I Don't Know How

This indie-quirky song would fit right into the movie Juno. The track is cute with naive intentions, oh to be young and fearless. Enjoy!

I Don't Know How - Kid Francescoli with Julia (right click to save as)
Kid Francescoli

Cristina

Oh Cristina, one man's salvation from the harsh cold world. I love the lyrics, the vocals, and the background vocals on this song. I should look up the lyrics to a song and read along as the song progresses more often. I was compelled to do it with this song, and these lines stuck out to me: "I’m coming back to where I started / I never meant to be the bad kid". I don't think anyone means to be the bad kid, but it takes a mature person to see that they have been the bad kid. Good thing Cristina is around to ease the pains that accompany this sort of thing. Enjoy!

Cristina - Teleman (right click to save as)
Teleman

Select Sundays: Amanaemonesia

I've covered Chairlift before, a few years ago when Something first came out in 2012. Hitting shuffle on my iPod, I stumbled upon another gem of theirs that fueled my late night drive. Give it another spin and revel in its vowel-ness.

Amanaemonesia - Chairlift (right click to save as)
Chairlift

I Miss Your Bones

There's a quirky cuteness to this track, even though it's stripped down garage session sound is more punk like than J-Pop like.  The fun and careless melody combined with a seemingly detached mood creates an interesting juxtaposition. She says she misses your bones, but I'm not convinced she does, unless she's putting on one of those too-cool-for-school personalities that I associate with the cool kids in high school. I keep putting this song on repeat while envisioning myself in a Freaks and Geeks episode. Enjoy!

I Miss Your Bones - Hospitality (right click to save as)
Hospitality

Silver Timothy

I didn't grow up in the 70's, but this track makes me wish I did. There's a heavy psychedelic embrace with the overall feel of the track. The drums and bass are amazing, but easily overshadowed by an amazing chorus, mesmerizing keys, and fantastic guitar. The piece is extremely cohesive, and ends with a psychedelic tinge that leaves you hanging in happy wonder. Enjoy!

Silver Timothy - Damien Jurado (right click to save as)
Damien Jurado

Select Sundays: Fantasy

This is the perfect moody stuff to listen to when you feel a little dark--but not too dark. One of MS MR's songs soundtracked Game of Thrones' Season Three trailer but it's their other stuff I like better. Every time I've put them on the stereo, someone in the room has asked, "Who is that?!" Miz Mister!

Fantasy - MS MR (right click to save as)
MS MR

The Biggest Pile Of Leaves You Have Ever Seen

This song is simple and happy, you can envision it soundtracking a children's program.  At least that's the impression I felt upon the first few seconds. The simplicity is in the instrumentation, yet there's complexity in the restraint. In order for the chosen sounds to stand out, like the guitar, flute, and xylophone, choices like stripped down percussion needed to be made. I admire composition like this, and can immediately envision proper video to accompany it. Enjoy!

The Biggest Pile Of Leaves You Have Ever Seen - Lullatone (right click to save as)
Lullatone

Select Sundays: Fool to Cry

So I'm sitting around on a lazy Sunday, blitzing through Season 2 of Girls and this song comes on. "Who is this!" A quick Shazam and it reveals itself as a Rolling Stone cover by Tegan & Sara...commissioned personally by Lena Dunham. And produced by RAC. Don't you love it when so many great elements come together as one?

Fool to Cry (Rolling Stones cover) - Tegan & Sara (right click to save as)
Tegan & Sara

Under

I love her accent. I also appreciate the simple composition of the beginning, with simple strumming of the guitar notes alongside her voice. This is a crazy world, and sometimes our dreams feel better than the reality that we need to wake up and face each day. "Dreams are reality, Reality is make-believe". Enjoy!

Under - A.O.S.O.O.N. (right click to save as)
A.O.S.O.O.N.

Ghosts

I'm hit with sincerity, upon the opening lines of this song. He is laying it all out here, admitting wrong, and showing that lessons have been learned. Whether or not this is a reflection of regret or a sharing of experiences for the benefit of others, the delivery is from a humble place. I love the way he sings this song, there's traces of songs that are hundreds of years old and still hovering around a foggy island in Norther Europe somewhere. Enjoy!

Ghosts - The Presets (right click to save as)
The Presets

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds

I went through a major Beatles phase in high school, and have held onto the love of their music ever since. This cover does the song so much justice.  I love how they slowed it down, and built it up to a more epic experience.  The vocal effects pay homage to the original, and so does the passion. Enjoy!

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (The Beatles Cover) - The Flaming Lips (right click to save as)
The Flaming Lips

Needle

I find myself swaying left to right with the chorus of this song, it's got tons of sway power. The beginning lyrics dig deep hooks into my ear, I wait with heavy anticipation for the explosion. And when the explosion isn't nearly as big as anticipated, I'm almost relieved. The track takes its time building, layering, and introducing all of the elements. Enjoy!

Needle - Born Ruffians (right click to save as)
Born Ruffians

Try To Be

The simplicity and beauty of this song is gripping. I really enjoy the vocals filling in for the roles of instruments. Although my first impression of this song was "it's too artsy fartsy for me" and "I need more from this stripped down song".  After a few listens my mind was changed and I found myself playing this song over in my head. Enjoy!

Try To Be - Blue Hawaii (right click to save as)
Blue Hawaii

Waves

I'm time warped back to feathered hair, white Reebok sneakers, and acid washed jeans with this track. The chorus hook is so dang catchy, and the synths are bold yet soft and carry a youth rebellion with them.  This song seems to simplify the complexities that come with being young and in love.  With words like 'summer', 'sun', 'ocean' and 'light', I can't help but picture good looking young adults driving around the beach in a red convertible. Enjoy!

Waves - Magic Man (right click to save as)
Magic Man

Pyrakantha

This tune soothes me. I love a track that can tell a story, paint a picture, or convey an acute feeling without relying on words. This is one of those tracks. I feel like mid song the clouds open up and the sun shines through with enough intensity to warm the air within minutes. The beauty is that everyone has a different story, picture and feeling associated with songs like this. Enjoy!

Pyrakantha - Balmorhea (right click to save as)
Balmorhea

Cave

This song caresses my ears every time I hear it played. Magically I'm transported to Spain, surrounded lovely people, food, and weather. The simple strumming and raw emotion in his voice are just enchanting. There's so much innocence in the percussion, and there's rich history with the accordion. Enjoy!

Cave - Vadoinmessico (right click to save as)
Vadoinmessico

Now That You're Leaving

I love how her cute voice flows behind the drums and strums in this track. There's a strong emotion conveyed by having the vocals sit in the background, as if the singer is literally shying away from the crowd. Enjoy!

Now That You're Leaving (Fold Remix) - Stina Nordenstam (right click to save as)
Stina Nordenstam | Fold

California Feeling

A few years ago we we blogged A B and the Sea. And again, I really dig their California vibe. This track is catchy and poppy with a classy delivery. Life in CA is so nice that we could imagine living here forever, though we're so happy with things up till now that if we died right now it'd still be okay. Let the cares be free and find your place next to the sea. Enjoy!

California Feeling - A B and the Sea (right click to save as)
A B and the Sea

Dancing Anymore

This track starts out so damn strong. It's simple, but it hooks the listener deep. The track opens with her voice say "No I won't", over a bassline and a kickdrum. What won't she do, what's coming in next, cause I know the track can't go on with just a bassline and kickdrum. A bit of electric guitar and then a spray of bullets from the snare drum. The track goes on to some male vocals saying "you won't take me dancing anymore" which is backwards from the standard narrative of the woman in a relationship having a complaint of not being taken out dancing anymore. I appreciate that this goes against the predictable, and sounds so good while doing so. Enjoy!

Dancing Anymore - Is Tropical (right click to save as)
Is Tropical

Seen It All

Jake is all things british rock and roll to me. He's got great lyrics, backed by a simple arrangement with classic band elements. What makes this song interesting to me is that he sounds like a young guy singing in an old guy's style. Furthermore he talks about seeing it all, which is usually reserved for people with age, as age brings experience (most of the time). So to me, it's interesting that a young guy has seen it all, or thinks he has, and he's telling us about it. Enjoy!

Seen It All - Jake Bugg (right click to save as)
Jake Bugg