The CD Singles '88-'91 (Morrissey)

Morrisey's The CD Singles '88-'91 is as it says: a collection of the singles released during that period, with each getting its own disc and sleeve replicating its cover art. Basically, this is completely awesome. Morrissey has some great b-sides, and it's excellent to have them. Of course, the a-sides are also brilliant. Favorite discoveries include "Such a Little Thing Makes Such a Big Difference," "Get Off the Stage," "Our Frank," "Will Never Marry," "Girl Least Likely To," and Moz's versions of "Skin Storm" and "That's Entertainment." This set is awesome, both aurally and visually. My one complaint is that the sleeves make it hard to slip the disc in and particularly out with scuffing it.

Tracks:
"Suedehead" single
1. Suedehead
2. I Know Very Well How I Got My Name
3. Hairdresser on Fire
4. Oh Well, I'll Never Learn

"Everyday Is Like Sunday" single
1. Everyday Is Like Sunday
2. Sister I'm a Poet
3. Disappointed
4. Will Never Marry

"The Last of the Famous International Playboys" single
1. The Last of the Famous International Playboys
2. Lucky Lisp
3. Michael's Bones

"Interesting Drug" single
1. Interesting Drug
2. Such a Little Thing makes Such a Big Difference
3. Sweet and Tender Hooligan (live)

"Ouija Board, Ouija Board" single
1. Ouija Board, Ouija Board
2. Yes I'm Blind
3. East West

"November Spawned a Monster" single
1. November Spawned a Monster
2. He Knows I'd Love to See Him
3. Girl Least Likely To

"Piccadilly Palare" single
1. Piccadilly Palare
2. Get Off the Stage
3. At Amber

"Our Frank" single
1. Our Frank
2. Journalists Who Lie
3. Tony the Pony

"Sing Your Life" single
1. Sing Your Life
2. That's Entertainment
3. The Loop

"Pregnant for the Last Time" single
1. Pregnant for the Last Time
2. Skin Storm (live)
3. Cosmic Dancer (live)
4. Disappointed (live)

Wingspan: Hits and History (Paul McCartney & Wings)

Wingspan: Hits and History is a two-disc collection of some of Paul McCartney's output as part of Wings, as well as some of his solo hits. While such a long career as his, even if limited to the Wings period, couldn't fairly be represented by two discs, this set is about the best one on the market at the moment, and does a fair job of collecting some of the best hits and album tracks. Some of the songs hold up much better than others, but it's a good set and worth the $3 for which I found it. Worth checking out for those like me who want some Wings without investing in a large and expensive back catalogue.

Tracks:
Disc 1 (Hits)
1. Listen to What the Man Said
2. Band on the Run
3. Another Day
4. Live and Let Die
5. Jet
6. My Love
7. Silly Love Songs
8. Pipes of Peace
9. C Moon
10. Hi Hi Hi
11. Let 'Em In
12. Goodnight Tonight
13. Junior's Farm
14. Mull of Kintyre
15. Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey
16. With a Little Luck
17. Coming Up (Live at Glasgow)
18. No More Lonely Nights

Disc 2 (History)
1. Let Me Roll It
2. The Lovely Linda
3. Daytime Nighttime Suffering
4. Maybe I'm Amazed
5. Helen Wheels
6. Bluebird
7. Heart of the Country
8. Every Night
9. Take It Away
10. Junk
11. Man We Was Lonely
12. Venus and Mars/Rockshow
13. The Back Seat of My Car
14. Rockestra Theme
15. Girlfriend
16. Waterfalls
17. Tomorrow
18. Too Many People
19. Call Me Back Again
20. Tug of War
21. Bip Bop/Hey Diddle
22. No More Lonely Nights (playout version)

The Best of The Waterboys '81-'90

The Best of The Waterboys '81-'90 is as the title says - a collection of some of the group's most popular songs released during that period. The 12-track retrospective includes the truly awesome song "The Whole of the Moon," as well as such goodies as "A Girl Called Johnny," "Fisherman's Blues," and "Don't Bang the Drum." Overall, it's a nice introduction to and overview of the diverse music of The Waterboys.

Tracks:
1. A Girl Called Johnny
2. The Big Music
3. All the Things She Gave Me
4. The Whole of the Moon
5. Spirit
6. Don't Bang the Drum
7. Fisherman's Blues
8. Killing My Heart
9. Strange Beat
10. And a Bang on the Ear
11. Old England (live)
12. A Man Is in Love

Songs 1993-1998 (Moby)

Moby's compilation Songs 1993-1998 is a nice overview of his period of recording at Elektra Records. Some of the songs aren't all that impressive, but others, particularly "Feeling So Real," are great listens. No, this material isn't quite up to par with the excellent stuff he'd release after leaving the label, but it's still worth hearing, and I'm glad I found my thrift store copy.

Tracks:
1. First Cool Hive
2. Go
3. Into the Blue
4. Now I Let It Go
5. Move (You Make Me Feel So Good)
6. I Like to Score
7. Anthem
8. Hymn
9. Feeling So Real
10. God Moving Over the Face of the Waters
11. Alone
12. Novio
13. The Rain Falls and the Sky Shudders
14. When It's Cold I'd Like to Die
15. Living
16. Grace

Young Modern (Silverchair)

Silverchair's 2007 album Young Modern contains the wonderful lead single "Straight Lines." While the album is quite different in feel from what I know of their previous work, it's excellent. I really enjoyed it as a whole, with such tracks as "If You Keep Losing Sleep" and "The Man That Knew Too Much" making a strong case for the band. I may have been somewhat slow to get this one, but I'm glad I finally did.

Tracks:
1. Young Modern Station
2. Straight Lines
3. If You Keep Losing Sleep
4. Reflections of a Sound
5. Those Thieving Birds (Part 1) / Strange Behaviour / Those Thieving Birds (Part 2)
6. The Man That Knew Too Much
7. Waiting All Day
8. Mind Reader
9. Low
10. Insomnia
11. All Across the World

Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin (Various Artists)

Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin is a tribute album that was released in 1991. It features many great artists doing excellent versions of songs composed by the pair and originally recorded by John. While there are some less than stellar performances here, like Wilson Phillips' take on "Daniel" and Jon Bon Jovi's version of "Levon," most of these are quite good. Highlights include Sinéad O'Connor's "Sacrifice," Kate Bush's "Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)," Tina Turner's "The Bitch Is Back," and George Michael's "Tonight."

Tracks:
1. Eric Clapton: "Border Song"
2. Kate Bush: "Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)"
3. Sting: "Come Down in Time"
4. The Who: "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)"
5. The Beach Boys: "Crocodile Rock"
6. Wilson Phillips: "Daniel"
7. Joe Cocker: "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word"
8. Jon Bon Jovi: "Levon"
9. Tina Turner: "The Bitch Is Back"
10. Daryl Hall & John Oates: "Philadelphia Freedom"
11. Rod Stewart: "Your Song"
12. Oleta Adams: "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"
13. Bruce Hornsby: "Madman Across the Water"
14. Sinéad O'Connor: "Sacrifice"
15. Phil Collins: "Burn Down the Mission"
16. George Michael: "Tonight"

Red Hot + Dance (Various Artists)

The 1992 album Red Hot + Dance was released to raise awareness of (and money for the prevention of) AIDS. The opening three tracks are awesome non-album songs from George Michael, led by the hit single "Too Funky." The other two are quite strong as well and make the album a worthwhile purchase in and of themselves. However, other cool remixes found here include the If I Was Trev mix of Seal's "Crazy" and the Metamorphosis mix of Lisa Stansfield's "Change." Overall, quite a cool album.

Tracks:
1. George Michael: "Too Funky"
2. George Michael: "Do You Really Want to Know"
3. George Michael: "Happy"
4. Madonna: "Supernatural" (Original Arms House Mix)
5. Seal: "Crazy" (If I Was Trev mix)
6. PM Dawn: "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" (Richie Rich mix)
7. Lisa Stansfield: "Change" (Metamorphosis mix)
8. Young Disciples: "Apparently Nothing" (The Re-Rub)
9. Sabrina Johnston: "Peace" (nu-mix)
10. Sly & The Family Stone: "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (Todds CD mix)
11. Crystal Waters: "Gypsy Woman" (Joey Negro's mindmix)
12. EMF: "Unbelievable" (The Hovering Feet mix)
13. Tomandandy: "Theme From Red Hot + Dance" (Gothic mix)

Clivillés + Cole Greatest Remixes, Vol. 1 (Various Artists)

I took a chance on a cheap disc of Clivillés + Cole Greatest Remixes, Vol. 1. It includes some of the pair's hits, as well as mixes of tracks like Chaka Khan's "Clouds" and The Cover Girls' "Because of You," as well as various lesser-known tracks. It makes for a pleasant enough listen if you like that C+C early 90s style. Some cool stuff here. Not worth seeking out, but if you stumble upon it for cheap, grab it.

Tracks:
1. C&C Music Factory: "C&C Music Factory MTV Medley"
2. The Cover Girls: "Because of You"
3. Lydia Lee Love: "Don't Take Your Love Away"
4. Seduction: "Two to Make It Right"
5. Clivillés + Cole: "Pride (In the Name of Love" (Techno House version)
6. Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam: "Let the Beat Hit 'Em"
7. Clivillés + Cole: "Mind Your Business"
8. David Cole: "You Take My Breath Away"
9. Clivillés + Cole: "A Deeper Love"
10. Chaka Khan: "Clouds"
11. Billy: "True Love"
12. Sandée: "Notice Me"
13. Two Puerto Ricans, A Black Man & A Dominican: "Do It Properly"

The Collected Recordings: Sixties to Nineties (Tina Turner)

Tina Turner's The Collected Recordings: Sixties to Nineties is a three-disc career overview released in 1994. The first disc selects tracks from the Ike & Tina Turner years. The second disc is of b-sides, rarities, and minor hits. The third disc collects some of her biggest solo hits. While the first and third discs are cool, better overviews of each are done by other sets, such as, respectively, The Ike & Tina Story and All the Best. The appeal here lies in the second disc, which includes such great tracks as Turner's original version of "Don't Turn Around," released as the b-side to "Typical Male," an awesome live version of Prince's "Let's Pretend We're Married," released as the b-side to "Show Some Respect," and a remake of Robert Palmer's "Johnny and Mary," contributed to the soundtrack to the film Summer Lovers. It is for these and other great recordings found on the second disc, as well as a pleasant booklet, that I would recommend this set.

Tracks:
Disc 1 (Artist for all tracks is Ike & Tina Turner)
1. A Fool in Love
2. It's Gonna Work Out Fine
3. I Idolize You
4. Poor Fool
5. A Letter from Tina
6. Finger Poppin'
7. River Deep - Mountain High
8. Crazy 'Bout You Baby
9. I've Been Loving You Too Long
10. Bold Soul Sister
11. I Want to Take You Higher
12. Come Together
13. Honky Tonk Women
14. Proud Mary
15. Nutbush City Limits
16. Sexy Ida (Part 1)
17. Sexy Ida (Part 2)
18. It Ain't Right (Lovin' to Be Lovin')

Disc 2 (From here on out, artist is Tina Turner unless otherwise noted)
1. Acid Queen
2. Whole Lotta Love
3. Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)
4. A Change Is Gonna Come
5. Johnny and Mary
6. Games
7. When I Was Young
8. Total Control
9. Let's Pretend We're Married (live)
10. It's Only Love (Bryan Adams & Tina Turner)
11. Don't Turn Around
12. Legs (live)
13. Addicted to Love (live)
14. Tearing Us Apart (Eric Clapton with Tina Turner)
15. It Takes Two (Rod Stewart and Tina Turner)

Disc 3
1. Let's Stay Together
2. What's Love Got to Do With It
3. Better Be Good to Me
4. Private Dancer
5. I Can't Stand the Rain
6. Help!
7. We Don't Need Another Hero
8. Typical Male
9. What You Get Is What You See
10. Paradise Is Here
11. Back Where You Started
12. The Best
13. Steamy Windows
14. Foreign Affair
15. I Don't Wanna Fight

Alice Music 12 (Various Artists)

My friend made me a copy of Alice Music 12, a cool compilation put together by a local radio station of stripped versions of popular Hot AC hits. Some of them tend toward the boring side (e.g., Colbie Caillat's "Bubbly," which opens the album), while others end up sounding very cool (e.g., Matchbox Twenty's "Disease"). It's a very relaxing album, and while I wouldn't recommend going to great lengths to get this, it is worth hearing.

Tracks:
1. Colbie Caillat: "Bubbly" (Alice Lounge)
2. Matchbox Twenty: "Disease" (Alice Lounge)
3. Tristan Prettyman: "Madly" (Alice Lounge)
4. The Last Goodnight: "Pictures of You" (Alice Lounge)
5. Brandi Carlisle: "The Story" (acoustic)
6. Plain White T's: "Hey There Delilah" (Alice Lounge)
7. Mat Kearney: "Undeniable" (Alice Lounge)
8. Jeremy Fisher: "Cigarette" (Alice Lounge)
9. Ingrid Michaelson: "The Way I Am" (Alice Lounge)
10. The Spill Canvas: "All Over You" (Alice Lounge)
11. Anna Nalick: "Shine" (Alice Lounge)
12. Pat Monahan: "Her Eyes" (Alice Lounge)
13. Yellowcard: "Light Up the Sky" (Alice Lounge)
14. Maroon 5: "Won't Go Home Without You" (Alice Lounge)
15. Marié Digby: "Say It Again" (Alice Lounge)

Song of the Day: "Cash in My Pocket"

ARTIST: Wiley featuring Daniel Merriweather
TITLE: Cash in My Pocket
YEAR: 2008

Probably the last song to make a big bid as one of my favorites of the year is Wiley's latest single, featuring one of my favorite artists whose debut album has yet to be released, Daniel Merriweather. Merriweather's parts are in fact what make this for me, but Wiley does a fine job spitting his lines as well. Plus, the lyrics are pretty cool, as is Mark Ronson's production work. It's a winner.

Take a listen here. The song is available on Wiley's album See Clear Now.

Very / Further Listening 1992-1994 (Pet Shop Boys)

Pet Shop Boys' Very was released in 1993 and contains such hits as "Can You Forgive Her," "Liberation," "I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing," and "Yesterday, When I Was Mad." These are four great songs, and thankfully, they are representative of the quality of the album as a whole. Such other songs as "Dreaming of the Queen," "The Theatre," and a remake of Village People's "Go West" are all great, for different reasons.

In 2001, this album was released with an informative liner notes booklet, which itself is worth the purchase of this particular edition, as well as a bonus disc, Further Listening 1992-1994. This disc contains some great b-sides, single edits, demos, and other tracks from the period. Highlights include "Absolutely Fabulous," "Shameless," and the New Order-esque "Too Many People." Also included are a reading of Noel Coward's "If Love Were All" and a live performance of Blur's "Girls and Boys."

Overall, these are two great discs packed with quality music. Highly recommended.

Tracks:
Very
1. Can You Forgive Her?
2. I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing
3. Liberation
4. A Different Point of View
5. Dreaming of the Queen
6. Yesterday, When I Was Mad
7. The Theatre
8. One and One Make Five
9. To Speak Is a Sin
10. Young Offender
11. One in a Million
12. Go West

Further Listening 1992-1994
1. Go West (1992 twelve-inch mix)
2. Forever in Love
3. Confidential (demo for Tina)
4. Hey, Headmaster
5. Shameless
6. Too Many People
7. I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing (seven-inch version)
8. Violence (Haçienda version)
9. Falling (demo for Kylie)
10. Decadence
11. If Love Were All
12. Absolutely Fabulous (single version)
13. Euroboy
14. Some Speculation
15. Yesterday, When I Was Mad (single version)
16. Girls and Boys (live in Rio)

"Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" single (Erasure)

Erasure's single for "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" was released in 2003 off the album Other People's Songs. While their version can't top the original by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, it's pretty good. The single also includes a pair of cool remixes, which make it worthwhile, plus some remixes of other tracks from Other People's Songs which are also pretty cool. Recommended.

Tracks:
1. Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) (edit)
2. Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) (Dan Frampton radio mix)
3. Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) (Manhattan Clique extended mix)
4. Walking in the Rain (37B remix)
5. When Will I See You Again (37B remix)
6. Can't Help Falling in Love (acoustic)

"Somewhere" single (Pet Shop Boys)

Pet Shop Boys released their version of the West Side Story class "Somewhere" as a single in 1997. It's very dancey, very PSB, and quite awesome. Instant love. Also included on the single release: a remix of the a-side (Trouser Enthusiasts mix) which clocks in over ten minutes. It's not bad, but eliminates most of the vocals. Next is the single version of "A Red Letter Day" from the Bilingual album. That's an excellent song! Another over ten minute remix follows, this the Trouser Autoerotic Decapitation mix of "A Red Letter Day," and again, it's not bad, but it eliminates most of the vocals. Finally, a couple of b-sides are included: "The View From Your Balcony," which is a decent track, and "Delusions of Grandeur," an awesome song which originally showed up on a UK single for "A Red Letter Day." Overall, a great single.

Tracks:
1. Somewhere
2. Somewhere (Trouser Enthusiasts mix)
3. A Red Letter Day
4. A Red Letter Day (Trouser Autoerotic Decapitation mix)
5. The View From Your Balcony
6. Delusions of Grandeur

"Joseph, Better You Than Me" single (The Killers featuring Elton John and Neil Tennant)

Continuing their tradition of releasing an annual Christmas song, The Killers offered up a one-track CD single entitled "Joseph, Better You Than Me" in December of '08. The single is sold at Newbury Comics, and the track features Elton John and Neil Tennant. I think this is a good song and a definite upgrade from last year's "Don't Shoot Me, Santa."

Tracks:
1. Joseph, Better You Than Me

Greatest Hits (Enrique Iglesias)

Enrique Iglesias's Greatest Hits collects his biggest singles from his English-language albums. In addition to the pair of new tracks ("Away" featuring Sean Garrett and "Takin' Back My Love" featuring Ciara), I was excited to get the non-album single "Can You Hear Me" from earlier this year, which is awesome, as well as the great single version of "Not in Love" featuring Kelis. The other tracks are familiar songs from his albums, including favorites such as "Escape," "Be With You," and "Do You Know? (The Ping Pong Song)." Overall, it's a nice collection of his English output.

Tracks:
1. Bailamos
2. Away (feat. Sean Garrett)
3. Hero
4. Be With You
5. Takin' Back My Love (feat. Ciara)
6. Rhythm Divine
7. Do You Know? (The Ping Pong Song)
8. Tired of Being Sorry
9. Escape
10. Could I Have This Kiss Forever (with Whitney Houston)
11. Not in Love (featuring Kelis)
12. Don't Turn Off the Lights
13. Love to See You Cry
14. Maybe
15. Addicted
16. Somebody's Me
17. Can You Hear Me

It's Christmas (Ledisi)

My one Christmas album purchase for this year came in the form of Ledisi's It's Christmas. For those looking for excellent holiday albums, this one definitely qualifies. It includes a lot of excellent renditions of classic material, as well as a few originals, including the truly awesome song "Be There for Christmas." Ledisi has an amazing voice and excellent vocal control, and this album just continues to demonstrate that.

Tracks:
1. I'll Go
2. Children Go Where I Send Thee
3. Give Love on Christmas Day
4. Be There for Christmas
5. This Christmas (Could Be the One)
6. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
7. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
8. It's Christmas
9. What a Wonderful World
10. Please Come Home for Christmas
11. Silent Night
12. Thank You

Day & Age (The Killers)

The Killers' Day & Age is their latest release, containing the singles "Human" and "Spaceman." It's a pretty cool album, and while I don't see it supplanting their debut Hot Fuss as my favorite, it's definitely a worthwhile listen. My favorite track on here is "Joy Ride," although "Spaceman" is a close second.

Tracks:
1. Losing Touch
2. Human
3. Spaceman
4. Joy Ride
5. A Dustland Fairytale
6. This Is Your Life
7. I Can't Stay
8. Neon Tiger
9. The World We Live In
10. Goodnight, Travel Well

Off With Their Heads (Kaiser Chiefs)

Kaisers Chiefs' 2008 album Off With Their Heads is their third of three great albums. The album continues in the same style established by the first two, and it's still highly enjoyable. Lead single "Never Miss a Beat" is excellent, as are such tracks as "You Want History," "Tomato in the Rain," and "Always Happens Like That." Really, the whole album is great. Highly recommended.

(I bought Best Buy's edition, which includes the b-side to "Never Miss a Beat," "Sooner or Later," and a remix. Both are cool tracks worth having.)

Tracks:
1. Spanish Metal
2. Never Miss a Beat
3. Like It Too Much
4. You Want History
5. Can't Say What I Mean
6. Good Days Bad Days
7. Tomato in the Rain
8. Half the Truth
9. Always Happens Like That
10. Addicted to Drugs
11. Remember You're a Girl
12. Sooner or Later
13. Never Miss a Beat (Run Hide Survive remix)

Song of the Day: "Brimful of Asha"

ARTIST: Cornershop
TITLE: "Brimful of Asha" (Norman Cook remix)
YEAR: 1997

The Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim) remix of Cornershop's "Brimful of Asha" was a pretty big hit back in 1997. It's not hard to see why. There's something quite undeniable about it. It's terribly hard to listen to this without being put in a good mood, and I've been enjoying spinning it quite a bit of late.

Hear it here. The song is available on many compilation albums, including Fatboy Slim's own The Greatest Hits: Why Try Harder.

Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace (The Offspring)

The Offspring's latest album, Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace, was released earlier this year. It was led by the big hit "Hammerhead" and later spawned the even bigger hit "You're Gonna Go Far, Kid." It was my extreme love for the latter song that ultimately convinced me to pick up this album, which is yet another consistent if not entirely wowing offering from the group. The only song on here that I would call a misstep is "A Lot Like Me," for which I don't much care. Otherwise, the songs range from decent to great. I also like "Hammerhead" more than I did now that I've heard it in the context of the album. Other highlights include "Kristy, Are You Doing Okay," "Fix You," "Half-Truism," and "Stuff Is Messed Up."

Tracks:
1. Half-Truism
2. Trust in You
3. You're Gonna Go Far, Kid
4. Hammerhead
5. A Lot Like Me
6. Takes Me Nowhere
7. Kristy, Are You Doing Okay?
8. Nothingtown
9. Stuff Is Messed Up
10. Fix You
11. Let's Hear It for Rock Bottom
12. Rise and Fall

Carencro (Marc Broussard)

The appeal of Marc Broussard's 2004 album Carencro lay for me in the very catchy single "Where You Are." I was finally put over the edge in interest after seeing him open for Sara Bareilles earlier this year, and I'm glad I now have this album. Broussard does his soul-influenced style very well. The album is well put together and definitely worth hearing. The biggest hit here is "Home," but there are many other great tunes, including the second track, "Rocksteady."

Tracks:
1. Home
2. Rocksteady
3. Beauty of Who You Are
4. Save Me
5. Come Around
6. Where You Are
7. Lonely Night in Georgia
8. Saturday
9. The Wanderer
10. Hope for Me Yet
11. Let Me Leave
12. Gavin's Song

Splinter (The Offspring)

The Offspring's Splinter was released in 2003 and spawned the hits "Hit That" and "(Can't Get My) Head Around You." The latter is the song from the album with which I fell in love and that ultimately made it an appealing purchase. Overall, the album is quite enjoyable. It's not particularly varied, and it listening through to it doesn't leave one amazed, but it's a consistent offering from a consistent band.

Tracks:
1. Neocon
2. The Noose
3. Long Way Home
4. Hit That
5. Race Against Myself
6. (Can't Get My) Head Around You
7. The Worst Hangover Ever
8. Never Gonna Find Me
9. Lightning Rod
10. Spare Me the Details
11. Da Hui
12. When You're in Prison

Fundamental (and Fundamentalism) (Pet Shop Boys)

Pet Shop Boys released Fundamental in 2006. The album contains such hits as "Minimal" and "I'm With Stupid," and is overall a very solid, mature PSB offering. Other great tracks include "The Sodom and Gomorrah Show," "Indefinite Leave to Remain," and "Integral." I don't know that the album did much to grow their fan base, but I'm certain it pleased the large one they already have. The edition I bought on a whim is the one which comes with a bonus disc of remixes entitled Fundamentalism, which is very much worth it, with the highlight for me being the remix of "In Private," which contains vocal contributions from Elton John. There are also two cool remixes of "The Sodom and Gommorah Show," as well as versions of "Psychological," "I'm With Stupid," "Fugitive," "Minimal," and "Flamboyant."

Tracks:
Fundamental
1. Psychological
2. The Sodom and Gomorrah Show
3. I Made My Excuses and Left
4. Minimal
5. Numb
6. God Walking
7. Luna Park
8. I'm With Stupid
9. Casanova in Hell
10. Twentieth Century
11. Indefinite Leave to Remain
12. Integral

Fundamentalism
1. Fugitive (Richard X extended mix)
2. Sodom (Trentemøller remix)
3. Psychological (Alter Ego remix)
4. Flamboyant (Michael Mayer kompakt mix)
5. I'm With Stupid (Melnyk Heavy Petting mix)
6. In Private (Stuart Crichton club mix)
7. Minimal (Lobe remix)
8. Gomorrah (Dettinger remix)

Club Epic: A Collection of Classic Dance Mixes, Volume 4 (Various Artists)

Volume 4 of Club Epic features some cool dance track of the 70s and 80s. Highlights include Sarah Dash's "Sinner Man," the club mix of Bonnie Tyler's "Holding Out for a Hero," the club mix of France Joli's "Gonna Get Over You," and the original 12" mix of Cheryl Lynn's "Star Love." It's a neat collection to pick up a few good tracks to get you on your feet.

Tracks:
1. Shannon: Let the Music Play (original full 12" mix)
2. Gloria Estefan & The Miami Sound Machine: Dr. Beat (original 12" mix)
3. Wild Cherry: Play That Funky Music
4. Brick: Dazz
5. MFSB: Love Is the Message
6. Lil' Louis & The World: French Kiss (the original underground mix)
7. Cheryl Lynn: Star Love (original 12" mix)
8. Sarah Dash: Sinner Man
9. Will to Power: Fading Away (Power House mix)
10. France Joli: Gonna Get Over You (club mix)
11. Bonnie Tyler: Holding Out for a Hero (club mix)

Singles (Alison Moyet)

Finding a cheap copy of Alison Moyet's Singles compilations was quite exciting for me. After loving Yazoo's In Your Room box earlier this year, I was glad to get the chance to explore Moyet's solo career further, as I'd known very little of her stuff. Wow! She's released some amazing singles. Highlights include "Solid Wood," "Whispering Your Name," and "Is This Love," three tracks I'd not heard, in addition to prior favorite "Love Resurrection." There's not a bad song on here. "Falling" finds her sounding like another artist I greatly enjoy, Kirsty MacColl. Renditions of standards like "Love Letters," "That Ole Devil Called Love," and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" further demonstrate Moyet's versatility. Highly recommended collection.

Tracks:
1. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
2. Only You (Yazoo)
3. Nobody's Diary (Yazoo)
4. Winter Kills (Yazoo)
5. Love Resurrection
6. All Cried Out
7. Invisible
8. That Ole Devil Called Love
9. Is This Love?
10. Weak in the Presence of Beauty
11. Ordinary Girl (7" edit)
12. Love Letters
13. It Won't Be Long
14. Wishing You Were Here
15. This House
16. Falling
17. Whispering Your Name (single version)
18. Getting Into Something
19. Ode to Boy II
20. Solid Wood

Song of the Day: "Therapy"

ARTIST: India.Arie
TITLE: "Therapy"
YEAR: 2009

I usually don't pay attention to leaked tracks, but "Therapy" is a track from India.Arie's forthcoming 2009 album. I happened to give it a listen, and it's great! It's got a very pop sound to it, but India.Arie still gives a good vocal performance, and the chorus is quite memorable.

Give it a listen here. The song will be released on India.Arie's album Testimony, Vol. 2: Love and Politics, due out in February.

The Best of Tony Martin: The Mercury Years

The Best of Tony Martin: The Mercury Years documents one of Tony Martin's least commercially successful periods of his career, but that does not make it any less an enjoyable one. I was excited to find this, as I very much like Martin's voice. This collection finds him tackling such recognizable tunes as "To Each His Own," "I'll See You in My Dreams," and "Stardust." My one problem is that, on my disc, the last four tracks (22-25) wouldn't play (and the 21st gave trouble, but played well when ripped). A friend was kind enough to share three of these with me from a vinyl source so I could at least get a taste for them, and they're fine renditions of classic songs. I just wish they'd worked here, but I still can't complain as even the first twenty-one tracks make for a great disc.

Tracks:
1. To Each His Own
2. I Don't Know Why
3. A Gal in Calico
4. Dreamland Rendezvous
5. I'll See You in My Dreams
6. Without You
7. And Then It's Heaven
8. Guilty
9. Rumors Are Flying
10. As You Desire Me
11. I Never Loved Anyone
12. I Miss That Feeling
13. Sonata
14. If I love Again
15. Years and Years Ago
16. I Kiss Your Hand, Madame
17. Stardust
18. Dreams Are a Dime a Dozen
19. Make Believe
20. All the Things You Are
21. Would You Believe Me
22. That Old Black Magic
23. Body & Soul
24. Tea for Two
25. As Time Goes By

Good Feeling, The Man Who, and The Invisible Band (Travis)

My first Travis purchase came earlier this year in the form of the U.S. single release of "Turn." Having stumbled upon their first three albums at the used store, and having enjoyed what little I knew of their work, I decided to go ahead and make a further listening commitment. Now, I'm wondering why it took me so very long. These are three awesome albums!

The debut, 1997's Good Feeling, is probably my favourite. It contains my current obsession, "U16 Girls," as well as such other great tracks as "All I Want to Do Is Rock," "Midsummer Nights Dreamin'," and "Happy." It amazes me that it took me over a decade after its initial release for me to hear any of this album's fine, fine tunes. I've rectified that by spinning the Hell out of them lately.

1999's The Man Who contains the first Travis song with which I became enamored, long before actually checking out any others: "Why Does It Always Rain on Me?" That track is still one of the highlights for me, but many others here are also quite good, including the aforementioned "Turn" as well as singles "Writing to Reach You" and "Driftwood."

2001's The Invisible Band contains three very strong singles: "Sing," "Side," and "Flowers in the Window." Those are all grade-A, top-notch, etc. etc. The album tracks are also quite good, but not as exceptional as those found on Good Feeling.

All three of these albums are excellent listens and highly recommended by me.

Tracks:
Good Feeling
1. All I Want to Do Is Rock
2. U16 Girls
3. The Line Is Fine
4. Good Day to Die
5. Good Feeling
6. Midsummer Nights Dreamin'
7. Tied to the 90's
8. I Love You Anyways
9. Happy
10. More Than Us
11. Falling Down
12. Funny Thing

The Man Who
1. Writing to Reach You
2. The Fear
3. As You Are
4. Driftwood
5. The Last Laugh of the Laughter
6. Turn
7. Why Does It Always Rain on Me?
8. Luv
9. She's So Strange
10. Slide Show

The Invisible Band
1. Sing
2. Dear Diary
3. Side
4. Pipe Dreams
5. Flowers in the Window
6. The Cage
7. Safe
8. Follow the Light
9. Last Train
10. Afterglow
11. Indefinitely
12. The Humpty Dumpty Love Song

Wonderful (Adam Ant)

Adam Ant's 1995 album Wonderful spawned the big late-in-his-career hit title track. While the other tracks couldn't make a similar impact, the album is pretty solid. Songs like "1969 Again" and "Gotta Be a Sin" make it a neat listen, and this album has helped to continue furthering by Adam Ant interest. We'll see when next I have an opportunity to explore his catalogue.

Tracks:
1. Won't Take That Talk
2. Beautiful Dream
3. Wonderful
4. 1969 Again
5. Yin & Yang
6. Image of Yourself
7. Alien
8. Gotta Be a Sin
9. Vampires
10. Angel
11. Very Long Ride

The Best of INXS

The Best of INXS is a decent one-disc retrospective of INXS's career. While I do not think it contains everything one might want from the band, it's got the major songs, including my absolute favourite, the awesome "Don't Change." Other great hits include "What You Need," "The One Thing," and "Never Tear Us Apart." A pleasant surprise came in the form of the Dan the Automator remix of "Tight," the newest of tracks on this collection, and a cool one at that. While the best INXS collection I can see appears to be Shine Like It Does: The Anthology (1979-1997), The Best of INXS is a decent collection for casual fans or those looking for a less expensive purchase to get most of the biggest hits. (Also, "Salvation Jane" and "Tight" are not present on the other collection, if those are in any way a deal breaker.)

Tracks:
1. Need You Tonight
2. What You Need
3. By My Side
4. Taste It
5. New Sensation
6. The One Thing
7. Disappear
8. Never Tear Us Apart
9. Original Sin
10. Mystify
11. This Time
12. Suicide Blonde
13. Beautiful Girl
14. The Gift
15. Listen Like Thieves
16. Devil Inside
17. Bitter Tears
18. Not Enough Time
19. Salvation Jane
20. Tight (Dan the Automator remix)
21. Don't Change

On and On (Jack Johnson)

On and On is Jack Johnson's 2003 sophomore album. It's a pleasant listen that I would recommend, but it is not, perhaps, exceptional. Some of the tracks are non-distinct, bleeding together in memory. Still, it is very chill and laid back, and those who know and enjoy the Johnson sound will likely not be disappointed. The album also ends on a high note, with "Symbol in My Driveway" being one of the standout tracks.

Tracks:
1. Times Like These
2. The Horizon Has Been Defeated
3. Traffic in the Sky
4. Taylor
5. Gone
6. Cupid
7. Wasting Time
8. Holes to Heaven
9. Dreams Be Dreams
10. Tomorrow Morning
11. Fall Line
12. Cookie Jar
13. Rodeo Clowns
14. Cocoon
15. Mediocre Bad Guys
16. Symbol in My Driveway

How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (U2)

I'm only a few years late on picking up U2's 2004 blockbuster album How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. Better late than never, anyway. The album is quite consistent and makes for a very enjoyable listen. If forced to pick a single standout track, I'd say "City of Blinding Lights." Nothing else I can really say here that hasn't been said in one of the many (many, many, many) reviews of this album, so I'll leave it at - good album. Recommended.

Tracks:
1. Vertigo
2. Miracle Drug
3. Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
4. Love and Peace or Else
5. City of Blinding Lights
6. All Because of You
7. A Man and a Woman
8. Crumbs From Your Table
9. One Step Closer
10. Original of the Species
11. Yahweh

7 (U2)

U2's 7 is an EP that was released at Target. It contains seven some non-album tracks released on various singles during the All That You Can't Leave Behind era. It's a nice collection of b-sides and remixes that U2 fans will likely appreciate. Not essential for casual listeners.

1. Summer Rain
2. Always
3. Big Girls Are Best
4. Beautiful Day (Quincy & Sonance remix)
5. Elevation (Influx remix)
6. Walk On (single version)
7. Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of (acoustic)

Greatest Hits (DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince)

While I would not have actively sought a hits collection for DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, I couldn't help but snap up the used Greatest Hits when I saw it. From a track selection standpoint, it does an excellent job of compiling their singles, as well as tossing on a couple Will Smith tracks from the Men in Black soundtrack. Musically, well, it's the fun rap one would expect from the pair. Such classics as "Summertime," "Parents Just Don't Understand," and "Girls Ain't Nothing but Trouble" are fair representatives of the disc as a whole, which stays enjoyable, save for a couple clunkers. Overall, this is a nice collection that will do most fans well.

Tracks:
1. Girls Ain't Nothing but Trouble (1988 extended remix)
2. Men in Black (by Will Smith)
3. Summertime
4. Parents Just Don't Understand (single edit)
5. Boom! Shake the Room
6. Just Cruisin' (by Will Smith)
7. Ring My Bell (Mr. Lee's radio mix)
8. Brand New Funk
9. Lovely Daze
10. The Fresh Prince of Bel Air
11. A Nightmare on My Street (single version)
12. A Touch of Jazz
13. I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson
14. The Magnificent Jazzy Jeff
15. I'm Looking for the One (To Be With Me)
16. You Saw My Blinker
17. Summertime '98 (SoulPower remix)
18. Megamix (edit)

Start Something (Lostprophets)

Lostprophets' 2004 album Start Something spawned a few rock radio hits I remember fondly from that year: "Wake Up (Make a Move)," "Last Train Home," and "I Don't Know." For whatever reason, I was never interested enough to get the album while it was current, but it was an easy one to grab off the clearance rack. The album is a cool alternative album, with each track transitioning into the next to create a cool feel. Opening track "We Still Kill the Old Way" does a great job of setting the tone, and closer "Sway" ends with a great long instrumental portion that leaves one with an extremely positive feeling toward the album. "Burn, Burn" and "Start Something" are two excellent album tracks, but really, there's not a bad track on here. Great album.

Tracks:
1. We Still Kill the Old Way
2. To Hell We Ride
3. Last Train Home
4. Wake Up (Make a Move)
5. Burn, Burn
6. I Don't Know
7. Hello Again
8. Goodbye Tonight
9. Start Something
10. A Million Miles
11. Last Summer
12. Sway

To Whom It May Concern (The Pasadenas)

The Pasadenas' 1988 album To Whom It May Concern is the UK soul group's debut. It contains one of their major hits, "Tribute (Right On)." It's a pretty neat album that draws from diverse influences, including doo wop, Motown, and 70s funk-influenced R&B. I wouldn't say that I adore it, but it's still a solid effort that makes for a pleasant listen. The highlight is a version of "Living in the Footsteps of Another Man," originally performed by The Chi-Lites. The Pasadenas do a great job with the song, though I can't claim to have heard the original for comparative purposes. "Justice for the World" also stands out here. Fans of retro-inspired late 80s soul may want to consider this one.

Tracks:
1. Funny Feeling
2. Living in the Footsteps of Another Man
3. Enchanted Lady
4. New Love
5. Riding on a Train
6. Give a Little Peace
7. Tribute (Right On)
8. I Really Miss You
9. Justice for the World
10. Something Else

"100% Pure Love" single (Crystal Waters)

Crystal Waters's "100% Pure Love" was a big pop-house hit when released in 1994. This single contains some nice mixes of that track. The club mix is the familiar version, with the radio mix being an edited form of that. Of the remaining mixes, I think my fave is DJ EFX's Tribal Pump Mix. The rest are pretty cool too, though. After listening through to this, I kept having this song randomly pop back into my head. Quite catchy - good track.

Tracks:
1. 100% Pure Love (club mix)
2. 100% Pure Love (radio mix)
3. 100% Pure Love (gumbo mix)
4. 100% Pure Love (hump mix)
5. 100% Pure Love (DJ EFX's tribal pump mix)
6. 100% Pure Love (PG Tips anthem mix)
7. 100% Pure Love (trance vox)

"Bridging the Gap" single (Nas featuring Olu Dara)

I'm kind of split on Nas's work - like some, don't like some. However, I was quite impressed with his 2004 single "Bridging the Gap," featuring his father, Olu Dara. I love it, and so, finding a $0.50 version of the single, was happy to purchase it. My only minor complaint is that the only other track included is an instrumental version of the a-side. Nonetheless, this is a great song, and I'm happy to have it.

Tracks:
1. Bridging the Gap
2. Bridging the Gap (instrumental)

"Gamemaster" single (Lost Tribe)

Lost Tribe's "Gamemaster" is an engaging trance track. The original mix is cool, but the Signum mix is excellent. The spoken bit is somehow rather entrancing. Love it. Great song. I have disc two. Didn't see disc one. Probably just as well, as this one has the full Signum mix.

Tracks:
1. Gamemaster (Signum edit)
2. Gamemaster (Signum remix)
3. Gamemaster (original mix)

"Seven Cities" singles (Solar Stone)

Solar Stone's "Seven Cities" is a popular trance track. The main mix is Solar Stone's Atlantis mix (and edit), and it's quite a nice tune. The Solaris Heights mix has a very laid back feel. I very much like it. V-One's 'Living Cities' remix adds a nice beat to it. Cool mix. I wish I knew this genre better to describe Solar Stone's Coastal mix, but suffice it to say I like that one too.

Tracks:
Disc One
1. Solar Stone's Atlantis edit
2. Solar Stone's Atlantis mix
3. Solaris Heights mix

Disc Two
1. Solar Stone's Atlantis edit
2. V-One's 'Living Cities' remix
3. Solar Stone's Coastal mix

"Without You" single (The Feeling)

"Without You" was the second single released from The Feeling's sophomore album Join With Us. The a-side is a solid song, though it maybe wasn't the best choice for single number two. B-side "Play Don't Think" is pretty cool. I like it, but I wouldn't rank it amongst my top Feeling songs. A remake of Joe Jackson's "It's Different for Girls" seemed like a mismatch to me, but it's actually passable. It doesn't touch the original, but it's a good version, so yay for that. Perhaps the highlight here is the Tom Middleton mix of "I Thought It Was Over," which is quite a cool remix. Overall, not the strongest single released by The Feeling, but still a goodie.

Tracks:
1. Without You
2. Play Don't Think
3. Different for Girls
4. I Thought It Was Over (Tom Middleton mix)

"Let Me Entertain You" single (Robbie Williams)

"Let Me Entertain You" was released as a single from Robbie Williams' Life Thru a Lens. The a-side has grown to be one of my favourite Williams tracks. The single is backed with a neat live medley with Tom Jones of songs featured on the soundtrack to The Full Monty, a great remake of Pet Shop Boys' "I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing," and a cool track entitled "I Am the (Res)Erection." For me, the highlight of these b-sides is "I Wouldn't..." as it's a very solid interpretation of strong material. Overall, another quality single from a quality artist.

Tracks:
1. Let Me Entertain You
2. Medley of songs from the motion picture soundtrack 'The Full Monty' (with Tom Jones)
3. I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing
4. I Am the (Res)Erection

Set list: Jason Mraz

Went to see Jason Mraz tonight. I have to say, this was, surprisingly, one of the best shows I've ever seen. The audience was great. Mraz and his band were awesome. Mraz set a very fun, engaging atmosphere and came off as incredibly personable and likable, as well as quirky enough to do his songs justice. I can tell I've truly had a great time, when, despite the absence of perhaps my favourite Mraz song ("Wordplay"), I was not disappointed at all. Truly great show.

The opening act was Lisa Hannigan. I missed all but her last song, but she seemed to be quite good. She later joined Mraz on stage to do the female part of "Lucky," and she did that quite well too. I didn't see enough of her to truly judge, but my brief impressions were positive.

Also, to the pair of young-ish girls (probably high school age) next to me who caught one of the photographs tossed at the end, kudos to you. Rather than being some of the annoying fangirls I've encountered at other shows, you were enthusiastic and having fun without being rude or detracting from the concert experience. That's rare. Thanks for actually contributing positively to my own experience. (And yes, Jason Mraz is better than Edward Cullen.)

Mraz's set:
1. Make It Mine
2. The Remedy (a cool reworked version that I'm sure is all over Youtube and included a bit of Oasis's "Wonderwall" at the end)
3. If It Kills me (with a very amusing ukulele and spoken word intro)
4. Mary Jane (the Rick James song)
5. Daddy Sang Bass (even though this wasn't a unique performance for Nashville, we applauded it as if it was.)
6. Who Needs Shelter
7. Bella Luna
8. A Beautiful Mess
9. Live High
10. The Dynamo of Volition
11. I'm Yours
12. Three Little Birds (mainly the chorus repeated for audience interaction)
--encore--
13. A medley of You and I Both and Sleeping to Dream
14. Lucky (with Lisa Hannigan)
15. Build Me Up, Buttercup
16. No Stopping Us complete with extended sax, scatting, band introduction, a Copacabana send-up to introduce one of the band members... yeah. Good times.
17. Butterfly

Ultimate Collection (The Fixx)

The Fixx's Ultimate Collection is aptly named. This one disc, nineteen-track retrospective contains all their hits and some key album tracks. Unlike some other Fixx collections, all of these songs are present in their original studio forms. I was quite happy to find this disc, as there are quite a few Fixx songs I enjoy, particularly the excellent "Secret Separation." Others good ones I'd known before include "Are We Ourselves," "One Thing Leads to Another," "Deeper and Deeper," and "Red Skies." New highlights include "How Much Is Enough," "Some People," and "Driven Out." Overall, this is a nice Fixx collection that's sure to please those looking to add them to their collections.

Tracks:
1. Stand or Fall
2. Red Skies
3. Lost Planes
4. Some People
5. Saved by Zero
6. One Thing Leads to Another
7. The Sign of Fire
8. Going Overboard
9. Deeper and Deeper (long version)
10. Are We Ourselves
11. Sunshine in the Shade
12. Less Cities, More Moving People
13. A Letter to Both Sides
14. Secret Separation
15. Built for the Future
16. Driven Out
17. How Much Is Enough
18. No One Has to Cry
19. Two Different Views

Try Whistling This (Neil Finn)

I love Crowded House's music, and I very much enjoyed Tim Finn's Imaginary Kingdom, so I had high expectations for Neil Finn's solo work. Alas, Try Whistling This left me slightly disappointed as a result. Don't get me wrong - it's a good album. I like it. I'm glad I have it. I just expected too much from it based on my experience with other Finn-related projects. It's less varied than the previous albums mentioned. I think I'd need to be in a mood for even closer listening than I gave it, as the lyrics seem to be up to Finn standards. I'll have to revisit this album for a fairer evaluation. Currently, the highlights seem to be "She Will Have her Way," "Truth," and "Dream Date."

Tracks:
1. Last One Standing
2. Souvenir
3. King Tide
4. Try Whistling This
5. She Will Have Her Way
6. Sinner
7. Twisty Bass
8. Loose Tongue
9. Truth
10. Astro
11. Dream Date
12. Faster Than Light
13. Addicted

The Death of Cool (Kitchens of Distinction)

The only Kitchens of Distinction song I'd known is "Drive That Fast." However, that song very much impressed me, so I was happy to have the opportunity to check out one of their albums. The Death of Cool was released in 1992. It contains the alternative radio hits "Smiling" and "4 Men," as well as what I believe was the international lead single, "Breathing Fear." Not having known much about the band before, I was surprised by their explicit treatment of gay themes in the lyrics, yet I was also rather impressed with the way they were treated. They don't distract and they're not given undue weight; they're treated refreshingly naturally, and as such are able to be as powerful as the other themes covered. The album is some truly enjoyable college rock, and it leaves me wanting to hear more from KOD.

Tracks:
1. What Happens Now?
2. 4 Men
3. On Tooting Broadway Station
4. Breathing Fear
5. Gone World Gone
6. When in Heaven
7. Mad as Snow
8. Smiling
9. Blue Pedal
10. Can't Trust the Waves

Weapons of Mass Destruction (Xzibit)

Xzibit's 2004 rap album Weapons of Mass Destruction contains the awesome lead single "Hey Now (Mean Muggin)," which features Keri Hilson. It was for this song I was willing to lay down the $1 on the album. Overall, it's a mixed bag. Some of the tracks are quite good, some are rather generic, and one or two (ahem... "Klack") are pretty bad. It's not a consistent album, but I do give Xzibit credit for keeping it fairly coherent, with transitions from one song to the next and consistent themes. Also, his commentary is real, so for those of us who enjoy that, that's a perk. The highlights are "Hey Now," "Saturday Night Live," and "Muthafucka."

Tracks:
1. State of the Union
2. LAX
3. Cold World
4. Saturday Night Live (featuring Jelly Roll)
5. Muthafucka
6. Beware of Us (featuring Strong Arm Steady)
7. Judgement Day
8. Criminal Set
9. Hey Now (Mean Muggin) (featuring Keri Hilson)
10. Ride or Die
11. Crazy Ho (featuring Strong Arm Steady)
12. Big Barking
13. Tough Guy (featuring Busta Rhymes)
14. Scent of a Woman
15. Klack
16. Back 2 the Way It Was

Quality Control (Jurassic 5)

Jurassic 5's Quality Control album appealed to me because it contains the one song of theirs I know - "W.O.E. Is Me (World of Entertainment)." That song, a quality piece of hip-hop, is thankfully indicative of the 2000 album which spawned it. Songs like "Lausd," "Swing Set," and "The Influence" are all top-notch. This is definitely an album worth checking out.

Tracks:
1. How We Get Along
2. The Influence
3. Great Expectations
4. Quality Intro
5. Quality Control
6. Contact
7. Lausd
8. W.O.E. Is Me (World of Entertainment)
9. Monkey Bars
10. Jurass Finish First
11. Contribution
12. Twelve
13. The Game
14. Improvise
15. Swing Set

Boomania & Grrr! It's Betty Boo

I guess the "Doin' the Do" single left me with a positive enough impression that, seeing a pair of Betty Boo albums for a total of $3, I decided to take the deal.

Boomania was released in 1990. It contains her big hits "Doin' the Do," "Where Are You Baby," and "Hey DJ / I Can't Dance (To That Music You're Playing)." Another standout track is "Boo Is Booming," which is just terribly catchy with its sample of "Montego Bay." I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this album, but now I'm glad I got it. It's a fun slice of the 90s.

Grrr! It's Betty Boo followed in 1992. It sounds very much like an extension of the first album. The highlight for me is "Skin Tight." Singles released from the album include "I'm On My Way" and "Hangover."

While I wouldn't call her the greatest artist ever or anything like that, Betty Boo made fun, danceable music, and she did what she did well.

Tracks for Boomania:
1. Where Are You Baby?
2. Hey DJ / I Can't Dance (To That Music You're Playing)
3. Boo Is Booming
4. Boo's Boogie
5. 24 Hours
6. Valentine's Day
7. Doin' the Do (7" radio mix)
8. ('Til My Last Breath) Doin' It to Def
9. Don't Know What to Do
10. Shame
11. Mumbo Jumbo
12. Leave Me Alone

Tracks:
1. I'm on My Way
2. Things Goin' On
3. Hangover
4. Curly & Girly
5. Wish You Were Here
6. Let Me Take You There
7. Gave You the Boo
8. Skin Tight
9. Catch Me
10. Close the Door

Loveboat (Erasure)

Loveboat was Erasure's first album of the current decade, released in 2000. It sticks to your basic Erasure album model, although perhaps there are a few more down-tempos than usual. Still, it's a nice entry in their catalogue. It contains the hit single "Freedom." Other highlights include "Alien," "Here in My Heart," and "Moon & the Sky."

Tracks:
1. Freedom
2. Where in the World
3. Crying in the Rain
4. Perchance to Dream
5. Alien
6. Mad As We Are
7. Here in My Heart
8. Love Is the Rage
9. Catch 22
10. Moon & the Sky
11. Surreal

Chorus (Erasure)

Erasure's Chorus album was released in 1991. It contains the hits "Love to Hate You," "Chorus," "Breath of Life," and "Am I Right." Album track highlights include "Perfect Stranger" and "Waiting for the Day." At this point, all I can say is, it follows the Erasure album formula. If you like their sound, it's another good album. If you don't, you probably weren't considering buying it anyway.

Tracks:
1. Chorus
2. Waiting for the Day
3. Joan
4. Breath of Life
5. Am I Right?
6. Love to Hate You
7. Turns the Love to Anger
8. Siren Song
9. Perfect Stranger
10. Home

Pieces of a Dream (Anastacia)

Yet another awesome greatest hits set on clearance was Anastacia's Pieces of a Dream. I was late to the Anastacia party, falling in love with her when "Left Outside Alone" was blowing up and later checking out her older hit "I'm Outta Love." This set, released in 2005, contains most of her singles to that period, omitting only one non-album single and a club hit from the Chicago soundtrack. It also includes a couple new tracks and a club megamix. The music is quite awesome! It's modern pop with, oftentimes with dance sensibilities, all delivered with a great voice. The liner notes include lyrics and credits for each song included. All considered, this is quite a good hits package.

Tracks:
1. I'm Outta Love
2. Not That Kind
3. Cowboys & Kisses
4. Made for Lovin' You
5. Paid My Dues
6. One Day in Your Life
7. Why'd You Lie to Me
8. You'll Never Be Alone
9. Left Outside Alone
10. Sick and Tired
11. Welcome to My Truth
12. Heavy on My Heart
13. Everything Burns (Ben Moody featuring Anastacia)
14. I Belong to You (Il ritmo della passione) (Eros Ramazzotti with Anastacia)
15. Pieces of a Dream
16. In Your Eyes
17. Club Megamix

Greatest Hits (Village People)

Another hits collection that I likely wouldn't have sought myself had it not been at a must-buy bargain price is Village People's Greatest Hits. I like the songs of theirs I'd known well enough, but it hadn't been enough to spur buying action. However, I'm quite glad I acquired this set, which includes most of their best-known songs. It's amazing to hear the songs on a collection, because it drives home just what a great send-up Village People were. They were supposed to be fun, and perhaps, in the way of a clown, a bit of a commentary. Surprisingly, I have to say the tunes basically succeed on both level. It's light disco that makes for a fun listen and good dancing, and it's a much better take off on the entire scene than I would have given it credit for before. I'm not going to say Village People should be a priority on most people's lists of music to get, but I think they had a target audience in mind and knew how to market themselves to that audience well. Not sure I ever thought I'd be writing up a Village People endorsement, but there you have it. Most of the highlights for me, given my take on it, are the songs that have tongues being most firmly planted in cheeks: "Sodom and Gomorrah," "Key West," and "My Roommate." However, perhaps my favorite song on this collection is the hit single "Go West." Musically, this song would probably stand up just as well out of context... or at least, better than most of the others. It's a great tune.

Tracks:
1. Y.M.C.A.
2. Village People
3. Macho Man
4. San Francisco (You've Got Me)
5. Key West
6. Sodom and Gomorrah
7. In the Navy
8. Go West
9. My Roommate
10. Ready for the 80s
11. Liberation
12. Can't Stop the Music
13. Hot Cop
14. Y.M.C.A. (disco mix)
15. In the Navy (disco mix)

The Best of Atlanta Rhythm Section

Atlanta Rhythm Section is one of those bands I got into with time. My first exposure, "So Into You," is a song that had to grow on me. Next came "Imaginary Lover," which I liked, followed by a song I still adore, "I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight." That was enough for me to know I like the group, but I was never inspired to seek a collection of their stuff. However, with the lovely clearance price of $2.00 for their greatest hits, it was a no-brainer that I'd be coming home with it. The Best of Atlanta Rhythm Section is a 17-track retrospective that includes all of their big hits. Unlike many ARS compilations, these are not re-recordings, but are the original hit versions. Highlights besides the aforementioned hits include "Jukin'" and "Indigo Passion." For casual fans like myself, this is a very good overview of the band's production, minus those hits they had after switching labels. Even still, this would be the ideal disc to get if one just wanted one solid CD collection. Good tunes, enough to satisfy, but not enough space to burn out if you're not a hardcore ARS listener. Recommended.

Tracks:
1. Doraville
2. Angel (What in the World's Come Over Us)
3. Crazy
4. Dog Days
5. All Night Rain
6. Free Spirit
7. Jukin'
8. Neon Nites
9. So Into You
10. Georgia Rhythm
11. Imaginary Lover
12. Champagne Jam
13. I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight
14. Do It or Die
15. Spooky
16. Indigo Passion
17. Silver Eagle

Cupid & Psyche 85 (Scritti Politti)

I suppose it's only fitting that this disc would appear here. Scritti Politti's 1985 album Cupid & Psyche 85 contains many of their best-known hits, including "Wood Beez (Pray like Aretha Franklin)," "Perfect Way," and "The Word Girl." The album is a solid offering that somewhat reminds me of Prefab Sprout, another cool and underappreciated band. Besides the aforementioned hits, highlights include "Absolute" and "Flesh & Blood." This is definitely a solid album, and one which stands as an 80s classic. Very enjoyable.

Tracks:
1. The Word Girl
2. Small Talk
3. Absolute
4. A Little Knowledge
5. Don't Work That Hard
6. Perfect Way
7. Lover to Fall
8. Wood Beez (Pray like Aretha Franklin)
9. Hypnotize
10. Flesh & Blood
11. Absolute (version)
12. Wood Beez (version)
13. Hypnotize (version)

"Sun Is Shining" single (Bob Marley vs. Funkstar De Luxe)

Bob Marley is a legend. There's really nothing I can say to advocate his music that hasn't been said. (Actually, my reggae collection is small, with Jimmy Cliff being the only artist to have any significant presence. Nonetheless, I recognize the talent of many of its practitioners.) "Sun Is Shining" is a track that lends itself well to being remixed for the clubs, and Funkstar De Luxe proved that with this single in 1999, which contains three great dance-oriented mixes of the track. I think my favorite is the Funkstars Club Mix, but all three are quite good. Fans of Marley or of dance will find this a pleasing disc.

Tracks:
1. Sun Is Shining (Radio De Luxe edit)
2. Sun Is Shining (Ranbow mix)
3. Sun Is Shining (Funkstars club mix)

Manners & Physique (Adam Ant)

Adam Ant's album Manners & Physique was released in 1990. It contains the hit single "Room at the Top." While there are quite a few Ant tracks I know and like a lot ("Vive Le Rock," "Desperate but Not Serious," "Wonderful," etc.), I can't say I'd heard any of the tracks on this album before. Still, I've been looking to get some Adam Ant for a while now, so I finally took the plunge with this disc. It's a pretty solid release, with songs like "If You Keep On" and "Bright Lights Black Leather" amongst the highlights. My guess would be that this isn't the ideal entry point into the Ant catalogue, but I do like it well enough and hope to continue getting his stuff.

Tracks:
1. Room at the Top
2. Rough Stuff
3. If You Keep On
4. Manners & Physique
5. Can't Set Rules About Love
6. U.S.S.A.
7. Bright Lights Black Leather
8. Piccadilly
9. Young Dumb and Full of It
10. Anger Inc.

Broken (Nine Inch Nails)

Broken is my latest buy in my quest to go through and slowly pick up stuff from the Nine Inch Nails catalogue. The EP was released in 1992, and is the first thing I've bought that contains something I heard performed live: "Pinion" leading into "Wish," the first two tracks. Also on the EP are "Last," the instrumental "Help Me I Am in Hell," the excellent "Happiness in Slavery," and the high-adrenaline "Gave Up." At the end (and I mean the end - tracks 98 and 99) are two further tracks, "Physical (You're So)" and "Suck" which are slightly more accessible. The former is a remake of an Adam Ant track, though the sound has changed pretty radically. Basically, everything on here is cool. I think my two faves are "Wish" and "Happiness in Slavery." Hard to choose, though. Very cool EP.

Tracks:
1. Pinion
2. Wish
3. Last
4. Help Me I Am in Hell
5. Happiness in Slavery
6. Gave Up
7-97. A second of silence
98. Physical (You're So)
99. Suck

Darker Days (The Connells)

Used stores have been very good about helping me build a collection by The Connells. They account for 100% of the material of theirs in my collection. I've now picked up their 1986 album Darker Days thanks to such an establishment. At this point, after having positive experiences with their other albums, my expectation was that I would enjoy this one too, and that expectation was met. Another solid offering, particularly lead track "Hats Off."

Tracks:
1. Hats Off
2. Holding Pattern
3. Seven
4. Unspoken Words
5. Darker Days (version)
6. Much Easier
7. 1934
8. Brighter Words
9. Dial It

"One" single (Mary J. Blige)

"One" is one of U2's great songs. I was a bit hesitant when I saw Mary J. Blige had chosen to take it on, and quite intrigued that it was a collaboration with U2. Curious, I took a listen and was surprised by just how good it turned out. True, it's not quite on the level of U2's original; still, it's a good version worth hearing. Therefore, I was willing to pick up the single for it. It's backed with a live performance of "Can't Hide From Luv," the studio version of which is on The Breakthrough. I hadn't heard the song before, but it's pretty cool.

Tracks:
1. One (radio edit) (with U2)
2. Can't Hide From Luv (live)

San Francisco Days (Chris Isaak)

Chris Isaak is one of those artists whose greatest hits I checked out on a whim when I saw it sitting in a store, and where I ended up being surprised just how much I enjoyed it. Besides such familiar tunes as "Wicked Game," songs like "Let Me Down Easy" and "Somebody's Crying" really caught my ear. I also added his Christmas album to my collection in 2007 when Best Buy had it for a ridiculous sale price. Now, I've gotten my first Isaak studio album, 1993's San Francisco Days. While I don't really plan on buying up a lot of his catalogue, I wanted this particular album because it contains his version of "Solitary Man," which is quite a nice rendition. Another previously unknown highlight is the track "Beautiful Homes." Previously familiar singles on the album include "Two Hearts" and "Can't Do a Thing (To Stop Me)" in addition to the title track. It's a cool album, and it does a nice job of filling out the picture which started being painted by the hits collection.

Tracks:
1. San Francisco Days
2. Beautiful Homes
3. Round 'N' Round
4. Two Hearts
5. Can't Do a Thing (To Stop Me)
6. Except the New Girl
7. Waiting
8. Move Along
9. I Want Your Love
10. 5:15
11. Lonely With a Broken Heart
12. Solitary Man

The Singles Box #2 (Depeche Mode)

Talk about a great birthday surprise! I went into FYE to see if and how I'd claim my 20% birthday discount, and there I found a used copy of Depeche Mode's Singles Box (Volume 2). There are a few artists out there (off the top of my head, Erasure (4), Morrissey (2), Depeche Mode (6), and Duran Duran (2), in order of interest) who have out awesome singles boxes like this over which I salivate but have not gotten around to purchasing. You can imagine my shock at seeing this in the store and priced reasonably. (I've seen both volumes of the Duran singles boxes in stores, but that priced reasonably part is consistently missing.) While I got a few cool birthday purchases, this is definitely my favorite, and was a very nice gift indeed.

The box contains six CD singles: "Get the Balance Right!," "Everything Counts," "Love in Itself," "People Are People," "Master and Servant," and "Blasphemous Rumours" / "Somebody." Those awesome a-sides are accompanied by such cool b-sides as "The Great Outdoors!," "Fools," "Work Hard," "In Your Memory," and "(Set Me Free) Remotivate Me," as well as remixes and live versions. Of the new discoveries, my favorite tunes are "Remotivate Me" and "Work Hard" as of right now, but I didn't hear anything I disliked. Excellent set!

Tracks:
"Get the Balance Right!" single
1. Get the Balance Right!
2. The Great Outdoors!
3. Get the Balance Right! (combination mix)
4. Tora! Tora! Tora! (live)

"Everything Counts" single
1. Everything Counts
2. Work Hard
3. Everything Counts (In Larger Amounts)
4. Work Hard (East End remix)

"Love in Itself" single
1. Love in Itself.2
2. Fools
3. Love in Itself.3
4. Fools (Bigger)
5. Love in Itself.4

"People Are People" single
1. People Are People
2. In Your Memory
3. People Are People (different mix)
4. In Your Memory (Slik mix)

"Master & Servant" single
1. Master & Servant
2. (Set Me Free) Remotivate Me
3. Master & Servant (slavery whip mix)
4. (Set Me Free) Remotivate Me (release mix)
5. Master & Servant (voxless)

"Blasphemous Rumours" / "Somebody" single
1. Blasphemous Rumours
2. Told You So (live)
3. Somebody (remix)
4. Everything Counts (live)

"My Mistakes Were Made for You" single (The Last Shadow Puppets)

Seeing as how The Last Shadow Puppets' album The Age of the Understatement is so great, I was excited to see the band had released a cool single for "My Mistakes Were Made for You." Specifically, there were two live remakes that piqued my interest: "My Little Red Book" and "Paris Summer," which is performed with Alison Mosshart of The Kills. I was not disappointed. Those two tracks alone are worth the price of admission. The a-side is the album version of the title track, which is great. The other tracks are live and acoustic renditions of songs on Age. Those aren't as exciting for me, but are still worth hearing as they're executed quite well.

Tracks:
1. My Mistakes Were Made for You
2. Separate and Ever Deadly (live from New Theatre, Oxford)
3. Paris Summer (featuring Alison Mosshart) (live from the Olympia, Paris)
4. My Little Red Book (live from New Theatre, Oxford)
5. The Age of the Understatement (acoustic)
6. Standing Next to Me (acoustic)
7. The Meeting Place (acoustic)
8. My Mistakes Were Made for You (acoustic)

Here Comes the Groom (John Wesley Harding)

My introduction to John Wesley Harding came when I bought his Why We Fight album in February of this year. I liked that album, but I only gave it so much play. However, my interest in Harding was reignited over the summer when a friend included the awesome "You're No Good" on a mix CD. I was reminded of Harding yet again recently as he's scheduled to drop a new album soon. This led me to finally go ahead and pick up Here Comes the Groom, his classic 1989 release. This is the album which includes "You're No Good," as well as his rock radio hit "The Devil in Me" and the neat track "An Audience With You." Overall, this is another solid album that makes me want to pull out the other for further consideration, as well as perhaps check out more of his catalogue.

Tracks:
1. Here Comes the Groom
2. Cathy's New Clown
3. Spaced Cowgirl
4. Scared of Guns
5. You're No Good
6. When the Sun Comes Out
7. The Devil in Me
8. An Audience With You
9. Dark Dark Heart
10. Same Thing Twice
11. Affairs of the Heart
12. Nothing I'd Rather Do
13. Things Snowball
14. The Red Rose and the Briar
15. Bastard Son

Song of the Day: "FM (No Static At All)"

ARTIST: Steely Dan
TITLE: "FM (No Static At All)"
YEAR: 1978

I have no idea why Steely Dan's 1978 hit "FM (No Static At All)" came into my head today, but it did. I'd forgotten what a good song it is as I hadn't heard it quite some time. Very enjoyable listening to it again. I always especially liked the "nothing but blues and Elvis and somebody else's favourite song" part.

The song can be heard here. It's available on such Steely Dan collections as Show Biz Kids: The Steely Dan Story 1972-80, Citizen Steely Dan: 1972-1980, and The Definitive Collection.

"It's Only Us" / "She's the One" single (Robbie Williams)

Robbie Williams's "It's Only Us" was featured in the video game FIFA 2000. Originally a non-album track, it eventually would replace "Jesus in a Camper Van" on I've Been Expecting You due to legal issues. Since my copy of Expecting contains "Jesus," and "It's Only Us" is up there amongst my favourite Williams songs, I had to pick up a copy of the single release, a double a-side with his version of "She's the One." The b-side here is "Coke & Tears," a live track. It's pretty cool and definitely worth hearing.

Tracks:
1. It's Only Us
2. She's the One
3. Coke & Tears

Song of the Day: "No Myth"

ARTIST: Michael Penn
TITLE: "No Myth"
YEAR: 1990

Released on 1989's March, Michael Penn's "No Myth" became his biggest hit single in 1990. While he has many other great songs, it's understandable why this one would find such success. It's an amazing song. The lyrics and the vocal delivery are spot on. It's a shame that Penn faded from the limelight, despite continuing his recording career throughout the 19990s and into the current decade. Still, even discounting his many other wonderful recordings, "No Myth" would itself be an amazing musical legacy.

Hear the song here. It is available on Penn's album March. Sorry that I couldn't find the real video online. Watch it if you can. It's a keeper.

Gold (Joe Cocker)

Joe Cocker's Gold is a two-disc career retrospective. While only so much content can fit on two discs when that career goes from the 1960s to the 2000s, Gold does an admirable job of selecting songs. Key hits and album tracks are included here. Of course, some hits are omitted due to space constraints, but as a Cocker overview or introduction, this works well.

Several years ago, I would have told you quite assuredly I would not be buying Joe Cocker's work. I was only familiar with such tracks as his versions of "You Are So Beautiful" and "With a Little Help From My Friends," which I disliked at the time. (They're still not amongst my favourites to this day, but I can at least tolerate them.) However, as I heard more of his music, I found that, given the right material, he could produce great results. Such songs as "High Time We Went," "Midnight Rider," "Feelin' Alright," and "Delta Lady" sparked my interest enough that, given a nice coupon incentive from Borders recently, I finally took the plunge and invested. I'm glad I did. There are more tracks here I like than do not. Highlights include "I Can Stand a Little Rain," "The Jealous Kind," "Civilized Man," and "You Can't Have My Heart." Remakes which I found surprisingly good, given how much I love the originals and thereby making it very hard to compare, are here in the form of U2's "One" and The Lovin' Spoonful's "Darling Be Home Soon."

I once made the mistake of writing off blues-rocker Cocker, but I'm glad that has been rectified.

Tracks:
1. Feelin' Alright
2. With a Little Help From My Friends
3. Delta Lady
4. She Came In Through the Bathroom Window
5. Something
6. Darling Be Home Soon
7. The Letter (live)
8. Cry Me a River (live)
9. High Time We Went
10. Black-Eyed Blues
11. Midnight Rider
12. Put Out the Light
13. I Can Stand a Little Rain
14. You Are So Beautiful
15. I Think It's Gonna Rain Today
16. The Jealous Kind
17. Fun Time
18. I'm So Glad I'm Standing Here Today (with The Crusaders)

Disc 2
19. Sweet Little Woman
20. Many Rivers to Cross
21. Up Where We Belong (with Jennifer Warnes)
22. Civilized Man
23. Shelter Me
24. You Can Leave Your Hat On
25. Unchain My Heart
26. When the Night Comes
27. Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word
28. Night Calls
29. Now That the Magic Has Gone
30. Summer in the City
31. Have a Little Faith in Me
32. Sail Away
33. Tonight
34. First We Take Manhattan
35. You Can't Have My Heart
36. One

Song of the Day: "Never Be You"

ARTIST: Maria McKee
TITLE: "Never Be You"
YEAR: 1984

Maria McKee's "Never Be You" is part of the awesome soundtrack to the 1984 film Streets of Fire. I love this song, which was later a hit as done by Rosanne Cash. Lately, it's been coming up a lot in my player, and I've really got a chance to remember how awesome it is.

The song is available on the soundtrack to Streets of Fire. I can't find a streaming version online for listening.

Swing When You're Winning (Robbie Williams)

Swing When You're Winning is a bit of an anomaly in the Robbie Williams catalogue. Rather than featuring originals, this is a standards album, with the lone exception of the opening track. I wasn't too sure what to expect from this album. Obviously, I'm a big fan of Robbie Williams, and I also very much like well-executed albums of classic songs. Still, I wasn't too sure how well the two would combine.

The result, however, is gratifying. I wouldn't call this the best standards album I'd heard, nor would I call it the best Robbie Williams album. Still, the songs on here are well-chosen, and Williams delivers a performance that evidences an actual appreciation for the material. There's very little here that sounds hollow, and for the most part, I'd be willing to say he enjoyed recording this. Also, opening track "I Will Talk and Hollywood Will Listen" is a great song that, in my opinion, would have made a nice single. It is one of the highlights, along with a great rendition of "Ain't That a Kick in the Head," a fun take on "Well, Did You Evah" with Jon Lovitz, Darin-inspired versions of "Mack the Knife" and "Beyond the Sea," and a cool Jane Horrocks duet on "Things." The big single off the album, a version of "Somethin' Stupid" performed with Nicole Kidman, is also a rewarding listen. Overall, it's an effort that I think many can appreciate.

Tracks:
1. I Will Talk and Hollywood Will Listen
2. Mack the Knife
3. Somethin' Stupid (with Nicole Kidman)
4. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me
5. It Was a Very Good Year (with Frank Sinatra)
6. Straighten Up and Fly Right
7. Well, Did You Evah (with Jon Lovitz)
8. Mr. Bojangles
9. One for My Baby
10. Things (with Jane Horrocks)
11. Ain't That a Kick in the Head
12. They Can't Take That Away From Me
13. Have You Met Miss Jones?
14. Me and My Shadow (with Jonathan Wilkes)
15. Beyond the Sea

Sing When You're Winning (Robbie Williams)

Robbie Williams's 2000 album Sing When You're Winning contains another of my favorites of his, the megahit "Rock DJ." Other awesome singles from the album include "Supreme," "The Road to Mandalay," "Let Love Be Your Energy," "Better Man," and the Kylie Minogue duet "Kids." The album tracks are, as usual, also very strong, with songs like "Singing for the Lonely" and "Knutsford City Limits" rounding out the album very nicely. Another winner from Williams!

Tracks:
1. Let Love Be Your Energy
2. Better Man
3. Rock DJ
4. Supreme
5. Kids (with Kylie Minogue)
6. If It's Hurting You
7. Singing for the Lonely
8. Love Calling Earth
9. Knutsford City Limits
10. Forever Texas
11. By All Means Necessary
12. The Road to Mandalay

I've Been Expecting You (Robbie Williams)

On Robbie Williams's sophomore solo album, 1998's I've Been Expecting You, the artist really hits his stride. The songwriting and music are very tight, and Williams's style has been fleshed out, with further hints of the diversity that would appear on later albums here. I'll spare the rambling (since the previous and next entries about Williams do plenty of gushing already) and just say, it's a winner.

Tracks:
1. Strong
2. No Regrets
3. Millennium
4. Phoenix from the Flames
5. Win Some Lose Some
6. Grace
7. Jesus in a Camper Van
8. Heaven from Here
9. Karma Killer
10. She's the One
11. Man Machine
12. These Dreams (includes hidden tracks "Stand Your Ground" and "Stalker's Day Off (I've Been Hanging Around)")

"Every Day Is Exactly the Same" single (Nine Inch Nails)

Still on a bit of a Nine Inch Nails kick, I used a nice Borders coupon to pick up a copy of the single for "Every Day Is Exactly the Same." Like "The Perfect Drug" remix single, my second acquisition has an a-side that I didn't actually hear performed live. Go figure. Still, it's a strong song. The b-sides are remixes, one of the a-side plus a pair each for "The Hand That Feeds" and "Only." I really like the two "The Hand That Feed" mixes, plus the Richard X Mix of "Only." Overall, this is a strong single release and worth having. Maybe at some point I'll even get the actual album, haha.

Tracks:
1. Every Day Is Exactly the Same
2. The Hand That Feeds (DFA Mix)
3. The Hand That Feeds (Photek Straight Mix)
4. Only (EL-P mix)
5. Only (Richard X mix)
6. Every Day Is Exactly the Same (Sam Fog. vs. Carlos D Mix)

Song of the Day: "Heartache Tonight"

ARTIST: Eagles
TITLE: "Heartache Tonight"
YEAR: 1979

Admittedly, I'm not a huge fan of Eagles music, but this is one of the songs I like well enough. It seemed an appropriate theme for tonight, however, as my heart ached after a loss by the Eagles of the Philadelphia football variety. Urgh!

Here's the song. It's available on Eagles' The Long Run album, as well as the collection The Very Best Of.

Fearless (Jazmine Sullivan)

I wasn't sure whether or not to believe the hype surrounding Jazmine Sullivan's Fearless. I checked out lead single "Need U Bad" when it was an iTunes single of the week, and while I liked it and thought the Pepa-supplied patois was a nice touch, I didn't think it was anything amazing. However, amazing is exactly the word I'd use to describe second single "Bust Your Windows." While both songs left me with positive impressions, the second extremely so, I'm not sure I would have bought the album had I not then seen it in my school's bookstore. That, however, put me over the edge, and I'm glad it did. This one's stunning! Every track on here is at least good, with most great. Other favourites besides the first couple singles include "My Foolish Heart," "One Night Stand," and the bonus track "Switch!" For those who, like me, wondered how a song could be a bonus track when it was on the album's first pressing, allow me to explain one of the rare times when this labeling has seemed sensible to me. The first eleven tracks form a very nice, incredibly cohesive artistic unit. You might call it "an album." "Switch!" doesn't really fit in with the contents; however, I'm assuming Sullivan and/or her camp wanted it released to show her more playful side and thereby round out her personality as even more complex. In my opinion, that's a good move. The song is fun and feel-good, and while it doesn't fit with the rest of the album, it makes an awesome bonus track, making that an intelligent label for it.

Highly recommended.

Tracks:
1. Bust Your Windows
2. Need U Bad
3. My Foolish Heart
4. Lions, Tigers & Bears
5. Call Me Guilty
6. One Night Stand
7. After the Hurricane
8. Dream Big
9. Live a Lie
10. Fear
11. In Love With Another Man
Bonus Track: Switch!

Song of the Day: "You're Gonna Go Far, Kid"

ARTIST: The Offspring
TITLE: "You're Gonna Go Far, Kid"
YEAR: 2008

The Offspring's second single from their Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace album has been a huge hit at alternative radio. In my opinion, it's well deserved. There's something undeniable about this song and its energy. Perhaps it's the way it's structured, which isn't anything so unique, but is a formula executed incredibly well. Whatever the case, I've been loving this song lately.

To hear the song, click here. It is available on the album Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace.

"Sexed Up" single (Robbie Williams)

"Sexed Up" was one of the singles released in 2003 to promote Robbie Williams's Escapology album. The a-side is the album version, which is a cool song in its own right, but the reason to get this single is a pair of top-notch b-sides. They're two original compositions: "Get a Little High" and "Appliance of Science." Both are excellent songs and worth a listen. Only in a catalogue as strong as Williams's would songs like these be relegated to b-side status.

Tracks:
1. Sexed Up
2. Get a Little High
3. Appliance of Science

Escapology (Robbie Williams)

Williams's Escapology album was released in 2002. It spawned one of my favorite of his singles, "Come Undone," a song which I would easily consider one of the best ever released by any artist. By the time this album had come out, Williams had had plenty of time to hit his stride, and he's in fine form from start to finish here. Other great singles like "Feel," "Something Beautiful," and "Sexed Up," as well as excellent album tracks like "Revolution," "Handsome Man," and "Cursed," show Williams's diversity and, perhaps most importantly, showcase his excellent songwriting. This is one of those 2000s albums that should come to be viewed as essential.

Tracks:
1. How Peculiar
2. Feel
3. Something Beautiful
4. Monsoon
5. Sexed Up
6. Love Somebody
7. Revolution
8. Handsome Man
9. Come Undone
10. Me and My Monkey
11. Song 3
12. Hot Fudge
13. Cursed
14. Nan's Song

"Freedom" single (Robbie Williams)

Before Life Thru a Lens was released, Williams released a single that was a remake of George Michael's "Freedom." According to an interview snippet present on the single, this was largely because he felt he could relate to the song's lyrics, and also to some degree as a tribute to George Michael himself, a great singer-songwriter.

Williams has good taste in music, and he picked a song that he could perform adequately. It doesn't surpass Michael's version, nor is it one of the top releases in Williams's catalogue, but it was meant to be neither of those things; rather, it was intended to send a message, and this it does well. My favourite of the included versions is the Arthur Baker mix, which adds a bit of flair to the track. Overall, it's a good rendition of excellent material as performed by an amazing artist.

Tracks:
1. Freedom (radio edit)
2. Freedom (Arthur Baker mix)
3. Freedom (The Next Big Genn mix)
4. Interview

Life Thru a Lens (Robbie Williams)

I've recently been on a Robbie Williams kick, and so I decided to go ahead and fill in some holes in my collection of his music. Life Thru a Lens is the first solo album Williams released back in 1997. It contains such great hit singles as "Let Me Entertain You," "Old Before I Die," and "South of the Border." Its best known hit is probably "Angels." The album as a whole is quite good. Such album tracks as "Ego a Go Go" and "Killing Me" help make this a very solid solo debut.

Tracks:
1. Lazy Days
2. Life Thru a Lens
3. Ego a Go Go
4. Angels
5. South of the Border
6. Old Before I Die
7. One of God's Better People
8. Let Me Entertain You
9. Killing Me
10. Clean
11. Baby Girl Window

Song of the Day: "Prove It All Night"

ARTIST: Bruce Springsteen
TITLE: "Prove It All Night"
YEAR: 1978

For election day, Bruce Springsteen has supplied my musical soundtrack. It seemed somehow appropriate, plus I was in the mood for The Boss anyway. "Prove It All Night" has been a bit of a recent obsession for me. While I still think "Brilliant Disguise" is my favourite song of his, this single from the Darkness on the Edge of Town album is way up there. It's an awesome song by a guy who's been making decades of great music.

Hear it here. The song is available on Darkness on the Edge of Town.

The Best of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark are one of those bands whose songs impressed me, but I just never quite got around to picking up that first CD. I finally rectified by getting the sixteen-track compilation The Best of Orchestral Manouevres in the Dark. Overall, the songs are quite strong, although, for me, there are a few of the earlier tracks which might have to grow on me. Still, the band had a lot of well crafted new wave-influenced pop songs. Favourites, both previous and newly-discovered, include "Dreaming," "Tesla Girls," "So in Love," "Enola Gay," "(Forever) Live and Die," "Locomotion," and the one that still gets good radio play, "If You Leave."

Tracks:
1. Electricity
2. Messages
3. Enola Gay
4. Souvenir
5. Joan of Arc
6. Maid of Orleans
7. Tesla Girls
8. Locomotion
9. Talking Loud and Clear
10. So in Love
11. Secret
12. If You Leave
13. (Forever) Live and Die
14. Dreaming
15. We Love You (12" version)
16. La Femme Accident (12" version)

Set lists: Sara Bareilles and Marc Broussard

I'd seen Sara Bareilles in concert when she was an opening act for Paolo Nutini. Tonight, I went to see her on her own tour, with supporting acts Marc Broussard and Raining Jane. To be honest, I was also quite excited to be able to see Broussard. I'd only heard a few of his songs, but I quite enjoyed them, so I figured he'd make for a nice concert experience as well as Bareilles, who I knew would.

The first opener was Raining Jane. I didn't keep their set list, but they were okay. Nice-ish music, a bit of a world/eclectic influence. Not necessarily anything that would excite me, although a couple of the songs were quite good. Pretty cool, though, and the members had good personalities. A little rough as far as stage presence at time, but I'm sure that's something that will be worked out with more performance experience.

As anticipated, Broussard and Bareilles both had awesome sets. Broussard was high energy, and his supporting band is awesome and deserves props for their part in his set as well. I wish I'd jotted down their names. Anyway, I even was inspired to get a cool Broussard shirt at the merchandise table. Bareilles's set was also fun, with most of the tracks being drawn from Little Voice, but a few unexpected things thrown in. When I first saw her, "Love on the Rocks" included a snippet of "Bennie and the Jets" thrown in. While that didn't happen this time around, Bareilles had plenty of other cool little insertions. I hope she keeps that up as her career progresses, as I think it's a fun concert tactic that really helps to express her own musical tastes and definitely also her personality.

I'd urge anyone with a chance to see Bareilles or Broussard to take it.

Marc Broussard's set:
1. Rocksteady
2. Man for Life
3. The Wanderer
4. Real Good Thing
5. Another Night Alone
6. Home
7. Gavin's Song
8. Going Home

Sara Bareilles:
-band entered to Four Seasons' "December, 1963 (Oh What a Night)"
1. Vegas
2. Bottle It Up
3. Morningside
4. Love on the Rocks
5. Between the Lines
6. Fairy Tale
7. I Feel It All
8. August Moon
9. Little Voice with the opening verse of "Viva La Vida" thrown in
10. City
11. Chorus of "Black and Gold" (sweet!), Come Round Soon, chorus of "I Kissed a Girl" (not sweet!)
12. Love Song
13. Many the Miles, joined by Marc Broussard and the audience
14. Living for the City, joined by Marc Broussard and Raining Jane... excellent choice for a group jam. I wish more people would do awesome jam covers. It was also one of the highlights when I saw Ben Lee a while ago, and he and his openers did Cheap Trick's "Surrender."
Encore
15. Sullivan Street (Counting Crows song)
16. Gravity