Mixtape Vol. 24
November 10th, 2008
2 comments
The first few tracks definitely have some unusual elements in them but keep an open mind and I think you’ll enjoy. They all have good beats. Then we get some sticky sweet pop sounds (mostly from Sweden) and then the mix finishes with some dance/club sounds (kinda par for the course).
You can purchase this mix (or individual songs) from here: 
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Eagles of Death Metal – Wannabe In LA
From: Palm Desert, CA
Album: Heart On
Side project for Josh Homme and Jesse Hughes who are both in Queens of the Stone Age. As you can hear, they aren’t actually a death metal band but a really good rock ‘n roll band. QotSA often surprises me and this release had the same affect. -
Grampall Jookabox – We Know We Might Be F*cked
From: Indianapolis, IN
Album: Ropechain
I don’t really know how to categorize this sound. It’s alternative but somehow it has this sardonic atmospheric sound, if that is even possible. Sorry no download, but here is a song you can download, “The Girl Ain’t Preggers”. I highly recommend you listen to the mixtape as I think the song I picked is WAY better even though its a bit explicit (my apologies to the parents out there). 
Free Blood – Grumpy
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: Royal Family EP
Formed by the percussionist of !!!(Chk Chk Chk) and a fashion designer, the duo does an amazing job of blending pop melodies with simple instrumentation. They just released their full length LP, Singles, which you can purchase here. If you listen closely you might hear them give a shout out to our future president.
Hot Lava – JPG in the Sun
From: Richmond, VA
Album: Lavalogy
This song has a fun lo-fi feel to it. I’m having a hard time understanding the lyrics so if anyone wants to clue me in on exactly what an image file format is doing in the sun, I’d love to know.
Cause Co-Motion! – Baby Don’t Do It
From: New York, NY
Album: It’s Time! Singles & EPs 2005-08
Another tinny lo-fi sound but countered by the same high energy. It’s almost reminiscent of some early 60′s sound with a punk feel. This is their first full CD after playing for 3 years. You can listen to “Baby Don’t Do It” in the mix and you can download “Which Way Is Up.”
Heart-Sick Groans – A Bell of Bronze
From: Sweden
Album: Oh, I Can Do A Number Of Things
Oh, you can play some serious indie-pop. I can’t help but imagine two people holding hands and skipping along with balloons and a rainbow overhead. And I’m sorry but this is in the running for the worst band name ever. They have a purchase link on their myspace page.
Marching Band – For Your Love
From: Sweden
Album: Spark Large
Continuing the happy-go-lucky Swedish pop invasion!! “When are you going to lose control / There’s nothing you can do about it.” Good thing to remember. Thanks Liz for turning me on to this band.
Frida Hyvönen – Birds
From: Sweden
Album: Silence Is Wild
I don’t know how this happened but it’s another Swedish artist. Not quite as poppy as the last couple but you get a similar feel. I apparently need to visit this country. (with a stop over in Scotland)
School Of Seven Bells – Iamundernodisguise
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: Alpinisms
A funky beat and beautiful harmonies which often gets labeled as dream-pop. They get those wonderful harmonies thanks to twin sisters. They are on the road with the shoegazing sound of M83 which makes sense, but I’d rather just see these guys. The song being offered for download is “Connjur” but I prefer the opening track “Iamundernodisguise” and you can hear it if you listen to the mixtape.
Q-Tip – ManWomanBoogie
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: The Renaissance
From one track title with no spaces, to another. Co-founder of A Tribe Called Quest, this east coast rapper/poet has had a very strong solo career too. Here is “Gettin’ Up” for your downloading pleasure, but “ManWomanBoogie” made me get down so I had to put it in the mix. However, I apologize for it’s abrupt ending. It blends into the next song on the album.
The Very Best (Esau Mwamwaya & Radioclit) – Get It Up
From: London based Malawi singer
Album: The Very Best mixtape
“Gettin’ Up” to “Get It Up” (there is a rhyme to this madness). I’ve put Esau Mwamwaya on a previous mix but I had to give him some more air time. He is now going by The Very Best and has released his full mixtape for free download here. Collaborations with Architecture in Helsinki, Vampire Weekend, Ruby Suns, and Michael Jackson. In this song he worked with M.I.A. and Santogold. Download this mixtape NOW!!!
Lady Gaga – Just Dance
From: Manhattan, NY
Album: The Fame
I know I don’t really need to give Lady Gaga any extra attention, but I like songs that make me dance. I can’t help it, even though I’m not very good at it. It’s also a nice stark contrast in commercial sound compared to most of the rest of the songs in this mix. I like to include a little of everything.
