Song of the Day
Each day in 2022, I chose a song. Sometimes it chose me.
Fresh Feeling
Eels
Probably my favorite “encouragement” song — with base & drums, and these gorgeous strings. And I love E’s direct and positive lyrics, because there’s also a kind of subtext working here with these two characters. That fresh feeling we crave each day is not guaranteed. A long time ago, Annie and I saw E open for Tori Amos in Santa Barbara on his first tour. Today his new Eels album EXTREME WITCHCRAFT is out.
Carnage
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis
Another stunner from Nick Cave — who I’ve been listening to for decades. Likely more of his music will appear before this 365 day playlist comes to an end. I played this new record often during the pandemic, and the title track has this beautiful refrain and chorus that would run through my mind. The songwriting and the entire recording/mix gave me these palpable feelings of nostalgia, sadness, hope.
Kitty Winn
Advance Base
A story song that haunts me. Not sure if the protagonist is growing bored or if he's been saved by love. Perhaps both.
Gold Sky
The Avalanches (feat. Kurt Vile)
Love Kurt’s spoken word approach. How he says ‘Alright’. After hearing it, Toni Di Blasi of the Avalanches said it was the best thing he'd ever heard. I had a similar reaction.
Asleep Among Endives
Ichiko Aoba
Spirit-lifting lullaby, anachronistic in the best way. Imagining a countryside in Kyoto.