This month's mix is about the idiosyncrasies that differentiate the two primary genders of our populous. Some of the observations made in these songs are oversimplifications, but they are all based in truth or at least extremely funny. I know today is not the first of the month and I apologize for that, but I was putting the final touches on this and generally spacing out.
Track 1 - "Hey Now Girl" by Phantom Planet
Phantom Planet is Jason Schwartzman's first band in which he played drums until moving on to his current solo project, Coconut Records. The lead singer is also the bully from "Donnie Darko". They are poppy and fun and you probably know them as "that band that made the theme song for the O.C."(don't call it that). This song is about a particularly dangerous breed of female... the seventeen-year-old.
Track 2 - "Foreign Language" by Anberlin
The opening verse of this song really tells you all you need to know about it's message.
Track 3 - "This Ain't a Scene It's an Arms Race (Kanye West remix)" by Fall Out Boy
You've probably heard this song before but if you haven't heard the Kanye West remix then you are missing out (until now!) (i'm pretty sure my main purpose is not to play you songs you've never heard before anyway, this song just REALLY works on this mix.)
Track 4 - "Friday Night" by Girl Talk
I've been trying to work a Girl Talk song into one of this mixes since the inception of this blog and I finally found one that was not only perfect for the theme (on so many levels) but I think it flows pretty well (let me know your thoughts on that outlandish claim). If you don't know who Girl Talk is he's a mash-up artist by the name of Gregg Gillis. From what I understand of his career he has been sampling popular music and making mash-ups since high school and throughout his college years and then found enough recognition to make it his full-time job. His last three albums have been one cohesive track with track breaks only to make the album easier to navigate. (also all three of these albums are SPECTACULAR: "Night Ripper", "Feed the Animals", and "All Day")
Track 5 - "Blame it on the Girls" by Mika
I know I shouldn't like Mika, but he's just so damn catchy.
Track 6 - "Bad Education" by Tilly and the Wall
This delightful indie group from Omaha features a tap dancer in lieu of a drummer which creates a really original sound.
Track 7 - "Girls and Boys" by Blur
This is one of the songs that made me want to create this mix. This is one of my favorite songs by one of the best bands of the 90's.
Track 8 - "Lola" by The Raincoats
This song was suggested by my good friend, Steven. I think this version by the Raincoats is much more charming than the original by the Kinks and I definitely wouldn't have thought of this one for the mix independently but it's so perfect.
Track 9 - "Technicolor Girls" by Death Cab For Cutie
This song is from my second favorite Death Cab release, Forbidden Love E.P. It's a charming song about the simplicities of childhood.
Track 10 - "Drunk Girls" by LCD Soundsystem
James Murphy is a musical and songwriting genius. His songs are so often deeply insightful and extremely danceable, an unlikely combination.
Track 11 - "All the Pretty Girls Go to the City" by Spoon
I've been to cities before... It's entirely accurate.
Track 12 - "Boys" by Ryan Adams
This demonstrates one of the reasons I love Ryan Adams: he is as romantic as I am.
Track 13 - "Lying is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off" by Panic! at the Disco
I challenge you to find the bitterness in this song... Did you find it?
Track 14 - "Post Modern Girls" by The Strokes & Regina Spektor
This song was made when Julian Casablancas and Regina were dating and it's a shame they didn't end things amicably because this song is amazing.
Track 15 - "Boys Better" by The Dandy Warhols
I first heard this wonderful Dandy Warhols song in the movie "Good Will Hunting" (if you don't like this movie then you are dead inside)
Track 16 - "Girls Like You" by The Naked and Famous
I love the warning given in these lyrics: "Don't you know people write songs about girls like you." This song is ultimately about a girl who isn't fooling anyone.
Track 17 - "Walking the Dog II" by Fun.
This is an alternate version of one of the best tracks from Fun.'s debut album, "Aim and Ignite". You all know about my love of Nate Ruess so when I remembered that this song had an homage to Don Henley's "Boys of Summer" onto the mix it went.
Track 18 - "Dance Anthem of the 80's" by Regina Spektor
Regina Spektor is an accomplished songwriter and composer and this song is a great showcase of those talents. The breakdown in the latter half is what endears this song to me, especially the part where she soulfully exclaims:
"It's been a long time since before I've been touched/ Now I'm getting touched all the time/ And it's only a matter of whom/ And it's only a matter of why"
Track 19 - "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" by Greg Laswell
It makes me laugh every time I think about this ultra moody rendition of Cyndi Lauper's bubbly pop song.
Track 20 - "How to Be Perfect Men" by Songs:Ohia
This song was suggested by my lovely sister, Rachael. I fell for this song almost immediately and have gone hunting for everything by Jason Molina, the mastermind behind this song.
Track 21 - "Boys Don't Cry" by Grant-Lee Phillips
Don't get me wrong, I love the Cure but I like this cover of the track because it's so bare. I feel like it wraps up the mix better.
