Chromeo - Jealous (I Ain't With It)

Man I love these guys, but I'm having a hard time getting into their first couple singles from the upcoming release. They're just a little too... EDM sounding. Still lots of funk, it's just a little soft. Hoping the album will have a little more meat on it.

Kelis - Rumble

New stuff from this talented chef who's now with esteemed label Ninja Tune. Kind of a weird mix, but I guess it works. Still iffy on the album as a whole but this track is a highlight.

Pharrell Williams - Happy

Rock yesterday, pop today. I'm sure you've heard the song by now. Catchy as hell. Here's the Bermuda version of the video. Don't worry Tony, I'm on the way.

Big Wreck - Ghosts

...and the official saviors of rock & roll, one of the best bands in the world led by one of the most awesome guitarists, the one and only Ian Thornley. New track, new album coming in June, it's all very exciting.

Band Of Skulls - Asleep At The Wheel

And here's a rockin' new track from these proper English fellows.

Plants And Animals - Bye Bye Bye

Who says rock is dead? It's just frozen. Hopefully some new contenders will emerge. In the meantime here's a great track from these cats out of Montreal. Can't believe this one is 6 years old already.

Nirvana - You Know You're Right

With all the hoopla over the anniversary of the death of Kurt Cobain and their recent Hall of Fame induction, it dawned on me that I've never actually posted anything by these legends, which is crazy because they were a huge influence on myself and so many other grunge rockers. So here ya go, one of their best that didn't actually see the light of day until some eight years after that tragic April afternoon of 1994. What might have been.

Butthole Surfers - The Wooden Song

Around the same era of grunge goodies was the emergence of this group of crazies led by Gibby Haynes. They'd been around on the scene for more than a decade and in fact Independent Worm Saloon, their first album of any real notoriety, was their 6th release. The most popular track on that album was, of course, this song, which was incidentally remixed by a certain Trent Reznor and released on a hard-to-find EP that I picked up many years ago. Good find that.

Everclear - Heartspark Dollarsign

I'll never get all these songs posted if I don't pick up my socks...

It's hard to understand what happened to these guys but mostly they just went in a power pop direction and sadly left their grungy guitars behind. Sparkle & Fade was a great album with so much promise. So Much For The Afterglow... well that just resigned them to their fate. I suppose their sound was always a bit light, but to me it just faded into radio fluff. Most of the time it's a question of survival, especially for bands with multiple members dependent on making an income, sometimes to support a family. Damn the hits, damn the weather, and damn the torpedoes.

"You're possessed with a power bigger than the pain."

Wild Beasts - Wanderlust

This is another album almost certain to be found on my best of list come December. Sure, they're indie, which isn't usually my thing, but they've got a darker edge and this album has some really interesting production that suits them nicely. Definitely check it out.

Tensnake - Love Sublime

One of my favorite discs of this year is from Marco Niemerski out of Hamburg. Lots of sweet disco soul and you can never go wrong with Nile Rodgers on your side.

Sir Sly - Where I'm Going

I know basically nothing about these guys except they're from LA. Not much going on in this video either but the track is pretty cool, so have a listen and be impressed.

Postmodern Jukebox - Game Of Thrones Theme

I've seen countless covers of the Game of Thrones theme, most of them utterly dull and pointless. Uber-gothic singers and string ensembles just trying to grab some clicks. It's probably working for them, but how about a little originality? 

Leave it to Scott Bradlee to freshen things up. He was the man behind that killer Lorde cover with Puddles a while back, and this time he's recruited the brilliant Dave Koz on the saxophone to rip out some jazz-tacular variations. Can just imagine sitting at some ritzy cafe in the streets of Montreux and hearing this from the house band. Long live the king.

Robson & Jerome - Up On The Roof

Everyone's favorite killer-for-hire Ser Bronn of Blackwater is known for his skill with a blade, but his alter ego, Jerome Flynn, was once a famous crooner in the UK in this sappy duo. Have to say I much prefer his new ventures to the old...

Wilko Johnson - She Does It Right

So March wasn't a very good month, was it? April's been off to a slow start too. I'll blame it on seasonal depression. The sun's out today so it's time to get some fresh air and get everything back on track. Seems I've been saying that a lot lately... 

Anyway Game of Thrones is back on and it's kicking ass and everyone loves it so today we'll do a little tribute. The first is from Ser Ilyn Payne, otherwise known as Wilko of Dr. Feelgood fame. In real life he still has his tongue, though sadly he's been diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. That said he's supposed to have been dead by now and instead he's recorded a new album with Roger Daltrey and has been doing some touring of late. Remarkable man.