Land of Opportunity

Never let anyone tell you that Minneapolis/Saint Paul lack for things to do. In fact, there are so many events coming that it’s difficult to squeeze it all in.
Starting this week, it’s the Great Minnesota Get Together in Saint Paul – The Minnesota State Fair, Aug. 27 – Sept. 8. I’ll go on Friday morning [...]

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Panic Switch – Silversun Pickups

This isn’t the first time I’ve lauded the Silversun Pickups. Back in Aug. ‘07 I posted this (click here for “Lazy Eye.”)
I picked up the latest Silversun Pickups record at Target last Saturday. It’s been in my CD player and playlist on the old iPod ever since. This effort…the music, guitar licks, drum beats, lyrics…remarkable. [...]

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Fake Plastic Trees – Radiohead

I heard this tune on, of all days, Valentine’s Day – and suddenly recalled the song today while spinning. Is it a love song or is the message something else entirely?
Whatever. Radiohead performs it well.

Lyrics:
Her green plastic watering can
For her fake chinese rubber plant
In fake plastic earth.
That she bought from a [...]

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“Silver Lining” – David Gray

As I recently shared with someone who means a great deal to me, if there were one singer/songwriter’s CD that I was allowed to have on my iPod, I’d select David Gray’s, “White Ladder” record. So many good tracks on that effort.
There’s a silver lining on all aspects of our lives, no matter how hard [...]

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Cities 97 Sampler Volume 20

UPDATE:  I purchased my copy of the 20th Anniversary Sampler CD. The CD was nearly entirely sold out by 11 a.m. this morning (Nov. 20).  That’s $1 million to Minnesota charities.  Congrats to Cities 97.
Next poll. The
20th Anniversary edition of the Cities 97 Sampler CD (which will be a two CD set) goes on [...]

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“Use Somebody,” – Kings of Leon

I’m likin’ this song right now. It’s from the Kings of Leon and the band’s new CD Only By Night. The syncopated drum beat really drives this tune.

“Use Somebody”
i’ve been roaming around
i was looking down at all i see
painted faces fill the places i can’t reach
you know that i could [...]

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“I’m Yours” – Jason Mraz

It’s been a long time Mr. A to Z. Fans have been waiting.

Lyrics:
Well you done done me and you bet I felt it
I tried to be chill but you’re so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks
And now I’m trying to get back
Before the cool done run out
I’ll be [...]

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“Coffee Shop,” by Landon Pigg

Okay, here’s another song made popular by a DeBeers diamond television commercial.
Seems artists have figured out how to mass market themselves on the tails of major companies. Landon Pigg’s “Coffee Shop,” is a catchy little tune. Enjoy!
http://musicbox.sonybmg.com/videos/landon-pigg/falling-in-love-at-a-coffee-shop
Lyrics:
I think that possibly, maybe I’m fallin’ for you
Yes, there’s a chance that I’ve fallen quite hard over [...]

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“Last Request” Paolo Nutini

A co-worker shared a live version of this song with me recently and, while Mr. Nutini, is still a very young artist, he’s got some skillz and sings this version with the same emotion and strength that a David Gray, John Mayer or Jason Mraz would give.

Lyrics:
Slow down, lie down
Remember it’s [...]

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One for The Road

“Everything,” by Alanis Morissette became a favorite road trip song of mine when it was first released. Lots of folks hammer Alanis for “Ironic.” I think it’s ironic that I like cycling and, in fact, their are cyclists in this video (and if someone can name the cycling crew that makes its cameo appearance [...]

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