A Menu of Music

On those rare occasions when I get to take my time in the kitchen, I like to set the ambiance.  Proper lighting (BRIGHT), temperature (nice and cool), and good tunes.  I'm fairly particular about my environment in the kitchen while I cook (don't even think about talking to me while I'm in the zone about non-culinary matters. You will be met with curt, short answers and no eye contact).  This is probably why I blare music.  And amongst many reasons I could never be Rachel Ray.

Me, in my kitchen. Cooking a Diet Coke.

Cooking while listening to music feels so good, it almost seems indulgent.  I'm amazed I'm even able to do it.  I was never one to listen to music while I study or before I go to bed, or even while writing.  It's distracting.  I get too into it and start hearing things I haven't heard before in a hook, or even dropping what I'm doing to go clumsily figure out the chords on my guitar.  Before I know it, I've gotten through McCreesh's mix CD, but only half a paragraph of my book.

Here are some playful playlists recommendations from my kitchen to yours (as well as a lesson in French dinner courses).

Links provided by GrooveShark ( > Pandora by a million)

Aperitif or Amuse-Bouche (these are actually separate things. An aperitif is a drink. An amuse-bouche is a little one-bite teaser):
John Legend.  A lil somethin something to whet you appetite.  Butter your bread with Legend's vocals.
Try: Album, "Get Lifted" It Don't Have to Change. Or play the album from the beginning.  It's great the whole way through.

Entrée (or to us Americans, the Appetizer):
The New Pornographers.  Can they get a party started or what?  I've played their albums non stop in my kitchen.  They are my go to for the gym as well.  Neko Case, stop being so cool.  Who knew Canadia's hottest export would be indie rock instead of ginger ale?  If you can't bob your head to this, you are either in a neck brace or have no soul.
Try: Album, "Challengers",  All the Old Showstoppers.

Plat Principal (Main Course):
The Dead Weather.  I wanted to pick something meaty.  This is meaty.  This is spicy.  This is rich. This has...umami.
Try: Album, "The Sea of Cowards" Hustle and Cuss.  You might feel compelled to lift weights.

Le Fromage (The Cheese):
Katy Perry.  She brings the cheese...but no one can deny the production value of this album.  Honorable mentions:  Hall and Oates, Journey, and the Outfield
Try: Track: Teenage Dream ...you've already heard this unless you've been in a hole for the last year.  Bonus...the all boys Glee version a cappella.  Don't judge.

Dessert:
Rilo Kiley...the only thing sweeter than your confections is Jenny Lewis' voice.
Try: Album, "The Execution of All Things".."My Slumbering Heart" is always a good one.

I'll skip the "cafe" course...since who's cookin that up, really.

Digestif (after dinner drink):
If you don't have room...you should really make it.

The Shins.  Perfect music to throw on while everyone sits borderline comatose.  You still have dishes to do.  Keep the night rocking with the adorable, melodic, bordering on precious, quartet from Washington State.  Think, Beach Boys with edge, before the wave of surf rock that's coming back.  Mixed with brit pop.  Perfect.
Try: Album: Oh, Inverted World, Girl on the Wing