How the fuck did this get on my itunes?

I know this project is more or less an opportunity to gather with music lovers from across the country to share and appreciate the influence that music has on moments in our lives.

However, for this month's mix I decided to highlight a more minute facet of the musical world. An exploration into the deceptive abyss of any music lover's itunes will no doubt yield a strange array of songs gathered over the years. The songs we collect in our lives weave a story. From mixes our best friends gave us in 8th grade to record store purchases; random downloads you found for a newly discovered band to free music from Starbucks; Local EP's to that CD your Mom bought you for your birthday that you would NEVER, ever listen to; Collecting music over the years leads to a library that displays a vast complicated web of songs whose origins seem to disappear from memory with each new download. This mix is an ode to that beautiful, mind-puzzling labyrinth of music. Itunes can be a tender reminder of all the years spent accumulating a library of songs each of which has the potential to connect to some alluring time from our pasts....

But most of the time I am merely left staring at my computer screen wondering, "How the fuck did this get on my itunes?"


1. I'll Make A Man Out Of You - Disney
2. Down With The Sickness (Jazzy version?) - Richard Cheese
3. La Camisa Negra - Juanes
4. Let's Get Fucked Up - Start Trouble
5. Dick In A Box - The Lonely Island
6. Chilly Down - David Bowie from the Labyrinth
7. Hedwig's Theme - Harry Potter Soundtrack
8. Because I Got High -Afroman
9. When A Man Loves A Woman - Michael Bolton
10. Long Time Coming - Oliver James
11. Gay Bar - Electric Six
12. F-U-N - Spongebob


P.S. My sincere apologies to Mike for being the recipient of such a horrid (awesome?) mess,
and my sincere thanks to my roommate, Lindsey, for assisting in this ode.

Another Year, Another Mixtape

Perhaps this mixtape would have been better suited for December, but now you’ll be ahead of the curve for 2012.

It wasn’t until I had put this mix together that I realized what a downer most New Year’s songs tend to be. I guess artists don’t see it as the refreshing moment that the parties we all throw would make us think it is. Or maybe we’re all kidding ourselves and New Year’s really isn’t a time for parties, but a time to be sad?

1. U2 “New Year’s Day” – This is perhaps the most obvious song on the list, but one that could not be left out. The first stanza, with lines like “All is quiet on New Year’s Day” and “Nothing changes on New Year's Day,” speaks volumes for its simplicity. The song was originally released in 1982 on the album War, and has aged surprisingly well. But most U2 songs have, even if the band itself has not. Bono generally isn’t particularly philosophical with his lyrics, but this song shows that the man has the ability if he so chooses.

2. The Limousines “New Year’s Resolution” – This band may be unfamiliar to most reading this, but they are going to be a big part of the next decade. Keyboard based power-pop seems to be making a come back (see: Neon Trees), and the Limousines will be a part of that. This song is from their debut Scrapbook EP. The band recently signed to Dangerbird records (Silversun Pickups, Minus the Bear, Fitz and the Tantrums), and look to have a big 2011. I really like the line, “We wasted the first few hours of a brand new year wishing we could fly.” Isn’t that how every New Year should start? I think so.

3. Death Cab For Cutie “The New Year” – If you didn’t play this at least once on New Year’s Day then you are probably a robot, or you’re dead inside. This is the quintessential New Year’s song, in my opinion. “So this is the New Year, and I don’t feel any different” starts the song from Transatlanticism, the band’s fifth album. And the depth of lyrics continues from there. It’s a song meant to get one thinking, and it does every time I give it a listen.

4. Prince “1999” – This song isn’t necessarily a New Year’s song, but there is no party like a New Year’s party, and there is no party song like “1999.” This is probably Prince’s best known song, but it didn’t even get into the US top 40 when it was first released. It was later re-released as a single and still only peaked at #12 in the US. The song has surprisingly melancholy lyrics, especially “Everybody’s got a bomb, we could all die any day.” Life is a party, and parties weren’t meant to last…

5. Foo Fighters “Next Year” – A great Foo song on a less than stellar Foo album, this song is similar to “1999” in that it is pretty apocalyptic in its lyrical content, but unlike “1999” it isn’t a party anthem. Prior to There Is Nothing Left To Lose Foo Fighters hadn’t released many ballads, but this album was full of them. While some of the drum fills don’t fit particularly well, the song itself is solid.

6. Parachute “The New Year” – This angsty tune on an otherwise angst-free album shows a side of Parachute that is rarely seen elsewhere on their debut album, Losing Sleep. Like “1999” the lyrics of this song are darker than the music. It’s a pop song about ending a relationship and wanting to start a new year to start fresh without the other person. I know the feeling. I think most people do, unfortunately.

7. The Decemberists “Record Year” – This is perhaps the least New Year of the collection, but this song always gets me in an introspective mood, and I’ve always associated that feeling with New Year’s. “And in the annals of the Empire/Did it look this gray/Before the fall?”

8. Wild Light “New Year’s Eve” – This band, and the album on which this song appears, hasn’t been given a lot of my time, but this song stands out from the couple times I’ve tracked this collection. Another one about sadness and melancholy, but grasping the despair that the end of a year seems to bring so well that it couldn’t be left off this mix. The lyrics really attack a person as its target without mentioning whom. But we know they got into a fistfight on New Year’s Eve.

9. Band of Horses “The End’s Not Near” – The only good thing I can say about the FOX TV show The O.C. is that they had some really good music. I think I watched two episodes of the show and never bothered going back for more. This song is on the 6th compilation bearing the show’s name and the final episode used the song’s first line as its title. This is actually a cover song, the original artist is the New Year, but I like the Band of Horses version a lot better.

10. Bouncing Souls “New Day” – One of my favorite punk bands, and one of the most introspective of the 90s bands of that genre. Though these New Jersey punks partied hard, and wrote songs about it, they also had a softer side. “Change is coming our way, just like a new day” pretty well sums up what the New Year is all about.

11. White Lies “Come Down” – From the London band’s recently released sophomore album, Ritual, this song is perhaps the slowest of that collection. White Lies have a very heavy Joy Division influence on their sound, and their lyrics feel that influence, too. “I know I said I’ll see you/When it gets to New Year/But now that all the rain stopped falling/All I think is getting out of here.”

12. Jimi Hendrix “Auld Lang Syne” – This was recorded live at the Filmore at the start of 1970. As Billboard.com said in a post titled “’Auld Lang Syne’: Five Great Performances”: “The guitar god proves you don't even need lyrics to ring in the new year right.”

Heartbroken. by Haley

No words about this one, except an apology that it's late -- my computer crashed, taking my iTunes with it. If you're sad, this mix is good. If you're not... I'm glad you're happy!

1.) Two Points for Honesty by Guster
2.) White Horse by Taylor Swift
3.) Sore Thumb by the Format (holla to Kathleen, love this song!)
4.) If I Could Write by Sam Phillips
5.) Talking Bird (Demo) by Death Cab
6.) Just Like a Woman by Bob Dylan
7.) Wounded by Third Eye Blind
8.) I Can Feel a Hot One by Manchester Orchestra
9.) Mess by Ben Folds Five
10.) Fix You by Coldplay
11.) Fuck Was I by Jenny Owens Young
12.) Cape Canaveral by Conor Oberst
13.) This Bitter Pill by Dashboard Confessional
14.) What Sarah Said by Death Cab
15.) Hallelujah (cover) by Jeff Buckley
16.) Evaporated by Ben Folds Five

Love Hurts

Ok so here it goes. (sorry for taking so long to post!)

This mix theme is heartbreak/break up songs. Hell, I know. PLAYED OUT TOPIC. I get it. I can't help it. Life lately has been transitional. This has caused me to find meaning in nearly ANY song that remotely speaks of love, lust, and heart ache. So without further delay, here are some songs that have helped me wallow, weep, and wonder about what is next. heart break songs, dawg.

1. Red House Painters - Have You Forgotten

Ok, so after the initial blow of being dumped there is a period where you can find meaning in almost ANY song. This is one of my favorite songs of all time, and I don't even necessarily relate it to heart break, but when you are still shell shocked and broken you could listen to Slayer and be like "DUDE, GOD REALLY DOES HATE US ALL". Anyways, this song is beautiful and sweepy and sad and on many occasion has made me yearn for what once was.

2. Pedro the Lion - The Longest Winter

Lets get real here, Bazan's "It's Hard to Find a Friend" album could crush anyone's soul. This song rings the truest to pure loneliness. I have felt like this more than I'd like to admit, but there is some solace knowing that I am not alone.

3. Mount Eerie - Goodbye Hope

Just look at the song title. COME ON. I feel like Phil Elverum is the saddest human ever. (couldn't find a link to this song online, sorry!)

4. Ween - Baby Bitch

Lots of people give me grief for listening to Ween. Sure they sing about Japanese cowboys and bananas and spinal meningitis, but when they lay it out they lay it out. Baby bitch is damn good.

5. Buddy Guy - Baby Please Don't Leave Me

What is a mix about heartbreak and loss without some blues in it? Buddy Guy's incredible album Sweet Tea has got to be the dirtiest blues ever recorded. "Baby Please Don't Leave Me" is the begging of a desperate man. The bass in this song makes you feel like you fell into a bog. perfect.

6. The Beatles - Yer Blues

To be honest I don't know if Lennon really wanted to die. At the time he wrote this he was happily head over heals with Yoko and was in the biggest band of all time. Regardless, his screams convinced me otherwise. Listen closely for the mic-free singing at the end. Great stuff.

7. Weezer - The World Has Turned And Left Me Here

Say what you will about Weezer now. Blue and Pinkerton are and will always be untouchable albums. You totally already know this song by heart, but it fits the theme perfect.

8. Smoking Popes - Pretty Pathetic

Such an honest telling of a failed relationship, and the desperate attempts to mend a love that is lost.

9. Nazareth - Love Hurts

Duh. (p.s.- look at these total dorks in the video. It'll make your heart hurt less.)

10. Queen - Somebody to Love

Aw man. Freddie sings his face off in this goodie. Is there anybody that can't appreciate Queen?

11. SunnO))) & Boris - The Sinking Belle (Blue Sheep)

This song just reeks of sadness. Who knew that when two power houses of the drone/metal community got together they could create something so somber? A great song to lay in bed and get lost into.

12. Marshall Tucker Band - Can't You See

Someone commented on this youtube video saying "Damn.. if you can't feel this song in your belly you're just not alive!" I couldn't agree more.

There are definitely one zillion other songs out there for break ups. This mix is sort of a mixed bag, but i love every single one of these tracks. hope you dig them as much as I do.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JP3ACSS5

-Patrick Burnell

Chicago Land.

This month my exchange partner is non other than Jordan Jacobson (for all of you who don't know this, he's a good friend of mine here in Chicago). So, this mix was rather challenging to say the least. I'm sure our music collections are pretty similar, minus a few genres and periods of time here and there, so how I could possibly put together a mix that will keep him interested for all eleven (sorry, one short on this one) songs?

I decided that the one area in which I might be able to give him something different would be local Chicago music. So, I went at it, trying desperately to create a track list that had absolutely NOTHING he'd already know. But then I stopped and decided that this mix exchange isn't just for the person we send it to, it's for all of us to share. There is a bit of new, a bit of old, some psychedelic, some poppy, and some straight up hipster as fu*k, but hopefully there is something for everyone.

With that said...

Dear Jordan, I'm sorry that there is the obvious on here (A Lull, The Hood Internet, Maps & Atlases) but maybe you'll find a song or two that you didn't know and now like. Maybe you'll even go to their next gig when it comes around. At least you'll have a friend to tag along.

THE CHICAGO LAND.

1. Secret Colours - Follow the Drone

2. Netherfriends - Brett Easton Ellis Novel

3. The Hood Internet - I'm a Flirt (Shoreline)

4. Panda Riot - Street Lights and You and Me

5. Smith Westerns - Weekend

6.  Hors in the Sea - I Can't Talk to Girls

7. A Lull - Mammals (version on Love SIC Disco compilation)

8. The Streets on Fire - Astronaut Love Triangle 

9. Russian Circles - Carpe 

10. Calm Palm Vapor - Before Everything

11. Maps and Atlases - Witch 

.... your friend, Caiti. 

Interwebz Killed the Video Star

This playlist is just as much about the visual as it is about the audio. This is a handful of some of my favorite videos, each of which I find to be awesome for very different reasons. Not sure how fluid this can really be as a playlist, but January's been such a hectic month that I kind of just wanted another excuse to stare at my computer screen for a little while. Hope you enjoy!

1.


Everything about this video cracks me up. It's really a great example for why I love this band. I don't think Clarity would mean nearly as much as it does to me if these guys came off as assholes, and this video is proof of their not taking themselves too seriously. Also, they were BABIES when the video was shot! (way, way back in 1999)

2.

The Knife - Heartbeats from Johannes Nyholm on Vimeo
This one pretty much speaks for itself. Awesome.

3.

Another hilarious one.. song's not too bad, either.

4.

This is about as DIY as you can get. Can't imagine the Asian Man Records music video budget being too sizable (especially not back then), but they still somehow find a way to hold your interest. Inexplicable amounts of face washing. Also, watch for Dan's epic pick scrape down that sorry-ass acoustic guitar.

5.

Frank Black just gets me.

6.

This breaks my heart every time. The story of the video matches up with the song so beautifully that it's hard for me to hear the song anymore without thinking of the old fisherman and his wife.

7.

A video for all of the people who have ever gotten excited about the tempo of a song matching up with the timing of another car's turn signal or a flashing sign or a streetlight. Everything is connected through music and so on and so forth. Even aside from the artsy-fartsy message this is just really cool to watch.

8.

When I had the idea for this playlist I knew I had to include something by The Books. This band puts on one of the most engaging live shows you'll ever see - an inimatable blend of awe-inspiring musicianship and quirky visual media.

9.

One of the most bizarre, uncomfortable, and memorable music videos I can think of.

10.

The Forms are a band I've been continually rooting for over the last couple of years. Their self-titled album is only about 25 minutes long but solidly packed with addictive hooks that bounce around your head for days. I can't quite put my finger exactly on why I like this band so much, just as I can't quite tell you why I think this video is so cool.

11.

One of THE epic, overpriced music videos of the 90s.. yet this one still seems so worth every penny.


12. Arcade Fire - We Used To Wait
www.thewildernessdowntown.com
Can't actually post this one for reasons that you'll discover. Don't want to ruin it if you haven't seen this yet. I thought this was the coolest thing ever back when this album came out.

13.

tokyo sunday

Jimmy Eat World | Myspace Music Videos
This isn't really a music video, but I couldn't resist putting this one up as well. Love me some Jim Adkins.

1/12th of this year has nearly passed?!

I declare January worldwide Brand New appreciation month! As was established at the beginning of this blog, my favorite band is Brand New*. Over the years I have purchased studio albums as well as downloaded multiple live recordings of Brand New in different settings and venues. My mix this month encapsulates my collection (for the most part) of cover songs that Brand New, Jesse Lacey or any other closely related artists have performed and/or recorded. At the bottom of this post you will find a link to download my mix, although the tracks might be a bit out of order. As always let me know if you would like any of the full live recordings and I'll be sure to send links via E-mail or facebook (links for both at the bottom).

Comment if you have any questions as to where the recordings are from.

*For all intensive purposes, Jesse Lacey is Brand New.

Enjoy.

1. Car – Jesse Lacey (Built To Spill)

2. Say It Ain’t So – Kevin Devine, Jesse Lacey, and Andy Hull (Weezer)

3. Two-Headed Boy – Jesse Lacey (Neutral Milk Hotel)

4. El Scorcho – Brand New (Weezer)

5. Accident Prone – Jesse Lacey (Jawbreaker)

6. Soco Amaretto Lime – Brand New (The Moleman remix)

7. Holland 1945 – Kevin Devine, Jesse Lacey, and Andy Hull (Neutral Milk Hotel)

8. “Jesus” – Brand New (Vocals by Kevin Devine)

9. Oh Holy Night – Brand New (John Sullivan Dwight)

10. Am I Wrong – Brand New (Love Spit Love)

11. Oh Comely – Brand New (Neutral Milk Hotel)

http://www.mediafire.com/?leuik8prhi4bcfb

jakerand@gmail.com
facebook.com/jrand

Jake Rand.