30 Words of Music, Day 24: New

If you’re looking for the mix of songs to kick off a new job or a new year, here are those that I’m going to use for both tomorrow.

As always, the first song link is to stream, the second is to download.

Let’s do this.

Fix Up, Look Sharp, Dizzee Rascal

The Day, The Roots

Railing, Roni Size

Run This Town, Lil’ Wayne Freestyle

Risk of Change, Holcombe Waller

Power [Remix] (Ft. Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz)

Walking Far From Home, Iron &  Wine

Grown Simba, J. Cole

30 Words of Music, Day 9: Autumn

As the leaves fall and the days shorten, I’ve found myself subconsciously shifting the songs that track my days.  The anthems and unabashed jams of the summer are giving way to subtler, more contemplative tracks.

On a long walk through a rustle of leaves, here are three songs that paint stories that are as vivid as they are thought-provoking.  None of these are new, but they’re all keepers.

The first, from PJ Harvey, takes you to a rooftop in Brooklyn and a moment you’re not likely to forget.

You Said Something, PJ Harvey

The next, from Ryan Adams’ old demo tapes, sits you down on a bar stool and the people who revolve– if not depend– upon it.

West NY Serenade, Ryan Adams

The last, from Iron & Wine (also known as Sam Beam, also known as Scott Meek if you’re looking only at the beard), is as beautifully crafted as it is depressing.

Songs for the Road

flickr image from the.people.

What’s in the DNA of a great driving song?  Some songs, regardless of their genre or general awesomeness, just don’t work behind the wheel.  Even if it were 8am and I had a triple latte in my right hand, if Iron & Wine is on in the car I’m going to fall asleep and end up parked in a ravine.  And, regardless of their musical merit, there are a lot of rap songs that I love that if played as I roll down the streets of Chicago would make it bit too easy for someone to ask if I were inspired by Office Space.

But then there are songs that have you reaching for the sunroof controls by the end of the first verse.  The best of the bunch of these from this summer thus far is from the band Murder Mystery.

Change My Mind, Murder Mystery

Maybe it’s the burbling beat, maybe it’s the easy refrain, but whatever it is it has me thinking of sticking my hand out the window and doing that hand as airplane wing thing.

Day 24: A Song that You Want to Play at Your Funeral

For someone who frets over the song best suited for breakfast, choosing one’s final tracks is a high-stakes business.    But here I am, on day 24 of the 30 days of music, charged with choosing a song that I’d want to play at my funeral.  So I’ve narrowed it down to four, each its own strategy for the big event.

I might try to crack a joke.

Try Not To Breathe, R.E.M.

Or collect a few final frequent flier miles.

Airline to Heaven, Wilco

Attempt one last act of “betcha haven’t heard this song before” musical one-upsmanship.

Been Too Long, Coldplay

Or just give in to the maudlin.

The Trapeze Swinger, Iron and Wine

None quite fit the bill.  Good thing this was just an exercise.