[8tracks url=”http://8tracks.com/mkb108/fireside” ]
Welcome to the Mid-Atlantic in November. It is cold.
I bring you this message of mixed blessings for your Monday public service announcement.The torment of trudging through the occasional, bone-chilling gust is a sudden surprise for all of us down in DC.
But never fear! Great things can come from our colder weather. We can enjoy the cold with good friends around a fire and all the warm things we love. For all of you sporting your Northface and infinity scarfs through brisk, clear 8am air, I come bearing a playlist to help us all weather the winter storm, to hopefully make us appreciate autumn.
Fall has been described to me as “a beautiful decay.” The brilliant colors of dying leaves and the dwindling end of the year make us all think. It is a nice time to sit alone, take it all in, and ponder. “Come Down” by Sylvan Esso, feels like an isolated beauty. A single voice playing over the dull static of an amp in the background ring outs in a morose yet thoughtful way.
Additionally, no cold weather playlist would be complete without Bon Iver. “The Wolves (Acts I and II)” follows the same style to perfectly match the early twilight of a November night under the stars.
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Melancholy songs can match the cold, yet these few have messages of change that seem to capture the season’s upside. “Going to California” by Led Zeppelin “Blue Skies” by Noah and the Whale remind us, as Noah and the Whale says, “this is the last song that I write while you’re even on my mind, cause it’s time to leave those feelings behind.” The cold can remind us of loss, yet its important to recognize that life goes on. “Seaside” by the Kooks and “Aint Nobody’s Problem” by the Lumineers speak this same message.
And of course, for those of you missing summer, “Our Deal” by Best Coast brings out that swaying, beachy vibe that will make anyone want to get up and dance. For those seeking some happy vibes, “Ways” by Ruby the Rabbitfoot and “The Violet Hour” by Sea Wolf are a fast tempo stories about love through nature.
Sadly there are many great fall songs that could not make this playlist’s cut. I hope you all have a great week as I leave you with one final track: “Peaches” by In the Valley Below. This is a folk-synth blended song that follows this style with its faint and fleeting vocals underscored by steady guitar riffs and a message reminding everyone to enjoy every moment of life. Even when you’re freezing your butt off on your long walk home from Lau.
The Weekly List: Fireside
- “Come Down” — Sylvan Esso
- “The Wolves (Acts I and II)” — Bon Iver-
- “Blue Skies” — Noah and the Whale
- “Going to California” — Led Zeppelin
- “Seaside — The Kooks
- “Ain’t Nobody’s Problem” — The Lumineers
- “Our Deal” — Best Coast
- “Ways” — Ruby the Rabbitfoot
- “The Violet Hour” — Seawolf
- “Peaches” — In the Valley Below
- “All I Believe In” — The Magic Numbers
- “Call Me in the Afternoon” — Half Moon Run
- “Chinese Translation” — M. Ward
Photo: Daniel Varghese/The Georgetown Voice
