No, i'm not talking about my favorite holiday and xmas music (post to appear soon), but i am talking about a surprising trend i've seen lately - the music that is beginning to appear is less chaotic and forboding and frankly more joyful. maybe its what i like to listen to, but some of those who are known for their brooding droning songs suddenly put out some sounds that have glints of happiness. like they all listend to the polyphonic spree.
take for example, the latest release from iceland's sigur ros - a great band who provided much of the mournful tunes as background on npr or in your own darkest hours, released something absolutely full of bliss. it's upbeat, cheerful, catchy, and guaranteed to put a smile on your face. one disclaimer - it's all in icelandic (or whatever they speak) and they could be joyfully singing about the end of days, but it still sounds fun. download "inni mer syngur vitleysingur" which does translate to "within me a lunatic sings." Maybe the lunatic is more fun than his normal presence.
or what about Paul McCartney as The Fireman having a great time with "Sing The Changes" from his latest release; or Coldplay's "Life In Technicolor" or "Lovers In Japan" from Vida La Vida (but avoid the comical duet with Jay-Z on the remix of Lost); or even the master of moping around Robert Smith and The Cure's "The Only One" from 4:13 dream? You can't even put that song in the same play list as the old cure.
want more evidence - try periennally heartbroken Lucinda Williams' Little Honey. The title track along with "Real Love" and a great barroom cover of AC/DC's "Long way to the top if you want to rock and roll" show evidence of this happy streak. Even on the other side of the pond, England's The Streets raps how "Everything is Borrowed" in a world where he is leaves with nothing but love. Unrecognizable optimism from a moody rapper.
complete your happy 2008 playlist with - The Black Kids "I'm not gonna teach your boyfriend to dance with you" and Michael Franti's "Say Hey, I Love You."
and you know what - most of this will be on my 10 best of 2008 because its so much fun. it's good to be happy in your headphones again. enjoy.
i'm not complaining - in fact, i'm enjoying it. it's
Showing posts with label Polyphonic Spree. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Polyphonic Spree. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Saturday, January 5, 2008
What my ipod liked in 2007
2007 came to a close, and like everyone else, I feel the obligatory need to share my top listens of the year. I decided the best way to determine what made the top of the list, was to let my ipod tell me - what songs were from 2007 and most played? Admitedly, the songs which were uploaded to the ipod earlier in the year got more play than more recent additions.
Here's who made the cut.
Most played song: Ruby by Kaiser Chiefs (from Yours Truly, Angry Mob). Ruby is a great song and it surprised me, and pleased me, that it made the top of the list. Kaiser Chiefs is the latest in a hot string of the newest wave out of England. Ruby has a sharp guitar riff with some some la-la's in the beginning followed by a deep crooning Morrissey-like voice that reminds me more of The Smiths than much of his own recent work, especially with lyrics like "Due to lack of interest, tomorrow is cancelled." Then that chorus of "Ruby ruby ruby ruby" kicks in and it's so much fun. Right behind Ruby, ironically, is Dashboard by Modest Mouse (from We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank) with Johnny Marr, formerly of The Smiths on guitar. Maybe I just miss The Smiths?
Rounding out the top plays for 2007:
Weapon Of Choice - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (Baby 81). Catchy, fun, and I played it all summer.
Radio Nowhere - Bruce Springsteen (Magic). Certainly not Bruce's best, but a great throwback to some '80s Jersey rock (did I mention that I am from exit 9?)
Running Away - Polyphonic Spree (The Fragile Army). See post below, I love it, my kids love it.
Keep The Car Running - Arcade Fire (Neon Bible). In the next post, I'll tell you why I think this is one of my two favorite albums of the year, and the best band I've heard in years. This song was top of my play list for so long and proved that The Arcade Fire still had the ability to awe and inspire with their sophomore release.
Stop Me - Mark Ronson featuring Daniel Merriweather (Version). With so much hype about Amy Winehouse, the overlooked hero was her album's producer (her Phil Spector if you will) English DJ and producer Mark Ronson. This cover (of a Smiths song no less) made my top 10 in downloads and has the same groove and the same horn section (Brooklyn's own The Dap Kings) that made Amy Winehouse a household name. If you liked the Winehouse, you'll love this.
Bodysnatchers - Radiohead (In Rainbows). Simply stunning. See the albums of the year post.
Young Folks - Peter Bjorn & John (Writer's Block)
(F)lannigan's Ball - Dropkick Murphys (The Meanest of Times)
Take Me to the Riot - Stars (In Our Bedroom After the War)
Please Read The Letter - Robert Plant & Alison Kraus (Raising Sand)
Atlantic City - Bruce Springsteen with The Seeger Sessions Band (Live In Dublin)
Toxic - Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra (Hits The Hits)
Next posts - my favorite albums from 2007 with some surprises, some overlooked gems, and some really great albums; my favorite tracks and albums for the whole family.
Here's who made the cut.
Most played song: Ruby by Kaiser Chiefs (from Yours Truly, Angry Mob). Ruby is a great song and it surprised me, and pleased me, that it made the top of the list. Kaiser Chiefs is the latest in a hot string of the newest wave out of England. Ruby has a sharp guitar riff with some some la-la's in the beginning followed by a deep crooning Morrissey-like voice that reminds me more of The Smiths than much of his own recent work, especially with lyrics like "Due to lack of interest, tomorrow is cancelled." Then that chorus of "Ruby ruby ruby ruby" kicks in and it's so much fun. Right behind Ruby, ironically, is Dashboard by Modest Mouse (from We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank) with Johnny Marr, formerly of The Smiths on guitar. Maybe I just miss The Smiths?
Rounding out the top plays for 2007:
Weapon Of Choice - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (Baby 81). Catchy, fun, and I played it all summer.
Radio Nowhere - Bruce Springsteen (Magic). Certainly not Bruce's best, but a great throwback to some '80s Jersey rock (did I mention that I am from exit 9?)
Running Away - Polyphonic Spree (The Fragile Army). See post below, I love it, my kids love it.
Keep The Car Running - Arcade Fire (Neon Bible). In the next post, I'll tell you why I think this is one of my two favorite albums of the year, and the best band I've heard in years. This song was top of my play list for so long and proved that The Arcade Fire still had the ability to awe and inspire with their sophomore release.
Stop Me - Mark Ronson featuring Daniel Merriweather (Version). With so much hype about Amy Winehouse, the overlooked hero was her album's producer (her Phil Spector if you will) English DJ and producer Mark Ronson. This cover (of a Smiths song no less) made my top 10 in downloads and has the same groove and the same horn section (Brooklyn's own The Dap Kings) that made Amy Winehouse a household name. If you liked the Winehouse, you'll love this.
Bodysnatchers - Radiohead (In Rainbows). Simply stunning. See the albums of the year post.
Young Folks - Peter Bjorn & John (Writer's Block)
(F)lannigan's Ball - Dropkick Murphys (The Meanest of Times)
Take Me to the Riot - Stars (In Our Bedroom After the War)
Please Read The Letter - Robert Plant & Alison Kraus (Raising Sand)
Atlantic City - Bruce Springsteen with The Seeger Sessions Band (Live In Dublin)
Toxic - Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra (Hits The Hits)
Next posts - my favorite albums from 2007 with some surprises, some overlooked gems, and some really great albums; my favorite tracks and albums for the whole family.
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