The Smiths were a really good band. Now, I know that’s a “well, duh” sort of statement but I never really listened to any of their music (outside of “How Soon is Now?”) until maybe about a week ago.

This particular tune is the sort of beautiful melancholy that made me so emo in high school.

Come on, help a brother out! I live in nowheresville, and consequently music doesn’t come easily for me. All I’ve found are really eighties sounding Japanese tunes, like this for example:

Do you see how desperate I am? I feel like it was written for Music and Lyrics….

Oh, I did find this song on accident. I have no idea who it’s by, because it doesn’t sound like the Japanese Hairband D is.

http://www.last.fm/music/D/_/Going+to+Manhattan+%5BRough+Mix%5D

I used to wish that I was alive in the 60’s so I could have made awesome music. Caribou make me realize that I’m just a pussy for not doing it.

Does this count as twee? does it matter? LoFiForever!

I’m not a big JPOP fan –there is something about their chord progressions that feels meandering and meaningles– but I do love me some Okinawa rock. Honestly think it’s the perfect blend of European and Japanese sensabilities, as opposed to trying to mimic European music.

It could be that Okinawans are exposed to American music a lot more since a large percent of their population American, or it could be just a happy coincidence. In any case, the Capital B-side presents Okinawan Rock.

Technically, The Boom (awesome name, ya?) isn’t Okinawa, but the song is done in the style and was written in Okinawa. Ignore the 90s-tastic bits.

This is Kina Shoukichi who is probably the most famous Okinawan singer of all time. Reminds me a bit of American Pie, actually. In any case, the Lennon’s dig him, so that puts him pretty high up in the cool book.

[http://youtube.com/watch?v=BAj1yeK5q7U&feature=related]

Hey, the Black Kids did a video!

I’m not sure about the cheerleaders, but hey! Powdered-wig ray-gun fight!

When it comes to this man, it’s hard to choose a song.

Just bought this CD, and I have to admit that I dig the near yodeling quality of it. Also, and band that at least attempts complex syncopation gets an A in this teacher’s grade book, and they get a plus for pulling it off well.

http://www.radioblogclub.com/search/0/dear_sons_and_daughters

http://www.radioblogclub.com/search/0/you_are_a_runner_and_i_am

As always with radioblog, since wordpress won’t let me embed it, you have to hit play, and then go over the right and hit play again.

I’m usually not one for folk, but this song moved me.

http://virb.com/boniver/videos/40700 

It’s easy to forget how awesome the Beach Boys were, what with the 1980’s and all, but during the mid-to-late 60’s they recorded some incredible music.

I submit for your approval, Wild Honey:

Also; this: