This August Mix ranks up there as one of my tops of the year. January was excellent. March was great. April turned into one that can last, but this one might take the cake. Stay tuned for my top 5 mixes of 2011!
Here's August:
1. Blitzen Trapper - American Goldwing
I love the lyrics, I love that down-home feel it has going on. Great tune.
2. Young Buffalo - Full Metal Whacket
Syncopated hand claps and a simply effective guitar riff with driving drums. Noice!
3. Grouplove - Tongue Tied
This group is climbing the charts, especially with their song 'Colours.' I like this one better and I guess Apple did too!
4. Atlas Genius - Trojans
Not to be confused with Atlas Sound (Mona Lisa). It took me a long time to not think about condoms when listening to this one.
5. Mathieu Santos - I Can Hear The Trains Coming
Ra Ra Riot's frontman heads out on his own in this catchy, electro-pop single.
6. Black Light Dinner Party - Small Boxes
Dark and dancy with a singable chorus.
7. Mates of State - Maracas
My girlfriend loves this band and this is the first tune I could easily latch onto one of their songs. I'm coming around though.
8. Rubblebucket - Came Out of A Lady
First introduced to me by the one-and-only Tim Dries, they won an award for best low-budget music video.
9. Hoquets - Chaud Boulet
Repetitive and in French, you might not like this one. What sold me is the fact that these guys built their own acoustic instruments and electrified them. Check out the video.
10. Fair Ohs - Baldessari
I wave, I wave, I wave good-bye to boats! I wait, I wait, I wait by the coast.
11. Snakes Say Hisss - Comes and Goes
I love the fuzz and the synth syncopations.
12. TV Girl - Benny and the Jetts
Just a solid tune. My favorite part is the Pips in the background.
13. Little Dragon - Ritual Union
It sounds so simple, but the underwater beats will keep you grooving.
14. Tom Vek - Aroused
You look arouse-duh! You look awake. You are a ligh-tuh! Turned on.
15. The Morning Benders - Last Night
Probably on par with the original on how much I like this.
16. The Panics - Majesty
I love the booming and glorious drums and the way this song keeps on building.
17. Banded Stilts - Forest, Oh Forest, Protect Me
You had me at Forest.
18. Motopony - King Of Diamonds
I thought it was difficult to discern whether the singer was male or female. Listen and decide for yourself before checking out the video.
19. Beirut - Goshen
I'm not sure what the title refers to, but this song is utterly gorgeous
20. the Middle East - Months
A great voice and determined beats build this song into sweeping melodic lines.
21. Debbie Neigher - My My My
Just a girl and her piano.
22. Portugal. The Man - Sleep Forever
This band (originally from Wasilla, AK) is enjoying an upturn in popularity. Probably my favorite track from their new album, I just want to sleep forever.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Joooooly
You'll be glad to know, over Christmas break I finished October, November, and the Autumn Honorable Mentions. When I return to Alaska and have access to a 10-disc burner again, I will be churning them out like a boss and hope to have another 5-pack ready to mail by early January.
This means for the first time in half a year, I am actually listening to new music in the month it came out! Hooray for December! Maybe I will quit sleeping and finish December before the month ends!
Check back soon to see how my mixes stand up to Pitchfork.com and Rolling Stones' top tracks of the year. And, of course, you'll see my top tracks as well!
Here's July!
1. The Natural Shocks - The Plane
The chorus is just great. A nice opening number.
2. Patrick Wolf - The City
I like trying to sing like this.
3. Hope and Social - Sleep Sound
You gotta love the intro and that fine group singing. Plus, it's a nice message.
4. I'm From Barcelona - Charlie Parker
Get it? Charlie Parker was called 'Bird' and this is a song about birds. HA!
5. The Travelling Band - Sundial
A great folksy tune. And yes, the band's name is spelled incorrectly.
6. Luke Temple - Ophelia
Fuzzy with great harmonies and a slice of creole.
7. The Loose Salute - Happy I Don't Count
Just a nice, mellow tune.
8. The Rosebuds - Woods
I appreciate the toy piano sounds and the soaring chorus.
9. Imaginary Cities - Hummingbird
Backward cymbals and a unique voice make this a catchy song.
10. Vetiver - Can't You Tell
Well, I can't tell what he's saying, but you just have to groove to this guy.
11. Cold War Kids - Finally Begin
Decent Cold War Kids selection
12. The Cinema - Kill It
Everyone has told me this song sounds nice, but the lyrics suck. I guess they're right. How does one "move like a freeway?" I do love the line, "I know we'll kill this."
13. Stars - We Don't Want Your Body
I was pleasantly surprised to learn this band made uptempo songs. And I love her voice.
14. Noah & The Whale - Life is Life
Finally, something not too depressing from this British band. I also enjoy their parlay into synthesizers.
15. The Shivers - Used to Be
I think I like it cause it sounds like something I'd like to make.
16. Yacht - Shangri-La
If I can't go to heaven, let me go to L.A. Or a far West Texas desert or an Oregon summer day. If we build a Utopia, will you come and stay?
17. Fleet Foxes - Lorelai
Oh, so pretty. Period.
18. Death Cab For Cutie - Stay Young, Go Dancing
Probably one of my favorite tracks of the year. Great chords, melodies, lyrics.... ahhh.....
19. Priory - Lady of Late
I just love singing to this one. The octaves in the chorus get me every time. It has such a nice breakdown.
20. Boy Without God - Of Cowboys & Other Beautiful Men
If I was a waterfall, I would make water fall. Simple yet brilliant.
21. Stray Dogg - Drunk
Such a sad song.
This means for the first time in half a year, I am actually listening to new music in the month it came out! Hooray for December! Maybe I will quit sleeping and finish December before the month ends!
Check back soon to see how my mixes stand up to Pitchfork.com and Rolling Stones' top tracks of the year. And, of course, you'll see my top tracks as well!
Here's July!
1. The Natural Shocks - The Plane
The chorus is just great. A nice opening number.
2. Patrick Wolf - The City
I like trying to sing like this.
3. Hope and Social - Sleep Sound
You gotta love the intro and that fine group singing. Plus, it's a nice message.
4. I'm From Barcelona - Charlie Parker
Get it? Charlie Parker was called 'Bird' and this is a song about birds. HA!
5. The Travelling Band - Sundial
A great folksy tune. And yes, the band's name is spelled incorrectly.
6. Luke Temple - Ophelia
Fuzzy with great harmonies and a slice of creole.
7. The Loose Salute - Happy I Don't Count
Just a nice, mellow tune.
8. The Rosebuds - Woods
I appreciate the toy piano sounds and the soaring chorus.
9. Imaginary Cities - Hummingbird
Backward cymbals and a unique voice make this a catchy song.
10. Vetiver - Can't You Tell
Well, I can't tell what he's saying, but you just have to groove to this guy.
11. Cold War Kids - Finally Begin
Decent Cold War Kids selection
12. The Cinema - Kill It
Everyone has told me this song sounds nice, but the lyrics suck. I guess they're right. How does one "move like a freeway?" I do love the line, "I know we'll kill this."
13. Stars - We Don't Want Your Body
I was pleasantly surprised to learn this band made uptempo songs. And I love her voice.
14. Noah & The Whale - Life is Life
Finally, something not too depressing from this British band. I also enjoy their parlay into synthesizers.
15. The Shivers - Used to Be
I think I like it cause it sounds like something I'd like to make.
16. Yacht - Shangri-La
If I can't go to heaven, let me go to L.A. Or a far West Texas desert or an Oregon summer day. If we build a Utopia, will you come and stay?
17. Fleet Foxes - Lorelai
Oh, so pretty. Period.
18. Death Cab For Cutie - Stay Young, Go Dancing
Probably one of my favorite tracks of the year. Great chords, melodies, lyrics.... ahhh.....
19. Priory - Lady of Late
I just love singing to this one. The octaves in the chorus get me every time. It has such a nice breakdown.
20. Boy Without God - Of Cowboys & Other Beautiful Men
If I was a waterfall, I would make water fall. Simple yet brilliant.
21. Stray Dogg - Drunk
Such a sad song.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
J-J-J-June
Here's June's playlist:
1. Ten Twenty Ten - Generationals
I love this band. Someone should get me the album for Christmas.
2. Up Up Up - Givers
This is my song of the summer. Definitely one of my favorites of the year.
3. Eleven (ft. tUnE-YarDs) - Thao & Mirah
Gots a nice grooooove and such a nice message.
4. K is for Kelson - Bibio
A nice little tropical feel to it.
5. Kelly - When Saints Go Machine
It's hard to listen to this song without it stirring memories, but it is still a solid song.
6. East Harlem - Beirut
I love his new album and this is probably my favorite song on it.
7. Already Yours - Bahamas
I feel like I could have/should have written this song.
8. The Globe - Ben Sollee
Great tune. Well written, well sung, and filled with great cellos noises.
9. If You Wanna - The Vaccines
A perfect post-break-up anthem
10. I Roll - Buckeye Knoll
I really like the back-and-forth in the voices.
11. Lonely Avenue - Ben Waters & PJ Harvey
Solid blues and a lovely back-up chorus. A solid Ray Charles cover.
12. Oil And Vinegar - Kids Choice
I am arranging this song for my choir to sing at our Regional Competition. So cute, quirky, and lovely.
13. Calgary - Bon Iver
So chill and so good.
14. Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall - Coldplay
Love. It.
15. Roots - Audiafauna
I love songs that combine the ideas of nature with them.
16. Orono Park (edit) - The Wilderness of Manitoba
This is a band I'd love to be a part of.
17. Part Man Part Myth Part Time - Jon Fratelli
Half of 'The Fratellis' strikes out on his own and makes guitar-driven, blues-induced rock.
18. Taken For A Fool - The Strokes
That classic Strokes sound is hard to beat.
19. Billy Cruz - Metal Mother
Just something about this song that sticks with me.
20. Birds - Ricky Eat Acid
Sit back and relax
21. Rocket Man - Steven Drozd
A very excellent cover
22. Grown Ocean - Fleet Foxes
Definitely an inspiration this year, this song ends their sophomore CD Helplessness Blues and it ends mine, too.
Christmas Updates and more playlists to come soon! Keep checking back!
1. Ten Twenty Ten - Generationals
I love this band. Someone should get me the album for Christmas.
2. Up Up Up - Givers
This is my song of the summer. Definitely one of my favorites of the year.
3. Eleven (ft. tUnE-YarDs) - Thao & Mirah
Gots a nice grooooove and such a nice message.
4. K is for Kelson - Bibio
A nice little tropical feel to it.
5. Kelly - When Saints Go Machine
It's hard to listen to this song without it stirring memories, but it is still a solid song.
6. East Harlem - Beirut
I love his new album and this is probably my favorite song on it.
7. Already Yours - Bahamas
I feel like I could have/should have written this song.
8. The Globe - Ben Sollee
Great tune. Well written, well sung, and filled with great cellos noises.
9. If You Wanna - The Vaccines
A perfect post-break-up anthem
10. I Roll - Buckeye Knoll
I really like the back-and-forth in the voices.
11. Lonely Avenue - Ben Waters & PJ Harvey
Solid blues and a lovely back-up chorus. A solid Ray Charles cover.
12. Oil And Vinegar - Kids Choice
I am arranging this song for my choir to sing at our Regional Competition. So cute, quirky, and lovely.
13. Calgary - Bon Iver
So chill and so good.
14. Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall - Coldplay
Love. It.
15. Roots - Audiafauna
I love songs that combine the ideas of nature with them.
16. Orono Park (edit) - The Wilderness of Manitoba
This is a band I'd love to be a part of.
17. Part Man Part Myth Part Time - Jon Fratelli
Half of 'The Fratellis' strikes out on his own and makes guitar-driven, blues-induced rock.
18. Taken For A Fool - The Strokes
That classic Strokes sound is hard to beat.
19. Billy Cruz - Metal Mother
Just something about this song that sticks with me.
20. Birds - Ricky Eat Acid
Sit back and relax
21. Rocket Man - Steven Drozd
A very excellent cover
22. Grown Ocean - Fleet Foxes
Definitely an inspiration this year, this song ends their sophomore CD Helplessness Blues and it ends mine, too.
Christmas Updates and more playlists to come soon! Keep checking back!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Revelry
Today, I'm heading off to LaX to celebrate my brother's completion of his studies in college. He still has to student teach next semester. Next time he enters a classroom, he will be on the other side of the desk. I'm so very proud. He deserves a good night of revelry.
Last night I went ice skating with Rosy and played guitars and djembes while she called me a hippie all night. What a lovely night with a long-standing friend.
I think I owe you May's playlist:
1. Love To Get Used - Matt Pond PA
Nice guitars and harmonies.
2. Airport Death - An Horse
There's something about her nasally voice that I really like.
3. My Mistakes - Eleanor Friedberger
The Fiery Furnaces' singer strikes out on her own with this sprawling story. I love the guitar, the keyboard during the chorus, and her odd musical phrasing.
4. Numb - The Airborne Toxic Event
Another tune where I liked their debut stuff and was probably blinded by it. Looking back, this song is only ok.
5. Whirring - The Joy Formidable
This is my favorite song by this Welsh band. It's one you can just sing without a care. I've liked all their singles so far. I should get the album. This one will be in my favorite songs of the year.
6. Not Enough - Xylos
Sexual, but innocent at the same time.
7. Some Boys - Death Cab for Cutie
I like how this song rolls and the way Ben Gibbard crafts a song is a thing of beauty.
8. 'Girl U Want' - Freelance Whales
A most beautiful and sad Devo cover.
9. Damage Points - Slow Runner
A nice ballad with a sweeping end.
10. Lost In My Mind - The Head And The Heart
Love. LOVE. LOVE! I played this song ALL SUMMER.
11. The Immortals - Kings of Leon
Come Around Sundown was an underrated album. I hope their lead singer gets cleaned up so they can keep making music...
12. Sweetness - Pearl and the Beard
Clapping, stomping, cellos, and joyously in love lyrics.
13. Techno Fan - The Wombats
This song makes me laugh.
14. Boring Horror - Gobble Gobble
This one is weird, so watch out. It's one of those I can see people just dancing ridiculously to.
15. Balloon - Echo And The Empress
A nice voice and good orchestration.
16. Betelgeuse - Joywave
Token dance number
17. Driving - Stolen Jars
Claps, guitars, and cute girls.
18. You're a Winner - Wild Ones
Another lovely voice and some sweet organ.
19. I've Got This Friend - The Civil Wars
Such a cute song.
20. Oh Annie - The Morning Benders
I love this San Fran-based ensemble. I'm very much looking forward to their new album. Yes, this single is about the infamous Annie Hall.
21. Sydney (I'll Come Running) - Brett Dennen
Though his voice gets to me, I love the chorus and the revivalist feel it gives me.
22. The Key & The Rose - I Was Totally Destroying It
A great chorus and a great band name.
23. L-O-V-E - Boat
Just a quick ditty about the title.
Keep getting ready for Christmas team! Someone's got a birthday coming up!
Last night I went ice skating with Rosy and played guitars and djembes while she called me a hippie all night. What a lovely night with a long-standing friend.
I think I owe you May's playlist:
1. Love To Get Used - Matt Pond PA
Nice guitars and harmonies.
2. Airport Death - An Horse
There's something about her nasally voice that I really like.
3. My Mistakes - Eleanor Friedberger
The Fiery Furnaces' singer strikes out on her own with this sprawling story. I love the guitar, the keyboard during the chorus, and her odd musical phrasing.
4. Numb - The Airborne Toxic Event
Another tune where I liked their debut stuff and was probably blinded by it. Looking back, this song is only ok.
5. Whirring - The Joy Formidable
This is my favorite song by this Welsh band. It's one you can just sing without a care. I've liked all their singles so far. I should get the album. This one will be in my favorite songs of the year.
6. Not Enough - Xylos
Sexual, but innocent at the same time.
7. Some Boys - Death Cab for Cutie
I like how this song rolls and the way Ben Gibbard crafts a song is a thing of beauty.
8. 'Girl U Want' - Freelance Whales
A most beautiful and sad Devo cover.
9. Damage Points - Slow Runner
A nice ballad with a sweeping end.
10. Lost In My Mind - The Head And The Heart
Love. LOVE. LOVE! I played this song ALL SUMMER.
11. The Immortals - Kings of Leon
Come Around Sundown was an underrated album. I hope their lead singer gets cleaned up so they can keep making music...
12. Sweetness - Pearl and the Beard
Clapping, stomping, cellos, and joyously in love lyrics.
13. Techno Fan - The Wombats
This song makes me laugh.
14. Boring Horror - Gobble Gobble
This one is weird, so watch out. It's one of those I can see people just dancing ridiculously to.
15. Balloon - Echo And The Empress
A nice voice and good orchestration.
16. Betelgeuse - Joywave
Token dance number
17. Driving - Stolen Jars
Claps, guitars, and cute girls.
18. You're a Winner - Wild Ones
Another lovely voice and some sweet organ.
19. I've Got This Friend - The Civil Wars
Such a cute song.
20. Oh Annie - The Morning Benders
I love this San Fran-based ensemble. I'm very much looking forward to their new album. Yes, this single is about the infamous Annie Hall.
21. Sydney (I'll Come Running) - Brett Dennen
Though his voice gets to me, I love the chorus and the revivalist feel it gives me.
22. The Key & The Rose - I Was Totally Destroying It
A great chorus and a great band name.
23. L-O-V-E - Boat
Just a quick ditty about the title.
Keep getting ready for Christmas team! Someone's got a birthday coming up!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Resolution
So, I would like to get this going again. I've revamped the color scheme and will continue to post my playlists here.
Alternately, I have gotten into this site (linked above) called 8tracks.com. It allows me to post my mixes for free. Now, you can take a ZZIPA-approved list anywhere you go!
I hope to turn this into more of a music blog and pick out songs/artists/albums that are stuck in my head and tell you about them.
I will keep posting updates about life in AK, but the focus will be on music. For pictures, please check out my FB. Ugh. I can't believe I said that.
So, since many of you will be getting 5 or so CDs in the mail soon, I figure I should have the tracklists posted. I'm going to post one a day until I am caught up.
Here is the Male Version of the Spring Honorable Mentions:
1. Helena Beat - Foster the People
I loved "Pumped Up Kicks" instantly (see October 2010), but the rest of the album took me a bit to appreciate. I think it was 4 listens. That's dedication. This is probably my second favorite track.
2. The Greatest Song I Ever Heard - OK Go
A bold choice for a title. Not the greatest song I've ever heard, but a good song about the greatest song.
3. Second Chance - Peter Bjorn and John
Their songs of late have been a change from the mellow "Young Folks." I like the fuzzy roughness of it all.
4. Light Leaves, Dark Sees - Los Campesinos!
Probably one of my favorite bands, actually. I don't think there's been a song I couldn't get into by them. They broke up for a while but are back strong. More to come from them on October 2011 and November 2011.
5. Open Arms - Elbow
A wonderful, little waltz.
6. Greenleaf - Generationals
Another one that took a long time to grown on me, even though I love this New Orleans-based band.
7. The Fear - Lovett
Woo! This song sounded so familiar at first, I had to go back and check previous mixes to see if I had it somewhere else. It's not, so here it is!
8. Because of the Blood - Sin Fang
I really like the double chorus thing it's got going.
9. Bloom - The Veils
Just a nice guitar-driven song
10. Annie You Save Me - Graffiti6
Almost like Gnarls Barkley perhaps?
11. King of Assmilk Flowers - Gnarlo (ft. Tyler, the Creator)
Some accessible rap from an up-and-coming shock-rapper. A mashup of 'King of Carrot Flowers pt. One' by Neutral Milk Hotel and 'Assmilk' by Tyler the Creator (ft. Earl Sweatshirt). If you don't like it, I'm "sorry as fuck."
12. Royal Blue - Cold War Kids
Ain't no "Hang Me Up To Dry," but still a solid song.
13. Running With Insanity - Alcoholic Faith Mission
Anyone using a squeezebox like this gets props from me. Plus, it has handclaps so it is solid in my book.
14. Obnoxia - Yip Deceiver
Token dance number.
15. A New Day Has Begun - Roddy Woomble
I like his voice and his vaguely Irish sound.
16. Troubles Will Be Gone - The Tallest Man On Earth
He writes such a good song. I'm jealous.
17. Equestrian - U.S. Royalty
A cleaner sound than some of their other stuff.
18. Simple Math - Manchester Orchestra
I loved "I've Got Friends," and was probably blinded by that for this song. Math junkies might like it. I guess it is sort of a sultry, heartache ballad.
19. Everything - Luke Cleland
Good low sounds, and GONGS! Pretty sweet sound.
20. The Wilhelm Scream - James Blake
I haven't liked too much of his stuff, but Rolling Stone creamed itself over this guy. The auto-tuned, semi-R&B sound is good and unique, but I'm still unsure. He comes back on November 2011. The Wilhelm Scream, by the way, is a universal movie sound effect.
Alternately, I have gotten into this site (linked above) called 8tracks.com. It allows me to post my mixes for free. Now, you can take a ZZIPA-approved list anywhere you go!
I hope to turn this into more of a music blog and pick out songs/artists/albums that are stuck in my head and tell you about them.
I will keep posting updates about life in AK, but the focus will be on music. For pictures, please check out my FB. Ugh. I can't believe I said that.
So, since many of you will be getting 5 or so CDs in the mail soon, I figure I should have the tracklists posted. I'm going to post one a day until I am caught up.
Here is the Male Version of the Spring Honorable Mentions:
1. Helena Beat - Foster the People
I loved "Pumped Up Kicks" instantly (see October 2010), but the rest of the album took me a bit to appreciate. I think it was 4 listens. That's dedication. This is probably my second favorite track.
2. The Greatest Song I Ever Heard - OK Go
A bold choice for a title. Not the greatest song I've ever heard, but a good song about the greatest song.
3. Second Chance - Peter Bjorn and John
Their songs of late have been a change from the mellow "Young Folks." I like the fuzzy roughness of it all.
4. Light Leaves, Dark Sees - Los Campesinos!
Probably one of my favorite bands, actually. I don't think there's been a song I couldn't get into by them. They broke up for a while but are back strong. More to come from them on October 2011 and November 2011.
5. Open Arms - Elbow
A wonderful, little waltz.
6. Greenleaf - Generationals
Another one that took a long time to grown on me, even though I love this New Orleans-based band.
7. The Fear - Lovett
Woo! This song sounded so familiar at first, I had to go back and check previous mixes to see if I had it somewhere else. It's not, so here it is!
8. Because of the Blood - Sin Fang
I really like the double chorus thing it's got going.
9. Bloom - The Veils
Just a nice guitar-driven song
10. Annie You Save Me - Graffiti6
Almost like Gnarls Barkley perhaps?
11. King of Assmilk Flowers - Gnarlo (ft. Tyler, the Creator)
Some accessible rap from an up-and-coming shock-rapper. A mashup of 'King of Carrot Flowers pt. One' by Neutral Milk Hotel and 'Assmilk' by Tyler the Creator (ft. Earl Sweatshirt). If you don't like it, I'm "sorry as fuck."
12. Royal Blue - Cold War Kids
Ain't no "Hang Me Up To Dry," but still a solid song.
13. Running With Insanity - Alcoholic Faith Mission
Anyone using a squeezebox like this gets props from me. Plus, it has handclaps so it is solid in my book.
14. Obnoxia - Yip Deceiver
Token dance number.
15. A New Day Has Begun - Roddy Woomble
I like his voice and his vaguely Irish sound.
16. Troubles Will Be Gone - The Tallest Man On Earth
He writes such a good song. I'm jealous.
17. Equestrian - U.S. Royalty
A cleaner sound than some of their other stuff.
18. Simple Math - Manchester Orchestra
I loved "I've Got Friends," and was probably blinded by that for this song. Math junkies might like it. I guess it is sort of a sultry, heartache ballad.
19. Everything - Luke Cleland
Good low sounds, and GONGS! Pretty sweet sound.
20. The Wilhelm Scream - James Blake
I haven't liked too much of his stuff, but Rolling Stone creamed itself over this guy. The auto-tuned, semi-R&B sound is good and unique, but I'm still unsure. He comes back on November 2011. The Wilhelm Scream, by the way, is a universal movie sound effect.
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