A Baker's Dozen : Volume 7

01 - The Wombats - "Backfire @ The Disco". The mighty Wombats claim the coveted number one spot yet again. If "Lost In The Post" and "Moving To New York" struck your fancy AT ALL, "Backfire @ The Disco" (great play on "Panic...") delivers in all the same right ways. While the perfection that is The Cribs lies dormant, get your masterfully done catchy-and-quirky-as-hell indie gem fix here. | Website | Myspace | Purchase

02 - Mystery Jets - "Umbrellahead". This one rolls along on a strange piano riff and ends up coming off like a modern-day Syd Barrett. Brilliant verse melody. | Website | Myspace | Purchase

03 - Agent Simple - "Friday". Ever wonder what Calvin Johnson would've sounded like if he could have only stayed in tune? Wonder no more. "Tonight I'm staying here on my own with sour cream and onion..." | Myspace | Purchase

04 - Jamie T - "If You Got The Money". OK. Let me be very clear about one band that I've always hated -- Sublime. Ugh. Yet, I listen to this tune and it's like "uh, Sublime...". So, I own that. BUT... this song is great. What is it about these Brits and their ability to string a catchy ska meets white-boy-rap tune together? The Streets. Lily Allen. Other occasional one-offs. And now here we have Jamie T. If you aren't a believer, here's your not-quite-12-step recovery program. 1. Loosen up. 2. Get yourself in that "I'm going out, it's Friday night" mood. 3. Give yourself even the slightest chance of getting a little action. There you go. See? It all starts to make a ton of sense. | Website | Myspace | Purchase

05 - Mr. Hudson & The Library - "Too Late Too Late". Bit of a strange band here, but that dub bass line is so completely infectious. This would sound LARGE in a club. If I walked into a house party and this was blaring, I'd be so into it. | Website | Myspace | Purchase

06 - Camera Obscura - "Books Written For Girls" (Live Acoustic Version). A perennial favorite around these parts and with ample reason. This is an older tune laid out in an awesome acoustic fashion. I've probably listened to this 50+ times lately. It's an "in the office" standard. | Website | Myspace | Purchase

07 - The Postal Service - "Be Still My Heart". Not sure how I missed this one before, but it's hardly new. Probably some old UK b-side. These guys have it. I'm sure you know that already. Masters of dynamics. | Website | Myspace | Purchase

08 - Winterkids - "Tape It". Man, I'm torn on this one. Watch the video. For all their lame "collar up" lack-of-fashion sense and Albert Hammond Jr. lookalike-ness, this tune has some angles. The words are weak, but that main bassline (think Elefant / Longwave) is awesome (incredible tone to boot). And, this chorus grabs. Too bad about those lyrics... | Website | Myspace | Purchase

09 - Klaxons - "Totem On The Timeline". Klaxons are definitely the top of the "neu rave" (or whatever new genre tag they've been slapped with) pile. They have that post-Bloc Party edginess down pat. And they can write some massive choruses. | Website | Myspace | Purchase

10 - The Knife - "You Make Me Like Charity". Household names these guys. I personally think they are a bit overrated, but this song is pure genius. Perhaps the sexiest slow-build electro number since Portishead lost the plot. | Website | Myspace | Purchase

11 - Like Lions - "Make It Better". Gotta love sub-2:00 acoustic ditties. This one is great. Kids from Philly (or, close enough). | Website | Myspace

12 - The Brother Kite - "I'm Not The Only One". Providence RI product here. Probably some Brown students or graduated hangers-on. Who knows. Regardless, this is a slice of premium Teenage Fanclub inspired pop magic. Hi-hats, harmonies, and shoegazey soaring guitar riffs. Usually works for me. |
Website | Myspace | Purchase

13 - Bright Eyes - "Tourist Trap". As I hope you are aware, Bright Eyes are back. This is a song that's been floated out there for all to take and it's been taken. A masterful Connor country-esque gem. I was actually in Omaha NE two weeks ago and wondering how this whole story ever started... | Website | Myspace | Purchase