The Wackness

In "The Wackness," now playing at the Grandin, two characters exchange mix tapes. (It is 1994, so the technology make sense.) And shortly, a scene ensues that every mix-tape maker hopes for:

Ben Kingsley, playing a middle-aged psychiatrist and classical music lover, puts on the tape, sparks a J and improbably nods along to the De La Soul song "Can I Kick It?"

That's worth at least 50 points on the mixmaking scoreboard. It is -- and here it means introducing someone to a new genre, artist and song that they immediately decide they like -- a great pleasure of playing mixologist.

Other mix points

+ 20 points :: an obscure pop song from the late '70s that no one has heard and everyone immediately likes

+ 15 points :: a song by R. Kelly that is later played at the mix recipient's wedding

+ 5 points :: a song everyone has heard before,  but in the context of your mix makes people reconsider it and ultimately decide they like it more

+ 0 points :: a song with the words "Love is like..." 

- 25 points :: Kid Rock's "All Summer Long"

Meanwhile, here is "The Wackness" soundtrack.

--Pete

Indecision 2008

I've got the first song selected for my edition of the 11 club. In fact I've had it in my head well before Mason's disc was burned, sleeved, and shared with the group. The closing song could go a couple different ways depending upon how the mix comes together but I've got a few options. So, I guess that's the question I'm attempting to answer right now on this Monday night.

I'm at a fork in the road or several.


Do I try to weave together a story with each track, hoping that the listener picks up on the subtleties of each song to understand the whole narrative arc of the mix? Maybe, I rewind to '96 and recreate the compilation I passed to Vanessa Bohaty after third period. Or do I try to make an all star selection of beer jams that completely rock the party? The obscure is often admired, maybe a collection of Finnish grooves. Since it's an election year I could go all political and really try to make a statement through some crunchy tunes.

But, really I think I'll just overthink it, say the hell with it at the eleventh hour and just hit burn on the last 11 songs on my iPod's "Recently Played" list.

--Jared