In the Dashboard This Week - Mason Jennings, the Cat Empire

A couple of weeks ago, we had this as our Lightning Strikes featured CD. The label wanted to use it ahead of his City Hall show, and all we had at the time was an advance single ("Fighter Girl"), so we played that all week. At the time my impression was "Best Lou Reed song I never heard." Now that I've got the album and have spent plenty of time with it, the needle leans more toward a Jonathan Richman appeal in its deceptively simple lyrics and straightforward arrangements. In case you're wondering - that's a good thing. Faves: "I Love You And Buddha Too," "Your New Man."

Next we go down under for one of my favorite new bands of the past year (new to me, at least. You may have known them for ages. What do I know? I get flannel pajamas in the mail), The Cat Empire. We (music lovers in the US) have gotten too far away from music being a publicly-owned culture, so it's a welcome thing that Cat Empire sounds like a band that you might hear at a charity party or very expensive wedding. In its mix of r&b-ska-jazzy-occasionally Weillish-party mix, it's got heart. And brains.

Sound: Flash player from Cat Empire's website (check out "The Chariot" & "So Many Nights")

For the Morning Show Host Who Has Everything ... Almost

One of the (occasionally dubious) perks of doing morning radio is people send you things, hoping you'll talk them up on the air. Most of the treats are stupid-fun more than valuable, so you can't be accused of actually having a conflict of interest or taking payola. Turner Broadcasting sends me stuff all the time for their TBS & TNT shows. The only product they've sent that I've used (so far) was a canvas grocery bag promoting 10 Items or Less.

Today they sent this:


"Pajamagram" from the Vermont Teddy Bear company. A bunch of DVDs of summer shows and a set of flannels to get in the mood.

Ouch. As someone who gets up at 4am, I don't get to have much of a life, is it really this bad, already?

At least the hat box is kind of cool.

Huzzah! More Popcorn

I managed to check out the new Indiana Jones movie & will post some thoughts later today. Update - review is here.

In the meantime, some visuals from this year's Tennessee Renaissance Fest for your enjoyment:

Mmmm. Popcorn Movie. Yeah

I went to see Iron Man, a little late for any kind of timely review. But that never stopped me from offering an opinion.

Clubbin' Friday Night

We're doing another one of our Miller Made Music showcases tonight at the Mercy Lounge. Of the four bands playing, the one I've seen before is Maureen Murphy. Something like a 9-piece R & B, real sweet stuff. We're still trying to find out where the best vantage is to get video footage from in that joint. When we have it, so will you.

Better Than Puppies Or Kittens

A momma dog dealing with a litter of pups and 6 kittens!

And Then There Was Video

Got one of the latest generation of iMacs and took advantage of their iMovie ap to make some low budget (I mean, really low budget) Nashville Sunday Night clips. I present you with Miss Elizabeth Cook:



She stated this song will be on her next album, I didn't catch the title.