"Valley Winter Song" - Fountains Of Wayne

Yes, this is the same Fountains of Wayne that wrote "Stacy's Mom". No, they aren't a joke band. In fact, they might be my favorite band still (loosely) together. Utopia Parkway is awesome, and Welcome Interstate Managers and Traffic and Weather are two of my favorite albums of all time. Top ten. They are incredible, and this.....is one of my favorite songs of all time. It has been since I first heard it when I was around 12. It's absolutely beautiful, down to earth, and original.

"Stacy's Mom" is pretty funny though.

The Incredible Catalogue of PS 22

I feel like kids choirs can get gimmicky, real quick. When used in power ballads, it can get so sentimental it will make you want to eat babies. When used in virtually any other context, it can be downright creepy. Sure there are exceptions (Passion Pit(they used this choir), but generally, children's choir are a last desperate reach from a fading star.

So, what happens when you take out the rock star?

Public School 22 in Staten Island, New York has choir of boys and girls just as talented as any ole' kid you can find down the street. Their passion, however, is extraordinary. The kids have invaded youtube over the last few years with covers of radio hits and indie gems. And while they do occasionally back an artists here or there, the kids are usually the rock star; it's PS 22's world, the stars merely accent it. Here are a few of the great songs they've recorded.

"Lisztomania" - Passion Pit

"Round and Round" - Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti

"Zebra" - Beach House

"Kids" - MGMT

They've got some pretty cool guests too.

"One Day" - PS 22 with Matisyahu

"Put Your Hands Up" - PS 22 with Kylie Minogue

"This Christmas" - PS 22 with Common

Sound check with Crowded House

It's a real group project here. The teacher deserves teacher of a life time, and is reason enough for music programs in schools today. You can see the kids give it their all every time they open their mouth. It's a really amazing thing that has happened out of sheer pasion for music, and these kids are truly inspirational. I don't throw that word around much, so.....real talk.

I'll leave you with this video of the choir accepting a personal invitation from Anne Hathaway to perform at the Oscars this year.

Dr. Dog - "I Only Wear Blue"

Today's song is in honor of the show I didn't get to go to last night. Phuuey.

WUTK

Soooo, I've got my DJ shift. I'm on Saturdays from 1-3 on 90.3. If you're out of Knoxville, you can listen online at wutkradio.com. Simple enough. The show's definitely not much of me, but we do play some pretty great music. I highly recommend tuning back in from around 9 - 12 for the Edutainment Hip Hop show. It's three hilarious hours very well spent.

I'm thinking about starting a new series for music videos. If you all can think of a good name for it, I might just consider.

Crowd participation is just the best.

Put any ideas in the comments below.

The Smith Westerns - "Imagine, Pt. 3"

As I said earlier in the week, I saw the Smith Westerns with Yuk and Cool Runnings this week, and had my mind blown at how great they were. The show was rockin' in every since of the word, with just about every crack in the Pilot Light brimming with delighted hipsters. This track stuck out to me, and apparently the band, as they went buck wild while playing it.

Smith Westerns - Imagine, Pt. 3 by Vicente P

New Bright Eyes album streaming on NPR.

Bright Eyes' 8th studio album is already being called his best by some critics and fans. Listen to the whole thing here.

Get out there and enjoy that day, y'hear.

Tell Em' - Sleigh Bells (Diplo Remix)

The same guy behind Majer Lazer, Hollertronix and producer of MIA makes some pretty great remixes to. It gets a little to boringly dub at times, but the new drums make up for it. Get lost in it, fool.

Sleigh Bells-Tell Em (Diplo Remix) by diplomaddecent