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We always try to pick the hottest day/week/month of the year to air the Brainwaves annual summer special. Well, it’s supposed to be in the high 90s Fahrenheit (mid 30s Celsius) all this week outside the Brainwaves studios. So, it’s time for that show! Summer songs from Sounds Under Radio, Blitzen Trapper, Alice Cooper, Bowling for Soup, Pink Floyd, Mungo Jerry, Seals & Croft, and not one but two summer songs from Fountains of Wayne. Stay cool, listen to Brainwaves.

Brainwaves presents “mistake” songs on this week’s show. Split Enz: My Mistake; Smashing Pumpkins: My Mistake; Aviv Gefen: A Million Mistakes. But you can’t make a mistake by listening to Brainwaves. Also on the show: Nick Cave, Sean Lennon, Simple Minds, A Flock of Seagulls, Heaven 17, Vampire Weekend, Billy Idol and much more. Don’t change that dial – now, that really would be a mistake!

Steven Wilson has been described as “the most talented musician most people have never heard of.” But the prolific Wilson has headed up multiple bands – the Porcupine Tree, No-Man, Blackfield, Storm Corrosion – plus he’s released seven stellar solo albums. So this week, it’s all Steven Wilson on Brainwaves. Music from all his bands and collaborations, including with Israeli pop star Ninet Tayeb. The songs on this week’s show are on Wilson’s mellower end, with a side of metal thrown in here and there. Brainwaves is obsessed. Soon you will be, too!

Brainwaves presents a trivia game: Who are the artists Assaf, Lisa, Wim & Jeff leading off this week’s show? Tune in to find out. (Hint: it’s a “puzzle” to “strive” for “pleasure” but when you get there you’ll be singing Hallelujah!) Plus music from Gang of Four, Roxy Music, Tripping Daisy, America, Neon Trees and Daft Punk. It’s all on this week’s show.

Brian has been working on an article about new propulsion systems for satellites. Brainwaves would be remiss by not playing this special “satellite” episode. With space-y music from the Bats, David Williams, Counting Crows, Doves and David Bowie. Also on the show, a set to remind us of our children – or in Brian’s case grandchildren (one down, one on the way) – with songs from the Cure, Blackfield, Ben Folds, Mates of State, ELO and 10cc. Don’t go to sleep – it’s Brainwaves!

Four songs about Emily on this week’s Brainwaves. See Emily Play – starting with a cover of the Pink Floyd song by Martha Wainright. Then Emily music from Fool’s Garden, the Manic Street Preachers and Keane. There’s also a cool Pink Floyd instrumental, a Juliana Hatfield double play, and a song often dubbed the worst pop song ever (but one that we over at Brainwaves still like) – can you guess? Tune in and find out!

Three Beatles covers for you this week on Brainwaves – from the Polyphonic Spree, Walk off the Earth and the Bellyachers. Plus two from John and Yoko’s son Sean. Also on the show: Music from the Olms, Matt Pond PA, Keane, Ten Story Relapse, the Replacements, Modest Mouse and much more.

This week in Israel is the holiday of L’ag B’Omer, which is marked with bonfires, music and dancing. So, on the latest Brainwaves, we’ve got at least one “fire” song on the show. (It’s ELO’s “Fire on High,” in case you were wondering.) Plus three “toy” songs, a couple of “dog” songs (plus Dr. Dog and Three Dog Night), and the Archies, Barenaked Ladies and Magazine all get “upside down.” Get fired up and tune in this week!

Brainwaves this week spotlights the Israeli indie band “I’ve Got the Hotties” – that’s their translation, kinda strange but the song we’re playing, “All the Reasons” is amazing. Plus six “moon” songs from Beck, Regina Spektor, Blind Pilot, Lush, Shlomo Artzi and Moon Unit Zappa. Also on the show: Radiohead and Norman Greenbaum give us the spirit, while Edward Sharpe goes janglin’ with his Magnetic Fields.