With the rise of synthesized, computerized music, a band that writes good, guitar-driven melodies is rare. The Postelles use their vintage style to create infectious and catchy 60s-inspired rock and roll. The quartet will bring their well-regarded live show to Brighton Music Hall with the Arkells and The Ambassadors tonight, and it will be a welcome performance for those who miss the days when songs weren’t cloaked in layers. With the Postelles’ plug-in-and-play approach, what you see and what you hear are what you get.

The band’s eponymous debut album drips with the influence of co-producer and Strokes’ guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. Combining the slightly fuzzy, retro guitars of their co-producer’s band with a bubblegum pop sound, the music is nothing new, but it is undeniably fun. Is a beach less enjoyable because it is a bunch of sand next to water just like any other? The Postelles didn’t break any ground or create their own genre, but their music will keep you dancing all night long.

Come to Brighton Music Hall in Allston on Monday night and dance like it’s the 60s. The show starts at 9 P.M. and doors open at 8. Tickets will be sold at the Brighton Music Hall ticket office one hour before doors open.

August 1, 1981, 12:01 a.m – Music Television launches with the words, “Ladies and gentleman, rock and roll.” At the outset, MTV was only available to a few thousand viewers on a cable network in northern New Jersey. Its initial premise was simple: play music videos 24/7/365.

Since today’s MTV programming mostly alternates between terrible reality television and slightly less terrible scripted shows (ahem, Teen Wolf), take a trip down memory lane with the very first video the once music-centered network screened, the Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star.”

Summer used to mean outdoor games and camping in a park; now, summer means outdoor music and camping at festivals.  Essentially, summer hasn’t changed much, but instead of playing capture the flag with friends, you’re playing music with friends; instead of comfortably camping for fun, you’re uncomfortably camping at a festival…or maybe you aren’t. Either way, music festivals are a staple of the summer months– and today marks the official start of summer.

River’s Edge Music Festival is brand new and just in time for the summer.  The festival will be held on Harriet Island – which sits on the Mississippi River – in St. Paul, Minnesota.  The festival, a partnership between Live Nation Entertainment and the city of St. Paul, boasts an impressive lineup despite being a festival newcomer.

The lineup’s main strength is in its diversity. Artists include Dave Matthews Band, Tool, Sublime w/Rome, The Flaming Lips, Diplo, Scissor Sisters, Awolnation, K.Flay and Motion City Soundtrack, to name a few. The festival has an impressive range of genres and styles.  The eclectic lineup will surely bring an interesting and diverse group of fans to Minnesota’s capital.

Although it’s a new addition to the festival circuit, River’s Edge is clearly putting forth an effort establish itself.  The festival features a bevy of local artists, from the musicians gracing the stage to the culinary artists that will feed hungry fans.  The festival has also partnered with the Children’s Cancer Research Fund to raise money and awareness in an effort to reinvest in the local community.

It’s quite ambitious (and expensive) to build a brand new festival in the Midwest, especially with Lollapalooza approaching in Chicago.  Still, summer festivals will always be an important part of the music scene; and as they say: the more the merrier.  River’s Edge Music Festival has an impressively diverse lineup, a unique venue, a mission to embrace the city and more importantly – the fans.

Check out the River’s Edge Music Festival this weekend, June 23 & 24, at Harriet Island. St. Paul, MN. Be sure to follow Tastemakers for festival updates and photos!

www.riversedgemusicfestival.com

Aside from the killer line-up, the fest is boasting an array of activities, including a silent disco, beer pong and photo booths. However, the food can’t be overlooked. If you’re hoping to eat better-than-average festival food, look no further; there will be food trucks and delicious cheap eats galore.

Tickets are still available for the Governor’s Ball, which can be purchased here. For more information, visit http://governorsballmusicfestival.com/

Newt Gingrich – he may be the underdog, but he damn sure isn’t Rocky Balboa. For that reason, Frankie Sullivan, guitarist of Survivor — a band that broke onto the scene and disappeared simultaneously with Rocky III — is suing Newt Gingrich for using their song, “Eye of the Tiger.” He claims there’s no political motive, only an artist’s attempt to protect copyright…or get people interested in a non-Probst related Survivor. Here’s a list of some other noteworthy politicians who found themselves in similar situations.

“America’s future rests in a thousand dreams inside your hearts. It rests in the message of hope in songs a man so many young Americans admire, New Jersey’s own Bruce Springsteen.” – President Ronald Reagan (@ 1:04). Springsteen’s case may be the best known instance of musicians and politicians butting heads. While Reagan was campaigning for president, politicians and pundits were citing “Born in the U.S.A.” as an anthemic tribute to the red, white and blue. They saw the album cover, heard a man screaming “U.S.A.” and made some dangerous assumptions. By now, everyone knows (or should know) the song is an account of the Boss’ friends returning from the Vietnam War and being treated poorly.

Michele Bachmann – I understand why she wanted to use Tom Petty’s “American Girl” for her campaign; it makes sense to a degree. Still, don’t we know that those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it? George W. Bush tried to use Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” during his 2000 campaign. Petty threatened to sue and Bush dropped the song. Bachmann, I don’t blame you for trying but you could’ve saved yourself some trouble by using a Dixie Chicks song…kidding.

Speaking of President Bush, did you know he tried to rock the Foo Fighters’ “Times Like These” for his 2004 campaign? You have to give credit to the Foo Fighters on this one, though. Rather than take legal action, they instead decided to dedicate their efforts to the more productive action of campaigning – albeit for Bush’s opponent John Kerry – in order to positively associate themselves with politics rather than engage in a legal battle over their music.

Unfortunately for the Foo Fighters, 2004 wouldn’t be the last time their music was thrown into the political arena. In 2008, “My Hero” was used by John McCain’s campaign. Like “Born in the U.S.A.,” it’s another example of misunderstanding a song’s meaning. McCain may be or consider himself to be a hero – his military service is certainly admirable – but the song is about Grohl’s personal heroes. In a statement published by the band, he wrote: “The saddest thing about this is that My Hero was written as a celebration of the common man and his extraordinary potential. To have it appropriated without our knowledge and used in a manner that perverts the original sentiment of the lyric just tarnishes the song.”

Honorable Mentions:

Al Gore — He’s a repeat offender. 1992 fundraisers for his vice-presidential run featured Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al.” Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great song. But, besides name/title, what do Al Gore and “You Can Call Me Al” have in common?…besides both maybe wondering why they’re soft in the middle now.

Perhaps the funniest song on this list is Fatboy Slim’s 1999 hit “Praise You.” The song was used in his 2000 presidential run against George W. Bush. Slim’s response was easily the best part of this situation: “Thank God it wasn’t the Republicans.” I can’t write anymore on this because I’m fearful of Gore’s power on the internetz. (See :49)

Last but certainly not least: Mitt Romney. This isn’t a case of politician using an unwilling artist’s tune. This is an unrelated case I had to include because it makes no sense. LMFAO wrote a song inspired by an encounter with the Republican favorite. A band with members named RedFoo and SkyBlu somehow had an encounter with Mitt Romney that inspired a song. You can’t make that shit up. “We Came to Party”

I’m not the biggest fan of Pandora. Usually, I like to have more control over what comes out of my speakers than Pandora can give me. I’ll start listening to Death Cab For Cutie Radio and a song by Pearl Jam will come on; it just kind of throws off my flow.

However, I found one Pandora station that almost never disappoints. “Sunny Came Home” was a one-hit wonder, in every sense of the word, from Shawn Colvin that was released in 1997. I say it’s a one-hit wonder because not only could you not name another song by Shawn Colvin, but you most likely thought this song was sung by someone more well known during this era like Paula Cole or Sixpence None The Richer. Believe it or not, the song reached #1 on the Adult Top 40 Chart in both Canada and the US and reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100.

There is a theory why I believe this song is the key to unlocking the ultimate 90s Alternative Pandora station. It’s because of its obscurity that it succeeds so well as a station. That song and artist exist at one point in time, where there was a very specific set of music surrounding it. The music songs on the station are probably heard much more and more well known than “Sunny Came Home” in today’s music world, but this song brings the best of the other music from the 90s out. Don’t believe me? Here are the first 12 songs that played when I turned on this Pandora station tonight:

“Slide” – Goo Goo Dolls
No band screams 90s Alternative as much as the Goo Goo Dolls. Many of their songs from Dizzy Up The Girl are still well-known and played today, including “Iris,” “Black Balloon,” and “Broadway.” Somehow Pandora also knew “Slide” is my go-to karaoke song.

“Jumper” – Third Eye Blind
TEB is so memorable as a band from the 90s that people still flock to see them today. Even though they have released two full-length albums and an EP in the 2000s, they’re still most remembered for their self-titled album in 1997 and Blue in 1999.

“Thank You” – Dido
Dido may not have been a tour-de-force in the US when she released No Angel in 1999, but after a year or two she quickly became on of the most well-known singers internationally.

“Bittersweet Symphony” – The Verve
There are certain songs that scream ‘epic’ when they come on, and it’s hard to deny “Bittersweet Symphony” that status. It’s probably the strings – they make everything epic.

“Real World” – Matchbox 20
Yes, Rob Thomas actually had a band when he wasn’t making Christmas songs and playing with Santana. “Real World” and “3AM” were the two powerhouses off their debut Yourself or Someone Like You in 1996. There’s something about Rob Thomas’s voice that just belongs in the 90s.

“She’s So High” – Tal Bachman
This is probably the male equivalent of “Sunny Came Home.” Bachman had no other hits besides this, and while almost anyone around during the 90s would know this song if they heard it, I’d bet a large amount of people don’t know Tal sang it.

“Lovefool” – The Cardigans
Although this song kind of seems like it was from the late 80s (which is probably due to the fact The Cardigans were Swedish), this song came out in 1996. Not only did it influence the music industry, but it was also on the soundtracks for both Romeo + Juliet and Cruel Intentions.

“Roll To Me” – Del Amitri
I’ll be honest: I was almost certain this song was sung by Blue’s Traveler, another 90s band that is featured prominently on “Sunny Came Home” radio. Regardless, it screams 90s the way Hootie and the Blowfish scream 90s.

“Where Have All The Cowboys Gone” – Paula Cole
I always thought this song was kind of ridiculous when they played it nonstop in the 90s, but I almost always find myself singing along when it comes on in today’s day and age. Basically, it’s a timeless classic.

“One Headlight” – The Wallflowers
This was actually the song that was #1 on the Adult Top 40 right before “Sunny Came Home,” so it’s fitting that it came on the radio. Although my favorite song by them is probably “The Difference,” this one holds it own.

“The Way” – Fastball
Although Fastball had three albums come out in the 2000s, it’s hard to imagine they actually had any songs on them since I think it’s physically impossible for them to exist outside the 90s. My fact to back this up is that their song “Sooner or Later” was featured in the 1998 Disney Channel Original Movie ‘Brink.’ Basically, that cements them in time.

“Kiss Me” – Sixpence None The Richer
I’m going to admit something here: this may be on my list of Top 10 Favorite Songs Of All Time. I’m a sucker for it. Not only is it the perfect mix of sentimental and rock-outage, but it’s the theme song of She’s All That, which is my favorite movie from the 90s. Game, set, and match.

As you can see, “Sunny Came Home” takes you back to a simpler time in life. A time where no one knew what dubstep was and “Adult Alternative” was the music of the future. While the music landscape may be very different today, this is a surefire way to go back to a simpler time in music and just enjoy life with your Pokemon cards and Tamagotchis.

I just learned a very exciting word. The word isn’t particularly exciting in and of itself, but the fact it exists is. The word is “frisson,” and in French it means “a sudden passing sensation of excitement; a shudder of emotion.” It’s basically the inexplicable feeling you get while listening to a particularly moving piece of music- you know, when you just feel like crying because all of the sudden you understand life. But then the song ends and you go back to caring about bodily experiences like hunger and pimples and other crap.

Anyway, inspired by this stumbleupon find, I would like to list pieces of music that have resulted in this type of reaction in my own life. I suppose I am emotionally attached to all my favorite music in some way, but these are specific songs during which I can remember the exact moment I was so moved- and why.

Here they are:

Twice – Little Dragon

Just listen to this song; it’s pretty self explanatory why it might be so frisson-inducing. Her voice is so ethereal. It seems fit for lying on a rooftop on a cool summer night, looking into the night sky and pondering the cosmos.

You Already Know – Bombay Bicycle Club

Postcards from Italy – Beirut

Ironically, this song makes me think of my recent trip to Germany. A friend with me on the trip played this song on his ukulele one night, and a group of us all sang along. It is the perfect sound track to a journey of any sort with lyrics like, “we put our feet just where they had to go.”

Nude – Radiohead

The Zephyr Song – Red Hot Chili Peppers

Although this song describes falling for someone in “perfect weather,” I specifically remember first hearing this song when I was falling for someone on a drive home during a snow storm.

My Lady’s House – Iron & Wine 

What Is and What Should Never Be – Led Zeppelin

This song and Led Zeppelin in general reminds me of the freedom of owning my first car. I would drive to Wendy’s and blast this out of my speakers all summer long.

Jesus, Etc. – Wilco

Samson – Regina Spektor

It was hard for me to pick just one Regina Spektor song for this article. Her voice was basically made for this kind of thing. Lyrics like, “You are my sweetest downfall/I loved you first, I loved you first,” just cut into my soul, you know?

New World – Devotchka

He Would Have Laughed – Deerhunter

This song is at the same time beautifully abstract and terribly sad. It was written as a tribute to the late Jay Reatard, solo artist and member of The Reatards and Lost Sounds.

Now Now – St. Vincent

Landlocked Blues – Bright Eyes

I’ve been a fan of Bright Eyes since 7th grade, like many of us, but I listened to this song again just recently. In light of what has been happening in our country recently, the lines, “And our freedom’s a joke/We’re just taking a piss/And the whole world must watch the sad comic display/If you’re still free start running away,” become awfully poignant.

Lake Michigan – Rogue Wave

The Dress Looks Nice On You – Sufjan Stevens

This song makes me think of a first love with innocent lines like, “I can see a lot of bright in you/ And I think the dress looks nice on you.”

Oof. That took a lot out of me.

Also, damn the French for having words that so accurately describe the human condition. Another good one is “l’esprit de l’escalier,” which is the unfortunate predicament when you think of all the things you wanted to say to someone after it’s too late.

On November 19, a sampling of some of Boston’s best rock talent will be descending upon Great Scott for a spirited night of infectious grooves, lo-fi gems and pop pleasure.

Boston-based The Clippers will be opening the night with their patented blink-and-you’ll-miss-it take on pop rock.  This duo brings angular guitar stabs punctuated by unexpected time signature change ups and a killer set of pipes that alternate between sullen and soaring.   Fans of Alkaline Trio and sing-a-longs, take notice.

Earthquake Party!, winners of The Phoenix’s “Best Massachusetts Band of 2011″ award, will be playing a no frills rock ‘n roll set wrapped in lo-fi fuzz and topped off with cutesy girl/guy vocal duties.  A tight, meaty rhythm section acts as a counterweight to the saccharine vocal melodies, best seen on “Pretty Little Hand,” and ode “pills and candy.”  They’ll be self-releasing their three song vs. Pizza EP on cassette the night of the show (the inevitable reaction to vinyl moving into vogue), which clocks in at an ADHD approved 5:01.  While the format may be inconvenient, it’s pretty much a summary of everything that’s good about the lo-fi revival right now.

My guess is that direct support act MiniBoone will arrive late from Brooklyn, burst through the front door with their respective instruments hoisted above their heads, toss their equipment onto the stage, and make sweet, noisy love with everyone in the room.  At least, that’s pretty much what happens when I play their music in my apartment.   In support of their new EP, On MiniBoone Mountain, MiniBoone bring smart-ass, wordy songs to life with frantic guitar noodling and jagged rhythms.  For a bold, full-flavored take on alternative rock music, look no further.

 Pretty & Nice, pushers of crispy pop-rock nuggets, will be headlining the evening of tomfoolery.  Every bit as poppy as they are inventive, Pretty & Nice bring focused songwriting with smirking bass lines and funky keyboard workouts. They’re preparing to release their follow up to their 2008 Sub Pop/Hardly Art debut, Get Young, a messy (usually in a good way) blast of challenging pop-rock.  Hopefully they’ll offer up a few thick slices off of their forthcoming 2012 full length effort!

Great Scott, Allston, MA ,$9, 21+, RSVP on Facebook

Phantogram is an electronic, rock band that uses as many beeps and boops as they do crinkly, fuzzed out bass lines. What sets them apart is their ability to change up their style and technique so flawlessly. The simple, steady crescendo of “Running from the Cops” is almost the antithesis of their boisterous single “When I’m Small.” Equal parts sexy and soothing, Phantogram could easily accompany you on a night on the town or snuggled in a blanket sipping a cup of tea.

So whether you rock out or veg out to the sounds of Phantogram, you won’t want to miss them when they hit Boston.

Purchase tickets for their Royale show here.

1. Bells – Anathallo

2. Classy Penguin – The Books

3. Winter Birds – Ray LaMontagne

4. Each Coming Night – Iron & Wine

5. River – Joni Mitchell

6. The Fairest of the Seasons – Nico

7. To Be Alone With You – Sufjan Stevens

8. The Sounds of Silence – Simon & Garfunkel

9. Heartbeats – Jose Gonzalez (Cover of The Knife)

10. Talk Show Host – Radiohead

11. 1979 – Smashing Pumpkins

12. Winter Song – Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson