Well, not your normal Kid songs anyways. One of my perennial favorites, Barenaked Ladies decided that they were of the age where it would be appropriate for them to put out a kids album (as they almost all have kids). Instead of releasing old classics like their christmas album, they came up with their own songs for the childrens CD and boy is it unique.

From songs about ninjas to food parties to geese, there’s even a new ABC song that uses words like Czar and llamadamadingdong. Try teaching that to your four year old!

The only thing missing as far as I’m concerned is the rendition of “the other day” that they’ve been playing on XM kids (116), otherwise this album is a fun, light hearted take on childrens albums and right up any BNL fan’s alley.

Popularity: 3% [?]

They say bad things happen in threes. Well, lets hope the news from this past weekend is it for a while. First, Bo Diddley left, then Tim Russert and now, funny man George Carlin.

Whether or not you know it, you’ve been affected by Carlin in some way or form. From 14 HBO specials, to appearing in Kevin Smith movies or as Rufus in “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” its impossible to miss the man. He was the first host of SNL and he’s appeared before the Supreme Court of the United States for Obscenity with his “Seven Words” bit.

This week’s ASMW post is in his honor…. George, the world will be a little less funny with out you.

Popularity: 10% [?]

So I’m a banjo pickin guy. I’ve been playing since January and as I’ve said in previous posts, I’m getting better every day. I just need to sit down and make sure that I actually practice so that I don’t throw away the money we’ve put in to the lessons.

Listening to Abigail Washburn though, makes me yearn to play like I’ve been pickin for years. She has a magic way about her on the 5 string and its noticeable on this album. Makes me wish Amy was a banjo pickin girl….

Popularity: 68% [?]

Wrong. It really is ok to be wrong. This offering by Josh Schicker is a really fresh and fun song that reminds us all that its ok to be wrong.

Popularity: 54% [?]

So I’ve been taking banjo lessons since January. They were a christmas present this year as I’ve only had the banjo for two years and could only do a basic roll. I’ve learned Cumberland Gap, Cripple Creek, Blackberry Blossom (one of my favorites), parts of Foggy Mt. Breakdown and I’m working on learning Nine Pound Hammer. Granted, I stumble through most of them at the moment as I’m not that adept at making my left hand do what it needs to with the chords while I figure out the rolls and picking with my right hand.

Every so often, I search Amie Street for one of the songs I’m working on to see what it “should” sound like and lo and behold, this time I found it. Here for all your listening pleasure is 9lbs. Hammer the way it should be played. Band and all. Listen to the banjo in the background and imagine it with more pauses, breaks, bad chords and other wise untimeliness and thats me playing for you…

Popularity: 47% [?]

Today’s ASMW post is from far away places and you’ll soon wonder why I even chose it. The nordic stylings of Adjágas are somewhere between chanting and plain jibberish, but they will hold you entranced none the less. (I found that its best to list to at a very low volume).

“Combining the strange beauty of Scandinavian music with the sounds of American folk, Adjágas are exposing yoik music to an international audience. Yoik is characterized by hypnotic, repetitive chanting, and has seen little mainstream production or distribution. For their self-titled debut, Adjágas enlisted the help of Jaga Jazzist producer Andreas Mjøs, who adds subtle texture and emphasizes their hauntingly melodic voices. Critics have drawn breathless comparisons to an acoustic Sigur Rós, calling the album “a thing of rare beauty… [with] a naked intimacy that stays with the listener long after the last chord has rung out” (Music Week).”

In fact, I’ve found that its a good way to mask the sound of the sales weasles who surround your workspace with the noise of endless sales calls…

Popularity: 85% [?]

If you’ve paid any attention to any of my ASMW posts, you’ll notice I tend to stay on the acoustic side. I like blues, bluegrass, country. I like feel good music, not often enjoyed by the majority (I’m not a freak like gruntled, but I have my preferences). This week, I’ve decided to take a completely different tact. “These United States” is an eclectic mix of almost every genera available and yet they make it come together with such ease that is kind of pleasant to listen to.

Kings and Aces is a light tune that has an interesting beat to it. I highly recommend giving them a good listen to. Tell me you don’t like it.

Popularity: 97% [?]

Todays a little different for me in that its got a bit of a pop feel to it, but once you hear Changing Faces by Katie Todd you won’t be wondering why.

“Thousands of fans and three releases into her career, Katie Todd continues to shine. Having shared the stage with such music scene luminaries as Juliana Hatfield, Patti Labelle, 10,000 Maniacs, Steve Winwood, Margot & The Nuclear So & So’s, Kenny Loggins and The Wallflowers, the Chicago Arts and Entertainment Magazine has recognized Katie as “a breath of fresh air that the Chicago music scene has been waiting for.” Lauded by iTunes.com as having one of the “top buzz bands in the country”, Katie recently claimed a spot as the website’s “Artist of the Week”, earning over 200,000 downloads of their latest single “Face Down”. On her fourth and most recent release, Make Some Time For Wasting, Katie’s captivating voice and signature percussive keys-playing are showcased most boldly on her haunting single, “Leave,” which tells a tale of woe that has radio and TV programmers hailing it as “one of the most perfect pop songs to come along in quite a while.”

I like it enough to listen over and over and over again.

Popularity: 65% [?]

So tomorrow is V-Day. Thats right. Valentines day. Today’s ASMW comes in the form of the great Wynton Marsalis and his amazing horn. Thats right, “My Funny Valentine” you can listen to this cut over and over again!!

What a better way to celebrate??

Popularity: 69% [?]

Its 1997. I’m on the quad at Oxford College of Emory University in wonderful Oxford, GA and a little known band making the rounds of college campuses is busy playing. The music sounded a lot like hootie and the blowfish, but a little closer to our age. It was cool and I was introduced to Sister Hazel.

All for you was their big radio hit that following year. People everywhere could be heard humming the chorus (and really, who could blame them?) and now, you can download it to your ipod for as little as 99 cents. What could be better? Well, not having to work for a living, but other wise, nothing. Absolutely, nothing.

Popularity: 87% [?]

Ok, here’s this week’s ASMW post. Its the North Mississippi Allstars cause its been a bluesie kind of month…..

I was in high school when this song came out on the radio and I absolutely fell in love with it and the songstress responsible for bringing such a wonderful sound to the airwaves. This week, Lisa Loeb released the Purple Tapes on amiestreet and fans of hers could not be happier. It comes as a two disc set (to get this version of Stay you have to buy the whole bonus disc) with some previously unreleased cuts on the main disc and some background interviews on the bonus disc that make the whole thing worth while.

Especially if you’re a Lisa Loeb fan…

Popularity: 78% [?]

I’m usually not a big pop music fan (check out some of my past ASMW posts to figure that one out) but I cam across Marina on AmieStreet and not only is she hot (look at her photo!!) but her voice is haunting as well. Her newest release Modern Fairytale is a really cool mix of piano pop with a lot of good listens. My favorite from this cd is Moonlight Lullaby. Listen below and you’ll see why!

Popularity: 72% [?]

Sometimes, its fun to play in the dirt. Other times, its just fun to listen. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band take the best of everything country and mash it all together in a really unique sound that will have anyone bopping their head to the music (listen to the harmonica!!). The guitar, banjo, mandolin, harmonica and other instruments rock out the sound on their album. Listen to “Party on the Mountain” and you’ll feel like you’re there!!

Popularity: 66% [?]

Rare is it to find a good bluegrass band with an amazing sound thats light on the strings. However, The Greencards have managed to put together a sound thats fun to listen to while combining some of the coolest strings around. Listen closely to the guitar and mandolin, you’ll be taken away. Hey, can I have your tots??

Popularity: 45% [?]