That To Which I Now Rock - Tunes For A Reluctant Scholar

November 21st, 2008 by dayman266 · 3 Comments · Music

So, in assessing and listening to the below playlist, context will prove to be highly important. The tunes reflect a seemingly bizarre mix of easy-listening study music, cathartic emotional releases and “i can see the light at the end of the tunnel where this degree might actually provide some income” hip hop anthems that perhaps only a terribly swamped and disinterested grad student can grasp. That being said, enjoy.

1) Sia - Breathe Me - Heard it in a commercial and it made me tear. Or maybe it was the Hills episode I was watching just prior, while eating my Edamame and Diet Water.

2) Kid Cudi - The Prayer and Cleveland - Dude is the new old Kanye - stumbles onto terribly infectious (and familiar) beats with limited flow but charmingly simple and insightful lyrics. Somehow, the formula, which he definitely has, works.

3) Radiohead - House of Cards - First time I heard this track, it was at a live show. Swept me off my feet and reprogrammed me as a Radiohead enthusiast. A rare smooth listen that one need not be ashamed to enjoy.

4) Charles Hamilton - Brooklyn Girls - If the first 20 seconds don’t get you going - you should probably have someone crotch slap you to make sure you’re still all there.

5) MGMT ft. Jim Jones - Electric Feel - Why the hell not? Jim Jones is making his best attempt at bringing the gangster back to the hipsters of the Lower East Side, remixing MGMT and Cudi like he was a member of the Neptunes. Given Jones’ lacking skill, I can’t say the results are amazing, but it’s fun to listen to him try. The original MGMT track is killer regardless.

6) Eddy Vedder -No Ceiling - Arguably the most emblematic song of one of the best movies of the last few yrs. Not sure if I love the move because of the music or vice versa. Regardless, this track is my favorite from the album, albeit teasingly short.

7) Coldplay ft. Jay z - Lost (Remix) - Never thought I could enjoy a coldplay track with a recycled Jay z verse as much as I do here. Great pick me up after hitting a mental wall.

8) Sigur Ros - Gobbledigook - I don’t know what to say about this band, considering I understand almost nothing that they say or do, but I do believe this is one song that virtually any listener will agree is “a good one”.

9) The Coup feat. Black Thought and Talib Kweli - My Favorite Mutiny - I’ve been waking up to this song at least one morning each week for the last 2 years. Try it out.

10) Kid Cudi - Day n’ Night - See above. This is probably going to be Cudi’s “make it or break it” track, given the attention its been given by artists (remixes), tv (Entourage) and me (totally average listener).

Honorable Mentions : Blue Scholars - No rest for the Weary, Vampire Weekend - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, Al Greene - Free at Last, Tracy Chapman - Crossroads (ya…you read right).

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