My Five Song Playlist

(Songs randomly assembled by Spotify or iTunes.)

1.

"Ode to Viceroy" - Mac Demarco (2)

 With strung out guitars and lazy-eyed vocals, 'Ode To Viceroy' is Mac Demarco's love proclamation to Viceroy brand cigarettes. The guitars are what I like the most about this track. They're in an off-kilter Indie Pop style that Demarco has deemed "Jizz Jazz", which is altogether fitting with its grungy yet melodic sound. Demarco is like that greasy guy who you discredit as just being another hipster junky until he picks up a guitar and starts singing. There's a nonchalance about him that betrays the thoughtfulness and sensitivity of his music.

 2.

"Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow" - Strawberry Alarm Clock (Incense & Peppermints)

This track definitely hails from my hardcore stoner days(daze). Every Strawberry Alarm Clock song is like a drug trip that skips the scary shit and cuts to the mellow, cool experiences. With lyrics featuring lines about "mushroom dreams" and "distorted dreams", It's pretty obvious what this song is about. I don't really have to say much about 'Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow', it pretty much speaks for itself. 

Smoke 'em, if you got 'em.

3.

"Sneakin' Out the Hospital" - Beastie Boys (Hello Nasty)

Hello Nasty always reminds me of cruising with my older brother in his Mitsubishi Gallant looking for trouble. Three years separated my twin brother and I from my older brother, so in a lot of ways we looked to him for "guidance", and above all, music. The dark, mellow and trippy feel of this song did well to punctuate nights aimlessly driving around looking for a new skate spot. Mix Master Mike definitely knew how to assemble a mighty beat that could easily stand on its own.

4.

"Saturnine" - Polaris (Music from the Adventure of Pete & Pete)

The Adventures of Pete & Pete is easily my favorite Nickelodeon program. Everything about the show was quirky and very much of the 90's era. Aside from the bizarre storylines and strange characters, I always remember the music. The creators of the show had a way of imbuing each episode with an odd sense of nostalgia and the sound of the "fake band" Polaris was a perfect match. The nuances of each song are impeccable and the lyrics were far more mature than you'd expect from a kids show. I love that this song opens with the line, "There's only roses in here" and then goes on to talk about being a relationship with someone who just isn't on the same level as you emotionally. I was happy when this album was released back in 1999 and it's been on every playlist I've created since.

5.

"Madagascar" - LAKE (Let's Build A Roof)

I honestly have no idea what this song is about, but it's hella mellow and I'm pretty much sold on that all by itself. I think it's about making music or getting fucked up or both, but it's a groovy track with a great melody and laidback vocals. Everything about this song is in the right place and that's pretty much true about all of LAKE's music. If you're looking for kick-back music, this is your band.