Songs Twenty-Five through Twenty-Nine

Wow, this has been an odd week at work; I think January is affecting some folks in serious ways. But, there have been some highlights. My dissertation chair told me that I'm the one person she's not worrying about, so that made me feel secure. And, I survived my "cheeseburger-in-paradise" fete (though our table never got dessert; ahem, banquet service, I'm looking in your direction). And, I learned our children got into our nearby cute-as-a-button book-obsessed private school beginning in August (which will cut about 45 minutes off our morning and evening drives). And, I get to run away tomorrow on a surprise weekend trip with my family to meet up with friends. So, worries be gone . . . I'm on a 48 hour vacation!

But, before I go, here's an eclectic mix of five songs in arrears and advance; plus, some music director notes in case anyone's reading. A five song whirlwind awaits:

Song Twenty-Five: I found this one on the shoegazer mix as well, Lamb's "Gabriel." Apparently, Lamb is a big deal, though they're new to me. The lead singer has a warbly affect to her voice that seems a bit too precious to me at times. The song builds in layers, which is nice since the music is more compelling than her voice. There are some songs that seem almost ready-made to fill the end montage of CSI; strip away the singer and this is one. The Euro-feel makes this one a perfect fit for an episode of CSI: Miami set during Art Basel. Close your eyes and see Horatio and that Emily Procter character walking into a South Beach gallery . . . now it all makes sense.

Song Twenty-Six: The only Travis album I own is The Man Who, which is a fantastic piece that really holds together and stills sounds great seven years later. It doesn't include song twenty-six, "Sing." I think in some alternate universe Travis has Coldplay's career. Whereas Chris Martin goes high, Francis Healy goes low. If you're familiar with the band at all, the minute this song begins, you will think, "Hey, this is Travis." This could cut both ways, but I find it comforting. "Sing" has that nice Travis-jangliness about it musically and is quite upbeat. This is a Scrubs friendship montage song.

Song Twenty-Seven: I found song twenty-seven on an iMix and was drawn by the album title, Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me is Gone; it's the Walkmen, "We've Been Had." I also liked the title, given the grand James Frey scandal circling now. The beginning has a very VW-commercial feel to it. The lead singer's voice has a husky whiny rasp that is appealing in its contrast to the lyrical, almost lullaby-like music. The line, "sometimes I'm just happy I'm older," cuts close to home. Actually, I first heard this as "sometimes I'm just happy to moulder," which would have been too perfect. The whole theme of the conformity of the young is nothing new, but this song seems fresh. It has a rainy Grey's Anatomy closing montage feel to it.

Song Twenty-Eight: I went more EC with song twenty-eight, France's M83, "Don't Save Us from the Flames." First, let me say that the howls in this song consistently made me turn down the volume because I thought my children were screaming. This doesn't mean I didn't like the song; it just freaked me out. There are a lot of e-drum fills and a lot of synthesizers (I think) because it's from France. French music is perhaps best enjoyed in France; it always seemed perfectly placed when we were there. But, like Robbie Williams, it may not survive the cultural translation. However, the accent as he sings in English is cute; you can hear him thinking about each sound. This could make a great montage tune for a French-terrorist themed 24--especially with the howls.

Song Twenty-Nine: I had heard the Brazilian Girls interviewed last year on Weekend Morning Edition as I was driving to a nail appointment, so I thought I would try "Don't Stop." This has a clever, sexy disco vibe that seems retro without too much camp. Kind of like Daft Punk gone 70s disco. The woman lead vocalist has a "continental" flavor to her voice, a very "she has lived everywhere . . . and nowhere" romantic accent. It is quite disposable but also the kind of song you would cheerfully hum along and car-dance to every time you heard it--without ever tiring. I'm hearing a happy-times Luke and Lorelai Gilmore Girls montage opportunity.

Now, time to pack our bags.

336 to go.