As half of America sojourned across this great land for one last summer adventure this Labor Day, I figured it's be the perfect inspiration for this week's Musical Monday selection: Songs With The Names of Places.
Shovels and Rope - Birmingham
First off is the newest song in the playlist today. The band is called Shovels and Rope and they're a married duo with heart and soul bursting through as they belt out harmonies, in this case with gospel roots and a southern kick. Their 2012 album is called O' Be Joyful and you be hard-pressed not to tap your foot and smile along to this tune.
Bon Iver - Calgary
Bon Iver is awesome. Calgary hosted the Olympics once. You should watch Cool Runnings.
The Weeknd - Montreal
Since we're already in Canada, might as well find another song that plays tribute to that country. The Weeknd made both of his albums freely downloadable from his website although I'm not sure if that was a limited time thing. Some of the songs are NSFW but unless this one says something inappropriate in French, you should be fine but I might wear headphones in case anyone within hearing space is sensitive.
New Navy - Zimbabwe
Well, fancy that, a song about vacation and travelling. How appropriate. This track was named #67 on Triple J's Hottest 100 Countdown for 2011 (a post you can read about here). The catchy tune really makes my want to visit that country in southern Africa, I could use another holiday.
Angus & Julia Stone - Santa Monica Dream
Well, now let's return the the good ol US of A, and have some Aussies sing about their California Dreamin (see what I did there). A mellow brother/sister duo that have since split to pursue their own sounds in music, Julia Stone with her album By the Horns and Angus Stone recently released Broken Brights, yet their collaborations remain my favorites.
The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio
Matt Berninger's baritone holds a special place in my ears. Off the album High Violet released a few years back, Bloodbuzz Ohio reminds us that try as we might we can't go home again. Or at least thats part of my interpretation, what do you think?
Hopefully you found some new music and maybe even a new place to vacation on your next holiday!
Now that you've returned from that 43:58 minute (or more if you re-played anything) sojourn into musical bliss, and since the NPR reviewer uses better words to describe the band than I can come up with on my own, I'll share my story on how I stumbled upon this fantastic Canadian indie band.
Set Yourself on Fire (2006)
I first fell in love with Stars back in 2006 when an ex worked at the on-campus radio station. I would visit, sometimes bring dinner, rarely speak into the mic, and have access to a wonderfully eclectic CD library. The school had not yet created an electronic database of the CDs, it was a somewhat random genre/alphabetization system and by sheer chance I would arbitrarily select an album, and sample the sounds within. When I pulled Set Yourself on Fire from the shelf, the hand on the cover beckoned a listen and I've been a fan ever since!
So what do you think? Will you be a new Stars fan? If your already a fan, what's your favorite new track?
I'm BACK! I know I've been gone awhile, but to make up for it I'm sharing some of my favorite new(ish) songs of the moment (of course there are a few love songs). These songs bring a smile to my face, a sway to my shoulders, and a sweetness to my ears. I hope you can enjoy them as much as I do.
Ingrid Michaelson -- Fire
A big sweeping epic orchestral pop love song, what could be a better way to say "welcome back" to the blog!
Stars -- Hold on When You Get Love And Let Go When You Give It
Not only the message but the song itself is fantastic, it just once again proves why Stars has held a special place in my heart for awhile. I can't wait for more new music from this indie canadian band. And I take the song seriously when the band implores "if you like it sing along," and you should too!
fun. -- Some Nights
A little more mainstream than I usually go but this became the theme song for my recent vacation with my family. I love the surprise African/tribal vibe in the song, which always makes me think of Simba & Nala, and anything that evokes the Lion King gets three stars in my book.
Alt-J -- Dissolve Me
A nice, happy, relaxing, song about a breakup, drugs, insomnia and a white-noise machine? See, "She makes the sound, the sound the sea makes to calm me down." Give it a listen and tell me if you think you've found anything in here I might've missed
Helloooo! I'm back from the bar... no not the fun one, the one where I have 12 hours of testing in 2 days, I don't sleep, someone has a seizure, and experience some of the most stressful times of my life. That's why I missed last week's musical monday (and my post-bar daze is responsive for this one being so late).
Luckily I have an awesome sister who's willing to share some of her recent musical choices for you all: without further ado, I present the fantastical Pinky:
Contrary to that intro here are some of the songs I've been listening to recently. Sadly, very few of these are new. I blame putting my iPod on random when I sync it to my new whip Sassy.
Talk that Talk Jayz and Rihanna
Cruel Summer - Blestenation
Scream - Usher
Boyfriend - Justin Bieber
Olympic Theme Song [since the Olympics are on 24/7]
Sooooooooooooooooooooooooo, the bar is 8 days away... cue FREAKOUT! Cue tears, hyperventilation, heart palpitations, desperate pleas, and unjustifiably snarking at the people I love..... Cue helpful, it'll-be-alright-themed-calming-music
Ingrid Michaelson -- Keep Breathing
It's some good advice, and the first step to calm a stressed out mind
Sufjan Stevens -- For the Widows in Paradise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti
Faith has definitely helped me get through law school especially through this past summer. Plus, banjo. I'm all about the banjo.
Reliant K -- For the Moments I Feel Faint
An oldie and a goodie, literally my go-to theme song for the last month. But for the grace of God I know I would not have made it this far.
Gotye -- Save Me
I.can't.not.smile.at.this.song!
Glee covering Florence & the Machine -- Shake it Out
I usually prefer the originals to covers, and we all know I love Flo, but the acoustic guitar and vocal harmonies in this version get me. Truly, there will be a dawn soon
ALMOST DONE (there will be no post next week, apologies ahead of time but I will be doing some last minute studying, relaxing, packing, prepping, travelling etc.)
Embrace the awkwardness of being yourself! Strike your own path! Don't let labels define you! Dance the way you feel! This week's theme is blazing your own trail, being an individual, doing "you" & here are some songs that can help you:
Kimbra -- Posse
The song that inspired today's theme. I love how Kimbra champions being her own person, I'm sure she penned this one while in LA. Here she declines to get "all caught up in [the] social scene" making the rest of us think it's cool not only to stay in school but to "like Shakespeare" and be "down with monogamy." It's a fantastic theme song for choosing to be different and like yourself for it!
Fleetwood Mac -- Go Your Own Way
Now looking at the lyrics I realize the singer isn't actually wanting someone to "go your own way" but this song will always take me back to a moment in grade school where I decided to be an individual rather than follow the crowd and this chorus was playing in a loop in my head. Yes, it was tough to feel like I was missing out, but what I got from doing my own thing was priceless
Noah and the Whale -- L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.
"You got more than money and sense my friend, you got heart, and you're going your own way" <3
Ou Est Le Swimming Pool -- Dance the Way I Feel
"I just dance the way I feel" and so should you! It's very liberating to just let the music move you and not worry about what anyone else is thinking. Of course, when I dance the way I feel I'm typically in my bedroom with no one watching, but every now and then I'll bust out some music-led-movement in public...
"But wait... it's Tuesd--" Shhhhhhh, don't say that. Sometimes these things happen and we pretend it's still Monday. Yesterday we had a practice test for the Bar... BRU-TAL, so I didn't get a chance to post but I did already know what I wanted to put up, so this still counts as a Monday post =).
Here are some tunes that can get you pumped up for the 4th, ready for a big test, motivate you for a big game, or just generally put you in a "get-up-and-go" mood whenever you need a pick-me-up.
For those who like to rock: Japandriods -- The House That Heaven Built
One of my favorite songs to motivate me for just about anything, love the driving beat & uplifting melody: Jonsi -- Go Do
Because no pump-up mix is complete without a little Electronica/Dance (the music video pokes fun at some of the wonderfully corny effects out of the 80s: Art vs. Science -- A.I.M. Fire
Sing it Flo! If she can't get you going, nothing will: Florence + the Machine (feat. Switch) -- Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) Switch Remix
