Song of the Week

After bouncing around the country with his first three albums (and touring with Modest Mouse), Cass McCombs is really finding his footing on his fourth record, Catacombs. (Had to happen sooner or later, right? His great album with that name?). McComb's reedy voice and independent bedroom-folk are difficult to define but witheringly addictive. Check out "Dream Come True Girl". (Yes, Karen Black is seriously freaky). And watch the video for "You Saved My Life." This song just floored me on the first listen. Floored me.

Maxwell

Maxwell is damn cool. And smooth. And he can sing. And did I mention he is smooth?

One of the key artists of the so-called neo-soul movement, Maxwell hit the scene with his 1996 debut, Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite. The D Man listened to Maxwell's first album non-stop and can thank it for his first real "moment" with the Mrs. (Details left to your imagination).

After releasing Embrya (1998) and Now (2001), with his stunning cover of Kate Bush's "This Woman's Work," Maxwell spent the last eight years "taking some time off." And cutting his hair. But he is returning now in a big way, with a trilogy of albums called BLACKsummers'NIGHT. Apparently, one album will be released for three straight summers. Check out the first single, "Pretty Wings."

Bad Songs

The D Man rarely writes about bad music. But I recently heard a song on the radio that floored me, and I instantly said to myself: "this is so bad, I've got to write about it." While driving in to work, casually listening to a local country radio station (hey, you do it too), I heard a song riddled with so many bad lyrics I almost hit a pedestrian. At the time, I missed the name of the brilliant "artist," but a few Google searches later and I came across Jo Dee Messina and her incredible song.

How many lifeless, meaningless cliches can you fit into a song? Well, feel free to count along with me.

(1) easy ride

(2) the merry-go-round that we call life

(3) take a drive on cruise control

(4) winding road

(5) the money ran out

(6) the engine blew

(7) the clear blue sky

(8) walking in the clouds

(9) safe and sound

(10) knocks me down

(Chorus now--not even remotely finished)

(11) that's the way it is

(12) you gotta roll with the punches

(13) that's the way it goes

(14) you gotta bend when the wind blows

(15) you live, you learn

(16) you crash, you burn

(17) it's hit or miss

(18) that's the way it is (just for good measure)

(Sorry, there's more)

(19) I feel like throwing something

(20) one fine day

(21) hopelessly fallen in love

(22) just what you're looking for

(23) the only problem is

(24) you don't feel a thing

(25) I know from experience

(26) makes perfect sense

(27) you get what you want

(28) but it's not what you think

(29) you get what you need

Unbelievable, right? Is this supposed to inspire me? Motivate me? Entertain me? Make me nod my head up and down and say "yep, you're right, that's the way it is." That's the way what is? Winding roads, merry go rounds, and clear blue skies? Apparently. As someone who has written several songs (see "Like There's No More Love to Go Around" and "Hop, Skip, and A Jump"), The D Man realizes now that, at the very least, he could make a good living penning deep tracks for mediocre country albums. Thanks Jo Dee--have your agent give me a call.

Summer Tunes

The D Man remembers countless soundtracks to summers past. The songs. The places. The sensation that summer is endless despite its fleeting nature. Enjoy a sampling of some of the songs that have been in heavy rotation--in the car, windows down, feeling good.

• The Whitest Boy Alive: "Intentions"
• Camera Obscura: "The Sweetest Thing"
• Passion Pit: "Little Secrets"
• Grizzly Bear: "Ready, Able"
• Phoenix: "Lasso"
• Bat for Lashes: "Pearl's Dream"
• Belle & Sebastian: "If You're Feeling Sinister"
• Junior Boys: "Bits & Pieces"

Song of the Week

It's summertime.  Even in Canada.  And The Rural Alberta Advantage, hailing from somewhere near that great province, have released their impressive debut, Hometowns, on Saddle Creek Records.  Enjoy the homespun video that convincingly captures the essence of Canadian summertime on that great swath of prairie.