Ten Songs For Ten Different Moods

When I first had this hub in mind, I was going to do "Ten Songs That Everyone Should Hear". But then I changed my mind, which happens all the time. I figured that not everyone is going to think mellow bedtime songs are as cool as I do. SO I decided to compile a list of songs that I think are all 1) EPIC, and 2) set different moods. The first song on my list is Bells by Anathallo, a rising indie group out of Mount Pleasant, Michigan. As I was studying for finals in the library (and simultaneously mooching off of other people's iTunes playlists), I was lucky enough to stumble across the musical greatness that is ANATHALLO. Enjoy numero uno :)

 Man I love this song. My aunt used to bounce me on her knee to this song when I was a wee lass. I didn't realize it was religious until I 1) paid attention to the lyrics and 2) was given the complete musical history of Bob Dylan by my friend Derrick. Either way, this song inspires and has a jammin' beat.

Another song I randomly discovered through my moochy tendencies. I lost my iPod several months ago, so since then I've been toting my good ol' walkman. Despite my efforts to embrace my lack of dependence on the aforementioned iPod, the damn walkman isn't easy to go running with. There's a convenient little slot in the treadmill, but my walkman manages to bounce just enough that I have to keep picking it up. For a while I brought a yarn hat to the gym with the hopes that it would soften the blows of the bouncing treadmill. It worked all right, but I've been mooching off of my friend's iPod recently which has made things way easier. And I was fortunate enough to come across what might be a classic which I had never heard before a week or so ago. Put your dancing shoes, close the blinds, and have a little boogie session in your living room. That means NOW!

I'd heard this song randomly a couple of times at a bar/club teeming with frat boys and sorority girls, but I had no idea who it was by or why I was particularly attracted to it (but I guess attraction never makes perfect sense anyway). A couple of days ago I had an awesome night, which accompanied by a playlist that included this song. I tried to remember the name of it, but Guru Josh Project (is that a band? one person? I have no idea!) isn't the easiest thing to remember so I forgot in about twenty minutes. FORTUNATELY, I remembered the guru part, because guru is a cool word, and the searching powers of youtube allowed me to reunite with this song. It's inspirational in a modern day, flashy, sexy kind of way. And if you forget the name you can just pop by my hub again and find it!!

 My dad is from Colombia, so I grew up listening to Spanish music. I picked the song La Gota Fria, a lively and zesty song by Carlos Vives, one of my dad's favorite artists. The song utilizes an instrument that we don't see enough in our culture: THE ACCORDION. I'm trying to mix it up here. My goal is for everyone who reads this article to find at least one of these songs special.

Have you ever danced on your lawn alone during a snowy winter night and thought hmm...this song doesn't quite set the mood?Nada Surf's "Beautiful Beat" will solve all your snowy-evening-lawn-dancing problems. How do I know? Because I have experience with this sort of thing. It's not dancey in the same way as some of the other songs I picked. "Beautiful beat" spurs epiphanies, childish joy, and million-dollar moments. But I'm not going to back up my claim with any sort of guarantee because I don't want legal trouble. Listen, though, and see how it makes you feel :)

 Incubus, one of the greatest bands of all time, has had quite a few radio hits. These hits are all good and dandy, but do not represent the range or depth of Incubus's talent. Every once in a while, it is good to hear something a little louder and wilder. The album S.C.I.E.N.C.E. is full of intensity. "Vitamin" lures you in with  instrumental charm and the sexy voice of Brandon Boyd. He's calm...he's calm...and then...all of a sudden HE'S YELLING. But still sexy. Time to get aggressive.

Imogen Heap has an interesting voice. Eerie is the best word I can use to describe it. I was really torn between "Hide and Seek" and "Speeding Cars". I still am, in fact. But I'm forcing myself to choose "Hide and Seek" because it has a morphing, phase-y quality. I like songs that build and grow and change. You never know what to expect. Be prepared for the anti-chorus.

"Kids With Guns": Cool. The song,obviously, not children carrying rifles or pistols or cannons or any other type of weapon. We've gone through quite a few musical phases, but they are all missing the funky aspect. When I first heard the song "Clint Eastwood" on the radio, I thought it was weird and felt confused for several minutes. When "Feel Good Inc" came out, I was no longer confused but enlightened. It's musical playtime. Let's have some fun.

So many choices! Choosing songs for this list has taken quite some time...but I think we need to hear another one of my favorite female artists...Sia Furler of Zero 7. I'm getting ready to go to bed, so it's going to have to be a sleepy chill song of the kind I've been trying to avoid for sake of diversity. Choosing the song was a tough call. If you like this song, I suggest you check out "You're My Flame", "Destiny", and "Home". Not to say that Zero 7 does not have other beautiful songs. Those particular ones feature Sia Furler, but the band also has male vocalists (and female, for that matter).

I hope I introduced everyone to at least one new and likable song. I'm always up for good song suggestions, so feel free to give me a few of your own favorites. Time to get ready for bed as I listen to my final song, "Spinning" by Zero 7.