Three for Free – Random Edition

By Garrett D.

Randomness doesn’t get a fair shake, in my humble opinion. People cherish order and the illusion of control. Anyone who has heard a playlist I’ve made has been exposed to my embrace of the random – at least in the musical sense. It’s not uncommon for tracks to skip from experimental rock to impressionist classical. The stark contrast can be jarring for some, but I embrace and enjoy the chaos, and encourage you to do the same.

First up in the tour of random Freegal favorites is Marcos Valle – Estrelar. A Brazilian boogie dance track released in 1982, this song makes it into the Random Edition by virtue of being drilled into my head by a repetitively played commercial for a liqueur that could antonymously be called Northern Discomfort. Perhaps a sign of the most dangerous advertisements are the ones that make you curious, “What is this song? I wonder if I could dance in such a relaxed fashion if I tried Northern Discomfort?”

Second in the tour of random is the fortuitous result of interaction between library staff and patron. Showing that recommendations are a two-way street is Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes – Love Letter or ‘Baby Caught the Bus’ by the same. Melbourne-based Clairy Brown and the Bangin’ Rackettes, in addition to having an awesome name, have a nearly impossible to describe sound. They have a bluesy, jazzy, soul, Motown feel (supplemented by the full horn section and backup singers). Sounding simultaneously old-fashioned and modern you can quickly find your foot tapping in time to the tune.

For the final entry in the random edition we will stop off for some “Good News for People Who Love Bad News” with Modest Mouse – Float On. In contrast to the other entries on the list, if you haven’t heard this song I’d suspect some time spent as a castaway on an uncharted desert isle (without a coconut radio). The indie hit is the perfect relaxation song and the best way to end the random tour.