Winter Songs

I have always loved the winter not for the beauty of the pure white snow or the excitement of the holidays, but rather the dynamic it plays in my music selection. Instead of choosing upbeat Christmas tunes I find myself akin to cold and bleak songs that reflect sadness and fragility of winter. With the bleak landscape scattered with snow, cold temperatures and fewer hours of sunlight it seems appropriate for such music to be played. One of my most cherished winter song is definitely "River" by Joni Mitchell, a song that exemplifies the kind of mood winter can paint on musicians. With lyrics like, "Oh I wish I had a river/I could skate away on," Mitchell crafts an urge to move away and reflect on life's shortcomings. Conversely songs like Tori Amos's "Winter," glorify the beauty of winter with references to white horses and the competition over the sun. Other poignant lyrics point to suffering despite the aura of winter ("Boys get discovered as Winter melts"). She not only adds emotion to the song with beautiful lyrics, but a layer of piano, strings and echoing voices. Artists like Iron & Wine are excellent at constructing songs that soothe the soul and relaxes the heart and on the song "Faded From the Winter," Sam Beam once again never fails to disappoint. His whispery vocals and virtuoso guitar playing skills add depth to music that could otherwise be played in a coffee house. Imagine yourself sitting in a log cabin with snow falling snuggled up next to that special someone and I bet you Iron & Wine would be playing along with others like Bon Iver (lol no french pun intended - "good winter") and Sufjan Stevens. Lastly, the song "Rhymes of an Hour" by Mazzy is perfect for walking around the snow-scapes of morning. The minimal drums and dreamy guitars create movement as if walking through snow. Hope Sandoval's soft and angelic vocals remind me of the golden yellow sun of morning shining down on the little foliage that chooses to stay.

Below are a list of other good winter songs:

1. In a Bleak Mid Winter by Sarah McLachlan
2. Aurora by Bjork
3. Whither Must I Wander by Martha Wainwright
4. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing by Sufjan Stevens
5. The Heartache Can Wait by Brandi Carlie

Artist Spotlight

MARTHA WAINWRIGHT

Always been a big fan of Rufus Wainwright, a kind of modern Elton John, whose voice and songwriting abilities surpass his charisma and charm. After listening to his music for about two months or so, I discovered he had an equally talented sister named Martha. Unlike Rufus, Martha has a real poetic folk based kind of music based around her crisp soothing vocals and an acoustic guitar. The first song I ever heard of her's was entitled "Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole", which apart from its starch title, is an eloquently written song about her differences with another man, kind of a take off of Alanis Morisette's "You Oughta Know." After hearing this song I proceeded to buy her first album, Martha Wainwright. Overall its an excellent compilation of slow to medium paced songs with varying moods, but they reflect some kind of incompleteness as a person. Songs like "Factory" or "Whither Must I Wander" are reminiscent of Joni Mitchell's Blue, a kind of journal entry about her travels around the country and the loneliness it can leave you with. I recommend this artist to anyone who enjoys folk based songs with a female touch.
5 stars