It's been far too long since I've done a saturday playlist so here goes...
"You and I"- Ingrid Michaelson
One of my favourite songs at the moment. Has a bit of a 500 Days of Summer vibe to it.
"Sandy"- Caribou
Probably my favourite Caribou song. Makes me think of that scene in "Factory Girl" where Andy Warhol sees Edie for the first time as she dances dreamily at the gallery opening.
"The Girl"- City and Colour
Nice voice, nice soft guitar playing, just lots of niceness really.
"The Book of Love"- Peter Gabriel
Even though I'm usually one for originals, and even though I love The Magnetic Fields, I have to say that I prefer this version of this song. Also helps that it's the song in the finale of the last season of Scrubs!
So, it's been awhile since I've done a Saturday playlist, and I know it's Monday guys, but it's a also a Bank Holiday. So sit back and chill and try to forget about that mountain of work that you've been pushing to the back of your mind for pretty much months now. Afterall, there's always tomorrow.
This rendition of "Somebody That I Used to Know" has gone viral lately and it only takes one listen to understand why. It's nice to see that real, raw talented is still appreciated even in this day and age when music seems to be edging closer and closer to becoming completely digitised.
"Pursuit of Hapiness"- Barbara (Kid Cudi cover)
I first heard this song in early January of last year and I remember hating it straight away. This version however, is actually rather soothing and dare I say listen-to-able.
"Crystalised"- Gorillaz (The xx cover)
In contrast to the previous song, I in fact quite like the original version of this song. I also love Gorillaz though so this song for me is the perfect mix.
"Tiny Dancer"- Myles (Elton John Cover)
This is my favourite song ever, and for this kid to do it justice certainly says something.
"Blackbird"- Gianni and Myles (Beatles cover)
Here's the kid Myles from the Tiny Dancer cover again with his uncle covering my favourite Beatles song. The bit of beat-boxing at the end is pretty slick and keeps this specific cover from being too samey to the original.
Okay I've been the world's worst blogger of late but with going back to college this week and getting settled back into the swing of things, blogging hasn't been at the foremost of my mind. But here I am, and here is my Saturday playlist for today.
You can expect more outfit posts soon too.
"All Yours (Full)"- Submotion Orchestra
I saw someone post this on facebook recently and decided to give it an old listen. I love anything with sax really and it's just a cool chilled kind of tune. Not really my usual genre so I thought it would be nice to put it into my playlist today for a bit of variety.
"It's Over"- Milosh
Michael Milosh (Milosh) from Canada is an electronic musician, again not my usual Indie lo-fi choice but I like his stuff. He's also a trained cellist and enjoys jazz which I feel comes out in his music. It's not just your usual electonic 'sounds', it's got more of a feel to it so to speak, but then again, what would I know?!
"This Could Be Beautiful (it is)"- Metronomy
A London based group, Metronomy is my second electronic addition to today's playlist. I've been rediscovering a lot of elecrtonic music on my ipod of late so bear with me with this little phase. This song is great for walking to, if you're that way inclined.
"Forgive"- Burial
Burial (William Bevan), like Metronomy, also hails from London. This song "Forgive" is possibly the most eerily morbid song I can bring myself to listen to. I don't generally like such 'moody', dreary songs, but the gentle wave-like undertones in this piece I find strangely relaxing in a kind of lost-at-sea sense. Give it a listen and you'll see what I mean.
"Everything is Alright"- Four Tet
Although considered electronic, the instrumentation in this song is simply sublime. That is all.
Sorry about the heavy electronic vibe this week guys, just the mood I'm in!
Taking a break from writing a report on the die forging process of connecting rods to bring you my Saturday Playlist.
"The Lovecats"- The Cure
Hadn't heard this song in ages but it came on the radio today on the way to the gym and I was reminded how much I like it so I thought I'd put it into today's playlist in the chance that you too might also enjoy it.
"Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties"- Man Like Me
Made famous by the Ikea ad, and I cannot tell a lie, this is where I too first heard it, but do not let this take away from the fact this is a (dare I use the word) "funky" tune.
"I Know You Know Me"- The Tease
Keeping with the theme of songs made famous by ads, here's another one for you. I can't right now actually remember what the ad was mind you, which I suppose shows the success of the song over the product it was meant to be advertising!
"Video Games"- Lana Del Ray
I know I had her in last week's playlist but I feel this song deserves a spot on the list as not only is it in the charts and thus widely liked, it is a nice break from the fast paced, dancey, "popular music" that's been abundant over the past few years. Lady Gaga I'm talking to you. Hopefully people are seeing sense and beginning to change their musical tastes for the better, not that I'm in any position to judge mind, I am going to see Westlife in June.
And on that note...
"Lighthouse"- Westlife
Out of place with my other music choices? yes
Controversial? most definitely
Good song? Well, I'll let you be the judge of that.
Being from Westlife's hometown it's difficult not to love the lads and listen to their Greatest Hits album on repeat with the girls while preparing for a night out; a night out where you in fact bump into said lads in your local pub might I ad. Okay so you may not like them but you cannot deny their insane success and even the most cynical among you might swallow your pride in admitting they've made quite an impact on the music industry.
You can keep your underground Brooklyn indie bands thanks, I like to support the locals.
Hope everyone's having a lovely Christmas Eve! I'm curled up on the couch by the fire relaxing as one should be at this time of the year. Nonetheless I am here to bring you this Saturday's playlist without fail!
"Born to Die"- Lana Del Ray
Okay so maybe I'm a bit late jumping onto the old Lana Del Ray bandwagon and although I do prefer her debut song "Videogames"(I know she had an album before so I'm using debut in this context to mean "first song to be widely known"). I chose to put this song into my Saturday Playlist however due to the fact she's wearing a jacket pretty much the same as my Ferris Beuller one I posted about here.
Girl's got style.
"White Winter Hymnal"- Fleet Foxes
Listened to this in the car driving home yesterday with my brother. I know the song but never knew it was Fleet Foxes. I generally don't know song names so really I shouldn't be writing about music......alas.... The wonders of the internet ay?! Giving people with no clue about a topic a sense of entitlement to write about it as though the were an expert.
"Karen"- The National
Over a year ago Dan put "Aligator" and "Boxer", two of The National's albums on my iPod and I was immediately hooked. I chose Karen for this Saturday Playlist as it puts me in mind of the character Karen from Californication. That said, if you've never watched Californication, go do it.
"Cemetery Gates"- The Smiths
This is my favourite Smiths song. It has a different kind of upbeat feel to it I feel compared to the usual somberness, or "like sandpaper to the ears" as one of my friends once noted, associated with The Smiths. I guess you can't please all of the people all of the time!
"Lounger"- Dogs Die in Hot Cars
Great band name. Great song. Great dance.
(I know this isn't the actual music video but I thought these guys deserved to be included in my list for their efforts)
As I never got around to doing my Saturday Playlist yesterday, here it is today!
"I Wish"- The Barents Sea
Dan sent me on this album last week after finding it somewhere on the interweb as only he can. The Barents Sea comprises of four lads from Scotland. They've got that indie rock thing going on with bluesie undertones and a few nice harmonies. This song is from the album "Bear Island" that is well worth a listen if you have a lazy Sunday afternoon to spare.
"The Blues are Still Blue"- Belle and Sebastian
I first fell in love with Belle and Sebastian after their input into the soundtrack of the film Juno. Later I was introduced to their track "Sukie in the Graveyard" by my friend Christina and since then I haven't really looked back.
Hailing from Scotland like "The Barents Sea", with nine albums in their wake there's a wealth of musical greatness to chose from should you wish to have a listen. This song from their 2006 "The Life Pursuit" album is a favourite of mine but I would suggest a lesser known "BBC Sessions" album if you're looking for something to talk about on a date and impress your musically interested, would-be-suitor.
They also have possibly the best "bio" section on their website ever.
"I Want You"- Bob Dylan
"I Want You"(Bob Dylan Cover)- Bruce Springsteen
Two tracks here; the original and the cover. The latter was played to me by the fella and is a favourite song of mine now. Unlike the original, Springsteen gives a softness to the melody and a listfulness to the lyrics. The song becomes gentler and more romantic. Although usually not a fan of covers, in this case I prefer Springsteen's take on the song to Dylan's.
"Forever Young"- Bob Dylan
Unlike "I Want You", I don't think any cover could top Dylan in this song. His husky voice is just perfect and this song always makes me nostalgic, but in the best kind of way.
That's it today for my Saturday Playlist (on a Sunday).
As promised, I'm going to try and stay up to date with this Saturday playlist lark. So here's today's eclectic selection...
"Georgia on My Mind"- Ray Charles
"Albion" (Acoustic version)- Pete Doherty
"A Girl A Boy and A Graveyard"- Jeremey Messersmith
"Yeah, Oh Yeah"- The Magnetic Fields
"Fade Into You"- Mazzy Star
That does it for today! I've decided to restrict my Saturday Playlist to 5 songs. They are in no way connected to eachother but I feel as stand alone tracks they all have their own merit in different ways. I've also decided not to write a big rant about each of them cos no one reads it anyway so here you are, the meat without the trimmings!
I've mentioned before that I'm no music buff, however I like music and to broaden my musical horizons as they say I've decided to undertake a weekly "playlist". I'll try to keep this a Saturday thing but knowing me it could be often late, but I'll do my best. These playlist will consist of songs both old and new that just happen to take my fancy that day/time or whatever. They'll mainly be songs recommended to me by others and where I can I'll try to credit people for their recommendations but sometimes I won't remember who told me about songs so apologies in advance if I don't acknowledge you for something.
Anyways, here goes, my first "Saturday Playlist".
"Putting the Dog to Sleep"- The Antlers
"Bear"- The Antlers
Dan and I went to see The Antlers in Chicago for his birthday during the summer and I can honestly say they were one of the best live bands I've ever seen. After being dubious of them at first I soon became mesmerized by Peter Silberman's soaring lead vocals and the strong dreamy synth. At the Chicago gig Silberman's voice was flawless and seemed to reach unreachable notes effortlessly. I was well and truly blown away.
On Thursday, The Antler's played The Academy in Dublin and Dan had sourced us free tickets through connections, cos he's real cool like that. I'd been looking forward to them all week but when they came on stage they were barely recognisable as the same band we'd seen a mere five months previously. Silberman's vocals were drowned by out of place and overused synth from Darby Cicci. Cicci was surrounded by a set up of at least three keyboards, footpedals, computer screens and a heap of wires coming from all directions. From behind this hi-tech barricade he attempted to dance as though synth was a guitar while making odd bird noises into the microphone.
All fond memories we had of them as a band were being well and truly ruined and we left after about five songs.
Although their Dublin gig was extremely disappointing, their two albums, Hospice and Burst Apart are still extremely enjoyable and I have taken a song from each to add to my playlist today.
The first is "Putting the Dog to Sleep". Even though the topic of the title is something that would usually make me cry, I fell in love with this song in Chicago and often find myself singing it to myself in my head as I walk along on my own. (that's keep shit).
The second son I chose is "Bear". Pretty self explanatory really; I just like bears.
"My Love Took Me Down to The River (to silence me)"- Little Green Cars
Little Green Cars are the next big thing around Dublin these days. Once again Dan has a connection to them so I've seen them live twice now and each time I find it hard to believe how good they are at such a young age. If you haven't heard of them yet I'm sure you will soon but don't take my word for it, give them a listen and you'll soon be hooked.
"Porter's Love Song to a Chambermaid"- Fats Waller
Breaking away from the recent for this next choice. This is a song I've had on my iPod for years and was reminded of it the other day when someone mentioned porters. I love the music of the 20s; dingy little underground jazz bars, all flapper dresser and feather boas, wouldn't it just be swell to go back to those times? Smoking cigarettes from long holders and being able to pull off evening gloves without it having to be a themed night out or the like. People knew how to dress back then. Anyways, this is a music post and not a fashion post so I'll steer clear of getting side-tracked. This song is just a great ode to this era, as well as all of Waller's work really and if you're in the mood for something light and jazzy then you can't really go wrong.
"Superfast Jellyfish"- Gorrilaz
Another change of genre here with a song from the Gorillaz album "Plastic Beach", another album introduced to me by Dan (told you I was really crap at music). This whole album is great but I especially like this song, not sure why, I just do.
"Two Weeks"- Grizzly Bear
I think it was my brother who first told me about Grizzly Bear, but I can't really remember. I love this song though and I don't care if it's become a bit mainstream or overplayed.
"The Shining"- Badly Drawn Boy
This one is one of my own this time. Damon Gough (The Badly Drawn Boy) hails from Manchester and has a wonderful dreamlike quality to his music. This song I first heard in some film that I cannot for the life of me remember but when searching for it on the internet discovered that he also did the soundtrack to "About A Boy". Well worth a listen.
That's it for my Saturday playlist, I hope you enjoy and as I've said, most of my musical tastes are stolen from others, mainly Dan really, and I am in no way a music guru! I just sort liked the idea of a weekly playlist.
