ONCE January 2008 Mixtape

2008!
The future becomes more and more tangible as we make our way into the new millennium. Hope everyone enjoyed last year’s monthly ONCE series. I had so much fun with this little experiment that I am going to continue it. So we start out a new year with some new songs, some old songs and strange spooky foreign songs about killing. If that last sentence doesn’t make you check out this month’s mix then nothing will! As always I love feedback so let me what you didn’t like or did.


Track #1
The Hives
The Black and White Album
“Tick, Tick, Boom”

My goodness this song is cool. Just like the song title suggests. It is like a bomb going off in your face. Although in this case the carnage is wonderfully awesome with no casualties! The Hives are out of Sweden but have never let that stop them from sounding undeniably punk. This song was made for dancing!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rwhU99_66R8 – Super awesome video for the Tick, Tick, Boom where the band of giant rockers blow up a museum


Track #2
Final Fantasy
He Poos Clouds
“He Poos Clouds”

This band is like listening to a symphony whose members regularly abuse drugs. The crazy high and lows of this song create a very distorted backdrop of harmonies and storytelling. Plus any band that is able to put the word poo in the title of the song and album simply rock! So sit back and grab your tiny binoculars and enjoy indie music sans the guitar.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5pQl7kye_d8 – Video for “He Poos Clouds”

Track #3
Example
What We Made
“Birthday Card”

A few months back I included a track from Example that used the Rolling Stone song “Paint It Black”. At that point in his career all he had was a unofficial mix that included that song. Well now months late he has a full length album out and it is super! Includes some pretty humorous songs with some great beats. Since Mike Skinner’s record company are producing him it is no surprise. Well this track from the British rapper is a great one. Dedicated to anyone who ever got into hot water with their significant other for forgetting a birthday. With a great soul record sampled for the beat, it makes for some delicious enjoyment.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=cvCd1Xq0Au4 – Video for “You Can’t Rap” from the same album


Track #4
Adele
19
“Hometown Glory”

Not much is known about Adele yet except that the two singles she has released pretty much kick butt. She is like a sober Amy Winehouse with a little Charlotte Church thrown in. She has a great voice and this particular track is a dark lovely look at the city she loves. But we won’t know if she can produce an entire album of great songs like this until later this month when she releases her first full length album entitled simply 19.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=nL49yZNE4yk –Video for “Hometown Glory” filmed live on BBC2.

Track #5
Wolfmother
Wolfmother
“Joker & the Thief”

I have been resisting these guys for a while now. There sound is no retro that I can’t help but be transported back to 1971 when they ask for a listen. And since I have no memories of said year, there hold has not been that great on me. But this song of theirs just keeps coming back to haunt me. This song has a great organ solo at the 3:40 mark that alone would make a great song.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=NiRnAO0QJ0E – Live Video for “The Joker & the Thief”

Track #6
Evidence
The Weatherman
“Perfect Storm”

Evidence is a member of Dilated Peoples. Peoples is a rap collective in the vein of Jurassic 5 and Crown City Rockers. But as a solo artist with his first album outside of Peoples he has shown his has strength to make it on his own. He has a great sound. On this song he brings in Madchild, Iriscience and DJ Babu to predict the ending of all things. The album is pretty solid and should be picked up and given a chance.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=NmD4DZWX2xo – Video for “Mr. Slow Flow” off the same album.

Track #7
Aerosmith
Toys In the Attic
“You See Me Crying”

Back in 1973 a little band called Aerosmith with just one hit to their name broke the one hit wonder streak and became instant celebrities with the song “Sweet Emotion”. That song climbed all the way to #36. With that they released their second single off their third album and had an even bigger hit with “Walk This Way” in 1975. Boosted with confidence they released this track. This track didn’t even break the surface of the top 100 but it didn’t matter at that point. The legendary band had made it. The song was one of their first forays into the symphonic pop they would become known for later in the years. This little known track pops up from time for me and has always been one of my favorites of theirs. I first heard this song on a cross country trip to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame in upstate New York. Sitting in the hotel staring at the window the song instantly became one of those songs that tend to make you who you are.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_hge_il6COU – Awesome live video of “Train Kept a Rollin” filmed for the Midnight Special from 1977.

Track #8
Soko
Soko, Not Sokute
“I’ll Kill Her”

So she might be a hit or might not be. Hard to tell at this point of her career. She is a French singer who has been relatively amateur up until this point. But it looks like she is ramping it up to take her career into high career. Here we have a lovely song about killing someone who took your lover from you. Has some great spoken words as well as singing about a lover that left her for another and the search for the one that stole her future. The song is gold just because you get to hear her say “I’ll Keell Her” in her French accent.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=25AsfkriHQc – Official video for “I’ll Kill Her”

Track #9
John Mayer
Say
“Say”

John Mayer is a simple love of mine. He has a great sense of humor. Plays some great guitar. And pens some great blues. With the new movie “The Bucket List” coming out, the producers asked him to write a song for the movie. So he sat and wrote this beauty. Starts like a Hawaiian luau and ends with some pan flutes and heartfelt lyrics about saying what you need to say and not holding anything back. The most catchiest song he has ever done. Hurry and listen to it before radio picks it up and destroys it for you!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=aTpy_L1dALA – Official video for “Say”

Track #10
Deodato
Deadato 2
“Super Strut”

Eumir Deodato has been making great music since 1972. Born and raised in Brazil he quickly rose in the ranks for Latin Jazz. He helped produce and write some of the best songs to come out of Brazil during this time. If you think I am kidding go check out the album “Tropicalia: A Brazilian Revolution In Sound”! In last decade or two he has lent his producing talents to many artists in other countries such as Frank Sinatra, Kool in the Gang, Bjork, Nellee Hooper, Tricky and even Howie B. He has a song he produced in rapper Lupe Fiasco’s new album entitled The Cool. This particular track takes us back to 1973 on his fourth album. A great eight minute ride into the Latin soul of LA in the 70’s. Complete with organ, bass, drums and guitar solos, it is perfect for a ride in the car. You will be bouncing along in no time when you play this track.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Er_WxiAaE5s& – Great performance of the song done live

Track #11
Devin the Dude
Waiting to Inhale
“What a Job (ft. Snoop Doog and Andre 3000)”

Devin has never disappointed me as a producer and rapper. And on this song off his great new album he waxes poetic about what it is like to be a producer not making enough money off your craft but loving every moment. Snoop Doog and Andre 3000 from Outkast contribute their bitter verses about people downloading the song for free.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=KCjheCusIso – D.A.N.C.E. performed live on Jimmy Kimmel with special guests Prince, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Rick James and Barry Manilow

Track #12
Shakespears Sister
Hormonally Yours
“Stay”

Here we have a very cool song that has almost been lost to time until you hear it. Then memories of the early 90’s will come back and by the end of the song you will be hitting replay. A great song by one hit wonders about love and death. The song drips with sadness interjected with the evil doings of death. This song was a hit in 1991 by climbing the charts all the way to #4. It is one of those random tracks that keep coming back to haunt you as time goes by.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5pC3VJA_CB8 – Official video for the song

Track #13
Glossary
The Better Angels of Our Nature
“Little Caney”

This cool band from Memphis has put out their 5th album. And they have offered it for free. Once again folks, you can’t beat free music so take advantage. It doesn’t cost you anything to check out their music. It is available at their website, http://www.glossary.us/. They have a great sound that reminds me of Seven Mary Three. This track details the adventures of two lovers in a cemetery.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=kxer6YJR-6M – Band performing “Blood On the Knobs” live at 88.3 WMTS

Track #14
Ghostland Observatory
Paparazzi Lighting
“Sad Sad City”

Austin has lots of unique talent. Bands and songwriters have been emerging from its social underbelly for years now. One band has been lately making lots of headlines in and out of the city. It is Austin’s own Ghostland Observatory. They have a great sound that is hard to define. Lots of rock, some soul and a dash of electronica. It makes for some very hypnotic tracks . Their latest album, Paparazzi Lightning, is a great album. This song features an organ and keyboard and a drum track that moves it along. The singer has a great grasp of the dance rock scene taking us on a trip with each line.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=CtFVRo1ovIk – Band performing “Sad Sad City” live on Austin City Limits

ONCE December 2007 Mixtape

Merry Christmas!
The ONCE mixtape series has now completed its first full year in existence. I was able to get my act in gear and actually put together 12 great mixtapes that I am really proud of. I don’t always support independent albums exclusively in my mixes but more often than not they do make it just because it is great music. The 2008 Independent Music Awards ( http://www.plugawards.com ) are in the process of choosing the independent albums of the year. I thought it would be fun for this month’s ONCE to take a look at those albums that are up for Independent Album of the Year! So thanks for listening to my music and all the feedback I get. I am always interested in new music that I am not aware of. So if there is ever any band or singer you think should be included in one of my mixes let me know and I will check it out. Thanks again!



Track #1
Arcade Fire
Neon Bible
“Intervention”

A track from their previous album did make one of my mixes but their newest release, Neon Bible, kept getting pushed back for the next month. This is the lead track off that album and gives you a great idea of why the band is great at what they do.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1-wEBmLht5g – A very cool version of their song “Wake Up” with David Bowie


Track #2
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
100 Days, 100 Nights
“Tell Me”

I swear to you that this band is new. They only have three albums out and their newest is up for the honors. The combine Motown with the delicious vocals of Sharon Jones to create a sound that you would swear was from 1967.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8ouI5KcyHfE&feature=related – Video for “100 Days, 100 Nights”

Track #3
Battles
Mirrored
“Race In”

Battles made my mix a while back with their song “Atlas”. The whole album is addictive and hypnotic. Here is another great track from that album.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1LLAN29W-4w – Video for “Tonto”


Track #4
Panda Bear
Person Pitch
“Comfy In Nautica”

This is a strange band. This is a solo effort from the lead from Animal Collective. It is a record I had a very hard time getting into. The vocals come off like Brian Wilson on a off day and the music is hallow and echoes. Yet so many people loved this album. Could you be one?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=25_gjUbvqNg – Official Video for “Comfy In Nautica”

Track #5
Spoon
Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
“The Underdog”

These guys have been around for a while. They made my mix this year with their song “You Got Yr Cherry Bomb”. This is another cool track off the album.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LenPKPqvdJA – Official Video for “The Underdog”

Track #6
Beirut
The Flying Cub Cup
“Cliquot”

I haven’t been a huge fan of these guys. They are like listening to a bunch of drunks hanging out on the corner of a dirty street somewhere in Europe. Yet somehow every once in a while they surprise me and pull me into their filthy little world.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TLV6jygKNCM – Video of them hanging out and singing “Cliquot”

Track #7
Band of Horses
Cease To Begin
“Is There a Ghost”

These guys put on a great show and a even greater album. The album is full of soaring vocals and pleading lyrics. This is a great album to start with and then work your way back into their catalog.

Track #8
Of Montreal
Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer
“Gronlandic Edit”

I didn’t like these guys. I mean really didn’t like. I wouldn’t even watch any of the videos or read any articles about them. Then one day while putting together this mix I got the album and was hooked. This is one of those albums that just evade every attempt to decipher it and then one day it just lets you in and you suddenly feel like part of the club. It is a great album full of great lyrics. And the beats are tantalizing!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=HBfgQvM7wtE – Official video for “Gronlandic Edit”

Track #9
EL-P
I’ll Sleep When Your Dead
“Up All Night”

Being such a fan of hip hop it is good to see a hip hop album making the best of cut. This album is a cool mix of street beats and science fiction bleeps. Plus master of ceremony EL-P mixes it up just right.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=E7Z4txRAISQ&feature=related – “Up All Night” performed live on Jimmy Kimmel

Track #10
Radiohead
In Rainbows
“Jigsaw Falling Into Place”

This is about as independent of an album that you could get. They own the studio they recorded it in. They all are rich and took no cut for making it. And then they released it to the masses ten days after they announced its existence. And on top of that let the listener decide how much they would pay for it, even if they wanted it for free. The album was worth much more than the average price paid for it. Plus if you did pay for the boxset you got an extra 9 songs that kick your ass even more. Then they made the first video all in one take with helmet cams. Wow… buy this one. Or get it for free, it is up to you!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=UKrsBVFsfIQ – Official helmet cam video for “Jigsaw Falling Into Place”

Track #11
Justice
Cross
“D.A.N.C.E.”

They made my mix a few months back with their great dance track Genesis. This song is the second best song on the album with its kid choir and sing-a-long chorus. This French duo is the most exciting thing happening in electronic music since Daft Punk.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KCjheCusIso – D.A.N.C.E. performed live on Jimmy Kimmel with special guests Prince, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Rick James and Barry Manilow

Track #12
The National
Boxer
“Fake Empire”

This band is perfect for the end of the night. The end of the night when everyone is tired, laying around, and 30 minutes from laying their head on a pillow. Great for singing along across the campfire. This Brooklyn band has a great sound that wraps itself around you. The entire album is superb!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NBujZr20O6M – “Fake Empire” sung live on Letterman