House of Heroes - "Remember the Empire"

This is a killer track from House of Heroes' new album "Cold Hard Want." The entire album is good, but this happens to be one of my favorite tracks, probably for the chanted BGVs as well as the guitar breakdown at the 2:17 mark. Seriously, go give the album a listen...I promise it will be worth your time. Enjoy!

Shane & Shane - "Without You"

This is a great song from Shane & Shane's latest album, "The One You Need". Not a lot to say about it, because it's just a solid tune. However, I do find it interesting that the song never lands on the I (tonic) chord. I think that adds a bit to the desperation/anticipation element of the song, because the chorus (and most of the song) just cycles I/III, IV, VI, V, I/III, IV, V. I'm always amused by songs that never land on the tonic chord, or wait until the end to do so. Enjoy!

Matt Redman - "Never Once"

The intro will immediately remind several people of "Shout to The Lord", and the lyrics come off a bit like a musical formulation of "Footprints", but this also happens to be a really good tune, and definitely worth hearing. Enjoy!

Switchfoot - "The Economy of Mercy"

This one has been running through my head quite a bit lately. I generally pay more attention to the music than to the lyrics, but sometimes the lyrics are so good that they grab even my attention. This is one of those songs. It comes from the "Learning to Breathe" album, which is one of Switchfoot's earlier efforts, and one of my favorites of theirs. Enjoy!

Leeland - "Beautiful Lord"

I've got a good one from Leeland today, though it's not exactly new. This was on their debut album "Sound of Melodies", and it's my favorite track of the bunch. Enjoy!

Jukebox The Ghost - various songs

I'm so happy to get to share Jukebox The Ghost with you today. I couldn't pick just one of their songs, so I decided to share four...all of which are definitely worth hearing. Enjoy!

"Don't Let Me Fall Behind"

"Somebody"

"Everybody Knows"

"Summer Sun"

Howard Jones - "No One Is To Blame"

Today, I bring you what is probably the catchiest tune ever written about adultery. Seriously, it's an earworm. Also, check out that hair! Bonus trivia points to anyone who can identify the background vocalist singing harmony with him here. I'll give you a huge hint: he both produced and played the drums for this recording. Enjoy!

Wilco - "Walken"

I woke up today with this one on my mind, and I think that the blame rests with my friends who were discussing simple solos a few evenings back. For me, this one - a one note solo starting at the 3:10 mark - has always taken the cake. I think the main reason is because one-note solos are really only cool if they're the result of a conscious decision, rather than a limitation of the musician. Nels Cline is ridiculously talented (as are the other members of Wilco), so to hear him plunking away on a single note and still making it groove while the rest of the band moves around it is definitely cool. This track comes from Wilco's "Sky Blue Sky" album, which is in my Top 10 albums of all time (if not my Top 5). Enjoy!

Living Colour - "Cult of Personality"

And now, for something completely different. Two words here: Vernon Reid. Try beating that opening guitar riff...you can't. Try beating the drum intro with that trailing kick drum...you can't. I still remember seeing this video for the first time when I was about 10 years old, and it hit me like a wrecking ball. Watching Vernon Reid funneling such pure aggression and speed through his guitar and coming up with those sounds simply blew my mind. Funny thing is, it still does. While the clothes (particularly future VH1 host Corey Glover's spandex) might not stand up to the test of time, the song still does. Enjoy!

Ray LaMontagne - "Hannah"

Ray LaMontagne has a very unique voice, in the way that it seems to remind people of so many different artists. My take: he sounds a little like Dan Fogelberg crossed with Van Morrison, and that's plenty good enough for me. This track comes from his first album, "Trouble", which is solid throughout. Enjoy!

Peter Gabriel - "Digging In The Dirt"

I was somewhat surprised to discover that I hadn't already posted this song. The confusion stemmed from the fact that I had previously posted something by Elbow, whose lead singer sounds quite a bit like Peter Gabriel. I'm a big fan of Peter Gabriel's solo work, and this is one of my favorite tracks of his, an outpouring of the therapy he was going through around the time it was written. Enjoy!

The Cars - "Just What I Needed"

This is one of my favorite songs from The Cars...an oldie, but a goodie. Also, if you have a moment, check out this cover by The Punch Brothers. It's pretty cool because they basically nailed all the little details. Enjoy!

Mat Kearney - "Down"

I know this song has been all over Christian radio and it's probably not new to many of you, but I don't care...it's still a song worth hearing. This is the second one I've posted by Mat Kearney (the other one being "What's a Boy To Do"), but neither of them are from his second album, "City of Black and White", which I consider to be his strongest overall effort. I highly recommend checking it out sometime. Enjoy!

Josh Garrels - "Rise"

I wanted to post one more from Josh Garrels. This tune is awesome. Enjoy!

Mark Knopfler - "Prairie Wedding" and "Speedway at Nazareth"

I just had to post some more songs from Mark Knopfler. These tracks come from his album "Sailing to Philadelphia", which has about 5 or 6 really good tunes on it. Prairie Wedding is one of my favorites, largely because of his guitar tone on the solo that starts at about the 2:37 mark. Then check out his tone on Speedway at Nazareth, but stick with it...it really gets going at around the 3:05 mark. Enjoy!

Dire Straits - "Sultans of Swing (Live)"

I want Mark Knopfler's tone, badly. It's so smooth. I know his finger picking helps with that...but still, that tone.

As an aside, I hate it when the producers of live concert footage aren't musicians themselves. It kills all sensibility when it comes to the shots. Is there a guitar solo going on? Then zoom in on the guitarist's hands. I don't want to see a close-up of his 'guitar face' (complete with cheesy sweatband), I don't want to see the drummer doing his thing, and I darn sure don't want to see the guy on keys getting his groove on (in a very 80s way). I do, however, want to see the guitarist's hands. (end of rant)

Despite the footage, this one's a classic, so enjoy!

Josh Garrels - "Farther Along" and "Words Remain"

I'm very excited to get to share something by Josh Garrels with you all. I just found out about him, though he's been making music for awhile now. He has several albums out, but this track comes from his latest album, "Love & War & The Sea In Between", which is available to download for free here. If you dig this track (and even if you don't) you should check out some of his other stuff because it's kind of hard to pin his music down to a single genre; I've seen him described as folk and neo-soul, neither of which are incredibly informative. I'm still chewing on his latest album, but I thought "Farther Along" stood out so strongly that it warranted posting here.

My wife insisted that I also post the second video here, a special recording of his track "Words Remain". I hope that you enjoy them both!

Don Ross - "Thin Air"

What can I say about Don Ross? Maybe that he influenced Andy McKee? Yeah, I think that should do the trick. Enjoy!

Peter Bradley Adams - "Keep Us"

This song is simply beautiful, as is much of what I've heard from Peter Bradley Adams so far. I highly recommend checking out his music. Enjoy!

Thanks to Josh Hasak for the artist recommendation.

William Fitzsimmons - "If You Would Come Back Home"

I just discovered William Fitzsimmons today, so I'm digging through his catalogue right now. I can't get past this song and video, though. It's just devastatingly beautiful.

call the surgeon,
mend the pieces...

Enjoy!

Tip of the hat to Brandon Reed for the artist recommendation.

Jose Gonzalez - "Sensing Owls"

I have no idea what this song is about, but I don't care. It's beautiful, as is much of Jose Gonzalez's work. Enjoy.

David Crowder Band - "SMS [Shine]"

Great video, better song. Enjoy!