By: Sarah L. Myers
Editor-In-Chief
CHICAGO, USA

I always struggle in the winter. The days are dark at 5pm, the chairs come off the sidewalks, and a feeling of solitude just starts sinking its claws into you. A literal and figurative chill descends upon the city and doesn't let up until late spring. I'm compulsive with certain songs. I completely exhaust them. Now I'm all queued up for the ones I'm hoping will help get me though the next cold snap. Some are old, some new, some repeats. Hope they bring you some comfort on all of those nights you spend shut in this winter.

"Appalachian Springs" The Verve

Fans waited more than 10 years for The Verve to get back together. 1997's "Urban Hymns" is one classic after another, and Richard Ashcroft's lush moan of a voice on "Drugs Don't Work", "Velvet Morning", and "Weeping Willow" proves no one can sing mournful ballads better. "Appalachian Springs" falls somewhere in between these, and it's a place Ashcroft wants us to see. "I saw myself and it wasn't quite right."

"U.R.A Fever" The Kills

This song is the sound of my hangover - fuzz, static, the dead calm of a broken phone connection. It's every noise inside my head and as sticky as the Coke mixed with Jack in my glass. Perfect for the morning after the night you barely made it through. Ideal for winter, because chances are you really overdid it this time - it being the one night you braved the ice and snow.

"Songbird" Oasis

Liam's shining moment. Such a beautiful, simple melody. Inspires images of snowflakes in the hair - a winter version of George Harrison and Pattie Boyd from the "Something" video. Liam wrote this for his wife, and it completely blows his loutish cover. It's just the kindest song I've ever heard.

"The Shock of the Lightning" Oasis

And then Liam's a badass again. Released just months after the Verve's new record, this single completely helped revive the 15-year-old Britpop hooligan side of my personality. I've longed to see Oasis in a football stadium and be part of a sea of people swilling Stella and singing "Soooo Sally can wait!" back to Noel. This song was made for that crowd and I can't wait to see how it plays live.

"As I Sat Sadly By Her Side" Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

All of Nick Cave's narratives invoke a certain mood. He's a genius at creating atmospheres and carving out worlds we play in for a few minutes. This one builds slowly. Cave keeps his voice soft, letting it sail upon layered strings, and goes to work telling another of his beautiful stories. It's the sound of the piano that gets me every time. It's the only time I can say I've heard an instrument cry. It's reflective and chilly. It's winter. "That what happens beyond the glass is simply none of your concern."

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