Sonic Sunday: Halloween-ish

Since it's October but not quite Halloween, I thought I'd post a mix that fits that chilly, autumnal description. These are all great songs to listen to while you're snuggled up in front of the fireplace and the wind is howling through the trees outside.

Since these tunes aren't meant to scare you, none of them have any crazy, Latin chanting in them. So, if you're grooving along and suddenly hear some...grab your crucifix and RUN.

"The Funeral," Band of Horses - To the outside, the dead leaves, they all blow/'Fore they died, had trees to hang their hope

The above cited lyrics may not be correct; I've seen about 10 different interpretations of those lines. It's all the reverb on the vocals that makes it hard to decipher. But that's also what gives the song (and most of this band's songs) that semi-creepy, atmospheric sound.

"Halloween," Grant Lee Buffalo - You were like my own James Byron Dean/Private Idaho was my East of Eden/Hit me like a stone when I heard you passed on Halloween

A drowsy, sad song about River Phoenix's untimely death.

"Halloweenhead," Ryan Adams - Head full of candy bags/Costume shops and punks in drag/Head full of tricks and treats/Places where junkies meet

Ryan's had some troubles finding sobriety, and this song seems to be about trying to navigate the mean streets of NYC without getting lured back into those old druggie haunts.

"The Ghost in You," The Psychedelic Furs - Inside you the time moves and she don't fade/The ghost in you, she don't fade

I think the ghost here is just a lost love that refuses to stop haunting your heart. Pining away sucks. Give me a good old, violent poltergeist any day.

"October," U2 - October/And the trees are stripped bare of all they wear/What do I care?

There are, like, six lines in this song, so I really don't think I need to explain it. Let's just say that it's not about November. And it's not so much about the lyrics as it is the mood.

All of this great music can be purchased at Amazon: