I've been trying to get my son into listening to music, but the only time that I can really play him stuff without distractions is just before he goes to bed. So out goes anything that will get him boogie-ing as I try to get him to go to bed. So, I've had to work on playlists that were interesting, and yet soothing. So here's my take on a bedtime selection for my son that of course neatly fits into my usual twilight playlists...
1.
Straumnes -
Sigur Rós
i've actually gone off Sigur Rós for quite a while now until their new album, the unpronounceable
Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust. Its a quiet number as you would want such playlists to begin with. barely there before it dissipates into the ether.
2.
Holidays To Wales -
July Skies
I've been frankly stuck on July Skies for a while now these past few months. And this is another of their floating gossamer pieces that usually sends my son off to dreamland before its over. Which kinda makes the remaining numbers redundant, I know.
3.
Some Things Don't Matter -
Ben Watt
Although he's better known as half of
Everything but the Girl who today are better known for their housey-dancey numbers. But long ago, he was more of a folky strumming out numbers such as this on his solo album released on Cherry Red in the early 80s before EBTG were even formed. For fans of early EBTG, you'll find this familiar ground as Ben plays a slightly off-kilter bossa groove, plucking that guitar effortlessly while crooning like an Anglo-phile Chet Baker.
4.
Runner -
Dustin O'Halloran
As you would expect from a playlist such as this, there are a fair few instrumental numbers. This one is something from Dustin O'Halloran that I've fallen under the hypnotic spell of. the circular repetitive patterns entrance and engage you. A cinematic landscape that rises out from the simplicity of the lilting piano juxtaposed against the gentle strains of the violin.
5.
The room, Tarzana -
The Radio Dept.
They've easily been one of my favourite bands over the last couple of years, developing ever more engaging textures as their sound evolve. Simple and yet it builds this yearning sense, tugging at you.
6.
Chameleon -
Broken Social Scene Presents: Brendan Canning
After catching them live earlier this year, I've a new found sense of respect and fascination for
Broken Social Scene. Brendan Canning is the next in the band to have his own release, and this release by him shows that Canning is the one who provides the quieter edge to earlier BSS releases. Chameleon is a slow-burner. Taking a long time before it launches off, but when it does, there's this simple rising beauty. As he adds layers and layers (echoing guitars, gentle rat-a-tat of the snare, horns, keyboards) onto the sound while building to a crescendo at the climax. At the same time, it never loses this arctic cool sheen and doesn't descend into a mess with all that's going on. This is a current favourite that I haven't tired of yet.
7.
Early Longing -
The Bridal Shop
The Bridal Shop aren't exactly the kind of band you would normally think of in a playlist such as this, but Early Longing has just that right amount of cool ethereal quality (that somehow, the cheesy cries of seagulls helps to enhance) that makes it fit in as it glides along.
8.
All Cats Are Grey -
The Cure
Which brings us nicely to the ice-cold All Cats are Grey. This is the side of The Cure that so many have long fallen in love with. Brooding and glacial. The guitars take a backseat to the hum of the keyboards as Robert Smith mumbles his way through. Grey indeed.
9.
Willow -
The Field Mice
The Field Mice has a huge following. Many non-believers would accuse them of being bedroom miserablists, just whining about the girl on the bus. But how can you not be drawn into their sincere simplicity. Willow is quite simply one of my favourite tracks by them, and I honestly hope that my son grows to love it as well.
10.
Some Kinda Love -
The Velvet Underground
How nicely incongruent for The Field Mice to be followed by VU. Both from seemingly different worlds, yet they occupy this space in my brain that says they're wonderful contrasts. From the gentle yearning of Willow to the hushed proto-rap of Lou Reed as he sings about Magarita and Tom. Its minimalist, yet slightly langourously sinister.
11.
Wild Is the Wind -
Cat Power
Before she had greater crossover appeal as a result of her version of I have Found The Reason being a pivotal moment on V for Vendetta, Cat Power made these dark and icy pieces of twilight snapshots. She's taken a number that Nina Simone owned, into something thats starkly all hers now. Just her vocals and a solitary piano.
12.
Falling From Trees -
At Swim Two Birds
This is the solo project of Robert Quigley of
The Montgolfier Brothers and it doesn't stray a million miles from what they are so good at. Spacious and contemplative, with recurring motifs of guitar patterns, its another of those hypnotic pieces that usually manages to lull my son to nod off. But for those who do pay attention, it pays off as the track builds, while simultaneously winds down a cul-de-sac.
13.
To The Workers Of The Rockford Valley Region, I Have An Idea Concerning Your Predicament
Sufjan Stevens Illinoise album had so much on it that you sometimes missed moments. Short simple ones such as this. The track title probably takes longer to read then the song lasts. Blink your eye and you'll miss this.
14.
Moment -
Peter Broderick
Another instrumental that builds pictures in your head. I stumbled on Broderick just listening to stuff on Last.fm radio one day and he seemed to have the same idea as Dustin O'Halloran and Sakamoto. Simple piano lines winding through a simple and beautiful melody. Somewhere in my heart, I hope and wish that all this will sink into my son's head and maybe he might pick up the piano and play me something as simple and pure as this.
15.
Opus -
坂本龍一
Since I had Broderick, I had to place it against the unassuming magic of Sakamoto himself. Opus is lush without coming across as overblown. Zen.
16.
A million times Ms. John Soda
As part of the same scene thats brought us The Notwist and Lali Puna, comes Ms. John Soda. In much the same vein as their fellow Germans. This is what you can manage with keyboards, cool and warm at the same time.
17.
In a Manner of Speaking Tuxedomoon
Nouvelle Vague's cover of this brought the band to my attention. This has that right amount of twilight darkness mixed with the tenderness you would want for that twinge of emotional connection.
18.
Mistress -
Red House Painters
Mark Kozelek depresses my wife, but he writes, plays and sings these amazingly melancholic songs that makes your heart well with all kinds of emotions. Mistress (the piano version) is one of his finest moments.
19.
Shenandoah -
Keith Jarrett
Keith Jarrett is a new discovery for me, introduced to me by my good friend here on last.fm, newkid7. I've found out that Jarrett is a perfectionist that can be a real pain at times, but that doesn't change the fact that Shenandoah is a wondrous song. Its another piano piece, but quite different from what the other three pianist above do. He embellishes while the others try to achieve minimalism. Jarrett's playing is more florid, and more overtly emotionally engaging. And Shenandoah engages you from start to finish. At my weakest moments, this song has brought a tear to my eyes.
20.
Albatross -
Fleetwood Mac
This song might be overused, cliched and downright old and stale. But its still gloriously magnificent. I remember first hearing this as a 12 year-old and imagining myself soaring across skies when I close my eyes. It still has that effect on me.
21.
To My Love -
July Skies
To close, I've gone with this. Its the sound of melancholia and nostalgia. Pefectly meshed, and utterly simple.
So there. A strange mix of music that I subject my two year-old son to on a regular basis. I'm hoping it doesn't mess him up too bad.
Please drop me a line if you wanna hear how the whole thing goes...
Ms. John Soda
