Run your fingers through my hair locomotive chug - "Cry to Me" Solomon Burke

"Cry to Me" Solomon Burke

R.I.P. Patrick Swayze. If you're a real girl, you'll recognize this song from Baby and Johnny Castle's jealousy-inducing sensual dance turn romp scene in "Dirty Dancing." This song is painful and happy; it sways and chugs, lurches and pops. It hurts so good like an Otis Redding jam.

When to play it: If you're lucky, at a Baby/Johnny re-enactment; washing dishes happily in your underwear and a man's white button down; slow dancing with an intriguing stranger in your living room at 3AM.

Side note: Watch the scene here.

Dainty vocal dance makes big sound - "The Limit to Your Love" Feist

"The Limit to Your Love" Feist

This song moves me in two directions: calm serene green road or sad tear-filled meaning of life reflection. What I love about Feist's songs is that the individual musical components are extremely simple, but her voice is so beautiful, it skips and hops over the chords and notes; it's a loosely woven gossamer, sparkly scarf.

When to play it: After yoga; while thoughtfully reflecting on a lost love under your covers.

How you'll feel: Light.

Side note: I once met a guy from Austria named Gerald Voggenberger at a bar; he came to my house to tell me about his dead grandmother, harp about his love-less broken relationship with his live-in girlfriend, translate "Major Tom" by Peter Schilling for me, and make me listen to the "most beautiful song of all time," this one (true story).

Angelic three-piece orchestral blanket - "10 Mile Stereo" Beach House

"10 Mile Stereo" Beach House

As we come upon the one-year anniversary of Beach House's January 2010 release, I might as well post one of their most amazing tracks. I saw Beach House open for Vampire Weekend a couple months ago, and this song stuck with me. The nursery rhyme-simple loop starts small and builds into a rich ambient stadium sound - really moving live.

How you'll feel: Like you're floating in a sea of warm non-stinging jelly fish.

How you'll move: Eye-closed bobbing and swaying.

Grunge love scream dirty maneater - "Violet" Hole

"Violet" Hole

I hope that you've forgotten about this song, and I'm reminding you. Because to hear it again is a dream! My dear friend was Courtney Love for Halloween, and he reminded me of this amazing song. There is a jazzy snare drum, simple rocking guitar hooks, and obscene disgusting unharmonic screaming! LOVE LOVE LOVE. This song makes me want to be a rockstar, screaming and thrashing around on stage, spitting on audience members and showing my ripped panties (ok maybe not that last part). Girls don't rock like this anymore.

Enjoy.

How you'll feel: Powerful.

How you'll move: Ugly-faced thrashing.

Electronic organized Mario roofie explosion - "Courtship Dating" Crystal Castles

"Courtship Dating" Crystal Castles

It's been too long! To be honest, I haven't heard much good music lately. Sad life, right? Well as I scoured through my iTunes collection for Halloween party songs, I stumbled upon some fantastic forgotten music. So this may be a two-year-old song from the Crystal Castles' self-titled album; it rocks. My favorite Canadian electro-spastic video game sound-producing duo just released another self-titled album, also known as "Crystal Castles II," another reason to refresh the music memory with some of my favorite CC tunes. This is a toe-tapping nonsensical dance jam that makes me want to wear a lot of black eyeliner, wave my arms, close my eyes, and do the two step.

How you'll feel: Carefree; like an alien zombie wandering a dark new planet (I envision something with craters like the moon).

How you'll move: Sloppily.

Saturday night generic club jig fantastic - "Only Girl (In the World)" Rihanna

"Only Girl (In the World)" Rihanna

Don't shoot. Is this better than the time I posted the Ke$ha song? Listen, I impulsively downloaded this song on iTunes, and I cannot stop listening to it. It makes me want to dance around my purse in a short dress and flail my arms like a white girl. Or run on the treadmill. This is a multi-purpose jam. It's fun and simple with an obscenely entertaining amount of bass and synthesizer noise.

When to play it: At "da club"; working out; while drinking cocktails with your skanky friends in the kitchen; late-night dance party.

How you'll feel: If alone, pumped and dance amazing; if in front of people, embarrassed.

Old tyme twang musical Xanax - "Beg Steal or Borrow" Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah Dogs

"Beg Steal or Borrow" Ray LaMontagne and The Pariah Dogs

This is a perfect blog entry in the sense that I know nothing about Ray LaMontagne or The Pariah Dogs. I heard this song, and it moved me. The song feels old and authentic; I imagine everyone in The Pariah Dogs is over 60 and wearing a cowboy hat and dirty Levis, so don't tell me otherwise. The sound is minimally produced; it's not "cutting edge"; it's not self-righteous. Ray's voice is incredible, and I appreciate that. In five words or less: this is a nice song.

Side note: Also listen to "For The Summer."

Fluid organized rock chaos chant - "Success" Interpol

"Success" Interpol

This song is a fluid rock chant that builds like a monotone locomotive of ass kicking. The song eases you in, the bass and kick drum are thumping at 0:40, drums tapping and guitar rocking at 1:10, it picks up speed around 1:40, by 2:00 minutes your full on drumming your shit and shaking your head. By 2:20 you're singing "...somebody make me say no, no..." Paul Banks is "YES"ing you at 2:33, and, BAM, you're in the cult. That's it. You're brainwashed: put on your Nikes, drink the Kool-Aid. Sing the mantra: "I'm not supposed to show you... I'm not supposed to show you." Ok ok you don't have to show me! Just don't hurt my family!

How you'll feel: Rock-full.

Side note: Other good tracks: "Barricade," "Lights," "Safe Without," and "Memory Serves." Just get the album.

Keyboard rock harmony weave of doom - "Try It On" Interpol

"Try It On" Interpol

Ok ok, I know what you're thinking. Liz, you love Interpol. Interpol released the new self-titled album 13 days ago... late much? I apologize for the delay; sometimes it takes a few solid listens before I'm moved (and this blog is about moving). So one of my favorite songs off the new album is "Try It On." It is a layered onion, seasoned indie rockers weaving a musical basket of minor goodness.

The song builds into a noise chaos that really moves me to tap my toe, close my eyes, and mentally float on a Paul Banks love cloud. The song starts with a child-like piano hook, creepy whistling, and a cymbal-infused drum beat. Paul Banks lays the monotone vocals, add some electric guitar ranting with a dash of kick drum, BAM before you know it, we have a clash of overlapping Paul Banks wondertones and you're rocking. This is Emeril shit.

When to play it: Lying on your couch in the dark with candles.

Side note: I'm sure Interpol fans would say the new album doesn't hold a candle (while lying on the couch) to "The Heinrich Maneuver," "PDA," "Specialist," or the like, but this album is cohesive in sound and craftsmanship, doom & gloom, and represents a general progression in Interpol's music self. Check it out at iTunes or give some songs a listen here.

Head nodding bass bump - "Who's That? Brooown!" Das Racist

"Who's That? Brooown!" Das Racist

Fun with bass, beats, and voice distortion! This song makes no sense to me, but I like it. If you play this song in your car with the top down, you become cooler immediately. When I listen to this song in my Bose headphones, I bob my head like PDiddy (or an overzealous street pigeon).

How you'll move: Non-stop overzealous street pigeon head bobbing.

How you'll feel: Brown.

When to play it: In the car with the top down through a crowded street with Ray-Bans and a frown.

Side note: LISTEN to the song BEFORE watching the video, because the video is cool as shit and detracts from the song! Also, this is an amazing tune: "You Oughta Know."

90s fem piano rock love - "The Way Things Are" Fiona Apple

"The Way Things Are" Fiona Apple

So if you're my roommate or you follow my Facebook, you know that I love Fiona Apple. Her songs are well crafted and thoughtful, overtly emotional yet enjoyable, smooth but rocking. Her music induces the perfect combination of relaxed toe tapping and church-induced head swaying. Praise her! I love the haunting riff at the beginning of the song and the ranting piano solo that hits around 2 mins. This is some good soulful shit.

When to play it: Lying on your couch on a rainy day while listening through your Bose headphones; while doing any thoughtful non-activities activities.

How you'll feel: Genuine.

Side note: You need to have "When the Pawn..." in your music collection. Other gems include "Get Gone" and "Paper Bag."

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.

Jangly ghost soul - "The Suburbs" Arcade Fire

"The Suburbs" Arcade Fire

I really don't like any Arcade Fire songs (I know, indie music blasphemy!), however, I am so glad I found this gem off their brand new album, "The Suburbs." This song has jangly piano, groovy bass, mourning strings, and eerie lyrics. This song moved me at first listen!

When to play it: While writing in your diary on a rainy gray afternoon; while smoking pot and drinking red wine with your friends in a dimly-lit living room.

West coast crack whore dope beats - "Waiting to Die" Mickey Avalon

"Waiting to Die" Mickey Avalon

This song is crude, stupid, disgusting, offensive, and AMAZING. My Mickey Avalon phase passed a few years ago, but I recently added this song to a playlist called "Chillax Yer Jams," and I'm glad it's back in rotation. Mickey Avalon is drug addict turned prostitute turned MTV VJ Simon Rex BFF turned Hollywood rapper.

This song makes me feel dirty and edgy in the comfort of my Nike workout clothes and Ikea futon. Yeah, that's right, I listen to Mickey Avalon AND I say "please" and "thank you," WHAT!

If you like this, check out his 2006 self-titled album; there are other gems.

When to play it: Honestly, use your judgement.

Side note: Don't be mad at me.

Kiddy pop punk dance synth love - "Look at Me (When I Rock Wichoo)" Black Kids

"Look at Me (When I Rock Wichoo)" Black Kids

I was listening to Black Keys on my iPod and my "B" menu surfing landed me on Black Kids, everyone's favorite flash-in-the-pan American indie pop family band from Florida. Their latest and most acclaimed album released in 2008, at which time Black Kids were spewed on to every indie music outlet. I saw them live; the show was fun, and the music is dance- and sing-a-long-worthy.

Today this song made me dance in my kitchen while I was reheating my coffee in the microwave.

When to play it: Bopping around town on a sunny Saturday afternoon; while reheating your coffee in the microwave; solitary underpants-donning bedroom dance party.

Side note: These are some other fun tracks: "Hit the Heartbrakes," "I'm Making Eyes at You," and "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You."

Soul sounds make your heart hurt - "Never Gonna Give You Up" The Black Keys

"Never Gonna Give You Up" The Black Keys

I saw The Black Keys at Terminal 5 last night: mind-blowing amazing rockness unlike any other. Seriously one of the best rock shows I've seen in a long time; Patrick's long string bean arms were put on this earth to rock a drum kit; Dan's throwback rock blues crooning is out of this world. Although they did NOT play this song, "Never Gonna Give You Up" is one of my favorite tracks off the album.

How you'll feel: Punched in the soul; painfully satisfied.

How you'll move: Religious arm raising and side to side swaying.

Side note: Love love love this song too: "I'm Not The One."

Post-baby beat explosion - "Xxxo" M.I.A.

"Xxxo" M.I.A.

This is one of my favorite (and most tame) tracks off M.I.A.'s new album MAYA. I heard "Born Free," and I was worried about the other songs, but the rest of the album rocks. It's a natural progression from Arular and Kala; the sound is tighter and more cohesive but still maintains M.I.A.'s fantastic monotone English prattle laid over digital beats, thumps, twinkles, and samples.

When to play it: "Da" club; dance party; medium-effort work out; pre-party cocktails with your skanky girlfriends.

How you'll feel: Cooler than you are.

Sidenote: Check out M.I.A's MySpace to listen to other tracks including my favorites, "Teqkilla," "Steppin Up" (featuring sweet power tool sounds) and "Space." If you buy the album (which I highly recommend), listen to "Internet Connection." How can you not love a song with the lyrics, "I'm down like my internet connection"?

Hypnotic drum shuffle with coo - "While We're Young" Department of Eagles

"While We're Young" Department of Eagles

This song is a fantastic semi low-fi shuffle. Daniel Rossen has such a great voice; I love him in Grizzly Bear, and I like him in Department of Eagles. The song has marching percussion, great twinkling twangy guitar, and some enjoyable play with sound fullness.

When to play it: Doing the dishes; drinking a beer on the stoop at sunset.

How you'll move: Unstoppable consistent toe tapping.

Side note: Department of Eagles JUST released this song on the album Archive 2003-2006 - the album is what the title suggests. Check it on iTunes.

Falsetto "shins" tamborine collision - "The Ghost Inside" Broken Bells

"The Ghost Inside" Broken Bells

Ok, I'm not a huge Broken Bells fan; however, I stumbled upon this live version on the Sirius XMU channel on YouTube, and I found it very enjoyable. James Mercer has such a great voice; he makes it look so easy. And check out Danger Mouse's business casual stone-cold demeanor - are you having fun or are we in surgery? I love it.

When to play it: Background noise for any mindless task.

How you'll feel: Neutrally content.

Side note: If you didn't know what I was talking about earlier, James Mercer is the lead singer of The Shins and Danger Mouse is a music producer also known as 1/2 of Gnarls Barkley. Danger Mouse has a new project with Sparklehorse called Dark Knight of the Soul; you can find it on iTunes; the album features songs with Iggy Pop, Julian Casablancas, The Flaming Lips, and ear-pleasing James Mercer.

Please forgive me "by and by" - "I Would Die 4 U" Prince & The Revolution

"I Would Die 4 U" Prince

If you're my friend, you know I love Prince; I've probably made you listen to him at every bar with a jukebox, and I MAY have shown you my favorite Purple Rain movie scenes. Just sayin'. I'm hoping, however, that you HAVEN'T heard this song in a while, and I'm about to rock your world.

This song is fun, heartfelt, 80s, full of robotic beats and amazing synthesizer noises, and some kick ass Prince screeching and grunting.

Also, some of my favorite lyrics: "You're just a sinner, I am told / Be your fire when you're cold / Make you happy when you're sad / Make you good when you are bad"

AMAZING!

How you'll feel: Romantically 80s; loved by Prince; happy.

How you'll move: Non-stop toe tapping and side to side 80s dancing.