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!