July 2011 Music Playlist

1. Black Trees- Hooray For Earth
I love falsetto's and have always found it mightily impressive to see a man pull them off. I introduce you to Hooray For Earth. This particular gem is the last track on their new album True Loves. It takes forever to build but when it does it breaks into heavenly tribal chants and prepares you for some sort of angelic apocalypse.

2. 1+1- Beyonce
The only relevant member from Destiny's Child continues to leave us all baffled by her range and her ability to create new, and different music, which will certainly provide her with a lasting legacy. And she's not even 30 yet. This song kills me. And sleep easy knowing that all the "You's" in this song are SCREAMED by yours truly.

3. Amor Fati- Washed Out
I challenge you to listen to this song when life has upset you. The beachy, hazy, sun-tinted vibes will warm your soul again. Promise. *note if you want to be even happier listen to the rest of this record.

4. Summertime Clothes- Animal Collective
They are on my short list of bands to see live before my life is over. This is one of my favorites from their 2008 masterpiece Merriweather Post Pavillion. This song screams summer -- in a very strange, psychedelic way. But it certainly does, and if you cant understand the cryptically delivered lyrics just read how beautiful this song is and how expertly it reminds us of hot summers and young romances.


It doesn't really matter, I'll go where you feel
Hunt for the breeze, get a midnight meal
I point in the windows, you point out the parks
Rip off your sleeves and I'll ditch my socks
We'll dance to the songs from the cars as they pass
Weave through the cardboard, smell that trash
Walking around in our summertime clothes,
Nowhere to go while our bodies glow
And we'll greet the dawn in its morning blues
With purple yawn, you'll be sleeping soon
And I want to walk around with you

5. Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall- Coldplay
This single came out of nowhere and placed grins on all of their fans faces. Sounds a little bit more electronic than were used to but it's cheery. Rumor has it their new album drops in October.

6. Swerve..the reeping of all that is worthwhile (noir not withstanding)- Shabazz Palaces
An obnoxiously lengthy song title is no bueno. This guy needs to be heard though. Signed to the Sub Pop label this dude makes truly original sounding electronic/hip-hop. It's dark. It's got grungy spacey beats. And you'll find your head bobbin.

7. Saskatoon- Data Romance
I discovered this sweet little song from this sort of epic nature/bike video. You must witness... (Thanks Natalie)



8. Black Sheep- Metric
She always sings with such ferocity and this was the standout song from a seriously funny movie, the lightning fast paced, nerd dedicated, video game tribute, Scott Pilgrim VS The World.

9. Go Outside- Cults
This song is self explanatory. Do it. Also, jump and dance around for awhile. It might happen without your consent anyway.

10. Ep- Junior Boys
I was stalking this girl's blog ages ago and discovered this band. Thank goodness for healthy stalking. Willi, don't freak out. This is a track from their new album which was released in June. It's an interesting change for them. It's an eclectic mix of R&B, electronic, and alternative.

11. To Build a Home- The Cinematic Orchestra
This song makes me choke up. I think it's one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. I should have shared it with all of you ages ago. If it sounds familiar it's because it was probably on the soundtrack to a super-soapy, drama-soaked ABC hospital show. Which is not where I found it. ha. That does not sound believable.

12. So Long- Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward
I could listen to these two play forever. Zooey and her partner in crime M. Ward provide a few tracks on the new Winnie The Pooh film -- which looks darling by the way.  I've been longing for more hand drawn animation.

13. Today Is Our Life- Memory Tapes
Yaaaaaa I think I'm neck deep in this chillwave scene. This guy is one of my favorites and he just released a poppy, addictive little album.

14. Fly- Ludovico Eianaudi
For all those who love the piano as much as I do, do yourself a favor and dig deep into this genius' catalog. This song is profound in the simplest way. It hardly says anything but says everything. That makes sense I promise. Just think about it. Not to hard though.

15. Sails- Hooray For Earth
Their band name speaks volumes about the feeling one gets when treating his/her ears to their music. To me they sound like 80's power pop infused with arena-indie rock of the 90's.

June 2011 Music Playlist

 

1. Live Those Days Tonight- Friendly Fires

I've only recently discovered FF, and truth be told their album cover caught my eye somewhere.

Their new album Pala is a infectious, glitzy, dance party album. Too much fun not too listen.

2. Starry Eyed- Ellie Goulding

There's something adorable about this english singer/songwriter. A google image search of her will pull up self portraits taken in front of a mirror. She has relatability. This little jam is an airy dream.

3. Marry The Night- Lady Gaga

 I refuse to take her serious after her disastrous cover art for Born This Way, and the verdict is still being decided for me on whether or not she's topped Fame Monster. It looks bleak, but this is one of the album's bright spots.

4. Ice Cream- Battles

An applicably titled summer song, from an experimental rock band who's so brazenly bizarre, they're charming. Their new album --like this song, has pop wings. It could just take off.

5. Beautiful People- Chris Brown

Alas my music snobbery is snuffed out again. My great friend Katie threw this on during our road-trip to CA last month and I had my reservations about listening to Chris Brown, but I'm glad those were flattened. This song was downloaded and then played at least 50 times a few days after that trip. It's still as addicting as the first time I heard it -- "Everywhere, everywhere..." You'll probably see this in a Liberated recap film soon. :)

 

6. Anti-D- The Wombats

This convinced me to buy the album. I can't help appreciating 1-take music videos.

7. Ghost Train- Summer Camp

Apparently the result of a collision at a summer camp, this boy/girl duo have the most anticipated EP coming out this summer. The entire EP sounds like it could have fit right into the "Pretty In Pink" soundtrack. Deelish, upbeat synth-pop will fit perfectly into my summer plans.

8. Beth/Rest- Bon Iver

Justin Vernon & Co release their first album in over 3 years next week and this is the closer. It sounds NOTHING like the the 9 songs that come before it, sounding like a 80's ballad from the likes of a Phil Collins. There's something terribly tragic about it, but it's beautiful and so different from the rest of their body of work.

9. You Are A Tourist- Death Cab For Cutie

Indie superstars release another new album, which is sure to stray even further from the sound and style that the die-hards grew to love. But this song works.

10. Float On- Blackbird Blackbird

Chillwave has a love affair with Modest Mouse. This is their lovechild.

11. If You Wanna- The Vaccines

Discovered this band a week ago. I yell the hook to this song at cars next to me at stoplights. Most fun I've had in years.

12. Surface- Teen Daze

Anyone who follows my blog knows that I am obsessed with this bedroom producer. He creates music that sounds like it was made in a entirely different universe. He signed to a stuffy label --kinda scared about that, and will unleash his new EP at the end of the summer. Just in time to make us lusting for more sundrenched afternoons and poolside parties.

13. Running Up That Hill (Cover)- Placebo

I love discovering music through commercials. Ten years ago I would have been throwing my head against a wall trying to uncover the song info.

14. Virgin- Manchester Orchestra

Their most mature sounding album to date. This track has a child choir. EPIC.

15. We've Been Had- The Walkmen

Lead Vocalist Hamilton Leithauser's pipes are strangely impressive. Sing-songy, with a punch of bravado, this guy is fun to sing along with. Ask my sister Kaylee. I screamed this song last time it came on while she was fortunate to be riding shotty. Check out the cute commercial it was featured in while you're at it.

16. I'll Play For You- Seals & Crofts

Claire Francis put me on to these guys. Definitely a throwback but you can see how they're the inspiration for a lot bands. And yes, I'm a hopeless romantic, I had to throw in this one.

17. I'm On It- J. Cole

I love Derrick Rose. I love Powerade. And now I love this rapper. A plethora of songs spotted in ad spots this month. I hope this doesn't feel cheap. I'm not Daniel Dawson, I'm not getting kickbacks for all this free pub.

18. My Country- tUnE-yArDs

This girl is weird. Beyond weird. But I adore weird. Warning: this is not for everyone. So I'll go ahead and admit my weirdness too.

19. Night Air- Jamie Woon
This dude is the next big thing. He's killing Britain right now. Were next. This is the single that's doing the damage.

May 2011 Playlist

I'll just leave this right here...

I'll come back to this, but I wanted to get it up before I leave for CA tomorrow. Enjoy!

-April 2011 Playlist-

April's Playlist includes a beautiful R&B spin on the Coldplay classic "Strawberry Swing" by newcomer Frank Ocean, a collection of upbeat, punchy indie pop jams from outfits like Bear Hands, Helena Beat, The Naked & Famous, a new single from The Strokes --whose new album is catchy as heck--, and even a track from the creator of modern day celebrity meltdowns, Britney Spears --her new dance/tryingtobemadonna record, much to my chagrin, is infectious as all get out--. After all that March Madness it's time to give your eyes a break and feed your ears a delectable dessert, so hit the volume up button a few times on that keyboard --make sure the volume lands on a number that is pleasing to you, odd numbers scare some people-- and be prepared to be swooned by the power of music.

What are you guys listening to lately?

-March 2011 Playlist-

"He who sings scares away his woes" - Cervantes


I truly appreciate that quote. I appreciate it because music in some form, has been a companion to me in my dreariest of moments. Music makes life's rough terrain much more tolerable. The banality of the work/eat/sleep routine becomes fun with a soundtrack. Anyone who knows me, knows that I treat my music collection as if it were my own child. My iTunes library is being nurtured all the time. With that said...


My latest music idea consists of creating a playlist once a month, with a selection of songs that have currently been spilling out of my speakers, and posting it on my sidebar. I hope that as I attempt to be officious in this department that you will as well, and will share with me some of the music that you're gravitating towards lately. I also will be planning a few contests with prizes including the albums from every month's playlist to give back to all of you for following me. I am infinitely grateful for everyones support and kindness as I've embarked on this job of a lifetime. I love being a photographer every day. And I'm loving March like a motha right now. Enjoy the tunes!


What else are people using to create playlists or listen to music online?

Micah & Retosha -The Engagement Collection-

One standard feature of love: the endless gazing that follows when the other speaks. She, as in Retosha, the fair skinned, bright eyed beauty, was hanging on every word her other half was telling, as the three of us traveled to a small town up north.

Micah is a conversationalist. He has an energy, and an excitement in his voice, as if every subject is his favorite. He's fascinated by cars, and has owned numerous german made sports cars, you know the ones that have pretty leather, and are commercialized in places like the salt flats. He's also a fiend of music. He collects and teaches it. His graceful counterpart dabbles in the medical and dental field, and has a winning smile. Yep, she's a keeper. As we braced the cold together, discussed family, and shared greasy jack-in-the-box, it was easy to conclude that these two lovesick, addicted-to-happy individuals were supposed to share their lives together. And it made me slightly envious. This is Micah & Retosha.

The Songs That Belong To September.

"Without music, life would be a mistake."

-Friedrich Nietzsche

I thought I'd share with you a few of my current favorites.

In the next day or so I'll re-edit this post with a comment on each track why/how this track inspires me.

Even the smallest germs of ideas that I receive are initiated and carried out by the music i listen to.