The Andy Dufresne List of the 00s Part 2: The Top 10 of the First 10

Happy New Year! We continue the Andy Dufresne List, already in progress.

10. Super Theory of Super Every Thing – Gogol Bordello (2007)
The first time I heard this song was in July 2007. D was in town as she was prepping to move to Minnesota (because in the summer, it seems like a good idea). We were on Lake Street on the way back to my apartment when we heard this Ukrainian goofball talking about the first time he had read The Bible. This was not our first exposure to lead singer Eugene Hutz.

If you have ever seen the movie Everything Is Illuminated, he plays the role of Alex, the not so premium translator for Jonfen in Odessa. In fact, when we heard this (not knowing that Hutz was "singing"), D said "Wow, that sounds like 'Alex'!"

9. Paranoid Android (Live) – Brad Mehldau (2000)


In the interest of full disclosure, I never really bought into the whole "Thom York is a genius" philosophy. I liked Pablo Honey and The Bends, and then Radiohead went down the rabbit hole. I always felt that the first release from their third album was a little disjointed. I was never convinced that "Paranoid Android" was actually a good song that was just poorly recorded. Fast forward to 2000 when a jazz pianist named Brad Mehldau grabbed a hold of it, shook it up, and laid it out in a stunning 9:23 make good for everyone who wanted this to be a great song, and were let down by the author.

8. If I Ever Leave This World Alive – Flogging Molly (2002)
Any song from the album Drunken Lullabies could have made this list, but If "I Ever Leave This World Alive" has the edge over the title track, "What's Left of the Flag" and "Rebels of the Sacred Heart". The song speaks of a very close friendship that starts as an acoustic number. After the second bridge, the song picks up to a rockin' tribute that out Pogues the Pogues.

7. Skinny Love – Bon Iver (2008)
When I first heard this song, I was really getting into Beck's Sea Change CD. I was re-introduced to "Lost Cause" and exclaimed that it was his best work. A week later, I heard "Lost Cause" again on the Current, and they played it back to back with this new song called "Skinny Love" by some guy from Wisconsin. Not only was I floored at the pure genius of the playlist, but I was also taken by the structure of the song. I immediately went home and bought it on Amazon. Since then, it's been one of the songs that I play whilst I am working on the second novel.

6. Up From The South – The Budos Band (2006)
I first heard about this band was after I read an article in the Star Tribune about the 2007 SXSW music fest in Austin. The writer of the piece said that one of the highlights for him was this funk/soul band from Staten Island called the Budos Band. Starving for some new music, I looked them up on iTunes, and previewed the first song on their self entitled CD. In 30 seconds, I was sold on the bass, rhythm, and brass. I promptly bought the songs and listened to it over and over again. The song was fast tracked on the VBC, and became a staple of the playlist. You may have heard it, as it was featured on a commercial for the NFL Network.

5. In The Sun – Joseph Arthur (2000)


This is probably not the only list in which this song has appeared. This beloved song (as my friend, Andie, likes to call it—"the God Song") has appeared in such films as The Bourne Identity and Saved and television shows including The L Word and Scrubs (it has also appeared in Grey's Anatomy, but since I mentioned it was in Scrubs, it's assumed that "GA" grabbed a hold of it too, as it has ripped off the half hour comedy show countless times). It's been covered by Peter Gabriel, Michael Stipe and Howie Day. The song is usually noted for the line "May God's love be with you", however, it certainly not a spiritual song. In fact, it takes the position of the agnostic ("I'm not even sure if there is anyone who is in the sun will you help me to understand").

4. Time – Tori Amos (2001)


Strange Little Girls wasn't what I would call a solid effort for Tori Amos. Again, it's not an original concept; an entire album of covers. Annie Lennox and Shawn Colvin had already done this, and Tori had made a career of doing awesome covers. I don't think I had a great appreciation of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" until I heard her take on it. So why do this album? Why risk the reputation with an unconventional line up (I'm still trying to figure out why she did Eminem's "97 Bonnie and Clyde"). She was already the queen of the covers, she had nothing to prove. On first listen, I was about to give up in this album until track 7 played. At the time, I was still immersing myself in the Tom Waits catalogue; digesting songs slowly, but I was not well versed yet. Although I didn't recognize the song at first, I recognized that it had to be Tom's work. I sat back, smiled, and played the song again and again. To date, it is the only cover of a Waits song that I like better than the original.

3. Your Ex-Lover is Dead - Stars (2005)
I usually don't buy a CD just by hearing it at a record store, but it has happened a few times (this is how I came to own a Me First and the Gimme Gimmes CD). I was rifling through the Elvis Costello stack at Cheapo Records when I heard this song that started off imitating a small chamber orchestra. It then shifted gears with a rhythm guitar riff that crawled out of a Lou Reed song book. As I had received some news about an ex-lover (that she was moving out of town), I was struck by a particular passage (which I quoted in a Episode 2 of the Neil Casey series).

There's one thing I want to say, so I'll be brave
You were what I wanted
I gave what I gave
I'm not sorry I met you
I'm not sorry it's over
I'm not sorry there's nothing to save

After I caught my breath, I asked the guy behind the counter what this was. He preceded to hand me a copy of Set Yourself On Fire by Stars, a band out of Montreal. As soon as I got home, I listened to the entire album twice in a row. Without a doubt, it's one of my top CDs of the 2000s. Hands down.

2. The Way it Is – Nicole Atkins (2007)


What the hell is it about New Jersey and its talent pool. You have Sinatra, Springsteen, and this young lady from Neptune City (which is the title of her 2007 CD). If you have ever asked yourselves the question "If Chrissy Hynde and Roy Orbison ever has a love child, what would she sound like?" you would have your answer. My first introduction to "The Way it Is" was when I was auditioning songs at the VBC. Nicole is agonizing over a guy who clearly isn't into her as she is into him. Simply beautiful.

1. Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) – Arcade Fire (2004)


As with many songs that I have obsessed over, this story starts off with Todd saying "you've got to hear this song." Thus was the case for another band from Montreal when I was on a return trip to WTTS. There really isn't much I can say about this song. At this point words fail me to explain why this song hit me so hard. It just—fits.

Honorable Mention: It Keeps Rainin' – Robert Plant and the Lil' Band O' Gold (2007), Don't Know Why – Norah Jones (2002), List of Demands – Saul Williams (2004), Baby Please Don't Leave – Buddy Guy (2000), Happy As Can Be – Cut Off Your Hands (2009), Blitzed – The Raveonettes (2007), Fresh Feeling – Eels (2002)

The World Famous in Minnesota Show - December 9, 2008

Originally published on the World Famous in Minnesota Show blog

Here are the highlights and soundtrack for today’s World Famous in Minnesota Show.

4PM
Thinking About You – Norah Jones
Better Be Home Soon – Crowded House
Sister Lost Soul – Alejandro Escovedo
Jingle Bells – Booker T. and the MG’s
Hospital Bed – Cold War Kids
Ulysses – Franz Ferdinand
Calendar Girls – Stars
Should I Stay – Indigenous
Birthday – Sugarcubes
I Will Possess Your Heart - Death Cab for Cutie
U Want Me 2 – Sarah McLachlan
Santa Clause is Coming to Town – Chris Isaak and Stevie Nicks
March of the Swivelheads – The English Beat

5PM
(What’s So Funny “Bout) Peace Love and Understanding – Elvis Costello and the Attractions
24 – Jem
Spirit – Santana
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – U2
A Pagan Place - Waterboys
Rock N’ Roll – Eric Hutchinson
Trash – New York Dolls
Under the Milky Way – Nicole Atkins
Radio Nowhere – Bruce Springsteen
All I Want for Christmas – Timbuk 3
Lost! – Coldplay
Unforgiven (Last Goodbye) – Jeff Buckley

Liner Notes
This is one for the Broadcast Law class. Joe Satriani is suing Coldplay for copyright infringement. Satriani says that it was his fans that pointed out the similarities between his 2004 “If I Could Fly” and the title track of Coldplay’s new album “Viva La Vida”, by committing copyright infringement by sending him mp3s of the song. The guitar soloist tells Rolling-Stone-dot-com that his song was a 10 year work in progress and was originally written as a love letter to his wife. He is seeking any and all profits that the song has earned.

This Day In History
It was on this day in 1985 that Phoenix, Arizona got three inches of snow, shutting down the city. Here on this date, after more than three inches of snow here in the Twin Cities, we’re still laughing at the people of Phoenix.

Moron This!
We start today in Fredericksburg, Virginia where two Patriot Towing employees face child endangerment charges after towing a car with a child inside. Police say that Jason Bryant and Derek Miller towed the double parked Mazda Protege outside of a housing complex. When the pair realized their mistake, they promply returned the two-year old girl to her mother. According to the police, the mother left the car unlocked, running, and unattended for at least five minutes. By the way, no charges have been filed against the mother.

Real Life X File
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has seen a huge increase in U-F-O activity. In the first week of December, there have been more than 20 reports of sightings to multiple agencies. The Keystone state has been the center of many sightings over the past 43 years, since a supposed U-F-O crash in Kecksburgh in 1965.

The World Famous in Minnesota Show - December 2, 2008

Originally published on the World Famous in Minnesota Show blog

Here are the highlights and soundtrack for today’s World Famous in Minnesota Show.

4 PM
Punish the Monkey – Mark Knopfler
It’s In The Way That You Use It – Eric Clapton
The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance – Vampire Weekend
Everywhere I Go – Shawn Mullins
Somewhere Only We Know – Keane
Come Around – Counting Crows
The Search – Son Volt
Someday Someway – Marshall Crenshaw
It’s You – Picture and Sound
Always On Your Side – Sheryl Crow and Sting
My Two Feet – Old 97’s
Summertime – The Sundays

5PM
What is Life – George Harrison
First Day of My Life – Bright Eyes
Olympic Airwaves – Foals
Black Balloon – Goo Goo Dolls
No Hiding Place – Elvis Costello and the Imposters
Ulysses – Franz Ferdinand
Live and Let Die – Paul McCartney and Wings
Another Way to Die – Jack White and Alicia Keys
Don’t Ask Me – OK Go
No Way Back – Foo Fighters
The Shock of Lightning – Oasis
DC – Died Pretty
South Indiana – Fleetwood Mac

Liner Notes
Spectacle: Elvis Costello, a new talk-performance show on the Sundance Channel will debut tomorrow. The 13 episode season will feature Lou Reed, The Police, Rufus Wainwright, Norah Jones, Jenny Lewis, the other members of his band the Imposters, his wife Diana Krall, and former President Bill Clinton. Not only will the guests talk, but will perform. Costello will also debut a new song at the beginning of each episode. The first episode with guest Elton John will air at 8:00 Minnesota Time.

Moron This!
An academic advisor from THE Ohio State University has been arrested in connection to selling raffle tickets to win an evening with a prostitute. According to the Associated Press, Christopher Johnson was arrested for organizing a lottery on Craigs-list-dot-com with help from real estate agent Rusty Blades (his real name, by the way). Columbus Police have identified the grand prize as 31 year old Vanise Dunn. Dunn, who was arrested on November 12th for solicitation, has been employed by the Franklin County Children’s Services for the past eight years. Johnson and Blades have both been charged with promoting prostitution, and bail has been set at 25-thousand dollars for Johnson.

Today in History
It was on this date in 1914 that actor Ray Walston was born in Laurel, Mississippi. He is mostly known for the starring role in the television show, “My Favorite Martian”. He would later take the role of Mister Hand in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, becoming my teaching role model.

Real Life X-Files
It’s already started for Barack Obama. The Extraterrestrial Phenomenon Political Action, or EPPA, have sent the President –Elect a letter urging him to investigate U-F-O activity by debriefing military and intelligence agencies and to take witness statements under oath. EPPA thinks that the odds of ending what they call “the six decade truth embargo” are good as the head of Obama’s transition team John Podesta and possible cabinet member New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson are “U-F-O truth allies”. When Podesta was Bill Clinton’s chief of staff, he led a project to declassify documents older than 25 years to aid scientists in the study of U-F-Os. Richardson is expected to serve on Obama’s cabinet, and is a Governor of the state that’s the home of the Roswell Incident. During a primary debate, Richardson revealed that he believed that there has been a government cover-up the famed 1947 event, and has called for the Pentagon to fully disclose the details.It was on this date in 1914 that actor Ray Walston was born in Laurel, Mississippi. He is mostly known for the starring role in the television show, “My Favorite Martian”. He would later take the role of Mister Hand in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, becoming my teaching role model.

Real Life X-Files
It’s already started for Barack Obama. The Extraterrestrial Phenomenon Political Action, or EPPA, have sent the President –Elect a letter urging him to investigate U-F-O activity by debriefing military and intelligence agencies and to take witness statements under oath. EPPA thinks that the odds of ending what they call “the six decade truth embargo” are good as the head of Obama’s transition team John Podesta and possible cabinet member New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson are “U-F-O truth allies”. When Podesta was Bill Clinton’s chief of staff, he led a project to declassify documents older than 25 years to aid scientists in the study of U-F-Os. Richardson is expected to serve on Obama’s cabinet, and is a Governor of the state that’s the home of the Roswell Incident. During a primary debate, Richardson revealed that he believed that there has been a government cover-up the famed 1947 event, and has called for the Pentagon to fully disclose the details.

The World Famous in Minnesota Show - November 25, 2008

Here’s the playlist and highlights from this week’s episode of The World Famous in Minnesota Show on the Voice of Brown College, The VBC

4PM
Laid – James
Don’t Look Back in Anger – Tori Amos
You Learn – Alanis Morrisette
Lie to Me – Tom Waits
U Want Me To – Sarah MacLachlan
Mercy – Duffy
Sunny Side of the Street – Pogues
Charity Chastity, Prudence, and Hope – Hüsker Dü
Learn to Fly – Foo Fighters
Working on a Dream – Bruce Springsteen
My Favorite Mistake – Sheryl Crow
Johnny Viola – Shearwater

5PM
Black Magic Woman – Santana
Veronica – Elvis Costello
Fix It – Ryan Adams and the Cardinals
Dad’s Gonna Kill Me – Richard Thompson
Numb – U2
It’s Amazing – Jem
Sister Golden Hair – America
After Hours – We Are Scientists
Glad It’s Over – Wilco
C’mon, C’mon – The Von Bondies
Dr. Yang – Ben Folds
She Moves in Her Own Way – Kooks
Sweet Jane – Cowboy Junkies
Baby Can I Hold You – Tracy Chapman

Moron This!
We start today in my Hometown, Evansville, Indiana, where a man faces a charge of bribing a public servant. Evansville Police took 32-year old Angelo J Cooper into custody after he refused to stop yelling at his girlfriend. According to the police report, as Cooper was being escorted to the squad car, he offered to buy the three arresting officers dinner. After they rejected his offer, Cooper became violent, and then upped his offer to 10 dollars and a toaster. This offer was also rejected. On the way to the Vanderburgh County Jail, Cooper threatened to stab the officers upon his release. And you wonder why I left.

Liner Notes
The Kaiser Chiefs will play before an exclusive live show next month in London for the i-tunes music store. The show will be held on December 9th in front of an audience of contest winners, and will feature music from their latest C-D, Off With Their Heads. If you aren’t so lucky to be a part of the show, the set will be available for download December 15th.

Today in History
It was on this date in 1993 that Shawn and Stacy Rumsey became the proud parents of Spencer Christian Patrick and Riley Kirsten Noel Rumsey, my nephew and niece. Happy Birthday, you two.

It was also on this date in 1947 that 10 directors, producers, and actors were fired or suspended for refusing to testify in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee. Earlier in that year, the H-U-A-C started to investigate rumors that several communists were a part of the film industry. One of the actors who testified and named names for the committee was a B actor named Ronald Reagan.

Real Life X-File
We go to Elderslie, just outside of Glasgow, Scotland. Two residents report that they saw glowing orange colored lights near the airport. According to the H-B-B-C, a U-F-O research center, the number of sightings, many of which involving orange lights, in this area of the U-K have increased in the last year. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence states that there have been no reports of suspicious activity above the Glasgow Airport.

The World Famous in Minnesota Show - November 18, 2008

Here is the playlist and top stories from The “World Famous in Minnesota” Show with Ian Shane.

4PM
True Romance – She Wants Revenge
Band On The Run – Wings
Grounds For Divorce – Elbow
Resignation Superman – Big Head Todd and the Monsters
Last Kiss – Pearl Jam
It’s Amazing – Jem
Love You Again – John Hiatt
Winning Again – Billy Joe Shaver and Marty Stuart
Love is a Stranger – Martha Wainwright
We’re Going to Be Friends – White Stripes
Always a Friend – Alajandro Escovedo with Bruce Springteen and E Street Band
Up From the South – Budos Band

5PM
As Tears Go By – The Rolling Stones
Southside – Moby and Gwen Stefani
Morning is My Destination – Tift Merritt
Angle Mine – Cowboy Junkies
Old Enough – Raconteurs
Lost! – Coldplay
Fall on Me – REM
Folsom Prison Blues – Everlast
Shine Over Babylon – Sheryl Crow
Our Last Night – Better Than Ezra
Rock N’ Roll – Eric Hutchinson

Liner Notes
A street date has been announce for the Bruce Springsteen’s 24th album. Columbia Records has confirmed that Working on a Dream will be released on January 27. The C-D will feature the E-Street Band, and 12 new songs. The title track of the new L-P was premiered on Sunday Night Football on N-B-C earlier this week.

Moron This!
A Glen Falls, NY man was arrested for driving his riding mower while under the influence of marijuana. Donald L Johnson drew the attention of the police when he piloted the mower across Glen Street with a man riding on the hood a little after midnight on Saturday. After being pulled over, Johnson admitted that he had smoked some marijuana, and was on his way to an Irish Pub to sell his mower for 200 dollars. Johnson received 10 citations, including unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, driving an unregistered vehicle, and failure to pay child support. The passenger, Carl Critelli was ticked for not wearing a seat belt.

Real Life X-File
The United States will become an underdeveloped nation that will suffer a revolution, food riots, and tax rebellions by the year 2012. This is the dire prediction made by Trends Researcher Institute C-E-O Gerald Celente. Celente is world renown for his accurate prediction of the 1987 stock market crash, the fall of the Soviet Union, the 1997 Asian Currency Crisis, the sub prime mortgage crisis, and what he called “the Panic of 2008”. Celente says that America is going through a transition that for which no one was prepared. A British Ministry of Defense report issued last year backs Celente’s prediction of a second American Revolution, stating the growing gap between the super rich and the middle class. Keep in mind, that this guy predicted a John Kerry Landslide four years ago.

The World Famous in Minnesota Show - November 4, 2008

Here’s the playlist and highlights from this week’s episode of The World Famous in Minnesota Show on the Voice of Brown College, The VBC

4PM
A-Punk – Vampire Weekend
Evil Ways – Santana
Patience – Tyrone Wells
Feed The Tree – Belly
Jesus is Just Alright – The Doobie Brothers
Rock n’ Roll – Eric Hutchinson
Grave Digger – Willie Nelson
Radar Gun – Bottle Rockets
Fix It – Ryan Adams and the Cardinals
Classic Rock – Dramarama
Sequestered In Memphis – The Hold Steady
Calendar Girl – Stars
Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough – Patty Smyth

5PM
For What It’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield
24 – Jem
The Lovers are Losing – Keane
Life of Riley – Lightning Seeds
How I am to Be – Watson Twins
I Got Mine – Black Keys
In The City – Joe Walsh
Real Love – Lucinda Williams
Hold On – KT Tunstall
Miracle – Foo Fighters
Something’s Not Right – Cold War Kids
Girlfriend – Matthew Sweet
(F)lannigan’s Ball – Dropkick Murphy’s with Spider Stacy
Ship of Fools – World Party


Moron This!
The Omaha police have arrested three teenagers in connection to the robbery of a Mini Mart. The bandits broke into the G’s Mini Mart and made off with a cooler of beer. One of the cases of beer broke open, leaving a trail of Bud Light cans that lead the police to the nearby house, where they found beer and a crowbar. This however, will not be the next Real Men of Genius commercial.

On this Date…
It was on this date in 1934 that Pittsburgh snapped the Detroit Lions’ shut out streak at seven games. The Lions went on to win the game 40-7. On this day, the Lions have been shut out of the win column, and could become the first team to go 0-16.

Real Life X-File
An Argentinean man is experiencing facial paralysis after he witnessed three UFOs. Ambulance driver Fernando Guerrero stated on radio that he has been feeling very strange since the event on October 25th near Villa Castelli. He says that he noticed the light on his cell phone became brighter. He added that the CD he was playing in his ambulance stopped suddenly and he heard a loud squeaking noise emit from the speakers. Scientists and researchers have failed to get in touch with Guerrero to conduct further tests.

The World Famous in Minnesota Show - October 27

The World Famous in Minnesota Show with Ian Shane returned after a three week break. On the show, Ian introduced a new feature called Moron This! and had a real life X-File from Sherwood Forrest

4 PM
Swimming Pools – Thao and the Get Down Stay Down
She’s a Beauty – Tubes
Step Outside – Pete Best Band
The Price I Pay – Billy Bragg
Your Loving Flame – Paul McCartney
Tears Dry On Their Own – Amy Winehouse
Anarchy in the UK (Live) – Sex Pistols
Ring the Bells – James
Colorful – Rocco Deluca and the Burden
Far Far – Yael Naim
Lust for Life – Iggy Pop

5PM
Under My Thumb - Rolling Stones
Waiting for my Real Life to Begin – Colin Hay
Mr. Rock N’ Roll – Amy McDonald
It’s Raining in Baltimore – Counting Crows
You Don’t Know What Love Is – White Stripes
Hearing – Bodeans
House of Fun – Madness
Steer – Missy Higgins
Tonight I Have to Leave It – Shout Out Louds
Desperately Wanting – Better Than Ezra
U Want Me 2 – Sarah McLachlanThing Called Love – Bonnie Raitt

Real Life X-File
An English care taker is claiming that he has taken a photo of the ghost of the Maid Marion. Chris Sole says that the photo was taken in what was once a dungeon beneath the Nottingham Old Court House, which is now a museum. Soles says that he heard doors open and close in the pitch black cave, so he did the natural thing…started blindly taking photos, and ran. He said that he’d like to think that the image is the apparition Marion waiting for Robin Hood to rescue her. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio however, was not available for comment. What do you think? Marion? Dirty Lense?

Moron This!
Officially it’s game on in Philadelphia for Game 5 of the World Series tomorrow night, however according to sports books in Vegas, The Phillies won the match up 2-1. The game was suspended in the top of the 6th inning last night after the Tampa Bay Rays tied the game at two in the midst’s of a rain storm. So, where does the Nevada Gaming Commission get the Idea that Philadelphia won? From Major League Baseball Rules, which states that any game that is called because of rain after 5 innings becomes an official game with the score being that of the last complete inning, which was the 5th, with the Phillies leading 2-1. Las Vegas Hilton Sports Book Director Jay Kornegay says that they are just following the rules of baseball, and they can make no exceptions.

Hey Jack Kerouac

Here is the play list for this week's episode of The World Famous in Minnesota Show on the VBC

2pm
Signed Sealed Delivered, I’m Your’s – Stevie Wonder
South Indiana (Take 2) – Fleetwood Mac
Don’t Do Me No Favors – James Hunter
Where the Streets Have No Name (Live) – U2 (From the Please EP)
Shout – De Novo Dahl
Float – Flogging Molly
Mama Told Me Not to Come – Three Dog Night
Steer – Missy Higgins
Nightswimming – REM
Janine – Soul Coughing
Old Enough – Raconteurs
Swimming Pools – Thao with the Get Dow Stay Downs

3pm
Trampolining – Ice Palace
Stolen Car – Beth Orton
How Am I to Be – Watson Twins
I Cover the Waterfront – Van Morrison and John Lee Hooker
American Anthem – Norah Jones
Warwick Avenue – Duffy
Ring of Fire – Social Distortion
Folsom Prison Blues – Everlast
On The Road – Tom Waits and Primus
Hey Jack Kerouac – 10,000 Manics
Stuck Between Stations – The Hold Steady
Where Is My Mind? – Pixies
Big Me – Foo Fighters

The South Shall Rise Again?

On the World Famous in Minnesota Show, I unveiled plans to visit the Waffle House Museum in Atlanta. We also had to ask, No Smoking in a Hospital…that makes sense. So why did it take Vandy’s Medical Center until this week to think of it? And we went to the Steel City for a real life X-File.

2pm
Jammin’ – Bob Marley and the Wailers
Rudie Can’t Fail – The Clash
Remedy – The Black Crowes
Lover of the Bayou - Mudcrutch
Dance With Me – Old 97’s
Cynical Girl – Marshall Crenshaw
It’s Amazing – JEM
Hospital Bed – Cold War Kids
Crazy – Gnarls Barkley
Burn You Up, Burn You Down – Peter Gabriel (Big Blue Ball)
A Case of You – Diana Krall

3pm
Looking at the World from the Bottom of a Well – Mike Doughty
She La Ma Gig – PJ Harvey
Mr. Rock n’ Roll – Amy MacDonald
You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone – 13^th Floor Elevators
Shattered (Turn the Car Around) – OAR (Of a Revolution)
Oxford Coma – Vampire Weekend
Trampolining – Ice Palace
A Minute to Rest and a Second to Pray – Solomon Burke and Ben Harper
Where the Story Ends – The Sundays
You Cheated Me – Martha Wainwright
Folsom Prison Blues – Everlast
Leaving Las Vegas – Sheryl Crow
All I Want – Toad The Wet Sprocket
Come Away With Me – Norah Jones

Steve Jobs is Dead, Long Live Steve Jobs

The World Famous in Minnesota Show returned to the VBC after a long hiatus. This week on the show, we found out that the reports of Steve Job’s demise were premature. We reveal who SNL grabbed from the pool of potential hosts for the premier of 34th Season, and we went to the Fatherland for a real life X-File.

2 pm
Driven To Tears – The Police
Heaven – Los Lonely Boys
Coming Home – 88
Caravan (Live) – Van Morrison (From At the Movies)
Wonderwall – Oasis
Step Outside – Pete Best Band
Blood Red Blood – Voxtrot
Devil’s Dance Floor – Flogging Molly
Burn You Up, Burn You Down – Peter Gabriel (Big Blue Ball)
Bell Bottom Blues – Derek and the Dominos
Come Around – Counting Crows
Lie To Me – Tom Waits

3pm
Beautiful World – Colin Hay
Skinny Love – Bon Iver
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – U2
Moving in Stereo – Cars
Harmonicas and Tambourines – Hot Hot Heat
No Hiding Place – Elvis Costello and the Imposters
Pain Lies on the Riverside – Live
Grounds for Divorce – Elbow
London Calling – Clash
Shout – De Novo Dahl
Stuck to You – Nikki Costa
Birmingham - Amanda Marshall

My New Atkins Diet

I have a ritual that I run good songs through to see if they can be great songs. I play it three times in a row. If I want to hear it a fourth time, I take the CD out of the player, and I wait for at least three hours. If after a fourth play I am more excited than I was about the song than I was after its first play, it’s a great song. If I play it two more times in that day, and I still like it, it becomes an obsession.

Enter Nicole Atkins.

I got the latest TM Century disc at work, and listened for new prospects for the VBC. When I heard “The Way It Is”, I immediately stopped what I was doing. For the first time since “Blitzed” by the Raveonettes I found a song that was worthy of my music endurance test. It has since moved to the type of obsessive listening that I haven’t had since “Diablo Rojo” came out last summer.

The best way to describe Nicole Atkins is to think of Justine Bateman if she was cast to play Stevie Nicks in a Fleetwood Mac movie and Chrissy Hynde did the vocals.

On first listen, I thought that her new CD Neptune City (a reference to her home town, Neptune, NJ) was a few good songs with a respectable secondary line-up. This was after listening to the CD in the order that it was downloaded (thank you iTunes). But, after listening to it in the proper order, the album as a whole makes sense.