Brant's May 2013 Playlist

Summer is almost here, and just as there are myriad things to do when the weather gets warm - there are myriad musical styles and genres on this month's playlist.  Enjoy, and don't get sunscreen on your iPod! *Image above is "Boombox Massage Table" by Raquel Echanique*

1.  Buttons (the Weeks) - Maybe it's because I'm from the South, but somehow, I always enjoy a little classic style rock and roll with my summer.  This one, from Mississippi band the Weeks, does the trick.  Thanks, Holden (saw it on his FB wall)!

2.  If Only (Gin Wigmore) - Sounds like a lost Shangri-Las song!  She's touring with the Vans Warped Tour this summer so be on the lookout.

3.  Hero (Family of the Year) - We had them on March's playlist, and now they are back again.  More airy and less crunchy than "Buried", but still brilliant. 

4.  I'm Into Something Good (the Bird and the Bee) - I had their cover of Hall & Oates' "She's Gone" on October 2011's Playlist, but Josh turned me onto this one.  Originally done by Earl-Jean of the Cookies, and made famous by Herman's Hermits. 

5.  Somebody (Niki and the Dove) - Lifted from my friend Gary's "Heavy Rotation" playlist.  Swedish indietronica from the band that won the 2013 European Border Breakers Awards (Best New European Band!). 

6.  Feed Me Diamonds /RAC Remix/ (MNDR) - More indietronica, this time from New York City!  RAC gives the electro number a little extra thump-thump.

7.  Without You (One Two) - They drop an F-bomb in the first few seconds, yet still manage to be heartbreaking. 

8.  Valentine (Kina Grannis) - Yes - it's not February, but I couldn't wait and that One Two song has me feeling sentimental.

9.  The Pit (Silversun Pickups) - New Wave rock from LA Band

10.  Long Train Running (Richie Havens) - We lost a lot of great artists in April:  Richie Havens, George Jones, Annette Funicello, and Chrissy Amphlett from the Divinyls.  Rather than pick one song from each and take up a quarter of my playlist, I just picked this single track to represent them all.  Havens is usually known for his Beatles and Dylan covers, but I kinda liked this take on the Doobie Brothers.  RIP to all.

11.  Get Lucky (Daft Punk) - I love what the French are doing with dance music!  The latest from the greatest has elements of disco and old school R&B!

12.  Sign Your Name (Nossa Alma Canta) - Terence Trent Gilberto?!?  Italian band converts D'arby's 1980's love song to a summery bossa nova.

13.  Heartache Avenue (the Maisonettes) - Jill turned me on to this one.  Lost 80's single that pays tribute to some of the 1960's Easy Listening sounds.

14.  Broken Glass Park (Simple Minds) - Did someone say 1980's?  Simple Minds is back and sounding as great as ever!

15.  Lose to Win (Fantasia) - Carolina girl returns and samples the Commodores on her new record.  The album release party was here in Charlotte but my invitation seems to have gotten lost in the mail.

16.  Trying to Be Cool (Phoenix) - More good music from France - this time some mid-tempo pop.  J'adore!

17.  High Hopes (Kodaline) - Irish quartet serves up some tasty rock.

18.  Sex Shooter (Firefox) - Jeff & Ed turned me on to this.  Apollonia 6's show-stopper from "Purple Rain" gets new life on the dance floor.  It actually sounds close to the original demo that Vanity recorded before dropping out of "Purple Rain" to pursue a solo film and recording career. 

So that's May!  Hope everyone has a great Memorial Day.  Stay safe and I'll see you in June! 

Brant's April 2013 Playlist

Last month's playlist was retro and crunchy, so this month the pendulum swung in the opposite direction.  We've got some slick R&B, some Euro pop and other smooth grooves.  Pour yourself a Pinot Noir and enjoy!

1.  Lose You Tonight (Kristina Train) - Dreamy vocals soar over piano driven soft rock.  The musical equivalent of a sunset.

2.  Nights (Sy Smith with Rahsaan Patterson) - Smith has spent years singing back up for artists like Whitney Houston and Brandy.  Here she pairs up with Rahsaan Patterson for some funky electronic soul.

3.  Fade Away (Selah Sue) - Obsessed with this song!!!  Love its slinky Eartha Kitt sexiness.

4.  Rewind (Devlin featuring Diane Birch) - I wanted this for last month's playlist, but it wasn't released until I'd published it.  No worries - now we can enjoy it in April.  Birch lends her soulful voice to Devlin's British rap.

5.  High School Lover (Cayucas) - One of those songs that sounds retro and new at the same time!  Peppy garage rock from Santa Monica band.

6.  Please Don't Say You Love Me (Gabrielle Aplin) - Light and airy ballad from 20 year old singer/songwriter.

7.  Oh My Lord (Steve Mason) - Not sure where I heard this, but I like its easy electronic sound.  Imagine a hybrid of Scissor Sisters and Alan Parsons Project!

8.  Everything Is Embarrassing (Sky Ferreira) - I almost overlooked this one, but Gary called it to my attention.  More 80's goodness (she was also on last month's playlist) from LA model/actress.

9.  Call Me a Hole (Nine Inch Nails vs. Carly Rae Jepsen) - First saw this on my friend Patricio's Facebook wall.  Deliciously diabolical mashup of NIN and CRJ.  Free download at http://official.fm/tracks/PCKP

10.  Pompeii (Bastille) - Facebook music feed is responsible for this one.  My friend Jason was listening to it.  Very Icicle Works sound - soaring chorus and pounding percussion.

11. Chocolate (The 1975) - This has been on fairly high rotation on Sirius.  Perky alt rock.

12.  Sacrilege (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) - NEW Yeah Yeah Yeahs!!!  This owes a small debt to Madonna's "Like a Prayer" but has its own twisted take on the religion-themed dance  anthem.

13.  I Have Never Loved Someone (My Brightest Diamond) - This is a weird one, but it has its appeal.  Kinda Regina Spektor-ish.

14.  Walking in Your Footsteps (Shout Out Louds) - I think the Swedish band has reclaimed their place in my heart with this charming song.  Just when you thought Jethro Tull had cornered the market on rock-flute accompaniments.

15.  Don't Rush (Kelly Clarkson with Vince Gill) - The first time I heard this, I thought the radio station had somehow gotten switched to an 80's easy-listening channel.  This totally sounds like the stuff my mom used to listen to back in the day.  Think "Whenever I Call You Friend" by Kenny Loggins and Stevie Nicks or "An American Dream" by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

16.  Heard It All (Illy) - Funky hip hop from Australian rapper.

17.  The One (Alice Smith) - Seven years after her debut album, Alice is back with a new batch of soul songs.  Here, she gets her Minnie Riperton on with a slow jam.

18.  Recovery (Frank Turner) - Rollicking folk-rock that seamlessly works Seratonin boosters and smelling salts into the lyrics!

19.  My Number (Foals) - Another one that has been getting a lot of play on the radio - but I love its new-wave beat.

So that's April!  Assuming the pollen doesn't kill me - I'll see you in May!