etc.

I realized to-day that every year, I select for myself (mostly sub-consciously) a sountrack for spring. Not a soundtrack for summer, but one for spring. Something about climbing out of a winter slumber makes me prick up my ears and start paying attention to the sounds on the airwaves. In keeping with this tradition, I decided that the Soundtrack of Spring 2005 is Hopes and Fears by Keane, followed closely by Hot Fuss by The Killers (more realized than decided; both albums just sort of weaseled their way into my sub-conscious and lodged there). The Keane album is soulful and completely brilliant, and Hot Fuss is just the perfect record to wake up to on a sunny, spring morning.

Here are the soundtracks of springs past, as memory serves (which is spotty and not very far back, wish it served better):

• 2004: Good News for People who Like Bad News, Modest Mouse; Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? Metric
• 2003: Avalanche, Matthew Good
• 2001: Odyssey Number Five, Powderfinger; Spiritual Machines, Our Lady Peace
• 2000: Play, Moby; Underdogs, Matthew Good Band
• 1998: Fountains of Wayne, Fountains of Wayne; The Color and the Shape, Foo Fighters
• 1997: Automatic for the People, REM (as you can tell, the release year is irrelevant)
• 1996: The Bends, Radiohead; Viva! La Woman, Cibo Matto; Different Class, Pulp