Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Listen

Thanks to my parents, my music taste was destined to be a bit eclectic.

My dad subjected me to three-hours-long reggae jam sessions and mornings filled with NPR's Morning Edition and Car Talk (thanks, Dad!).

My mom subjected me to everything. Because of her, I know the lyrics to every single one of Joni Mitchell, Patti Smith and Bruce Springsteen's songs by heart, even though I don't own a single one of their albums personally (thanks, Mom!).

Back in the third grade, I did a little dance number to The Pretenders' "Don't Get Me Wrong" for the talent show, because that's what my mom listened to and that's what I knew. So you can imagine my dismay when, even as far as college, I realized no one else had even heard of The Pretenders before. It turns out, most kids grew up on ABBA. I didn't know who ABBA was until I was 21. Weird (now I love ABBA too, naturally).

Anyway, because of this eclectic background, I have come to the realization that I am not a music snob. My motto: if it makes you happy, listen to it. Rap, country, elevator music...as long as it makes me smile, or conjures up one of those distant childhood memories as really great songs tend to do, I like it. It seems a shame to eliminate an entire genre from my repertoire just because I feel like being a snob, you know?  But I have had people get upset with me before over the fact that I like songs like "Gold Digger" by Kanye, but I just can't help it.  That song is catchy and makes me laugh every. single. time.

That said, there's always going to be the music that I don't like.  Like Owl City, which makes me feel car sick. I'm not sure why.

Here's what I'm listening to now - at least until I play these songs on repeat too many times and get sick of them and come up with an entirely new playlist. When that time comes, I'll let you know.

In the meantime, please let me know which songs you're loving right now.  I am always looking for new music, and get bored with my playlists pretty quickly.  Thank goodness for Spotify.

P.S.: While many of these songs have been around forever and I just will never stop loving them, some of these songs aren't released yet, so I had to attach them all via YouTube.  If the link doesn't work for you but you're just blown away by my impeccable taste in music, I've included all the song titles below.



Until We Get There - Lucius
Send Me on My Way - Rusted Root
 Let Me Go - HAIM
Hell on Heels - Pistol Annies
Roar - Katy Perry
Porcelain - Moby
The Wind - Cat Stevens
Farewell Reel - Patti Smith
So Groovy - Jocelyn Alice& Right the Stars
Both Sides Now - Joni Mitchell
Sinnerman - Nina Simone
Same Mistakes - The Echo-Friendly
The Stable Song - Gregory Alan Isakov

13 comments:

  1. I just bought the album Pure Heroine with Lorde. I LOVE it! It has been on constant repeat for about three days.

    Miss you girlie :)
    xx Audrey

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    1. Oooh yeah! I like the song "Royals"...or something? But keep forgetting to check out the rest of her music! Putting it on my to-do/things to do while procrastinating list right now! :)

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  2. I've been listening to Of Monsters and Men a lot. I bought the CD after my completely self-righteous brother who hates the majority of music had me listen to "Little Talks". I love the entire CD! I was shocked that of all people, my oldest brother was the one that introduced me to that band, though he did give them a back-handed compliment (true to his way of giving any compliments).

    I also have been listening to a lot of Daughter when I'm in a melancholy mood, and Passion Pit when I'm in a more upbeat mood. And a lot of Deep Dark Woods and Larry and His Flask (Ebb and Flow is my all time favorite song at the moment) when I'm in a folky mood. Here is a link to Ebb and Flow in case you're interested :D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-i0tS-REco

    Auditing gives me A LOT of time to listen to NPR and music. I freakin' love Radio Lab. Here is a link to my favorite Radio Lab that I've listened to about three times now (LOTS of time auditing...) http://www.radiolab.org/story/313594-known-unknowns/

    Miss you, friend! Hope I was also able to provide some fodder to your procrastination arsenal. :D

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    1. Much fodder, indeed! Thanks, girl! I haven't heard of Daughter and Passion Pit yet...or any of the bands mentioned after that...except Radio Lab, of course. I own NPR just as much as you do ;) Thank you!

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  3. You've got a few of my favorites on that list: Farewell Reel, Sinnerman and The Stable Song. I'll have to check out the ones on your list that I've not heard before.

    Here's a couple of my new favorites:
    Katzenjammer, I Will Dance When I Walk Away: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQbbIqQaypY
    (Katzen jammer has some other good songs too)

    Elvis Perkins, While You Were Sleeping: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjN8kyK14wk

    Mason Jennings, Duluth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK4S3pkbaWU

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    1. Weird, I could have sworn for a second there you were going to say that Roar was on your favorites list. Perhaps this was an innocent omission on your part?

      I'll have to look those people up! So many people I haven't heard of before. I'm glad Sinnerman is one of your faves. It's probably the most exhilarating song I've ever heard.

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    2. If you had taken choir senior year with me and Lucia, you would have been able to sing Sinnerman in a choral arrangement in a church off Hwy Nine :D I got to do the soprano solo which the version you cite has as background type singing :D

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  4. Since people are giving recommendations... I know you like Paul Simon so I think you would like this new song I currently have on repeat. It kinda sounds like something from the Graceland album. "Trouble Sleep Yanga Wake Am" is a cover of the Fela Kuti song that My Morning Jacket did with Brittany Howard from Alabama Shakes. I like it a lot right now...

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    1. Awesome! Thank you! And I love Alabama Shakes!! Perfect!

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  5. The Pretenders! Oh man, I could listen to I'll Stand by You on repeat all damn day. I am definitely not a music snob either. The latest additions to my playlist are:
    That's All Right - Laura Mvula
    Royals - Lorde
    Child of the Valley - The Wooden Sky (actually anything by The Wooden Sky)
    and I'm obsessed with Emelie Sande (Maybe and Clown are real tearjerkers though, watch out) and Paloma Faith

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    1. Ooooh glad to come into contact with a fellow Pretenders aficionado! Thank you so much for the recommendations, I'll definitely check them out!

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  6. always nice discovering new music (I don't know a couple from your list) so thanks !!

    jomischief

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    1. I love discovering new music as well, thanks for reading and I hope I at least gave you one new song to listen to that you like! :)

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