Coconut Records - Nighttiming

Just when I thought Jason Schwartzman couldnt be any more talented, he transitions from great acting in movies like Rushmore, Darjeeling Limited, and Shop Girl with a pretty good pop album. Under the name Coconut Records Jason makes a record that seems to be better musically and more catchy than his brother who fronts Rooney. Schwartzman not only wrote all the songs on the album, but also plays all the instruments too. Also listen for Kirsten Dunst who helps sing on This Old Machine, and Summer Day. Check it out, notable songs are West Coast, Mama, Summer Day, and Easy Girl. Here

Alejandro Escovedo

Escovedo is a musical gem period. He might just put on the best live show I have ever seen. He is in a tight race with Flaming Lips in that respect, although their live performances are totally different. Alejandro doesnt use spectacles or crazy means to inspire the audience. When a friend and I saw him perform at the Southgate House in KY, we were floored by him. We went in knowing very little of his music, only what we heard from him on a Fresh Air segment on WNKU. The intimacy of the performance was incomparable to anything we had experienced before. Especially when he and his violin player left the stage and performed in the middle of the audience in dead silence, to have that much faith in your voice to keep notes yet fill the room is simply stunning. Anyway here are two of his albums, even though you have to see him live to get the whole feel, his albums are pretty great too.



Here is his latest release, The Boxing Mirror. This is his comeback album after almost dying from Hepatitis. Luckily for us he didnt, he survived the ordeal. I cant even imagine the pain he must have went through. Luckily a lot of music fans came out and helped to raise money to pay for his medical bills, and keep him safe. Humanity like that seems to surprise us most times, give credit to those generous people for his continuation in the music industry. Most of the songs in this are reflective, which is natural for someone who went through a possible life ending struggle. Notable songs are Arizona (which chronicle his demons of letting go of vices as he fought for his life), Dear Head On The Wall (I believe it is an adaptation from his wife's poems), Evita's Lullaby, and Break This Time. Here



Next is With These Hands, an earlier album but just as great as Boxing Mirror. Notable songs are Put You Down, Crooked Frame, and Sometimes. Here

Need A Few Laughs?

Like most people sometimes you just need to laugh, especially when your facing tough times or decisions. Here are two comedy albums that make me laugh. Remember as Woody Allen shows there is a very fine line between Comedy and Tragedy. We all deserve a little of both.



Steven Wright's I Still Have A Pony, is the follow up to his tremendously funny "I Have A Pony". This guy has to be one of the most creative comics ever. One liners and a dead pan delivery spells out laugh after laugh. As he twists normal sayings, or words into comedy gems. Not much gets someone to laugh out loud, but rest assured this will. What a genius, I cant wait to see him live. Here



This is The Agoraphobic Cowboy by Rick Moranis, yes the same comedic actor from Spaceballs and Honey I Shrunk The Kids. This is a great country and comedy album. Songs like Press Pound, have a natural country feel, while the literal meaning song is about a stalker calling a woman repeatedly. Also check out his takeoff from Johnny Cash, in I Aint Goin Nowhere. I believe he was inspired by his kids, who listen to folk and country, which inspired him to start writing these songs. The music isnt there just to be background noise to the lyrics. As Moranis says "Comedy? Country? I Hope Both." A Must listen. Here

Adam Green

Well I couldn't resist not putting up my collection of Adam Green records. Sometimes sick, twisted, funny, and sad but always worth a listen. Mr. Green isn't a singer songwriter of your parents generation, but has some serious talent none the less. Here are all of his releases that I have enjoy.



Garfield, this is his first solo album. Still has a lot of elements that made the Moldy Peaches successful. Notable songs are, My Shadow Tags On Behind, Dance With Me, and Baby's Gonna Die Tonight. Here



Gemstones. This is to some people his best, but i enjoy it probably the least of all his releases. get it Here



Friends Of Mine, this is my favorite of his the whole album is full of great songs. Every Song should be heard especially Friends Of Mine, Bluebirds, Were Not Supposed To Be Lovers, and Bunnyranch. Here



Jacket Full Of Danger, this is his latest release. He changes his voice and sound essentially every album, here he recreates himself into a drugged out lounge singer. Notables are Nat King Cole, Novotel, and Drug. Here



Jessica [EP] this is a short ep he put out between Gemstones and Friends Of Mine. Notable songs are What A Waster, and a duet with Ben Kweller doing Kokomo. Here

Levon Helm - Dirt Farmer

This is the recent release of "The Band's" drummer Levon Helm. He has been battling throat cancer and Robbie Robertson for so many years, its good to see he has still got some music in him. Check it out here Also i believe that Levon runs like a camp thing in NY, where you can go hang with him, he'll tell stories about the music scene, etc. So if your interested here is his website. Please if you like this buy it. Levon has seen and continues to see tough times. Due to the dispute over Band royalties and medical bills. Also he does Midnight Rambles at his farm in Woodstock, so if your in the area and wanna see some old time folk music stop by, and help one of the most spirited and influential musicians in American history. This album is covers of old songs that Levon and his family grew up singing in their homes, and as one interviewer says you can "feel the dirt and feel the hot air while listening to this album."

Evan Dando - Baby I'm Bored

This is the first album released by The Ex-Lemonheads front man after his long battle with drugs and alcohol. Its a great little album and worth a listen obviously. This was Dando's return to the world album, after a multi-year disappearance, that brought him back into current relevance again. I wish i could find some music of the band he formed called "the virgins" which contained himself, a guitarist from the Smashing Pumpkins, and Ryan Adams. Anyway please check it out, Dando is an overlooked musician when it comes to the 80's, 90's, and the 00's. Get it here

The Minus 5 - The Gun Album

here

The Minus 5 - Down With Wilco

This album is a must have for any wilco fan. Wilco teams up with Portland based "The Minus 5". Great album, if you haven't listened to it yet, than you should now. Notable songs are, Family Gardener, The Town That Lost Its Groove Supply, Old Plantation, and Where Will You Go?. This album has both fun and seriousness within itself. The first few tracks are pretty upbeat dancing songs, as the album progress' so does the mood. The songs take up a more serious subject manner. Here

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Jacksonville City Nights

This is one of my favorite Ryan Adams albums, it seems that this and 29 have and had gotten bad reviews. I however enjoyed both, in Jacksonville City Nights Adams dives into complete country, there is really nothing "alt" about this country album. Im sure most readers already own or have previously downloaded this album, if not its here. But if you do own it, keep it warm with another spin in your cd player or turntable. Songs I love are Hard Way To Fall, Trains, Dear John, and Withering Heights.

Django Reinhardt & Stéphane Grappelli - Swing 39

Here is some old time jazz. I first heard of Django in Woody Allen's film "Sweet and Lowdown" with Sean Penn playing the fictional second best jazz guitar player. Second only to Django. So I picked up some of his albums from the library, and i thought i would share. Enjoy Here