Righteous Melody Weave*

I'm going to pretend that the head honchos over at the iTunes HQ asked me to compile a list of my favorite songs for this year's summer. I'm allowed to pretend I'm a celebrity because it's 2011 and the internet rules the word and I already write a blog so I'm pretty much on the path to being "God" anyway. (The quicker route is Youtube, but I hate the sound of my voice so words it is.) As your new leader in this world, the first promise I intend to keep is letting everyone continue to be pretty lazy. And with that, all the song titles are clickable links to youtube videos, in case you feel inspired to listen to any of the songs I recommend (pro tip: right click link, open in new tab). And you better, for as soon as I fix my crystal ball and my smiting powers arrive in the mail, I'll be sure to punish all readers who don't listen to at least one of these songs! 

1. This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody) - Talking Heads

Very relaxing, almost tropical? Also, a good playlist should always have at least one song by Talking Heads (or The Cure). Fact. 

2. Never Let You Go - Third Eye Blind

Another throwback, but sooooo good. Easily a "play-on-repeat"-er. Third Eye Blind has the ability, like Sugar Ray, to recall sunny and beachy images in my mind. It makes me want to crack open a weak beer like a Corona and lay in a hammock. 

3. So Nice (Summer Samba) - Marcos Valle

Climb aboard a yacht and get ready to cruise back to the late Brazilian sixties, when life was amazing. It had to be amazing, because this song is amazing. (Ugh, I couldn't find the actual song on youtube, so I'm forced to give you a link to a lame, lame version. Don't bother clicking. Just download on itunes/ steal off internet.)

4. I Love Clothes (Deadbeat Summer) - Childish Gambino

First, an awesome song by Neon Indian...about summer! (A bit too on the nose?) Second, Donald Glover rapping over it? Yes please and forever. Imagine yourself floating around in the pool from the Stacy's Mom video and/or The Graduate, totally bad ass. Plastics!

5. Our Deal - Best Coast

I feel like I've shown this video to quite a few people, but I'm just not done drooling over it all. My good friend Adam and I decided that this song is very "'driving up the coast'-y" (aka summery).

6. Can You Tell - Ra Ra Riot

Now, every single song by this band is like the best song ever. No joke. RRR is all I've been listening to since summer has started. It's alternative rock but then there are these girls who play amazing string instruments? I'm doing the math in my head right now and, yup, the best. I chose Can You Tell because lyrics, beats, love. 

Reblogging: Thom Yorke & "Whip My Hair"

So, this was featured on my all-time favorite blog, Videogum. As you all probably know, because you guys are like super hip-and-happening, Radiohead just released a new album and a new music video (whatever that is). And then, because blogging, tweeting, and general interneting are fasting that the speed of light, the music video of Thom Yorke dancing has been edited and set it to CrAxYYY music. And it's HILARIOUS, I guess. I'm not sure what to think because I don't really care that much about Radiohead for some reason. But I'm just kind of talking about it because I feel like it's the cool thing to do. But it is pretty amusing that he dances to "Whip My Hair." Anyway, this is for you, cool people... I'm just going to stay inside and listen to old Brand New, cause I'm so not with it.

The Story Behind Reszo Seress' Gloomy Sunday

So I was trying to find the perfect music to help set the scene for a future filled with despair & Jersey Shore books (see below) when I came across Gloomy Sunday by Reszo Seress, a Hungarian composer.

 This song is interesting because of the number of urban legends behind it. Essentially, this song is said to have caused a large number of suicides. The video, after the jump, gives a detailed (and somewhat romanticized) account of Seress' song and its effects. It is certainly an interesting and morbid read, which is why I am blogging about it, but I don't know how much of it is true.