Your Favorite Song At This Time Last Year

"The Undoing" by Interpol

Interpol's fourth album came out in early September of last year, and this is what I tweeted at the time:

Sept. 11, 2010
Let's all agree that Interpol will never again record an album as incredible as debut or soph release. New album is good, though.

I still agree with that statement. ( Read more... )

A Song From Your Childhood

"Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes

I still have very distinct, sharp memories from my childhood, and this one dates back to 1982. Kindergarten.

I went to Rawls Byrd Elementary School in Williamsburg, Virginia. At the time, the school was primary - kindergarten to third grade, I think. The campus was made up of circular ( Read more... )

A Song That Makes You Feel Guilty

"Please Forgive Me" by David Gray

The memory attached to this song is actually a little too painful to be parading out publicly, so I'll speak about it only in the vaguest of terms.

It involves me, a guy I loved in my early 20s, and feeling super-sad that I was no longer in love. And the song still invokes that memory ( Read more... )

A Song That You Wish You Could Play

"Made-Up Dreams" by Built To Spill

Really, though, just about any song in Built To Spill's impeccable canon could qualify for this distinction. This band's songs are so complex and layered that it makes me want to learn every instrument known to man just so I can master their technique. Doug Martsch is an epic ( Read more... )

A Song That You Can Play On An Instrument

"Chopsticks" by Liz Phair

All La Liz did here was reappropriate the melody of the traditional piano favorite "Chopsticks" and add her typical salacious lyrics. So if you can play the original "Chopsticks", you can play this song. And learn the lyrics, too, because there's nothing better than trilling lines ( Read more... )

A Song That Makes You Laugh

"Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues" by McLusky

Really? Do I need to explain this choice? Look at the title again. Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues.

The song itself isn't funny. It's angry and recklessly violent and it generates some gleeful fist-pumping action from me when I listen to it.

But the title is very, very funny. And very ( Read more... )

A Song That You Want To Play At Your Funeral

"Hoppípolla" by Sigur Rós

To the powers that be on the day I die, take note. "Hoppipólla" is not a funeral dirge. Not by a long shot.

This is a sweeping, dramatic, hopeful song, and it fills me with light and joy.

And that's how I want to be remembered.

Also, everybody better hold hands when this song plays ( Read more... )

A Song That You Want To Play At Your Wedding

"2 Hearts" by Kylie

In fact, this is the song that I want to tromp down the aisle to. No, seriously. I do. You know that viral YouTube video with the people dancing to that Chris Brown song? Mine will be like that. But better. Because it'll be Kylie.

Whatever lucky sap gets to marry me is in for a treat ( Read more... )

A Song That You Listen To When You're Sad

"Lindisfarne I & II" by James Blake

I have no idea why this song is so sad to me. For one thing, any sense of emotion has been artfully stripped from both parts of the suite. I think that's maybe the purpose behind much electronic music: display emotion through a lack of emotion. It works brilliantly here. ( Read more... )

A Song That You Listen To When You're Happy

"minneapolis." by that dog.

Really, any that dog. song would fit the bill here. Even their elegiac songs have an undeniable energy.

Retreat from the Sun, that dog.'s third and final album, really came at the perfect time in my life. Second semester of my sophomore year in college was chock full of great ( Read more... )