Playlist of the Week: Weekender 3

Multi-level pretend: A staple of the weekend

I get nervous and/or anxious when it's too quiet.  Think it's about to get loud again real soon.  This week's playlist is nothing more and nothing less than a classic "week-ender" which I call "Weekender".  Brilliant.

Lots of new.  And the "un-new" is largely familar comfort sound.  And the "un-new" that is unfamiliar uncomfort is unquestionably right for you today.  Trust me.  I know these things.

Enjoy Friday.  And Saturday.  And any other days you feel like enjoying.  Enjoy them for all your reasons--real or imagined.  And turn it up.

iPhone and other smart phone users, click here to play the playlist.

To listen in Spotify, click here.*

Everyone else, press the play button in the box below the track listing.

*Track 1--Hayden's absolute gem "The Closer I Get--is currently unavailable on Spotify.  It's a great track and I recommend you listen on the 8tracks playlist below which is NEVER missing any songs!

 

Playlist of the Week: A Dozen Lives For Your Consideration

Danger, adventure, and rough edges contained herein.

A dozen absolutely postively live tracks.  And a dozen notes to accompany:

1.  Live James Brown is reason enough to get a record player if you don't already own one.
2.  Neko Case has the best and most interesting female voice going for my money.  Not all my money--but a lot of it.

3.  Okkervil River on two playlists in a row, I know, I know.  Just trust me.

4.  Maximo Park: infectious Newcastle sound.

5.  "Sweet Jane": Live > Studio.

6.  "Rhinestone Cowboy".  Radiohead.  What could I possibly add?

7.  Evidence that Jack White is capable of melting your face off with his guitar when so inclined.

8.  Totally forgot how I acquired this initially. A song that willed its way into my collection. And my heart.

9.  Nick Cave's complicated, beautiful dance with God is a wonder that never ceases.

10. Otis Redding was 25 when this was recorded.  Listen and wrap your brain around that.

11. Not sure my heart could withstand the force of nature that is Portishead live--but I'm willing to try.

12. Few bands' live cuts are so consistently full of haunting, irresistible dread as those by Joy Division.

iPhone and other smart phone users, click here to play the playlist.

Too many "rarities" to create a Spotify list this week.  I recommend you check out the 8tracks playlist below which is NEVER missing any songs!
 

Everyone else, press the play button in the box below the track listing.

 

Playlist of the Week: A Dozen Songs For This Expiring Summer

The going is coming.  Dress appropriately.

Press the play button below.  Blogs with a soundtrack are always better.

A couple thoughts:

Thanks to all of you for the positive feedback on the Music Jerk Rob's Top Tracks of 2012 Spotify playlist!  For those that may have missed, this is a running playlist of all the songs from 2012 I've really enjoyed most thus far.  If you haven't already, please subscribe to it as I'll continue to add tracks on a daily or weekly basis.  And keep the feedback and suggestions coming!  While Spotify certainly has some BIG 2012 omissions (seriously, Chromatics' Kill For Love isn't available?), it is--for the most part--a good resource for giving new music a test drive.

There appear to be a few more potential gems on the horizon in terms of new releases, but my current year-end list has already got more than a handful of tenants who have signed a long-term mortgage.  But if there is one thing that's certain, it is that the fall and early winter NEVER fail to deliver some surprises and/or reveal albums I've thus far missed (notable past examples include Real Estate, M83, Youth Lagoon and more).  This is where I'm relying on you all to continue to make recommendations so that I can discover great music and possibly take all the credit amongst my friends who don't read this blog and will never know that I really am just ripping your ingenuity off.  A small price to pay for this little slice of HTML paradise you reside in, eh?

And now, your weekly dozen as the heat gets less hot and our reflection on all that 2012 has thus far been starts to slowly take shape.  For me, it is the wet cement of my music opinions drying that excites me.  So let's all get musichard together and enjoy this week's generous offering.

iPhone and other smart phone users, click here to play the playlist.

To listen in Spotify, click here.*

Everyone else, press the play button in the box below the track listing.

*Track 8 is currently unavailable on Spotify.  It's a GREAT track and I recommend you check out the 8tracks playlist below which is NEVER missing any songs!