April ’05 Mix

April 30, 2005

Some unexpected delays this month, so I’ll be postdating this month’s mix. Brief comments, because otherwise it would be even later than it already is.

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1) Twin Cinema – Twin Cinema – New Pornographers

new new pr0n. This sounds more Slow Wonder than Mass Romantic, with Case’s vocal buried way back in the mix. Does Newman have some kind of crazy pop machine in his basement? Dude’s got more hooks than Kareem.

2) Paul Simon – Our Thickness – Russian Futurists

Matthew Hart’s tinkertoypop experiment goes grand. I don’t think the song ever mentions Paul Simon, but that huge horn section is straight outta Graceland.

3) In a Funny Way – Secret Migration – Mercury Rev

I never get tired of the drums from Be My Baby. The Spector haunts us all.

4) After All – Vagenius – Vagenius

bleep boop i sound like postal service bleep boop but thats ok

5) Six Months in a Leaky Boat – Sharkbite Sessions – Ted Leo / Pharmacists

The breakdown is too bloody irish for me, but otherwise I’m still totally in love with Ted Leo.

6) Rollercoaster – The Woods – Sleater-Kinney

This song’s got an overactive cowbell. The middle part of the ride has too sweet girlgroup vocals over an increasingly violent backbeat and when the rush is over all you hear is the wind.

7) Tear Me Down – Wig in a Box – Spoon

Yanked from that great Hedwig comp that came out last year, “Tear Me Down” has that distinct Spoon vibe with the negative space tricks. I’m always down for that Townshendesque ringing open chord too.

8) Better Half – I Guess I was Hoping for Something More – Tarkio

The interplay between the banjo and the strings is absolutely killer. This is supposed to be re-released by KRS fairly soon.

9) Soulful Shade of Blue – The Tigers Have Spoken – Neko Case

Like lots of Case’s covers, this crashes country/western licks directly into motownesque vocals and comes out no worse for wear.

10) Bandit Queen – Live – The Decemberists

A hilarious country waltz that never made it to Picaresque, this version features one of my favorite rock cliches, when the singer calls out the soloist. In this case, the softly spoken “Jenny Conlee” that pops up before her accordion solo. Not as ridiculous as Bono yelling “COME ON EDGE, PLAY THE BLUES” in the middle of one of those U2 Rattle and Hum numbers though. I believe a studio version will be available on the upcoming Picaresquities EP.

11) Jezebel – Woman King EP – Iron & Wine

Sam Beam’s beard scares me. There’s a heartbreaking banjo solo in this one.

12) Birds and Ships – Mermaid Avenue – Billy Bragg and Wilco featuring Natalie Merchant

I used to stuff this song on the end of mixtapes all the time, because it’s really short and it’s a great slowdown piece to end a tape on. It’s also got the kind of complicated credit you only see on a hip-hop single.

Posted in Mixtape