So I’m on the road currently, sans interwebs, but I thought it would be a good time to update the blog (and post it later). First and foremost: my currently playlist. A girl’s gotta have her priorities.
· Norman Bleik – I Was a King
o Such a pleasant track with which to kick off my summer playlist. It’s kind of like if the New Pornographers decided to become a little more trendy/indie (trendindie?)
· No You Girls - Franz Ferdinand
o It’s no Take Me Out, but really, what is? And it’s kind of a bootyshaker, which is always enjoyable. Definitely classic Franz Ferdinand.
· I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked – Ida Maria
o I need her gravelly voice, but sadly I think that’s the effort of many years of smoking (which leads me to be skeptical of the line “I only smoke when I’m with you/ whoa”). I would also settle for her ballsyness. Either way, this one’s another song you kind of have to dance to.
· Zero – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
o Someone in Nylon said this song was like driving down the Autobahn, getting pulled over by a cop, and dancing with him/her in an electrical storm. How’s that for imagery? German roads and law enforcement aside, it’s a solid song. And Karen O is as cool as ever.
· Led to the Sea – Jenny Owen Youngs
o One of the more danceable tracks on her new album, which shows how very different Transmitter Failure is than her previous album, Batten the Hatches. Still, overall I enjoy the more lighthearted feel—it makes the song much more versatile.
· Under Control – Parachute
o A little poppy for my taste, but addicting nonetheless. And these guys play a mean Billy Joel cover; I have to respect that. I have a feeling they’ll be pretty well known in a year or so.
· Apologize – Silverstein
o If the original version by One Republic was a guilty pleasure, Silverstein has upped the guilt factor even further with their addition of background screams, but it’s still a decent track. Somehow it feels more heartfelt, since it’s a little angrier.
· Two of Us – Aimee Mann and some other guy
o An old classic from the I Am Sam soundtrack. Excellent for driving and pretending to be a Beatles fan.
· The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid – The Decemberists
o Hands down my favorite track from The Hazards of Love. The vocals by guest vocalist Shara Worden are absolutely awesome, as is the storyline and back-and-forth nature of the song. It’s like if you injected musical theater with a healthy dose of cool and took away any semblance of dancing. So a win in my book.
· The Funeral – Band of Horses
o Alright I confess, until last month I had only heard one Band of Horses song and wasn’t a huge fan of it, but after hearing this I’m reconsidering. Seems to be perfect in most every situation. And the build-up is incredible.
· Can You Tell – Ra Ra Riot
o This song is just the right mix of upbeat (thanks to the quick rhythm) and melancholically honest (“What am I supposed to do?/It’s hard to stay cool/when you smile at me/and I get nervous every time you speak”).
· Equinox – The Love Language
o Paste highlighted this tune from the catchy Chapel Hill band. What’s not to love about fun, North Carolinian indie rock? Except for the part near the end where it’s just a lot of noise; I tend to skip ahead at that point. Call me uncultured if you’d like, but I enjoy my music to be musical.
· Pulling On a Line – Great Lake Swimmers
o Another lovely Paste find, the country influences are apparent but in a nice, subtle way.
· I Want to Be Buried in Your Backyard – Nightmare of You
o Despite the creepy title, the song is incredibly pleasant, as is the band in general. They sound a bit British (both vocally and musically) but are, in fact, from New York. Ramones complex anyone?
· Anywhere With You – Saves the Day
o I realize I’m like 10 years late to be jumping on the Saves the Day bandwagon, but after they opened with this track at the Charlotte show, I was hooked. It’s honestly the perfect summer song, even with all the anger , especially when driving. Crank it up. I know I do.
· At Your Funeral – Saves the Day
o This is the one song apparently everyone knows by Saves the Day, and while it doesn’t even compare to Anywhere With You, it’s still decent and not too heavy.
· Lenin – The Arcade Fire
o One of a few tracks I love from Dark Was the Night. It has just enough piano and abstract vocals to make it interesting. It’s no “Intervention”, but it’s a little more upbeat, and I can appreciate that.
· Lua – Gillian Welch & Connor Oberst
o Typically I am not a huge Oberst fan since he’s kind of a whiney little bitch, but when paired with the country-girl toughness of Welch’s voice, it somehow comes off just right. Also I’m a fan of the lyrical upfrontness. Now I’m just making up words.
· Train Song – Fiest & Ben Gibbard
o Another DWtN gem, this track combines the haunting voices of two of indie music’s finest. It’s also nice because both voices are very recognizable, so the song sounds kind of familiar, even if it’s the first time you’re hearing it.
· I’ve Got Friends – Manchester Orchestra
o Any band that toured with Brand New is worth at least trying in my book, and this band is no exception. The brutal honesty (“I know what they want/and I know they don’t want me stay”) is striking, and for some reason I can’t stop listening to this song.
· Last Person – Jenny Owen Youngs
o Another great track from the new album Transmitter Failure. A little twang and a lot of sass goes a long way for Youngs. Also the phrase “bloodless zombie eyes” is used multiple times, so bonus points.
· In This City – Iglu & Hartley
o This is the only crossover from my last playlist because it has a certain staying power. Instantly addicting and pleasant, it’s the sort of song I would go out of my way to request.
· Use Somebody – Kings of Leon
oI confess, I've never been a huge KoL fan because most of their stuff is pretty out there, but this one gets back to basics and is strangely comforting. It somehow gets lodged in my head, but not in the annoying way. In the way that I just have to keep listening. Over and over and over.
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