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When Brainwaves originally aired this episode, it was all about going from darkness to light to mark the Jewish holiday of Hanukah, which is being celebrated for eight days over the course of this week. However, these days, we need a little light to shine from the darkness, regardless of the holiday. The episode has two parts – the first hour is all “dark” songs. The second hour marks the transition to “light” music. On the dark side: Sonw Patrol, Yo La Tenga, Pink Floyd, Elvis Costello, Teenage Fanclub and Lana Del Rey. On the light side: The Passion Pit, the Smiths, Bob Mould, Spoon and Of Monsters and Men. And that’s just a taste. Tune in for the full meal. We guarantee it will be enlightening!

The “eyes” have it this week on Brainwaves, with f0ur songs about opening or closing your eyes. Music from Bill Nelson, Snow Patrol, Keane and the Lords of the New Church. Plus a double play from Brian Wilson’s great “Smile” album, the Talking Heads take us to heaven, the Stone Roses bang the drums and the Motors have already forgotten about you. (All song title hints – let’s play a game!) It’s all coming up this week on Brainwaves.

When Brian creates a new episode of Brainwaves, he hopes his wife, Jody, will enjoy it too. But she doesn’t like the harder rocking tunes, so this week’s Brainwaves is all melodic, sweet songs that pass the “Jody test.” Music from Teenage Fanclub, The Church, Cheap Star, Josh Pyke, Nick Heyward, the Go-Betweens, Edie Carey, No-Man and much more. Join Jody this week for some Brainwaves appreciation.

It’s Thanksgiving week in the U.S. So, Brainwaves is giving thanks – through music. The entire show is filled with songs expressing thanks, gratitude and satisfaction. Plus we eat some Thanksgiving pie. Thankful music from Dido, the Calling, Alanis Morissette, the Kinks, Sly and the Family Stone, Talking Heads, Blake Babies, the Eels, the Cranberries, Andrew Gold, John Denver, the Scaffold and much more. Plus pie songs from Paul and George. When the world seems like it’s going crazy, sometimes you have to acknowledge the good you have right in front of you. (Especially if you can eat it.)

Big changes in the Brainwaves household. Brian’s oldest son is starting a new job. His daughter is having a baby. His youngest son moved to New York to pursue his dream of becoming a jazz saxophonist. This week’s Brainwaves is, therefore, dedicated to changes. With music from David Bowie, the Stills, Sugar, Old Man River, the New Pornographers, the Gin Blossoms, Natalie Merchant, Ben Folds, Daft Punk, the Stranglers, Keane, the Killers and Vance Joy. Don’t change the station – enjoy the changes from your friends at Brainwaves.

Brainwaves likes to go back to the 1970s for our weekly flashback at the top of the second hour of the show. This week, it’s 70s tunes all the time, for the entire show – but not just any songs, but the playlist from the Brainwaves episode a few weeks ago where I played 70s songs as covers. This week, it’s the original versions. You’ll hear Big Star, Rod Stewart, ELO, Neil Young, Carole King, Pink Floyd, Chicago, the Moody Blues and much more. Tune in and take the Brainwaves Time Machine back to the 1970s.

It was Halloween this week and I really wanted to play some scary songs. But the world is scary enough as it is. So just one: The Voice of the Beehive’s “Scary Kisses.” But don’t worry there’s lots of great music on the show: Postal Service, Sparks, Wranglers, Timbuk 3, Lovedrug, Talking Heads, Neil Halstead, Morrissey and much more. Don’t be scared, tune in to Brainwaves.

My daughter got married seven years ago this week. So, if wedding bells are in your ears like they are mine, let’s do some wedding songs on this week’s Brainwaves. Music from K’s Choice, Old Man River, the Wedding Project, Kurt Vile, and Our Daughter’s Wedding. There’s more, too: Tom Robinson, the Kopters, the Posies, Original Mirrors, the Radio Dept., Jay Walk Snail, Gomez, Phoenix and much more. Mazel tov!

After last week’s Brainwaves episode on “war,” we need some light. This weeks’ Brainwaves has sunshine songs from Echo and the Bunnymen, Donovan, Jonathan Edwards and Harper Simon. And a few more peace songs, too, from Juliana Hatfield, the Bats and Albert Hammond. It’s all coming up on this week’s show. Tune in!

War has returned to the Middle East. So, this week’s Brainwaves has songs about war…and the hope for peace. From Edwin Starr’s eponymous “War” to Matthew Sweet and the Lords of the New Church both singing about “Holy War” to Nada Surf (“Let the Fight do the Fighting”) to Carl Douglas (“Kung Fu Fighting”) to the positive: “Peace and Love” from Fountains of Wayne and Jeff Lynne (“Give Me Love,” a cover of the song made famous by George Harrison), we’ve got the songs you wish we didn’t have to group together, but hope you’ll enjoy as much as possible in these stressful days.

Brainwaves always dips back into the pop 70s for a couple of songs at the top of the second hour of the show. This week, the entire episode will take us back to the 70s – but in covers. Music you loved by bands you may not have heard of (and some you have). Cheap Trick covering Big Star, Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs covering Rod Stewart, AM and Shawn Lee covering the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Def Leppard covering ELO, Kevin Gilbert covering Led Zeppelin, Jesse Malin covering Jim Croce, Pacifika covering Chicago, and more surprises. Tune in and let’s go back in time…by way of the future.