new(er) mood

new year - new resolutions? new plans? new hopes?
sure.
but mostly, new playlist with current music fixations!

i have a new playlist entitled "newer mood" that i'm currently lovin'. so here's some of what's been spinning round and round on my ipod....

thanks to friend billy's amazing music blog, i've discovered a few bands occupying comfortable slots on my playlist. included are:

matt and kim have a fun and upbeat sound that catch your ear and get your foot tapping. check out "lessons learned."

noah and the whale. "blue skies" had me at the drop of the drum beat and first few chords.

phoenix plays brilliant pop. "girlfriend" is great for dancing around the apartment.

other bands that have been around but i'm just getting around to (cut me some slack. i'm old and i live in china.):

owl city. just missed his performance here in shanghai! i love the crowd pleaser "fireflies". and the song "umbrella city" makes me feel like i can fly.....or be a video game champ.

kings of leon. the first few measures of "use somebody" is absolutely stellar.

i love, love, LOVE ingrid michaelson. discovered her from "gray's anatomy" soundtracks. i can't get enough of "you and i". then again, i'm a sucker for anything with a ukulele.

the avett brothers. yes, i'll gladly jump aboard the new folk wave and confess my love for the avett brothers.

i came across "neverends" by vijay kishore on a compilation album i downloaded. this is simply a lovely swoon of a song. great listen for when you have an achin' heart.

i think it was off the same compilation album that i found ben howard's "cloud nine." intriguing guitar, great voice. i love melancholy love songs.

and a couple of sweet little ditties for the softer side. i've been listening to mindy smith for years and love her airy and sweet-as-whipped-frosting voice. "it really is (a wonderful life)" was a free holiday download from amazon and though christmas is over, i am still adamantly listening to this song. makes me feel like i'm walking through some snowy wonderland, sipping hot chocolate, making snow angels, holding hands and getting warm fuzzies. love it.

another lovey-dovey song without teetering into complete saccharine sappiness: sam & ruby's "this i know." jazzy instrumentals coupled with ruby's slightly raspy vocals and sam's tinge of a twang. feel-good stuff.

finally, some great recommendations from good friend and music fiend oli:

caravan palace! it's like 1920s swing jazz on acid. it works and it's absolutely brilliant. "dragons" especially gets my heart pumping and my groove on.

mumford & sons. wow. wow, wow, wow. talented musicians, and a commitment to honest and raw lyrics. they are quickly becoming one of my favorite bands.

there are a few more, but these top the list.

any other recommendations for a new playlist?


cups of coffee: 1 and a nice cup of yerba mate

mood: tiiiiiiiiired but happy