Is this the Sound of Settling? A Playlist for Ben Gibbard and Zooey Deschanel's Wedding
Ben Gibbard and Zooey Deschanel tied the knot this past weekend after a fairly subdued nine-month engagement. It was the nuptial ceremony heard 'round the blogosphere; music-lovers of both genders tore their cardigans and hoodies from their bodies in mourning, their soulmate now wed to another.... read more
Summer's Out for School: Paste's Back-to-College Playlist
Teachers may remember to assign summer reading and specify what materials to bring to their classes, but they easily forget which types of experiences matter to most college students: the daydreaming (during class), the sleeping (through class) and ultimately, the drinking (while not in class).... read more
Paste's Sick Songs About Health
President Barack Obama's used a prime-time news conference recently to specifically call for a U.S. healthcare reform push, and it kept the interwebs buzzing with, well, some healthy debates. This talk isn't new by any means; for weeks, Obama's been tweeting up a storm about healthcare. Which got us thinking: There sure are a lot of (sick) songs about health, doctors, medicine and so. So while the debate continues, below are but a few healthcare-themed songs to keep you feeling robust and full of vigor. Feel free to leave your favorites in the comments.... read more
Music to Commemorate That Giant Leap for Mankind
When John F. Kennedy promised the world in 1961 that Americans would land on the moon by the end of the decade, most people thought the notion ridiculous. But 40 years ago today, Apollo 11 landed on the moon, making good on the presidential promise. The Russians may have their Sputnik and their Yuri Gagarin, but it's the American flag that protrudes from the moon's surface, providing a source of pride for all (well, most) Americans. In celebration, then, this playlist:... read more
Chicago Songs to Ease the Sear/Willis Tower Transition
So long, Sears Tower. While the iconic Chicago skyscraper still stands tall (the tallest in the U.S., in fact), its name does not.... read more
Songs of the Sorting Hat: A Playlist for Each House of Hogwarts
To help you get psyched for the sixth Harry Potter movie, The Half-Blood Prince, we've compiled these four playlists, one for each distinct House of Hogwarts. First, you'll need to figure out which house you're in, by taking this brief nine-question Sorting Hat quiz. Now, whether you came up Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin, we've got you covered.... read more
Paste's EU/Iran World Leaders' Playlists
It's a portentous week for the democratic process. The European Union's elections last weekend significantly shifted their electoral maps, and today's Iranian presidential election is a heated showdown between firebrand conservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the reform-minded Mir-Hossein Mousavi. In between those long days of campaigning, these movers and shakers must have found some time to unwind with a little music. Here's our take on what might be queued up in their iPods right now:... read more
Paste's Tax Refund Playlist: Cash Money Mix
The best thing about giving your money away is getting a bit of it back. Some people say that money can't buy happiness, but we respectfully disagree with this opinion; it definitely makes us feel warm, fuzzy and well-fed. If you aren't smiling when you get your tax-refund check in the mail, you might be a robot. In fact, you're most likely incapable of feeling emotion and Blade Runner's Rick Deckard is closing in on your mailbox as you read this. As you patiently wait for that refund check to arrive, whether you're making a wish list of goodies for... read more
Paste's Double Life Playlist: The Actor/Musician
Jenny Lewis has recently released her Summer tour schedule, and we're amped about it. Many indie-music enthusiasts know her as the charming chanteuse of Rilo Kiley; however, any child of late '80s television knew the face well before the voice. Before jamming, Lewis appeared in Jell-O commercials. Before Rabbit Fur Coat, she pushed Girl Scout cookies in Troop Beverly Hills. And before romancing Jonathan Rice, she was on Fred Savage's radar in the 1989 film, The Wizard. All of this reminiscing got us thinking about some of our favorite actor-musicians, so we've created a playlist with a few faces you've... read more
Paste's Signs of Spring Playlist: Running
There are many signals that usher in the changing of the seasons (celestial equinoxes, changing sleeve lengths, authoritative groundhogs), but the big tell will always be the absence or presence of outdoor exercisers. Here at Paste, we can tell it's springtime, not from the pollen that covers Atlanta in a frustrating yellow layer, but rather the spandex-clad runners who fill the sidewalks and our side-view mirrors. Atlantan runners, joggers and walkers serve a dual purpose: They remind us that the chill is over and that it's never to late to start that New Year's resolution. Then again, they could just... read more
Paste's Playlist in Honor of New NBC Series Kings
The recent premiere of NBC's new drama Kings (Sundays, 8 p.m. Eastern) has quite a few staffers hot for high drama. Following up on Paste managing editor Nick Marino's latest list, Seven Reasons to Start Watching Kings Immediately, we're providing a royal playlist to complement the modern-day monarchy that we'll undoubtedly grow to love, hate, envy, cheer and most likely, gamble on. Set in a city not unlike the Big Apple, there are enough Pasteful placements of magical realism, blood-kin betrayals and star-crossed romances to make for a very interesting season. If we ruled the world, these are the songs... read more
Paste's Post-SXSW Songs About Sleep Playlist
Around the office, we're feeling the SXSW hangover. Our jam-packed week in Austin was nothing short of wonderful, but as sunburns fade and our iTunes continues to process all our new music finds, exhaustion is setting in. Last week, sleep was the major casualty. Morning shows, late-night parties and an overall excitement for the next day left little, if any, time (or more accurately, desire) for sleep. Without further ado, then, here's our Songs About Sleep playlist. Comment below with your favorite sleep-themed tunes.... read more
Paste's St. Patrick's Day Playlist
Dump loads of green dye into your local river, get gussied up in an overwhelming amount of green apparel, drink your weight in Guinness, regret that decision tomorrow morning and pop on this playlist: It's Saint Patrick's Day! Even if you aren't Irish, chances are you know someone who is, and it would be selfish not to celebrate their heritage, so we're here to help. Today is all about Irish beverages (car bombs, Guinness, Jameson), the color green, luckiness, shamrocks, general Irish pride, and of course, music about all of the above. Maybe that's not all today is about, but... read more
Paste's SXSW 2009 Party Playlist
In just a few days, Paste will be heading down (more accurately, West) to Austin, Texas, for SXSW. Although we'd like you to believe that we're discovering new artists from all over the world and taking in independent films, we're really just there to party. Actually, we're hosting three parties, each featuring live music from some of the best bands around. And since we're a bunch of party animal(z), you're guaranteed a wonderful time. Check out our full details of our SXSW coverage here.Here are just a few of the bands playing our ragers at SXSW 2009:... read more
Current Events: Ain't No Fortunate Son - Songs for Veterans, pt. 1
Above: "Funeral for a Soldier" by Scott H. Spitzer for USAF (DOD 030403-F-1166S-001, public domain) Tuesday was Veteran’s Day. Newly restored aircraft carrier the USS Intrepid—a ship that saw extensive combat in the Pacific during World War II—was rededicated as a museum in New York at Pier 86 on the Hudson River. In America, and in many countries around the world (where the holiday is known as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day), people took time to remember those who have served in their nation’s military, especially those who lost their lives. The holiday is held on Nov. 11, commemorating the... read more
Best Fist-Pump Anthems of '08 ... so far.
When listening to a song and I can instantly visualize myself at the concert, pushing through to the front of the crowd, beer in one hand, the other arm vigorously pumping in the air, while screaming the lyrics at the top of my lungs ... this song gets added to my Fist-Pump Anthem playlist. read more
All NYE ‘07, All The Time
THE CHALLENGE: You have 25 songs to create the soundtrack to your New Year’s Eve party, but you may only choose from songs released in 2007. With the many year-end lists fresh in mind, what you will you choose? Will you grind it out to beats courtesy of Timbaland? Will you squeeze into your skinniest jeans and rock awkward to bands with names referencing indigenous North American wildlife? Will you put Nickel Back and Daughtry on repeat and fist pump into the new year? Or, will you drink champagne in silence because everything in 2007 sucked? What will your last... read more
All Christmas, All the Time
pictured: New Frontiers I love Christmas! I’m currently reading a Christmas-themed romance novel called Christmas Wishes, and pretty much every night this month, I’ve stared at my Christmas decorations and watched a holiday movie on Falalala Lifetime. I’ve seen some great ones—including Eve’s Christmas (starring Cher’s enemy from Clueless), Recipe For a Perfect Christmas, A Christmas Wedding, The Christmas Shoes (starring the girl from Father of the Bride that’s married to Brad Paisley), Crazy For Christmas, Holiday Affair (starring Olivia Newton-John), Secret of Giving (starring Reba), Deck the Halls (starring Andrea from 90210) and Holiday in Your Heart (starring LeAnn... read more
All About You, All The Time
Enjoy this list of things you didn’t know about yourself. Some (“You Look So Young”) are nicer than others (“You Don’t Have a Heart”), but they’re all great songs. Happy weekend, Knate 1. “You are the Light” The Innocence Mission 2. “You are the Dark” Joseph Arthur 3. “You’re All I Have” Snow Patrol 4. “You Love to Sing” Copeland 5. “You Will Always Be the Same” Ryan Adams 6. “You Were My Fiji” John Vanderslice 7. “You are the Rake” Sufjan Stevens 8. “You Rise and Meet the Day” Dar Williams 9. “You Will Miss Me When I Burn”... read more
All Color, All The Time (We’re BACK!)
Although my wardrobe pretty much consists of black, brown, grey, brownish grey and blackish brown, I love color. Enjoy this list of great songs about wonderful colors. Sorry Knate has been on hiatus. Nate’s been busy working on his cute new house, and I’ve been busy staring at my Christmas decorations. But we’re BACK, and updating regularly. Devotedly yours, Knate 1. Calexico “Bisbee Blue” 2. Miles Davis “Blue in Green” 3. Ours “Red Colored Stars” 4. Damien Rice “Gray Room” 5. Alexi Murdoch “Orange Sky” 6. The Innocence Mission “Bright as Yellow” 7. The National “Green Gloves” 8. Counting Crows... read more
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