My Favorite Winter Albums

Happy December! While it's not technically winter yet, the air has definitely shifted. Gone are the days of crisp, fresh autumn. Now the air is dry and biting...and I'm loving it! I'm a very seasonal person and throw myself into certain occasions head first -- namely autumn and winter. Christmas decorations make their debut in my flat on December 1st and hot chocolate, mulled wine and the likes have been enjoyed here for a good week. Music and movies are also essential for getting into the winter spirit so I give to you, in no specific order, my top albums for winter! (I'll list specific songs and movies in another post.)

 The Marble Index by Nico - Quite the departure from her celebrated Chelsea Girl, Nico truely turns into her own with the moody and gothic Marble Index. The album is one beautifully haunting song after another and all are perfect for a late evening stroll in the snow. Standout tracks include Frozen Warnings and No One Is There. Also, Elliott Smith reportedly listened to The Marble Index exclusively for months and if it's good enough for Elliott, it's good enough for me.

Grace by Jeff Buckley - One of my favorite albums period, but also happens to be perfect for those cold, dark winter days. Buckley's unique voice gives each song such character and makes them come alive, none quite as apparent as his rendition of Hallelujah, which has become just as beloved as Cohen's original. Grace, Mojo Pin, and Lover You Should've Come Over are my favorites on this nearly flawless album.

Heaven or Las Vegas by Cocteau Twins - I really could have picked any Cocteau Twins album, but Heaven or Las Vegas has a particularly wintery track listing. Cherry-Coloured Funk, Fifty-Fifty Clown, Heaven or Las Vegas, and Frou-Frou Foxes In Midsummer Fired are my picks for a frosty winter's morning.

 

Hell Train by Soltero - Soltero's slow, thoughtful songs feel familiar and cozy--too essential qualities of winter. Playing Songs of the Season while I'm getting dressed always puts me in a good mood in preparation for a blistery cold day.

 

When I Said I Wanted To Be Your Dog by Jens Lekman - I've been in a Jens Lekman "phase" since high school so, five years on, I guess I can't really call it a phase anymore. Jens is seriously one of my favorite songwriters ever. His lyrics are touching, clever, funny, insightful....he's just brilliant. I remember being 16 and walking home after my daily homework session at the coffee shop (okay, it was Starbucks) and listening so songs like Julia, The Cold Swedish Winter, Maple Leaves, Psychogirl, and Your Beat Kicks Back Like Death--all while tentatively climbing over mounds of ice and snow. I don't think my classifying of this album as wintery is purely nostalgia though. Jens' deep, breathy voice and quirky poetry is genuinely seasonal and goes best with a steaming mug of tea.

Portrait of a Legend by Sam Cooke - I. Love. Sam Cooke. His smooth voice is beautiful and perfect for a night of Christmas shopping, tree decorating, or anything that involves Christmas lights (not sure why, but Sam Cooke and Christmas lights go together like PB&J). You Send Me, Twistin' The Night Away, A Change is Gonna Come, You Were Made For Me, and Cupid are my favorites for winter.

Takk... by Sigur Rós - Sigur Rós is amazing. Seriously one of the most talented bands with arragements that are so complex that they make my head spin trying to soak it all in. Jónsi's beautiful falsetto is incredible when paired with the haunting instrumentals. I'm sitting here, literally lost for words...Sigur Rós is such an indescribable band that anything I say doesn't seem to be enough. Anyway, winter songs! Glósóli, Sé Lest, Saeglópur. Ba Da Bing!