Dâm-Funk - Kaint Let 'Em Change Me (No!)

Another future-funk outing from keytar wunderkind Dâm-Funk showcases all of his signature features.  From the dueling melodies to his crunchy space-grooves, the track continues in his trademark style of cool, refusing to "let 'em change me".  Check it out.

Kaint Let 'Em Change Me (No!) - DāM-FunK [unreleased] by DâM-FunK

Charles Bradley - This World (Is Going Up In Flames)

Earthquakes. Hurricanes. In Connecticut? At this point I'm just waiting for the plague of locusts and wondering if Mr. Bradley is right.

Neil Young - Like a Hurricane (Live Rust)

Still obvious, I know, but if Neil Young and Crazy Horse can't see us through a hurricane, who can?

Jimmy Buffett - Trying To Reason With Hurricane Season

Obvious, I know, but it's time to hunker down for Hurricane Irene.  Grab a cold one and turn on the radar.  Fire up the grill and charge those iPods in case the power cuts out.  Most of all, stay safe (and dry)!  See you on the other side.

The Flaming Lips - Jesus And A Spider Are In My Sleeping Bag Tonite

I'm going camping for a couple days, and I couldn't stop thinking about this track off Bradley Beesley's documentary Summercamp!  Written and performed by The Flaming Lips, the tune places you in a swampy, noisy forest, complete with chirping crickets and croaking frogs.  It's folky, casual, and wholly evocative of the summer camp experience.  Just give it a listen if you want to be transported to a simpler time, roasting marshmallows around the fire and kicking back with friends, instantly a happy camper.

Henry's Kitchen (Guest Stir Friday)

We're bringing in guest chef Henry Phillips for today's "Stir Friday" with his increasingly famous Anytime Chili for One.  Hope it helps you make it through the night.

Dire Straits - Walk of Life

Sorry, but is this not the funniest song ever? It's Friday, get outside and enjoy it.

G-Eazy - Runaround Sue (Endless Summer OUT TODAY)

G-Eazy's new offering Endless Summer drops online at NOON today (1 PM EST).  He's been steadily releasing tracks and outtakes since his amazing B.O.M.B. Fest set, culminating with this weekend's release of the official video for "Runaround Sue", a washed-out, nostalgic trip blending today's hip-hop with a 50's jukebox that is more short film than music video.  Featuring Greg Banks on vocals and samples from Dion & The Belmonts, come back in time with G-Eazy and stay right here in this endless summer.

Bon Iver with The Rosebuds @ Mountain Park - TONIGHT

Nearly a year after our most-successful excursions to central Massuchusetts' Mountain Park, we make our return for indie folk-rockers Bon Iver with the dance-folk group The Rosebuds.  Catching The Flaming Lips and MGMT were highlights of 2010 for us, not to mention the huge plus of Magic Hat drafts being available (hoping for some Circus Boy tonight).

This is more a double-headline show for us than a traditional opener/headliner pairing, as both acts' 2011 LPs have been in constant rotation all summer.  Check out our previous posts on these albums (here http://merrypicnic.blogspot.com/2011/06/rosebuds-come-visit-me.html and here http://merrypicnic.blogspot.com/2011/06/bon-iver-self-titled.html) and dig a couple more cuts we're almost certain to hear tonight.  Show's at 7, comment or tweet at us (@merrypicnic) if we'll be seeing you in Holyoke.

A Look Back @ Revenge of the Nerds

Holy cow have I seen this flick a time or two.  Or thirty.  Something about the 1984 comedy always had me in stitches and coming back for more.  Perhaps it was that geeky bespectacled kid I was once was (and mostly still am) wanting a taste of revenge for himself, but maybe that Animal House ideal of college just appealed to me.  Either way, while by no means a great film, I'd go as far as to say "Revenge of the Nerds" is perfect.  Scene after scene of wildly varying humor builds up over is running time, leading to a satisfying (though abrupt) conclusions.  From panty raids to fiery jockstraps, from musical numbers to tricycle races, "Revenge" truly runs the gamut of madcap comedy from wild gregariousness to quiet subtlety, providing something new with each viewing.  Check out the iconic (to me, at least) tricycle race scene, featuring an electronic take on the venerable tune "Daisy Bell", sung in Japanese no less.  Enjoy, because it won't be long, mark my words.  The time has come for Revenge of the Nerds.

Van Morrison - Into The Mystic

I'll admit when it comes to Van Morrison, my knowledge is essentially limited to "Moondance" and the god-awful "Brown Eyed Girl".  But earlier tonight, a friend's status simply said 'Felt like a good night for some Van Morrison' with this video attached, and despite my general ignorance, I couldn't agree more.  Enjoy it.  (Special thanks to Ranger Frank)

Roy Orbison - In Dreams

A recent viewing of Blue Velvet has me on the biggest Roy Orbison kick.  One of the singularly unique voices and personalities in the history of rock and roll, Orbison's lasting talent and influence cannot be denied.  Any number of tracks are instant classics, but "In Dreams" lends haunting gravitas to Frank Booth's borderline personality as exhibited throughout David Lynch's film.  Check it out (
with much more to come) embedded below.