It’s that time of year again. The weather is (getting) warm, the sun is (occasionally) out, and spring is (kind of) in the air. Though here in New York it’s taking a bit to shake off the last bits of an admittedly mild winter, signs are pointing to brighter season ahead. As such Listen In presents yet another seasonal playlist.

This list of tunes puts a spring in my step, and spring in my heart. Starting with light indie-pop leading into songs with more driving rhythms and ending on note of iconic rock, this mix is pep and energy in spades to match the cheery afternoons promised by a lengthening day and a rising UV index.

1. Lyyke Li - Dance, Dance, Dance

Hat tip to Jacob for getting me into this positively infectious singer from Sweden. The clean pop beats provide an excellent starting point from which to begin a brand new season.

2. The Be Good Tanyas - The Littlest Birds

The three-part vocal harmonies accompanied by light finger-picking create a light and refreshed mood.

3. Yael Naim - New Soul

AKA “That song from the Macbook Air commercial”, “New Soul” is a head-bobbing romp, and Naim showcases an incredibly sweet vocal. The rest of her self-titled record isn’t to shabby either.

4. Feist - Mushaboom
   This hit from her second album made her big in the underground, and a full album later the rest of the world caught up.
5. She and Him - I Was Made for You

Zooey Deschanel and Matt Ward’s little project grows on me more every time I listen to it.

6. Belle and Sebastian - I’m a Cuckoo
   Every spring I seem to become a sucker for this song. Not all B&S is what Jack Black characterizes in High Fidelity, “Sad bastard music.”
7. Dressy Bessy - If You Should Try to Kiss Her

I’m really, really, really sorry for the video. I suggest minimizing the window while the song plays, ’cause the bubble-gum rock is very worth it.

8. I’m From Barcelona - Barcelona Loves You

I saw these guys live last summer and they were a riot. Super fun in an earnest, off-the-wall sort of way.

9. Andrew Bird - Fiery Crash

When considering this, remember that the first minute of violin solo in the video isn’t part of the album version of the song. It has a nice shift from melody rocking rhythm.

10. Broken Social Scene - Superconnected

Another live video whose first minute is irrelevant, this song seems like a straightforward rocker but it’s actual quite layered like most BSS stuff. I’m picky about my Broken Social Scene, but this is one of the few songs of theirs that gets to me every time.

11. Stars - Bitches in Tokyo

I had no idea when I made this list that it would necessarily consist completely of live videos. Audio quality is pretty good on this one, maintain the urgency of the original song.

12. Arcade Fire - Keep the Car Running

One of the few songs (IMO) from the new album that maintains the ability to build slowly and then explode with raucous energy. Not to mention the “OHoh” choruses are fun as hell.

13. New Order - Age of Consent

If anyone says “Hey, that song from Marie Antoinette” or even worse “That song from the Cingular commercial” I’m going to scream.

14. The Go! Team - Keys to the City

I’ve heard this band described as rock and soul combined with sesame street rhymes, and that’s pretty apt. If more groups were like this, imagine what kind of party life would be.

15. Sons and Daughters - Chains

Sons and Daughters’ third album This Gift is currently one of my favorites, not in the least because of this swing-inducing rock song.

16. The Pixies - Wave of Mutilation

Pixies songs speak for themselves.

© Eric Atienza 2008 for Listen In. Some rights reserved.

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