It’s a question I hate answering. Mostly because the response, whatever it is, somehow is never as cool as my inner-high school self thinks it should be. There’s a pressure to be wildly cutting-edge. To make a statement. To out-new the next guy. To stun with the unfamiliar, thereby provoking a sort of know-it-all garboil.

Yawn.

So when someone asks me the definitive “what have you been listening to lately?” I usually flounder. A long recall-pause, some stuttering… it’s a tough one. The reason being that frankly, there’s just so MUCH music — oppressively so; an over-saturated, unintelligible wash of noise that you’ve got to constantly wade through, ever-patient… because it is NOT easy and most of the time, FAR from fun. What’s worse is that almost all of it is shit — sorry to say, no gettin’ around it. Hence the bane of the human filter… the time-honored, guilt-laden, self-torturous ritual: a willing covenant to listen to absolutely ALL of it. A bit obsessive-compulsive but that’s the job.

What’s more is, you’ve got to spend time with the music, let it dig in a you, get a hold on you. There’s a relationship there, one that requires patience. Great music isn’t always obvious.

A question I hate answering. But here it is. A list of albums and songs over the past few months that I couldn’t stop listening to, for whatever reason… humor, familiar comfort, je ne sais quoi. Some of it new. Some of the new-ish. Some of it old. Some of it just because.

Under the Waves, Pete Droge
Pete was nice enough to send me his entire back-catalogue recently (including The Thorns, who I’d somehow completely forgot about, shame, shame) and while it was great to be reminded of old faves like “Eyes on the Ceiling,” etc. I kept returning to this one from 2006. I’d played it over and over again then and it still grabs me by the knees! “Electric Green” is my ringer, but really, it’s hard to choose.

What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love and Understanding (Acoustic), Nick Lowe
Got to see him a few weeks ago in Albany. And even though I’ve heard the song a million times, this acoustic version has the kind of yearning that escaped me before. Hear it here. Buy it here.

The Odd Couple, Gnarls Barkley
I can’t believe I’m saying this… but this record is phenomenal. Outkast meets Fine Young Cannibals. Excellent for cleaning the house to. “Going On.” Uh-huh.

Tattoo You, The Rolling Stones

Altered States, Robin Danar
What a great freaking record. I can’t tell you how many times friends have come over and I’ve literally forced them to listen to Rachel Yamagata doing The Stones’ “2000 Light Years from Home.” And “Yell” is perfect for summer, which I’ve been in the mood for since January.

An Spéirbhéan, Gael Sli
Instrumental. Honestly, not a fan of the other songs but this one, otherworldly — in a Lord of the Rings kind of way.

Momofuku, Elvis Costello
Fantastic album. All those idiot critics…. It’s fun. It rocks. It sounds like the Costello we know and love. What more do you want?

Pretzel Logic, Steely Dan

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, Various
Currently, my favorite record of the year, no kidding. And not just because it’s funny. The songs are actually great. Parodies, of course… but still. Mike Andrews (a.k.a. Elgin Park, Greyboy Allstars) is a total genius. Not to mention Dan Bern and Mike Viola (The Candy Butchers). Everything these guys touch is gold. “Darling” really gets me. “Let’s Duet” makes me pee my pants. And even though it cost me a solid $20 (I did wince) it was worth every cent.

Are You Gonna Go My Way, Lenny Kravitz
Lenny gets a bad rap. His new stuff, not interested. But the older stuff, hell yes. I like my rock sexy.

The Alchemist Manifesto, Ocote Soul Sounds and Adrian Quesada
Groovy, spacey, spicy. Good for after the barbecue when you’re still sitting on the porch in the twilight.

Blackbird, One Day International
I’ve had the precursor to this record for a while (a demo of sorts) and Blackbird is most of the same songs… superb. Coldplay (as in back to Parachutes) meets Thom Yorke plus a cello. “Little Death” is a damned good one.

Soap and Water, Chuck Prophet
Sexy, sexy, sexy. Chuck always comes through. Especially digging “Would You Love Me?” and “Small-Town Girl.”

Playback, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
I’ve been wanting this box set for a long time and simply forgot to buy it. There is no bad song. Checkout Disc 6, “You Come through” with Lenny Kravitz. Oh mama.

Yael Naim & David Donatien, Yael Naim & David Donatien
I realize I’m a bit johnny-come-lately to this but really, the whole pared-down, delicate singer-songwriter thing pretty much nauseates me at this point… however I loved this. “Paris,” “Too Long,” “New Soul,” “Far Far,” and of course “Toxic.”

Nothings Wrong, Andy Zipf
See him live.

You asked.

© Outlandos Music^TM 2008