Nothing really comes out in December, I feel like everyone tries to get their music kicks in before then, this way they can make all the year end lists. So picking a song for December is always difficult. A lot of times I b***s*** with an ok song, rather than one I really love… but I actually really love this song. I don’t usually listen to Memory Tapes that often, I always forget about them. Although I feel like they always have one stand out track on their albums that I love and play on repeat. This is definitely that song.

Another thing about listening to music in December. I’m usually taking advantage of the brief window I have to listen to all the classic holiday songs that feel weird to hear outside of December. Not so much the Burl Ives or Bing Crosby’s, but the Waitresses, Kinks and Pogues… ok, I might listen to the Pogues’ Fairytale of New York outside of December. It transcends the holiday season. I also just like to listen to a lot of oldies during the holidays, it makes me feel warm and cozy inside its familiarity.

Memory Tapes, Shelia

Other notable songs, (throwback edition)
George Harrison, Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp
The Velvet Underground, Oh! Sweet Nuthin’
Pogues, A Fairytale of New York

Riley’s soundtrack, Year 4.
October | Anything Could Happen
November | Wrath of God
December | Sheila

I remember when Crystal Castles’ first self titled album came out, it was start to finish awesome. Anything chock full of video game noises is alright in my book. But with each self titled release, they’re growing a bit lacking. This third album has, in my opinion, two really good songs. Unfortunately that might be all it has, I don’t know… I may have to listen to it s’more. This doesn’t take away from the merit of Wrath of God, when I first heard it I was jazzed, I listened to it over and over. Good times, noodle salad.

Crystal Castles, Wrath of God
(Video by Ivan Grbin)

Other notable songs,
Sharon Van Etten, Tell Me
Crystal Castles, Plague

Riley’s soundtrack, Year 4.
October | Anything Could Happen
November | Wrath of God

Sometimes when I’m so behind on these I double or triple up… but this time I decided to go along as normal… just REALLY behind. Maybe I’ll catch up one day, although with a fairly busy crochet schedule and a barely planned wedding looming… I doubt it. Take me as I am ghost readers! I love every one of your silent eyes! Also, I’m totally sneaking this post out today, I should be working right now… I’ll be doing that for weeks to come.

Hello, my name is Boring.

One thing that always comes in handy while I’m hooking away on my couch… music. It just occurred to me that you think I’m a prostitute, I assure you I’m not, hooking is fancy talk for crocheting.

Hello, my name is Fancy.

I miss this.

MUSIC. I freaking love this song. I love any tune that forces my hindquarters to inadvertently move in a quick paced sided to side motion. Its true. The video however, I really don’t like it. It reminds me of when I was in middle school and I watched entirely too much MTV. I remember how a music video could make or break a single. Sometimes I would fall in love with a mediocre song because of its great video and other times I would change the channel if a horrid video came on, despite the songs merit. The point being… this video made me change the channel. Don’t worry Ellie, I have iTunes.

Ellie Goulding, Anything Could Happen

Other notable songs,
Sky Ferreira, Everything Is Embarrassing
Tame Impala, Elephant
Bat For Lashes, A Wall

Riley’s soundtrack, Year 4.
October | Anything Could Happen

I didn’t immediately love this song, it was a grower. Once it did grow though, I was smitten. Also, I really love when I can bookend these years with a female artist. I want Riley to have positive female role models.

I absolutely love Bat For Lashes, I impatiently waited for her new album, The Haunted Man, to leak for weeks. I know, I’m a terrible music lover… what can I say. It was well worth the wait though, fantastic. In September I played Marilyn so much that I started to annoy Terrence, I’m guessing he was not a fan. He would say things like, didn’t you listen to this already? Yes, yes I did… and if you weren’t here I’d listen to it on repeat, but I don’t out of respect for your sanity.

Bat For Lashes, Marilyn
At minute 2:54, that’s when this song gets super adorable. I die.

Runners up for September’s best song,
Grizzly Bear, Yet Again
Angel Olsen, Acrobat
Bat For Lashes, All Your Gold
Still Corners, Fireflies

Riley’s Soundtrack, Year 3.
October | Intro
November | Take Care
December | Montreal
January | I Belong In Your Arms
February | Oblivion
March | The House That Heaven Built
April | Krokodil
May | Tomorrow
June | Motion Sickness
July | Take A Walk
August | Today’s Supernatural
September | Marilyn

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I love the way every Animal Collective album has a distinctly different sound, all while keeping the bands signature style. I adore this band. I spent most of August jamming to Today’s Supernatural over and over again, the energy is fantastic. When I first listened to Centipede Hz it had that same energy throughout the album, I strongly recommend it. Then again, I strongly recommend all of their albums. Everyone stop what you’re doing and throw some love towards the Animal Collective.

Animal Collective, Today’s Supernatural

Remember when I said that music was amazing and that it was becoming harder and harder to narrow down a single track to represent each month… yeah… I jinxed it. This was the last amazing single of the summer as far as I’m concerned, everything else is alright. I’m trying to dig deep for next months pick, but I’m feeling a settle coming on.

Riley’s Soundtrack, Year 3.
October | Intro
November | Take Care
December | Montreal
January | I Belong In Your Arms
February | Oblivion
March | The House That Heaven Built
April | Krokodil
May | Tomorrow
June | Motion Sickness
July | Take A Walk
August |Today’s Supernatural

I hadn’t realized how long it was since Passion Pit‘s last album came out, three years. Right before I heard this new single my friend asked me if Passion Pit was gonna be releasing something soon and I was all, it hasn’t been that long since the last one. Jump to literally two weeks later and I heard Take A Walk, not only that but I was able to procure the full album. I guess I didn’t notice the spacing of time because I still listen to Manners on a fairly regular basis, I wasn’t yet yearning for more. But since I got it — and it is awesome — I’m all… hmm, I guess it had been a while.

Passion Pit, Take A Walk

I don’t want to jinx it, but these last couple of months have gifted us with some really great albums. Thanks Summer, you’re not bad… even if you do rob me of comfortable fashion choices.

Runners up for July’s best song,
Twin Shadow, Golden Light
Bat for Lashes, Laura
Passion Pit, I’ll Be Alright
Dirty Projectors, Gun Has No Trigger

Riley’s Soundtrack, Year 3.
October | Intro
November | Take Care
December | Montreal
January | I Belong In Your Arms
February | Oblivion
March | The House That Heaven Built
April | Krokodil
May | Tomorrow
June | Motion Sickness
July | Take A Walk

I love Hot Chip, their new album In Our Heads is FANTASTIC. Summer months are always kind to my ears, I look forward to all the dancey and energetic music that I get to blast in various hot places. This album has definitely been blaring in my ears nearly non-stop since I got it. Motion Sickness is the perfect opener to prepare you for the upcoming party residing In Our Heads. Like last month, it was kind of hard to pick just one song, but I stand by my choice as a proper representation for June. Sadly, they don’t have an official video for this track… yet. But I found a nice substitute.

Hot Chip, Motion Sickness

Other notably enjoyable songs off of In Our Heads…
How Do You Do?
Flutes
Night And Day
Don’t Deny Your Heart

and for the slow jam in all of us… Look At Where We Are.

Riley’s Soundtrack, Year 3.
October | Intro
November | Take Care
December | Montreal
January | I Belong In Your Arms
February | Oblivion
March | The House That Heaven Built
April | Krokodil
May | Tomorrow
June | Motion Sickness

I can not stop listening to Niki & The Dove. The first time I heard Tomorrow I felt impregnated by it, there was no stopping it, it was my new baby daddy. I often become disappointed when I fall hard for a single track only to discover the album is no good (cough, Lana Del Rey, cough). I had the album for quite some time before I braved it, gladly, it was awesome. It may end up being one of my favorite albums of the year, or in the least the Summer.

Niki & The Dove, Tomorrow

I honestly couldn’t decided which song I wanted to use for this, it’s kind of what took me so long to put this up. Here are the reasons why…

The Fox
DJ, Ease My Mind
The Drummer

I’m clearly enamored. I hope you will be too… if you’re not already.

Riley’s Soundtrack, Year 3.
October | Intro
November | Take Care
December | Montreal
January | I Belong In Your Arms
February | Oblivion
March | The House That Heaven Built
April | Krokodil
May | Tomorrow

I remember the first time I heard “Paris Is Burning” and I didn’t really like it. When I heard it again a few months later I loved it. Funny how that works. When “Strange Mercy” was released last year it was over, I was officially in love with St. Vincent. I enjoyed her before but not the way I do now, right now she can do no wrong. I’m sure it’ll eventually pass, but let me just enjoy this moment.

St. Vincent, Krokodil

(Here’s the recorded version)

Riley’s Soundtrack, Year 3.
October | Intro
November | Take Care
December | Montreal
January | I Belong In Your Arms
February | Oblivion
March | The House That Heaven Built
April | Krokodil