Mixtape Vol. 17
Real quick shout out to Suz and Rosh for commenting that the Jaguar Love song, “Bats Over The Pacific Ocean,” sounded similar to “Lost In A Supermarket” by The Clash. I’m impressed that folks know their Clash and I’m happy that other people hear the same weird things as me.
This week, we start out rocking, before a quick slow down with some folk sound, coming back out with modern flamenco into a nice dance beat with a little psycho-soul, some disco, and finishing off with afro-pop.
You can purchase this mix (or individual songs) from here: 
Darker My Love – Pale Sun
Album: 2
L.A.-based psych-rock quartet. I highly recommend checking out their new LP, 2. Sometimes they rock it, other times it feels jangly, and then you get that spacey-trippy vibe. Rock Insider is offering this track as a download over here.
Monte Negro – Give Me Love (No Llores) (New Album Version)
Album: Cicatrix
This particular track isn’t brand new, but the album it’s on is, Cicatrix. Monte Negro is a bilingual Los Angeles band with an even mix of alternative rock and rock en español. Another LP that I think everyone should give a listen or at the very least, you have to go over to their myspace page and play “Me Duele No Estar Junto a Ti.” I had a hard time choosing between the two songs but I opted for the more mellow reggae sound. Several multi-lingual artists this week starting with this band.
Bob Dylan – Dreamin’ Of You (Unreleased, Time Out Of Mind)
Album: Dreamin’ Of You (Single)
This is a previously unreleased track from Tell Tale Signs. You can download it for free from his website. You can actually understand what he’s saying and it’s a great song.
Bat For Lashes – Prescilla [Live]
Album: Live Sessions [EP]
Singer/songwriter from Brighton, England that sounds like she’s heavily influenced by Tori Amos. She started writing songs after a big black horse visited her in a dream. Guess that’s as good a reason as any. This is off her new EP, Live Session – EP.
Mason Jennings – Your New Man
Album: In the Ever
Such an earnest singer/songwriter that injects some truth and spirituality in almost everything he does. In The Ever was released a couple months back and I have really been enjoying it. The honesty in this song reminds me of the Amber Rubarth track I posted a couple weeks back. I was torn between this one and “I Love You And Buddha Too” so be sure to head over to myspace and give it a listen.
Slow Club – When I Go
Album: When I Go (Single)
Folk duo out of the United Kingdom. They just released this single and it’s such a pretty tune with thoughtful lyrics.- Rose Hill Drive – One Night Stand
Album: Moon Is the New Earth
Straight forward rock band from Boulder, CO. They are being compared to Queens of the Stoneage and I do think that most of their new CD, Moon Is The New Earth, is harder than the song I picked but nowhere near QOTS. This particular track has a hint of the Beatles or other classic rock groups. 
Pacifika – Paloma
Album: Asunción
I’m just going to steal allmusic.com‘s summary since it’s perfect: “Latin-influenced Canadian rock ensemble Pacifika make deeply emotional, melodic pop that mixes in a variety of styles including electric rock, bossa nova, folk, and some electronic flourishes.” This modern flamenco comes off their most recent LP, Asuncion. And this would be multi-lingual artist number two.
Brazilian Girls – St. Petersburg
Album: New York City
This band is not from Brazil, but from NY and has only one girl in the downbeat quartet. Sabina Sciubba is known for wearing unusual face masks while on stage and speaks five languages (multi-lingual #3, although I don’t think she shows that off in this track). Their new LP, New York City, is a journey with a very dark feel to it. You can download this song over on Audio Drums.
Janelle Monáe – Many Moons
Album: Metropolis Suite I of IV: The Chase
I love this song! Janelle Monáe is originally from Kansas City but got into the Atlanta music scene. Her style is considered psycho-soul in the same vein as Cee-Lo Green and Outkast, also out of Atlanta. Missy Elliot and Diddy both became fans of hers thanks to myspace. Her debut EP, Metropolis: The Chase Suite, has a sci-fi theme to it. Did I mention that I love this song!!! It opens with the same melody/notes/tune that Sesame Street used for its pinball video that counted to 12! It’s awesome!
of Montreal – Id Engager
Album: Skeletal Lamping
This indie-pop group hails from Athens, GA. Their ninth album, Skeletal Lamping, will be out in October. Nice disco-esque track with some bizarre lyrics that includes ninjas.
Esau Mwamwaya – Kamphopo
One of my favorite blogs, Gorilla vs Bear, has been promoting this guy for quite some time. At first I didn’t like the afro-pop sound, but it has grown on me. Guess that’s just proof that getting the music out there is important. Esau Mwamwaya grew up in Lilongwe, Malawi and now runs a second-hand furniture store in London. His new record (untitled still) includes collaboration with M.I.A., Vampire Weekend, and Santogold. “Get It Up” is also a great track and you can hear it over on myspace. Oh, and this is my final multi-lingual artist.Update: Esau Mwamwaya is now known as The Very Best.
Nice mix! Remember the guy who was hitting on me at the bar when you arrived to meet me at Cafe du Nord last week? Well, he was talking to me about Darker My Love (he had just seen them live) and said they were great. And now you are recommending them too – I need to pay attention to them now….there is a theme here.
And I like that “Many Moons” tune as well. I don’t know anything about Janelle, so thanks for the recco. High five, “business Roger!”
That last song was covered by Architecture in Helsinki. At least the tune was. I forget what song, but I recognize the beat.
I absolutely adore that Slow Club song. Excellent call!