Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Mixtape #6: When It's Sleepy Time Down South

I fall asleep to music every night. It's a habit I've had for almost a year now. Usually when I fall asleep, I have all these thoughts floating around my head, taking my mind hostage, so I can never focus on just sleeping. These songs have always cleared my mind, and helped me out TONS.

Track 1. Louis Armstrong - "When It's Sleepy Time Down South": This was kind of the obvious choice, being that I live in the south, so that's usually where I am sleepy. (Wink wink.)


Track 2. Bon Iver - "Brackett, MI": This is an amazing artist. His music is so intricate and deep. This guy is definitely a keeper. I'm sure of one thing: you'll be hearing about about this guy for years to come.


Track 3. Iron & Wine - "Half Moon": The video doesn't do the song justice so I apologize. Sam Beam really took an interesting turn on this album, but it still has that old Iron & Wine charm. Also, the album art is absolutely fantastic. You can't see it very well in the video, so I'M BEGGING YOU to go to Google or something along those lines and look it up. It's AMAZING.


Track 4. The Ember Days - "Emergency": Half of their songs are instrumental, and totally beautiful.


Track 5. mewithoutYou - "Cattail Down": I don't think anyone would mind me saying that this band is . . . outlandish, but also amazing. One of my all time favorite albums. It's filled with folk instruments and food analogies . . . you'll just have to buy it and see what I'm talking about.


Track 6. Death Cab For Cutie - "I Will Possess Your Heart": This song is intense. I love how much it builds up and then just tears down. Probably the longest intro to a song, but it really erases your mind and you can just zone out. 



Track 7. Fleet Foxes - "Grown Ocean": I've actually stayed up all night listening to this album, so I guess this isn't exactly sleeping music in my case. But I do still find that it always soothes me. This whole album is phenomenal. Absolutely flawless. (Not to mention this beautiful video.) This also might turn out to be my favorite album of 2011 . . . Blog about that coming up soon!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Mixtape #5: Good Ol' Rock n Roll

Get ready for some head boppin' today. This may be my best mixtape so far. If you're like me, you can't resist just good, classy rock music. And that's what this mixtape is full of.

Track 1. The Hives - "Hate To Say I Told You So": This song is straight up in your face. I also think the video is hilarious for some reason. Extremely classy band.


Track 2. The Golden Dogs - "Yeah!": Please excuse the strange video. Apparently this amazing song has been on an extremely crappy TV show, but it was the only video I could find. Oh well, these guys are still awesome.

 

Track 3. Spoon - "Finer Feelings": I'm bopping my head while listening to this song. It's beat is contagious. I was introduced to this band by my cousin (you know who you are), and have loved them ever since then.


Track 4. The Strokes - "Juicebox": Their songs are so simple, but are still really complex and fun. These guys really fit into that "too cool for school" category. Turn it up and jam out.


Track 5. Arctic Monkeys - "From The Ritz To The Rubble": I put these guys right next to The Strokes being that they've actually covered a few of their songs. This particular band I was introduced to by my sister when I was maybe . . . 9 years old?



Track 6. Peter, Bjorn & John - "Second Chance": Such great rock music. And if you like this song, you HAVE to buy the whole record. It's one of my all time favorites.


Track 7. The Black Keys - "Tighten Up": These guys are straight up rock and roll. Period. Also, this video is pretty darn funny.



Track 8. Wolfmother - "Dimension": They remind me SO MUCH of Led Zeppelin for some reason. (I hope I won't get any haters from that statement.) The first time I heard this song I think I was 8 years old?  I think?



Track 9. Wilco - "I Might": Bob Boilen (from NPR All Songs Considered) described this band as the "best rock band in America." To be honest, I don't think he's to far off with that statement. Listen and you'll get what I mean and what he means.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Mixtape #4: Nostalgia

Memories. Good or bad, we all have them. They always implant some sort of influence in our lives. This week is a little bit shorter for a few reasons: one being that I procrastinated, and two being that time ended up being a lot shorter than I thought. But then of course, your mind can only hold so many memories. This week I'm going to share some songs that have a lot of meaning in my life. Along with that, I'll share some personal stories of why these songs mean a lot to me.


Track 1. "Girl" - Beck: Now, I know what you're thinking. This is the third Beck song I've put on here, and you're probably a bit annoyed by now. But I think it just goes to show how much of an influence he's had on my life. This album Guero I got when I was about 12 years old. (SO LONG AGO.) I remember it being one of the first albums I bought for myself, and really liking it a lot. And of course I still listen to it all of the time these days.

Track 2. "Kaya" - Bob Marley: Ever since I can remember, my dad would always sing this to my older sister (who's name is Kiah). Bob Marley has always been a huge influence in my life.

Track 3. "The Fool On The Hill" - The Beatles: I cannot put into words how much of an influence The Beatles have had on my life. I listened to them for as long as I can remember being in existence. I know it's kind of cliche to "love" The Beatles, but I do think that there people that have a certain spot in their heart for The Beatles. They are timeless.

Track 4. "All By Myself" - Green Day: I remember the first time I heard this song I was nearly crying laughing. I think I might have been 9 years old, but I've never forgotten it.

Track 5. "Suddenly Seymour" - Little Shop Of Horrors: I know it's not exactly manly to listen to showtunes, but oh well, I embrace it! I can recall my dad singing this to my mom all of the time.

Track 6. "Goodnight My Angel" - Billy Joel: This may be my favorite childhood song. I remember my parents singing me to sleep with it, and now I will sing it to my kids. Which is exactly the meaning of the song. That's just beautiful.

Track 7. "Bohemian Rhapsody" - Queen: If you asked me to sing you this song right now, I would sing it for you word for word. (though it might be a little rusty around the edges.) It has also been used rather conveniently in various family gatherings. One time, my family and my uncle's family were out boating, when all of the sudden, it starts storming like crazy. the waves were huge, and we were all scared to death. But then we all started singing this song, and it definitely brought us comfort. Another time, we were at another uncle's house with all of my mom's side of the family. Then the power goes out. We couldn't see a thing, and everyone was freaking out. But then we sing this song, and right at the end of it, the lights come on.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Mixtape #3: Jazz, It's Not Just For Old Folks

I love jazz music. It just makes me feel good. This week, I'm picking out some of my favorite jazz artists. Most are y'know . . . older. But that doesn't mean we can't still love 'em. With this mixtape I'm going for a bit of a different style. I'm selecting a few of my favorite artists, singers and composers, then choosing three songs for each artist.

Artist 1. Billie Holiday - "Strange Fruit", "Lover Man", "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm": The song "Strange Fruit" is one of the most haunting songs I've ever heard. It was written as an anti-lynching poem in the late 1930's. I actually got chills the first time I read the lyrics. And then when you turn over to "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm", your mood totally changes. I love that.
Artist 2. Duke Ellington - "Sophisticated Lady", "It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)", "In A Sentimental Mood": I love this guy's work. His fingers seem to move so effortlessly across the piano keys. He was always having the time of his life on stage with his music. You can tell he was home.
Artist 3. Frank Sinatra - "Girl From Ipanema", "New York, New York", "Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)": He's probably one of the most popular jazz singers ever. And also one of my favorites. He had a very classy style, something that is lacking in the world today.
Artist 4. Louis Armstrong - "When You're Smiling", "Kiss Of Fire", "Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans": I can honestly say (straight up) that Satchmo is my favorite jazz artist of all time. And I do not say that lightly. His music has never failed to make me laugh, cry or just feel good. When I first came across his music, I was hooked. He opened my mind to a whole new world of artistry. His music oozes with contentment and pure joy.



Now people, don't forget that there are so many other great jazz artists out there. Buddy Rich, Dizzy Gillespie, Gene Krupa, Max Roach and so many others that I didn't mention. So don't limit your pallet to what you find here.

Also, next week's mixtape: "Nostalgia".

Peace,
Hunter

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Mixtape #2: You Broke My Heart

You know what's coming . . . the tissue box. There are those days (in which I have experienced a few times in my life) where you have that knot in your chest, your brain's rushing with thousands of different thoughts, and you need some time alone. Well folks, here's my playlist for those times in your life. I hope it doesn't bring you down too much.

Track 1. "You Broke My Record (You Broke My Heart)" - Glib: I found this song (which [as of now] is the only song I know by them) through some sort of strange coincidence. It mysteriously landed on a Weezer mixtape my sister's boyfriend gave to me. This song is sad, but for some reason it also makes me smile. I'm just warning you though, I looked everywhere on YouTube, and I couldn't find it anywhere. You can find the song here.
Track 2. "Good Morning Heartache" - Billie Holiday: The title of the song says it all.
Track 3. "Title And Registration" - Death Cab For Cutie: Death Cab has this unique way of somehow putting all of my thoughts into words.
Track 4. "Lonesome Tears" - Beck: This album is in my top 5 albums of all time. Most people describe it as Beck's "breakup album". It's definitely soft, but by far his most emotional work. I love it.
Track 5. "Someone Great" - LCD Soundsystem: If you've ever lost someone, this song is yours.
Track 6. "Sometime Around Midnight" - Airborne Toxic Event: This song gave me chills the first time I heard it.
Track 7. "If It's The Beaches" - The Avett Brothers: The words and instrumental in this song are equally moving.
Track 8. "Someone Like You" - Adele: For me, this is THE sad song of the decade. It just breaks your heart. And who among us hasn't been in a situation at least almost exactly like hers? She puts heartbreak into words.

Well, I hope that I gave you some tunes to help nurture your blues.

Next week's mixtape? "Jazz, It's Not Just For Old Folks".