Michael's Sidetracks #6

Today's sidetrack is another lesser known band whose music i'm sure you've heard in some form and didn't even know about it, no matter what genre you listen to.  I'm talking about Letters to Cleo, or more specifically, it's lead singer and songwriter, Kay Hanley.  They come from Boston, Massachusetts and include members Michael Eisenstein (guitar), Stacy Jones (drums), Scott Riebling (bass) and one of my favorite vocalists, Kay Hanley.

Formed in 1993, they eventually opened for Cheap Trick, provided music for the animated show, "Generation O", featuring some of the best 2 minute cartoon songs from a fake band ever.  Did the theme song for the Disney live action Pooh show, Being the voice and band music for the movie "Josie and the Pussycats", and Kay still does music as well as putting out great solo albums, since the band split up in 2000.  But, they've occasionally regrouped now and again...

Speaking of which, today's track is one of my favs from 1993, "Here and Now".  Terrific bass-lines and vocals, and probably one of the most fascinating choruses recorded.  I still don't know how she spits out that complicated verse.  Just try to sing along, I dare you...

And the band name?  Comes from Kay, She used to have a pen-pal named Cleo as a child.  Most of these letters were returned, and she found a box of them while trying to come up with a band name.

Band: Letters to Cleo
Song Here and Now (1993)



Just living on a Sunday morning,
got my toast and tea and I'm warm and 
I just thought I'd think about.
All the things to get and keep getting,
never enough not enough and never ending.
I just thought I'd think about. 

Just living on a Sunday morning,
got my toast and tea and I'm warm and 
I just thought I'd think about.
All the things to get and keep getting,
never enough not enough and never ending.
I just thought I'd think about.... 
And it might be...

The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky
but could never parallel the challenge of an acquisition in the
here and now, here and now.

Parody of yourself in color,
giving it to everybody but your mother.
You've got much to think about.
Soaring higher with every treason.
Never justify, never reason.
You've got much to think about....
And it might be...

The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky
but could never parallel the challenge of an acquisition in the
here and now, here and now.

The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky
but could never parallel the challenge of an acquisition in the
here and now, here and now.

And it might be...

Parody of yourself in color,
giving it to everybody but your mother.
You've got much to think about.
Soaring higher with every treason.
Never justify, never reason.
You've got much to think about....
And it might be...

The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky
but could never parallel the challenge of an acquisition in the
here and now, here and now.

The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky
but could never parallel the challenge of an acquisition in the
here and now, here and now.

And it might be...

The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky
but could never parallel the challenge of an acquisition in the
here and now, here and now.

And it might, might....

Song of the Day 71!!!

Ah, the movies. Movies and music (most of the time) go hand in hand. Which is why I have chosen "Black Sheep" by The Clash At Demonhead from the movie Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. The real band behind the music is Metric (which may be on here in the future) with small addition to Tennessee Thomas (of The Like, see Michael's Sidetracks #2) on drums in the film. The movie is amazing for several reasons, but I go back mostly for the music. Today's song is the catchiest in my opinion. But, don't go by what I say, listen for yourselves and enjoy!!!

Hello again, friend of a friend, I knew you when 
Our common goal was waiting for the world to end 
Now that the truth is just a rule that you can bend 
You crack the whip, shape-shift and trick the past again 

I'll send you my love on a wire 
Lift you up, everytime, everyone, ooo, pulls away, ooo 
From you 

Got balls of steel, got an automobile, for a minimum wage 
Got real estate, I'm buying it all up in outerspace 
Now that the truth is just a rule that you can bend 
You crack the whip, shape-shift and trick, the past again 

I'll send you my love on a wire 
Lift you up, everytime, everyone, ooo, pulls a way, ooo 
It's a mechanical bull, the number one 
You'll take a ride from anyone, everyone wants a ride and pulls away, oooh from you

Michael's Sidetracks #5

If I could, I'd have this song as my alarm every morning.  It's jangly, which I adore, harmonic, and catchy as crap.  There's something about the tight unity of orchestration of a three man group.  Today's group is called the Guru's.  Cool name, but I can find almost nothing about them, other that this song is from about 2006, they are from Barcelona, and a link to a Spanish music site (evidently, they are a Spanish band).  Well, they do have the British invasion sound down pat.

Group:  The Guru's
Song:  Good morning






Good morning, I can feel the sun is shining
Good morning,
Good morning, now i'm feeling fine

Good morning, gotta lot of things to say
Good morning, gotta have my coffee made
Good morning, now the weathers fine

All my life I've been waiting
just to change my plan for love
All my life I've been waiting
I can send myself alone

Good morning, see the planes up in my head
Good morning, what to do is up to me
Good morning, trying to do it well

All my life I've been waiting
just to change my plan for love
All my life I've been waiting
I can send myself alone

Sooner or later the sun may shine
Sooner or later the sun may shine
Inside, inside, inside (Sooner or later the sun may shine)
Inside, inside, inside (Sooner or later the sun may shine)

(editors note: even the lyrics I found aren't complete.  Are these guys in a witness protection program?)

Song of the Day 70!!!

Let me take you back...all the way to 2004. Okay, it's not THAT long ago. But, for you younger people, it could seem like it. Anyway, today's song was on all my mix CD's for a period of about 6 months. Mix CD's?!?! I know....they existed...along with mix tapes. Kind of off track, for those about my age and older, remember having to wait until you heard your favorite song was on the radio to record it onto a tape. Sometimes you had to wait weeks to get that one song and you could run into a slew of problems like: you taped over another great song, you didnt catch it on time so it starts about 15 seconds in, or you run out of tape. Ah, I miss those days sometimes.

Back on track, the song is called "C'mon C'mon" by The Von Bondies. The video goes well with the song. I enjoy the single track camera mixed in with the editing of rooms. I also like that you font see the full band until the end, just their feet. Anyway, watch the video and enjoy!!!





On another day, c'mon c'mon
With these ropes tied tight, can we do no wrong
Now we grieve 'cause now it's gone
Things were good when we were young


When my teeth bite down, I can see the blood
Of a thousand men who have come and gone
Now we grieve 'cause now it's gone
Things were good when we were young


Is it safe to say, c'mon c'mon
Was it right to leave, c'mon c'mon
Will I ever learn, c'mon c'mon
c'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon


As I make my way c'mon c'mon
Through these battered nights that seem too long
Now we grieve 'cause now it's gone
Things were good when we were young


When my teeth bite down, I can see the blood
Of a thousand men who have come and gone
Now we grieve 'cause now it's gone
Things were good when we were young


Is it safe to say, c'mon c'mon
Was it right to leave, c'mon c'mon
Will I never learn, c'mon c'mon
c'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon


Is it safe to say, c'mon c'mon
Was it right to leave, c'mon c'mon
Will I never learn, c'mon c'mon
c'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon


And now this day these deepened wounds
Don't heal so fast, can't hear me croon
Of a million lies that speak no truth
Of a time gone by that now is through