Music For Mary

Mrs. Pookiebear recently told me that as much as she loves Cake and Bruce Springsteen, she was looking for for new music and asked me for thoughts. Trying to give her a mix of new music and stuff that I thought she'd like, here's how I responded:

Thank you! And you've come to the right spot. Here's some obscure and not so obscure bands I would recommend:

• Mates of State (a husband and wife duo with two kids who write fantastic songs, you may remember me playing you some of their stuff when you were in NY. Get Team Boo, its their best album, followed up a close second by Our Constant Concern. I've loved them ever since I saw them open for Cake years ago. I link to their blog, band on the diaper run).
  
• Matt Pond PA (from NY, despite the name, great classic songs. I listened to Several Arrows Later non-stop for a few months. The more recent Last Light isn't as good, but I never like the more recent album after I love the second).
  
• The Shins (Matt might have heard of them, they've been around a while and have great songs. My favorite album is Wincing the Night Away, but a lot of other people like Chutes Too Narrow. Don't play in front of Irene, unless you want to hear Irene sing. Love you, Irene!).
  
• Vampire Weekend (haven't actually heard the full album yet, but they were on SNL and blew me away. Preppy boys from Columbia U playing ska, and playing pretty well).
  
• Regina Spektor (she became big when her song made it on to Grey's Anatomy, you've probably heard it. The album is Begin to Hope. She actually used to play at sidewalk, but not enough to get trapped there. You'll like this one, too).
  
• The Strokes (I know you've heard of them, but not sure if you've actually listened to them. They rock.).

This was fun! Let me know when I can turn this into a blog post.

Happy birthday, Pookie!!!