October Mixtape for Aaron

October Mixtape for Aaron - 45:36

I have been trying for two weeks to burn this CD, mail it, and post on this blog. I have realized three things: 1) I have very little patience for blogging, burning, and mailing things, 2) I can lose a CD several times in a small apartment, and 3) Blogger and my computer are not friends.

Don't worry Aaron I sent it the other day. Strangely, Ade, below, and I have very similar, excellent taste in music as we share several overlaps :). I wanted something that reminded me of this past summer, but hastening into fall as I take the train up the Hudson.

Track I – “Go Outside” – Cults. http://tinyurl.com/35bju3q

Cults have enjoyed quick success, and high praise given rather limited experience. That being said, their limited run on 7” pressed by Family Forest Records sold in the blink of an eye on the strength of “Go Outside.” Of course, having Gorilla vs. Bear as one of the stakeholders of Family Forest aided them in that respect.

Track II – “Summer” – Magic Kids. http://tinyurl.com/24scaq2

When I read that Aaron was a fan of Brian Wilson I instantly thought of “Summer” by Magic Kids. There is something nostalgic about the song, it is familiar and accessible in a modern sense, but inspires the Baroque-ness that is classic in Pet Sounds, which god only knows how many others have emulated that album since.

Track III – “Marathon” – Tennis. http://tinyurl.com/28or2qj

Like Cults, Tennis has enjoyed a similar uprising for a husband duo that has become common a la The Handsome Furs all the way back to Sonny and Cher. In NYC December 2 @ Terminal 5 w/ The Walkmen.

Track IV – “Revival” – Deerhunter. http://tinyurl.com/3585fom

Deerhunter’s last EP was underrated by most, but their fourth full length is earning the high praise it deserves (released September 28). When “Revival” was emailed out, it became an excellent example of how a band can reward their fans for supporting them.

I swear there is an ongoing band naming conspiracy to create popularity by having a similar sounding name; Deerhunter must be part of some sort musical amalgamation involving Deertick, The Dears, Dear and the Headlights. I wish they would become more creative with band and come up with something unique like Bear in Heaven, Minus the Bear, Grizzly Bear, Bear Hands, Bears of Manitou, or maybe Wolf Parade, Wolfmother, or We are Wolves. Or at least find a movie to name themselves after like Black Sabbath or Duran Duran.

Track V – “All Around and Away We Go” – Twin Sister. http://tinyurl.com/2354qyo

Track VI – “Taken Too Young” The Tough Alliance + Taken By Trees. http://tinyurl.com/2ataof7

What is not to love about a Swedish remix.

Track VII – “This is Real” – Best Coast. http://tinyurl.com/yascqmh

Bethany Cosentino has put out several excellent songs…look for them. She’ll be playing in LA in early November and December. Not bad for a former Fader intern.

Track VIII – “Gone to Sea” – A Classic Education. http://tinyurl.com/2b97n67

There is just something so fancy sounding about A Classic Education.

Track IX – “All to All” – Broken Social Scene. http://tinyurl.com/22wt69m

In terms of Canadian music most people have an instant thought of Brian Adams, Alanis Morrisette, and Sarah McLaughlin. Fortunately, there has been a plethora of excellent bands as of late including Holy Fuck, Fucked Up, Besnard Lakes and Great Lake Swimmers (There are some common Canadian themes, see above.). While Arcade Fire may draw most of the attention in the states, bands like The New Pornographers and Broken Social Scene (and their members’ solo projects) draw a pretty rabid following. Spending most of my formidable summers in Toronto, I have been a big fan of BSS and the Canadian scene. Perhaps in the future I will have to do a Canadian mix-tape, but for now I beg your forgiveness...rock...record.

Track X - “Boy” – Ra Ra Riot. via Stereogum

I really enjoy Ra Ra Riot both recorded and live, they have urgency in their music that is catchy over the excellent violin playing. Their albums are ripe for remix, and unlike many remixes it is often not a disservice to the band, see “Ghost Under Rocks (Passion Pit Remix).” Their show at the Greek Theatre in LA with Andrew Bird and Heartless Bastards was excellent last year, which was much better than Passion Pit a few months later in Phoenix. In Phoenix on October 22 @ the Clubhouse.

Track XI – “Beautiful People” – The Books. http://tinyurl.com/32t8pwt

The Books once again lend their unique sound and musical insight to a great single back in April that I am still listening to now.

Track XII – “Windstorm” – School of Seven Bells. via Rock It Out Blog.

Alpinisms was one of my favorite records released recently, so I was no doubt excited when singles started to release from Disconnect from Desire, I was excited. The melodic voices of the Deheza twins mixed with Benjamin Curtis’ mixing prove to be another excellent sample of SVIIB.

Track XIII – “King Night” – Salem. http://tinyurl.com/23f8j6v

I wanted to put a 13th track on the CD, I felt this was fitting as an outro and an intro to the next mixtape.