Wednesday, April 8, 2009

1000 Minutes Vol. 1

So I completely stole this idea from Totally Twitterpad, who borrowed it from the creators at Tympanogram. The Project: If you were stuck on a desert island and could bring with you precisely 1000 minutes of music on your mp3 player, what songs would you fill it with? We listen to so much music on a daily basis that sometimes appreciation and meaning are lost in translation. But what if you had only a limited, select amount of songs to love for the rest of your life? What would bring you the most joy, the most comfort, the best variety through your numbered days? Chicago Public Radio's Sound Opinions also has a similar running segment, where Jim and Greg trade off throwing tracks into their "Desert Island Jukebox".

So begins my 1000 minutes. I've decided to take it slow, and only knock songs off one or two at a time. It's easy to feel rushed or make selections based on emotional mood, so I'd rather my choices reflect true contemplation, in the spirit of the project's origins.

1. Otis Redding - That's How Strong My Love Is (2:27) [Time Remaining: 997.73]
I know I've raved about this one before, going so far as to call it perfect - possibly the greatest single recording I've ever owned. Otis was unbelievably talented, his career tragically short. I could listen to this one for hours on end because with each new listen he is more convincing, his emotion more palpable. I'm able to feel the physical weight of loving someone so much it hurts. This is a song for anyone who loves with every fiber of their being. It touches on our most basic human desire to be loved, yearned for, needed to the point of agony.

2. James Brown - Try Me [Live at the Apollo, 1962] (2:26) [Time Remaining: 995.47]
Although James Brown recorded four different Live @ The Apollo albums, the '62 recording with Brown's backing band, The Famous Flames was by far his best. Despite the simplistic lyricism of "Try Me," or perhaps because of it, I love this track in particular. What could have been a concise appeal from man to woman is transformed into this incredibly emotional lover's plea. Brown's charismatic stage presence and commitment to the material only make for an improvement of the track live. Sidenote: Brown financed the recording of this album completely on his own, without any inclination that the album would become a bestseller.

Thanks to Andy and Dave, as well as Jim and Greg for coming up with this great idea.

Helium Hearts

The latest release from Super Furry Animals, Dark Days/Light Years (March 30th) is both fun and complex. A welcome deviance from some of their previous work. Here's one I can't stop playing.

New in Town

You can now preorder the new single "New in Town" from Little Boots' website, in regular and super bundles. The first 500 copies of the latter will be signed by the electronic princess herself. The super bundle also comes with some sweet remixes by Fred Falke, Drop the Line, and Franz Ferdinand, among others.

"New In Town" will be available May 25 from 679/Atlantic Records in the UK. View the album artwork/preorder here.

Little Boots - New in Town (Fred Falke Remix) [mp3]
Little Boots - New in Town (GoldieLocks Remix) [mp3]
This one won't be on the single, so make sure to grab it

I'm gonna take you out tonight / I'm gonna make you feel alright / I don't have a lot of money but we'll be fine / Don't have a penny but I'll show you a good time,
LtK

I Just Want Four Walls

Official


Unofficial


I love on them both.

The Reeling

A new track from overnight success Passion Pit has leaked. "The Reeling" is the first single off their new album Manners. With a stellar EP already under their belts, expect big things from their full length release. I do.