Brant's May 2014 Playlist

So, compiling a monthly list of my favorite music is a labor of love - but it's still a labor.  When my laptop crashes and I don't have access to my music library, it feels even worse.  More like a chore.  Or a challenge.  But I faced the challenge and here we are with another batch of strong songs to enjoy!  Let's get to it.  To listen on Spotify click HERE.

1.  FallInLove2Nite (Prince and Zooey Deschanel) - Didn't see this one coming, but love it anyway.  Prince and New Girl Zooey Deschanel team up for a zesty little dance number.  Prince sounds like he's having more fun than he's had in years.

2.  One Night Town (Ingrid Michaelson and Mat Kearney) - Two Indie artists join forces for some singalong pop.

3.  Am I Wrong (Nico & Vinz) - Discovered this on Gary's excellent BamBamBoom playlist.  Cool World Music vibes.

4.  The End (the Jezabels) - Soaring female vocals over hectic guitars that remind me of the Cure.

5.  Friday Fish Fry (Kelis) - "Milkshake" lady is back with more songs about food, but this time with a soulful Blues influence.

6.  Can We Pretend (Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics) - Easy soul music that is perfect for sipping wine on the dock as the sun sets.

7.  Angels and Devils (Graffiti6) - Retro rockers are back with more early-70s flavored jams.

8.  I Only Want to Be with You (the Tourists) - Am I the only one who didn't know Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart had a band prior to the Eurhythmics?!?!  Any way, here they are in their first band.  Wish Spotify had this, but in the meantime you can hear it on YouTube.

9.  I Want You (Tafari feat. Nyla) - Summer always includes some reggae, so here we go!

10.  Avant Gardener (Courtney Barnett) - Trippy stoner chick tells a hilarious but somehow poignant story about discovering one's own limitations.

11.  Make the World Go Round (DJ Cassidy feat. R. Kelly) - So have we forgiven R. Kelly for peeing on people?!  Seems like we have.  Lady Gaga sang with him, and now DJ Cassidy partners with him for some tasty disco.

12.  Rescue (Yuna) - More World Music stylings, this time from perky Malaysian singer/songwriter Yuna.

13.  Good Love (Rihwa & Michelle Branch) - Michelle Branch is baaaaaaack!!!!  Love the Country influence on this duet with Japanese singer Rihwa.

14.  She's So Fine (the Strypes) - Didn't I have these guys on last month's playlist?  YES.  Do I still love them?  YES.  'Nuff said.

15.  I've Got the Music In Me (Bimbo Jones) - In Brantworld, this was a "Can't Miss".  Kiki Dee classic updated by British club music producers.  Personally, I can't play this loud enough.

16.  Last of Our Kinds /Michael Garcon remix/ (Yuksek feat. Oh Land) - A little French disco-lounge ditty to help us cool down after that Bimbo Jones jam.

17.  Ill Wind (Charlie Haden Quartet West feat. Norah Jones) - So once upon a time there was a beautiful vampire named Darla who was brought back from the dead to be united with her love, Angel.  Unfortunately, Angel was the one who had killed her in the first place.  To make matters worse, she was reincarnated as a human and was terminally ill.  Rather than save her by making her a vampire again - Angel chose to let Nature take its course.  So what's a terminally ill prior-vampire to do?  Darla chose to sing this song at a karaoke bar.  I've been obsessed with it ever since.  Julie Benz's version from TV show "Angel" wasn't available, but this Norah Jones version does just fine.

So that's May.  Hope everyone's summer is off to a great start.  Enjoy the tunes, have a fantastic Memorial Day, and I'll see you in June!