iMix May06

iMix May06:
1. Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
2. To Me You Are a Work of Art - Morrissey
3. String Sextet No. 1 in B flat, Op. 18 - Allegro ma non troppo - Johannes Brahms
4. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
5. Goodnight and Go - Imogen Heap
6. Rolling Black Water - Elf Power
7. Out Of Control - She Wants Revenge
8. The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide Is Press Coverage - Panic! At The Disco

So. Here we are again. Buckle up.

Snow Patrol once again offers us a gem to crush our souls. Don't weep.. at least not at first. Just enjoy another grand sonicscape by these wee Scots. Staying on that side of the Pond, we enjoy an almost plodding Morrissey song off the new record. It keeps me rapt with a wonderful vocal hook decrying ... 'and i would give you my heart.. that's if i had one'. Ohhhh Morrissey. Next we jump back a few years.... Mr. Brahms delights us with a sextet that overwhelmed me the first time I heard it more than a decade or two ago. This first movement starts calmly, like a leaf bobbing in a slightly rolling pond before it gets into the drama that will hold you for the next 14 minutes. A fine thank you to Mr. Brahms.

Ok. So I generally don't like hip-hop or rap. But every once in awhile, if you've got enough soul in the track I am sold wholeheartedly. This is the case for the Gnarls Barkley effort. I feel like I should be coasting down some cruising street with my gilded teeth and hubcaps insisting that I be called homie. It's a good feeling. You too will understand.

The Elf Power track sounds like it could have been lifted off a new REM album; Michael Stipe wailing and all. I would have never pegged it for an Elephant Six band. That being said, it's a beautifully haunting song and fits snugly in the whole of that album. Go elves! Next we have Imogen Heap, or as you may know her, Frou Frou singer. The song in the same electronic catchy vein as Frou frou is candy for the ear with all it's electronic ornamentation.

Dust off your creepers for the She Wants Revenge track. HOLY Crap! Goth's all over the world will be weeping mascara stains down their alabaster cheeks with the reincarnation of a band that can take up the goth torch once again.. or at least hold it with interpol. I almost feel bad for not wearing all black.

And finally, the Panic at the Disco track. I so don't want to like these guys. I'm sure they're young kids steeped in that neo fake punk sound that always sounds the same, listless vocal and all. There's a slight twist here though that I can't put my finger on yet. But while I'm doing that check out the frenetic little ditty.

Let the Playlists begin!

iMix January 06:

1. Sucker Punch - The Pale Pacific
2. Always Love - Nada Surf
3. Flip! - Apollo Sunshine
4. Sugar, We're Going Down - Fall Out Boy
5. Behind The Wall Of Sleep - The Smithereens
6. Let Me Kiss You - Morrissey
7. Oh Mandy - The Spinto Band
8. Xanadu - Olivia Newton-john
9. Publish My Love - Rogue Wave
10. This Charming Man - Stars

Welcome to the new Year! I had fun making this mix as it represents some last minute finds of 2005 that I chanced upon while perusing other person's top 30 lists. Some gems here. Notably, the Pale Pacific. These Seattlelites have it figured out with the mellow indie pop. Just great stuff. Nada Surf also had a very strong album, though I had my reservations about them since I'd heard nothing from them since their one "hit" back in the mid 90's. Their song is gorgeous though.

Next, My good buddy Cathy showed me the way of Apollo Sunshine and all I can say is, I'm down. Everyone should buy this album. And now I will have to admit to a terrible secret shame or 2 on this list. The first is the extremely radio friendly and dangerously catchy rock tune by Fall Out Boy. I'm so not into the kiddies' neo punk sound, but I'm way into their "sugar, We're going down". The tune is so meaty that I can forgive the usual vocal stylings that characterize that genre. Continuing with the heavy guitar rock sound theme, I also hearkened back to an old 90's fave, "The Smithereens". Good things can come from Jersey, especially couched in the rock and roll motorcycle bar band style that "Behind the wall of sleep" exemplifies. Three other indie stars round out the list including the Spinto Band,(named after one of the member's grandfather), Rogue Wave (SF indie darling) and Stars. The Star's cover is an interesting and teched out version of the Smith's "This Charming Man". As a devotee of the Smiths I was "shocked into shame to discover" that not only am I amenable to the cover, but am really loving the technobeat twist to it. Speaking of the Smiths, my good friend Kristin, reintroduced me to the latest Morrissey release that I had cooed over a year ago. The "Let me kiss you" track displays how age has actually warmed Morrissey's smooth baritone to what is tantamount to the best of cognac's. It is deliciously fine and even shows growth in the constantly creative use of voice as a full blown instrument. Oh Morrissey.. so much to answer for...

Finally, don't hate me for my love of Olivia Newton John. What could be better than rollerskates and terry cloth headbands?