How apt that I am roughly a week late with this month's mix. The theme we are exploring this time is waiting; whether time does it for no man you can bet that good things come to him should he consider the practice. Whether it is for your ship to come in, the other shoe to drop or simply the moment it is something we all will spend too much of our lives doing. They say that some accidents simply wait to happen and some fool even made a game out of it but I will simply wait to see what you think of this month's mix.
Track 1 - "We Are Young" by Fun. featuring Janelle Monáe
This is the first release from Fun.'s upcoming sophomore album which is supposed to be released early next year. I don't know about you but based on this song - as well as the fact that I would follow Nate Ruess off a cliff - I cannot wait for the new album's release!
Track 2 - "Crawl" by Two Tongues
Two Tongues is a group comprising of Max Bemis of Say Anything and Chris Conley of Saves the Day (two of my favorite bands!). The two gave their first live performance while the two bands were touring together as a complete surprise to the crowd. I could not be happier with the result of their collaborations.
Track 3 - "Wait, Wait, Wait" by The Format
The first time I listened to "Interventions and Lullabies", the album that this track appears on, I was underwhelmed by this song. I don't remember what my mindset was but I think I wanted all of their songs to sound like "On Your Porch". Since then, however, it has become one of my most beloved Format songs.
Track 4 - "Mushaboom" by Feist
Leslie Feist was once a member of the canadian supergroup Broken Social Scene before finding success as a solo artist. This song is so bubbly and fun it's downright infectious.
Track 5 - "Apartment Story" by The National
The National have a unique style mainly due to the baritone of their lead singer Matt Berninger. Um... I like them a lot, don't know what else to say really.
Track 6 - "Today" by The Smashing Pumpkins
Billy Corgan wrote this song after breaking off his long term relationship with Courtney Love (much to the chagrim of her "songwriting" career). He was working dead end jobs and living on couches and floors of friends. The song is supposedly his unrealized suicide note. Having said that I am in love with how personal he is with his fans. He leaves nothing of himself out of his music.
Track 7 - "Worth the Wait" by We Are Scientists
We Are Scientists are from Pomona College where my friend, Eric attended. He told me that they would play shows at the college constantly and I promptly informed him how deep my burning jealousy ran.
Track 8 - "Ottoman" by Vampire Weekend
Can someone tell me why not one but TWO Vampire Weekend songs contain the phrase "it feels so unnatural, Peter Gabriel too"? Anyways I love this song which was I believe written for Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (which you should watch anytime you want to remember what a crush feels like).
Track 9 - "Rome" by Phoenix
For a band that usually writes lyrics equivalent to a random stream of consciousness or simply nonsense this song is particularly tragic.
Track 10 - "We Used to Wait" by Arcade Fire
Win Butler's words ring true to me. There is a lot more charm in the lack of technology. I remember when I used to wonder what people spent their days doing before Facebook ruined all the mystique.
Track 11 - "The Waiting Game" by Broken Bells
I sincerely hope that James Mercer and Danger Mouse release another album together because their first was amazing.
Track 12 - "I'll Believe in Anything" by Wolf Parade
It's sad that Wolf Parade might never record another album. After their expo 86 tour they announced an indefinite hiatus. It's rare to see such an earnest and talented indie pop group.
Track 13 - "Pioneer to the Falls" by Interpol
This band bores my dear sister, Rachael. I'm sorry for this song's inclusion Sissles but I really appreciate their subtle brooding sound.
Track 14 - "Waiting for the 7:18" by Bloc Party
Actually I appear to have struck a section of bands that Rachael does not particularly care for. I swear I didn't do this on purpose! Bloc Party is at once soothingly mellow and childishly energetic. I have no idea how they achieve this juxtaposition but it is delightful.
Track 15 - "Can You Tell" by Ra Ra Riot
I started listening to Ra Ra Riot after falling for Discovery which is the collaboration of Vampire Weekend's Rostam Batmanglij and Wesley Miles who is the singer from Ra Ra Riot. This song was actually covered by the duo but I much prefer the Ra Ra Riot version. One thing I especially appreciate about Ra Ra Riot is their string section consisting of a cello and violin.
Track 16 - "The Funeral" by Band of Horses
At this point you know all about my love of Band of Horses. This song evokes very powerful emotions in my heart-guts.
Track 17 - "Helplessness Blues" by Fleet Foxes
This song is from the sophomore album from Seattle-based anti-folk greats, Fleet Foxes which came out earlier this year.
Track 18 - "Maps(acoustic)" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
I think Karen O's impressive vocal range is demonstrated in this stripped-bare version of the song. More and more I am convinced that she is a musical genius and I am looking forward to her contributions to "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"'s soundtrack.
Track 19 - "Leave" by The Swell Season
The Swell Season is comprised of Glen Hansard from The Frames and Czech pianist/songwriter Markéta Irglová. If you saw the movie "Once" then you would recognize these two as the leads.
I hope you all enjoy this collection of songs. I have many more fun mixes planned for the coming months!
