Listening To: Daydreaming Part 2

Way back in April I posted a Daydreaming playlist which received a really wonderful response from listeners. The original Daydreaming was just a small compilation from a much larger (142 tracks) playlist I have on my iTunes. Because you all loved the first installment so much I decided to work on a second, which is meant to pick up where the last playlist left off. Unfortunately three of the integral tracks aren't on Grooveshark and cannot be uploaded so it's not exactly how I wanted it. Regardless, it continues the in the same dreamy and mellow vein as the last playlist did. I started with some quiet pieces that highlighted guitar accompaniment, and then transitioned into songs backed by piano. While Daydreaming 1 was dominated by male vocalists I decided to use Daydreaming 2 to explore some of my favourite songstresses. Fear not: you'll still find some excellent Bon Iver, The National, and Beach House, but you'll also get a taste of Bat for Lashes, Florence and the Machine, Cat Power, Dido, and Neko Case.

I don't always get to give my playlists the individual attention they deserve, but for Daydreaming I go the extra mile. I challenge you not to fall in love.

Listening To: Waiting... Playlist

Time has a funny way of becoming infinitely slower when you're excited for something.  While my departure for Germany is approaching, it seems to be doing so at a rate comparable to the speed of a dead slug in midsummer.  So, in characteristic fashion I've put together a playlist that draws on the themes of waiting, time, tedium, and anticipation.  Oh, and I have good news!  I finally worked out my playlist difficulties, so you no longer have to follow the links.  Enjoy!

Listening To: Daydreaming Playlist

Hey everyone! So the very cool blogger Grayshades recently caught me up on how to post playlists. On that note, you really absolutely must check out his latest Mixtape Monday, which is totally prime. Anyway, seeing as I do a fair bit of music posting anyway, I figured this was probably a good idea. My Daydreaming playlist is probably what I listen to most often. The one on my iTunes is actually significantly longer than this (lots more Bon Iver and Beach House), but I figured I'd keep it short...ish. Plus, it took an unbelievably long time to organize the music so that it had good flow - something I've never bothered to do before. With that in mind I'll just add that it's way better if you listen to it start to finish, but as there are 50+ songs I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't. Anyway, hope you love this stuff as much as I do!

Listening To:

The Suburbs - Arcade Fire.  When This album first came out I heard good things about it and got the whole thing.  However, my eclectic musical taste kept me entertained with other genres for quite some time before I was able to really dedicate myself to hearing out The Arcade Fire.  When I finally did, The Suburbs slowly grew on me, to the point where today it's pretty much been on repeat.  Definitely worth a listen, and interesting lyrics too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Euj9f3gdyM

Good bye Lenin Soundtrack.  During my recent stint at summer school I was fortunate enough to take a History in Film class, where we screened Wolfgang Becker's Good bye Lenin (2003).  The movie itself was definitely worth seeing, but I was also drawn in by Yann Tiersen's score.  It's mostly piano, and it's pretty chill.  If you're into soundtracks at all definitely give it a shot.  If you're not into soundtracks then it's a nice way to ease into the genre.  Below I've linked one of my personal favourites.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKn9qW0IABw

Beach House.  I'm not going to list any particular song, because I love pretty much everything these two come up with.  If you really want the best of the best, go for Lover of Mine, Turtle Island, Zebra, Norway, Gila, and Master of None.  But I'm not kidding when I say it's all phenomenal.  Very chill, quite Indie.  You're welcome.
Lover of Mine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw5hkqTiAPI
Turtle Island: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVqd5KJVzNA
Zebra: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-wfb25WmV4
Norway: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHbtR8uO81M
Gila: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFxdDE0k1_Q
Master of None: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2YiUTh9dj4

Bon Iver.  Much like Beach House, Bon Iver isn't a one-song wonder.  I particularly like the sound of his For Emma, Forever Ago album.  Blood Bank, Roslyn (yeah that one's from a Twilight movie), Brackett WI, Wisconsin, and Blindsided are all winners.  If you like what you hear, give Woods a listen - the unaccompanied version that is - because definitely has charm.  If you love everything, I would also recommend Volcano Choir.  I haven't quiet discovered Volcano Choir's relationship to Bon Iver, but I think there's some membership crossover or something.  You get the idea.
Blindsided: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy3lJIxyZ60
Blood Bank: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=774mOmdKtZM
Roslyn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXp4gB-bgjs
Brackett WI: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAZAkHT2P2Q
Wisconsin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg1E66px0zU&playnext=1&list=PL0ACF7522DE30B420
Woods: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX9bn2QohFk&playnext=1&list=PL0ACF7522DE30B420