Hope your summer lovin' was excellent.

Death Cab for Cutie - Summer Skin (MP3)

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/Death%20Cab%20for%20Cutie%20-%20Summer%20Skin.mp3] 

Mediocre Bad Guys is one of my all-time favorite tracks by Jackie J. No explanations today, just good music. 

Mediocre Bad Guys - Jack Johnson (MP3)

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/jack%20johnson%20-%20mediocre%20bad%20guys.mp3]

Jack Johnson Official // MySpace // Buy On and On

If you've seen the film I Am Sam, or heard the awesome soundtrack, you're probaby familiar with this cover of the Beatle's "Blackbird". If not, its your lucky day, as McLachlan does a kickass job of it. Its quite refreshing, hearing her voice touch something done by the all-male Beatles. A little trivia for you, too–I taught my boyfriend how to play this song on the guitar. Go me. 

Blackbird - Sarah McLachlan MP3 

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/sarah%20mclachlan%20-%20blackbird.mp3]

Sarah McLachlan Official Website // I Am Sam Official Film Website // Buy the I Am Sam Soundtrack 

A couple of days ago, Wade and I rented our usual couple of flicks from our local Hollywood Video. One of the titles was Black Snake Moan, starring Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci (who I haven't seen recently in Hollywood, so this was a nice change). The movie itself was pretty good, set in the South, and featured a lot of Southern Blues music. While Wade and I definitely enjoyed the blatant addition of the music in the soundtrack and the music actually played by a character in the film, one song stuck out from the film and has been stuck in our heads since, and that would be "Stackolee". 

We're people who usually enjoy music for the instruments being played, less so the lyrics. But both grabbed us in this track, and made it worthy of an MP3 Spotlight. 

It's a simple blues song, really, but I've been singing it since and shaking the booty to it whenever possible. It's hard not to appreciate the song and its rawness, so enjoy.

And shit, who knew Sammy Jackson could sing?? 

Black Snake Moan Website // MySpace // Buy the Soundtrack 

Stackolee - Samuel L. Jackson (with various artists in the studio) MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/Samuel%20L.%20Jackson%20-%20Music%20from%20the%20Motion%20Picture%20Black%20Snake%20Moan%20-%2014%20-%20stackolee.mp3]

One of my favorite Jewel songs, from the Spirit album. 

Barcelona - Jewel

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/Jewel%20-%2010%20-%20Barcelona.mp3]

Jewel // Buy Spirit 

There is a lot of music out there that I know I should be listening to, and just haven't yet.  Two ways that I generally do this are through live albums and tribute albums, which is how I really got into the Clash at first.  One of the really standout tracks on both From Here to Eternity: Live and Burning London: A Tribute to the Clash was "Straight to Hell", which closes out both albums.  I present here Moby's smooth organ chords and Heather Nova's floaty vocals.  The song is beautiful, and one of my favourite ways to end things.  Dig it!

Straight to Hell - Moby and Heather Nova

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/Moby%20&%20Heather%20Nova%20-%20Straight%20to%20Hell.mp3]

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