Brant's February 2011 Playlist

1. California /Hustle and Flow/ (Social Distortion) - Mike Ness & crew deliver a flat out old school rocker. They have a free session on Daytrotter that doesn't include this tune but has a great version of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire".

2. Snowflakes (Jeremy Fisher) - Cute winter song that sort of ties together Christmas and Valentine's Day for me. Plus - I just want ONE more good snow before we jump into Spring.

3. I'm Not Your Toy (La Roux) - Jason had this on his wall the other day. I hope the success of "Bulletproof" doesn't overshadow some of their other tunes.

4. If I Go (Aer) - I had these guys on last month's playlist with their version of "We R Who We R". This is another laid back groove that reminds me of some of the R&B songs of the 70s ("Float On" by the Floaters). Free download at http://pumpthebeat.com/?p=3488

5. Higher (the Saturdays) - British girl group power anthem

6. White Knuckles (OK Go) - Free download on Daytrotter.com. The more I listen to these guys the more I like them! This is an unplugged version of their peppy pop song (see #19)

7. This Ain't a Love Song (Scouting for Girls) - Probably not the happiest song to have during Valentine's Day month, but the sentiment rings true. Kinda feels like the boy version of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive". Breaking up sucks but it gets better.

8. Price Tag (Jessie J) - I just stumbled across this while surfing the web one day. Reminds me of something the Black Eyed Peas might do ("Where Is the Love").

9. Love Shadow (Fashion) - I found this in the Used CD store. How did I miss this the first time around? Funky 1980s New Wave.

10. Inspiration Information (Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings) - This was on an AIDS benefit CD called "Dark Was The Night". Sharon Jones singing Shuggie Otis for AIDS/HIV relief = win win win.

11. You Come Back (Edie Brickell) - Edie comes back with a great nighttime driving song.

12. My Body (Young the Giant) - This was a free download on iTunes but I liked it. It's somewhere in that Glam Rock/Arena Rock category. I love the chorus "My body tells me no, but I won't quit 'cause I want more!" Perhaps the new theme song for "Celebrity Rehab"?

13. Cars, Money & Fame (Timeflies) - Another song I found on PumptheBeat.com - which is becoming my go-to website for new and cool urban music.

14. Scenic World (Beirut) - Tired of the same old, same old in your Alt Rock bands? Look no further! These guys kick it WAY old school - like Eastern Europe in the 1800s.

15. Rhythm of Love (Plain White T's) - Just a fun, simple happy song. And that's plenty!

16. Marathon (Tennis) - Nautical tales set to 1960s girl group sounds? Bizarre but I kinda like it.

17. Semi Delicious (Shriekback) - Who knew these guys were still around? "Nemesis" was one of my favorite party tunes back in college, but this smooth groove from their Dec 2010 cd has been on heavy rotation since I stumbled across it earlier this month.

18. 100 MPH (Mazarati) - This month's throwback. Prince was working with these guys back in the 80s but kind of screwed them over when he heard them playing "Kiss", a song he had written for them. He liked their version of the song so much, he took it back and recorded it on his own! He let them keep this one - but without any "hits" the band quickly faded into obscurity. This still sounds like a Prince B-side, though.

19. White Knuckles (OK Go) - This is the album version - which sounds like Maroon 5 after a few Baby Guinness shots. Fun party tune!