Finally. This was harder to bring to term than any other mixtape I’ve ever made - two months. And it still doesn’t quite cohere, I’m afraid. But I think it does more faithfully reflect my mood than any other mix previous. Not necessarily a plus! Download here. The link is going to expire quickly; YouSendIt downgraded their free service. Bastards.
01 A.R.E. Weapons - Nobody Likes Us, We Don’t Care
The only good A.R.E. Weapons song.
02 The Wake - On Our Honeymoon
People dismiss The Wake as either Joy Division copycats or a goth footnote, or both. They’re actually just bitter. I wanted to make a Department S song work in this slot, but couldn’t.
03 BC Camplight - Blood and Peanut Butter
One of two songs provided by Luis. The guile of the instrumentation makes up for weak singing voices.
04 Phoenix - Second To None
It pains me to report that this and Long Distance Call are the only good songs on the new Phoenix album.
05 Magneta Lane - Broken Plates
A typical SXSW band you’ll never hear from again.
06 Bedroom Walls - In Anticipation of Your Suicide
Total pastiche, but it works. Because of the Television reference.
07 New Order - Homage (demo)
Now THIS is a treasure - the only track from the four-song Western Works session that was never rerecorded for an album. Keep in mind they put this down only a month after the dissolution of Joy Division. Thank you Andy 1/3.
08 John Frusciante - Fallout
I would take John Frusciante over The Red Hot Chili Peppers any anytime. Thank you Andy 2/3.
09 The Durutti Column - Sleep Will Come
A STONE COLD FACTORY MASTERPIECE. Thank you Andy 3/3.
10 Witch - Black Saint
Like I said, indicative of my mood.
11 October Country - My Girlfriend Is A Witch
Thank you Luis 2/2. Some crazy vintage action.
12 Islands - Don’t Call Me Whitney, Bobby
This song has got to be about cannibalism.
13 Danielson - My Lion Sleeps Tonight
Christian Freak Prog Folk.
14 Final Fantasy - This Lamb Sells Condos
This may actually be the record of the first six months of the year. I don’t want to get into an argument about Fishscale, but I will say that it’s funny how indie hipster fucks seem to like Fishscale because Ghost rhymes about giving up cocaine on your own schedule and Squarebob Spongepants but try putting on LA The Darkman and selfsame indie strawmen are like “this is garbage.” Anyway.
15 Margareth Kammerer - I Carry Your Heart With Me
You may remember MK from her guest vocal on that Jason Forrest EP. I think this whole album, which is somewhat difficult to find, is great, but it’s like music for high-functioning sociopaths - so emotionally flat.
16 Whitney Houston - Didn’t We Almost Have It All
Whitney sounds so angry on those high notes it verges on punk. I was too lazy to hunt down the radio edit, which is :30 shorter.
17 [Matthew] Herbert - Wrong
Just worked in this spot. I love his Brakes All-Night Disco Party remix, but I almost wish he’d give up the techno and become a lounge singer.
18 Orange Juice - Rip It Up
Edwyn Collins: he’s so much more than I’ve Never Met A Girl Like You Before.
19 Oval - Photograph
The world’s best Def Leppard cover.