1. The Faint - The Conductor
   The Faint distance themselves from their labelmates on Saddle Creek Records by sounding like something the boys from Duran Duran, The Cure and Depeche Mode would have come up with if they were all locked in a studio together in 1986.
2. Fountains of Wayne - Bright Future in Sales
   Nothing makes me happier than syrupy harmonies and driving guitar chords. “Sleeping on a planter at the Port Authority / Waiting for my bus to come / Seven scotch-and-sodas at the office party / Now I don’t remember where I’m from”…yes, that definitely sounds like 90% of the sales guys I know.
   
3. Rooney - Blue Side
   I’ve heard people bad-mouth Rooney for being pre-packaged indie pop, but I dig them. It’s not their fault they keep getting their songs played in places like The O.C.…in fact that show seems to pretty consistently feature artists that I end up liking.
4. Jet - Rollover DJ
   Jet is one of several bands that got a boost in airplay and sales from the use of their song in Apple’s iPod commercials.
5. Ryan Adams - 1974
   When Ryan Adams presented to his Nashville-based label what would have been his most recent album, Love Is Hell, they told him that it wasn’t commercially viable and that it “sounded like the Smiths”. His reaction was “And what the hell’s wrong with that?”
6. Mike Doughty - Grey Ghost
   This is a live track from a show Mike did in Minneapolis while he was in the middle of writing the song. The best part, by far, is when he sings the bridge with “fake words”. Mike’s first proper solo album since leaving the band will be coming out next year, and I’m really looking forward to it.
7. Blue Man Group - Up to the Roof
   Blue Man Group’s first album, Audio, was pretty average mainstream techno. Good for background music, but little else. For their second effort, they recruited some decent guests to help out. This track features Tracy Bonham (you might remember her single, “Mother Mother”), and she adds a lot to it.
8. Grandaddy - I’m on Standby
   Any song sung in the first person about a robot being shut down for maintenance gets put on my playlist. Fun electronic indie pop from a solid band.
9. Ben Folds - In Between Days
   More goodness from Ben Folds’ latest EP, Speed Graphic. See I’ve got his old ID, and he’s all dressed up like The Cure.
10. Guster - Homecoming King
    I really don’t understand why this band isn’t huge. My buddy Yates has been trying to get me into them for years, and I wish I’d listened sooner.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 30th, 2003 at 4:11 pm and is filed under Tracks. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.