Brant's April 2015 Playlist

Cyborg Bunny by crowsrock

Ahhh...Spring.  Not my favorite time of year, but once the pollen dies down I can usually enjoy the warmer weather.  This month's playlist is tailored with that joyous moment in mind - when you can reach for the window instead of the Neti Pot and enjoy a soft breeze in the comfort of your home without finding your furniture is coated in pollen the next day.  Hope you enjoy this upbeat mix of tunes!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Love Like Mine (Miami Horror) - I saw this on my friend Mitch's wall.  Great party funk like the Bar Kays used to put out back in the day!

2.  Get Closer (Life in Film) - More feel-good vibes, this time from UK indie band LiF.

3.  When the Beat Drops Out (Marlon Roudette) - British R&B by an artist who cites Sam Cooke and Massive Attack as influences.

4.  These Walls (Kendrick Lamar) - Hip Hop superstar seems to only get better and better!  This is from his latest album, To Pimp a Butterfly.

5.  Night Changes (One Direction) - Don't judge me!!!  I actually like this song, and was shocked to see it was the boy band, and not a Dawes (or other folk band) tune.

6.  Fool for Love (Lord Huron) - Okay, this is some LEGIT folk.  Perfect for that first campfire of the season.

7.  She's Got You (Rhiannon Giddens) - I'm actually going to see her this week with my friend Crystal, and can't wait!!!  Carolina Chocolate Drops singer goes solo and bravely interprets Patsy Cline.  And nails it.

8.  Infectious (Charlie Wilson and Snoop Dogg) - Whether you pronounce it in-feck-shus or in-feck-shoe-us, this is a sick beat!

9.  O, Chamelon (Artisan Loyalist) - Smooth, chill beats from Canadian artist who describes their genre as "Post-Yoga".  Mmmmkay.

10.  Something I Need (Ben Haenow) - X-Factor winner covering One Republic song!

11.  Slipping Away (Tanlines) - Fun electronic duo is back with new music!  Kind of reminds me of General Public's "Tenderness".

12.  Sound of Change (Dirty Heads) - Title song from California band's album, that includes their hit "My Sweet Summer".

13.  If I Ever Needed Someone (Van Morrison and Mavis Staples) - Two great tastes that taste great together (to use a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup tagline).  As comforting and warm as a visit to your grandparent's house.

14.  Young Blood (the Districts) - Somewhat less comforting and more psychedelic!  But still great rock.  How are these guys this good and under 21 years of age?!?!

15.  Over and Over (Smallpools) - I had "Dreaming" on my July 2013 playlist.  Almost 2 years later, they have released a full album.  Love the opening lines - "It was a company event, with a margarita tent..."  Why has MY employer never had a margarita tent???

16.  ILYSB /Ferdinand Weber Remix/ (LANY) - Spotify doesn't seem to have this remix yet, but Ferdinand Weber gives Los Angeles trio's song a shot of adrenaline...or maybe he just gave them a Neti Pot and they felt better afterwards!  Either way, you can listen to it for now on Soundcloud.

So that's April!  Hope everyone has a glorious Easter and I'll see you in May!

Brant's March 2015 Playlist

D'oh!  I try to have these done by the first day of the month, but sometimes it just doesn't happen.  This time I came REALLY close.  It's literally 11:49pm as I begin writing this post.  C'est la vie.  Anyway, I hope you like this month's selections.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  If You Ever Want to Be In Love (James Bay) - Toe tappin' Fleetwood Mac/Jackson Browne vibes from British singer/songwriter.

2.  California (the Airborne Toxic Event) - The band moves from their usual garage rock to a more electronic vibe, but still delivers great music.  This sounds like a hybrid of Bruce Springsteen and the Killers.

3.  Stranger/Lover (Ibeyi) - French-Cuban twin sisters serve up some groovy world beats.

4.  There Must Be More to Life Than This (Queen featuring Michael Jackson) - I had no idea this song existed!!!  Seems like I heard a story about Freddy Mercury kicking Michael Jackson out of the recording studio because MJ brought his pet llama or something?  Anyway, William Orbit (one of Madonna's producers) was able to finish the track.  In one of those weird psychic coincidences, Jill had Freddy Mercury's solo version on one of her recent playlists!

5.  Did You Tell Her?  (Betty) - Sometimes I hear a song on a TV show and can't get it out of my head.  This is one of those songs - from "Weeds".  Sexy female vocals over frenetic drum and bass beats as she calls out some other woman's man for cheating with her.

6.  Living for What Is Love /Robin Skouteris Mix/ (Madonna vs. Haddaway) - Mashup of Haddaway's 90s club anthem with Madge's new hit.  Free download at Soundcloud.

7.  Dancing to the Radio (Adanowsky) - French Indie rock that is somewhat reminiscent of Joe Jackson.

8.  Gold (Chet Faker) - Australian chill electronica from the same guy who blew up the internet with his cover of Blackstreet's "No Diggity" in 2012.

9.  Walk Out on Me (Courtney Love) - The fabulous Courtney Love is killin' it on FOX's hit "Empire" as troubled singer Elle Dallas.  Not her traditional rock, but the Memphis soul stylings work with Love's emotive vocals.

10.  You Don't Own Me (Lesley Gore) - We lost a pop legend last month - Lesley Gore lost her battle with lung cancer in February of this year.  RIP

11.  The Lady's Letter (Pops Staples) - Speaking of legends, the Staples Singers were gospel and soul legends.  Patriarch Pops Staples died in 2000 while working on new material.  15 years later, the team of Mavis Staples and Jeff Tweedy paired up to finish her father's final album - aptly titled "Don't Lose This".

12.   Under the Influence (Elle King) - Bluesy rock that reminds me of Duffy and Gin Wigmore.

13.  Queen of Hearts (Darlia) - Re-recorded version of their 2013 song is tidier but maintains the same energy.  Upbeat alt-rock from coastal England.

14.  Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah (the Pogues) - While we're in the UK, we should salute our Irish friends for Saint Patrick's Day.  Not one of the Pogues' biggest hits, but still a fun party song.

15.  The Promise (Sturgill Simpson) - Sometimes an artist can take a song and make it completely their own.  This traditional country interpretation of When In Rome's 1988 hit is completely unexpected but also completely terrific!

16.  Do You Feel the Same? /Purple Disco Machine Remix/ (Hercules and Love Affair) - I was just talking about this band with my friend Jeff the other day!  PDM gives their latest tune a glossy facelift to get you ready poolside lounging and the warmer weather of Spring/Summer.

17.  Old Thing Back (Matoma and the Notorious B.I.G. feat. Ja Rule and Ralph Tresvant) - I wonder if Biggie ever lounged by the pool?  Norwegian producer takes Biggie's unreleased track "Want That Old Thing Back" from his 2007 Greatest Hits compilation and invites it to the pool party with sunny tropical rhythms.

So that's March!  Put on your best green jacket, enjoy your green beer, and watch out for lascivious leprechauns.  It's bedtime, so I'll just catch up with everyone in April!