This Mother’s Day you don’t have to buy flowers (though you should) or perfume (that would be nice), just spend some time with your mother and listen to the gift of music. We have compiled some of the best songs with your mama in mind and some songs that will surely have you laughing (remember, you got it from your mama).

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers in the crowd!

Ozzy Osborne, Mama I’m Coming Home

Fountains of Wayne, Stacy’s Mom
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(the) SAINT ALVIA (Cartel), Mother’s Day
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Tupac, Dear Mama

Spice Girls, Mama
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LL cool J, Mama Said Knock You Out

Black Eyed Peas, Hey Mama
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Juvenile, She Get It From Her Mama

Beyonce, Suga Mama
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Sizzla, Thank You Mama

Scissor Sisters, Take Your Mama

Genesis, Mama

Will.I.Am, I Got It From My Mama
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Carrie Underwood, Mama’s Song
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The Dead Weather, Treat Me Like Your Mother

ABBA, Does Your Mother Know

John Lennon, Mother

It has been way too long since we last heard from Alanis Morissette, which was in 2008 with her release of Flavours of Entanglement. Now we can look forward to Havoc and Bright Lights which will be released on August 28. Morissette’s first offering from the album, Guardian, is a beautiful declaration of peace and assuredness that Morissette’s love will keep her loved one safe.

The best part of Alanis’ prowess as a singer and as a writer is that fans can go back into her past work and feel connected and relate so easily. Guardian is no different. The song just exudes the idea that she’s in a place that is incredibly healthy and the sound is just like any personal fave fans might have. What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.

Until the official video comes out, we can look forward to this lyric video Alanis put out and we can sing right along with her (as we usually do anyway).

Music is supposed to make us feel good. It accomplishes this by the sounds, the beat, the words, and sometimes, when we are lucky, also the sentiment. Saint Alvia has given us a great song for a better cause. I have been known to say that “the reason is better than the result”, in this case they are both equally important. Watch this video, hug your mom, and buy the new Saint Alvia track “Mother’s Day” which in turn they will donate proceeds to www.keep-a-breast.org & www.iamthatgirl.com in support of women’s physical, mental & emotional health.

Happy Mother’s Day
=matt

Iron Maiden – Fear of the Dark (1992)

Throughout the history of music there have been many bands who have weathered the storm of having to replace a lead singer. Van Halen did it with Sammy Hagar, Black Sabbath did it with Dio, and for 2 albums Iron Maiden managed to replace Bruce Dickenson with Blaze Bayley; they took a hit in sales with Blaze but kept the band alive. 1992’s Fear of the Dark was the last album with Dickenson until he returned 2000. Iron Maiden, along with Fishbone, City and Color, Snoop Dog, Metric and Alice Cooper are just a few of the acts confirmed for Ottawa Bluesfest this year… and don’t worry Maiden fans, Bruce Dickenson will be there. Check out www.ottawabluesfest.ca for full lineup details inlcuding a little band called Lazybones (*cough that’s my band *cough).

Cadence Weapon – Conditioning (2012)

In the early 80’s an Edmonton DJ named Teddy Pemberton had a campus radio show called “The Black Sound Experience” and he is widely considered as being the person who introduced Hip Hop to Edmonton. In 2010 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Canadian National DJ Aawards. His son, Roland, is best known as Cadence Weapon who has a new album coming out May 29th. Even though he has been releasing new tracks on Twitter and has also released a few mix tapes over the past few years, this will be his full first studio album since 2008.

Jack White – Sixteen Saltines (2012)

Jack White has become one of the most prolific musicians and producers over the past 15 years. His musical output has not only been non-stop, but it has been quality. He is best known of course for his now defunct band, “The White Stripes”, and while people are pretty excited these days about his first ever solo album, Jack is still talking about the old band. He is releasing a new White Stripes DVD called “Under New Zealand Lights” and in a recent interview said The White Stripes was the most important thing he has ever done and he’d be in that band forever, if he could only convince Meg.

Band of Skulls – Bruises (2012)

Band of Skulls are band from London England who released their first album in 2009. They have managed to get a lot of attention in North America thanks to success with placing their music in commercials, movies, and TV shows like The Hangover Part II, Twilight New Moon, True Blood, Gossip Girl, Friday Night Lights, and United States of Tara. However, with their new album the band says they’re going to be a bit more careful and selective. While they are certainly grateful for the exposure, they seem weary about becoming known as “that band” with their songs in commercials and TV shows.

B.B. King w/ Tracy Chapman – The Thrill is Gone (1998)

You might have heard about a movie in the works called “B.B. King and I” which is supposed to star Wendell Pierce of “The Wire” fame. The film was written by Michael Zanetis and is about his relationship with B.B. King that went from fan, to business, to friendship, and ultimately culminated with Michael getting B.B. a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But don’t hold your breath to see it. B.B. has been trying to have the movie blocked for a few years and now the production company is suing him. They say his attempt to stop the film has caused major delays and financial damages (insert “the thrill is gone” joke here).

enjoy,
=matt

Ice Cube’s career spans over three decades from being a founding member of the rap group NWA to becoming a blockbuster movie star, Behind The Music covers it all. Growing up in the ghetto, Ice Cube had to face gang violence and drug dealers on a daily basis before finding music as his getaway. Teaming up with his neighborhood friends they formed NWA which helped them speak out about growing up in the ghetto.

Following a split and going solo Ice Cube decided to jump into the movie industry and got a starring role in the film ‘Boyz N The Hood’. Since starring in the hit movie Ice Cube’s acting career and producer role has been a busy one with movies and TV shows as ‘Friday’, ‘Barbershop’, ‘Three Kings’ and ‘Are We There Yet?’. And that is just a snippet of Ice Cube’s story. On Sunday April 29th at 7ET/4PT, Behind The Music tells you all you need to know about Ice Cube’s storied career.

Emma-Lee – Figure it Out – (2012)

Canadian singer songwriter Emma-Lee has just released her new album called “Backseat Heroine” which features collaborations with people like Jill Barber and Luc Doucet. Emma- Lee honed her lovely vocal chops singing along to Mariah Carey tunes and along the way had to fight through 2 separate surgeries on her vocal chords but she fought through that time to release a debut album a 2009 (Never Just a Dream); continued working as a songwriter for other artists; and has hopped onto our radar with a new album and a new video shot at a No Frills!!! ( the Honda Civic of supermarkets).

Dirty Projectors – Stillness is the Move (2009)

Dirty Projectors have been making some really interesting music since the early 2000’s. In 2005 it was the album “The Getty Address” which was a concept album of sorts based on the idea that Don Henley was some sort of troubled hero in a post civil war acid trip..or something like that. In 2007 the album “Rise Above” was a reinterpretation of the debut Black Flag album “Damaged”. The band has recently released a brand new album but is still perhaps best known for this 2009 song that was covered by….wait for it…Solanage Knowles.

Destiny’s Child – Bootylicious (2001)

The idea of Stevie Knicks’s 1981 song “Edge of Seventeen” came from a conversation she was having with her pal Jane Benyo, who at the time was the wife of Tom Petty. Jane said she and Tom had met at the age of seventeen but her thick southern accent made it sound like “Edge of Seventeen” which has become one of Stevie’s most recognizable tunes….especially when Destiny’s Child took the guitar riff and sampled it in this song. Bootylicious is one of my favorite pop songs of all time: don’t judge me. I also hit a moose with my 1995 Toyota Tercel on a dark snowy night somewhere on the west coast of Newfoundland…..while listening to this song.

Our Lady Peace – Heavyweight (2012)

As I have mentioned before in Matt Track form when talking about a band like Sloan: there are barley a handful of Canadian bands from the 90’s can-rock era who have managed to continue making music, most from that time are now doing reunions. Our Lady Peace are one of the bands who continued making music. The newest album is called “Curve” which was inspired by Canadian boxing icon George Chuvalo whose face also appears on the cover. OLP have had massive success over the years and have released 7 albums….this might be their bets one yet.

Guns N’ Roses – Patience (1988)

For some The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame is the pinnacle of musical acceptance while for others, it’s a bit of a joke. It is a little ridiculous that Guns N’ Roses were inducted this year when bands like Kiss or Rush are still overlooked….but that doesn’t make Guns N’ Roses any less deserving. They were inducted this year by Green Day, Axl continued acting like a 7 year old and didn’t show up, but the big question is….will Axl and Slash ever be able to kiss and make up and give us what we want: a reunion to wash away the taste of Chinese Democracy.

Enjoy,
=matt

The 5th annual record store day is getting close, it goes down April 21st. So to get you ready, the first 3 Matt Tracks this week are by artists who will have exclusive releases this year to help support independent record stores.

fun. ft Janelle Monae – We are Young (2012)

The Format was a rock band formed in Arizona in the early 2000’s. They started out strong but eventually got lost in the shuffle when their label, Electra Records, was absorbed by Atlantic Records, and the band broke up after just two albums. Not all was lost however because out of the ashes of The Format came a new band called fun. who scored a big hit this year with this song.

Record Store Day info:

Format: 10″ GEAR-SHAPED gold picture disc

Tracks:
1) We Are Young with Janelle Monae (Acoustic)
2) Carry On (Acoustic)
3) Why Am I The One (Acoustic)

Public Image Ltd. – Rise (1986)

After the Sex Pistols ended in the late 70’s, John Lydon (formerly Johnny Rotten) started a band called Public Image Ltd. The music sort of began as borderline noise rock, very heavy bass, with a new wave vibe. By 1986 the sound had become a little bit more accessible which was heard best on their 1986 hit Rise.

Record Store Day info:

Public Image Ltd confirm their first new material in 20 years will begin with the EP ‘One Drop’ released for ‘Record Store Day’ on April 21st. John Lydon describes the track as – “One Drop is a reflection of where I grew up in Finsbury Park, London. The area that shaped me, and influenced me culturally and musically, a place I will forever feel connected to.”

Regina Spektor – Samson (2006)

Anytime something emerges from the underground and is embraced by the masses, there is always a major backlash. It happened with punk, grunge, and it happened with folk music. The Greenwich Village folk scene in NYC at one time was a secret boiling pot of music that eventually became super commercialized, which resulted in something known as the anti-folk scene, and people like Billy Bragg, Beck, and Regina Spektor are products of it.

Record Store Day info:

Format: 7″ 45

Tracks:
1)”The Prayer of Francois Villon(Moltiva)”
2)”Old Jacket (Stariy Pedjak)”
Two unreleased tracks recorded in Regina’s native Russian.

The Bloody Five – (I Wanna go to) New York City (2012)

The Bloody Five are a band from Toronto who formed in High School (sort of). Now I know that doesn’t seem very extraordinary. Bands form in high school all the time, but The Bloody Five are different. They were born out of a talent show where students and teachers form a band and play some tunes together, but this band took that idea a little further because they kept making music after the talent show. They are a mix of teachers and former students and their first video is a cover of a tune by The Demics. The Demics were a punk band formed in London, Ontario around 1977 and this is widely considered one of the great Canadian songs of all time

Peter Katz – Posters (2009)

Peter Katz is a Canadian singer/songwriter who has collaborated with Glen Hansard of the Swell Season Fame and this year was nominated for a Juno. His nomination came in the music DVD category against artists like Rush, Feist and Tegan and Sarah who had very large budgets and huge productions, but Peter’s DVD was a budget of favours. It was never actually supposed to be a DVD. It was his CD release show and a film maker friend decided to film it the day before! Peter didn’t win the Juno, Feist did, but it says a lot about his music and how it was captured on film that they got the nomination and most importantly, a lot of new people found out about his music.

Enrique Iglesias comes from a musical family and it shouldn’t be a surprise to see how huge of a superstar he has become. Conquering the Latin music scene Enrique crossed over to the mainstream in 1999 when the Latin Music scene was just starting to break into the mainstream. Once he was on the scene there was no way in stopping him and since then he has sold more than 58 million records worldwide.

On Sunday April 15th At 7ET/4PT Behind The Music will take you on a journey that will show you a side of Enrique Iglesias that is rarely seen. He chats about how he has become the man he is, his relationship with Anna Kournikova and the issues he’s dealt with regarding his career. Not only will you hear from Enrique himself but also from his childhood friend Andres Restrepo, chart-topper Pitbull and Universal Republic Records President & CEO Monte Lipman.

The journey begins Sunday April 15th At 7ET/4PT.

You know what they say in the music biz, right? All it takes is one song. Sometimes however, it takes more than that, like falling apart followed by the seductive sounds of a ukulele. Train scored one of the biggest hits of the 2000’s with the song Drops of Jupiter. It beat U2, Aerosmith, and Coldplay for best Rock Song at the Grammy’s and even though it was before the iTunes era, it has still been downloaded over 1 million times. Ten years later the song still has legs.

Despite that success and despite being armed with other successful songs like “Calling all Angles” and “Meet Virginia”, after a three year break Train could barley find anybody interested in interviewing them when they returned in 2009 with a new album and a single that would eventually become their most successful (Hey, Soul Sister).

Train worked very, very hard to get the success that surrounded them in the early 2000’s by spending years on the road and paying their dues, but as we have seen with many bands before them success can become a bit of a crutch. Huge success brings high expectations and when it becomes impossible to meet those expectations bands usually start to fall apart. That’s what happened with Train. They started to lose sight of why they began making music in the first place by focusing on trying to write hits instead. It’s interesting to chat with a band that has been to the top of the mountain, down to the bottom and then back to the top again.

Train offer some cool insight into that “what have you done for me lately” mentality in music, but also into how success can tear a band apart. When things seemed to be perfect for this band and all of their rock and roll dreams were coming true, personal conflict led to the break that we find out needed to happen in order for them to come back together again. However, taking that break to handle all the personal and business affairs that were not in order meant that despite their past success, a lot of people forgot about Train.

It might take only one song to get noticed, but it takes a hell of a lot more than that to find any sort of longevity. After a Grammy and three hit songs, Train essentially had to start over, proving that it takes more than just one song, shit it takes more than three or four. Or maybe they just proved that all it takes is a ukulele. I’m not really sure yet, so let’s wait and see how the new album does. In the meantime enjoy Train: In Sixty.

=matt

Train – Meet Virginia (1999)

Train followed the path of most independent bands when they formed in the early 90’s, it began with a lot of touring, hoping, and paying their dues. Then one day, after every record company seemed to turn them down, Columbia records flew the band from San Francisco to NYC for a showcase and were told it was pretty much a sure thing: they were getting a record deal!! Instead, they were turned down, again, but they didn’t get of track (get it), Train forged on and managed to raise 25k from friends and family to release their debut album, on their own, which produced this breakthrough hit.
Stories from the early days of Train, like their van catching on fire. When I chat with them In Sixty: April 5th, 9pm ET.

Train – Hey, Soul Sister (2009)

You know what they say in the music biz right? All it takes is one song. Sometimes however, it takes more than that…..like a ukulele. Train scored one of the biggest hits of the 2000’s with the song Drops of Jupiter; it beat U2, Aerosmith, and Coldplay for best Rock Song at the Grammy’s and even though it was before the iTunes era, it has still been downloaded over 1 million times, the song still has legs. Despite that success however, after 2 more albums and a 3 year break they could barley find anybody interested in interviewing them when they returned with a new album and a single that would eventually become their most successful. They didn’t let that de-rail them though (get it), and with some perseverance (but mostly a ukulele), Train clawed their way back. Train talks almost breaking up before scoring the biggest hit of their career…when I chat with them In Sixty, April 5th, 9pm ET.

Stevie Wonder – Send One Your Love (1979)

It doesn’t matter what Stevie Wonder decides to do musically: the amazing funk and soul tunes he has become known for, or his over the top cheesy synthesizer ballads-he’s Stevie Wonder god dammit! He can do as he pleases. In 1979 he wrote the score for a documentary called The Secret Life of Plants which examined exciting things like…. alternative philosophy’s for soil and soil health. If you can believe it not many people saw this movie as exciting as it sounds (get it), and Stevie’s album was panned by critics at the time….but today, it’s considered a classic. Stevie’s album that is, not the plant documentary.

The Head and The Heart – Lost In My Mind (2011)

Here are 2 things I love: Open mic nights and roots music. Open mic nights are where you will find some of the best unknown songs out there, along with the worst Bob Dylan covers ever, but a great time nonetheless. Americana and/or roots music are both very broad descriptions of music but common characteristics are bluegrass style vocal harmonies, and the music is acoustic based. It’s folk, it’s rock, it’s country, and the music cycle has brought it to the forefront of what is popular right now. That being said, formed at a Seattle open mic night this is a new band you might like called: The Head and The Heart.

Said The Whale – Heavy Ceiling (2012)

What I try to do with Matt Tracks every week is either remind you of a song or artist that perhaps you have forgotten or introduce you to something new, and the hope is you will agree with my ears and investigate the music further. I’m not going to say anything about this next track other than you just need to listen. This is my favorite song of 2012 so far and this is a band that if you DON’T know yet, you should get to know….if you know what’s good for YOUR ears. From Vancouver, Said The Whale.

enjoy,
=matt