Goldilocks and the Three Playlists

Surely one of them is just right.

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

We all recall Goldilocks and the Three Bears, every porridge lovers favorite fairy tale. The fairy tale begins as they often do, with a little breaking and entering. Upon gaining access to the home, which seems to be inhabited by three bears who were abruptly interrupted during breakfast, Goldilocks decides to grab a bite to eat. She discovers porridge that is too hot, too cold, and finally some that is just right.

This tale of human on bear crime inspired me this week; I am featuring three playlists of varying kinds with the hope that at least one might be just right for your particular mood today. We will start with something that is perhaps a little too hard, then something maybe a little too soft. Of course, there will be that perfect in-between that is juuuust right. I happen to prefer all three, but then again, when it comes to music I am gluttonous!

TOO HARD

Animals takes its name from the album that gave us the opening track; a playlist that kicks off with Pink Floyd can only be a good thing! The name also made sense because the songs in queue are all wild animals, with snarling guitar, pounding drums and ferocious energy. The wild, adventurous spirit of rock and roll runs strong in songs like Holly by Sleigh Bells or You Don’t Know Me by Son Lux. Ryhmin & Stealin by Beastie Boys pairs well with classics like Cherry Bomb by The Runaways or Baby’s On Fire by Brian Eno. Repeat appearances from Death From Above 1979, Queens Of The Stone Age and The Dead Weather compound the weight and intensity of the mix so that surprises like Bjork, The Doors or Tame Impala really stand out. All in all, it is a fun playlist for those who are comfortable in a room filled with sharp edges.

TOO SOFT

If you are feeling mellow, like a quiet, cozy “coffeehouse” playlist would be nice, Lua might be just the right play. As the title suggests, the playlist opens on Lua by Conor Oberst with Gillian Welch. I adore this version of his song; it’s so sad and pretty. I am a huge fan of Gillian, so she shows up a few more times before the end; first with Revelator, which may be my all-time favorite song ever, and again covering Radiohead’s Black Star. There are actually quite a few covers because I really enjoy them; Joy Division, The Rolling Stones, The White Stripes, Soundgarden and Oasis are amongst those whose songs have been lovingly softened, making them the perfect vibe for this compilation. There are some quintessential Elliot Smith songs and the sultry vocals of the enchanting Ms. Hope Sandoval are woven throughout. There are many treasures on this list, Bauhaus’ All We Ever Wanted Was Everything, Neko Case’s Vengeance is Sleeping, and Beth Gibbons/Rustin Mann’s Mysteries - 1 to mention a few. Just thinking about it makes me want to grab some hot tea, snuggle up by the fire and press play.

JUUUUST RIGHT

Idle Days is a compilation that was inspired by the feeling that comes with listening to Beirut’s Mount Wroclai (Idle Days). It’s a celebratory song and it feels open and free, but it’s tempered with a hint of sadness. It captures perfectly these crazy times we live in; even on the most beautiful and relaxing days, there is always the tension of the real world trying to distract us. Beck and Deerhunter make multiple appearances as do The Walkmen. Classics like Ringo Starr’s Photograph and The Velvet Underground’s Who Loves the Sun provide a strong backbone that supports fun little gems like Where Do You Go To (My Lovely) by Peter Sarstedt or Heart Cooks Brain by Modest Mouse. There are also some rarities like Unrest’s When It All Comes Down or Indian Summer by Eugenius. Idle Days is an unexpected and delightful soundtrack for a chill day at home in The Suburbs, perhaps with Beercan in hand.

Just a quick note about my playlists: I am anal about them. Insomuch as I build them to flow. When played on Spotify’s “custom” sort, they are a collage of music meant to meander along in an endless loop. The songs tend to share a vibe, a tone, or a theme, so they can of course be enjoyed when sorted any which way, but just thought I’d mention the curated trip for anyone interested in taking it.