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Songs for Mom: Hip New Music She'll Love

Posted by Pat Pemberton
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You may fondly remember your mother singing pop songs to you as a child, but she probably stopped paying attention to new music long before MTV became Reality TV. So for this Mother's Day, why not help Mom get current? But don't go all Bieber on her. Give her the gift of new music that still channels her old music. Here are a few suggestions:

For Moms Who Like Dusty Springfield

Try Adele's Album '21'

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The latest female Brit to embrace old-school soul, Adele follows acts like Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone and Duffy. But this 21-year-old can belt it out better than any of them.

Song that will sell her: 'Rolling in the Deep'
With a few tweaks it could be a gospel song. Or disco. But it's also kind of bluesy. Whatever it is, Adele's powerhouse vocals lead the charge -- without a hint of melisma.

For Moms Who Like Al Green

Try Cee-Lo Green's Album 'The Lady Killer'

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Green's Elton John-inspired peacock outfit at the Grammys demonstrated his affinity for '70s hits. And on his latest record, the Gnarls Barkley singer offers up a funky throwback record recalling bell-bottom Stax and Motown soul.

Song that will sell her: 'F--- You'
From its mood-setting piano-percussion opening to its falsetto "oooos" and Commodores-like supporting vocals, this profane pop songs belongs in a '70s time capsule.

For Moms Who Like U2

Try Kings of Leon's Album 'Come Around Sundown'

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These Southern rock stars have cited Thin Lizzy as a major influence and have opened for U2. Their latest album is a grandiose rocker with heavy vocals and lush instrumentation that conjures an eerie throwback mood.

Song that will sell her: 'Radioactive'
Led by a warm, steady bass line and jangly, reverb-drenched guitar, this wears its U2 influence with pride and the choir-like vocals near the end should convert non-believers.

For Moms Who Like Billie Holiday

Try Esperanza Spalding's Album 'Chamber Music Society'

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Following the success of Norah Jones, Diana Krall and Madeleine Peyroux, Spalding is the latest jazz-pop singer to earn mass appeal, as evidenced by her recent Bieber-beating Grammy for Best New Artist. This multi-instrumentalist, who was hired to teach at Berklee College of Music the same year she graduated from it -- at age 20 -- memorably sang Stevie Wonder's 'Overjoyed' at the White House.

Song that will sell her: 'Really Very Small'
Launched by soft, harmonizing vocals, the tempo picks up to become a menacing lounge number that could soundtrack a film noir.

For Moms Who Like the Smiths

Try Memphis's Album 'Here Comes a City'

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Recent single 'Apocalypse Pop Song' boasts a glass-half-empty title Morrissey fans can appreciate. The songs may be boppy-sounding but much like Stars, singer Torquil Campbell's main band, the lyrics aren't so buoyant.

Song that will sell her: 'I Am the Photographer'
This trippy Sundays-sounding song reflects the dual emotions Campbell felt as he experienced joy and grief -- joy over the pending birth of his first child and grief over the death of his father.

For Moms Who Like Shangri-Las

Try Lykke Li's Album 'Wounded Rhymes'

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In her attempt to create a hypnotic, hippie-inspired album, the Swedish indie pop star went to Los Angeles so she could channel the Doors, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young. The music doesn't really sound like any of those, but there are clear nods to girl groups of the '60s and Phil Spector's Wall of Sound production.

Song that will sell her: 'Unrequited Love'
Heavy on harmony vocals and thin on instruments, it's a Carole King-esque song with lots of shoo-op shoo-ah vocals that recall the Shangri-Las.

For Moms Who Like R.E.M.

Try the Decemberists's Album 'The King is Dead'

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If you're going to have an album influenced by R.E.M., it helps to have a member of R.E.M. lending a hand. Guitarist Peter Buck provides R.E.M.-like guitar riffs to this indie folk-rock band from Portland. 'Down by the Water' opens with a Bruce Springsteen-sounding harmonica and 'Calamity' features Uncle Tupelo-style vocals.

Song that will sell her: 'All Arise'
A barn burner that begins with an Appalachian-style fiddle, this is a little bit alt-country and a little bit rock'n'roll.

For Moms Who Like George Harrison

Try Fistful of Mercy's Album 'As I Call You Down'

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Ben Harper already had old-school rock, folk and soul cred before he met son-of-a-Beatle Dhani Harrison at a Santa Monica skate park. With Joseph Arthur, the trio called in legendary session drummer Jim Keltner and created this throwback record.

Song that will sell her: 'In Vain or True'
Even with multiple voices, you can hear what sounds eerily like George Harrison's vocals singing backup on this Beatle-esque number.

For Moms Who Like the Chiffons

Try Tennis's Album 'Cape Dory'

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Tennis -- married couple Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley -- sold all their possessions and bought a sailboat before heading out to sea for eight months. This album, which begs for ukulele covers, shares their marine adventures with '60s girl group harmonies.

Song that will sell her: 'Marathon'
If the Shirelles covered Jimmy Buffet, it might sound like this.

For Moms Who Like the Violent Femmes

Try Avett Brothers's Album 'Live, Volume 3'

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Not too many bands combine punk and banjo, but North Carolina brothers Scott and Seth pull it off. You'll also hear bluegrass, country and rock in their genre-mixing music.

Song that will sell her: 'I Killed Sally's Lover'
Imagine if John Denver hung out with the Clash and decided to write a follow-up to the Jimi Hendrix tune 'Hey Joe.'

For Moms Who Like Velvet Underground

Try the Strokes's Album 'Angels'

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Five years since their last album, frontman Julian Casablancas told Rolling Stone their latest is a mixture of 70s rock and music from the future. The magazine agreed, comparing the new album to 'Loaded,' by the Velvet Underground. Others see a little Cars in there, and we see a definite nod to Thin Lizzy on 'Gratisfaction'

Song that will sell her: 'Under Cover of Darkness.'
A bouncy tune with happy guitars, it's sure to perk up a mom party.

For Moms Who Like Simon & Garfunkel

Try Iron & Wine's Album 'Kiss Each Other Clean'

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Samuel Beam's gig as a film professor was interrupted by his emergence as a critically praised singer of hushed folk ballads. Beam told Spin this album was influenced by songs people heard in their parents' car in the early- to mid-70s. Along those lines, 'Big Burned Hand' and 'Monkeys Uptown' feature a funky Stevie Wonder-like synthesizer.

Song that will sell her: 'Tree by the River'
This love song with gentle vocals conjures sun-drenched images of bygone summer days.

For Moms Who Like the Kinks

Try Noah and the Whale's Album 'Last Night on Earth'

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These Londoners, who started out on the wedding and bar mitzvah circuit, are avowed fans of punk and folk, citing 'Girlfriend in a Coma' by the Smiths as a favorite.

Song that will sell her: 'Tonight's the Kind of Night'
Led by Charlie Fink's vocals, which recall Kinks frontman Ray Davies, this folky song features '80s-pop synth and explosive, gospel-like backing vocals.

For Moms Who Like Lou Reed

Try Kurt Vile Album 'Smoke Ring for My Halo'

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A big fan of classic rock, Vile has admittedly been influenced by acts like Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac and Bob Seger and says his favorite song is Gerry Rafferty's 'Right Down the Line.' Most critics compare him to at least one or two of those, plus Tom Petty.

Song that will sell her: 'Puppet to the Man'
Featuring boomy drums and Lou Reed-like phrasing, this sounds like it came from your mom's vinyl collection.

For Moms Who Like Steve Earle

Try Drive by Truckers's Album 'Go Go Boots'

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These Southern rockers from Alabama have the obligatory fascination with Lynyrd Skynrd, but they're not afraid to note both the good and bad aspects of Southern living. Their latest longplayer adds a '60s soul touch to their normal country-rock style.

Song that will sell her: 'Cartoon Gold'
More country than rock, this slide guitar and banjo track would have worked well on the 'Urban Cowboy' soundtrack.

For Moms Who Like Tom Waits

Try Sean Rowe's Album 'Magic'

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Rowe has cited the Beach Boys and REO Speedwagon as two early influences, but his heavy baritone and simple arrangements are a far cry from 'Surfing U.S.A.' This album has drawn comparisons to Leonard Cohen, Waits and Van Morrison's 'Astral Weeks.'

Song that will sell her: 'Surprise'
Have mom listen to this low-key acoustic number while lying in bed with candles, pondering the absurdities of life.

For Moms Who Like Crosby, Stills & Nash

Try Fleet Foxes's Album 'Helplessness Blues'

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Any time a band is compared to Crosby, Stills & Nash or the Byrds, you can expect lots of harmonies. As high-schoolers, Seattle bandmates Robin Pecknold and Skyler Skjelset bonded over Bob Dylan and Neil Young, which influenced their songwriting when they began jamming together.

Song that will sell her: 'Helplessness Blues'
With its acoustic guitars and tight harmonies, Spin rightly suggested it would fit perfectly on the soundtrack for 'The Graduate.'

For Moms Who Like T-Rex

Try Airborne Toxic Event's Album 'All at Once'

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Not afraid to play with symphonies and chamber groups, this L.A. indie rock band was recently cited as a new favorite by U2 bassist Adam Clayton. Their music gives nods to '80s New Wave and alt-rock, but they also cover Springsteen.

Song that will sell her: 'Changing'
Lead singer Mikel Jollett said he felt like it was 1962 when he wrote this song. But it it could easily draw comparisons to '70s Clash singles.

For Mom's Who Like Fairport Convention

Try Arbouretum's Album 'The Gathering'

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The album, inspired by psychiatrist Carl Jung's 1930 book 'The Red Book,' features loud, distortion-fuzzed guitars, boomy drums and a psychedelic British folk rock approach.

Song that will sell her: 'When Delivery Comes'
A trippy, Doors-like intro marches toward slow, deliberate guitar leads in a tune former Fairport member Richard Thompson would surely appreciate.

For Moms Who Like Madonna

Try Lady Gaga's Album 'Born This Way'

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The outrageous fashion, the open sexuality, the outspoken interviews and the dance-friendly pop music makes Gaga the closest thing we've had to Madonna since, well, Madonna.

Song that will sell her: 'Born This Way'
Sounding not a little like 'Express Yourself,' this robust club song with its pulsating beat and bombastic vocals is sure to be a hit at Pride events for years to come.

Songs About Moms

Filed under: Exclusive, The Hit List
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