My cousins are home from college on Spring Break. A couple of my coworkers are taking several days off this month. I haven't had a real vacation since October and that was only a couple days off. (Thanksgiving and Christmas totally don't count. Too many family obligations!) I watch this video by Pony Pony Run Run and I can feel it. I need a vacation AND I have vacation envy. I don't need to travel, just some time off would suffice. I'll take anything. Alas no vacation for me until May at the soonest! My big project is due in early April which means nothing but work work work.

Speaking of work, I should be headed there now. I don't want to go. You can't make me!

PS: Pony Pony Run Run is a French band. You can tell by the almost silent H in when they sing "Hey You" in the chorus. Sounds like "Ay You"! Je l'adore!

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

• Hey Champ
• M83
• Phoenix

I also suggest the music genre:

• Power Pop

Click here for more info on Pony Pony Run Run – You Need Pony Pony Run Run – "Hey You".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

Pony Pony Run Run - You Need Pony Pony Run Run

I am tired of my job, in case it wasn't obvious enough. I take little breaks and write little poems like this one to help get me through the day…

My give a shit has left the building
It is in search of other lands
Packed up my energy and fled
Took my wallet and cash in hand

I'm perhaps a little more snotty and less professional than I use to be? I would say my entire team is too. My coworker has a "Demotivational Calendar" in his cube. For this month, March 2010 it says:

Marketing
Because making it look good now is more important than providing adequate support later.

(You can buy the calendar and others like it here:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/posters/cbfb/)

I decided to "lighten the mood" I'd tweak it an write it on one of my white boards. So I wrote…

Because getting it done as fast as possible is more important than the quality of the code.

(I'm in software if you haven't figured it out.) My boss, who usually would laugh at such things and then have us erase them, instead was apparently not happy about it, erased it and wrote in its place:

NOT OK!

I was absent at the time. I then wrote down under it:

The truth hurts.

Then I erased my addition before anyone saw it. I know my boss is in a tough spot. His job sucks. No need to jab the wound.

But stress levels are high and I was speaking the truth. With a deadline barreling down on us, our only options are 1. Write quality code and be late with the project. 2. Cut a few corners to just make it work, and worry about quality later (if ever). It is NOT OK that we allow deadlines to dictate the quality of what we do. However meeting the deadline is the priority so #2 it is. Some corners have and will be cut. I only speak the truth (and try to get a chuckle out of it at the same time).

Perhaps I should tow the line? At least I have a job, right? I do have debts to pay, and currently no where else to go too. Reminds me of the chorus…

You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt.
Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go;
I owe my soul to the company store.

PS: This song was written in 1946 by Merle Travis. Ernie Ford's recording made it famous though.

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

• Harry Belafonte
• The Big Bopper
• Johnny Cash

I also suggest the music genre:

• Gospel

Click here for more info on Tennessee Ernie Ford – "Sixteen Tons".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

Tennessee Ernie Ford - Sixteen Tons

I hate the realization of the work week coming back. The weekends lately just serve to recharge my batteries enough to make it until the next weekend. Perhaps a little downtempo will help set the pace in my mind? I bet my boss will be none too happy when I refuse to take my headphones off though!

By the way, this song, and all the other songs on the "'64-'95" album by Lemon Jelly, have a sample from the year in the title. This song uses a sample from Monica's 1995 R&B song "Before You Walk Out of My Life", and from it creates what I think is a better song.

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

• Air
• Thievery Corporation
• Zero 7

I also suggest the music genre:

• Downtempo

Click here for more info on Lemon Jelly – '64–'95 – "'95 – Make Things Right".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

Lemon Jelly - '64–'95

I'm in a bit of a cheesy 80s mood lately, if there is such a thing. (If posting Bryan Adams didn't prove it, maybe this one will?!) The Karate Kid Part 2 was on TV while I was waiting for the Gold Medal Men's Hockey game to start in the Olympics a week ago. This horribly and wonderfully corny song has been stuck in my head on and off all week as a result! Out of my head Mr. Miyagi!

I do have an outstanding question though. Daniel, the main character in The Karate Kid series, has a different love interest in each of the movies. That isn't a bad thing per se, but it does kind of lead you to wonder about Daniel. Is a bad kisser or something? Perhaps his boyish looks only go so far? Maybe he is a player and just in it for the glory of love? Love 'em and leave 'em. Where is the honor in that Daniel-san? Watch out ladies!

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

• Bryan Adams
• Boston
• Elton John

I also suggest the music genre:

• Soft Rock

Click here for more info on Peter Cetera – Solitude/Solitaire – "Glory of Love".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

Peter Cetera - Solitude/Solitaire

As I said to my friend who passed this song on to me yesterday, this song is fascinating because it is both happy and sad at the same time. I had compared it to tequila, but perhaps the mojito, a Cuban drink, is a better analogy for something joyful with a touch of sorrow mixed in?

Listening to this you might think this sort of music, known as "Son Cubano", the norm in Cuba for the past 50 years, but no. The Buena Vista Social Club, which was an actual club where these musicians played, was closed along with most others after the Cuban Revolution. Cuban music like this was essentially put on ice in the 1950s until the late 1980s and 90s when a revival provided the conditions for this song and the album it is on to be. My message to the dictators and communists of the present and future, state run art is never a good idea. Censorship is one thing, but to essentially squelch entire genres of music is just unnecessary.

PS: Although the song was written in 1987, and many of the songs on the album are much older than that, the album was released in 1997. I've been posting the "release date" of the "album" of each song as close as possible, hence the 1997 date. Really it might as well be 60 years old, don't you think!?

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

• José Feliciano
• Gipsy Kings
• Rodrigo y Gabriela

Click here for more info on Buena Vista Social Club – Buena Vista Social Club – "Chan Chan".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

Buena Vista Social Club - Buena Vista Social Club

Today being Friday,
a chill rap seems the way
to go.
I don't know.

Rap today is so serious
or maybe I'm delirious.
For party hop you need to go back.
Anyway here's one before you hit the sack.

Hip hop used to be so thick in the air
When it was there you ain't even needed to kick in a snare
It could have been finger snaps and hand claps
But nowadays it feels a little different when a man raps

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

• A Tribe Called Quest
• Gorillaz
• Kanye West

I also suggest the music genre:

• Hip Hop

Click here for more info on Marco Polo (feat. Masta Ace) – Port Authority – "Nostalgia".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

Marco Polo - Port Authority

It is so easy to get caught up in particulars. Who doesn't want a better job, better house, or a better life. It is never as perfect as we might like.

Last night I awoke with concern that G was out, her car stuck in a ditch somewhere. I went from asleep to awake instantaneously, "what ifs" flying through my head. I jumped out of bed, and peeked out to the window. Sure enough her car was parked in the driveway in one piece. I felt so relieved and lucky to have the life I have with G. The details really aren't that important. Or as the song says…

Baby you're all that I want
When you're lyin' here in my arms
I'm findin' it hard to believe
We're in heaven

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

• Bad Company
• Elton John
• The Police

I also suggest the music genre:

• Soft Rock

Click here for more info on Bryan Adams – Reckless – "Heaven".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

Bryan Adams - Reckless

As I said in a comment the other day…

I've been listening to "The Good, The Bad & The Queen" the past few days. It didn't rock my world when it came out, the way Gorillaz's "Demon Days" did, but re-listening to it today something clicked for me. Perhaps "The Good, The Bad & The Queen" is better with age? Maybe I'm just hungry for more Albarn creations now and because the new Gorillaz is not out just yet, I'll take what I can get!?

Is it lame to quote yourself? Probably. Well whatever. Listen to the song already!

By the way, this "band" made up of Damon Albarn, Paul Simonon (of The Clash), Simon Tong (of The Verve) and world renowned drummer Tony Allen, is not actually named anything at all, but they might as well be "The Good, The Bad & The Queen". I wonder if they'll make another one?

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

• Arctic Monkeys
• Blur
• Gorillaz

I also suggest the music genre:

• Alternative Rock

Click here for more info on The Good, The Bad & The Queen – "The Good, The Bad & The Queen".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

The Good, The Bad & The Queen - The Good, The Bad & The Queen

OK Go has out done themselves again with the video for "This Too Shall Pass". With an almost 4 minute long Rube Goldberg Machine, you can see on their faces (and their clothes) they had been doing it all day long. By the end they were certainly taking their own lyrics to heart…

Let it go, this too shall pass.
(You know you can't keep lettin' it get you down. No, you can't keep lettin' it get you down.)

What an accomplishment though! As with all Rube Goldberg machines, this one performs a simple task. You'll probably be able to guess what it is before the end of the video, but I won't spoil it. The machine includes an obscene variety of objects including a falling piano, a rolling car, flying umbrellas, lots of obligatory bowling balls of course, and even themselves flying through the air!

How ingenious of OK Go too. How many people are going to watch this video multiple times, and then by the end have heard the song multiple times? From my own personal experience I am now loving it, whereas the first time through I just thought the song was OK. OK Go even seems to nod that they have outdone themselves during the video when a TV showing the treadmills video for "Here It Goes Again" is smashed as part of the machine.

Bravo OK Go!

PS: Props to S.R. who passed this video to me.

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

• Julian Casablancas
• Phoenix
• Vampire Weekend

I also suggest the music genre:

• Power Pop

Click here for more info on OK Go – Of the Blue Colour of the Sky – "This Too Shall Pass".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

OK Go - Of the Blue Colour of the Sky

Gorillaz is an argument for serious collaboration between artists from different areas of music. With Damon Albarn (of Blur fame), the musical creator, and Jamie Hewlett (of Tank Girl fame) the visual, acting as the glue, it has the cohesiveness of a band, and yet many contributors are only involved in a piece of Gorillaz, and sometimes only a single song. The quality is so much greater than the typical remix or duo single. It is no surprise this virtual band has a following, myself included! I've been waiting for their next album, "Plastic Beach", forever it seems. It comes out tomorrow March 3rd (in Japan), but next week in the UK and USA (March 8th and 9th respectively).

*drools a little*

I can't wait.

PS: How cool that they got Bruce Willis for the video too!

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

• Blur
• Franz Ferdinand
• People Under the Stairs

I also suggest the music genre:

• Trip Hop

Click here for more info on Gorillaz – Plastic Beach – "Stylo (feat. Mos Def and Bobby Womack)".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

Gorillaz - Plastic Beach

Today is a big day in Canada. With the Olympics in Vancouver concluded and with a Gold Medal in the Men's Hockey (and also the Women's), Canada as a whole must be feeling on top of the world. The grass may not look greener today in all of Canada, but the snow probably looks whiter, the maple dipped donuts sweeter (mmmm…. Tim Hortons), and the poutine more delicious than ever! I congratulate Canada on their success in the games and especially in the Men's Hockey game yesterday, where I rooted for Canada. Some may mark me a traitor, but I know how much it meant to you Canada, and I want you to be happy so when I come to visit you, you are still your delightful self.

(USA, buck up. You still brought home the silver in the Hockey and you made the Canadians fight to the bitter end for that Gold. Generally not known for fighting, Canadians will fight for their hockey! Also with 37 medals the USA is the most decorated country in a Winter Olympics ever. Let's not forget that my stereotypically lazy and yet over achieving in athletics countrymen.)

In honor of Canada, I present the national anthem of Canada, "O Canada", music written by Calixa Lavallée in 1880. It has been a staple in the "soundtrack" of these Olympics. Though I am not Canadian, I often think it would be fun to be one. Because I am not Canadian, and with Russia hosting the next winter Olympics in 2014 in Sochi, I decided the rendition of Canada's anthem by non-Canadians, and by the Alexandrov Ensemble Choir of Russia specifically, would be appropriate. It would be nice to think we are are all feeling a little Canadian today!

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Ô Canada!
Terre de nos aïeux,
Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!
Car ton bras sait porter l'épée,
Il sait porter la croix!
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.
Et ta valeur, de foi trempée,
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest the music genre:

• Choral

Click here for more info on Calixa Lavallée – "O Canada".

The MP3 of the commemorative version presented in these Olympics, "O Canada (With Glowing Hearts)", may be purchased here…

O Canada (With Glowing Hearts)

After a late night of RockBand and hanging with some friends, I have another highly influenced choice, "Pretend We're Dead", which I haven't heard in years and years. L7 wasn't as popular as some other grunge bands in the 90s (e.g. Pearl Jam, Nirvana), but they may be the most successful and famous female grunge band ever. I cannot even think of another that was all women. If I were a woman I would totally want to be in an all girl band. Alas.

Speaking of bands, the "band" I am in finally got together. We played along with a couple dozen songs, had a good time, and achieved little else. We didn't play this song by L7, but I think Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" and The Pixies "Here Comes Your Man" went well! It was great!

We were joking at one point about naming the band Maggot Head. (Really it wouldn't work unless we punked up a bit.) Sadly even our joking band names appear to be taken! See!

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

• Pearl Jam
• Smashing Pumpkins
• Stone Temple Pilots

I also suggest the music genre:

• Grunge

Click here for more info on L7 – Bricks Are Heavy – "Pretend We're Dead".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

L7 - Bricks Are Heavy

G found this one. Too funny …and awesome, of course!

AND I'm awesome too apparently! It is awesome how many of the characteristics of his awesomeness I share. "I've got the swagger of a cripple." Check. "There's no voicemail nobody called." Check. "Physically the opposite of Randy Moss." Check.

Oh and as G pointed out, one of the instruments appears to be the "pan flute" on a synthesizer. That IS awesome!

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

• BarelyDigital.com
• DJ Steve Porter
• Eminem

I also suggest the music genre:

• Comedy

Click here for more info on Spose – "I'm Awesome".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

Spose - I'm Awesome

For some reason many of the radio stations in my area are treating "Free Fallin'" like it just came out. It is on heavy rotation and now it is stuck in my head. For some reason I thought this song was release in the early 90s, not the late 80s. I think perhaps it was just on the radio so much and for so long after it came out, that it seems sort of timeless. Tom Petty's music is a kind of timeless rock anyway I suppose. I thought it somewhat appropriate that in the future portrayed by the 1997 movie "The Postman", most people had perished, but Tom Petty lived on.

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

• Live
• Bruce Springsteen
• The Steve Miller Band

I also suggest the music genre:

• Heartland Rock

Click here for more info on Tom Petty – Full Moon Fever – "Free Fallin'".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

Tom Petty - Full Moon Fever

A few weeks ago someone (my neighbor friend, I think) had recommended Julian Casablancas to me. Julian is best known for being the lead singer of The Strokes. I am late to the party when it comes to listening to his solo project and album "Phrazes for the Young".

I must say I love "11th Dimension" but since I first heard it, there was something too familiar. The opening notes on the synthesizer sounded like a song I had heard before. Something 1970s or 1980s-ish. The closest I could come after much searching was Animotion's "Obsession" (1985):

I included G in the puzzle though and she delivered. The clear influence is David Bowie's "Rebel Rebel" (1974):

Listen to the beginning of "11th Dimension" and then "Rebel Rebel" and you'll see what I am talking about! I still love the "11th Dimension" mind you!

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

• David Bowie
• Dead or Alive
• The Strokes

I also suggest the music genre:

• New Wave

Click here for more info on Julian Casablancas – Phrazes for the Young – "11th Dimension".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

Julian Casablancas - Phrazes for the Young