With no rhyme, reason, or timing sense, I felt like making a list of favorites and superlatives. I love to make lists of my favorite movies, shows, books and music because it holds me accountable. Otherwise I run haywire and everything becomes my “favorite” depending on my mood.
So, everyone, here is a definitive list of certain odds-and-ends favorites.
Favorite Lyric:
Death Cab for Cutie – “Crooked Teeth”
“‘Cause I built you a home in my heart with rotten wood and it decayed from the start.”
I’ve been listening to Death Cab since I was in fifth grade and my dad drove me to school every day. It was around then that Plans came out and it consumed my morning routine. Then, this one line confused me. Now it consumes me with wonder and angst. It’s the perfect mixture of words that’s more poetry than song.
Favorite Music Video:
GROUPLOVE – “Ways to Go”
There’s something about seeing Hannah Hooper jamming out in a skeleton costume and a Kim Jong-un kid-look-alike wearing a Hawaiian shirt that just really gets me. The dancing is infectious and if you don’t want to stomp and jump around like a wild person by the end, you’re probably doing something wrong.
Most Played song on my iTunes:
Gregory Alan Isakov – “Saint Valentine”
Technically, the most played song on my iTunes is “Love Like a Sunset Pt. II” by Phoenix. However, that song is less than two minutes long and only has three more plays than Saint Valentine, so I vote it’s cheating. I will say this about “Saint Valentine:” There is a three second guitar ditty at 1:41 that I have replayed hundreds of times and will play a hundred more. See if you can pick it out.
Favorite Male Vocalist:
Sufjan Stevens
This is one of the hardest questions to answer, but I choose Mr. Stevens, now in the band Sisyphus, because of his versatility. He has an amazing propensity to go in so many different directions and styles that you have no choice but to be impressed by him.
Favorite Female Vocalist:
Allison Sudol of A Fine Frenzy
So this one is kind of tough for me because most of the songs that I listen to happen to be by male vocalists, outside of country artists. For some reason, A Fine Frenzy has always had a special place in my heart. While I wasn’t crazy about Pines, the first few albums will always be some of my favorites.
Favorite Album:
Lord Huron – Lonesome Dreams
If I was given five things to bring with me on an island, this CD would be one of them. I have listened to it straight through more times than I can count and somehow it never fails to mystify me. The tracks seamlessly flow together and create a complimentary work that changes with every listen. If you haven’t heard it yet, it deserves your full attention.
Favorite Cover:
Coldplay – “Till Kingdom Come/Ring of Fire”
Every time I hear this song, I tear up a little bit. Chris Martin and friends wanted to do a collaboration with Johnny Cash on “Till Kingdom Come” which was set to record until Cash passed away. To this day, when I hear the song, I wonder what it would have been like had he been around to record his part. This mash up will have to be enough.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBXvl7thiDM
Favorite NPR Tiny Desk Concert:
The Lone Bellow
Is this a stretch to have as a superlative? Absolutely not. These little buggers are some of my favorite things to just sit back and enjoy. The Lone Bellow absolutely thrive in this live, acoustic setting and the emotion in their already fueled songs is even more prevalent. I cannot wait to see them this December at the Canopy Club.
Favorite Live Concert:
The Lumineers
This is another toughie considering I saw Coldplay a few years ago when they played Amsterdam on a whim. But when I saw The Lumineers at Riviera, they played a song that was unreleased at the time. They climbed up on the balconies and abandoned their mics for a beautiful acoustic encore that I will never forget.
Favorite Song of the Moment:
The Lighthouse and the Whaler – “Under Mountain, Under Ground”
I could never choose a favorite song of all time, so I’ll just settle for what I’ve been listening to lately. The opening to this song always reminds me of “The Galway Girl” by Steve Earle, which was part of the initial draw. I adore the wacky vocals and the simple giddiness wandering throughout the song. Just a really great tune for this time of year.
