I’m not a music snob. Not by a long shot. I like too many genres of music to be one of those people who comb through record stores like Indiana Jones [can’t wait for the new movie, btw!] in some ancient temple of indie-hipster-obscurity reserved for bands who only play in garages dark enough to contain their slippery coolness.

Whenever people would try to corner me with the “what’s your favorite band?” question, I would always shrug and tell them the truthfull answer, which was “my tastes change too often to have a favorite.”

Then, I discovered The Weepies.

I had always been a fan of Deb Talan, her beautifully different voice and soft, simple lyrics carrying me through many a break-up or summer drive in the country. So when Deb joined up with fellow folk musician Steve Tannen a few years ago, I was suspicious. Who was this guy and what was he going to do with my Deb’s lovely music?

Turns out, the only thing he did was make it better. Read More »

Every once in a while, I’ll hear a song, and I’ll think to myself, Christ. This song is beautiful. Who sings it?

And then I find out Mandy Moore sings it. And it takes me a second to not freak out, because, like, I don’t usually turn to Mandy Moore when I want music that actually means something. But you know what? The chick has got some serious skills.

She’s grown up. Broken up (with Zack Braff. Me thinks she’s better off now), ripped away her computerized vocals, and poured her heart out to a piano.

Gardenia is off her newest album, Wild Hope. And even though the title seems just a bit cheesy, this song is anything but. If you’ve ever had to pick yourself up from the floor after a hideous break-up, Gardenia is your anthem.