Brant's May 2012 Playlist

No real theme for this month - just some new tunes, so let's dig in!

1.  Lost Somewhere (Tanlines) - A lot of times electronic music can sound cold.  This one is as warm as a summer breeze.  Makes me truly want to get lost somewhere (somewhere with a bar that makes delicious frozen drinks!).  Thanks to April for bringing them to my attention!

2.  Watching You Watch Him (Eric Hutchinson) - Upbeat song that instantly reminds me of the Beatles/Simon & Garfunkle.

3.  Something in the Water (Brooke Fraser) - Another upbeat folksy tune with a male chorus that seemingly comes out of nowhere.

4.  Do Ya (SWV) - 90s female group returns sounding as sassy as ever.   Love the Chaka Khan sample.

5.  Too Close (Alex Clare) - Soulful vocals over alternating percussion and electro surges.

6.  Dancing on My Own (Fleet Foxes) - Fleet Foxes turn Robyn's dance floor anthem into a lonesome cowboy lament!  Free download at Soundcloud:  http://soundcloud.com/fleetfoxessing/dancing-on-my-own

7.  Where Did Our Love Go? (Stephanie McKay) - Jill turned me onto this.  70s retro-soul groove with a tasty assist from Anthony Hamilton.

8.  It's Time (Imagine Dragons) - Grandiose pop in the style of 1980s acts like The Hooters or The Outfield.

9.  Want U Back (Cher Lloyd) - Poised to become the "Party in the USA" of 2012.  Gay men everywhere rejoice!!!

10.  Angel Eyes (Love & Theft) - Easy country music to go with your Lynchburg Lemonade as you relax on the porch.

11.  Rules of the Road (Nikka Costa) - Stumbled across this track, which is on a tribute CD to someone I'd never heard of.  The CD has some new Fiona Apple on it too!  I decided I preferred Nikka's bluesy number over Fiona's piano driven jazz, but I'd recommend checking out the entire CD.  It's called "The Best Is Yet to Come - the Songs of Cy Coleman".  Anyone know who he is???

12.  Caught in a Life (Donkeyboy) - Piano driven pop, vaguely sounds like the Fray.

13.  Let's Get It On (Aaradhna) - Elise Testone sang this on "American Idol".  I'd never heard a female sing it, but decided to see if I could find a version with female vocals.  This New Zealand R&B star delivers a killer version (which I actually like better than Elise's).

14.  Don't Leave Me (Regina Spektor) - NYC East Villager returns with more eclectic pop.

15.  Bad Seed (Nanci Griffith) - I had Nanci on last month's playlist, but decided to see what she's been up to lately.  This is off her latest disc.

16.  I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free (Levon Helm) - Lead singer of the Band ("The Weight", "Up on Cripple Creek"), Levon Helm passed away this month from cancer.  This is off his Grammy-winning "Electric Dirt" CD.

17.  Use Your Love (Katy Perry) - Peppy cover of the Outfield's classic, that Gary turned me on to.

18.  Good Vibrations /Stanton Warriors remix/ (the Beach Boys) - Just in time for summer, we have this bedazzling remix of the Beach Boys classic, that throws Marky Mark and Loleatta Holloway in for good measure.  Seemed like a fitting way to end this playlist and mark the beginning of summer!  Also a free download on Soundcloud:  http://soundcloud.com/stantonwarriors/good-vibrations-stanton-warriors-remix

Hope everyone has a fantastic May & Memorial Day!   See ya next month!