It’s summer, and most students and citizens alike are home and working for the holiday. With this trip home often comes sentiments or feelings from the past. These tracks are just a few that trigger some memories for me:
1. ”Bohemian Like You” — The Dandy Warhols:
The original hipster anthem (at least in my opinion), this song makes fun and references everything that is hip from waiting tables to eating vegan food. This song was the very first song that inspired me to expand my musical horizons past the boy bands of the 1990’s…though I wonder what my life would be like if I were more into N’Sync right now…we may never know.
Listen Here:
2. “Be (The Times)” — Frank Leone
This is a local artist from the C-U area who is also operating fairly under-the-radar. This song is particularly interesting because it samples a re-make of the classic Common song “Be”. Check out his website for more of his stuff.
Listen Here:
3. “I Don’t Want Love” — The Antlers
This song title is pretty much the opposite of everyone’s view on life, but the song is a keeper. It’s a great starter track to The Antlers’ 2011 masterpiece Burst Apart. It’s rainy day music. Its perfect for peaceful moments like that…even if you do intend to find love one day.
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4. “Sunday Bloody Sunday” — U2
I still remember my dad playing this song for me in our house when I was 5. He would always say that the Edge was one of the best guitarists of all time with the opening riff. To this day, I find it hard to disagree with my father. Plus, it’s pretty hard to dislike a humanitarian like Bono (pink shades and all).
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5. “Wild World” — Cat Stevens
Yes, this is the song that plays at the end of the first season of Skins (The British version, of course!), but before that, Cat Stevens was one of the most prominent members of the late 60’s and early 70’s folk movement. Every time I listen to this song, I become oddly humbled. Maybe it will have the same effect on you. You never know.
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6. “14,400 Minutes” — Chance The Rapper
Here’s another rap song. I’m sorry if that offends anyone. What’s remarkable about this song (or rather the entire album) is that it was written over rapper Chance’s 10 day suspension from Chicago’s Jones Prep High School. He has already sold out multiple shows in Chicago, and his mix-tape “10 Day” is being hailed as one of the next big things from Chicago.
Listen Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s5pIldeo9I
7. “Where’s Summer B?” — Ben Folds Five
This one makes sense…because it’s summer, after all. I love the seemingly carefree sound of Ben Folds Five, also. “I’d like to tell ya, like to tell ya, I took a little bit too long”
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8. “Hey Jane” — Spiritualized
The music video for this song is a little bizarre…and 10 minutes long…so I just posted the audio instead. This album is legitimately one of the best of the year, and if you can see past the odd video, I think you’ll like it too.
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9. “I Summon You” — Spoon
“Remember the weight of the world? It’s a sound that we used to buy.”
Those are some heavy words, but not nearly as heavy as my guilt from missing Spoon when they played at Lolla a couple of years ago.
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10. “Good Weather” — The Pro Letarians:
I’m pretty into some of this underground rap from Chicago, and these guys are no exception. They’ve only been together for a year, and will begin their Sophomore years at Indiana University next fall. Plus M.C. Jupiter Jim has a flow strikingly similar to that of another Chicago rap genius…I’d definitely look for these guys to blow up in the future.
Listen Here:
