Arf, Arf. Do the doggy dance.

It's pretty much common knowledge at this point that I spend the majority of my day sleeping and the rest of it on a quest for food. But sometimes, during the week, Cassie leaves music playing for me while she's at work- which helps to pass the time. We've got some new got-tos and some old-reliables. Here are some of my favorite songs, albums and artists, Pug style.

Ben Folds: One Tiny Man + One Rockin' Piano= Magnificent!

Cassie has seen him in concert three times and says he's amAZING live. You never really know what to expect when you pick-up one of his albums- he's got a lot of different faces. Personally, I think his ballads (Landed, Brick, The Luckiest, Late) take the cake. Not only does he know his way around a piano, but the man can write lyrics like no body's business! If I were going to recommend one album (I mean, if you're really going to FORCE me), I say get "Songs for Silverman". If you're feeling more adventurous you can grab his newest CD, "Lonely Avenue"; it's a collaboration with Nick Hornby (author of "About a Boy" and "High Fidelity") and it's positively splendid. Lastly, you could go old school and pick up a Ben Fold Five album (Ben's 3 man band- before his solo career), in which case "Whatever and Ever Amen" is a no brainer.

The Decemberists: Whimsical Stories, Accordions, a Delicious Blend of Folk and Rock

If you're on the edge of sleep in a dark room, alone, I do not recommend listening to "The Mariner's Revenge Song" or "Shankill Butchers"- little too creepy for a pup like me. But The Decemberists are a lot more than tall tales and rock operas. Their newest album, "The King is Dead", has a classic rock feel without sacrificing the band's famous poetic lyrics and inventive instrumentation. You will love "The King is Dead" and so will your Dad- which actually kind of rocks, if you think about it (at least you'll have something to talk about!). More mainstream songs include "The Infanta", "This is Why we Fight", "O Valencia!", "Summersong". If you're looking for stories within a song try "The Rake's Song", "The Crane Wife 3", "Won't Want for Love" and/or "We Both Go Down Together"; also, "The Hazards of Love" album is a continuous story grounded in the same basic principal as St. Pepper and American Idiot- it's fantastic.

Alexi Murdoch: Sad Voice. Beautiful Music.

All of Alexi's songs are heartbreakingly beautiful. His new CD hit last week and I hope Cass will buy it so I can lay on my back and bask in the sunlight that emanates from the emotion in his voice (hey, I've got to find sun somewhere! Seattle is rainy to the max.). It is always fascinating to come into contact with someone (if only by voice) that cares more about quality and "the process" than money and fame. Here's to you, Alexi!
Side note: A.M. provides the soundtrack to a fantastic movie called "Away We Go" (by one of my favorite authors, Dave Eggers). If you haven't seen it already, you must add it to your Netflix queue immediately; I promise you won't be disappointed.

Metric: Wanna Dance? Fab Femme Voice.

How can you possibly lose with an album titled "Grow Up and Blow Away"? It's impossible, there is NO LOSING. For me, the pinnacle Metric song will always be Raw Sugar because it showcases Emily's fantastic vocals as well as the instrumentalists' danceable beats. Throw all your misgivings about Canada out the window and pick up one of their albums (preferably "Grow Up and Blow Away", but "Fantasies" will work as well).

Here are some more old favorites I can't help but bounce along to:
Jet (straight up rock)
Black Lips
Fountains of Wayne
Goldfrapp (good dance music)
Eagles (old school and awesome)
The Blakes (a Seattle-based punk band)
Rilo Kiley
Bright Eyes (soooooo goooooood)
Pete Yorn
The Gossip (hardcore lady vocals)
Spoon
The Colour (ROCK)
Rocky Votolato
The Format
Vendetta Red (this is my angry music)
The Pipettes (All-Girl British Pop= ahhhhhh yeahhh)
Snow Patrol (I lurve all their songs unconditionally)


And here is a list of semi-new artists I've run across in my search for dog treats:
Crash Kings (pleasing to most generations)
Essie Jain (pretty female voice)
Mountain Man (3 girls, 1 guitar, no waiting)
The Head and the Heart
Steel Train
The Weepies (yes it's weepy, also great)

I hope I've inspired you to go to Sonic Boom... or whatever fantastic independent record store you typically haunt. At the very least, maybe iTunes will get some play today.

Over and out! -Cosmo & Cassandra