looks like we both got hanson! while mmmbop is amazing, you should look into their newer stuff. they’re indie now, and every album they release is better than the last

Saturday, but still my 5:

1. “Una Notte A Napoli” Pink Martini from “Hang On Little Tomato”. I think I like the album cover actually more than the album. Although, the album is good.

2. “Gideon” My Morning Jacket from “Z.”

3. “Bubble Toes” Jack Johnson from “Brushfire Fairytales.”

4. “Enjoy the Silence” Depeche Mode from “Violator.”

5. “Seven Nation Army” The White Stripes from “Elephant.”

1. The Black Crowes -”Young Man, Old Man” – from Lions – shit’s got soul!
2. Fela Kuti – “Shakara (Oloje)” – from Shakara – 13 minutes of signature Fela afrobeat. I can never get enough.
3. Robert Randolph & the Family Band – “Jesus Is Just Alright With Me” – from Colorblind. Meh.
4. Prince – “Let’s Pretend We’re Married” – from 1999. Opposite of “meh”. Back when Prince would explore his horniness without limits.
5. Beausoleil – “Gitane Cajun II” – from Gitane Cajun – Michael Doucet and Beausoleil… when i need my Louisiana cajun fix, I turn to them.

ELO, “Ticket to the Moon.” From the Time album in ‘81 — a sci-fi concept record I loved as a kid and still enjoy today. “I’ve got a ticket to the moon / But I’d rather see the sunrise in your eyes.”

Alias, “More than Words Can Say.” I write a column for Popdose.com called “Death by Power Ballad,” and this is a terrific example of the power ballad arts. The version that came up in the shuffle is an acoustic version vocalist Freddy Curci cut for a VH1 compilation. He sounds just as great on this one as he did on the version that got airplay in ‘91.

Linda Ronstadt, “When Will I Be Loved.” A decent slice of California radio pop from the heyday of the Laurel Canyon era.

Gin Blossoms, “Until I Fall Away.” I love the chorus and the second verse, particularly when he sings, “My fear — pretend / That I’ll never be in love again / It’s real to me / But not like these fools and not like this scene.” Definitely conjures some memories of that summer after I graduated college. That was a long freakin’ summer …