Hot Dogs

Cathy kicked off the 2014 Birthday Food Tour with The Cranberries.

Birthday Cranberries

The Cranberries - To The Faithful Departed. amazon.com. Used.

Newer Sounds

Not to be confused with British Sea Power, "Remember Me."

Victories At Sea - In Memory Of. iTunes.

When

When Matador was putting out great bands like Come. Then they stopped. But surprisingly they seem to have found their groove again with "hardcore" like Iceage, Ceremony and Fucked Up.

Come - Near Life Experience. Long In the Tooth. Used.

Newer Sounds

Sometimes the iTunes store will list an artist in all caps. I spend too much time trying to decide if I should tag it as "GAPS" or "Gaps." I generally defer to "Gaps." I might have chosen poorly this time.

Gaps - Keep You. iTunes.

Excitement

I think The Strokes were pretty exciting when they came out. I don't know why my interest waned because those first two albums still sound incredible. I really should check out the later stuff.

The Strokes - Someday. amazon.com. Used.

Newer Sounds

At first I didn't know about the name, but I'm way into this. Vocals are a bit odd but appeal to my punk rock sensibilities.

Education For Death. iTunes.

Neo-Soul

The UK has always done "Neo-Soul" very well. Especially in the nineties. I think M People are one of the best examples of this.

M People - One Night In Heaven. amazon.com. Used.

Newer Sounds

I really wanted to see Golden Grrrls a few months ago. The show started at ten pm. Had an opener. And was on a Thursday. Needless to say this thirty-six year old didn't make it.

Golden Grrrls. amazon.com. Used.

Perplexed

I can't figure out His Name Is Alive. I like this album a lot. But some of their creative choices on other albums leave me scratching my head.

His Name Is Alive - Stars on E.S.P. amazon.com. Used.

Newer Sounds

A jazz cover of "Inner City Life"? I said why not. And I enjoy it.

Hackney Colliery Band - Inner City Life. iTunes.

Death

People seem to take the deaths of celebrities really personally. So much sadness on Facebook for someone you've never met.

But Lou Reed's death bummed me out.

Lou Reed - Wild Child. amazon.com. Used.