by Meredith Schneider | Oct 25, 2017 | soundtrack
Today, Brooklyn-based rock collective OxenFree – comprised of Jeff Doyle, Sam Ghitelman, Sean Padden, Christopher Burns, and Emilie Soffe – released the official music video for their single “Machine”, off of their recently released album Another Land. Directed by Matt Smithson, the video is fully animated in simplistic black and white sketches, and details a slightly creepy “day in the life” situation with a man wearing a smiley mask and who seems to do everything on autopilot. If that isn’t saying something, we’re not sure what is. The drawings are extraordinary, as you take in the message of the track while bobbing your head to the beat.
In honor of the release of their new video, the band has curated a playlist for our readers. Listen to everything you need to hear – including all 23 tracks on the playlist – right here, and then scroll on down to feast your eyes on “Machine”!
Keep up with OxenFree here.
by ImperfectFifth | Oct 6, 2017 | soundtrack
In honor of the release of his self-produced video for his track “Right Now”, Brooklyn based R&B/pop artist and producer
Johnny has curated a fun playlist for us to jam out to in the car. So check out the video below, and enjoy a little write up from Johnny himself with your new favorite playlist playing into the weekend!
I drive just about every day. It’s about as stressful and damn near psychosis inducing of an experience as any non-driver might imagine. Anyone who drives in a major metropolitan city can relate, but driving in NYC is different; It’s like this sick club, full of crazy people, side eyeing every vehicle / pedestrian / delivery boy motorized bike in sight.
That being said, I tend to find a LOT of my creative inspiration while I’m in the car. ‘Aha’ moments meet euphoria and somehow the concept stars align. Music can have that weird phenomena of great escape. It can also act as a mirror offering us a reflection into some of our deepest thoughts.
I put together a playlist of a handful of songs I like to listen to while driving that always seem to help me on the road. Some bring my brain back to very specific emotions. Some have incited ideas for my own songs. These just make me feel like Ryan Gosling switching lanes in a mustang. “Driving for movies.” Press play and drive with me.
Keep up with Johnny here!
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 25, 2017 | soundtrack
Los Angeles based alt rocker DAVIS recently premiered the music video for his track “Welcome to Los Angeles” with idobi Radio. The song itself blends whirring guitars and a laid back vibe to produce a low key “driving with the windows down in your car” visual, even without the video.
DAVIS curated a playlist exclusively for Imperfect Fifth to celebrate his new music video. Check it out below.
Bleachers:
This is the best song he’s done in my opinion. It’s got great lyrics, great production. And a bit of Springsteen in there, which is always a good thing.Blood Orange:
Dev Hynes is incredible: a true artist. He has an amazing way of creating a context to his music that welcomes the listener into his world.Cage The Elephant:
This is a Wreckless Eric song. I used to cover it all the time at The Sayers Club in Hollywood. Great tune. Cage The Elephant did a great version.QOTSA:
Queens is hands down the best rock n roll band out there right now. This song is insanely good. It’s got the best groove ever and the guitar parts are perfect.Michael Kiwanuka:
I first heard this song on the radio while stuck in terrible traffic on the Hollywood fwy. It somehow turned what was a drive through hell into a Tarantino movie. Epic.
Mikes Kane:
Classic. Emotive. Real.
Catfish and the Bottlemen:
I was obsessed with this song when it came out. Instantly brought me back to the early 2000s when you had amazing bands like The Libertines and Razorlight coming out.
Gorillaz:
Damon Albarn is a genius. Everything he does I’m a fan of. Incredible songwriter, incredible lyricist, and his melodies are always so angelic. This remix is great because it reminds of the early house music that came out of Manchester in the late 80s.
The Horrors:
This band gets better every single record. They are one of the few bands I can safely say that their best album is always their latest.
Beck:
Insane. Production is next level.
Hamilton Leithauser & Rostam:
Hamilton Leithauser’s voice is next level. He’s always been an inspiration on me vocally, ever since I heard him in The Walkmen.
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Keep up with DAVIS here.
by ImperfectFifth | Sep 22, 2017 | soundtrack
**Submitted by Lo Carmen.
Memories, dreams, the things you remember, the things you can’t forget, the nights and the names you forgot, the moments that lurk and linger in the corners of your mind, haunt your sleep and hover at the edges of existence … these are the things that only a song can really capture the feeling of.
With ‘The Last Thing I’ll Remember’ I just closed my eyes and tried to condense all of those perfect pangs and elusive longings that come with the passage of time into a song.
And now, into a collection of songs by other artists who have tried to paint the same feelings into melodies; the intangible feeling of checking into Memory Motel and collapsing into sweet reminiscences, walking on the backroads, by the rivers, ever smiling, ever gentle on your mind. We all know you can’t put your arms around a memory or live in Memory Street forever, but sometimes your memory has a mind of its own. So whether you’re looking’ back on Luckenbach or can’t remember Guildford, maybe remember me, or your wildest dreams, or your favorite memory, cos walkin’ in the sand or livin’ on memories of you will be the last thing on my mind, as I remember a time when once you used to love me… so listen up, lovers, dreamers, fighters, kick your tin can down the road and remember….
- Last Thing I’ll Remember: Lo Carmen
- Memory Motel: Rolling Stones
- Looking’ Back On Luckenbach: Whitney Rose
- I’ve Got Dreams To Remember: Otis Redding
- Living On memories Of You: Dolly Parton
- If Drinkin’ Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will): George Jones
- Remember (Walkin’ In The Sand): The ShangriLas
- Your Memory Has A Mind Of Its Own: Willie Nelson
- My Favorite Memory: Merle Haggard
- You Can’t Put Your Arms Around A Memory: Johnny Thunders
- Memory Street: Margaret Glaspy
- He’s Just An Old Love Turned Memory: Tammy Wynette
- No, I Don’t Remember Guildford: Robyn Hitchcock
- You or Your Memory: The Mountain Goats
- I Don’t Remember: The Stepfords
- Wildest Dreams: Ryan Adams
- Those Memories Of You: Trio
- Maybe Remember Me: Daniel Romano
- The Last Thing On My Mind: Gram Parsons
- I Remember A Time When Once You Used To Love Me: Dirty Three
- Gentle On My Mind: Billy Bragg, Joe Henry
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“The Last Thing I’ll Remember” is out now. Keep up with Lo Carmen here.
**Submitted by the artist
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 20, 2017 | soundtrack
We just wanted to come up with a witty line for the title, this might not be the best September to remember. BUT it has been a brilliant month for music – and a brilliant summer, really, for our eager ears.
We launched this site this month. Last week. Big things are happening. So we’ve decided to do a monthly roundup of music we’re listening to, and post it close to the end of the month, but keep adding as we go. So this playlist isn’t set. It isn’t done. We don’t have any explanations for the tracks, nothing important to say. The songs don’t fit into specific genres, and we’ve included everything we’ve written about this month, no matter its release date. Just wanted to keep it in one, compact, fun place for you to enjoy!
Be a part of our music community! #imperfectfifth with your song suggestion for our September playlist on social media, and it will probably (more than likely) be added to the lineup!
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 14, 2017 | soundtrack
There aren’t many feelings better than that of curating the perfect soundtrack. I’m not one to gloat, but I did a pretty good job of it myself at the tender age of 18. In our religion class – yes, I did the Catholic school thing – our teacher asked us to make a soundtrack to our lives, with descriptions on why we chose the songs, etc. Not a lot of people took the assignment very seriously (I had a friend asking me to draw his CD art five minutes before class started. Casual.), but I went all in.
Because music.
I chose 18 songs for 18 years of life, and my explanations were memories and thoughts etched into my mind because of the songs. So I want to celebrate the launch of Imperfect Fifth with my soundtrack in full, with as many of the details (minus the photos) that I can include. So take a peek inside my 18 year old mind, and then perhaps make a playlist that reflects your world. (AND DON’T FORGET TO SUBMIT IT FOR CONSIDERATION!)
“I always said, ‘Don’t mess with the young girls at this school.'” – My geometry teacher
- Proclaimers – 500 Miles // “500 Miles” is one of the first songs I ever remember singing and dancing to in my life. (Of course, there was Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” also.) Erin and I used to dance in our living room to this song when we were really little. It is on the Benny & Joon soundtrack and it’s an amazing song. Erin and I shared this song as a favorite in common with Rosie Campbell, one of our friends since we moved to Missouri in 2nd grade.
- Spin Doctors – Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong // “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” is another tune that I remember listening to when I was very young. It was also my ringback tone last year and, according to my mother, it should be my anthem.
- Tracy Chapman – Fast Car // “Fast Car” is such an amazing song. Not only did I listen to it in the early 90’s, but it also became mine and Michelle Verstraete’s song the summer after freshman year. We were listening to my iPod while laying out at her pool and that is when we discovered that we both shared a passion for 90’s music. Every time I hear it, I think of her. Also, it is a song that I listen to when I am in a rut. It reminds me to strive for my dreams and that they won’t just be handed to me.
- Sugar Ray – I Just Wanna Fly // I chose this song solely in honor of the Ferguson family. Vincent was my first friend in Missouri. On the way to my first Liberty Blue Jays game with him and his family, his big brother Billy made us listen to this song. It was his favorite. It reminds me of 2nd grade and my amazing friends.
- Sisqo – The Thong Song // When I was younger, I took karate. In 5th grade, this song was on every Saturday morning on our way home from class. My dad always turned it up and rolled the windows and sunroof down. It was a joke for our family. It reminds me of my dad. Also, when people started noticing his gray hair, he told them that he dyed it silver to look like Sisqo. **This party trick still works. Sometimes.
- Hanson – Broken Angel // When I was in 8th grade, I was obsessed (again) with Hanson. This song is about someone who has the ability to fulfill their dreams but just can’t seem to get it right. I listened to this song every single night before I went to sleep from 8th grade through 10th grade. It reminds me a lot of me.
- The Starting Line – Best of Me // This song begins slow and sweet and then changes tempo. It reminds me of several events in my life, like Warped Tour ’07 with Jenny Newcomer. It also reminds me of Jenny’s boyfriend, Troy, who played this song upside down on Erin’s left-handed guitar. But, more than anything, it was my “pump up” song for every big event in cheer over the past three years. It got me through competition and losing games.
- Hawthorne Heights – Ohio is For Lovers // This song is fun to sing in public. When I started wearing black nail polish during sophomore year, people began to ask me if I was emo. I would just sing the chorus of the song to them. Hawthorne Heights was MY band of the summer after sophomore year. Also, I saw them four times in concert before my favorite member of the band died tragically this year.
- The Rocket Summer – Save // I was told this song fits my personality. It is off of The Rocket Summer’s most recent album. The song really does make a lot of sense… when people “amaze” me, I invest more emotion into my efforts. Even though things frustrate me when I take chances and they prove fruitless, I question it and then move on to something more inviting. I want my life to count.
- Spin Doctors – Two Princes // This is supposed to be on Erin’s CD. I didn’t really mean to put it on mine, but now that it is on here… this is yet another song that I listened to frequently as a child. I remember the music video/ I am pretty sure it was my first glimpse at a true grungy outfit on a guy. I think of my childhood when I listen to it.
- LFO – Summer Girls // I hated LFO when they were popular. I always fought with people saying they were poseurs of NSYNC and Backstreet Boys. They made me angry. Freshman year, I was at Jenny’s birthday party and she had a dance to this song. She made me love this song. It is just so random and completely reminds me of her. Also, Matt Loehr was in my Spanish class freshman year and sang this song for us.
- Saving Jane – Girl Next Door // This song is catchy and was fun when it was popular. It came out and I laughed because I was a cheerleader and I felt like the “girl next door” anyways (because SPX doesn’t like cheerleaders). My mom and my sister sang it to me when I made prom court.
- Imogen Heap – Goodnight and Go // This song was on the first season of The OC, my favorite tv show ever. My friend and I used to sing it sophomore year all the time.
- Aaron Carter – Saturday Night // This song reminds me of cheer tryouts sophomore year. Actually, it was the spring of freshman year. It was the last song I heard before tryouts, and it was (unfortunately) stuck in my head the entire time… and then I made varsity. So, I always think of cheer when I hear it. I put it on my camp CD this year.
- Jeff Cunningham, Danny Cunningham, Billy Q – Moonbounce (Go Dumb) // This song makes me giggle so much! Jeff has been my neighbor and one of my best friends since 7th grade. He signed to a Canadian rap label in 8th grade, but it never really went anywhere. This summer, Jeff, his brother, and our friend Billy recorded this song in Jeff’s room as a complete joke. It is actually one of the worst songs I have ever heard, but they are complete hams and I listen to it all the time. I am going to miss them next year. Also, it reminds me of the moonbounce at prom. **Sadly, this song does not exist anywhere but my iTunes library.
- The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus – False Pretense // I love this band! “The world’s got a funny way of turning ’round on you/When a friend tries to stab you right in the face/Losing faith in everything I thought I hope I know.” These lyrics truly hit home for me. No matter how much I invested into my friendships over the past three years, my true friends pulled through this summer. This song reminds me that I could not have changed what happened with my estranged friends. I listen to it sometimes when I am angry.
- The Rocket Summer – Brat Pack // This song has been my high school anthem since sophomore year. I have always wanted to get out of high school, but I love my friends and we really are like our own little Brat Pack. Shout out to my oldest friend, Allison Bacchini!
- Rod Stewart – Forever Young // This is the song that my mom chose for my segment of the 8th grade graduation video. I love this song. I will always be young at heart, even when I grow up and have a job. This song reminds me constantly to keep the childlike qualities with me.
18 songs for 18 years of life.
BRING ON THE NEXT CHAPTER.
**Photo courtesy of my friends TPing the neighbors’ house and trailing it to our house so we had to clean it up. But that’s my little brother cleaning it up.
