Today’s Top 5 Music Obsessions came into my ears through Spotify’s Discover Weekly Playlist, the Netflix Series “The Haunting of Hill House”, and a first song stuck in my head this morning mental “playlist”. I try to start every day with music. When I do it helps the day start off better. Some people start with their Social Media feed, others with the News, or with work emails. For me, I try to start with a song. A song, a kiss, a hot shower, coffee, and a good morning to my kids (or at least whichever one is awake). All the rest can wait. All the Social Media updates will be there later, the news will, too. Emails can wait until I get in the office, or at least until I’ve had a song, a kiss, a shower, coffee, and at least one good morning. This may not work for anyone else, but for me, this is the best way I can start my morning, and the best way I can manage my anxiety.
Do whatever works for you. There are other things, too. Things I’d like to add back into my morning routine. Once certain financial issues are in better order and control I’d like to go back to the gym (i.e. slayer training), and I’d like to try to write more in the early morning. At least a page in a journal, or a list of gratefulness. Something. These are things that used to be part of my daily routine and used to help my mental and emotional state so much. I tend to forget to take care of me. It’s easier, and more than even second nature, to take care of those I love first. But, I need to factor myself in sometimes. At least a little. I’m not much for New Year’s Resolutions as they always seem like setting up oneself to fail, but maybe this year these things need to be mine. At least at some point next year.
For now, today, its time to press play.
Top 5 Music Obsessions – Monday, December 10, 2018
Listen to this week’s Music Obsessions on Spotify and YouTube
1. “Factory” by Martha Wainwright
from the album, Self-Titled (2005)
“These are not my people,
I should never have come here.
I know a place,
I’ve seen the face.
Take the coast from factory to factory.”
Discovering/re-discovering the music of Martha Wainwright today.
Until “Factory” came on this week’s Discover Weekly I’d forgotten how much I love Martha’s Self-Titled album, from 2005.
I love the storytelling aspect of this song – “Factory” – and the album. Something about Martha’s music reminds me of Leonard Cohen. 2005’s Self-Titled is Martha’s debut album and my favorite.
“Factory” (live) by Martha Wainwright
2. “Extraordinary Love” by Erika Wennerstrom
from the album, Sweet Unknown (2018)
“I want to feel extraordinary love,
a love that always echoes through my mind.
I want to feel extraordinary love,
a love that only comes from with inside.”
Erika Wennerstrom is a new discovery for me (Thanks, Spotify).
Originally from the band Heartless Bastards, which I’m only a tiny bit familiar with, Erika reminds me of Angel Olsen and Sharon Van Etten, as well as a little like Waxahatchee and Daughter (with a bit more rock/Americana weaved through).
Is there an Indie Blues Rock genre? If there is, this song fits right into it.
This is the track from Today’s Top 5 that I can’t get enough of. I keep hitting replay – over and over and over and over again. I’m “extraordinarily” obsessed with it today.
“Extraordinary Love” (live) by Erika Wennerstrom
3. “Done” by Frazey Ford
from the album, Indian Ocean (2014)
“I used to think I hold the best parts of me,
to sew the holes in your life and the cracks in your seams.
And, I’m done.
Oh whoa, I’m done.”
I’m so into this song, and Frazey Ford, today.
Another big thank you to Spotify for this, too. I’d never heard Frazey before.
I love her voice, the country/folk/indie blues rock (I’m making that last one a thing, I am) sound and song sensibility. Oh, and I’m digging her style – big time.
I’m pretty sure I’ll be listening to this album, 2014’s Indian Ocean, the rest of this week…and beyond.
This track reminds me of times in my past when I’ve emptied all I am to another person. Usually in a relationship, but sometimes to family, or a friendship. Giving until I’ve got nothing left, trying until nothing can be done, and usually winding up needing something – anything – back, and getting little to nothing. I like to think I’m living and learning. Though I still probably love too much, and too big. The only difference is now I’m letting myself be open and vulnerable. Scary and hard, but I keep hoping (and believing) that it’s all worth it.
“Done” (live) by Frazey Ford
4. “California” by Mazzy Star
from the album, Seasons of the Day (2013)
“I think I’ll drift across the ocean now.
Clouds look so clear in your eyes.”
I woke up with this song in my head.
I put it on repeat while I was getting ready. Carrying “California” downstairs while I put a pot of coffee on, packed up my lunch, and made my son’s breakfast. I pressed play and listened again as I drove to work, switching over eventually to the entire album. Hope Sandoval’s voice is bliss to me.
“California” (live) by Mazzy Star
5. “All You Got Is Gold” by The Great Escape
from the album, Universe In Bloom (2017)
“Let us go where the wild things grow.
Let us go where the time runs slow,
to the fields that brought you here.”
I discovered this song, and The Great Escape, during a binge watch of the Netflix Series, “The Haunting of Hill House”.
I may write something bigger about the Series, once I’ve had time to fully digest it. It impacted me in a big way, so many moments (beyond the ghost parts) were so relatable to my life. They often hurt to watch. They often hurt a lot. My dreams were impacted, too. All that said, I really enjoyed it and though I know the ending is polarizing, or at least a lot of people I’ve talked to didn’t like it, I was grateful for it.
The people I’ve talked to who related to the painful parts feel that way, too. I think it comes down to my hopefulness and wishes that the traumas and pain and hurt and bad times I’ve been through will lead to something good.
This song and one other from the show are beautiful to me.
“All You Got Is Gold” (live) by The Great Escape
Top 5 Music Obsessions – Week of December 10, 2018
