A tradition of Mournful Music.
One gloomy December a few years back I was struck by the realization that I simply do not like Christmas.
A bitterly disappointing love affair might have had something to do with that, but the truth is that despite decades of cultural marination in the year-end hullabaloo, I’d never liked it. Rather than joy, inevitably what I felt was … melancholy
To, uh, “celebrate” my experience of the happy holiday that year, I put together a CD of sad and spooky songs and mailed it out in lieu of Christmas cards — the first Somewhat Mournful Seasonal Assortment.
One season led to another, and eleven years later the tradition persists. The strangest thing is how I’ve come to be able to recognize a song as a Mournful candidate pretty much instantaneously!
But choosing the music is only a part of it. I’ve discovered that the annual process of creating these things (and the handmade aspect is important) has become a ritual that I really look forward to. Noticing how my approach to design has evolved, thinking fondly of my friends on the mailing list — it all goes into getting a little Mournful every year a meditative and satisfying pleasure.
Anyway. Here’s eleven years worth, all in one place. Enjoy …
psst — I’ll be updating this post yearly.

» 1999 track listing | iTunes cover art

» 2000 track listing | iTunes cover art

» 2001 track listing | iTunes cover art

» 2002 track listing | iTunes cover art

» 2003 track listing | iTunes cover art

» 2004 track listing | iTunes cover art

» 2005 track listing | iTunes cover art

» 2006 track listing | iTunes cover art

» 2007 track listing | iTunes cover art

» 2008 track listing | iTunes cover art

» 2009 track listing | iTunes cover art

» 2010 track listing | iTunes cover art

» 2011 track listing | iTunes cover art

December 7th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Fun to get the back-story on my favorite holiday arrival. Nora was watching Fineas and Ferb the other day and a mad scientist character sang this little ditty about Christmas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvZ0KmPNAk8
This is the nature of my musical consumption these days, so I’m looking forward to a new Mournful chapter. I was certain that Low Anthem would make the cut this year, but I’m noticing a much more rock-approach to the 2010 collection. Quality choices as always.
December 8th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
The way I discover new music is so haphazard that there’s no guarantee that I’ll have even heard of a band like Low Anthem. Which I haven’t.
And yeah, “Fineas and Ferb” are also new to me. :)
The new Mournful also seems to be a bit rockist … I’m at a loss to explain why.
Wait, no I’m not: “Haphazard”
It’s a system!
January 19th, 2012 at 7:31 am
Mournful, what a great word for this lovely idea.
Have you heard this track from Leonard Cohen’s soon-to-be-release new album? Soulful, gravelly and playfully dark, like he’s winking at death…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/11/leonard-cohens-darkness_n_1198939.html