Playing Games

This month’s mix is about the games we all play in relationships… and the ones we play with dice, cards and pewter or wood pieces.



This month is the anniversary of this blog and to commemorate that fact I have a couple surprises. I have decided to make the whole affair a little more professional by drawing art for each mix starting this month. The mixes you receive from me will have labels and liner notes. Also I would love to hear from some of you wonderful people so if you leave me a comment telling me your favorite song by your favorite artist then you will be eligible to be randomly selected as the lucky person who will receive a copy of every mix I have made thus far with hand-drawn illustrations for each album. I know that question is a little loaded and our favorites change all the time, but give it a shot.

Track 1 – “You Give Love a Bad Name” by Bon Jovi
I decided to do Barney Stinson proud by starting the mix with this fun track. For a long time I resented Bon Jovi because for the brief period that I watched MTV I had to watch the video for “It’s My Life” approximately eight times a day. This song and “Living on a Prayer” make up for that atrocious one though.


Track 2 – “Jilted Lovers” by The Naked and Famous
This is one of the songs that prompted me to make this mix. The Naked and Famous have a very original style blending thrashing guitars with subtle, sweet vocals.

Track 3 – “Quit Playing Games(With My Heart)” by Backstreet Boys
When we were originally brainstorming for this month’s song selection Rachael immediately demanded that this song be included. I gotta say, BSB really nailed this theme.


Track 4 – “Skip the Charades” by Cold War Kids
This song really encompasses what I wanted to say with this collection of songs. It also happens to be one of my favorite songs by Cold War Kids.


Track 5 – “Sunshine” by Mos Def
Something about the sampling on this song and the clever, sharp lyrics really makes me love it.

Track 6 – “Try Honesty” by Billy Talent
This was the first song I ever heard from Billy Talent and it completely won me over. Once again I would like to thank my good friend, Robert for introducing me to this band. Their youthful energy and fantastic guitars are one of a kind.
Video

Track 7 – “Games for Days” by Julian Plenti
Julian Plenti is the solo project of Interpol’s Paul Banks. You might have already been able to hear that in his music. I feel like Paul Banks deserves to be on that list with Jack White, Ben Gibbard and Nate Ruess of artists that can do no wrong.


Track 8 – “Helena Beat” by Foster the People
Foster the People released their very first single, “Pumped Up Kicks” last year and ever since I have been patiently waiting for a full length album from this staggering band. So far they only have an EP but it is pure gold.


Track 9 –“Rococo” by Arcade Fire
This song is one of my favorites from Arcade Fire’s Grammy Winning* album, “The Suburbs”.
*Usually I don’t care about the Grammy’s at all because they are so frequently wrong, but it was so great to see Arcade Fire get the recognition they deserve.


Track 10 – “To Kingdom Come” by Passion Pit
I am tingling with anticipation for Passion Pit’s sophomore effort. They are one of those bands where the biggest problem is they don’t have enough music for me to love.


Track 11 – “My Slumbering Heart” by Rilo Kiley
Rilo Kiley was formed by two child stars: Jenny Lewis and Blake Sennett (you might remember Blake as “Joey the Rat” in Boy Meets World. I know I do). They really paved the foundation of today’s great indie rock.

Track 12 – “Bad Priestess” by The Mountain Goats
Rachael texted me in the middle of the night when she realized how perfect this song would be on this mix. I very much agree with her and am growing quite fond of this cute little track.

Track 13 – “Feel It in My Bones” by Tiesto featuring Tegan and Sara
Tiesto is a great DJ that I had the good fortune of seeing at Coachella the one year I went. Also it never hurts to have Tegan and Sara sing the vocals on your song.


Track 14 – “Every Breath You Take” by The Police
My friend Wesley and I were having a discussion the other day about how lucky the other two members of The Police were to have Sting in their band. Sting is the coolest.


Track 15 – “Rise” by Saves the Day
I grew up on Saves the Day in this pretty spectacular way. They have always been exactly what I needed them to be. When I was a freshman in high school and needed them to be a pop-punk band they obliged and as my taste in music matured (shhhh. It did!) so did they. There are so many memories tied to Saves the Day songs in my mind.

Track 16 – “If I Ever Feel Better” by Phoenix
Listening to older Phoenix songs is a jarring experience for me now because the lyrics aren’t silly nonsense. I forgot that their songs used to make sense.


Track 17 – “Somebody Told Me” by The Killers
Brandon Flowers has almost completely undone the work he did making The Killers’ first album, “Hot Fuss” one of the most perfect debut albums from a band. Every subsequent release from them has been increasingly disappointing.


Track 18 – “I’ll Try Anything Once” by The Strokes
This alternate version of “You Only Live Once” exceeds the original in my opinion. I love the somber tone of it and the subtle lyrical changes.

Track 19 – “Blame Game” by Kanye West featuring John Legend
This song hits a lot of my musical weaknesses. Cello and Piano laid over Aphex Twin’s electronic beats and Kanye’s usual clever wit.

I hope that you all have enjoyed this past year of mixes as much as I have enjoyed making them. I have no intention of stopping anytime soon!