Slow melty folk wave of sparkles - "Street Joy" White Denim

"Street Joy" White Denim

So when I think of White Denim, I think of over-hyped indie music blog posts (not mine), and to be fair, I might be confusing White Denim with Harlem and Dum Dum Girls and other low-fi non-interests, but I just know... I don't like it! However, I heard a fantastic dreamy rock creation the other day, and what do you know, it's "Street Joy" by White Denim. It feels relaxing and magical and wishy washy but very classic and wholesome. It sounds like Hall & Oates meets MGMT meets new Band of Horses meets something sad that I love.

When to play it: Drinking red wine around your coffee table with friends on a winter's night.

How you'll feel: Like a melancholy movie scene mixed with a Jim Morrison high.

Pimp cane street walk turned indie pop - "Round and Round" Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti

"Round and Round" Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti

Ok ok, I'm a year behind on realizing the awesomeness of this song. Ariel Pink has been around for a while, but his latest project with band Haunted Graffiti kicked off in 2010. Pitchfork raved, laughed, cried... Haunted Graffiti is 2010's Jesus! I tried to listen to a few songs, and I couldn't get into it. "Round and Round" fell into my lap a week ago, and I can't stop. So. Damn. Good. This song starts off as a pimp's sidewalk strut beat and turns into a poppy vintage sitcom theme song (I keep seeing "WKRP in Cincinnati"). I'm a pimp, I'm a hippie, I'm dynamic. Either way, I'm not me for a few minutes, and that is awesome.

When to play it: Pimp strutting down the sidewalk on a sunny summer day (bell bottoms encouraged); lying on your roof with blanket, beer, oversized sunglases, and goofy grin.

How you'll feel: Relaxed.

1/3 groove 1/3 rock 1/3 jam - "Why Won't You Make Up Your Mind?" Tame Impala

"Why Won't You Make Up Your Mind?" Tame Impala

I saw this band on Pitchfork a month ago, and I was sold! Tame Impala (no clue how to pronounce this) is an Australian four-piece psychedelic band. Their sound is a touch of rock, dash of bearable (and enjoyable) jam band, and a bit of refreshingly unpretentious rambling melody.

When to play it: At a modern day hippie gathering; washing a large pile of dishes on a Saturday morning; a pot-smoking get together on your roof.

Side note: Buy the album "Innerspeaker" on iTunes; it's the kind of album you let play from start to finish and enjoy; the songs blend into one another. Groovy.