Satisfaction: What July is Like

Or Songs for Hard Times and Major Life Transitions.

I know there's like three people out in the world who have been majorly bummed that I haven't done a monthly playlist in a while. Two of those people happen to be related to me, but whatever, man. You don't let your public down, regardless. And I clearly have. Let me just say, by way of explanation, it has been a time of upheaval and major life transitions for me. I've been busy. You can hear all about it in these songs. They're all pretty cheesy, but it comes with the territory.

That's all you need to know, honey. Oh and also, I live in Brooklyn now, which is crazy. I dig it pretty well so far. More on that later.



1. Eyes on the Prize - M. Ward
2. Bala Com Bala - JoaoBosco
3. Only the Strong Survive - Elvis Presley
4. Black Mirror - Arcade Fire
5. You Don't Know - Ellie Greenwich
6. From Black to Blue - Yo La Tengo
7. The Needle Has Landed - Neko Case
8. America the Beautiful - Pete Seeger
9. I'll Keep it with Mine - Nico
10. Stronger - Kanye West
11. Let's Face the Music and Dance - Nat King Cole
12. Scoundrel Babes - The Constantines
13. This Protector - The White Stripes
14. Mon Amie La Rose - Francoise Hardy
15. Spiritual Healing - Toots Hibbert
16. A Summer Song - Chad and Jeremy
17. Cry Tough (Take Six) - Alton Ellis
18. Gimme Shelter - The Rolling Stones
19. I Got This Down - Simian Mobile Disco
20. Chickfactor - Belle & Sebastian
21. You're Stronger Than Me - Patsy Cline
22. Like a Rolling Pin - The Replacements
23. Baby, Baby, Baby - Aretha Franklin
24. Your Protector - Fleet Foxes
25. How We Do - The Game
26. While You Wait For the Others - Grizzly Beat
27. Come Over - Estelle
28. Here's Today - The Rose Garden
29. Lights Out - Santogold
30. Make It Hot - Lil Mama
31. Satisfaction - Otis Redding



By the way, as a bonus for those of you into this sort of thing, I'm making a playlist of songs that hold deep personal meaning to me, as based upon their relevance to relationships I have had. Prepare for the sappiest, lamest compilation you have ever heard, man. Give me a couple days. Get out your headphones so you can lay in the dark in your bed in your parents' house for the full experience.

Every Radio Show I Ever Did

This is crazy to look at, but probably just for me and no one else. Whatever. Can't believe I did so few shows in the end. Miss it a bit.

Every radio show I ever did, right here.





I have a May playlist, by the way. Have had for weeks. Just been lazy as can be. Don't worry about it. Maybe this weekend you'll get to listen.

Meal Planning is For Cool Kids

Y'all know I favor a small black moleskine for this sort of thing, but this here is pretty adorable. I just want that pencil, mostly. I am pretty into the idea of having a special pencil just for my recipe book, come to think of it. I should make that happen.

But, yeah, plan your meals! You'll cook more, eat more vegetable, and feel happier. And be one of the cool kids.

I'd Like to Trip YOU Up

A long time ago, when I liked to talk in even greater exaggerations and superlatives than I do now, I was pretty sure The Jesus and Mary Chain was my favorite band ever. I recall saying on multiple occasions that they were perfect because you could listen to them, regardless of your mood. That they were perfect when you were sad and perfect when you were happy.

Since then, I hope my range of emotions has increased and my musical tastes widened, but The Jesus and Mary Chain's music still sounds pretty brilliant. And in this particular video, they are so cool it hurts.

Also, its got a rather spring time feel to it, no? Go listen to April Skies, as well, for a seasonally appropriate Jesus and Mary Chain choice. No distortion there, for those of you that find that sort of thing off-putting. Probably should have included it on my playlist, come to think of it. Would have included it here, as well, but the only proper video has commercials, which is horrifying.

Opportunity: What April is Like

It just occurred to me that I totally forgot to make an April mix. I'm pretty bad at this blog thing, especially as the weather gets warmer, because it's like, "Hmm, should I talk into the void or go sit in the sun?" The sun tends to win every time, actually, regardless of what the alternative is. So it goes.

But I do feel sort of obligated to maintain my commitment to a monthly playlist, because I know a few people who dig it at least. Plus I think it'll make a nice record of my year if I keep up with it. I thought about making this a shorter playlist, since April is half over at this point, but that just didn't seem fair.

Anyway. As for April: If I were going to introduce it on stage or something, I'd be all like, "This month requires no introduction." So I won't fuss too much introducing it here, either. April is new flowers and days of sunshine and days of rain. If you're like me, and your happiness is pretty dependent on the whims of the weather, April can be kind of a roller-coaster.  But its also a welcome light at the end of Boston's Winter Tunnel, and so April's lowest lows are still pretty rad. Like, if its going to rain all day, its almost cool, because you get to put on your matching sky blue trench coat and rain boots, and rock your leopard print umbrella.

With this thought, I also wonder, what do dudes do to make themselves feel better? I'm so sorry for them sometimes, living a life without accessories. I guess that's why there's sports or something.

I'm joking, of course. Here's the music:



1. Cotton Fields - The Beach Boys
2. A Blossom Fell - Nat King Cole
3. This Flight Tonight - Joni Mitchell
4. Mysteries - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
5. Sweatshop - Brazilian Girls
6. Master and Everyone - Bonnie "Prince" Billy
7. Music Talk - Stevie Wonder
8. I Wanna Live - Glen Campbell
9. Women Make A Fool Out Of Me - Merle Haggard
10. Don't Tell Me To Do The Math(s) - Los Campesinos
11. Labrynthian Pomp - Of Montreal
12. Rally - Phoenix
13. What You Know -T.I.
14. Rainy Day Women # 12 & 35 - Bob Dylan
15. Dream Wanderer's Tune - Deerhoof
16. I Can't Wait - The White Stripes
17. Banho de Lua - Os Mutantes
18. Invitango - Brigitte Bardot
19. I Got You - James Brown
20. So Fresh, So Clean - Outkast
21. Bottle Rocket - The Go! Team
22. The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
23. Somebody Have Mercy - Sam Cooke
24. We Are Nowhere and It's Now - Bright Eyes
25. On Se Quitte Toujours - Francoise Hardy
26. I Better Be Quiet Now - Elliott Smith
27. Laugh - The Monkees
28. My Girls - Animal Collective
29. Sunday in Savannah - Nina Simone
30. Opportunity - The Jewels

Can I also just say how awesome it is to be a grown up and not care two figs what other people think about your musical tastes? I feel so liberated to be able to say, you know, I still absolutely love this Bright Eyes song and I'm going to put it on my playlist, damn it. Go ahead and judge me. I thumb my nose at you, sir. I decide what's cool now.

Maps of Where Things Come From

Usually, I'm pretty militant about keeping your consumer goods American and as local as possible, but I'm somehow ok with these products' sources.





Saltwater crocodile skin has got to come from somewhere and all.

In all seriousness, though, Sourcemap is a nice tool to occasionally evaluate your purchases. This week, I totally stumped some of my first graders by asking how fruit gets to the grocery store. And since they're six-ish, and I'm here to teach them things, that's pretty reasonable. You're not six.  Know where your stuff comes from and how it gets to you.

My serious buying American speech is forthcoming, no worries.

So Worth a Blog Post

The cheese stands alone.

I'll say something real soon, I promise.