What We're Listening To: Ben

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Ben's Playlist
Psychotic Girl-The Black Keys: The new album by the bluesy Black Keys is produced by DJ Danger Mouse (Jay-Z/Beatles mash-up album; the other half of Gnarls Barkley). They just played the 930 club last week. Like most great bands, I learned about them after their show. Yes, Zack warned me.

Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Part 2-My Morning Jacket: This is my favorite song of the last week. It's burning up my IPOD. Their new album, "Evil Urges" will drop soon. Lots of great buzz around this album.

Things In Life-Dennis Brown: This oldie but goodie from reggae master Dennis Brown is what I consider "Don't Worry, Be Happy" for smart people. In spite of the positive message, you can feel the knowing, bittersweet undertones of real life in Dennis Brown's voice, and in his music.

Tape Song-The Kills:This Michigan garage duo wowed me with their latest release, "Midnight Boom." The entire album rocks. Hard. If you like chick lead vocalists who wear dirty wifebeaters on stage and smoke while they sing, you will love this band.

Seeing Hands-Dengue Fever:Two Los Angeles based musicians with a love for both psychadelic rock and Cambodian pop music found their muse in Chhom Nimol, the lead singer they found in the Phenom Pen district of LA. Their new album, "Venus on Earth", which NPR says veers "between Khmer pop, film noir soundtrack, surf rock and folky, teenybopper hit parade fare, right out of the late '60s," is one of my favorite releases of the last year.

I'm A Man-Bo Diddley:The grandfather of rock died last week. I'm not sure what saddens me more, the loss of his presence or the fact that many people have no clue about what an influence he was on the rock genre. He was a MAN.

You've Got the Love I Need-Al Green:Al Green is back, and he brings the old memphis sound. Green junkies like myself have been waiting for this album (and this sound) for a long, long time. There have been some criticisms of the new album in that it sounds like his stuff from the 70s. All I can say is, "and your point is?" Welcome back, Al.

New Orleans Ladies-Tab Benoit:I saw Tab in Falls Church two weeks ago, at the State Theatre, and the "bluesman of the year" was in fine form, playing a 2 1/2 hour set peppered by some wetlands activism (in a 15 minute diatribe during his second set he slammed Bush, Wal-Mart, energy inefficiency, radio "musicians", and even the audience for knowing more about Lindsay Lohan that New Orleans...and the crowd loved it). His version of "New Orleans Ladies" was, exceptional and has stuck in my brain.

Some Kind of Kindness-Firewater:I don't know much about Firewater other than that the lead singer is a traveler who hops from place to place, using this journey as inspiration for his music. They have a new album coming out soon. From the tracks (and the buzz) I've heard online, it will be a good one.

Place To Be-Surreal and the Sound Providers:So no one has heard of this hip-hop group, but you should have. I haven't heard a single track from this act that hasn't put a smile on my face. As of now, they are a hidden gem.