dc.

WTMD has been playing this song almost on repeat. It's pretty darn catchy. Though, the Genghis Khan reference is intellectually lazy to me... Ha. Anyway, the video cracked me up. Bravo.

They really might be the best act out there- definitely the most diverse, exciting. And their bassist might be the chillest fella on the planet. And damn her voice can do gymnastics

Made it to Hot August Music Festival yesterday, was very cool. Saw some great acts like Cabinet (bluegrass jam band) and Punch Brothers (side project of Nickel Creek front man). Headliner was Counting Crows... personal fave who played a great set, but short - only about 90 min Did a great alternate version of one of their sins I hadn't heard before - Goodnight Elizabeth mashed with Lou Reeds Pale Blue Eyes. Below is a version from years past, transition is at about 3:30. They are great at mixing these things.

The Bellevederes are another one I caught at that WTMD concert. Good retro stuff - some very rare. But my favorite part is their hypeman Velvet Johnson. Not his best work here, but a little taste... and he just stands around and claps for the rest of the show.

Bosley! A local boy. Nice choice. Have you heard his cover of Beck's "Debra?" Can't find it online right now... but so good. Meanwhile, I saw him at WTMD's 24 Hour concert at their new venue a few years ago. Walked in as he started this song. The intro, in person, is pretty epic. It just builds and builds. Not quite captured on the track as well.

The other one in my head this week...

Future People - Alabama Shakes. The two tracks above are good. This is the track that makes my jaw drop sometimes, thinking this is the same band as 3 years ago. And thinking damn, Brittany can sing.

Two groups that are evolving in a big way... First, all signs point to these guys absolutely DESTROYING IT with their new album. I was on board when they just had the EP with Hold On a few years ago - but these new tracks are just unreal. https://youtu.be/_sNNTpORtDQ Then, these fellas... well, they are definitely evolving and re-inventing. I like this version of the tune on SNL a lot more than I like the actual track. It just sounds muddy to me. Not sure how I feel on this change. I respect their comments, though, where they pretty much said, "We had a lot more in us than our first albums; we didn't want to remake that." I am hoping the rest of this album maybe has some middle ground because as I said, not sold on it yet. And yes - Garfunkel and Oates are hilarious. I love Kate Marcucci (is she G or O?) from her roles with Scrubs and Raising Hope.

Don't disagree. It's a cover of a really, really cheesy techno-y pop song from the late 90s (I think). I mean REALLY cheesy. I didn't even recognize it when I first heard it. I was also just more impressed - when you compare to "Long Hot Summer Day" and their other worl, when this song first came on the radio I didn't even think it was technically acoustic - let alone Nickel Creek.

Playing for Change is also amazing!

Nickel Creek is great. They were child prodigies and hit it big in the early 2000s. Their comeback last year was phenomenal. Their version of Hayloft sounds like a techno sing off shirts, but all just their instruments and voices.

Had this stuck in my head for about a month now.

Michael Kiwanuka... crazy mixture of some of the greatest in classic soul/rock/folk... Van Morrison, Willie Nelson, Al Green... all hidden in here. This is the one that's just been stuck in my head for weeks. But check out his others.

Bengal Billy... we can start this debate if you want... but put on some Mumford & Sons or some Dawes and tell me they aren't doing some fantastic things. Writing all their own music. Playing it all themselves. Quality song writing without being cheesy or overly cliched. And both, at very young ages, have written not only solid albums, but albums that span from anthems to slower quality 'drawls' for lack of a better word.

I clicked on this thread for the first time in months... knowing that THAT is what Spen wrote. I'm just surprised that there wasn't a video embedded. I owe Ken $10.

Streets of Baltimore is a fav of mine. I asked the O's to play it at games this year because I think it could be a great inter-inning anthem. Especially when he says "she swore the prettiest place on earth was Baltimore at night!" Gram Parsons does a great version as well. And Adam Duritz of Counting Crows has a version in Baltimore (Powerplant?) on YouTube I think.

Speaking of can't figure it out / stop listening... I love Dylan and his music, but he does some just plain wacky performances. I mean, I don't know if this is how he likes it to sound (as it sounds this way frequently) or if he was just high as a kite... but the way everyone else performing was so into it... and Dylan is just 'blah' is fascinating. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHX-JBHRk-8

Craig is out there... but I love it. It's all unscripted, ad-lib... I think all of his puppets are hilarious... The pig, which was winning the puppet vote off, dropped out of the race in Mark Sanford (governor of Georgia style)... He's just a goofball. My kind of humor, my kind of funny guy. And I also like that he does "serious" very well. He often makes very thought-out speeches about the state of our country or world, etc, and it's never blaming anyone in particular... it's just like, here we are, dammit.

Funny enough... I actually saw this performance on Dave before watching Craig Ferguson... The weird dancing girl was mesmerizing ... I don't know what else to say ... And yeah, it made me laugh like crazy... I just don't get it... but I can't stop watching... Also... I express this frequently... but I really don't like Dave. I especially hate just how clearly fake his "you were great" moments are. "Wow. Outstanding. Wow. Great. Just Great. Wow. Remarkable. Mmm... Edward Sharpe..." Every damn night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoaTl7IcFs8 Michael Franti and Spearhead... Say Hey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_02xJnMXDnc

Rain King by Counting Crows... live version where they transition into Thunder Road by Springsteen... A - MAZ - ING

Brett Dennen www.brettdennen.net Yes, he's 29 and looks like a 13 year old girl... and occasionally sounds like one too... but his music is amazing. Saw him at the Recher this weekend. Stellar.

I'll say what I said last time... Amos Lee. Swweeeeeet.