I Just Can't Get Behind the Flaming Lips Anymore

I'm not crazy, right? I mean. This. This is just.
Crap.

Bon Iver's "Heavenly Father" for New Braff Film

One of my favorite artists of all time, Bon Iver, released a new song that will appear on the soundtrack for Zach Braff's new movie, Wish I Was Here. WIWH is supposed to be a follow up to 2004's immensely popular Garden State. Frontman Justin Vernon's influence is obvious, but I think it's interesting that this song sounds a little more produced than the material from past albums.

You can watch the movie's trailer below.

Other artists, such as Cat Power and Coldplay, The Shins, The Weepies, and Badly Drawn Boy, have also contributed to the soundtrack. The full listing can be found here.

It's amazing how soundtracks can truly enhance or take away from a movie.

Some of my favorites are Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Virgin Suicides, American Hustle (playlist below), Almost Famous, Into the Wild and, of course Garden State.

Get Excited for the Arrival of New Releases!

Things really get popping in the music world during the summer. With the arrival of festival season comes tours and new releases aplenty. Here are a few artists that I'm most excited for!

1. FKA Twigs is set to release LP1 on August 12 in the US. Twigs already has two beautiful EPs out; if you haven't heard them, do so now! I first heard of her while reading Rookie Mag.

2. Ty Segall is releasing Manipulator on August 26. I can't believe this is his first release of 2014; I feel like he has at least one release every couple of months. I mean, how may ways and times can you release a garage fuzz album and keep it fresh? I guess we'll find out. Click the link for an album teaser.

3. Alt-J have set September 22 as the date for their sophomore album This is All Yours. As a huge lover of their first album, I'm excited and nervous for this release. Just like a movie sequel, it'll be really great or really terrible. Since it's Alt-J though, I'm sure I won't be disappointed. Even their pre-Alt-J music was fantastic. No single or sample yet, but their tour schedule is up.

4. Bjork and Death Grips...what an interesting combination. The Powers That B is a two-disc album, with the first half (niggas on the moon) already available to stream by clicking the link. Disc two, jenny death, has no official release date yet, but is expected out later this year. And yes, niggas on the moon is just as zany as you expect it to be.

5. Jenny Lewis, as I mentioned in the last post, is releasing The Voyager on July 29. The indie folk darling gets personal on her second solo album. You can listen to the Beck-produced single, "Just One of the Guys" and get pumped for the rest of the album now.

 

6. Wayne Coyne and Steven Drozd as Electric Würms Surprise, surprise. Wayne Coyne has another side project. Musik, Die Shwer Zu Twerk comes out on August 19. It's going to be a six-song album. The single, now available on iTunes, is a cover of Yes' "Heart of the Sunrise."

7. J Masics' Tied to a Star is due out August 25. Track listing, tour schedule, and single available at the link.

8. The New Pornographers are releasing Brill Bruisers on August 26. Neko Case, Dan Bejar, A.C. Newman, Blaine Thurier, John Collins, Kathryn Calder, Kurt Dahle, and Todd Fancey will all appear on the 13-track album.

9. Jeff and Spencer Tweedy, fittingly as TWEEDY are releasing an album title Sukierae on August 16. As a Wilco fan, I'm expecting good things from the father son duo.

10. Allah-Las, my most recent found favorites, are releasing the aptly titled Worship the Sun on September 16. Their surfy, psych-y sound is perfect for the Summer, so until their new album arrives, I suggest jamming to their self-titled album. You can hear hear a single from the upcoming album if you click the band name.


Who are you waiting to hear some new tunes from?

Off the Wagon

It's been a hot minute since I posted, so I though it would be a nice catch-up if I told you about all the important things that have been happening in music since my last post.

1. Father John Misty has spoken about his new album (!!!!!!) and I now know he lives within an hour of me. Important.

2. The love of my life, Jenny Lewis, has announced a new album - The Voyager - to be released in July!

3. Pitchfork premiered a Macumentary on Monday. You can watch and learn all about the lovably goofy Mac Demarco here.

4.  Palo Alto, the movie based on the writings of James Franco, was scored by Blood Orange's Dev Hynes and it's beautiful. Listen here.

5. Jeffertitti's Nile released The Electric Hour and you'll be missing out on some serious stuff if you don't give it a listen.

6. Look out Dionysus, King Tuff's Kyle Thomas "promises mystery and sex" on his new album. I believe dat.

and 7. Portugal. the Man released an endangered song.

Obviously much more has happened, but these are the things I'm most excited about!

Little Bitta Good News

All has been pretty quiet on the Fleet Foxes front for a while now, so it was nice to get an update on what's going on. Good on Robin Pecknold for finishing up his degree; it's a huge accomplishment!

Even though I expected the next announcement from these guys to be information on a new album (as hinted by a string of pictures posted back in 2013) I'm happy to see that it still looks like something is in the works.

Until that new music arrives, enjoy this classic:

Mac DeMarco is a Delightful Dude (Now Say it Three Times Fast)

Your quality of life will be significantly increased if you go see Mac DeMarco live. I promise.

Yesterday, a friend and I made our merry way down to Tulane University in New Orleans for an afternoon of music sponsored by TUCP to see the slacker prince of indie music. 

It's barely surprising that DeMarco was asked to play at the university, as he's recently garnered a lot of attention from his latest album, Salad Days and a fair amount of coverage from numerous music media outlets, even landing Pitchfork's cover story prior to the release of said album.

Arriving 30 minutes early, we were able to snag some coveted spots up against the guard rail and listened to DeMarco and co.'s sound check. After all levels were set, DeMarco went behind the stage where fans started to crowd around. 

For the duration of the opening band's set (New Orleans-based duo, Caddywhompus) he met with people and posed for pictures. He knelt down, arm wrestled, waved, and received kisses on the cheek from strangers, all in the name of iPhone pics that have no doubt already made their way to Instagram. (Seriously, just go check out how may people hashtagged "#macdemarco" in New Orleans tonight - it's a lot.)

He was good natured, waving and talking to anyone who approached him. I chose to keep my spot up front and wait for him to make his way to the stage. This later benefited me, when DeMarco took his place behind the center microphone, and announced he had a problem with the guard rails. He encouraged everyone to jump them and get comfortable closer to the stage. It took me all of half a second to scoop up my purse, practically launch myself over the rail, and run forward. 

But enough about me (for now).

Onstage, DeMarco was as friendly with the crowd as he'd been to the many who had approached him pre-show. Taking fan requests, chatting with the peanut gallery between songs, and generally keeping communication flowing throughout the performance proved he was comfortable on stage and that all that's been written about his goofballish nature is completely true.

When he wasn't making faces and dispensing useless advice, ("You can listen to the next song, but you don't have to. If you don't want to listen, you can just dance. But you don't have to do that either."), he was pretty much nailing the performance like a seasoned professional who still has the heart of a kid playing basement shows. The set flowed effortlessly. DeMarco has a way of combining his upbeat energy with his generally chill songs to create an environment of good vibes. 

As my friend put it, "[The music] held you, but didn't hold onto you."

The set included songs from his latest album, Salad Days, as well as songs from 2, and "I'm a Man" off of Rock and Roll Night Club. He was visibly excited as the crowd sang along to every song, and recounted the last time he played New Orleans to a meager crowd of about 5 people. 

Way more than 5 people showed up for this show, and had every single person asked for an autograph, picture, or handshake, I'm convinced DeMarco would have obliged. Given his slacker reputation, I was surprised at all of the effort he put into making sure everyone was addressed and given attention. He was invited to parties and bars while accepting sips of beer from fans as he signed his name on everything from drivers' licenses to condoms. 

Even slackers like to party, I guess.

But I can't accept that DeMarco actually deserves the persona that precedes him. Despite the lovable goofus that appears in pictures and interviews, his songs are proof of the dedication to his craft, especially apparent on his latest album and in concert. He's admitted that his newest batch of songs are the most personal he's ever written, and personally, I think his songs sound better with a little meaning to them.

Nearing the end of his time on stage, DeMarco removed his cap and approached the ledge that separated his feet from the heads of hundreds of us, eyes skyward in anticipation. 

"Permission to surf?" he asked, cracking his infamous gap-toothed grin. His question was, of course, met with a roar of approval and he dove into the crowd, making his round before arriving back on stage, Pabst in hand.

He bid us adieu shortly after his return to the stage, but we cried for one last song. 

DeMarco didn't disappoint when he broke into "She Rides a Harley Davidson" by Neil Young, a fellow Canadian he informed us. He commanded everyone - as a sign of respect - to "kneel for Neil." The show ended with everyone belting what lyrics they knew, wishing our wacky prince could stay longer.

(a short video with poor sound quality that shows us all springing up from "kneeling for Neil")

Fortunately, he did hang out a bit longer, at least long enough for me to capture a little bit of his affable charm in a picture to #latergram that night.

Happy Record Store Day!

Yes, my friends, today is National Record Store Day.

I'm personally a huge fan of the vinyl medium. My parents have a pretty decent collection, mostly inherited from my grandparents. When I was in high school, I started to get into the stacks upon stacks that were hiding in our closet upstairs and decided I wanted a collection of my own.

If I'm not mistaken, my first vinyl purchases were made at my local flea market. For $20 I got a cardboard box of the moth-balliest smelling records my nose had had has the misfortune of sniffing.

Despite the stench, and much to my mother's dismay, I dug through the box and brought in the ones with interesting cover art. (Because that's the most appropriate way to choose new music, of course.)

Among my first stack was the soundtrack to The Decline of Western Civilization, Part II: The Metal Years, Emerson, Lake, and Palmer's Brain Salad Surgery, Diana Ross' Why Do Fools Fall in Love?, Chicago's IX: Greatest Hits '69-'74, and the ever-popular Teach Your Parakeet to Talk.

I rubbed each of the album covers down in a flowery scented dryer sheet and pored over all of the fine print. Who were the artists, who produced the album, who were the guest musicians? I don't remember an of this information now, but at the time it was refreshing to get away from my iPod and still infant collection of mp3s.

Getting back to earlier forms of music can be a real treat, and a great way to connect with the artist. Learn about who you're listening to!

Unfortunately, I didn't have any extra money to spend on records this year, but rest assured, I will be heading back to my local shop next pay day.

Let's Talk About Lil Spook

Or Spooky Black. I'm not sure which he officially goes by.

Earlier this week, when I arrived home from my 20 day road trip, one of the first things my neighbor told me was, "Oh my god, I have something to show you. You're gonna love this!"

It's not uncommon for me to hear this at least a couple times a week from him, but he knows my musical tastes pretty well, so I made an effort to genuinely listen when, later, we sat on his bed getting ready to marathon all the music videos we'd been waiting to show each other in my absence.

The song was "Without U" and the accompanying music video was...interesting.

See for yourself.



Intrigued by this young, white, maybe-aspiring R&B artist, I did a little research. His name is Corbin Smidzik from St. Paul, Minnesota. His Bandcamp page showed that he has a full album of material ready and waiting for you to buy. With the name your own price option (starting at $1), I couldn't resist and put up $3 to hear what else this kid had up his sleeve. (Apparently I'm late to the game because he released this album on Feb. 28)

Black Silk by Lil Spook is what you get once the file downloads. It's 11 tracks long and it will keep you glued to your seat for the full 38 minutes.

One thing that I like about this album is that it's roomy. His voice echoes out from the depths and while he has multiple layered sounds, none of them are competing - just complementing. Tiny bells, bird chirps, and various other sounds lend themselves to build up a fantasy world around Spook's voice.

I commend him and the noted producers for doing such a wonderful job of creating catchy beats, but allowing the lyrics to play an equally important role. It's easy to have an imbalance, especially on a first album.

This album might work for fans of The Weeknd and James Blake. If you're checking Lil Spook out for the first time, I recommend "Forest Sounds," "Remember You," and "Without U."

Honestly, this is some pretty sexy stuff. I'm not sure if that's a result of Spook's voice or his ability to rock a gold chain, turtleneck, and do rag. Either way, you might want to bring this into the bedroom if you're looking to get lucky soon.

Guess Who's Back...

While I'm tempted to expand on the title with Eminem's "Without Me" lyrics, I'll save you a day's worth of having that song stuck in your head.

I've been quiet for a while, and it's because I've been trying to figure out what I want to do and where I want to go with this blog.

It started out as a class project, but since the subject matter is something that I'm passionate about, I really wanted to continue utilizing this web space to keep myself involved in music and writing, as well as provide a service to my many, many dedicated readers. Kidding. At least about the readers part.

It may be a few days to a week before I post again. In that time, I think I may try to rework the page a little and give it some direction.

So, Internet, if you're reading and have any comments.... I'm all ears.

<3

Kitchen Time

My poor roommate. His schedule is pretty regular, but the hours I keep change from day to day.

It's a good thing he's a hard sleeper because at 3 AM, I was in the kitchen, music blaring, cooking up one of my favorite new snacks: goat cheese and asparagus quesadillas.

To make these, you'll only need a few ingredients:

• 4 ounces herbed goat cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 pound asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 10-inch flour tortillas
• olive oil 
• salt and pepper
• a favorite album

Directions:

1. Turn on your favorite album. This dish requires constant attention, so you'll want to pick something you want to listen to the whole way through. I chose Father John Misty's Fear Fun.

2. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet on medium-low heat and cook the asparagus, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Once the asparagus is tender, remove it from the pan.

3. Split the goat cheese in half and spread a portion onto each tortilla. Add 1/8 cup of chopped cilantro to each tortilla. Then add your cooked asparagus. Fold the tortillas over to create a quesadilla.

4. Brush both sides of each quesadilla with olive oil before putting them in the pan to cook at a medium-low heat until lightly browned. This should only take a couple of minutes.

5. Let these cool and then devour them!

My first attempt last night - I left it on a little long

I'll admit this is the extent of my culinary prowess. I'm much better at using my credit card than my hands to make food appear, but it was fun.

I highly recommend trying these or a variation of them. They only took about 20 minutes to make including prep time. Next time I make these, I'll make enough for my roommate, too, for putting up with the loud noises and smoky air I created so early in the morning. 

When you venture into the kitchen, what do you make? Do you listen to music while you cook?

Graduation

With my LSU graduation looming on the horizon, I can't help but think back four and a half years to my high school graduation. All year, I'd been driving around, spinning a 109-track disc my best friend's oldest brother gave me.

His taste in music was so cool. He was in college, he knew about good bands, he used phrases like "indie underground" and "post-punk" to describe the songs on his CD.

But on May 13, 2009, the day I would officially cease to be a high school student, there was only one song I listened to: "Graduation" by Vitamin C.

Despite knowing about all these hip, upcoming bands whose songs I'd been worshipping for months, I just wanted to listen to "Graduation."

The lyrics talk about how moving on is scary and wondering if the people who are your best friends now will still be your friends years down the road. And at that point in my young life, with no real responsibility, my friendships were all I had to worry about. 

My best friends and I were all going off to separate colleges, and the future freaked me out.

And Vitamin C understood that. Not to get all after-school-special cheesy on you, but that song really made me feel better about graduating. Going from high school to college is a big deal, and sometimes you just need some reassuring words for that transition.

Post-ceremony goofing off - I'm the one on the right

Fast forward to present day. 

The girls and I who parted ways are still friends, but not of the "best" variety. The future I was so worried about turned out to be awesome. In my four and a half years at LSU, I've met some fantastic people, worked at a top-notch radio station, and gotten a better idea of how I want to make an impact on the world. 

My upcoming graduation feels more like a beginning than an end, and if you've learned anything from my blog, it's that this momentous occasion will have its own tailor-made playlist.

While "Graduation" isn't one of my favorite songs, it will always hold a special place on my iPod.

It's what I'll be jamming in four weeks while I get ready to walk across the stage of the Union Theatre. This time, it won't be my security blanket, but a reminder of how far I've come in these past few years and of all the people who helped me reach my end goal. 

"Graduation" is just another example of a song that makes me feel like I've chosen the right career path. I can't wait to be a professional "sharer-of-music."

In most people's eyes, it's a silly pop song, but it made at least one person feel better about their situation, and that's what matters most.

Choice Tunes

What constitutes a "classic album?"

In a discussion with someone whose musical knowledge far surpasses mine, I was given a better idea of how to answer my question.

My friend argued two important elements of classic album are importance and greatness.

Because these are vague terms, I'll try to narrow the definition a little. Importance refers to the influence the album has and how innovative it is in its genre. Greatness refers to how good the music is and how it holds up through the years.

By his definition, "The Velvet Underground is a perfect example [of classic] because it's both influential and the music is still enjoyable today. Whereas a band like Kraftwerk was hugely influential to pop and electronic music, but only the nerdiest of nerds still listen to them."

I can accept this definition because I know all of the words to The Velvet Underground's self-titled album, while I don't know even one song by Kraftwerk.

I did a little googling and found that among mainstream music media, there are a handful of albums that are considered classics. These include Led Zeppelin's, Black Sabbath's and the Doors' self-titled albums, as well as Rolling Stone's Exile on Main Street, The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Miles Davis' Kind of Blue, Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon, The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds and more.

By and large, these "classic" albums hail from the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

(I want make it clear that I think an album has to be around for at least 25 years before its test of time result can be determined. Just take a look at these early reviews of now classics.)

Even turning to Facebook friends to ask which albums were classics, a lot of the same names cropped up.

Seeing as most of the albums mentioned are older than the people who replied, I'll go ahead and give them the "greatness" factor. They've stood the test of time. People are still listening, so they must be good.

But what about the "importance" factor? 

This is a bit harder to judge. Importance is more than just being around for a long time - it's about the impact the album had on its genre - the ability to be remembered for something new or beautiful.

Some brief research will show that each of the albums mentioned somehow held innovative and inventive characteristics. 

Led Zeppelin was considered a turning point in hard rock. Sgt. Pepper was a departure from the norm of the decade, daring to use "balladry, psychedelic, music hall, and symphonic influences." And Black Sabbath was "the first major album to be credited with the development of the heavy metal genre."

These ground-breakers of their time are today's music education staples. 

While my observations are by no means scientific, I think they show that there's definitely a common thread in the music that gets passed down to us.

It will be interesting to see what albums we're calling classics 25 years from now. I've got a few ideas, but I'll have to wait and see. What do you think today's will-be classics are?

*Special thanks to Aaron Muse for sparking my interest on this matter.

Do You Love Me?

I walk toward my crush, knees weak, clutching two compact discs adorned with carefully drawn bubble letters that spell out his name.

Before I hand them over, I want him to know I put every one of the 115 songs in a specific order. I want him to know why I started off with classic metal and transitioned into folk. I want him to know the reason I chose the songs I did. 

But as the discs make their way from my hands to his, I only stare at my shoes and mumble, "I hope you like these."

In my opinion, it isn't my place to dictate how someone listens to a CD I give them. 

In an perfect world, my crush will take my CD and listen to every song in the order I intended, then call and ask me to marry him. 

Wait, scratch that last part. 

Maybe he'll just text me "cool mix."

I'd be fine with either.

What I'm getting at is no matter how much effort you put into making a mix for someone, it's not up to you to dictate how they listen to it.

Maybe they'll send you a song-by-song breakdown of your mix, praising your immaculate taste in music - and maybe they throw the CD in the side pocket of their car door and forget about it.  

Back in July, Stephen Thompson of All Songs Considered wrote "The Good Listener: When You Make Someone a Mix, What Do They Owe You?" and it got me thinking about mix tape etiquette. 

The article focused on a tangible return, but the consensus from commenters was that a mixtape is a gift and doesn't necessarily require a mix in return, but acknowledgment of the gift is appreciated.

Personally, I give the recipient a month or so, and if I haven't heard anything, I'll ask, "So have you listened to that CD yet?"

Inquiring any further is rude.  

All I can ask is that the person I create a mix for listens to it with an open mind. They don't have to love it, or even like it, but I'd like them to appreciate the time and effort I put into crafting it. 

So until my crush finishes listening to the 8 hour mix I made him, I'll wait patiently and hope he finds a song he loves, a song that he connects with, or a song he wants to call me up and talk about.

Music and Social Media

Let me be the first to say that, upon its release, I thought Twitter was the dumbest idea. 

Why would you only want 140 characters to express your thoughts? 

I guess I figured it out at some point, and used my Twitter primarily to keep up with what my favorite bands were doing.

I tweeted about my radio show one day in January and Warner Bros. Records Promotion replied saying they were tuned in.

At the end of January, a coworker and I reviewed a couple albums and posted it to the KLSU website and to the KLSU social media outlets, as well as Reddit. (You can find the first one here and the second one below.)

In February, I wrote an article for one of my classes about emerging bands and how they use (or attempt to use) social media to stay connected with fans. I posted this to my Facebook, to the Manship (school) blog, and tweeted about it. It was retweeted and shared by one of the bands.

Riding this social media high, I tweeted during my radio show, telling people to tune in, and tagged some bands that I’d be spinning that night. Grizzly Bear favorited it.

Tune in until 9 PM on 91.1 @KLSURadio for The Waiting Room where I'll be playing @frank_ocean, @Grimezsz, @grizzlybear, @ToroyMoi and more!
— Sara Melancon (@saramel627) February 20, 2013

A couple days later, I interviewed a Foxygen band member for KLSU and the interview aired that night. I tweeted about how nice he was, and again, told people to tune in. Foxygen’s drummer favorited the tweet. We also started following each other on Instagram that day. 

That night at their show, I met the drummer, and continued to talk with him over Twitter and Instagram the next couple days. 

The next day, we made a video for American Royalty. After I posted the video, I tweeted about it, and the band’s Twitter liked it, retweeted it, and replied, thanking us for making the video. Then one of the band members favorited the video from his personal account.

While it may seem like I’m just talking about how semi-celebs are interacting with me on Twitter, the point I’m trying to get at is “HOLY CANNOLI, SOCIAL MEDIA IS REALLY AWESOME!” Never before has there been such an instant interaction between fans and artists. 

Aside form seeing an artist play live, and hoping they come out after the show, you probably won’t get the chance to speak to someone in the band. But with social media (this includes Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) you can connect on a different level and share ideas, resources, videos, entertainment, and so much more.

Some friends and I with the bass played from our favorite band, Portugal. the Man.

Social media gives artists the ability to reach out to fans, to keep them updated, and keep them interested.

It gives fans the ability to start a conversation with the artists.

And like most things in life, what you put into social media is what you get out of it.

If artists want to stay connected, they have to take the time to respond and post.

Now that social media, especially Twitter, is being pushed in universities, I'll be interested to see how interactions develop in the coming years.

What do you think of using social media to connect with artists? Have you had any interactions with people you otherwise wouldn't have talked to?

Radio Rant

Technology is taking over.

It's no secret that streaming services, iPods, and the world wide web have rapidly been changing the way people listen to and discover music.

In past posts, I've suggested ways to find new music via the Internet, but today, I want to talk about something a little more old school.

That's right. Radio.

I've worked for a college radio station (91.1 KLSU) for the past two and a half years and it's been one of the greatest experiences of my life.

The medium that's now considered a fossil in terms of technology holds a special place in my heart, and for good reason.

Radio can bring you things that online services can't.

We bring our listeners new music first, we carefully craft our playlists to optimize the listening experience, and we offer tickets to shows at the low price of a correct trivia answer.

What's not to love?

The dedication of small stations, like KLSU, to their listener base is heartwarming, really.

The people behind the microphone, and even the people behind them, strive to make radio an experience.

From choosing music to organizing ticket giveaways, we want listeners to be involved and to enjoy themselves. We want turning on your radio to be like visiting with an old friend.

Most people, though, are forgetting to give that old friend a call.

For FM radio, staying relevant in an web-dependent world is tough. Some stations have added online streaming to their repertoire to compete. Others have moved off of the air waves and exclusively online.

In my opinion, nothing compares to having someone hand pick songs for me to listen to. That's why I tune in.

Next time you're in your car, instead of plugging your mp3 player, turn on the radio.

If a DJ provides you with a phone number, call him or her up and see what's new.

Switch up your music routine, and I guarantee you'll be pleasantly surprised at what you hear.

Sound Off

"Do you wanna see something?" Ryan Gosling asks.

Carey Mulligan peeks over her shoulder at her son in the back seat.

"Okay," she replies.

"A Real Hero" by College & Electric Youth bubbles up over images of skipping rocks, daytime drives, and happy times.

The rubbery bass line and airy synth serve to reinforce the carefreeness of the on-screen charcaters.

This is but one song and one scene in the movie Drive, which was hailed for is superior soundtrack.

Soundtracks can make or break a movie.

In Drive's case, the songs weave together what would otherwise be scene after scene of a tight-lipped Gosling staring meaningfully into space.

Drive aside, there are countless movies with powerful soundtracks that inspire, terrify, elate, and uplift the viewer.

I turned to Facebook to ask my friends what movies they thought had noteworthy soundtracks, and was floored by the number of responses I received.

Apparently I'm not the only one paying attention to the sounds as well as the sights.

I've seen these movies with the exception of only a few, and I would agree that the soundtracks were memorable, even superb. 

Pulling a few from this list, and a few from my shelf, I'm going to give you five movies with soundtracks that you need to hear. 

1. Forrest Gump (1994)

Believe it or not, I remember watching this the year it was released. I didn't understand what was going on at all, but I do know this movie is what sparked my love for a little band called Creedence Clearwater Revival. Forrest Gump stays true to the movie's era and uses bands and songs that were popular in the 60s and 70s. CCR, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, and Aretha Franklin among many, many others grace the list of artists whose music is featured in arguably one of the most heartbreaking movies of all time. (If you enjoyed this soundtrack, which I know you did, try the movies Almost Famous and The Doors.)

2. Sucker Punch (2011)

Director Zack Snyder decided to go with all cover songs for this movie, saying, "If you go with the original song, you just get the moment. But if you go with covers you also get all of the baggage you bring to it, [...] I like the baggage. It kind of resonates and rings across time, it's not just of the moment." The action packed film makes each song a focal point, using the beat to set the pace of the scenes. Lead actress Emily Browning even sings three of the soundtrack's covers. This movie is well worth the watch.

3. The Virgin Suicides (1999)
The soundtrack to this movie can best be described as beautifully haunting. While songs float lazily in and out of scenes, their true weight in the movie is much more sinister. If you didn't guess from the title, this isn't a feel-good film. With the exception of songs that are playing in the scene, (on record players, at parties, etc.), the soundtrack is composed of songs by the French electronic duo Air. Their dark and eerie songs lead the five leading ladies on a journey toward eventual demise. I highly recommend The Virgin Suicides for its artful approach at capturing teen angst in one of the most extreme ways. But don't watch if you aren't prepared to spend the next 3 hours in the fetal position, feeling numb. (For a similarly gloomy soundtrack/movie combo, check out Requiem for a Dream.)

4. The Social Network (2010)
Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and Atticus Ross teamed up to produce a a bone-chilling collection of songs for 2010's most talked about film. The story of Mark Zuckerberg's rise to the top was plagued with disappointment, rejection, and betrayal. Reznor and Ross hone in on those feelings to create an intensely introspective 19 tracks. This is a necessary album for any lone wolf. For a different vibe with equal intensity, check out the duo's Grammy-winning score to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

5. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

Another movie that stays true to the era it's set in is O Brother, Where Art Thou? While the majority of the songs are modern recordings, the film "uses bluegrass, country, gospel, blues, and folk music appropriate to the time period." The soundtrack was intended to be a significant facet of the film, just as much of the scene as any of the dialogue. Songs were placed specifically to express ideas and themes in the film. Even though the songs carry so much meaning, they manage to be toe-tappin' and tub-thumpin' ditties capable of remaining stuck in your head for weeks on end.

Narrowing my list down to five wasn't easy. I felt each of these films and soundtracks embodied a different style, and I tried to suggest similar ones in the description as opposed to adding these to the list. (If you're still in a soundtrack mood after this list, check out the albums for Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and Into the Wild.)

What soundtracks do you like to listen to? If your life had a soundtrack, what songs would be included?

Finding New Music

I’m sitting in the passenger seat of my mother’s 2009 Honda Pilot.

Two hundred forty-two miles to go until we reach our destination.

There are many things I get from my mom: my eyes, my nose, and my impatient attitude.

I did not get my love for music from her.

While she is content to road-trip in silence or listen to a book-on-tape, I need something else.

When we stopped at a Starbucks two silent hours into the trip, I picked up a copy of Rhye’s Woman – an album I would consider one of the best releases of 2013. 

“Even you might like this,” I told her.

She didn’t.

She didn’t understand why the songs stopped so abruptly and she didn’t understand why “they all sounded the same.”

I tried.

Of all the people I recommend music to, my mom never fails to think the recommendation is just too weird for her taste.

Oh well.

Other people often ask me to recommend music to them, and working at a radio station, I hear my fair share of new music, so I’m happy to oblige.

But for those people who don’t have a friend who is a song dispensing shaman, where do they turn to discover new music?

Navigating the waters of new releases can leave a person drowning in a sea of songs that they might not particularly enjoy.

For those timid swimmers, I have a few tips.

#1. Use social media to follow bands that you already like.
 Bands know that social media sites like Facebook and Twitter are quick and easy ways to connect with fans. Sites like these are often the first place you’ll hear about a new album in the works, side projects, remixes, and collaborations. 

#2. Use online radio stations to find new music for you.
Stations like Pandora build customized stations for the listener based on user preference feedback. Programs like Spotify and iTunes now boast radio stations as well. (iTunes also offers a few free downloads on their home page each week that are worth checking out.)

#3. Follow music blogs.

The Internet is overflowing with these. Pitchfork, Stereogum, Daytrotter, and NPR Music's "All Songs Considered" are just a few. Many music magazines are also now online, such as Rolling Stone, Spin, and NME. The majority of these sites will contain news and usually allow you to stream new tracks or albums for free. 

#4. Show up early to shows and actually see the opening band.

There is no guarantee you will enjoy this. In fact, it may be painful. However, the band you are there to see probably chose the opening band, so give them a shot. I'll also stretch this tip to say when you're at a festival, go see a band on the lineup you've never heard of if you have some down time. If you don't like them, you can always just walk away.

#5. Raid your friend’s/family’s/roommate’s music selections.

Many a favorite album has been found in my dad's record collection. Sometimes you'd be surprised by the good taste your parent have. Friends, too. Reach out to others and ask for a recommendation; that way you're not all alone in your search. If there's no one you want to ask, 

One or more of these tips is sure to help you find something you've never heard of before. 

Is there a way you find new music? Let me know!

I still have about 150 miles to go until I can listen to my own music, but for now, we’ve agreed on Norah Jones’s Come Away With Me. (See, sometimes your parents can have good taste.) 

The Finer Points of Making a Mix

If you dared to take a scroll through my iTunes, the names and contents of the playlists adorning the left hand toolbar may confuse you.

To illustrate my point, a few of my favorites are "Bachelorette Party," "trashy white girl rap,"and "METAL AS F***."

I have a playlist for every occasion and emotion. 

The screen grabs below show but a snippet of what my full music library is capable of producing.

A well crafted playlist is just as essential as a jacket on a windy day.

To optimize your listening pleasure, your playlist should take into consideration your mood and what you're doing.

Take, for example, "Summer Day."

This playlist was designed for my day-to-day between May and August.

                                            

I haven't gotten to wear so much as a sweater while walking to school yet, so this playlist is still in regular rotation.

Much like a bride picking out her wedding cake, I sat in front of my computer screen sampling musical morsels until I found the perfect combination of songs to make a playlist worthy of my Big Day.

The purpose of my mix was to get me up, out of the door, and on my way to work each day. It needed to be pleasant, fairly upbeat, and light, while leaving room for a couple of heavy-hitters needed for mid-traffic embarrassment.

Head and Heart by The Wilderness of Manitoba starts the list with its delicate vocals and plucky guitar.

Time to wake up.

Immediately following are two lo-fi, grungy jams that remind me to open my eyes as I shuffle to the bathroom to brush my teeth.

The middle of the mix is a collection of new finds and old favorites.

It is important when making a mood or occasion-based mix to diversify the songs in terms of era, genre, and tempo, so you don't get bored.

This particular mix includes:
- GRMLN, a one man Hawaiian band founded just last year
- Ducktails, a disco inspired chillwave band
- Passion Pit, electronic heavyweights
- even The Doors, pioneers of psychedelic rock

(A playlist isn't complete until it contains at least one song by The Doors. Those are just the rules.)

Rounding out the end of my jam-loop are some catchy songs that, even when not playing through my speakers, are running through my head.

Despite my frustration at singing the same thing to myself all day, it is better than silence.

In my eyes, making my own playlist is rewarding. I know what I want it to achieve and I tailor it to my exact wants.

If you're unlike me, however, there are plenty of alternatives.

Websites like StereoMood offer playlists based on, well, mood. Sometimes, though, the site uses seasons or activities to determine what music you'd like.

I wonder what "Lost in Jamaica" sounds like?

If you want something a little more personal, scan 8tracks.com for user made lists.

I've found great new music on both of these sites.

Hopefully you're already sifting through your library for playlist gold, or logging on to hear something new.

In the words of Donna Meagle on Parks and Rec, "Treat yo'self!"











 

Hit Me in the Feels

My eyes are closed. I'm reclining. I drawn in a breath and hold it. I know what to expect.

"My eyes don't shed tears, but boy, they bawl when I'm thinkin' 'bout you," Christopher Breaux croons.

I can exhale. This time is just as painful as the first.

Christopher Breaux released Channel Orange under the name Frank Ocean 14 months ago.

Despite having heard track two, "Thinkin' Bout You," multiple times a day for nearly a year, I feel just as bad for the boy every time I listen to him sing about his rejected affections.

I know how you feel, Frank.

"Thinkin' Bout You" is one of a handful of songs that never fails to provoke an emotional response from me. From my face. Fine, from my tear ducts.

While I could go into a scientific explanation of why and how we as humans connect with music, I thought it would be more interesting to have people I know tell me what songs evoked emotion from them, and why.

Here are some of my findings:

Angela Schifani, a 22-year-old student and the music director at KLSU said The Soft Bulletin by The Flaming Lips was an album that she felt particularly strong about.

"It makes me feel positive and feel positive that I am creating a significant space in the universe. It's that kind of sound that says 'You are worth something, I am worth something, and we're all here for a reason,'" she explained. 

Having never heard The Soft Bulletin, it was hard for me to really imagine how Angela felt. She further explained that while the album was an equal mix of happy and sad songs, overall, "the sound is so beautiful and pleasant and it feels good. It's warm."  

Phil, a 22-year-old film director at Big Fish Presentations, said Darkness on the Edge of Town by Bruce Springsteen was important to him.

"It's awesome and reminds me of my dad introducing me to his music," Phil said.

While Phil's selection was based on a good memory, Angela's was based on a good feeling. 

Another answer I received focused on experiencing a range of feelings, rather than a specific pleasurable or positive one.

Ryan Hill, a 25-year-old chef at Whole Foods Market, said the song "Forever" by Papa Roach reminded him of the pain of loss, but also of the happiness that existed before a loss.

Another sentimental album for Ryan is Love Metal by HIM.

"Love Metal covers a spectrum of crushing loss all the way to a perfect happiness," Ryan said.

One friend, who I don't have permission to name, said the song "Same Love" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis gave him the strength to come out to his friends and family, and made him feel less alone in the world.

If that's not a reason to appreciate the power of music, I don't know what is.

By asking, "Is there a song or album that always hits you in the feels?" and getting respondents to explain their choice, I've found that just about everyone has some piece of music that makes them giddy, or melancholy, or appreciative, or inspired.

One Reddit forum in particular frequently tackles questions similar to the one I asked my friends. I could spend hours scouring comments and posts for the reasons people feel so strongly about different songs. 

(If you're interested, check it out here.)

What's special about music is it's ability to speak to each person differently.

Think about it, and tell me about a song that hits you in the feels. I'd love to hear what you have to say.

While I'm waiting on your responses, I'll be "thinkin' bout" all the other songs I want to share with you.