I seem to take my music in fits and starts, much as I do anything, I guess. Anyway, I've been listening to music a lot more here recently, and these songs seem to be the ones I'm coming back to again and again.
1. This Tornado Loves You -- Neko Case
I don't think Neko Case can write a bad song, but this one -- it's just sheer genius. Add to that the fact that the lyrics are meant to be taken quite literally, and well...I love it even more. You must watch her live performance on Letterman; in this age of Autotune and other electronic tinkering, her voice is a true talent.
2. Just Breathe -- Pearl Jam
Eddie Vedder's voice is just one of those voices that will always immediately transport me back to a time and place -- it's the voice of my senior year of high school and my freshman year of college. Pearl Jam is one of those bands that was a significant marker in my own musical history -- one of the first bands that was MY music, not my parents' music, you know? And the lyrics to this song...incredible.
3. With You (cover) -- Ingram Hill
I've seen these guys a couple of times now; they are a young band from Memphis. The thing is, I really don't like this Chris Brown song at all (I change the station every time it comes on), but when Justin sings it, it's just...different. Must be the Memphis accent? ;)
4. With Arms Outstretched -- Rilo Kiley
Jenny Lewis (and Rilo Kiley) is one of those artists that I kept reading about, in magazines and online, but I never checked out for myself until just recently. Obviously, I'm aware of what I was missing out. This song is one that I find myself singing along to all the time: one of the best indicators of a good song. And this live version -- SO powerful!
5. All is Love -- Karen O & the Kids
"One, two, ready, GO!" This song just makes me smile -- a big goofy silly smile from ear to ear. Cami likes to listen to this one with me, especially when we are in the car and we've got the windows all rolled down.
6. Bowl of Oranges -- Bright Eyes
Some of the best song lyrics ever. EVER. "...And every time you feel like crying,I'm gonna try and make you laugh. And if I can't, if it just hurts too bad,then we will wait for it to pass..."
7. Washed by the Water -- Will Hoge
I've been listening to him quite a bit, since he'll be performing here on campus on Thursday night, and this is one of the songs I've been drawn to most. I know my dad would've loved this guy. I can't seem to find a clean version -- all the videos are live versions, but this one is pretty good. (The "whooo!" girls do get a little annoying toward the end, but it's not too bad). Give him a listen on lastfm.com otherwise.
8. Peace Train -- Cat Stevens
And proof that I really am my father's daughter....and perhaps that I was born twenty years too late, as my mom has always joked. We caught "We Are Marshall" on cable the other night, and this was part of a medley in the middle of the movie, and it's been in my head since then.
9. Belly of June -- Horsefeathers
This group was one of the featured artists on World Cafe tonight (which I don't get to listen to frequently enough), and I was just entranced with both songs. Definitely going to be listening to them more often.
10. I Don't Know -- Lisa Hannigan
I've been in love with Lisa Hannigan since I first heard her perform with Damien Rice -- I kept trying to figure out if the vocals she did on Volcano belonged to Fiona Apple. I quickly learned the truth and became a huge fan of her haunting voice. Once they split and she released her own CD, I grabbed it quickly. I love the live video of this song -- it's just so fun, in a way that only live music can be. Plus, isn't she gorgeous? There's a part of me that thinks this might be what Cass looks like as she gets older. Am I crazy or do any of you see it too?
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