SONGS TO STIFLE SEASONAL SORROW

 As what once was frozen begins to melt and winter slides into spring, many are affected by damp spirits and soaked shoes. Music therapy is a surefire cure for seasonal sorrow. So if you're saddened by the elusiveness of sunny springtime weather; snuggle up with these sanguine songs.

You'll Find A Way by Santigold

 Santi White and John Hill originally recorded under the pseudonym Santogold but swapped an "O" for the "I" after the threat of a lawsuit from the makers of the 1985 movie Santo Gold's Blood Circus. Their eponymous debut album is awash with feel good anthems. Also see Lights Out, Unstoppable and Say Aha.




Lasso by Phoenix

 This French outfit first assembled as cover band playing in bars and cafes. After adopting their current moniker, the band, led by Thomas Mars who is married to Sofia Coppola, got a gig as Air's backing band. Their album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix beat out the likes of Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Depeche Mode to claim the 2010 Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album. I would say the album is more electronic than alternative; yet the optimistic offerings Phoenix delivers remain winners regardless of genre. Also see Girlfriend and 1901.

No Nostalgia by AgesandAges

 This seven member band from Portland, Oregon released their debut album, Alright, You Restless, last month. Their jam band sound and sing-a-long style makes for songs that are as secure and warm as a group bear hug. While they maintain they are not a cult, they are hoping their rapidly increasing fan base will organize as one. I imagine they would be devotees of hand claps and harmonies.

Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective

 The collaborative and experimental group known as Animal Collective has been kicking around for a decade. Yet it was their most recent album, The Merriweather Post Pavilion, that proved to be the roar heard around the world. The band's four members, Avey Tare (David Porter), Deakin (Josh Dibb), Geologist (Brian Weitz) and Panda Bear (Noah Lennox), are fluid with their contributions. All have side and/or solo projects but Animal Collective remains the most successful of all of their musical outfits.

Don't Give Up by Noisettes

 Don't Give Up is a feel good track which can also act as motivational music. Noisettes fuse funk, punk, rock and soul into a truly original sound. Their 2007 debut What's the Time Mr. Wolf? made in on to my best of '07 list. Their follow up Wild Young Hearts while more soulful than rock is still strong enough to merit a listen.

Golden Phone by Micachu & the Shapes

 Highly unorthodox Mica Levi has captivated audiences in her native UK by utilizing extraordinary instruments such as a vacuum cleaner and broken bottles. Superstar fans of hers include Bjork and Animal Collective. While Mica says she's "not totally behind" her debut album Jewellery, English music fans lapped up the album like kindergartners slurping spilled cola. When Jewellery wasn't nominated for the Mercury Prize an outpouring of criticism slammed the nomination process. Regardless of the controversy, no one can deny that Golden Phone is a song that will warm up the dampest of spirits.




Multiply & Divide by the Soviettes

 The band's name came from a "tip" a customer gave singer/guitarist Annie Holoien as she waited tables in St. Paul, Minnesota. In lieu of payment he offered the name The Soviettes for her band. That was a decade ago and after three well received LPs, the band went on semi-permanent hiatus in 2006.
Their music is usually short and speedy and at the height of their popularity the foursome managed to perform in all fifty states in a span of three months. Their myspace page hints that they may reassemble for shows; as they did in 2010.
After the Soviettes' hiatus Holoien and Danny Henry formed Awesome Snakes. Holoien recently joined The God Dam Doo Wop Band and Maren "Sturgeon" Macosko plays in The Gateway District. Suzy Sharp is now the bass player for That's Incredible. 

This Twist by Roxy Epoxy & the Rebound 

 Roxy Epoxy's Bandaids on Bullet Holes is made up of unusual, upbeat, new wave-inspired tracks guaranteed to put the listener in a good mood. For more about former Epoxies member Roxy Epoxy see my post on anti-social songs. Also check out Roxy's Ego Hour, her radio show on KPSU, Portland's college radio station.

Hardcore Girls by The Count & Sinden featuring Rye Rye 

 Perhaps best known as MIA's protege, the remarkably refreshing Rye Rye's career got a jump start when she left rap on DJ Blaqstarr's voicemail. Dubstep and grime producers The Count and Sinden tapped her for this single and also co-produced her forthcoming debut Go! Pop! Bang! along with Diplo, Blaqstarr and MIA. 

I Feel Alive by 33Hz

 The members of NYC's 33Hz love disco (and cheesy video effects, see below.) Their electro-heavy sound may have played better decades ago, yet this strobe-lit song still has the power to perk up sagging spirits.

Ba Ba BaBa Ba Ba Well Anyway by Oh No Ono

 This Danish band's style is deviant and daring. Malthe Fischer's vocals definitely diverge from what would be considered the norm for North American music listening audiences. His frightening falsetto might turn some people off, but if you prefer uncommonly hyper arrangements, Oh No Ono's 2006 album Yes may be what you've been seeking. Their most recent album, Egg, was released last year.

My Rainbow Valley by Dolly Mixture

 Formed in 1978 in Cambridge, Dolly Mixture was first conceived as a joke. Three teenage schoolmates, Debsy Wykes, Hester Smith and Rachel Bor, loved the dreamy sounds of the '60s and as a response to the popularity of post-punk decided to tell people they were in whimsical pop band. When they began receiving requests for live performances, the girls picked up instruments and began practicing in earnest. They found some success backing Captain Sensible yet they released just one full length album, 1983's Demonstration Tapes. My Rainbow Valley is typical of Dolly Mixture's gleeful sound. If you can overcome the cooing backing vocals the track will subtly slap you with a sweet smile.

SEVEN SONGS FOR THE ANTI-SOCIAL

 As winter begins its slow icy slink many of us are less likely to venture out to socialize. While you may not be succumbing to sociopathic traits, if the chill is keeping you in then curl up with these seven cordial songs. Anti-social anthems for those are alone; by option or otherwise.

Afraid of Everyone by The National from High Violet (2010)

 The National may have broken through with this year's High Violet, however this is the quartet's fifth effort. Originating in Ohio, the band is made up of two sets of brothers, Scott and Bryan Devendorf and Aaron and Bryce Dessner, along with deep-voiced singer Matt Berninger. I enjoy this album, but it makes me afraid that this track was featured on the show with some of the worst acting ever recorded. 




I Don't Want To Be Friends With You by The Shop Assistants from The Shop Assistants (Will Anything Happen) (1986)

 Although they produced great tracks like this one and Ace of Spades, Scottish '80s band the Shop Assistants failed to make a lasting impression on music listening audiences. Perhaps this is because their original, terrible, name was Buba and the Shop Assistants. Their self-titled album spent one week at #100 on the UK album charts, giving the band the distinction of being one of the least successful acts to ever hit the national charts.




Get Me Out of Here by The Muffs from Narduar Compilation/Hamburger (1991/1999)

 Kim Shattuck and company have been kicking around the pop punk scene for close to twenty years. More punk than pop, Get Me Out of Here is lo-fi, abrasive and was the band's first released recording. The song initially appeared on a compilation put together by curious Canadian journalist Narduar, 1991's Narduar the Human Serviette Presents Clam Chowder & Ice Vs Big Macs and Bombers, and then on the rarities album Hamburger.
"Not bad for a four track recording. I only regret the awful Guitar Center reverb on the vocal," Shattuck wrote in Hamburger's liner notes.
The Muffs recently completed a tour of Europe and are close to releasing a follow up to 2005's Really Really Happy.




Gotta Gettaway by Stiff Little Fingers from Nobody's Heroes (1980)

 Frequently referred to as "The Irish Clash," Stiff Little Fingers began as Highway Star until these Belfast boys discovered punk and changed their name in honour of the Vibrators. Gravel-voiced singer Jake Burns is the only "finger" (I assume he would be the middle one) to remain through out the band's history. Many critics have been dismayed by the band's release of numerous live and compilation albums in recent years, however Burns announced in 2007 that an album of new material is in the works. Listen to the album version of Gotta Gettaway here.




Stop Looking At Me by Epoxies from Epoxies (2002)

  Roxy Epoxy of the Portland "robot garage rock" band Epoxies may have an aversion to prying peepers, yet it's hard not to look when the music sounds so sweet. Formed in 2000, their self-titled debut touches on subjects such as consumerism, war and futurism and includes new wave-inspired tracks like Bathroom Stall, Molded Plastic, We're So Small and Stop Looking At Me. After the release of the My New World EP in 2007 Epoxies disbanded. Roxy went on to release Band Aids On Bullet Holes in 2009 and the band reunited for a concert in May 2010. After that Portland show, keyboardist FM Static said the audience began to "go nuts now because [a reunion] ain’t gonna fucking happen again!"




I Think I'll Run by Basement In My Loft from See The Rhyme In The Dirt And Grime (2010)

 Based out of Singapore, Basement In My Loft have penned a perfectly anti-social, if not somewhat cowardly, song. You can listen to the album version of I Think I'll Run and the rest of See The Rhyme In The Dirt And Grime on their official site.




Far Away by Tricky from Knowle West Boy (2008)

 Trip hop icon Tricky knows a lot about being alone. His father abandoned him when he was an infant. Then at age 4 his mother committed suicide. On 2008's Knowle West Boy, Tricky (aka Adrian Thaws) reports and rhymes on many subjects including his terribly tumultuous times. However with all the strife in Tricky's life he manages to emerge with a positive outlook. He acknowledges pain but ultimately looks ahead to the promise life has to offer. His latest offering, Mixed Race, was released earlier this year.