everything which is yes

Monday Morning 10

With the resurrection of the blog comes the resurrection of an old pseudo tradition on my blog: the Monday Morning 10...where I subject you to a random sampling of what's playing on my iTunes.  Basically I turn on my tunes, shuffle them up and share my thoughts about what comes up in my library as I listen to it. 

I still haven't really figured out why anyone should be or would be interested in these tidbits, so I think I'm settling on the reasoning of "for my own future interest" for the "why" of this tradition.  Someday I can look back at my blog posts and remember in a jolly kind of way what I was listening to and what my thoughts were about the songs.  And so..today's 10:

1. "Jesus, Etc." -- Wilco (ahhh, sigh. Love Wilco.  There's such a relaxed ambling to this song. Love it).
2. "'Tis of Thee" -- Ani DiFranco (I've been in love with Ani's music for a decade now and this is one of her gems of lyrical and haunting beauty.  She has a way of delivering political messages and messages of any kind in such an honest and thought provoking way.  This is meaty.  It's no window dressing of pop and I love that about it.  And her.).
3. "You Are What You Love" -- Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins (from Rabbit Fur Coat and fantabulous.  And ease of harmonies with a touch of folk and still edgy.  Love her voice).
4. "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" -- Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (this is a song that just compels me to sing along through to the end.  Their voices mesh together so beautifully it's dreamy and fabulous.).
5. "Don't Take That Attitude To Your Grave" -- Ben Harper (I love, love, love Ben Harper.  His voice is so unique and emotive.  And I love the hint of twang married with the bongo-beats).
6. "Ramble On" -- Led Zeppelin (what is there to say about Zeppelin??  Rocktastic. Legendary.).
7. "Cinder and Smoke" -- Iron & Wine (if you've never listened to Iron & Wine.  Please do.  Sam Beam is brilliant.  There is such a beautiful flow to his songs and his lyrics are as rich and complicated as his melodies.  Fantastic.  Folksy.  Ridiculously talented.  I could listen to his music all day and be super mellow and happy).
8. "Little Respect" -- Erasure (ahhh yes.  Had to get a good dose of 80s in here this morning.  You can't listen to this song and not feel like hairspraying your hair and singing along gazing into the sky in some really cheestastic manner).
9. "Solsburry Hill" -- Peter Gabriel (this man is seriously talented.  And I looove the acoustics on this song and the beautiful tune.  One of my
10. "Teenage Caveman" -- Beat Happening (this song flies me straight back into life in college: 2208 Cedar hanging out with my girls. Still have a soft spot for Calvin).

Monday Morning 10

For those who are unfamiliar with how this works, it basically goes like this: I fire up my iTunes and shuffle my library and share here what ten tunes I get to enjoy this morning, at this moment.  Now as for why you really would care what I'm listening to?  Errr....maybe because it gives you a glimpse of my music tastes and personality?  Maybe because it causes you to discover new music or re-discover old tunes you love?  Maybe because you're completely bored and have nothing better to do at the moment?

1. "Everlong" (acoustic) -- The Foo Fighters (I love this version of this song.  Completely fabulous).
2. "Did Ye Get Healed?" -- Van Morrison (love the horns and flowing melody of this song).
3. "Solitary Man" -- Neil Diamond (ahhh...I'm always happy when Neil pops up on iTunes.  And this one is one of my favorites of his.  It's before the cheestastic-ness really emerged and it really showcases what I love most about him--that he's a steallar songwriter.  The arrangement here is awesome!).
4. "Like The Weather: -- 10,000 Maniacs (One of their earlier tunes and one that always makes me tap my foot despite having lyrics like: "I get a shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather.  A quiver in my lips as if I may cry.  What a cold and rainy day.  Where on earth is the sun hid away?"  The catchy, upbeat tune never did seem to mesh with the lyrics for me..and still it works somehow and I've always liked it quite a lot).
5. "Mellow Yellow" -- Donovan (Okay, I'm not entirely sure why this is in my library, especially since songs with any kind of whispering always creep me out a bit.  But still it's a classic and a little catchy.  Okay it's a lot catchy and I hope I won't be singing this all day or become obsessed with the notion of naming my next kid "Saffron", because right now it's sounding like the best idea I've ever had).
6. "Baby Can I Hold You" -- Tracy Chapman (ooh, there's something about her voice that is so rich and beautiful.  Love this simple ditty).
7. "My Way" -- Frank Sinatra (ahhh yes.  THE quintessential Sinatra song.  It is a true to yourself song and one about being fulfilled.  And maybe a little smug.  But it's Frank, so it doesn't feel so smug and I like it a lot).
8. "Tell Her" -- Del Amitri (I have a hard time even thinking of other songs by them.  This is one of those I fell in love with thanks to my sister.  And I looove the guitar and melody of this and the lyrics.  Really beautiful song.  One I can listen to over and over.  In fact, I think I will).
9. "100 Years" -- Five For Fighting (this is one of those I might have downloaded because of the hype.  But it is a great song and I can see why it was so popular for so long.  I'm a sucker for a song with some good piano.  And I love the journey of the song through the lyrics).
10. "My My" -- Seven Mary Three (if any of you are familiar with this song you'll know why this was SUCH a big change from #9 and caused me to jump a little in my seat.  It's loud and guitar heavy, and to people who don't like that style of music the singing sounds a little like shouting/screaming, but it's a remnant from my college music journey and I like it a lot).

Monday Morning 10

For those who are unfamiliar with how this works, it basically goes like this: I fire up my iTunes and shuffle my library and share here what ten tunes I get to enjoy this morning, at this moment.  Now as for why you really would care what I'm listening to?  Errr....maybe because it gives you a glimpse of my music tastes and personality?  Maybe because it causes you to discover new music or re-discover old tunes you love?  Maybe because you're completely bored and have nothing better to do at the moment?

And so I bring you:

1. "Policy of Truth" -- Depeche Mode (This is one of those bands that is completely reflective of my sister's influence on my music tastes.  This album Violator is fabulous).
2. "Don't Think Twice It's Alright" -- Joan Baez (brilliant cover of the Bob Dylan tune.  Joan's voice is made for folk...beautiful.  And lyrically I love this song even though it has a few of the smugest lines in a end-o-romance song ever: "you're the reason I'm traveling on, but don't think twice it's alright" or "you just kinda wasted my precious time, but don't think twice it's alright".  I like to think that Dylan was trying to console himself with these lines).
3. "Boys of Summer" -- Don Henley (for some reason I can envision the music video for this song to this day).
4. "Forever" -- Chris Tomlin (I was a little slow to warming up to contemporary Christian music, for reasons I can't fathom now that I've listened and loved it.  Anyway, this song is fantastic.  Love the gospel harmonies on this take and the lyrics are really uplifting).
5. "Play With Fire" -- The Rolling Stones (I actually think this is a rather pretty song, musically).
6. "Precious Pain" -- Melissa Etheridge (this album was my first experience with Melissa Etheridge's music.  The song is so raw and emotive, both musically and lyrically.  It's really wonderful, but definitely not a listen for when you're hoping to be uplifted from whatever blueness you're feeling.  If you're up for listening to something that will help you wallow, this one's for you).
7. "L.A. Woman" -- The Doors (the last release before Jim Morrison's death. Very blues-y, so it's one of my favorite Doors tunes.  Another interesting tidbit: One of the lyrics, repeated toward the end of the song, "Mr. Mojo Risin'" is an anagram for "Jim Morrison"...and it's a great climatic moment in the song.).
8. "That's The Way Love Goes" -- Poi Dog Pondering (another remnant of my sister's music loves.  This Chicago band (woot!) is FANTASTIC live.  So many fabulous components to their songs (strings, horns, lots of vocals), loove them.  Love the vocals on this and the violin).
9. "Jackie's Strength" -- Tori Amos (I love so many of her songs.  This is one of my faves.  The simple piano, beautiful vocals, the strings).
10. "Where The Streets Have No Name" -- U2 (one of the best.rock.bands.ever.  And this, one of the best songs from one of their-if not THE-best albums.  Ahhh, the guitar, the vocals.  Incredible.  U2 was my very first live music experience and WOW, they are fantastic live.  The energy).

Monday Morning 10

And today's 10....

1. "Frank Sinatra"-- Cake (I've always really digged Cake's music.  For some reason it seems like a more contemporary beatnik kind of sound).
2. "Pure" -- The Lightning Seeds (One of my sweet roomates in college loved this song and I do too!  We'd always talk about how if we made a movie this song would definitely be on the soundtrack.  I don't know if this band really had any hits or other songs that I'd be into, but the melody and lyrics of this are really wonderful).
3. "Like a Star" -- Corrine Bailey Rae (I was slow to hop on the CBR bandwagon.  Glad I finally got the memo because her voice is brills).
4. "Bookends" -- Simon & Garfunkel (ahhh...there is something so beautifully melancholic about this song.  It's SO short, but tugs at me everytime.  And man those boys really compliment each other so well vocally.  So emotive).
5. "Joyride" -- Built To Spill (one of my first encounters with Indie rock in college, back when BTS really was indie).
6. "Cracklin Rosie" -- Neil Diamond (sigh.  I heart me some Neil.  He's so cheestastic.  And  because of said cheese factor and many sequined tops is also seriously underappreciated as an artist.  He really is so talented).
7. "Rhiannon" -- Fleetwood Mac (one of the best.bands.ever.  Oh and Stevie Nicks...her voice.  Wow.  She's incredible.  Trailing scarves and all).
8. "Jesus, Etc." -- Wilco (looove the strings on this).
9. "Raining in Baltimore" -- Counting Crows (oh how I would listen to this over and over in all my melancholy in HS.  The lyrics are so desperately emotional).
10. "I Just Want Some" -- Melanie Horsnell (I'll admit it, this was one of those songs I saw on Grey's Anatomy--or maybe it was a commercial?--and then googled and searched for on iTunes.  Glad I have it.)

Monday Morning 10

Since it's been oh...a year? since I last did one of these, here's a recap.  Every Monday (or at least the Mondays I'm actually blogging and feel like doing the MM 10 post), I push play on my iPod, on shuffle, and what plays I share.  Still haven't figured out why you should care about what music I'm listening too.  Except for maybe you'll be awed by my spectacular taste in music. 

Random Monday Morning iPod playlist (plus commentary):

1. "Fever Dream" -- Iron & Wine (something about his voice and melodies is so soothing and appealing to me).
2. "Cleanin' Out my Closet" -- Eminem (yeah, okay so this is one I haven't heard in a looong time.  from my hip-rop/rap appreciation phase.  But seriously he really is a gifted artist).
3. "Gratitude" -- Ani DiFranco (this is one of my favorites of her earlier tunes.  The lyrics are fabulous).
4. "Pinball Wizard" -- The Who (okay, we're all over the spectrum today. I've always really loved all things classic rock and what is classic rock without The Who?).
5. "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" -- Dean Martin (so in HS I dated this guy who was really into all the old standards of vocal song...you know the back in the day tunes: the Perry Como, the Frank Sinatra, and of course the Dean Martin.  And I actually really came to appreciate these guys.  This is one of my favorites.).
6. "U Got The Look" -- Prince (they really mean "shuffle" don't they?  Anyway...It's Prince, what can I say?  Brilliant).
7. "The Old Apartment" -- Barenaked Ladies (these guys really are a blast to see live).
8. "Jack and Diane" -- John COUGAR Mellencamp (wish he still used the Cougar.  Love me some John Cougar).
9. "Me and The Major" -- Belle and Sebastian (ahhh, the nostalgia of college days.  Love the harmonica on this one).
10. "Video" -- India.Arie (I remember hearing this on the radio and just bopping along.  It's catchy and the lyrics are really an homage to self-esteem).

Monday Morning 10

Monday morning iPod playlist (plus commentary):

1. "One" (from the Magnolia soundtrack)  -- Aimee Mann (love this version of the song, Aimee is so good at subtle brooding)
2. "Here Comes Your Man" -- The Pixies (another remnant of my unversity experience)
3. "Glory & Consequence" -- Ben Harper (I *heart* Ben Harper and this is one of my all-time favorites)
4. "She's A Brickhouse"  -- Rick James (inspires the overexaggerated sassy dance which, of course, looks more goofy than sassy)
5. "Don't Stop Believin'" -- Journey (cheestastic!)
6. "Cruel" -- Calexico (one of my favorite senso tunes and recent favorite artists)
7. "Solsbury Hill" -- Peter Gabriel (one of my favorite Peter Gabriel tunes. Though I was irritated when I heard this in a Cingular ad the other day; for some reason, the use of a good song in a commercial sullies it for me. )
8. "Joyful Girl" -- Ani DiFranco (you might as well know: I love Ani's music.  She's a phenomenal songwriter and performer; I have a relationship with so many of her songs and this is one of them)
9. "In a Daydream" -- The Freddy Jones Band (great Chicago band and this is their best tune, IMO)
10. "Evil (Is Going On)"  -- Howlin' Wolf (his voice slays me; you can't hear it and NOT feel the power of the Blues)

Monday Morning 10

Monday morning iPod playlist (plus commentary):

1. "Galileo" -- Indigo Girls (immediately transports me to the Land of Liberal Arts University nostalgia)
2. "Please, Please, Please" -- The Smiths (oh, the melacholy)
3. "Caught A Lite Sneeze" -- Tori Amos (heard she's releasing a new album 1 May 2007)
4. "Gwarn!" -- Pato Banton ( ohmygoodness DEFINITELY another visit to the Land of Liberal Arts University nostalgia.)
5. "Smoking Gun" -- Robert Cray (gotta dig it!)
6. "The Promise" -- Tracy Chapman (sigh)
7. "Love Shack" -- The B-52's (I've been beamed straight to the closest karaoke bar and I'm bringing it.)
8. "It's My Life" -- Talk Talk (the original. Gwen et al while I love you, this version has my heart.)
9. "Romeo and Juliet" -- Dire Straits (did you know Mark Knopfler composed the score for The Princess Bride ?)
10. "In Between Days" -- The Cure (it must be college day as I'm transported back to my room with futon on the floor, the inflatable couch, the candles burning, my friends, and a bottle of Boone's.)