by

Song of the Day #2,642: ‘Play to Win’ – Al Green

algreenUnlike movies, television and books, music is an art form that allows for passive appreciation. Many songs reward careful attention to the lyrics, the melody, the production. But some music is best heard in the background — of a dinner party, a restaurant, a club, even a grocery store.

I don’t know if it’s an insult to say that I consider Al Green a perfect passive artist. I love the man’s voice and the general vibe of his music, but it isn’t the sort of thing I’ll sit down and dissect over headphones. And I won’t play it in my car, which I consider active listening. But as the backdrop when company’s over, slam dunk.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #2,641: ‘Devil’s Arcade’ – Bruce Springsteen

springsteen_magicBruce Springsteen’s 2007 album Magic is one of the most resonant artistic commentaries on the G.W. Bush years. It’s loaded with songs about economic and cultural disillusionment and tracks critical of the war in Iraq.

Springsteen’s gift in protest songs like today’s random SOTD is to make these political issues personal. ‘Devil’s Arcade’ is told, at least in part, from the perspective of the wife or girlfriend of an Iraq war veteran. She focuses on their intimate moments, not the violence of the war, but the effect is just as shattering.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #2,640: ‘New Americana’ – Halsey

halsey_badlands[Note: This post was supposed to go live before the one about my 9 year-old’s Belgian DJ discovery]

I’ve always discovered new music through magazines and websites, and occasionally because I’ll hear something out in the world and decide to track it down later.

But as my daughters have gotten older, they’ve increasingly become a source of new musical leads. I can thank my 13-year-old, Sophia, for bringing Lana Del Rey to my attention, for example, and now I’m a bigger fan than her.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #2,639: ‘How You Get the Girl’ – Ryan Adams

ryan_adams_1989The most unexpected new release this year has to be Ryan Adams’ song-for-song cover of Taylor Swift’s 1989. It’s such a delightfully random project, like a piece of fan fiction come to life.

It also turns out to be a very good album in its own right. Adams is faithful to the melodies and lyrics of Swift’s originals but gives each his own stylistic spin, mostly slowing them down and trading pop rock for folk rock.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #2,638: ‘Reality’ – Lost Frequencies feat. Janieck Devy

reality_lost_frequenciesIt’s not just my 13-year-old who comes up with recommendations for new music. My 9-year-old does it as well.

Fiona’s latest discovery is a track called ‘Reality’ by Belgian DJ Lost Frequencies. The lead vocals of this track are by a Dutch singer and actor named Janieck Devy. I couldn’t find any real information about either of them online. Leave it to Fiona to serve up something this obscure.

Continue reading →