Soundtracking: Your Mexican Vacation, Baby
Words by Jacob Barron
Have you been to Mexico lately? It’s so hot right now, both in terms of temperature and in terms of horrific, drug-related violence. Still, its hotness is unquestioned. I mean, it’s so hot, it could take a crap, split it in two, wrap each piece in aluminum foil, stick hooks in them and sell them as earrings to Kate Middleton. That’s how hot Mexico is right now. Topical reference. Round of applause. All right.
Anyway, you should go there, Mexico that is, or any other tropical destination, either for a getaway that takes place as the oversexed and under-hydrated college crowd recovers from its spring break hangover, or for an early, pre-summer deal that takes advantage of non-peak discount airfare. When you arrive, stay away from the border, don’t drink the water, and check out these tunes while you’re whiling away your idle hours on la playa, desperately hoping the waiter will come around so you can order another unnecessary mojito.
Jens Lekman / Oh, You’re So Silent Jens
This album isn’t going to send anyone into a sexy, rhythm-induced salsa freakout, possessing their body into movement a la “Weekend at Bernie’s 2,” but it’s light enough to soundtrack a lazy day on the beach, one that ambles into an evening, and eventually a night. Lekman is essentially one of the kings of my beloved pee-pants singer/songwriter genre, and this is his brilliant breakthrough album, full of antique samples, drum loops, quirky, yet oddly poignant, lyrics and the sounds of his resonant baritone. It’s blissful and cute, and perfectly suited to easily enjoyed time spent doing nothing in particular.
The Dodos / Visiter
Say one day (or everyday) of your trip you head to the beach. You arrive, and put your towels on two chairs beneath an umbrella that’s located far away enough from Emilio, the still passed-out, speedo-wearing foreigner who you’re trying to avoid after last night’s tequila-fueled limbo contest massacre (don’t ask). You go and check your girlfriend’s bag for all your stuff. Sun block: check. Harry Potter book: check (don’t judge me). IPod: OH MY GOD WHERE IS IT? What do you do? Suddenly, you remember that your girlfriend has headphones and her iPhone, which is loaded with music you gave her months ago. She politely offers it to you, and you accept, finding that she has Visiter loaded on there. You click on the first track, remembering how you basically wore out this CD when you first got it, and haven’t heard it in forever. Sounds fresh, doesn’t it? The answer you’re looking for is “yes.”
Band of Horses / Cease to Begin
Band of Horses / The General Specific
I would call this album bonfire music. It’s a quintessentially American bit of business, about as country as I think Band of Horses has ever sounded (although, full disclosure, I’ve heard nothing off of Infinite Arms), and while there are slower, sentimental moments, its ebbs and flows only make the whole thing that much more visual, leaving the listener with images of moonlit oceans and evaporating embers. “The General Specific” is the perfect soundtrack to a hipster-friendly hootenanny (which, just so you know, is a word, according to Microsoft), and “Islands on the Coast” sends the album soaring before pulling the chute and landing comfortably in a hammock with “Window Blues,” a sleepy tune that you’ll whistle all the way back to your hotel room, and then some.
The Ruby Suns / Sea Lion
Even though it came from a band of New Zealanders, there’s something perfectly nomadic and worldly about this album, as though it belongs to no specific country, but to all countries. It’s comprised of songs capable of befitting both your 777′s descent into the tropical nation of your choice, and your accidental interruption of a Day of the Dead parade, or anything else that leaves you mildly disoriented, but totally okay with it. When you get off the plane, there could be a traditional Mariachi band at the terminal to greet you, and they could easily be playing “Tane Mahuta” without anyone batting an eye. Sure, I know “tane” and “mahuta” aren’t Spanish words, but the whole thing just feels marvelously tropical and alive, even more so when considered in contrast to the album’s dreamier tunes like “Remember” and “It’s Mwangi In Front of Me.”
The Walkmen / You & Me
I was about to put The Walkmen‘s most recent effort, Lisbon, on this list in place of You & Me but despite the glorious beach party atmosphere of “Angela Surf City,” I think You & Me is the better vacation soundtrack. Many of the tracks sound like thrilling, jangly, ramshackle reaches for surf rock guitar, and others, like the waltz “Red Moon” and “New Country,” are wistfully gorgeous and relaxing. Don’t get me wrong, “Lisbon” is brilliant, and really isn’t that far off from this list, but it’s still a tad icier than its predecessor, better suited to a subdued winter day inside, dreaming of a break that has yet to arrive. You & Me is that break, and it reminds me what it feels like to gleefully take advantage of all that a warmer climate has to offer, while remaining painfully aware of the fact that, by definition, all vacations end.
Bibio / Ambivalence Avenue
The other albums on this list are all good soundtracks to your time spent tanning, sleeping, or sleep-tanning on the beach of whatever tropical area you’ve chosen to visit, and while that’s probably where you’ll spend most of your time, you might find your way into town for some overpriced merriment. This album is the “going out” entry, funky and fun in spots where you want to get down, and soothing enough in spots where you realize you spent the entire day in the sun and want to go to sleep, but are too embarrassed to admit it. Stretching from dance-worthy electronica odysseys to intimate indie rock tunes, Ambivalence Avenue has you covered; perfect for a poolside daydream or a late night ride off the resort to the nearest local watering hole. Just make sure to leave your passport in the lockbox.
Are you going on vacation this spring/summer? Is it to Mexico or some other distant land (like Canada)? What songs and albums do you bring with you for some serious R and R time? Leave us a few comments and let us know.
Filed under: Lists, Not Blake, Jim, or Brendan
You made my day by including Bibio’s Ambivalence Avenue. This album is terrific. I agree with what you said about it, but I also think it’s perfect for passing the time spent in airports, lazily people-watching while trying not to get too anxious for the coming departure. The title track blows me every time.
Another great post, Jacob.
This is a great post. It just brought me back to The Walkmen show at Mr. Smalls this past fall. Didn’t they end with “In The New Year?” Love that song. Great show. I know you guys were there. I’m not a stalker.
I recently spent some time in Southern California/driving up to the coast to San Fran and that had me wanting to listen to the likes of:
Tennis – well, the entire “Cape Dory” album had me convinced that I can sail/surf, and that’s just not true. I returned to Boston during the tail end of Winter and saw them live, and even when you’re not actually on vacation, they will transport you somewhere sunny and warm. Promise.
Wavves – “King of the Beach”. Then I thought I could skateboard at the beach, too.
Miniature Tigers – specifically their Daytrotter session, and I couldn’t resist listening to “Tropical Birds” in that climate.
Beach Fossils – their self-titled album and another one that will make you feel like it’s summer at the beach, BUT WAIT, you should already be there because you’re on vacation! If you’re working hard and can’t get away, you can listen to this album and you will smell sand and suncreen or feel like you’ve put your ear to a Conch shell or…[insert other beachy things here].