Hold Me Now - The Polyphonic Spree

I woke up in such a good mood this morning. One of those moods that are so big and so full of happy that you just know you're going to explode with it. I have no idea what brought it on, but I'm enjoying it just the same. It's like the perfect day realized ... and it hasn't even started, yet. So what could accompany a mood like this better than a band that sounds like sunshine?

I've blogged about them before, back in January with their song "Light and Day" and suggest you revisit that one, too. You can't help but be full of happy when you listen to it.

Hold Me Now by The Polyphonic Spree from the 2004 album "Together We're Heavy"



The Polyphonic Spree website

The Polyphonic Spree MySpace page

Hard Lovin' Woman - Juliette and the New Romantiques

It's no secret that I love me some dirty, nasty blues. And this bit o' blues is dirty and nasty and quite a departure for Juliette Lewis. Her previous band, The Licks, was a hardcore rockin' time somewhat reminiscent of Iggy Pop or Hedwig. Her new band, The New Romantiques, leans more towards the indie-pop sound of PJ Harvey or The Start. I have no idea if this song will appear on her upcoming album, slated for release later this year, or not. Either way, I like it.

Hard Lovin' Woman by Juliette and the New Romantiques



Juliette and the New Romantiques website (Not online, yet, but claims "Coming Soon")

Juliette and the New Romantiques MySpace page

Her Hair is on Fire - Semi Precious Weapons

My husband just found this band and shared them with me this past weekend. Instant love. The street-glam-rock heat from this four-piece out of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NYC is intense. Tighten your stilettos and let your naughty side out for a little fun!

Her Hair is on Fire by Semi Precious Weapons from the 2008 album "We Love You"



Semi Precious Weapons website

Semi Precious Weapons MySpace page

Semi Precious Weapons Twitter

Hamlet: The Musical! - Gilligan's Island

When I was very young, I'd watch the Gilligan's Island episodes in syndication (not the original runs - I'm not that old) after school. I always wanted to be Ginger - Tina Louise was so glamorous and beautiful - but was always more of a MaryAnn. Still am. And I'd still rather be Ginger. Lucky for me, my husband prefers MaryAnn. But I digress. I don't remember seeing this episode very many times, but this show the castaways put on - this musical - has stayed in the foreground of my mind since the very first time I saw it all those years ago. It's not uncommon for me to burst into, "Neither a borrower nor a lender be" or "For to be, or not to be? That is the question that I ask of thee" or "From Ophelia, no one can steal ya" or ... well you get the idea.

Originally aired October 3, 1966, "The Producer" (Gilligan's Island season 3, episode 4) was brilliantly written by Dee Caruso and Gerald Gardner and directed by Ida Lupino.

Hamlet: The Musical from the 1966 episode "The Producer" of Gilligan's Island



Gilligan's Island Fanclub

Superstar - Sonic Youth

Written in 1969 by Bonnie Bramlett, Delaney Bramlett and Leon Russell, this song was originally recorded by Delaney, Bonnie and Friends under the title "Groupie (Superstar)". It tells the story of a groupie who falls in love with a rock star after having a sexual fling with him, believing him when he tells her that he loves her and that he'll back for her when, of course, he's moved on to the next town and the next groupie. It is rumored that this song is about Eric Clapton who, coincidentally enough, played guitar on the original Delaney, Bonnie & Friends recording.

The Carpenters version may be the best known and most recognized cover of this song, but I really like this Sonic Youth cover. It really captures, for me, that nightmarish stalker mentality.

Superstar by Sonic Youth from the 1994 Carpenters tribute album "If I Were a Carpenter" and the 2007 soundtrack album from the movie "Juno"



Sonic Youth website

Sonic Youth MySpace page

If you'd like to hear the original Delaney, Bonnie & Friends with Eric Clapton on guitar, Leon Russell on keys and Rita Coolidge on backing vocals, here it is:

Dringo Bell - The Mediaeval Baebes

Formed in 1996 by former Miranda Sex Garden member Katharine Blake, the London-based Mediaeval Baebes have released 7 studio albums, 3 of which have found themselves on the top of the UK classical charts. They have created a unique sound by pulling their lyrics from Mediaeval texts and setting them to original compositions and arrangements, and combining the sounds of classical and Mediaeval instruments with modern instruments.

This is not necessarily my favorite song of theirs (it's so hard to pick a favorite), but I think this was the song that made me fall in love with The Mediaeval Baebes.

Dringo Bell by The Mediaeval Baebes from the 2002 album "The Rose"



The Mediaeval Baebes website

The Mediaeval Baebes MySpace page

Thursday - Asobi Seksu

Based in New York City, indie/shoegazer band Asobi Seksu released their first album in 2004 as a duo with Yuki Chikudate on vocals and keyboards and James Hanna on guitar and vocals. They later added a rhythm section, William Pavone on bass and Larry Gorman on drums, and released their second album, "Citrus," in 2006. Their third and newest album, "Hush", was released in February of this year. The name Asobi Seksu is a Japanese colloquialism for "casual sex" or "fun sex." Hmmm.

Thursday by Asobi Seksu from the 2006 album "Citrus"



Asobi Seksu website

Asobi Seksu MySpace page

Jingo - Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton

I'm not even going to try tell you anything about either one of these two guitar gods because, quite frankly, words do not do either of them the justice they deserve. Just listen and enjoy the goosebumps.

Jingo by Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton from the 2006 Crossroads Concert



Eric Clapton webpage

Carlos Santana webpage

Imitosis - Andrew Bird

Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Andrew Bird began playing violin at the age 4 (Suzuki trained). He was surrounded by classical music as a child but has also been influenced by bluegrass, folk, jazz, calypso and gyspy. He graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in violin performance in 1996, releasing his first album, "Music of Hair," that same year. His newest album, "Noble Beast," was released in January of this year. He also appeared last month at SXSW in Austin, Texas.

Imitosis by Andrew Bird from the 2007 album "Armchair Apocrypha"



Andrew Bird website

Andrew Bird MySpace page

Andrew Bird Twitter