Armin Thomas and Gus Lamb
Here are some of the Arts Editors’ favorite songs at the moment that we hope you take into consideration.
Gus’ Picks
Just Another Girl – The Killers
When I was in middle school, I was obsessed with a celebrity named Dianna Agron, who was decently famous at the time for acting in the show, Glee; I was so in love with her. I always convinced myself into liking every project she did, but when she starred in the music video for Just Another Girl by the Killers, her dauntingly beautiful presence no longer in the hallways of Glee allowed my love for her to reach new heights that now I can only hope to feel again sometime in my life. Even though Dianna got married over the summer to a guy from Mumford and Sons, her marriage does not take away from this song, and my good hope of what could have been if I were only older, wealthier, and better looking.
[iframe src=”https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:3aVyHFxRkf8lSjhWdJ68AW” width=”300″ height=”80″ frameborder=”0″ allowtransparency=”true”]
We Bought a Zoo – Jonsí
Anyone who knows me well knows that my favorite movie ever is We Bought A Zoo. Only occasionally I am able to put into words how the movie makes me feel and what it means to me, and only occasionally do I watch it because I believe I have to be in a certain mood in order to get everything I want out of watching it. Jonsí is the artist behind the soundtrack of the movie, and his song We Bought A Zoo is an uplifting piano piece that reminds me of Matt Damon’s smile.
[iframe src=”https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:5j6gZ0gmywTIOdi38gPSxK” width=”300″ height=”80″ frameborder=”0″ allowtransparency=”true”]
Simple Song – The Shins
I am a really big Zach Braff fan. I haven’t seen all of his TV show Scrubs, but the two movies that he has directed, Garden State and Wish I Was Here, are two of my favorites, and they both feature music from The Shins. The Shins are an alternative rock band from New Mexico who really became famous because Zach Braff featured them in Garden State. Simple Song reminds me of Braff’s movies and is filled with lovely imagery and intense emotions, despite its nonchalant title.
[iframe src=”https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:48bo7uexDvAThcRDvEB2W7″ width=”300″ height=”80″ frameborder=”0″ allowtransparency=”true”]
There She Goes – The La’s
I heard this song the other day when I was watching Gilmore Girls. When I heard it, I quickly pulled out my phone and Shazam-ed it before it ended. I then added it to my current Spotify playlist because when I hear it, I picture this scene. I picture this scene in which a car is being driven away into the distance, and as the driver’s happily screams and waves their hand out the window, the credits begin to roll, but the song continues. I like how this song makes me picture this, however, sometimes I am the driver, and sometimes I am an onlooker, and I don’t know what to think of it.
[iframe src=”https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:0SMkzFGJOBFDI9KfYD55L0″ width=”300″ height=”80″ frameborder=”0″ allowtransparency=”true”]
Broken Cash Machine – Modern Baseball
Simple and steady guitar riffs, and raw and monotone vocals are a good encapsulation of Modern Baseball. Modern Baseball is the only punk rock band I listen to, but they are steadily becoming one of my favorites. I have one of their hats, and I never take my it off because not only does it fit me nicely, but it is great way to tell people about their music, and how Broken Cash Machine specifically encompasses everything good about them. “Sweeping floors and folding napkins. Praying something cool might happen. The sun explodes, we die, the world ends.”
[iframe src=”https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:475a6fDXFeJds9swY7P7Rd” width=”300″ height=”80″ frameborder=”0″ allowtransparency=”true”]
Armin’s Picks
The A Team– Ed Sheeran
I may be biased because I sang it at Coffee House, but it’s still a great song. Sheeran’s vocals perfectly capture the wistful acceptance of one’s fate, with his dynamic inflection carrying great power in affecting the listener. I have known this song for four years now and still think it’s one of my all-time favorites.
[iframe src=”https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:6F25tznBMyPJpXx7Gj1ch0″ width=”300″ height=”80″ frameborder=”0″ allowtransparency=”true”]
Human Nature – Michael Jackson
What’s my reason for liking this? Why? Why? I’ll tell you that it’s human nature…
[iframe src=”https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:4cgjA7B4fJBHyB9Ya2bu0t” width=”300″ height=”80″ frameborder=”0″ allowtransparency=”true”]
Your Latest Trick – Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler
The saxophone solo owns this song. Michael Brecker is so smooth it reminds me of those old videos of Bill Clinton playing tenor on Arsenio Hall’s show back in 1996. It’s another comparatively old song but that doesn’t mean it’s any worse. The Dire Straits have used their artistry to create yet another great song.
[iframe src=”https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:4UK1g9Z1lWedkmIQuSyCe5″ width=”300″ height=”80″ frameborder=”0″ allowtransparency=”true”]
The Rain – Aetherian
Finally I’ve gotten around to listening to some metal. Though I don’t have the hair to headbang to metal with, I’ve got the mind. That’s what matters. You feel the wrath and power of Aetherian in this death metal song.
[iframe src=”https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:7p4abfwo1H0ofre5nJQuAT” width=”300″ height=”80″ frameborder=”0″ allowtransparency=”true”]
Con Te Partirò – Andrea Bocelli
Also another one of my vintage Coffee House acts. Not in English, but in Italian. It means “with you I will leave”, and is an imaginative soliloquy on spending eternity with the one that matters to you. It’s basically an opera in 5 minutes, and that key change is explosive. Bocelli does it a lot better than I did, so you should probably listen to his version.
[iframe src=”https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:7zrpoAJte9o12TzawqgdD0″ width=”300″ height=”80″ frameborder=”0″ allowtransparency=”true”]
