Kendrick Lamar’s Alright is easily at the top of the Best Songs of 2015 (to match his Best Album of 2015 To Pimp a Butterfly).  Don’t believe us?  Watch Lamar’s performance of the song below on Austin City Limits (the episode of which will air on January 9th) with one of the best bands ever assembled.  What’s not to love about this assuringly healing anthem and the emphatic delivery below?  Chant it!  Confirms one our few musical regrets of the year: missing Kendrick Lamar live.  Wow.

Glen Hansard has continued to win fans with his new album Didn’t He Ramble and while out on his tour streaking across America.  We caught his superb show at the Walt Disney Concert Hall last month, and it was one of the Best Concerts of 2015.   To get a feel, watch Hansard’s (and his heavenly horde’s) performance below of Winning Streak from the album last night on Conan.

Hansard recently told NPR that “Winning Streak is simply a well wish to a friend, to someone who’s been finding it hard to see the goodness in their lives. It’s a pat on the back and an encouragement to try see the good and a blessing in the everyday. Each day we’re alive is a day we can reinvent or look at life from a different perspective. Nothing changes until we do, so it’s a song of encouragement to see these things and act on them.”

Amen.

The song’s lyrics are at bottom.

Winning Streak:

“Through summers long and winters cold
May you always have someone good to hold,
And may good fortune wait on every bend,
And may your winning streak,
May it never end

So, roll the dice, boy, ‘cause my money’s on you,
Take my advice now and put your money down too,
Because there’s something in the eye you can’t pretend,
And may your winning streak,
May it never end

And may the sign
Of the Southern Cross
Be some comfort to you when you’re lost,
And may the devil’s evil eye
Pass you by

Well, it’s not for glory, I tell you true,
That I do these things I do for you,
But for a promise I made now I must defend,
And may your winning streak,
May it never end

And may the sign of the cross
Be some comfort when you’re lost,
Help you when you’re all broke down,
May the spirit of good brethren
Turn you around

And may the devil’s evil eye
Pass you right by,
Don’t you look back my friend,
And may the sisters of good charity
Take you in

Through summers long and winters cold
May you always have someone good to hold,
And may good fortune wait on every bend,
And may your winning streak,
May it never end

May your winning streak,
May it never end.”

Been a long, long time since ma regularly dialed up This Is Tom Jones on the idiot-box and repeatedly dropped the needle on Delilah and her vinyl paramours.  After all the water and hip-thrusts under the bridge, Tom Jones still shows up intermittently (e.g., the 2012 Ethan Johns-produced album Spirit In The Room) to deliver the vocal goods that have stood the test of time.  Last night Jones appeared on Conan and gave a magnificently-reserved reading of Gillian Welch’s evocative homage, Elvis Presley Blues.  It was a 75-year old performer paying proper tribute to the iconic Presley, who would have turned 85 years old a month from now.  The song is off of Jones’ recently released, Johns-produced Long Lost Suitcase.  Jones has great taste in songwriters.  Bravo Sir!

At bottom, check out Welch and Dave Rawlings performing her song for the BBC.

“And he shook it like a hurricane
He shook it like to make it break
And he shook it like a holy roller, baby
With his soul at stake.”

Indeed.

We’re huge fans of Nada Surf.  Several of their recordings register very high on our all-time favorite albums list (the consecutive triumvirate of Let Go, The Weight is a Gift, and Lucky remains one of the great triples of all time).  Beyond their impressive discography, their live performances are not to be missed.  Following their under-appreciated 2012 album, The Stars are Indifferent to Astronomy, the band embarked on various outside projects but, thankfully, that is about to change.  Today the band announced the release in March 2016 of a new album entitled You Know Who You Are, which you can pre-order HERE.  The band also teased with a great new track entitled Believe You’re Mine, which you can listen to below (with some additive Clash-crunch guitar).  Tour dates and tickets for their 2016 tour can be found HERE, including a meander through California in May.  Great to have the jangle and harmonies of Nada Surf back!