The June 09 iMix

Lots of electronic indie pop including tracks from Metric, Iamx and SLC retro newwavers Cavedoll. Ends with guitar noodling from Jason Lytle of Grandaddy fame, Manchester Orchestra and old faves BTE.

Metric: Gimme Sympathy
Cavedoll: Decoder
Kyle Andrews: Blow it out
IAMX: You can be happy
Cavedoll: Vader
Better Than Ezra: Absolutely still
Jason Lytle: Yours Truly, The Commuter
Manchester Orchestra: My Friend Marcus

Manchester Orchestra:

Airy iMix April 09

Today's mix turned into a more significant challenge than I expected. I've always loved the song Battersea by Hooverphonic and wanted to build a mix around it. I found the first few songs easily and knew they'd fit my mix. These included Geneva's Tranquilizer and Wanderlust by Delays. But soon thereafter it became significantly more difficult to find that same sort of feel that the original songs had. I was looking for songs with a light airy feel, orchestral perhaps and hopefully with a soaring upper octave range vocal. I didn't meet it for every song, but I like the end product. The mix comes off like a post britpop hangover with many of these songs filling a late 90's early millenium pocket of time.



listing:
Hooverphonic: Battersea
Geneva: Tranquilizer
Delays: Wanderlust
Cocteau Twins: Iceblink Luck
Radiohead: Let Down
Badly Drawn Boy: Silent Sigh
Haven: Til the End
Puressence: Heart of Gold
Blur: The Universal

April Goodness

I've forgotten to post April's splendid little mix. It's filled with plenty of singles from new releases and a recent release by a band called Phoenix. I have Chad to thank for the Phoenix. Best LP in this mix, so far, is the Metric release called "Fantasies". Electronic whirring and churring at it's finest. The Ian Moore track is actually 2 years old at this point, but I've JUST found this guy courtesy of my buddy Matt who is touring/recording with him right now. I highly recommend that release as well, called "To be loved".

Anyhow. Here's the list in no order.

Metric: Stadium Love
Ian Moore: 30 Days
The bird and the bee: Love letter to Japan
Phoenix: 1901
Depeche Mode: Jezebel
Doves: Kingdom of Rust
Neko Case: This tornado loves you
Silversun Pickups: Sort of

March 09

Here's a new one. Really just an exercise in mixtaping where I'm simply finding old faves as opposed to spotting the new gems out there. Most of these songs are truly some of my favorite for each artist. I hope you enjoy..

My Thieving Playlist heart

Pure theft.

Most of this month's playlist must be dutifully credited to a guy in SF named Tyler, that I do not know, but appears to be a beacon ear to the type of music that I just find fantastic. Amie also pointed me to a couple of songs that just run me round. Tiff and Andrew round me out with a couple of new finds as well. Anyhow, I'm attaching my lists with only a couple of truly Ivan found gemmies. Thank you all!



Sia-Breathe me
Iron & Wine- Flightless Bird, American Mouth
Keane-Black Burning Heart
Whitey-Wrap it up
Blonde Redhead-Dr Strangeluv
BRMC- Am I only
Jenny Lewis-Carpet Baggers
Neon Neon-Dream Cars

Eclecticpop Mix

a mix! all the way from some kid in Boston -


1. Dictionary - The Go Find
2. I Turn My Camera On - Freshro
3. Wish Coin (Go It Alone) (Diplo Remix) - Beck
4. Wrap It Up - Whitey
5. Lights & Music - Cut Copy
6. Future - Cut Copy
7. Saturdays (LP Version) - Cut Copy
8. Ice Cream - New Young Pony Club
9. Seat Yourself (Diplo Remix) - Roots Manuva
10. Big Lost - Diplo
11. Sarah - Diplo
12. Breathe Me - SiA
13. Young Folks - Peter Bjorn and John
14. Young Folks (Rhapsody Original) - Peter Bjorn and John
15. D.A.N.C.E. [Album Version] - Justice (electro)
16. Untrust Us - Crystal Castles
17. Blood On Our Hands - Justice Remix -
18. Shining Escalade - Hot Chip
19. Paper Planes - M.I.A.
20. Skanky Panky - Kid Koala
21. Restless (Featuring Josh Homme) - U.N.K.L.E.
22. What It's All About - Girl Talk
23. Play Your Part (Pt. 1) - Girl Talk
24. Gold Lion (Diplo Remix) - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
25. Together In Electric Dreams - Le Vicarious Bliss Pop Experience

Rhapsody Link

anton wants attention

Here kitty kitty kitty...

8tracks

As you may all know, the RIAA has once again gotten their claws around another organic site dedicated to giving you and me the option of listening to music the way we want to. Muxtape.com is now dead and maybe permanently gone. I am aware of other sites out there trying to fill the void and the current one that appears to have some momentum can be found at 8tracks.com. It appears poised to fullfill the nuances of copyright law while still following the basic idea of muxtape, which was to allow one to create and share mixes of music. We are social creatures after all. In it's effort to follow copyright law it presents some obstacles, but in the absence of anything better it is definitely a positive thing.

I am therefore giving you my first 8tracks.com mix!



Cut Copy-Unforgettable Season
IAMX-spit it out
Delays-love made visible
Glasvegas-geraldine
Ladyhawk-the dugout
The Verve-love is noise
Camera Obscura-Super Trouper (Abba cover)
Black Tide-shout

Sloth

Today, I recognize that I never write on this grand hope of a blog. Dadhood has challenged my ability to keep on top of any music, much less new music. Thus, I'm going to scale back my grand plans and simply drop notes about songs I may be enjoying at present. With this new found humbling of my intent for this blog, I will now briefly discuss or at least list 3 fantastic songs I've come across.

1. Reindeer Section: Cold water. You can find this at bloodtea.muxtape.com. I haven't listened much to Reindeer Section but if all of their songs sound like this, I'd like a complete shower full of "cold water" songs please.

2. The Dears. I know I've missed this bandwagon, but 2 old standouts just hit my radar. Yes my friends, gorgeous songs indeed. I also noted that for an instant I caught a vague hint of morrissey's voice in this gentlemen's pipes. A delight.
- Lost in the Plot. jeremymc.blogspot.com
- You and I are a gang of losers. formicey.muxtape.com

3. Ladyhawk - The Dugout. Bitchin Camaro indie guitar rock song. Sort of wanks on at the end but a grand little pop indie diddy. lolobean.muxtape.com

Note that I do not endorse any of the muxtapes I've listed beyond being a source for the songs recognized above. Also note that these muxtapes may change or vanish at some point so grab a listen while the getting's good!

Metric

A few nights ago I was flipping through Ivan's latest find (muxtape.com) and came across a song by Metric. I believe I've heard something by them before but for some reason it struck me more Tuesday night than ever before.

The song was Soft Rock Star. It is a catchy tune. I've been listening to them on Rhapsody this morning and I've decided they can now officially become part of my collection.

Favorite songs thus far:

- Soft Rock Star (Jimmy vs Joe Mix)
- Combat Baby
- Hardwire
- Police and the Private

I have to laugh at myself a bit. I used to be so annoyed by female artists. I still am very picky when it comes to female vocals but I have fallen in love with some of them (Rilo, Metric, Fine Frenzy, Ingrid Michaelson, Alicia Keys, etc). Yay for great music and talented people who share!

popstar.muxtape.com

And we're live with muxtape! As an early adopter (I think) I was able to grab the much coveted by me link of popstar.muxtape.com for my url. This isn't really an up to date mix but I wanted to throw something out there.

So. the first edition is thus:
Dandy Warhols - Dandy's TV Theme song
Blur- Music is my radar
Jimmy Eat World - Here it goes
The Spinto Band - Oh Mandy
The Flaming Lips - W.A.N.D
Crooked Fingers - A little bleeding
Camera Obscura - Lloyd, I'm ready to be heartbroken
Rilo Kiley - Close Call
Radiohead - Reckoner
Jayhawks - Blue
Creeper Lagoon - Wrecking Ball
Delays - Slow burn

mmmmmmmm. goodness.

MUXTAPE

I've just become privy to a very cool new site that essentially works on the very basic premise of the mix tape online. Muxtape doesn't do much of anything but allow you to upload 12 mp3s that you legally own and then provides a url for you to stream them. It doesn't appear to archive playlists so one would have to actively remove songs to build new "mixtapes". I love the idea and may use it as my new de facto link for new playlists that I come up with. Hopefully many of you will follow suit with your faves!

Wherein I demonstrate how much of an NPR nerd I am

I was at the gym last Saturday morning and was listening to NPR as I usually do. Suddenly, they started playing "Save it for a rainy day" by The Jayhawks.

This particular song is one of those songs that I have a very visceral reaction to. The first time I heard it was sitting in a fancy San Francisco hotel with a good friend on a foggy July evening. Every time I hear any song from "Rainy Day Music" it takes me back to that night.

As it turned out, The Jayhawks had not returned, but Gary Louris (one of the founding members of The Jayhawks) has come out with a solo album. The NPR interview with him was kind of boring and beige - except for when he started singing. His songs have the same mix of alt-country/rock that The Jayhawks did and his voice is mellow and soothing.

I've only listened to the whole album (titled "Vagabonds") once all the way through but as of this moment some of my favorite songs are:

True Blue

To Die a Happy Man

Black Grass

DC Blues

I hope you'll take a listen - enjoy!!

2007 Poll

The 2007 poll was a challenge this year , namely because I failed to really be on "top" of everything that came out this year. Most of the things I found came late in the year. Example... the Travis album was a safe and beautiful candy pop gem that I didn't even discover 'til 08. Enjoy this sampler of the year.... for me.


2007 Singles:
Rilo Kiley: Under the Blacklight
Radiohead: Reckoner
BRMC: Am I Only
Delays: Slow burn
Peter bjorn and john: Young folks
Voxtrot: Start of Something
Apartment: 10000 times
Jimmy Eat World: Here it goes
Alicia keys: No one
Wilco: Either Way
Spoon: The underdog

Honorables
Rilo Kiley: Silver lining
Apartment: My Brother Chris
A fine frenzy: almost lover
Daft Punk: Around the world/harder better faster stronger
Shins: Sleeping Lessons
The National: fake empire
Interpol: There's no I in threesome
Arcade fire: black mirror
Klaxons: Golden Skans


Albums of 2007

Radiohead: in rainbows
Rilo kiley: Under the blacklight
Delays: Love made visible ep
Puressence: Don't forget to remember
Jimmy eat world: Chase the light
Shins: Wincing the night away
Travis: The boy with no name
New Pornographers: Challengers
Tegan and Sarah: The Con
Voxtrot: Voxtrot
BRMC: Baby 81

Honorables:
Spoon: Ga ga ga ga ga
Foo Fighters: Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace
Amy Winehouse: Back to black

Winter Thoughts.

So,

A couple of things. Firstly, The Delays have released a new EP called "Love Made Visible". This EP crushes the software slump that their second album (You See Colours) was in many ways. Although carrying a few notable gems, as a whole the album was a let down. The new EP picks up where You See Colours could not. Brilliant songs like the title Track "love made visible" with it's squishy space sound intro, trademark falsetto vocal line and punchy energy AND the simply splendid thoughtful build up of "Slow Burn" make me long for a live show. I love it. I love songs like this.

Secondly, Foo. We love Foo. More specifically, Dave Grohl has somehow managed another irreverant and fantastic video concoction for "Long Road to Ruin". Sonically similar to their very accessible "learn to fly", the video itself just makes me want to get in the fanboy line. See for yourself here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68qqyM-_K4w

Latest releases

So. I'm in the process of digesting the new Radiohead album. As of late I've been terribly anxious and excited at the prospect of this release. Radiohead, for several albums, has ventured into the realm of significant musical exploration, but sadly without generating a work that has been as cohesive and sonically brilliant as OK Computer. At this point we're talking ten years. I'm hoping that In Rainbows will bring that back. There have been gems since OK.. but nothing that I could quantify as a whole, satisfying and complete work. A full ALBUM if you will. I have hopes for In Rainbows and I'm slowly going through it to determine if this is the one. I feel like i'm going on a date and hoping for the right fit. Luckily, I have a long flight to Barcelona coming in a few days and will take that chance to really focus on the album with earbuds in place, hoping for the perfect sonic make out session.

I'll also review a few other wonderful gems in that process. More easily digested fare from Jimmy Eat World and Puressence will definitely be on the "plane" du jour. Here's to wishing me luck!

Rilo Kiley's Latest

If you have not yet heard Jenny Lewis sing - either by way of "Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins," "Postal Service," or as part of "Rilo Kiley" - you are missing one of the rare and beautiful musical gems of our time.

A handful of "old" Rilo songs you should listen to before proceeding: 1) It's A Hit 2) Portions for Foxes 3) I Never 4) A Man/Me/Then Jim 5) More Adventurous 6) The Absense of God.

Rilo Kiley's latest album is called Under The Blacklight. I've been working through each song in turn - trying to pick my favorites. Here are my top five songs from this album (today anyway...):

1. Silver Lining.
This one I loved almost from the first time I heard it. It shows off Jenny Lewis' a-mazing vocal talents and the fun pop-feel of Rilo Kiley.

2. Close Call.
Like many of Rilo Kiley's songs this one is haunting. I'm still trying to figure out what she's singing about but wow...it sounds sad...in a spectacularly beautiful way.

3. Breakin' Up
The lyrics and music to this song are so witty. It's just sonic fun.

4. Dejalo
Ok, normally, songs like this drive me up the wall, but this one is fun and makes me wanna dance...disco that is...

5. Under The Blacklight.
I could listen to Jenny Lewis sing forever. Her voice is smooth and even and it seems as though singing must come to her more naturally than speaking...even in really challenging vocal lines she shines. This song is on my top list because of the vocal line as well as the music. Just soothing and pleasant. It makes me want to sit in a hammock on a summer evening and sip a cool mojito.

Phew. Thanks to Ivan for giving me the freedom to talk about music to the blog world :-)

So.

I'm opening the gates. I'm inviting some well respected, by me, music authors to help spice up these posts a bit. Me and the new "team" will ramble incessantly about music on this site as I once had done. About time... sheesh!

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?