Winter Music: A Rock Playlist for the Cold Months

These are the songs that I am currently listening to. They seem to be mostly downbeat, relaxed, slow, or really mellow, maybe in reflection of the weather around me (although yesterday the temperature in California approached 85 degrees). But even though I may not be seeing an inkling of snow, or even wearing a jacket for that matter, nonetheless I am getting myself into a fall-transitioning-to-winter kind of feeling by listening to the following Winter playlist.

Most of my listening to this playlist occurs on my drives to and from work, so I am either jacked up on coffee or extremely tired when I hear these songs. I think these songs are good no matter what state of mind you happen to be in.

The Playlist

1) "Funeral" - Band of Horses: This song is very good. The singer of this band has a high-pitched voice that has drawn comparisons to Wayne Coyne of Flaming Lips and Perry Farrell, but I think he sounds very similar in style to the lead singer of The Shins. This song definitely puts you in a certain mood. One that makes me appreciate life more in the way that thinking about a funeral will.

2) "Gyasi Went Home" - Bedouin Soundclash: This sounds like a happy song. In fact, it is probably a good song to listen to in summertime on your way to the beach. Maybe that's why I like this song right now. Very simple guitar, rhythmic bass, and solid vocals and lyrics. Bedouin Soundclash play an eclectic style of music that sounds tropical and upbeat. There is a definite positive vibe emanating from this song. It takes me to an island in the Carribean, but that's just me. (See my article about Bedouin Soundclash here.)

3) "Infra-red" - Placebo: Dark and brooding, this song brings out dark emotions of loss and isolation tempered with deep feelings of estrangement. Uhh, well that all might be true But I like it because it's just kind of a cool song that tells a strange story of someone chasing someone either metaphorically or literally. Great song. Great chorus. Puts you in an interesting mood.

4) "Patent Pending" - Heavens: This band is a side project of Alkaline trio frontman Matt Skirba. This is a very good song obviously about the war, bad leaders, and confused citizenry. Has a 1990's pop-punk-Blink-182 feel to it, but also a slight electronic bent, which makes it interesting. The lyrics are interesting too. This is a good addition to your winter playlist.

5) "Map of the Problematique" - Muse: Muse is one of the best hard rock bands of the past several years. The three-piece band from Scotland creates interesting, complex sonic landscapes and makes great songs for all types of music-listeners. This song has a very theatrical feel, almost sounding like a German rock/electronic style of song. Okay, I know that sounds weird, but I can't figure out how to explain this song. It has an epic, cathartic feel. In fact, the entire Muse album is epic.

6) "Stop, I'm Already Dead" - Deadboy and the Elephantmen: This song has a very catchy chorus and strange lyrics. Deadboy are an almost gothic sounding, bare bones, heavy distortion rock band. In other words, they sound like a slightly demonic version of The White Stripes. It's that same Jack White feel, a singer/songwriter with a (very) different perspective. This song gets rocking though, and although a little dark, it's fun.

7) "Astair" - Matt Costa: Matt Costa is one of the best new voices to appear in the past few years. He's a buddy of Jack Johnson and has his own style of folksy, feel-good, introspective music. He has a great voice and interesting lyrics. This one takes you away. The feeling is this: a fleeting feeling of sadness and eventual rebirth, which lends itself to wintertime and the inevitable cycle.

8) "Mine's not a High Horse" - The Shins: Nebulous song-titles aside, The Shins consistently make interesting songs. The thing about this band that jumps out at you after the elegant yet clangy country based, folk-inflected rock sensibility, are the different (okay weird) lyrics. After listening to this song, I still don't know what a "High Horse" is or why his isn't. But you know what, I don't care.

One thing I myself have noticed about my current playlist is that it is full of these songs that take me away to an interesting or different place in my mind. As I drive the 45 minutes into work, I look through the windows at the homes and people I pass, my vision colored by the soundtrack I'm listening to. I see the passing world filtered through different points of view. I think about the world. Good music facilitates this. It also facilitates ridiculous writing.