The Playlist – June 2014

Music is a little like food and clothes. These are areas where it’s probably worthwhile for one to explore & expand their tastes. The Playlist is assembled each month by Dappered’s very own music correspondent, Tim Johnstone. Tim is a former Virgin Records Label Rep & current award winning Program Director at KRVB, which was awarded the FMQB AAA station of the year markets 50+. You can also catch his work on Fridays when he assembles the Weekend Dossier. 

 

MILKY CHANCE – “Stolen Dance”

This one is sneaky. First listen through I was more or less non-plussed. Second listen through I was hooked. And I’m still not sure why.

 

ROBERT PLANT – “Rainbow”

Well this is a little unexpected. I will always give Robert Plant the benefit of the doubt. And this does not disappoint. Once again Plant takes his music to someplace new while bringing along enough of his legacy to remind you why he still commands our attention.

 

THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS – “Brill Bruisers”

Absolute joy. That’s what these guys specialize in. They are consistently fun, dependably harmonious and entertainingly rambunctious.

 

LINKIN PARK – “Wastelands”

Yes, they have a formula. But it still seems to work.

 

SAM SMITH: – “I’m not the only one”

It’s not about his looks. It’s not about what he wears. He’s getting attention because of what matters. Because when it comes down to it, it’s all about the voice. And he has it. Then there’s this. 

 

COURTNEY BARNETT – “Avant Gardener”

Courtney Love +  early Sheryl Crow + Beck + early Liz Phair + woozy summer road trip music. This is that and then some.

 

BLEACHERS – “Rollercoaster”

I really am looking forward to Jack Antonoff’s side project. He’s whipped up a hyper-energetic new wave powered modern rock machine with a side helping of 90’s indie rock. Bleachers is relentlessly upbeat and refreshing.

 

CHARLES BRADLEY – “You put the flame on it”

If you ever appreciated the R&B side of James Brown, this is for you. If you’re a fan of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, this is for you. If you want to root for a “up from the bootstraps” artist who survived more bad times than most, this is for you. It’s a great story.

 

JUNGLE – “Busy Earning”

Earth Wind and Fire never goes out of style. Also, smooth moves. This just immediately put me in a great mood.

 

THE SHINS – “So now what”

Because Zach Braff really likes The Shins and because there is a new Zach Braff movie coming out ten years after Zach Braff’s Garden State made The Shins the most famous indie rock band of the era, here is a previously unreleased song from The Shins.

For previous editions of The Playlist, see the growing archive here.