Weekly Mix #68

This is one of the worst mixes I've ever put together. Sorry for the let down but hopefully you can get a little joy out of some of it. There are quite a few covers on here so that makes it sort of fun. Next weeks is totally better.


1. I Wanna Rock by Twisted Sister

I guess I really just enjoy kicking off mixes with 80's rock. This song got some notoriety when closed minded Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker. Twisted Sister made him stop using it as his walk on music.

2. So So Special by The Bardo

You don't know this band and don't pretend you do. They seem like good ol' boys playing good ol' rock and who knows, maybe they are.

3. K.I.A. by JET

Killed In Action, JET continues to suck and blow all at once but it's sometimes the only rock out there.

4. Down by 311

Chill! Rap and rock together at last! Well not really, they just expanded on the genre. Is this their biggest hit?

5. Meds by Placebo

Take your prescription drugs, be better, that's what this song is about.

6. This Is Why I'm Hot by Mims

Some songs make you feel cool/hot this is one of them. It makes me want a yacht and and all that goes with it.

7. I Told You I Was Freaky by Flight Of The Concords

Joke music is sometimes better than the real thing.

8. The One by Slaughterhouse

Hey! More rap rock that sucks! It was a free download.

9. Ain't No Rest For The Wicked by Cage The Elephant

This song is kinda' groovy but then it sucks all at the same time.

10.Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen

This is the original, not the Jeff Buckley version or one of those stupid American idol attempts, this is the old man getting weird.

11.Don't Worry Baby by The Beach Boys

Romantic and backed with a huge Brian Wilson sound; this song is emotional and tender

12.Bad Romance by Lady GaGa

She can't really sing, she can't really dance  and she looks are Medusa like but she's a star. Every song she does is taken from someplace else almost shamelessly; this one to me starts off sounding like Eurasure.

13.Hang Up the Pinup by Cobra Killer

Here is your buzz saw indie rock for the week; it's the sort of song that evil elves would listen to.

14.Heartbreaker by Nirvana

Kurt replies, "I don't know it" to a fan who yells for the band to play the Zeppelin classic and then figures it out as if the hammer of the gods came down and smashed it into him. His vocals are proof to some sort of anguish at least.

15.Nice Boys by Rose Tattoo

Australian rockers showing up and getting down. Not everything down under is AC/DC and INXS

16.You're Crazy by Guns N' Roses

G n' R covered Rose Tattoo's  Nice Boys and they even covered this song on their EP. 

17.California Queen by Wolfmother

My interest in Wolfmother ended with their second album and it probably should have ended before that. More Aussie rock!

18.Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows by Lesley Gore

Leslie Gore is crazy as I've stated before, how can she sing this song, It's My Party and Now It's Judy's Turn To Cry? Wacky!

19.Hungry End by Dan Sartain

He's had much better songs and this one just seems like he's in a funk

20.Laura by Girls

It's a little ditty that makes one want to skip along the sidewalk

21.Long Tall Sally by The Backbeat Band

Remember this movie, Backbeat, starring Stephen Dorf as the fifth Beatle? The band they used to do the music had a line up that included Dave Pirner , Thurston Moore, Mike Mills, Dave Grohl and a couple other dudes; it's very aggressive pop.

22.Red Right Hand by Arctic Monkeys

Cover Nick Cave takes balls, I like the original best butu this version has a bit more speed.

23.Murder By Number by The Police
When this came out it wasn't on the record and only on the cassette. Sting and the boys show their humorous side by explaining you can kill people and rhyme.

Weekly Mix #67

Here we go with another 2009 creation but with three songs from 1984, do yo know them off the top of your head? This whole mix is very 80s feeling.


1. Here I Go Again by White Snake

Hated this song until just a couple years agao when suddenly I decided I was David Coverdale

2. Check My Brain by Alice In Chains

The boys from Seattle are back but not with lead singer Layne Staley who overdosed on Heroin some years back. This song rocks!

3. What You Need by INXS
We're going back to the 0s when pop and rock found perfect harmony . . . another band, another dead singer.
4. Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z feat. Alicia keys

Because New York needs another anthem, a more modern one.

5. Come Together by The Beatles
This is weird song but it sure is groovy. As I made this mix this song was all over the television as the main song on some music video game.
6. Sort Of by Silversun Pickups

This is a dizzying song, frantic and almost desperate and still showing Billy Corgan that they're better at being him than he is.

7. Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) by David Bowie

One of my favorite Bowie tunes, what phase was this?

8. Uprising by Muse
This is from Muse's huge The Resistance album that spawn a lot of good music. This is not the best song on it and that's okay.
9. Make It Take It by Amanda Blank

Just a club girl and her ambitions

10.Magic Man by Heart

Try to understand, he's a magic man; he's got magic hands. One of Heart's big three, Magic Man, Crazy On You and Barracuda. Some say this song is sleazy and they're kind of right; it has a dark 1970's vibe.

11.Drive by The Cars
This song was so huge it's hard to explain, maybe it's the Mutt Lang produced synthesizers deep woosh or Benjamin Orr's vocals, maybe it was the Timothy Hutton directed video with Paulina Porizkova. Whatever it was this song represents the band at the hugest commercial point. It's not their sunniest tune but it's arguably their best.
12.Kind of a Girl by Tinted Windows

Their are some who say the Cars were a shitty synth New Wave band that never made a impact on music but just listened to songs like this by almost super group Tinted Windows. Members of Hanson, Cheap Trick and Smashing Pumpkins came together to produce this 80s inspired ear candy.

13.New Girl Now by Honeymoon Suite

Speaking of the 80s . . . Beisdes Rush and Bryan Adams this is what was going on in Canada. This is New Wave rock magic. Big drums, keyboards and echo laced vocals. Props to the video for having a Delorean!

14. For What It's Worth by Placebo

This band always makes me think of the 80s but I don't know why. This ain't no Pure Morning, showing that they aren't a single note group again. The brass in the song is a bit disarming.

15.Pretty In Pink by Psychedelic Furs

Here's more of the real deal. This I believe is the original version not the more excitable version they did for the movie.

16.Tangled Up In You by The Mumblers

This is not Bob Dylan but I suppose the song title might be an allusion to Tangled up in Blues.

17.Wake Up by The Doors

I love some of Jim Morrison's live poetry; it's very charged with lizards and sex.

18.Yellow Ledbetter by Pearl Jam

The best song that was never on a an album. It is so mellow it makes me think of 80s beer commercials.

19.Hippy Hippy Shake by Georgia Satellites
From the movie Cocktail, this song was nothing in the gigantic shadow of Tom Cruise's star power and The Beach Boys Kokomo
20.(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You to by Weezer
Is this Weezer's most epic song? It's a big one and that's why it caps off the mix.

Weekly Mix # 65

the 80s were a hell of a party so we'll start this mix there and who lasted from that time and who was influenced by the decade. The eighties are the new fifties which is weird if you remember the 80s because the 80s were artificially forced to be that way. Reaganomics and Galm Metal went very well together. Big hair forever!

1. I'm Alright by Kenny Loggins
Caddy Shack, baby! All I can think about is Rodney Dangerfield and that gopher dancing; it's a good thing. Next stop, Foot Loose and Top Gun.
2. Jack & Diane by John Mellencamp

Back when he was John Cougar, back when you suck on a chili dog by a Tastee Freeze and day dream, back in the 80s.

3. Goin' Out Swingin' by Mötley Crüe

Not bad rock for dudes as old as they are

4. Gypsy Road by Cinderella

I remember when this song was on massive play on the Mtv in 1988, back when metal was king!

5. Dressed Up Like A Millionaire by Damone

Rock n' Roll in the late 00s rarely gets a wicked as this, leave it to a Boston Band to make it happen.

6. Standing Still by Billy Boy Poison

I like this song because it has a siren in the intro beneath the guitars. These guys do give rock a try pretty hard, they  just miss the mark for some reason.

7. The Infanta by The Demberists

The Decemberists would have been better of being an 80s band when people would have cared.

8. Cold by Maxwell

Yeah, I like R&B sometimes, This is damn good track by the Man.

9. Let's Stay Together by Al Green

Hot music about monogamy, one of the best songs ever

10.Fuck You by Lily Allen

Funny songs are good and when the rhymes and melody click they're brilliant.

11.No You Girls by Franz Ferdinand
So . . . are they gay? Another catchy ditty by the UK boys.
12.They Say by Scars on Broadway

Some of the guys from System of a Down branched out and did a song that sounds exactly like System of a Down.

13.Sickman by Alice In Chains
Sad songs about girls are one thing but sad songs about drugs are a completely different beast. Exhibit A
14.Under The Bridge by The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Exhibit  B

15.Drag by Placebo

No, not a song about dressing in women's clothes.

16.Heads Will Roll by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Keyboards dominate on this one as the Hipsters get dancing.

17.Lovegame by Lady Gaga

Keep the dance vibe going. I hate this song the longer I know it.

18.Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cindy Lauper

Art School chick gets kicked out of School and turns singer and makes millions of dollars. Influences  thousands of chicks to dress from thrift stores.

19.Fuck the Pain Away by Peaches

That was the most brilliant moment in every mix I've made in my life. You figure it out.

20.With a Little Help From My Friends by Joe Cocker
It's strange when you can do a Beatles song better than the Beatles by Mr. Cocker  got it done.

Weekly Mix #64

Here's another mix without reason or rhyme

enjoy

1. She's Expensive by The Virgins

This song sounds like a clash outtake and is pretty good; they never lived up to their billing as the next big thing/ the next Strokes but this tune is cool, especially the intro.

2. Sex On Fire by Kings of Leon

This song signified the Kings joining the mainstream and the end of them as an interesting indie class band.

3. Kickstart My Heart by Mötley Crüe

When I saw them a couple years ago in 2008 they opened their shows with this monster.

4. Cheap City Thrills by Alleycat Scratch

Glam metal was alive and well in 2008 as this retro gem proved. with exception to the weak solo, these guys nail the feel and sound.

5. Do it Again by Steely Dan

A band named after a pleasure implement in a William S. Burroughs novel. I was fiending to this song when I made this mix; i though it was the best song ever for about two weeks

6. Something Burning by The Stone Roses

This is one of the songs the Stone Roses had to record in secret as they were in court with their record label; it's a smooth one.

7. Chain of Fools by Aretha Franklin

The queen of soul, pay your respects

8. You Can't Hurry Love by The Supremes

No you can't. Motown had some fantastic hits come from it, this would be in my top ten.

9. Girlfriend in A Coma by The Smiths

When this song came out we all laughed but all loved it.

10.Who Can Say by The Horrors

Back with a more sweeping sound, the got away from the abrasive choppiness that I loved so much. The keyboards are still pervasive.

11.Mother by Danzig

His one big hit. He channels Jim Morrison in this one.

12.Thirteen by Johnny Cash
Covering Danzig's song; it cool and more somber than ominous
13.These Times They Are A-Changin' by Bob Dylan

Folk music at it's commercial peak.

14.Pork and Beans by Weezer

A little ditty in the midst of a big chorus, they've been paying homage to the Pixies for so long now.

15.Know Your Enemy by Green Day

This was there follow up to the huge 2004 effort, American Idiot. It's not quite as great.

16.Messing With My Head by Tinted Windows

The greatest New Wave band of the new millennium. Members of Hanson, Smashing Pumpkins and Cheap Trick formed this one shot band; it's good listening and should have been used in an eighties movie about a fictional eighties band.

17.Rebel Rebel by David Bowie
Bowie doesn't do it any better than this, nor do many others. Teenagers experimenting unite!
18.Poker Face by Lady Gaga

Not only does she owe Madonna a lot but she owes Bowie a lot. This is the sort of songs androids like to kiss to.

19.Words. by Missing Persons

Oh yeah here's another group that influence the previous artist.Actually they are more influential than one might think. I don't even know if people know they're influenced by them. Is that subversive?

20.The Bitter End by Placebo

Placebo continue their sharp, stirring tunes

21.I'm A Man by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

This was recorded live at the Fillmore in San Francisco; he does a good job getting bluesy

22.That's Not My Name by The Tin Tings
I guess this is a chick anthem about wanting respect but I'm not sure.

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.

Weekly Mix Tape 47

Happy 2011!
I wish I could tell you that all the mixes recalled would go to 11 but they're pretty much the same old song and dance. This one was from 2006, the songs are good, enjoy buying and listening to these nuggets of pop history. Songs 15-19 might make you want to dance.

1. Bad To The Bone by George Thorogood & The Destroyers

All time classic bar room song and driving song.

2. Can't Stand Me Now by The Libertines
Their songs were so sloppy but so catchy

3. Anything, Anything by Dramarama

This song always sounded like a Smiths melody to me. Anyway it's their first single.

4. Now Is the Time by Damone

Damone get lighter and prettier

5. Old School Hollywood by System of a Down

This song mentions Tony Danza; it's sad.

6. Whiplash by Motörhead

They covered Metalica and made a good sound on this one.

7. Volcano Girls by Veruca Salt

Great song but never caught on as much as their previous hit, "The Seether" did. Mtv didn't get behind it and that was that.

8. Mississippi Queen by Mountain

One of the all time dumb, 70s rockers with tons of cow bell!

9. King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown by Augustus Pablo

Dub can be a good palette cleanser for a mix tape because you can go anywhere from it.

10.World Wide Suicide by Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam's triumphant come back! This song made me think they had rediscovered how to rock but by their next album it was clearly a blip on their downward trajectory.

11. Mockingbirds by Grant Lee Buffalo
 The singer came from Stockton California.
12.Murder, Tonight In the Trailer Park by Cowboy Junkies 
This is a song I loved when it was on the radio and then forgot about it for many years. Trailer Park crime finally had it's theme.

13.Steady As She Goes by The Raconteurs

Ladies and gentlemen, Jack White has left The White Stripes but not really. They put on a great live show.

14.Pure Morning by Placebo

I hated this song until 2006 when suddenly it was huge and wonderful; it took me a nother few years to get into the band.

15.Golden Years by David Bowie

Bowie liked to get his disco soul on and so should you

16.I Love A Man In Uniform by Gang of Four

This band is lauded by critics but I'm not sure why. They rerecorded this song in the 90s with backup singers it was cool.

17.Catholic School Girls Rule by Red hot Chili Peppers

Maybe they do, I'm not really sure anybody has scientifically proven the statement. If somebody does indeed have proof of this please direct me to the article for enlightenment.

18.You Make My Dreams Come True by Hall & Oates

Ear candy from Philadelphia

19.Phenomena by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Hypnotic and howling, Karen O delivers the goods with some psychedelic bass lines.

20.Push Th' little Daisies by Ween

Maybe one of the most notorious songs of the early 90s, Ween figured out a way to drive people crazy, tell off their detractors in weird fashion and path the way for Beck. The video is an accurate time capsule of life in 1992.

21.Alone Again Or by The Damned

This song is a cover I think.

22.Last Goodbye by Jeff Buckley

Buckley was over the top almost in a soul singer kind of way; he drown before he could finish another album after 1994's Grace which also includes his Leonard Cohen cover, Hallelujah