Brant's February 2016 Playlist

Alrighty!  I am over my winter cold and back on schedule this month!  I guess catching the cold was my own fault, for not wearing a suave crochet sweater like the guy in the photo!  Despite 2016's efforts to kill off every great musician in the world (David Bowie, Glenn Frey, Paul Kantner - WTF 2016?!?), I was able to find some great tunes this month.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Stoplight Kisses (the Cactus Blossoms) - Harmonies so good they've got to be fattening.  Somewhere in Heaven Phil Everly is smiling.

2.  Brazil (Declan McKenna) - Astounding first effort from teen rocker, winner of the Glastonbury Festival's 2015 Emerging Talent Competition.

3.  Celebrate (Anderson .Paak) - Toe-tappin' but somewhat pessimistic soul from artist aka Breezy Lovejoy, who recently appeared on Dr. Dre's Compton album.

4.  Listening to Singing (Iris DeMent) - One of my best friends from college introduced me to Iris DeMent back in the 80s.  Glad to hear she is still going strong.  Her new album is poetry by Russian poet Anna Akhmatova, with melodies composed by DeMent!  Not on Spotify as of the time of this posting, but you can hear it and read more about DeMent's process HERE.

5.  Trouble (Iggy Azalea feat. Jennifer Hudson) - Oh, how tormented I became when I first heard this song!!!  I understand Azalea has come to represent all that is wrong with hip-hop today, but this collaboration with the most excellent J. Hud is too good to ignore.  Maybe there's hope for hip hop in the future???

6.  Second Hand Heart (Ben Haenow feat. Kelly Clarkson) - Reality TV also seems to be in decline.  American Idol has been canceled, and Simon Cowell has just dropped Ben from his label.  Despite poor record sales, I'm still digging this duet with Idol alum Clarkson.  Fine art was never for the masses, anyway!

7.  Heaven (Japanese Breakfast) - Complex mixture of percussion, keyboards, and strings as Michelle Zauner sings about the loss of a loved one.  What should be somber is surprisingly uplifting and hopeful in Zauner's youthful vocals.  Also not on Spotify, but you can hear it on Soundcloud.

8.  The Thrill Is Gone (MHE) - Italian artist skillfully remixes BB King, and the results are glorious!!!  I first heard this while in Palm Springs last autumn, but still have it in heavy rotation today.  The classics never go out of style.

9.  Everybody Loves You (Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams) - Husband and wife team serve up some good-as-it-gets honky tonkin' Americana music.

10.  Wait and See (Monogem) - Soothing electronic elixir from West Coast duo.  Thanks, Anthony, for calling this to my attention!

11.  Bad Break (POP ETC) - It's never to soon to start storing up your fave indie rock tunes for driving around with the windows down.  This one will do quite nicely, I believe!

12.  You Know How to Love Me (Regina Belle) - I think one of my favorite things to witness is when one artist pays tribute to another artist that they clearly adore.  That seems to be the case with Regina Belle's delicious cover of Phyllis Hyman's disco classic.  Impossible to hear without smiling.

13.  Take This Chance (Anastacia) - Lawdy, Anastacia can SING!  Great to hear new material from her.  #NoAutotuneNeeded

14.  Cake By the Ocean (DNCE) - Former Jonas Brother teams up with a new band to deliver some funky and fun pop.

15.  Hurtin' on the Bottle (Margo Price) - Up-and-coming Country star debuts on Jack White's Third Man Records label.  Hearing this, it's easy to see why White wanted to work with Loretta Lynn a few years ago.  No frills classic country vibes with Price's flawless vocals.

16.  My One and Only Love (Jamison Ross) - Winner of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition covers one of my fave Johnny Hartman tunes, with satisfying results.

17.  Life On Mars? (David Bowie) - As I mentioned previously, we lost several great musicians this month - and I didn't want that to go unrecognized.  This song seemed like a fitting tribute:  the sense of wonder and longing is palpable, even if Bowie's lyrics tend towards the surreal.  RIP to all.

So that's February!  Hope everyone has a great month, Valentine's Day (if you're into that kind of thing), and that the Groundhog has good news for us when he ventures out of his little burrow.  See you in March!

Brant's January 2016 Playlist

Aaaargh!  The Playlist Gods were not with me for the start of the New Year.  I caught a terrible cold on New Year's Eve (which is why you REALLY need to be careful who you kiss at midnight), and as a result did not feel up to putting this list together.  But anyway - enough excuses.  Here's this month's list.  Enjoy!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Artangels (Grimes) - I still can't get enough of the new album!  This one just exudes youthful fun and energy.  I figured it's a great way to start us off.

2.  Love Gone Cold (Protoje feat. Sevana) - A little Jamaican reggae to keep us dancin'!

3.  Tougher Than the Rest (Moa Holmsten) - It seems the hottest trend in music is to do an entire album in tribute to another artist!  Ryan Adams did Taylor Swift, and now Swedish recording artist Moa Holmsten covers Bruce Springsteen!  I love when the choir of angels kicks in about a minute and a half in!

4.  Sister of Pearl (Baio) - Vampire Weekend bassist goes solo with this quirky offering that is somewhat reminiscent of British band Madness, and the Talking Heads.

5.  Hot Scary Summer (Villagers) - Contemplative Irish folk ditty about two people who probably should have spent the summer on separate vacations.

6.  How I Want Ya (Hudson Thames feat Hailee Steinfeld) - Easy going pop from young singer/actor.

7.  Criminal (Natalie Cole) - I always liked Natalie Cole, but never realized how versatile she was until I started trying to choose a song for this playlist.  Soul, jazz, and even Fiona Apple!  A massive talent that has been taken from us too soon.  RIP

8.  Cold Blooded (Gary Clark Jr) - More groovy soul, this time from an Austin, Texas guitarist.

9.  August 17th (the Spook School) - Scottish band resigns themselves to a platonic relationship with the one they love.  sigh.  We've all been there.

10.  Wake Up (the Vamps) - Uplifting pop from British band

11.  Single (the Neighbourhood) - Latest from the "Sweater Weather" guys!

12.  Tutti Frutti (New Order) - My friend Jeff kept telling me how great the latest New Order album was!  I finally got around to listening, and I'm happy to report he was correct.  As edgy and danceable as they ever were!

13.  The Greatest (KING) - This one wasn't on Spotify at the time I was putting this playlist together.  Groovy, slightly tropical vibes from R&B trio.

14.  Gibraltar (Beirut) - Funky world vibes from Indie faves.

15.  Hurt Me (Lapsley) - Heartfelt vocals over chilly electronica

16.  Perfect (One Direction) - Sublime pop from boy band with lyrics that slightly remind me of the "Pina Colada Song" (but happily the resemblance ends there)!

17.  United State of Pop 2015 (DJ Earworm) - I always like to end January's playlist with a mashup of the previous year's hits.  Our 2015 mashup comes to us courtesy of DJ Earworm.  Free download on Soundcloud!

So that's January!  Apologies again for my tardiness.  Hopefully I'll be in better health come February and can get that month's list published on schedule!  See you then!