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Brainwaves goes multicultural with music in Arabic, Hebrew and Yiddish to start the show. Songs from Rechela with Haim Laroz, A-Wa and Trance. Feeling lucky? Check out this week’s “lucky” set with music from Lana Del Rey, the National, Carte Blanche and Mat Nathanson. The Boy and the Bear have a song about a Three Headed Woman who, if Frank Black is to be trusted, took all your money. It’s Brainwaves and it’s happening this week.

School usually starts in September, although in some parts of the world, university doesn’t kick in until October and sometimes as late as November. So that makes this week’s special “back to school” episode still timely. Songs about school, gym, teachers, apples, education, college and learning, starting with Dave Edmunds and ending with Alice Cooper. With music from Jesse Malin, Supertramp, the Ramones, Fountains of Wayne, Annemarie, Aqua, George Harrison and much more. Plus a Middle Eastern cover of “Smoking in the Boys Room.”

My heart is fragile like stained glass. Or at least that’s what some of the tunes on this week’s Brainwaves are about. “Heart” songs from Jewel, Mediocre Bad Guys, the Arkells, New Pornographers, Cheap Star, the Postal Service and Polyrock. Plus the B-Minors take us to Prom Night, Lucius covers the Grateful Dead and the band Plants and Animals wish us bye, bye, bye.

This week, many of us around the world will be marking Halloween. Brainwaves too. It’s our first annual Halloween show – skeletons, pumpkins, ghosts and the goal of it all – candy! Music from Mogwai, Bloc Party, Emily Haines, XTC, Mojave 3, Bow Wow Wow, and Bobby Boris Pickett (of course) with his Monster Mash. Plus a treat (not a trick) from Jack Skellington. Don’t be scared – it’s Brainwaves!

We’re coming up on the 11th anniversary of the death of Lou Reed. So, this week’s Brainwaves starts off with the perfect tribute: perfect songs, starting with Lou’s own “Perfect Day” and a dozen more from Hoku, the Constellations, Smashing Pumpkins, The The, New Order,  Junkie XI (with Robert Smith), the Gin Blossom, Keane and more. It doesn’t get more perfect than that. Tune in this week to Brainwaves.

On the eighth anniversary of Brian’s daughter’s wedding, here’s a show about…marriage. Specifically, Brian’s daughter Merav. Wedding tunes from Old Man River, K’s Choice, Matt Nathanson, Kurt Vile and the Wedding Project. Plus some non-wedding songs from the Motors, Tom Robinson Band, the Kopters, the Posies, the Radio Dept., Jay Walk Snail, Gallery, Gomez, the Stranglers and so much more. Get your black tie on, we’re going dancing.

I try not to get political on Brainwaves, but looking at the world these days, I was inspired to create a show exploring “left” and “right.” The first half of the show is all songs with “left” in the title. The second half has all the “right” songs. Music from Suzanne Vega, the Arkells, Nick Drake, Imagine Dragons, Alt-J, Matt & Kim, Supergrass, the Bats, Depeche Mode and much more. It’s not politics, just great music.

As the Jewish New Year approaches again this week, we’re bringing out the New Year’s songs. This week’s Brainwaves features New Year music from Camera Obscura, Azure Ray and Idan Rachel. Also on the show: A double play from Blackfield, three songs about falling from the Fray, Auto Escape and Human Sexual Response, and five songs about driving from Pearl Harbor and the Explosions, Madness, R.E.M., Arco, Neil Halstead and Steven Wilson.

It’s may not be Tuesday when you’re listening but Tuesday is the day for two-fers on Brainwaves. Two songs by every band we play this week. Music from R.E.M., the Decemberists, Guster, Bloc Party, Andrew Belle, Mashina, Chicago, Genesis, the Smiths, Snow Patrol and more. It’s always more fun with two!

Brainwaves host Brian is just getting over his latest bout with Covid-19. No worries – he’s fine. More than fine – the virus provided inspiration for this week’s episode – the “sick” show. Songs about illness, fever, coughing, popping pills and general sleepiness. Music from Seagull Strange, Sparklehorse, Lindsey Buckingham, Romeo Void, the Stills, Kurt Vile, 10cc, Tilly and the Wall, Gomez, Calexico and much more. When life gives you lemons, Brainwaves makes lemonade!

It’s Brainwaves host Brian’s birthday this week. He’s not saying how old he is, but you might figure it out by some of the music played on this week’s show. Featured birthday music from The Beatles, Altered Images, Kings of Leon, Ex Cops and String Theory. Peter Gabriel covers David Bowie, Snow Patrol sings about an olive growing from the sea and the Marmalade is reflecting on their life. Wish Brian a happy birthday – by tuning in!