Brant's January 2015 Playlist

Photo credit = ElectroSpark on Flickr

It's the first day of the new year!  I'm happy to report that I started 2015 hangover-free, but somehow still haven't managed to make it out of the bed.  But enough about me. Here's this month's music!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  One Black Sheep (Mat Kearney) - Easy going rock with a vaguely Paul Simon/Graceland vibe.

2.  Mama Said Be Careful Where You Lay Your Head (the Wind and the Wave) - Peppy hand-claps and good advice to start your New Year, from Austin, Texas duo.

3.  When You Were Mine (Night Terrors of 1927 featuring Tegan and Sara) - When I saw this, I thought it might be a cover of the Prince song.  It wasn't, but I still loved its grand, atmospheric feel.  Sounds like something Dream Academy might have done back in the day.

4.  Send Me On My Way (Rusted Root) - I can't remember the context, but this was a song that came up in a conversation with Crystal!  It's from 1996 but sounds as good today as ever!

5.  God I Get It (K. Michelle) - Reality star and confessional singer goes country, and rocks it.

6.  Wrapped Up (Olly Murs featuring Travie McCoy) - The latest from English pop star stays true to his funky disco-influenced style.

7.  Bad Habit (the Kooks) - More Brit-pop, this time with a rock feel and more hand clapping (are hand claps making a comeback?)!

8.  Gun in My Hand (Dorothy) - Holy Moly this woman can sing!!!  I get flashes of Janis Joplin and Grace Slick when I listen to this.

9.  Oh Men /Invisible Conga People Remix/ (Tim Burgess) - Trippy but chill electronica that sounds like the love child of Roxy Music and Visage.

10.  Giant in My Heart (Kiesza) - Groovy 1990s dance club feels from the same album as her hit "Hideaway".

11.  My Type (Saint Motel) - Sexy strutting from LA band

12.  Shelter Song (Temples) - I love me some 1960s garage band stylings, and these guys deliver!

13.  With Love (Janiva Magness with Dave Navarro) - Blues chick pairs up with Jane's Addiction/Red Hot Chili Peppers guy.  Magic ensues.

14.  Time (Ren) - Breezy vocals over a percolating guitar

15.  I Wanna Be Evil (Rene Marie) - Jaye turned me on to this!  Awesome jazz tribute to Eartha Kitt.

16.  Sweet Freeek (the Brand New Heavies) - The band has a new lead singer, same fabulous soul stylings

17.  Top of the Pops 2014 (Mashup Germany) - I always like to end January's playlist with a mashup of the previous year's hits.  Free download at Soundcloud.

So that's January's list.  I hope everyone had a great New Year's Eve.  Best wishes for 2015 and I'll see you in February!