About a month and a half ago I received a text message at some ungodly hour(I believe it was at something like eight in the morning) from my good friend, Steven Lewis. He wanted to collaborate on a mix for February and his idea was to make a Hip-Hop/R&B/Soul mix. When I relayed this idea to my sister, Rachael, she pointed out that February was Black History month and suggested sarcastically that we simply make a mix where every song has the word “black” in the title. That brings us to now.
Track 1 – “Paint it Black” by The Rolling Stones
"Jeff put it best when he told me that The Rolling Stones must have made a deal with the devil to write the greatest rock song ever, and this is what popped out, horns, pitchfork and all." -Steven
Track 2 – “Back in Black” by AC/DC
I didn’t used to be crazy about AC/DC. They had some songs that I got into when I heard them, but overall I didn’t go out of my way to listen to them. Then while I was working at EA I ended up testing AC/DC Rockband and fell in love with them. Just go listen to the first two minutes of “Thunderstruck” and TRY not to love it.
Track 3 – “Black Math” by The White Stripes
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Jack White can do no wrong. He’s got 3 bands at this point and they are all amazing.
Track 4 – “Black Dog” by Led Zeppelin
"Back when I thought good music needed to be exceedingly technical, I listened to this one non-stop. I also wore only black every day and wanted to BE in Tool. I suppose that some songs are undeniably genius in spite of a general lack of taste. This is where I'd like to point out that 'Blackbird' is NOT ON THIS MIX." -Steven
Track 5 – “Black Tongue” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
"Karen O has never delivered her song-words better than she belted out one 'yeah! yeah! yeah!' for this particular track. (Omigod that's like the name of the band!) Just sayin'." -Steven
Track 6 – “Black Mud” by The Black Keys
The Black Keys definitely made the best album of 2010 and if the Grammy’s don’t reflect that then I… won’t really be surprised. I’ve never really liked the Grammy’s.
Track 7 – “Black Tambourine” by Beck
"I still think Guero is a poop album, but that is in spite of this song. Would have been great if it waited for Modern Guilt, which needed an extra track. Perfect song for driving. Not so perfect for sitting still." -Steven
Track 8 – “Black” by Pete Yorn
Pete Yorn can be pretty hit or miss, but his first album, “Music for the Morning After” is amazing. My old housemate, Doug used to play it nonstop and before I knew it the whole thing was stuck in my head.
Track 9 – “Black Like Me” by Spoon
"I cannot explain the title of this track, or how Britt Daniel is so good at conveying incredible cool through tales of sexual desperation, but I'm sure glad I got to shove this one onto a mix that people actually listen to (he says as if he DISCOVERED the band Spoon)." -Steven
Track 10 – “They Also Mourn Those Who Do Not Wear Black (For the Homeless in Muskegon)” by Sufjan Stevens
In traditional Sufjan fashion this song has a really superfluous title, but luckily it fit our criteria and is a good song.
Track 11 – “Black and Gold” by yOya
This was a glaring omission from December’s covers mix, but I had to choose a reasonable amount of yOya to put on that mix and I liked those other two covers better. Anyway, this version of Sam Sparro’s song is wonderful.
Track 12 – “Welcome to the Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance
This song really set a great tone for MCR’s third album of the same name. It has a lot of homage to Bruce Springsteen and other storytelling classic rockers.
Track 13 – “Black Cadillacs” by Modest Mouse
"I have to be honest. I didn't know this track by name until after I typed "black" in the search bar for iTunes. But, I love the poop out of Modest Mouse, and after this song was stuck in my head for three days in a row, I insisted it go on here." -Steven
Track 14 – “Black-Eyed” by Placebo
Placebo is tied with Death Cab For Cutie in the “bands I have seen the most in concert” race (at 3… I don’t go to enough concerts). They are always pushing the boundaries of what people are comfortable with in their pop music which is one reason I love them.
Track 15 – “Black Swan” by Thom Yorke
When I saw A Scanner Darkly in theater I was blown away by Thom Yorke’s new solo stuff (along with how awesome that movie was). Obviously I expected his solo music to be good, since Radiohead is one of the best rock acts that ever was, but I really like the direction he took his music.
Track 16 – “Blacking Out the Friction” by Death Cab For Cutie
This is one of the first Death Cab songs I was exposed to by my wonderful sister, Rachael. I was driving in a limousine with her, my friend Robert, and my date, Katy to prom when this came on the mix Rachael had prepared. At the time I remember thinking I didn’t know music could be this good.
Track 17 – “Pot Kettle Black” by Wilco
This song is from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot which is by far my favorite Wilco album. You know how some songs or albums are tied in your memory to places or people? This album transports me to San Luis Obispo.
Track 18 – “Black Wave” by The Shins
It’s a really good thing that James Mercer is making awesome music with Broken Bells, because I was starting to get Shins withdrawal.
Track 19 – “Black Star” by Radiohead
"I dated a girl who claimed this track, off of the sophomoric album, The Bends (get it?), as her favorite song. In any case, her taste in MUSIC was good. Glad Thom Yorke has solo stuff so we could use him twice on this mix." -Steven
Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
January's Mix
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! Oh, sorry, I’ll bring it down a bit. I know your head must be throbbing, but you know what’s good for a hangover!? January’s mix! This mix is one you'll want to listen to curled up in front of your fireplace sipping hot cocoa.
Track 1 – “The New Year” by Death Cab For Cutie
I decided to start this mix off thematically, but also I really love this song. This kicks off Ben Gibbard’s big “bad relationship” album and it definitely sums up the way some new year’s eves have felt to me (not this year. this year’s eve was great.)
Track 2 – “Fluorescent Adolescent” by Arctic Monkeys
I’ve been waiting for a mix to put this song on, which is, in my opinion, the greatest Arctic Monkeys songs and an instant classic. The first time I heard this song I felt like I grew up listening to it.
Track 3 – “Blue Beard” by Band of Horses
This is quite an infectious song. I put it on a mix for my sister recently(yes, i still make personal mixes. we never said anything about exclusivity!) and she has been putting it on repeat for a few weeks now.
Track 4 – “The Cave” by Mumford & Sons
Mumford & Sons is a charming English folk band that has won me over in recent months. This song in particular reminds me of new year’s resolutions and therefore got this spot on the mix, though it is also just an amazing song.
Track 5 – “Chicago” by Sufjan Stevens
For a period of about three years I didn’t go to sleep without listening to Michigan. Sufjan Stevens has a very special place in my heart. This song is obviously not from Michigan but I feel like it mixes better than any song on that album. This may sound like blasphemy but some albums should really never be broken up and deserve to be listened to in their entirety.
Track 6 – “Four Winds” by Bright Eyes
This is a relatively recent track from Bright Eyes but it ranks among my favorites. Bright Eyes would have definitely been on an earlier mix, but as I’ve shared with you before I am rebuilding my music library from practically nothing(stupid computers) and neglected to acquire my bright eyes collection until just last week.
Track 7 – “He War” by Cat Power
My first girlfriend made me one mix during our brief relationship and this song was one of the tracks on it. It immediately wound its way into my head.
Track 8 – “The Commander Thinks Aloud” by The Long Winters
John Roderick is the brainchild behind The Long Winters and his lyrics are frequently brilliant loosely connected streams of consciousness. He once described his writing process as (and i’m paraphrasing because i can’t find the interview i read this in) looking back upon the most meaningful, disappointing, and wonderful times in his life and shrugging.
Track 9 – “Get Higher” by Paper Tongues
Another new band that has quickly won me over, Paper Tongues mix hip-hop elements into their poppy rock to great success.
Track 10 – “The Wrestle” by Frightened Rabbit
I wanted to share another great song from this band that my sister, Rachael introduced me to. This song has really intense lyrics that get easily overlooked because of its beautiful musicality.
Track 11 – “Where Is My Mind?” by Pixies
Black Francis is such a talented songwriter that I will forget just how much I love Pixies and then listen to a song of theirs and hear it in a way I’ve never heard it before and it will mean so much more to me than it did before.
Track 12 – “You Wouldn’t Like Me” by Tegan and Sara
Rachael describes it as cheating when siblings (especially twins) harmonize in songs. Tegan and Sara are chronic cheaters and I couldn’t be more happy about it. Despite my recent disappointing Tegan and Sara experience (too long of a story to explain here, but ask me about it sometime and i will tell you) I adore these twin songwriters.
Track 13 – “Christmas TV” by Slow Club
This song was on a really good episode of Chuck (great show) and I had to track it down and listen to it over and over. The duo who made it are apparently English.
Track 14 – “West Coast” by Coconut Records
Jason Schwartzman’s solo project after the break up of his band, “Phantom Planet”. I played this song for my sister when she was moving to Rochester, NY for grad school and it was understandably upsetting. I really like Jason Schwartzman in everything he does.
Track 15 – “Samson” by Regina Spektor
Despite being notoriously bad at relationships Regina sure can write a pretty song about a simple and cute love.
Track 16 – “The Blower’s Daughter” by Damien Rice
Like most people I fell in love with Damien’s music when he was featured on Closer’s soundtrack. A few weeks back I was borrowing my dad’s car which has XM radio (which is usually mediocre at best) and was flipping channels when I came upon a live performance by Damien Rice. He was telling stories about all of his favorite songs and playing them by himself in the studio. I just sat there in the car listening long after I had reached my destination.
Track 17 – “Winter” by Joshua Radin
Despite not being crazy about his new album, I really appreciate Joshua Radin’s older stuff. He is a very skilled guitar player and singer.
Track 18 – “Jezebel” by Iron & Wine
When I had my big bushy beard (RIP) I got compared several times to Sam Beam of Iron & Wine (which was pretty flattering. he’s a handsome man). These comparisons would always cause me to break out the Iron & Wine collecting dust in my iTunes library and listen to it nonstop.
Track 19 – “Look Up” by Stars
Another fragment of Broken Social Scene, Stars are a Canadian pop band. They often feature trumpets and strings and you all know I’m a sucker for that. This song sounds really hopeful to me and I thought it was an elegant way to end January’s mix.
Track 1 – “The New Year” by Death Cab For Cutie
I decided to start this mix off thematically, but also I really love this song. This kicks off Ben Gibbard’s big “bad relationship” album and it definitely sums up the way some new year’s eves have felt to me (not this year. this year’s eve was great.)
Track 2 – “Fluorescent Adolescent” by Arctic Monkeys
I’ve been waiting for a mix to put this song on, which is, in my opinion, the greatest Arctic Monkeys songs and an instant classic. The first time I heard this song I felt like I grew up listening to it.
Track 3 – “Blue Beard” by Band of Horses
This is quite an infectious song. I put it on a mix for my sister recently(yes, i still make personal mixes. we never said anything about exclusivity!) and she has been putting it on repeat for a few weeks now.
Track 4 – “The Cave” by Mumford & Sons
Mumford & Sons is a charming English folk band that has won me over in recent months. This song in particular reminds me of new year’s resolutions and therefore got this spot on the mix, though it is also just an amazing song.
Track 5 – “Chicago” by Sufjan Stevens
For a period of about three years I didn’t go to sleep without listening to Michigan. Sufjan Stevens has a very special place in my heart. This song is obviously not from Michigan but I feel like it mixes better than any song on that album. This may sound like blasphemy but some albums should really never be broken up and deserve to be listened to in their entirety.
Track 6 – “Four Winds” by Bright Eyes
This is a relatively recent track from Bright Eyes but it ranks among my favorites. Bright Eyes would have definitely been on an earlier mix, but as I’ve shared with you before I am rebuilding my music library from practically nothing(stupid computers) and neglected to acquire my bright eyes collection until just last week.
Track 7 – “He War” by Cat Power
My first girlfriend made me one mix during our brief relationship and this song was one of the tracks on it. It immediately wound its way into my head.
Track 8 – “The Commander Thinks Aloud” by The Long Winters
John Roderick is the brainchild behind The Long Winters and his lyrics are frequently brilliant loosely connected streams of consciousness. He once described his writing process as (and i’m paraphrasing because i can’t find the interview i read this in) looking back upon the most meaningful, disappointing, and wonderful times in his life and shrugging.
Track 9 – “Get Higher” by Paper Tongues
Another new band that has quickly won me over, Paper Tongues mix hip-hop elements into their poppy rock to great success.
Track 10 – “The Wrestle” by Frightened Rabbit
I wanted to share another great song from this band that my sister, Rachael introduced me to. This song has really intense lyrics that get easily overlooked because of its beautiful musicality.
Track 11 – “Where Is My Mind?” by Pixies
Black Francis is such a talented songwriter that I will forget just how much I love Pixies and then listen to a song of theirs and hear it in a way I’ve never heard it before and it will mean so much more to me than it did before.
Track 12 – “You Wouldn’t Like Me” by Tegan and Sara
Rachael describes it as cheating when siblings (especially twins) harmonize in songs. Tegan and Sara are chronic cheaters and I couldn’t be more happy about it. Despite my recent disappointing Tegan and Sara experience (too long of a story to explain here, but ask me about it sometime and i will tell you) I adore these twin songwriters.
Track 13 – “Christmas TV” by Slow Club
This song was on a really good episode of Chuck (great show) and I had to track it down and listen to it over and over. The duo who made it are apparently English.
Track 14 – “West Coast” by Coconut Records
Jason Schwartzman’s solo project after the break up of his band, “Phantom Planet”. I played this song for my sister when she was moving to Rochester, NY for grad school and it was understandably upsetting. I really like Jason Schwartzman in everything he does.
Track 15 – “Samson” by Regina Spektor
Despite being notoriously bad at relationships Regina sure can write a pretty song about a simple and cute love.
Track 16 – “The Blower’s Daughter” by Damien Rice
Like most people I fell in love with Damien’s music when he was featured on Closer’s soundtrack. A few weeks back I was borrowing my dad’s car which has XM radio (which is usually mediocre at best) and was flipping channels when I came upon a live performance by Damien Rice. He was telling stories about all of his favorite songs and playing them by himself in the studio. I just sat there in the car listening long after I had reached my destination.
Track 17 – “Winter” by Joshua Radin
Despite not being crazy about his new album, I really appreciate Joshua Radin’s older stuff. He is a very skilled guitar player and singer.
Track 18 – “Jezebel” by Iron & Wine
When I had my big bushy beard (RIP) I got compared several times to Sam Beam of Iron & Wine (which was pretty flattering. he’s a handsome man). These comparisons would always cause me to break out the Iron & Wine collecting dust in my iTunes library and listen to it nonstop.
Track 19 – “Look Up” by Stars
Another fragment of Broken Social Scene, Stars are a Canadian pop band. They often feature trumpets and strings and you all know I’m a sucker for that. This song sounds really hopeful to me and I thought it was an elegant way to end January’s mix.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)