The Rhapsody Radish had a link to an artist I'd never heard of before — Justin Rosolino.
I've been listening to his album Wonderlust since I read about it. The description at the Radish is pretty much spot-on. Also, check out lyrics like these (complete album lyrics available online), from a song titled "Oprah" (audio sample available here):
VERSE I
Me and Oprah Winfrey met for coffee with St. Augustine in Amsterdam last Thursday afternoon
She made conversation with such perfect calculation while quietly I scribbled down this tune
PreChorus:
She tried her best to have the best intentions,
In as much as intentions can be
she asked us, “why do bad things have to happen
to good people like Stedman and me?”
CHORUS:
It’s the same conversation we’ve had so long
But I’m still waiting, and I’m still waiting
the radio stations play the same old song
But I’m still waiting I’m still waiting
Verse II
we began to psychoanalyze our opinions as they came to mind,
and she said she’d like to hear our point of view
She said “I just do what my heart tells me to, cause if it feels right, then it must be true. But wicked things are what wicked people do.”
PreChorus II
Now Augustine grew visibly uncomfortable
So she asked him if he disagreed
He said that no one ever thinks that they’re the wicked ones,
so just how honest do you think we can be?
CHORUS
BRIDGE:
I can tell myself it’s alright, it’s OK
And imagine some self-centered secrets away,
“It’s a cruel, cruel world”, I hear everyone say
But ain’t you and I who made it that way?
CHORUS
(Words and music by Justin Rosolino)
And if that isn't enough, the last track (an instrumental simply titled "29") is incredible. Check this guy out, even if it is just listening to the samples on the artist's web page.
I'll get back to bibliobloggin' at some point soon, but when I run across stuff like this I just have to mention it.
Update: Searching around for more info brought me to Paste Music's site, where two full tracks are available for download. I'd recommend "Legacy" above "Again", personally.