I’ve been immersed in music lately (listening, not making), because I’m going through my CD collection in preparation for our move. I thought it would be fun to share some of the highlights with you, so I’ll be doing a number of music posts in the next few days (or weeks, or months, depending how things go). Today’s post is a quick sampler of some favorite songs from artists I really like.
Jolie Holland, “Mexico City”
I love this song extremely. Ever since I downloaded it a few months ago I have been replaying it and singing it all the time (in the shower, badly). I find Holland’s bizarre enunciation (or lack thereof) totally fascinating and beautiful — and impossible to replicate, hence the bad shower-singing. The lyrics are evocative, too. I was interested to read that “Mexico City” and “Palmyra,” another song off the same album, started off as one song and were later separated.
The Black Keys, “The Only One”
I love their sound. To me it sounds like an updated version of some of my favorite 70s rockers (Erik says that’s the blues influence). As a fan I’m in great company — The Urchins also wrote about this band about a month ago, and Brothers, the album “The Only One” comes from, won the 2011 Grammy for Best Alternative Album.
TV on the Radio, “Staring at the Sun”
In grad school I took a postmodern dance class with Hassan Christopher, and for our end-of-quarter performance he choreographed a piece to TV on the Radio’s “Dreams“. We spent weeks practicing to their album Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes. At first I didn’t like it; I found it raucous and discordant. But it grew on me, and now it’s one of my all-time favorite albums. Odd coincidence: in college I loved the indie film Jump Tomorrow, whose star Tunde Adebimpe is the lead singer of TV on the Radio.
Loved all three songs….thanks for some great morning music Lisa!
You’re welcome, Munira!! I love that I posted them in the morning here, and you listened in the morning where you are. 😀
I keep playing Jolie Holland over and over – thanks – more recommendations please !!!
Me too! So glad you like her as much as I do. I posted another of her songs yesterday.
[…] mentioned Holland before on this blog. Her opener, Jess Williamson, is also worth a […]