Worthy Pursuits and Playlists -- from June 3, 2006

New music that you should look (and listen!) for

Rock Kills Kid -- Reprise Records

Their sound is what would've happened if Bono was an angst-ridden teen and collaborated with The Clash at a Euro-trash club one boring evening -- smoking cigarettes, drinking pints, wallowing about love gone wrong. They're gonna be big, folks... you heard it hear first... For fans of... Interpol, The Editors, The Bravery, She Wants Revenge, Jimmy Eat World. Visit www.myspace.com/rockkillskid

The Bees -- Independent (out of Nashville)

One day when I finish my unwritten movie, their song "Imaginary Girl" will be on the soundtrack. It's the perfect song for the woman (or man) you're still looking for. Look for the song on the upcoming Paste Sampler CD (August 2006)... to be honest, I was reluctant to share it with all our readers because then everyone will love it and it won't matter that I liked it first. Their sophomore release, "High Society," is out now.... the new material, particularly "Country Life," is a throwback to the 70s. Check them out at www.myspace.com/thebeesus

Mat Kearney -- Aware Records/Columbia Records

I first learned about Mat Kearney because he was performing on The Rock Boat (www.therockboat.com -- best vacation ever, by the way). I accepted his friend request on MySpace, then learned our intern from LSU was really his friend... now I'm hearing his name all over town. Let's be honest -- the lyrics are predictable and rhyme all too well ("in an unreliable world you shine like a star / it's unforgettable now that we've come this far")... BUT Mat's music reflects a range of influences, giving him mass appeal.... he wins my vote. Hear some samples at www.myspace.com/matkearney

Asobi Seksu -- Independent (out of Brooklyn, NY)

This is a Brooklyn-based band that I found by randomly pulling their CD out of a bin at work. Turns out the editorial staff at Paste loves them, too. Very sweet-and-sour... tender vocals and hard guitar riffs.. back and forth between English and Japanese throughout the new album, "Citrus"... "Thursday" and "Red Sea" are my fav songs. Check out the music at www.asobiseksu.com -- a music player will automatically pop up. For fans of Starflyer 59, My Bloody Valentine, and other experimental indies... I can't think of any other groups that sound like this...

Additions to Last Week's Playlist...

Thanks, Mike, for submitting these suggestions to the "For the Graduates" playlist... good ones...

Youth Group - Forever Young
Angels and Airwaves - The Adventure
Switchfoot - We Are One Tonight

Feel free to submit your suggestions at any time... I'll probably move this to a blog eventually.

This week's playlist...

Songs That Should be on THE OC
(you can find most on iTunes)

"Lookout Mountain" by Drive-By Truckers
"Brian Wilson's Room" by Harrod & Funck
"Play the Hits" by HAL
"Happy To Be So" by Over the Rhine
"Tell Me a Lie" by Griffin House
"Shapes" by The Long Winters
"One Big Holiday" by My Morning Jacket
"Rock and a Hard Place" by Supreme Beings of Leisure
"Gentle Moon" by Sun Kil Moon