Tristan Prettyman - Madly

It's Friday Funday...Time to kick back and get this weekend started right. My weekend should be pretty great as I'll be seeing Tristan Prettyman again on Sunday night! Here's a video from her fantastic Hello...x cd. Enjoy!

Little Big Town - Boondocks

New priorities have popped up, but never fear, I'll still be here, just later some days. Tonight we celebrate an evening edition of COUNTRY THURSDAY!!!!

I've been a pretty big fan of Little Big Town and their sweet four-part harmonies for a few years now. And while I was a bit lukewarm at first to their latest single Pontoon, I have to admit, it's becoming my summer jam (I can't believe I just wrote the phrase "it's becoming my summer jam" about any song). But Pontoon's a new song and you know we only focus on 2000-10 at this here blog (well, we used to be all about the 90s, but that ran it's course...there's still the archives you 90s lovers...relive the magic). So here's one of their biggest songs. Even if you don't like country music, play it all the way through as the last minute of the song is vocally very cool. Enjoy!

Guster - Amsterdam

Feeling a bit poppy today. Here's a fun tune by Guster from their Keep It Together record. Enjoy!

Mindy Smith - Come To Jesus

I already covered Mindy Smith yesterday at Totally Covered (make sure you see that post after you finish up here...thanks) so I really don't have too much more to add. This is the first song I heard by her and it's still among my favorites. Enjoy!

Good Riddance - Yesterday's Headlines

It's Punk Rock Monday!!! Here's a Good Riddance video to kickstart your week. It's from their Symptoms of a Leveling Spirit record. Enjoy!

Kaiser Chiefs - I Predict a Riot

IT'S...FRIDAY...FUNDAY!!!! Let's start the weekend off right. Here's a dang fine and fun track by the Kaiser Chiefs. It's off their first album Employment. Enjoy!

Elizabeth Cook - It Takes Balls To Be A Woman

Me and Elizabeth

It always seems to be feast of famine with me when it comes to concerts. After going a month and a half without seeing anything, I've been to two concerts since last Thursday (Rhett Miller...and then Jason Aldean on Sunday) and I have three more by the end of the month. Not that I'm not complaining though, especially since I know that the next one (tomorrow) will be a blast. Of course I'm talking about the one and (most certainly) only Elizabeth Cook. I saw her live for the first time last summer (hence the photo above). Great music and fantastic storytelling made for one of my favorite shows of the year. And I fully expect more of the same tomorrow (OK, well I do expect to also hear songs off her tremendous new EP Gospel Plow). Anyway, here's the video for the song that initially reeled me in a few years ago. It's off her 2007 album Balls. Enjoy!

Don't be surprised if you see another video by her tomorrow at Totally Covered.

Nine Inch Nails - The Hand That Feeds

I became an instant Nine Inch Nails fan back in high school after hearing Head Like A Hole for the first time. Over the years, I've even been lucky enough to see them play a few times (the last time was in 2009 with Jane's Addiction...talk about a dream show).

Anyway, I'm sure you know today's song, but have you seen this killer video from 2005's With Teeth? Enjoy!

Yellowcard - Ocean Avenue

As far as mainstream pop-punk bands go, I have to say Yellowcard is certainly one of the more intriguing bands out there. I mean, c'mon, how many punk bands have a violin player who plays a prominent role in the band and doesn't sound like a total Pogues rip-off? Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of bands like Flogging Molly and the Dropkicks...I'm just trying to make a point (not sure how valid the point is mind you, but it's certainly a point nonetheless). Anyway, here's the song that first got me into Yellowcard, the title track off their 2003 major label debut. Enjoy!

Probot - Shake Your Blood

Haven't done a Metal Monday in a while...and today's Probot video certainly brings the metal. How could it not? The band, who only made one album, was led by Dave Grohl (on drums) and featured an impressive cast of metal singers including Motorhead's Lemmy Kilmister who is featured in today's video. Enjoy!

Mates of State - Fluke

It's FRIDAY FUNDAY!!!! Let's get the weekend party started off with Lawrence, KS indiepop duo Mates of State. Here's a video from 2003's Team Boo record. Enjoy!

Rhett Miller - Come Around

Me and Rhett in 2010

I'm pretty excited to see Rhett Miller play tonight. At this point I've lost count on how many times I've seen him or the Old 97's play over the past 10 years. It's always a good time and it's always a pleasure to chat with him after the show (if I have the chance) as he's genuinely one of the nicest musicians I've ever met. So until tonight (for me at least), here's a video from his fantastic record The Instigator. Enjoy!

Clare and the Reasons - Pluto

Brooklyn's Clare and the Reasons have a new album out this week and it's pretty cool (as a bonus, it's only $3.99 at AmazonMP3). Here's a video from their debut record The Movie. Enjoy!

Belle and Sebastian - Blues Are Still Blue

I'm surprised that I have yet to post a video by Glasgow's Belle and Sebastian. I always enjoyed their records, but when The Life Pursuit came out in 2006 they became one of my favorites (great, fun live band too...saw them on that tour). Here's one the finer tunes from The Life Pursuit. Enjoy!

Pennywise - Knocked Down

I'm baaaaack...Admit it. You missed me. Just a little bit? Fine. Whatever...

It's kind of hard to believe that I've been listening to Pennywise for almost 20 years. I still haven't heard their latest record (the first with new singer Zoli Téglás from Ignite), but I heard it's really good and it's definitely on my "must buy" list. But that'll have to wait as we take care of the business at hand. Here's a video from 2005's The Fuse. Enjoy!