Technical Difficulties

Apologies for the delay since the last post. Experiencing technical difficulties and trying to figure out the issue. Hope to be up and running again shortly.

Thanks for your patience!

Can You Picture That?

Part of The Muppet Show's long tradition of serving up uncompromisingly great music for kids of all ages is found in the show's house rock band, Dr. Teeth and Electric Mayhem (what a name!), which opened and closed the show in style. In the Muppet Movie, Dr. Teeth & Electric Mayhem gave us the fantastic "Can You Picture That?," sung while the band enacts their "clever plot device," disguising Fozzie's Studebaker to help Fozzie and Kermit elude the villainous Doc Hopper. It's a blast. (Thanks to the consistently excellent Aquarium Drunkard for the tune.)

Dr. Teeth & Electric Mayhem - Can You Picture That?

Buy The Muppet Show: Music, Mayhem, and More! It'll take you back in the best way possible.
Easy Street Records//Sonic Boom Records//Amazon

Bonus:

Midnight in Memphis

This is a special "Happy Birthday Mom" post. She turned 63 today. My mom likes Bette Midler, so here is a rollicking blues track from the soundtrack to the 1979 film, The Rose, which starred Bette - in her debut film - as a Janis Joplin-like character. Happy birthday, Ma.

Midnight In Memphis - Bette Mi...

Buy The Rose. It's, well, Bette. As Janis Joplin. (Eat your heart out, Jenna Maroney!)
Easy Street Records//Sonic Boom Records//Amazon

Many Moons

Janelle Monáe, who formerly worked with Outkast (Idlewild) , released one of 2008's overlooked releases - her debut EP, Metropolis: The Chase Suite. Inspired by Fritz Lang's 1927 classic film, Metropolis, Monáe wrote some killer songs about robots, aliens and outerspace. The great "Many Moons" is one of the standout tracks. She's ambitious, quirky and talented; watch out for this one.

Many Moons - Janelle Monae

Buy this EP. It'll blow your mind.
Easy Street Records//Sonic Boom Records//Amazon

Young Adult Friction

Ablaze in the indie world with the release of their self-titled debut, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart offer up golden 80's-influenced gems. "Young Adult Friction," a shimmering, propulsive track about adolescence, stands out.

Young Adult Friction - The Pai...

Buy this album. It'll lighten the dark days of winter.
Easy Street Records//Sonic Boom Records//Amazon

People Got A Lotta Nerve

The first single from supreme alternative-country vocalist Neko Case's upcoming sixth album, Middle Cyclone, "People Got a Lotta Nerve" is an upbeat, yet melancholy gem referencing cop cars, maneaters and killer whales, among other things. It signals good things from the new album, out on March 3rd. Check it out.

People Got A Lotta Nerve - Nek...

Buy Middle Cyclone on 3/3. In the meantime, if you don't have it already, buy her last, phenomenal album, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood. It's to die for.
Easy Street Records//Sonic Boom Records//Amazon

Tezeta

The soothing, yet vibrant songs off of this UK compilation drawn from the catalogs of Amha Records an d Kaifa Records are all wonderful. Mulatu Astatke and co.'s take on Tezeta, the traditional Ethiopian song of reminiscence or nostalgia, is sublime.

tezeta - Ethiopiques Ensemble

Buy this album. It'll soothe your soul.
Easy Street Records//Sonic Boom Records//Amazon

Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen

The first track to Sam Cooke's Night Beat, "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" introduces the intimate, moody and soulful tone of this exceptional album. Like Cooke's masterful civil rights song, "A Change Is Gonna Come," "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" is heartbreaking and absolutely breathtaking.

Nobody Knows The Trouble I've ...

Buy Night Beat...now. It'll change your life. Promise.
Easy Street Records//Sonic Boom Records//Amazon