POP MUSIC THAT DOESN'T SUCK: Carly Rae Jepsen -- "Call Me Maybe"

Yeah, I went there...

Beach House -- "Myth"

I love this band. I love this song. I can't wait for the new album, Bloom (out on May 15th).

Damien Jurado -- "Museum of Flight"

Damien Jurado has been one of my favorite singer/songwriter types of the last... well since I have been listening to music seriously (he actually has just put out his 11th album in 17 years). The thing that upsets me though about Jurado is that his music is criminally underrated. I don't think the man has ever put out a bad record. This newest album, Maraqopa, is making a serious run for my album of the year... why? Because of songs like "Museum of Flight." His music has always been a headache remedy for me and this song exemplifies this notion precisely. It is easily the prettiest song I have heard since anything off of Julianna Barwick's The Magic Place or Beach House's Teen Dream in 2010. Interestingly enough, Maraqupa, as a whole, seems to have a lot of Beach House on it. This sound most likely comes from the producer, Richard Swift, who is a brilliant singer/songwriter and a member of the new Shins' lineup. I am still yet to find a connection between Jurado and Beach House through the interwebs, but I know I will find it eventually. Anyways, listen to this song... especially if you need a nice break from a busy day. It's brilliant.

The Men -- "Turn It Around" & "Animal"

I will keep this short and sweet, like the first two cuts from The Men's newest LP entitled Open Your Heart. These songs absolutely kicks ass. There haven't been a pair of songs that have floured me enough to instantaneously post them like this in quite a long time. This newest record by The Men, a quartet from New York, has a little country twang, a little psych, a whole lotta jammin', and most importantly a whole lot of kick ass rock riffs. I highly recommend giving the rest of the record a listen as well.

The Men -- "Turn It Around"
The Men -- "Animal"

VIDEO: Elvis Costello & The Roots -- Bruce Springsteen's "Brilliant Disguise"

Pretty amazing...

Shearwater -- "Animal Life"

Not exactly sure what makes me love this song. In fact, on paper, I normally don't love these type of "anthemic" songs. Shearwater, a band from Austin fromed by Jonathan Meiburg and Will Sheff (both of Okkervil River), have always been a  band that have peaked my interest, but since the dropping of my favorite member, Will Sheff, I kinda just never got into them. With this new album however, Animal Joy, I am throughly impressed. In particular, "Animal Life," the first cut from the album, is an absolutely fantastic song. It's full of life, while starting unbelievably spare. The reason why this song, more so than other "anthemic" songs, really spikes my interest is it's spareness and genuine quality. Can't get enough.