As a self-proclaimed Grinch of all holidays, it makes sense that I don't care for Halloween. Okay, I don't despise it or anything. I'm just not into fun-sized chocolate bars, pumpkin-carving, or dressing up. (A few New Year's Eves ago, I even went to bed at 10:00). I just don't like holidays.*

When I thought about making a Halloween playlist, the Grinch in me told me to think again. Without further ado, I present to you an Autumn-themed playlist, without any of the trappings of annoying greeting card holidays.




*On a side note, I hate Facebook statuses about early Christmas music, and I HATE seeing Christmas items in stores before Halloween.

This video is for Mr. Frosty Man, one of the new songs on Sufjan Stevens upcoming Christmas album. I love it. It's bloody, gory, gross, crude, and everything that Christmas is all about. Enjoy. 

1		Ben Gibbard			64
2		Ryan Adams			36
3		The Avett Brothers			29
4		Eels			18
4		The Beatles			18
6		Death Cab For Cutie			13
7		Ryan Adams & The Cardinals			12
8		Bad Books			11
9		Wilco			9
10		The Walkmen			8
10		Kerouac's Big Sur			8

Former Lives is one of my favorite albums of the year (despite what all the reviews say). Ben (I guess it's Benjamin now) Gibbard takes a break from Death Cab to put out a solo album that (as he puts it) is more reminiscent of his record collection than his song writing with his band. Duncan, for example, sounds like a Harry Nilsson throw back. Broken In the Western Sky could have been written and sang by Glen Campbell.

I've listened to this so many times this week and can't find anything wrong with it. The song writing is great, the music is great, his voice is great, but every review I read consistently under rates the album. I guess there's something I'm not hearing when I listen to it.  I enjoy every song on the album. It's very diverse (there's a mariachi on Something's Rattling) and very much a solo album. Listen to it despite what Pitchfork says. I don't think you'll be disappointed, especially if you're a Ben Gibbard fan. 

1		The Avett Brothers			52
2		Nathaniel Rateliff			22
3		Ryan Adams			21
3		The Beatles			21
5		The Airborne Toxic Event			18
6		Stars			16
7		Conor Oberst			14
8		Tilly and the Wall			12
9		Daughter			10
10		Blind Pilot			9
10		Jenny and Johnny			9

I'm just going to come right out and say it, once and for all. Mumford and Sons new album, Babel is not nearly as good as their first album, Sigh No More. I was in denial about it until last night, when a song from Sigh No More came up on a mix I was playing. It was then that I realized the severe disappointment I have in Babel. I've listened to it several times, telling myself that I love them and that they make fantastic music but for some reason, I just couldn't get into this album like I did with the other.
It's not bad music. It's still good. But I think because their first album was somewhat mind-blowing, this one is much more disappointing. It's like Vampire Weekend. Their first album was one of those albums you can't choose a favorite song from. Then their second album Contra was good, had a couple hits but, in comparison, there was no comparison.
I never know what to do when this happens to bands. I feel bad for them almost. Did they just get lucky with their first album? Was it a fluke? Are they really not as talented as we thought? Or did they just get intimidated by what they created first and panicked with the next? Like people who are bad test takers? They study and know everything but once the pressure is on, they fail? I don't know. I guess only time will tell. I'll keep an eye on Mumford and Sons. I'm curious to see what happens next.