2010 Holiday Mix Playlist “Open Up”
1. “Something, Somewhere, Sometime” by Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore from Dear Companion
I was visiting Erik and Matt at their office and grabbed a few CDs of their clients. Daniel Martin Moore is one of Matt’s and this is a collaboration album with Ben Sollee produced by Yim Yames (i.e., Jim James of My Morning Jacket) and benefits protecting the central applachian mountains from coal production (“MTR” = mountaintop removal”). I grabbed Dear Companion out of intrigue and I’m so glad I did.
2. “We Used to Wait” by Arcade Fire from The Suburbs
I didn’t particularly love the last album but I liked the first single “Ready To Start” which I first heard as Jason and I were driving to go to a Newark Bears (Penn League Baseball) game. I bought The Suburbs via Amazon MP3 ($3.99?!!) on release week and spent a lot of time running and listening to the album. “Ready to Start” was going to be the lead track on this album but I fell in love with “We Used to Wait” when Renny and I were in LA driving back from a grocery store. It sounded so good I asked him to play it again as we sat parked in the driveway. Listening to music in a car is like no other experience. I feel a road trip coming in 2011.
3. “Forces of the Unseen” by Cloud Cult from Light Chasers
This is from Cloud Cult’s brand new album Light Chasers that came out in fall. It is a contender for my album of the year. I can’t stop listening to this album. There’s another song called “Running with the Wolves” which I was going to put on but this is the song that I keep coming back to…
“It’s the warmth when you’re next to me / it’s the bright white light of your fevered dream / it’s the storm in your eyes / it’s in the roots of the tree / the underestimated power of the forces of the unseen”.
4. “Ambling Alp” by Yeasayer from Odd Blood
I believe this song came out as a single in Fall 2009 and I failed to put it on last year’s mix. Then I realized that Oddblood came out in FEB 2010. And no one (seems to be few) is mentioning this on the best of end of year lists! I listened to this record on repeat especially when I’d take walks at night to take a break from work and I’d explore 7th Ave or Prospect Park.
5. “Vesuvius” by Sufjan Stevens from The Age of Adz
Sufjian’s Seven Swans is one of my favorite albums and I liked Come on Feel the Illinoise. When I heard a song from The Age of Adz I felt disdain. I didn’t like it, and I felt like he was a poser for going electronic. I wanted to shout at him like those did to Dylan when he went electric at Newport! Goes to show that you should take in the entire piece of art before being so rash. I think The Age of Adz is a great Sufjian record, and a top record in 2010. It’s courageous, honest, emotional, a challenge, but still melodic. Hat tip to Bob Boilen at NPR’s All Songs Considered (BTW one of my favorite podcasts for new music) for convincing me to take another look.
6. “Airplanes” by Local Natives from Gorilla Manor
I love this song. Watch out for Local Natives if you don’t know them yet. They’re becoming a bigger band quietly under all of our noses. You will seem them featured on many festivals this summer. Jammy and percussive indie rock, with an emotive lyric sentiment that ruled in 2010. Check out Gorilla Manor.
“It’s sounds like we would have a great deal to say, to say, to each other / I bet when I leave my body for the sky the wait, the wait, will be worth it.”
7. “Midnite” by Yawn from Yawn EP
One of my go-tos for new music is Robert. He’s a curator himself and he’s an invaluable source. Yawn is a band that he’s managing and it took me a bunch of listens to finally pay attention. I was in Minneapolis for work and set out for a run from Downtown to the West Bank to the East bank. A 30 min run became an hour+ long run because I kept pressing reset on listening to their debut EP, over and over, and I kept running. They’re young but keep an eye out for them in 2011. (Note: on this same run I mixed in Typhoon — who didn’t make the playlist, but keep an eye out for them also and their new album.)
8. “Tighten Up” by The Black Keys from Brothers
I’ve never been a big The Black Keys fan until now. Brothers is a top album for 2010. The video for this song turned me on. Then I kept hearing songs on Sirius XM Alt Nation when I was in Woodstock. Finally, I bought the record at Target and it’s timeless, full of hooks, classic rock. They also prove that “the whistle” is still the biggest indie rock hook of the late 2000’s. A hit is a hit.
9. “Wait So Long” by Trampled By Turtles from Palomino
I found Trampled by Turtles through the video for this song. Five flanneled dudes sitting down rocking out acoustic instruments like they were a punk band playing indie emo kiss off songs. I was hooked! Saw a show at the Mercury and they just played the Bowery. Bought Palomino at Electric Fetus in Minneapolis. These guys are getting big. We’ve got a cool little surprise in 2011 from one of our clients who is covering this song. Can’t wait to share that too, hopefully on 2011’s mix.
10. “Winter Winds” by Mumford & Sons from Sigh No More
Mumford & Sons blew up in 2010. This is the feel good story of the year for the music business. This could be the album of the year. And they should be artist of the year. If you haven’t heard them yet then truly my friends you’re living under a rock. That’s ok, of course but you should dive into Sigh No More. They play bluegrass instruments in an indie/adult rock way, and sing songs about heartbreak that resonate. And, this is pop music. I’ve listened to this album on repeat throughout a summer of reflection. Thank you Jason for saying I should check this out.
11. “Only One” by Sing It Loud from Everything Collide
I remember hearing this song for the first time in the studio with the band in Minneapolis. It stood up and raised it’s hand and said “listen to me”! ”Only One” helped me run a few strong road races this past year and just pumped me up at that right times. While Sing It Loud is no more, I’m no less proud of them. Everything Collide was a great step up for a very young band who grew up in a van.
12. “Fireplace” by Lost in the Trees from All Alone in An Empty House
Thanks to Matt for giving me a few CDs for my drive to/from San Diego for the start of the MCS fall tour. I knew of Lost in the Trees, but I hadn’t listened to the music yet. I really liked this album of all the records he gave me (Mavis Staples, Bring Me the Horizon, etc.). I pressed repeat on this song 10+ times on that drive. This song and album are further proof that indie rock bands are beating the alt/pop/punk bands at the emo game.
13. “Grass Doe” by Ben Weaver from Mirepoix and Smoke
Ben Weaver is not only a client, but most importantly a friend, a gentleman, a father, a poet, an observer, an artist, an illustrator, a cook, a man with words, and a sensitive soul. Mirepoix and Smoke is an honest diary of one’s life that incites all five senses to come alive. This may be a career defining album.
14. “TAOS” by Menomena from Mines
Thanks to Jo and Barsuk for sending me their great releases inlcuding this new one from Menomena called Mines. This track is just dirty, grimy, soulful rock.
15. “Black Lotus” by The Whigs from In the Dark
I spent a week in Woodstock this summer and fell in love with the surroundings. We drove around listening to XMU and XM’s ALT NATION and I kept hearing The Whigs “Kill Me Karolyne”. I got the album In the Dark and found “Black Lotus”. Why was this not the single?! If I only I could drive to this now …
16. “Daydreaming” by Dark Dark Dark from Wild Go
I don’t remember where but I discovered Dark Dark Dark online, and this song stuck with me.
17. “Apply” by Glasser from Ring
I don’t know much about Glasser but I put this on because I was struck by the originality and yet a familiarity. I listened to the album as I walked around Manhattan one afternoon hitting a few places that I hadn’t been to in awhile. Hat tip to Robert.
18. “Thanner Boyle vs the 7th Grade” by AM Taxi from We Don’t Stand a Chance
Adam and Jason from AM Taxi are former clients (my first management client Lucky Boys Confusion). I’m so proud of these guys for persevering, doing what they love, and making this album, We Don’t Stand A Chance. Adam first played the album for me last December 2009 when I was in Chicago for Motion City’s Three Albums in Three Nights shows at the newly christened Lincoln Hall (great work Mike & Chris Schuba). It was one of those nights when I could have easily gone home post show but went out for the adventure. Glad I did. You may have heard the instrumental version of this song during the MLB playoffs in an AMEX commercial of a father/son going to the stadium…
19. “Damn Things Over” by Empires from Bang EP
Everytime I hear this song and the Bang EP I wish I was listening to it in a car. This band has a lot to prove still and 2011 could be the year they take that step.
20. “The Weakends” by Motion City Soundtrack from My Dinosaur Life
I went out to LA last summer to see the MCS guys in the studio and hear the songs for their forthcoming album, which became My Dinosaur Life. I heard this song and it stopped me in my tracks. The urgency I hear and feel is like no other Motion City Soundtrack song since their first record. And I’ve not heard Justin sing like this before. I could listen to this song on constant repeat and take on the day, any day.
Note:
Playlist was curated and produced at the House of Alix George on Carlton in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, NY.
Open Up album art design and layout by Brooke Ellis.
