Song of the Mo: "This Too Shall Pass" by Ok Go

This music video makes me so happy. From those infamous treadmill guys.

Embedding has been disabled by request (stupid music labels). Click here to watch the awesome video on YouTube.

Song of the Mo: "Monday Morning" by Melanie Fiona

Melanie Fiona is an emerging R&B artist who released her first album, "The Bridge," last year. I am not really a huge R&B person and - in the spirit of total transparency - I'm actually not a huge fan of this entire album. She's also a Kanye West protege, which is kind of a bummer since he's a major douche squirt . That said, this song is equal parts catchy, original and makes-you-all-smiley. Not to mention a total throwback. Love it.

Currently touring with Alicia Keys, Melanie Fiona was nominated for a Grammy this past year for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance (not for this song, but for the snoozefest, "It Kills Me") and "Monday Morning" reached #1 on the Swiss charts (I LOVE Switzerland!). Hailing from Canada and already a pretty big deal in half of Europe, she's bound to have a bright career ahead of her.

Thanks, Easy Street, for the introduction. Enjoy.

Song of the Mo: "Pardon Me"

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you "Pardon Me" by Maxine Swaby circa 2001. Sooooo catchy.

Song of the Year: "In These Arms" by The Swell Season

Ladies and gentlemen, my favorite song of 2009: "In These Arms" by The Swell Season.

The Swell Season's latest album, "Strict Joy" is a life changer. A few years ago, I saw the movie "Once" starring these two - Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova - and was moved beyond belief. I still count it as one of my top ten favorite films of all time. The songs from the "Once" soundtrack are the most played in my iTunes, with some songs having been played over 200 times. It's a little obsessive, really. But the songs never get old or ruined by too much play.

I don't like introducing songs I truly love that much because they really need no introduction. So, Happy Holidays - here's a gift for you.

Song of the Mo: Ray of Light (cover)

Not the hugest fan of Snow Patrol, but I like this cover of Madonna's "Ray of Light" enough. One of the greatest things about the original is the energy, which this one obviously lacks. However, that lack of energy surprisingly works for me and sort of redefines the perspective. Instead of speeding through space, we feel like we're floating in it, watching everything speed past us.

Song of the Mo: Bad Romance

I couldn't resist. This video is badass and I have no shame in admitting that I like Lady Gaga. She's absolutely nuts (which I've noted many times here), but she's innovative and I find her spectacular.

The video for her new single, "Bad Romance" is definitely something that needs to be seen. It's weird (expected) and kind of sad (unexpected?).

Song of the Mo: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots

Another one that just came up on my shuffle playlist. When I first heard this song, I played it on repeat like a thousand times. So, eventually I got sick of it. It's been a couple of years since I heard it, so it's nice to enjoy it again.

Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots Pt.1 - The Flaming Lips

Song of the Mo: "I Wanna Be in the Cavalry"

Let me first start off by admitting that, yes, technically this is country music. And, yes, the video is super lame.

I first heard of the Corb Lund Band (from Canada - is it still considered "country" now?) a couple of years ago on a rainy day in Seattle (surprise!). I was sitting in my car having just parked in front of Jamba Juice, when this song, "I Wanna Be in the Cavalry" popped up on NPR. Now, if you don't already know this, if a song is on NPR, it obviously has instant credibility and is totally legit in terms of quality. Duh.

I loved the background banjo strums, the song's theme, the confident, yet subtle vocals. It was in direct contrast to the rain dropping on my windshield. It took me back to the civil war and AP US History. I dug it.

Well, today it popped up on my iPod in a shuffling playlist and it took me right back to the first time I heard it. I have a really bad memory to begin with, so when a song can do this, it tells me it really is a good one.

They have some other great songs too. If you like this, check out "Good Copenhagen" and "Time to Switch to Whiskey".

Song of the Mo

Well, I finally saw the movie "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" - I was out of the country when it came out, or at least I think I was. It was funny enough (I think "I Love You, Man" was funnier) and it just confirmed my intense adoration of Paul Rudd's quirky/lame/purposely desperate comedy.

Well, imagine my surprise when I found this gem at the ending credits. Daniel Ho, under the pseudonym Coconutz, basically sings a cover of Sinead O'Connor's cover of Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U", which is an incredible song already. I don't understand a word of it as it's all in Hawaiian, but I'm assuming it's just a translation of the English version.

Anyhow, thought I'd share. Definitely digging it.

Nothing Compares 2 U - The Coconutz

Song of the Mo: "Can You Tell" by Ra Ra Riot

Ra Ra Riot! Aside from having one of the best band names I've ever heard, I actually have a (slightly) personal connection to them. You see, I went to college at Syracuse University, and Ra Ra Riot (or at least most of the band to my knowledge) formed at SU while they were students and I was still there.

It gets better! When Mathieu Santos, who plays bass guitar, was a freshman, I was a junior and I was his RA... you know, as in Resident Advisor? It's definitely a loose connection, but it's pretty cool to see them on TV and be able to say, "I was that guy's RA!" (however dorky that may really sound).

You may think I'm biased then, considering I'm so close to the band (uh oh, delusions of grandeur). You think wrong, I tell you. They're actually talented, tons of fun and totally legit. They were the opening act for Death Cab for Cutie on tour and they've appeared on David Letterman.

Check out the video for the song, "Can You Tell?" below. I'm totally into the video - as well as the song - and definitely think you should be too.

Song of the Mo: "Animal" by Miike Snow

They're Swedish! (I'll be in Sweden in 2 weeks so I'm ALL about Sweden right now.) Not to mention - ding dong! - that lead singer's a looker.

If you like this, also check out the tracks, "Burial", "Silvia", "Song for No One", and "Black and Blue".

Song of the Mo

I am all over this track right now and I can't seem to stop moving my shoulders. Dig it.

"Pop Goes the World" by The Gossip

UPDATE: Have replaced old video with this remix. They took down the original one for "terms of violation" or something stupid. I hate laws.

Song of the Mo

"Lisztomania" by Phoenix

It's so peppy, but I'm not ashamed to like it. I like this song better than their current single, "1901". This one makes me want to jump up and down like a high school emo girl who draws on her hand and wears abnormally large sneakers with neon laces.

AND they're French. Bonus!

Song of the Mo

"Skinny Love" by Bon Iver



Come on skinny love just last the year
Pour a little salt we were never here
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
Staring at the sink of blood and crushed veneer

I tell my love to wreck it all
Cut out all the ropes and let me fall
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
Right in the moment this order's tall

I told you to be patient
I told you to be fine
I told you to be balanced
I told you to be kind
In the morning I'll be with you
But it will be a different "kind"
I'll be holding all the tickets
And you'll be owning all the fines

Come on skinny love what happened here
Suckle on the hope in lite brassiere
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
Sullen load is full; so slow on the split

I told you to be patient
I told you to be fine
I told you to be balanced
I told you to be kind
Now all your love is wasted?
Then who the hell was I?
Now I'm breaking at the britches
And at the end of all your lines

Who will love you?
Who will fight?
Who will fall far behind?

Song of the Mo

Allow me to introduce you to...

"How Does It Feel?" by Eskimo Joe