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Musical Notes: Themed Playlists 

by Kevin Stansky

According to Wikipedia, “House Music” originated in Chicago during the 1980s and may have received its name from “The Warehouse,” a Chicago nightclub. I’m not much of a fan of pulsating synth riffs and repetitive instructions like “Don’t stop,” but I thought that people referred to this genre of dance music as “House” because it was played at house dance parties and the characteristic electronic drum lines were so loud that they shook the floorboards. My naïve definition was definitely too literal.

If I took a shot at the etymology of the broader genre of “Electronic Music” using the same approach, I would have landed upon a definition hinged upon sounds produced by something that uses electricity and anything that requires amplification would fit under this ridiculous definition. Defining “Heavy Metal” would involve the periodic table and a welding iron.

It’s tough to organize music according to genres, when the genres are hard to define. Take the stupidly silly genres that iTunes assigns to your music: Alt Folk, Post Punk and the best of all Other. Although literal definitions of musical genres are, in most respects useless, they at least leave little room for interpretation.

In the theme of literal music genre definitions, here’s a “House Music” playlist—DJ Tiesto wouldn’t play/mix most of these songs.

"Daft Punk is Playing at My House" by LCD Soundsystem

A dance song that’s literally about a dance party at someone’s house.

"Brick House" by The Commodores 

Although the song title is actually a metaphor, the song is too good not to include in the playlist.

"Our House" by Crosby Stills Nash and Young

CSNY paint a picture of an actual house, ideal for a late afternoon nap with windows, “illuminated by the evening sunshine.” “Our House” may not the best song to clean a house to, but undoubtedly a song about a “very very very fine house.”

"Our House" by Madness

The indelible chorus chant “Our House in the Middle of our Street, our house that was where we used to sleep” backed with '80s synth horns is the perfect song listen to while doing some spring-cleaning. Who would have thought a song about ironing shirts and a father wearing his Sunday vest would be so catchy. I’m not even sure what a Sunday vest looks like—it’s probably something fathers wear in England.

"The Old Apartment" by The Barenaked Ladies

Like Madness’s reminiscence of their house with a central location on the street, nostalgia for their "Old Apartment" and upsetting the ornery lady in the apartment below consumes the witty Canadians of the Barenaked Ladies. 

"Red House" by Jimi Hendrix

Musical Notes: Themed Playlists

 by Kevin Stansky

The Boston band The Cars led by Rick Ocasek is best known for its muted guitar riffs, synth noodling and a song about a friend’s girlfriend. Recently, The Cars completed its first album since 1987. In light of Ocasek’s musings about the significant other of a friend, I realized that there is a suite of rock songs that deal with girls lost to friends, friends named Jessie with good-looking girlfriends (actually only one song with the previous theme, coincidentally written by another guy named Rick) and more generally creepy dudes liking other dudes’ girlfriends.

Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl” is one of the most well-known girlfriend songs. Too bad for him, I think most people don’t know who he is; with a name like Rick Springfield I think John Smith may be the only name that’s more forgettable.

I have to admit I thought he was a made-up character in the Showtime series “Californication”—he played himself trying to reconnect with his aging fan base, not too far off.

I did a little research about the origins of Jessie’s girl. Turns out it was Gary’s girl and Mr. Springfield meet Gary and Co. at a stained-glass class—you couldn’t make this stuff up.  Although the alliteration of “Gary’s Girl” may have satiated the pop fans, the former Soap Opera Doctor made the right decision by bypassing Gary and using an asexual name in place of one that evokes images of gym teachers and receding hairlines.

In honor of The Cars, here’s a playlist of songs about friends, girls and the two.

“My Best Friend’s Girl” by The Cars

Boston’s boys reminisce atop a hand-clapping '70s dance tune.

“Is She Really Going Out With Him?” by Joe Jackson

“Pretty Women out walking with gorillas down my street…there’s a lady I used to know.” Although best friends are substituted for gorillas, Jackson’s inquisitive song has a similar vibe to that of The Cars' hit.

“Alison” by Elvis Costello & The Attractions

Costello in his slow dance number tries not to get “too sentimental like those other sticky valentines,” but can’t resist asking about what happened with her “party dress.” 

“Do You Know What I Mean” by Lee Michaels

Michaels “just saw her with [his] best friend.” He should look to the two Ricks and Joe for consolation. 

“Who Is He (And What He is To You)” by Bill Withers

This is probably the most confrontational of the songs on this list. Finally a guy with a generic name steps it up.

“Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield

Musical Notes: Themed Playlists

by Kevin Stansky

Over winter break I watched National Geographic—or as habitual viewers abbreviate it, Nat Geo—to such an extent that I considered myself an expert in several endangered species of frogs as well as a pseudo-dog whisperer. Near the end of break, there was an entire week dedicated to the end-of the-world and as a fan of NG, to further abbreviate the station’s name, I had to watch.

I thought it would be useful to know when various cultures, experts and insane people thought the apocalypse would come. As far as information goes, I think info on the end-of the-world is up there on the list of important stuff to know.

After the end-of the-world week ended, I was not full of useful doomsday knowledge, but instead was thoroughly depressed. So I decided to watch “Whose line is it anyway?” re-runs for the remainder of the break and everything was fine.

After a “Whose line,” (the abbreviation used by fans of the ABC Family classic) recovery, I could reflect on the end-of the-world. I realized that if Dave Matthews sings about it then I’m cool with a major asteroid collision, alien invasion or some resurrection event (not really, but I’d rather listen to “When the World Ends” than “Real World” by Matchbox Twenty as the world implodes).

The following is a playlist of songs that reference the end of the world. Enjoy...until 2012.

“When the World Ends” by Dave Matthews Band

This bass driven crowd pleaser frequents the set lists of DMB perennial summer concert tours. Live versions of the song feature the following line that gets the bleary-eyed crowd excited: “When the world ends, we’ll be burning…one.”

“End of the World” by Clear Conscience

A rap-reggae rant on gas masks and the year 2006.

“It’s the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)” by R.E.M

An indelible ’90s tongue twister. 

“World Wide Suicide” by Pearl Jam

A great way to rock out with a glass of Cool-Aid.

“I’ve Just Destroyed the World” by Willie Nelson

An introspective metaphoric love song off of Mr. Nelson’s reggae album. 

“Questioned Apocalypse” by Dispatch

Musical Notes: Themed Playlists

 By Kevin Stansky

I like the band Dispatch despite their name evoking images of Natural Light, man-hugs and boat shoes. People scoff at the intro lick of “The General” and mockingly recite lines from “Two Coins” in an exaggerated bro drawl.

Personally, I have no problem with cheap beer and a slip-free hug out on the water, but I can see where Dispatch critics are coming from. Issues with Brooks Brothers aside, Dispatch is a great band whose popularity is a testament to college radio and evidence that promotion avenues independent of major record labels are highly effective.

During a Wikipedia-aided procrastination session, I read that Chad Urmston, Brad Corrigan, and Pete Heimbold formed Dispatch at Middleburry College or "Club Midd," in bro-speak. After following several Wikipedia tangents, I realized a number of famous and pseudo-famous artists (i.e. Sam Adams, the self proclaimed “Boston’s Boy” and Trinity Soccer bro) were formed at NESCAC schools or by 'CAC alumni.

Although Bowdoin doesn’t have any widely popular “notable music alumni” according to Wikipedia, neither do Colby and Bates, so there’s no problem there. The title of “most musical NESCAC” must be split between the frequently forgotten NESCAC Tufts University and Wesleyan University—I guess graduate schools augment creativity.

In the spirit of Dispatch and college, I thought I would go with the flow and make a playlist of songs by NESCAC alumni.

Middlebury College

“The General” by Dispatch

Wesleyan University

“Electric Feel” by MGMT

“L.E.S Artistes” by Santigold

Tufts University

“Demons” by Guster

“Revolution” by Tracy Chapman

Williams College

“Stacy’s Mom” by Fountains of Wayne

The rationale for putting the above songs in this playlist is self-explanatory. The same is true for Fountains of Wayne’s cougar fantasy. However, I couldn’t help commenting on this one—this song makes me proud not to go to Williams.

Great song Williams…if you consider a song like “Scotty Doesn’t Know” by Lustra a game changer.

Connecticut College

“The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth” by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Trinity College

Musical Notes: Themed Playlists

by Kevin Stansky

In 1979, the Buggles declared, “Video Killed the Radio Star.” They were probably right, but it seems as though video helped out the indie star, or, to avoid attempting to define the term, helped out artists whose songs merely grace the airwaves within a three-mile radius of college radio stations.

Radio play as a means to promote music has become an obsolete avenue for most artists. Aside from “beliebers”—Justin Bieber enthusiasts, who have no trouble hearing the pop favorites played on repeat—those looking for something beyond Eenie Meenie have to navigate Pandora tangents and tolerate pontificating bloggers to find new music with depth.

Interestingly, the music accompanying TV shows, movies and even commercials is extremely eclectic in comparison with that played on the radio. Now, you can avoid Pandora and their annoying newly added advertisements and rely on TV shows, ads included, for a fresh dose of music.

You would think radio, with the sole purpose of playing music, would not only cull songs from numerous genres, but also reach beyond the singles. However, radio DJs stick to a narrow list of songs and rarely stray from the two most “popular” songs on any particular album.

So it seems, at least for now, the best way to find new music is to watch for it. For instance, “I’ll be Your Man” by the Black Keys is the theme song to the HBO series Hung. Until recently, I had never heard a Black Keys song on the radio and the songs that I have heard are from their new album, rather than a deep cut like “I’ll be Your Man.” Even advertisers at Victoria's Secret have their scantily clad models strut around to the grizzly blues riffs of “Girl is on My Mind” by the Black Keys.

Lastly, the sound track to the movie Twilight: Eclipse features an impressive smattering of artists, including the Black Keys, Florence and the Machine, the Dead Weather, Vampire Weekend and Band of Horses. Even a crappy vampire teenage-fantasy movie manages to get it right when it comes to music.

This playlist is a collection of songs that FM DJs would rarely add to their cue, but have found their way into popular visual media from movie trailers to TV commercials.

TV Commercials:

"Free" by Donavon Frankenreiter  

“Free” by the laid back, facial hair inclined Frankenreiter was featured on a Hilton commercial. Maybe Paris will gain an appreciation for good music by osmosis—unlikely. 

"Girl is on My Mind" by The Black Keys

Babes and Blues. Victoria's Secret is on “a mission from God,” to borrow form the Blues Brothers, to bring good music to those watching football on Sundays.

Movie Trailers:

"Roll Away Your Stone" by Mumford and Sons

This epic song by the British folk group Mumford and Sons was featured in the trailer to the animated movie Rango staring Johnny Depp. The volatile cadence of the song fits perfectly with the movie clips featured in the trailer.

"Wake Up" by Arcade Fire

The Where the Wild Things Are trailer enticed many, including myself, to see the movie. Surprisingly, the movie was a tearjerker.

TV Shows:

"Hospital Bed" and "Hang Me Up to Dry" by Cold War Kids

Music by the Cold War Kids was featured twice on the HBO series 24/7 Penguins/Capitals: Road to the NHL Winter Classic. Oddly fitting, as the series closely followed Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin on and off the ice—he hails from Russia.

"Dog Days are Over" by Florence and the Machine

This orchestral clap along was featured on Glee. Even Glee has good music…wow.

Video Game:

"Strange Times" by The Black Keys

Musical Notes: Themed Playlists

by Kevin Stansky

The Staple Singers exclaimed in unison, “I’ll Take You There,” in their 1972 hit. A possible interpretation of the song’s chorus is that music provides an outlet to relieve pent-up pressure as well as a mental realm in which the listener can exercise forms of escapism. The Staple Singers take you “there” for a few minutes with their muted guitar riffs and rim-click groove.

I think in its most stripped down form, escapism, assuming you are escaping to something more enjoyable than the present, involves removing yourself from reality and entering an “alternate realm” that is either independent of your actual reality, a more pleasant previous reality, a more ideal version of your current reality or a combination of the three.

For me, music most effectively brings you to the last two “alternate realms” and not the first—music doesn’t beam me to the Trail to Mordor unless I’m listening to one of the few Led Zeppelin songs with Lord of the Rings references.

In terms of interpreting escapism facilitated by song, the fun starts when a song takes the listener to a more ideal version of their current reality. Although, I mentioned that music usually doesn’t provide the first form of escapism —an independent reality—a more ideal version of your current reality could resemble a fantasy that is almost entirely different from your actual one.

Definitions of escapism aside, letting music speed up your imagination so it can really run away with you is fun to think about especially when a more ideal version of reality involves giving someone the big F*** you.

There is a whole suite of songs that tell someone off in one way or another. Some say it outright with no restraint:  “F*** you I won’t do what you tell me” in Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name Of.”  While others do it in an equally effective, but slightly more polite manner: “You’ve got a lot of nerve to say you are my friend,” declares Bob Dylan in “Positively 4th Street.” It would have been nice if he added a little F bomb before “nerve”—but that would have messed with the verse’s flow.

This playlist is a collection of songs that tell someone off, sometimes in an overt manner…well pretty much always in an overt manner.

“Like a Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan

“How does it feel, How does if feel, to be without a home, like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone.” Enough said.

“Ain’t No Friend of Mine” by Mason Jennings

In an uncharacteristically Rage Against the Machine-esque electric guitar driven rock-out tune, Mr. Jennings makes you want to break something.

“Who Is He (And What is He To You)” by Bill Withers

Addressed to a potentially unfaithful significant other, Withers asks “You’re too much for one man, but not enough for two…who is he and what is he to you?”

“She Hates Me” by Puddle of Mud

This melodramatic alternative rock sing-along has a pretty catchy chorus.

“Don’t Want to See Your Face” by John Butler Trio

Butler’s lightning speed pull-off riffs accompanied by some slap funk base pretty much command that you get up and flip the bird.

“F*** You” by Cee Lo Green

To the point, simple, sweet and then sour.

“At or With Me” by Jack Johnson

Leave it to Jack Johnson to “sort of” tell someone off. This electric guitar driven joint is a plea for people to, “just say what [they] mean” and stop using innuendos and empty compliments to insult someone…take one from Cee Lo and just say F*** you!

Musical Notes: Themed Playlists

By Kevin Stansky

I spent last spring semester in Australia in what little remains of the continent’s rainforests. I arrived in the middle of their wet season, transitioning from a winter in Maine. Calling the area a rainforest was not false advertising—it rained a lot.

After spending a few weeks there, those in my program observed an obvious tension between conservationists, many of whom relocated to the region following its classification as a World Heritage area, and farmers. Issues of economic pragmatism, moral duty, and traditional ownership of land muddied policy decisions.

Well, that was enough idealistic/naïve college student rhetoric for me. Political commentary aside, Australian music and pop culture are noticeably different from ours. Although Miley Cyrus is on the top of Australian pop chats and Yankee flat-brims are also enigmatically stylish, a number of artists that rarely escape the “College Radio Top Ten Albums” in the U.S. ascend the “Top 40” Down Under with ease.

For instance, John Butler Trio, a slide-guitar busker gone Dave Matthews opener, is “overplayed” in Australia; I guess this one makes some sense as John Butler lives in Australia. However, there are U.S. bands, like the Avett Brothers, that you can hear frequently on the radio in Australia yet rarely hear in the States.

“Now, I don’t know much about anything,” to quote Forrest Gump, but I think a conversation that I had with a well hydrated man in an Australian pub can aptly explain the origin of differences in musical taste between the two countries. This man told me that Australia was founded as a British penal colony, true, and that America was a founded as a puritan colony, also true. He then told me that previous statement means that Australians can hold their “adult beverages” and that Americans cannot and therefore spend most of their time head down in a McDonalds trash can across the street from the pub at which we were currently hydrating. Although the McDonalds story, is most likely true, I can make an educated guess that all Americans visiting Australia don’t use McDonald trashcans as vomit receptacles—they probably use the toilets.

In any case, I think the gist of his anecdote is true—a colony founded by a bunch of criminals knows how to enjoy “adult beverages” more than one populated by the likes of those that named their ship the Mayflower.

Here’s a playlist of songs by a few bands that “come from a land down under.” Interestingly, a number of these bands have opened for some great acts from the States. Hope you enjoy. 

“Down Under” by Men at Work

You have to start an Australia playlist with this song. The following line is classic: “I said do you speak a my language, he just smiled and gave me a vegemite sandwich.” I tried vegemite--this song makes the yeast extract spread sound a lot more appetizing than it is.

“Betterman” by John Butler Trio

The opening pull-off/hammer on guitar riff that slips seamlessly into a slide-guitar wail is one of my favorite intros. Even though John Butler recently cut his dreadlocks, he’s still one of the coolest musicians around.

“Come Let Go” by Xavier Rudd

Like John Butler, Xavier Rudd rocks the slide guitar and has also opened for the Dave Matthews Band. However, Mr. Rudd does Mr. Butler one up; he plays the didgeridoo and he does it without shoes.

“TNT” by AC/DC

If you’re an Australian male and you want to rock n’ roll at the local drinking establishment, you’ll inevitably wear your AC/DC shirt. You can make fun of an Australian’s accent before you can make a crack at AC/DC.

“Music” by The Beautiful Girls

Strangely, I’ve seen this band open up for State Radio, an American band—I’ve had some good luck with sweet Australian opening bands.

“Are You Gonna Be My Girl” by Jet

As a power-chord driven bundle of energy, Jet is a fitting name for this Australian band.

“The Car Song” by the Cat Empire