There was a talky sort of woman next to me in yoga last night who issued forth many loud happy sighs and grunts during the poses and afterwards turned to me and said, “Boy! I always feel like Gumby after this class!” and I nodded and immediately thought of this incredibly hilarious offensive and juvenile (NSFW audio, don’t say I didn’t warn you) video I saw a while back and while I smiled in what I hoped was a polite manner and she nattered on about something or other I helplessly replayed that entire dubbed-Gumby script to myself and when she told me that she was going to have a popsicle when she went home because after a workout like that she’d better stay AWAY from the candied peanuts, ha ha ha, my brain was going, “Looka my head, it’s lopsided bitch — suckadick!”

Also, the yoga instructor had either padded pants on or she was wearing knee pads under her pants and while I realized after the fifty-millionth minute of balancing on one knee with only a quarter inch of mat between my kneecap and the hard-ass floor that she was definitely onto something, I also couldn’t help thinking what JB would say if he saw me in a similar getup, and how he would probably sprain something trying to get out just the right sausage/protein snack/beefstick/Administer Orally Every Twelve Hours Preferably With a Meal joke.

Honestly, I don’t know what my problem is. Basically I am a twelve year old boy trying to pass off as a thirty-something suburban mom. It’s sad, really.

So hey, I need some new music (again). I start work next week and I need some fresh iPod content to make my commute tolerable. What have you been listening to lately that you can’t get out of your head? Loud/upbeat/butt-shaking stuff particularly appreciated.

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deanna
deanna
16 years ago

some things i recently downloaded or recently rediscovered and TOTALLY recommend:

1. jason mraz–(one of my all-time favorites) hes coming out with a new album, “we sing we dance we steal things” in a few weeks. he pre-released a lot of the tracks in stripped down versions on some ep’s (i like his acoustic, live stuff better than his records usually anyways). check em out on itunes. im currently loving the songs ‘dynamo of volition’ ‘butterfly’ ‘details in the fabric’ and ‘silent love song.’ (‘silent love song’ is quite possibly one of my favorite songs ever. beautiful.)
2. bushwalla–hes one of mraz’s friends and i saw them on tour together a couple of weeks ago. he really is a live act and his recorded stuff doesnt quite do it justice, but his lyrics are hilarious. (for example, “its hard to be a ganster with a basket on your bike..”) acoustic hip hop. hes definitely got a style all of his own.
3. stars–a band out of montreal that i found on one of ‘the oc’ soundtracks a while ago. HIGHLY recommend for some chill indie sorta rock.
4. obadiah parker: hey ya–a youtube video of this has been making the internet rounds. its an acoustic version of the black eyed peas song and its BEAUTIFUL. if you donwload one thing from this list, i recommend THIS.
5. bjork: ive been really digging her old stuff lately, albums like post, homogenic and vespertine. ironically some of it is great to work out to.
6. ben lee: awake is the new sleep–good chill indie folk rock.
7. interpol: turn on the bright lights–fab indie rock.
8. this miseducation of lauryn hill. this album is still great 10 or so years later.
9. two spot gobie–lil group out of the uk with a couple of songs up on itunes. good lil rockin.

ANYTHING by the following groups/artists:
iron & wine, the postal service, carole king, jack johnson, N.E.R.D., matt costa, deathcab for cutie, turin brakes

and ill stop there. i spend way too much money and time on itunes. its kind of an obsession…

samantha
16 years ago

I’ve been getting all my co-workers hooked on Fleetwood Mac. I’ve always been a HUGE fan and I can never get enough.

JenL
JenL
16 years ago

I’m not usually into the extremely upbeat stuff, but here’s some new music (and some old stuff I love) that’s on my happy, feel-good list:

Rogue Wave – “Descended Like Vultures”
The Raconteurs – “Broken Boy Solders” and “Consolers of the Lonely”
Vampire Weekend, which someone else has already recommended, is good and upbeat too.

And although not actually very upbeat, DeVotchka has a new album out too – A” Mad and Faithful Telling”.

Hope some of these hit the spot!

Mnerva
Mnerva
16 years ago

@ZestyJenny: according to my XM radio MGMT is “pronounced” just that–M,G,M,T. But I suppose they might be wrong. Also I do like the song “Time to Pretend” by them as was mentioned above.

I’ve emailed Linda previously about Lyrics Born because I was just that fucking stoked about him. Seriously folks, check out “I Like It, I Love It.” If you can manage to stay still during that song you have my undying, ummm, really-wondering-what’s-wrong-with-you-ness?

And I 4th or 5th the recommendation for Vampire Weekend.

Mnerva
Mnerva
16 years ago

Oh! And “Pumpkin Soup” by Kate Nash. Awesome.

Elizabeth
Elizabeth
16 years ago

MGMT for sure – but just to be a pretentious music snob – it is pronounced M.G.M.T – not “management”. I know, because I made my best friend ask the guitarist when we were at their show. “Electric Feel” is amazing.

Kay
Kay
16 years ago

This is totally off the subject but I looked at your new pics on the left there? And may I say, Hello JB the third?!?! My gosh that boy looks like his Daddy now! ;)

and also? I don’t own an Ipod so I am no help. BUt your kids? Gorgeous! ;)

jac
jac
16 years ago

Bonde Do Role – ‘Marina Gasolina’

Popular in Australia as it’s the soundtrack to an underwear ad (something for the 13 year old boy in you?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTrPeSHVqJQ

Matt
16 years ago

Medeski Martin and Wood’s “Combustication” album. It’s upbeat, funky, and you can’t stop yourself from dancing or at least tapping your foot..:-)

Rae
Rae
16 years ago

Anything by the band “Against Me!”… Thrash Unreal and Stop! are my two favourites. :) Enjoy!!

Ms. Boombastic
16 years ago

This isn’t super upbeat, but I am loving the band South right now, especially their song “The Pain”

Matt
16 years ago

South is awesome! The album “With the Tides” is a brilliant piece of shoegaze. Have you heard the band Slowdive..?

MaxJerz
16 years ago

Gnarls Barkley’s new album has been stuck in my head pretty much since I downloaded it on iTunes – definitely a good purchase! All the songs are good, not just the radio singles.

Also I’m really becoming a fan of Sara Bareilles – not as upbeat, but her new album is good too.

Frannie
16 years ago

Wow, I’m surprised at the picks:MGMT and South. I was going to suggest both.

I love Final Fantasy’s “Peach Plum Pear” cover of the Joanna Newsom song.
I don’t know, I’ve been listening to a lot of old stuff lately. You know, Michael McDonald, tequila sunrises and yacht parties on the weekend.

jonniker
16 years ago

I forgot to mention that you’d probably like Emily Wells. I’m not sure if I told you about her before, but I found her randomly on iTunes, then ended up being led to Jesca Hoop (through their terrible, terrible “Others bought” feature). She’s esoteric and quirky, though not particularly upbeat. But fun nonetheless.

The album is “Beautiful Sleepyhead and the Laughing Yaks”

mixette
mixette
16 years ago

I recently went to my 11 yr. old cousin’s ipod for some new tunes and came back with:

Low – Flow Rida
California Knows How to Party – 2Pac

amber
amber
16 years ago

Are you ready for this? “Shooter” by Lil Wayne. It’s an old song, but OH SO GOOD for workouts. (Starts off kinda low-key, then WOWZA.)

And for mellow, I love Bon Iver right now. Oh so much.

launchingsloth
16 years ago

This isn’t exactly topical, but since you mentioned yoga class: I finally went into LuluLemon this weekend, and bought a pair of the ALL TIME BEST PANTS EVER. Thanks for the tip!

kali
kali
16 years ago

the most incredibly can’t-help-moving (like, really, just. can’t. help. it.) song i have right now: TTC’s Travailler- the Orgasmic remix. it’s a dance remix of a french rap song about working and partying. SO. GOOD.
also, i’d recommend gogol bordello. gypsy punk out of nyc- INCREDIBLE in person, but with a sort of ethnically seductive call to movement even on cd. any of their albums are great; some of my fav. songs are passport, start wearing purple, wonderlust king…

CK
CK
16 years ago

The best rock band out right now is Atreyu…. they’re basically a combo of OLD Linkin Park, AFI and throw in some Breaking Benjamin. Soooo good.

http://www.atreyurock.com

Abalicious
Abalicious
16 years ago

May I suggest Ray Lamantagne “till the sun turns black”. It is a valium for your baby and a soothing breath of air for anyone else listening.

Tegan and Sara “so jealous” album. Girl rock to rival the go gos.

Andrew bird “fake palindromes”. Good folk funk.

Abalicious
Abalicious
16 years ago

May I suggest Ray Lamantagne “till the sun turns black”. It is a valium for your baby and a soothing breath of air for anyone else listening.

Tegan and Sara “so jealous” album. Girl rock to rival the go gos.

Andrew bird “fake palindromes”. Good folk funk.

Thursday
16 years ago

Seal.

JenL
JenL
16 years ago

“bodyguard” by Dawn Landes. Not exactly booty-shaking, but still conducive to chair-dancing.

Emily
16 years ago

I know I’m a bit late, but you can always use more music right?

I’m gonna second all the MGMT, Vampire Weekend and New Pornographers and add some of my own:

The Black Keys
Pinback
DeVotchKa
Meiko
The Kooks
The Racounteurs
Also, the new collaboration of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward called She & Him

Margie
Margie
16 years ago

If you don’t like the song “Tony the beat” by The Sounds – I’ll eat my hat!

Robin
Robin
16 years ago

My two new fav songs are “All Summer Long” by Kid Rock and “Hottie” by Toby Keith (if you like country)! Also, have you heard “Let Me Borrow that Top” by Kelly? HILARIOUS!!!

Anais
Anais
16 years ago

For your iPod:

Matisyahu (anything by him, really)

Lisa Ekdahl (all of her English songs are beautiful, but my favorites are “I Don’t Miss You Anymore”; “Tea For Two”; “I Will Be Blessed”; “Deep Inside Your Dreams”

Lights- Drive My Soul

Andrea True Connection- More, More, More (I love disco)

Rogue Wave- Lake Michigan

Suzanne Vega- Caramel

Valerie
Valerie
16 years ago

This is a bit late & you probably already have it already:

LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver

I don’t know if they’re still doing it, but Black Kids were giving their EP away for free as a download. It’s awesome. It sounds like The Cure meets The Jackson 5 with a little bit of The Go! Team mixed in:

Black Kids – Wizard of Ahhs

breckgirl
16 years ago

Please, if you haven’t already, be sure to get “Business Time” by the Flight of the Conchords. You’ll die laughing.

Lena
Lena
16 years ago

Try the Sugababes! :D