Music Monday: Hibernation

So it looks like Winter is officially upon us here, with December finally rolling in. So what better way to celebrate this period of eating, sleeping and hibernating with a series of cozy play lists from The Foggiest? I wanted to do a little audio intro to this list, relive my college radio days, but in the end my ears couldn't stand the sound of my jazz hour voice and the idea was scrapped.

In any case, please enjoy the first installment of this Winter's Hibernation List...

Music Mondays: Hibernation

1. Requiem Por Un Con - Serge Gainsbourg -- from The Originals. I've just recently (within the past year or so) gotten into Monsier Gainsbourg and this is one of the first tracks that grabbed me (technically I think it's the second, but really does this sort of thing matter enough to mention? ... apparently). I've featured his daughter here before, and now with the father it's easy to see where she gets her talent from. Mr. Gainsbourg is a tremendous influence to modern music. Everyone from AIR to Seu Jorge counts him as a leading influence and from this compilation it is easy to see why. The man was at the same time sleazy and seductive all while managing to compose some of the most beautiful, relaxed and technically well-rounded material in the modern era, and he's shaped and redefined what we know of the pop landscape forever. If you're looking for a great introduction musically, look into The Originals. If you're looking for a good intro into what his lifestyle was probably like, check out the cult film Slogan. It's where he met Jane Birkin - Charlotte Gainsbourg's mom - and one hot little number. The two (Serge & Jane) put out some steamy material and were one of the first really taboo couples around (he was well into his 50's when he met the under 20 Birkin). French & Scandalous!

2. Satt Att Se - Dungen -- from 4. This Swedish Psych outfit is led by Gustav Ejstes. He is a genius. I could stop there. The first album I heard of theirs was Ta Det Lung back in 05 I think. It blew my mind. Ever since I have been hooked to everything he's put out. This latest release sees him involve the band a bit more in the writing process and the outcome has benefited immensely. There is more of a jazzy vibe to it, which is readily apparent here on "Satt Att Se" Sure, you don't understand him (unless you speak Swedish), but that incomprehension allows the vocals to become just another instrument of melody. The album is great, I have nothing more to say about it. Get it.



3. Walkin' Back To Happiness - Helen Shapiro -- from some 60's compilation. This might've been one of those 'One Hit Wonders' from the 50's/60's for all I know. I know absolutely nothing about Ms. Shapiro other than I saw her daughter play last weekend and she covered this song. She is a dead ringer for her mother vocally speaking. She ain't too bad on the eyes either. It's a happy song.
**note of retraction: Helen Shapiro is not Binki Shapiro's mother... just found this out. whoops**






4. Shoulder To Shoulder - Little Joy -- from Little Joy. The aforementioned Shapiro, Binki is her first name. She and apparent boyfriend Fabrizio Moretti (The Strokes' drummer) have joined forces with a Brazilian crooner by the name of Rodrigo Amarante (of Los Hermanos fame). Saw them last weekend, pure joy. More than just a little joy. They embody that almost naive happiness from the late 50's/early 60's. They're looking to influence a good time, and they succeed almost every time. This debut album is great throughout and is a solid recommendation. It came out Nov. 4th, which makes me count it as the one thing to come out of this Fall in the way of Modern Music that has actually surprised me enough to hold onto.

5. Until Tomorrow Then - Ed Harcourt -- from The Beautiful Lie. If ever a song were meant for the end of a night, the end of a date, or the end of a touching montage in a romantic comedy when the two main characters are on the brink of love until the man/woman does something to incite the final plot point... this would be that song. It absolutely exudes suave charm. Like Sinatra almost. The strings help out a lot, but Harcourt's voice is also heartwarming to the point of laughter. It's a solid charm of a song, which makes the first hand account I've heard of this guy's drunken field day during one night of this past SXSW even more charming. Harcourt has been a solid songwriter for the past at least 6 years since I've known his work. "Until Tomorrow Then" is proof that he seems bent on continuing such output.

Hope Your Thanksgiving Was Peaceful And Tasty.