Here's June's mixtape for some guy in Michigan.
- A-Frames - "Experiment": A good way to start this all off, I think. A jumpy tune that sounds kinda like surf-weirdos Man or Astroman? gone goth. The rhythm is killer here -- bass and that fucked drum sound kick this guy off with a bang.
- Dismemberment Plan - "Doing the Standing Still": This was always one of my favorite songs to play on the radio to get my show kicked off. It's full throttle Plan the whole way, tongue-in-cheek lyrics and a blast to dance to.
- Guided By Voices - "Motor Away": This isn't the track off of Alien Lanes, but rather, their "hits" collection, Human Amusements at Hourly Rates. Reason being is the recording, this is a bit better. I find that when you make a mix CD you need to have pretty hi-fi stuff unless you're going for a lo-fi vibe thing. I wasn't up for that, I just needed a really great pop song.
- Spoon - "Everything Hits at Once": Bring it back down here. Smooth, air tight shit with a sweaty midnight feel.
- Dead Meadow - "Stacy's Song": This one doesn't really sound like Dead Meadow to me, but it's a damn fine tune and a neccesary respite from the quick drums overloading the mix so far. This spacey jam is perfect for summertime and suprisingly sunny, California pop.
- M. Ward - "Outta My Head": I must fit this guy on here on the off chance that the listener doesn't know him. Nearly everyone I've played this guy for has said, "Oh I've heard this before." You may have, not because you really have, but because his songwriting's so timeless. Also, as stated many times before, a voice that sounds like cigarettes singing or a ghost.
- Johnny Cash - "I Still Miss Someone": I found this song last summer when I was traveling Europe. It sounded great over there for some reason and I pretended it was me singing for my girlfriend. Also, I'm gay
- The Fucking Champs - "Policenauts": YESSS! I ain't no pussy, I don't care what you heard. This shit is a full-on hesher rock move. Long hair, tight jeans, Pontiacs, guitars playing the same line in different octaves (a la "The Boys are Back in Town"), Pabst Blue Ribbon, cocaine...all in 1:30.
- Deerhoof - "This Magnificent Bird Will Rise": After getting the listener a little up, you gotta push him over the top. This three-chord romp does the trick. Sweet girl, wordless vocals meet the Who's armswinging guitar racket<>.
- <>Need New Body - "Shark Attack": Very prevalent with the news and all, no? Philly represent here.
- McLusky - "She Will Only Bring You Happiness": I think this band is genius, too bad their done. "Our old singer is/a sex criminal" says it all, I think. Plus, with the magic touch of St. Albini, nothing fails. Except Razorblade Suitcase.
- Harry Nilsson - "Early In the Morning": Gotta take another breather, this'll do. Nothing but keys (Rhodes? I dunno...it's electric.) and voice, but fuller than most songs you'll ever hear.
- My Morning Jacket - "Hopefully": An acoustic version of this At Dawn tune. I recently finally saw MMJ open for Wilco. They are going to be fucking gigantic. I really, really hope. People -- this band will fucking rock your tits. This one shows that they don't need to turn up to sound great.
- Ween - "Chocolate Town": I've been on a huge kick for this song for over 2 months. I can't remember the last song that has kept up for so long. While this one is less brown than most, its undeniably one of the best floating-in-the-water summer songs.
- Silver Jews - " Friday Night Fever": A great cover of a song by some country dude. "I've got that Friday night fever/Sometimes a man just needs a breather." A great tune about loving your chick but still wanting to hang with the bros. I imagine a very homoerotic scene when this plays on the jukebox in Tennessee.
- Smog - "Hit the Ground Running": I love this man/band. This is one of my favorites. Plus, always follow a monotone voice with another. I'm trying to bore the shit out of the listener at this point. Oh well.
- Sonic Youth - "Disconnection Notice": One of my favorite Sonic Youth songs. It's not too noisy -- suprisingly melancholy and really reminds me of Television, even though it doesn't sound like them.
- Dalek - "Forever Close My Eyes": This is a great closing song. Too bad it didn't go last.
- The Mountain Goats - "Pale Green Things": This is another great closing song. Too bad it didn't go last.
- The Secret Machines - "Marconi's Radio (Pt. 2)": This is a great closing song. And it ends with hand claps! Success!
