Thursday Tunes of the Week 10/15/09 -- Top Ten Chillers

Good Morning, Faithful Readers!!!

(By the by, can it GET any colder? Jeesh.)

Well it's Thursday (and you know what that means) - time for another shuffle through Money's music knowlege.

This week's tunes for Thursday will be a top-ten list format (somewhere, Kim is psyched!) of my top-ten songs to chill to. Taking a bubble bath? Need a good cry? Throw these emotional little diddies on, and thank me in the form of a Twisted Tea six pack.

10) Following - Chungking. This fantastic little groove comes straight from one of my favorite discs -- a surprisingly eclectic jumble of awesome -- the Nip/Tuck soundtrack. With a relaxing beat, sweeping melodies, and the angelic voice of frontwoman Jessie Banks, it's sure to be perfect for that necessary, candlelit alone time every girl needs. "What we had, of course it makes me sad, that is why I say to myself - I won't be following, you were just borrowing me..." Fantastically honest and meloncholy, I promise you won't be disappointed.

9) Cup of Coffee - Garbage. This haunting tribute to the devastating effects of a breakup will chill you to the core. Shirley Manson takes you through her journey of obsession, betrayal, and heartbreak with one of the few ballads in their catalog. With lyrics everyone can identify with (or at least enjoy), it's a good one for the wounded. "I'm walking empty streets hoping we might meet - I see your car parked on the road. The light on at your window, I know for sure that you're home, but I just have to pass on by..." Props to Ms. Manson for putting into words the depressive, psycho in all of us.

8) In the Air Tonight - Holly McNarland. By far, THE BEST remake of all time (and you know how Money loves her covers!). This seductive spin on the Phil Collins classic will be an instant favorite. While it has the same lyrics and basic melodies, the song itself transforms into a complete different entity. This is a HARD-TO-FIND item, so if you're interested and are having no luck tracking it down, see me. It's THAT fantastic.

7) Almost Lover - A Fine Frenzy. An instant tug at those heartstrings of yours, this track had a fairly good run on radio airwaves. Another tale of devastation and heartbreak, Frenzy manages to put into words those things you never could, and bring a tear to your eye in the bridge ALONE. "So now you're gone, and I'm haunted - but I bet you are just fine. Did I make it that easy to walk right in and out of my life?" Ouch.

6) Any Day Now - Missy Higgins. A much missed track of this Aussie's debut album, this little diddy is both emotional and strangely optimistic. Higgins trademark accent and original sound sweep over the quiet piano bringing you lyrical treats like this - "How long will we take to come undone? If you know the answer, tell me now, and I'll write up the calendar for our countdown..."

5) Quiet - Rachael Yamagata. Oh my sweet, sweet Rachael - how I adore thee! The woman that has YET to disappoint with a single track sings delicate melodies and honest lyrics in this homage to 'the end'. "It'll be just as quiet when I leave as it was when I first got here. I don't expect anything." Trust me. One chorus of this and you'll just wanna hug her.

4) Spanish Doll - Poe. Poe will astound you on this track off her outstanding sophomore release "Haunted". This was difficult. Putting Poe on this list, made me want to do a review of that album alone. The EP is perfect in it's entirety, with not a bad track in the bunch. But this one works for the playlist - and has warranted a spot on the countdown with it's oldschool spanish guitar tabs, and haunting (get the pun?) melodies. Throw in some outright perfect lyrics, and you have the perfect break-up song. "This place feels so unfamiliar, and yet I know it well. I think I used to belong here, but the only way I can tell...is that I miss you still, and I cannot find you here..." I WISH I had enough space to jot down the lyrics to the whole song...you'll just have to see where she goes from there. You will NOT regret it.

3) Mr. Levon - Shawn Colvin. The underground Sunny Came Home starlet hits you hard with this track of a less-than-critically-acclaimed album. A track that literally transforms to fit any situation you wish, Levon brings the proper preportions of melody, emotion, and musical backdrop. With the sweeping overatures of "Hold me tight and don't let go...", it'll bring a familiar warmth and sophistication to your crappy IPod mix.

2) Gold Dust - Tori Amos. I'm not exactly sure WHAT this song does to me, but no matter how many times I play the track, there are certain landmarks in the song that either bring goosebumps or initiate the flow of tears - even on my happiest day! A classic tale of looking back over the years, or time spent in a previous relationship/situation, Tori whispers a quiet tune over sweeping symphonies. Buyer/downloader be advised: to fully enjoy this track, one must not simply use it as background music. It is best experienced alone, in quiet contemplation, and would be best appreciated if given your full attention. "How did it go so fast, we'll say as we are looking back. And then we'll understand we held gold dust in our hands..."

and the number one chiller goes tooooooooo.................

1) School Night - Ani DiFranco. (Are you surprised?) A fantastic songwriter and amazing performer, Ani showcases her skills in hyperboles and metaphors to create this absolute perfection. The comparison of choosing one love over another with buring homes and other fantastic analogies, this track has it all - over-the-top-amazing lyrical work, oustanding musical composition, and the overwhelming ability to make you WEEP. "You'll never know dear, just how much I loved you. You probably think this was just my big excuse. But I stand committed to a love that came before you, and the fact that I adore you is just one of my truths..." There are many other lyrical acheivements, but far too many to list -- you're reallllllly gonna have to work for this one.

Well that concludes another top-ten session. Head off to your nearest ITunes or Limewire and get them immediately - would I steer you wrong?

Money