In Which Ben Gibbard's Heart Skips A Beat

The iTunes Playlist: Ben Gibbard

It is only a matter of time before Zooey Deschanel divorces Ben Gibbard, although the wait could be as long as a millennium. It is rumored that Deschanel is composed mostly of branches and leaves and may be able to endure the onslaught of the years forever. Was she Joan of Arc? Perhaps. One man convinced those branches and leaves to marry him in a very formal ceremony, and we treasure their lives together except for the long hours Zooey spends with another musician who has a similar aesthetic. Ben's no fool.

"Strange Powers (Magnetic Fields cover)" - The Shins (mp3)

Stephin Merritt may hate our band name, but I love his music just the same. This is my favorite song of his.

"Faking the Books" - Lali Puna (mp3)

Markus and Valerie of Lali Puna can do no wrong in my book. The first time I heard this song, I listened to it on repeat for almost an hour.

"Men of Station" - 13 & God

Speaking of Markus, thankfully we have this project to tide us over until the next Notwist album drops.

"Your Hill" - Dntel

I made a record with my friend Jimmy a couple years ago that people can dance to. Sometimes Jimmy gets the courage to step up to the mike and sing and it sounds like this.

"A Happy Medium" - Malcolm Middleton (mp3)

This song has possibly the most beautifully depressing hook ever. I also wish I'd written that guitar line.

"On Peak Hill" - Stars (mp3)

Stars are an amazing band that we're touring with this fall. I want them to play this song when we do (hint, hint).

"Bitter Things" - Christian Kleine

This is a perfect song for long drives through the middle of nowhere. A daydream soundtrack, if you will.

"Gold in the Air of Summer" - Kings of Convenience (mp3)

This is my friend Erlend's band. He is a very smooth operator.

"I Will Never See the Sun" - Great Lake Swimmers (mp3)

I love the simple structure and drumming in this song. It's proof that if you've got a great song with an amazing chorus, you don't need to get too fancy with the arrangement.

"Aaron & Maria (Her Space Holiday remix)" - The American Analog Set (mp3)

The AmAnSet are some of our best friends from back in the day. They continue to impress and inspire me with every record they make.

"St. Swithin's Day" - Billy Bragg (mp3)

This is by far my favorite Billy Bragg song. It's my vote for the saddest song ever written.

"You Must Build a Fire" - Crooked Fingers

I had the honor to play with Eric Bachmann for a couple solo benefit shows earlier this year and this tune destroyed every time he played it.

"Chicken Payback " - A Band of Bees (mp3)

It's about time someone tried to start an old-school, 60s dance craze. Hats off to a A Band of Bees for the effort.

"Autograph" - The Movies (mp3)

Someone should do a performance art piece to this song.

"5+1" - A Gun Called Tension (mp3)

The hook of this song is so sick it should be illegal.

"Alcoholiday" - Teenage Fanclub (mp3)

Teenage Fanclub is my favorite band of all time. Picking just one song was very difficult.

"With a Girl Like You" - The Troggs (mp3)

This is a song that comes on in a bar and you end up spending the next 15 minutes trying to figure out who it is. As I determined by that exact method a couple years ago, it's The Troggs.

"Bike" - Pink Floyd 

While I've got my fingers crossed for a full, original 70s era Pink Floyd reunion tour in the wake of Live 8, I will always be be bummed about Syd. Walla introduced this song to me almost ten years ago and it remains my favorite Syd Barrett-era song.

"These Roads Don't Move" - Jay Farrar & Ben Gibbard (mp3)

"Breathe Our Iodine" - Jay Farrar & Ben Gibbard (mp3)

"Final Horrors" - Jay Farrar & Ben Gibbard (mp3)

"All In One" - Jay Farrar & Ben Gibbard (mp3)