.kser.org/), my wife & I featured a song from each of our top 10 albums of the year. What were your favorite albums of 2010?

My Top 10 Albums:
Tame Impala - InnerSpeaker [Modular] - "Lucidity"
Thermals - Personal Life [Kill Rock Stars] - "Never Listen To Me"
Teenage Fanclub - Shadows [Merge] - "Shock And Awe"
Belle & Sebastian - Write About Love [Matador] - "I Didn't See It Coming"
Avi Buffalo - Avi Buffalo [Sub Pop] - "Remember Last Time"
Jenny & Johnny - I'm Having Fun Now [Warner Bros.] - "Switchblade"
Elizabeth & The Catapult - The Other Side Of Zero [Verve Forecast/UMG] - "You And Me"
She & Him - Vol. 2 [Merge] - "Me And You"
Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest [4AD] - "Desire Lines"
Spoon - Transference [Merge] - "Nobody Gets Me But You"

My wife's Top 10 Albums:
Broken Bells - Broken Bells [Columbia/Sony BMG] - "October"
Black Keys - Brothers [Nonesuch] - "Tighten Up"
Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse - Dark Night Of The Soul [Capitol/EMI] - "Daddy's Gone [f/ Nina Persson]"
MGMT - Congratulations [Columbia/Sony BMG] - "Siberian Breaks"
Mynabirds - What We Lose In The Fire We Gain In The Flood [Saddle Creek] - "Ways Of Looking"
Sia - We Are Born [Monkey Puzzle/Jive/Sony BMG] - "The Co-Dependent"
Glasser - Ring [True Panther] - "Home"
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs [Merge] - "We Used To Wait"
Delorean - Subiza [True Panther] - "Real Love"
OK Go - Of The Blue Colour Of The Sky [Paracadute/RED] - "This Too Shall Pass"

The terrible twos?

2010-03-30T00:36:00.000-07:00

Poptopia Parkway turns 2 years old in April...
Watch this space for info about the special show...
That's all for now...

The Beauty And The Beats

2010-02-06T18:39:00.000-08:00

My tribute to the Super Bowl XLIV halftime act (The Who!) went well Feb. 5... but now I need a "vacation" from all the highfalutin' Pop Pkwy concept shows.

Enter my wife R. to assist me with "The Beauty And The Beats" (that is not a typo)... limited engagement, 1 night only!

It will be a mainstream extension of The Tunnel that follows me on Fridays, and will be in honor of the hard work done by co-hosts Rob and Maire, who really know how to dig deep into truly experimental and underground electronica music.

Check us all out on Fri. Feb. 12, 8:30 pm, KSER 90.7 FM!

Favorite CDs of 2009 (finally!)

2010-01-28T22:23:00.000-08:00

Here is my wife's "Top Ten" of 2009 (I had extra time on the 1/1 show and thus expanded it to an "Excellent Eleven")... in order of broadcast (all important in making those sweet segueways that have become our calling card at Poptopia Parkway, Inc.):

Harper Simon 'Harper Simon' [Tulsi]
Metric 'Fantasies' [Metric]
Phoenix 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix' [Ghettoblaster/Glassnote]
Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson 'Break Up' [Boyletown/WEA]
Various Artists 'New Moon: The Twilight Saga [Soundtrack]' [Summit/Chop Shop/Atlantic]
One eskimO 'One eskimO' [Shangri-La]
Built To Spill 'There Is No Enemy' [Warner Bros.]
Jeremy Enigk 'OK Bear' [Lewis Hollow]
Yeah Yeah Yeahs 'It's Blitz! [Deluxe Edition]' [DGC/UMG]
Rocco DeLuca & The Burden 'Mercy' [Ironworks/UMG]
Moby 'Wait For Me [Deluxe Edition]' [Little Idiot/Mute]

Followed by my favorite albums of 2009 - a top ten of sorts, another 15 honorable mentions, EPs and reissues/compilations... again mostly in order of broadcast, split between the 1/1 & 1/8 shows:

Thermals 'Now We Can See' [Kill Rock Stars]
Superdrag 'Industry Giants' [Thirty Tigers]
Cheap Trick 'The Latest' [Cheap Trick Unlimited]
V/A 'War Child Presents Heroes: Vol. 1' [Astralwerks]
Eels 'Hombre Lobo' [Vagrant]
Black Crowes 'Before The Frost...' [Silver Arrow]
Rhett Miller 'Rhett Miller' [Shout! Factory/Sony BMG]
V/A '7 Worlds Collide: The Sun Came Out' [Sony BMG]
Wilco 'Wilco (The Album)' [Nonesuch]
V/A 'Dark Was The Night' [4AD]
-----
Tripwires 'House To House' [Spark & Shine]
Weezer 'Raditude' [DGC/Interscope]
Dead Weather 'Horehound' [Third Man/Warner Bros.]
Brendan Benson 'My Old, Familiar Friend' [ATO]
Slender Means 'Adrift In The Cosmos' [Painless Life]
U2 'No Line On The Horizon' [Interscope]
Pearl Jam 'Backspacer' [Monkeywrench/Universal]
Andrew Bird 'Noble Beast' [Fat Possum]
V/A 'Sweetheart 2009: Love Songs' [Hear Music]
Norah Jones 'The Fall' [Blue Note/EMI]
Tinted Windows 'Tinted Windows' [S-Curve]
Visqueen 'Message To Garcia' [Local 638]
Neko Case 'Middle Cyclone' [Anti-]
A.C. Newman 'Get Guilty' [Matador]
Elvis Costello 'Secret, Profane & Sugarcane' [Specialty/Hear Music]
-----
Sloan 'Hit And Run [EP]' [Self-released]
Carousel 'Love And War [EP]' [Museum]
Sam Phillips 'Hypnotists In Paris [EP]' [Self-released]
Liam Finn & Eliza-Jane Barnes 'Champagne & Seashells [EP]' [Yep Roc]
Death Cab For Cutie 'The Open Door [EP]' [Barsuk/Atlantic]
-----
Devo 'Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!'/'Freedom Of Choice' [Warner Bros.]
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers 'The Live Anthology' [Reprise]
Old 97's 'Wreck Your Life... And Then Some' [Bloodshot]
Nick Lowe 'Quiet Please: The New Best Of Nick Lowe' [Yep Roc]
Emitt Rhodes 'The Complete Recordings: 1969-1973' [Universal]
Nirvana 'Bleach [Deluxe Edition]' [Sub Pop]
Stone Roses 'Stone Roses' [Silvertone/Sony BMG]
Jayhawks 'Music From The North Country: Anthology' [American]
Big Star 'Keep An Eye On The Sky' [Ardent/Rhino]
Beatles 'Beatles In Mono' [Apple/Capitol/EMI]

Playing games with song titles on 1/29, a Who mini-tribute on 2/5 + more good music to come in '10 and then some! --Lon

Pop Pkwy winds down 2009

2009-12-17T19:37:00.000-08:00

Hi friends - Here's what's on tap for my pop show the next few weeks:

12/18: Jeff Hofman, the host of KSER's 40s-70s R&B show Dusties, subbed for me last month. I appreciated his interpretation of Poptopia Parkway; not long thereafter we worked out to invite him as a guest on my show. I put together some 60s tunes inspired by his Pop Pkwy spot, plus some (hopefully) Dusties-approved R&B golden oldies as covered by artists you might normally hear on my show...

12/25: Van Ramsey of KSER's lost jukebox revue Pull The String subbed for me last Christmas, but this year I'm here for the holidays. So pour a favorite seasonal beverage, play with your newly unwrapped presents, and tune in to my special Christmas show with tracks selected by me and my lovely wife Reagan.

01/01: Then dial us in on New Year's Night while Reagan and I feature our top 20 (10 for her, 10 for me) LPs 'n' singles of 2009.

See ya on the airwaves, --Lon

I'm lazy.

2009-11-12T21:29:00.000-08:00

Waiting for the sweetie pie to come home from work; assembling a show in the meantime for 11/20, weaving in a mini-tribute to my stepmom Jane.

Very thankful to have great help from hosts of Dusties & Juke Joint to sub on my 11/13 and 27 shows.

See my latest blog entry here.

BOO!

2009-10-28T06:41:00.000-07:00

Expect a Happy Halloween-themed show this Friday (mostly in the form of a scary or monster word appears in the title of the song, album, or even artist, but yeah we might even have an actual scary song or two in the mix)...

Then we'll have an interview and hopefully live performance from a special guest, Phillip Gregory from Seattle pop-rock band Carousel, next Friday Nov. 6 8:30 pm as usual.

Mark your calendars! Tune us in at 90.7 FM KSER Everett, WA!

OOF!

2009-09-30T19:34:00.000-07:00

Leilani's fillin' in for me this week... Then I repay the favor and do Passport as well as my show on Oct 9.

There's my token entry for the month of September...

More to come...

Peace, --Lon

A few special shows...

2009-08-25T21:58:00.000-07:00

Upcoming shows:
08/28 Some favourite songs in my collection of Quentin Tarantino movie soundtracks, from the first, 'Reservoir Dogs', to the very latest, 'Inglourious Basterds'.
09/04 My 2nd annual Labor Day weekend special; a sampling of some of the artists appearing at this year's Bumbershoot festival in Seattle.
09/11 An obscure 1960s rock 'n' roll / skiffle quartet from Liverpool, England is re-releasing their back catalogue on 09/09/09. That's the spotlight on this week's show, with a twist. Hint: maybe we'll sneak in a buncha covers done by artists in another country Pop Pkwy visited earlier this year.

90.7 FM KSER Everett, http://www.kser.org/, Fri. 8:30-10:30 pm.
Be there!
Peace, --Lon

52 weeks old!

2009-07-23T19:35:00.000-07:00

Man oh man, why on earth did I start this blog? Did I really think I was going to take the time to post on music-related news and so forth...

So self-centered about my music. Look at how many people are able to keep up blogs about their freakin' kids! I'm alright balancing activities with the missus and the l'il dog. That doesn't translate well to writing about it though.

Two major roadblocks to me updating this blog; I'm lazy-slash-uninspired, and when I do have spare time, I'd rather spend it doin' other stuff. I enjoy creative writing, but none of this pays the bills!

I sometimes wonder if I'm spending a little too much effort on my radio and music-collecting hobbies. Not as much as I used to, though. In many ways I'm grateful for R. to ensure we spend time on a wider variety of tasks and interests.

Well anyway, right, I started this mainly as a forum to store my playlists for listeners to read. But our friends at KSER installed the archive software in the fall of 2008. So we got playlist tracking done on the fly at time of broadcast, all entered and saved with minimal button-clicking. Nice 'n' clean!

Which brings me to why I'm posting here. Tomorrow will be my 52nd week on the air at KSER broadcasting my show Poptopia Parkway. 1 year old baby! Can you dig it!!

Technically, I started midnights on Thursdays in April 2008. But had to take time off in Brazil, workin' and stuff for a few months.

Gonna take care of as many requests from last week as I can, and spin some typical Poptopia Parkway (tm) patented threads around common themes, special duets, friendships, collaborations.

And hey - anyone wanna donate to the cause, buy swag here. I know 8:30 pm is not exactly the bewitching hour for soliciting donations. But you'll earn bonus points in my book if you do.

A splendid time is guaranteed for all, so pop on over to my home page and listen! IMHO you won't be disappointed!

His 'N' Hers shows

2009-06-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

Hey friends,

We just ended the Brazil mini-series on KSER, but we have come up with another fun concept in the Poptopia Parkway household and we're going to bring it these next 2 Friday nights, 8:30-10:30 pm.

I am fond of power pop and my wife enjoys alternative/indie rock, and we know of (and are respectively big fans of) two bands who share a special bond combining a number of common friendships and interests; one of which is pop supergroup Tinted Windows, featuring drummer Bun E. Carlos and guitarist James Iha - I'm talking about Cheap Trick (His) and Smashing Pumpkins (Hers)!

This Friday night, 07/03, to commemorate Cheap Trick's 35th anniversary (1974) + "the latest" record, I'll put on a show dedicated to their music.

Next Friday night, 07/10, to mark the 21st anniversary of Smashing Pumpkins' 1st live gig (07/09/88), my wife will come in and help me spin some of their best tracks.

2 hours is not nearly enough to encapsulate either band's massive catalogs! We'll try to have enough discs on hand the next 2 Friday nights so if you think of a request, call in at 425-303-9076 or email here.

If you do, KSER is in the middle of its "Tell A Friend" campaign. We would really appreciate that you support our station by picking up some swag for a donation. You'll be able to order items for friends at a small savings too.

See ya on the airwaves, --Lon

Music news you can use

2009-05-29T06:27:00.000-07:00

Music news coming to this spot, maybe this weekend (or more likely, before 2009's over)! A review of the Seattle 5th Ave Theater production of Grease on 5/26, and gift books from R., including: Rock & Roll Archaeologist by Peter Blecha, Love Is A Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield (BTW welcome back to Rolling Stone magazine!) and The Rock Snob's Dictionary by David Kamp & Steven Daly. Plus a gift to myself from last year, Shake Some Action: The Ultimate Power Pop Guide by John M. Borack.

Novos discos para mim

2009-04-26T07:19:00.000-07:00

Two Saturdays in a row, went to Sao Paulo, 3rd (or is it now 2nd?) biggest city in the world. And it sure feels like it! Whether it's 15 or 18 or 21 million residents, you feel the size as soon as you crest this hill on the Dutra highway and see the large hazy span of skyscrapers. And what did boring little me want to do, well, (lameness point #1) only wanted to find discs at this music store, Baratos Afins, est. 1978 and run by owner Luiz Calanca (also producer / A&R guy of sorts, since the store is a record label too and offers many interesting albums by Brazil rock bands you wouldn't hear anywhere else). Saw a few sights too, thanks to C&D Brasil co-worker Paulo - what, did you think I drove through that crazy town, I can't even drive in Sao Jose Dos Campos / Jacarei to get to work, because (lameness point #2) I can't drive manual cars, but screw it. .Anyway, what did we see, the governor's mansion (nice pad), museums, bus & train stations, statues, foot bridges. It was nice to meet Paulo's family, wife who's busy preparing for daughter's wedding, and son who's been to New Zealand, turned me on to a few up-and-coming bands at the store. I think I got enough records to do 4 shows in a row exclusively of Brazil music - that is, if I get to stay home when I return. Most of all I would rather be home with R. and O. to work on the yard and make some good ol' fashioned American meals together, catch up on TV...

I was going to write a couple reviews on books R. provided for the journey. I'm going to get back to work though, and at least have some fun tunes to get through the next several hours...

Long time no blog

2009-03-30T19:20:00.000-07:00

Just checking in. I've been meaning to write some book reviews, and now with some new 2009 tunes uploaded to my iPod especially for getting through my Brazil work assignment, I could write some music reviews too. We shall see...

Good news is, we're coming back to the airwaves! Just sit tight and wait for mid-May to roll around.

'Til next time - tchau!

Look Ma, I'm blogging (again)!

2009-02-28T15:40:00.000-08:00

... Just don't expect me to check in regularly. Not that you were waiting with baited breath! I didn't even write a feature about my 40th (but not necessarily final?) awesome broadcast of my legendary power-poppin' show, Poptopia Parkway, hosted by yours truly on KSER. Read my scintillating bio here and look up some of my past show playlists here.

I've been representin' C&D Zodiac, workin' on the Embraer Phenom 100 project (want to see it? go here) in beautiful sunny Brazil for 2 weeks so far, then for 2 more weeks before we can return home (mid-March?). They'll want to squeeze another 1-2 months out of us, to be determined at a later date, so we're told. Did I get to see any of Carnaval 2009? Are The Jonas Brothers talented? But without R. and the (soon-to-be-retired) 'rents, it wouldn't have been quite as much fun. Saw lots of the festivities on the boob tube, pardon the expression. Looked like it was, how you say, legal, maneiro, or massa? Desculpa, nao falo Portugues!

It's another Saturday night in Araraquara, as if I know what that normally entails. My flat has one A/C unit that's just powerful enough to cool the main living room. And this is supposed to be a music blog, so, well, as I write, I'm listening to Mike Viola's album 'Lurch' on the iPod. It's a good record; check out his site here. I've muted the TV in the background on an MTV-style music channel that features, shockingly enough, music videos, and now playing is the latest silver platter by Britney Spears, the title track from her latest magnum opus full-length recording, "Circus". Dedicated with love to you, R.! :-P

Our little team is holed up in the Sun Hotel, hopefully only until Monday. What's left of us, that is, decimated from 9 [incl. J., E., M. & me from WA] to 5 [incl. M. & me from WA] for a couple more days to report findings at the Embraer factory in Gaviao Peixoto (a.k.a. Ravioli Prosciutto - engineer humour, so sue me) back to C&D Brasil in Jacarei/Sao Jose Dos Campos. All part of a story, which I may or may not print on dis blog, and for the time being, saved to the desktop in a Word file called "vent", specially designed for me to rant 'n' rave about events 'n' adventures the likes of which the writers for The Office have yet to dream up on future show plots. Wow, what a superb run-on sentence or two that was. Let's move on!

I wish I could post some pictures, though I can't on the blocked company computer. Maybe when I return home... and keep an eye peeled for a future blog about my first fun day, this Saturday with The Fab 5 in Araraquara, or, in actual music-related news, perhaps a review of one of the travel books thoughtfully provided by the lovely R. for my journey to Brazil ...

To be continued!

Next show: Animal songs, Pt. 2

2009-01-31T19:57:00.000-08:00

I'm writing just so I can have a journal entry for January 2009... I just don't take the time to write blog entries!

This week's edition of Poptopia Parkway, inspired by my wife's suggestion to revolve an entire show around songs w/ animals, has motivated me to assemble a sequel...

Next week I can play requests for "And Your Bird Can Sing", "Walkin' The Dog", "Mean-Eyed Cat", "Dirty Love" (listen to the lyrics!)...

In the Everett-Snohomish County area, tune in KSER at 90.7 FM... Or of course listen to us on the web at http://www.kser.org/!

My Top 50 albums of 2008

2008-12-21T15:10:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year for the list of my top 50 favorite albums of 2008!

New albums:
01. Sloan Parallel Play [Murderecords/Yep Roc]
02. Mike Viola Lurch {2008 LP Version} [Good Morning Monkey]
03. Major Labels Aquavia [NoiseTrade.com]
04. Death Cab For Cutie Narrow Stairs [Barsuk/Atlantic]
05. Presidents Of The United States Of America These Are The Good Times People [Fugitive/EMI]
06. Dandy Warhols ...Earth To The Dandy Warhols... [Beat The World]
07. Lindsey Buckingham Gift Of Screws [Reprise]
08. Sam Phillips Don't Do Anything [Nonesuch]
09. nine inch nails the slip [Null Corporation]
10. Jason Falkner Bedtime With The Beatles, Pt. 2 [Record Collection]
11. Smithereens B-Sides The Beatles [Koch]
12. AC/DC Black Ice [Columbia]
13. Kooks Konk/RAK [Astralwerks]
14. B-52's Funplex [Astralwerks]
15. Matthew Sweet Sunshine Lies [Shout! Factory/Sony BMG]
16. Jenny Lewis Acid Tongue [Warner Bros.]
17. Elvis Costello & The Imposters Momofuku [Lost Highway/UMG]
18. Aimee Mann Smilers [SuperEgo]
19. Dido Safe Trip Home [Sony BMG]
20. Weezer Weezer (The Red Album) [DGC/Interscope]
21. Foxboro Hot Tubs Stop Drop And Roll!!! [Jingle Town/Warner Bros.]
22. R.E.M. Accelerate [Warner Bros.]
23. Mudcrutch Mudcrutch [Reprise]
24. Fireman Electric Arguments [ATO/RED]
25. Flight Of The Conchords Flight Of The Conchords [Sub Pop]
26. Old 97's Blame It On Gravity [New West]
27. Rachael Yamagata Elephants... Teeth Sinking Into Heart [Warner Bros.]
28. Ani DiFranco Red Letter Day [Righteous Babe]
29. Beck Modern Guilt [DGC/Interscope]
30. Barenaked Ladies Snacktime! [Desperation/Nettwerk]
31. Ben Folds Way To Normal [Epic]
32. Black Crowes Warpaint [Silver Arrow]
33. Raconteurs Consolers Of The Lonely [Warner Bros.]
34. Rolling Stones Shine A Light {Soundtrack} [Interscope]

Re-issue/Compilation albums:
01. Cheap Trick Live At Budokan [Epic/Legacy]
02. Replacements Let It Be [Twin-Tone/Rhino]
03. Nick Lowe Jesus Of Cool [Yep Roc]
04. Creedence Clearwater Revival Cosmo's Factory [Fantasy]
05. Elton John Tumbleweed Connection [Rocket/Island]
06. Golden Smog Stay Golden, Smog: The Best Of Golden Smog-The Rykodisc Years [Ryko/Rhino]
07. Cardigans Best Of The Cardigans [Universal]
08. Eels Essential Eels, Vol. 1 / Useless Trinkets: B-Sides [Geffen]
09. Everclear The Vegas Years [Capitol]
10. Prince 21 Nights [Atria]
11. Rivers Cuomo Alone II: The Home Recordings Of Rivers Cuomo [Geffen]
12. Romantics Romantics/National Breakout [American Beat]
13. R.E.M. Murmur [I.R.S./A&M]
14. Beck Odelay [Geffen]
15. Tori Amos Live At Montreux: 1991-1992 [Eagle]
16. Chipmunks The Chipmunks Sing The Beatles Hits [Capitol]

Taking a snow day...

2008-12-17T22:13:00.000-08:00

Well, looks like we got 2"-3" of fresh snow tonight at home. Not looking too bad outside, but we at Poptopia Parkway are taking a (rare) snow day, though we expect to go to work Thurs./Fri. as usual. Resting with cocoa and the pup at home, and not paying attention to what's on the boob tube...

Stay tuned for a top 50 list of my favorite albums of 2008...

As for my radio gig at KSER 90.7 FM Everett WA, check out these special events on the horizon!

12/25: The legendary Van Ramsey, host of the rockin' Saturday 3-5 pm show Pull The String will sub on my Christmas show while R. & I (& pup Oli) visit my family in Montana. No doubt Mr. Ramsey will inject his patented brand of whimsy into the proceedings.

01/01: My wife will help me ring in the new year at KSER by bringing some of her favorite Pacific NW indie rock/pop CDs to play on my show.

More to come! Enjoy Winter 2008 while it lasts... Peace, --Lon

KSER Playlist #28 - coming up...

2008-11-04T21:55:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

Lots of great music on KSER 90.7 FM every day of the week, and for sure on Wednesday nights! Check it out starting with:

Vinyl Repair at 7 p
B-Sides at 8:30 p
From Here To Obscurity at 10:30 p
and of course, me! w/ Poptopia Parkway at 12:30 a

All kinds of vinyl, oldies, punk, alternative and 60s garage 'n' rarities on the shows before me... give a listen, and I bet you will hear something you like...

Because of tonight... I'll try to make my own (tiny) slice o' history - by attempting to debut some vinyl, and spotlighting one of my favorite years in rock 'n' roll... Which one? Well, you'll have to tune in to find out :-)

If you're outta regular radio range, look us up on the web at:

http://www.kser.org

where we're streaming online... and, I figured out the playlist software, so you should be able to look up what we're playing live in the studio!

Stop by and say hi to me on myspace...

http://www.myspace.com/poptopiaparkway

and tune in KSER 90.7 FM kser.org!

See ya, --Lon

Special election coverage on KSER

2008-11-04T06:44:00.000-08:00

Nov. 4th, 2008 will be an historic night and 90.7 KSER will be there with live coverage from the BBC, Democracy Now and local election results from Snohomish, Island, and Jefferson counties.

Beginning at 4:00pm KSER will bring you a full hour of election coverage from the BCC, reporting live from Washington D.C., across the US and the world.

Then, at 5:00 Amy Goodman and Democracy Now bring you 4 hours of special election night coverage, featuring live results as the polls close, on-the-ground reports from across the country, reactions from across the globe, and running in-depth analysis and commentary from a wide range of guests you won’t hear anywhere else.

And stay tuned at 9:00pm as KSER's own Ed Bremer brings you a round-up of local results from Snohomish, Island, and Jefferson counties.International, Alternative, and Local live election night coverage from the BCC, Democracy Now! and KSER.

Tuesday evening from 4:00 to 9:30, only on 90.7 KSER. Online at kser.org

KSER Playlist #27 - at kser.org!

2008-11-01T16:02:00.000-07:00

From now on, for a recap of songs on each of my shows, click on the "archives" tab at the top of the http://www.kser.org/ page, then "search playlists" to look up Poptopia Parkway episodes as of 10-30-08! I will continue to maintain this blog to write about music in general, and other topics as I see fit.

Keep listening to KSER for more surprises! Next week, I plan to start adding vinyl into the mix...

KSER Playlist #26 10/23/08

2008-10-25T01:32:00.000-07:00

01. Major Labels "Don't Hear A Single" Aquavia {2008}
02. Candy Butchers "Worry My Dome" Play With Your Head {2002}
03. XTC "Senses Working Overtime" English Settlement {1982}
04. Dar Williams "Troubled Times" Promised Land {2008}
05. Fountains Of Wayne "Red Dragon Tattoo" Utopia Parkway {1999}
06. Robbie Fulks "Fountains Of Wayne Hotline" Fountains Of Wayne Hotline [Single] {2005}
07. Baseball Project "Past Time" Vol. 1: Frozen Ropes And Dying Quails {2008}
08. R.E.M. "Crush With Eyeliner" Monster {1994}
09. B-52's "Funplex" Funplex {2008}
10. Todd Rundgren "Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)" Faithful {1976}
11. Flamin' Groovies "Absolutely Sweet Marie" Jumpin' In The Night {1979}
12. Stephen Malkmus & The Million Dollar Bashers "Maggie's Farm" I'm Not There [Soundtrack] {2007}
13. Wilco [f/ Fleet Foxes] "I Shall Be Released [Live, Bend, OR, 08/23/08]" I Shall Be Released [Single] {2008}

14. Supergrass "Ghost Of A Friend" Diamond Hoo Ha {2008}
15. Supersuckers "Creepy Jackalope Eye" Creepy Jackalope Eye [EP] {1997}
16. Steve Earle "Breed" Sidetracks {2002}
17. Nirvana "Lithium [Live]" From The Muddy Banks Of The Wishkah {1996}
18. Dandy Warhols "Love Is The New Feel Awful" Odditorium Or Warlords Of Mars {2005}
19. Hole "Reasons To Be Beautiful" Celebrity Skin {1998}
20. Fleetwood Mac "Dreams [Demo]" Rumours {1977}
21. Lindsey Buckingham "The Right Place To Fade" Gift Of Screws {2008}
22. Raspberries "I Saw The Light" The Raspberries {1972}
23. Wisely "Staying Home Again" Parador {2006}
24. Dan Wilson "Easy Silence [Acoustic Version]" Free Life {2007}

OOF until 10/23/08!

2008-10-02T02:52:00.000-07:00

Just a short message to let y'all know I'm getting married this Saturday. That's "Ten-Four", good buddy! It's gonna be one of the best parties ever... And then we're going on honeymoon for 2.5 weeks! More details on that when we come back. I plan to return to the airwaves on 10/23/08...

In the meantime, Jerry Bennett, the host of From Here To Obscurity, may sub in to play at least a partial version of my show over the next two weeks. I culled a "best-of" compilation from my first few months on the air and gave that to Jerry for his potential listening and programming pleasure. Not that he needs my help - it's like Chef Boyardee lending his recipe book to Wolfgang Puck. Anyway, whatever happens, it'll all be good, and I look forward to returning to KSER in time for the tail end of the Oct. 16-25 pledge drive!

Alright-y then - see you in a couple weeks!

KSER Playlist #25 10/02/08

2008-10-02T02:39:00.000-07:00

01. Everclear "What Do I Get?" Everything To Everyone [Single] {1997}
02. Flamin' Groovies "I Can't Hide" Shake Some Action {1976}
03. Dave Edmunds "Little Darlin'" Get It {1977}
04. Nick Lowe "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding? [Acoustic]" At My Age [Bonus Tracks] {2007}
05. Smithereens "I Don't Want To Spoil The Party" B-Sides The Beatles {2008}
06. Rutles "Ouch!" The Rutles {1978}
07. Wallflowers "I'm Looking Through You" I Am Sam [Soundtrack] {2001}
08. Aimee Mann "Backfire [New Version]" Lost In Space [Bonus Disc] {2002}
09. Jenny Lewis "Carpetbaggers" Acid Tongue {2008}
10. Marshall Crenshaw "Take Me With U" What's In The Bag? {2003}
11. Dar Williams "It's Alright" Promised Land {2008}
12. Ani DiFranco "Emancipated Minor" Red Letter Day {2008}
13. Prince "Chelsea Rodgers" Planet Earth {2007}
14. Ween "Monique The Freak" Shinola, Vol. 1 {2005}

15. Replacements "Achin' To Be" Don't Tell A Soul {1989}
16. Replacements "Sadly Beautiful" All Shook Down {1990}
17. Splitsville "Tears Are Cool" Incorporated {2003}
18. Teenage Fanclub "Everything Flows" A Catholic Education {1990}
19. Raconteurs "You Don't Understand Me" Consolers Of The Lonely {2008}
20. Brendan Benson "Good To Me" Lapalco {2002}
21. White Stripes "Black Jack Davey" Seven Nation Army [Single] {2003}
22. Spoon "All I Got Is Me" Don't You Evah [EP] {2008}
23. Will Currie & The Country French + Sloan "Push Pins" Push Pins [Virtual 7" Single] {2008}
24. Sloan "I'm Not A Kid Anymore" Parallel Play {2008}
25. Ramones "I Want You Around" Rock 'N' Roll High School [Soundtrack] {1979}
26. Major Labels "Aquavia" Aquavia {2008}
27. Casey MacGill's Blue 4 Trio "You Can't Do That" Casey MacGill's Blue 4 Trio {2006}
28. Simpsons "Homer's Barbershop Quartet/Baby On Board [Medley]" Songs In The Key Of Springfield [Soundtrack] {1993}

KSER Playlist #24 09/25/08

2008-09-25T18:45:00.000-07:00

01. Elton John "There Goes A Well-Known Gun [Demo]" Tumbleweed Connection {1971}
02. Ben Folds Five "Underground" Ben Folds Five {1995}
03. Lindsey Buckingham "Underground" Gift Of Screws {2008}
04. Rilo Kiley "Under The Blacklight" Under The Blacklight {2007}
05. Jenny Lewis "Acid Tongue" Acid Tongue {2008}
06. Elvis Costello "Drum And Bone" Momofuku {2008}
07. Sloan "Burn For It" Parallel Play {2008}
08. Everclear "867-5309 (Jenny) [Live, Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR]" The Vegas Years {2008}
09. P.U.S.A. "Loose Balloon" These Are The Good Times People {2008}
10. R.E.M. "Mr. Richards [Live, Vancouver]" Man-Sized Wreath [EP] {2008}
11. Tripwires "I Don't Care Who You Are" Makes You Look Around {2007}
12. Replacements "Kiss Me On The Bus" Tim {1985}
13. Replacements "Can't Hardly Wait" Pleased To Meet Me {1987}
14. Big Star "My Life Is Right" #1 Record {1972}
15. Golden Smog "Until You Came Along" Weird Tales {1998}

16. Wilco "Panthers" A Ghost Is Born [Bonus EP] {2005}
17. Death Cab For Cutie "Grapevine Fires" Narrow Stairs {2008}
18. Neil Young "Unknown Legend" Harvest Moon {1992}
19. Raconteurs "Top Yourself [Bluegrass Version]" Salute Your Solution [Single] {2008}
20. John Davis "Nothing Gets Me Down" John Davis {2005}
21. Rocky Votolato "Tennessee Train Tracks [Live]" Live At Austin City Limits 2006 [EP] {2006}
22. Matthew Sweet "Let's Love" Sunshine Lies {2008}
23. Dandy Warhols "Love Song" ...Earth To The Dandy Warhols... {2008}
24. Sleater-Kinney "One More Hour" Dig Me Out {1997}
25. Go-Go's "I'm The Only One [Live, The Greek, LA, 8/84]" Return To The Valley Of The Go-Go's {1994}
26. KT Tunstall "The Golden Age [Live]" Live {2007}
27. Beck "End Of The Day" Sea Change {2002}
28. Bash & Pop "Nothing" Friday Night Is Killing Me {1993}

KSER Playlist #23 09/18/08

2008-09-18T19:46:00.000-07:00

01. Smithereens "Thank You Girl" B-Sides The Beatles {2008}
02. Beatles "You Can't Do That [02-25-1964 Demo]" Anthology 1 {1995}
03. Beatnix "Stairway To Heaven" Stairways To Heaven {1994}
04. Chipmunks "I Want To Hold Your Hand" The Chipmunks Sing The Beatles Hits {1964}
05. Kinks "I Need You" Kink-dom [USA] {1965}
06. Queens Of The Stone Age "Who'll Be The Next In Line?" This Is Where I Belong: The Songs Of Ray Davies & The Kinks {2002}
07. High Numbers [Who] "I'm The Face" Thirty Years Of Maximum R&B [Box Set] {1964}
08. Pearl Jam "Leaving Here" Home Alive: The Art Of Self-Defense {1996} // Lost Dogs {2003}
09. Jellyfish "All I Want Is Everything" Bellybutton {1990}
10. Cheap Trick "ELO Kiddies" Cheap Trick {1977}
11. Electric Light Orchestra "Mr. Blue Sky" Out Of The Blue {1977}
12. L.E.O. "Ya Had Me Goin'" Alpacas Orgling {2006}
13. Elton John "Rock And Roll Madonna [Live]" Elton John {1970}
14. Ben Folds "Them That Got [Live]" Super D [EP] {2004}
15. Lindsey Buckingham "Love Runs Deeper" Gift Of Screws {2008}
16. Stephen Duffy & The Lilac Time "Driving Somewhere" Runout Groove {2008}

17. Guster "Satellite" Ganging Up On The Sun {2006}
18. Sloan "Living The Dream" Parallel Play {2008}
19. Barenaked Ladies "Wishing" Snacktime! {2008}
20. Clash "London Calling" London Calling {1979}
21. Bravery "This Is Not The End" The Sun And The Moon {2007}
22. Slender Means "Hidden Grove" Neon And Ruin {2005}
23. Todd Rundgren "Hello It's Me" Something/Anything? {1972}
24. Elvis Costello & The Imposters "Monkey To Man" The Delivery Man {2004}
25. Sam Phillips "Same Changes" Martinis & Bikinis {1994}
26. Superdrag "Comfortably Bummed [Demo]" Changin' Tires On The Road To Ruin {2007}
27. Rhett Miller "Delicate" The Believer {2006}
28. Dar Williams [f/ Ani DiFranco] "Comfortably Numb" My Better Self {2005}

KSER Playlist #22 09/12/08

2008-09-12T06:10:00.000-07:00

01. Rolling Stones [f/ Buddy Guy] "Champagne And Reefer [Live] [edit!]" Shine A Light [Soundtrack] {2008}
02. Jeff Beck "Freeway Jam [Live]" Jeff Beck With The Jan Hammer Group Live! {1977}
03. Roy Buchanan "The Messiah Is Coming" Roy Buchanan {1972}
04. Tom Waits "Jersey Girl" Heartattack And Vine {1980}
05. Bruce Springsteen "Atlantic City [Live]" In Concert: MTV Plugged {1993}
06. Rolling Stones "Loving Cup" Exile On Main St. {1972}
07. Liz Phair "Mesmerized" Exile On Guyville {1993}
08. Elton John "Take Me To The Pilot [Piano Demo]" Elton John {1970}
09. Ben Folds "Tiny Dancer [Live]" Ben Folds Live {2002}
10. Joe Jackson "Is She Really Going Out With Him? [Live]" Two Rainy Nights: Live In The Northwest {2001}

11. Sloan "Believe In Me" Parallel Play {2008}
12. Candy Butchers "Not So Bad At All" Hang On Mike {2004}
13. Major Labels "The Bitter Pill" Aquavia {2008}
14. Paul McCartney "Only Mama Knows" Memory Almost Full {2007}
15. Todd Rundgren "Just One Victory" A Wizard, A True Star {1973}
16. Ween "Monique The Freak" Shinola, Vol. 1 {2005}
17. Matthew Sweet "Let's Love" Sunshine Lies {2008}
18. Jon Brion "Meaningless" Meaningless {2000}
19. Elvis Costello "Go Away" Momofuku {2008}
20. Rilo Kiley "The Angels Hung Around" Under The Blacklight {2007}
21. Elton John "Madman Across The Water [Original Version]" Tumbleweed Connection {1971}
22. Robbie McIntosh "Go To Bed Now" Unsung {2000}

KSER Playlist #21 09/05/08

2008-09-06T14:07:00.000-07:00

01. Smithereens "I Don't Want To Spoil The Party" B-Sides The Beatles {2008}
02. Beck "Go It Alone" Guero {2005}
03. White Stripes "300 MPH Torrential Outpour Blues" Icky Thump {2007}
04. Elton John "Border Song" Elton John {1970}
05. Brandi Carlile "Sixty Years On [Live]" Brandi Carlile {2006}
06. Ryan Adams "Harder Now That It's Over" Gold {2001}
07. Bob Dylan "Subterranean Homesick Blues" Bringing It All Back Home {1965}
08. Sloan "Down In The Basement" Parallel Play {2008}
09. Traveling Wilburys "If You Belonged To Me" Vol. 3 {1990}
10. Elvis Presley "Guitar Man/What'd I Say [Unedited Master]" From Nashville To Memphis: The Essential 60's Masters I {1967}
11. Dandy Warhols "Love Song" ...Earth To The Dandy Warhols... {2008}
12. Everclear "American Girl [Edit!]" The Vegas Years {2008}
13. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers "You Got Lucky" Long After Dark {1982}
14. Dwight Twilley Band "Just Like The Sun" Sincerely {1976}

15. Smithereens "P.S. I Love You" B-Sides The Beatles {2008}
16. Slender Means "Fade Out" Rock & Roll Machine [EP] {2007}
17. P.U.S.A. "More Bad Times" These Are The Good Times People {2008}
18. Tripwires "How The Mighty Have Fallen" Makes You Look Around {2007}
19. Matthew Sweet "Byrdgirl" Sunshine Lies {2008}
20. Neil Young & Crazy Horse "Cinnamon Girl" Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere {1969}
21. Todd Rundgren "Couldn't I Just Tell You?" Something/Anything? {1972}
22. Nick Lowe "Tonight" Jesus Of Cool {1978}
23. Aimee Mann "Thirty-One Today" Smilers {2008}
24. KT Tunstall "White Bird" Drastic Fantastic {2007}
25. Sam Phillips "Don't Do Anything" Don't Do Anything {2008}
26. XTC "Dear God" Skylarking {1986}
27. John Lennon "God" John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band {1970}
28. Elton John "Burn Down The Mission" Tumbleweed Connection {1971}

KSER Playlist #20 08/29/08

2008-08-29T03:11:00.000-07:00

Lon "Oogie" Palmer's Blueshouse playlist, 11 pm-1 am:

01. Beatles "12-Bar Original" Anthology 2 {1996}
02. Johnnie Johnson [f/ Keith Richards] "Tanqueray" Johnnie B. Bad {1991}
03. Pinetop Perkins [f/ Susan Tedeschi] "Since I Lost My Baby" Ladies Man {2004}
04. Shemekia Copeland "Don't Whisper" Talking To Strangers {2002}
05. Guitar Shorty "You Better Get Wise To Yourself" The Best Of Guitar
Shorty: The Long And Short Of It {2006} // Get Wise To Yourself {1995}
06. Bob Brozman "Green River Blues" Post-Industrial Blues {2007}
07. Ronnie Earl "I Smell Trouble" The Best Of Ronnie Earl: Heart And Soul {2006} // Plays Big Blues {1997}
08. Watermelon Slim "Dumpster Blues" The Future Of The Blues, Vol. 3 {2008} // Watermelon Slim & The Workers {2006}
09. Byther Smith "Play The Blues In Paris" A Celebration Of Blues: Chicago Blues {1996} // I'm A Mad Man {1993}
10. Danny Gatton "Notcho Blues" Unfinished Business {2004}

11. Marcia Ball "I'll Never Be Free" Peace Love & BBQ {2008}
12. Samuel James "Sunrise Blues" Songs Famed For Sorrow And Joy {2008}
13. Taj Mahal "You Rascal You" Senor Blues {1997}
14. Elvin Bishop "Country Blues" The Skin I'm In {1998}
15. R.L. Burnside "Fireman Ring The Bell" Too Bad Jim {1994}
16. Magic Slim "Love Like I Wanna" Black Tornado {1998}
17. Roomful Of Blues "Black Night" Raisin' A Ruckus {2008}
18. Big Mama Thornton [f/ The Muddy Waters Blues Band] "Guide Me Home" Big Mama Thornton [f/ The Muddy Waters Blues Band] {1966}
19. Dave Hole "Empty Train" Ticket To Chicago {1997}
20. Sonny Boy Williamson "The Sky Is Crying" Alligator Records 25th Anniversary Collection {1996} // Keep It To Ourselves {1963}
21. Lonnie Mack [f/ Stevie Ray Vaughan] "If You Have To Know" Alligator Records 25th Anniversary Collection {1996} // Strike Like Lightning {1985}
22. Joe Bonamassa "Mumbling Word" Blues Deluxe {2003}

Poptopia Parkway playlist, 1-3 am: Bumbershoot Festival, Seattle Center, Labor Day weekend 2008, Seattle, WA!
http://www.bumbershoot.org/

01. Lucinda Williams "Essence [Edit!]" Essence {2001}
02. Neko Case "Hold On, Hold On" Fox Confessor Brings The Flood {2006}
03. Ingrid Michaelson "Far Away" Girls & Boys {2007}
04. Tripwires "Big Electric Light" Makes You Look Around {2007}
05. Old 97's "No Baby I" Blame It On Gravity {2008}
06. Black Keys "Your Touch" Magic Potion {2006}
07. Stone Temple Pilots "Tumble In The Rough" Tiny Music... Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop {1996}
08. Beck "Girl" Guero {2005}
09. John Vanderslice "Exodus Damage" Pixel Revolt {2005}
10. Nada Surf "I Like What You Say" Lucky {2008}
11. Superchunk "Rainy Streets" Here's To Shutting Up {2001}
12. Tim Finn "Persuasion" Before & After {1994}
13. Sondre Lerche "All Luck Ran Out" Faces Down {2002}
14. Death Cab For Cutie "No Sunlight [Demo]" Narrow Stairs {2008}

15. Death Cab For Cutie "I Will Possess Your Heart" Narrow Stairs {2008}
16. Wilco "Spiders (Kidsmoke)" A Ghost Is Born {2005}
17. Neil Young & Crazy Horse "Cowgirl In The Sand" Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere {1969}
18. Dandy Warhols "The Monster Mish" Earth To The Remix EP, Vol. 1 {2008}
19. Posies "Flood Of Sunshine" Dear 23 {1990}
20. Matthew Sweet "Thunderstorm" In Reverse {1999}

KSER Playlist #19 08/22/08

2008-08-22T05:39:00.000-07:00

01. Steely Dan "Hey Nineteen" Gaucho {1980}
02. Tegan & Sara "Nineteen [Live]" Live Sessions [iTunes Exclusive] {2008}
03. Old 97's "Nineteen" Fight Songs {1999}
04. Weezer "Heart Songs" Weezer [The Red Album] {2008}
05. Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit [Butch Vig Mix]" With The Lights Out [Box Set] {2004}
06. Replacements "Unsatisfied" Let It Be {1984}
07. White Stripes "Ball And Biscuit" Elephant {2003}
08. Stooges "1970" Fun House {1970}
09. Rage Against The Machine "Sleep Now In The Fire" The Battle Of Los Angeles {1999}
10. Guns 'N' Roses "Civil War" Use Your Illusion II {1991}

11. Dandy Warhols "The World The People Together (Come On) [Remix]" Earth To The Remix EP, Vol. 1 {2008}
12. B-52's "Juliet Of The Spirits" Funplex {2008}
13. Beck "The Information" The Information {2006}
14. Everclear "Pocahontas" The Vegas Years {2008}
15. Matthew Sweet "Cortez The Killer [Live]" Goodfriend {1992}
16. Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs "Cinnamon Girl" Under The Covers, Vol. 1 {2006}
17. Nick Lowe "So It Goes" Jesus Of Cool {1978}
18. Sloan "If I Could Change Your Mind" Parallel Play {2008}
19. Stone Temple Pilots "Pop's Love Suicide" Tiny Music... Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop {1996}
20. Pearl Jam "Hold On" Lost Dogs {2003}
21. Presidents Of The United States Of America "Ghosts Are Everywhere" These Are The Good Times People {2008}
22. Spoon "Finer Feelings" Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga {2007}

KSER Playlist #18 08/15/08

2008-08-15T18:53:00.000-07:00

01. Ry Cooder "Cherry Ball Blues" Boomer's Story {1972}
02. Little Feat "Rock 'N' Roll Doctor" Feats Don't Fail Me Now {1974}
03. Robbie Fulks "Fountains Of Wayne Hotline" Fountains Of Wayne Hotline [Single] {2005}
04. Hugh Grant & Drew Barrymore "Way Back Into Love [Demo Version]" Music And Lyrics [Soundtrack] {2007}
05. Janis Joplin "Move Over" Pearl {1971}
06. John Denver "The Weight" Definitive All-Time Greatest Hits [Bonus Disc] {2004}
07. U2 "Zoo Station" Achtung Baby {1991}
08. Dandy Warhols "Mission Control" Earth To The Dandy Warhols {2008}
09. Greg Sage & The Wipers "Return Of The Rat" Is This Real? {1980}
10. Nirvana "Verse Chorus Verse" With The Lights Out [Box Set] {2004}
11. Flaming Lips "Strychnine / (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding?" Drug Machine [Single] {1989}
12. Elvis Costello "Accidents Will Happen" Armed Forces {1979}
13. Smithereens "Don't Bother Me" Meet The Smithereens! {2007}
14. Sloan "All I Am Is All You're Not" Parallel Play {2008}

15. Frank Sinatra, Jr. "The Gumby Song" Gumby {1989}
16. Flight Of The Conchords "The Most Beautiful Girl (In The Room)" Flight Of The Conchords {2008}
17. Rod Stewart "Hot Legs [Live]" Unplugged... And Seated {1993}
18. Will Ferrell "Afternoon Delight" Anchorman [Soundtrack] {2004}
19. Conor Oberst "Souled Out!!!" Conor Oberst {2008}
20. Ringo Starr "Beaucoups Of Blues" Beaucoups Of Blues {1970}
21. Mudcrutch "Lover Of The Bayou" Mudcrutch {2008}
22. John Hiatt "Old Days" Same Old Man {2008}
23. Lindsey Buckingham "Second Hand News [Live]" Live At The Bass Performance Hall {2008}
24. Records "Teenarama" Shades In Bed {1979}
25. Matthew Sweet "Sunlight" Living Things {2004}
26. KT Tunstall "Someday Soon" Drastic Fantastic {2007}
27. Postal Service "There's Never Enough Time" Such Great Heights [EP] {2003}

KSER Playlist #17 08/08/08

2008-08-12T17:43:00.000-07:00

A Special "Triple-Eight" Beijing Summer Olympics Show!

01. Beatles "Eight Days A Week" Beatles For Sale {1964}
02. Byrds "Eight Miles High" Fifth Dimension {1966}
03. Cheap Trick "Eight Miles Low" Cheap Trick {1997}
04. Teenage Fanclub "Radio" Thirteen {1993}
05. Brian Setzer "Take A Chance On Love" 13 {2007}
06. Wilco "Thirteen" Big Star, Small World {2006}
07. Elvis Presley "Good Luck Charm" Elvis' Golden Records, Vol. 3 [1963] {1962}
08. Elvis Presley "I Got Lucky" Kid Galahad [Soundtrack] {1961}
09. Elvis Presley "Fame And Fortune" Elvis Is Back {1960}
10. Who "Fortune Teller" 30 Years Of Maximum R&B [Box Set] {1968}
11. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss "Fortune Teller" Raising Sand {2007}
12. Black Crowes "Bad Luck Blue Eyes Goodbye" The Southern Harmony & Musical Companion {1992}
13. Abra Moore "Four Leaf Clover [Live]" Lilith Fair: A Celebration Of Women In Music {1998}
14. Wild Colonials "Charm [Live]" Lilith Fair: A Celebration Of Women In Music {1998}
15. Bonnie Raitt "Luck Of The Draw" Luck Of The Draw {1991}

16. Red Hot Chili Peppers "Fortune Faded" Red Hot Chili Peppers: Greatest Hits {2003}
17. Eels "Your Lucky Day In Hell" Beautiful Freak {1996}
18. Finn Brothers "Luckiest Man Alive" Everyone Is Here {2004}
19. Paul McCartney & Wings "Give Ireland Back To The Irish" Give Ireland Back To The Irish [Single] {1972}
20. Paul McCartney & Wings "With A Little Luck" London Town {1978}
21. Mick Jagger "Lucky In Love" She's The Boss {1985}
22. Michael Penn "Lucky One [Version One] Palms & Runes, Tarot & Tea: A Michael Penn Collection {2007}
23. Nada Surf [f/ Juliana Hatfield] "I Wanna Take You Home" Lucky [Bonus Disc] {2008}
24. Barenaked Ladies "Serendipity" Barenaked Ladies Are Men {2007}
25. Ray Charles [f/ Jimmy Lewis] "If It Wasn't For Bad Luck" Doing His Thing {1969}
26. Frank Sinatra "Luck Be A Lady" Sinatra '65 {1965}
27. Johnny Cash "That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day)" American Recordings III: Solitary Man {2000}

KSER Playlist #16 08/01/08

2008-08-01T16:41:00.000-07:00

01. Fountains Of Wayne "New Routine" Traffic And Weather {2007}
02. XTC "Mayor Of Simpleton" Oranges And Lemons {1989}
03. Richard Thompson "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" Rumour And Sigh {1991}
04. Posies "Golden Blunders" Dear 23 {1990}
05. Hollies "Magic Woman Touch [Alternate Take]" Romany {1972}
06. Robyn Hitchcock "You've Got A Sweet Mouth On You, Baby" Jewels For Sophia {1999}
07. Cardigans "Deuce" X-Files: The Album [Soundtrack] {1998}
08. Ween "Beacon Light" X-Files: The Album [Soundtrack] {1998}
09. Smithereens "House We Used To Live In" Green Thoughts {1988}
10. Frank Black "Man Of Steel" X-Files: Songs In The Key Of X [Soundtrack] {1996}
11. R.E.M. "All The Right Friends [Demo]" And I Feel Fine: The Best Of The I.R.S. Years (1982-1987) {1983}
12. Michael Penn "Brave New World" March {1989}

13. Brian Setzer Orchestra "Bodhisattva" Me, Myself And Irene [Soundtrack] {2000}
14. Tori Amos "Do It Again" Spark [Single] {1999}
15. Steely Dan "Only A Fool Would Say That" Can't Buy A Thrill {1972}
16. Feel "Won't Stand In Your Way" Feel {2002}
17. Big Star "The Ballad Of El Goodo" #1 Record {1972}
18. Paul Westerberg "Runaway Wind" 14 Songs {1993}
19. Weezer "Dreamin'" Weezer [The Red Album] {2008}
20. Squeeze "Pulling Mussels (From The Shell)" Argybargy {1980}
21. Thorns "Thorns [Acoustic Version]" Thorns [Sunset Session] {2003}
22. Cheap Trick "Speak Now Or Forever Hold Your Peace" Cheap Trick {1977}
23. Romantics "In The Nighttime" Strictly Personal {1981}
24. Death Cab For Cutie "I Will Possess Your Heart [Single Version]" Narrow Stairs {2008}

KSER Playlist #15 07/25/08

2008-07-26T13:03:00.000-07:00

01. Ry Cooder "Johnny Cash" I, Flathead {2008}
02. Dewey Cox [John C. Reilly] "Walk Hard" Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story [Soundtrack] {2007}
03. Joaquin Phoenix "Ring Of Fire" Walk The Line [Soundtrack] {2005}
04. Johnny Cash "The Man Comes Around" American Recordings IV: The Man Comes Around {2002}
05. Elvis Costello "Stella Hurt" Momofuku {2008}
06. White Stripes "Rag And Bone" Icky Thump {2007}
07. Presidents Of The United States Of America "So Lo So Hi" These Are The Good Times People {2008}
08. Paul Westerberg "Dyslexic Heart" Singles [Soundtrack] {1992}
09. Black Crowes "Under A Mountain" Three Snakes And One Charm {1996}
10. Wilco "Let's Not Get Carried Away" Sky Blue Sky [iTunes Bonus Track] {2007}
11. Cake "Sad Songs And Waltzes" Fashion Nugget {1996}
12. Teddy Thompson "Step Behind" Teddy Thompson {2000}
13. Richard Thompson "God Loves A Drunk" Rumour And Sigh {1991}

14. Neil Finn "The Climber" One All {2002}
15. Liam Finn "Energy Spent" I'll Be Lightning {2008}
16. Billy Thorpe "Children Of The Sun" Children Of The Sun... Revisited {1988}
17. Brendan Benson "Gold Into Straw" The Alternative To Love {2005}
18. Superdrag "1970" We Will Fall: The Iggy Pop Tribute {1997}
19. Romantics "Keep In Touch" Romantics {1979}
20. Knack "Lucinda" Get The Knack {1979}
21. Steve Earle [f/ Lucinda Williams] "You're Still Standin' There" I Feel Alright {1996}
22. Barenaked Ladies "Wind It Up" Barenaked Ladies Are Me {2006}
23. Michael Penn "No Myth" March {1989}
24. Liz Phair "Stratford-On-Guy" Exile In Guyville {1993}
25. Rolling Stones "Shine A Light" Exile On Main St. {1972}

KSER Playlist #14 07/18/08

2008-07-21T18:11:00.000-07:00

01. Beatnix "Stairway To Heaven" Stairways To Heaven {1994}
02. Yardbirds "No Excess Baggage" Little Games {1967}
03. Stone Temple Pilots "Dancing Days" Encomium: A Tribute To Led Zeppelin {1995}
04. Jerry Lee Lewis [f/ Jimmy Page] "Rock & Roll" Last Man Standing {2006}
05. Imperial Drag "Breakfast By Tiger (Kiss It All Goodbye)" Imperial Drag {1991}
06. Led Zeppelin "Houses Of The Holy" Physical Graffiti {1975}
07. Kevin Gilbert "Kashmir" Thud [Bonus Disc] {1994}
08. Black Crowes "Movin' On Down The Line" Warpaint {2008}
09. Jimmy Page & Black Crowes "In My Time Of Dying" Live At The Greek {2000}
10. Jimmy Page & Robert Plant "Blue Train" Walking Into Clarksdale {1998}
11. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss "Please Read The Letter" Raising Sand {2007}

12. Richard Cheese "Imagine" Silent Nightclub {2006}
13. Smithereens "Beauty And Sadness" Beauty And Sadness [EP] {1983}
14. Chemical Brothers [f/ Noel Gallagher] "Let Forever Be" Surrender {1999}
15. Helio Sequence "Tomorrow Never Knows" Com Plex {2000}
16. Dandy Warhols "The World The People Together (Come On)" Earth To The Dandy Warhols {2008}
17. Posies "I Guess You're Right" Every Kind Of Light {2005}
18. Heats "Call Yourself A Man" Smoke {1998}
19. Rogue Wave "Fantasies" Asleep At Heaven's Gate {2008}
20. Eels "Mr. E's Beautiful Remix" Souljacker [UK Bonus Disc] {2001}
21. Smashing Pumpkins "Sunkissed" American Gothic [EP] {2008}
22. Dan Wilson "Free Life" Free Life {2007}
23. Dixie Chicks "Easy Silence" Taking The Long Way {2006}
24. Richard Thompson "She Sang Angels To Rest" Sweet Warrior {2007}

KSER Playlist #13 07/11/08

2008-07-13T13:49:00.001-07:00

01. Jenny Lewis w/ The Watson Twins "Rise Up With Fists!!" Rabbit Fur Coat {2006}
02. Paolo Nutini "Jenny Don't Be Hasty" These Streets {2007}
03. The Magic Numbers "Love Me Like You" The Magic Numbers {2005}
04. Van Morrison "Sweet Thing" Astral Weeks {1968}
05. Jimi Hendrix "Angel" Voodoo Soup {1970}
06. Grant-Lee Phillips "Johnny Guitar" Strangelet {2007}
07. ABBA "Mamma Mia" ABBA {1975}
08. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists "Me And Mia" This Is My Bag {2005}
09. Kelly Clarkson "Since U Been Gone" Breakaway {2004}
10. Rivers Cuomo "Annie's Song" myspace.com {2004}
11. Jefferson Airplane "Volunteers" Volunteers {1969}
12. Joe Cocker "Come Together" Across The Universe [Soundtrack] {2007}
13. Gary Louris "Vagabonds" Vagabonds {2008}
14. Old 97's "Just Like California" Too Far To Care {1997}

15. Rubinoos "Heroes & Villians" Crimes Against Music, Vol. 1 {2003}
16. Brian Wilson "Gettin' In Over My Head" Gettin' In Over My Head {2004}
17. 'Til Tuesday "Voices Carry" Voices Carry {1985}
18. Jon Brion "Over Our Heads" I Heart Huckabees {2006}
19. Kooks "Do You Wanna" Konk {2008}
20. Pixies "Gigantic" Surfer Rosa {1988}
21. Minders "Don't Bring Me Down [Live]" Bridging The Distance {2007}
22. David Bowie "Sorrow" Pin Ups {1973}
23. Weezer "Pork And Beans" The Red Album {2008}
24. Jesus And Mary Chain "Far Gone And Out" Honey's Dead {1992}
25. Velvet Crush "Drive Me Down" In The Presence Of Greatness {1991}
26. Crowded House "Even A Child" Time On Earth {2007}
27. New Pornographers "Failsafe" Challengers {2007}
28. Jerry Lee Lewis [f/ Mick Jagger & Ronnie Wood] "Evening Gown" Last Man Standing {2006}

KSER Playlist #12 07/04/08

2008-07-04T01:38:00.000-07:00

01. Slender Means "Fade Out" Power Of Rock: A Compilation CD To Benefit Seattle's Own Rock School {2007}
02. Death Cab For Cutie "Long Division" Narrow Stairs {2008}
03. Nada Surf "Beautiful Beat" Lucky {2008}
04. Visqueen "Beautiful Amnesia" Power Of Rock: A Compilation CD To Benefit Seattle's Own Rock School {2007}
05. Foo Fighters "Have A Cigar" Learn To Fly [Single] {1999}
06. Pink Floyd "Wish You Were Here" Wish You Were Here {1975}
07. Megasapien "Until The Dawn" Power Of Rock: A Compilation CD To Benefit Seattle's Own Rock School {2007}
08. Elliott Smith "A Fond Farewell" From A Basement On The Hill {2004}
09. Big Star "Way Out West" Radio City {1974}
10. Maktub "Complete" Power Of Rock: A Compilation CD To Benefit Seattle's Own Rock School {2007}
11. Al Green "Love And Happiness" I'm Still In Love With You {1972}
12. Robert Cray Band "Pardon" Take Your Shoes Off {1999}

13. Sera Cahoone "The Couch Song" Sera Cahoone {2006}
14. Old 97's "The Fool" Blame It On Gravity {2008}
15. Long Winters "Hindsight" Putting The Days To Bed {2006}
16. Tara Ward & Caitlin Evanson "Staring Out Of The Window" Power Of Rock: A Compilation CD To Benefit Seattle's Own Rock School {2007}
17. Aimee Mann "Backfire [Early Version]" Bachelor No. 2, Or The Last Remains Of The Dodo {1999}
18. Jon Brion "Voices" Meaningless {2000}
19. Rockfords "Silver Lining" Rockfords {2000}
20. Rilo Kiley "Silver Lining" Under The Blacklight {2007}
21. Fleetwood Mac "Silver Springs" Go Your Own Way [Single] {1976}
22. Presidents Of The United States Of America "Poodle Mouth" Power Of Rock: A Compilation CD To Benefit Seattle's Own Rock School {2007}
23. Toad The Wet Sprocket "Hey Bulldog" I Know What You Did Last Summer [Soundtrack] {1997}
24. Pearl Jam "I Won't Back Down [Live]" #38 Missoula, MT 05/28/2003 {2003}

KSER Playlist #11 06/27/08

2008-06-30T00:28:00.000-07:00

01. Harry Nilsson "Let The Good Times Roll" Nilsson Schmilsson {1971}
02. Badfinger "The Winner" Ass {1973}
03. Fred Schneider "Coconut" Just... Fred {1996}
04. Liz Phair "Never Said" Exile In Guyville {1993}
05. Rolling Stones "Tumbling Dice" Exile On Main St. {1972}
06. Band "Rag Mama Rag" Band {1969}
07. Bob Dylan "Peggy Day" Nashville Skyline {1969}
08. Beatles "I Am The Walrus" Love {2006}
09. Elvis Costello "Brilliant Mistake" King Of America {1985}
10. Bruce Springsteen "Brilliant Disguise" Tunnel Of Love {1987}
11. Guster "(Nothing But) Flowers [Live]" Guster On Ice: Live From Portland, Maine {2004}
12. Dan Wilson "She Can't Help Me Now" Free Life {2007}
13. Sam Phillips "Can't Come Down" Don't Do Anything {2008}
14. Barenaked Ladies "Second Best" Everything To Everyone {2003}
15. Aimee Mann "Thirty-One Today" Smilers {2008}

16. Small Faces "Things Are Going To Get Better" Small Faces {1967}
17. Beatles "With A Little Help From My Friends" Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band {1967}
18. George Harrison "Devil's Radio" Cloud Nine {1987}
19. Knack "Pay The Devil (Ooo, Baby, Ooo)" Round Trip {1981}
20. Todd Rundgren "International Feel" A Wizard, A True Star {1973}
21. Fleetwood Mac "Over My Head" Fleetwood Mac {1975}
22. Lindsey Buckingham "Mary Lee Jones" Law And Order {1981}
23. Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. "Too Late For Us Now" The Land Of Pure Imagination {2006}
24. Matthew Sweet "Looking At The Sun" Girlfriend {1991}
25. Ani DiFranco "Little Plastic Castle" Little Plastic Castle {1998}
26. Dandy Warhols "Cool Scene" Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia {2000}
27. XTC "Earn Enough For Us" Skylarking {1986}
28. Finn Brothers "Angel's Heap" Finn {1995}
29. Marshall Crenshaw "Hold It" Field Day {1983}

KSER Playlist #10 06/20/08

2008-06-20T19:34:00.000-07:00

01. Yardbirds "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" For Your Love {1965}
02. Mudcrutch "Six Days On The Road" Mudcrutch {2008}
03. Traveling Wilburys "Where Were You Last Night?" Vol. 3 {1990}
04. Jeff Lynne "Nobody Home" Armchair Theatre {1990}
05. John Hiatt "Two Hearts" Same Old Man {2008}
06. Little Village "The Action" Little Village {1992}
07. Paul McCartney "Why So Blue" Memory Almost Full [Bonus Disc] {2007}
08. Lindsey Buckingham "Gotta Get Away" Gift Of Screws [Bootleg] {2002}
09. Kooks "See The Sun" Konk {2008}
10. Supergrass "Diamond Hoo Ha Man" Diamond Hoo Ha {2008}
11. Foo Fighters "World [Demo]" Five Songs & A Cover [EP] {2005}
12. Wilco "Kicking Television" A Ghost Is Born [EP] {2005}
13. Sloan "Emergency 911" Parallel Play {2008}
14. Cheap Trick "The House Is Rockin' (With Domestic Problems)" Dream Police {1979}

15. Rolling Stones "When The Whip Comes Down [Edit!]" Some Girls {1978}
16. Some Girls "On My Back" Feel It {2003}
17. Nada Surf [f/ Juliana Hatfield] "I Wanna Take You Home" Lucky [Bonus Disc] {2008}
18. Lemonheads "If I Could Talk I'd Tell You" Car Button Cloth {1996}
19. Aimee Mann "Freeway" Smilers {2008}
20. Cars "Slipaway [Outtake]" Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology {1979}
21. B-52's "Ultraviolet" Funplex {2008}
22. Sarah Harmer "Weakened State" You Were Here {2000}
23. Michael Penn "Battle Room" March {1989}
24. Liz Phair "Red Light Fever" Liz Phair {2003}
25. Tift Merritt "Broken" Another Country {2008}
26. Rhett Miller [f/ Rachel Yamagata] "Fireflies" The Believer {2006}
27. Guster "I'm Through" Satellite [EP] {2007}

KSER Playlist #9 06/13/08

2008-06-16T19:53:00.000-07:00

01. Keith Richards "999" Main Offender {1992}
02. Weezer "Troublemaker" The Red Album {2008}
03. Everclear "The Boys Are Back In Town" Detroit Rock City {1999}
04. Old 97's "The Fool" Blame It On Gravity {2008}
05. John Hiatt "Old Days" Same Old Man {2008}
06. Jayhawks "Take Me With You (When You Go)" Hollywood Town Hall {1992}
07. Sam Phillips "My Career In Chemistry" Don't Do Anything {2008}
08. Aimee Mann "Freeway" Smilers {2008}
09. Alice Peacock "Leading With My Heart" {2002}
10. KT Tunstall "Saving My Face" Drastic Fantastic {2007}
11. Teenage Fanclub "The Concept" Bandwagonesque {1991}
12. Oasis "Listen Up" Cigarettes And Alcohol [Single] {1994}

13. Paul McCartney "Only Mama Knows" Memory Almost Full {2007}
14. Brian Ray "Vinyl" Mondo Magneto {2005}
15. Rusty Anderson "Hurt Myself" Undressing Underwater {2005}
16. Sloan "Witch's Wand" Parallel Play {2008}
17. Posies "Flavor Of The Month" Frosting On The Beater {1993}
18. Plimsouls "A Million Miles Away" Everywhere At Once {1983}
19. Bram Tchaikovsky "Girl Of My Dreams" Strange Man, Changed Man {1979}
20. John Davis "Me And My Girl" John Davis {2005}
21. Jellyfish "New Mistake" Spilt Milk {1993}
22. Tears For Fears "Call Me Mellow" Everybody Loves A Happy Ending {2004}
23. Cheap Trick "If You Want My Love" One On One {1982}
24. Merrymakers "Dreamgirl #9" No Sleep 'Til Famous {1997}
25. Beatles "Revolution #9" The White Album {1968}

KSER Playlist #8 06/06/08

2008-06-09T18:24:00.000-07:00

01. Bo Diddley "Say Man" Go Bo Diddley {1959}
02. Rolling Stones "Not Fade Away [Live]" Stripped {1995}
03. Who "I'm A Man [Live]" Thirty Years Of Maximum R&B [Box Set] {1994}
04. David Bowie "Panic In Detroit" Aladdin Sane {1973}
05. Stooges "1969 [Alternate Vocal]" The Stooges {1969}
06. White Stripes "Screwdriver [Live]" Walking With A Ghost [EP] {2005}
07. Rockpile "If Sugar Was As Sweet As You" Seconds Of Pleasure {1980}
08. Everly Brothers "Poor Jenny [Ten O' Clock Version]" The Complete Cadence Recordings (1957-1960) {1959}
09. Nick Lowe "Switchboard Susan" Labour Of Lust {1979}
10. Elvis Costello "This Year's Girl" This Year's Model {1978}
11. Calexico & Charlotte Gainsbourg "Just Like A Woman" I'm Not There [Soundtrack] {2007}
12. Tom Waits "Better Off Without A Wife" Nighthawks At The Diner {1975}

13. Supersuckers "Bloody Mary Morning" Twisted Willie {1996}
14. Supergrass "Caught By The Fuzz" I Should Coco {1994}
15. Superdrag "The Staggering Genius" Last Call For Vitriol {2002}
16. Nirvana "Even In His Youth" Smells Like Teen Spirit [Single] {1991}
17. Kinks "Tired Of Waiting For You" Kinks-Size [USA] {1965}
18. Foxboro Hot Tubs "Red Tide" Stop Drop And Roll!!! {2008}
19. Cracker "Victoria" This Is Where I Belong: The Songs Of Ray Davies & The Kinks {2002}
20. Ingrid Lucia "Sunny Afternoon" Almost Blue {2004}
21. Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs "The Warmth Of The Sun" Under The Covers, Vol. 1 {2006}
22. Todd Rundgren "Good Vibrations" Faithful {1976}
23. Wondermints "Ride" Mind If We Make Love To You {2002}
24. Beach Boys "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times [Stereo Mix]" Pet Sounds {1966}
25. Move "Brontosaurus" Looking On {1970}
26. Cheap Trick "Mandocello" Cheap Trick {1977}

KSER Playlist #7 05/30/08

2008-05-30T17:31:00.000-07:00

Sasquatch Festival 2008 Sampler - Poptopia Parkway, 05/30/08 midnight-1am:

01. Breeders "Divinehammer" Last Splash {1993}
02. Flight Of The Conchords "The Most Beautiful Girl (In The Room)" Flight Of The Conchords {2008}
03. Tegan & Sara "Burn Your Life Down" The Con {2007}
04. Presidents Of The United States Of America "So Lo So Hi" These Are The Good Times People {2008}
05. "Weird" Al Yankovic "Gump" Bad Hair Day {1996}
06. Cure "Boys Don't Cry [Acoustic]" Acoustic Hits {2001}
07. Kooks "See The Sun [Alternate]" Konk [Disc 2] RAK {2008}
08. Death Cab For Cutie "No Sunlight" Narrow Stairs {2008}
09. Rogue Wave "Like I Needed" Asleep At Heaven's Gate {2007}
10. Built To Spill "Center Of The Universe" Keep It Like A Secret {1999}
11. Modest Mouse "One Chance" Good News For People Who Love Bad News {2004}
12. Flaming Lips "Do You Realize??" Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots {2002}
13. What Made Milwaukee Famous "Sultan" What Doesn't Kill Us {2008}
14. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks "Gardenia" Real Emotional Trash {2008}
15. Mates Of State "The Re-Arranger" Re-Arrange Us {2008}
16. R.E.M. "Horse To Water" Accelerate {2008}
17. Hives "Antidote" Tyrannosaurus Hives {2004}
18. Richard Cheese & Lounge Against The Machine "Hate To Say I Told You So" Tuxicity {2003}

19. New Pornographers "My Rights Vs. Yours" Challengers {2007}
20. Electric Light Orchestra "Turn To Stone" Out Of The Blue {1977}
21. Minders "Don't Bring Me Down [Live]" Bridging The Distance {2007}
22. Rolling Stones "If You Can't Rock Me" It's Only Rock 'N' Roll {1974}
23. Raspberries "Play On" Starting Over {1974}
24. Badfinger "Just A Chance" Wish You Were Here {1974}
25. Big Star "September Gurls" Radio City {1974}
26. Bangles "Complicated Girl" Everything {1988}
27. Replacements "I Will Dare" Let It Be {1984}
28. Prince "Pop Life" Around The World In A Day {1985}
29. Marshall Crenshaw "Someday, Someway" Marshall Crenshaw {1982}
30. Smithereens "Time And Time Again" Especially For You {1986}
31. Sam Phillips "She Can't Tell Time" The Indescribable Wow {1988}
32. Aimee Mann "That's Just What You Are [Acoustic]" That's Just What You Are [Single] {1994}

KSER Playlist #6 05/23/08

2008-05-23T17:01:00.000-07:00

01. B-52's "Pump" Funplex {2008}
02. Nine Inch Nails "Echoplex" The Slip {2008}
03. Helio Sequence "Tomorrow Never Knows" Com Plex {2000}
04. Sloan "Cheap Champagne" Parallel Play {2008}
05. Barenaked Ladies "Louis Loon" Snacktime! {2008}
06. Dukes Of Stratosphear [XTC] "Vanishing Girl [Psonic Psunspot Version]" Chips From The Chocolate Fireball {1987} / Coat Of Many Cupboards [Box Set] {2002}
07. Chipmunks "All My Loving" The Chipmunks Sing The Beatles Hits {1964}
08. World Party "Happiness Is A Warm Gun" Thank You World [EP] {1991}
09. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers "I'm Walkin'" Goin' Home: A Tribute To Fats Domino {2007}
10. Byrds "Lover Of The Bayou [Live]" The Byrds [Box Set] {1990}
11. Mudcrutch "Queen Of The Go-Go Girls" Mudcrutch {2008}
12. Liz Phair "X-Ray Man" Whip-Smart {1994}
13. Sam Phillips "Power World" Omnipop (It's Only A Flesh Wound Lambchop)" {1996}
14. Aimee Mann "Fighting The Stall" Lost In Space [Bonus Disc] {2002}
15. KT Tunstall "I Want You Back [Live]" {2007}

16. Beck "Elevator Music" The Information {2006}
17. Eels "Your Lucky Day In Hell [Michael Simpson Remix]" Useless Trinkets: B-Sides, Soundtracks, Rarities & Unreleased {2008}
18. Kooks "Always Where I Need To Be" Konk {2008}
19. Nick Lowe "Heart Of The City" Jesus Of Cool {1978}
20. The Jam "In The City" In The City {1977}
21. Pearl Jam "The Kids Are Alright [Live]" Substitute: The Songs Of The Who {2001}
22. Foxboro Hot Tubs "She's A Saint Not A Celebrity" Stop Drop And Roll!!! {2008}
23. Green Day "Poprocks And Coke" International Superhits {2001}
24. Fastball "The Real Me" Substitute: The Songs Of The Who {2001}
25. Old 97's "Dance With Me" Blame It On Gravity {2008}
26. Tift Merritt "Broken" Another Country {2008}
27. Cake "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town" Wheels [EP] {2004}
28. Steve Earle & The Supersuckers "Creepy Jackalope Eye" Creepy Jackalope Eye [Single] {1997} / Sidetracks {2002}
29. Blur "Coffee And TV" 13 {1999}
30. Oasis "I Am The Walrus [Live]" Cigarettes And Alcohol [Single] {1994} / The Masterplan {1998}

KSER Playlist #5 05/16/08

2008-05-18T13:45:00.000-07:00

01. Death Cab For Cutie "Cath..." Narrow Stairs {2008}
02. Chris Walla "Geometry &c." Field Manual {2008}
03. Elvis Costello "No Hiding Place [Edit!]" Momofuku {2008}
04. Rilo Kiley "The Angels Hung Around" Under The Blacklight {2007}
05. Sondre Lerche "Human Hands" Duper Sessions {2006}
06. Dave Edmunds "Girls Talk" Repeat When Necessary {1979}
07. Nick Lowe "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding? [Acoustic]" At My Age [Bonus Tracks] {2007}
08. Lindsey Buckingham "I Know I'm Not Wrong [Live]" Live At The Bass Performance Hall {2008}
09. Romantics "When I Look In Your Eyes" Romantics {1979}
10. Raconteurs "Consoler Of The Lonely" Consolers Of The Lonely {2008}
11. White Stripes [f/ Beck] "It's My Fault For Being Famous" Conquest [EP] {2008}
12. Chipmunks "I Want To Hold Your Hand" The Chipmunks Sing The Beatles Hits {1964}
13. Amy Millan "I Will Follow You Into The Dark [Live]" Morning Becomes Eclectic [EP] {2007}
14. Everclear "Brown-Eyed Girl [Live]" The Vegas Years {2008}

15. Dandy Warhols "The World The People Together (Come On)" Earth To The Dandy Warhols {2008}
16. Spoon "Don't You Evah [DJ Amaze & Alan Astor Mix]" Don't You Evah [EP] {2008}
17. Feist "I Feel It All [Britt Daniel Remix]" I Feel It All [EP] {2008}
18. Mudcrutch "Crystal River" Mudcrutch {2008}
19. Taj Mahal "Six Days On The Road" Giant Step {1968}
20. Rolling Stones [f/ Christina Aguilera] "Live With Me [Live]" Shine A Light [Soundtrack] {2008}
21. Something For Kate "Genie In A Bottle [Live]" The Andrew Denton Breakfast Show 2 {2001}
22. Fountains Of Wayne "...Baby One More Time" Out-Of-State Plates {1999}
23. Mike Viola & The Candy Butchers "I Want It That Way" Let's Get Christmas {1999}
24. Tripwires "Comedienne" Makes You Look Around {2007}
25. R.E.M. "Living Well Is The Best Revenge" Accelerate {2008}
26. Presidents Of The United States Of America "More Bad Times" These Are The Good Times People {2008}

KSER Playlist #4 05/09/08

2008-05-09T16:32:00.000-07:00

Sub 2nd half, Blues House, 05/08/08 11 pm-midnight:

01. Elvin Bishop "Right Now Is The Hour" The Skin I'm In {1998}
02. William Clarke "Blues Is Killing Me" The Hard Way {1996}
03. Joe Bonamassa "Long Distance Blues" Blues Deluxe {2003}
04. Omar & The Howlers "I'm Wild About You" Courts Of Lulu {1993}
05. Tinsley Ellis & The Heartfixers "Time To Quit" Cool On It {1991}
06. Willie Kent "Teach Me How To Lie" Make Room For The Blues {1998}
07. Magic Slim "I Started Loving You Again" Blue Magic {2002}
08. Little Jimmy King "Shouldn't Have Left Me" Something Inside Of Me {1994}
09. Jimmie Vaughan "Robbin' Me Blind" Do You Get The Blues? {2001}
10. Gary Moore "The Sky Is Crying [Live]" Blues Alive {1993}

1980s Tribute (sort of), Poptopia Parkway, 05/09/08 midnight-2am:

01. Replacements "20th Century Boy" I Will Dare [12" Single] {1984}
02. Teenage Fanclub "Life's A Gas" What You Do To Me [Single] {1992}
03. Old 97's "Singular Girl" Satellite Rides [Bonus Disc] {2001}
04. Cure "Just Like Heaven [Acoustic]" Acoustic Hits {2001}
05. Ben Folds "In Between Days" Speed Graphic [EP] {2003}
06. William Shatner [f/ Aimee Mann & Ben Folds] "That's Me Trying" Has-Been {2004}
07. Dar Williams "Better Things" End Of The Summer {1997}
08. John Lennon [f/ Cheap Trick] "I'm Losing You [Demo]" Anthology [Box Set] {1980}
09. Toy Matinee [f/ Julian Lennon] "Turn It On Salvador" Toy Matinee {1990}
10. Grays "Oh, Well, Maybe" Ro Sham Bo {1994}
11. Michael Penn "Me Around" Resigned {1997}
12. Beatles "I'm Only Sleeping" Revolver [UK] {1966}
13. Buddy Judge "Vision" Profiles In Clownhenge {1998}
14. Bleu "You Might Think" Substitution Mass Confusion: A Tribute To The Cars {2005}

15. KT Tunstall "I Don't Want You Now" Drastic Fantastic {2007}
16. Kirsty MacColl "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby" Kite {1989}
17. Killers "Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself" Hot Fuss [Ltd. Ed. 7" Box Set] {2005}
18. Neil Finn & Friends "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" 7 Worlds Collide: Live At The St. James {2002}
19. Death Cab For Cutie "This Charming Man" You Can Play These Songs With Chords {2002}
20. Jason Falkner "Photograph" Everyone Says It's On {2001}
21. Nerf Herder "Kiss Me Deadly" Metal Rules {1998}
22. Superdrag "Wave Of Mutilation" Where Is My Mind? A Tribute To The Pixies {1999}
23. Tom Jones [f/ The Cardigans] "Burning Down The House" Reload {1999}
24. Phish "Cities [Live]" Slip Stitch & Pass {1997}
25. Shawn Colvin "This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)" Cover Girl {1994}
26. Morrissey "First Of The Gang To Die" You Are The Quarry {2004}
27. Paul Westerberg "Angels Walk" Eventually {1996}
28. T. Rex "King Of The Mountain Cometh" Electric Warrior [Bonus Tracks] {1971}

KSER Playlist #3 05/02/08

2008-05-04T14:20:00.000-07:00

01. Beatles "Drive My Car/The Word/What You're Doing" Love [Soundtrack] {2006}
02. Spoon "All I Got Is Me" Don't You Evah [EP] {2008}
03. What Made Milwaukee Famous "Sultan" What Doesn't Kill Us {2008}
04. Rod Stewart "What's Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made A Loser Out Of Me)" Never A Dull Moment {1972}
05. Raspberries "All Through The Night" Starting Over {1974}
06. Badfinger "Midnight Caller" No Dice {1970}
07. Electric Light Orchestra "Telephone Line [Alternate Vocal]" A New World Record {1976}
08. Guster "Satellite [The Astronauts Remix]" Satellite [EP] {2007}
09. U2 "Satellite Of Love" One [Single] {1992}
10. Dandy Warhols "You Were The Last High" Welcome To The Monkey House {2003}
11. Slender Means "Telepathic Lovesick Heart" Neon & Ruin {2005}
12. Andrew Bird "Oh Sister" Soldier On [EP] {2007}
13. Cat Power "Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again" I'm Not There [Soundtrack] {2007}

14. KT Tunstall "Hold On" Drastic Fantastic {2007}
15. Everclear "Our Lips Are Sealed" Everything To Everyone [Single] {1998}
16. Go-Go's "Turn To You" Talk Show {1984}
17. Fleetwood Mac "Empire State" Mirage {1982}
18. Death Cab For Cutie "Soul Meets Body" Plans {2005}
19. Gary Louris "True Blue" Vagabonds {2008}
20. Old 97's "Dance With Me" Blame It On Gravity {2008}
21. Finn Brothers "Nothing Wrong With You" Everyone Is Here {2004}
22. Neil Finn "She Comes Scattered" Sinner [Single] {1998}
23. Liam Finn "Second Chance" I'll Be Lightning {2008}
24. Barenaked Ladies "Serendipity" Barenaked Ladies Are Men {2007}
25. Sloan "The Best Part Of Your Life" Never Hear The End Of It [Bonus Tracks] {2007}
26. Prince "Revelation" Planet Earth {2007}

KSER Playlist #2 04/25/08

2008-04-28T17:20:00.000-07:00

01. Black Crowes "Walk Believer Walk" Warpaint {2008}
02. Rolling Stones [f/ Jack White III] "Loving Cup [Live]" Shine A Light [Soundtrack] {2008}
03. White Stripes "Conquista" Conquista [Single] {2008}
04. Beck "Burro" Jack-Ass [Single] {1997} / Odelay [Deluxe Edition] {2008}
05. Joe Jackson "Citizen Sane" Rain {2008}
06. B-52's "Strobe Light [Live]" Funplex [Live At The Roxy In LA EP] {2008}
07. Eels "I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man [Live At Town Hall]" Useless Trinkets: B-Sides, Soundtracks, Rarities & Unreleased {2008}
08. Everclear "Bad Connection" The Vegas Years {2008}
09. Chris Walla "The Score" Field Manual {2008}
10. Death Cab For Cutie "I Will Possess Your Heart" Narrow Stairs {2008}
11. Stephen Duffy & The Lilac Time "Driving Somewhere" Runout Groove {2008}
12. R.E.M. "I'm Gonna DJ" Accelerate {2008}

13. Nine Inch Nails "The Beginning Of The End" Year Zero {2007}
14. Ween "Shamemaker" La Cucaracha {2007}
15. New Pornographers "All Of The Things That Go To Make Heaven And Earth" Challengers {2007}
16. Crowded House "Heaven That I'm Making" Time On Earth {2007}
17. Spoon "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb" Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga {2007}
18. Hives "Tick Tick Boom!" The Black & White Album {2007}
19. Andrew Bird "Fiery Crash" Armchair Apocrypha {2007}
20. Rilo Kiley "Silver Lining" Under The Blacklight {2007}
21. Traveling Wilburys "Handle With Care" Vol. 1 {1988}
22. Wilco "Impossible Germany" Sky Blue Sky {2007}
23. Dewey Cox [John C. Reilly] "Walk Hard" Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story [Soundtrack] {2007}
24. Joe Anderson "Hey Jude" Across The Universe [Soundtrack] {2007}
25. Guster "Two Of Us [Live]" Satellite [EP] {2007}
26. Dan Wilson "Easy Silence" Free Life {2007}

KSER Playlist #1 04/18/08

2008-04-21T20:16:00.000-07:00

01. KT Tunstall "Little Favours" Drastic Fantastic {2007}
02. Fountains Of Wayne "Someone To Love" Traffic & Weather {2007}
03. Interpol "No I In Threesome" Our Love To Admire {2007}
04. Ani DiFranco "Both Hands [2007]" Canon {2007}
05. Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich "Hold Tight" Grindhouse: Death Proof [Soundtrack] {2007}
06. R.E.M. "#9 Dream" Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign To Save Darfur {2007}
07. Paul McCartney "Vintage Clothes" Memory Almost Full {2007}
08. Traveling Wilburys "Inside Out" Vol. 3 {1990}
09. Tripwires "I Hear This Music" Makes You Look Around {2007}
10. Smithereens "I Saw Her Standing There" Meet The Smithereens! {2007}
11. Prince "The 1 U Wanna C" Planet Earth {2007}
12. Amy Winehouse "Rehab" Back In Black {2007}
13. Aimee Mann "Going Thru The Motions [Live]" Live At St. Ann's Warehouse {2007}
14. Michael Penn "Try [Alternate Version]" Palms & Runes, Tarot & Tea: A Michael Penn Collection {2007}
15. Sloan "Another Way I Could Do It" Never Hear The End Of It {2007}

16. Lindsey Buckingham "Holiday Road [Live]" Live At The Bass Performance Hall {2008}
17. Beatles "Hey Bulldog" Yellow Submarine [Songtrack] {1999}
18. Cardigans "I Need Some Fine Wine, And You, You Need To Be Nicer" Super Extra Gravity {2005}
19. She & Him "I Should Have Known Better" Vol. 1 {2008}
20. Raconteurs "Salute Your Solution" Consolers Of The Lonely {2008}
21. R.E.M. "Accelerate" Accelerate {2008}
22. B-52's "Hot Corner" Funplex {2008}
23. Nick Lowe "Rollers Show" Jesus Of Cool {1978}
24. Bay City Rollers "Turn On The Radio" Elevator {1979}
25. La's "I Can't Sleep" La's {2008}
26. Pearl Jam [f/ Supergrass] "Timeless Melody [Live]" #71 Seattle 11/05/2000 {2001}
27. Supergrass "Diamond Hoo Ha Man" Diamond Hoo Ha Man {2008}
28. Kooks "See The Sun" Konk {2008}
29. Presidents Of The United States Of America "More Bad Times" These Are The Good Times People {2008}
30. Black Crowes "Goodbye Daughters Of The Revolution" Warpaint {2008}

KSER Spring Pledge Drive 2008

2008-04-10T21:30:00.000-07:00

Support Independent Public Radio - 90.7 KSER!

I had a lot of fun volunteering for the pledge drive this week at KSER. I signed on to handle phones during the 5-7 pm prime-time shift on Monday and today. Amy Goodman’s Democracy Now program is bookended by Public Affairs + Noel Williams’ Caribbean Sounds on Mondays, and Healthy Living call-in show + Pat Langston’s UnCommon Threads on Thursdays.

It was nice to make acquaintances with fellow volunteers. We shared pizza and other goodies and took turns answering the phones while the on-air hosts worked their magic and induced listeners to pledge. I really enjoyed talking to friendly callers, many of whom had given before and would speak slowly so you could write down all their info.

The biggest prize I gave away was a pair of tickets to see radio personalities Amy Goodman and Jim Hightower who will have met and greeted fans at Town Hall in Seattle on 4/12. It is a wonderful venue to hear speakers in a large yet intimate auditorium setting. Next opportunity you get, I recommend you look up and attend an author appearance from the book listings in free weeklies such as The Stranger or Seattle Weekly.

Editor’s note: the $41,000 goal was met by Saturday mid-afternoon. Great news for KSER!

In closing, I invite you to check out the KSER program schedule. On the left of the home page is a link to stream KSER on your computer. Drop them a line and share feedback. Finally, you can click on the button at the top of this entry to send them a donation and support what they do for the community of Everett, Snohomish County and beyond. Have fun listening!

2007 Mix CD Project (Part 2)

2008-03-10T19:31:00.000-07:00

Hello, friends – where we left off, last time we checked in:

A01. Ween “Friends” [The Friends EP]
For me, their techno tribute tops the original version from La Cucaracha. A different track from that LP to be featured later...
A02. Fountains Of Wayne “New Routine” [Traffic & Weather]
Speaking of friends, sung about at the start of this winsome pop ode to wishing for better things. Another astute character study by Collingwood / Schlesinger and co.
A03. Paul McCartney “Ever Present Past” [Memory Almost Full]
Some online fan found the album title could be an anagram that coincidentally spells out For My Soulmate, L(inda) L(ouise) M(cCartney). I want to think he’d still be married to Linda if she hadn’t passed away from cancer in 1998.
A04. KT Tunstall “I Don’t Want You Now” [Drastic Fantastic]
Pure power pop in the vein of definite influence Kirsty MacColl (R.I.P.).
A05. Ani DiFranco “Both Hands” [2007] [Canon]
Here’s a heroine folk songwriter whose lyrics I can read by themselves and marvel at their sheer poetry. Starting with the brilliant double-album Living In Clip in 1997, I eventually collected all her righteous (babe) records.

B06. Interpol “The Heinrich Manuever” [Our Love To Admire]
Grabbed my attention on first listen. I know many indie fans are split over the group's move to slick up the production and go commercial.
B07. Spoon “Rhthm & Soul” [Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga]
That’s how it’s written on the album. Yes, I know how to spell rhythm. I’ll have you know I won the county spelling bee and took 6th place at state in the 8th grade!
B08. Ween “Shamemaker” [La Cucaracha]
If Smashmouth and Blink-182 had a baby, and the baby was dropped on its head, this is a song it might sing.
B09. The New Pornographers “All The Things That Go To Make Heaven & Earth” [Challengers]
Left-of-center garage-rock from, well, challenging popsters north of the border. I appreciated the unconventional Executive Edition format allowing the customer to download a few more discs’ worth of extras to accompany the standard CD album.
B10. Barenaked Ladies “Down To Earth” [Barenaked Ladies Are Men]
About the Ed Robertson/Steven Page duo, I think of Ed as the earthbound observer, Steven the more emotional romanticizer. Although sometimes true, as I listen to all their albums (got just about all of ‘em), note how often they cross paths to emulate the other’s songwriting styles.
B11. Crowded House “Heaven That I’m Making” [Time On Earth]
Bringing the heaven / earth wordplay to a close (bonus points for Earth appearing in the album title too), with a song more reflective of the melancholy mood that permeates Time On Earth.

C12. Michael Penn “Try [Alternate Version]” [Palms & Runes, Tarot & Tea: A Michael Penn Collection]
Nearly identical to the ‘Resigned’ album version. An example of a 3-minute pop song I would aspire to write if I were inclined (or talented)!
C13. Spoon “My Little Japanese Cigarette Case” [Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga]
Another nifty 3-minute ditty, tuneful in its own cryptic way, which suits me fine. On the subject of popsters with greater popularity in Japan…
C14. Rivers Cuomo “Lover In The Snow [Demo, 1997]” [Alone: Home Recordings Of Rivers Cuomo]
This collection is just 18 of the thousands of songs he’s claimed to have written and taped onto home-recorded cassettes.
C15. Wilco “Impossible Germany” [Sky Blue Sky]
Stretching out the longest song on the mix with a track built for listening on a highway drive. Nice double-70s guitars intertwining on the extended coda.
C16. Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly) “Walk Hard” [Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (Soundtrack)]
Sure I liked Ray, Walk The Line and most other pop music documentaries of this sort, but this is a movie genre in need of a satiric skewering, and The Dewey Cox Story delivered the goods. Reilly’s character grows up like Johnny Cash, rocks his first school talent show like Elvis, holds a press conference like Dylan, is introduced (hilariously) to his first drugs like Ray, meets the King himself and the Beatles, goes nuts like Brian Wilson – it’s all here and more, supported with top-notch parody songs written by quirky folksinger Dan Bern and popmeisters Marshall Crenshaw and Mike Viola (of the Candy Butchers).

D17. Rilo Kiley “Silver Lining” [Under The Blacklight]
I’m not the first blogger to hear this track as the Fleetwood Mac tribute it seems to be. Think it would fit right in on the Mirage album.
D18. Traveling Wilburys “Heading For The Light” [Vol. 1]
As a nod to Jenny Lewis’ cover of “Handle With Care”, I threw in this favorite album track from the 1st Wilburys platter. It’s a little G.E. Smith SNL band with the horn chart at the end, but a nice collaboration between George Harrison and Jeff Lynne nonetheless. Or so I assume they are the primary contributors to this track.
D19. The Tripwires “Big Electric Light” [Makes You Look Around]
Here’s a shout-out for Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra, by association anyway, not in the song per se, which adheres to the early pub-rock / Beatles sound as with the selection I put on disc 1.
D20. Sloan “The Best Part Of Your Life” [Near Hear The End Of It: YepRoc.com mp3 Bonus Tracks]
Yup, here’s the other B-side for good measure. Thanks, Yep Roc!
D21. Prince “Revelation” [Planet Earth]
In keeping with the tone of bringing not only the imaginary Side 4 but the whole damn mix to a close, this is another good group effort between Prince and old friends Wendy & Lisa.

+22. April March “Chick Habit” [Grindhouse: ‘Death Proof’ (Soundtrack)]
QT takes one of her obscure album tracks out of context and tacks perfectly onto the end of this gruesome li’l grindhouse double-feature.

Phew! I’m glad that’s out of the way. Now I’ve already begun thinking ahead to the 2008 best-of mix with a concept that should be fun (in its own punishing way) bringing to life. For the few recipients, I sincerely hope you enjoyed listening!

2007 Mix CD Project (Part 1)

2008-02-28T19:06:00.000-08:00

Started a track-by-track commentary of the 2007 Mix CD I made for just a few people this year, including my fiancée R. Conceptually real simple: stuck to music released in 2007 (with relatively few cheats), and based song flow as if pressed on vinyl, hence the A thru D in the track numbering. Old-school vinyl fans, remember extras thrown in with your albums like posters, lyric booklets, or a bonus 7”? With new vinyl, now you get coupons to download the album in mp3 format for your portable player, or you might even get the album on a physical CD, so the tradition lives on. Here we go:

A01. KT Tunstall “Little Favours” [Drastic Fantastic]
I thought more music programmers might make this album’s hooks grow on the radio, but to date I thought wrong. I prefer this album’s angular power-folk to the previous disc’s mellow acoustic fare.
A02. Fountains Of Wayne “Someone To Love” [Traffic & Weather]
Featuring Melissa auf der Maur on backing vocals. I enjoy the attention to detail paid by New Yorkers Chris Collingwood and Adam Schlesinger to the characters in their songs. They've proven over several consistent albums that they’ve learned well from the pop composer masters, i.e. klassik rock musik of Ray Davies’ Kinks et. al.
A03. Interpol “No I In Threesome” [Our Love To Admire]
They may have lost some fans as the production gets bigger, but they create great drama in the studio recordings, and have heard they continue to improve live.
A04. The White Stripes “You Don’t Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You’re Told)” [Icky Thump]
An album as polarizing to fans as the last, Get Behind Me Satan. What I continue to appreciate about the Stripes is their artsy aesthetic, reflected in the graphics ‘n’ artwork that adorns the records and all the kitschy paraphernalia. Their Icky Thump 7” singles provided the chief inspiration for this CD mix’s album artwork, including my peppermint Red Bull avatar.
A05. The Hives “Tick Tick Boom!” [The Black & White Album]
Hard to top the 2004 Tyrannosaurus Hives album for me. This new one isn't selling, but hopefully these Scandinavian imports keep touring and trying new material.

B06. Andrew Bird “Fiery Crash” [Armchair Apocrypha]
I bought my first Andrew Bird album solely because I was collecting recordings featuring anyone involved in or with The Squirrel Nut Zippers. That band’s hot-jazz stylings was the formula Andrew tapped into for 90s albums Thrills and Oh! The Grandeur. Then he turned hard left into indie pop on The Swimming Hour. I remained engaged and kept listening, up thru this latest release (including the new Soldier On EP). Puts me in a good chill-out mood.
B07. Spoon “You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb” [Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga]
Wrapping up our mini-set of tiny explosions. Perhaps my favorite album of 2007. Their overall sound (produced with help from drummer Jim Eno) repays repeat listens which reveal engaging aural minutiae.
B08. Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich “Hold Tight” [Grindhouse: ‘Death Proof’ (Soundtrack)]
They’re not in my Billboard Top 40 book, so I didn’t hear of this UK combo, until this song’s inclusion on the soundtrack to this box-office dud, which was still a hit in my book, along with virtually all other Quentin Tarantino flicks.
B09. R.E.M. “#9 Dream” [Instant Karma: The Campaign To Save Darfur]
Turns in a considerate cover of a solo Lennon single (peaked at #9 in Billboard, natch) on a various artists tribute album that means well.
B10. Paul McCartney “Vintage Clothes” [Memory Almost Full]
Sean Nelson of Harvey Danger wrote a good piece in our local Stranger weekly in defense of being a Paul fan. As of this writing, find the article here. I would happily debate the merits of Paul’s solo catalogue with him.
B11. Traveling Wilburys “Inside Out” [Vol. 3]
Taken from perhaps my favorite reissue of the year, for nostalgia value, not for the constant repackagings designed to extract money from completist nuts. Rounds up this Beatles mini-tribute (and our “imaginary” vinyl side 2) to a close.

C12. Michael Penn “Lucky One [Version One]” [Palms & Runes, Tarot & Tea: A Michael Penn Collection]
Less ornate than the MP4 album version, Sean’s brother / Aimee Mann’s hubby has included a few demos on this thoughtful compilation, and this holds up as well as the original. This caustic, crafty wordsmith is not the most prolific of songwriters, but favors a work ethic of quality over quantity, which suits me to a tee. “No Myth” was a hit almost 20 years ago? I’m getting older...
C13. Barenaked Ladies “Serendipity” [Barenaked Ladies Are Men]
Taken from a great collection of outtakes from the 2006 Barenaked Ladies Are Me album. No denying the creativity of the Ed Robertson / Steven Page team, but show a little love for keyboardist Kevin Hearn’s changes of pace as captured here.
C14. Sloan “Even Together” [Near Hear The End Of It: YepRoc.com mp3 Bonus Tracks]
A Largo fan and occasional pen-pal has sent me great mixes, and thanks to his latest Toast & Jam, I picked up the Canadian power pop group’s 2007 release, so named as it is 30 tracks long and sequenced as one mega-long Abbey Road-inspired medley.
C15. The Long Winters “Pushover [Live]” [Live At KEXP, Vol. 3]
Frontman John Roderick just started writing for the Seattle Weekly; check out his humorous articles here. Discovered a studio version of this title on the above T&J, and while I was randomly searching for filler mix tracks, delighted to include this live take. The 2nd and 3rd volumes were good for a few mixtape songs apiece; the 1st, as an album in itself, remains my favorite volume of the overall series. KEXP, if you’re reading this, dig into your vaults beyond indie rock for Vol. 4 and showcase the variety which you expertly provide on the rest of your programming!
C16. Spoon “The Underdog” [Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga]
Featuring LA-based singer / songwriter / multi-instrumentalist Jon Brion’s orchestration, this channels prime Billy Joel (no insult intended! Mr. Joel's obviously a McCartney fan too) and is the album’s poppiest track of the bunch.

D17. Crowded House “Even A Child” [Time On Earth]
Onto the “imaginary” vinyl side 4 to bring this mix home. Time On Earth is a subdued affair, in no small part due to former member Paul Hester’s suicide. In old-school late-80s / early-90s fashion, the CD is front-loaded with the catchiest tracks. Ex-Smiths member Johnny Marr plays fluid melodic guitar parts throughout.
D18. The Tripwires “I Hear This Music” [Makes You Look Around]
Portland, OR power pop label signed up this group composed of John Ramberg from Model Rockets with friends from Young Fresh Fellows, R.E.M / Minus 5, Fastbacks and Ministry (!) Great to see the NW music scene still rockin’ at the grassroots level.
D19. The Smithereens “I Saw Her Standing There” [Meet The Smithereens!]
How to replicate that uniquely cavernous, punchy, heavily-processed production alone, much less capture the energy, humor and smarts from the band who would embark on their '64 US journey to change our pop music world forever? Much admiration for this moderately hooky 80s pop band trying their hand at recreating an undeniably uncoverable album.
D20. Prince “The 1 U Wanna C” [Planet Earth]
I welcomed the return of Wendy & Lisa from the days of the Revolution. Didn’t connect with the first single “Guiar", but this breezy number recalls (for me) the acoustic propulsiveness of “I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man”, back when the little fella was cranking out deceptively effortless, memorable hit singles.
D21. Wilco “The Thanks I Get” [Sky Blue Sky: Bonus EP]
Deserved better than relegated to background music for a VW commercial. Finally got a release on an EP distributed in similar fashion to the last couple albums. More fun and poppy than some songs that made the cut for Sky Blue Sky itself.

+22. Pop! (Hugh Grant) “Pop! Goes My Heart” [Music & Lyrics (Soundtrack)]
Hunka hunka burning cheese, best accompanied by the MTV video parody seen in the movie’s opening credits (and the VH1 Pop-Up Video send-up in the end credits). You could picture ABC putting this on a B-side to one of their greatest 80s hits.

Part 2 to follow soon!

A Pretentious Treatise On The Art Of The Mix Tape And CD

2008-02-25T22:25:00.000-08:00

A subject near and dear to my heart! First, a little background about the topic & me:

In the mid-80s, I learned basic techniques from Mom of recording music from a variety of sources onto blank cassettes. She made tapes so we could listen to the family’s records on everyday commutes and road trips in the Ford Bronco and VW Beetle. I made dozens and dozens of mixtapes from the mid-80s to 2000. Although I gave a few away, I made most for myself, because who knew better what music I wanted to fixate upon with surround-sound headphones than me?

Initially, mixtaping was a system for me to compile my favorite (scratchy but listenable) vintage 7” 45-RPM singles from the small collection I inherited from Mom & Dad. It was also my means of preserving Mom’s original Beatles LPs, each of which I recorded in their entirety, from Introducing The Beatles (US) {1963} to Let It Be {1970}. Now I could just play the tapes on repeat as much as I wanted, take out individual album covers to look at the graphics and lyrics without removing the records, and listen to The Beatles in all their beautiful vinyl glory!

Later on, when I dove into the mid-90s swing dance craze, I cherrypicked the best dance tracks from swing / jazz CDs I happily snapped up to capture the best of both the big-band / pioneer R&B artists and neo-swing bands. (1999 still holds the record for most CDs I bought in a single year, 100+.) I figured I would learn sweet East Coast and Lindy Hop moves from various dance instructors in and around Seattle, and perhaps eventually snag a jive kitty sweetheart at a class or club. (Well, one objective achieved out of two at that point in time t-ain’t bad.)

As the first wave of file-sharing via Napster waxed and waned, I started wanting mp3s and rarities you wouldn’t find anywhere else, but even more so, I sought to catch up to the latest trend of saving music to recordable CDs instead of tapes. Now I read from articles that CDs would permit no re-recording and may never last as long as tapes even when cared for equally. But I really liked the idea of convenience of playing music off your own CDs, combined with the challenge of turning out a perfect CD mix in “one take”. Also, I desired to showcase some artistic concepts and cobble together CD covers to go with the mixes; I didn’t make art for mixtapes because I never liked how tapes always compromised the full album artwork. And finally, I felt that I had taken my mixtaping techniques about as far as I could go. So while I kept all my tape players, in 2001, the year I made my final mixtape, I purchased a new CD component recorder for my stereo system and got a PC with a recordable CD-ROM drive for Christmas. A new era would begin...

For the first few years, I exclusively used the home recorder and attempted to preserve every mix playlist as if I had a record label. Lon Palmer’s LP Records, a pun on Long-Player (33-1/3 RPM) records; get it, get it? Well, boy, turned out CD-making was a longer learning curve for me. I wasted dozens of discs along the way, as I would invariably botch any one necessary detail, i.e. overlook adjusting a level, play the wrong track, forget to insert a 2-sec. space in front of a song, or maybe the CD itself would be bad and recording would stop mid-way through. Name something, anything that can go wrong, and trust me, it will! Having no safety net afforded you with tapes, all you can do is eject the failure, plug in a fresh disc, and start over.

I slowly improved and overcame virtually all waste-causing obstacles. In a flip-side move from my tape-making days, I actually gave away most homemade CDs, keeping only a few to play in the car or etc. I think the overriding reason was, yeah, I wanted to make albums for chicks, but in part I figured most folks my age would prefer my digital collection over anything from my beloved vinyl bins, and that, miracle of miracles, if anyone were to trade music back with me, they would do so on CDs instead of tapes. Soon, I gained enough confidence by about my 60th “album” that I succeeded making a perfect 80-min. CD. It’s just like the feeling you got back in the day when you made two immaculately paced 45-min. sides of a 90-min. tape.

Expert mixtapers around the world, back me up on this one. You know well the crucial task of rewinding and substituting a shorter or longer song or two and watching the last seconds of tape run out on a side until you physically see and hear the proof you filled every inch of tape with the maximum amount of music possible. Or you know this, if you’re obsessed with perfection. You may have gathered this factoid about me by now! In any case, to this day, I cannot find any PC program that allows you to fill a CD up to exactly 80-min. - or technically, 79-min. 58-sec., with the first 2-sec. of blank space reserved to “lead off” the CD and permit fail-safe reading (or so I presume.) So I more or less accept 79.50 – or, ok, 79.48 - as my maximum time for PC CD recording, but I know I can fill a CD on the component recorder with as much music as the format will allow.

So when did I move on to burning CDs with my computer? Looks like around mid-2004... I can say I honed the perfect 80-min. mix technique enough times that I eventually got bored of it. I had amassed enough mp3 rarities on the computer and learned to rip temporary high-quality files to use and delete as required for CDs I made with Windows Media Player or Nero. An aside, as I write this; it occurred to me I do need to replace most, if not all, of my home stereo equipment at the appropriate juncture to begin the VERY long-delayed project of digitizing my vinyl collection, once again for my own personal use, just as I did with those special Beatles and 7”-single tapes of eons ago.

About 140 mix CDs later, and where are we now? This is still my ultimate goal – a pretty trivial one, when you’ve got the troubles of the real world at hand – but I'd love to make the greatest mix album that doesn’t contain one bum track you want to fast-forward or skip, and draws connections or tells stories using the widest variety of songs from multiple genres which all flow or overlap as smoothly as possible. I’m not a musician (though I play one on PS Rock Band or at the demo booths at EMP Seattle, ha), but on some level, I almost feel like one when I listen to all this wonderful music and reflect on CD mixes past, present and future...

I just wrote this with intent to provide a preface for readers to the post I will write about my most recent mix CD project – so stay tuned, and if you made it this far, thanks for reading!

My first post!

2008-02-01T22:35:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! I'm Lon, and this is my first post! I look forward to writing information about my musical interests and possible radio show in the very near future.