Summer, if we must.
By EstherC • Jun 21st, 2009 • Category: OKR Articles, mixes
Past a certain age, I stopped getting excited about summer. Everyone I know goes absolutely nuts over it too. Gargantuan outdoor festivals, flip flops, and getting a tan, it’s all beyond me (I also happen to be an Asian with freckles, I’m a little bitter). It’s just another season of the rest of our lives! Summer vacation is a thing of the past! Summer’s great for the first few weeks, but it’s a major turn off walking to work in 90+ degree weather for the fourth day in a row. Throw in some steaming piles of sidewalk garbage and that 100-pound model over there wearing a pillowcase for a dress, and I’m ready to call the whole thing off. Summer? Fuck that guy.
While I realize that I’m turning into the youngest(ish) crotchety old man ever, I’ve been asked to put together a playlist of summer songs…and a playlist of summer songs you shall receive. Hopefully, you’ll be able to appreciate it, even if you think us year-round hot coffee drinkers are dumb. The following is a combination of mostly old, kind of old, and new favorites that I will likely be listening to until I can wear my beloved layers again.
1. “Lessons Learned” by Matt & Kim – A song for all of the promise that late spring/ early summer holds.
2. “Sold!” by Enon – Enon + blips and boops = summer.
3. “Mary” by All – For those of you lucky enough to have an automobile to drive your pampered ass around in for the summer, this song by 3/4 of The Descendents is most effective with the windows rolled down and the dial turned up to 11. Better yet, turn it up to 12.
4. “Rapture” by Pedro The Lion – I’m pretty sure that hot weather conjures up the sinner in everyone, no?
5. “Liquid Indian” by Guided By Voices – At times dark and gloomy, but when the keyboards and harmonies chime in at the chorus, you’ll realize why this is one of my favorites off of Do The Collapse.
6. “Deer Hunting Camp 17″ by Anni Rossi – I reviewed this album back in March, and made special mention of “Deer Hunting Camp 17″ for encapsulating the essence of summer in a bloated July.
7. “Butterfly Nets” by Bishop Allen – Sparse, lonely, and incredibly lovely.
8. “On Some Faraway Beach” by Brian Eno – I should credit my sister here, who was the first to coin this track a “late night road trip driving song”. Ever since, at every listen, it makes me want to take off towards that wherever that may be.
9. “Here” by Pavement – I’m not breaking any ground here, but can you think of a better song to listen to when it’s nice out and you’re sitting on a rooftop a little too late at night and a little too many in?
10. “May Day!” by Elvis Perkins - Regardless of the title, regardless of the content, I’m going to quantify this track as an end-of-summer song.
11. “Cherry Tulips” (TJ Lipple Remix) by Headlights – If you’re wondering, I picked the track from Remixes for the extra kick. I picked Headlights because Erin Fein’s vocals make me want to put on a sundress and do cartwheels in the park. You need that sometimes, when no one’s looking.
12. “Everything That Happens” by David Byrne & Brian Eno – Yes, this is Brian Eno’s second appearance on this list but the man’s shit glimmers. I love him. I hear that David Byrne guy is okay too.
13. “Nowheres Nigh” by Parts & Labor – If you do nothing else this summer, give 2008′s Receivers a listen. Then go listen to Mapmakers.
Great mix! Also, I too love layers, just finished my second cup of steaming hot coffee, and cherish my pasty pale skin. Come on Fall!!!
I second the great mix comment…. and who here doesn’t like summer… with tourists and their stinky pits on the public trans.