One Day, One Song At a Time
Waking up isn’t my favorite task in life, and the myriad of time waster later, I’m back. During those 17 hours with the living, I try my darnedest to leave potential unharnessed, and listen to too much music, sometimes obsessing over one song each day. With these songs, something about them made me return again and again and again and again.
1. “Sumer” by Rostam from Half-Light
Performed by Vampire Weekend’s Rostam Batmanglij as part of his solo work outside the band. Half-Light was just released this year, and “Sumer” has been a in my head since. The droning feeling throughout the tune brings me to a place where everything doesn’t seem so fast.
2. “I Wish You Wouldn’t Say That” by Talking Heads from Talking Heads 77(Deluxe Version)
Though I’ve listened to this album so many times, this song sticks out as one that I’ve spent my fair share of time wishing you didn’t say such things. Everything to this screams early talking heads. Minimalism, funkyness, awkward Byrneness.
3. “I Got the Message” by Men Without Hats from Rhythm of Youth
Another album that I spent too much time blowing through my ear drums, but I got the Message has slowly replaced Safety Dance as my favorite track by Canadian Synth king's Men Without Hats.
4. “I’m Your Man” by Richard Hell from Blank Generation
One of my alltime favorite pieces recorded. Blank Generation gives me everything I want in a great punk rock album, and the guitar slaying within “I’m Your Man” set this song apart from man others. While still retaining the flavor of the album Richard presents a little more in one.
5. “Brothers Gonna Work It Out” by Public Enemy from Fear Of A Black Planet
In classic Public Enemy fashion Brothers Gonna Work it Out presents a positive message, crazy sounds, and personal awareness that many Public Enemy fans know and love about the Rap Duo.
6. “It’s A Mistake” by Men at Work from Cargo
During a time where everyday we sit on the brink of destruction, with war mongering demagogues playing their tricks, and the fact our planet won’t exist looming over us, it’s good to know Colin Hay, and the Men at Work agree with this unfortunate circumstance. It’s A Mistake. Time to just forget about it all on the internet until then.
7. “My Heart Rate Rapid” by Metronomy from Nights Out
If you never heard of the English Funky, synth outfit from England called metronomy here is something that sounds nothing like their later work, but is full of some of the same energy, flavor, and dank beats that make up the later albums of this synth poppy powerhouse.
8. “Ana Ng” by They Might Be Giants from Lincoln
This song was first shown to me by my late friend, and I wish I could sit with him, and enjoy the sounds of TMBG with him today. After his passing this song never left my head, my ears were filled with the words he use to sing to us back in high school. What I wouldn’t give to heard you sing this song for our choir class one more time.
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