Five Songs to Listen to that Will Make You Automatically Cooler. Volume 1!

I am writing this as a public service announcement. If you want to be automatically cooler than any of your friends you will take my advice and go to Itunes and get the following songs. While all of you'r lame friends are talking about Puddle of Mudd, Pearl jam, Kanye West or what ever crap people are listening to these days you can sound much more informed and intellectual by talking about these hidden gems. They cover different many different genres so there should be something here for everyone. Enjoy and let me know what you think once you hear them. I will try to put together a list like this every week or two so subscribe to my stuff or check back often to stay awesome.

1. Entrance - Grim Reaper Blues

One of my favorite recent discoveries. Entrance is a guy name Guy Blakeslee, a 25 year old self taught guitarist. He had two other albums that were straight up folk (some of the best folk music you will ever hear). His most recent album "Prayer for Death" is his first electric album. It may be one of the best records to come out this century. The album covers many moods and genres but the opening track "Grim Reaper Blues" will blow your mind.

Suggestion: Play this in front of friends who think they know about more obscure music than you or friends who like to smoke marijuana or trip on acid. They will love you.

2. Band of Horses - The Funeral

These guys are starting to catch on a little and have the cross-over potential to get huge so you better hurry up on this one. They are on Sub Pop Records and play mellow yet powerful indie rock. Great music, great vocals, beautiful layers. The song "The Funeral" is a stand out on the album that really gives you an idea about what they about.

Suggestions: Play this for your hippie friends who dig Neil Young, your parents, your hippie parents or dorks who just got into Bright Eyes last year because they will still behind on the times and not have heard this yet. Get movin'.

3. Das Oath - Any Song

Das Oath is a thrash band. This stuff may sounds insane to you if you never got really into underground punk rock. They feature the singer of a band called Charles Bronson and can play 20 songs in about 15 minutes. Great music to listen to if you want to get pumped up or if you are drunk with your friends. I did not select a specific song. If you listen to them you will understand why. SHRED!

Suggestions: Play this in front of your metal head friends who think they are rad for listening to System of a Down.

4. Camera Obscura - Hey Lloyd

Indie band from Glascow, Scotland. They play really light, melodic, beautiful stuff. They have been around for a while and I am suprised they have not caught on yet. Hey Lloyd is the opening track to their most recent album and sucks you in to what may become one of your favorite records.

Suggestions: You can play this for anyone and nobody will say it's bad but I think if you play this for the ladies they will think you are awesome and probably want to make out with you while its playing. Booya!

5. Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer - Play Pretty for Me Baby

Don't let the name fool you, these guys are not tough. It's a female fronted pop band that is as catchy and cute as anything you have heard. I listen to them and I imagine them playing on the Nickelodeon kids awards or something but don't let that scare you because they rule. I assure you that sometimes it is OK to stop being so cool and tough and just have fun and bop around to some bubble gum songs.

Suggestions: Play this for anyone who is cool enough to know it is fun and important to listen to fun poppy songs, fans of blink 182 and people who love the movie Josie and the Pussycats.