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Preface:
I drive a lot and dig music - and after writing down my “Top 10 Road Trip Essentials” I have come to the realization that while on the road I listen to somewhat depressing folk rock with dark lyrics. Honest, I’m usually a pretty upbeat person, but these are the songs that I think best enable me to slide easily into the trance of highway hypnosis. Hope you agree.
Feedback? Song suggestions? Hate? Hit me at Aurelio@1019RXP.com.
Brian Aurelio - 101.9 RXP Brand Guy
Brian Aurelio’s Top 10 Road Trip Essentials
#1
Song: New Slang
Artist: The Shins
Album: Oh Inverted World / Garden State Soundtrack
Rating: 5 Stars
Voted: “Best song to imagine Natalie Portman was talking to you (minus the helmet)”
The Shins are featured twice on Zach Braff’s “Garden State” movie soundtrack so I’m including them both because this soundtrack is a rare “must download” in its entirety and also because the Shins most definitely are a stand out on the album. The Shins feature a haunting trance-inducing rhythm dripping in acoustic guitars, synth and dark lyrics sung deep by James Mercer. Try not to think of the Shins as “the band that was recently featured in a Gap ad,” try instead to think of them as “that band that Natalie Portman’s character said would change your life” in the movie Garden State – that would be more appropriate. http://www.gardenstatesoundtrack.com/ http://www.theshins.com/
#2
Song: Roscoe
Artist: Midlake
Album: The Trials of Van Occupanther
Rating: 4 stars
Voted: “Song which you will most likely find yourself singing along to in your car and suddenly become self conscious because the windows are down”
Midlake’s psychedelic acoustic and electric guitars with Tim Smith’s haunting lyrics and layered harmonies remind of the Hollies if the Hollies were a lot more dark and atmospheric. They are kind of a folky coldplay dipped in some harmonized XTC. If you dig “Roscoe” then download the entire album, because it is all good. http://www.midlake.net/
#3
Song: I Will Possess Your Heart
Artist: Deathcab For Cutie
Album: Narrow Stairs
Rating: 4
Voted: “Best song that reminds you of their previous album which you liked a lot”
Keyboards are notably downsized on Deathcab’s new album “Narrow Stairs,” but the familiar haunting reverb drumbeats, atmospheric guitar and the echo vocals of Ben Gibbard are all back and included on the album’s first single “I Will Possess Your Heart.” Before downloading the new single you have to have the DCFC’s album “Transatlanticism” on your iPod or else it won’t allow you to download. That is not true of course – but it should be…make sure you check out Transatlanticism if you are not familiar because it is a must have.
#4
Song: Out of Our Heads
Artist: Sheryl Crow
Album: Detours
Rating: 4 stars
Voted: “Song that, even if you consider yourself too cool to sing Sheryl Crow in public, you will likely find yourself singing under your breath while squeegee-ing your windshield at the gas station…probably to be followed by her single “Gasoline” from the same album”
This song makes you feel like your minivan has become a convertible mustang and the potholed Garden State Parkway has morphed into Highway 1 on the West Coast. The album “Detours” is worth downloading in its entirety with Sheryl Crow politicisizing on extremely catchy hooks and acoustic straight forward delivery. In an election year you may either love or hate the anti-war sentiments saturating each song, but you have to admit it is nice to hear rock and roll with a stance regardless. http://www.sherylcrow.com/
#5
Song: Lake Michigan
Artist: Rogue Wave
Album: Asleep at Heaven’s Gate
Rating: 4 stars
Voted: “Band best described in triple contradiction as ‘Pop Folk Darkness’”
Reviews of this new album have been mixed between disappointed core Rogue Wave fans and new fans that are just discovering singer Zach Rogue’s pop folk darkness. To those of us just discovering Rogue Wave (admittedly) for the first time the album is a worthy download and addition to any road trip soundtrack – if you are cheap, then just download this single and you ‘ll get a taste. http://www.roguewavemusic.com/
#6
Song: Take Care of Us
Artist: The Star Spangles
Album: Dirty Bomb
Rating: 4 stars
Voted: “Best band to play after someone cuts you off on the turnpike and you are speeding to catch up with them in order to give them the finger”
Local Brooklyn boys done good, The Star Spangles sophomore album “Dirty Bomb” is a power pop album rich with head bouncing, borderline head banging anthems best summarized with the single “Take Care of Us.” Capitol Records dropped the band before the release of “Dirty Bomb” so the band formed their own label (Tic Records) and released it themselves. Oops Capitol. http://www.thestarspangles.com/
#7
Song: Dizz Knee Land
Artist: Dada
Album: Puzzle
Rating: 3
Voted: “Best song to choose in order mention my college radio show in a review and hope that chicks notice”
I always played this song on my college radio show and it often seeps back into my head to this day. “Dizz Knee Land” is the single from Dada’s debut album back in 1992 and features the catchy sound and lyrics that earned it the early description of “the Police of the 90’s.” The band disappeared for about 5 years and went on hiatus, but they are now back and still boast 3 hour live performances that are worth the price of admission. http://www.dadatheband,com/
#8
Song: Oh Valencia
Artist: The Decemberists
Album: The Crane Wife
Rating: 4 stars
Voted: “Best conflicted song”
“Oh Valencia” is the best of both worlds - tragic lyrics about the “Romeo and Juliet” style death of two forbidden lovers, set to energetic sliding guitar and upbeat folk bounce. The album “The Crane Wife” (produced by Death Cab for Cutie guitarist Chris Walla) is filled with great stuff…but “Oh Valencia” tops them all because you can dig it whatever mood you’re in. On a sunny happy day, enjoy the musicality - if its raining and you are depressed, concentrate on the lyrics. http://www.decemberists.com/
#9
Song: How Soon is Now
Artist: The Smiths
Album: Hatful of Sorrow
Rating: 50 stars
Voted: “Most obvious song to include”
There is a cosmic rule that if you are putting together a road trip mix, this song must be included. According to the rulebook, if you cannot locate a copy, then “Letter to Elise” by the Cure is an acceptable alternate.
#10
Song: The Underdog
Artist: Spoon
Album: Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Rating: 5
Voted: “Best 101.9 RXP anthem”
OK this one is a bit of a selfish pick, but the day we launched 101.9 RXP we began playing this song and its lyrics and indie made it an immediate anthem within our halls. Bouncy upbeat and eccentric, Spoon features a looseness that takes unexpected turns, all wrapped with hooks that lock you in for the ride. With the exception of the stupid title, this album is worthy of iPodness, 101.9 RXPness (say that out loud but not in public) and probably a Target commercial somewhere down the line (a strange new indicator of greatness these days). http://www.spoontheband.com/
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