Soundtracks
Soundtrack of 2020
A song is a powerful mnemonic. This is the year everything changed
1. Bobby Darin - Mack the Knife
A guy and his gal. We made it. The worst is finally behind us. What could go wrong?
2. Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - Beggin'
Getting lost is part of the journey. What do you have to lose? Let loose.
3. Vanilla Fudge - You Keep Me Hangin' On
Ennui. Routine. It simply not being enough. How do we escape?
4. Radiohead - Exit Music (For a Film)
Dark eyes peering across the aisles. Everyone wanting to get in and get out. We had already lost something, before losing everything.
5. Jos Slovick - I am a Poor Wayfairing Stranger
Walls everywhere. Same thing everyday. A century since the last pandemic. A trench.
6. Pinegrove - Endless
We stopped counting after 100 days. It stopped being fun. But we're the lucky ones. Is there a horizon?
7. The Mills Brothers - You Always Hurt The One You Love
I take it all too seriously. I take us too seriously. Who really cares what happens? You deserve better. I'm sorry.
8. Phoebe Bridgers - I Know The End
I'm not fast enough. I cannot outrun this. Its 1AM and I've walked 40000 steps. It's not enough. I would've made a great dad.
9. Hayley Williams - Simmer
Forgive them, Father. For they know not what they do. How quickly they cast away their fellow citizen from a sense that they're losing something they already lost years ago.
10. LCD Soundsystem - New York, I Love You but You're Bringing Me Down
The taxi driver. The bartender. The barista. Its a city of old stubborn souls, too smart for their own good.
11. Todd Rungren - Can We Still Be Friends?
Our bar. Our food. Our streets. The things we could rely on are already lost to time 12. Dustin Kensrue - The Voice of the Lord
I have no where else to hide. I am laid bare here. We are thirsty for hope. We are hungry for salvation. Have mercy upon us.
Soundtrack of 2019
A song is a powerful mnemonic. Here are my thoughts on a year of settling in.
1. The Black Keys - Sinister Kid
We are all mercenaries here in the unkind world we inherited. Mind your business.
2. Frightened Rabbit - Holy
Silence tests us too. Growth is still a possibility in calm seas.
3. Saint Motel - Puzzle Pieces
Life will toss us through different places and faces. Why bother gripping so tightly?
4. The National - Where Is Her Head
The city rotates us on our axes. We try to take a breath, but there's always something to be late for.
5. Better Oblivion Community Center - Dylan Thomas
Meet people where they're at. As if you'd be anywhere else.
6. Vacationer - Romance
The memories are fading and an identity is shifting. A less restless temperament may be good for you.
7. Hozier - To Be Alone
One more step. One more stroke. Is the desire gone? Is there anywhere left for discipline to take you?
8. Nick Drake - Pink Moon
As the trauma ended, and as the stigma continues to fade, I refuse to let go of the good. I'm keeping the time and place sacred.
9. Hamilton Cast - Satisfied
Ambition has its price and its cost. Aspects of your circumstances can seem worse, or better, than they actually are.
10. Jimmy Eat World - Congratulations
Comfort isn't the means or even the goal. It's through our suffering where we experience the truth.
11. Father John Misty - Ballad of the Dying Man
It's all very tedious and empty. Are you gripping vices to live with it, or are they gripping you?
12. Sufjan Stevens - Only at Christmas Time
How will we endure the seasons ahead? It's nice not to be alone.
A song is a powerful mnemonic. Here are my thoughts on a year of numbing and thawing:
1. Pinegrove - Rings
Like most things, You must be alone. You will always be alone, can cut some slack from time to time
2. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats - Intro
I just think that this life is too short. To give a single good shit.
3. Young the Giant - Simplify
This is pretty fun. All and all, there is air left to breathe.
4. Paul Simon - Graceland
People are going to try and manipulate your intentions. Breathe. Try to understand. Release.
5. Sufjan Stevens - Death with Dignity
It's all quite complicated. Growth, just do the best you can. Forgive and understand.
6. Thrice - Just Breathe
We all need release. We all need connection. Be a good example.
7. Kanye West - Ghost Town
It will never turn out as you expect it to. Keep going.
8. Manchester Orchestra - I Know How To Speak (Demo)
I know the feeling. It's weird. It's against what you know. But love anyway
9. The Breeders - Off You
Monotony. Best efforts. Radical acceptance. Find things to laugh about.
10. The Avett Brothers - No Hard Feelings
Step lightly. We will all be forgotten. Smile when you can. Love too.
11. Louis Armstrrong - La Vie En Rose
Forgive. Understand. Love. Those are the only things I know for sure.
12. Nina Simone - You'll Never Walk Alone
I don't know much but I'm learning. We could have done better. But now, we must do better. Breathe one more time
A song is a powerful mnemonic. Here are my thoughts on a year of light emerging from darkness.
1. Ella Fitzgerald - Dream A Little Dream Of Me
Bliss and peace lie when we pare down to the essentials
2. Nina Simone - My Baby Just Cares For Me
Find the one who celebrates you and keep them
3. Thrice - Anthology
The well worn path isn't always your foe
4. Sorority Noise - No Halo
Beautiful lights can shine out of darkness
5. Manchester Orchestra - The Grocery
Add a new family member with the right phrase and the right person
6. J. Views - Into the Light
Spend your twenties aggregating. Spend your thirties curating.
7. Sylvan Esso - Die Young
We must all remember there is much to live for.
8. Brand New - Waste
Society grows in darkness, and a band gets its wish
9. Pinegrove - Need
Its really for no one else but your self. Notice the privilege.
10. Julien Baker - Sour Breath
Cold walks up 9th avenue. Who can help these people?
11.The Avett Brothers - Bring Your Love To Me
And he knelt down to ask 'do you trust me?'
12. Dean Martin - On The Street Where You Live
A life can be shared without drama or trauma
A song is a powerful mnemonic. Here are my thoughts on a year of surreality
1. Chance The Rapper - No Problem
Validated. The late nights, the criticism, the dismissals. Peace.
2. Radiohead - Bodysnatchers
This is my concrete cube. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
3. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats - SOB
I know this is normal. But it needs to stop. Starting tomorrow.
4. Harlem Shakes - Strictly Game
We can't expect it to be perfect. It won't always feel good. Do it anyway.
5. Eddie Vedder - Hard Sun
You will not sell me your dream, your authority doesn't threaten me.
6. James Blake, Bon Iver - I Need A Forest Fire
Sunsets on the water. Dogs, sculptures, bikes and serenity.
7. Julien Baker - Something
After many lifetimes lived, there are beautiful things yet to discover.
8. The Antlers - Putting The Dog To Sleep
The treetops embracing, the roads widening, the noise quieting. My heart aches from old loves, but keeps beating.
9. Matt Corby - Runaway
What more did you need from me? Perhaps the 'good enough' game can't be won.
10. Bon Iver - 10 d E A T h b R E a s T ⚄ ⚄
This world is asking so much from me. I'm trying to keep my own requests loudest.
11. The Hotelier - Your Deep Rest
I am touring my hometown. Even the biggest places can be made to feel small.
12. Frank Sinatra - Theme From New York, New York
I'm feeling lucky.
A song is a powerful mnemonic. Here are my thoughts on a year of persevering
1. The New Basement Tapes - Kansas City
Comfortably settling into someone else's dream puts one as good as graveyard. Sleepwalking is no option.
2. Madeon - You're On
You may not be in Brooklyn or drink French press, but God damn it, these country roads can make a man out of you.
3. Foals - Snake Oil
Let them scare themselves into boxes. At the end of the day, you will get exactly what you're willing to work for, risk, and ask for.
4. We Were Promised Jetpacks - Quiet Little Voices
Choose not to be harmed, and you will not be harmed. Lead or be led.
5. Hop Along - Tibetan Pop Stars
How does one really earn anything? How much longer can this vessel keep pouring?
6. Damien Rice - My Favourite Faded Fantasy
We let each other down in a lot of ways. Time and space arrange themselves for few fantasies to take form. Perhaps we got in our own way.
7. Son Lux - Easy
Is this it?
8. City and Colour - As Much As I Ever Could
It might have made the difference, had we have been easier on ourselves. And perhaps each other.
9. Father John Misty - Bored In The USA
At the cost of having any significance or purpose, our social contract gets honored.
10. Ryan Adams - Out of the Woods
Inherently, a human life is complicated, self-serving, and strives to be understood. Perhaps we stopped listening.
11. Mumford & Sons - The Wolf
Do not let my fickle flesh go to waste. As it keeps my heart and soul in place. And I will love with urgency, but not with haste.
12. Fatherson - Cat Stevens
No additional burden is necessary, though a prayer might be a nice gesture.
A song is a powerful mnemonic. Here are my thoughts on a year of quiet confidence.
1. James Blake - Retrograde
Cold drives through an icy windshield. It's all gone now. Time to start over.
2. Justin Timberlake - Only When I Walk Away
The one chance you didn't take. Stay tuned, you are going to regret this.
3. Manchester Orchestra - Never Really Been Another Way Out
'We've seen it all, bonfires of trust, flash floods of pain. It doesn't even matter, don't you worry it'll all work out'
4. Maximo Park - Apply Some Pressure
Let a few irresponsible decisions happen. You may make a friend in a high place.
5. CHVRCHES - Recover
Remember Twain's words about anger. This is a time for understanding and for forgiveness. Climb.
6. San Fermin - Sonsick
Families are on their way, and its easy to feel the whimsy. I'd be really good - truly I would.
7. The National - I Need My Girl
'You didn't see me I was falling apart. I was a white girl in a crowd of white girls in the park.'
8. I Can Make A Mess - Caterpillar
You've got all the love you need here. Don't let comfort slow you down.
9. The Tallest Man On Earth - You're Going Back
Breathe. Keep your head up and your eyes forward, you're not finished yet.
10. St. Paul & The Broken Bones - I'm Torn Up
Different lives in different times. It's hard to change a reference point.
11. Kings of Leon - Mi Amigo
Goodness, gracious. It's still quite unbelievable that you're apart of my life. God has a wonderful sense of humor.
12. Coldplay - Midnight
Its both dawn and dusk, and the trees, roads and clouds pass by. Where are we going? When will we get there?
Soundtrack of 2013 - The B-Sides
A song is a powerful mnemonic. Here are 'The B-Sides' from a year of superstition.
1. The Kissaway Trail - New Lipstick
Vegas. South Beach. Taipei. Singapore. Boston. San Juan. Misery has never sought such company.
2. Kevin Devine - Fiscal Cliff
Fitting in the boxes of the past further enslaves us. Stop the madness, they don't deserve it.
3. Vampire Weekend - Ya Hey
This particular 8 mile promises beautiful views of all kinds. It's good to be broke and alone.
4. Jay-Z - Holy Grail
Shades on. Buds in. You know I got it.
5. Fall Out Boy - Save Rock And Roll
Anxiety, fear, depression and guilt. Owned.
6. Kings of Leon - Tonight
This park has been so good to me. Who else is there to thank?
7. City and Colour - The Hurry and the Harm
Perhaps we're all this scared. If there's truly more to be shown for the experience, I'd like to see it.
8. The Tallest Man On Earth - The Gardener
Chelsea in Eastie. Beyond the empathy, there's such a sense of humor that our fortunes have.
9. Volcano Choir - Island, IS
Close your eyes, breathe and embrace your rhythm. You can be invincible.
10. The Lonely Forest - Turn Off This Song and Go Outside
If life won't give you your home, go find your own. Get a tan.
11. Phoenix - Long Distance Call
You've been chasing people for too long. You're doing just fine.
12. Coldplay - Fix You
You will love. You will lose. But there's meaning in the madness. Worship what counts.
A song is a powerful mnemonic. Here are my thoughts on a year of superstition.
1. Justin Timberlake - Suit & Tie
Big money and big bets. You couldn't fault a guy for getting caught up in the veneer.
2. SHONE - Piano Wire Number 12
Does passion that cuts two ways surprise you? Did you color me any more civilized?
3. Dry the River - Weights & Measures
There is no shelter from this cold. Humanity shows its limits.
4. Kodaline - All I Want
'I don't need your reasons. Don't tell me cause it hurts.'
5. Take Me Home, Country Roads - Brandy Carlile, Emmylou Harris
Never stop sowing seeds of love. The true will accept you as you are, even as a wreck.
6. Florence + The Machine - Shake It Out
Does this defeat you, or do you undertake the ascent? Lace up, friend.
7. Daft Punk - Lose Yourself to Dance
'So tie a rag around that fresh wound, know it’s going to give you hell, and let’s get the fuck out of this miserable place.'
8. The Boxer Rebellion - Diamonds
A crimson sun sets, and the blood from broken dreams is shed. I want to be well.
9. Kings of Leon - Beautiful War
Rekindled with friends. Family. Myself. And God. An ultimate victory.
10. Volcano Choir - Dancepack
10 years later in a beautiful city. We heal our wounds together in a dream.
11. Jimmy Eat World - How'd You Have Me
There's such satisfaction in knowing the forthcoming dissonance. Actions are forgiven, but are never forgotten. Good luck.
12. The Dear Hunter - Whisper
Stand tall, buddy. You're the catch you always were, but this time, the dog days are over.
A song is a powerful mnemonic. Here are my thoughts on a year of sacrifice.
1. Jay-Z - Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)
As the river of life rolls, tough times don't last- just tough people.
2. The Early November - Frayed in Doubt
Don't lose hope or forget why you're here. The best things can and do come back.
3. Bombay Bicycle Club - Shuffle
The world comes at a price, and by God, you've paid it.
4. The Strokes - Whatever Happened
Demonstrate love through small acts of kindness, because we are all in this together.
5. Passion Pit - Constant Conversations
Half marathons, quarter centuries, and two-digit kilos. Minding your greatest asset.
6. Miike Snow - Paddling Out
Focus. focus. focus. Why are you here? Why do you struggle?
7. Bad Books - It Never Stops
Allow breaths and release the weight. It doesn't have to feel this serious.
8. Fun. - All Alright
While the destination remains elusive, the cadence must continue.
9. Arcade Fire - Crown of Fire
Who is to wage peace unto this life? A soul that aches from competition.
10. Cotton Crush - Kevin Devine
You are powered by an atypical resolve. Don't lose it.
11. Battle Born - The Killers
Wars, disease, tears, and labor. Certainly, you are meant for much more, and can't stop now.
12. Bon Iver - Skinny Love
Whatever you want, no whatever you need, take from me, right from me, from me.
A song is a powerful mnemonic. Here are my thoughts on the year of finding footing.
1. M83 - Midnight City
Sirens, streetlights, and pizza. Finding an identity can get easier when you're not alone in the quest.
2. The Naked & Famous - Young Blood
Definition is best applied with presence. I am who I am. We are too.
3. The Dear Hunter - I Couldn't Do It Alone
You've still got that spark. Neither you or the spark have any prospects of fading.
4. Death Cab For Cutie - You Are a Tourist
You left a long time ago. We change ourselves not for what has been, but for what will be.
5. Patrick Stump - Porcelain
Energy and passion can push people to do amazing things. And by a standard of their own choosing.
6. The Flaming Lips - Do You Realize??
It really is yours. The whole thing. Learn from your action. Regret your inaction.
7. Bon Iver - Holocene
The universe is much larger than your own. Stay humble, connect the dots.
8. Annuals - Brother
Keep climbing, the road stays rocky.
9. Sufjan Stevens - I Want to Be Well
Never this suffocated, isolated, directionless. Is there a today or tomorrow that merits this?
10. Manchester Orchestra - Apprehension
I am self-autonomous. I perpetually reserve the final word on who I am or will be.
11. Young the Giant - My Body
We are solid on a lot of levels. We can be amazing together as a team.
12. Iron & Wine - Your Fake Name Is Good Enough For Me
It was hell, and costed folks a lot of money. Either the scheme unfolds, or we propel forward as planned. Not to mention the coffee.
A song is a powerful mnemonic. Here are my thoughts on the year of change.
1. MGMT - Time to Pretend
You are never told how much of your wild 20's that you will spend in an office. Work hard, party harder, and if you get the chance, pole dance with Poles in Poland.
2. The Temper Trap - Love Lost
The best acquaintances - the ones that remind you of every awkward moment you've ever been subjected to - they always stick around. Most go out of their way to do it.
3. Jimmy Eat World - Movielike
It's early. Wake up, grab a coffee and go outside. Remind yourself that the sun keeps coming up. The dark always goes away.
4. Hellogoodbye - Find Something To Do
Make haste. The secret treasures of McDonald's breakfast extend past 10:30 for no man.
5. Matt & Kim - I'll Take Us Home
Will we ever be sane when the silicon is turned off? Are we pulling ourselves from enlightenment? Quite the concentric walk that was.
6. Kanye West - Runaway
Retrace someone's steps to see them more clearly. It was a beautiful place, and only a chapter in your life.
7. Sigur Ros - Hoppipola
It will be a painless one. Friends and family transcend the grips of time, and they will never be happier to see you.
8. Sufjan Stevens - Chicago
Spinning through Grand Central Terminal, this humbling experience sets the stage. The world is truly my oyster.
9. Passion Pit - Sleepyhead
Paths are never perfect, and hindsight makes us wiser. Hold none of that against them, and expect they do the same.
10. Iron & Wine - Walking Far From Home
Its like a parallel universe. There's a kitten, waterfront views, and we met years ago as kids.
11. Radiohead - High & Dry
There are some fascinating people barreling through existence further than you could possibly imagine. Don't get weighed down. The two have to be correlated.
12. Cursive - What Have I Done?
Keep smiling. Don't ever, ever give up. And for the love of God, talk to strangers.
