Okay, so based on your last couple of posts I'm not sure you'll like my suggestion, but you have to at least try listening to Death Cab for Cutie's "Plans" or "Transatlanticism". I am on fire for this band right now - they are probably the best lyricists since Simon and Garfunkel and you will not be disappointed. Even if you don't like the music, you have to at least appreciate the song writing because it is so brilliant.

You are one Lucky Lady. Had dinner ready, did the dishes and plans on cooking once a week for you! Sigh. I should be so lucky.

I forgot to tell you my guilty secret music. I am all stuck on the new INXS cd.

Resisting the tempatation of a very long post with an offer of a mix CD at the end:

Song: "Balls" by Amy Rigby
Album: KT Tunstall

Feist (Artist) - Let it Die (Album)

They do a cover of the Bee Gee's tune Inside and Out. It's incredibly fun and no song sounds the same on the album-- something for everyone.

http://fluxblog.org/ should suffice for a rather eclectic dose of new music.

Based on your love for Monster Ballads, which I share (I have a playlist on my iTunes called Anthems which is basically the same thing), I am guessing that you like melody and big vocals.

In that general category, I'm really liking the new Christina Aguilera song (and probably their new album), The Dixie Chicks (love their new album), Imogen Heap (electronic, but incredibly warm vocals and melody), Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins, Rilo Kiley (which is Jenny's band) (try More Adventurous or the Execution of All Things--if you like pop music, this is a great album), and this album of cover songs by Bettye LaVette. I also really like the newish Fiona and the newish Liz Phair. You must have the new Kelly Clarkson, but if you don't, it totally fits these parameters. I love Guero, by Beck (perfect for summer.) Good luck!

I absolutely adore James Blunt at the moment. And Damien Rice is good too. The teenage part of me is kept happy by Gavin DeGraw. Keane, The Kooks, The Feeling (only know a few singles from these that I've heard on the radio).

The Arcade Fire
Snow Patrol
Blue October
Red Hot Chili Peppers' new cd

I will second the Deathcab for Cutie, and Damien Rice. I would like to add "Sparks" as my favorite Coldplay song, and the Garden State Soundtrack NEVER gets old.

Oh, and my husband cooks everynight, so there! (But it's mostly your recipes that I find here and bring home to him!)

My current and some longstanding addictions: Bryan Adams, Bob Scheider, Rocco DeLuca and the Burden, Jackson Browne, Cross Canadian Ragweed

I have to second the KT Tunstall recommendation, the album is called Eye to the telescope. My fave songs so far are "Under the weather", "miniature disasters" and "stopping the love", but I actually love them all.

Another good one is Elastica, but you have problably heard about them.

Jaime Cullum does a great mix of jazz-pop. Some good songs: "Twenty something", "All at sea", "Singing in the rain" cover.

Starsailor, with songs like "in the crossfire" and "four to the floor".

And I actually like some Maroon 5 songs, I know, shame on me haha

Hmm.... I was also going to suggest Feist and Jenny Lewis/Rilo Kiley. A hearty second instead! I'm also devloping quite a fondness for Kegan and Sarah, even though the vocals are a little..whiny.

Music:
If your tastes are Indie...Snow Patrol (album Final Straw is great!), The Shins, Brandi Carlile (self titled album), Ben Folds (CD Rockin' The Suburbs)...just to get you started!!

What kind of camera do you use? I took pics of fireworks last night and they look like crap. Yours turned out great.

I saw a TV special on that crepe cake thingy...looks yum!!

The Streets - a fantastic British band that no one has ever heard of
Bloc Party
Sigur Ros

And I also love Death Cab. I've also heard there's a group called The Editors (also British) who are supposed to be the next big thing.

PS I love your blog!

Realize I probably should give you all some hints as to my haphazard music tastes. Love: Moz, Elastica, Everything But The Girl, Thievery Corporation, jazz before 1980, Ben Folds, Billy Joel, Hole and I have rather been liking The Shins, Ben Folds and other "frat boy music" (ha) my husband has amassed a collection of. I can't get into Coldplay (whiny) or Arcade Fire (them too); I won't listen to women who disrobe to sell records. Gosh, I sound so old.

I really need to check out Death Cab for Cutie.

We use a Canon EOS Digital Rebel. We took the pictures with a tripod and long-ish exposures, on a roof with a lot of people on it so they're a little bouncy. These are the best of over 100 and I edited them while nodding off from wine. Typical.

Hey, I heart your blog.

Just thought I would suggest picking up the Cardigans. This was my latest " oh my god i totally forgot about them" cd.

music:
death cab for cutie (i know everyone suggested it, there's a reason); the postal service (same lead singer as death cab and i think even better); feist!!; goldfrapp (great for working out); stars; jamie lidell; arcade fire is pretty good too; my morning jacket; ben folds' rockin the suburbs album is awesome; tegan and sara. basically anything out of toronto is really great. hope you enjoy!

Hey bawdy penguin, I totally agree with you on The Postal Service. Even if a song starts shitty something amazing will happen at the end to change your mind. I'm ultra impressed by these guys. And you will be too, Deb.

As a big fan of this band, I need to point out that "Kegan and Sarah" as e. mentioned above should be Tegan and Sara, and they're great. Like everyone else here, I also adore Death Cab (especially the newer album Plans which is brilliant), the Postal Service, and Rilo Kiley/Jenny Lewis.

How about The New Pornographers: Album Twin Cinema

azure ray
belle & sebastian
the notwist
pinback
the stills (logic will break your heart album)

I'll send you some new tunes. I've got some great summer listening over here.

I highly recommend The Pipettes! You can listen to some of their songs on My Space (http://www.myspace.com/thepipettes). Le Tigre is another good band--I don't know how anyone can not like My My Metrocard (off their self-titled first album).

A hearty second for the New Pornographers, or A.C. Newman's solo album (he's their front man). Jens Lekman is fantastic for upbeat, fun, poppy love songs. The Raconteurs album is great. And I always recommend Sleater-Kinney to anyone wanting something new. They're amazing, rocking women who've kept their clothes on -- try starting with "All Hands on the Bad One" or "The Woods."

I used to be a huge fan of Death Cab as well, and still absolutely love the album "We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes." That said, however, songs like "Someday You Will Be Loved," from Plans, or "Tiny Vessels," from Transatlanticism, reveal a degree of utter disregard for women out of these formerly lovable boys that, honestly, makes me want to vomit. Those two songs have ruined this band for me. Tough to do.

Just some blowtorch advice for your thrifty readers. My wife and I tried to reproduce some dessert that required you use a blowtorch, but the guy at the cooking store said don't waste your money on the fancy one made for bakers -- just go to Home Depot.

Akaellen - I've somehow ended up with some New Pornographers on my iPod and they sound great.

Amelia - I totally read about that song and how much it ticked people off. It was right around the time I was thinking of buying one of their albums, too. I think I'll go back and find some old stuff anyway. Isn't Sleater-Kinney breaking up? (Not relevant, but I'd read that last week.)

Now I just have get Alex (hint, HIIINNNT!) to get me some of this stuff as I am iTunes-challenged.

Neil - Wait, they sell them at HD and I was there yesterday and bought boring things like potting soil? So not fair.

Hey there. I can't resist a call for people looking for new music, so here it goes.
You simply must listen to the 'Doves' second album called 'The Last Broadcast' - i promise you wont be disappointed.
I can also recommend 'The Editors ' the back room
'Snow Patrol'- Final Straw
'Interpol'- antics
Bloc party'- bloc party
Franz Ferdinand - franz ferdinand
'The Kaiser chiefs' - employment
'Keane'
'Feeder'the singles
its a very UK based selection, but very good if i do say so myself!

On your side of the pond I would recommend 'Orson' and the 'all american rejects'and you can't beat the 'Killers' album Hot fuss.

good luck and have fun

OOOO Lucky lady!!!! The hubby sounds like a keeper. Dinner AND Dishes! WOW, does he have a brother...LOL.
I know what you mean about the boring music stuff. I have to download at least 5 new songs a week on my IPOD or I just get too bored during my workouts.
You are SO making me crave 80's rock!!! LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pilate
Mobile
People In Planes
Hard Fi
Metric
Matthew Barber
The Jealous Sound
The Constantines
At The Drive In
Auf Der Mar
30 Seconds To Mars
Chevelle

Take a listen to Wolf Parade, Dirty Pretty Things, Metric and The New Pornographers. For a little urban grooviness, try M.I.A. One of my personal favorites is Hawksley Workman.

From my recently ended tenure as a college DJ. . .
Goldfrapp (New Favorite)
The Killers (if you really stopped listening in 2000, these guys are addictive)
The Kills (less whiney than the White Stripes)
Jack Johnson (soothing)
Something for Rockets (not big at all, but their new stuff is showing some interesting growth--also, their shows are still cheap--Perlman's son is in it)
South
Margo and the Nuclear So and Sos (Like Belle and Sebastian only not as boring)
The Dandy Warhols (all time favorite, after Fleetwood Mac)

Dude, that cake looks amazing. Have you tried the Lady M mille crepe cake? It is sublime and I demand it for all bithdays.

Damn! When I looked at the link "Gateau de Crepes," I thought this blog entry was about food. Oh well.

Yep, sadly enough Sleater-Kinney is going on "permanent hiatus." This is the band that kindly provided the soundtrack for my college years and everything since, so I'm a sad little puppy. But I definitely recommend getting to know them -- it'll be a treat.

Deb, I think that you can relate to "Someday You Will Be Loved" because it seems somewhat fitting (from your pov directed toward your ex). It is not disrespectful to women. It is a song about someone coming to terms with the fact that the relationship is 1-sided, even though the one leaving loves the other "but not in that way." ( I prefer this cutsie phrase over 'platonic')

Here is a link to an interview with Ben Gibbard of Death Cab, if any of you are willing to hear his reasons behind the "Tiny Vessels" lyrics: http://www.johnsrebalus.com/DeathCab.html

I personally appreciate his talent in writing such diverse lyrics, including the crappy truths we hate facing.

Kate Earl, undiscovered beautiful music.

American Analog Set
Andrew Bird
Art Brut
Brendan Benson
Beirut
Bishop Allen
Calexico
Cass McCombs
Devendra Banhart
Futureheads
the Greenhornes
Iron & Wine
Jose Gonzalez
Laura Viers

If you want to pick up a fun mix CD featuring a lot of different people, I am really loving The Song The Hare Heard right now

Enjoy!

It's not new, but I bought the Gorillaz Demon Days CD - the first I'd bought in years...but well worth it. I really love just about every song on it and they do that rock/rap/techno/whatever mix up thing that usually pleases everyone.

Heavily on rotation always: Kathleen Edwards - Failer and Back to Me. I heart her.

Also:
Iron & Wine, Our Endless Numbered Days
KT Tunstall, Eye to the Telescope
Sia - Colour the Small One
Phoenix - all their albums!
The Wreckers - Stand Still, Look Pretty
Tegan and Sara - So Jealous
Morcheeba - Big Calm
Patty Griffin - Impossible Dream and 1000 Kisses
Rufus Wainwright - all his albums!!

Despite a promise to my family to take a break from baking for a week (to give us motivation to exercise), I couldn't resist the gateau de crepes. I prepared ahead, as advised, and then had time to put the cake together the next day. It was fabulous. The knife sliced right through, the layers were each delicious. I made the raspberry sauce and used that in some of the layers, as well as on top. I also invented my own little chocolate mixture (chocolate chips mixed with chopped hazlenuts, then all melted together) in one layer. Mmmmmm. Thanks for the idea!