Seasonal Playlists

It seems like fall has left as quickly as it arrived with temperatures being quite frigid lately. However, it is still technically fall, and with that comes another year of making a seasonal playlist and listening to certain albums on repeat. Since the very first mixtape until the rise of the MP3 and iPod playlists, music fanatics have been making mixes that chronicle relationships, the changes of the season and pretty much any other theme that comes to mind. It is almost a yearly ritual where you go through your vast musical collection and pick and choose songs that will fit your mood and your surrounding perfectly. There is a science to it that many adhere to such as making sure the songs flow together, making sure to balance the different styles in the mix, and don't even think about using the same artist twice.

For this entry, I wanted to share my fall playlist and a few albums that I constantly listen to in order to get through the week.

1. Matt Pond PA "Several Arrows Later" - Matt Pond PA is sort of the musical patron saint of autumn. No matter what album of his I listen to, it seems like the perfect soundtrack for when the leaves start to change.

2. The American Analog Set "Set Free" - I listen to this album religiously during the autumn months. One listen to the lush sounds of "She's Half" and you will understand why. The warmth that comes through on "Set Free" make it a prennial autumn favorite.

3. Elliott Smith "Either/Or" - Smith's third album "Either/Or" was the one that started pushing him a little more into the spotlight. Smith's hushed vocals tug on the heartstrings on the mostly acoustic "Between The Bars" and "Say Yes" has got to be one of the most uplifting songs in his catalog.

Fall Playlist 2010

Matt Pond PA "Locate The Pieces"
The Swell Season "Leave"
The American Analog Set "First of Four"
American Football "Honestly?"
Bright Eyes "Classic Cars"
Cat Power "Cross Bones Style"
Damien Rice "Volcano"
Feist "I Feel It All"
Death Cab For Cutie "Transatlanticism"
Papermoons "Live Right"
Elliott Smith "Between The Bars"
The Shins "New Slang"