Music to Fall To

I always associate music with seasons. In fact, I think that more important than album title, song names, track order or even band name, the season in which the record is released (or discovered) is the most important aspect of the entire process. Sure, if you have a catchy name (start it with a "the", throw in some !!!!'s, and drop in a phrase in brackets, and thats a start. ie: (Oh My God!) Its The Pitchforks!!! ) thats a good way to get a marketing kick. Write some good songs, and you might stick in someone's head for a week.

But - if you can nail your sound to a season, the music will forever be popular, in a cyclical rhythm, in the mind's of the addicted. I guess the season that most people focus on is the summer. Those annoying hip pop tunes that become the "hit of the summer"... or the acoustic strummings that inspire lifelong campfire memories... they are all seasonal affairs.

However, the other three seasons are where the gems lie. Spring albums bring you out of a snowy hibernation.... guitar riffs melting icebergs with their face-melting sunshine. The Tragically Hip melt snowbanks - its been proven. Winter albums keep you warm, yet conjure up haunting sensations when reflected upon out of season. Sigur Ros - Agaetis Byrjun. Yeah, now you're shivering.

But best of all, I think, is the fall album. I think the dark has something to do with it.... its not yet cold enough that going outside invokes a second thought - yet its often dark enough to trigger a reflection upon sound that is not possible with the distractions that come with daylight. Also, headphones under hoodies just sound better. Bury your hands in your pockets, keep your face out of the wind, spin your thumb around that iPod dial - and find the volume that resonates with your season. Falling leaves do it too. The crunching of leaves underfoot, synchronized with a snare or cymbal, is as natural as surround sound is gonna get.

So here begins a list of fall albums... albums that I crave when the leaves fall, and albums that leave me craving when listened out of season.

The Streets - A Grand Don't Come For Free
U2 - The Unforgettable Fire
The Tea Party - Transmission
David Bowie - Hours
Death In Vegas - The Contino Sessions
Leftfield - Rhythm & Stealth
Fountains of Wayne - Welcome Interstate Managers
Bjork - Vespertine
Mercury Rev - All Is Dream
The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
The Watchmen - Slomotion (disc 1)


thats all for now. add your fall albums to the comments, and i'll add them to the iPod. zzz