Guest Mixer - Zachary Dodds [Sunset Electrics]

Hello! Zachary Dodds here. I sing and play guitar for a music project called Sunset Electrics. Our first songs were just released in a 2-song EP with help from producer Matt Grabe (A Rocket to the Moon, The Maine) and mastering engineer Ed Brooks (Death Cab for Cutie, Fleet Foxes). Both tracks are posted at the very end if you'd be kind enough to give a listen.:) Onward to the mix...

This mix is a selection of tunes written or co-written by one of my favorite modern pop songwriters named Adam Schlesinger. You've likely heard at least one or two of his songs before. Overall, I believe he has one of the best ears around for creating pop hooks that will stick with folks for weeks. Some of these songs are posted because I love 'em, others are posted to show the scope of his work.

1. "That Thing You Do" - The Wonders



From the film That Thing You Do and Schlesinger's biggest hit to date. This earned him a Golden Globe Award and an Oscar nomination too.

2. "Way Back Into Love" - Hugh Grant & Haley Bennett



This track was written and used for the film Music & Lyrics starring Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore. Pop hook deluxe.

3. "Edge Of The Ocean" - Ivy



Schlesinger is 1/3 of the band Ivy. This song has a perfectly crafted lounge beat and is his work-horse, being used in television spots and films such as Grey's Anatomy, Veronica Mars, Roswell, Music & Lyrics, and Shallow Hal.

4. "Hackensack" - Katy Perry



Though this was originally recorded by Schlesinger's other band, Fountains of Wayne, Perry picked it up, gave it a larger audience, and gave it her mandatory sexamatazzle.

5. "Stacy's Mom" - Fountains of Wayne



Schlesinger plays bass in Fountains of Wayne and works as one of the main songwriters too. This was one of the first songs to go to #1 on the iTunes Charts in 2003 and was written as a tribute to The Cars.

6. "Work To Do" - America



Solid song that America picked up. (The music starts at 00:07.)

7. "Pretend To Be Nice" - Josie & The Pussycats



This song was written for the film Josie and The Pussycats and was sung by Kay Hanley, ex frontwoman for Letters to Cleo (aka the band from 10 Things I Hate About You) . It was written at the height of the Blink-182 and N*Sync power pop craze that the film spoofed.


8. "Blame It On Yourself" - Ivy



Off the record Long Distance which I believe to be one of the best lounge-rock records ever made.

9. "Dance With Me Tonight" - Hugh Grant



Also from the movie Music & Lyrics and is supposed to mimic a bad 80's pop ballad. No worries, once you pass all the jazz at 00:28, the drum machines and sexamatazzle-sax kick in.

10. "Nothing But The Sky" - Ivy



Another great tune from Ivy. The stereo mix on this is fantastic. I highly recommend trying it out with a good set of headphones.

11. "Disappointed" - Ivy



Solid tune that would have also fit on The Cardigans' First Band on the Moon album.

12. "Messing With My Head" - Tinted Windows



A song he wrote for super-group Tinted Windows featuring himself on bass, James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins, A Perfect Circle) on guitar, Taylor Hanson (Hanson) on vocals, and Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick) on drums.


As promised, here's the Sunset Electrics EP. Thanks!


Sunset Electrics - It All Comes Around

Sunset Electrics - My New Friends