Summer Playlist

After family and friends the top things in my world are music, books and coffee, therefore, Barnes and Noble is my nirvana. If you stop and think about it both music and books enable you to transcend time and space and be something other than what you actually are. The best among them will take you on journeys to far off lands, ignite emotions, and leave you wanting to share them with everyone you love so they can know what you have known. The coffee is just lagniappe as my NOLA friends would say. This blog will be the home of my obsession. Here I will post whatever reading, listening, and occasional watching catches my interest.

For the inaugural blog I thought I’d focus on my summer playlist since it’s already August and fall is fast approaching. I must say I have been somewhat disappointed with new music offerings of late. It seems every artist is putting out live albums or, and I hate this, re-releasing previous albums. Does U2 really need MORE money? As a result much of the music I’ve been listening to this summer is not all that new.

I’ll start with what is new:

John Mayer—Where the Light Is: Live in LA (2008)

New and live, I know. This is one of the few live albums that is actually worth purchasing. I’ll go so far as to say it’s my favorite live album, dethroning Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds Live at Luther College. I will admit that I was not a huge John Mayer fan prior to this purchase. I have his previous albums, but after a while it all sounds the same and I get bored with his music. I am a convert; I would love to see him live. The live CD shows a bluesy side to Mayer and adds a lot of depth to his melodic songs. Definitely check this one out.

The Editors—An End Has A Start (2007)

My friend Alex turned me on to The Editors and this CD will forever be associated with the memory of speeding through New Orleans after the Voodoo Festival trying to get to Whole Foods before it closed. We weren’t successful in our adventure and ended up back at his place crashing for a few hours before I had to leave for an early flight home. I bought the album as soon as I got home and now, nine months later, it still lives in rotation. The Editors are British Indie rock at its best. Tom Smith’s voice is amazing and will live in your head long after he’s done singing.

The National—Boxer (2007)

The National is another new to me band. They are indie rockers from Brooklyn, actually Cincinnati but you can’t blame them for not wanting to claim that one. They were the opener for Modest Mouse who opened for REM. When did bands start having two opening acts? As far as I’m concerned they blew Modest Mouse out of the water. I bought the album after I saw them live and though I will say they are much better live than recorded, I do enjoy Boxer and have listened to it often since I saw them in early June. “Start a War” was the highlight of the live show and is the highlight of the album. Another great rock voice, in fact they’d fit well with The Editors on a mixed disk :)

Innerpartysystem—The Download EP (2007)

Innerpartysystem are an indie rock outfit from PA. They deputed their EP in late 2007. My friend Kristi recommended this one to me while we were waiting for Paramore and Jimmy Eat World to take the stage in AC earlier this year. The only problem with this is really are begging them for me, the EP is six songs, one of which is a remix, so really five songs. Their music is a glorious blend of rock, electronic, dance madness. Love it. My only concern is their music will be popified before they can release more. The myspace versions of their songs sound produced compared to the EP I have.

Owl City—Maybe I’m Dreaming (2008)

Owl City came up as a “Listeners Also Bought” artist when I purchased Innerpartysystem-yes, I actually pay for music. I wouldn’t say they sound like innerpartysystem though. I would call Owl City the melodic, electronic counterpart to innerpartysystem—their music is a bit slower and dreamier. Where Innerpartysystem makes you want to jump around Owl City makes you want to float on a hammock, get it?! It seems the band is actually one dude named Adam Young. Relax and enjoy.