Monthly Mix: February 2017

Ryan Adams becomes a Prisoner 

     Valentine's Day is in the rear view mirror and the warmth of the spring is on the horizon. February brought a sheet of ice, but it also brought a blizzard-sized pile of new music.

     North Carolina rocker Ryan Adams is back in the fold with his latest album Prisoner [February 17, via Pax-Am]. Coming in at twelve tracks, this may be Adams' most complete record to date. On the loud single "Do You Still Love Me?", he shows off his guitar chops as he asks a former lover a burning question. Check him out on tour as he weaves through the United Sates this spring and summer.

     The winter is almost behind us and the sunshine of the spring is just around the corner, The February Playlist makes a great soundtrack for these last few remaining icy nights.

January 2017 Playlist

1.  Saint Motel  -  "Born Again"

2.  Incubus  -  "Nimble Bastard"

3.  Ryan Adams  -  "Do You Still Love Me?"

4.  Imagine Dragons  -  "Believer"

5.  Missio  -  "Middle Fingers"

6.  Cold War Kids  -  "Love Is Mystical"

7.  Hippos Campus  -  "Way It Goes"

8.  Day Wave  -  "Something Here"

9.  Lupe Fiasco  -  "Wild Child"

10.  Maggie Rogers  -  "On + Off"

11.  Violents & Monica Martin  -  "Equal Powers"

12.  Thievery Corporation  -  "Letter To The Editor"

Check in every month for fresh new music!

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Purchase the Orbit Sound Playlist on Amazon!

Saint Motel - "Born Again"

Incubus - "Nimble Bastard"

Ryan Adams - "Do You Still Love Me?"

Imagine Dragons - "Believer"

Missio - "Middle Fingers"

Cold War Kids - "Love Is Mystical"

Hippo Campus - "Way It Goes"

Day Wave - "Something Here"

Lupe Fiasco - "Wild Child"

Maggie Rogers - "On + Off"

Violents & Monica Martin - "Equal Powers"

Thievery Corporation - "Letter To The Editor"

Monthly Mix: January 2017

The Flaming Lips deliver Oczy Mlody

     The year in music is off to a hot start as a bunch of surprise tracks have already dropped. January brought with it a pile of snow, but it also brought a pile of new tunes.
     Oklahoma psych-rockers The Flaming Lips are back making waves with their brand new album Oczy Mlody. Frontman Wayne Coyne conjures up visions of unicorns, wizards, and frogs, as he keeps the musical tone mellow and relaxed. On the record's final cut "We A Family" the band relies on friend Miley Cyrus for additional vocal duties. Catch them on tour as they swing through the U.S., Canada, with a big slot at Vida Festival in Spain.
     As the cold of the winter continues to press on, it's nice to know the iPods are heated up with new tracks. The January Playlist makes a good companion for snowboarding down the slopes.

January 2017 Playlist

1.  Dropkick Murphys  -  "Paying My Way"

2.  Japandroids  -  "Near To The Wild Heart Of Life"

3.  The Flaming Lips  -  "We A Family"

4.  Marian Hill  -  "Down"

5,  The Shins  -  "Name For You"

6.  Arcade Fire  -  "I Give You Power"

7.  Minus the Bear  -  "Invisible"

8.  Real Estate  -  "Darling"

9.  Spoon  -  "Hot Thoughts"

10.  Rubblebucket  -  "Donna"

11.  Bonobo  -  "Kerala"

12.  Gorillaz  -  "Hallelujah Money"

Check in every month for fresh new music!

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Purchase songs from the Orbit Sound Playlist on Amazon!

Monthly Mix: December 2016

The Rolling Stones turn Blue & Lonesome

     December has brought lots of snow, tons of presents, and a bunch of new music. Before the year comes to an end, there is still one more sleigh-full of fresh tunes to be delivered.
     English rockers The Rolling Stones have released a cover album in the form of Blue & Lonesome [December 2nd, via Polydor]. The twelve cover songs span from Willie Dixon to Howlin' Wolf. On the Eddie Taylor track "Ride 'Em On Down", the band finds itself in its sweet spot and features vintage Keith Richards guitar work. The rest of the album is top notch classic rock music.
     The cold of the winter has settled in and it's refreshing to know the iPod is restocked with fresh beats. The December Playlist makes the perfect soundtrack for opening the last presents under the tree.


December 2016 Playlist

1.  Portugal. The Man  -  "Noise Pollution (Version A, Vocal Up Mix 1.3)"

2.  Nine Inch Nails  -  "Burning Bright (Field On Fire)"

3.  The Rolling Stones  -  "Ride 'Em On Down"

4.  Rag'n'Bone Man  -  "Human"

5.  K.I.D  -  "Errors"

6.  J. Cole  -  "False Prophets"

7.  The Heydaze  -  "Hurt Like Hell"

8.  Elohim  -  "Hallucinating"

9.  The Revivalists  -  "Wish I Knew You"

10.  Warbly Jets  -  "Alive"

11.  Alex Da Kid  -  "Not Easy" ft. X Ambassadors/Elle King/Wiz Khalifa

12.  Run The Jewels  -  "Hey Kids (Bumaye)" ft. Danny Brown

IN THE BONUS:

Best Songs Of 2016

15.  The Kills  -  "Heart Of A Dog"

14.  Glass Animals  -  "Life Itself"

13.  Warpaint  -  "New Song"

12.  Hippo Campus  -  "Boyish"

11.  Tegan and Sara  -  "U-turn"

10.  Bruno Mars  -  "24K Magic"

9.  POP ETC  -  "What Am I Becoming?"

8.  The 1975  -  "The Sound"

7.  Knox Hamilton  -  "Washed Up Together"

6.  Bear Hands  -  "Like Me Like That"

5.  Radiohead  -  "Decks Dark"

4.  Bon Iver  -  "33 GOD"

3.  Two Door Cinema Club  -  "Bad Decisions"

2.  Phish  -  "No Men In No Man's Land"

1.  The Strokes  -  "OBLIVIUS"

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Best Albums Of 2016

The 1975 wake from a deep Sleep

     It's hard to believe the year is almost over and it's time to look back on some of the Best Albums of 2016. There were a ton of good records that came out this year, but here are the ones that made the list:


Best Albums Of 2016

25.  Anderson .Paak  -  Malibu

24.  Young The Giant  -  Home of the Strange

23.  Iggy Pop  -  Post Pop Depression

22.  Car Seat Headrest  -  Teens of Denial

21.  The Weeknd  -  Starboy

20.  Green Day  -  Revolution Radio

19.  Schoolboy Q  -  Blank Face LP

18.  Wilco  -   Wilco Schmilco

17.  Drive-By Truckers  -  American Band

16.  Tycho  -  Epoch

15.  White Denim  -  Stiff

14.  DIIV  -  Is The Is Are

13.  Lettuce  -  Mt. Crushmore
   
12.  Red Hot Chili Peppers  -  The Getaway

11.  David Bowie  -  Blackstar

10.  Weezer  -  Weezer (White Album)

9.  Tegan and Sara  -  Love You To Death

8.  Kings of Leon  -  Walls

7.  Phish  -  Big Boat

6.  Radiohead  -  A Moon Shaped Pool

5.  A Tribe Called Quest  -  We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service

4.  Glass Animals  -  How To Be A Human Being

3.  Bear Hands  -  You'll Pay For This

2.  Bon Iver  -  22, A Million

1.  The 1975  -  I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it

Stay tuned for the December 2016 Playlist!

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Monthly Mix: November 2016

A Tribe Called Quest say Thank You 4 Your Service

     November has come and gone, and now it's time to string up the Christmas lights and get ready for the winter. Thanksgiving brought a feast like always, and also a piping hot serving of new music.
     New York hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest are back with their new album We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service. Q-Tip, Jarobi White, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and the late Phife Dawg dropped one last album and it does not disappoint. All sixteen tracks have a vintage Tribe sound and feature numerous guests such as Kanye West and Jack White. On the single "We The People...." Q-Tip reminds all of us that "you must go." The rest of the album is a smooth fusion of jazz and hip-hop. As of now, there are no tour dates scheduled in support of the album.
     The chilly nights of the winter are upon us and it's always refreshing to know the iPod is reloaded with fresh tracks. The November Playlist makes a good soundtrack while enjoying the last of the turkey leftovers.


November 2016 Playlist

1.  Hippo Campus  -  "Boyish"

2.  Cloud Nothings  -  "Modern Act"

3.  A Tribe Called Quest  -  "We The People...."

4.  The xx -  "On Hold"

5.  Milky Chance  -  "Cocoon"

6.  Green Day  -  "Still Breathing"

7.  Mondo Cozmo  -  "Shine"

8.  CRX  -  "Ways To Fake It"

9.  Moose Blood  -  "Knuckles"

10.  AFI  -  "Snow Cats"

11.  Jagwar Ma  -  "Loose Ends"

12.  Common  -  "Home"  ft. Bilal

Check in next month for Orbit Sound's Best Albums of 2016!

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Purchase the November Playlist on Amazon!

Hippo Campus - "Boyish"
Cloud Nothings - "Modern Act"
A Tribe Called Quest - "We The People...."
The xx - "On Hold"
Milky Chance - "Cocoon"
Green Day - "Still Breathing"
Mondo Cozmo - "Shine"
CRX - "Ways To Fake It"
Moose Blood - "Knuckles"
AFI - "Snow Cats"
Jagwar Ma - "Loose Ends"
Common - "Home" ft. Bilal

Monthly Mix: October 2016

Phish sets sail on Big Boat

   
     October has come and gone and the trick-or-treaters are retired until next year. Halloween delivered a healthy dose of candy, and a tombstone-sized helping of new music.

     Vermont jam-rockers Phish are riding high from the release of their new album Big Boat [October 7, via JEMP]. The thirteen tracks weave in and out of classic rock sound, heartfelt ballads, and funk. On the breezy track "Blaze On", frontman Trey Anastasio reminds us to put our nice shades on and enjoy life, while the band lays down a calypso-rock groove. Check them out live on their New Year's Run in New York City at Madison Garden and in Mexico early next year.

     The fall is officially here and it's good to have a fresh batch of new tunes for the brisk nights. The October Playlist makes a good companion with the last Twix in the candy jar.

 October 2016 Playlist

1.  Taking Back Sunday  -  "Death Wolf"

2.  Two Door Cinema Club  -  "Bad Decisions"

3.  Phish  -  "Blaze On"

4.  Mike Doughty  -  "There Is A Way Out"

5.  The Naked And Famous  -  "Laid Low"

6.  The Flaming Lips  -  "The Castle"

7.  Tokyo Police Club  -  "Hang Your Heart"

8.  Third Eye Blind  -  "Company of Strangers"

9.  Bear Hands  -  "Boss"

10.  The Dean Ween Group  -  "Exercise Man"

11.  Capital Cities  -  "Vowels"

12.  Bruno Mars  -  "24K Magic"

Check in every month for fresh new music!

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Purchase the Orbit Sound Playlist on Amazon!

Taking Back Sunday - "Death Wolf"
Two Door Cinema Club - "Bad Decisions"
Phish - "Blaze On"
Mike Doughty - "There Is A Way Out"
The Naked And Famous - "Laid Low"
The Flaming Lips - "The Castle"
Tokyo Police Club - "Hang Your Heart"
Third Eye Blind - "Company of Strangers"
Bear Hands - "Boss"
The Dean Ween Group - "Exercise Man"
Capital Cities - "Vowels"
Bruno Mars - "24K Magic"

Monthly Mix: September 2016

Bon Iver crunches the numbers on 22, A Million

     The signs of the fall have began to surface in the form of red and orange leaves, and brisk evening breezes. Signs of new music have also surfaced, and the first batch of the season does not disappoint.
     Wisconsin's Bon Iver is creating a buzz with their latest album 22, A Million [September 30, via Jagjaguwar]. Frontman Justin Vernon wrote all ten tracks on the album, most of which contain various looped recording techniques. On the eerie track "10 Death/Breast" Vernon has a message as he proclaims 'love, don't fight it'. Check them out on tour as they roll through Germany, the U.S., France, and the U.K.
     Summer is officially behind us and hooded-sweatshirt weather is upon us. As we shift into fall, it's always good to know the iPod is stacked with fresh cuts. The September Playlist makes a good soundtrack for the first bonfire of the season.  


September 2016 Playlist

1.  Jimmy Eat World  -  "Sure And Certain"

2.  Lewis Del Mar  -  "Painting (Masterpiece)"

3.  Bon Iver  -  "10 d E A T h b R E a s T"

4.  Judah & the Lion  -  "Take It All Back"

5.  Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness  -  "Fire Escape"

6.  Kings Of Leon  -  "Waste A Moment"

7.  Phish  -  "Breath And Burning"

8.  Warpaint  -  "New Song"

9.  The Weeknd  -  "Starboy" ft. Daft Punk

10.  Hey Violet  -  "Brand New Moves"

11.  Saint Motel  -  "Move"

12.  Calvin Harris  -  "My Way"

Check in every month for fresh new tracks.

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter:  @SteveFerris7

Purchase the September 2016 Playlist on Amazon!

Jimmy Eat World - "Sure And Certain"
Lewis Del Mar - "Painting (Masterpiece)"
Bon Iver - "10 d E A T h b R E a s T"
Judah & the Lion - "Take It All Back"
Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness - "Fire Escape"
Kings Of Leon - "Waste A Moment"
Phish - "Breath And Burning"
Warpaint - "New Song"
The Weeknd - "Starboy" ft. Daft Punk
Hey Violet - "Brand New Moves"
Saint Motel - "Move"
Calvin Harris - "My Way"