Brant's Christmas 2017 Playlist

It's the holiday season, so I guess I'd better mistletoe the line!

11 months out of the year, I try to shine a spotlight on cool NEW music.  For Christmas this year, it seemed like a good time to focus on the past.  I know there are new Christmas albums out there (Sia and Gwen Stefani immediately come to mind), but the holidays are tied to tradition.   Why not highlight the great seasonal songs of years gone by?  Some of these have made previous playlists, but others are new gems I discovered while researching.  Hopefully the result is a nice mix of the familiar and the fun!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Christmas Time Is Here (Vince Guaraldi Trio) - Probably one of the most well-known holiday songs, thanks to its exposure on the "Charlie Brown Christmas" television specials.  This one immediately takes me back to the Christmases of my childhood.

2.  I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (Billie Holiday) - Jazz goddess sings a winter classic.

3.  There's Frost on the Moon (Artie Shaw and His Orchestra with Peg LaCentra) - This is the first I'd heard this 1936 tune, but I love the big band sound of this era!

4.  Christmas Night in Harlem (Louis Armstrong) - One of my personal faves!

5.  The Merriest (June Christy) - Über-cool 1950s vocalist bestows holiday cheer upon our unworthy ears!

6.  A Marshmallow World (Ray Anthony) - The last surviving member of Glenn Miller's orchestra brings his easy swingin' sound to this winter ditty.

7.  Christmas Blues (Ramsey Lewis Trio) - My mom had a few Ramsey Lewis LPs in her collection, so I was happy to find he had some Christmas music out there!  Funky piano jazz that almost sounds too happy to be the blues.

8.  Christmas Island (the Andrews Sisters) - Another song that brings back family memories for me.

9.  Winter Weather (Peggy Lee and Benny Goodman) - I've heard Peggy's Christmas albums, but was not familiar with this song, which is on a collaboration album with bandleader Benny Goodman!

10.  The Christmas Waltz (Frank Sinatra) - Another familiar holiday classic.

11.  Good Morning Blues (Ella Fitzgerald) -  Personally, I love everything on Ella's "Swingin' Christmas" album, but this was one I don't hear very often so I decided to select it for this year's playlist.

12.  Greensleeves (John Coltrane Quartet) - The version I have is from a 1961 Village Vanguard show.  I didn't see that on Spotify, but this one is quite similar.  Nice jazz interpretation of the traditional English folk song.

13.  Boogie Woogie Santa Claus (Mabel Scott) - Scott's version is an old school rhythm and blues stomper, but the Patti Page version on Spotify is also a great workout!

14.  O Holy Night (Mormon Tabernacle Choir) - My favorite traditional Christmas song, immaculately performed by the MTC.

15.  White Christmas (Dorothy Collins) - Canadian-born singer does a nice job with Bing Crosby's signature song.

16.  Ole Santa (Dinah Washington) - Another jazz goddess shines her light on the North Pole with this tranquil ballad.

17.  Blue Christmas (Elvis Presley) - No explanation needed.  An instant classic from the day it was released in 1957 (although a few others had recorded the song previously).

18.  Merry Christmas, Baby (Tex Beneke, Ray Eberle, and the Modernaires) - Big band treatment of the Charles Brown standard.

19.  Far Away Christmas Blues (Johnny Otis and Little Esther Phillips) - I really don't know anything about this tune, but I'm digging the jazzy blues vibes!

20.  The Christmas Song (Carmen McRae) - Influential jazz legend applies her signature stylings to this Mel Tormé holiday standard.

21.  Jingle Bell Rock (Floyd Cramer) - Festive piano instrumental!

22.  What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? (Margaret Whiting) - Smokey vocals over stately big band backdrop that makes New Year's Eve sound much classier than it usually is!

So that's the last playlist of 2017!  Hope everyone has a fantabulous holiday season, and God willing I'll see you in the New Year!

Brant's November 2017 Playlist

When they asked me to be a diplomat to Turkey, I think I misunderstood...

Well, Halloween is behind us and we are racing towards the holiday season!  So, while you're still snacking on Halloween candy and getting ready to pig out at Thanksgiving and other holiday meals - here's some new music to enjoy.  Last month skewed towards acoustic and Americana selections, so this month favors the electronic jams.  Enjoy!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Machinist (Japanese Breakfast) - What a treat to see a new Japanese Breakfast album is out!  Spacey beats and delicate vocals to launch this month's playlist!

2.  Paola (Shout Out Louds) - ANOTHER favorite act I was thrilled to see in my new music folder!  Indie band from Sweden picks up where New Order and the Cure left off, with some first-rate melancholy alt-rock. 

3.  Take Her Place Tonight (Don Diablo feat. ARIZONA) - Dutch artist, who is listed on Wikipedia as a "founding father of Future House", has remixed everyone from Rihanna to the Chainsmokers.  Here, a chorus of auto-tuned voices and pulsating keyboards combine to reassure the listener that being someone's second choice doesn't have to suck! 

4.  I Believe in Us (LÉON) - Another Swedish artist, providing rich vocals over keyboards that would make Elton John swoon.

5.  Honky Tonk Flame (Tyler Childers) - Kentucky singer/songwriter landed Sturgill Simpson to produce his debut album!  I love the mix of old-school country with 60s psychedelia. 

6.  Blueberry Hill (Fats Domino) - So sad to lose this legend of Rock and Roll last month.  It's amazing how well this song, one of his biggest hits, holds up after almost 60 years!  RIP

7.  More, More, More (Dagny) - Yes, this is currently in a Target commercial.  But there's no denying that Dagny's smooth remake of the Andrea True Connection's 1976 classic is delicious!

8.  Lucy/Sun Goes Up (Chris Tall feat. Maydar) - Okay, I'm realizing there are a LOT of Swedish acts on this month's list.  It's not intentional - I just dig the disco beats on this tune! 

9.  LMK (Kelela) - Up and coming singer serves soulful vocals over industrial bass and club beats. 

10.  The One to Wait (CCFX) - This reminds me of the early 80s, when New Wave and Goth bands weren't afraid to incorporate R&B elements into their music.  Sounds like Alphaville singing over a Soul II Soul track. 

11.   Boyfriend (Hurts) - White boy soul from English band.

12.  Androgynous (Beach Slang) - Remember when Ike and Tina Turner decided to do a "nice and easy" song, instead of their usual "nice and rough" material?  Apparently punk band Beach Slang decided to go the same route.  Here, they tackle the Replacements' 1984 song with a fairly faithful rendition.  Reminds me of a gender-fluid saloon in the Old West!

13.  Stolen Hearts (Blitzen Trapper) - Portland, Oregon band is back with more mellow folk-rock!

14.   Dark Come Soon (Trashique) - I've pretty much decided I like anything Grimes does.  Here, she and Hana contribute to the excellent Con X: Covers album by Tegan and Sara.  Proceeds go to their Tegan and Sara Foundation, to raise money for self-identified girls and women in the LGBT community. 

15.  Sit Next to Me (Foster the People) - West Coast Indie Pop band shows no signs of slowing down with this selection from their third studio album. 

16.  Show Me Love (Fenech-Soler) - File this under "Songs I Never Expected Anyone to Cover"!  Robin S's glorious 1993 dance hit gets the Euro Synth-pop treatment from this British band, with surprisingly terrific results! 

So that's another month in the bag!  I haven't decided if next month will be Christmas music or continue to showcase recent releases. I guess I'll decide while I'm in my Turkey Coma at the end of the month.  Until then! 

Brant's October 2017 Playlist

The "Facepalm" - I think we're doing it wrong...

Okay, October is NOT off to a great start.  There was a mass shooting in Las Vegas, Tom Petty dies of a heart attack, and POTUS is in Puerto Rico tossing rolls of paper towels to people like he's in the half time show of a basketball game.  On a brighter note - Halloween is coming up!  And just like when you're trick-or-treating, I've got a tasty mix of musical goodies for you!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Counting Down (Cut Copy) - Upbeat dance pop from Australian band, from their first new album since 2013's "Free Your Mind".

2.  Little White Lies (BETSY) - Welsh singer comes on strong with her debut!  The first time I heard it I thought it was Cher.

3.  Human (Go West) - One of my fave bands from the 80s covers the Killers!

4.  That Old Black Magic (Florence Henderson) - We lost Florence last year, but her disco version of this witchy jazz standard will live on forever!  Not on Spotify, but you can find it here (recorded from the 1976 Paul Lynde Halloween TV special).   

5.  Wednesday Morning Atonement (Curtis Harding) - We had him on my June 2014 Playlist, and now he's back with more classic soul vibes, produced by Danger Mouse!

6.  Maybes (Giraffage feat. Japanese Breakfast) - Bay area producer and artist collaborates with Japanese Breakfast for some cool-as-ice lounge beats to go with the October breezes.

7.    Slow Hands (Niall Horan) - Former One Direction member goes solo with some folksy, hand-clappin' pop.

8.  Days (Edward + Jane) - More folk vibes from Chattanooga Indie band.

9.  To All the Girls Who Cry (the Secret Sisters) - I just caught these ladies in concert last Friday and they were AMAZING!!!  After their record label dropped them, Brandi Carlile tracked Laura and Lydia Rogers down in Alabama and offered to produce a new album for them.  The results are glorious, and I'm happy to report that the sisters are as lovely in person as their harmonies are on stage.  Definitely catch them if they come to your city!

10.  Can't Get It Out (Brand New) - Long Island rockers are back with a highly anticipated 5th album, rumored to be their last!

11.  Don't Do Me Like That (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) - We lost Tom Petty this week, so I had to include one of his hits.  RIP.

12.  Da Ya Think I'm Sexy (Rod Stewart with DNCE) - Another music legend, who happily is still with us, teams up with a Jonas brother to update his 1978 disco classic for a new generation!

13.  Everytime I See the Light (Peaking Lights) -  Funky psychedelic vibes that sound like Astrud Gilberto singing to a Roxy Music tune. 

14.  Over My Shoulder (Two Another) - Smooth R&B vibes from British duo.

15.  Don't Dream It's Over (the Head and the Heart) - We had an 80s band singing a contemporary song (see #3), so it's only fair that we have a contemporary band sing an 80s song (originally done in 1986 by Crowded House). 

16.  Domino (Hiss Golden Messenger) - Upbeat and soulful folk from Durham, NC band.

17.  Tell Me What They're Saying Can't Be True (Cécile McLorin Salvant) - This woman could sing tax forms and I'd listen!  Taken from the Grammy winner's latest album of live and studio cuts. Please let her come through Charlotte sometime!!!

So that's October!  I'm off to eat some German food (Oktoberfest, y'know!) and then pull together a Halloween costume.  Hope everyone has a great and spooky month and I'll see you in November!

Brant's September 2017 Playlist

Whitney Houston, we have a problem! This is what
I get for shopping at Katy Perry's Etsy page.  

Okay, I'm a couple of days late with this one!  Between the holiday weekend and my birthday, time got away from me.  But I managed to cobble together some new tunes, with the help of a couple of friends.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Glide (the Dream Syndicate) - So, in one of those weird coincidences - I've been exploring music from the Paisley Underground the last few weeks, mainly because I found an out-of-print Three O'Clock CD that I've really liked (more on that later).  Anyway, it turns out that one of the premier bands from this movement is putting out a new album.  This single from the upcoming album is a great return to form for The Dream Syndicate!

2.  Heaven (PVRIS) - Robert turned me on to this band, and (as the kids say) they are FIRE!!!  Soaring vocals over driving percussion.

3.  Lady (Austin Mahone feat. Pit Bull) - Delicious remake of Modjo's 2001 classic, which features a sample from Chic's "Soup for One".

4.  Heart Attack (Oliver feat. De La Soul) - Electronic duo teams up with Hip Hop legends for some old school get-down that would make Grandmaster Flash smile!  Thanks, Gary, for calling these guys to my attention!

5.  Life Goes On (Fergie) - Taylor Swift isn't the only pop princess with a new album coming out!  I hope Fergie doesn't get overlooked in all the Tay Tay/Katy Perry hoopla!

6.  Carin at the Liquor Store (the National) - Bruce pointed me this way as we were discussing the latest in rock music.  Kinda sounds like a lost Tom Waits tune.

7.  Crawl (Gabriel Garzón-Montano) - Playful R&B vibes from new artist most-famous for being sampled by Drake on "Jungle".

8.  Sunflower (Glen Campbell) - I think we all knew this day was coming, but it was still sad to lose Glen Campbell.  Here, he covers Neil Diamond's "Sunflower" with his characteristic sincerity and exuberance. RIP.

9.  Sixteen (Thomas Rhett) - Rising country star serves up some John Cougar Mellencamp flavors with a dash of nostalgia.

10.  September Song (JP Cooper) - Uplifting pop from British singer-songwriter.

11.  Friendship Is a Small Boat in a Storm (Chicano Batman) - I can't remember how I found this song, but I'm digging its wacky 1970s Santana/War vibe.

12.  Walkaway (Weaves) - Tasty Indie Rock from Toronto band.  Lead singer Jasmyn Burke seems to be channeling Missing Persons' Dale Bozzio on this single!

13.  Fool's Gold (Dagny feat. BØRNS) - Dance-pop from Norwegian singer.

14.  Kiss It Better (Cerrone feat. Yasmin) - It's awesome to see disco legends still out there making great music.  Nile Rodgers never left, but in 2015 Giorgio Morodor released "Deja Vu".  Now we have Cerrone coming out with a new album.  Easy-going disco vibes with kittenish vocals, perfect for end-of-summer lounging by the pool.

15.  Flower Power (Greta Van Fleet) - Online reviews have compared this young band to Led Zeppelin, and that's a fair comparison - but WOW!  Can't wait to see what happens as this band matures and finds their own sound.  Until then, I'm totally good with the early 70s grooves they're currently delivering.

16.  Love Explosion (the Three O'Clock) - As I mentioned earlier, I recently came across this out-of-print album by the Three O'Clock which was released on Prince's Paisley Park label in 1987.  It's a shame some of these songs aren't more widely available, because there are some good moments on "Vermillion".  Not on Spotify, but you can hear this particular song on YouTube.  The Three O'Clock were part of the Paisley Underground scene in Los Angeles during the 1980s, along with the Dream Syndicate and the Bangles.  Prince was so impressed by their sound that he signed the Three O'Clock to his own label!

17.  Astronaut (Transviolet) - Speaking of LA bands, here's a new one!  Trippy, electronic psychedelia that still manages to get the toes tappin'.

So that's September!  I'm going to get back to my Labor Day weekend, but wanted to get this posted.  Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!  See you in October.

Brant's August 2017 Playlist

It's back to school time - you grab the lunch box and I'll grab the boombox!  

Is it time for a new playlist already???  July went by fast - but not as fast as Scaramucci's stint as Communications Director at the White House.  The Mooch is out, but great music is always IN!  Let's get to it.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  When We Were Young (Andy Black and Juliet Simms) - Adele gets the Emo Power Ballad treatment!  I'm sure some folks will be mortified this recording exists, but I'm loving it.  Reminds me of slow dances at the prom.

2.  Automatic (Mondo Cozmo) - More arena rock vibes, this time from Philadelphia artist Josh Ostrander.  We also featured him on February's playlist.  Can't wait for the entire album to drop!

3.  Green Light /Chromeo Remix/ ( Lorde) - You know how sometimes something shouldn't work but then it totally works???  Chromeo turns Lorde's teen angst into a thumpin' 80s dance jam.

4.  We Could Run (Beth Ditto) - As promised, more from Beth Ditto's excellent solo album.

5.  Sleepwalking (Nicole Atkins) - Former Charlottean serves up some East Coast beach music.

6.  Brass Beam (Waxahatchee) - Confessional grrrrrl rock from Indie artist.

7.  Seems I'm Never Tired Lovin' You (Lizz Wright) - Talented vocalist takes Nina Simone to church with this delicious gospel-tinged cover!

8.  Paper Wings /Demo/ (Gillian Welch) - Two decades after the release of her debut album, Welch treats us to a collection of bootlegs and outtakes from the recording sessions.  I kinda like this straightforward reading/demo of this song from the original album.

9.  Unpredictable (Olly Murs and Luisa Johnson) - Olly is becoming my go-to for fun, danceable pop.  His latest does NOT disappoint.

10.  The Maze (Manchester Orchestra) - More gospel flavahs from Georgia Indie band.

11.  Systemagic /Hannah Holland Remix/ (Goldfrapp) - Thank goodness my friend Josh tipped me off that there was a new Goldfrapp album.  This one flew in under my radar.  Love the Euro-Disco vibe that Hannah Holland brings to the original.

12.  Drench Me With Your Lust (AMiR) - London based producer channels Michael Jackson for this toe-tappin (but kinda grossly titled) soul tune!

13.  Weakness (Margo Price) - Retro-country goddess is back with more old-school confections!

14.  Holding On (The War on Drugs) - This one kind of reminds me of 80s Grateful Dead, and I'm good with that.

15.  Wouldn't You Love to Love Me? (Taja Sevelle) - I guess the only good side of Prince passing is that stuff he worked on his bubbling up again.  30 years ago, Michael Jackson was working on his follow up to the legendary Thriller album.  As one of the biggest artists of that decade, Prince was asked to duet on the title song of Jackson's new album, "Bad".  Prince passed on that, but instead offered a song he had written for Jackson to record.  Jackson passed, but the song ended up on R&B singer Taja Sevelle's debut album.  It's not available on Spotify, but you can hear it HERE.  Would have loved to hear what MJ could have done with this song, though.

16.  Love On Hold (Aeroplane feat. Tawatha Agee) - One of those old-school sounding jams that immediately makes me perk up my ears!  Lead singer Tawatha Agee was previously lead singer for the Mtume hit, "Juicy Fruit", which may be why I was instantly drawn to this song.  The Dimitri from Paris remix comes with everything but roller skates and a disco ball!

So that's this month's batch of songs!  Hope everyone is having a great summer, and I'll see ya next month!

Brant's July 2017 Playlist

Always check your surroundings for safety...and bad music!

Well, I can't help you with the Sharktopus, but I can steer you towards some good music.  July's playlist is chock full of summery vibes - whether it's for sipping cool drinks by the pool or rocking out in your car with all the windows down.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Everything Now (Arcade Fire) - Never has consumerism been so danceable.  Arcade Fire returns to read all of (I'm assuming) American culture for their obsession with possession.

2.  Fake Sugar (Beth Ditto) - I have loved her since day one with Gossip, and was super thrilled to hear Beth's solo album.  Hat tip to Anthony for letting me know it was available.  As expected, I loved it all - and had a hard time choosing just one tune to add to this month's playlist.  SPOILER ALERT:  She'll probably show up on future lists.

3.  Green Eyes (Judah and the Lion) - New Wave vibes + banjo makes for some inspired can't-play-this-loud-enough jams!

4.  Your Song (Rita Ora) - British pop star is back after a two year absence, and pretty much guaranteed a comeback with this exuberant single.

5.  Possessed (Prince) - The much-awaited expanded edition of Prince's masterpiece, Purple Rain, is here and has several gems.  This was a tune he used to perform live, but never officially released.  I'd love to find a soundboard recording of one of his live performances of this.

6.  Love Comes in Spurts (Nouvelle Vague) - I love this band!!!  There's something so twisted about doing bossa nova versions of punk and New Wave songs.  Here, they cover Richard Hell and the Voidoids.

7.  Darkest Hour (Lyves) - I can't remember how I found this one, but it reminds me a little of London Grammar.  Rich vocals over icy beats.

8.  All We Ever Knew (the Head and the Heart) - I've sat on this one for a while, just because it was such a departure from the organic sounds the band used to do so well.  But every time I heard it, I always liked it - so I'm finally sharing it.  I guess every band has the right to evolve and change their sound.

9.  Bad Liar (Selena Gomez) - Let's file this under 'guilty pleasures'.  I WILL add that Selena Gomez owes a HUGE debt to Ciara - who was doing this minimal but funky sound before Selena even had her driver's license.

10.  Edge of Town (Middle Kids) - When Elton John gives you a 'thumbs up', you know you're doing something right.  Easy going alt-rock to keep your summer cookout hoppin'.

11.  April (Goody Grace) - This guy opened for LANY last month when I saw them in Charlotte, and I made it a point to track down some of his music.  Folk-tinged rock with wistful vocals.

12.  Classic (the Knocks feat. Powers) - Yes, this is from the Coca-Cola commercial.  But in fairness to me, I did have the Knocks on my May 2016 playlist!

13.  We/Me (Stokley) - Mint Condition singer goes solo and treats us to some feel-good soul that would make Stevie Wonder proud.

14.  Breathe /Shura Remix/ (Astrid S) - Shura popped up on my first playlist of the year, and now she's back adding her 1980's style beats to Astrid S's latest tune.

15.  Waiting on a Song (Dan Auerbach) - Producer and sometimes Black Keys member serves up some 1970s feels that are as retro as grandma's avocado green kitchen appliances.

16.  Rest of It (Strand of Oaks) - Let's keep the 70s vibes going with this muscular classic rock contribution from Philadelphia artist Timothy Showalter.  Why did we EVER stop making music like this???

17.  Universal Soldier (Buffy Sainte-Marie) - I usually try to put a patriotic song on my July playlists, and with all the political turmoil America is going through at the moment - I found myself gravitating towards the protest songs of the 1960s.  What's more patriotic than wanting your country to do better, because you know it can!  And as you probably guessed, I'm still on a Buffy Sainte-Marie kick - so this seemed like a perfect selection.

So that's July!  Hope everyone has a safe and happy Independence Day weekend.  See you next month!

Brant's June 2017 Playlist

Hmmm...from the looks of things, maybe this half day excursion to the nudist beach wasn't such a good idea!

Well, summer is here, and unless your name is Kathy Griffin (who really should have known that posting a pic with a decapitated Trump head was a bad idea), there should be lots of good times ahead!  Nothing goes with cookouts and lounging on the beach like some good tunes - so let's dive in!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Wait for You (Ady Suleiman) - Some reggae flavors to get the summer started!

2.  Lorraine (Peter Bradley Adams) - Talented folk singer is back with some new music, and apparently a promise to his girlfriend that he's going to upgrade his social circle.

3.  Good Girls (LANY) - I just caught them in concert last month, and they were awesome!  Great energy, feel-good music, and lead singer Paul Klein's hair game is strong.

4.  Don't Take the Money (Bleachers) - Apparently I wasn't the only one excited to see that Jack Antonoff had new music out - several of my friends were texting me to give me the heads up (which I appreciate!).  Can't wait to hear the rest of the album.

5.  Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden) - This month's RIP selection.  Chris Cornell's suicide was a great loss to the music world.  Gone but not forgotten.

6.  Heroin (Badflower) - Psychedelic rock from West Coast band.

7.  Moonshine Freeze (This Is the Kit) - Keeping the psychedelic vibe going with this tune, which vaguely reminds me of Velvet Underground and some of Lou Reed's early stuff.

8.  Peaceful Easy Feeling (Tristen) - I'm still enjoying the "Instant Love" series, so here's another offering - an Eagles cover by songwriter Tristen Gaspadarek.

9.  Arizona Hwy (the Darcys) - Canadian band serves up some peppy pop about cruisin' the American southwest.

10.  Cut to the Feeling (Carly Rae Jepsen) - CRJ has been consistently good since her breakout in 2011, but hasn't seemed to catch on in the US despite great success in the UK and Canada.  Here's hoping this new anthem brings her the universal success she deserves.

11.  Not the Loving Kind (Buffy Sainte-Marie) - Another 60s throwback!  I was moving some of her stuff onto my iPod when I wondered what BSM had been up to lately.  What a treat to see she is still releasing new music!  This is a reworking of her 1972 song, released in 2015.

12.  Bottle Rocket (the Weeks) - Indie rock swagger from Mississippi band.

13.  Drink You Gone (Ingrid Michaelson and John Paul White) - Indie darling teams up with former The Civil Wars singer/songwriter for this country-tinged number.

14.  Tango 'Til They're Sore (Madeleine Peyroux) - It's always fun to see an artist you like cover another artist you like!  Here, mercurial jazz chanteuse tackles Tom Waits with delectable results.

15.   Sweet VA Breeze (D.R.A.M.) - Kind of like listening to Barry White while on an acid trip.  I'm totally digging the Hammond organ!

16.  Cannonball (Hidden Charms) - Sexy glam rock from UK band.

17.  Little Hollywood (Alle Farben and Janieck) - Back to the sunny island vibes as we wrap up this month's playlist!

So that's June's list.  There are no sunny island vacations in my foreseeable future, but just in case I think I'll hit the gym so I'll be swimsuit-ready.  See ya next month!