So, this is the first of the mailbox mixtapes not to be anonymous. This is from my buddy, Meg, who has her own cool mixtape thing going at Lost Art of the Mixtape. Thanks Meg!
This is also not in traditional mailbox format, in that it wasn't sent to said mailbox but via mediafire. So, no packaging or some such. This is where I find the digital age disappointing. It also means that the track list is given, so the discovery element is missing. Nevertheless...
Track 1: King Harvest (Has Surely Come) -The Band
Lots of futzing around. This must be some sort of outtake. Take 1 fumbles. Begin again.
Man, I love this song. Love The Band in general, but this is one of their songs that doesn't get mentioned enough. This and "Tears of Rage." People forget how good those two songs are.
Yeah, this is arguably the greatest song that Robbie Robertson ever wrote. I love how the verses are more upbeat and then the chorus more subdued.
Seriously, if you haven't heard this song you need to. Ask me and I'll burn you a mix by The Band. Great stuff.
Track 2: Trailing -The Sandals
Never heard of this band or this song, but I dig it. Beachcomber music. Not Beach Blanket Bingo, but more "Bustin' Surfboards" by The Tornadoes. In fact, this song would fit in nicely to the Pulp Fiction soundtrack. Chris Isaak would love this song. Lovely little instrumental. Dig it.
Track 3: Nobody's Business -Cedric Im Brooks
Also not familiar. Also digging it. Reminds me of "Iko Iko," but better. Much better.
Love a song that makes good use of the saxophone. Very street corner salsa. Jamaican rhythms.
Yeah, I am very much digging this. Cedric Brooks (if that is your real name), I will be looking you up. Good stuff.
Track 4: Doo Wop (That Thing) -Lauryn Hill
Love. This. Song.
Before we get to that, let me say how well Meg arranges a mix. Previous mixes have depended on theme to bring them together, but have lacked a certain flow. This mix moves from song to song as if they were written to be arranged this way. This is clearly not Meg's first mix. Out of order, this mix would never work. Ordered as it is, this mix works perfectly. Well done.
Back to Lauryn Hill. One of my all time favorites. This album is perfect. I wore this album out when it first came out (and for pretty much the entire year that followed). Lots of people hated the MTV Unplugged show, but I dug that too. This though. Just amazing.
Seriously, this is of its moment and timeless all at once. That is not easy to do. It invokes times passed and yet it will always remind me of the year 1998. Graduation. Marriage. Good times.
Track 5: Ce Matin-La -Air
My buddy, Andrew, raves about Air, but I've never really given them much of a listen. I'm liking this alright so far. Sort of waiting for it to begin.
Ok, so here's the thing about Air. I feel like I'm always waiting for the song to begin. It feels like background music. I don't find myself drawn to it or wanting to give it my full attention. It's...nice.
Yeah, this is nice. But not much else. This feels like the song that gets me from Lauryn to whatever's next. Which is fine. Let's hear what's next.
Track 6: Don't Let Me Down -The Beatles
I was wrong to doubt you, Meg. "Ce Martin-La" was exactly the song to get me from Lauryn Hill to the Beatles. I'm not sure that song would do much for me, otherwise, but it made for a seamless transition. Man, you're good at this.
Ok, so I'm about to be completely unoriginal and say that The Beatles are, without a doubt, my favorite band (if you don't count E Street, which is a different kind of thing). For as little as happens in this song, it is one of my favorite Beatles' songs. John's achy/slightly screamy/genuine plea songs are some of my favorite Beatles' songs.
I love how the assurance of the verses are undermined by the doubting chorus; talk of love that will last forever followed by cries not to let him down. Perfect. The Beatles are just so good. Again, I'm not telling you anything you don't know.
I want to go perform this song right now. Who's with me?!
Track 7: About Face -Grizzly Bear
Speaking of bands I love.
This album (Veckatimest) was my favorite of 2009. Some bands do that fuzzy mellow harmony to a point that I almost can't take it anymore, but Grizzly Bear never crosses that line. It has this gentle edgy melancholy that just makes you ache.
The perfect follow up, by the way, to John Lennon's ache. Again, Meg, well played. It takes the Beatles' open wound and wraps it in gauze, but it doesn't mean the wounds gone away. Just that it's beginning to heal. We can anticipate something even gentler to follow.
Track 8: Everything's Alright -Yvonne Elliman
What was I saying? What could be gentler than Andrew Lloyd Webber's take on Mary Magdalene?
I tend to hate musical theatre, which means that there's no special place in my heart for Andrew Lloyd Webber. That said, you've taken this song out of its context and improved upon it. I don't care for Jesus Christ Superstar, but I like this. And the male vocalist makes sure we don't lose some of that edge. Just in case we were tempted to think everything's actually alright, the undercurrent of the song remains tense.
Track 9: Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating Through Space -Spiritualized
See, this song is what I want Air to be that they never quite are. This song (this whole album) is incredible. That gentle ache just gets gentler and achier. This is the lullabye that anticipates the bough breaking. This is the song that reminds you that the bough breaking isn't the end of the world. Even the end of the world isn't the end of the world. This makes me the kind of sleepy and happy that makes me want to make out in the rain. Or on a porch, just out of the rain.
Track 10: All Through The Night -Cyndi Lauper
Wow. Meg. You are so good at this! Someone says to me "you know who Spiritualized puts me in the mood for? Cyndi Lauper" and I'm gonna call that person crazy. But it does now.
Cyndi Lauper can sing. She's got real pipes. People forget this. They think of her as one more brainless 80's be-bopper; good only for a walk down memory lane.
Make no mistake; Cyndi Lauper is great. This song is great. No I really want to make out under a porch just out of the rain. I'm putting this on when Rachel gets home. Starting with track 9. I can't make out to Mary Magdalene comforting Jesus.
Slightly off topic; you want proof that Lauper has mad skills? Check out "We Are The World" on YouTube or some such. Crazy good.
Track 11: The Only Living Boy In New York -Simon & Garfunkel
I will say it again; wow. Great song. Great follow up to track 10.
Can't ever decide if I'm a bigger Paul Simon solo fan or Simon & Garfunkel fan. Listening to this song makes me think it's no contest (I'll feel similarly, but the opposite, the next time I listen to Graceland again). How can a song be this sweet without becoming saccharine? How can it be this melancholy without becoming maudlin? How can it be so lonely and yet I don't feel alone?
Simon & Garfunkel are geniuses. That's how.
Track 12: Sull'Aria... Che Soave Zeffiretto -Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
I love this song. Let me say that first. It is epic. Heartbreaking and heart healing. Sweeping. Grand.
That said, it's the first song to song transition that feels abrupt. I might not have noticed it on a mix less than this great, but I noticed it. You needed a song to get you from 11 to 12. I'm not sure what that song was. Maybe another instrumental.
Anyway, this song is gorgeous. I'm going to listen to it a second time and just enjoy it. Be back...
Track 13: Communist Daughter -Neutral Milk Hotel
This should have been track 12. Perfect follow up to OLBINY. Awkward follow up to Mozart.
Ok, I'm done talking about track 12. It never happened.
Considering that I would list NMH among my top 5 favorite bands, I do not listen to this song enough. Or, I do, but I don't really listen. Placing it on this mix has helped me pay attention. When it sits between "Holland, 1945" and "Oh Comely" I tend to miss it, especially since it's less than 2 minutes long.
That said, I'm listening now. I dig this song. It has a sad whimsy to it. Like he's nostalgic for a time that he knows wasn't actually that great. Which makes the song great. Good choice.
Track 14: Hey Joe -Daniel Johnston
And speaking of sad whimsy...
Again, excellent follow up. And an excellent and underappreciated song from DJ. Love his stuff.
"There's a heaven and there's a star for you." Keep punching Joe.
Track 15: Quantegy - Trey Anastasio
Not gonna lie. I find Phish annoying. Which means I find Trey Anastasio annoying. This song is no exception. Trying to be Talking Heads meets Grateful Dead and failing to come close to either.
I think he thinks he's being clever. I don't think he is.
I may be biased against this, but it also feels like an abrupt follow up. Like I've been discussing the meaning of life with my closest friends and some stoner from down the hall ducked his head in and exclaimed, "Hey guys!? Whatcha doin'?"
Get out Anastasio. The grownups are talking. Even if they sometimes talk like children.
Moving on.
Track 16: Symphonique #6 (Good for Goodie) - Moondog
Not just an excellent song, but an excellent follow up to track 14. I may have to burn my own expurgated version of this mix. Still, I couldn't have done it without you, Meg.
This has this great whimsical childlike playfulness and yet a real darkside as well. You could follow this with a Tom Waits tune. I feel like I'm hanging out with circus freaks in a trailer park. That's not quite right. But it's close.
You're cleansing my palate for an incredible close. I can't wait.
Track 17: Little Green Bag -George Baker
Perfect. Just. Perfect.
I'm just gonna sit back and enjoy this. Thank you.
Track 18: Time Loves A Hero -Little Feat
Can't decide if you went for one too many or not. This is a great song and a great follow up. "Little Green Bag" was just such a perfect way to wrap up this mix.
That said, I don't get enough Little Feat in my life. Good stuff. Great mix. Thanks.
Whoa...wait a minute. This mix just started over at track 1. And Little Feat was the perfect transition from Baker to Band.
Did you do that on purpose?! Either way, brilliant. I'm gonna listen to this mix again right now. Maybe Rachel will be home by track 9.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Mailbox Mixtape #2
Well, lo and behold, another mixtape. I'm looking back to the last tape received (June 2010) and you see how I figured this blog was done. Can't say as I wasn't disappointed. Can't say as I'm not excited. Here's to hoping this isn't the last we get until summer.
Tape is non-descript. No markings. No track listing. No packaging. All mystery. Dig it.
Track 1/Side 1
Know this song. Like this song. If I was going to use George Harrison, I'd have gone with something else, but this is good. Harrison's tribute to Lennon; "All Those Years Ago." Not sure what album this is off of, but it is crazy 80's. Early 80's.
Harrison is such a good songwriter. I don't listen to him enough. That said, like all the Beatles, his work seems to suffer the further he gets from being a Beatle. All Things Must Pass (1970) is his best work. Ten years later I grow less interested. Although, I really liked the Cloud Nine album in...what...1988?
Actually, I don't like this as much as I thought. Musically, this is as corny as anything Harrison ever mocked McCartney for writing. In fact, I'm gonna say George was writing this around the same time that Paul was in the studio with Stevie singing "Ebony and Ivory." I wouldn't argue for one song over the other in terms of corniest song by a former Beatle. So we're off to a "meh" start. Probably shouldn't say that or I guarantee it'll be another six months between mailbox mixes. Let's unpause and see what's next.
Track 2/Side 1
On the other hand, I absolutely LOVE this song. Paul Simon's "Still Crazy After All These Years." Man, Paul Simon was so amazing for so long and certainly when he was recording this. I guess you could argue that this also has it's cheesy elements, but I'm not complaining. Really love this song. This whole album, really. This song always makes me think of Dan Folgelberg's "Same Old Lang Syne," though this is a better song. I love those "what might have been" reminisces. I love that his "I just smiled" feels like he's doing her a favor. Sad song. Nice choice. By the way, are you doing an "all the/ose years" thing? I don't see how you couldn't be. Although, I also don't see how you found an hour's worth of "all these years" songs. Let's see.
Track 3/Side 1
"Holding Back The Years." So, I was a third right. This is a "years" mix. OK. That's not uber interesting, but not a bad way to begin a new year on an old blog. This song is not as bad as some think, but certainly suffers from overexposure. This song is borderline "Lady In Red" as far as songs that I can't seem to hate (due mostly to nostalgia), but also can't seem to appreciate by virtue of the fact that they feel more like part of the ether than actual songs. It's like appreciating wallpaper as art. All in all, I like this song better than the first one (though not by much) and much less than the second. I can only hope this is a "hit and miss" years mix and that the next song will be more promising.
Track 4/Side 1
Lots of buzzy violins. First song I haven't recognized right away. Buzz stops. Harp starts? Something stringed. Wait...I know this song. Oh. Nice.
OK, this song wasn't a hit as far as any charts go, but it is certainly a hit with me. Elton John's "Sixty Years On." Good stuff. Speaking of great songs off of great albums. Elton John's "I hope I die before I get old."
Everybody raves about Tumbleweed Connection and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (two of my favorites), but you don't hear this one talked about as much. And yet it has "Your Song" and "Border Song" and lesser known classics like this one and "Take Me To The Pilot." This is his self-titled album, by the way. Check it out.
Hadn't remembered all the breaks for strings on this. Wish this was a little more stripped down. Elton makes this choice of orchestration more often than I'd like. I'd like to hear EJ revisit some of his songs with just him and a piano. And as his younger self. That said, this is still a great song. Nice choice.
Track 5/Side 1
You broke out of the hit/miss/hit pattern. Good for you. OK, this is early Leonard Cohen which means I'm gonna dig it. I vaguely recognize this, but can't recall the title. I like it though.
That's the second time he's sang the words "last year's man" so, given the theme we have going, I'm going with that as the title.
Wikipedia has nothing on "Last Year's Man." Will Google it.
Google confirms "Last Year's Man" as being off of Songs of Love and Hate which means I shouldn't have had to look. You got me mixer. You got me good. It's been too long since I listened to this album.
I really prefer this era of Leonard Cohen. I guess most people do. Wouldn't it have been great to hear him sing "Hallelujah" during this era? I like the low voice casiotone accompanied stuff too. But this is my favorite.
This album makes me think of my friend Andy. I feel like he really loves this album in particular. I'll have to remember to ask him.
Man, this song is great. "And Bethlehem inflamed us both like the shy one at some orgy." Old Testament and sad sex. That's Leonard Cohen.
"Some women wait for Jesus and some women wait for Cain." Elvis Costello should cover this song.
Great song. Thanks mixer. This has given me an album to revisit and a reminder of how great Leonard Cohen is. Next song.
Track 6/Side 1
"One Hundred Years From Now." Gram Parsons and The Byrds. Sweetheart of the Rodeo. Mixer, you know the way to my heart. The year thing isn't even that distracting; this is just an excellent mix of songs. Wish You'd left out the Harrison and Simply Red.
McGuinn does this on the album, so this must be some bootleg or added track or something. The "1-2" count at the beginning says this is a rehearsal take.
I prefer Parsons on this song. I prefer Parsons to McGuinn generally. I like Parsons' version of "The Christian Life" better too. McGuinn sings it snarky and Parsons sincere.
Good call on choosing this version of this song. Well played.
Track 7/Side 1
Not sure what this song is. Sounds weird. Is this Queen? Sounds like Queen doing...no. Wait. Here's guitar and drums and...that's Mick Jagger and this is "2000 Light Years From Home." Not one of my favorite Stones tunes. Mostly because of the special effects sounds behind the music. They were going for psychedelic, but it just comes off silly. What album is this off of?
Their Satanic Majesties Request. Again, not one of my favorites. The only song I really love off of this album is "She's A Rainbow." Oh well, can't win 'em all. Moving on.
Oh. That's side one. OK, side two, here we come.
Track 1/Side 2
I do not know this song. I do not recognize the singer. I like it though. Reminds me of Darden Smith. Is this Darden Smith?
Man, this is really nice. Kind of Nick Drakey, though this isn't as whispery a vocalist as Nick Drake.
Who is this? No clues from any obvious chorus. AGH! I like this a lot. And you're not making it easy.
Shinsy, Drakey, folky, alty. Seriously, you readers will want to check this out.
OK, that's the second time he's said "holding back the year." I'm going with that. Pause to google.
I get Simply Red's "Holding Back The Years" (they know you so well, mixer) and Lou Barlow's "Holding Back The Year." Click to hear sample...
This is Lou Barlow's "Holding Back The Year." I like this. I may have to check this album out. How recent is this? I assume it's post-Sebadoh. Unpause as search continues.
Album is called Emoh. Came out in 2005. Will check it out. Thanks mixer. Next song.
Track 2/Side 2
Whistling. Ukulele. I recognize this song off a mix my friend Summer made me. Lots of fun. Can't remember who this is. "Fun, fun, fun...when we were drinking...fun, fun, fun...when we were drunk..."
I like the guy/girl back and forth on this. I just like this song. Can't place a title. Lots of "fun, fun, fun" and "love, love, love" no "year, year, year."
Take it back. They are now saying "five years time" on repeat. More whistling. Pause to research.
Noah and the Whale. Yeah. I like this a lot. These guys are fun. Won't change your life, but this would be a nice band to have a first date to.
Have they ever had a song in a Zooey Deschanel film? Because they should. Still paused. Will check.
Can't find anything. But this song makes me think of Zooey Deschanel. If you like Zooey, Belle & Sebastian, or holding hands, you will like this song.
Unpause. Oh. It's done.
Track 3/Side 2
Piano. Drums. Chunky guitar.
Oh! I would not have known this song a week ago and then heard it in Bird's Barbershop and filed away the lyric "I am gonna make it through this year if it kills me" and googled it at home and it's The Mountain Goats and, believe it or not, I bought this album yesterday.
The album is The Sunset Tree and the song is called "This Year" and it's excellent. This is a song of hope hard won, a song of survival (see previous lyric), a song of struggle. Great lyrics. Great tune. Great bridge. Great hook to the chorus. Just. So. Great.
Love this towards the end "there will be feasting and dancing in Jerusalem next year." Way to tie hope to something epic and endless. Nice.
Should have sent this a week ago, mixer. You could have been the one to introduce me to one of my new favorite songs. Happy coincidence, either way.
Track 4/Side 2
This is The Walkmen. I know this from another "friend Summer" mix. Summer, did you send me this mix? The "year" theme doesn't seem like you, but many of the choices do. Summer actually just made me a Walkmen mix, which I look forward to getting. Summer, is this a teaser?
Anyway, this song is fantastic. My request of a Walkmen mix has much to do with wondering if the Walkmen are always this good. Because this is great. This is why U2 fans loved U2 in 1982. This is October.
Man, I cannot wait to get that Walkmen mix. I hope it's all at least half this good.
Track 5/Side 2
Ha! Speaking of U2. I guess on a "years" mix "New Year's Day" was a sort of obvious choice, especially after "The New Year." That said, you'll get no complaints from me. I will always love this song. Bonus points for putting two bands together as if you knew I'd do the same.
I doubt I have to say much about this song except to say that you haters out there are inexplicable to me. Take whatever pretension you attach to Bono out of it. These guys were amazing 20 years ago even if you don't think (like I do) that they still are. This song is....wow.
Seriously haters, go buy the War album, forget it's Bono and the Edge and just take in how perfect it is.
OK, I'm just gonna sit back and enjoy the rest of this. Thanks mixer.
Track 6/Side 2
Don't recognize this song.
Recognize this voice. This is Eddie Vedder. This is Pearl Jam after I stopped liking Pearl Jam. That said, this isn't bad. This also isn't great. This is certainly no Vs. This is sort of why I stopped buying Pearl Jam albums.
Yeah, this is sort of adult contemporary Pearl Jam. No clue from the lyrics what "year" this is.
This sounds like something off Yield. This sounds like "Given To Fly" rehashed. Still no clue what it is.
"And wherever you've gone and wherever we might go it don't seem fair that they just disappear"
Pause to look up lyric.
This is "Light Years" off of Binaural. Which, Wikipedia tells me, is the album that followed Yield. Not even kind of surprising. Not loving this choice, mixer. Especially given how good this side B is.
The music almost feels like Tenacious D's "Wonderboy."
OK, Eddie, let's wrap it up.
Track 7/Side 2
I like this. Is this Stevie Wonder? No, this is...who is this?
They keep saying "golden years." Am assuming this is the title.
This is Bowie. I don't listen to a lot of post-Ziggy Bowie, so I can't name this. I really like it though. Maybe I should listen to more post-Ziggy Bowie. Good stuff.
Pause to research.
"Golden Years" is off of Station To Station. Not familiar with this album at all. Will have to check it out. This track is great. Like, great great.
I had always heard this album was more Kraftwerky (no thanks), but this sounds like it could have been on Young Americans. Is the entire album like this?
Song is wrapping up. Thanks for the Bowie. Thanks for the mix. Thanks for reminding me to listen to Songs of Love and Hate more often and more closely, and for giving me a reason to try Station To Station. Thanks for keeping the blog going. Thought the "year" thing would be distracting, but this was a good mix.
Seriously. Thanks.
Tape is non-descript. No markings. No track listing. No packaging. All mystery. Dig it.
Track 1/Side 1
Know this song. Like this song. If I was going to use George Harrison, I'd have gone with something else, but this is good. Harrison's tribute to Lennon; "All Those Years Ago." Not sure what album this is off of, but it is crazy 80's. Early 80's.
Harrison is such a good songwriter. I don't listen to him enough. That said, like all the Beatles, his work seems to suffer the further he gets from being a Beatle. All Things Must Pass (1970) is his best work. Ten years later I grow less interested. Although, I really liked the Cloud Nine album in...what...1988?
Actually, I don't like this as much as I thought. Musically, this is as corny as anything Harrison ever mocked McCartney for writing. In fact, I'm gonna say George was writing this around the same time that Paul was in the studio with Stevie singing "Ebony and Ivory." I wouldn't argue for one song over the other in terms of corniest song by a former Beatle. So we're off to a "meh" start. Probably shouldn't say that or I guarantee it'll be another six months between mailbox mixes. Let's unpause and see what's next.
Track 2/Side 1
On the other hand, I absolutely LOVE this song. Paul Simon's "Still Crazy After All These Years." Man, Paul Simon was so amazing for so long and certainly when he was recording this. I guess you could argue that this also has it's cheesy elements, but I'm not complaining. Really love this song. This whole album, really. This song always makes me think of Dan Folgelberg's "Same Old Lang Syne," though this is a better song. I love those "what might have been" reminisces. I love that his "I just smiled" feels like he's doing her a favor. Sad song. Nice choice. By the way, are you doing an "all the/ose years" thing? I don't see how you couldn't be. Although, I also don't see how you found an hour's worth of "all these years" songs. Let's see.
Track 3/Side 1
"Holding Back The Years." So, I was a third right. This is a "years" mix. OK. That's not uber interesting, but not a bad way to begin a new year on an old blog. This song is not as bad as some think, but certainly suffers from overexposure. This song is borderline "Lady In Red" as far as songs that I can't seem to hate (due mostly to nostalgia), but also can't seem to appreciate by virtue of the fact that they feel more like part of the ether than actual songs. It's like appreciating wallpaper as art. All in all, I like this song better than the first one (though not by much) and much less than the second. I can only hope this is a "hit and miss" years mix and that the next song will be more promising.
Track 4/Side 1
Lots of buzzy violins. First song I haven't recognized right away. Buzz stops. Harp starts? Something stringed. Wait...I know this song. Oh. Nice.
OK, this song wasn't a hit as far as any charts go, but it is certainly a hit with me. Elton John's "Sixty Years On." Good stuff. Speaking of great songs off of great albums. Elton John's "I hope I die before I get old."
Everybody raves about Tumbleweed Connection and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (two of my favorites), but you don't hear this one talked about as much. And yet it has "Your Song" and "Border Song" and lesser known classics like this one and "Take Me To The Pilot." This is his self-titled album, by the way. Check it out.
Hadn't remembered all the breaks for strings on this. Wish this was a little more stripped down. Elton makes this choice of orchestration more often than I'd like. I'd like to hear EJ revisit some of his songs with just him and a piano. And as his younger self. That said, this is still a great song. Nice choice.
Track 5/Side 1
You broke out of the hit/miss/hit pattern. Good for you. OK, this is early Leonard Cohen which means I'm gonna dig it. I vaguely recognize this, but can't recall the title. I like it though.
That's the second time he's sang the words "last year's man" so, given the theme we have going, I'm going with that as the title.
Wikipedia has nothing on "Last Year's Man." Will Google it.
Google confirms "Last Year's Man" as being off of Songs of Love and Hate which means I shouldn't have had to look. You got me mixer. You got me good. It's been too long since I listened to this album.
I really prefer this era of Leonard Cohen. I guess most people do. Wouldn't it have been great to hear him sing "Hallelujah" during this era? I like the low voice casiotone accompanied stuff too. But this is my favorite.
This album makes me think of my friend Andy. I feel like he really loves this album in particular. I'll have to remember to ask him.
Man, this song is great. "And Bethlehem inflamed us both like the shy one at some orgy." Old Testament and sad sex. That's Leonard Cohen.
"Some women wait for Jesus and some women wait for Cain." Elvis Costello should cover this song.
Great song. Thanks mixer. This has given me an album to revisit and a reminder of how great Leonard Cohen is. Next song.
Track 6/Side 1
"One Hundred Years From Now." Gram Parsons and The Byrds. Sweetheart of the Rodeo. Mixer, you know the way to my heart. The year thing isn't even that distracting; this is just an excellent mix of songs. Wish You'd left out the Harrison and Simply Red.
McGuinn does this on the album, so this must be some bootleg or added track or something. The "1-2" count at the beginning says this is a rehearsal take.
I prefer Parsons on this song. I prefer Parsons to McGuinn generally. I like Parsons' version of "The Christian Life" better too. McGuinn sings it snarky and Parsons sincere.
Good call on choosing this version of this song. Well played.
Track 7/Side 1
Not sure what this song is. Sounds weird. Is this Queen? Sounds like Queen doing...no. Wait. Here's guitar and drums and...that's Mick Jagger and this is "2000 Light Years From Home." Not one of my favorite Stones tunes. Mostly because of the special effects sounds behind the music. They were going for psychedelic, but it just comes off silly. What album is this off of?
Their Satanic Majesties Request. Again, not one of my favorites. The only song I really love off of this album is "She's A Rainbow." Oh well, can't win 'em all. Moving on.
Oh. That's side one. OK, side two, here we come.
Track 1/Side 2
I do not know this song. I do not recognize the singer. I like it though. Reminds me of Darden Smith. Is this Darden Smith?
Man, this is really nice. Kind of Nick Drakey, though this isn't as whispery a vocalist as Nick Drake.
Who is this? No clues from any obvious chorus. AGH! I like this a lot. And you're not making it easy.
Shinsy, Drakey, folky, alty. Seriously, you readers will want to check this out.
OK, that's the second time he's said "holding back the year." I'm going with that. Pause to google.
I get Simply Red's "Holding Back The Years" (they know you so well, mixer) and Lou Barlow's "Holding Back The Year." Click to hear sample...
This is Lou Barlow's "Holding Back The Year." I like this. I may have to check this album out. How recent is this? I assume it's post-Sebadoh. Unpause as search continues.
Album is called Emoh. Came out in 2005. Will check it out. Thanks mixer. Next song.
Track 2/Side 2
Whistling. Ukulele. I recognize this song off a mix my friend Summer made me. Lots of fun. Can't remember who this is. "Fun, fun, fun...when we were drinking...fun, fun, fun...when we were drunk..."
I like the guy/girl back and forth on this. I just like this song. Can't place a title. Lots of "fun, fun, fun" and "love, love, love" no "year, year, year."
Take it back. They are now saying "five years time" on repeat. More whistling. Pause to research.
Noah and the Whale. Yeah. I like this a lot. These guys are fun. Won't change your life, but this would be a nice band to have a first date to.
Have they ever had a song in a Zooey Deschanel film? Because they should. Still paused. Will check.
Can't find anything. But this song makes me think of Zooey Deschanel. If you like Zooey, Belle & Sebastian, or holding hands, you will like this song.
Unpause. Oh. It's done.
Track 3/Side 2
Piano. Drums. Chunky guitar.
Oh! I would not have known this song a week ago and then heard it in Bird's Barbershop and filed away the lyric "I am gonna make it through this year if it kills me" and googled it at home and it's The Mountain Goats and, believe it or not, I bought this album yesterday.
The album is The Sunset Tree and the song is called "This Year" and it's excellent. This is a song of hope hard won, a song of survival (see previous lyric), a song of struggle. Great lyrics. Great tune. Great bridge. Great hook to the chorus. Just. So. Great.
Love this towards the end "there will be feasting and dancing in Jerusalem next year." Way to tie hope to something epic and endless. Nice.
Should have sent this a week ago, mixer. You could have been the one to introduce me to one of my new favorite songs. Happy coincidence, either way.
Track 4/Side 2
This is The Walkmen. I know this from another "friend Summer" mix. Summer, did you send me this mix? The "year" theme doesn't seem like you, but many of the choices do. Summer actually just made me a Walkmen mix, which I look forward to getting. Summer, is this a teaser?
Anyway, this song is fantastic. My request of a Walkmen mix has much to do with wondering if the Walkmen are always this good. Because this is great. This is why U2 fans loved U2 in 1982. This is October.
Man, I cannot wait to get that Walkmen mix. I hope it's all at least half this good.
Track 5/Side 2
Ha! Speaking of U2. I guess on a "years" mix "New Year's Day" was a sort of obvious choice, especially after "The New Year." That said, you'll get no complaints from me. I will always love this song. Bonus points for putting two bands together as if you knew I'd do the same.
I doubt I have to say much about this song except to say that you haters out there are inexplicable to me. Take whatever pretension you attach to Bono out of it. These guys were amazing 20 years ago even if you don't think (like I do) that they still are. This song is....wow.
Seriously haters, go buy the War album, forget it's Bono and the Edge and just take in how perfect it is.
OK, I'm just gonna sit back and enjoy the rest of this. Thanks mixer.
Track 6/Side 2
Don't recognize this song.
Recognize this voice. This is Eddie Vedder. This is Pearl Jam after I stopped liking Pearl Jam. That said, this isn't bad. This also isn't great. This is certainly no Vs. This is sort of why I stopped buying Pearl Jam albums.
Yeah, this is sort of adult contemporary Pearl Jam. No clue from the lyrics what "year" this is.
This sounds like something off Yield. This sounds like "Given To Fly" rehashed. Still no clue what it is.
"And wherever you've gone and wherever we might go it don't seem fair that they just disappear"
Pause to look up lyric.
This is "Light Years" off of Binaural. Which, Wikipedia tells me, is the album that followed Yield. Not even kind of surprising. Not loving this choice, mixer. Especially given how good this side B is.
The music almost feels like Tenacious D's "Wonderboy."
OK, Eddie, let's wrap it up.
Track 7/Side 2
I like this. Is this Stevie Wonder? No, this is...who is this?
They keep saying "golden years." Am assuming this is the title.
This is Bowie. I don't listen to a lot of post-Ziggy Bowie, so I can't name this. I really like it though. Maybe I should listen to more post-Ziggy Bowie. Good stuff.
Pause to research.
"Golden Years" is off of Station To Station. Not familiar with this album at all. Will have to check it out. This track is great. Like, great great.
I had always heard this album was more Kraftwerky (no thanks), but this sounds like it could have been on Young Americans. Is the entire album like this?
Song is wrapping up. Thanks for the Bowie. Thanks for the mix. Thanks for reminding me to listen to Songs of Love and Hate more often and more closely, and for giving me a reason to try Station To Station. Thanks for keeping the blog going. Thought the "year" thing would be distracting, but this was a good mix.
Seriously. Thanks.
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