Playlist/212: Marc Lallanilla

This week's playlist is by my writer friend Marc Lallanilla, whom you may recall from his days guest-blogging this fall while I was in San Diego for my stepfather's 60th birthday party. Take it away, Marc ...

You can listen to the whole mix below or in a new window HERE.


It's supposed to be the holiday season, but the whole world is going to hell in a handbag. I guess we should all stay home and cry about it ... boo-hoo-hoo. I can see the Grinch up in his cave, looking down on us with smug satisfaction. Wait a minute. What's that sound? Fah who for-aze, dah who dor-aze, welcome Christmas, come this way!

Here are a few songs -- some old, some new, some happy, some sad -- to help you celebrate, or at least get through the season.

1. Badly Drawn Boy - Promises (Beyond The Wizards Sleeve Reanimation)
He was born Damon Gough, and performs under the quirky name Badly Drawn Boy, but there's nothing bad about his musicianship. BDB won a Mercury Prize (Britain's version of the Grammys) in 2000 for his debut album, "The Hour of Bewilderbeast." This more recent song is from his EP "Promises."

2. Brazilian Girls - Don't Stop
This might be a nasty little song about sex ... it's hard to tell. But it's definitely a sexy track from New York City favorites Brazilian Girls (who are not Brazilian and have only one girl in the foursome). News update: They just got nominated for a Grammy for Best Electronic Album. You go, Girls!

3. Kaskade - Everything (Kaskade's Big Boom Mix)
Maybe you were lucky enough to catch Kaskade (born Ryan Raddon) this past weekend at Webster Hall. Or, maybe you're kicking yourself now for missing it. Either way, it's hard to stay in your seat when Kaskade starts spinning what is some of the best dance music to come out of San Francisco.

4. Sam Sparro - Black & Gold
He's handsome, he's a brilliant musician, and he's openly gay. What more do you want? A Grammy nomination? He's got that too -- for Best Dance Recording -- and will be competing against the likes of Rihanna, Daft Punk and some broad named Madonna.

5. Fujiya & Miyagi - Ankle Injuries
Their name sounds Japanese, but these Brighton boys will do anything to mess with your head. As their MySpace page explains, "It's Darwinism gone mad." Um, OK.

6. Sia - Little Black Sandals
Sia may be best known for singing the gorgeous song "Breathe Me," featured on the series finale of HBO's "Six Feet Under." Openly bisexual, she has also recorded with Zero 7, lending her ethereal vocals to several of their tracks.

7. Mike Doughty - 27 Jennifers
Mike is the former leader of the great '90s band Soul Coughing, and he hasn't lost any of his wit or pop sensibility on his newer acoustic work. He's touring these days to promote a great new album, "Golden Delicious" -- you can catch him live New Year's Eve in Hoboken, N.J. (insert tired New Jersey joke here.)

8. Josh Rouse - Streetlights
I refuse to use the ungainly term "alt-country" to describe anything as beautiful as this song, from his album "Nashville." His eagerly awaited 2009 release is due in a few months.

9. Nancy Wilson - The Good Life
You've probably heard the Frank Sinatra version, where he beats the living crap out of this song. Fugettaboutit, and now listen to the way Nancy draws out all the bittersweet emotion of this gorgeous, sad song.

10. Antony and the Johnsons - Another World
The holidays are here, so stock up on Zoloft, climb under the covers and let this song carry you away. Another Mercury Prize winner, Antony Hegarty defies easy gender or musical categorization. He's performed with everyone from Lou Reed to Boy George, who didn't chain and beat him. Or maybe he did ... who are we to judge?

11. Love Song Surprise - Sweetest Day
I couldn't leave you clinically depressed after the three songs above, so now listen to Static Revenger (Dennis White) pour his heart out on this lush, romantic love song. It's reportedly a favorite of Britney Spears, so that clinches it for me.

12. Ikon - Do You Dream (Kraak & Smaak Remix)
If you saw Kraak & Smaak perform last month at the Mercury Lounge in NYC -- or anywhere else -- you know why I'm a huge fan of these Dutch partiers. Everyone from Kanye West to Perez Hilton is feeling the love. And talk about sexy -- definitely one group that's easy on the eyes.

View all Playlist/212 posts HERE.