Mirror Talk - "Too Late To Start"

I've been a fan of Mirror Talk's frontman Court Alexander since the early 2000's. Back then he was leaving a boyband to create a the Library, a rock band that had an Adam Lambert glam rock feel. Matter of fact, I saw that band and Adam Lambert opened for them! These days Mr. Alexander is using is incredibly flexible vocals to front "Mirror Talk" a new wave R&B rock group that makes the kind of music you love to dance to. It helps that they sound like Freddy Mercury and Robyn had a love child, and you can blame that mostly on Mr. Alexander's incredible set of pipes.

Mirror Talk is a 4-piece synthesizer ensemble from Los Angeles who perform and record New Wave and R&B influenced pop music. They describe themselves as PRINCE+THE KNIFE+MARTIN HANNETT which I think is pretty on point. 

I'm even more excited because they're currently working on their next EP and it's set to be big. Large scale producers and some amazing talent is lined up to collaborate with them, so you can expect a huge roll out when it arrives. I certainly could use some new dance jams. 

So today, with love like a razor, I choose Mirror Talk's "Too Late To Start" as my, love makes you think things will change, know exactly what you're getting into, yours is the only heart that you've got, song for a, listen to it, dive in and the broken pieces be damned, it's never simple, Thursday.

Eagles - "I Can't Tell You Why"

After listening to them again last night, at a vinyl and vino evening at a friends. I was reintroduced to the eerie magic that the Eagles captured in the analog age. They did something incredible. Creating a sound, and ver nearly a genre, that changed the way we wanted to listen to music. Their south-western country-rock sound mixed with folk soul and unearthly harmonies catapulted them into stardom, and they've stayed their ever since. 

The Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1971. The founding members were Glenn Frey (lead guitar, lead vocals), Don Henley (drums, lead vocals), Bernie Leadon (guitars, vocals) and Randy Meisner (bass guitar, vocals). With five number-one singles, six Grammy Awards, five American Music Awards, and six number one albums, the Eagles were one of the most successful musical acts of the 1970s. At the end of the 20th century, two of their albums, Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) and Hotel California, were ranked among the 20 best-selling albums in the United States according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Hotel California is ranked 37th in Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" and the band was ranked number 75 on the magazine's 2004 list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

The Eagles are one of the world's best-selling bands of all time, having sold more than 150 million records—100 million in the U.S. alone—including 42 million copies of Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) and 32 million copies of Hotel California. Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) was the best selling album of the 20th century in the U.S. They are the fifth-highest-selling music act and the highest-selling American band in U.S. history.

The band released their debut album, Eagles, in 1972, which spawned three top 40 singles: "Take It Easy," "Witchy Woman," and "Peaceful Easy Feeling." Their next album, Desperado (1973), was less successful than the first, only reaching number 41 on the charts; neither of its singles reached the top 40. However, the album does contain what would go on to be two of the band's most popular tracks: "Desperado" and "Tequila Sunrise." The band released On the Border in 1974, adding guitarist Don Felder as the fifth member midway through the recording of the album. The album generated two top 40 singles: "Already Gone" and their first number one, "Best of My Love."

So today, with desert night and mountain mornings in my mind, I choose the Eagles' "I Can't Tell You Why", as my, fabric dance, water at your feet, stars in your hair, song for a, magic in the mistakes, laughter in the heartaches, love where you least expect it Wednesday.

Ray LaMontagne - "Part Two - Another Day"

His ethereal voice has been hypnotizing listeners for a decade now. His music, always soft spoken and full of yearning is the kind of misty morning mood that you want as the leaves change and sky reminds you that fall is creeping in. 

It's not a deviation from his normal sound, but the album itself does quite a bit of wandering around genres, with some solo instrumental pieces, and some really beautiful themes woven in. The simple truth is, however, that LaMontagne doesn't need to change his formula, because the formula still works. Hitting you right in the moody, muddy-waters, feels every time. 

So today, with grey skies ushering in the fall feelings, I choose Ray LaMontagne's "Part Two - Another Day" as my, grey skies are gonna clear up, laughin' and singin', little things grow with little encouragements, song for a, clear your own path, build your own temple, worship your own divinity, Tuesday.

Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, & Diane Keaton - "You Don't Own Me"

In the wake of last night's Emmys sweep for The Handmaid's Tale, where they played a slower version of this song every time a winner walked to the stage, I've had this song running through my head all morning. 

In honoring one of my closest friends, Ms. Nina Fiore, who is a writer on the show and now an Emmy winner, they have honored one of the kindest and most genuine people I know. 

So today, in honor of my friend Ms. Nina Fiore - the Emmy Winner, I choose Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, & Diane Keaton's version of "You Don't Own Me" as my, Fight with all you have, persistence wins out, you can do anything if you simply don't quit, song for a, nolite te bastardes carborundrum. gender traitor, my name is June, Monday. 

Disclosure - "Magnets ft. Lorde"

Disclosure are an English electronic music duo consisting of brothers Howard and Guy Lawrence. The siblings grew up in Reigate, Surrey. Their debut studio album, Settle, released on 3 June 2013, by PMR Records, was nominated for Best Dance/Electronica Album at the 2014 Grammy Awards. They released a second studio album, Caracal, on 25 September 2015 which was also nominated for Best Dance/Electronica Album at the 2016 Grammy Awards

Better known by her stage name Lorde, Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor is a New Zealand singer-songwriter and record producer. Born in Takapuna and raised in Devonport, Auckland, she became interested in performing as a child. In her early teens, she signed with Universal Music Group and was later paired with songwriter and record producer Joel Little. At the age of sixteen, she released her first extended play, The Love Club EP, reaching number two on the national record charts in both New Zealand and Australia.

"Royals" was serviced as Lorde's debut single in mid-2013, becoming an international crossover hit and made her the youngest solo artist to achieve a US number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 since 1987. Lorde's debut studio album Pure Heroine (2013) garnered positive reviews for her depiction of suburban adolescence; yielding the additional top-ten single "Team", it topped the national charts in New Zealand and Australia and reached number three on the US Billboard 200. The following year, Lorde curated the soundtrack for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014) and provided its lead single, "Yellow Flicker Beat". Lorde released her second studio album Melodrama (2017) after a three-year hiatus, launched with "Green Light" as its lead single. The album debuted at number one in New Zealand and Australia, as well as topping the US Billboard 200. She served as an executive producer alongside Jack Antonoff. The record deals with themes of heartbreak and solitude.

They made something odd and lovely, and with their mixed styles helped to tell the truth. This is all we can ask of a great song. I'm just surprised it took me so long to catch on to it!

So today, walking the ledge like a highwire, I choose Disclosure's "Magnets ft. Lorde" as my, please let me be right, hold on to hope, don't shield your eyes simply because you don't want to see the entire picture, song for a, point of no re-learn, channel your own majesty, they are lucky to walk in your presence, Friday. 

Kristen Bell - "Tell Me How Long"

Kristen Bell has been a starlet for as long I can remember. She was Veronica Mars, then had star turns in Forgetting Sara Marshall and Frozen. She's just the kind of pretty girl who doesn't take herself to seriously that you want to be friends with. 

But beyond her celebrity, however, is an activist. She's been making huge strides these last weeks doing hurricane relief, and has been a constant animal advocate, and last night, watching the Documentary "Chasing Coral" on Netflix (100% mandatory watching for anyone who cares about the earth) I heard her voice pop up singing the theme song. 

She's the kind of person you want to support, and in doing so, she supports the organizations that you too want to support. It is inspiring and it is also a call to arms. We can ALL do better for our earth. 

So today, with warming waters and rising tides, I choose Kristen Bell's "Tell Me How Long" from the Documentary "Chasing Coral" as my, make your own change, make noise, make them believe, song for a, break open their hearts, break open yours, this is the only planet we'll ever have, Thursday.

Check out "Chasing Coral" here: http://www.chasingcoral.com/

Flo Rida - ft. RedFoo & Audra Mae - "Run"

Tramar Lacel Dillard better known by his stage name Flo Rida, is an American rapper, singer and songwriter from Carol City, Florida. His 2008 breakout single "Low" was number one for 10 weeks in the United States and broke the record for digital download sales at the time of its release.

Flo Rida's debut studio album, 2008's Mail on Sunday, reached number four in the US. The album was succeeded by R.O.O.T.S., the next year. His subsequent albums, 2010's Only One Flo (Part 1) and 2012's Wild Ones, also charted on the US Billboard 200 chart. Flo Rida has sold over 80 million digital downloads, making him one of the best-selling music artists. His catalog includes the international singles "Right Round", "Club Can't Handle Me", "Good Feeling", "Wild Ones", "Whistle", "I Cry", "G.D.F.R.", and "My House".

His music may not always be my personal style, but there is no denying he is a musical powerhouse, and with a strong sense of what will reach his audience. His collaborations are both suprising and exciting and while rap may not be my personal game, I 100% respect his talent, ability, and ingenuity when it comes to artists to work with. 

RedFoo is another artist who's bankability is undeniable, as part of LMFAO he's had major success and his personal brand of wonky, urban, pop is always a summer smash. That the two of these urban music artists chose the smokey blues/folk sound of Audra Mae's vocals to sing their hook just shows exactly how smart they actually are. 

Audra Mae, having been a staple of mine for years, brings her iconic yearning, smokey voice to this uber upbeat song. A beautiful juxtaposition.  The song may be a few years old, but that doesn't stop it from getting your heart beating or your toes tapping.

So, today with my heart thumping, I choose Flo Rida ft. RedFoo & Audra Mae' - "Run" as my, get out and do it, make a magical mixture, when they say you can't is when you must, song for a, now or never, get you alone, into my arms, Wednesday.

She & Him - "You Really Got A Hold On Me"

She & Him feature the somewhat unlikely pairing of country-folk artist M. Ward and actress/singer/songwriter Zooey Deschanel. While starring in the 2007 film The Go-Getter, Deschanel was asked by director Martin Hynes to perform a duet with Ward, who had agreed to helm the movie's soundtrack. The two recorded a cover of Richard & Linda Thompson's "When I Get to the Border" and later reconvened in Portland, where they began recording Deschanel's original songs (which the actress had previously demoed for years, but kept secret) in Ward's studio. Drawing upon analog production techniques and a shared love of vintage pop bands, the duo emerged with Volume One, a collection of songs that introduced Deschanel as a singer/songwriter in her own right.

Released in March 2008 by Merge and Domino, Volume One received support from a number of critics, with Paste magazine even deeming it the year's best album. The duo soon embarked on a summer-long tour, after which Deschanel and Ward began working on a second album. Volume Two arrived in early 2010, cracking the Billboard Top Ten during its first week and paving the way for another successful tour. Drawing inspiration from classic holiday offerings from the likes of the Carpenters, the Beach Boys, and Vince Guaraldi, Ward and Deschanel's third outing under the moniker found the duo tackling their first collection of Christmas music. The resulting A Very She & Him Christmas arrived in October 2011. The pair returned to making their breezy pop in 2013 with Volume 3, an album of summery pop that arrived in the spring of that year. In late 2014, the duo announced the release of a second covers album, Classics, which would also serve as their debut with Columbia. A sort of standards album, Classics featured works by legendary musicians such as Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Costello. 

So as their music came on my shuffle the other day I thought to myself. This person that I'm beginning to care about, is slowly becoming more and more important in my life. I'm not even sure how the sneaky little bugger did it, but through all the things, he has started to make me think about him when he's not there, and if that's not a hard case of "like" I don't know what is. 

So, today with distance as demarkation of longing, I choose She & Him's "You Really Got A Hold On Me" as my, claws in deep, fangs in deeper, laughing all the way, song for a, salty & sweet, flip side of the coin, complimentary compliments Tuesday.