Daughter of Loudon Wainwright III and younger sister of Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright has started to make a name for herself. Her vocals are all over Rufus’ albums and it is a warm counterpoint to her brother’s nasal detachment. Her songwriting is far more bitter and relationship-oriented as the fantastic song from her first solo album written about her father shows in the title: “Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole”.

Her new solo album, I Know You’re Married But I’ve Got Feelings Too, which should win all sorts of Album Title of the Year awards, came out a few weeks ago and while I haven’t given it the listen it deserves, there is a song that jumps out immediately. It’s a real-life pop song that radio would should play and it is catchy as hell — especially the chorus. Another highlight of the album is a fantastic remake of Eurythmics’ “Love Is A Stranger”. Here’s the video. Look for some naughtiness at 1:48. You can do that at bars?

Listening to: “You Cheated Me” - Martha Wainwright

Feist is going to appear on the premiere of the new season of “Sesame Street” teaching kids to count to “1 2 3 4″ with monsters, penguins and chickens “just back from the shore”. Here is the adorable and leaked clip:

Hat Tip to Stereogum.

And here is the original for those of you who haven’t heard it. I love it, but know many who detest it.

Listening to: “Love Is A Stranger” - Martha Wainwright

This video showed up on Thomas Dolby’s blog this morning. It’s the single from the movie with Lea Thompson on lead vocals and biggest hair of the 80’s. The band was called Dolby’s Cube and the song was written by Dolby and funk master, George Clinton, who appears in the video as well. What I didn’t know is that Dolby directed the video.

As for me, I bought the 45 and played it to death probably driving my parents crazy in the meantime. One could say at a feather’s touch I loved him apart.

Listening to: “Profanity Prayers” - Beck

Hell, I wish I could grown any facial hair right now; however, this is about the song by Jimmy Buffett. My love of his music (specifically his 70’s stuff) is my dad’s fault. Most will think he’s all about being a beach bum, cruisin’ women and drinkin’ until puke into some hooker’s tits — and you’d be right; however, you’d also be missing a songwriter who can lay down a song so melancholy grown men have been caught crying in their closets. “Come Monday” is a well-known example, but if you want feel sorry for someone else make sure you listen to “He Went To Paris”.

Jimmy has gotten me through a few chemos of late. I’ve been feeling extremely nostalgic and in need of comfort music, so this post comes on the eve on my next to last round and the night the iPod decided to play “Pencil-Thin Mustache” randomly. This isn’t one of his melancholy songs. In fact, it’s quite the opposite and always manages to put a big ole grin on my face as Jimmy looks back at innocence through the eyes of a wiser, much older man. Go fig’.

Listening to: “Comfortably Numb” - Scissor Sisters