Music week: Favorites

You’ve made it! As a reward for getting through all the lists, I’m giving you a Friday treat: I’ve supplied some “best of the best,” IMHO. What better way to end out the week than with the songs I like the most – all around. Here’s a fine collection of music I can listen to anytime, anywhere – cleaning the apartment, reading, writing, drawing, sitting at work. They suit any occasion.

Once you listen to the songs on this list (and the others lists, too), you’ll probably realize that I’m drawn to vocals. It’s not the lyrics – although those can be catchy and fun to sing in some instances – but the talented voice. I see singers as not only the a frontman for a band, but another instrument that completes the group.

Most of these are more contemporary – as opposed to the hodge podge from yesterday’s list. And after finding the videos, I realized they’re half the fun. Enjoy!



1. Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games - of Montreal
Of Montreal is fucking weird. I mean, look at this video. :D They add a bunch of different instruments, and sometimes can't maintain a consistent tempo throughout one song. But don't let that scare you with this one. Some of the other songs on The Sunlandic Twins take some getting used to, but this one's catchy from the get-go.

2. Milk - Kings of Leon
Now, bear with me. This is my favorite band, but there is no other song that showcases Caleb Followill’s vocals quite as much as this... because about 25 percent of the song has no other instrument, besides his voice. If you want to hear awesome guitars to accompany Caleb, try "McFearless" or, ooh, “Charmer” too, on KOLs Because of the Times.

3. Last Night - The Strokes
My favorite college band, I kind of played them out by listening to their albums incessantly. I picked a single, so you could all appreciate them. I can still tolerate this song and listen through the whole thing because I know all the lyrics, without hearing the song. Plus, good guitar solo in the middle.

4. I'll Believe In Anything - Wolf Parade
Like Clap Your Hands, Spencer Krug’s voice takes a little getting used to. But what can I say, I'm a sucker for vocalists (with good music to back them up).

5. Finally - The Frames
See the movie Once. That's all I have to say.

6. Maps - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
This is the first song I've ever heard Karen O. sing. It makes me think she's not all tooth and nail -- and her singing doesn't just come from being pissed off, it's because she's got some aching too. Plus, listen to that guitar. And those fucking drums.

7. Golden Slumbers - The Beatles
Only one song from the Beatles you say? I tried to limit them on the list. I could probably make a Top Five of just Beatles songs for every category this week -- but I'll spare you. The Fab Four's known for merging songs together, so if you're listening to Abbey Road, you'll start with this, but make sure to listen to the two following tracks “Carry That Weight” and “The End.”

8. My Mathematical Mind - Spoon
I fell in love with Spoon about five years ago, after buying their album Gimme Fiction. This appreciation was only reinforced by the fact that the movie Stranger than Fiction offers an (almost?) exclusive Spoon soundtrack. This was the first song I would go back to and repeat two or three times before I even listened to the entire album.

9. Exit Music (From a Film) - Radiohead
Radiohead makes my top five all-time favorite bands. I like them particularly when I'm trying to do something creative, like write or draw. I chose this song mainly because of the crescendo at the end, so you have to listen to the whole thing. If the movie Children of Men ended at the extended long shot scene when he's carrying out the baby, this song would be playing.

10. Mansford Roof - Vampire Weekend
Their instruments sound like they should be playing from the 50s, but they somehow incorporate a modern sound too. I don't know how to define this band -- but I'll relate them closest to "The Strokes." Entire album is worth a listen.



Runner’s Up: 3rd Planet – Modest Mouse; Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes – Paul Simon; Savior – Red Hot Chili Peppers; Get Myself Arrested – Gomez

Music week: Songs to drive by

I can be an aggressive driver; which you might determine based on some of the selections in this list. But hear me out; the majority of these songs are based on a few criteria:
A. How excellent they sound when you roll the windows down.
B. Singability behind the wheel.
C. Loudness

And, yeah this too:
D. Aggressiveness if someone pisses me off.

At least I take it out by turning up my music, instead of getting out of my car and starting a fight.


1. Goin’ Up The Country - Canned Heat
Okay… Number one in the category. I’d say the flute really brings this one home. You need to listen to this song in late spring on a sunny day, with your windows rolled down and your arms out the window.

2. Red Morning Light - Kings of Leon
I FUCKING LOVE THIS BAND. I'm pretty sure this song was featured in a car commercial, but I don’t remember which one. One where the car flies around curves without discretion and throws up dust as it leaves you there. But if you listen to this when you're driving, you are that car.

3. The District Sleeps Alone Tonight - Postal Service
Add a little techno beat to some catchy lyrics and you've defined Postal Service. Deathcab's frontman displays his musical versatility with the entire album "Give Up." It's also pretty funny that UPS samples some of this band's songs, considering their name.

4. A Certain Romance - Arctic Monkeys
Another phenomenal Brit band, these guys are probably vulgar douchebags in real life, but they also kick ass. This is the first song I’ve ever heard from the band. I love singing it in a British accent – but it may take at least 10 times before you understand what in the hell he’s actually saying.

5. The Set Up (You Need This) - Reel Big Fish
I saw them my junior year of high school. Energy! Talent! So loud! It's my favorite song from "Why Do They Rock So Hard?" I like singing this song as loud as fucking possible, in hopes that the people around me won't necessarily think I'm weird, but absolutely crazy.

6. Waterfalls - TLC
Just for Michelle -- because nothing quite says driving 15 hours through California and Oregon like “Waterfalls,” with dancing and singing to boot. Especially when it's recorded via shitty camera video.

7. Thickfreakness - The Black Keys
A two-man band from Akron, this is the first song I'd ever heard from these guys. This album (same as the song title) is more raw (rawer?) than the ones that follow, and listening to the thing in its entirety helps when you're passing assholes on the road.

8. Excuse Me Mr. - No Doubt
Good for the highway. It's got a fast beat and catchy chorus. Plus, I like the 1850s-burlesque bridge with the piano and jazz horn.

9. Crosstown Traffic - Jimi Hendrix
Check the title. Plus, it's Hendrix. No question, there's great guitar -- but even though he still jams it's more controlled, and stays with the faster tempo. Great for cruising on a highway.

10. Longview - Green Day
From my favorite band in high school, you can't really do what this song's about while you're driving.

Runner’s Up: Let The Cool Goddess Rust Away - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah; Blinded By The Light – Manford Mann’s Earth Band; Drive My Car - The Beatles; Bad Habit - The Offspring

Too much TV

Last night, I sat on my couch eating dinner when Heroes came on. Being the second episode I've ever seen (the first one was last week), I started watching and couldn't stop. Then I had questions, like, "what is this formula?" "why does Claire think she's the catalyst?" and "who the HELL are all these people?"
I knew my friend/neighbor/co-worker Lisa liked Heroes, so I ventured over across the hall and started asking her these questions. She immediately, and excitedly, dug out her Heroes Season 1 boxset, and said I had to watch.

Now I'm excited to find out what happens, and when "It's coming," and what "it" really is...

Now, that's all well and good except, my co-worker Dionne came in to work today with the first season of Dexter for me to catch up on. And, this weekend my friend Betsy insisted I take home and borrow "Freaks & Geeks." JC.

Every time I turn around, there's a new sitcom to watch... and people to provide DVDs for said sitcoms.

This has become a particular problem now that almost every single TV show ever produced is now on DVD.

Greg and I started watching the first season of Arrested Development. Now, I've seen a few episodes on TV before the canceled the show a season after winning an Emmy. (Yeah, tell me that makes fucking sense.) But we're almost through Season 1.

Anyway, I currently have borrowed, and in my possession:

-Heroes Season 1
-Dexter: The First Season
-Freaks & Geeks - the entire series
-Futurama - Season 1 & 2? (from Matthias)
-It's Always Sunny (from Michelle -- more for a recap, because they're all so good)

I also have an avid interest in watching:

-Entourage
-It's Always Sunny (Season 3)
-The Office (Season 4)
-Curb Your Enthusiasm (Season 3+)
-The Sopranos
-Spaced (The British sitcom produced by Simon Pegg)

I know there are different websites I could go to and watch each show, but #1.) My computer is the biggest POS in the entire world, and #2.) It's more difficult to get into one episode, let alone three or four in on sitting, while being less comfortable sitting in front of a computer screen, versus laying sprawled out on the couch.

People have also suggested Netflix, or renting each DVD from Blockbuster. Now, I'll support my favorite things by making the purchase (for instance musical artists, like KOL), but I'm not paying $5 to watch three episodes of Larry David be a cynical asshole.

This whole pop culture business is getting out of hand.

At least it's getting colder outside, so I'll have reason to hibernate on the couch.

Also, if someone could let me know who to contact in order to get Pete & Pete on DVD, that'd be helpful.

Am I missing any?


I promise one day I'll try to write shorter posts, but once I start -- can't stop. won't stop.