as a small gift, i've made a new mix for you.
in many ways you've been a muse. i haven't made a mix in forever and thought this a good opportunity to make one.
i figure you might have some time to listen to music … be it on the flight or in a car when you're freaking out.
Hometown Glory by Adele
an instant classic.
you know how long it has been since i found a song so beautiful that i almost cried? this did it to me. my sister lent us Adele's 19 and i thought i'd give it a whirl but was i impressed? surely. but when i heard this final song on the album i stopped everything and i wanted the world to stop and just listen.
i hope you like it.
Waiting (Reprise) by George Michael
We saw George a couple of weeks ago in concert. equally we were enthusiastic. amazing how many men were like "oh, that must have been rough" in reference to the assumption that i was dragged along. loved the show and he's an amazing vocalist and showman.
this was the opening track of the concert (i have a video on youtube of it) and it also has an anecdote from a friend and fellow concert-goer that evening: "when i was a teenager, the girl who lived across the street told me she didn't like this song. i said i don't care, i like it."
that pretty much sums up being a GM fan.
Go To Hell by David Ford
Mr. Ford opened for Bell X1 when we saw them in March at the World Cafe. he reminds me of Sting when he speaks.
this was his opening song, done with a tremendous amount of layers for a one man band. it was powerful and quirky in it's richness and delivery for what should be a scream and fury. you get the quirk in the studio version and perhaps it is a "had to be there" to appreciate it song, but i like it still.
Rocky Took A Lover by Bell X1
and by calculated coincidence, i put Bell X1 — Ireland's supposed #2 band (#1 being some band called U2) — behind their opening act. it was an inoffensive show, which isn't much of an endorsement i know, but they are good.
Hey Ma by James
And James… i know i haven't made you a mix (or any mix for that matter) in quite awhile, so James being on one might roll the eyes as being a staple of one of them, but it's NEW James. since they supposedly disbanded, i thought "there goes my chance to ever see them." that's monumental enough to have a deserved place on this mix.
is it disturbing to joyfully sing "Hey ma the boy's in body bags / Coming home in pieces" ?
I Gotta Fire by Spiritualized®
oh and i know, Spiritualized, another roll of the eyes. but it's NEW Spiritualized!
hahaha
and Jason nearly died (true) while doing this album, so another spot deserved.
I gotta fire, do you gotta fire?
Big Weekend by Tom Petty
hmmmm, perhaps i should make a recording of "but it's NEW!"
i must say this was inspired by your big weekend. i hung on thematic elements like that: coming home, celebration, etc. in the end i opted to merge them all into what you have.
Solstice (Song for David) by Allen Clapp
the story behind this album is long and sad: i bought it in January 2001 when i saw Allen open for the Ocean Blue (the have no new material, so they're not on here by the grandfather clause) and proceeded to lose the album along with my bag on the DC Metro the next morning. i never got to listen to it. i only bought the album again earlier this year. then i saw that same week that Coca-Cola used this song in a tv advert. blew my effin' mind.
David, by the way, is David Schelzel, lead singer for the Ocean Blue; the two collaborated around this time.
NOTE: i didn't want to junk up this mix and, as a result, i'm a little unsettled by the transition from Big Weekend through Blind. perhaps it'll not be so after a few listens.
Blind by Hercules and Love Affair
this band, i must say, piqued my interest because of some nice photos on a music news site i read. then i saw the video for this song and did one of these "i don't know if i like this" moments. i think you know that it being here pretty much rests any doubts.
Ready For The Floor by Hot Chip
an online friend was listening to a lot of Hot Chip earlier this year. as she was listening to Amy Winehouse long before these shores heard of her, i trust her taste in music to give Hot Chip a chance too. also, they remixed Ladytron's Destroy Everything You Touch and i thought they did a fine job. Ready For the Floor is a nice example of their oeuvre.
Last Nite by Vitamin C
Oh poor Vitamin C. she had her 15 minutes. this came after them, though i adore it.
the mash up of the Strokes and Blondie works for me.
I Touch Roses by Book of Love
when i was listening to the radio (what a novelty, eh?) earlier this year, this song came on. i jotted it down and download ASAP. i love discovering vintage '80s tracks.
Vanishing Point by New Order
i was really in the mood to listen to this a short while ago and i was appalled i didn't have it on my iPod. a crime! this is older material, i know, but i evidently no longer have New Order thanks to Hooky. i've endured their break ups before. i just need the Coachella folk to dangle enough money in their face fora reunion in a few years.
Runaway by Ladytron
speaking of New Order, i liked the video for their title track Waiting For The Sirens' Call but hated it as the video for that song. fast-forward to this late winter: i hear Ladytron's Runaway and think almost instantly of that video. so i mashed them up and threw the piece on Youtube where it has been well received by the viewing public. this was THE song of the album as was Destroy… off Witching Hour.
The Geeks Were Right by The Faint
these boys have been quiet for awhile and i eagerly anticipate the release of their new album. this is a good track and appropriate for the intended audience.
Cruelty by The Crüxshadows
Rogue (groan, he is in desperate need of a makeover) and his crüx (ha!) made it on here as a nice bridge to Bauhaus. i was very selective in this track as i don't expect you to embrace a bulk of their cannon, but perhaps i am underestimating your taste. so forgive my conservative choice if you feel it insulting.
they're huge in germany and you're a kraut, so who knows?
Adrenalin by Bauhaus
Peter Murphy and Peter Hook need a good bitch slap: "let's get the band back together, record new material, piss the mates off and end the band again.
thanks, twats. regardless, this is my fave track of the LAST Bauhaus album.
Flashing Lights [Remix] [Feat. the Clipse] by Kanye West
simply put: a good track. the video for this is also impressive and i was sold on the song after that.
1967 Poem by Junkie XL
this is my "i'm fucking stressed, i need loud music!" track. Junkie XL's previous album impressed me and this one off the follow up turns it up a notch.
i decided to end on this track for two reasons:
1) it's destructive; anything to follow is either ridiculous or unimpressive, no matter how good it might be.
2) Underworld did the same with Moaner on their 100 Days Off tour. whoa. so i owe them a nod for showing me how to send them home properly.
think of the track as Limoncello as defined by a friend of mine: "it's a 'Get the FUCK out of my house' drink"
both are wonders in their medicinal sense.
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