Standard Podcast [62:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

A few thoughts:

1. I’m working for peanuts right now, I’d settle for cashews, or even trail mix.

2. I loved the Oscars this year. I’ve watched them every year for the past several, and this one was my favorite so far. The best overall group of nominees, the most deserving winners. Jon Stewart was born to host the event, and due to the strike, the writing wasn’t overwrought, and felt less slick, in a good way. AND, who couldn’t love when they had Marketa Irglova come back out to give her acceptance speech!!?!

3. Lists are great when you can’t work all your thoughts together into one cohesive narrative or idea.

4. I wish people would quit driving Hummers, using plastic bags and drinking their bottled water in over-lit and overheated homes, so that the scientists can work on more important problems, such as robots that will clean for you. I want the robots! It’s the 21st century already!

5. No number 5–I’m watching Letterman.

artist - song - album :: extra info

Yael Naim - New Soul - Yael Naim :: from Mac Airbook ad
(website | myspace | New Soul video)

Dntel - Turning Red - Sound of Color
(website | myspace | @ Sub Pop | Turning Red video)

Marie Digby - Paint Me in your Sunshine - Sound of Color :: the color yellow
(myspace | youtube | Paint Me in your Sunshine video)

Swizz Beatz - Candy Green - Sound of Color
(website | myspace | Candy Green video)

The Blakes - Magic - Sound of Color :: the color blue
(website | myspace | Magic video)

The Raveonettes - Black/White - Sound of Color
(myspace | Black/White video)

Black Kites - Glass Parade - All Wrong EP
(website | myspace | last.fm)

Club 8 - Everlasting Love - The Friend I Once Had :: reissue of their 1998 album + 6 bonus tracks
(website | myspace | last.fm | @ Labrador)

The Diggs - Recovery Forever - ctrl-alt-del :: out March 11
(website | myspace | last.fm)

Sera Cahoone - As the Day is Long - As the Day is Long :: out March 18
(website | myspace | @ Sub Pop)

Tapes n’ Tapes - Hang Them All - Walk it Off :: out April 8
(website | myspace)

The Dodos - Jodi - Visiter
(website | myspace)

A Faulty Chromosome - Jackie O - As an Ex-Anorexic’s Six Sicks Exit
(myspace | last.fm)

Decomposure - Hour 9 - Vertical Lines A
(website | myspace | @ CBC Radio 3 | e-card with GREAT video & full album stream | @ shzine | last.fm)

They Might Be Giants - One Everything - Here Come the 123s!
(website | other website | myspace | fan Wiki)
mp3s:

The Dodos - Jodi
Dntel - Turning Red
Marie Digby - Paint Me in your Sunshine
Swizz Beatz - Candy Green
The Blakes - Magic
The Raveonettes - Black/White
Club 8 - Everlasting Love
The Diggs - Recovery Forever
Sera Cahoone - Only as the Day Is Long
Tapes n’ Tapes - Hang Them All
The Dodos - Jody
A Faulty Chromosome - Jackie O
Decomposure - Hour 9

 

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So, Thursday was Valentine’s Day, and this coming Monday is Presidents’ Day, but did you know that Friday (the day this show aired) was Family Day in the Canadian province of Alberta? (Yes, I chuckled at its quaintness, too.) Canadians have at least one 3-day weekend in a month, and I think we could learn from their example. We are the most overworked western country in the world, with fewer vacation days than anyone else. Having scheduled days off benefits everyone. It helps keep people happy with something to look forward to, while cutting down on absenteeism.

Plus, working too much is bad for your health. Let’s be honest: It’s hard enough to eat healthy when you’re at work, and if you’re one of the majority of people who are dissatisfied with their job, you’re increasing your stress.

So, do yourself a favor: Put this podcast on your mp3 player of choice, and go out for an hour walk, even if the weather’s not nice. It’s not a day off, but it may be a step in the right direction.
artist - song - album :: extra info

Decomposure - Hour 1 - Vertical Lines A
(website | myspace | @ CBC Radio 3 | e-card with GREAT video & full album stream)

Decomposure - Hour 2 - Vertical Lines A
(@ shzine | last.fm)

Feist - I Feel it All (Britt from Spoon Remix) - I Feel It All single
(website | myspace | I Feel it All video | 1 2 3 4 video)

Mantis - Karnival - Travelogue
(website | myspace | @ Portland Mercury | @ Local Cut)

Point Juncture, WA - Kings Part 2 - forthcoming Heart to Elk
(myspace | website)

Lykke Li - Dance Dance Dance - Youth Novels
(website | myspace)

Panda Riot - She Dares All Things - She Dares All THings
(website | myspace | last.fm | She Dares All Things video)

Marissa Nadler - Thinking of You - Songs III
(website | myspace)

R.E.M. - Supernatural Superserious - Accelerate :: out April 1
(website | myspace | Supernatural Superserious video | supernaturalsuperserious.com)

The B-52s - Funplex - Funplex :: out March 25
(website | myspace)

The Dodos - Fools - Visiter
(website | myspace | Fools video)

The Grand Archives - Torn Foam Blue Couch - The Grand Archives
(website | myspace | @ Sub Pop)

Windy City Gentleman - Good Old Friend
(myspace)

Black Kites - Paper Heart - Paper Heart EP
(website | myspace | last.fm)

Lullatone -The Bedtime Beatbox - Lullatone Presents The Bedtime Beat
(website | myspace | blog)
mp3s:

Decomposure - Hour 1
Decomposure - Hour 2
Decomposure - Hour 5
Decomposure - Hour 9
Point Juncture, WA - Kings Part 2 (via Local Cut)
Marissa Nadler - Thinking of You
The Dodos - Fools
Grand Archives - Torn Blue Foam Couch

 

 Standard Podcast [58:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

artist - song - album :: extra info

Lullatone - The Bathtime Beat - Presents the Bedtime Beat
(website | myspace | blog)

The Nice Boys - Very Mary - 7″
(website | myspace)

Chris Walla - The Score - Field Manual
(@ Barsuk | myspace | Hall of Justice website)

Nick Jaina - Maryanne - Wool :: out March 4
(website | myspace)

Derby - All or Nothing - forthcoming Posters Fade :: featured on Eli Stone last night
(website | myspace)

Two Hours Traffic - Heroes Of The Sidewalk - Little Jabs
(website | myspace | @ CBC Radio 3)

City and Colour - Waiting - Bring Me Your Love
(website | myspace | Waiting video)

Plants and Animals - Lola Who - With/Avec EP
(website | myspace)

Jason Collett - Out of Time - Here’s To Being Here
(website | myspace)

Basia Bulat - In the Night - Oh, My Darling
(website | myspace | In the Night video (this one is really great!))

The Republic Tigers - Buildings and Mountains - Keep Color
(myspace | last.fm)

Megafun - Lazy Suicide - Bury the Square :: out Feb 19
(myspace)

Tycho - The Daydream - single
(website | myspace | last.fm | ISO50)

The Teenagers - Make It Happen - Reality Check
(myspace | The Teenagers Remix myspace)
mp3s:

Lullatone - The Bathtime Beat (via Pitchfork)
Nick Jaina - Maryanne
Basia Bulat - In the Night
The Republic Tigers - Buildings and Mountains
Megafun - Lazy Suicide

 

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I found a lot more music this week than most other weeks lately, so this show’s got an extra 20 minutes from the broadcast version. All that, plus the weekly recommended dose of Portland!

artist - song - album :: extra info

The Maybe Happening - Tunnels Under Mountains - Beyond the Bells, out next week
(myspace | @ Sound Judgement, KPSU)

Church - Song Force Crystal - Dancepieces
(myspace)

The Helio Sequence - Lately - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
(myspace | @ Sub Pop)

Laura Gibson - Shake Sugaree - Hinah Session :: Elizabeth Cotten cover
(website | myspace | @ Hinah | @ Daytrotter)

The Fast Computers - Invisibility (DoublePlusGood Remix) - unreleased as of yet
(website | myspace | @ That Sound!)

Point Juncture, WA - Rocks and Sand - forthcoming Heart to Elk
(myspace | website)

Little Beirut - She’s a Martyr - High Dive
(website | myspace)

Tu Fawning - Out Like Bats - unreleased demo
(myspace | @ Local Cut | Corrinna Repp | 31Knots)

Gingerbread Patriots - 1 Idea for 2 New Friends - Wax Lips and Hummingbirds
(website | myspace | last.fm)

Black Kites - All Wrong - All Wrong EP
(website | myspace | last.fm)

Cassettes Won’t Listen - Paper Float - Small-Time Machine EP :: out March 11
(website | myspace)

Vampire Weekend - A-Punk - Vampire Weekend
(website | myspace | @ Letterman)

Emerald Park - Varnhem - forthcoming album, no title or release date yet
(website | myspace)

Morrissey - Thats How People Grow Up - forthcoming Greatest Hits
(website | myspace)

Little Glitches - 123 - January EP
(website | myspace)

Panda Riot - Like Flowers At Night - She Dares All Things
(website | myspace | last.fm)

Nada Surf - Beautiful Beat - Lucky
(website | myspace | @ Barsuk)

Firey Furnaces - Ex-Guru - Widow City
(website | myspace)

Prairie Dance Club - Spring - Prairie Dance Club
(website | myspace | @ CBC Radio 3)

Alex Arrowsmith - Skybridge - Missing Briefcase
(website | myspace | youtube)
mp3s:

The Maybe Happening - Tunnels Under Mountains (via Local Cut)
Laura Gibson - Shake Sugaree
Tu Fawning - Out Like Bats (demo) (via Local Cut)
Cassettes Won’t Listen - Paper Float
The Fiery Furnaces - Ex-Guru

 

 Standard Podcast [57:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This week, my hands got so dry because of the cold, clear skies and the harsh soap at work, that I finally gave hand cream a try.

Also this week, I remembered to play music from Juno, AND figured out to keep the robot myspace ho’s at bay!

artist - song - album :: extra info

Point Juncture, WA - Sick on Sugar - forthcoming Heart to Elk
(myspace | website)

Black Mountain - Angels - In The Future
(website | myspace)

Throw Me the Statue - About to Walk - Moonbeams
(myspace | Baskerville Hill)

Kimya Dawson - So Nice So Smart - Juno Soundtrack
(website | myspace | livejournal)

Aster - Attempting to Multiply - Some Things Seldom Heard Of
(website | myspace | Attempting to Multiply video)

Cat Power Jukebox - Silver Stallion - Jukebox :: The Highwaymen cover
(myspace | @ Matador)

Kelley Stoltz - Your Reverie - Circular Sounds :: out February 5
(website | myspace | @ Sub Pop)

El Perro Del Mar - How Did We Forget? - From the Valley to the Stars :: out February 27
(website | myspace | last.fm)

Hot Chip - Made in the Dark - Made in the Dark :: out February 4
(website | myspace | Ready for the Floor video)

The Whigs - Right Hand on my Heart - Mission Control
(website | myspace)

Meshach Jackson - Smile - Experiments in Drowning EP
(website | myspace)

Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin - Glue Girls - Pershing
(website | myspace)

Red Ghost - The Widow :: Mars Volta cover
(myspace)

Aloha - Body Buzz - Light Works EP
(myspace)

Antsy Pants - Tree Hugger - Juno Soundtrack :: also a Kimya Dawson project
(myspace)

Alex Arrowsmith - Going Insane for the McCain Campaign - Missing Briefcase
(website | myspace | youtube)
mp3s:

Aster - Attempting to Multiply
Kelley Stoltz - Your Reverie
The Whigs - Right Hand on My Heart
Aloha - Body Buzz

 

 Standard Podcast [59:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I forgot that I was totally planning on playing something from the Juno soundtrack! Dang it! I saw it this week and I loved it! I want to own the super-delux version of it when it comes out on DVD. Oh well, I guess there’s next week. I’m still really happy with this mix.
artist - song - album :: extra info

Cars and Trains - Broken Record Player - Rusty String
(website | myspace | last.fm)

Chairs in the Arno - Winter Song - File Folder
(website | myspace)

Evangelicals - Skeleton Man - The Evening Descends :: out January 22
(myspace | last.fm)

Headlights - Cherry Tulips - Some Racing, Some Stopping :: out February 19
(website | myspace)

Wye Oak - Warning - If Children
(website | myspace)

Little Beirut - Loose Medusa - High Dive
(website | myspace)

Windy City Gentleman - Hey Mister - Kiddies vs Piggies EP
(myspace)

Ida - The Killers - Lovers Prayers
(website | myspace)

The Owls - Peppermint Patty - Daughters and Suns
(website | myspace)

Yeasayer - 2080 - All Hour Cymbals
(website | myspace)

Thao Nguyen - Beat (Health, Life, Fire) - We Brave Bee Stings and All
(website | myspace)

Fernanda Takai - There Must Be An Angel :: Eurhythmics cover
(Pato Fu: website | myspace | Mamã Papá video [so good!])

M83 - Couleurs - Saturdays = Youth :: out April 15
(website | myspace)

Alex Arrowsmith - High Speed Chase - Missing Briefcase
(website | myspace | youtube)
mp3s:

Chairs in the Arno - Winter Song
Wye Oak - Warning
Ida - The Killers (via Pitchfork)
The Owls - Peppermint Patty
Yeasayer - 2080
Thao Nguyen - Beat (Health, Life, Fire)

 

 Standard Podcast [57:56m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I loved doing the year-end best-of stuff, but it’s so great to start a new year and look forward! There’s so many new releases right now, I’ve only scratched the surface this week. If this were my job, I’d write “I love my job” right here, without “quotes.”
artist - song - album :: extra info

Kate Nash - Pumpkin Soup - Made of Bricks
(website | myspace | Pumpkin Soup video)

Thao Nguyen & the Get Down Stay Down - Swimming Pools - We Brave Bee Stings and All
(website | myspace | @ NPR’s World Cafe | @ Daytrotter)

British Sea Power - Waving Flags - Do You Like Rock Music :: out February 12 on Rough Trade
(website | myspace | Waving Flags video)

Sambassadeur - Final Say - Migration
(website | myspace)

The Bongolian - The Champion - Outer Bongolia
(website | myspace | last.fm)

Hayden - Where And When - In Field & Town :: out January 15
(website | myspace | last.fm | @ CBC Radio 3)

Lismore - Paradis - In Loss We Trust
(website | myspace | Paradis video)

The Mountain Goats- Sax Rohmer #1 - Heretic Pride
(website | myspace)

Little Beirut - The Lottery - High Dive :: probably out in March, maybe sooner?
(website | myspace)

Carcrashlander - Gold Sunset - self-titled
(website | myspace | @ Local Cut)

The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead - Keep Your Eyes Ahead :: out January 29
(myspace | @ Sub Pop)

The Old Believers - There it Is - Some Songs By the Old Believers
(website | myspace)

Love Like Fire - Unlighted Shadow - An Ocean in the Air
(website | myspace | @ WOXY)

Oh Astro - Hello Fuji Boy - Champions of Wonder
(website | myspace | @ download.com)

The Magnetic Fields - California Girls - Distortion :: out January 15
(website | myspace)
mp3s:

Thao Nguyen & the Get Down Stay Down - Swimming Pools
British Sea Power - Waving Flags
Sambassadeur - Final Say
Hayden - Where And When (via Stereogum)
Lismore - Paradis
The Mountain Goats - Sax Rohmer #1
Carcrashlander - Gold Sunset (via Local Cut)
The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
Love Like Fire - Unlighted Shadow
Oh Astro - Hello Fuji Boy

 

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This is the rest of the best!

artist - song - album :: extra info

The National - Fake Empire - Boxer
(website | myspace | live @ NPR)

PJ Harvey - White Chalk - White Chalk
(website | myspace)

Okkervil River - Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe - The Stage Names
(website | myspace | Not a Movie video)

The Octopus Project - Truck - Hello, Avalanche
(website | myspace | Truck video)

Tegan and Sara - Back in Your Head - The Con
(website | myspace | Back in Your Head video)

Vampire Weekend - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa - self-titled EP
(website | myspace)

Dan Deacon - The Crystal Cat - Spiderman of the Rings
(website | myspace | The Crystal Cat video)

The Shout Out Louds - Tonight I Have to Leave It - Our Ill Wills
(website | myspace) | (Leave It video)

Trespasser William - Felt Leaves - Noble House EP
(website | myspace)

Tunng - Bullets - Good Arrows
(website | myspace | Bullets video)

The Teenagers - Starlett Johansson
(myspace | Starlett Johansson video)

Band of Horses - Is There a Ghost - Cease to Begin
(website | myspace | Is There a Ghost video)

Broken Social Scene presents Kevin Drew - Backed out on the… - Spirit If
(BSS website | BSS myspace | Kevin Drew website | Kevin Drew myspace | Backed Out on the… video)

Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova - When Your Mind’s Made Up - Once Original Soundtrack
(The Frames: website | myspace | The Swell Season myspace | Once: website | myspace | When Your Mind’s Made Up video)

Iron & Wine - Resurrection Fern - The Shepherd’s Dog
(website | myspace | @ Sup Pop)

The Raveonettes - Dead Sound - Lust Lust Lust
(website | myspace | Dead Sound on YouTube)

They Might Be Giants - Careful what You Pack - The Else
(website | other website | myspace | fan Wiki)
mp3s:

The National - Fake Empire
Okkervil River - Our Life is not a Movie or Maybe
The Octopus Project - Truck
Vampire Weekend - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
Dan Deacon - The Crystal Cat (via Pitchfork)
The Shout Out Louds - Tonight I Have to Leave It
Tunng - Bricks
The Teenagers - Starlett Johansson
Band of Horses - Is There a Ghost
The Raveonettes - Dead Sound

 

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More music! There’s one more coming after this. Sydney helped on this one.
artist - song - album :: extra info

Stars - Midnight Coward - In Our Bedroom After the War
(website | myspace)

The Go! Team - Doing it Right - Proof of Youth
(website | myspace | last.fm | Doing it Right video)

Bishop Allen - Rain - The Broken String
(website | myspace | Click Click Click Click video)

Beirut - Elephant Gun - Lon Gisland EP
(website | myspace)

Hayward Williams - Redwoods - Another Sailor’s Dream
(website | myspace)

Caribou - Eli - Andorra
(website | myspace | Melody Day video)

Jens Lekman - The Opposite of Hallelujah - Night Falls over Kortedala
(website | myspace)

Moonbabies - Take Me to the Ballroom - Moonbabies at the Ballroom
(website | myspace)

Explosions in the Sky - The Birth and Death of Day - All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone
(website | myspace)

Lavender Diamond - Open Your Heart - Imagine Our Love
(website | myspace | Open Your Heart video)

The Postmarks - Goodbye - self-titled
(website | myspace | @ World’s Fair | Goodbye video)

Shapes and Sizes - Head Movin’ - Split Lips, Winning Hips, a Shiner
(website | myspace | @ Asthmatic Kitty)

The Choir Practice - I See Things - self-titled
(myspace | @ Mint Records | @ CBC Radio 3)

The New Pornographers - Myriad Harbour - Challengers
(website | myspace)

Low - Breaker - Drums and Guns
(website | myspace | @ Sub Pop)

Mobius Band - Friends Like These - Heaven
(website | myspace | Friends Like These video)

The Clientele - Bookshop Casanova - God Save the Clientele
(website | myspace)

VHS or Beta - Can’t Believe a Single Word - Bring on the Comets
(website | myspace | Can’t Believe a Single Word video)

Dr. Dog - Worst Trip - We All Belong
(website | myspace)
mp3s:

Bishop Allen - Rain
Bishop Allen - Click Click Click Click
Hayward Williams - Redwoods
The Postmarks - Goodbye
Shapes and Sizes - Head Movin’
The New Pornographers - Myriad Harbour
Low - Breaker
Mobius Band - Friends Like These
The Clientele - Bookshop Casanova
Dr. Dog - Worst Trip

 

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So, this is the second of what will be four installments of my favorites from this year. The others will be up sometime midweek. Have a fun and safe New Year’s!

artist - song - album :: extra info

Loney, Dear - I am John - Loney, Noir
(website | myspace | @ Sub Pop | live @ NPR | I am John video)

Air - Mer du Japon - Pocket Symphony
(website | myspace | Mer Du Japon video)

Peter Bjorn and John - Young Folks - Writer’s Block :: with Victoria Bergsman on vocals
(website | myspace | Young Folks video)

Blonde Redhead - 23 - 23
(website | myspace | 23 video)

Feist - 1 2 3 4 - The Reminder
(website | myspace | 1 2 3 4 video)

The Apples in Stereo - Energy - New Magnetic Wonder
(website | myspace | Energy video)

Camera Obscura - Alaska - If Looks Could Kill single
(website | myspace | last.fm)

Apostle of Hustle - My Sword Hand’s Anger - The National Anthem of Nowhere
(website | myspace | last.fm)

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Underwater (You And Me) - Some Loud Thunder
(website | myspace)

Of Montreal - Bunny Ain’t No Kind of Rider - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
(website | myspace)

Arcade Fire - No Cars Go - Neon Bible
(website | myspace | Neon Bible site | be oNline B)

Maria Taylor - A Good Start - Lynn Teeter Flower
(website | myspace | A Good Start video)

Art In Manila - The Abomination - Set the Woods on Fire
(myspace | @ Saddle Creek)

The Broken West - Down in the Valley - I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On
(website | myspace)

Palomar - Our Haunt - All Things, Forests
(website | myspace)
mp3s:

Loney, Dear - I Am John
Blonde Redhead - 23
Apostle of Hustle - My Sword Hand’s Anger
Apostle of Hustle - Underwater (You and Me)
Maria Taylor - A Good Start
Art in Manila - The Abomination
Palomar - Our Haunt