viva mixtape >>

"Bodyrock" by Moby

2012-01-10T14:02:00.000-05:00

Album: Play (1999)

Playlist: Weight training mix
1. "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes
2. "Disappear" by Metallica
3. "Sabotage" by Beastie Boys
4. "Neighborhood #3: Power Out" by Arcade Fire
5. "Epic" by Faith No More
6. "Reptilia" by The Strokes
7. "Bodyrock" by Moby
8. "Geek USA" by Smashing Pumpkins
9. "Trampled Under Foot" by Led Zeppelin
10. "Head On" by Jesus & Mary Chain

Like the loud spotter in the gym that everyone can hear, Moby's "Bodyrock" is especially useful in getting those last couple of reps out of you. Hearing "Bodyrock" is like soaking in a hot tub of electronic, rock, funk, and rap. Multiple genres come together on this one to belt out a singular, musically addictive experience. The samples are perfect. The beats sublime. "Bodyrock" motivates, revives, and unabashedly leads the way.

"Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses

2011-12-19T20:00:00.002-05:00

Album: I Could Rule the World if I Could Only Get the Parts (1982, EP)

Playlist: Christmas party mix
1. "Christmas Time" by Smashing Pumpkins
2. "What Christmas Means to Me" by Stevie Wonder
3. "Little Drummer Boy" by Jars of Clay
4. "Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses
5. "What Child is This Anyway?" by Sufjan Stevens
6. "Blue Christmas" by Bright Eyes
7. "The First Noel/Mary Mary" by Sarah McLachlan
8. "Let it Snow" by Luscious Jackson
9. "Christmas Time is Here" by Vince Guaraldi Trio
10. "Gabriel's Message" by Sting

Hard to believe that "Christmas Wrapping" has been rocking out at Christmas parties and department stores now for three decades. And it's still one of my favorites. It doesn't capture the true meaning of Christmas, but it does a spot-on job of explaining how the holiday season has become the antithesis of rest and enjoyment. Musically, the maddening bass line is the star, mimicking the chaos and busyness of the season. But the horns kick plenty of ass, too, with celebratory and grand arrangements. Amusing lyrics like "A&P has provided me with the world's smallest turkey" only make the song that much better.

"Kind and Generous" by Natalie Merchant

2011-11-24T22:22:00.000-05:00

Album: Ophelia (1998)
Playlist: Thanksgiving tracks

Try mixing with:
"All Because of You" by U2
"Give Thanks and Praise" by Bob Marley
"Thank You" by Led Zeppelin
"Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
"Thanksgiving Prayer" by Johnny Cash

A Thanksgiving song if there ever was one. Natalie Merchant penned and sung several optimistic songs over the years - both with 10,000 Maniacs and in her solo work. And this one ranks as one of the best. The guitar picking transcends banality, hiccupping its way into Merchant's falsetto intro. "Kind and Generous" boasts simplicity. There's nothing incredibly intricate musically, although there's a nice refined delicacy to the organ. Merchant's voice is the highlight, and she serves up iconic, sing-songy lyrics that suck you in. The best part of the song, by far, is the soaring bridge at the 2:43 mark.

"Leif Erikson" by Interpol

2011-11-03T11:12:00.011-04:00

Album: Turn on the Bright Lights (2002)
Playlist: Closers

Try mixing with:
“Fools Gold” by The Stone Roses
“Chicago” by Sufjan Stevens
“Tea in the Sahara” by The Police
“Take it or Leave it” by The Strokes
“Bedshaped” by Keane

The final track on Turn on the Bright Lights was arguably the best. And today it’s still one of my favorite all-time Interpol anthems. Haunting and hypnotic, “Leif Erikson” didn’t give us a history lesson, but instead got its name from the imagery it evoked – a galleon approaching a coastline in the dead of night. “Leif Erikson” captures all that is good with Interpol. Groove, atmosphere, and friction so powerful, you can overlook the strangely erratic lyrics. “Leif” has some of the band’s best lyrical moments (“Her rabid glow is like braille to the night”), and also some of its worst “Well then hook me up and throw me baby cakes, cuz I like to get hooked”). The haunting church organs, gorgeous harmonics, and use of guitar as a primary rhythm instrument once again provide redemption and musical rebirth for Interpol.

"A Letter to Elise" by The Cure

2011-09-23T22:26:00.002-04:00

Album: Wish (1992)
Playlist: Pen Pals

Try mixing with:
"Dear Avery" by The Decemberists
"Dear Prudence" by Siouxsie & the Banshees
"Writing to Reach You" by Travis
"Letter Never Sent" by REM
"Dear Dead Days" by The Chameleons

"I just can't stand here every yesterday." "At least I'd lose this sense of sensing." "The make-believe ran out." The lyrics were more than good enough to stand on their own. "A Letter to Elise" brought a sense of completeness to The Cure canon. It revealed a more melodic Robert Smith. And while Cure songs have always shown a bipolar tendency - one moment melancholy, the next whimsical - the layered instrumentation on "A Letter to Elise" stitches both states together beautifully. The song is bookended with sprightly elements, making for one ironic melancholy sandwich. Intricate webs of wallow. And darn good at it.

"Blue Ridge Mountains" by Fleet Foxes

2011-08-12T23:35:00.000-04:00

Album: Fleet Foxes (2008)
Playlist: Mellow harmonies

Try mixing with:
"Teach Your Children" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
"Secure Yourself" by Indigo Girls
"If I Fell" by The Beatles
"Heaven Beside You" by Alice in Chains
"Homeward Bound" by Simon & Garfunkel

Fleet Foxes are a breath of fresh air. A band from another era. They don't rely on hooks or high production values. Instead, they pull you in with brilliant harmonies, textures, and poetic lyrics that throw you into various states. Some of them downright eerie. "Blue Ridge Mountains" is one of the best examples of this. It's simultaneously cold and cozy. The harmonies in the chorus are gold. Like many other Fleet Foxes songs, "Blue Ridge Mountains" sounds like the second coming of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. And that's never a bad thing.

"What'd I Say" by Ray Charles

2011-07-03T22:03:00.002-04:00

Album: What'd I Say (1959)
Playlist: Weekend Roadtrip

Try mixing with:
"Rebel Rebel" by David Bowie
"Soul Kitchen" by The Doors
"Take Me to the River" by Talking Heads
"Town Called Malice" by The Jam
"Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty

Gospel. Blues. Soul. Rock and roll. "What'd I Say" has it all. I can't think of another song that blends all of these genres better. Back in the late 50's, these musical styles had no business appearing on the same record together. That made Ray Charles a pioneer, and a musical genius for getting it right. "What'd I Say" isn't confined by categories. It's just really, really good music. And it's especially awesome for road tripping. It seems like it was made especially for rides at night with the top down. Some enthusiasts are waiting for the next "What'd I Say." I say don't waste your time. There will be no next. We were lucky and blessed enough to have it once.

"Woman in Chains" by Tears for Fears

2011-04-01T21:46:00.000-04:00

Album: The Seeds of Love (1989)
Playlist: Breath stealers

Try mixing with:
"Where the Streets Have No Name" by U2
"Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol
"Fake Empire" by The National
"Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley
"But Not Tonight" by Depeche Mode

An amazing song through and through. There's a remarkable restraint that serves it well. It keeps things simple and powerful throughout - and it's the spark to an infectious build-up about halfway into the song. The vocals are the centerpiece. While you soak in the duet between Roland Orzabal and guest collaborator Oleta Adams you might forget to breathe. There's a serendipitous element to the song as well. My friend Aaron recently pointed out that TFF stumbled upon Oleta Adams performing at some hotel bar a couple of years before the recording. They were impressed enough to keep in touch with her and eventually asked her to collaborate on arguably TFF's best work. Soon after, she launched a successful recording career of her own. Which shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

"Live Forever" by Oasis

2011-02-14T22:15:00.000-05:00

Album: Definitely Maybe (1994)
Playlist: Straight-up rock & roll

Try mixing with:
"Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day
"So. Central Rain" by R.E.M.
"Kamera" by Wilco
"And She Was" by Talking Heads
"Heroes" by David Bowie

I underestimated the staying power of "Live Forever" and Oasis. I didn't think the band would be around this long. I didn't think they'd garner the acclaim they've gotten over the years. And I certainly didn't think "Live Forever" would kick ass twenty years after it was originally written. This was one of the demo songs that got Oasis its record label contract with Creation. And it still sounds awesome even today. What makes "Live Forever" so appealing is its simplicity. There's nothing fancy about it, but from the opening high hat to the thrashy riff closer, it pulls you in and picks you up off the ground. "Live Forever" is often praised for its optimism. I think a more fitting term is confidence. I think the song firmly plants that trait deep into your ego. And there's also a confidence - almost an effortless groove - in the band, as if all it took was flipping the power switch on.

"Perfect Day" by Lou Reed

2011-02-04T23:34:00.000-05:00

Album: Transformer (1972)
Playlist: Somber beauty

Try mixing with:
"Trouble" by Coldplay
"Old Friends" by Simon & Garfunkel
"Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen
"No Surprises" by Radiohead
"Please, Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want" by The Smiths

I'm not the biggest fan of Lou Reed as a singer, but there's something undeniably genius about the songwriting for "Perfect Day". I can't tell if he intentionally sings off-key but it seems to pair exceptionally well with the mood of the song - as it does on many of his other solo efforts and throughout the Velvet Underground catalog. "Perfect Day" is a wonder in its simplistic beauty. There's a somber piano part and some strings, and that's pretty much it. It's enveloping, which is one of the greatest compliments you can give a song. My friend Melissa Levinsohn deserves credit for including this on her wedding slideshow. I wish I'd thought of that one.

"Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" by Marvin Gaye

2011-01-15T21:20:00.000-05:00

Album: What's Going On (1971)
Playlist: Environmentally-conscious

Try mixing with:
"My City Was Gone" by The Pretenders
"Clear Blue Skies" by Crosby, Stills & Nash
"Poison in the Well" by 10,000 Maniacs
"(Nothing But) Flowers" by Talking Heads
"Monkey Gone To Heaven" by Pixies

I think Marvin Gaye might have perfected soul music. His vocals were so smooth and he made it look effortless, often sending his falsetto through the roof. His vocals were about the only predictable element of success in "Mercy Mercy Me." While most songs from the early seventies were about love and peace, "Mercy Mercy Me" stuck out like a sore thumb, braving topics like smog, oil spills and radiation. There's an irony in the positive vibe of the melody juxtaposed with the depressing environmental ills listed in the lyrics. And the ending comes out of nowhere, an innovative slap in the face to pop music that still catches me off guard even after a hundred listens.

"Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS

2010-12-30T22:40:00.001-05:00

Album: Kick (1987)
Playlist: 1987 time capsule

Try mixing with:
"Notorious" by Duran Duran
"It's A Sin" by Pet Shop Boys
"Luka" by Suzanne Vega
"The One I Love" by R.E.M.
"At This Moment" by Billy Vera and The Beaters

If there was ever a medium that proved less is more, it's music. It's certainly the case with "Never Tear Us Apart," a song that uses pauses as well as any other I can think of. The first pause appears about a minute and a half in, giving way to a beautiful bluesy riff and an iconic drum build-up. The second pause gathers those same elements once again and then transitions nicely into a gorgeous saxophone solo. The empty spaces are not just merely highlights. They define the song. And they make "Never Tear Us Apart" one of my favorite 80's tunes.

"Gravity" by Vienna Teng

2010-12-16T22:14:00.002-05:00

Album: Waking Hour (2002)
Playlist: Lillith Fare

Try mixing with:
"Solitude Standing" by Suzanne Vega
"For My Lover" by Tracy Chapman
"Circle" by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
"Sea of Love" by Cat Power
"Possession" by Sarah McLachlan

I generally like male vocal-based acts more than their female counterparts. And typically for me, the lower the voice the better. Hence the fascination with singers like Matt Berninger, Johnny Cash, and Ian Curtis. So Vienna Teng's vocals had to do something extra special to impress me. Ominous cloud, sun shower, downpour, blue skies. Vienna's voice seems to be all of these things - all in a four minute period. We feel the weight of "Gravity" partially because Vienna isn't afraid to test her vocal range. She jumps octaves as if they're tiny puddles in her path. But the vocals aren't even the strongest aspect of "Gravity". Neither is the piano, which is the main instrument on the track that somehow does its job without calling attention to itself. This leads me to conclude that the real star of the song is the songwriting itself, an epic hiding underneath a ballad's skin.

"Disorder" by Joy Division

2010-12-07T22:20:00.002-05:00

Album: Unknown Pleasures (1979)
Playlist: Tragic rock & roll

Try mixing with:
"Castles Made of Sand" by Jimi Hendrix
"Lithium" by Nirvana
"Road" by Nick Drake
"Lilac Wine" by Jeff Buckley
"When the Music's Over" by The Doors

I went on a Joy Division kick last weekend, devouring b-sides, getting sucked into the Anton Corbijn-directed biopic Control, and scrambling to find decent recordings of those last few brilliant songs that Ian Curtis wrote before he took his life. I wonder would could've been if Joy Division were able to magically extend its brief time in music history. I think we would get more songs like "Disorder." More textures, more atmosphere, more honesty, more songs that are simply ahead of their time. With "Disorder" and the entire Unknown Pleasures album, Curtis - along with Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, and Stephen Morris - made people love music. I mean, really love music. Just as the Sex Pistols, Bowie, and The Doors did for them.

"Cuts You Up" by Peter Murphy

2010-11-04T21:00:00.001-04:00

Album: Deep (1990)
Playlist: Solo gems

Try mixing with:
"The Last of the Famous International Playboys" by Morrissey
"Headache" by Frank Black
"Harrowdown Hill" by Thom Yorke
"Proud to Fall" by Ian McCulloch
"The Passenger" by Iggy Pop

Bauhaus never did much for me. The band's breakup meant much more to me personally because it made Love and Rockets, Peter Murphy's solo career, and this incredible song possible. Once in a blue moon a musician stumbles upon an absolute gem. I've never experienced it myself, but I think Peter Murphy must have known the minute he wrote "Cuts You Up" that he nailed it. The simple confidence of opening the song with a single snare hit seemed to suggest that at least. Murphy's deep, haunting vocals and the signature electric violin command an unusual beauty that's both alienating and irresistible. And his voice was the perfect messenger of the melody.

"The Killing Moon" by Echo and the Bunnymen

2010-10-29T21:30:00.000-04:00

Album: Ocean Rain (1984)
Playlist: Halloween weekend

Try mixing with:
"Spellbound" by Siouxsie and the Banshees
"Pet Sematary" By The Ramones
"Cowboys" by Portishead
"Lullaby" by The Cure
"Psycho Killer" by Talking Heads

"The Killing Moon" was arguably Echo and the Bunnymen's most memorable anthem. It wasn't just another great rock song. It kinda surpassed all that. It's a musical storybook. The first page pulls you in immediately with an irresistible guitar hook from some bygone era. Then McCulloch sits you down and chapter by chapter paints a dark, enveloping image for your ears. And of course there's the line. Fate up against your will. Brilliant. Pavement covered it. Donnie Darko opened with it. And your musical collection glowed for years because of it.

"What a Friend We Have in Jesus" by Victor Lin

2010-10-23T00:14:00.001-04:00

Album: Hymnbook (2008)
Playlist: Hymn interpretations

"Amazing Grace" by Sufjan Stevens
"God Will Lift Up Your Head" by Jars of Clay
"The Wonderful Cross" by Chris Tomlin
"I'll Fly Away" by Johnny Cash
"Rock of Ages" by Bob Dylan

Hymnbook is one of my go-to albums. When I'm looking for calm, perspective, inspiration, and encouragement, I turn to Victor's jazz-infused hymn arrangements. I think there was a robotic stiffness to the original hymn that stifled the message a bit for me. Victor's ragtime makeover is looser. More organic. His version has no words, but the piano says everything you need or want to know. It just sorta rolls along and, on many occasions, it took my soul along for the ride.

Victor Lin - What a Friend We Have in Jesus

"Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand

2010-10-16T14:10:00.000-04:00

Album: Franz Ferdinand (2004)
Playlist: Made in Scotland

Try mixing with:
"See the Lights" by Simple Minds
"Lorelei" by Cocteau Twins
"Seymour Stein" by Belle & Sabastian
"The Downtown Lights" by The Blue Nile
"Writing to Reach You" by Travis

425. That's about how many times I bob my head whenever I hear this song. The rhythm drills deep into your noggin - especially with the tempo shift about one minute into the song. The bass and drums pack plenty of punch. But for me, even the lead guitar and vocals feel like major contributors to the rhythm section. It all works together to command the pace and strut of whatever you're doing - walking, driving, eating. Another striking thing about the song is you really get the sense that these guys have a ton of fun playing this song. Just like us.

"Pet Sounds" by The Beach Boys

2010-10-08T12:02:00.002-04:00

Album: Pet Sounds (1966)
Playlist: Sound-off

Try mixing with:
"Sound" by James
"Speed of Sound" by Coldplay
"Planet of Sound" by Pixies
"Gold Soundz" by Pavement
"The Sounds of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel

No offense to Brian Wilson, but the title track off Pet Sounds is by far one of my favorite songs from this album largely because it's an instrumental. I say no offense, because while I don't miss Wilson's voice here, he's the musical genius behind the song and much of the album. Strands of lounge and surf make their way into "Pet Sound's" complex web. But it's the song's off-beatness that made it so daring and so ahead of its time. It blows my mind when I recall that it was recorded in 1966.

Here's Brian Wilson's explanation on how Pet Sounds (the album) came to be. Maybe it wasn't the LSD...

"Iris" by Live

2010-10-01T21:06:00.002-04:00

Album: Throwing Copper (1994)
Playlist: 90's rock flashback

Try mixing with:
"Interstate Love Song" by Stone Temple Pilots
"Wonderwall" by Oasis
"Say It Ain't So" by Weezer
"Disarm" by Smashing Pumpkins
"Give It Away" by Red Hot Chili Peppers

I got the idea to pay homage to Live with Ed Kowalczyk's recent visit to New York City. "Iris" was a marquee track on an album that kicked ass all the way through. Talking Heads' Jerry Harrison produced it, and you have to think he must've had something to do with Throwing Copper's huge success. Because the truth is Live kinda came out of nowhere to blow us away with this music. And then they faded into the background just as quickly. "Iris" is a masterpiece in terms of its spacing and its transitions. It has a gorgeous bass line. And it also happens to rock.

"Redemption Song" by Bob Marley

2010-09-16T22:53:00.002-04:00

Album: Uprising (1980)
Playlist: Mellow acoustic mix

Try mixing with:
"Blowin' in the Wind" by Bob Dylan
"Montana" by Gipsy Kings
"Flesh and Blood" by Johnny Cash
"Used Cars" by Bruce Springsteen
"Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" by Green Day

Let's face it. "Redemption Song" is the resident party pooper when you play the famous compilation album, Legend, in its entirety. But it's a brilliant party pooper at that. It sticks out like a sore thumb because - aside from Marley's distinctive voice - it doesn't sound a thing like reggae. Almost anything remotely Jamaican from a musical standpoint was blocked out, leaving only a simple acoustic guitar and, of course, Marley awesome vocal track. The simplicity of the acoustic recording really allowed Marley's voice to shine, making it my favorite Marley tune by far.

"Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois" by Sufjan Stevens

2010-08-31T21:48:00.002-04:00

Album: Illinois (2005)
Playlist: Midwest musings

Try mixing with:
"Detroit Rock City" by Kiss
"Ohio" by Crosby Stills Nash & Young
"St. Louis Blues" by Stevie Wonder
"Bloodbuzz Ohio" by The National
"Chicago" by Frank Sinatra

Delicate, beautiful, and perfectly orchestrated. "UFO" is one of my favorite Sufjan Steven compositions. It accomplishes the rare feat of being technically superior without sacrificing on aesthetic. The piano part's echo effect and the vocal harmonies mesmerize. The flute subtly flirts with your ears. I have to go all the way back to Jethro Tull to recall an act that was brave enough and clever enough to incorporate that woodwind. It ended up being one of over twenty instruments that Sufjan Stevens played on Illinois, the second in his U.S. state concept series. Rumor has it New Jersey is up next.

"Joey" by Concrete Blonde

2010-08-19T22:18:00.001-04:00

Album: Bloodletting (1990)
Playlist: L.A. sounds

Try mixing with:
"Self Esteem" by Offspring
"Crystal Ship" by The Doors
"The New Pollution" by Beck
"Soul to Squeeze" by Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Classic Girl" by Jane's Addiction

"Joey" is one of the most likable and accessible mid-tempo rock songs around. It was high on the nostalgia meter for those who remember the summer of 1990. That's when Concrete Blonde's alternative rock staple crossed over and found a little success in pop radioland. I remember playing "Joey" over and over and over again. Johnette Napolitano's vocals grabbed me, especially when she revved into the upper octave in the chorus. Back in 1990, I had no idea what the song was about, but I later discovered it's about an alcoholic. With my wife and I about to take our baby daughter out to L.A. for her first vacation, I decided to create a playlist for the occasion. Finding good L.A.-based rock was a little harder than I thought. And my indifference to hardcore punk and glam metal didn't help.

"Avalanche" by Leonard Cohen

2010-08-15T22:49:00.001-04:00

Album: Songs of Love and Hate (1971)
Playlist: Rainy night
Memorable line: Your pain is no credential here / It's just the shadow, shadow of my wound

Try mixing with:
"Less Than Human" by The Chameleons
"Hands Away" by Interpol
"Riders on the Storm" by The Doors
"Sail to the Moon" by Radiohead
"Time" by Tom Waits

"Avalanche" will indeed bury you. That's the price you pay when you let Leonard Cohen's masterpiece come within earshot. Cohen's prolific songwriting has made the music world darker and deeper. His lyrics read like poems. And "Avalanche" is literally based on a poem that he penned earlier. But I think what makes this one of my favorite songs is a guitar part that continues to haunt me for days after hearing it. It sounds like something stuck inside the walls of some dungeon on a remote island. I don't particularly enjoy that kind of imagery. But like a lot of Leonard Cohen songs, I can't help but listen to it.

"Heartbreak Beat" by The Psychedelic Furs

2010-08-08T14:03:00.001-04:00

Album: Midnight to Midnight (1987)
Playlist: 80's flashback

Try mixing with:
"Secret" by OMD
"The Sun Always Shines on TV" by A-Ha
"All Through the Night" by Cyndi Lauper
"Union of the Snake" by Duran Duran
"Never Let Me Down Again" by Depeche Mode

A good 80's mix requires the right balance of nostalgia and surprise. The song selection shouldn't be too obvious or too obscure. With that criteria in mind, The Psychedelic Furs' discography - except "Pretty in Pink" - is rich territory for 80's playlists. Richard Butler owns one of the decade's most distinctive voices. "Heartbreak Beat" was part of the band's later work, after they shifted from guitar-infused to synthesizer-oriented. But it was a bit of an anomaly as it seemed to border on both Furs eras. The guitars and keyboards were perfectly in balance, and the saxophone part worked with Butler's vocals to hold the song together. "Heartbreak Beat" was an exercise in perfect tempo shifts and musical anticipation.

"Fools Gold" by The Stone Roses

2010-08-01T11:25:00.005-04:00

Album: The Stone Roses (1989)
Playlist: Drummer boys

Try mixing with:
"Sunday Bloody Sunday" by U2
"Message in a Bottle" by The Police
"Squalor Victoria" by The National
"La Villa Strangiato" by Rush
"Geek USA" by Smashing Pumpkins

Musically speaking, there were very few years that were as good as 1989. It was a crossroads year. Grunge was establishing itself and the Manchester scene was reestablishing itself. Plenty of noteworthy albums surfaced: Pretty Hate Machine, Mother's Milk, Disintegration, Bleach, Doolittle, Paul's Boutique, and of course, The Stone Roses' self-titled debut. The Stone Roses made a name for itself pretty much based on this one album (Second Coming being their next and final album). "Fools Gold" closed out the re-release version, a very gutsy 10-minute track for a new act. There was such confidence in who they were, and Reni and Mani, the band's drum and bass section, brought the house down with a killer rhythmic groove.

"To Build A Home" by The Cinematic Orchestra

2010-07-22T20:46:00.005-04:00

Album: Ma Fleur (2007)
Playlist: Late night soundscaping

Try mixing with:
"Sea Song" by Doves
"Aloysius" by Cocteau Twins
"Falling" by Julee Cruise
"You Stopped Making Sense" by The Radio Dept.
"Lovers in Japan" by Coldplay

An old coworker once said "To Build A Home" was the most beautiful song ever written. Keep in mind this came from a guy who was frequently spotted shirtless at house parties. The most beautiful song is a huge claim. Doesn't Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" own that distinction? Still, "To Build A Home" can bring the most masculine of men to tears. It catches you off guard, pulling back your skin and bones to reveal emotions you didn't even know existed. That's probably what it does best. The lyrics seem to almost swim through your veins, and the piano chords are the soundtrack to your bliss or misery. Or both.

"Hey You" by Pink Floyd

2010-07-16T18:10:00.003-04:00

Album: The Wall (1979)
Playlist: Prog rock block

Try mixing with:
"Apostrophe" by Frank Zappa
"Vicarious" by Tool
"Freewill" by Rush
"Games Without Frontiers" by Peter Gabriel
"Citizen Erased" by Muse

It was kinda absurd for the older son in the film, The Squid and The Whale, to claim he penned this song. It's only one of the most well-known tracks from a concept album of legendary status. On the other hand, if you're going to tell people you wrote someone else's song, it may as well be "Hey You" or something equally as impressive. Only a few songs on The Wall can be played separately from the rest of the album and still sound as good. "Hey You" is one of them. It's a song of musical transitions. There's Gilmour's classical guitar playing in the intro which gives way to soaring riffs two minutes in. And then there's both Gilmour and Waters on vocal duties, relinquishing the song's signature octave jump. Alienation never sounded so fine.

"Another Star" by Stevie Wonder

2010-07-08T22:29:00.003-04:00

Album: Songs In The Key Of Life (1976)
Playlist: I heart trumpets

Try mixing with:
"Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash
"Louisiana" by The Walkmen
"Casimir Pulaski Day" by Sufjan Stevens
"Stars of Track and Field" by Belle & Sabastian
"Absolute Beginners" by The Jam

Last night I dreamt that I saw Stevie Wonder perform live. Thing is, he wasn't anywhere near a piano. He was dancing like a man possessed. Slithering around the very front of the stage and then crowdsurfing. I was frantically trying to catch this odd scene on my phone's camera. But all the shots were coming out blurry because Stevie was moving around too fast. In my dream Stevie Wonder was trying to be someone else. But in real life it's quite the opposite. Musicians try to be like Stevie. He has immense talent and he's the elder statesman. You hear bits and pieces of Stevie in music as diverse as Prince, Maroon 5, and Jamiroquai. Songs In The Key Of Life, in particular, is a masterpiece, delivering quality in quantity. And "Another Star" is one of my favorite upbeat songs from that record. If I had the dream again, I would hope he'd play "Another Star" with the full backup vocals and trumpets. I would respectfully ask him not to dance dangerously on the edge of the stage. I'd rather hear his amazing voice instead, and get totally lost in the notes.

"Fell In Love With a Girl" by The White Stripes

2010-07-01T19:22:00.003-04:00

Album: White Blood Cells (2001)
Playlist: July 4th kick-off
Memorable line: These two sides of my brain need to have a meeting

Try mixing with:
"Blitzkrieg Bop" by The Ramones
"Here Comes Your Man" by Pixies
"Gone Daddy Gone" by Violent Femmes
"Float On" by Modest Mouse
"What Ever Happened" by The Strokes

I don't jump up and down on my bed to rock and roll. Never have. But I came close a couple of times with "Fell In Love With a Girl". In less than two minutes, the song exhausts itself with a potent mix of sonic and pop, punctuating The White Stripes' thrashing guitar riffs with an addictive poppy melody. Do you jump up and down on your bed? This is your song. I also recommend throwing it on your July 4th mix. My playlist suggestion features songs from American rock bands that seduce you with the occasional pop element.

"Cities In Dust" by Siouxsie and the Banshees

2010-06-25T14:32:00.002-04:00

Album: Tinderbox (1986)
Playlist: Goth Lite

Try mixing with:
"Dead Souls" by Joy Division
"Charlotte Sometimes" by The Cure
"Ball of Confusion" by Love and Rockets
"Rain" by The Cult
"More" by The Sisters of Mercy

Morbid lyrics crawling beneath your skin and a blissful backdrop. This formula has been used and abused by many post-punk artists for good reason. And it works extraordinarily well in "Cities In Dust." The song recounts a victim's final hours following a volcanic eruption. A cheery story it is not. But the infectious melody almost fools you into believing it is. It grabs you. I even read somewhere that "Cities In Dust" was a dance club staple when the 12-inch single first came out. And even if Siouxsie fans weren't dancing to it, they were surely singing along to Siouxsie's falsetto howl in the chorus.

"Hotel California" by Gipsy Kings

2010-06-18T18:05:00.001-04:00

Album: The Big Lebowski Soundtrack (1998)
Playlist: Soundtrack highlights 2

Try mixing with:
"Shape of My Heart" by Sting (from The Professional)
"Lust For Life" by Iggy Pop (from Trainspotting)
"These Days" by Nico (from The Royal Tenenbaums)
"The End" by The Doors (from Apocalypse Now)
"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen (from Wayne's World)

This version of the Eagles classic brought John Turturro's character to life in The Big Lebowski. But as awesome as the song's inclusion was, it didn't do it justice. Strip away the absurd character sketch, and the Gipsy Kings' "Hotel California" is a feat in and of itself. It displays how the band can handle an intense tempo shift with bold flamenco arrangements. They start off slow to illicit a reflective, intimate feel, and then switch gears with rapid guitar strumming. As any owner of their "Best Of" compilation knows, The Gipsy Kings' vocals are incomparable - like a musical exorcism. And normally going back and forth between two languages on a song is a cheeseball move. But this is the Gipsy Kings, and they get away with it just fine. "Hotel California" is a four star.

See the video here.

Read my previous soundtrack playlist suggestion.

"Mr. Tambourine Man" by Bob Dylan

2010-06-13T22:41:00.004-04:00

Album: Bringing It All Back Home (1965)
Playlist: Three in the morning

Try mixing with:
"Transcontinental, 1:30am" by Vienna Teng
"Such A Little Thing Makes Such A Big Difference" by Morrissey
"Firesuite" by Doves
"Freddie Freeloader" by Miles Davis
"Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley

I think Bob Dylan often sounds better in the middle of the night, like the way Radiohead sounds better when it rains. "Mr. Tambourine Man" is full of imagery, cleverly launching with the chorus before settling into the first verse. "Mr. Tambourine" had heavy rotation on my iPod during the first few weeks of my daughter's life. Many nights I was up holding her, sitting on the cold bathroom floor with the fan on, hoping and praying she'd fall asleep, or at least close her eyes. Meanwhile, Dylan's vocals, harmonica, and acoustic guitar were making magic through my earbuds. It got me through a few sleep-deprived nights. Consider it for your late-night mix, whether you're having a drink with an old friend, up with insomnia on a redeye, or trying to rock your wide-eyed newborn baby to sleep. Dylan will deliver.

"(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding" by Elvis Costello and The Attractions

2010-06-09T21:33:00.002-04:00

Album: Armed Forces (1979)
Playlist: Midweek adrenaline shot

Try mixing with:
"Never Stop" by Echo & The Bunnymen
"Absolute Beginners" by The Jam
"In Bloom" by Nirvana
"Mistaken For Strangers" by The National
"The Song Remains The Same" by Led Zeppelin

I think this was the first Elvis Costello song I ever heard. Even before "Alison". Nick Lowe wrote it, but Costello got all the glory. Frankly, it's a much better version. There's testosterone holding those chords together, and the drum fills are decadently piled on top of each other. Costello's neck-stretching crooning is vintage rock. For your adrenaline mix, skip his more obvious "Pump It Up" and look to "Peace, Love and Understanding" to get you through the week.

"Somewhere Only We Know" by Keane

2010-06-02T19:20:00.003-04:00

Album: Hopes and Fears (2004)
Playlist: Piano rock
Memorable line: Oh simple thing, where have you gone? / I'm getting old and I need something to rely on / So tell me when you gonna let me in / I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

Try mixing with:
"Amsterdam" by Coldplay
"Songbird" by Fleetwood Mac
"How To Save A Life" by The Fray
"Streetlife Serenader" by Billy Joel
"November Rain" by Guns 'n Roses

Keane nailed it here. The piano-driven trio has plenty of memorable, well-constructed songs, but with "Somewhere Only We Know," they crafted the anthem. It toys with your mind. It shifts up and down, dragging your emotions along its maze of melodic progressions. The piano chords are impossibly simple, just enough to slowly break you.

"Orange Crush" by R.E.M.

2010-05-28T14:19:00.005-04:00

Album: Green (1988)
Playlist: Memorial Day soundtrack

Try mixing with:
"One" by Metallica
"Freedom" by Paul McCartney
"19" by Paul Hardcastle
"Ballad of Ira Hayes" by Johnny Cash
"Brothers in Arms" by Dire Straits

I wouldn't necessarily go playing these songs at your barbecues this weekend. The playlist is meant to be a bit more reflective in light of our soldiers and what they've endured to secure our freedom. I always felt "Orange Crush" was a true highlight in R.E.M.'s repertoire. Listeners commonly describe it as the song about Agent Orange in Vietnam. But Michael Stipe also said it was about a football player who left home to fight in Vietnam. The gunfire drum rolls and Peter Buck's guitar hooks are the stuff of great rock songs. But "Orange Crush" is also a period piece soundtrack - soldier chants and helicopter noise lift the song into another dimension. There are a ton of R.E.M. songs out there, and this one's firmly in my top five.

"The Dead Heart" by Midnight Oil

2010-05-23T19:41:00.008-04:00

Album: Diesel And Dust (1988)
Playlist: Aussie tracks

Try mixing with:
"Under The Milky Way" by The Church
"Never Tear us Apart" by INXS
"Something So Strong" by Crowded House
"The Ship Song" by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds
"For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)" by AC/DC

When I was growing up, WDRE (WLIR) had "The Dead Heart" on frequent rotation. I was relieved they didn't just play "Beds Are Burning." Diesel and Dust is too rich to ignore, full of catchy, politically-charged songs. And "The Dead Heart" was one of my favorites. Peter Garrett's intense vocals shined on a song that was written for the Australian Aborigines. "The Dead Heart" swells with enormous ethnic pride, and rightfully belongs on a playlist featuring some of the better musical acts to come from down under.

"Angel Eyes" by Roxy Music

2010-05-19T23:39:00.009-04:00

Album: Manifesto (1979)
Playlist: New wave sounds

Try mixing with:
"Happy House" by Siouxsie and the Banshees
"This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)" by Talking Heads
"It's My Life" by Talk Talk
"One Way Or Another" by Blondie
"(Forever) Live And Die" by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

"Angel Eyes" appeared during a major turning point for Roxy Music. The band steered away from their raw, unpredictable sound and were heading toward a tamer era that at times flirted a little too dangerously with Lite FM. Like most of Manifesto, "Angel Eyes" had a calculated disposition, and you could hear it all over the track - from Ferry's smooth vocals to the crisp horn arrangements. The eerie guitar line injected the song with a bit of an edge. Roxy Music - just three songs into Manifesto - already seemed comfortable in its new skin. They weren't better or worse. Just very different.

"Moonlight Drive" by The Doors

2010-05-16T19:41:00.008-04:00

Album: Strange Days (1967)
Playlist: Moon phase
Memorable line: Let's swim to the moon / Let's climb through the tide / Surrender to the waiting worlds / That lap against our side

Try mixing with:
"Walking On The Moon" by The Police
"Harvest Moon" by Neil Young
"Pink Moon" by Nick Drake
"Between Sun & Moon" by Rush
"Nightswimming" by R.E.M.

Beautifully hallucinogenic. One of my favorites from The Doors canon, "Moonlight Drive" was reportedly written by Jim Morrison on a rooftop in Venice Beach. But his mind was undoubtedly sailing somewhere else. "Moonlight Drive" is upbeat, bluesy, and full of imagery and mood. Morrison's awesome vocals went from tempered to unrestrained and back, and the guitar riff established an atmosphere that sounded charmingly galactic for the 1960's.

"Little Star" by Madonna

2010-05-07T22:37:00.004-04:00

Album: Ray of Light (1998)
Playlist: Labor of love

Other songs:
"Weight of the World" by Erasure
"Being Simple" by The Judybats
"Belong" by Geoff Moore
"Wonderful Maker" by Matt Redman
"New Slang" by The Shins
"Souvenir" by OMD
"She's Got A Way" by Billy Joel
"Bright As Yellow" by The Innocence Mission
"Follow Your Bliss" by The B-52s
"Small Enough" by Nichole Nordeman

My beautiful wife gave birth to our precious daughter Sophia Paige Lai on Tuesday at 6:28pm. I had a playlist created for the occasion, and called it "Labor of Love". The playlist ran about 40 songs deep, and included some of the tracks listed above. The playlist was mostly mellow, relaxing songs to counteract the not-so-serene reality of active labor. I included "Little Star", a song that Madonna wrote for her own daughter. It reminded me of the treasure that was about to enter our own world. It probably would've reminded my wife of that too had it not been for the those hellish contractions.

"Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine" by The Killers

2010-05-02T23:56:00.009-04:00

Album: Hot Fuss (2004)
Playlist: Side One Track Ones

Try mixing with:
"Cherub Rock" by Smashing Pumpkins
"Finest Worksong" by R.E.M.
"Canned Heat" by Jamiroquai
"Honey" by Moby
"In Between Days" by The Cure

Here's another High Fidelity-inspired playlist suggestion. "Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine" brings me back to the days of riding in my friend Wilson's car with Hot Fuss blaring out his speakers. We would do our very best Brandon Flowers, break out the air guitar and air bass, and Wilson's dashboard would magically transform into the band's keyboard. "Jenny" made for an awesome first track and blew the world away with The Killers 80's-influenced, post-punk sound. Chances are if "Jenny" was just a mediocre song, Hot Fuss would still be considered a great album. There are just too many strong tracks on it to ignore. But we only adored this album more because "Jenny" didn't waste a second in letting us know that The Killers had arrived. It seriously rocked all the way through - from Flowers' mind-blowing vocals all the way down to the unforgettable bass hook.

"Kiss" by Prince and The Revolution

2010-04-28T22:01:00.006-04:00

Album: Parade (1986)
Playlist: House party
Memorable line: You don't have to watch Dynasty to have an attitude.

Try mixing with:
"Start!" by The Jam
"E-Pro" by Beck
"Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand
"Burning Down The House" by Talking Heads
"Last Night" by The Strokes

If you can't feel the rhythm in this song, you may have to question whether or not you're human. This song went way past the legal groove limit. Prince is an amazingly gifted songwriter, and "Kiss" was one of his best, taking a minimalist's approach to instrumentation. The stop-and-start drums and guitar strumming pushed the boundaries of traditional rhythm-making. And the falsetto vocals and sparse harmonies drove the funk deep into your bones.

"Time Has Told Me" by Nick Drake

2010-04-25T11:35:00.004-04:00

Album: Five Leaves Left (1969)
Playlist: Apres dinner
Memorable line: Time has told me you're a rare rare find / A troubled cure for a troubled mind

Try mixing with:
"Shoot The Moon" by Norah Jones
"No Surprises" by Radiohead
"Strong Enough" by Sheryl Crow
"This Road" by Jars of Clay
"Letter to Elise" by The Cure

There's a truly timeless quality about Nick Drake's songs, like "Time Has Told Me". It's full of poetic verse, Drake's rich, melancholy baritone, and warm folky atmosphere stewing slowly over the guitar and piano parts. It's a perfect song to retire to the parlor with after a late dinner, if you have a parlor. Seemed appropriate to end my playlist suggestion with a Cure track, considering the band's name was inspired by the lyrics of this Nick Drake anthem.

"Don't Give Up" by Peter Gabriel with Kate Bush

2010-04-23T20:33:00.004-04:00

Album: So (1986)
Playlist: Killer collaborations

Try mixing with:
"California Stars" by Billy Bragg & Wilco
"Kid Fears" by Indigo Girls with Michael Stipe
"Girl from Ipanema" by Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto
"Under Pressure" by Queen with David Bowie
"Crazy In Love" by Beyonce with Jay-Z

Here we have a male singer and a female singer taking turns singing verses. Sounds like a recipe for a super corny song. Instead "Don't Give Up" became one of the greatest duets ever recorded - and greatest songs period. Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush tell the story of an unemployed man and his woman's desperate attempts to lift his spirits. The vocals are exceptional: Gabriel's textured tenor, Bush's angelic soprano, and both singers becoming the characters they portrayed. Peter Gabriel has included the song on many concert tours since the So recording. But there will never be a better version than his duet with Kate Bush. "Don't Give Up" - and "Under Pressure" - are my favorite collaborative songs of all time. But I'd love to know what your favorites are, too.

"Starlight" by Muse

2010-04-21T20:34:00.004-04:00

Album: Black Holes and Revelations (2006)
Playlist: Coachella 2010 acts

Try mixing with:
"The Underdog" by Spoon
"Giving Up The Gun" by Vampire Weekend
"Fences" by Phoenix
"Grounded" by Pavement
"Disappointed" by Public Image Ltd.

I wasn't at Coachella, but if I made the trip out west I definitely would've caught Muse's 17-song set on Day Two, which included "Starlight." There's nothing particularly groundbreaking about this song. It's just incredibly catchy and memorable, and it has some great instrumentation especially with the contrast and interplay between the guitar and piano parts. "Starlight" may not be the quintessential Muse track, but I think it's one of their more accessible ones. For my playlist suggestion, I included songs I would've wanted to hear if I was at Coachella this year.

"The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac

2010-04-18T22:24:00.009-04:00

Album: Rumours (1977)
Playlist: Feeling bluesy

Try mixing with:
"House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals
"Gun Street Girl" by Tom Waits
"Hey Joe" by Jimi Hendrix
"You Are My Face" by Wilco
"In My Time of Dying" by Led Zeppelin

I got the idea to highlight a Fleetwood Mac song on this blog from my office. I work with two big Fleetwood Mac fans. One of them would've named her kid Stevie if it was a girl. The other makes it a point to play one Fleetwood Mac song a day. Like taking vitamins. I'm sure quite a few Fleetwood Mac songs will eventually appear on this blog. The first one is "The Chain". Striking harmonies. Bluesy guitar riffs. Lover's angst. And a terrific bass line three minutes in. "The Chain" crossbreeds blues and rock as well as any song out there.

"Lazy Line Painter Jane" by Belle and Sebastian

2010-04-16T13:30:00.006-04:00

Album: Lazy Line Painter Jane, EP (1997)
Playlist: Character sketches
Memorable line: Trying hard not to please anyone, all the time / Being a rebel's fine / But you go all the way to being brutal

Try mixing with:
"Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles
"Joe Bean" by Johnny Cash
"Luka" by Suzanne Vega
"The Boxer" by Simon and Garfunkel
"Psycho Killer" by Talking Heads

Personally I think Belle and Sebastian's earlier work is their best. And "Lazy Line Painter Jane" is one of my favorites from a band known for character sketches of ordinary folks. "Lazy Line Painter Jane" offers valuable insight into the person who paints the yellow lines on your streets. It has a distinctive 60's sound - an area that the band loves to dabble in - but "Lazy Line Painter Jane" tackles a different brand of that era compared to many of their other songs. It's a superb sketch, good enough to be grouped with the other songs mentioned above.

"Straight Edge" by Minor Threat (Guest Blogger: Ken Kusactay)

2010-04-12T20:56:00.007-04:00

It's my pleasure to welcome my first guest blogger, Ken Kusactay. Ken is one of my fellow blog contributors for the New York nonprofit The Doe Fund. He's an admirer of all sounds hardcore, from hip-hop to punk; if it’s loud, subversive, and aggressive, he probably listens to it. Currently he's listening to Notorious B.I.G, Iggy Pop and The Stooges, Gogol Bordello, The Exploited, and Ghost Mice (which, according to him, is not hardcore, but still incredible). Here's his playlist suggestion...

Album: Minor Threat, EP (1981)
Playlist: Punk sampler

Try mixing with:
"Punk's Not Dead" by The Exploited
"Take This Job and Shove It" by Dead Kennedys
"No Way Out" by TSOL
"Teenage Nark" by Wasted Youth
"Somebody To Love" by Angry Samoans

To me, your humbled guest blogger, Minor Threat was the high point in punk rock. With their youthful energy, bare-bones simplicity, and playful aggressiveness, no other band more perfectly captured the punk spirit than they. During a time when the scene was being quelled by substance abuse, making for lazy and sloppy music, Minor Threat came on to reinvigorate the scene with fresh punch-you-in-the-face hardcore punk. Their song “Straight Edge,” clocking in at only 45 seconds, showed that you didn’t need drugs or alcohol to get high — the super-sonic sound of punk was intoxicating enough.

"Mondo '77" by Looper

2010-04-09T23:50:00.007-04:00

Album: The Geometrid (2000)
Playlist: Bleeps 'n beats

Try mixing with:
"Da Funk" by Daft Punk
"Crips" by Ratatat
"Montego Bay Spleen" by St. Germain
"Chase the Blues" by Terranova
"Kids" by MGMT

Belle and Sebastian's former bassist, Stuart David, left a great band to form Looper, an electronic-infused side project that sounded absolutely nothing like Belle and Sebastian. My introduction to Looper came via the television commercials that gave "Mondo '77" its exposure. From my ad agency days, I remember that many ad men and ad women had good taste in music. So it makes sense that "Mondo '77" would eventually find its way on to a 30-second spot. This is one seriously catchy track. Stuart David shows off some fine bass work, especially with the bass groove halfway in. The horns, or faux horns, add a bright texture to the song. And the best part is clearly the iconic, distorted synthesizer. If you're looking to compile a bleep-heavy playlist, turn back a decade to "Mondo '77". It's worth resurrecting for an encore.

"Rock and Roll" by The Velvet Underground

2010-04-07T22:12:00.005-04:00

Album: Loaded (1970)
Playlist: Influential acts of greatness

Try mixing with:
"Cloudbusting" by Kate Bush
"Sir Duke" by Stevie Wonder
"Us and Them" by Pink Floyd
"The 15th" by Wire
"Ziggy Stardust" by David Bowie

The Velvet Underground was years, if not decades, ahead of its time, which makes this particular song, a testimonial on the power of rock music, especially engaging. "Rock and Roll" did many things exceptionally well: Lou Reed effortlessly blurred the line between song and conversation; the unexpected chord progressions still impress even after several listens; and the song's energy had the ability to change your whole demeanor in an instant.

"Grace" by U2

2010-04-04T22:43:00.007-04:00

Album: All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000)
Playlist: Easter mix
Memorable line: What once was hurt, what once was friction / What left a mark no longer stains / Because Grace makes beauty out of ugly things

Try mixing with:
"Liquid" by Jars of Clay
"I Believe in You" by Bob Dylan
"Mighty is the Power of the Cross" by Chris Tomlin
"You Are Mine" by Mute Math
"Dare You To Move" by Switchfoot

One of the things I like most about U2 is The Edge's brilliant work on guitar. Yet what I find most appealing about "Grace" is the restraint of this instrument. It's relegated mostly to atmospheric work on this track, giving more spotlight to the lyrics. In an artistic and profound way, "Grace" captures the essence of the Christian faith, an often misunderstood belief. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of U2 songs you're likely to play over this one. But today is as good a day as any for "Grace."

"Head On" by The Jesus and Mary Chain

2010-04-01T21:29:00.005-04:00

Album: Automatic (1989)
Playlist: Resistance workout mix

Try mixing with:
"Back in Black" by AC/DC
"Holiday" by Green Day
"U-Mass" by The Pixies
"An Honest Mistake" by The Bravery
"Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" by Journey

I love the part in the movie High Fidelity where Jack Black sets a customer straight at the record store, stating that The Jesus and Mary Chain picked up where the customer's 'precious' Echo and The Bunnymen left off. I never thought of the connection between the two bands before, but I think Jack Black's character had a point. The Chain's lead vocals and song structures shared many similarities with Echo, but then The Chain added guitar-heavy tracks and a love for distortion. "Head On" was the band's signature song. With a confident guitar riff and octave-jumping vocals, it rolled over me like a bulldozer the first time I heard it more than twenty years ago. It still has the same effect on me today.

"You've Got A Friend" by Carole King

2010-03-29T22:33:00.010-04:00

Album: Tapestry (1971)
Playlist: Singer-songwriter staples

Try mixing with:
"Between the Bars" by Elliot Smith
"Captain Jack" by Billy Joel
"Mexico" by James Taylor
"Love's Recovery" by Indigo Girls
"Grace" by Jeff Buckley

Carole King is the queen of songwriters, and "You've Got A Friend" is one of her masterpieces. Pretty much all of Tapestry was. But this song, in particular, transcended the other album tracks by inspiring countless cover versions from the likes of James Taylor, Roberta Flack, and The Brand New Heavies. No matter who sings "You've Got A Friend", it feels like the performer is actually singing personally to each individual listener. Credit King's lyrical and composition abilities for infusing that kind of power into a song.

"Haiti" by Arcade Fire

2010-03-26T22:26:00.006-04:00

Album: Funeral (2004)
Playlist: History lesson

Try mixing with:
"Biko" by Peter Gabriel
"The Flowers of Guatemala" by R.E.M.
"Red Sector A" by Rush
"Bullet The Blue Sky" by U2
"Redemption Song" by Bob Marley

Once in a while, a song will do more than entertain. It will illuminate an issue. Or choose to remember what many would like to forget. "Haiti" highlighted the fact that much had gone wrong with the country well before the earthquake. The song was quite a musical departure from the rest of Funeral. It also ended up being one of the most important pieces of the album. My playlist suggestion isn't the most uplifting of mixes, but it does affirm music as a powerful medium.

"I Love A Man In A Uniform" by Gang of Four

2010-03-22T22:16:00.009-04:00

Album: Songs of the Free (1982)
Playlist: Post-Punk / Post-Punk Revival Pairings

Pair with:
"This Fire" by Franz Ferdinand

More pairings:
"Do It Clean" by Echo & The Bunnymen
"What Ever Happened" by The Strokes

"Disorder" by Joy Division
"Leif Erickson" by Interpol

"This Is Not A Love Song" by Public Image Ltd.
"Munich" by Editors

"A Forest" by The Cure
"Smile Like You Mean It" by The Killers

My all-time favorite radio station growing up was Long Island's WDRE (92.7FM). Living a good hour from L.I. meant crappy radio reception for me. But nonetheless DRE played great music. I credit the station for introducing me to Gang of Four and the post-punk scene when I was in high school, rescuing me from overplayed classic rock albums. Thankfully they gave "I Love A Man In A Uniform" plenty of airplay. I loved the jaunty rhythm and awesome guitar hook. It's interesting how the post-punk bands of the late seventies and early eighties really helped shaped some of the better acts from the last few years. With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to pair some of the classic post-punk songs with the post-punk revivalists. Yes, I am a true music nerd.

"Here Comes The Sun" by The Beatles

2010-03-20T23:35:00.006-04:00

Album: Abbey Road (1969)
Playlist: Spring mix

Try mixing with:
"Blue Skies" by Ella Fitzgerald
"But Not Tonight" by Depeche Mode
"Pure" by The Lightning Seeds
"Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty
"Alive and Kicking" by Simple Minds

I'm not a diehard Beatles fan. But there are a few Beatles tunes that I absolutely love. This is one of them. I was reminded of "Here Comes The Sun" in the midst of New York City's current warm front. Temperatures went well into the 70s these past couple of days. It's like we're all thawing out from a particularly cold, snowy, and rainy winter. The sun - for a while - felt like a long time coming. But finally it's like we're on the up. And you can see it on people's faces as you pass them by on the city's streets. There's a positive energy. That emotion is captured brilliantly in this song.

"Ridiculous Thoughts" by The Cranberries

2010-03-17T13:29:00.005-04:00

Album: No Need to Argue (1994)
Playlist: St. Patricks' sounds

Try mixing with:
"I Want Your (Hands on Me)" by Sinead O'Connor
"Tuesday Morning" by The Pogues
"Wire" by U2
"Angel" by Gavin Friday
"Spitting Games" by Snow Patrol

Break out the Irish bands today - whether you're raising a pint or not. Go straight to that "other" Irish band, The Cranberries, and throw this minor, forgotten hit on your playlist. From the angelic, yet eerie delivery in the opening to the repetitious chant in the closing minute, "Ridiculous Thoughts" takes ho-hum lyrics and churns out one of the band's strongest vocal performances.

"Traveler's Song" by Future of Forestry

2010-03-13T17:11:00.005-05:00

Album: Travel (2009)
Playlist: Staycation
Memorable line: Wait, stay here and have a drink of time / Wait, before you split yourself in two

Try mixing with:
"Free" by The Martinis
"Driving" by Everything But The Girl
"Wouldn't It Be Nice" by The Beach Boys
"Seven Wonders" by Fleetwood Mac
"Dreams" by The Cranberries

My friend Gary turned me on to the relatively unknown band Future of Forestry. I liked their sound almost instantly, but it was their lyrics that really stood out to me, which often delve into the spiritual. Plus, I like the fact that I can actually hear the lead singer's words without playing their songs back over and over again. "Traveler's Song" has the kind of song elements that allow you to be transported - atmosphere, harmonics, falsetto, and sublime lyrics. Very handy on a staycation playlist.

"Suspicious Minds" by Fine Young Cannibals

2010-03-10T23:50:00.004-05:00

Album: Fine Young Cannibals (1985)
Playlist: Cover gems

Try mixing with:
"Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon" by Urge Overkill
"Hurt" by Johnny Cash
"All Along the Watchtower" by Jimi Hendrix
"The Boys of Summer" by The Ataris
"Dear Prudence" by Siouxsie and the Banshees

Good cover songs take original versions of songs to another level without destroying their integrity. FYC's "Suspicious Minds" is an excellent example of that. It doesn't butcher the Elvis classic until it's an unrecognizable mess. It doesn't produce a carbon copy of the original either. It's distinctly FYC. And most of all, it doesn't try to play Elvis. It doesn't try to do too much, but it does just enough. These characteristics make the FYC version arguably as good as the original. And that's why I think it firmly belongs with the other superb covers listed above.

"I Zimbra" by Talking Heads

2010-03-09T23:45:00.005-05:00

Album: Fear of Music (1979)
Playlist: Morning run

Try mixing with:
"I Disappear" by Metallica
"Mandinka" by Sinead O'Connor
"Run Like Hell" by Pink Floyd
"Epic" by Faith No More
"Slow Hands" by Interpol

Here's an unexpected addition to your morning run playlist. "I Zimbra" really demonstrated Talking Heads' versatility and courage to create sounds no one else dared make. It establishes the groove early on with the opening beats, and pretty much never looks back. "I Zimbra" gets you in the mood for running. And on some days you'll need those kinds of songs. One imagines sprinting through the jungle with warrior's face paint on when "I Zimbra" blares out your earphones. Your tired feet - perfectly in stride with the tribal chants and bass slides.

"April Come She Will" by Simon and Garfunkel

2010-03-05T23:45:00.006-05:00

Album: Sounds of Silence (1966)
Playlist: Staying in

Try mixing with:
"Ice Cream" by Sarah McLachlan
"I'm Stone In Love With You" by The Stylistics
"Being Simple" by The Judybats
"Tea in the Sahara" by The Police
"Heaven Help" by Lenny Kravitz

"April Come She Will" was one of the few songs performed by the duo that Art Garfunkel got sole writing credit for. And it's actually very good. Good enough that it resurfaced on both The Graduate soundtrack and The Concert in Central Park. It's Garfunkel's poetic metaphor of a relationship that fizzled out in six months. Done by September. Sad in that way, but strangely delightful. I recently rediscovered this song as I was going through some old CDs. The pacing seems perfect on a playlist while you're hanging out indoors.

"YYZ" by Rush

2010-02-27T23:14:00.006-05:00

Album: Moving Pictures (1981)
Playlist: Instrumentals

Try mixing with:
"Moby Dick" by Led Zeppelin
"Oscillate Wildly" by The Smiths
"Cliffs of Dover" by Eric Johnson

Rush doesn't exactly inspire lukewarm feelings for its music. Either you love their albums to death or you can't stand to hear a single note. I belong in the first group. I have way too much respect for what this band has accomplished over several decades. One of the first acts that I followed, Rush helped nurture my fascination with music. They've inspired numerous rock bands, and countless teenage pimple-nosed rockers. Each member of the band is also an unbelievable master of his instrument. Rush oozes with talent. And they weren't shy about showing it on "YYZ". Neil Peart and Geddy Lee were their usual brilliant selves on this instrumental classic. But the often overshadowed Alex Lifeson also impressed fans. Especially with his riff a little bit past midway into the song. "YYZ" was named after the call letters for Toronto's international airport, and Peart's opening taps on the crotales are even timed in YYZ morse code. That is so Rush.

"Round Here" by Counting Crows

2010-02-25T22:25:00.005-05:00

Album: August and Everything After (1993)
Playlist: Non-romantic ballads
Memorable line: She knows she's more than just a little misunderstood / She has trouble acting normal when she's nervous

Try mixing with:
"Wise Up" by Aimee Mann
"The Scientist" by Coldplay
"Fake Plastic Trees" by Radiohead

There are some hardcore Counting Crows fans out there, like my bro Justin. I think I'm finally starting to understand what the fuss is all about. You have to give credit to Counting Crows for its unique sound, especially coming out of the homogeneous nineties. They served up something very different for that era. But I think the band does two things exceptionally well. First, frontman Adam Duritz sings completely from the heart. He doesn't hold anything back when he gets near a mic. Second, their lyrics flow like conversations. They don't feel forced. Both of these attributes are especially evident on one of my all-time favorite ballads: "Round Here." It's the first track on August and Everything After, but it feels like it really belongs in a conversation over a couple of lagers on a backyard porch. There and in your next ballad playlist.

"Is This It" by The Strokes

2010-02-20T09:00:00.009-05:00

Album: Is This It? (2001)
Playlist: Roadtrip Tunes
Memorable line: We're not enemies / We just disagree

Try mixing with:
"Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey
"Nightingale Song" by Toad the Wet Sprocket
"Champagne Supernova" by Oasis

One winter day in 2002, I was riding in my friend Stu's car in San Francisco. We were on our way to Tahoe for three days of skiing and Is This It was playing on the car stereo. It was the first time I heard The Strokes and I was liking them a lot. I think the album had already been out a few months. So I was a little remorseful about the fact that I cheated myself out on several months of Strokes listening. I had catching up to do. We played the whole album, and my ears were reacting well to the sweet guitar riffs, the distortion-drenched vocals, and that Strokes sound we know and love. The title track also had added charm in the rhythm department: nice high-hat work and a unique bass hook. But the best part of the song is that it manages to bring me back to another time and place. I know exactly where I was and who I was with when I first heard it. And that's saying something. When you're planning your next road trip, consider this one for your soundtrack.

"Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog" by Johnny Cash

2010-02-17T21:20:00.011-05:00

Album: At Folsom Prison (1968)
Playlist: Laugh tracks
Memorable line: Now if he don't stop eatin' my eggs up / Though I'm not a real bad guy / I'm gonna get my rifle and send him / To that great chicken house in the sky

Try mixing with:
"Robot Parade" by They Might Be Giants
"Amish Paradise" by Weird Al Yankovic
"Brain Damage" by Pink Floyd

Johnny Cash was a bit of a crazy bastard. You have to be to write a song like this. Give Cash credit for being the entertainer that the inmates of Folsom Prison needed on that special day in music history. Cash made those men laugh their heads off with absurd lyrics about a hungry canine. Delivered in his rich bass, "Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog" sounds like it was written on the fly. On some days you'll need a playlist of funny songs in your back pocket to get you through. Make sure you have this one on it.

"Sold Me Down the River" by The Alarm

2010-02-15T09:12:00.010-05:00

Album: Change (1989)
Playlist: Forgotten bands
Memorable line: Love's the drug that I live by / Give me a shot before I die

Try mixing with:
"Selling the Drama" by Live
"So Alive" by Love and Rockets
"Twisterella" by Ride

I propose that we all make a playlist this week to celebrate bands that we've forgotten. It's okay to include their more obvious hits too. Remember, we've forgotten these artists, so playing any song from them is a good thing. For all you alternative music fans: make sure to include "Sold Me Down the River", and then get lost in the nostalgia. I'm not sure how the planet has forgotten about The Alarm. It's unexplainable. This band knew how to rock. They would do most of their rocking with iconic guitar hooks. But they'd also surprise you once in a while with something interesting, like a harmonica part - or, in this case, a well placed piano slide.

"Lost Cause" by Beck

2010-02-06T13:42:00.007-05:00

Album: Sea Change (2002)
Playlist: In-flight
Memorable line: Your sorry eyes; they cut through bone / They make it hard to leave you alone

Try mixing with:
"I Want to Break Free" by Queen
"Kamera" by Wilco
"Beast of Burden" by Rolling Stones

There are all kinds of in-flight playlists, depending on your mood and style. But if you're looking for some chill tunes to help counter the craziness you just experienced at the airport, "Lost Cause" just might be one of them. At first, "Lost Cause" might seem like an unusual choice for such a playlist. But I think it actually works quite well. This tune may not have the cheeriest of lyrics, but the words are contrasted with a decidedly light-hearted melody, cleverly composed by Beck. Sea Change - and "Lost Cause" in particular - is brilliant in its minimalism. Simple melodies and arrangements, but nonetheless original. It's the glue song on Sea Change, thanks to its simple guitar-picking and Beck's bad case of the drones. Even with the self-pity motif crawling all over Sea Change, "Lost Cause" is ultimately a relaxing song. And that's what most people are looking for on a flight.

"Let Down" by Radiohead

2010-02-03T20:01:00.009-05:00

Album: OK Computer (1997)
Playlist: Hidden gems
Memorable line: Shell smashed, juices flowing / wings twitch, legs are going / don't get sentimental / it always ends up drivel

Try mixing with:
"Bravado" by Rush
"In Your Room" by Depeche Mode
"Gigantic" by The Pixies

This is Radiohead's rock symphony without strings. The band seems to almost effortlessly enter its experimental phase here without losing its roots. I don't get why "Let Down" isn't talked about more. This is one brilliant piece of rock and roll. The opening duo of keyboard and guitar seems to almost dangle before the rhythm section descends on the song. Everything seems perfectly in sync on "Let Down". The keyboard parts melt into the acoustic guitar arrangements, and the bass flirts dangerously in the upper octaves. Even Thom Yorke's closing lines are delivered in falsetto. "Let Down" also captures a range of human emotions - all in under five minutes.

"Starman" by David Bowie

2010-01-31T22:36:00.006-05:00

Album: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars (1972)
Playlist: Midnight stargazing
Memorable line: There's a starman waiting in the sky / He'd like to come and meet us / But he thinks he'd blow our minds

Try mixing with:
"Under the Milky Way" by The Church
"Yellow" by Coldplay
"Drops of Jupiter" by Train

I liken Ziggy Stardust to a basketball team where each song is either a role player like "Soul Love" or an all-star like "Starman". "Starman" is brilliant, and has very few weaknesses. It has what people love about Bowie songs: progression in sound and structure, and a true rock and roll groove. The minor chords are iconic, especially the instantly recognizable opening strums. The string sections make a statement, but with subtlety. And Bowie's vocals are simply awesome, especially in the chorus where his voice soars. Back in high school, a bunch of friends and I would sneak into Rockwood park at night with a few six packs. We would watch the glimmering lights surround the Hudson and stare up at the starlit sky. If we planned it better, we would've had a mixtape made for these nights. And "Starman" would be the opening track.

"A Million Parachutes" by Sixpence None the Richer

2010-01-28T12:49:00.006-05:00

Album: Divine Discontent (2002)
Playlist: Snow day
Memorable line: Like a million parachutes, the snow still falls / The dogs are asleep now / There's no one to call / I'll put on some records, and wait for the light

Try mixing with:
"Iceblink Luck" by Cocteau Twins
"Hazy Shade of Winter" by Simon & Garfunkel
"Snow Day" by Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories

It snowed this morning in New York City. A million parachutes. One of the coolest descriptions of snow that I've ever heard, courtesy of Sixpence. Sixpence captures the atmosphere and mood of a lazy snow day with acoustic guitar, piano, and Leigh Nash's vocals. New York, this one belongs on your playlist today. Now if only more apartments came with fireplaces.

"Bigmouth Strikes Again" by The Smiths

2010-01-26T23:39:00.007-05:00

Album: The Queen is Dead (1986)
Playlist: Manchester united
Memorable line: Now I know how Joan of Arc felt / As the flames rose to her Roman nose / And her Walkman started to melt

Try mixing with:
"I Wanna Be Adored" By Stone Roses
"Ever Fallen in Love?" by Buzzcocks
"Born of Frustration" by James

When you examine the pacing of most Smiths songs, you start to see three distinct camps: the lazy, meandering variety ("The Headmaster Ritual", "Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want"), the plodding power of tracks like "Shoplifters of the World Unite" and "How Soon Is Now?", and songs that shift up and down ("Ask", "Shakespeare's Sister"). But "Bigmouth" gave Smiths fans something a little different: a song that is pretty much locked in attack mode all the way through. It starts with Johnny Marr's authoritative strum in the opening and keeps going with the interspersed drum rolls. I think it's the pacing that makes "Bigmouth" one of the most cherished Smiths songs. And thanks to Morrissey, "Bigmouth" proves you can also love a song's lyrics even before having the slightest idea of what they actually mean.

"To Zion" by Lauryn Hill

2010-01-21T18:45:00.006-05:00

Album: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)
Playlist: Concept album standouts
Memorable line: I knew his life deserved a chance / But everybody told me to be smart / Look at your career they said, "Lauryn, baby use your head" / But instead I chose to use my heart

Try mixing with:
"Brain Damage" from Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon
"Wake Me Up When September Ends" from Green Day's American Idiot
"Pink Turns to Blue" from Husker Du's Zen Arcade

While I've been getting ready for parenthood, I've also found myself getting refamiliarized with "To Zion", a song that Lauryn Hill wrote about having her first child. In "To Zion", Hill went on record, choosing family over career. It ended up being a foreshadowing. After Miseducation, there would be more kids and less recordings. Good for Hill, bad for us. The music world could use more Lauryn Hill songs. One of her biggest contributions was her ease in experimenting with and crossing genres. In my mind, she did it almost as naturally as Jimi Hendrix. "To Zion" highlights her brilliance in making a musical smoothie out of hip-hop, flamenco, and reggae. It's also one of Carlos Santana's better collaboration projects.

"Apartment Story" by The National

2010-01-16T22:36:00.008-05:00

Album: Boxer (2007)
Playlist: Stay at home
Memorable line: Hold ourselves together with our arms around the stereo for hours / While it sings to itself or whatever it does / When it sings to itself of its long lost loves

Try mixing with:
"Golden Age" by Beck
"Crowing" by Toad the Wet Sprocket
"New Slang" by The Shins

It's been a while since an indie band caught my attention the way The National did. The National had me at hello. It drew me in at the first listen of "Fake Empire". I was blown away by the deep baritone of Matt Berninger. His low register was a subtle thing, unlike the Crash Test Dummies lead singer who seemed to almost flaunt his low Es. I think "Apartment Story" was the second National song that I came across. I appreciated how the band took a simple melody and simple arrangements and created a song that you could immerse yourself in. "Apartment Story" seems like the perfect song for a "stay at home" playlist, and the lyrics capture what I've always felt about music. That it can be company in itself.

"Let's Stay Together" by Al Green

2010-01-13T21:57:00.012-05:00

Album: Let's Stay Together (1972)
Playlist: Soundtrack highlights
Memorable line: Let's, let's stay together / Loving you whether, whether / Times are good or bad, happy or sad

Try mixing with:
"Mrs. Robinson" by Simon & Garfunkel
"Wise Up" by Aimee Mann
"Canned Heat" by Jamiroquai

With Al Green, there was never a wrong time to sing about love. And "Let's Stay Together" has to be considered one of his best. It was an anthem about sticking through it. There's something incredibly loyal about this song, so much so that my wife and I made it part of the soundtrack on our wedding slideshow. But most of you are more familiar with its inclusion on the soundtrack for Pulp Fiction. A brilliantly tense lock-down camera scene with Bruce Willis, while sparse horn arrangements, smooth vocals, and soul flow out of your TV's speakers.

"Vox" by Sarah McLachlan

2010-01-09T23:25:00.005-05:00

Album: Touch (1988)
Playlist: Rookie songs
Memorable line: Through your eyes the strains of battle like a brooding storm / You're up and down these pristine velvet walls like focus never forms / My walls are getting wider and my eyes are drawn astray / I see you now a vague deception of a dying day

Try mixing with:
"Dreams" by The Cranberries
"I Will Follow" by U2
"Wake Up" by Arcade Fire

Well before "Possession", "Sweet Surrender", and Sarah McLachlan's slew of piano ballads and social justice projects, there was "Vox". "Vox" flew under the mainstream radar on her debut album and resurfaced over 15 years later on her live recording, Mirrorball. I always appreciated the production values of the studio version. But whichever version you listen to, you can't deny its maturity and boldness for a rookie effort. The stunning falsetto, infectious keyboard hook, and seasoned poetry by a then 20-year old McLachlan demand you to respect this song. And take note, you're respecting what's essentially an eighties pop song. Even more impressive is "Vox"'s resiliency today.

"Heavy Metal Drummer" by Wilco

2010-01-05T16:24:00.005-05:00

Album: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002)
Playlist: Songs that mention other artists
Memorable line: I sincerely miss those heavy metal bands / I used to go see on the landing in the summer / She fell in love with the drummer / She fell in love with another

Try mixing with:
"Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty
"Buddy Holly" by Weezer
"Californication" by Red Hot Chili Peppers

There's something irresistably charming about a rock band with country and folk roots singing about heavy metal and the band KISS. I've always been intrigued by songs where bands mention other artists. For a three minute span or so, they seem like normal music fans just like the rest of us. I'm not a KISS fan, but this Yankee Hotel Foxtrot gem makes me feel not so different from Tweedy and the boys. Wilco also gets it done here with a simple, catchy melody and campy drum fills that bookend the track. But it's the lyrics that shine on this one. A simple story that paints a picture and makes you feel like you were there.

"The Ocean" by Led Zeppelin

2010-01-02T14:07:00.006-05:00

Album: Houses of the Holy (1973)
Playlist: Monster guitar riffs
Memorable line: Singing about the good things and the sun that lights the day / I used to sing on the mountains, has the ocean lost its way

Try mixing with:
"Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana
"Cliffs of Dover" by Eric Johnson

Countless Zeppelin songs belong on a mixtape or playlist called Monster Guitar Riffs. But if I had to choose just one right now, it would be "The Ocean". Jimmy Page's way around the axe made him stand out in a band that included Robert Plant, John Bonham, and an underrated John Paul Jones. That's saying something. Guitarists have been trying to emulate Page since. "The Ocean" was the last song on Houses of the Holy. Imagine it's 1973, and you just plopped the fresh vinyl record onto your turntable for the first time. You take in a pretty incredible album seven songs through and expect a solid closing number because, after all, this is Zeppelin. Instead you get Page and Plant ending on the highest of high notes. It's called "The Ocean" - the guitar hook is perfection, and so are the nod to doo-wop and shout out to Plant's three-year old daughter. Hearing "The Ocean" like that for the first time would get you to have a whole new respect for closing songs - and maybe even music in general.

"Fascination Street" by The Cure

2009-12-29T22:23:00.006-05:00

Album: Disintegration (1989)
Playlist: Late-night drive
Memorable line: Pull on your face / Pull on your feet / And let's hit opening time down on Fascination Street

Try mixing with:
"Sleep the Clock Around" by Belle & Sabastian
"One Headlight" by The Wallflowers
"Nothing in My Way" by Keane

I once read that The Cure wrote their songs starting with the bass and drum parts first. From there they would add guitar and keyboard layers. This is very apparent when you hear "Fascination Street", one of my favorite Cure anthems. The bass and drums really drive the song, but layers and layers of guitar and keyboard parts are poured on top. Listening to it is like peeling an onion - discovering one layer after another. And not one layer feels superfluous. "Fascination Street" is a treat for your ears. Like in many other Cure songs, Robert Smith's vocals don't come in until much later - a whole two minutes into the song in this case. Using the same approach, another band would leave you feeling like the song had yet to begin. The Cure, on the other hand, has you swept away - almost hypnotically.

"Carry On" by Crosby Stills Nash and Young

2009-12-24T22:35:00.008-05:00

Album: Deja Vu (1970)
Playlist: Woodstock joyride
Memorable line: The sky is clearing and the night has cried enough / The sun, he come, the world to soften up / Rejoice, rejoice, we have no choice but to carry on

Try mixing with:
"Little Wing" by Jimi Hendrix
"Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
"St. Stephen" by Grateful Dead

CSN - and on occasion, CSNY - were the masters of harmony. Not many did it as well as they could. Their harmonies weren't delicate things. They were powerful, blow-out-your-speakers harmonies. "Carry On" showcases that. It also showed off CSNY's strong musicality, Stephen Stills' poetic lyrics, and the genius of band members finishing each other's lines. I discovered Deja Vu in sophomore year of high school. I was still buying cassettes back then. What a shame that this incredible song - and album - has yet to reside on my iPod.

"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" by Vince Guaraldi Trio

2009-12-20T04:22:00.004-05:00

Album: A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Playlist: Tree trimming
Memorable line: Light and life to all he brings / Risen with healing in his wings

Try mixing with:
"Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses
"Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Ella Fitzgerald
"Last Christmas" by Wham!

A Christmas song with real Christmas lyrics. Simply done. And charming. Like the movie, it delivers the real message of the season without beating you over the head with a log. For this one song, the trio steps aside and the kid chorale takes center stage. And they're not very good. They're cartoon characters for crying out loud. And the keys - they sound more like a Casiotone than an organ. Schroeder could play better than this. But like the way a parent watches his or her kid in an elementary school play, it's still somehow perfect.

"Lost in the Supermarket" by The Clash

2009-12-19T00:15:00.006-05:00

Album: London Calling (1979)
Playlist: Post-lunch coma
Memorable line: I'm all lost in the supermarket, I can no longer shop happily / I came in here for that special offer, guaranteed personality

Try mixing with:
"Love Me Two Times" by The Doors
"Girls & Boys" by Blur
"Beds are Burning" by Midnight Oil

"Lost in the Supermarket" is diet Clash, but it still belongs on many a playlist - just for the fact that it's a standout on an album consistently ranked as one of the all-time best. "Supermarket" has plenty of moments. The disillusionment from consumerism enshrined in Strummer's lyrics. The periods of frenzied bass playing and hi-hat tapping that remind us whimsical doesn't have to be lousy. And the unforgettable chorus.

"Take You on a Cruise" by Interpol

2009-12-14T03:21:00.005-05:00

Album: Antics (2004)
Playlist: New York City bands
Memorable line: I see that you've come to resist me / I'm a pitbull in time

Try mixing with:
"Trying Your Luck" by The Strokes
"This Must Be the Place" by Talking Heads
"Sweet Jane" by The Velvet Underground

First off, Interpol doesn't sound like Joy Division. Interpol sounds like Interpol. One of the band's most distinct aspects is the incredible rhythm section of Sam Fogarino and Carlos Dengler, and there's plenty of Interpol groove to soak in with "Take You on a Cruise". But I think it's the vocals and both guitar parts - especially Paul Banks' haunting and soaring guitar hook intro - that make "TYOC" what it is. The band explores several different progressions in the track, too, which is why I think it's still one of the best Interpol songs to date.

"Synchronicity II" by The Police

2009-12-12T19:47:00.007-05:00

Album: Synchronicity (1983)
Playlist: Song sequels
Memorable line: Every single meeting with his so-called superior / Is a humiliating kick in the crotch

Try mixing with:
"Another Brick in the Wall (Part 3)" by Pink Floyd
"Ashes to Ashes" by David Bowie
"Obstacle 2" by Interpol

Here's a case where the sequel is better than the first. "Synchronicity II" is one of The Police's most respected songs and deservedly so. First off, there's an epic feel to it, which isn't too common in The Police anthology. Highlights include Andy Summer's manic and varied guitar riffs and Sting's lyrical pairing of a miserable working class man and the Loch Ness monster. Sting has some serious talent for telling stories.

“Wave of Mutilation” by Pixies

2009-12-11T23:10:00.005-05:00

Album: Doolittle (1989)
Playlist: Beach mix
Memorable line: I’ve kissed mermaids / rode the El Nino / walked the sand with the crustaceans

Try mixing with:
"Today" by Smashing Pumpkins
"Free" by The Martinis
"What I Am" by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians

Cheerfully morbid is how I describe it. Twenty years later, “Wave” is still one of my favorite tracks off of one of the best rock albums ever. Joey Santiago’s guitar revs the song into motion and before you know it, it kinda flies past you, clocking out in less than 2 minutes. “Wave” also scores high marks for references to mermaids and crustaceans. I thought it was genius when the Pixies announced they would play Doolittle from beginning to end on their most recent tour. Critics love Surfer Rosa, but for many Pixie fans Doolittle is like a favorite comic book that you read over and over again. And I don’t even like comics.