Mary Mary, Why You Buggin'

I don't care if they did have a couple songs featured on Grey's Anatomy, The Mary Onettes are okay in my book. The Swedish band releases their album "Islands" on November 3. I like to think they're the perfect mix between a-ha and The Jesus and Mary Chain. But then again, I'm really into music that's moody, dark and ethereal ... yet upbeat.

Here's their latest single:

This Is My Kind of Cookbook

I'm not a great cook. In fact, I get nervous at nearly every attempt. Over the years I've collected a number of cookbooks, usually given to me as gifts and titled something clever, like "How to Boil Water" or "The Girl Can't Cook: 275 Fabulous No-Fail Recipes a Girl Can't Be Without." One of my favorite cookbooks is by actress-comedian Amy Sedaris titled "I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence"; however, it's more funny than useful.

The latest addition to my collection of "wish I could" cookbooks is by singer-songwriter Carolyn Mark titled "The Terrible Hostess: Recipes for Disaster Vol II." This will coincide with the release of her new album "Let's Just Stay Here," due out this October on Mint Records (home to the New Pornographers, Lou Barlow, The Handsome Family, Neko Case and more).

Her music is a combination of country twang and vintage sheek. Here's her latest single:
The Business End

The Big Pink. They're such a tease.

UK band The Big Pink continues to tantalize us by releasing another single called "Dominos," which is off their debut album "A Brief History Of Love," due out September 15th. The duo self-produced the record in New York, collaborating with mix master Rich Costey (Muse and Interpol).

Dominos
Velvet (gang gang dance remix)

I'm still crushing on their video for "Velvet":

Congratulations Bret and Jermaine!

Double fist bump for Flight of the Conchords as they have been nominated for 6 Emmys! I might shed a tear if they don't at least win for "Outstanding Comedy Series."

Here’s the whole list of what they’ve been nominated for:
Outstanding Comedy Series
Outstanding Director
Outstanding Lead Actor
Outstanding original music for “Carol Brown” (Sub Pop)
Outstanding Sound Mixing
Outstanding Writing

And now for one of my favs:

Très bon

If you're in love with the French language, like I am, then you'll find the music of Quebec's Coeur De Pirate sweet and creative. Singer-songwriter Béatrice Martin, who performs under the stage name Cœur de pirate, carries a little bit of Feist and a little bit Francoise Hardy in her vocals.

Her debut self-titled album was released in 2008, which was nominated for Francophone Album of the Year at the 2009 Juno Awards. She's now starting to catch on here in the states. Take a listen...

Dark Night of the Soul

Danger Mouse, Sparklehorse and David Lynch ... oh my. The mysterious album, "Dark Night of the Soul" includes a collaboration of artists that's enough to send this music nerd's heart a fluttering, but it's best to read the whole NPR Article.

Other artists appearing on the album include James Mercer of The Shins, The Flaming Lips, Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals, Jason Lytle of Grandaddy, Julian Casablancas of The Strokes, Frank Black of the Pixies, Iggy Pop, Nina Persson of The Cardigans, Suzanne Vega, Vic Chesnutt, Scott Spillane of Neutral Milk Hotel and The Gerbils.

Verderslice Releases New Material...among other artistic endeavors

He's a busy guy, that John Vanderslice. You have to love an artist that take full advantage of his creativity, never dabling. For one thing, he founded the Tiny Telephone recording studio in San Francisco which is still 100% analog. That means their recordings are a bit old-timey and use tape instead of computers to record music --cool. Death Cab for Cutie and Spoon have recorded there.

In between writing books, shooting photography and performing, he's also managed to release new music. Romanian Names (released May 19, 2009) offers catchy hooks, carefree harmonies and is completely melody driven. The indie rocker also teamed up with his friend John Darnielle, of The Mountain Goats to release a vinyl-only EP entitled Moon Colony Bloodbath.

Too Much Time
Fetal Horses

Phoenix's "Lisztomania" in a Brat Pack Mashup

I'd just like to thank the individual that made this.

Music to Go with This Heat...

M83, Saturday = Youth
This album is synthetically romantic and appropriately named. Saturday = Youth transports you back into eighties in the best way. You will definitely hear traces of bands like (OMD) Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark and the Cocteau Twins throughout, but not without a modern take. He’s a pretty talented 26-year-old Frenchman named Anthony Gonzalez. My two favorite tracks are “Graveyard Girls” and “Kim and Jesse.” He’s also into doing remixes and they aren’t bad either. A couple that may be worth checking out are Placebo's "Protège Moi (M83 Remix)" or Depeche Mode's "Suffer Well (M83 Remix)"

The Futureheads, This Is Not the World
I first heard of this band a couple years ago when they did a cover of the Kate Bush song, “Hounds of Love” and thought it was a cleverly upbeat version. I was in ‘da club’ the first time I heard “The Beginning of the Twist” and if I remember correctly, I danced my tushy off. The rest of this new album is not so bad either. It's got a lot of choppy guitars and sporatic drum patterns. It’s pretty unadulterated pop music with catchy as hell lyrics.

She & Him, Volume One
Zooey Deschanel seems to be a pretty cool chic in my opinion. She was in the show Weeds for one (awesome) and just happens to be in one of my favorite films – Almost Famous. She has an independent quirkiness that’s enjoyable. This is exactly what comes out in Volume One. The sound is a combination of pop and old country that is very warm and inviting. “Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?” and “This is Not A Test” are currently in high rotation.

The Republic Tigers, Keep Color
The Republic Tigers are making me happy and I’m really starting to see this album being a very big part of my summer. It’s got a very full sound with many layers. Different themes flow from song to song, each with it's own mood and emotion attached to it. “Fight Song” and "Buildings & Mountains” are two example of this. They're currently opening up for Nada Surf on tour, which should make for a great show.

Portishead, Third
It’s brilliant, but in the same exact way that Dummy was brilliant. This album is more like an extension to their last, instead of something completely different. I might even prefer to have it that way because they were such a big part of my nineties experience. “The Rip” takes me back there most definitely. I’ve heard mixed reactions from my friends. Some are disappointed because they feel like it’s too much of the same, while others love it because it’s the Portishead that they fell in love with. I happen to think that it's great for both of the reasons. One of my favorite tracks on this album is “Silence."