Bring on the Love and Happiness: Tommy's Top Twenty-Five Tracks of August 2024

I am making haste with the roll-out of August's playlist because the positive vibes command it and the positive vibes are many. Think about it: the world has come together in peace for the Paris Olympics ("Summer in Paris" by DJ Cam) and the games highlight a global desire to clean up city rivers. Politically, there is much excitement in the anglosphere at least. British voters kicked out the wretched, sleazy Tories, ushering in one of the largest Labour majorities in decades with homeboy prosecutor Keir Starmer at the helm. On the American front, X and Tik-Tok have reached maximum memification with Kamala Harris who brings a gust of fresh air to a nominating contest that looked like a sad replay of Grumpy Old Men.

I mean, c'mon, the Olympics are in Paris!

So things are looking up! And they better be. Too many wars and pandemics and inflation horror stories. Humanity needs positive storylines too. This August playlist gives a nod to California ("Coastal California, 1985" by Math and Physics Club, "California" by The Lagoons, and "Sunshine Type" by Turnover) which is fitting since the vice president had cut her political teeth in The Golden State. Our nation's most populous state is not ashamed of its hedonism so I've added "Feel It" by Viji, "Make You Mine" by Family of The Year, and "Good Time" by Brazilian Girls. And old-skool Dean Martin ballad "We'll Sing in the Sunshine" sounds like it was written in a Palm Springs bungalow.

Ok so the album came out in 2008 but Obama 2008 uplifting vibes are what we are looking for.

There are more than a few nostalgic tracks for different generations peppered onto the playlist here. Herman's Hermits "I'm into Something Good" is a shout-out to the Baby Boomers while late Gen Xers and Elder Millennials have "Steal My Sunshine" by Canadian outfit, Len as their 1999 keepsake. "Bruises" by Chairlift evokes The Moldy Peaches who helped frame the soundtrack to the 2007 film Juno.

And for the second time this year, "Martha My Dear" by The Beatles appears on one of Tommy's Top playlists because a.) it's simply the best Beatles track as well as the band's most baroque and b.) the fact that Paul McCartney wrote this masterpiece about his dog cements both his legacy as a brilliant songwriter and a decent-hearted man.

The lightly-political, feel-good anthem Ride with Me by wunderkind drummer, Aaron Frazer is befitting of the year 2024 when half of the world's people get to flex their democratic rights. Aaron Frazer, you heard it here first, is a rising light to look out for (he also has mad swag and the talent to back it up). 

                                                           This kid is going places

As for the foreign language selection, give Venasque by Ian Pooley a listen for the lush beats and the French lyricism. 

I'm not gonna lie; I had fun with this one. May the vibes continue to shift in the direction of good times for all!

Spotify Link to August Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3E8GuElMumfjmV9bvaLSam?si=8cd24d838d24486b

Angel Vibes and Mermaid Sightings: Tommy's Top Twenty-Five Tracks for July 2024

I think it's important to know a wide swath of people of different backgrounds, ages, and beliefs. From my circle of close friends, acquaintances, and family members, I have collected those who are hard-core aetheist to red-hot Pentecostal. But for anyone who knows me well knows I keep tripping and falling towards the celestial end of the spectrum, against my better judgment. We're talking dozens of mystical encounters that have no known human provenance nor explanation. And the more I age, the more I return to my Catholic roots, especially moved by The Marianist tradition. Another strain that had caught my fancy on our honeymoon in Paris was the Symbolism movement that I first encountered at the Musee D'Orsay. For Symbolism, I finally found an organizing language for all these encounters I have had throughout my life. Heady stuff! 

So for July's playlist, we will surround ourselves with angel vibes and mermaid sightings. 

July's playlist can be found here on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/31XEydKD0kLjV8lRsIgTvy?si=078e02e5dbbf41e9

The playlist can also be found on Apple Music under the same name.