What's in Your iPod?

I have had a great summer.  I'm busy, and I'm relaxing.  It's sunny, and I'm enjoying it. Life is, like I said last week, good.

I've had lots of things on my mind lately, weighty, big things.  Creative, expressive things.  Nothing bad, nothing wrong, but I just don't feel like sharing them on my blog. 

Since most of my writing creativity is currently funnelled into things I don't want to share here, I've got, like, nothing to say. 

But I do feel overwhelmed at the goodness all around me.  Not easiness, not perfection, but goodness. 

And I do want to be faithful to my blog- the place I promised myself I'd write, about whatever I wanted, when I wanted, at least a few times a week.  Because it's good for me. 

So, what should I write about?  I decided last weekend, if I don't know what to say, I'll do something silly, simple, and easy- like, share some of my go-to playlists on my iPod.


Music is not important to everyone.

Music is important to me.

Very important.

Here's a list of a few of my favorites.  It's far from exhaustive.  I love a lot of music- but these are what I listen to much of the time.  For whatever that means.

Feel free to throw out suggestions in the comment section, if so compelled.

Sufjan Stevens.  Sufjan, Sufjan, Sufjan.  Sufjan is prolific, and eclectic.  Try Seven Swans first.

Phil Wickham.  Phil threw out a free live album called Singalong a while back and it is absolutely amazing.  Of course, I don't think you can get it anymore, but, there you go.

Caedmon's Call.  I've always been a sucker for folky, thoughtful, intelligent lyrics.  I've loved them for so long, so many memories are specifically tied to their music that chilling through one of their albums is a total memory trip.

Sondre Lerche.  I have to say- Sufjan and Sondre- if I had twin boys and bravery, I would name them Sufjan and Sondre.  I could say those names all day.  Sondre is also pretty prolific.  I've loved his voice since High School.  He did nearly the entire soundtrack for Dan in Real Life- one of my favorite movies.  Try that first.

David Crowder Band.  What do I need to say?  They're creative, authentic, awesome, and you probably already know that. I've loved them for-yikes- a decade.  What?? How old am I??

She & Him.  I love She & Him, but I've got to be in the mood for it.  Perfect for taking your time in the kitchen late in the afternoon, wearing your favorite apron, chopping vegetables.  At least that's what I think.

Sara Groves.  Sara Groves' music is a part of my soul's fabric.

Jennifer Knapp.  Woven all up into my very being.

Bon Iver.  Falsetto.  In it's finest form.  I absolutely adore Bon Iver- the lyrics are almost entirely terribly depressing- but beautiful and full of reality and depth.

Gungor.  Authentic, beautiful lyrics.

Brandi Carlile.  The first time I heard a Brandi Carlile song, I was driving in my car, and I just cried and cried.  And that was it, I was sold.

Brooke Fraser.  Amazing.

The Twilight Saga Soundtracks-  No lie, they are amazing- well, the first one is about 50% incredible, 50% I uncheck in iTunes and I don't hear them.  The New Moon soundtrack is so great (and the score is the best of the three)- but the Eclipse soundtrack is my favorite yet.  Incredible.  Excellent for chilling with you while you work, or run errands.  The Eclipse soundtrack was my constant companion this weekend when I completely cleaned out and reorganized and refreshed the school room for fall.  It's awesome. 

So, that's a tour of some of my favorites.  Don't get me started on film scores, classical music in general, or Gershwin. 

I think tomorrow I'll give you a tour of my favorite podcasts, while we're on the topic.