The Donkeys - "Living On the Other Side" (2008)

The Donkeys second album has the band moving to the Dead Oceans label who's name is fitting as the band clearly has its sails unfurled in California waters. Hailing from San Diego, these beach town boys sound like they've spent many a lazy afternoon in an oceanside garage with their instruments, a couple bottles of Pacifico, and some Workingman's Dead era Grateful Dead boots. I first came to know them, not as The Donkeys, but as Geronimo Jackson, the bellbottomed fictional band on LOST sporadically mentioned throughout the series. When the 1970's came into play on the show, a song called Dharma Lady could be heard at points in the background. It turned out to be The Donkeys doing a reworked version of their song Excelsior Lady which closes out this album. I knew I had to check this band out and was glad to find The Donkeys are as groovy as Geronimo Jackson and clearly drank the Dharma brand Kool-Aid. -- Chris Baginski

1. Gone Gone Gone
2. Walk Through A Cloud
3. Dolphin Center
4. Pretty Thing
5. Traverse Wine
6. Bye Bye Baby
7. Downtown Jenny
8. Nice Train
9. Dreamin’
10. Boot On The Seat
11. Excelsior Lady

Dharma Lady

See The Donkeys on Tour

Belle & Sebastian - "Dear Castastrophe Waitress" (2003)

Scottish Indie Poppers Belle & Sebastian took their name from a children's book which was later turned into a 1980's Nickelodeon cartoon and when you hear their music, you'll see the Saturday morning connection. There's an innocence to Dear Catastrophe Waitress that's pretty bubblegum and the seven members of Belle & Sebastian have no problem embracing that. The music has an airy quality to it that's delicate and breezy and comes from the band in soft effortless breathes. Makes for a nice audio addition to your coffee and paper on a weekend morning. -- Chris Baginski

1. "Step into My Office, Baby" (4:12)
2. "Dear Catastrophe Waitress" (2:22)
3. "If She Wants Me" (5:05)
4. "Piazza, New York Catcher" (3:03)
5. "Asleep on a Sunbeam" (3:22)
6. "I'm a Cuckoo" (5:26)
7. "You Don't Send Me" (3:08)
8. "Wrapped Up in Books" (3:34)
9. "Lord Anthony" (4:14)
10. "If You Find Yourself Caught in Love" (4:15)
11. "Roy Walker" (2:57)
12. "Stay Loose" (6:41)

She & Him - "Volume One" (2007)

In between the Christmas laughs of Elf, everyone took notice of Zooey Deschanel's lovely Ella Fitzgerarld take on Baby It's Cold Outside. M Ward took notice too and after hearing she had written many of her own songs, but had done nothing with them, She & Him were formed. Her selection of golden era American covers and her adorable personality help vault her past the line of celebrity-turned-musician acts laughed off review pages, but her sweet and genuine vocals is what makes this album a worthy addition. -- Chris Baginski

1. "Sentimental Heart" 2:36
2. "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" 2:31
3. "This Is Not a Test" 3:31
4. "Change Is Hard" 3:03
5. "I Thought I Saw Your Face Today" 2:50
6. "Take It Back" 2:37
7. "I Was Made for You" 2:31
8. "You Really Got a Hold on Me" 3:59
9. "Black Hole" 2:12 *
10. "Got Me" 2:46
11. "I Should Have Known Better" 3:39
12. "Sweet Darlin'" 2:41
13. "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" 1:37

Zooey Interviews Brian Wilson

Harry Nilsson - "Nilsson Schmilsson" (1971)

The late Harry Nilsson's creative and commercial peak, this album showcases the singer-songwriter's lighthearted worldview to best advantage. It remains one of the best, most consistent, and least dated albums from an early-'70s era not known for underplayed, unpretentious subtlety. Here you get strong interpretive singing, inventive arranging, and distinctive melodicism. In keeping with the domesticated figure on the cover--complete with housecoat, cigarette, and waiting refrigerator--the mood is laidback and homey, and there's a palpable feeling of comfort in both the production and the material. Nilsson's multi-octave voice was never so full of life. Other albums John Lennon produced Pussy Cats and the essential Nilsson Sings Newman) have their moments, but this is where to begin any Nilsson collection. -- Don Harrison

1. "Gotta Get Up" 2:24
2. "Driving Along" 2:02
3. "Early in the Morning" 2:48
4. "The Moonbeam Song" 3:18
5. "Down" 3:24
6. "Without You" 3:17
7. "Coconut" 3:48
8. "Let the Good Times Roll" 2:42
9. "Jump into the Fire" 6:54
10. "I'll Never Leave You" 4:11