In Search of Good Music

Fuck the Groundhogs, Spring can start now!

As I sit here shivering, feeling like every inch of my body has been raped thrice by that smug faced, snowy browed, wind-chill ejaculating Abominable Snowman, I start to slip-slide away like Paul Simon and dream of better days ahead, Springtime. It’s March and Spring is on its way, however, it doesn’t officially start until, what, the 21st? Are we supposed to wait? Haven’t we waited long enough? You may say, “hold up Samosa! (writing that actually just made me picture someone walking into a bank, pointing a gun at the teller, who is in fact a Samosa, yelling “hold up!”..) what about those cute, beloved Groundhogs? Both Wiarton Willy and Punxsutawney Phil predicted a longer winter….” Fuck that noise, I’ll kick them both in their hairy, publicity stunt creating, bucked tooth having fur sacks…

So who’s with me? Who wants to experience Springtime?

You do, so do you person in that Urban Outfitters plaid shirt, and you, and so do you person in that American Apparel hoodie, and you as well, and you, and you over there. We all do!

How can we achieve this?

Muzak! (music!)

There are certain artists/albums/songs that sound like a season, and when my ears take a gander, there are artists/albums/songs that fill them with Springtime. Sunny days, rainy days, butterflies, rainbows, fresh grass, rebirth, bears awaking from hibernation (rawr!), light coats, moonwalking caterpillars, crip walking ants, spring-cleaning-lemon-scented-Pledge, fresh daisies, that post-rain smell and everything else that is my favourite season. With that said, here are a few of must haves to take you into Spring, even if you do so when it’s still Winter:

Beirut, Beirut, Beirut! Beirut are a band that are Springtime personified, true they are a little bit of Autumn as well, but in my mind they are often Spring. Their sounds are most likely Springtime in Paris or some exotic Eastern European locale, but hey, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.."croissants anyone?" The most Springish of their albums I believe to be, “Gulag Orkestar” however the song that puts me in Spring-mode more than anything else they have done has to be off of “The Flying Cup Club” called, “Forks and Knives (La Fete)". The music and the way the song is kicked off makes me want to jump into a pool of gumdrops, which is crazy, because what the fuck is a gumdrop? Also, what else says Spring more than the opening lyrics, with Zach Condon crooning: “Uptown, the street’s in calming way/and outside is warm as a bed with a maid/and I find it’s all our waves and raves/that makes the days go on this way.”

Next up to bat (hey, baseball season is starting too) anything from the "Verve Remixed vol. 1-3". Who can argue with anyone giving the “keys” to a bunch of the worlds best DJ’s? What “keys?" The keys to the Verve vault. Verve is probably the best known jazz label in the stratosphere; Nina Simone, Lady Ella, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday, Astrud Gilberto, etc all displayed their chops through that label. DJ’s/musicians such as Junior Boys, Danger Mouse, Postal Service, Miguel Migs, Felix Da Housecat, etc. take these old gems and put a contemporary spin on them, insane, no? Yes…Very. Not only is it insane, every song on here superbly stinks of Springtime, so much so that if you close your eyes blades of grass will actually massage your shoulders while you’re French kissed by a beret dawning beauty, yeah! Some of my recommendations for this series of albums include Dinah Washington’s “Is you is or is you aint my baby (Rae & Christian remix)” found on vol. 1, Nina Simone’s “Little Girl Blue (Postal Service remix)” found on vol. 3 and again Nina Simone with “Sinnerman (Felix Da Housecat remix)” found on vol. 2…Yes, I loves me some Simone. An honourable mention if you want to seduce your eardrums with other great jazz for Spring, check out St. Germain’s “Tourist” and James Hunter’s throwback late 50s early 60s Sam Cooke inspired blues-sound with his album, “People Gonna Talk.”

And finally, not because I’ve run out of Spring-time recommendations, but more so because I’m tired, enter “Juno” the soundtrack. I remember the movie came out in the winter. I also remember it being friggin’ cold and the sidewalks were slippery as shiz. Sitting down in the theatre I had no idea of the musical feast I was about to enjoy. The soundtrack to the movie played such an integral role, and I felt all spring-time-eeee because of it. I think a big reason that it falls into this season is due to Kimya Dawson charmingly singing songs such as, “Loose Lips,” and “Tree Hugger.” Kimya has some competition though as Barry Louis Polisar really puts the Spring stamp on this album singing “All I Want is You.” With lyrics like, “If I was a flower growing wild and free all I’d want is you to be my sweet honeybee, and if I was a tree growing tall and green all I’d want is you to shade me and be my leaves (insert awesome harmonica solo now),” how can there really be anything better for Spring, and for a hopeless romantic such as myself, this song and Springtime fit perfectly together, they spoon even.

Other “honourable Springtime mentions” (artist/song):

Belle and Sebastien – The Boy with the Arab Strap
Iron and Wine – Love and Some Verses
Jason Collett – Fire
Echo and the Bunnymen - Bring on the Dancing Horses & Seven Seas
Ben Kweller – How it should be (Sha Sha)
The Stone Roses – She Bangs the Drums
Sigur Ros – Gobbledigook & Hoppipolla
Elvis Costello-Everyday I write the Book
Feist-Mushaboom
Coldplay-Strawberry Swing
Digable Planets-Rebirth of Slick
The Shins-Red Rabbits
Phoenix-Consolation Prizes & Long Distance Call

Talk to you sooner than soon,

- Samosa


I am obsessed with music; I have music playing almost every second of the day. Out of all the music I have consumed in my life, the genre that captivates me is Indie. I just love the creativity that is put into Indie music.

My favorite band to date is Death Cab for Cutie, I’ve even had the opportunity to see Ben belt out his poetic lyrics live. I am a fan of the bands spirit, dedication, and eloquence they spread during their performances. I consider Death Cab a great band although it’s hard for me to explain why—they just have a certain timeless quality to them that many modern rock bands lack. They don’t do anything far out or life changing to the genre, their craft is just inspiring. I am sure that their songs and message will make sense to the general public in many years to come.

Love Captain Wonton