So I just checked the forecast and it’s looking like it’ll be drizzly throughout the area this week. You’ve got two options when it comes to dealing with this depressing weather. 1. Put on your rainboots, get out there and find little bits of sunshine in the dreary days or, 2. stay in your dark, cool room, bury yourself in blankets, eat lots of chocolate and listen to this playlist.
The Carpenters – Rainy Days and Mondays
It’s one of those songs that gets stuck in your head for days on end…which is why I put it at the beginning of this playlist. It’s a little cheesy. It’s a lot cheesy. But there’s something about Karen’s soothing voice in combination with the swelling orchestrals and unnecessary reverb that make it feel okay to fester in the puddles of Monday.
Sufjan Stevens – Futile Devices
There’s something so comforting, yet so minimal about Stevens’ music. It’s quiet, but not melancholic. When you hear his voice, it seems too angelic to be real…his pure, piercing tone is pretty incredible. Which is why this video freaks me out so much (in a good way). Watch it, please. Note his face at the end.
Andrew Bird – Plasticies
This song builds like a storm on a summer day. It opens with pitter-patter of violin plucking and builds with each added layer–the drums, the strings, the vocals. During the chorus, it starts to pour sweet, sweet melodies. It lets up for a while, then picks up again, only to slow down again, letting the last drops fall. Wow, how’d you like that for a metaphor? This tune is pretty exemplary of Bird’s ephemeral approach to composition. Since he loops most everything in his music, he can create this intricate wall of sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHkw3rax4aU
Fleet Foxes – Blue Spotted Tail
I miss this band. They’re great for both rainy days and road trips. They also make me really want to go out into the woods, pick up pretty leaves and then sit near a bubbling brook and contemplate life. Anyone?
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – Helplessly Hoping
One of my favorite songs ever. It’s so gentle, yet so beautiful. It’s the perfect harmony song because, really, there is no melody. Each part is equally integral to the sound of the song. The lyrics are just as well thought out. Their use of the poetic devices alliteration and imagery aren’t at all pretentious (like this sentence is set out to be). Rather, they force the listener to see and to feel the story.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doIEwzc6k_k
Bright Eyes – Lua
Connor Oberst’s sweet voice and equally sweet lyrics are perfect for a little nap inside. This track in particular is vulnerable, gentle and somehow sad.
Why? – Jonathan’s Hope
The question for this band is always, “Why not?” They’ve got f***ing groove, man. Yoni and Josiah Wolf, the band’s two brothers, are pretty unassuming off stage, but once they start throwing down it’s pretty hard not to tap your foot. I love this song the best because it kind of sticks…there’s some drag to it, which, combined with the clever lyrics, straight up works.
Broken Bells – Sailing to Nowhere
This whole album is worth like thousands of listens. That’s all.
St. Vincent – Dilettante
Love love love this song for it’s subtlety. Annie Clark is such an honest song writer and that’s what I love about her. This is a unique track in that it have her typical intricate production–it’s more of a coffee house, stripped down version of her usual stuff. It’s so low and easy to sing along with.
Rufus Wainwright – Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk
Ending the playlist on a happy little tune from Rufus Wainwright. It makes me really want to drink chocolate milk, which is motivation to get outside and walk to the store. The rain has let up now. It’s night. The moon is shining bright through the clouds. Enjoy.
