New Feature: The Weekly Abroad Playlist

Ciao. AS abroad is in Florence, Italy right now. On Valentines Day I found an awesome vinyl store, complete with a copy of a hilariously Gary Coleman-adorned, Diff'rent Strokes seven inch. Didn't buy it because I got kicked out for browsing. Hmm.

Yesterday, while cruising around the Tuscan countryside, listening to my nano (Thanks, Bob), I thought about posting a weekly list of 10 songs that are propelling our travels. Some will be new, some will be old. Some will be foreign, some won't. But if you haven't already heard 'em, I urge you to check, check, check, check 'em out. And if you have, perhaps give 'em another spin.

Amadou & Mariam--"Sénégal Fast Food"--Dimanche a Bamako
The uplifting, West African rock from this blind Malinese couple, featuring Manu Chao, makes me smile.

Annuals--"Sway"--Be Here Me
Beautiful song from this Raliegh-based wierdtet that often encompasses the beauty of new European sights.

Midlake--"Roscoe"--Trials of Van Occupanther
Try to get this Neil Young singing Fleetwood Mac number out of your head. I dare you.

Jim Noir--"My Patch"--Tower of Love
A bubbly popper from this British one man band that is the perfect song for a sunny drive.

Klaxons--"As Above, So Below"--Myths of the Near Future
Electro pop-punk from the recently-released, red hot debut of this British trio that will get you out of bed and moving.

TV on the Radio--"Hours"--Return to Cookie Mountain
Creepy waltzer that beautifully complements late night travels.

Sigur Ròs--"Saeglopur"--Takk
For some reason these orchestral sounds of Sigur Ròs always fill my buds when I'm on the subway.

Wolfmother--"Colossal"--Wolfmother
I will remember the band's ear-ringing Hammersmith Apollo performance of this song for as long as I live. Plus, it's badass.

Hot Chip--"Colors"--The Warning
Melodic British electronica that just makes sense when you are taking it all in.

Drive-By Truckers--"Easy on Yourself"--A Blessing and A Curse
With this one, Jason Isbell reminds you to make the most of your opportunities. Fitting for a self-disciplined journey.


Also, check back in the next coming days for that freestyle video. We're trying to get it up. In addition, on Tuesday we head to Amsterdam, where we'll see the Decemberists, Junior Boys, Explosions in the Sky, and hopefully a few more. Should be quite a week for AS Abroad, so stay tuned.