andrea's top five

TOP FIVE HOLIDAY SONGS FOR ALL YOU ALT-BROS WHO CLAIM TO HATE HOLIDAY SONGS:

5. The Weepies, All That I Want

Holiday cheer +  The Weepies + Enough said.

4. The Hives and Cyndi Lauper, A Christmas Duel

There has been a lot of buzz surrounding this recent collaboration, and it's obvious why.  Sounding as much like a great rock song as a Christmas song (disregarding the percussive jingle bells), this definitely deserves a listen.

3. Weezer, We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Rivers Cuomo rocking out Blue-Album-style to a song that even your grandma likes.  The best part is the guitar solo reminiscent of Say It Ain't So around 0:54.  (Side note: The Christmas with Weezer EP was just released TODAY, and it's already on heavy rotation here in my apt.  It's killer.  Get a copy post-haste).

2. Beck, Little Drum Machine Boy

I'll admit that I'm not a huge fan of the Little Drummer Boy, but leave it to Beck to take this humdrum tune and kick it up about 62 notches.

1. Fountains of Wayne, Valley Winter Song

This song describes my dream life.  Hearing Chris Collingwood sing "The snow is coming down/on our New England town/and it's been falling all day long" is a really, really fantastic thing.  The lyrics and melody perfectly match the overall feeling of the song.  Also, I want to be this lady when i grow up.

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andrea's top five

TOP FIVE INDIE LOVE SONGS:

(to put a smile on the face of every debbie downer!)

5. Belle & Sebastian, If You Find Yourself Caught in Love

A happy-go-lucky tune from the darlings of British twee.  Give the whole thing a listen, because the B&S-ness doesn't start til about a minute in.  Yeah, yeah, the intro is pretty, but the last three minutes of the song are far superior.

4. Ingrid Michaelson, The Way I Am

Sure, it was overplayed last year.  Yes, it was on a commercial.  For Old Navy.  But goddamnit, this song is the musical equivalent of a cup of hot chocolate (with 5-6 marshmallows) and you can't deny it.  

3. Nick Drake, Northern Sky

Ah, Mr. Drake.  The king of folk ballads, the sultan of serenades.  At least 10 of his songs could have potentially made this list, but Northern Sky tugs at your heart strings in a way that the others don't.

2. The Maccabees, Toothpaste Kisses

What The Maccabees accomplish with this song is rare: it's cute and kitschy, but also genuine.  If you don't enjoy the lyrics/melody/vibe, you may or may not lack a soul. 

1. Alexi Murdoch, Song For You

Maybe it's my hopeless romanticism, but this song always sets my heart aflutter.  Alexi is poetic, lyrical and very sexy.  He's even been compared to the late, great Nick Drake, which is hard to question.  Oh, and did I mention he went to DUKE for a brief spell? (bonus points).

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andrea's top five

TOP FIVE CREEPTASTIC SONGS FOR HALLOWEEN:

5. Mirah, The Garden

A great (and creepy) departure from Mirah's norm.  Plus, it brings back memories of how cool this was.

4. The Decemberists, Shankill Butchers

A song about killing people!  Actually frightening.

3. The Pierces, Secret

I thought this song was genuinely awesome the first time I heard it, 

but it's creep factor went off the charts when it was featured in a truly creepy scene of Gossip Girl.  The purposefully poor quality at the track's start, as well as it's sinister lyrics make it deserving of a spot on this list.

2. Camille Saint-Saens, Danse Macabre

Yeah, it was written in the 1800s, but that doesn't mean it won't rock your face off.  This has always been one of my a

bsolute favorite classical pieces, and it's a fabulous anthem for October 31st.  If you want the history behind the song, click here.

1. Bat for Lashes, What's a Girl to Do

This song sounds like it was WRITTEN for Halloween.  There's the organ and the soft-spoken vocals, but most importantly, there's the music video.  Plus, Natasha Khan is so damn cute that her ability to creep me out is quite admirable.

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andrea's top five

TOP 5 SONGS FOR A CRISP FALL DAY:

The autumnal equinox is here, signaling the start of the year's most beautiful season.  While parting with summer is bittersweet, the arrival of falling leaves and burberry scarves brings a new sort of quiet happiness.  Here are five songs to help you embrace it all.  Best when accompanied by hot apple cider.

5. Sufjan Stevens, Casimir Pulaski Day

Sure, the holiday itself occurs in March, but this song should be a staple on every walking-to-work-in-the-fall playlist.

4. Damien Jurado, Ohio

A lovely story from an even lovelier storyteller.

3. Joshua Radin, Star Mile

For the softer, whispery side of the season.

2. Bela Fleck, The Over Grown Waltz

Arguably the most beautiful song off The Bluegrass Sessions, it evokes spending a day outdoors in the autumn.

1. Nick Drake, Cello Song

Any song by the prince of cozy music is recommended for cuddling up with a blanket and a cup of tea.  This one, however, takes the cake.

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andrea's top five

TOP 5 COVER SONGS OF THE NEW MILLENIUM:

5. David Cook, Hello.  

Yes, American Idol is full of shitty covers, but our boy delivered when faced with the daunting task of making a Lionel Richie song sound cool.

4. Ben Harper & Jack Johnson, High Tide or Low Tide.  

Performed most famously in front of a live audience on Last Call with Carson Daly, the kings of acoustic knocked our socks to Jamaica and back.  The vocals?  Ah.ma.zing.

3. Eddie Vedder, You've Got to Hide Your Love Away.  

I'm not crazy about every song on the I Am Sam soundtrack, but I do love this one.  90% of everything Eddie Vedder touches turns out fabulously, and this is no exception.

2. Eric Clapton, They're Red Hot.  

Off the all-around incredible Me and Mr. Johnson (a tribute to legendary blues artist Robert Johnson), Clapton manages to completely reinvent this 1935 classic while still staying true to it's roots.

 1. Chris Thile, Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground.  

Maybe I'm biased.  I'll admit to my incredible obsession with all things Chris Thile, but making sweet bluegrass out of a Jack White track is a rather admirable feat.

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