Money Can’t Buy Music – “We Will All Asphyxiate”
I’ve been spending a lot of time listening to my iPod on shuffle, through headphones or speakers. It makes me imagine the iPod as a living thing, with musical tastes of its own. So this week’s top 10 is in the hands of my iPod, and the first 10 songs to come up in shuffle mode, beginning with this recent single by Money Can’t Buy Music, the new electronic project from Gordon Macintyre of Ballboy.
The Harvey Girls – “Real Fun”
Melancholy folk song, disguised at first as synth-pop, by the Lawrence, Kansas-based duo The Harvey Girls, whose excellent album The Wild Farewell I keep meaning to write a proper review of.
Jose Gonzalez – “Crosses”
Dark in mood yet light at the same time, “Crosses” is a perfect representation of Swedish singer/songwriter Jose Gonzalez’s unique talent for writing mesmerizing, complex songs.
The Smittens – “Tell Al Green”
“Be my valentine and we’ll make out all the time!” It’s a giddy singalong love song that also doubles as a debate over what the best makeout music is.
Entre Rios – “Inocencias”
A dreamy ballad by electronic pop innovators Entre Rios, off the Argentinean group’s fantastic third album Onda, released last year by Darla Records.
Nas – “One Time 4 Your Mind”
A laidback party track off Nas’s debut album Illmatic – not one of the album’s most memorable tracks, more like a nice mellow break between classic anthems.
Prince – “La La La He He He (Highly Explosive”)
10-plus minute 12” mix of the b-side to “Sign O’ the Times,” off the 1987 masterpiece of the same name. It’s a playful, innuendo-laden funk song that served as the fun complement to the serious tone of the a-side.
Robert Pollard – “Light Show”
An intriguing song from Pollard’s massive new double-LP From a Compound Eye. It starts out thick and sullen in tone, turning upwards at the end, with a bright melody buoyed by horns and harmony vocals.
Jonathan Richman – “Miracles Will Start to Happen”
One of my favorite songs of all time, a gorgeous testament to the transformative powers of love. Off Richman’s 1989 album Jonathan Richman (Rounder).
Sufjan Stevens – “Decatur, or Round of Applause for Your Step-Mother!”
I’m still just getting into Stevens’ much-celebrated Illinois epic, which this track comes from. But this is a lovely song, relaxed and melodic.
