Music for My Brother

My brother's birthday was yesterday, and normally I post up the music I gift to him that's on heavy rotation here at YDP headquarters.  Unfortunately, Mother's Day was yesterday, so my annual post to him got bumped.  I apologize, K, but I guess it came down the tiebreaker, and that was who I knew longer.  Mom had you by a year and a half.  

Here's this year's installment:

Learning How to Love - The Greyhounds: Sweet blue-eyed soul, and one of the coolest bands out there right now.  Smooth, soulful and funky.

Alright - Mike Yung: As long as we're on a soul kick, Yung belts this one all the way out of the park.  Cool guitar interjection, as well as a solid gospel back up.

Nervous Mary - The Breeders: Great 90's band comes back with a vengeance. Makes me pine for those days and that music.

We Will Rock You - Queen: This is a fast version from their Live Killers album.  I'm embarrassed to admit I never heard it before until I heard it this year in a commercial.  Holy cow, I was missing out.  This is exactly how this song should have been sung, especially live

She Needs Me - Foster the People: I really like this band, and their latest offering is really solid.

Wall of Glass - Liam Gallager: While I know this guy is really a jerk, he is really talented and makes some really good music.  Really well done.

Tappin' the Glass - Bros. Landreth: Continuing the glass theme comes this tune which could easily be a homage to 70's era Eagles or Poco.  A really nice listen.

Run - Foo Fighters:  This is your song for attacking that nasty hill on the bike.  

Red Hill Mining Town - U2: This was one of my favorite songs that they did when they did their Joshua Tree tour last year.  I was really surprised at that, as there is so much great material on that album, but for some reason, their performance of this song just really struck me.

Over Everything - Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile:  I think Courtney Barnett is one of the most talented songwriters out there right now, and it's not close. I love songs that don't have obvious rhymes; it's one of the reasons why I love Dylan so much.  When I first heard her sing "You give me some money and I'll make some origami, honey," I was so hooked.  I love the line in this song of "several levels at hard decibels."   Not a great voice (Dylan again) but talent galore.  Love her.

No Diggity - Blackstreet: I saw a Price cover of this song, which was a damn treat, but the original is still awesome.  "I like the way you work it..."

Roland - Interpol:  I know that a lot of Iterpol songs sound the same.  However, they all sound really good.

Broken Halos - Chris Stapleton:  My favorite living country artist, and it is not close.  Great voice, great songwriting.  Just awesome.

Sky Full of Song - Florence & The Machine: She continues to put out really damned good music.  The latest offering does not disappoint.  I just love her voice.

Seventh Heaven - Beck:  Dude is still relevant.  The best driving song of the mix.

Long Time Coming - Cheap Trick:  Speaking of still relevant.  Not much to offer with this one other than some nostalgia and appreciation of a band that still brings it, even after 40 years.

In My World - Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie:  Buckingham is brilliant; scattered but brilliant.  McVie's voice pairs so well with his, and this sounds a lot like it could have come off of Mac's Tango in the Night album from the late 80's.  Very cool.

Easy Money - Foghat:  Yes, that Foghat.  A deeper track that still holds up.

Get Off - Foxy:  As long as we're in the Wayback Machine, let's do some Foxy.

Passing Out - Strand of Oaks: A great way to close, with a great talent and a great song.


Hope you have a great birthday.  I love you tons.