February ’05 Mix

February 27, 2005

1) Push You Away – 010 – ulysses

I’m in a bit of time crunch this month, so brief notes only. This is Robert Schneider’s breakup song on his breakup album and the heartbreak is painful.

2) Sister Jack – Gimme Fiction – Spoon

I dig the section with the handclaps.

3) YFLMD – Lemona – Giant Drag

YFLMD seems like a slower version of PJ Harvey’s “Meet Ze Monsta,” but it lacks the growling low end of Peej’s number. It doesn’t lack bite though, the full title is “You Fuck Like My Dad.”

4) Here Comes The Summer – EP – Fiery Furnaces

The squawky guitar riff and vocals bounce all over the place but that one repeating, resounding piano chord keeps everything grounded with remarkable aplomb.

5) The Book of Right-On – Milk-Eyed Mender – Joanna Newsom

“I killed my dinner / with karate / kicked him in the face / taste the body.” heh.

6) Our Love Was – The Who Sell Out – Petra Haden

More acapella cover work from Haden (new member of The Decemberists). It even includes the rotosound ad at the end.

7) Up the Junction – Rudyard’s, Houston, TX – The Decemberists

Random cover of the Squeeze’s “Up the Junction.” Played completely straight up and straightforward, but it’s a great song.

8) Nightime – Third/Sisters Lovers – Big Star

My 3rd favorite Big Star ballad, behind “El Goodo” and “Thirteen.” They’re all kind of the same song anyway.

9) Skin Is, My – The Mysterious Production of Eggs – Andrew Bird

I can’t even describe this song, but it’s wonderful.

10) The Eton Rifles – Direction, Reaction, Creation – The Jam

Is there a soccer team somewhere called the Eton Rifles? Could they play against the Guns of Brixton?

11) Jumpers – The Woods – Sleater-Kinney

This record is apparently mixed to fuck stereo equipment up worldwide. Alongside the Decemberists’ “We Both Go Down Together,” it’s a great year for songs about flinging yourself off a precipice. The track takes so many wonderful detours I’m not sure how it all fits together so gracefully. By the end? “My falling shape will draw a line / between the blue of sea and sky / i’m not a bird / i’m not a plane” leads to a doubled vocal, one calm and one panicked scream of “FOUR SECONDS WAS THE LONGEST WAIT!” Splat.

12) Me and Mia – Shake The Sheets – Ted Leo/Pharmacists