Song of the Day: Gossip - Listen Up! [2007 Version]

This is a great dance track, featuring some fantastic singing and probably the right amount of cowbell, unless Bruce Dickinson gets involved.

Song of the Day: The Meters - It Ain't No Use

I became obsessed with The Meters for a short time, but I hadn't listened to them in years until I pulled out my copy of Rejuvenation - and now I remember why I was obsessed. Outside of James Brown and Funkadelic, I don't think I've heard funk music as fascinating as this, particular in today's song, an 11-minute jam that never gets tiresome.

Song of the Day: The Besnard Lakes - And You Lied to Me

These guys fall somewhere on the My Morning Jacket and Band of Horses side of the spectrum - heavy vocal reverb, catchy rock songs.

Song of the Day: The Specials - A Message to You Rudy

Fishbone is the closest to ska I'd ever experienced until I saw The Specials on an excellent Old Grey Whistle Test compilation DVD. I've posted the song from the debut album as well as the video, and you can hear that the video version is faster and tighter. They just don't make 'em like this any more.

Song of the Day: Wolf Parade - Modern World

Wolf Parade's debut LP, Apologies to the Queen Mary, is another album I can't believe I left off my best of the 2000s list. I really enjoy how the two different songwriters have different approaches (and very different voices), yet the band still manages to be cohesive. I can't pick a favorite between Dan and Spencer, the lead singers, but Dan's "Modern World" is my favorite track off the album.

Song of the Day: Elton John - Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters

Elton John and David Bowie occupy a similar space in my record collection - they both have a number of timeless, iconic songs that I can never get tired of. And they both have a ton of songs that I would prefer never to hear again.

I'm not even talking about the recent stuff that's a result of just being an artist that's been around a while. I'm talking about songs and albums released during their heyday that can't hold a candle (in the wind (yes, I went there)) to their best.

But I came here to praise Elton, not to bury him. While I knew the biggest of his hits, it wasn't until seeing what is now one of my favorite all-time movies, Almost Famous, that I heard this one for the first time. It's subsequently become one of my favorite songs, and it's led me to discover some of Elton John's other great songs (and, of course, some of his stinkers).

Song of the Day: The Cardigans - Carnival

This Swedish band was a one-hit wonder in the U.S., but I was fortunate to see them live before that one hit actually hit. I still really enjoy listening to Life and First Band on the Moon, and they were a very competent live band (I realize that may sound like an insult, but I don't intend it to be). I've heard that their subsequent LP has become something of a cult album, and according to allmusic.com, they've even released a few since then. Hearing this song, the first from Life (and not the hit), makes me wonder whether I want to seek out more. But I think I'll just stick with these two, each of which also include a Black Sabbath cover (yup).