Weekend - Sarah RabDAU

"In the morning our bodies lie

Further apart than the day before"

Love her voice.  It's as simple as that.  

Tinkling notes in the background add a sense of whimsy to what is otherwise an aggressively, passionate statement.

Catchy lyrics combine with beautiful tone and creative lyrics.

Love her voice, love her stories, love her.  It's really as simple as that.

Tribulations - LCD Soundsystem

"Well everybody makes mistakes

But I feel alright when I come undone"

This is what should have accompanied my work day today: A day where I struggled not to scream, yank on my hair, and yell "I fucking quit".

But I didn't do any of that.  Instead I worked steadily, just like the pounding of the beat in Tribulations.  

LCD Soundsystem is not everyday music for me, however, the resonating vocals and sturdy beat are perfect for a hard day.  It's a presence that dominates, eliminating one's ability to dwell on the horrors of the day.  Instead one can only hear, can only feel, the beat, the passion, and the power.

*Posted for Friday, January 30, 2009

Love Song For No One - John Mayer vs You Got Me - Adassa

"Staying home alone on a Friday"

...or...

"You got me, you got me

Look at me, look at me

You make me, you make me

Lose my mind"

Sometimes I feel no different than the quiet, shy, high schooler who once cowered at the idea of a initiating anything.  Sometimes I feel as though I have no defenses, I'm unprotected, waiting to be hurt.

And sometime I feel unbreakable.  I feel in control.  Sometimes I do the asking.  Sometimes I do the pursuing.  

My life is a little sappy and sweet, but also a little strong and aggressive.  

Neither right, neither wrong.

Coast of Carolina - Telekinesis

"Woke up in another lifetime

it's a shame its just not right now"

Evidently I need to move to Carolina...north or south, I do not know, but I seem to have a fantastic obsession with songs with Carolina in the title.

Sweet vocals are suddenly accompanied by guitar, instantly hooking the listener.  A catchy chorus seals the deal.  Telekinesis is easily my favorite new band of the week.  Well done Washington!

So Many Ways - Mates of State

"There are only so many ways to earn your own surprise

I know we're giving up to soon

There are only so many ways to float upon the sea

It makes no difference to me"

I imagine this song accompanying my work day, the hum drum life that is that of a cubicle worker.  The strong beat plods, making the lyrics even more prominent.  

A bit angsty at times, the vocals are piercing yet sweet.  Performing in Glasgow, Mates of State amazed me live and will forever be one of my favorites!

*Please note, a special thanks goes to Amy M. for reminding me of how fabulous Mates of State are!

Everybody Say - Takka Takka

"You say everybody say

You say everybody say..."

In all honesty, this is not the song I had envisioned as my "soundtrack song", however my Takka Takka songs are not labeled so other than saying Track 01 from their LP2 cd, I have no way of identifying it.  The gist of it is, Takka Takka offers an ambiance of peace and ease, lulling me like the chanting at yoga lulled me tonight.

That being said, this song doesn't capture that mood but it is by far my FAVORITE Takka Takka song.

It's Not True - William Fitzsimmons

"Should I decide it's true

That you might leave if given half the chance to go

I'd be left here on my own

To find myself in bed

Wishing everything that had changed would be the same"

Goodbyes filled my weekend as first I bid Amy adieu as she left for Maine and then today hugged Gavin farewell before he embarks for Thailand on Wednesday.  This song, a song about the past, about longing, seemed to fit well.  As I said multiple times yesterday, "I'm happy for you but I'll miss you".

Illinois artist Fitzsimmons creates a tranquil sound.  A smooth, low voice accompanies electronics and guitar.  If aiming to "zen out", to relax, this music is perfect (if a bit depressing at times).

You Me and the Bourgeoisie - The Submarines

"Who am I to break down

every day I wake up I choose light I choose love"

If my ipod hadn't died today, I would have wandered the streets listening to The Submarines, whose upbeat tunes suited this gorgeous winter day to a T.

The sun shone down from a blue sky, as the crisp winter weather blew me down Broadway.  After a series of frigidly cold days, today felt like a blessing.  As if emerging from hibernation, we came out to wander the city with smiles on our faces as we felt the warmth of the sun on our skin.

Over Me - John Witherow

"Hi how are you

are you like me"

What can I say, I'm prepping for a date and this seemed appropriate.  This song is perfect for that "getting to know you" period.

John Witherow's laid back vocals and instrumentals soothe and lull, tranquil yet inspiring.  What began as a mild curiosity is now flat out interest!  

The Archer - In Cadeo

"All the sinners think they're saints

and all the saints know they're sinners"

This song definitely should have been playing as I wandered to and from the subway station today, if only to keep the bounce in my step (Turns out, if one wants to board the subway, one ought to have a subway card...or a wallet.  Heading to work and leaving one's wallet, which holds one's subway card, in the apartment is not the best of plans).

But on the upside, it grants three times the amount of ipod listening.

So I turn to recent discoveries.  Last weekend I heard In Cadeo perform at the Cameo Art Gallery and was stunned.  Floored.  Amazed.  Something about Jared Scott intrigues and captivates.  I was sold before I checked out their myspace and discovered one of the band members is from Portland. 

With gruff vocals, intriguing lyrics, and impressive instrumental control, In Cadeo is Indie acoustic meets real life rock.  

The Memories You've Forgotten - Ari Hest

"I've fallen in love with the memories you've forgotten; 

They are with me all the time, 

and I don't want them to be just mine"

Sometimes I wonder if what is meaningful to me resonates with others.  Does the brush of our shoulders echo in his head after we part?  

Other times I wonder at how I can look back at something fraught with problems and see only the good.  Will nostalgia for the past always be happier than the present?

Looking back at a past relationship, I wonder how it plays in his mind.  Do my childish antics inspire a smile or does resentment seethe inside of him?  Does he love the memories I try to forget?  Do I love the memories he tries to forget?  

Can we recreate the past by choosing what we do and do not remember?

That being said, Ari Hest is a bit of a crooner and a bit of a pop folk artist, but this song struck me as intriguing.  Songs that make you think are vital.  If every song was Brittany Spears, where would we be?  Let us hope we never know an answer to that question...

Carolina - Aunt Martha

"And I'm too old to act like this when I end my night with a sunrise kiss from some girl and it's not her"

Unsigned Brooklyn band Aunt Martha, composed of Tim Noyes, Charlie McCanna, and Garrett Leahy, captured my attention this evening.  With rasping yet lulling vocals, the lyrics captivate as the beat dances, tripping, light and upbeat. 

Carolina exemplifies life in New York: the search for love, the unwillingness to settle, the desire to find home.

 

An inability to be with the one you love, to realize if it is love, and, if it is love, how to make it work, is far too common in New York.  And nearly everyone ends a rough week with the ever present question of, "is this where I'm meant to be?" echoing in their heads.

For Aunt Martha, the answer is no.  They're heading "back to Carolina" and "she's going back to her home state".

Soundtrack Revolution

Quite often I find myself walking the streets of New York, ear buds in place, when suddenly a song grips me and perfectly reflects and accentuates my current mood and environment.  At these moments I am flushed with imagery and can't help but think to myself, "If my life were a movie, this song would be on the soundtrack".

This is my life.  This is my soundtrack.  This is the revolution of the soundtrack.