Thursday, April 28, 2011

Weekly Mix #62

As a reminder these Mixes are all 80 minutes or less to fit on a CD. That notion is sort of old school I guess but how else would one person gift another person a play list; I suppose you could gift each song to somebody but that's weird. I'm sure people who are much more savvy than I have better ways of sharing music but I'm just a simple dude who is always in the dark about tech stuff.
Anyhow this mix is another  2009 ensemble; it's was a little weak and tossed together when I first made it but I eventually went back and moved around some of the songs to be more cohesive and flow better. The newest songs on the mix are certainly not the big hits from the year though it seems that I know knew them best from their placement in television adds. That's sad when I hear the newest music in car and cellphone commercials instead of the radio or whatever.

1. Dead And Bloated by Stone Temple Pilots
The more time that passes the more I realize that Core is a classic album of it's era up there with Nevermind, Dirt and Ten. This is how that album started and this is how this mix starts!
2. Bag It Up by Oasis
A stomping, plodding rocker, not bad but not good enough to get them back to their supersrar status of the mid 90s.
3. You Make Loving Fun by Fleetwood Mac
Groovy seventies hits for all! Christine McVie on vocals.
4. Foundations by Kate Nash
One relationship ditty deserves another. This is a funny and sad breakup song or at least it wants to be a breakup song which is what makes it sad.
5. Thank You Boys by Jane's Addiction
The band that defined alternative rock gets a little jazzy
6. Take Five by Dave Brubeck
West coast jazz at it's most popular
7.  It was a Good Day by Ice Cube
From West Coast Jazz to West Side Rap. Maybe the best song on the mix and definitely Ice Cubes best tune. I'm not gonna lie if i had a day this this I'd want to rap about it too.
8. Two Weeks by Grizzly Bear
This song was in several commercials throughout the year. The album Veckatimest is named after an island off the coast of Massachusetts.
9. Hippi Luv by The Wolfmen
From bears to wolves. Groovy big tune that I've never heard anywhere but my stereo.
10.Bus Stop by The Hollies
The original Manchester band. This is a great melody and a nice little love song!
11.Time Has Come Again by The Last Shadow Puppets
This song should have been on the last mix but here it is in it's echoes and mope
12.Black Grease by The Black Angels
Groovy Sixties inspired rock from England. Welcome to the mixes guys!
13.Iron Man by Black Sabbath
More Black bands without black members. This song is brutal. It is about war and revenge and all things metal. If you put your trust in war it will kill ya'! Best part of the song is when the Iron Man start laying waste to the people who once relied on him for protection but then shunned him for his wickedness. "Heavy boots of Lead"
14.I Cut Like  a Buffalo by The Dead Weather
Jack White is back with another band, gone are the White Stripes, gone are the Raconteurs. This is a stoner's dream.
15.Count In Fives by The Horrors
because organ can be so cool when done right, hers' another tune that exploits the instrument's awesomeness. Another excellent tune from the Strange House album.
16.Dead End Friends by Them Crooked Vultures
John Paul Jones is back and playing with Dave Grohl and Josh Holme. I was a bit let down by this project but this song has grown on me.
17.Youth Gone Wild by Skid Row
One of the last glam metal bands of the eighties to get big, Skid Row's anthem was this number. I think the singer, Sebastian Bach even tattooed it on his arm.
18.Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler
Some lush always sings this song at Karaoke bars. If you were a child of the eighties you may recall the unusual video here's the version that will clear the whole thing up. (Click me) 
19.On My Way by Billy Boy On Poison
This song was used in some commercials for cold medicine I think. It's a cool rock song with blues lyrics
20.They're Red Hot by The Red Hot Chili Peppers
Covering Robert Johnson and covering it very fast. It's cute I suppose.
21.Let It All Hang Out by The Nails
Covering the Hombres, The Nails do a good job with this one and make them more than the band that did 88 Line about 44 Women

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Weekly Mix # 61

The First Mix I made in 2009, very early on. Much of it is a time traveling experience that makes me feel like I'm in the showy, glitzy side of the 1960s. While other parts of it are not anything like that. Enjoy and listen and buy, help stimulate the economy, one song at a time!

1. Touch Me by The Doors
I am setting the mood and kicking things off with possibly the cheesiest song The Doors ever did; it's as if Tom Jones took over. if I was around in the sixties and a fan of the band I'm sure I would have wondered what the hell was up with them and why weren't they on drugs!
2. Valerie by Amy Winehouse
Another Mark Ronson produced gem; this is a cover. Something about this number just gets me feeling all right.
3. She's a Lady by Tom Jones
It's been brewing for a little while but Mr. Jones has finally made his way to the mixes with this late sixties sizzler. In case you're not familiar with Tom, he was the original panty dropper as it is said that women of all ilk would toss their undergarments on stage when he played.
4. If Looks Could Kill by Camera Obscura
A San Francisco band who were from the 00s but lived in the 60s. Continuing the trend this tune could be from girl group with a tyranical producer behind them.
5. Three Decades by The Horrors
The follow up to their intense, creepy, dark rock album the Horrors began getting more sweeping with their keyboards and the vocals are bigger. It's a bit psychedelic.
6. Baby Love by the Supremes
Ms. Ross and the ladies deliver the real Motown deal in this ear candy of a song.
7. I Kissed A Girl by KatyPerry
Bringing us firmly in the present a young, devoutly Christian chick discovers a B side to her sexuality and scores a huge hit. Strangely this tune is kinda' raw compared to her future hits like, California Gurls but it does let us know that she is a bit wacko.
8.Hit The Road Jack by Ray Charles
Taking the hint from Ms. Perry the blind smack fiend gets his ass outta' Georgia and on the road.
9. See What I Wanna See by The Lovemakers
Back to the present day the Lovemaker's sophomore effort produced this funny song about not being a ho . . . I think.
10.Waiting for the Rapture by Oasis
One heavy bass drop deserves another., Oasis was inspired heavily by the sixties, right? The last Liam Gallagher album.
11.One Of a Kind by Placebo
They are about as creepy as The Horrors and just as British.
12.Shadowplay by The Killers
Covering Joy Division Brandon Flowers and the boys do a good job.
13.I Just Wanna Love U (Give it 2 Me) by Jay-Z
Sampling great 70s soul is a good idea for the biggest rap star of the decade.
14.Pretty Tied Up by Guns N' Roses
Autobiographical songs are cool I guess.
15.Zombie Grave yard by Be Your Own Pet
They rocked and now they are gone
16.Juicebox by The Strokes
Borrowing the bass line from the Munster's theme, The Strokes do good in what would be their last album for 6 years.
17.Anyone Else But You by The Moldy Peaches
They got a popular song when it was used in that Juno movie. A movie with a myriad of things that led into and came out of it.
18.Smokin' in The Boys Room by Mötley Crüe
Good time rock for good time folks. I've never smoked in the boys room actually so I don't know if it's all it's cracked up to be.
19.These Boots Are Made for Walkin' by Nancy Sinatra
And we're back to the sixties again! this song gained more popularity in the 90s when it appeared in Austin Powers International man of Mystery as the fembots shot bullets from their . . . err . . . guns.
20.Little Green bag by George Baker Selection
This is another song that got noticed again in a movie, this time it was Reservoir Dogs.
21. Relator by Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson
I'm pretty sure Pete just wanted to get into Scarlett's knickers and so he recorded a whole album with her proving that Winona didn't obliterate his career. Scarlett doesn't sing poorly but she does sound a bit lazy.
22.Love is a Stranger by Martha Wainwright
Yup, this is Rufus' sister and she does a great version of the Eurythmics song that while feels completely different than the original is just as good.
23.Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond
If Tom Jones is coming over than I'm getting out my Neil Diamond records too. Without this song, Red Sox fans would have nothing to do during the 7th inning stretch.
24.Distant Dreamer by Duffy
I love this song; it is ethereal and perfectly wistful; I think this has to be Duffy's best song to date. This also completes our sixties pop fetish.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Weekly Mix #60

17 is the magic number? Maybe. There are a lot of top notch selections on this mix that I made a few years back. I hope you enjoy.

1. Imminent Bailout by Buckcherry
From a band without a time. Buckcherry is a sleazy rock band in a world of emo dorks
2. The Age of the Understatement by The Last Shadow Puppets
I don't know if it sounds like Tom Jones or Neil Diamond but it definitely sounds like it's from the sixties
3. Mercy by Duffy
One might say she's an Amy Winehouse clone and I won't argue
4. Back to Black by Amy Winehouse
Doing her heartbroken best, Amy knows how to set a voacl mood.
5. Where Did Our Love Go by The Supremes
The originals, the best girl group ever
6. The Chills by Peter Bjorn and John
This is a chilling toned tune by the Scandinavians. If I didn't know better about bands like Abba and all that death metal I would guess this is what music from that part of the world should sound like.
7. Are You Experienced? by Jimi Hendrix
Gorgeous psychedelic rock. When this came out, nothing sounded like it; it was the birth of guitar ecstasy. It takes you to another place in the cosmos of the mind.
8. Fields of Joy by Lenny Kravitz
Following suit Lenny gives the old Psychedelia a try as well, he's helped out by Slash. I didn't take to this song for a bout 17 years.
9. Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden
Beautiful psychedelic guitars from the last great grunge album. From Seattle, Soundgarden scored a huge success with this gem; the video had a lot to do with it. Even though this song was enormous and ubiquitous at it's peak it took me 17 years to finally love it.



10.Five On the Five by The Raconteurs
This song will wake you up from the dripping guitar tribute.
11.Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones by The Hives.
More rock from lands of the Vikings, Fagersta Sweden.
12.Horror's Theme by The Horrors
More bands should have theme songs
13.Mr. Richards by R.E.M
The boys from Athens Georgia are still at  it even though they haven't sold any records since the 90s
14.The Rip by Portishead
Portishead is back from the dead and just as moody as always. Their third album is not thier best but it is cool to hear what they bring to the soundscape. Welcome to the world of my mixes!
15.Hold On Tight by ELO
Electric Light Orchestra! Jeff Lynn's band does a little throw back music even in the eighties. This song was used in coffee commercials back then.
16.Heart Throb by Be Your Own Pet
This is what non country or western Tennessee rock sounds like, awesome! Well loud and frantic and a little stupid but still good stuff.
17.True Romance by She Wants Revenge
The follow up to Tear You Apart, not as good but still moody L.A. stuff.
18.Guilt By Association by Louis XIV
A band that should have been in the seventies
19.Shadow Of Your Love by Hollywood Rose
This is the band that was part of Guns n' Roses before Gn'R came to be. I wouold have put an L.A. Guns song next but the sucked so instead we shall dance.
20. Don't Stop the Music by Rihanna
Disco time!
21. D.A.N.C.E. by Justice
Keep moving. I don't know too much about this Dj but people love him.
22. Centerfold by The J. Geils Band
Peter Wolf and the boys biggest hit; it's a good sing along if you like na na's

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Weekly Mix #59

This we're on time and I'll keep it going down the line. Some of this mix really rocks out so look out!


1. New Rose by Guns N' Roses
Doing a cover song quite well
2. Heaven Sent by INXS
I've always liked this song even if it wasn't one of their massive hits.
3. Kids by MGMT
Kinda' floats on by and then we never heard from these guys again.
4. You Cross My Path by The Charlatans
Still making groovy tunes after all these years, wow!
5. Shockwave by Black Time
I heard this metal song and thought maybe, just maybe there was hope for music in 2008 but I think I was the only person to buy it.
6. Leda Automatica by Year Long Disaster
Great name for a band! This is a 70s retro rocker from some L.A. dudes
7. Raining Blood by Slayer
Run for cover, get out of the way; this song will kill you if you can't handle it!



8. Monsoon Perfume by Dengue Fever
Music from another time but actually it's modern. Not to be confused with the mosquito spread virus or Slayer this band won't kill and seems rather harmless.
9. Hoodoo by Muse
A somber and dramatic note of a song
10.Them Bones by Alice In Chains
Wake Up! This song is a loud one and the first track on their 1992 dark masterpiece.
11.Saints of Los Angeles by Mötley Crüe
Their big come back! I saw them twice on this tour and they were tight and loud!
12.Unchained by Van Halen
Another great rock effort by the band that bought us spandex to crazy metal guitars. This is off the Fair Warning album which is a strange one.
13.Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis
This song got featured in a beer commercial
14.Baby Baby by Guadalupe Plata
Spaniards know how to rock American style too
15.Cheap and Cheerful by The Kills
Before the singer ran off to make music with Jack white, this is what she was doing.
16.Killer on His Knees by Crucified Barbara
Women doing metal!
17.Powerslave by Iron Maiden
I had recently seen Iron Maiden play at the L.A. Forum and this was one of the high points of the show
18.Bark At The Moon by Ozzy Osbourne
If you like metal you love this. Rest In Peace Randy Rhodes
19.Go Go Go by The 88
Little light pop never hurt
20. Welcome Home by Coheed & Cambria
OH MY GOD! When I heard this song I this band would be the most awesome band ever but they weren't. In fact they were simply successful in writing a kick ass Led Zeppelin sounding song.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Weekly Mix # 58

Here's where we get our first glimpse of 2008. Sorry this was late.


1. Runnin' With the Devil by Van Halen
OH YEAH! You know this is really just a blues song that was transformed into awesome!
2. The Kelly Affair by Be Your Own Pet
One album and then they broke up, probably for the best
3. Tom Sawyer by Rush
I don't like Rush and I don't think I ever will. This song however is just barely on the tolerable scale.
4. Time To Pretend by MGMT
I don't get why this band was so loved and haled as brilliant. They must know the critics.
5. You're Gonna' Miss Me by The 13th Floor Elevators
Roky Erickson's band. Like most people I didn't hear this song until I saw High Fidelity.
6. Be My baby by The Ronnettes
Some people love this song because it was in Dirty Dancing; I just like the Phil Spector Wall of Sound production and the big hair.
7. Rehab by Amy Winehouse
Huge song! This won her Grammy's and made her millions of dollars. It is a throw back to do-wop and Motown and The Ronnettes big hair but has Mark Ronson production
8. Talk Dirty To Me by Poison
Oh No! Before Brett Michaels embarrassed himself as a "reality" personality he embarrassed himself in his band Poison by making pop rock under the guise of metal.
9. Into Action by Tim Armstrong
The man from Rancid; he knows how to make a good time summer album. The girl who sings with him on this was thirteen years old.
10.This Is The Day by The The
You may know this song from an M & M's commercial. It's actually a pretty sad song.
11.It's My Fault for being Famous by The White Stripes
B-sides are a lost entity because nobody knows what that means anymore. Now it's just a bonus track. Anyway this is a funny song about being stalked by the press and fans.
12.Eat Yourself by Goldfrapp
She returns to her Felt Mountain after being disco for some years.
13.Sundown by Gorden Lightfoot
Just a groovy 70s singer songwriter. This was on heavy repeat for a while back in 08'
14.Boston by Augustana
Great sweeping pop song that only got my attention because of the city.
15.Well All Right by The Hives
We get hand clapping in this one and that's awesome.
16.The Moneymaker by Rilo Kiley
This song is nowhere near as crazy as, Portions For Foxes but it's still pretty mean.
17.Umbrella by Rihanna feat. Jay-Z
This song made Rihanna huge and there was no going back much to Chris Brown's chagrin.
18.Tennagers by My Chemical Romance
Many people think this is MCR's best song, I don't but I do think it's a good one. The video owes a lot to Smells Like Teen Spirit, I suppose it's an homage
19.1979 by The Smashing Pumpkins
It's a little song and it's cute; it was also a big hit for them. I heard that Billy Corgan had to completely recompose the music right before they recorded it.
20.Lazy Eye by Silversun Pickups
When the Smashing pumpkins couldn't be Smashing Pumpkins, The Silversun Pickups could be.
21.The End Of The Line by The Traveling Wilburys
The late 80s super group containing Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison and produced by Jeff Lynn made a lot of money off this project.