Album: Opaline 

Artist: Dishwalla

So you've heard...oh what's that song. The one that came out in the mid-90's. That one about counting cars. What's that band's name? ;)

Dishwalla has joined the ranks of bands with only one smash hit to their name. They achieved fame with "Counting Blue Cars" in 1995, and have since signed to a smaller label record, and faded into oblivion...

...or so you thought. Dishwalla is alive and kicking, and just released an album early last year. But the one I'm calling your attention to is their 2003 release, Opaline.

How did the world let this slip by? Well, it's the kind of rock that falls through the cracks. Not the kind that teens flock to see (a la Green Day and Fall Out Boy). It's that alternative rock that have their own radio stations. And this album doesn't even get heavy rotation there.

This album is a work of art. It's one of those CDs you get where you can't pick a favorite because all of them are so good.

Honesty time. While it won't be the best CD you've ever heard, (most of the songs have the same feel...not much variety), it's a great CD because there are at least seven strong songs to pick from...out of eleven songs. With strong lyrics, and catchy hooks, this album was one I knew I needed. Give it a listen.

What makes this album so good? 

Why, it's the songs, of course!

• "Candleburn"
  One of the softer songs on the album (not that any of them are...heavy), and one of the most emotional.
  
  "it's so easy how we come undone"
• "Every Little Thing"
  A heart-breaking love song which speaks to the part of us that wants to be something more for the one we love...or the one we can't have.
  
  "I wish I could be every little thing you wanted all the time"
• "Angels or Devils"
  The song that led me to this album. For any of you music people that know what I'm talking about...there's just a couple notes in the song that makes it perfect. An accidental that makes me smile. It happens during the words "burn" and "down". And I love when songs do that.

Listen to the best songs from Opaline... 

...for free!

http://www.myspace.com/dishwalla

Visit Dishwalla's myspace songs to listen to four songs off of their album, Opaline.

Find Opaline on Amazon... 

...and browse other titles by Dishwalla.

Opaline

Amazon Price: $12.98 (as of 07/19/2008)

Dishwalla

Amazon Price: (as of 07/19/2008)

And You Think You Know What Life's About

Amazon Price: (as of 07/19/2008)

Pet Your Friends

Amazon Price: $8.97 (as of 07/19/2008)

Artist: John Mayer 

I just bought Teddy Geiger's new CD, Underage Thinking, and was really amazed. Not at how great the cd is (it has its flaws), but at how similar Teddy's voice is to John Mayer. And so I was about to do a write up for Teddy...but I just couldn't get any of John Mayer's songs out of my head. So...I have to do John Mayer first. Sorry, Teddy.

John Mayer has a voice that makes girls melt. I mean, come on...he isn't the best looking guy in the world. To quote my old roommate, "He's kind of ugly." But he speaks through his songs. That's what brings thousands of girls to his concerts. He puts on a terrific show. He's a very talented guitar player, and sometimes even changing the lyrics of his songs a little, just for laughs.

His lyrics...oh his lyrics. They're just witty. And sometimes they really give you something to think about. His CDs are a great soundtrack for a roadtrip. "Your Body is a Wonderland", "No Such Thing", and "Daughters", his radio played songs, really do no justice to the rest of his albums. Why not give them a try?

Where to start? 

My favorite John Mayer songs

1. "3x5" from Room for Squares.
   A wonderfully well-written song with a message for those of us who take things for granted for time to time, and let the most wonderful things pass by because we're busy with the details.
   
   "Today I finally overcame tryin' to fit the world inside a picture frame"
2. "St. Patrick's Day" from Room for Squares.
   A love song about new love. This one I got stuck on for a week. Very good song.
3. "Why Georgia" from Room for Squares.
   A song that I can really relate to. Sometimes you just want to drive away from it all.
   
   "I rent a room and I fill the spaces with
   Wood in places to make it feel like home
   But all I feel's alone"
4. "Something's Missing" from Heavier Things
   A feeling we all have once in a while, when you know something is wrong...but just can't figure it out.
   
   "Something's missing
   and I don't know how to fix it
   Something's missing
   and I don't know what it is"
   
   "I wish there were an over-the-counter test
   for loneliness like this"
   
   "Why does everything I think I need
   always come with batteries?" (haha)
5. "Split Screen Sadness" from Heavier Things
   One of my all-time favorite John Mayer songs.
   
   "'All you need is love' is a lie 'cause
   we had love but we still said goodbye"
   
   "And it stings when it's nobody's fault
   Cause there's nothing to blame at the drop of your name
   It's only the air you took and the breath you left"
   
   "I know it was me who called it over but
   I still wish you'd fought me 'til your dying day
   Don't let me get away"
6. "Comfortable" from Inside Wants Out
   The other of my all-time favorite JM songs. Absolutely beautiful love song. Two words: acoustic guitar. You have to listen to this one...
   
   "life of the party and she swears that she's artsy
   but you could distinguish Miles from Coltrane"

CDs featuring John Mayer 

Heavier Things

Amazon Price: $8.97 (as of 07/19/2008)

Room for Squares

Amazon Price: $8.97 (as of 07/19/2008)

Inside Wants Out

Amazon Price: $7.97 (as of 07/19/2008)

Any Given Thursday

Amazon Price: $10.97 (as of 07/19/2008)

Try! John Mayer Trio Live in Concert

I haven't really listened to John Mayer Trio. If you have, let me know what you think!

Amazon Price: $8.97 (as of 07/19/2008)

Album: Trouble 

Artist: Ray LaMontagne

Very rarely do I have to ask my sister for one of her cds...but I heard this playing when I borrowed her car, and I knew I had to have it.

Ray LaMontagne has a voice that puts me to sleep...in a very good way. I need music to fall asleep, and Ray's voice puts me at peace so I can relax enough to let go of the day. A soulful voice that gets his message across without being whiny and annoying. And he writes his own songs too...

Trouble is the name of his debut album, and the opening track. And maybe some of you American Idol fans heard Taylor Hicks perform this exact song just last week. It's a beautiful song that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Soft music and a raspy, yet relaxing, voice singing sad (and sometimes mournful) lyrics emanate from my speakers. The third song, "Hold You In My Arms" has been featured in numerous tv shows in the past year. "Forever My Friend" sounds very familiar too...I just can't figure out where I've heard it before. (A little help here? :))

My personal favorite is "Shelter", an unflashy, simple song that lets Ray's vocals shine through, and has me hitting the the back button more than once. Okay...more than ten times.

It's the perfect lazy Sunday music. The ideal wind-down-from-a-hard-day-at-work music. Heck, it's listen to it anytime.

And thank you, Mr. LaMontagne, for singing me to sleep...

Want to know more about Ray LaMontagne? 

http://www.raylamontagne.com/

Find the latest news, and the lyrics to his songs on his official website.

http://www.myspace.com/raylamontagne

Ray's myspace page, where you can listen to two track from Trouble, and his newest release, Live From Bonnaroo 2005.

http://p214.ezboard.com/braylamontagne

A discussion board devoted to Ray.

Can't get enough of Ray LaMontagne? 

• Well...sadly Trouble is Ray's debut album. But he has released a live version of his CD, which includes a bonus unreleased track called "Empty". Check it out at his website, linked above.
• And if that won't do it for you, give Jack Johnson's album, entitled In Between Dreams, a chance.

CDs featuring Ray LaMontagne. 

and other recommended artists

Trouble

Amazon Price: $8.97 (as of 07/19/2008)

In Between Dreams

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 07/19/2008)

Album: Chutes Too Narrow 

Artist: The Shins

I saw The Shins on Austin City Limits today...they followed The Flaming Lips (who, I must say put on a crazy concert. Balls, balloons, and people dressed up as giant stuffed animals dancing to the music.) The Shins, from the parts that I saw, were much more low-key. They put more effort into the music than into the theatrics.

This album is a work of art. You can tell just by looking at its cover. I know...I know. Don't judge a...ummm...an album by it's cover. But when you open up the cd, it's just beautiful.

But forget the visuals. I'm talking about music here. And the music is wonderful.

The reason I love the album so much is because almost every songs sounds unique. From the opening track "Kissing the Lipless", one of the musically heavier tracks on the album to the calming track "Those to Come", the songs range from energetic ("So Says I") to sad ("Pink Bullets").

My favorite song on the album? "Young Pilgrims". It features James Mercer, the voice of The Shins, singing to the strumming of an acoustic guitar. Its simplicity makes the song perfect.

And if you ever have a spare moment, take the time to untangle Mercer's intricate lyrics. No simple straightforward messages here. And I'm not asking for them.

Want to know more about The Shins? 

http://www.theshins.com/

Visit their official website for free song downloads, pictures of the band, and more.

http://www.subpop.com/scripts/main/bands_page.php?id=355

Learn about The Shins' whereabouts from their page on their record label's website, Sub Pop Records. (More downloads...but they look to be the same ones offered on their official website.)

Sub Pop is also home to artists The Postal Service and Iron and Wine, who both have music worth checking out.

http://www.mtv.com/music/#/music/artist/shins_the/artist

You'll find the music video for the song "Pink Bullets" on The Shins' MTV page.

http://www.myspace.com/theshins

The Shins' official myspace page. Sample three of their songs here.

Can't get enough of The Shins? 

• Pick up their debut album: Oh, Inverted World.
• Listen to their cover of The Postal Service's "We Will Become Silhouettes". It's amazing, especially if you're familiar with the original. Highly recommended. It's on the Postal Service's "Such Great Heights" single.
• Check out the soundtrack to the movie Garden State. The soundtrack features two songs from their debut album, and other artists, such as Coldplay, Frou Frou, Iron & Wine, and more...

CDs featuring The Shins. 

Chutes Too Narrow

Amazon Price: $11.97 (as of 07/19/2008)

Oh, Inverted World

Amazon Price: $11.97 (as of 07/19/2008)

Such Great Heights

Amazon Price: $3.98 (as of 07/19/2008)

Garden State

Amazon Price: $8.97 (as of 07/19/2008)

The Shins on eBay 

Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by