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 for #smbmsp (search it on Twitter), a monthly gathering of social media gurus in the Twin Cities…and for the Pronto Pups.

Other fun things on the sched:

• Brandi Carlile performing at The O’Shaugnessy theater at St. Catherine’s University in Saint Paul on Wednesday, Sept. 23
• David Gray (this will be my third time seeing Gray in Minneapolis) at The Orpheum theater in Minneapolis on Friday, Oct. 30
• Sister’s Christmas Catechism on Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Ordway Theater

And, perhaps what I’m looking forward to most,

• Jerry Seinfeld at The Orpheum on Saturday, Nov. 14.

It’s a cornucopia of entertainment opportunities. Seriously.

-end-

Advertisement

Read Full Post »

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. I have a soft spot for edgy rock – the alt style – and SSPU seriously delivers.

“Panic Switch” is the tune getting all the play time on stations like The Current. But my favorite of the 10 new songs is, “Catch and Release.” Unfortunately, the band hasn’t produced a video for this track. So here’ s video and lyrics for “Panic Switch.” More songs to come as this band tours.

Lyrics:

Time.
It’s never worth my time.
Moonshine
Bleeds into my eyes.

I still
Sleep on the right side
Of the white noise;
Can’t leave the scene behind.

Could I be anything you want me to be
If so, is it meant to be seen?

[Chorus]
Do you see yourself in a crowded room?
Do you think I’ll snitch? Are you pistol-whipped?
Will you step in line, or release the glitch?
Can you fall asleep with a panic switch?

When you see yourself in a crowded room,
Do you think I’ll snitch? Are you pistol whipped?
Will you step in line or release the glitch?
Do you think she’ll sleep with the panic?

And I’ll try to hold on tight tonight.
Pink slip, inviting me inside.
I want to burn skin and brand what once was mine,
But the red news came ripping in to fight.

If I go anywhere that you want me to go,
How will I know you’ll still follow?

[Chorus]

I’m waiting and fading and floating away
I’m waiting and fading and floating away
I’m waiting and fading and floating away
I’m waiting and fading and floating.

I’m waiting and fading and floating away
Waiting and fading and floating away
Waiting and fading and floating away
Waiting and fading and flailing and fading

-end-

Read Full Post »

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 rubber man
In a town full of rubber plants
Just to get rid of itself.
And it wears her out, it wears her out
It wears her out, it wears her out.

She lives with a broken man
A cracked polystyrene man
Who just crumbles and burns.
He used to do surgery
For girls in the eighties
But gravity always wins.
And it wears him out, it wears him out
It wears him out, it wears him out.

She looks like the real thing
She tastes like the real thing
My fake plastic love.
But I cant help the feeling
I could blow through the ceiling
If I just turn and run
And it wears me out, it wears me out
It wears me out, it wears me out.

And if I could be who you wanted
If I could be who you wanted,
All the time, all the time, ohhh… ohh…

-end-

Read Full Post »

“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 you question, wonder, or worry. No matter how dark it may be at any given moment. If we just remember and keep a watchful eye open for it.

Here’s Gray’s “Silver Lining.” No one sings it like he does.

Lyrics

Take this silver lining
Keep it in your own
Sweet head
And shine it when the night is
Burning red
Shine it in the twilight
Shine it on the cold, cold ground
Shine it til these walls
Come tumbling down

We were born with our eyes wide open
So alive with wild hope now
Can you tell me why
Time after time they drag you down
Down in the darkness deep
Fools and their madness all around
Know that the light don’t sleep

Step into the silence
Take it in your own
Two hands
And scatter it like diamonds
All across these lands
Blaze it in the morning
Wear it like an iron skin
Only things worth living for are
Innocence and magic, amen

We were born with our eyes wide open
So alive with wild hope now
Can you tell me why
Time after time they drag you down
Down in the darkness deep
Fools and their madness all around
Know that the light don’t sleep

Woah, wooah

Time after time they drag you down
Down in the darness deep
Fools and their madness all around
Know that the light don’t sleep
Know that the light don’t sleep

-end-

Read Full Post »

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 sale Nov. 20 at Target stores in the Twin Cities.

So, which song on this year’s Sampler CDs are you most looking forward to hearing?

-end-

Read Full Post »

“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 use somebody
you know that i could use somebody
someone like you

and all you know
and how you speak
countless lovers undercover of the street

you know that i could use somebody
you know that i could use somebody
someone like you

off in the night,
while you live it up, i’m off to sleep,
waging war
to shape the poet
and the beat

i hope it’s going to make you notice
i hope it’s going to make you notice
someone like me
someone like me
someone like me

somebody

(i’m waiting)

someone like you
somebody
someone like you
somebody
someone like you
somebody

i’ve been roaming around
i was looking down at all i see

–end-

Read Full Post »

“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 giving it my bestest
Nothing’s going to stop me but divine intervention
I reckon it’s again my turn to win some or learn some

But I won’t hesitate no more, no more
It can not wait, I’m yours

Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you’re free
Look into your heart and you’ll find love love love love
Listen to the music of the moment people dance and sing
We’re just one big family
And it’s our God-forsaken right to be loved love loved love loved

So I won’t hesitate no more, no more
It can not wait I’m sure
There’s no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I’m yours

Scooch on over closer dear, and I will nibble your ear

I’ve been spendin way too long checking my tongue in the mirror
And bendin over backwards just to try to see it clearer
But my breath fogged up the glass
And so I drew a new face and I laughed
I guess what I be sayin is there ain’t no better reason
To rid yourself of vanity and just go with the seasons
It’s what we aim to do
Our name is our virtue

But I won’t hesitate no more, no more
It can not wait, I’m yours

Open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plan and damn your free
Look into your heart and you’ll find that the sky is yours
So please don’t please don’t please don’t
There’s no need to complicate
Because our time is short
This oh this oh this is our fate
I’m yours

-end-

Read Full Post »

“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 you
I’ve seen the paths that your eyes wander down
I wanna come to
I think that possibly, maybe I’m fallin’ for you

No one understands me quite like you do
Through all of the shadowy corners of me

I never knew just what it was
About this old coffee shop I love so much
All of the while I never knew

I think that possibly, maybe I’m fallin’ for you
Yes, there’s a chance that I’ve fallen quite hard over you
I’ve seen the waters that make your eyes shine
Now I’m shinin’ too
Because, oh because, I’ve fallen quite hard over you

If I didn’t know you, I’d rather not know
If I couldn’t have you, I’d rather be alone

I never knew just what it was
About this old coffee shop I love so much
All of the while I never knew
I never knew just what it was
About this old coffee shop I love so much
All of the while I never knew
All of the while
All of the while
It was you

-end-

Read Full Post »

“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 just you and me
Don’t sell out, bow out
Remember how this used to be

I just want you closer
Is that alright?
Baby, let’s get closer tonight

Grant my last request and just let me hold you
Don’t shrug your shoulders
Lay down beside me
Sure I can accept that we’re going nowhere
But one last time let’s go there
Lay down beside me

Oh, and I’ve found, that I’m bound
To wander down that one way road.
And I realize all about your lies
And I’m no wiser than the fool I was before.

I just want you closer,
Is that alright?
Baby let’s get closer tonight

Grant my last request and just let me hold you
Don’t shrug your shoulders
Lay down beside me
Sure I can accept that we’re going nowhere
But one last time let’s go there
Oh lay down beside me

Oh, baby, baby, baby,
Tell me how can…how can this be wrong?

Grant my last request and just let me hold you
Don’t shrug your shoulders
Lay down beside me
Sure I can accept that we’re going nowhere
But one last time let’s go there
Lay down beside me (x2)

Grant my last request and just let me hold you

Yeah, lay down beside me.

One last time let’s go there,
Lay down beside me

-end-

Read Full Post »

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 on the front end of the vid, there’s a prize in it for you). I’d completely forgotten what a kick ass video this is (and she’s much hotter with the short hair!).

Lyrics:

I can be an asshole of the grandest kind
I can withhold like it’s going out of style
I have the bravest heart that you’ve ever seen, and you’ve never met anyone
Who’s as positive as I am sometimes

You see everything, you see every part
You see all my light and you love my dark
You dig everything of which I’m ashamed
There’s not anything to which you can’t relate
And you’re still here

I blame everyone else, not my own partaking
My passive aggressiveness can be devastating
I’m the most gorgeous woman that you’ve ever known
And you’ve never met anyone
Who’s as everything as I am  sometimes.

You see everything, you see every part
You see all my light and you love my dark
You dig everything of which I’m ashamed
There’s not anything to which you can’t relate
And you’re still here

What I resist, persists and speaks louder than I know
What I resist, you love no matter how low or high I go

You see everything, you see every part
You see all my light and you love my dark
You dig everything of which I’m ashamed
There’s not anything to which you can’t relate
And you’re still here

(You see everything, you see every part)
And you’re still here
(You see all my light and you love my dark)
And you’re still here
(You dig everything of which I’m ashamed)
(There’s not anything to which you can’t relate)
And you’re still here…

-end-

Read Full Post »