Sarah Taylor’s FASHION + Music picks: David Bowie, Caribou and Dead Man’s Bones
David Bowie, Station to Station (Deluxe Edition)
It’s my personal opinion that David Bowie is an almost perfect musical creature. You might even consider him an otherwordly artistic genius whose four decades of music continues to influence pop culture and leave imprints on our creative souls. That’s why I’m happy to sneak him in here just before Halloween so you can rethink your Ziggy Stardust costume. Again. Incidentally, it’s also the perfect time to dust off your favorite Bowie albums, and maybe even add to the collection, since he recently released the 40th anniversary of Space Oddity, as well as a deluxe edition of 1976’s Station to Station that includes live versions of “Stay,” “Queen Bitch,” and “Fame,” all currently on repeat in my world. The original release of the album marked the introduction of Bowie’s alter ego, the Thin White Duke, who had a tendency towards aggressively apathetic romanticism, a love for Adolph Hitler, and a severe drug problem. The album feels like running through a dream towards a soulful love affair with your own ego. No matter how many delicious fame monsters follow, I still prefer the original. (Also look out for the War Child David Bowie tribute album that was released this week.)
Caribou, Swim
I stumbled into lukewarm like with Caribou after Andorra’s 2008 Polaris Prize win, but after catching their performance at this year’s awards gala I fell head over heels. Swim is the album that came into my life at one of those moments when you really need a beautiful set of disco/techno-inspired songs dark enough to really make you smile. Perfect for shaking you up on a cold fall morning or night. This record inspires some introspective thoughts, which might not be an accident: Dan Snaith, the man behind Caribou, completed his Ph.D. in mathematics at Imperial College London in 2005 and his thesis was titled “Overconvergent Siegel Modular Symbols.” I know, just take it in. Regardless of your IQ you’ll want to listen to this album as it seems to sting like modern love–lonely, but filled with heart. Best track: “Odessa”
Dead Man’s Bones, Never Let a Lack of Talent Get You Down
I know this album dropped a while ago but I have become more comfortable admitting my love for Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields’ latest music project. Yeah, I said Ryan Gosling. I’m even willing to put my para-social love for Gosling aside for a moment to appreciate this album for being so charming. If you’re one of those people who automatically think you’ll dislike a record made by yet another actor-turned-musician I must say I was just like you–but then I got over it. In terms of musical ability Pitchfork compares this album more to She & Him than, say, Joaquin Phoenix’s faux rap career, but you can make up your own mind. The pair recorded the music with a children’s choir and the effect is just short of magical. If you haven’t seen the viral clip for “In the Room Where You Sleep,” featuring the choir dressed up in Halloween costumes, or the music video for “Pa Pa Power,” which was shot on location at a retirement home, you may not know what I’m talking about, but you’ll soon find out. Gosling won’t enchant us on the big screen until December, when All Good Things hit theatres, so until then he’ll have to be heard, not seen. Sigh.
To see all of Sarah’s picks, visit our FASHION + Music channel. Have a favourite fall tune? Tell us in the comments!
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