"Maybe Not" by Cat Power

from You Are Free

This song is perfect in the wake of a certain televised press conference last night......

"Oh, Happy Day!" by church choir across the street

from

This song drifted through the window from the freak-out church across the street from my apartment. I think even the tambourine was hooked up to microphone! Nice way to wake up.

"Red Umbrella" by Kostars

from Klassics with a K

This track was perfect for my walk to work in the falling snow. I only hope the advertising firm that does Citibank's stuff doesn't get a hold of it.....

"Horses" by Patti Smith

from Horses

I just read Robert Mapplethorpe's biography and thought it would be a really good time to revisit this record. I think she wrote the songs for this right when she was in love him with and found out that he was gay. Sheds a lot of light on some of the lyrics......

"all" by Sam Beam & James Mercer

from live at the Knitting Factory last night

Subpop brilliantly stripped it's cash cows of their bands ( or four tracks in Sam Beam's case) and sponsored this amazing acoustic showcase. An entire room of hipsters shut up for three hours and listened in awe. Most people came for James Mercer who played mostly stuff from Oh Inverted World, but Sam Beam stole the show when he brought his sister on stage to sing harmonies that made you one big goosebump.