This is part of an ongoing series:
Since the iPod color debuted (in 2005), my family has maintained a meticulous library of “only the best” songs. My mom likes to email me a list of my parents’ favorite (and least favorite) tracks for the week, often too good not to share. Full playlist included below for your pleasure.
Today’s downloads: [Most of these came from a NY Times review,]
[Reviewed in the same NY Times article as a bunch of our rejects, see below. Why? This track is so different: melodic, lilting, and yes, “hypnotic” per the review. We were about to give up on the songs in the article; almost didn’t listen to it.]
[Dad liked both, thanks for recommending. I’m still not a fan, tho. And a cautionary note: the YouTube videos use strobes, so I had to put a newspaper over the screen while they were playing. Does this group also use strobes in concerts? Danger! Danger!]
[I consider myself a Journey fan, but discovered we only had Don’t Stop Believin’… ’til now, that is.]
[Dad wanted it–it plays during the closing credits of “Thor: Ragnarok,” which Dad insists had a different ending the last time he saw it. The song also cut off during the closing credits. Why?]
[Dad had to hear this a few times before deciding he didn’t want it. I did: George Michael, great saxophone, another one of those get up and dance songs, not that I dance much, but what more can I say?]
Rejected:
[Not our style. I am rather keenly aware that I shouldn’t put a song in rejects without saying why… hmm.]
My Bloody Valentine: Only Shallow
[“Just make it stop! We’ll tell you where the treasure is buried!” Um, what were we expecting? The review only mentioned the group, didn’t recommend any particular songs, so I can’t accuse the writer of misleading me.]
[The Post story promised “serrated guitars and ethereal vocals about unrequited love, set to a lunging, wave-tossed beat.” She was a little too ethereal for us; more annoying, actually. She’s going to play at Lollapalooza as a result of this song, though.]
Naomi Scott: I See You.
[Included in the same Post story as The Wisp. Just didn’t care for it much.]
[It was supposed to–per the Times’ reviewer–“conjure Radiohead’s infatuation with dehumanized electronics.” Of course! Who can resist that? Well, Dad and I both can, oddly enough. Depressing, not melodic.]
Beach House: Myth
[Didn’t like it as much as Space Song, so did not download it.]
Horse Jumper of Love: Dirt, Spaceman
[Listened because the group was mentioned in same article as “The Boston band, Horse Jumper of Love.” But, the music seemed ponderous, dull.]
Listened to just because:
Victory at Sea: Main Theme