(CU Independent illustration/Adam Milner)
There have been movies made about this time of year. It’s epic, it’s magical, it’s amazing—it’s spring break. A good trip is never complete unless it has a good soundtrack. So put away those schoolbooks and jump in the car. Even if you don’t have a planned destination as exciting California or Las Vegas, find some friends to go on a drive with and listen to these songs that were selected by CU Independent staff writer Jenny Gumbert.
“Roscoe” by Midlake
This `70s rock influenced band is much better than anything you’ll find on classic FM radio while on the road. A little bit Fleetwood Mac and a little bit Fleet Foxes, Midlake knows how to make simple guitars and drums sound rich and prolific. Singer Tim Smith’s syrupy voice hypnotizes as he sings lines full of romantic natural imagery, like “we like the newness, the newness of all/that has grown in our garden soaking for so long.” Make sure to put this on when surrounded by trees and mountains with the wind blowing through your hair.
“Quick Canal” by Atlas Sound
Quirky and sometimes dissonant, Atlas Sound consistently keeps listeners on their feet. The man behind the music, Bradford Cox, isn’t afraid to experiment and “Quick Canal” may be his best result. With Stereolab’s Laetita Sadier’s smooth, ethereal vocals, the song is lush, swirling and bursting with synth textures that range from glitchy to ghostly. Every second brings a new glorious layer, and as the song fades after a lengthy eight minutes, you’ll wish it would go on forever, accompanying you for miles and miles.
“Out There On The Ice” by Cut Copy
After hours and hours locked in a car, it’s easy to get a little anxious and want to move around. That is why no road trip playlist is complete without something to get you dancing. Though some people say they are too cool to dance (who are you guys kidding?), nobody will be able to resist the infectious beats and insistent vocals that this Australian electro band creates. What makes Cut Copy so great is that they are an unabashed ode to the `90s, full of bouncy layered synths and vocal hooks that sometimes verge on ridiculous but are always genius. Give in and have some fun, it is spring break after all.
“Ready, Able” by Grizzly Bear
This track, from last year’s much lauded Veckatimest, was a soaring gem between some much more unassuming tracks. No stranger to creating epic tracks (“Central and Remote” is incredible), the boys of Grizzly Bear really outdid themselves, going from the muted, though beautiful, tones of Yellow House into CinemaScope for this record. “Ready, Able,” sounds purposeful as it starts; a chugging guitar line keeps a steady beat, creating a solid foundation for the trills and flourishes that bounce in and out. Singer Ed Droste’s velvety voice croons, “I’m gonna take a stab at this/surely we’ll be alright,” before he dives into his adventure. Perfect for a drive the windows down and the smell of the ocean in the distance.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Jenny Gumbert at jenny.gumbert@colorado.edu.
