“Only one of these songs is NOT a Disney song” Mini Challenge

July 28, 2020 — Leave a comment

9 of these songs are Disney songs and 1 of them is not. Have a listen to this selection and see if you could spot the non Disney song without looking at the album covers (Spotify playlist provided below). Even when you figure out which song is the non Disney song, it’s still pretty unbelievable that some of these songs are Disney songs.

“Only one of these songs is NOT a Disney song” Playlist
1.) “Derezzed” – Daft Punk
2.) “Destiny” – Louise Warren
3.) “Sanctuary (Opening)” – Utada
4.) “In a World of My Own/Very Good Afternoon” – Jhene Aiko
5.) “Down to Earth” – Peter Gabriel
6.) “Pretend” – Scott Porter and the Glory Dogs
7.) “So Close” – Jon McLaughlin
8.) “Never Knew I Needed” – Ne-Yo
9.) “A Whole New World” – Yuna
10.) “How Does a Moment Last Forever” – Celine Dion

Answer (highlight):
Number 6 is from the film Bandslam which is not a Disney film
1.) “Derezzed” – Daft Punk – from the film TRON: Legacy
2.) “Destiny” – Louise Warren – the musical theme for Mission Space (EPCOT ride)
3.) “Sanctuary (Opening)” – Utada – the theme song for Kingdom Hearts II (the video game)
4.) “In a World of My Own/Very Good Afternoon” – Jhene Aiko – Cover of the Alice in Wonderland songs
5.) “Down to Earth” – Peter Gabriel – from the film Wall E.
6.) “Pretend” – Scott Porter and the Glory Dogs – from the film Bandslam
7.) “So Close” – Jon McLaughlin – from the film Enchanted
8.) “Never Knew I Needed” – Ne-Yo – from the film Princess and the Frog
9.) “A Whole New World” – Yuna – Cover of the song from Aladdin
10.) “How Does a Moment Last Forever” – Celine Dion – from the live action remake of Beauty and the Beast

CakeInTheRain206: 10 Favorite Albums of 2019

December 15, 2019 — Leave a comment

10 – [USA] by Anamanaguchi
I heard about this album from an Instagram post by one of my favorite artists, Porter Robinson. I gave it a listen and fell in love. It’s dance music. It’s chiptune. It’s music in the same vein as Kero Kero Bonito, Porter Robinison and Madeon. I’m excited to see them when they come to the Crocodile in March.

9 – WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO by Billie Eilish
It’s hard to describe what makes this album so interesting. It’s like a combination of the best versions of the music tropes of 2019. At times it’s like listening to ASMR, while other times it feels like mumble rap, and then out of no where she’s sampling “The Scarn”. The quality I enjoy most about Billie Eilish is that she credits her brother, Finneas, for co -writing the bulk of her songs. It’s admirable that she lets people know about his contribution.

8 – Four of Arrows by Great Grandpa
When my brother told me that Great Grandpa put out one of the best albums of the year, I was pretty skeptical. I like Great Grandpa (pictured above), I’ve seen them perform at least 4 separate times, but a contender for album of the year? I sat down, listened to the album and was pleasantly surprised. Four of Arrows comes out of no where and can easily contend with the best albums of 2019. It’s a little cliché, but this album sounds like a band coming into their own, and finding their own sound.

7 – Bandana by Freddie Gibbs & Madlib
When it comes to hip hop, I’m not a fan of mumble rap or a lot of modern non lyric/flow driven artists. I like artists that can spit, have a somewhat cohesive message, and have a back beat that folks can get down to. This album is smooth. The beats, samples, and production of Madlib back the great lyrical style of Freddie Gibbs. Bandana stands as one of the best rap albums in recent memory. I highly suggest checking out their NPR Tiny Desk Concert.

6 – On the Line by Jenny Lewis
This album feels personal. It’s as if Jenny Lewis wanted to indirectly send messages to loved ones in relatable songs that feel like a friend reminiscing. The song structures, although fairly simplistic, are generally sweet. The album is really just easy going music that doesn’t feel overwhelmed by production. The lyrics and Lewis’ voice are the showcase here.

5 – Titanic Rising by Weyes Blood
I’ve always been a fan singer songwriters. This album sounds like a 70’s singer songwriter reminiscent of Karen Carpenter or Janis Ian decided to write an album describing being a young adult today and also the direness some of the “crisis” our generation has seemingly grown up with. There are so many songs folks from my generation can relate to while listening to this album. As time goes by, this will be an album folks will point to as a snapshot of what life was like for young adults right now, a mix of burnout and hopefulness.

4 – Champion by Bishop Briggs
I don’t think there is any other way to describe this album than a quote from National Public Radio’s (NPR) All Songs Considered podcast. In a review of the album, the host said “This is a breakup record and there’s kind of two directions you can go with a breakup record – you can go very, very inward or you can go very, very outward. I think she finds a way to do both. She’s able to tap into feelings of hurt and loss and pain, but channel them into these big, very empowerment-focused anthems that just shout from the rafters. She manages to make a very rousing statement out of personal pain.”

3 – Father of the Bride by Vampire Weekend
This album feels like a Vampire Weekend reboot 6 years in the making. The album has a lot of nature references, which I don’t recall being as prevalent in their previous albums. The album also feels very future centric, and looking towards what’s next. It serves as an aspirational and a hopeful vision of tomorrow.

2 – Lux Prima by Karen O & Danger Mouse
This album sounds as if Danger Mouse heard there was a new James Bond film coming down the pike, and decided I would love to score that new movie, Karen O can provide vocals, here’s a demo of what we can offer. The production on this album is astounding. It really does sound like high budget film score. This is an album you put on when you want to relax with a cocktail.

1 – Cuz I Love You by Lizzo
You can’t deny how big of a star Lizzo has become in 2019 and this album proves it. The one word I would use to describe this album, positivity. This album is empowering and just brimming with feminist laced positive energy. Lizzo took her life experiences and laid out for listeners how she uses those to drive her forward. It’s a feel good album that has so many danceable hits that I wouldn’t be surprised if we heard songs from this album used commercially in ads and in regular rotation in nightclub mixes for years to come.

Honorable Mentions:
– Devour You by Starcrawler – This album feels like a sample of what it’s like seeing Starcrawler perform live, just youthful controlled sexy rock chaos.
– This Mess is a Place by TacocaT – Only TacocaT can make pointed criticisms seem so danceable and fun. This album feels like a hopeful yet fully aware snapshot of the time we currently live in.
– There Existed an Addiction to Blood by clipping. – You have to show love to clipping. and this audio vampire story released around the Halloween season.
– Dedicated by Carly Rae Jepsen – If you would have told me in 2012 that in 2019, Carly Rae Jepsen would release a better pop album than Taylor Swift, I would have thought you were crazy, but between the two releases, Jepsen’s Dedicated is a better album than Swift’s Lover.
– Of the Deep Mystery by The Comet is Coming – You have to see these guys live. It’s Jazz. It’s Dance Music. It’s rhythm that just doesn’t stop. My favorite track Summon the Fire sounds like if Jazz and Techno had a child in an afro futuristic space station.

(Spotify Playlist with 10 songs from my 10 favorite albums)

The Beatles Playlist

October 26, 2019 — Leave a comment

Recently I saw the film “Yesterday”. I enjoyed it. It was like a reminder to music fans how important The Beatles were not only to music but to the world. If anything, it kind of downplayed their importance to music and entertainment, and really showed how important The Beatles were to general life and pop culture. My favorite knock against the film is that it doesn’t demonstrate how the main character ended up being one of the few people who can remember The Beatles. If this happened in real life to an average joe, the person would either do what the character in “Yesterday” did which was go along with it and hopefully gain from that knowledge, or he could have gone the alternate route and spent his time and limited resources trying to figure out how it happened. The far more interesting route was what occurred in the film, but I could imagine a storyline where the lead character is going from scientist to scientist or government officials, explaining his story, and being laughed at for believing this alternate reality. I liked “Yesterday” because it was a fun story, which inspired this “Beatles” playlist.

The Beatles Playlist
1.) Dear Prudence
2.) Free as a Bird
3.) While My Guitar Gently Weeps (LOVE mix)
4.) Yesterday (First performance)
5.) For No One
6.) The Ballad of John and Yoko
7.) I Will
8.) Real Love
9.) Walk With You (by Ringo Starr with Paul McCartney)
10.) Love by John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band

“Is This Disco?” Playlist

September 12, 2019 — Leave a comment

Supposedly the date that marks when disco died was July 12, 1979. At Comiskey Park, as part of a promotional stunt for a radio station, a local radio host had his listeners bring disco records to a double header baseball game with the intent of blowing them up. The plan was to fill a crate with the records and blow them up between games. The host followed through with the stunt, and the ensuing explosion was so large it damaged the field. The crowd was in such a frenzy, they stormed the field and a riot ensued within the stadium. The crowd had to be dispersed by Chicago PD who arrived in full riot gear. In all 39 people were arrested for disorderly conduct.

The best part of the story, 30 years later Disco/Dance music is still going strong.

“Is This Disco?” Playlist
1.) “1973” – James Blunt
2.) “Everything Now” – Arcade Fire
3.) “MacArthur Park” – Donna Summer
4.) “Julien” – Carley Rae Jepsen
5.) “Never Can Say Goodbye” – Gloria Gaynor
6.) “More Than A Woman” – The BeeGees
7.) “Kill the Lights” – Alex Newell, Jess Glynne, DJ Cassidy, and Nile Rodgers
8.) “Get Lucky” – Daft Punk, Pharrell, and Nile Rodgers
9.) “Dim All the Lights” – Donna Summer
10.) “Don’t Leave Me This Way” – Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes

“Fantasy Love” Playlist

September 4, 2019 — Leave a comment

This week’s playlist is a meditation on my favorite quote from artist Andy Warhol:

“Fantasy Love is much better than Reality Love. Never doing it is very exciting. The most exciting attractions are between two opposites that never meet.”

This playlist is dedicated the Fantasy Love.

(Answer to last week’s playlist, the non Disney song was: 6.) “Pretend” – Scott Porter and the Glory Dogs)

“Fantasy Love” Playlist
1.) “Black Sheep” – The Evil Exes
2.) “Life in Technicolor II” – Coldplay
3.) “Sahara Love” – Above and Beyond feat. Zoe Johnson
4.) “Late Night Feelings” – Mark Ronson feat. Lykke Li
5.) “Love you Lately” – Daniel Powter
6.) “Macy’s Day Parade” – Green Day
7.) “Cleopatra” – The Lumineers
8.) “It’s Too Late” – Carole King
9.) “You Let Me Down” – OK SWEETHEART
10.) “I Love You Always Forever” – Betty Who

“What the Punk are you listening to?” Playlist 8/20/19

August 22, 2019 — Leave a comment

For this playlist I felt like last week’s was a little too light and I wanted something with more edge, so I checked my iPod for the last 10 Punk songs I listened to. I arranged them in a way I felt was appropriate and here they are.

“What the Punk are you listening to?” Playlist
1.) “I Remember” – Bully
2.) “Monsoon Rock” – Amyl and the Sniffers
3.) “Wasted Nun” – Cherry Glazerr
4.) “Pills” – Beverly Crusher
5.) “Vicky Crown” – Murphy’s Law
6.) “Bet My Brains” – Starcrawler
7.) “Savage 512” – BBQT
8.) “Big Sin” – MONSTERWATCH
9.) “Got you” – Amyl and the Sniffers
10.) “Whatever – Live” – The Frights

Discover at your Desk Playlist 8/13/19

August 13, 2019 — Leave a comment

I get asked often at my day job, “You’re dancing at your desk, what are you listening to?”.

As a way to help share the music that makes me move, I decided to make a rotating 10 song playlist featuring songs that make me dance at my desk. The playlist will feature bands you’ve probably never heard of, local bands you’ve seen on posters, songs from popular bands you may have overlooked, and every now and again a throwback song that you may have forgotten from a performer’s past.

If you’re looking for a new song, artist, or album suggestion, this playlist is for you.

If you want an opportunity to brag to your friends that you heard an artist before they went mainstream, this playlist is for you.

And most importantly, if you want to know what music is making me dance at my desk at my day job, this playlist is for you.

This weeks 10 song playlist (Spotify Playlist included below):
1.) “You Don’t Love Me” – Wilderado
2.) “29” – Run River North
3.) “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free” – John Legend & The Roots
4.) “Party Police” – Alvvays
5.) “Florida Key” – The New Basement Tapes
6.) “Do You Feel This Way” – Kailee Morgue feat Whethan
7.) “4ever” – Youryoungbody
8.) “Strange Embrace” – Kitten
9.) “Graves” – CHVRCHES
10.) “The Town” – Macklemore