Because it’s a Rainy Day

So, it’s rainy. And rain always seems to inspire me to write. I think it may be my muse. Something about the atmosphere it creates, all I want to do is drink tea, curl up in bed and find new music (and pretend the only thing that exists is my little cocoon). Which is exactly what I’ve done. So, here’s a nice little rainy day playlist for you, made up of nice little songs (If you’re a serious rebel you can also listen to it on a sunny day, but why would you do that seeing as it’s a rainy day playlist? You would just ruin the whole mood I created, but I guess it is a free country…)

1. Blank Maps – Cold Specks (This is by far my greatest new discovery. She’s super fantastic and a great song writer. I think I’m in love.)
2. 1904 – The Tallest Man on Earth (We all know about my obsession with him. This is a new single he released for his new Cd, which comes out June 12. And, if this is any indication of how good it will be then I’m incredibly excited. But seriously, how will we wait 12 days!?)
3. Home – Phillp Phillps (Yes, that’s his real name. And yes, he is the winner of American Idol. But trust me, this is an awesome single. Please don’t hold this against me, I swear, it really is awesome. I’ll even offer a no money back guarantee)
4. Call Them Brothers (feat. Only Son) – Regina Spektor (This is from her new Cd and it’s super fabulous, but I’m a sucker for a cute duet. Also, who is only Only Son, and why haven’t I heard of them before!?)
5. Apartment Song – the Mountains and the Trees (This is from one of the cutest EP’s called Hop, Skip & a Jump. Also the cutest name. It kind of reminds me of Kimya Dawson meets Nick Drake meets every quirky indie boy band)
6. Parasite – Nick Drake (Because that comparison made me remember how much I enjoy Nick Drake and how can you make a good rainy day playlist without some good old 70′s folk!?)
7. Home Again – Michael Kiwanuka (My mom discovered this one, and it’s fabulous in a make you want to bawl your eyes out kind of way)
8. Chair – Big Deal (This was another new discovery of mine. They’re from Nova Scotia and they’re awesome and they duet. There’s really nothing better)
9. Lost in the Light – Bahamas (I’ve been a fan of Bahamas since I saw him at Hillside a few years ago. This is from his newest album, Barchords. It certainly has a lot of influences, I hear some Tom Waits, some Dylan, and this song screams M. Ward, in a very Bahamas way, of course)
10. Flowers in Your Hair – The Lumineers (This is another new discovery, like 5 seconds ago new. But from what I can tell it’s pretty awesome. It’s short and sweet, which is what I think I song should be. It’s very early Dylan, but what’s wrong with that!?)
    
11. Beautiful Mess – Scott Merritt (I just recently re-discovered Scott Merritt. He always makes me think of my childhood and I was happy to have him back in my life. My dad mentioned this song reminded him of me. I took that as the highest compliment possible. It really is a lovely song.)

I tried to make this playlist for you on 8tracks.com, which is a wonderful website, except I think I got too weird for them because they didn’t have most of the songs I wanted and I was too lazy to upload them, so it’s up to you to find the songs if you so desire. But, I will post a video to one of the songs. I figured I’d go for Cold Specks, because I’m completely obsessed with this song (and the entire album, I Predict a Graceful Expulsion, which is also a great album name) and she’s Canadian and we like Canadians on this blog. So here it is. Enjoy the song and the rainy day, may it also be your muse!

P.s. I looked up Only Son and realized why I hadn’t discovered it before. Maybe because it wasn’t very good. But, the song they’re featured in is awesome, so points for that.

Random Dan

It’s Monday, boohoo! But I’m not going to dwell on the negative and just move right onto the positive. And what is that you may ask? Maybe the fact that it’s RANDOM PLAYLIST MONDAY!! Hip-hip-hurray! Without further ado, here it is, on this lovely freezing cold day.

1. Piano Song – Meiko (I really like her if you’re into that cheery indie girl stuff)
2. Peace Train – Cat Stevens
3. Steady On – Shawn Colvin (this is quite the gloomy, folky playlist)
4. Two – The Antlers
5. Train in the Distance – Paul Simon
6. Coat Hook – Fionn Regan
7. Fantasy Man – Swell Season (a perfect song for the weather today)
8. Heavy Soup – Cornershop (also perfect)
9. Joy to the World – Arthur & Friends (getting into that Christmas mood)
10. Road Regrets – Dan Mangan

So that was a pretty awesome Random Playlist, although there isn’t really anything new on it, it was pretty old-school. So I am going to resort back to Dan Mangan. Now I know I’m always talking about him, but there is a video of his I’ve been wanting to show for a while, plus you can’t really get tired of Dan Mangan. Road Regrets is by far one of my favourite Dan Mangan songs, actually it’s one of my favourite songs over-all, and the video really lives up to the greatness of the song. So, without any more delay, here is the video for Road Regrets.

It’s a really clever video, and extremely cute too. It could also be one of those short animated videos at the beginning of some movies. What I don’t understand is why isn’t music like this more  popular? Why isn’t the Indie industry the main industry? It is so interesting and so in-depth and in my opinion knocks the socks off of the main-stream industry but for some reason never seems to be completely accepted. Well, for all those people for completely missing out because you don’t get to see gems like the fantasic Mr. Mangan. I think that is all of my music rant for the day, so until next time, have  a great night and talk to you soon!

Be Good Or Be Gone

It’s raining, it’s pouring, I really wish I was snoring, but I’m not, instead I’m doing homework (that’s quite the song, huh?). It’s a rainy thursday, and that’s pretty great. And what’s better on rainy Thursdays than folky indie boys, lets just say not much. In fact any day their pretty darn awesome, but rainy days especially. And for the topic of today, well let’s just say the rain just seems to enhance his awesomeness even more, which you wouldn’t think possible. Any guesses? I haven’t given you very many hints, indie folk guy who sounds good on a rainy day, that’s pretty broad. Here’s a few more, he’s Irish and his first CD was called The End of History. That’s right, Fionn Regan.

My very favourite Irish singer-songwriter. But it’s pretty hard not to like him. He’s got everything right, interesting music, kinda’ quirky, good name, good albums, good hair (just wait, you’re in for quite a treat!). I’ve been a fan since his first CD The End of History came out in 2007. That winter I just played it over, and over, and over again. It’s so quiet and lovely and seems so perfect for the winter. I’m especially a fan of Be Good Or Be Gone, Put a Penny In The Slot (this is an especially fantasic song that I will never get sick of, it’s defiantly the anthem of winter 2008), Hey Rabbit, and well they’re all really awesome, just listen to the CD. But after his first CD I kind of wondered what happened to him. It wasn’t until this past winter that he released his second CD, The Shadow Of An Empire, which is very, very different. The End of History is very folky singer-songwriter, just him and a guitar, but The Shadow Of An Empire is much more upbeat. For starters, he has a band, but his songs really changed to, and the way he delivered them. The Shadow Of An Empire has a much more  alt-country, folk vibe which is tres, tres Bob Dylanesque and just a little Bright Eyes. I’m also a fan of the second CD, but it’s a much different vibe than his first. If you’re checking out songs though I’d go for Protection Racket, The Shadow Of An Empire, and Lord Help My Poor Soul.

Today though I’m going to show you the video for Be Good Or Be Gone, one of my very favourite Regan songs. I really love the video too, it’s a cool way to see the song showcased.

I love that he sings in all these different places, and I love how all of them sound just a little different. His hairs pretty darn awesome too. The whole thing is just really cool. Although I have to say, I don’t quite understand the birds at the end, that’s a little odd if you ask me.

P.S. check out the video for Put A Penny In The Slot to, it’s also quite awesome.

To The Dogs Or Whoever

Okay, so this Monday really sucks. Not only is it the very first day of the week, which never works out well, but I also happen to have a sucky cold. How much do colds suck! Your all snuffly and sneezy, and feel really crappy, but yet you’re not flat out sick. It really sucks, but maybe some good music will change things. Get ready for what I hope to be a pretty awesome Random Playlist!

1. The Temptaion of Adam – Josh Ritter
2. September Lily – Hawksley Workman (I’ve been in a very Hawksley mood lately, he’s perfect for fall)
3. The Second Cigarette – The Burning Hell
4. Hollerado Land – Hollerado (this a great new Indie boy band I’ve discovered)
5. Semi Suite – Tom Waits (you gotta’ love yourself some Tom, especially on a sick day)
6. The Ecstacy of Dancing Fleas – Penguin Cafe Orchestra (you also gotta’ love yourself some Penguin when your sick too, it’s also very good for studying)
7. That’s Amore – Dean Martin (enough said)
8. Poli High – Harry Nilsson (if you haven’t ever heard The Point, get on it, as a kid it was one of my favourite things to listen to, and still is)
9. He Drinks Gas – Donovan Woods
10. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen (the perfect way to end a random playlist)

So, this was a pretty good playlist, if not a little strange. And after reviewing all possibilities I think Josh Ritter is perfect for today. Nothing fixes a cold better than a folky indie guy, in my not-so humble opinion anyway.

Once again, my dad discovered Josh Ritter, right after his CD The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter came out in 2007. After listenening to his CD’s, The Historical Conquest is for sure my favourite. I really love the Bob Dylan-esque country twang, but mixed in with a little more folk. He’s always really reminded me of Fionn Regan in that way. In The Historical Conquest of Josh Ritter, I find each song just gets better and better. I’m especially a fan of To The Dogs or Whoever, The Next To The Last Romantic, The Temptation Of Adam, and Still Beating. Below is the video for The Temptation Of Adam. It has a real old-timey feel, which makes sense because I find his music has this old country blues thing going on.

I think it’s a really interesting video, and his voice is really something else. His lyrics are really interesting to, if you actually listen to them. Not quite what you’d expect him to be singing about. Plus, after watching this video I started to see a bit of a resemblance to Horse Feathers, both in voice and looks. I hope you enjoy the video and the artist, he’s pretty awesome. And I’ll talk to you later, ’cause it’s nap time.

Chai Lattes, Rain, and Mondays

It’s Monday, and a rainy one at that. I couldn’t possibly ask for a better day and hopefully that means a good playlist as well. So sit back, relax, get your Chai Latte all ready, and enjoy what should be a pretty awesome Random Playlist Monday.

1. Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye – Leonard Cohen (it’s a good way to say hello though)

2. A Matter of Minutes – Shawn Colvin (for all your sad and miserable days)

3. Steady State – Penguin Cafe Orchestra (this is my favourite study music, not to mention just great music)

4. Rosie – Chubby Checker (this was for a playlist I made my little cousin, it’s a perfect baby song)

5. I Have Been a Fool – Jack Penate (this is another dad find and a pretty fantasic one at that)

6. Brian Wilson – The Barenaked Ladies (I’m afraid I have a bit of a thing for The Barenaked Ladies, especially their greatest hits CD)

7. Sleep – Meiko (Meiko is absolutely fantasic, check out some of her other stuff)

8. Not Too Late – Norah Jones (perfect rainy day music)

9. Sleeping With The Lights On – Teitur (I really love this song, but I always forget about it)

10. Run – Vampire Weekend

So a good playlist except for one little thing. NONE OF THE STANDARDS WERE ON IT! No Hawksley Workman. No Tom Waits. No Danny Michel. I think this is my first Random Playlist to not have atleast one of the three mentioned. But looking past that horrible fact it was pretty good otherwise. Especially for a rainy day what with Norah Jones, Shawn Colvin, and Leonard Cohen not to mention my very favourite Chubby Checker (why do all those guys have names like Chubby or Fat?). I think today is a good day for Teitur though.

I discovered Teitur a few years ago and like I mentioned above I always seem to forget about him. I’m not entirely sure why though since his music is fantastic and every time I hear him I think “wow, I love that”. He hails from the Faroe Islands (get ready for your Georgraphy lesson), which after googled (is that a word) I discovered are part of the Kingdom of Denmark situated between the Norweigan Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean between Great Britain and Iceland. No wonder he’s so pale. But back to the music, I’m a huge fan of his CD Poetry & Aeroplanes. It has most of the songs I like including Sleeping With The Lights On (which has made it onto many a Rainy Day Playlist), Poetry & Aeroplanes (my dad always says when you don’t know a artist or CD go for the song named after the album, which is what I did here), and Shade of Shadow but of course their all pretty darn good. Do check out his other CD’s to and get your Faroe Island fix. For now though here’s a sneak peek of his greatness with his video for Sleeping With The Lights On (which I actually do most nights).

He’s a pretty pale, skinny, nerdy guy with a pretty fantastic voice. I also kind of like the video in all it’s quiet and nerdy glory. That’s all for now until next time (hopefully tomorrow if I get my act together).

P.S. I went to the CNE yesterday and the “theme” of this one was Rock Legends. They had this great exhibit with clothes, records and shoes fromm the great rock legends. I came to the conclusion that John Lennon had pretty awesome clothes not to mention shoes. Oh and the Rock Legends on ice was even better. It’s pretty hard to make male figure skaters look like tough old rock’n'roll guys. They did try though.

P.P.S. to further my love of Dan Mangan I figured out today while listening to a podcast of his from CBC that he references Tom Waits CD Frank’s Wild Years in his song Tina’s Glorious Comeback. Anyone who references is good by me. It also gave me the idea to make a playlist of Tom Waits reference songs. How many could there be?

Him & Me

It’s rainy, somewhat cool, I’m almost done school, I’m feeling good and I have the perfect music topic for today. It feels like a very M. Ward kinda day, dontcha’ think? I do, so here it is eyetunes, my take on M. Ward.

M. Ward for me is another one of those guys that my dad loved and repeatedly listened to (so much that listening to again, I still know most of the words) and of course I did to, but it took quite a few years for me to really get and appreciate M. Ward. When my dad first discovered M. Ward he had his CD Post-War, which was pretty much our anthem for the year of 2006 and than M. Ward for us anyways, kind of fell off a cliff and nothing much happened. He released one EP and that was. But than came along Zooey Deschanel. Their collaboration CD She & Him was awesome in a total country twang with a twist of Indie kind of way. Now in 2009 he relased another CD called Hold Time which I am seriously loving. It has the same jangly guitar and M. Ward’s insanly lovely voice, but it also has another twist that I’m having trouble explaining but that I think kind of sets it apart from his other CD’s. But even with all these twists, I will forever and always be a fan of Post-War, with it’s wacky songs and old men (and he really does talk about old men, of course that’s fine by me). Of course Requiem, Chinese Translation, Poison Cup and my all-time favourite Rollercoaster are just a few greats from Post-War, ’cause there really isn’t a bad one. He may actaully be one of the greatest song-writers, I mean you kind of get distracted by that lovely voice, but his songs are really awesome to. Listen, and I mean really listen to some of his lyrics, they will deffiently make you wonder what M. Ward was doing well he was writing Post-War (and I mean that in the best possible way) and why he hasn’t been noticed more for his song writing.

Of course on his new CD Hold Time there are also some great songs like, Shangri-La, Jailbird, and Stars of Leo that are for sure worth checking out, and of course if you haven’t already check out She & Him, although it may not be for everyone, well it’s deffinetly for some people.

So, I was going to show you the video for Rollercoaster, but that literally is really all it is, so I thought I’d go for Requiem instead, and of course it has old men, so what could be better, right? Please still go check out Rollercoaster and all his other stuff, and just let your day roll right on with M. Ward.

P.S. So I have another band question. Why does it seem all the awesome American bands these days and past days seem to come from Portland, Oregon? I mean what’s so great about Oregon, and why don’t I live there? That may be next move, or my first move.