1- Yo La Tengo -- The river of water.
I understand there may be some YLT haters out there. To them I extend an insincere apology.
Yo La Tengo is an enigmatic band. Half their songs are filled with catchy melodies. The other half are drawn-out grinding songs that only the most hardened guitar-head could appreciate. So which is it? Are they a pop band that occasionally cuts loose or are they a noise band with a softer side?
2- The Sea and Cake -- Showboat Angel
If you ever thought that "restrained screaming" is an oxymoron, this song is here to prove you wrong.
3- Esther Phillips -- Don't Put No Headstone On My Grave
This song has no business with all the other songs here. But I love how heartfelt it is so I included it.
4- Avett Brothers -- Talk On Indolence
I saw this band at the Coffee Pot at few years ago and the place was packed with teenyboppers. The Avett Brothers are a kind of bluegrass boy band but it's OK because they're completely nuts.
5- Neko Case -- Star Witness
I like how this song has a sort of slacker-gothic tinge to it. Especially the line "Come on pretty baby get high with me/ We can go to my sister's if we say we'll watch the baby..."
6- Beck -- Hollow Log
A delightfully absurd hobo romp. Like a mid-90's Big Rock Candy Mountain.
7- Coco Rosie -- Ohio
While you were out, a child ghost called and left this haunting message on your answering machine.
8- Pixies -- Caribou
Alaska and its fauna have been much in the news lately. Consequently, this song has been in my head.
9- St. Etienne -- You're In A Bad Way
Because, really, who doesn't need occasional reminding that your "jeans are old and your hair's all wrong/ Don't you know that crew cuts and trainers are out again?"
10- Mason Jennings -- Empire Builder
Mason Jennings has been voted the Minneapolis musician most likely to become a superstar for something like 10 consecutive years. We're still waiting.
11- Luna -- Sweet Child of Mine
Is it sacrilegeous to say I like this better than the original?
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2 comments:
I threw this in my car's CD player last night and -- more so than any other 11song entry since Macy's -- it's really hit me on this first play.
That's in no way a knock on any of the others. I've really dug everyone's mix and in fact spent my two days off last week doing yardwork while blasting Pete, Matt, Jared and Neil's contributions through an open window.
One note about DH's mix that applies to the others as well. I already know and have the Neko Case and Beck songs represented here. But one real strength of a mix is that it can place those songs in a new context, shedding new light from a different angle.
"Star Witness" is a great tune when heard in the context of Neko's entire album, but removing it and placing it among these other tracks lends it new meaning for me. What a great song.
I'm not even officially ushered in yet, but I have to say "Star Witness" ran through my head for about three months after I first heard it. I love it.
"The look on your face yanks my neck on the chain..."
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