Toph Listens…

I didn’t like Listen Up. I thought it was a sucky title. In fact, I don’t really like Toph Listens, but for now, you’ll have to deal with it. I’ll figure something out soon. Do you want to know what’s playing in my iTunes? No? Too bad, because I’m listening to the Totally Krossed Out CD. You miss it, don’t lie. What ever happened to Kriss Kross, anyways? I think one of them died from cancer, or something. Cancer is stupid. If I could fight cancer I would, and I’d totally win. Here’s what I’m listening to:

Mute Math – I’ve only recently started listening to them, but I am hooked already. I actually saw them at SXSW a few years ago, but completely forgot about them until recently. Check out the song “Typical”, then check out the rest. They’re pretty damn good for a Muni ride to work in the morning. You’ll be dancing on the 1 California headed to the Financial District, yelling, “I’M JUST A TYPICAAAAL!” Everyone stares at their blackberry, except the Chinese people going to Chinatown. They yell back at you to get out of their way. It’s awesome.

Rachel Yamagata – To get in the mood for sex, check out Rachael Yamagata. Happenstance is her first album, and it’s friggin’ good. Sorry, you should know by know I dig chick music. She used to be in the band Bumpus, but, thankfully, has started her solo career. She’s also good for mornings like this, where it’s all dark and rainy and shit. Check it out, you’ll like her. My favorite song is “The Reason Why.” La Diabla likes her, too. She says, “Music make me sexy, no?” I’m not sure what it means, but it always leads to us doing it.

Ben Lee – This guy is class. He’s so good. I think I should be in a band with him, because if there is one thing Ben Lee needs it’s a harmonica player. This is the Aussie’s 5th album, and he gets better and better. If you don’t like it, then you’re stupid. I don’t have a favorite song, because they’re all great. Also, while you’re at it, check out The Bens. It’s an EP that was put out by three of my favorite musicians, Ben Folds, Ben Kweller, and Ben Lee. It’s so good it makes my peepee hurt.

Ben Kweller – There’s not much I can say to do it all justice, but I’ll try. Ray and I went to an early Ben Kweller show at Gypsy Tea Room, when Bea used to work there and we’d go to tons of free shows. The cool thing was, is that it was when a lot of people were starting out. So, we go to a Ben Kweller show, and it was amazing. Most of the time, musicians will insert random city names that they’re playing in to make it seem like they really care. Ben did that a lot, to the point where I was like, “Alright, this kid must love Dallas.” Turns out, he was from Greenville TX, which is a suburb of Dallas. Most of my family came from Greenville, so that’s cool. Anyhow, Ben Kweller is awesome and from Dallas, so you should listen to him.