Playlist IV: Octoburn

1. Peter and the Wolf - The Highway: This is from one of my favorite albums of 2006. I think I may have a weakness for songs about roads.

2. Johnny Cash - I See a Darkness: Cash's rendition of this Bonnie "Prince" Billy masterpeice is better than the original. Probably the greatest "buddy" song ever written. "...and light it up forever, and never go to sleep. My best unbeaten brother, this isn't all I see."

3. Beach House - Apple Orchard: Lots of indie praise for this one. Minimal and beautiful. I nice way to slip into our Fall clothing.

4. Randy Newman - Sail Away: From Newman's album of the same name, which becomes more relevent as time goes by. Gus likes to bop his head to Randy's music.

5. Jens Lekman - At the Dept. of Forgotten Songs: What is really going on up there in Sweden, can anybody tell me? All these crazy amazing musicians coming down from the north. Ya' suspect.

6. Ron Sexsmith - These Days: Love him. I bought "Blue Boy" the day it came out not knowing anything about him, just because I loved the cover art and saw it was produced by Steve Earle. I heard NPR describe him as the musician all other musicians admire, but who no one wants to be (due to lack of comercial success).

7. Low - Breaker: I wasn't coverted to Low until this year when I saw Alan Sparhawk's Take Away Show. He is the real deal.

8. Jaymay - What Happened: Not John Mayer, btw. I came across her about 5 years ago I think. Still haven't heard much from her, but her stuff is nice.

9. Elvis Perkins - While You Were Sleeping: I'm gonna be mad if this was inspired by the movie. His album Ash Wednesday has been a real slow grower on me this year. This is one of the better tracks.

10. Patty Griffin - Moon River: Petite redhead with sharp features and a voice that breaks the earth. She is capable of anything. Love this cover.

Playlist III: September Eleven

1. Andrew Bird - Don't Be Scared: This is from the Weather Systems album. I love the way the song builds with the harmony and the line "Don't be scared, don't believe that you're alone." That is a good reason not to be afraid, I think.

2. Coconut Records - West Coast: This is very Weezeresque stuff. Fun and poppy. Jason Schwartzman is an interesting guy to follow just because of his movie roles alone, but I'm impressed by his record.

3. The Decemberists - I Was Meant For the Stage: I've always envied people who seemed to know from a very early age their callings in life. I've never been that way. This song is about bravery as much as anything.

4. Okkervil River - Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe: I've noticed that my life hasn't often played out like a movie. But sometimes it does, so I can appreciate the "maybe" on the end of the song title.

5. Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Raining in Darling: "And I will make mistakes alright, 'cause the body asks so much." Story of all our lives, right? I'm a fan of this album. He can use words like "rerendered" in songs.

6. Bright Eyes - Classic Cars: I don't know anything about cars, much less classic cars. But I can appreciate a song about finding faith, or the search for life's meaning. Love the line, "I made a new cast, of the death mask, thats gonna cover my face." People can change!

7. Denison Witmer - Stations: Finding Dension years ago felt like a gift. He is a real songwriter. His "Safe Away" album is absolute gold. One I return to time and time again.

8. The New Pornographers - Challengers: This one features Neko (whose tracks are the best on the album). Isn't this a pretty example of verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, verse, chorus?

9. Hayden - Trees Lounge: Two Canadians back to back. I was introduced to Hayden by my maple-leafed-loving brother in law. Steve Buscemi wrote and directed the movie by the same name, and this song was written specifically for it.

10. Pavement - Stereo: This album (Brighten the Corners) is top ten of the 90's for me. No one's lyrics are quite like Malkmus's, "A redder shade of neck on a whiter shade of trash" (Shady Lane). Or from this song, "And what about the voice of Geddy Lee? How did it get so high? I wonder if he speaks like an ordinary guy? (I know him and he does)" Geddy Lee is the singer of Rush. Good stuff.

11. Neutral Milk Hotel - Two Headed Boy: This one is an absolute masterpiece and probably in my top ten songs of all time. How do you write a song? This is how you write a song. Of course there are other ways too, but they just aren't as good.

Playlist II: A Dollop of August

Patrick Wolf - The Marriage: He's got that late 80's British crooner thing down. I don't know much about him, but supposedly his most recent album "The Magic Position" is good.

Jennifer O'Connor - Today: Her latest was released via Matador. Acoustic goodness.

The Tough Alliance - Silly Crimes: I also don't know much about this group, but I dig this song.

Cat Power - I Found A Reason: What more can be said about the beautiful Chan Marshall? This is from her covers album.

Marissa Nadler - Dying Breed: She has a great album out and covers Radiohead on the tenth anniversary tribute for OK Computer.

Rachel Cantu - Your Hips Are Bad: I don't even know how I stumbled across this little ditty, but it's nice.

Dolorean - You Can't Win: The entire song's lyrics are in the pessimistic title. Be patient with this one and turn up the headphones. It will deliver when its all said and done.

Aimee Mann - Wise Up: Love, love, love Aimee Mann. I sometimes think of a distraught Jerry Macguire when I hear this one. It was a mission statement!

John Vanderslice - Kookaburra: This from John's fantastic new album Emerald City. He is very politically aware so be prepared for post 9/11 allusion.

Lucinda Williams - Which Will: This is the infamous Nick Drake cover. So Good.

Voxtrot - Soft & Warm: Yo quiero Voxtrot. "You are so young, so feel alive!"

Jose Gonzalez - Down the Line: I wish I could have found a non-live version of this, but I'm really excited for Jose's new album to come out this fall.