Repeatworthy: She Keeps Bees

It's a bit tricky for me to pin down exactly what it is about She Keeps Bees that has hooked me.

It's sultry and driving, simple and to the point. It's just a guy and a girl, a guitar and drums, nothing fancy. It's consistently high quality music - my favorite songs are probably 'Gimme' or 'Ribbon' but it depends on which song I'm listening to at the moment.

The music is sometimes slow without being dull. It's often very repetitive and circular (I'm sure there's an official musical term for that). I own practically all of their songs, and am looking forward to the new album, which they're recording now. Maybe I can actually go see them in concert! I never get to see my bands in concert, grumble grumble.

In Ocala Florida I can say it's because no one comes anywhere nearby - but I lived in Los Angeles for years and went to only three or four shows (about one a year) so I guess it's my own fault.

Repeatworthy: Melody Gardot

I was shocked, shocked I tell you when I realized I had not already posted a 'Repeatworthy' about Melody Gardot!

There aren't too many singer/songwriters I would gush about these days, but seriously, Melody is amazing.

I don't listen to a lot of Jazz, since most of it seems to be recycled covers of songs written decades ago. Melody uses a bare minimum of covers, which is refreshing.

There's not one forced or false moment in either of her albums - it all rings true and feels sincere. You should definitely check out her music, and her Wikipedia page is worth a read as well.

Repeatworthy: Pink Martini

Pink Martini is a great blend of genres (Latin, Lounge, Classical, Jazz) each of which seem to bend effortlessly to the will of these talented musicians, and feels worldly without actually being world music.

The band is originally from Portland Oregon, and they're one of the few groups I would be willing to get on a plane and fly to a different city in order to see live.

Since I'm not a musician, for me the big appeal of the group is the lead singer, China Forbes, who also has a great solo album. China has a great personality and range, and always seems to be giving her all to really sell each song.

Repeatworthy: Bitter:Sweet

Bitter:Sweet is a group that’s supposedly ‘Trip Hop’, even through I don’t really agree - it doesn't really seem minimal enough.

Portishead's (el primo Trip Hop) latest work isn't exactly minimal - I’m not a music expert, so it's tricky to say what qualifies as Trip Hop these days.

Whatever the classification, Bitter:Sweet is worth checking out if you haven't yet had the pleasure. It's a cross of big-bandy jazz and sultry conspiratorially-whispered lyrics that's refreshingly ear-catching.

Repeatworthy: Ingrid Michaelson

Ingrid Michaelson is upbeat even when the subject matter isn't, when the song isn't - even in a slow song there's a definite sound of hope.

My favorite song is probably 'Be OK', which always cheers me up even though I can't put my finger on exactly why.

She's 29 and already has 4 albums out - I applaud that kind of focus.

Repeatworthy: Metisse

Metisse is more of that soothing-solace stuff I've been listening to a lot lately.

I thought the group was from Africa when I first heard it - turns out they're based in Ireland. It feels like 'World Music'.

The most popular song is 'Boom Boom Ba' which you may be familiar with from a great TV show called 'Dead Like Me'.

The African sound or influence makes sense once you know that lead singer Aïda is from the Ivory Coast.

Repeatworthy: The Wailin Jennys

Remember that fun Bluegrass music from 'O Brother, Where Art Thou'? The Wailin Jennys fit right in to that crowd, high quality, well-harmonized music that is folky without being whiny.

Check out The Wailin Jennys.

I've been listening to a lot of soothing, solace-giving music lately. Do I need soothing? Do I need solace? I guess so, cause this stuff hits the spot.

Repeatworthy: The Weepies

Deb Talan and Steve Tannen had solo musical acts, then they met, got married, had a wee one, and became The Weepies.

It's mellow, well written, and has a good variety of instrumentation. The laid-back vibe never gets boring or tiresome. They don't take themselves too seriously, always a good trait in my book.

Check out this video.

Repeatworthy: Neko Case

I've been listening to a lot of what I consider seems like 'old-fashioned country' which from my perspective is the 1970's, which I suppose is more like folk music than country music.

It's not about pickup trucks, cowboy hats, horses, and so it - it's about people. The lyrics, instruments and style are very accessible, and though they may have been powerfully engineered, rigorously produced and then thoroughly digitized, the songs do not feel that way. The songs feel "real".

Check out Neko Case, won't you? I don't love all her stuff, but the songs I do like, I like a lot:

Magpie to the Morning
Things That Scare Me
We've Never Met
Furnace Room Lullaby
Wayfaring Stranger

Repeatworthy: Kris Delmhorst

"With a name like 'Delmhorst', you know it must be good!"

She sneakily, conspiratorially insinuates her emotional goal into your psyche. It's a bit unnerving at first, but soon you come to like it, need it, DEMAND IT.

The current song I love to repeat by Kris is 'If Not for Love'. Check it out. It's best on headphones, it feels as if she's whispering just to you personally.

Repeatworthy: Cowboy Junkies

'Sweet Jane' just played on my Pandora, reminding me what sweet background noise is 'Cowboy Junkies'

They sound like something out of the more distant past than they are - and I mean that in a good way. If you like Natalie Merchant, you'll probably like CB. If not, what'samatta you?

Check em out.

Repeatworthy: The Be Good Tanyas

A good indication of music I'm enjoying is a song that ends up on repeat for an hour or more. I have a high tolerance for repetition, which is good in some ways (coping with daily BS) and bad in others (lack of motivation to change myself/situation for the better).

Lately I have found 'The Be Good Tanyas' very repeatable - I'm especially enjoying a cover of 'When Doves Cry' (yes, the one by Prince) and 'In My Time of Dying', which apparently is also not an original song, but it's 'new to me'.

Check 'em out!