I’ve taken a bit of a break from these like Andy has, not as much because I was losing interest, but similarly in that I was finding it more difficult to choose songs I felt as passionately about. A bit of a break should assist with that, though defying that particular logic today, I’m posting a few songs that Andy has already included on his list and not employing much passion.

122. DJ Shadow – You Made It feat. Chris James (mp3) from The Outsider (2:47) [Time Remaining: 450:55]

For someone I’ve never heard anything from before or since, Chris James, whomever he may be, has an incredible voice. The vocals in this song are the selling point, the music consisting of a fairly simple parts but for the incredible instrument of his voice. Certainly in symphony with each other the elements increase in effectiveness, but I believe the music would fall a bit flat without James’ involvement.

123. Tricky – Christiansands (mp3) from Pre-Millennium Tension (3:52) [Time Remaining: 447:03]

Another strong vocalist, though entirely on the opposite end of the spectrum, is Adrian Nicholas Matthews Thaws.   Tricky, as he is professionally known, employs a guttural, altogether unique sprechgesang, as Andy previously mentioned in his 1K post about the song.  The guy has been around a long time.  He was instrumental in the formation of Massive Attack, has been in a few movies and has many other songs I greatly enjoy, though not to the same level as I do “Christiansands.”  As for the why, I suppose I’ve just always really liked the song.  I don’t have a special affinity for the lyrics or any one particular element,  but I love the beat and everything all put together.

I can’t explain to others why I like certain types of music, let alone explain or understand its importance to myself. Some music is instantaneously appealing to me and at other times it’s a slow process to appreciate a song or band. Because music is so important to me it was the only detail of my wedding in which I truly had or wanted vital input. I’ve wanted to do yesterday’s break up songs post and today’s for some time. I drafted something for each on my old site but we decided to wait so we could incorporate the symmetry of Friday the 13th and Valentine’s day this year. I usually have trouble at weddings I’ve attended in the past because of the music that is played during down times before dancing begins. Rather than listening to muzak or crappy jazz I gave a list of music I wanted played during our cocktail and dinner hours. I gave a list of 37 songs to choose from for the calmer portion of the evening, as well as 18 songs to be interspersed during the usual dancing favorites. I would start a riot of downloading if I uploaded all of the awesomeness that was my entire playlist so perhaps I’ll hold more of the list for a slow day another time.

This was the first song played as we were greeting arrivals to the reception. Andy loves this song as well but he hadn’t arrived just yet and missed it:

D.J. Shadow ft. Chris James – You Made It (mp3) from The Outsider

These are just two more that were played. I’ve chosen these two as they better fit the theme of love songs rather than many of the others on my list.

Nada Surf – Always Love (mp3) from The Weight is a Gift

Delays – Long Time Coming (mp3) from Faded Seaside Glamour

Skipping into the main music selections.

For the cake cutting:

Feist – Mushaboom (mp3) from Let It Die

Wedding party dance:

Ambulance Ltd – Straight A’s (mp3) from New English EP

Jumping ahead in the timeline of the evening to the last song. I requested the D.J. play this song last as it is a band both my wife and I like quite a lot and this is their best song.

Voxtrot – The Start of Something (mp3) from Raised By Wolves EP

And finally the most important song selection for a wedding. My wife had always thought she would want a wedding song that she could hear on the radio to remember. This was not my line of thinking at the time of my wedding or really in any circumstance. I wanted a unique song that was more important to just us. She came over to my way of thinking when we discussed this song. Not that many people know it and it will never be played on the radio. Just about everyone that has ever heard this song likes it.

Rogue Wave – Eyes (mp3) This song was made before a certain movie added it to the soundtrack. As such I’m not listing that particular soundtrack.