The next Playlist in our ongoing series features Manchester Orchestra, The Dear Hunter, and staff photographer Hilary Corts, and we couldn’t be more excited to have them all. Check out the Playlists and listen to the songs while reading everyone’s thoughts!

(Click on image to listen in Spotify)
The Velvet Teen - Tokyoto
I’ve been a fan of this band for years, and finally had the opportunity to see them for the first time last month. Their live show gave me even more chills than their records do! They have a very loaded history and it’s inspiring to see them channel that energy into something great.
Touché Amoré - Home Away From Here
I love Touché Amoré and this song really hits home. 
Bad Rabbits - Neverland
I love to dance and this band makes me dance. 
Young the Giant - 12 Fingers
See this band live. Seriously. They were designed for amphitheaters.
The Narrative - Empty Space
I’m currently working on a book of photos that I took on tour with The Narrative back in April. Suzie and Jesse are two incredibly talented people and it’s impossible not to fall in love with their music. 
The Snake The Cross The Crown - Behold The River
I love everything about this band. I’ve never seen the full band play, but I saw Kevin Jones play to about fifteen people in the back of Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn in 2007. It was the most haunting and incredible show I’ve ever seen.
The Maple State - We Swear By The Light Life
This song is first on their six song EP called “Say Scientist,” which is an infectious little collection of songs. 
La Dispute - Said The King To The River
I’ve been listening to this band on repeat for the past few months now, they’re completely addicting. This song makes my heart race in the best way possible.
The Receiving End of Sirens - Planning A Prison Break
TREOS was one of the first bands I photographed when I started taking my camera to shows, and I immediately fell in love with their energy. They played in Syracuse a lot when I was in high school, so I was fortunate enough to practice my skills on a band I really enjoy. I really miss seeing them place and I so very badly wish they would get back together. 
Cody B Ware - #33 Forever
The passion that Cody possesses is rare: he has a story to tell and nothing is going to keep him from doing so. This song sends a positive message and it’s catchy as hell.

 
(Click on image to listen in Spotify)
Elbow - Starlings
I chose this song to start off the playlist because of the way that it slowly draws the listener in before crescendoing in a beautifully triumphant explosion of brass. The lyrics are so heartfelt and honest, with the melody accompanying the tonality beyond perfection. This is an amazing way to open their record “The Seldom Seen Kid”, and one of the first songs I play every day.
Roxy Music - Virginia Plain 
A driving song with an unforgettable bridge. I have only recently been getting into Roxy Music, but with every new song I hear, especially from “Roxy Music”, “For Your Pleasure”, and “Stranded”. Something about Bryan Ferry’s seemingly out of control vocals has me hooked- as well as the obvious influence of Brian Eno. This song in particular grips me because of the pulsing sax during the verses, as well as the the line “Baby Jane’s in Acapulco, we are Flyin’ down to Rio”.
Mr. Bungle - None of Them Knew They Were Robots
Let me start by saying this is one of my favorite records of all time, with one of my favorite musical forces at the helm. The way this song mashes up sci-fi sounds and lyrics with fairly chaotic and bombastic psycho swing elements (and a few lines in latin for good measure) results in a very inspiring and captivating song. Below the surface, this song uses some amazing progressions and melodies, as well as a very wide range of dynamics- but beyond the nerdy stuff… its just a damn good track.
Cardiacs - Dog-Like Sparky *Song is currently not on Spotify
I’m fairly certain this isn’t available on spottily at the moment, as I synced it from my laptop- but that factoid aside, this song is unreal- and the album is unbelievable. Intense melody, meter, and angular progressions and rhythms creates a perfect track to showcase Tim Smith’s grating vocals. This is not a religious album per se, but it is, in my opinion, worthy of praise.
Weather Report - Punk Jazz
My brother and I were raised on the music of Weather Report, and quickly developed a love for all things Joe Zawinul and Jaco Pastorius. This specific track, written by Pastorious, has an episodic approach to the arrangement, dividing the track into a few distinct tonalities and vibes. The explosion out of the opening bass groove into the tempo drop, in particular, reminds me of the move Brazil, when Sam is walking home past the trains before arriving at his flat to find the plumbing gone awry. I guess thats a fairly specific reason to like a song, but the same image enters my mind each time I hear the song. The melody’s harmony and suspension along with a really great blend of actual sax with a very ‘brass’ sounding synth creates some awesomely heavy chords during the middle section of the song.
Brian Eno - Discreet Music
Though I only make it about 15 minutes into this track before drifting off to some surreal place in my mind, this is one of the most beautiful recordings I have heard. The Fripp-esque layering and looping creates a bed of ambience that could calm you after the most stressful of situations. I only recently heard this record for the first time, but it has quickly climbed up my list of inspiring works, and definitely is reshaping the way I view synthesis and ambience.
Pedro The Lion - Options
This song is heartbreaking. Actually, most of what David Bazan sings about is heartbreaking- but this songs honest approach to the dilemma of falling out of love is enough to make anyone reexamine even the most sound of situations. His voice pours out emotion and twists your heart without ever raising his voice. Simultaneously, the drums, bass and guitar, all work together so perfectly- it sounds like a single instrument- with each instrument weaving effortlessly in and out with one another. This song also hit me at a very important part of my life- but that is too much to write here. 
Brian Wilson - Surfs Up 
Though I am anxiously awaiting the release of the Beach Boy’s original recording of “Smile”, this 2004 version is more than enough to keep me occupied. In spite of the obvious aging, and loss of youthful hope, “Surfs Up” is still filled with enough heart, melody, and emotion to dig in to me. It almost carries more of an impact at this point in Wilson’s life, seeming to be on the other end, singing from a point where hope has fallen to the side. I don’t need to dive in to the genius that he is- we all know it. His impact on songwriting, production, engineering, and arrangement is undeniable- and this song in particular showcases all of those abilities tenfold.
Doves - Kingdom of Rust
The first time I heard this song, every new moment redefined what I thought the song was. At first, the rhythm drops in with what seems to be an almost bluegrass rhythm- before the guitar comes in with a more atmospheric approach, and finally, with vocals, the songs tone is established. That is, until, the orchestra finds its way into the song, opening the song up into the bridge for one of the coolest moments on the record. This track is definitely the first one I show to someone who I think might develop a love for Doves… so I suggest you listen to it as well. 
Patton Oswalt - The Circus is in Town
Because its F%&^ING hilarious. - Casey Crescenzo

(Click on image to listen in Spotify)
We are on the fourth date of our fall tour, and just pulled into Arizona. Some of these drives can get pretty monotonous across the desert toward the West Coast. I put together a playlist with a few of the songs that I can’t seem to get out of my head. They came together nicely as a soundtrack for this relaxed day in Tucson before tonight’s show. - Jonathan Corley