Company for the Holiday!

As we close out 2006, I got the treat of hosting Will Hoge in the TMD studios.
He is a true gentlemen and even played a brand new track for us! Will said a new album should be out around March.
And here's something I found...
Will and his band covering Derrek and the Domino's 'Bell Bottom Blues.'



Hope you have a fun and safe New Year's Eve. See you in the 2007!

Where's the Candy, Regina?

I had fun sharing the best of Morning Sessions with you today. I'm curious...Regina Spektor talked about the making of her video for "On the Radio", she said it was shot in a chocolate factory assembly line and she even wore a hair net...albeit, briefly. I don't know, call me dense, but I don't see any candy in this video, do you?

Maybe Regina made off with the chocolates and handed them out to the adoreable kids in the video :) I hope you have a spectacular New Year. Peace.

Damien: TMD's CD of the Week

With stunning portraits captured in his songs, it is awesome to be able to dive deeper into the mind of Damien Rice. His new cd '9' is the CD of the Week.
We were first introduced to this album with the song '9 Crimes' that begins with the gentle voice of Lisa Hannigan, Rice's singing partner. Found this cool video for the song. Tell me what you think of it!

The Hardest Working Man in Show Business Moves to That Great Gig in the Sky

Merry Christmas to you and yours from your TMD family. Thanks for listening. Thanks for your support. And especially, thank you for loving the music. So, it is a bittersweet Christmas morning for music lovers everywhere- you may have heard by now that James Brown died.

While, of course, it's a sad benchmark..the Godfather of Soul's music celebrates life, energy and something burning inside us all. He just had IT! James Brown channeled the human condition in his growl, his wail, his grunts, his feet. He lived it all- the spiritual, the carnal, the jubilation...the blues. Here's a great link on the history of a music icon as important and as American as Elvis and Chuck Berry, from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Peace and love from everyone at TMD.

FINAL RESULTS FOR THE COUNTDOWN

Well it has come to an end everybody and here are the top four.

4. Snow Patrol - Eyes Open
3. Bob Dylan - Modern Times
2. Gomez - How We Operate
1. The Decemberists - The Crane Wife

And here is a complete list of the Countdown

89. Secret Machines – Ten Silver Drops

88. Ben Kweller – Ben Kweller

87. The Duhks – Migrations

86. Beth Orton – Comfort of Strangers

85. Calexico – Garden Ruin

84. Band of Horses – Everything All the Time

83. Drive By Truckers – Blessing and a Curse

82. Gov't Mule - High & Mighty

81. Joshua Radin - We Were Here

80. Jerry Lee Lewis - Last Man Standing

79. Michael Franti & Spearhead - Yell Fire!

78. Neil Young - Living With War

77. Shawn Colvin - These Four Walls

76. Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped

75. Tapes 'n Tapes - The Loon

74. The Strokes - First Impressions of Earth

73. Wolfmother - Wolfmother: 

72. Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint - The River In Reverse

71. Johnny Cash - American V: A Hundred Highways

70. Muse - Black Holes & Revelations

69. Rhett Miller - The Believer

68. Rodrigo y Gabriela - Rodrigo y Gabriela

67. Subdudes - Behind the Levee

66. The Who - Endless Wire

65. Will Hoge - Man Who Killed Love

64. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones

63. Zero 7 - The Garden

62. Joseph Arthur - Nuclear Daydream

61. Los Lobos - The Town and the City

60. Paul Simon - Surprise

59. Pete Yorn - Nightcrawler

58. Tom Waits - Orphans:Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards

57. Carbon Leaf - Love Loss Hope Repeat

56. Indigo Girls - Despite Our Differences

55. James Hunter - People Gonna Talk

54. Pearl Jam - Pearl Jam

53. Grace Potter & The Nocturnals - Nothing But The Water

52. Madeleine Peyroux - Half the Perfect World

51. Robert Randolph & The Family Band - Colorblind

50. Yo La Tengo - I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass

49. Alice Smith - For Lovers, Dreamers & Me

48. Donavon Frankenreiter - Move By Yourself

47. JJ Cale/ Eric Clapton - The Road To Escondido

46. The Black Keys - Magic Potion

45. Belle & Sebastian - The Life Pursuit

44. Los Lonely Boys - Sacred

43. Tom Petty - Highway Companion

42. Damien Rice - 9

41. Dixie Chicks - Taking the Long Way

40. G. Love - Lemonade

39. M. Ward - Post War

38. My Morning Jacket - Okonokos

37. Cold War Kids - Robbers & Cowards

36. Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris - All the Roadrunning

35. Guster - Ganging Up On the Sun

34. Josh Ritter - The Animal Years

33. The Bridge - The Bridge

32. The Hold Steady - Boys & Girls In America

31. The Long Winters - Putting the Days To Bed

30. Built To Spill - You In Reverse

29. TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain

28. Mason Jennings - Boneclouds

27. Thom Yorke - The Eraser

26. Cat Power - The Greatest

25. The Flaming Lips - At War With the Mystics

24. Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

23. Mat Kearney - Nothing Left to Lose

22. Ben Harper - Both Sides of the Gun

21. Eric Lindell - Change in the Weather

20. Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat

19. Amos Lee - Supply & Demand

18. John Mayer - Continuum

17. Bruce Springsteen - We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions

16. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium

15. The Killers - Sam's Town

14. Alexi Murdoch - Time Without Consequence

13. Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood

12. Beck - The Information

11. KT Tunstall - Eye to the Telescope

10. The Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldiers

9. Ray LaMontagne - Till the Sun Turns Black

8. Citizen Cope - Every Waking Moment

7. Regina Spektor - Begin to Hope

6. Gnarles Barkley - St. Elsewhere

5. Keane - Under the Iron Sea

4. Snow Patrol – Eyes Open

3. Bob Dylan – Modern Times

2. Gomez – How We Operate

1. The Decemberists – The Crane Wife

I hope everybody has a happy holiday season and a happy new year. Thanks for listening to 89.7 WTMD

Thursday's Countdown Results

The results of Thursday's portion of the Coundown are as follows.

20. Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat
19. Amos Lee - Supply & Demand
18. John Mayer - Continuum
17. Bruce Springsteen - We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions
16. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium
15. The Killers - Sam's Town
14. Alexi Murdoch - Time Without Consequence
13. Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
12. Beck - The Information
11. KT Tunstall - Eye to the Telescope
10. The Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldiers

I'm also going tto sneak in what has been on the air today so far.

9. Ray LaMontagne - Till the Sun Turns Black
8. Citizen Cope - Every Waking Moment
7. Regina Spektor - Begin to Hope
6. Gnarles Barkley - St. Elsewhere
5. Keane - Under the Iron Sea

Check back in today for the entire list for the Top 89 Albums of 2006.

Holiday Weekend!

The weekend before a holiday I am either super busy with everything I HAVEN'T gotten to or trying to figure out what to do with my relatives who are in town.
So I was psyched to find out that this weekend The American Visionary Art Museum is having Sock Monkey Saturday! Could be a chance to have some fun with family/friends being crafty and getting a last minute gift taken care of!

Holiday Lights, Train Gardens and Organic Soul...

Here's the link Megan and I were discussing on WEEKEND ON THE RADIO this morning to all the holiday light displays and train gardens from all over the region...and here's a neat article on the subject.

...and if you REALLY love trains, visit the Norwegian Train Garden at Union Station in DC and catch some real ones too.

And if you're ready to celebrate the first day of Kwanza this coming Tuesday with some live music, check out Sam Sessa's article on Organic Soul Tuesdays at the 14 Karat Cabaret downtown.

AND, if you're heading up I-95, here's a great idea for a little day detour- Longwood Gardens!

Hope you get a chance to get out there and enjoy some fun things to do this holiday weekend. Cheers!

CHECK OUT WHAT I FOUND!!!

I was doing some late night wandering on the internet and I found this video of The Shins new song Phantom Limb. This is one of my favorite songs that we have been playing at the station and I can't wait for the album to come out either. I also got a video of Margot & the Nuclear So & So's playing Skeleton Key live. Enjoy.

-Tyler

The Past Two Days of the Countdown

Hi everybody. Sorry for the wait but here's Tuesday and Wednesday.

Tuesday:
42. Damien Rice - 9
41. Dixie Chicks - Taking the Long Way
40. G. Love - Lemonade
39. M. Ward - Post War
38. My Morning Jacket - Okonokos
37. Cold War Kids - Robbers & Cowards
36. Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris - All the Roadrunning
35. Guster - Ganging Up On the Sun
34. Josh Ritter - The Animal Years
33. The Bridge - The Bridge
32. The Hold Steady - Boys & Girls In America

Wednesday:
31. The Long Winters - Putting the Days To Bed
30. Built To Spill - You In Reverse
29. TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
28. Mason Jennings - Boneclouds
27. Thom Yorke - The Eraser
26. Cat Power - The Greatest
25. The Flaming Lips - At War With the Mystics
24. Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
23. Mat Kearney - Nothing Left to Lose
22. Ben Harper - Both Sides of the Gun
21. Eric Lindell - Change in the Weather

That's all for now but be sure to tune into 89.7 WTMD on Thursday and Friday for the final 20 albums of the Countdown.

We Bust Christmas Carols...

"Beneath the mistletoe as we drink egg nogg"....hope you had a chance to enjoy my all time favorite Guilty Pleasure holiday tune from Run DMC. If not, here's a little treat for you.



...and if you're looking to ethically purchase gifts for the season, here's some info on 10,000 Villages whose young volunteer Annajane was featured on this morning's GOOD PEOPLE.

Because Patchen Can't Leave Well Enough Alone...

I've got more albums I can't resist listing for one reason or another this year. So as promised in my last post, here are a few Honorable Mentions and other nods:

Honorable Mention:
Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley — Welcome to Jamrock

Best Album I Still Haven't Bloody Heard All Of:
The Pipettes — We Are the Pipettes

Best Album I've Only Heard Online:
The Fratellis — Costello Music

You can, too! Listen to the whole thing here.

Best of Baltimore:
Karmella's Game — The Art of Distraction

Best Blues:
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals — Nothing But the Water

Best Group Fighting the Power (Punk):
Pretty Girls Make Graves — Élan Vitale

Best Group Fighting the Power (Hip-Hop):
Rhymefest— Blue Collar

Best Gratuitous Use of Dave Matthews:
Jurassic 5 — Feedback

Best Video Illustrating the Song:
Lily Allen — "LDN"



Best Live Show:
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah with Architecture in Helsinki in Philadelphia

I knew going in I was going to see CYHSY, and they didn't disappoint — it was what you hear on the radio, only gleefully moreso (the vocals more slurred, the whoops almost howled, and so forth). But since a friend had snagged the tickets, I had no idea I was seeing AiH until just before they went on, and I was thrilled since I've been spinning them for years. But even as a long-time fan, nothing prepared me for their live show—drum pads, fevered instrument-switching, shifts from indie rock to calypso mid-set, and an amazingly knowledgable audience that sang along and danced till the floor bowed. If you have a chance to see AiH, do it; they're from Australia, so it's not like they can just pop into town on a whim.

Best "I Totally Know These Guys" Moment:
Last week I realized that back in college I ran a light show for The Slip in this lovely converted Gothic revival chapel.

Sam Sessa Won't Stop Bugging Me Until I Admit:
...that he's a genius for discovering Amy Winehouse's "Rehab."

My Cooler Younger Brother Is Horrified I Haven't Yet Mentioned:
The Hold Steady — Boys and Girls in America

OK, I'm done. Let's all go and make a pie. Or some cake.

Applause! for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

The sophomore album from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah will hit the streets on January 30th, it's called Some Loud Thunder. We've been playing a couple songs from the release. Here's a listen:

"Love Song No. 7"

"Underwater"

Countdown Results For Monday

Well here they are, I know you have been waiting all day to find out who made the Countdown. The wait is over here they are.

53. Grace Potter & The Nocturnals - Nothing But The Water

52. Madeleine Peyroux - Half the Perfect World

51. Robert Randolph & The Family Band - Colorblind

50. Yo La Tengo - I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass

49. Alice Smith - For Lovers, Dreamers & Me

48. Donavon Frankenreiter - Move By Yourself

47. JJ Cale/ Eric Clapton - The Road To Escondido

46. The Black Keys - Magic Potion

45. Belle & Sebastian - The Life Pursuit

44. Los Lonely Boys - Sacred

43. Tom Petty - Highway Companion

Neko Suave

I tell you, I just cannot get enough of Neko Case's Fox Confessor Brings the Flood. Just listen to the opening Grace Slick-like vocals on "Hold On Hold On." That first line, "The most tender place in my heart is for strangers...." kills me! What talent and guts! She's a combination of Loretta Lynne, Kurt Cobain and David Lynch. She's got the pipes to challenge any Dolly come lately, the kind in-your-face artist ethic that caused her to turn down several major label suitors and the non-linear song structure akin to of one of my favorite composers, and hers, I found out recently, Angelo Badalamenti(Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet, etc). Listen to the strings and somewhat out of tune chord changes in this video for "Maybe Sparrows." (kind of reminds me of the Cold War Kids "Hang Me Up to Dry"). Neko has lived a hardscrabble life already. More on that later. Peace, for now.

Better Late Than Never Right?

Sorry for the wait everybody but here are the rusults from Sunday's portion of the countdown.

60. Paul Simon - Surprise

59. Pete Yorn - Nightcrawler

58. Tom Waits - Orphans:Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards

57. Carbon Leaf - Love Loss Hope Repeat

56. Indigo Girls - Despite Our Differences

55. James Hunter - People Gonna Talk

54. Pearl Jam - Pearl Jam

I'll be back with Monday's full list in a few hours. Talk to you then.

-Tyler

Cover Me!

Just stumbled upon this and wanted to share. Cold War Kids recently recorded a live EP of covers. 6 tracks, covering the likes of Elvis Costello, Tom Waits , Be Good Taynas & more...

Download them all for yourself right here:

COLD WAR KIDS

Technology ROCKS!

It's always great to fall in love with new music, but I get more engaged when there's something special behind the scenes.
Take for instance Air Hest's new EP The Green Room Sessions, not only does it feature a cover of Fleetwood Mac's 'Little Lies' and some stunning originals, it is also homemade!
Ari made the album in the "Green Room" in his apartment on his Apple laptop and Garage Band software. It is amazing what can be done with a computer and a little talent and time!
Now, if I could just figure out how to play a guitar, maybe I'll put out an EP too!

Here's a song, 'Upstairs,' from The Green Room Sessions.

The New Underwriting Guy's Top 10

Hey everyone! This is Robby, the underwriting guy, and I just completed my first week here at WTMD. I'm really excited to be a part of the group here and part of such a great station. Here are my top 10 in the order in which they came into my head.

1. Alice Smith - For Lovers, Dreamers, and Me : I saw her open for Citizen Cope and she may have stolen the show...at least for me. I see good things coming her way.
2. Brett Dennen - So Much More : He looks like he is 14 years old and kind of sounds like Tracy Chapman. He also happens to write great music and put out a stellar album that I can't stop listening to. I'm looking forward to the show at Rams Head Tavern next month.
3. Ben Harper - Both Sides of the Gun : I've been a huge fan of his for many years and this album was probably his best album since The Will To Live. Check out the song "Morning Yearning", which I think I listened to 5 times before I got to the rest of the album.
4. Rodrigo y Gabriela- Rodrigo y Gabriela : It's a fun album with two very talented guitarists whose influences are endless. Check them out on David Letterman, Monday the 18th.
5. Belle and Sebastian - The Life Pursuit : Another great album from these guys. I really don't know what else to say about this one.
6. The Slip - Eisenhower : My freshmen roommate got me into this band. This album's sound is different from what I was first introduced to, but they are still great.
7. Jonah Smith - Jonah Smith : I was lucky to catch him and his band live and I immediately became a fan. I really dig his soulful voice and his songwriting. He lists Stevie Wonder as one of his biggest influences, which raises his stock in my book. Maybe we'll see something like Inversions or Talking Book from him in years to come.
8. Tea Leaf Green - Rock 'N' Roll Band : My favorite band to emerge from the jam band scene in recent years. This live album was also made into a DVD. Check out this clip from the movie.



9. Cat Power - The Greatest : Sometimes first impression is everything. A friend turned me onto this album and I initially loved everything about it...still do.
10. Mason Jennings - Boneclouds : It took me a couple of times listening to Boneclouds before I started to like it as much as his previous albums. I guess it's not as catchy as his other work, but his songwriting ability is still there and he still makes simple songs sound great.

Let me know if any of these albums resonate with you or if you think any of them are not worth a top 10 mention. Till next time...

Before I Die....

I must see Tom Waits LIVE! Did you catch his interview on the World Cafe last week? Wow! David Dye had such a revealing chat with a soul that at first, doesn't seem to BE all that revealing. Tom would begin his answers with one word, slightly-slurred grunts, then proceed to unravel these flowing, poetic answers that really take you deep into the heart of an American songwriting and composing treasure. I adore the affection Tom has for his wife/songwriting partner, Kathleen Brennen- it's beautiful to behold. Check out a day in the life of the two when they head to work. Whether it's German opera, jazz, polkas, Burrows-inspired musings, barroom love songs...Tom can compose any style of music- and it's captured on the sprawling Orphas: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards. Listen to the interview and the live performance, especially of one of my favorite Waits songs "Tango Till There Sore." Peace.

SATURDAY COUNTDOWN RESULTS

Hey everybody it's Tyler again, here to catch you up on the Countdown if you missed it today.

68. Rodrigo y Gabriela - Rodrigo y Gabriela

67. Subdudes - Behind the Levee

66. The Who - Endless Wire

65. Will Hoge - Man Who Killed Love

64. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones

63. Zero 7 - The Garden

62. Joseph Arthur - Nuclear Daydream

61. Los Lobos - The Town and the City

Talk you again tommorow. Be sure to tune in tommorow at 10am to 89.7 WTMD when we pick up again on the countdown numbers 60-54.

Final Countdown Results For Friday December 15th

Sorry it's so late but here are the rest of the results for yesterday's portion of the Countdown.

71. Johnny Cash - American V: A Hundred Highways

70. Muse - Black Holes & Revelations

69. Rhett Miller - The Believer

Stay tuned to 89.7 WTMD on Saturaday for more results on our Top 89 Albums of 2006 Countdown. I will post the rusults before I'm on the air so be sure to check back around six tonight.

Patchen's Top 10 of 2006

In 2006, we found some artists producing sounds we'd never heard before (Lily Allen), some showing whole new sides of themselves (Bruce Springsteen), and some just doing that particular thing they do to perfection (The Decemberists). Thus, my list:

1. Lily Allen – Alright, Still
2. The Long Winters – Putting the Days to Bed
3. The Decemberists – The Crane Wife
4. LazyTown [TV series soundtrack] (Yes, I am serious.)
5. Gnarls Barkely – St. Elsewhere
6. Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins – Rabbit Fur Coat
7. Regina Spektor – Begin to Hope
8. Bruce Springsteen – We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions
9. The Submarines – Declare a New State
10. Tilly and the Wall – Bottoms of Barrels

And coming in at #11...

Best Album Unfairly Knocked Off the Above List by a Children's TV Show from Iceland:
Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris – All the Roadrunning

I'll have some more Honorable Mentions and other albums I want to give a nod to later in the week. Cheers!

Shut Up and Sing and see the movie

I saw Shut Up and Sing last weekend and totally recommend it. I think what's so interesting is the change in our national gestalt between when Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks made her comments on stage in London and today, after the mid term elections.

It's a pretty honest look at how all this affected the families and the fan base emotionally. Personally, I believe the music and politics have been intertwined since the beginning of history. It's impossible to separate them and the artists, who make political statements, in music or in speech, are reflecting some chord they have absorbed in their travels. Here is the trailer for the movie. It's only playing in Annapolis right now.

TK's Top Ten New Releases and New Blues Albums of 2006

Without any special fanfare or in any particular order I will list my TOP TEN NEW RELEASES OF 2006:

1. Ellie Lawson – The Philosphy Tree
2. Psapp – The Only Thing I Ever Wanted
3. Phoenix – It’s Never Been Like That
4. Janove Ottesen – Francis’ Lonely Nights
5. Pete Yorn – Nightcrawler
6. The Hidden Cameras – Awoo
7. Eric Lindell – Change In The Weather
8. Camera Obscura – Let’s Get Out Of This Country
9. Tilley And The Wall – Bottoms Of Barrels
10. Sasha Dobson – Modern Romance

And here are my TOP TEN NEW BLUES ALBUMS OF 2006:

1. Theresa And TC Blue – Roll The Dice
2. Roxanne Potvin – The Way It Feels
3. Aynsley Lister – Everything I Need
4. Eric Lindell – Change In The Weather
5. Albert Cummings – Working Man
6. Summer And The Sinners – Boogie With The Devil
7. The Calvin Owens Show – Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog No Mo
8. Deb Callahan – The Blue Pearl
9. Dave Gross – Take The Gamble
10. Skyla Burrell Blues Band – Livin’ Day To Day

It's been a good year and let's hope 2007 is even better. Tune into the NEW RELEASE SHOW Tuesday's @ 8:00 PM to get the early jump on what's hot and what's not.

And, as always, get your weekend off to a great start every Friday at 7:00 PM for a fresh and fun installment of THE UPTOWN BLUES PARTY.

Friday December 15th Morning and Afternoon Countdown Results

Hey everybody. It's Tyler again to update you on the countdown if you missed it on the air. So far today's results are;

78. Neil Young - Living With War

77. Shawn Colvin - These Four Walls

76. Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped

75. Tapes 'n Tapes - The Loon:
In a similar sucess-finding fashion to that of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, our artist at #75 on the Countdown were perhaps the most "Buzzed" about indie-rock band by music critics, bloggers & musicians alike. Tapes 'n Tapes released "The Loon" in July of 2006, apparent from the start is their unbridled energy and dynamic delivery, but an underlying beauty of this record lies in the fact that after each listen you hear something new, constant discovery with every listen. From Minneapolis, MN - #75 on our Countdown Tapes 'n Tapes "The Loon".

74. The Strokes - First Impressions of Earth

73. Wolfmother - Wolfmother:
We go to the land down under for the #73 record on our Countdown...Wolfmother's self-titled debut takes the slot and is by & far the heaviest rock album to make the Countdown...Not shy about their influences, the Australian trio burst into the music world this year echoing shades of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. It is unrestrained, it is loud, it is #73 on our Countdown.

72. Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint - The River In Reverse


So that's all for now but be sure to listen to 89.7 WTMD at 4pm today when Mike Matthews continues the Countdown. You can also check back after 7pm tonight on the blog if you miss the results on-air.

The Membership Assistant's TOP 10 of 2006

Hey everybody, it's Jessica. If you have called the station and gotten someone other than Steph, it was probably me. And if you have actually been to the station, I was probably the girl you saw stuffing envelopes! :) Here's my Top 10- enjoy!
In no particular order...
1. Beck- The Information
Such a fun album and you get to decorate the cover yourself... can't beat it!
2. Pearl Jam- Pearl Jam
I'm sentimental about Eddie Vedder and in my mind he can do no wrong.
3. Gomez- How We Operate
Loved them since I heard "Get Myself Arrested," and this latest album I can listen to over and over (I'm actually driving people crazy with it.)
4. Ray Lamontagne- Till the Sun turns Black
Ray's voice is unreal, love it.
5. Decemberists- The Crane Wife
There's a reason this is on EVERYONE'S list. If you don't have the album, buy it immediately and enjoy.
6. Brett Dennen- so much more
I heard he gave out hugs at the station- I missed out on the hugging but I still love the album.
7. Incubus- Light Grenades
8. Audioslave- Revelations
Chris Cornell makes me weak in the knees. I have been in love with him since Soundgarden- look out for a Cornell solo album early next year.
9. Citizen Cope- Every waking Moment
10. Damien Rice- 9
Can't get enough of the song "9 Crimes" and after I listen to that 400 times, the rest of the album is just as good.

Morning Session Memories

One of the best things about being your TMD morning guy, aside, of course, from having the privilige of spinning music for your ride to work, is having musicians in every week for a live performance. I hope you've enjoyed some of the amazing talent that have played MORNING SESSIONS every Friday at 9am. We're so proud to have brought you closer to artists like HEM and James Hunter. Thanks for sharing the ride...and here are just some of my favorite MORNING SESSIONS memories this year.

1. Regina Spektor- She actually chose her album cover for BEGIN TO HOPE right on my computer. I maystill have the ones she discared on my hard drive. E-Bay, anybody?
2. Joesph Arthur- We typically ask artists to perform ONE bonus track to play back on Patchen's Saturday show. Now, Joseph, recorded his one tune, then proceeded to lay down SIX more tracks. Finally, I went into the studio to tell him we, uhh, basically had enough songs. He looked at me and with this child-like, eager grin said, "Oh, you want another one.?" Love that guy!
3. La Rocca- These guys are so much fun. When I was between 9 and 11 years old, I lived in the UK, and while I was there, used to collect these trading cards of football (soccer) players. Well, being Irish boys, they recognized the brand of cards and we proceeded to talk about our favorite players from our childhoods. Very cool moment for me.

The Rest of the Top 89 Albums of 2006 for December 14, 2006

Hey it's Tyler again. These are the last 4 albums that were on the Top 89 Albums of 2006 Countdown today.

82. Gov't Mule - High & Mighty
81. Joshua Radin - We Were Here
80. Jerry Lee Lewis - Last Man Standing
79. Michael Franti & Spearhead - Yell Fire!

Be sure to tune in to 89.7 WTMD or check back into the blog tommorow for more of the countdown.

Top 89 Albums of 2006 Countdown Recap

Here is what we have so far today for the Top 89 Albums of 2006 Countdown

89. Secret Machines – Ten Silver Drops
88. Ben Kweller – Ben Kweller
87. The Duhks – Migrations
86. Beth Orton – Comfort of Strangers
85. Calexico – Garden Ruin
84. Band of Horses – Everything All the Time
83. Drive By Truckers – Blessing and a Curse.

I can’t tell you the others until they have aired so be sure to listen to 89.7 WTMD or come back to the blog today to see who the others are. Also make sure you stop by each day to see who's made it.

Top 10 of 2006!

Well, without hestitation, the band & album of 2006 that continues to leave me speechless is the Long Winters "Putting the Days to Bed". I've heard these guys before...but none of their previous albums have captured me quite like "Putting the Days to Bed". Much like Colin Meloy of the Decemberists (who also make my Top 10 list), John Roderick's writing is so imaginative that you almost need to break it down line by line...and then put it back together again for anything to make sense. It's beautiful.

Van Hunt makes the list...he continues to be as true as an artist as there is out there. The Damnwells "Air Stereo" is a reminder that Alex Dezen is a seriously overlooked songwriter with "sky is the limit" potential. It was a breath of fresh air to have new music from Starsailor this year. A lot has been said about The Killers, but these guys kick ass! It's an easy way out of reviewing something to say "sophomore slump" - and "Sam's Town" is far from a slump.

Cold War Kids is the late addition to the list...it's scary to think that "Robbers & Cowards" is their debut!

The recent success that has found Regina Spektor is something that leaves all of us at the station - very, very proud. It is a true testament to artist development and stations like WTMD making a difference in the careers of artists like Regina Spektor. (and same could be said for Mat Kearney)

Without any more rambling...here's my Year End list (random order):

1. Long Winters "Putting the Days to Bed"
2. Damnwells "Air Stereo"
3. Killers "Sam's Town"
4. Van Hunt "On the Jungle Floor"
5. Starsailor "On the Outside"
6. Cold War Kids "Robbers & Cowards"
7. Gomez "How We Operate"
8. Regina Spektor "Begin to Hope"
9. Decemberists "The Crane Wife"
10.Gnarls Barkley "St. Elsewhere"

And earlier this year Dave Matthews Band released a 4 CD set from their show at Fenway Park in Boston (booo red sox!) Nevertheless, DMB covered "Sweet Caroline" - if you haven't heard it ... here it is to see!

Tyler the Intern's top 10

What’s up everyone, my name is Tyler the Intern. I’m the versatile, do a little bit of everything around here guy at WTMD. I work a lot with Mike the Program Director and if you ever come into volunteer, which we always welcome, you will see me running all over the place. One of my favorite things I get to do around here is pick up the bands that are coming in for interviews and many of the artists you hear on the station have had the pleasure of riding in my big blue station wagon. I also have the 8-11pm air shift on Thursday nights so be sure to tune in. I am also going to keep you all updated on the Top 89 Albums of 2006 every day so you can see where your favorite artists ended up. But first I want to share my top ten albums with you.

These are in no particular order and there are lots of albums that I wish I could have included, so we’ll say they are with us in spirit. But here’s what made it in my book.

1. Cold War Kids - Robbers & Cowards: This album is so amazing and if you haven’t heard these guys you are missing out. At first listen it was a little strange because you hear things that sound like they don’t belong but you begin to understand it is the Kids’ genius in action. In the song Hang Me Up To Dry it sounds like your family cat or your drunk uncle is trying to play piano on parts.



2. Citizen Cope - Every Waking Moment: I got to catch this guy on tour twice this fall. Once at 9:30 Club down in DC and up at the Electric Factory in Philly. Amazing live shows even though Cope looks like he’s about to pass out while playing up on stage. That but the album served me well on many car rides home as well as just chillen’ out. You can really feel his emotions coming through your speakers.

3. The Decemberists - The Crane Wife: This album is incredible and something no music lover should be without. I also caught them at the 9:30 Club and got to meet a few of the band members after the show. Very down to Earth humble people who truly love what they do. The live show was more amazing than I expected it to be. The stage was dressed with the artwork from the album and about eight big red paper lanterns. But the music was flawless and I have never seen such an attentive crowd at a show before. I actually heard an empty beer cup fall down stairs while the band was taking a break between songs. Not the usual shouting and carrying on you would hear at any other show.



4. The Mars Volta – Amputechture: If you want to travel to another world where people are speaking in tongues of mixed Spanish and English and the music in the air transitions from beautiful classical guitar to monster face melting solos intermittently then this is the album for you. Every album these guys put out is just more amazing than the last.

5. Beck - The Information: Fun do-it-yourself album cover art + funky happy upbeat tunes you can groove to at any time = one of the best albums of the year hands down.

6. The Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldiers: I thought that good ole’ rock and roll was almost gone before this record came out. But in fact it is here to stay as long as Jack White and the other boys of The Raconteurs want it to be. My buddy Bug (production manager here at WTMD) and I got to catch these guys at Pimlico Race Track here in Charm City for the gigantic Virgin Fest. The live show just made the album even better for me and solidified it’s placement in my top ten.

7. The Bridge - The Bridge: Local boys from The Greatest City in America, finally lay down some of their popular live tunes that they had been playing every Wednesday night down at the 8X10 in Federal Hill this summer. It’s hard for some bands to bottle up their live show on a studio album but the bridge are no stranger to this and the funky tunes come through the speakers just as I remember down at the 8X10 and at the All Good Festival this year.

8. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium: What more can I say, a double disc from one of my favorite groups and every song is strong. Needless to say I made the album a playlist on my iPod so I could listen to it over and over in the car this summer. These guys also rocked out the Virgin Festival at Pimlico and I would have to say John Frusciante was the MVP for the day.

9. Silversun Pickups – Canvasas: Fuzzy indie rock out of Silver Lake CA. Kick ass vocals. Put this album on and it will also reinforce that the rock is here to stay.



10. Alice Smith - For Lovers, Dreamers & Me: Alice was opening for Citizen Cope on his tour this fall and she is something special. She has so much control over her beautiful voice and she also came out on stage with Cope for a couple numbers. She also did her first ever radio interview here at WTMD. Get her cd now so you can say you were listening to her before she blew up because she will do just that.

Top Albums of 2006

whats kickin music people... Im BuG... you might have heard me fillin in for air people of most recently covering thursday nights.. well im actually the operations manager.. sweet behind the scenes stuff......2006 has definatly kept it rockin with tons of great albums released this year. It was to tough for me to pick the best albums of the year especially since there is so much music out there that i haven't herad yet... so i've compiled a list, in no particular order, of albums that will be the albums i remember from this year.

1) The Long Winters- Putting the days to bed

These guys came by the WTMD studio and let me tell you... John Roderick is a freakin riot... They rolled up in a van that looked like it was about to burst it was packed so tightly... then they came in to play a few songs for us... they did an acoustic performance for us but they didn't want to lezve the drummer out so they let him play some of the cardboard boxes we had lying around.. they also added some kazoo on a stripped down version of Teaspoon. You can hear the interview with the long winters at our podcast page.

2) Gran Bel Fisher- Full Moon Cigarette

From another artist who stopped by the WTMD studio, Full moon cigarette is an amazind album.. Getting some national recognition from Grey's Anatomy Gran Bel Fisher has been making quite a name for himself... When he came by the studio he was one of the nicest guys i ever had the pleasure of working with.. He played a couple songs in the studio with a small live audience compiled of WTMD Frontpersons. Heres a clip of him playing on the fox morning show...

3)Thom Yorke - Eraser

I don't think i even have to say anything about this one.... its Thom Yorke at his best.. with deep melodies and haunting lyrical stlye this album was one of my top favorites... Plus seeing Radiohead this past summer at Bonnaroo change my freakin life.....

4)The Decemberists - The Crane Wife

Frontman Colin Meloy continues to craft magically inventive, character-driven story songs rooted in British folk. i almost felt stupid putting this on here cause everyone else was but then i thought about it and it really was one of the best...

5) The Kooks - Inside in, Inside out

I just got these guys ablbum like a few weeks age but WOW...... Its freakin amazing... its everything you could ever want out of an album... In a world of pop and hip hop, its nice to know that somebody can still make a sweet rock album... Here's a clip of them playing for like over 100 thousand people...

This is only the beginning... keep an eye out for the rest of my top ten ... coming soon....

keep rockin music people

-BUG

Melissa's Top Ten For 2006

2006 saw such a wide variety of intriguing music,
so picking just 10 was tough! But with variety as my key,
here is my Top Ten for this year...

1. Beck - The Information
2. Jackie Greene - American Myth
3. Gomez - How We Operate
4. Brett Dennen - So Much More
5. Cat Power - The Greatest
6. Regina Spektor - Begin To Hope
7. The Decemberists - The Crane Wife
8. The Slip - Eisenhower
9. KT Tunstall - Eye To The Telescope
10. Ben Kweller - Ben Kweller

Now this list was an ever changing idea for nearly 2 weeks, with easy additions and very tough subtractions. I don't know that I had the most scientific of equations for narrowing it down, but these are the albums that I've turned to for driving music or when I'm doing work around the house. I can't wait to hear what's coming next in 2007!


Was such a fan of this song from Gomez and the video shows the humor of the band and singer Tom Gray who is getting tossed about.
So check out 'girlshapedlovedrug' from Gomez.

Admin Lady's Top 10 for 2006

Working behind the scenes at TMD definately has some perks like listening to your fave station all day, catching guests perform live, and daily hearing amazing, new and interesting music blast from our Program Director's office. Fortunately, Mike (our PD), never seems to mind when I break his concentration to ask - "Who IS that?" As was the case with- The Lizard Song- on Etienne De Rocher's debut album - one of my Top 10!

1. Etienne De Rocher - Etienne De Rocher
2. Mason Jennings - Boneclouds
3. Eric Lindell - Change in the Weather
4. Ray LaMontagne - Til the Sun Turns Black
5. Amos Lee - Supply & Demand
6. Van Hunt - On the Jungle Floor
7. Gov't Mule - High & Mighty
8. Citizen Cope - Every Waking Moment
9. Los Lonely Boys - Sacred
10. Alexi Murdoch - Time Without Consequence

Embarrassed to admit this, but I was so absorbed completing paperwork to pay the station's bills that I actually missed Etienne's performance - even though I gave him a parking permit & asked his name like 3 times!! Fortunately, everyone can hear Erik's Morning Sessions interview featuring other live songs from the cd by going to:

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wtmd/arts.artsmain?action=viewArticle&sid=15&pid=166&id=950146

BTW, I did catch Etienne before he left and was able to shout, "LOVE your music!" - to which I received a great big smile and thanks! (another perk!)

posted by Stephanie, AL

TMD Morning Guy Weighs In

Since my job is to keep you entertained and engaged with incredible music while you're driving to work, I thought, "why not take a road trip and base my best of '06 picks on how they sound to me in the car?" Ahhh, New Jersey never looked so good as it did set to the soundtrack from this past year. So, thanks for inspiring me everyday...and here are my top driving albums from a memorable year in music!

1. Eric Lindell- Change in the Weather

2. Neko Case- Fox Confessor Brings the Flood

3. Joseph Arthur- Nuclear Daydream

4. Anders Parker- Anders Parker

5. Art Brut- Bang Bang Rock and Roll

6. Cold War Kids- Robbers and Cowards

7. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals- Nothing But the Water

8. Gomez- How We Operate

9. Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins- Rabbit Fur Coat

10.M. Ward- Post War

Jenny Lewis had my first favorite record this year, and clearly, my favorite video. Check out Sarah Silverman introducing the Hee Haw inspired clip.

Oh, did you catch that 21-year-old blogger on Good People this morning? He chronicles all the goings-on in the tv news business and counts Brian Williams among his biggest fans. Check out Brian Stelter's tv newser blog:

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/

The GMs Top 10 for 2006

I know we're not going to launch the blog until the countdown starts on the 14th, but I couldn't resist sharing my Top 10 Albums of 2006. They're in no particular order, but if you looked at my iPod Most Played list I think they would line up pretty much this way.

1. Scissor Sisters/Ta-Da

2. Sid N Susie/Under the Covers Vol. 1

3. Robert Randolph and the Family Band/Colorblind -

4. Bruce Springsteen/We Shall Overcome-The Seeger Sessions

5. The Pipettes/We are the Pipettes

6. Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band/Hammersmith Odeon, London '75

7. Various Artists/Perfecto Chills Volume 3

8. James Hunter/People Gonna Talk

9. Gnarls Barkley/St. Elsewhere

10. G. Love and Special Sauce/Lemonade

I'm not sure if or where these records will fall on the countdown but they've given me a lot of joy this year. Check out the Perfecto Chill series. On this one there are some really inventive remixes of Badly Drawn Boy, Imogen Heap and others.

If you graduated from college anytime in the 80s, the Pipettes Pull Shape's Video is like a time machine!

Let The Blogging Begin!

WTMD launches this Blog soon. We'll start on December 14th when we begin our Top 89 Albums of 2006 Countdown. We asked our listeners to vote for their top five records and we are in the process of tabulating the ballots.

It's been very interesting to see what you voted for as the best records. More than 500 listeners took the time to participate and we want to say thanks for filling out the ballot.

There has been an incredible amount of amazing records this year. 2006 has introduced us to Alice Smith, Gnarles Barkley and so many others. We've also seen some incredible shows here in Baltimore and Washington. The Virgin Fest is perhaps the show of the year!

So be sure to stop back here or visit wtmd.org directly for the countown list as it happens.