The Coolest Thing About Love: 2015

Of course I named the show after the great album by the Smittens and I pay homage to the band by using a clip of their song 11:11 for my theme. I hope the band doesn't mind, but when I have talked to various members of the band after shows they seem like nice people whom I think would be good with it.

I also use this name for my DJ night happening occasionally at the Jane Bond in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Note that the links to shows older than 6 months might not be working, if you really want those shows please send me an email and I can get them to you. (Note that prior to 2018 I called my podcast FireballXL5, so don't be confused if you look at an old setlist)

Special thanks to Jeff Woods for finding my a place to host my mp3s!

Best albums of 2015

Fireball XL5 Best albums of 2015

1. Belle and Sebastian - Girls in Peacetime Want To Dance (Buy the album here)

2. Alpaca Sports - When You Need Me The Most (Buy the album here)

3. The School - Wasting Away and Wondering (Buy the album here)

4. Wallflower - Out to Sea (Buy the album here)

5. Starry Eyed Cadet - Starry Eyed Cadet (Buy the album here)

6. Seoul - I Become a Shade (But the album here)

7. New Order - Music Complete (Buy the album here)

8. Roman à clef - Abandonware (Buy the album here)

9. Yo La Tengo - Stuff Like That There (Buy the album here)

10. Blimp Rock - Sophomore Slump (Buy the album here)

Best singles of 2015

Fireball XL5 Best singles of 2015

Listen to each song using the links below:

1. Alpaca Sports - Need me the most

2. The Orchids - Hey! Sometimes

3. Roman à clef - PSBTV

4. Frankie Cosmos - Young

5. Wallflower - Butterfly Kisses

6. The School - Love is Anywhere you find it

7. Hinds - Chili Town

8. Tanlines - Slipping Away

9. Springtime Carnivore - Name On A Matchbook

10. Starry Eyed Cadet - Baby Please Come Home

http://starryeyedcadet.bandcamp.com/track/baby-please-come-home

11. SPORTS - The Washing Machine

12. Belle and Sebastian - Allie

13. Class Actress - GFE

14. Kita Alexander - My Own Way

15. Lorna - London's Leaving Me

November 20, 2015

Three great sets of indie pop with lots of songs that were vying for the top song.

Best song I heard since the last show The Orchids - Hey! Sometimes, see the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_5gxdrDnY8

Links from the show:

Learn more about the Long Winter shows:
http://www.torontolongwinter.com/

See the interesting story of the Frankie Cosmos:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankie_Cosmos

You can download the latest show directly here:
http://76.163.12.179/2015-11-20_final.mp3

For information on how to sign up for the podcast or join the Facebook group, see the bottom of this message.

Fireball XL5 Setlist - November 20, 2015
TALK - Theme
Alpaca Sports - Need Me The Most
Postal Blue - I Always Knew
The School - Love Is Anywhere You Find It
The Hermit Crabs - Bravado and Rhetoric
The Sun Days - You Can't Make Me Make Up My Mind
TALK
Frankie Cosmos - Young
Mariana In Our Heads - Flash shot
She devils - Come
VLIVM - Life
Strawberry Whiplash- If Surface Were Depth
TALK
Muscadettes - Earthquake
Cocktails - Don't Bother
Sometimes Always - Sittin' Candy
Sleuth - Good On The Inside (I Don't Mind)
Expert Alterations- The Past And You
TALK - Random Ending

Woods - Impossible Sky

Fireball XL5 Podcast Homepage: http://www.fireballxl5.ca/

Podcast link: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/19384881/fireballxl5.rss

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fireball-XL5-Podcast/225528710795185

October 23, 2015

After a first set of indie pop I recommend clearing the furniture because you are going to want to dance during the next two sets.

Best song I heard since the last show The Orchids - Hey! Sometimes, see the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb_LjgsQO98

Links from the show:

Learn more about and listen to the Miles Apart Tours EP:
https://milesapartrecords.bandcamp.com/album/tours-ep

Learn more about the new Junior Boys album:
http://exclaim.ca/music/article/junior_boys_return_with_big_black_coat_lp

You can download the latest show directly here:
http://76.163.12.179/2015-10-23_final.mp3

For information on how to sign up for the podcast or join the Facebook group, see the bottom of this message.

Fireball XL5 Setlist - October 23, 2015
The Orchids - Hey! Sometimes
Lorna - London's Leaving Me
The Wild Swans - English Electric Lightning
Grubs - Windwaker
Wallflower - I Love Only When You're Cute
TALK
Todd Terje - Delorean Dynamite
Cold Beat - Spirals
LGNTNNG - Sad Humming
Junior Boys - What You Don't Do For Love
A.G. Cook - What I Mean
TALK
Barbara Stephens - Wait A Minute
Alexander O'Neal - What's Missing
Denroy Morgan - I'll Do Anything For You
Thundercat - Them Changes
Betty Swan - Make Me Yours

TALK - Random Ending

The Liver Transplants - Black Mirror

September 25, 2015

Back to an indie pop show with lots of great recent releases (or even soon to be releases), but for the old timers there is also a song by former Go-Betweens member Robert Forster with a song that is quite reminiscent of his old band.

Best song I heard since the last show Springtime Carnivore's Name On A Matchbook, see the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQBH_7hvBu4

Links from the show:

Listen to "Learn To Burn" by Robert Forster
http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=429022726&m=429023396

Listen to "Bring Me Home" by Don't Cry Shopgirl
https://soundcloud.com/cloudberryrecords/dont-cry-shopgirl-bring-me-home-1

You can download the latest show directly here:
http://76.163.12.179/2015-09-25_final.mp3

For information on how to sign up for the podcast or join the Facebook group, see the bottom of this message.

Fireball XL5 Setlist - September 25, 2015
Springtime Carnivore - Name On A Matchbook
Varsity - Cult Of Personality
Rocketship - I Love You The Way I Used To Do
Aberdeen - We Go On
PONY - Don't Go

TALK

Robert Forster - Learn To Burn

The Gits - The Greatest Gift
For Keeps - No Left Behinds
SPORTS - The Washing Machine
Richard Hawley - Tonight The Streets Are Ours

TALK

Don't Cry Shopgirl - Bring Me Home

The Legendary House Cats - Kind Words (remix)
Tape Runs Out - Friends
Sisyphus - Devotion
Kidstreet - Daydream

TALK - Random Ending

Fembots - Mr. Pink

August 21, 2015

I haven't done one of these in a while, but this show was an expansion of my random ending but instead of just the last song, the entire show consisted of random songs from my music collection. I have been doing this a lot at work lately and it always sounds really good, unfortunately I'm not sure if this show really clicked, but that's the way the shuffle goes sometime.

Links from the show:

See Jonathan Richman perform Vampire Girl on Conan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPHuZ_8xGGM

Wikipedia page on Jerry Jerry:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Jerry_and_the_Sons_of_Rhythm_Orchestra

You can download the latest show directly here:
http://76.163.12.179/2015-08-21_final.mp3

For information on how to sign up for the podcast or join the Facebook group, see the bottom of this message.

Fireball XL5 Setlist - August 21, 2015
TALK - Theme
Jessie Ware - Still Love Me
The Parliaments - (I Wanna) Testify
Betty Burke - New Job
The Magnetic Fields - Old Orchard Beach
Pocketbooks - The Sky At Night
TALK

Cassius - Barocco

Looper - Money Hair
Jonathan Richman - Vampire Girl
Eleni Mandell - Girls
The Sixths feat. Dominique A. - Just Like A Movie Star
TALK

Jeffery Osborne - I Really Don't Need No Light

Moses Mayes - Needle To The Groove
Brothers Of Soul - Come On Back
Jerry Jerry And The Sons Of Rhythm Orchestra - Banner Day
Sloppy Joe - Winter Song
TALK

Kaiser Chiefs - Time Honoured Tradition

July 17, 2015

Three subtly different sets from the world of indie pop made up this show, one a little bit more rocking, one a little bit more electro, and one a little bit more dreamy. But of course all good. If you want to see a fun DIY video check out the one for the HINDS song Chili Town that is linked below.

Best song I heard since the last show - HINDS - Chili Town - See the great video here: http://www.thefader.com/2015/08/13/hinds-chili-town-video

Other links from the show:

Information about the latest release from the Ahs:
http://theeahs.bandcamp.com/album/coreys-coathangers

Information about the latest release from the Autumn Stones:
http://theautumnstones.bandcamp.com/album/escapists-album

You can download the latest show directly here:
http://76.163.12.179/2015-07-17_final.mp3

For information on how to sign up for the podcast or join the Facebook group, see the bottom of this message.

Fireball XL5 Setlist - July 17, 2015
TALK - Theme
HINDS - Chili Town
The Ahs - Corey's Coathangers (C)
The Autumn Stones - Time Is A River (C)
Eureka California - Edith (One Day You'll Live In A Bunker)
Heliotropes - Moonlite
TALK
Class Actress - GFE
Kita Alexander - My Own Way
Faith Healer - Again
AUSTRA - Forgive Me (C)
Day Wave - Drag
TALK
Porches - Forgive
Chihiro - Youthcult
Better Person - Sentiment
Another Green World - Blood
Hush Pup - Hisyo's Jungle
TALK
The Pipettes - Dirty Mind

Fireball XL5 Podcast Homepage: http://www.fireballxl5.ca/

Podcast link: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/19384881/fireballxl5.rss

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fireball-XL5-Podcast/225528710795185

June 19, 2015

This show was my recap of this year's NYC Popfest, which for me is still the best music festival around. As usual I only knew about a third of the bands before I went, but in the end I loved pretty much everything I saw. Apart from bands I was pretty sure I would like before I went (Club 8, Pale Lights) there were also a few I loved that I had never heard of before (Wallflower, Starry Eyed Cadet). You can hear my stories about the festival during the show, and you can find out more about the festival here: www.nycpopfest.org

Best song I heard since the last show - Pale Lights - Manhattan - Listen to the song here: https://palelights.bandcamp.com/track/manhattan

Other links from the show:

Find out about the Sarah Records documentary:
http://storyofsarahrecords.com/tablet/index.html

This was not shot during the NYCPopfest, but it does give an idea of the back wall at Baby's All Right:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLjWdlB7o50

You can see a whole lot of performances from the NYCPopfest here:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=nycpopfest+2015

Including this one by Papa Topo featuring the great hand movements by the female lead singer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHOBepetm04

You can download the latest show directly here:
http://76.163.12.179/2015-06-19_final.mp3

For information on how to sign up for the podcast or join the Facebook group, see the bottom of this message.

Fireball XL5 Setlist - June 19, 2015
TALK - Theme
Pale Lights - Manhattan
Roman a Clef - PSBTV
Wallflower - Butterfly Kisses
Starry Eyed Cadet - Baby Please Come Home
Club 8 - Jesus Walk With Me
TALK
The Darling Buds - Burst
Brideshead - Descartes
Veronica Lake - Saints Above
The Loft - Why Does It Rain
The Caternary Wires - Intravenous
TALK
Papa Topo - Lo Que Me Gusta Del Verano Es Poder Tomar Helado
Lunchbox - Wanna Reach You
EZTV - The Light
The Just Joans - If You Don't Pull
Eternal Summers - Millions
TALK
Pete Astor - Almost Falling In Love

Fireball XL5 Podcast Homepage: http://www.fireballxl5.ca/

Podcast link: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/19384881/fireballxl5.rss

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fireball-XL5-Podcast/225528710795185

May 22, 2015

Another top song I got from listening to satellite radio, I don't know much about the band Sales, but damn that song is good. After two sets of indie pop I did a long overdue funky set, including the song Forget Me Nots by Patrice Rushen which, as well as being yet another song from satellite radio, is a song I keep hearing around. Strange as the song was released 1982.

Best song I heard since the last show - Sales - Chinese New Year - Listen to the song here: https://soundcloud.com/sales/chinese-new-year

Other links from the show:

Listen to more of Laura Groves:
https://soundcloud.com/deekrecordings/laura-groves-dream-story

More about Elefant Records (not to be confused with Elephant Records):
http://elefant.com/en/

You can download the latest show directly here:
http://76.163.12.179/2015-05-22_final.mp3

For information on how to sign up for the podcast or join the Facebook group, see the bottom of this message.

Fireball XL5 Setlist - May 22, 2015
TALK - Theme
Sales - Chinese New Year
The Primatives - Spin-O-Rama (Elefant)
Nic Hessler - I Feel Again
Razorcuts - I Heard You The First Time
Laura Groves - Dream Story
TALK
Hush Pup - Swimming
Eternal Death - Violence
Tape Waves - Slow Days
The Yearning - Dreamboat (Elefant)
Margo Guryan - Sunday Morning
TALK
Patrice Rushen - Forget Me Nots
Joseph Henry - Who's The King
Gwen McCrae - Keep The Fire Burning
The Vibrettes - Humpty Dump (Parts 1 and 2)
Candy and the Kisses - Keep On Searchin'
TALK
Tower Of Power - Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel

Fireball XL5 Podcast Homepage: http://www.fireballxl5.ca/

Podcast link: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/19384881/fireballxl5.rss

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fireball-XL5-Podcast/225528710795185

April 17, 2015

I have to thank someone I met during the Belle and Sebastian video for my top song this podcast. Malcolm (one of the background dancers in the video) shared a link to the band Got a Girl which I listened to and thought was great. Made all the better because it features Mary Elizabeth Winstead who was Ramona Flowers in the Scott Pilgrim movie and I think that's all that needs to be said about that. See more about the band in the links below.

Best song I heard since the last show - Got a Girl - Did We Live Too Fast - See the video for the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lKh8OoMPjU

Other links from the show:

Even more about Got a Girl:
http://got-a-girl.com/

More about Faith Healer and listen to "Again":
http://www.mintrecords.com/releases/cosmic-troubles

You can download the latest show directly here:
http://76.163.12.179/2015-04-17_final.mp3

For information on how to sign up for the podcast or join the Facebook group, see the bottom of this message.

Fireball XL5 Setlist - April 17, 2015
TALK - Theme
Got a Girl - Did We Live Too Fast
The School - When I Fall In Love
Faith Healer - Again
Hinds - Castigadas en el granero
Golden Grrrls - We've Got
TALK
Broncho - Class Historian
Tanlines - Slipping Away
The Rosebuds - In My Teeth
Travis Bretzer - Lady Red
Sea Pinks - Dream Happening
TALK
Alessi Brothers - Seabird
Fire Island Pines - Never Be Me
The Swapsies - Got Got Need
Lady Lamb and Beekeeper - Billions of Eyes
Parcel Post - Centimetres
TALK
Lloyd Cole - Baby

Fireball XL5 Podcast Homepage: http://www.fireballxl5.ca/

Podcast link: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/19384881/fireballxl5.rss

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fireball-XL5-Podcast/225528710795185

March 27, 2015

Started out with a funky set as my top song was a track guaranteed to make you move your feet called "Can't Control My Love". But imagine my surprise when I saw the video and that the song is done by 5 white guys from Australia. Speaking of videos check out the one by The Avalanches for the title track from their first album "Since I Left You" in the links below. The second set all came from the 5th anniversary release from February Records while the third set all came from 2014 releases that I picked up at the end of last year from other people's best of lists.

Best song I heard since the last show - Total Giovanni - Can't Control My Love - See the video for the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=93&v=m3EBvWdFTZw

Other links from the show:

See the crazy video for the Avalanches "Since I Left You":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUyKdaNKHzo

Information on the February Records 5th anniversary release:
http://februaryrecords.bandcamp.com/album/5-a-february-records-anniversary-compilation

You can download the latest show directly here:
http://76.163.12.179/2015-03-27_final.mp3

For information on how to sign up for the podcast or join the Facebook group, see the bottom of this message.

Fireball XL5 Setlist - March 27, 2015
TALK - Theme
Total Giovanni - Can't Control My Love
Yumi Zouma - Dodi
The Avalanches - Since I Left You
Tei Shi - Basically
The D'ubervilles - The Receiver
TALK
Onward Chariots - Let The Windows Open Wide
Finnmark! - Quiet Night In Stockholm
Secret Charisma - The First Few
Cozy Catastrophes - Why Won't They Let Us Fall In Love!
The Halamays - Jenny
TALK
Pale Lights - Another Broken Heart
Me And The Bees - Blue
The Wendy Darlings - Growing Up
The Zebras - Another Copy
Big Quiet - You're Gonna Find Out
TALK
Robyn - Don't F***** Tell Me What To Do

Fireball XL5 Podcast Homepage: http://www.fireballxl5.ca/

Podcast link: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/19384881/fireballxl5.rss

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fireball-XL5-Podcast/225528710795185

February 20, 2015

This was a rundown of my favourite albums of 2014, I tried to stay away from songs that I played during the best singles of 2014 show. It was a toss up for my top album between the top 2 but in the end I went with the band Alvvays by a hair.

You can download the show directly here:
http://76.163.12.179/2015-02-20_final.mp3

For information on how to sign up for the podcast or join the Facebook group, see the bottom of this message.

Fireball XL5 Setlist - February 20, 2015
TALK - Theme
The Popguns - Still Waiting For The Winter
Fear of Men - America
Chromeo - Jealous (I Ain't With It)
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Kelly
TALK
The Smittens - Love Record Breaker
Lykke Li - No Rest For The Wicked
Future Islands - A Dream of You And Me
TALK
Peaking Lights - Hypnotic Hustle
Peaking Lights - New Grrrls
TALK
Alpaca Sports - I Was Running
Alpaca Sports - Telephone
TALK
Alvvays - Next Of Kin
Alvvays - Adult Diversion

Fireball XL5 Podcast Homepage: http://www.fireballxl5.ca/

Podcast link: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/19384881/fireballxl5.rss

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fireball-XL5-Podcast/225528710795185

February 14, 2015

Live DJ show Jane Bond.
Setlist for Coolest Thing About Love 20 - Valentine's Day Edition

Polica - chain my name (and it begins)
Sondre Lerche - Bad Law
Rae Spoon - i Can't. Keep all of our secrets
The Popguns - Lovejunky
Gui Boratto f. Come And Hell - Take Control
Ned Doheny - Get It Up For Love (too early for a slow soul song?)
The Equals - Mary Jane
Real Thing - Can You Feel The Force
Phantogram - when I'm small
Mike Snow - Billie Holiday
Pendentif - Embrasse Moi
Amanda Mair - Doubt
Post Modern Team - The Girl I Never
The Silent Love - My Sunny Day
Alpaca Sports - Telephone
Go Sailor - Together Forever in Love
The Smittens - Upper West Side
Le Tigre - My My Metrocard
Shrag - Faux Coda
Air Miami - You Sweet Heartbreaker
The Alarm Clocks - No Reason To Complain
Chubby Checker - Karate Monkey
The Escorts - Chew Chew Fee Fi Fum
Chico & Buddy - A Thing Called The Jones
Constellation Orchestra - Funk Encounter
Odyssey - Don't Tell Me Tell Her
Fishbone - Freddie's Dead
Nu Shooz - I Can't Wait
Kurtis Blow - The Breaks
Jessy Lanza - Kathy Lee
Peaking Lights - Breakdown
Capital Cities - kangaroo Court
Chromeo - Jealous (I Ain't With It)
The Clash - This Is Radio Clash
The Stranglers - All Day And All Of The Night
The Muffs - Kids In America
Frowning Clowns - She's Mine
Paul Revere and The Raiders - Hungry
Freddie and the Dreamers - Do The Freddie
The Chordettes - Mr. Sandman (request from the floor)
The Pipettes - ABC
Narada Michael Walden - Tonight I'm Alright
Nana Love - Disco Lover
Stacy Lattisaw - Jump To The Beat
Daft Punk - High Life
Toro Y Moi - Still Sound
The Rapture - Get Myself Into It
Belle and Sebastian - The Party Line (strange playing this song for real)
Ariel Pink - Put Your Number In My Phone
Alvvays - Party Police
Teen Canteen - You're Still Mine
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Kelly
Finnmark! - Everyone's Dying
Bleachers - You're Still A Mystery
The Drums - Let's Go Surfing
Pulp - Disco 2000
New Order - Regret
Black Grape - Shake Well Before Opening (this might be a mistake at this point in the night)
Leisure Cruise - Double Digit Love
Erik Hassle - Hurtful
Kon Kan - Harry Houdini
Afrika Bambaataa and Soulsonic Force - Renegades of Funk
Robbie Dupree - Steal Away
Dimitri From Paris - Love Love Mode
Chairlift - Guilty as Charged
Camera Obscura - Careless Love
The Temptations - Mein Girl
Jonathan Richman - They're Not Trying On The Dancefloor
Yo La Tengo - Our Way To Fall
Smittens - 11:11

January 23, 2015

The best songs I heard in 2015 starting with number 1 and going down the list.

Best song I heard all year - Belle and Sebastian - The Party Line - See the video here (and check out that fake DJ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3vS1Hf3CVGs

Websites I mentioned during the show:

See the great video for The Peaking Lights' "Breakdown":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-xjZZVb3jhU

You can download the latest show directly here:
http://76.163.12.179/2015-01-23_final.mp3

For information on how to sign up for the podcast or join the Facebook group, see the bottom of this message.

Fireball XL5 Setlist - January 23, 2015
TALK - Theme
Belle and Sebastian - The Party Line
Teen Canteen - You're Still Mine
Future Islands - Seasons (Waiting On You)
Alvvays - Party Police
Ariel Pink - Put Your Number In My Phone
TALK
The Silent Love - My Sunny Day
Skylar Spence (formerly Saint Pepsi) - Fiona Coyne
The Smittens - Upper West Side
Finnmark! - Everyone's Dying
Lykke Li - Love Me Like I'm Not Made Of Stone
TALK
Peaking Lights - Breakdown
Beach Day - Boys
Bleachers - You're Still A Mystery
Post Modern Times - The Girl I Never
TALK
Sondre Lerche - Bad Law