For my play
list, I decided to just pick some songs I’ve been listening to a lot lately.
Most of them are newer songs, but there are a couple of older ones in there
too. As much as I like some of the bands today, I had to pay respect to my
first love, the sweet music of the 60’s and 70’s.
1)
“One
More Cup of Coffee” – Bob Dylan
You
can’t go wrong with Bob Dylan, except maybe if you listen to his most recent
album of Christmas songs. I guess even Dylan gets bored. Anyway, this song is
off Dylan’s Desire, which came out in
1976. In the morning before class, drink a cup of coffee while listening to
this song. It’s awesome. Trust me, I tried it. The song’s vibe and lyrics will
make you feel like you’re about to take off on some kind of desert journey…then
you realize you’re going to an econ lecture. Still, anything to make the school
day more interesting.
2)
“Run
On” – Johnny Cash
This
folk song goes perfectly with the theme of listening to songs that make you feel
like what you’re doing is way more significant than it actually is. Also known
as “God’s Gonna Cut You Down,” this Johnny Cash tune will have you walking to
the beat of the stomping feet in the song. I randomly had the urge to listen to
it the other day, and I haven’t been able to stop.
3)
“Old
Old Fashioned” – Frightened Rabbit
Once
I’m done listening to songs that make me feel like a badass, I turn on
something more upbeat to get my day going. A friend of mine showed me this song
a couple weeks ago, and I’ve been listening to it ever since. Frightened Rabbit
is a Scottish band on the rise, similar to fellow UK band Mumford and Sons.
This song talks about “getting old fashioned,” listening to radio instead of
watching T.V., and waltzing. It really makes you nostalgic for the old days,
but it makes you happy at the same time.
4)
“Rill
Rill” – Sleigh Bells
This
band came out with their debut album in May of this year. Lead singer Alexis
Krauss’ voice floats over this extremely catchy tune. This song is bound to
both get stuck in your head and put you in a good mood. But don’t be deceived
by the lighthearted nature of this song. Sleigh Bells also knows how to rock
(listen to “Crown on the Ground”). Great new band, I’d love to see them live.
5)
“So
Into You” – F. Stokes
I
saw F. Stokes open for Matt and Kim last week, and I immediately bought his
album after the show. He raps with authority and emotion about growing up in
poverty, selling cocaine, and mental struggles. But in this song, his rap is
inspirational, and hopeful for the future. A product of both Madison West High
School and Chicago, he is a talented local artist that is worth checking out.
He’ll be at the Majestic October 15th. He puts on a great show. I’d
recommend seeing him.
6)
“Suburban
War” – Arcade Fire
This
song is off Arcade Fire’s most recent album, The Suburbs. Like all of their songs, it’s pretty depressing. But
what makes their music so good, in addition to the musical talent, is the fact
that you can relate to the emotions they’re feeling. In “Suburban War,” lead
singer Win Butler laments that his old friends don’t know him anymore. One of
the themes of the album is change, the change Butler feels is happening to him as
he gets older. He is losing sight of his youth. Butler’s lament is a very human
one, as we all have to deal with the stress and struggle of getting older.
7)
“To
Old Friends and New” – Titus Andronicus
Titus
Andronicus is a unique band to say the least. To give you a taste, their second
album, The Monitor, is Civil
War-themed and includes a “Suggested Further Reading” list of books about the
war. I bought this album at a record store in Normal, Illinois when I went to
visit a few friends at Illinois State. I listened to it on the car ride home,
and my ears were ringing for some time afterward. It is full of loud guitars,
thunderous drums and intense vocals. This song is a quieter one about a break
up, but it rises to an inspirational peak about finding something in this life
“worth fighting for,” before falling back down again.
8)
“Fast
Blood” – Frightened Rabbit
I
just downloaded their second album, Midnight
Organ Fight, so I’ve been listening to these guys a lot. This song is not
nearly as upbeat as “Old Old Fashioned,” but the heavy reverb of the guitar and
the cool drumbeat paired with the singer’s heartfelt vocals make it a pleasure
to listen to.
9)
“Go
to Sleep” – Lupe Fiasco
This
is one of Lupe’s new singles. It has a very laid back beat, with a simple yet
well picked piano chord progression. Lupe’s rhymes are as good as they always
are on this one. He’s one of the best rappers (if not the best rapper) around, in
my opinion.
10)”The Great Estates” – Freelance Whales
I
saw these guys at Lollapalooza this summer, and they were awesome. Their debut
album Weathervanes came out this
year. They play quite the assortment of instruments, including banjo,
glockenspiel, synthesizer, and something called a harmonium. This song talks
about a mysterious yet peaceful place called “The Great Estates,” and it really
makes you want to go there by the end. The way the rest of the band joins lead
singer Judah Dadone for the chorus is mesmerizing, almost sending you into a
trance.