Well, the rumors are true; we got a new dog last night. He’s a rescue and extremely shy, so we are in the “trial phase” right now, in order to see if he will work out for us. Here’s hoping that he warms up to us, and we can give him a good home. He’s much bigger than Sydney, but follows him around like a shadow; it’s ever so cute. Well, let’s not let this post go to the dogs; let’s get to the music!
Missy Higgins – Forgive Me
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_227_missyhiggins-forgiveme.mp3]
Tonight, a good friend of mine and I will have the distinct pleasure of seeing the wonderful Missy Higgins live, so I thought it would be appropriate to post one of my favorite songs from her most recent album. I have posted about this Aussie before, and I can definitely say that I am looking forward to the show; her music is beautiful, and her voice is divine. The sincerity and tenderness in her lyrics and vocals is impressive. I can’t wait to see what she does live, and I really hope that she plays this magnificent song!
Angel Taylor – Chai Tea Latte
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_227_angeltaylor-chaitealatte.mp3]
Okay, do me a favor with this song: listen to it a minimum of four times before you make ANY decisions about it. Why? Because the first time I heard this song, I saw something special, but I didn’t realize how special it was until about the 4th listen. I am a sucker for these tender ballads, and the story telling element is always a welcome plus. I was drawn in by the tenderness of this track, and after several listens of this wonderful song, I want to hear more from Angel Taylor. Her voice reminds me a little bit of Corinne Bailey Rae, and that is definitely a good thing.
Ben Gibbard and Feist – Train Song
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_227_bengibbardandfeist-trainsong.mp3]
Wow, I just have to say, that when two of my all time favorite vocalists get together and do a song, I expect it to be perfect. Well, low and behold, this one is. This version is a remake of the Vashti Bunyan song of the same name, and was included on the recently released indie collection, Dark Was The Night. It really blends both the style of Feist and Death Cab beautifully, and their vocals have never been more beautiful. This song is an instant favorite.
A Camp – Bear On The Beach
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_227_acamp-bearonthebeach.mp3]
I have been enjoying the A Camp album for a little while now, and I wanted to post one of my favorite songs from the album. Bear on the Beach shows just how strange and eclectic that Nina Persson is, but at the same time, beautiful and extremely talented. No wonder she is one of my favorite singers out there. This is one of those albums that most will probably overlook, which is sad, because it is very, very good. It might even make my year end list… stay tuned.
Chester French – She Loves Everybody
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_227_chesterfrench-sheloveseverybody.mp3]
There are many songs that I should instantly love, but don’t. Then, I see the video, and I am all, “why was igoring this song, it’s pretty great!?”. Well, this is one of those songs. The lead singer is a cutie, and when I saw the video I instantly thought, “this is that song I have been ignoring for months now!”. No longer my friends, this song has found its way onto a 5SF, and it deserves to be heard. Do yourself a favor and check out the strangely violent video, that is almost campy in its presentation, which makes it even better. I’m glad I saw the video, because it has turned me onto this great song. My favorite part is the claps during the chorus; fun stuff!
Well, there’s another 5SF for ya. I hope that you found something that you liked, and as always, please let me know what you are listening to; I really want to know!
Last album released: Ta-Dah, 2006. First up is one of my all time favorite bands, the Scissor Sisters. I fell in love with them because of their amazing debut, and they only made me more of a fan with their brilliant sophomore album; but that was way back in 2006 (when Ta-Dah topped my year end list), and I am hungering for some new Scissor Sisters. I have been listening to their previous two albums this month, and loving every minute of each one; but it just makes me want more. I love my Scissor Sisters and hope to hear something new from them this year. This is one of my favorite songs of theirs, and it comes from the aforementioned amazing record, Ta-Dah.
Last album released: Zombies! Vampires! Aliens! Dinosaurs!, 2006. I heard of Hellogoodbye randomly, and ended up getting the whole album because of how infectious and poppy it was. I ended up seeing them live, and they were brilliant and full of energy. I like to think of them as like a more electronically driven version of Weezer; with an extra dose of happiness. I loved this album, and it solidly made my best of 2006 list, so I am really anxious to hear more from these guys. It seems like it’s been forever, but that’s how it feels when you haven’t heard from someone you love in a while. I love the energy of this song, and it totally sums up their concert experience; everyone jump around and have a great time!
Last album released: Speak For Yourself, 2005. Oh Immi, how I love you! It’s been quite a while since a 
Last album released: Life in Cartoon Motion, early 2007. Mika was one of those artists that got HUGE buzz from me in early 2007, and my love for him maintained and even grew throughout that year, allowing him a place on my year end list for 2007. However, given that Mika’s brilliant debut hit shelves in early 2007, it has been almost 2 years since I have heard anything new from this amazing artist, and I am really hoping that 2009 is another great year filled with more Mika. This is definitely one of the most infectious songs of 2007, and really highlights how amazing, and how full fledged POP Mika is; here’s hoping that he’s got something great up his sleeve for 2009.
Last NEW album released: Robyn, 2005 (and again in 2008). Alright, now I am being a little hard on Robyn here, but hear me out. Yes, she was nominated for her BRILLIANT 2008 self titled album, but remember that this album was released WAAAAY back in 2005. Did it stand up to the test of time? Certainly! However, it is TIME for some new Robyn. She seems happy to be releasing her amazingness on the world a spoonful at at time, and continues to wet our appetites with singles off of this release, but we are SCREAMING for something new; and I am not talking about an EP with just a few more brilliant songs. If this album is any indicator of how brilliant she is, there has got to be so much more waiting in the wings, and I for one am salivating for it. Robyn, you are one of the best things to happen to pop music in the last few years, so do us a solid and bring us more of your sweet delicious amazingness, won’t you?! I am crossing my fingers for something amazing in 2009 from the equally amazing Robyn.
Next album release: Poseidon and the Bitter Bug, March 24, 2009. I love the Indigo Girls, and with their last album, Despite our Differences, they showed no signs of slowing. In fact, I would venture to say that the Indigo Girls are definitely a fine wine that grows only better and more delicious with age. Their harmonies are the stuff that angels aspire to copy, and their music is wonderfully crafted, and delightful to listen to. I am very eager for this new album, and am very excited to get yet another album from one of my all time favorite groups. 
Next album release: City of Black & White, May 19, 2009. I have been a major fan of Mat’s beautiful blend of alternative/indie/hip-hop ever since I heard his major label debut, Nothing Left To Lose. After seeing him in concert, I became a tried and true fan, and have been waiting for new stuff from this amazing guy. Well, I was more than happy to see that he has a new CD coming out, and if this, the lead single off of the album, is any indicator of how it will be, it sounds like it will be just as brilliant as his debut (now, you KNOW I couldn’t resist bringing you something new and amazing this week, didn’t you!?!? Well here it is; you can purchase your own copy of this brilliant song 
This song has hit written all over it. The first couple of times I heard it, I knew that there was something about it I kind of liked, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Well, after massive rotation on BBC Radio 1, I have fallen head over heels in love with this track, and had to feature it this week. Alesha Dixon had some success in the UK in the R&B girl band Mis-Teeq, but recently released quite a decent solo album. This is by far my favorite song on the album, and I am thankful to BBC Radio 1 for turning me on to this great track! Also, best of luck to Alesha as she heads to Africa to scale Mt Kilimanjaro for Malaria relief!
Alright, if you don’t get it by now, Lady GaGa is massive. HUGE. I have been screaming about her for almost a year now, and I am so pleased to see her getting the attention she deserves. Well, it seems like her steam engine has caught on fire, as there are all kinds of tracks spilling onto the tracks these days. The most recent is this amazing song from the Confessions of a Shopaholic soundtrack, appropriately called (and all about) Fashion. Lady GaGa’s blend of dance-pop is such a great, upbeat sound that it is hard not to bounce about when listening to great pop songs like this one. I’m glad that she released it, instead of Heidi Montag, which was what I had seen swirling around the internets. Hooray for new GaGa! Also, if it is going to all be this good, keep it coming!
Now, I know that this will probably piss someone off, but normally, Morrissey just bores me. Now, that doesn’t mean that he isn’t a fabulous artist, but for whatever reason, his voice usually hits the “go to sleep” button in my brain, and I have to shut it off. However, with this new song, Morrissey has made me sit up and pay attention; with my eyes and ears wide open! It’s peppy, fun, and the video is down right cute! It makes me wonder where the depressive Morrissey has gone; although, the lyrics definitely have his typical sardonic twist, but this time, they are juxtaposed with a, dare I say it, upbeat pop backing track! I must declare that I love this song, and I might have to go back through his catalog and see if I can find other moments that are as peppy as this song is. 
Okay, I’ll admit it. I watch American Idol. Mostly, I like to see who’s good and who isn’t, and by the time they get to the top 12, it is all gravy because most of those kids are pretty good. Well, with the recent crop, there was this one chick who stood out; both because she had a great singing voice, and also because there was a lot of press about her having a record deal prior to her auditioning this season. Well, it all came to a head, and unfortunately got her the boot from the show, which kinda sucks I guess, because she had made it to the top 36 as of this week. Well, I was talking to my friend John last night about her previous records, and he informed me of a song she did for the Legally Blonde soundtrack that was actually quite good. After listening to that song, we headed to iTunes, and low and behold, they have some of her songs (although not that particular one… poop), and this one struck me instantly. It is brilliantly sung and totally beautiful. I hate that Joanna got booted from AI, but I hope that the publicity can get her back on track to making more great music like this. Keep going Joanna, and don’t give up!!
Oh Lily, how I have missed thee!!! Ever since I saw her in concert a couple of years ago (
on sale for $3.99!! That’s a steal!
A friend of mine recommended Erin to me a while ago, because he said that she reminded him of Sara Bareilles (that piano intro is definitely Bareilles-esque), and everyone knows just how much I love Ms. Sara. Well, I gave her a listen, and while I do agree, there was something about her that didn’t mesh with me initially. While I liked this song, I didn’t give it a second listen until this week, and I found myself liking it way more than the first time I heard it. While her voice is no where near as powerful as Sara’s, this song is a solid pop rock song, and should have some success on the radio; that is, if it ever gets played. Seriously, Nickelback gets tons of play while talented folks like this fly under the radar. It boggles the mind, really.
Dave Barnes, there is no doubt in my mind that you must make others swoon; because you do it to me oh so effortlessly. I mentioned that his CD Me + You + The World BARELY missed my year end best of list, simply because of how many damn good albums came out last year, but don’t let the fact that it didn’t make the cut let you think for one second that I didn’t enjoy it; it is great. The best part of Dave Barnes is these simple, piano driven ballads that just tug so gently at your heart strings. I love music like this, because it is the type of music that you hear it, and it just feels good. It’s like a really big warm hug; right when you need it most.
This one was a last minute addition to the Friday five; last night I was looking at the weekly releases on iTunes (as I do every week), and being one who loves his female singer-song writers as much as I do, I saw Keri on the main page, and had to check her out. Well, I listened to Ooh Oh, and I really liked what I heard, and I realized that Keri resembles Sara B even more than Erin does. In addition to her similarities to Sara, Keri has an undertone of Bonnie Raitt in her voice that is oh so beautiful and brings a welcome weathered flavor to this song.
Oh Ms. Doolittle, how I pulled for thee; I thought she was definitely the best singer on the show during her season on AI, but alas, she was not commercial enough to capture the votes necessary to win the whole shebang. Well, I was excited to see that she released an album this week, and I will admit that I was very surprised at what I heard. Instead of a modern, mainstream pop album, Melinda channels Billie Holiday and Etta James on a throwback to the hay days of soulful, airy pop/R&B. The result is a pretty decent album of songs, with this track being my favorite. Maybe she was just born in the wrong decade, because this album would have fit perfectly amongst the tunes of time if she would have released it around the same time as Ms. James and Ms. Holiday were hitting their stride. This album is a great surprise; something refreshing, different, and altogether pretty good.
Oh how I love the sweet sounds of Inara George’s voice wrapped warmly in sweet pop beats and clapping rhythms. As a huge fan of the Bird and the Bee, it was a treat to get their new album that came out a week ago, and hear so many fantastic songs on it. I’m not sure if I love it as much as I loved their debut album, but that would just be because I loved their debut so much, and it would be no small feat to overtake that level of love with this album. While the record does have a few minor duds, the strongest tracks show that the Bird and the Bee are still masters of their delightful brand of pop, and I for one, am glad that they are doing their thing, and doing it oh so well. This song is easily my favorite on the album (although I have to admit that it probably ties with Polite Dance Song).