Mixtape Vol. 27
February 7th, 2010
2 comments
I may not be consistent but I’m not giving up! The whole daily/single song post thing just didn’t work for me. There are plenty of people already doing that and doing it way better than me. The mixtape format just suits me better. In an effort to make it a little less time consuming I’m just using the Yahoo media player. You can play the songs individually but it will also just play through all the songs if you let it continue. Enjoy.
Sunday by Field
From: Los Angles, CA
Album: Be Brave
I have to thank Angela for this song since I probably would have missed it otherwise. It’s a hopeful and upbeat song which I really appreciate these days. There is something about the voice that feels angelic to me which I find interesting since the song is named after a day of worship (well, at least the way I was taught). Field is Spencer Berger and I guess I should have heard of this guy. Apparently he wrote and starred in this movie that won quite a few awards last year, Skills Like This. Look for his debut record, Be Brave, to drop later this year. Look at the bottom of this post for the video to his other song, “I’m the Enforcer”. It’s not half bad.
The Darkest Side by The Middle East
From: Australia
Album: The Recordings of the Middle East
These guys have proven themselves in Australia for the past couple years and finally released this record state side last October. It’s a little long, but beautiful guitar picking and harmonies. I find the style unusual and I hope to hear more from them.
Let Go by jj
From: Sweden
Album: n° 3
jj released their debut album early last year and was just signed to an American label in December. This song follows “The Darkest Side” really well with it’s ethereal sound. Their sophomore release, n° 3, drops on March 9th.
Only Pieces by Here We Go Magic
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: Here We Go Magic
This folk and electronic sound swirling around each other comes from Luke Temple under the band name Here We Go Magic. I feel like he was heavily influenced by Paul Simon for this song. This LP was released February of 2009 and we should see another one later this spring.
You Must Be Out Of Your Mind by The Magnetic Fields
From: New York, NY
Album: Realism
The vocals on this track makes me immediately think of the Crash Test Dummies. Remember that song “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm”? The Magnetic Fields is the musical project of Stephin Merritt with different incarnations of band members and sound. Mostly recognized for a synthpop sound, Realism is the band’s third (and supposedly last) folk-pop LP and was just released this past January. Stephin Merritt is also known for his lyrics about love and loss and this song is especially humorous in that regard.
Bring It On Home To Me by Britt Daniel
From: Portland, OR
Album: Bridging The Distance
This is by no means a new song. Not only is it a remake of a Sam Cooke song from the 50′s, but Britt Daniel recorded this back in 2007. That doesn’t make it any less of an awesome song. If you don’t know, Britt is the lead singer of Spoon which is currently on tour for their latest release, Transference. Apparently Britt Daniel likes to take a break from the large stage and plays solo gigs once in awhile. I’m hoping he might be so inclined when they come to the Bay Area in April.
Teenage Girl by Darlings
From: New York, NY
Album: Yeah I Know
Jangle-rock…pop-rock…surf-rock…I don’t know but I like it. And they tear it up just for kicks once in awhile. If someone can tell me what they are saying in the chorus I’ll be your best friend. I want to know why this guy has the heart of a teenage girl. This came out August last year and expect to hear more from these guys.
Titus Andronicus Forever by Titus Andronicus
Glen Rock, NJ
Album: The Monitor
Titus Andronicus released their debut album, The Airing of Grievances, back in 2008 and was well received. The Monitor comes out March 9th and is ambitious to say the least. It’s a double LP entirely about the Civil War and almost every song is over 5 minutes long. There is an obvious post-punk sound but these guys are definitely doing something most bands aren’t willing to try.
IRM by Charlotte Gainsbourg
From: Paris, Francs
Album: IRM
Something about this song just drew me in and then when I heard that Beck wrote and produced it, well no wonder I like it. It’s like dark-pop. I’m bopping my head to it but it also has a hard industrial edge to it. Charlotte Gainsbourg is the daughter of Serge Gainsbourg and is apparently really famous in France…sorry but I don’t know him.
One Life Stand by Hot Chip
From: London, England
Album: One Life Stand
I always like to end with a driving beat if I can. Hot Chip is an electropop band that’s been around for awhile now. You can pick up their latest release digitally right now or pick up a physical copy after February 9th. They’re coming to the Fox in April with The xx and I read that jj is touring with The xx so I hope they will be there too.
And here’s Field’s new video:
