playlist 2007
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Individual Songs and Notes (Album titles will appear in ID3 tags):
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1. “Electro Holiday” - Charming - An instrumental sketch I wrote for Charming some years back. Nicole, our singer always said it reminded her of Christmas.
2. “Ask” - The Sons & Heirs - I had a ton of fun recreating the multi-tracked genius of Johnny Marr in this studio demo to promote my Smiths tribute band.
3. “Please Help the Cause Against Loneliness” - Morrissey - This unreleased studio demo was recorded in 1988 with Sandie Shaw on background vocals. She eventually recorded her own version which she released as a single. As close to a Christmas song we’ll ever get from the man, the rumor is that it was written in response to criticism about him declining to take part in that “Do They Know It’s Christmas…” UK charity song.
4. “That Was the Worst Christmas Ever” - Sufjan Stevens - I don’t know why people think he’s overrated, overhyped or pretentious. The guy’s simply a genius storyteller, singer and arranger. Illinoise and Michigan are required listening. When he starts scoring films, watch out, it will be beautiful stuff.
5. “Long Nights” - Eddie Vedder - Speaking of scoring films, Eddie Vedder’s songs for Into the Wild, one of my fave John Krakuar novels, are haunting and completely in step with the emotional heart of the story. I have ignored Vedder for about 16 years, but apparently he’s still great and still wearing flannel.
6. “A Postcard to Nina” - Jens Lekman - And speaking of hype, I bought his latest record purely on hype and was not disappointed. Get past his nerdy Swedish-inflected delivery and you’ll find a gifted and witty songwriter with some very interesting combinations of modern and retro arrangements, touching on Brian Wilson and Curtis Mayfield.
7. “Rec & Play” - I’m From Barcelona - Happy fun indiepop. I used to do that… these guys do it better.
8. “B*****s In Tokyo” - Stars - Why Stars singer Amy Millan hasn’t sold out and lent her voice to lots of ads escapes me, because her voice feels completely current, fresh and honest. And the band writes great songs.
9. “All The Old Showstoppers” - The New Pornographers - Like fellow Canadians Stars, this band rocks.
10. “Business Time” - Flight of The Conchords - They’re a New Zealand comedy duo that parody musical styles pretty well. This track does a pretty good job with Barry White. If you didn’t catch the short but genius first season on HBO, make sure and rent it.
11. “Nobody’s Baby” - Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - Sharon and her band are the real deal, soul/funk that sounds straight out of the late 60’s. I had an opportunity to work with her, two months after her big show at the Apollo theater, and it was session I won’t soon forget.
12. “Honeythistle” - The Sweet Divines - Staying in the retro-soul scene for one more song, this is the first offering from my good friend and Charming bandmate Jay B. Flatt’s new project, a 4-girl affair in the mold of The Sweet Inspirations. Enjoy!
13. “You Don’t Need Me” - Myself and Steve Kolander - This is a slightly country-twanged song of love lost, written to accompany an ad for Norfolk Southern freight rail. I wrote the music and collaborated on lyrics with my colleague at the agency side.
14. “The Great Suburban Showdown” - Billy Joel - I just rediscovered this song when I finally put his whole catalogue into iTunes. Pure genius in how it captures the feeling of not wanting to go home for the holidays.
15. “Strapped for Cash” - Fountains of Wayne - I keep not wanting to like their records for some reason, like they’re too gimmicky or something, but I can’t resist. Bonus points if you pick out the Billy Joel reference in here!
16. “Dashboard” - Modest Mouse - All hail Johnny Marr and his guitar riffs. They still make me want to pick mine up and play! Modest Mouse is very lucky.
17. “Comedienne” - Cinerama - My wife Julie re-introduced me to this record, and I’m very grateful for that. Neurotic indie-pop highly influenced my writing.
18. “Revolution Fuse” - The Party Faithful - I love this song and I don’t just say that because I produced it for my friends and played some extra guitar. I just love the song. It’s hard to write and sing about hope in a sincere way without sounding like Bono, and for that I give Patrick lots of credit.
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I don’t pretend to be a DJ, tastemaker, finder of obscure gems or expert in the field— I’m just someone who likes poppy music that says something honestly and feels a bit unique. Most of what you’ll see here is new, released in 2007, but there are certainly some older things that I’ve either discovered or rediscovered this year. And some of what you’ll hear I was involved in writing and/or recording.
I know we’ve come to expect free music, but as a working musician I encourage you to support any artists you like.