music

Mmm...books! Autumn and books just seem to go hand in hand. This week's BitchTapes is a mix of musicians celebrating books in their songs or group names. Best enjoyed while stepping on crunchy leaves on the way to your local independent bookstore. Track list after the jump!

It's no surprise weather patterns appear so often in music. They, like music, can shape and reflect our moods at any given time. More importantly, they're good for a seemingly infinite number of metaphors. They can change from minute to minute. Just like your aching heart. They can rain on your parade. Just like, you know... rain. They can brighten up the ENTIRE PLANET! Just like EVERYTHING ELSE can, when you're having one of those days when everything is golden and drenched in sunshine and "Mr. E's Beautiful Blues" is your own personal theme song. It all starts in the sky. With that, global warming, and the constantly-changing weather of autumn all in mind, this week's BitchTapes is a big ol' shout out to Mother Nature.

Side note: It was incredibly hard for me not to put "Mr. Sun" by Raffi on this list. The things I do for hipster cred... Forgive me, Raffi. You are #1 in the playlist of my heart.

I have a very long-standing one-sided love affair with Lauryn Hill. It goes back before the Fugees, even.



(Lauryn Hill, "The Sweetest Thing")

All music matters. From the fluffiest pop song to the most serious political critique, from Lady Gaga to your high school band.

Summer is ending but that doesn’t mean we have to be down in the dumps. Fall is an exciting time of crisp air, crunchy leaves and that back-to-campus type of excitement. Things are in motion! This week’s BitchTapes features some feel good songs to help embrace the autumn arrival. Track list after the jump!

• On PRI's This is the World, host Marco Werman talks about Indonesian surf band Dara Puspita, who "may be the rockingest garage band you’ve never heard of." (Audio)

• Reel Grrls' latest vlog is on the Gaga-fication of pop music (Video)

• On CNN, Maragaret Cho talks about her first all-musical comedy album Cho Dependent, and the first track "I'm Sorry"...which is about domestic abuse (Video)

• The Saturdays cover Justin Bieber's "Baby" with just guitars and their sweet, sweet harmonies (Seriously, give-you-a-cavity, maybe-a-bit-too-precious, harmonies.) (Video)

• New music! The Corin Tucker Band (listen to "Doubt" from ex-Sleater Kinney member's new band)! The Arcade Fire (stream thier new album on NPR)!, Robyn (watch "Dancing on My Own" at a recent show in Williamsburg)! MC Invincible (pre-order the Invincible + Waajeed "Detroit Summer" 7'')!