Spotify Me: A Brave New Playlist

Spotify Me: A Brave New Playlist

Mark’s Discover Weekly Playlist for 8/31/15

Article By Mark

The workings of this article (really this blog as a whole) began at some late hour in a Steak and Shake round about a year ago. My friend and Co-Writer on this site, Elizabeth, expressed her interest in starting a blog. Well one thing led to another and naturally we sat around for a year doing absolutely nothing. Just goes to show kids, some things only happen because you make them happen! So, you know, follow your dreams.

Since this is the first Rodeo, here is the premise. This is a weekly article. It focuses on the Discover Weekly Playlist feature that Spotify provides. Once a week, Lizz and I are going to choose 5 or 6 songs from our individual playlists and talk about them. Then, I eat an entire 3 lb. bag of gummy bears as a reward for “putting myself out there.” So lets get to it then:

Maps of Non-Existent Places
Produced by Evil Ink Records

Blood on the Radio – Thank you scientist

I don’t usually like getting longs songs on my playlist, they are usually slow and I grow bored with them before the song ends. And the ones that do manage to keep my attention have mood changes so great I often feel like I still listened to more than one song. This song however, is a rare gem. Somehow, the song kept me engaged by having diverse enough instrumentals and lyrics without ever actually changing the main feel of the song. I felt I was listening to rock for sure, but with a Latin feel that wanders just over the line into jazz. The upbeat tempo of the song drives for the full 9:24 minute song which is good. Often driving songs like this are short and to the point, leaving me wanting more at the end. This song lingered on a bit longer, which I liked. The only thing that bothers me about the song, is how at times the singers smooth voice seems to clash with the more rough and tumble instrumentals. But the song is still one I saved, and have been coming back to throughout the week.

Rave Tapes
Produced by Rock Action Records

Remurdered – Mogwai

The trick with electronic music is mixing in new sounds and melodies so that just when the listener is getting bored, something new draws them back in. “Remurdered” does a fantastic job of just that. The song makes me feel like I’m in a TRON world, but not like I’m listening to Daft Punk. The beat and melody keep a reasonable pace, laying down a mysterious and somewhat sinister tone. The song then moves into a louder section, while maintaining is slow but driving pace, and utilizes heavy distortion to add to the mysterious and robotic atmosphere. At times, a small hopeful melody is thrown into the mix, but it never stays around for very long. I listened to this song several times over the week; it’s very good driving music, especially at night. After listening to the song I will certainly be looking into the band further. “Remurdered” has certainly been a highlight of this week.

Top two Photos by Nathan Holt Photography 
Bottom Left Cover Photo by James Mitchell 
Fox Logo by Chris Sinclair

High Tide Rising – Fox

This song was familiar in the worst way when I first heard it. That itch you get when you know you have heard a song before but cannot place remotely where or when. A short bit of research revealed that this song was featured as “The Weather” in the Welcome to Night Vale Podcast (the episode is called “Renovations” for the interested). The song is rough and full of gritty distortion, perfect for exaggerating the defeatist attitude of the lyrics. There is a great instrumental segment of the song where the band walks the fine line between loud distortion and “noise for noise’s sake” in a great way, jumping between guitar styles. It’s great anger music, with a slow and deliberate beat that hammers away the entire song. “High Tide Rising” is an easy fit with Night Vale’s typical off brand style of music, and certainly one of my favorite songs of the week.

Ylvis Volume 1
Produced by Urheim Records

Mr. Toot – Ylvis

A song like this is not surprising coming from the band that brought us “What Does the Fox Say?” However, where the aforementioned song is pretty much just outright annoying after the first time you hear it, this song is more fun, and actually quite catchy. We the listeners are treated to the story of Mr. Toot, a legendary music man of Istanbul. This mysterious man who plays the “Toot” from the rooftops, uniting all those who listen regardless of status, goes on a classic tale of the rise and fall of a musical sensation. He is discovered, built up to major fame, and then falls when he is rejected as he explores his self-expression.  The first listen though was mostly just me, giggling at the work toot, because apparently I am a 5 year old. Then on the second listen through, I appreciated the song even more, for the more subtle jokes like when Mr. Toot upgrades to a “midi toot”. The song leaves the listener with a haunting message, that “though you can kill the man, you can never kill the toot.”

Bremen
Produced by Ron Robinson Jr.

 Breman – PigPen Theatre Co.

The first time I listened to this song, it kind of flew by my radar. I don’t know what happened, stress from work or a bad driver perhaps demanded my attention at the time. However, The second time it came around on the playlist, it demanded my attention. It tells a sweet story of a journey, which is matched perfectly by the blue grass kissed instrumentals. I am an absolute sucker for the Banjo, the Accordion, and the harmony in the voices. The song is sweet, and beautiful in a way that captures me. The arrangement is wonderful, the instrumentals, vocals, and lyrics all fit together like a puzzle, every piece complimenting the other for a truly touching effect.

(The album artwork in this article is not owned by the authors of this blog, but by the producers of the albums themselves.)