Pat Jordan

These are songs that I, personally, find very calming. This group has actual vocals (though I’m not sure whether the Broken Social Scene song is sampled). I have another full playlist of sampled/instrumental/ambient/electronic with the same theme, so it made sense to separate them.

A couple notes:
I’ve decided that I won’t comment extensively on every song because I feel that, due to their grouping, the things I say are bound to be redundant. I may add times in the song that I love or a few personal comments here and there.
I also try to make the lists fit roughly the length of a CD and only contain one track per artist per list. Be aware, these guidelines may and probably will be broken.

1. The National – “Fake Empire” from Boxer
This entire album is great. The lead singer’s deep voice evokes Joy Division, Bruce Springsteen, and Bob Dylan.

2. Arcade Fire – “Ocean of Noise” from Neon Bible
This song is subtle and romantic in a way that it reminds me slightly of Chris Issac, without the overdramatic wailing and whining weighing it down.

3. Cursive – “The Recluse” from The Ugly Organ
A punk/indie band delving onto the lighter/whispering side and utilizing their cello. This album is also good for the more aggressive “Art is Hard,” “Some Red Handed Slight of Hand” and “Sierra.”

4. The Dandy Warhols – “Sleep” from Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia
Poppy, dreaming, and simple.

5. David Bowie – “The Man Who Sold the World” from The Man Who Sold the World
It was a toss-up between this and “Life on Mars?” from Hunky Dory… however, the latter tends to hit the over-dramatic, while this one stays more subdued.

6. Sufjan Stevens – “All the Trees of the Field will Clap Their Hands” from Seven Swans
Sufjan’s light voice over banjo strumming and background harmonies.

7. Eric Clapton – “Layla (Live)” from Unplugged
A subdued version of a classic that makes it smarter and bluesier.

8. Interpol – “Leif Erikson” from Turn on the Bright Lights
Paul Banks’ dry voice shines threw on one of their more subtle songs. Like the rest of their songs on this album, all the sounds blend really well for a complete picture.

9. Radiohead – “You and Whose Army” from Amnesiac
There are so many Radiohead songs that could work, but the simplicity and muffled voice in this song create a fuzzy, laid back atmosphere. I also love when the song takes a dramatic turn at 1:48.

10. Portishead – “Roads” from Dummy
A classic from the 90s. The singer’s voice resonates with a profound melancholy set over trip-hop instrumentals. I recently picked up their new album, “3,” which, though quite different, is also really good. Check out “The Rip” or “Machine Gun.”

11. R.E.M. – “Leave” from New Adventures in Hi-Fi

12. The Smiths – “There is a Light that Never Goes Out” from The Queen is Dead

13. The Velvet Underground – “Pale Blue Eyes” from The Velvet Underground
A very minimalist classic rock song about lost love.

14. Broken Social Scene – “Anthems For A Seventeen Year-Old Girl” from You Forget It in People
Generally, on hearing the first couple seconds of this song, I would skip it. While playing through the album once, when I had inadvertently given it a chance, it struck me as beautiful. The strange girl’s voice, which offset me at first, becomes the centerpiece. When it hits 0:56 (roughly), the song evolves and builds.

15. TV on the Radio – “Staring at the Sun” from Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
This has to be one of my favorite songs ever. A soulful track that has buzzing distortion as its backdrop.

16. Sigur Rós – “Sæglópur” from Takk
See them live if at all possible. It’s blissful. It’s something about the high and ringing voice singing in Icelandic.