This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug + New P.O.S. Album Announced!

Before the good news, though, here's what I've been up to the last couple days:

"UMD Alumnae Team for 'Hummingbirds'" :: The University of Minnesota Duluth’s theater department is once again utilizing alumna Jeannine Coulombe for fresh material. At the helm? Kelly (Brainard) Grussendorf, another UMD graduate. (Interesting side note: Grussendorf once had a national recording contract with Curb Records under the moniker Charity. Click here for a free MP3 download of her track "Aren't I Lucky?")

"CD Reviews: Clearwater Hot Club, the New Standards and Dr. Pepper Family" :: Albums enjoyed this week: Sam Miltich and the Clearwater Hot Club's “Just You, Just Me," the New Standards' "Rock and Roll" and a self-titled album from Belgium's Dr. Pepper Family. (While I can't share the e-mail with you, the New Standards' Chan Poling had quite the hilarious first reaction to my review of "Rock and Roll." So, to avoid this with anyone else, some words of wisdom: Read the whole thing -- I'm like the M. Night Shyamalan of record reviews.... LOL)

"New Books Gets Lift Bridge Story Right" :: A large chunk of Tony Dierckins’ "Crossing the Canal" is dedicated to separating Aerial Lift Bridge myths from reality. Not to be confused with my review of "Crossing the Canal," this interview with the author and publisher for Canal Park Times (a special supplement to the Duluth Budgeteer News) sheds some light on the book's findings.

"Shy Guy" :: This week's seagull-tacular front cover.

And, finally, without any further ado, the press release you've been dying to read...

P.O.S. TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM NEVER BETTER FEBRUARY 3RD ON RHYMESAYERS

P.O.S. returns with Never Better, February 3rd on Rhymesayers. It's the follow-up to 2006's critically acclaimed Audition. Most of P.O.S’ new album was written in a moving car. On it, he raps at full-clip to ride rolling drums and revving distortion. There’s an urgency that he keeps in careful check, and then unleashes for spring-loaded verses that represent his best work. P.O.S built his reputation as an innovator, with an unlikely punk rock past and expressive, honest content. He re-earns the accolades with every release. His records capture his charisma—they’re driving and sincere, the dark moments counterbalanced by some giggling banter with the engineer. On Never Better, the new disc, he conjures get-away cars, racing chariots, the pursuit of sirens, and the occasional rueful nighttime drive.

P.O.S. himself made more than half of the beats on Never Better, and the production bears his unmistakable signature. The album enters a room like bombshell with a black eye—badass, noisy, impossible to ignore. Feedback and relentless drum rolls are only occasionally tempered by sung choruses and clean, chiming guitar lines. Some critics will be eager to categorize the album as a hybrid—some kind of crossover project. But it’s probably not. P.O.S is a rapper with range, he’s a real musician and an unstoppable performer. For him, genres are as they ever were: permeable.

The packaging for P.O.S's new album Never Better is a one of a kind four panel transparent plastic Digipak that holds 16 solid and 6 Transparent inserts. The solid inserts have artwork on the front and lyrics/credits on the back. The Transparent inserts have artwork that when placed over the various solid cards, enhance and change the look of the art underneath, hundreds of combinations are possible. Look for P.O.S. to embark on a headlining tour for the month of February and he will stay on the road through the summer, where he's confirmed for the entire Vans Warped Tour.

P.O.S.'s two plus years on the road in support of Audition proved that no genre can contain him. He's just as comfortable performing in front of punk and rock crowds as he is with his ever growing loyal hip hop fan base. On different tours, he went out with Atmosphere, Minus the Bear, Gym Class Heroes and Underoath plus did 50+ dates on the Vans Warped Tour. Audition made it up to #13 on the CMJ Radio Top 200 and was #1 on the Hip Hop chart for three weeks. The video for his single "Bleeding Hearts Club (MPLS Chapter)" received heavy rotation on MTVu and also on MTV2's Subterranean.

Never Better Tracklisting
1.Let It Rattle
2.Drumroll (We're All Thirsty)
3.Savion Glover

4.Purexed
5.Graves (We Wrote the Book)
6.Goodbye
7.Get Smokes
8.Been Afraid
9.Low Light Low Life
10.The Basics (Alright)
11.Out of Category
12.Optimist (We Are Not For Them)
13.Terrorish
14.Never Better
15.The Brave and the Snake

(Information courtesy P.O.S.'s people.)

Today's Moment of Zen: Cat in a Box

This is Violet. She likes *ahem* not being in boxes. (The blue is the anger.)

sys33 :: OUR AMERICAN COUSIN, REVIEWS OF

I still can't get over getting my letter published in Playboy. The 12-year-old inside me is beside himself. LOL

1. Dr Pepper Family - "Can't Recall"
My all-time favorite Belgian rock band (just squeaking past Starfighter and Metal Molly) is back, and the results are, as expected, transcendent.

2. Sebastien Grainger - "Love Can Be So Mean"
The solo career of Death From Above 1979's Sebastien Grainger is, oddly enough, a dead ringer for the pre-"Happiness Ltd." Hot Hot Heat sound. [Some fun downloads here.]

3. The New Monarchs - "No Commotion"
So sayeth the Budgeteer (once again): While there’s not a bum note [on "Blueprints"], some immediate standouts for curious potential listeners would be “Common,” for fans of “Com Lag”-era Radiohead; the IDM-tastic “No Commotion,” which shines on like a quirky Valet diamond; and “You’ll Always Know,” which is quite possibly the most gorgeous track I’ve heard in months.

4. Electric Light Orchestra - "Mr. Blue Sky"
For whatever reason, the Democrats used "Mr. Blue Sky" at about every rally this campaign season, so it's about time I take it back in the name of ... just kidding; I can see why they used it and, if Obama ever needed a nickname, I don't think Jeff Lynne would mind him "nicking" this song's title.

5. Ra Ra Riot - "Can You Tell"
The new Rogue Wave? Quite possibly.

6. Del the Funky Homosapien - "The News (A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Microsoft Inc.)"
Cool interlude, humorous but dated (try Google...) title.

7. Brother Ali - "Mr. President (You're the Man)" [MP3]
Sure, the production's a little "phoned in," but this one's an instant classic for its message.

8. The New Standards - "Hey Ya" [OutKast cover]
Not as fun as the Supersuckers' version, but a worthy spin nonetheless.

9. Nirvana - "Lounge Act [Z-Trip Remix]" [MP3]
This Stargate-ready remix works because it brings out Kurt's haunting vocals.

10. Yo Majesty - "F----- Up"
From my review of "Futuristically Speaking ... Never Be Afraid" in the Duluth Budgeteer News: ... I’d peg “F----- Up” and “Get Down on the Floor” as the best places to start. These tracks — which Jewel B and Shunda K actually wrote with the members of Hardfeelings — are both extremely easy on the ear and, were it not for the in-your-face lyrics, would be strong contenders for high chart positions.

11. Rhymefest - "Stick"
A little sleazy for my beloved mix tapes, but, hey, I've already made a Stargate reference tonight....

12. Danzig - "Cantspeak"
No matter how hard I try, I still think of Beavis and Butt-head's "ploppy" description of this song's music video when I listen to it/attempt to enjoy it.

13. The Melismatics - "Soul Sucker"
According to my Budgeteer CD review (he he), I sure liked this track's "host album": ... You’d be hard-pressed to find any songs on ["The Acid Test"] that wouldn’t work as singles. There’s a trio of songs on “The Acid Test” that Clear Channel programmers should lose their jobs over if they don’t hear the appeal: “Digging Deep,” “Going for the Kill” and the aforementioned “Soul Sucker.”

14. Beloved Binge - "Miso (I Don't Like People)"
And, yep, looks like I'll again be leaning back on previously published words of mine: Seamlessly blending the best aspects of Grnd Ntl Brnds, the Geraldine Fibbers and all Calvin Johnson’s projects (most notably his work with Built to Spill’s Doug Martsch in the Halo Benders), their new album, “Blender Theory,” gets off to a terrific start with “(Got) Married on MySpace.” The song’s concept may seem a little hokey, but, once you hear its hyperactive chord progressions, you won’t give it a second thought. Not to be pigeonholed, Rob Beloved and Eleni Binge follow up that spastic track with “Miso (I Don’t Like People),” a mellow number akin to latter-day Imperial Teen. The majority of “Blender Theory” follows along those lines, showcasing the group’s flair for both the highs and the lows.

15. The Plasticines - "Under Control"
Best Friends Forever meets Ace of Base?

16. Tears for Fears - "Pale Shelter"
Hate all you want, but you know there's a group as embarassing as this on your iPod!

17. Scapegoat Wax - "Space to Share"
If I had to do junior high all over again, this is the song I would be requesting at all those awkward dances in Crosby-Ironton High School's cafeteria....

18. Cracker - "Hold of Myself"
A meandering track that manages to redeem itself in the end with lyrics about *ahem* man's best friend.

19. The Wrens - "In Turkish Waters" [MP3]
This is what Wrens bassist/vocalist Kevin Whelan had to say about this track when confronted by Stereogum: "This is a Wrens demo that I worked up for the band in our kitchen in our New Jersey band house. Eventually another Wrens version will see the light of day ... hopefully, the light of that day will be before 2015...."

20. Harold Faltermeyer - "Axel F"
"Family Guy" gold!



21. Mighty Fairly - "Closer to End"
I'm sure you're probably hating my shameless-self-promotin' ass right about now, but, as my imaginary kids say, "Again! Again!" OK then: This isn’t to say “Big Words” lacks the fun of its predecessor, but some of the bright and bouncy moments have been replaced with easy-to-swallow songs about a certain four-letter word (“Closer to End,” “Save Your Love” and, as if it escaped from “Songs for Silverman,” “Live for Love”) and ones that are unfailingly epic (the poignant “Alaska,” for one). (Hint: This one works even better if you happened to be married to a Sarah.)

22. Tim DeLaughter and the Polyphonic Spree - "The Crash"
A nice little interlude before ...

23. Janove Ottesen - "Go Tell Her"
another mix tape-closing love song. Ahh....

Thus concludes your thirty-third dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul."

A&E FYI: Radiohead and Wilco members hit the road with Neil Finn

Radiohead's Ed O'Brien and Phil Selway to re-join Neil Finn for new 'Seven Worlds Collide' project

Radiohead's Ed O'Brien and Phil Selway will once again back Neil Finn for a follow up to the acclaimed Seven Worlds Collide, a project supporting international development organization Oxfam.

Seven years ago OBrien and Selway were invited by Finn to participate in a special series of concerts in New Zealand under the banner Seven Worlds Collide. Also returning from that original Seven Worlds Collide lineup will be founder of the Smiths and member of Modest Mouse Johnny Marr, Soul Coughing bassist Sebastian Steinberg, songwriter and violinist Lisa Germano, and Liam Finn. Artists newly joining the project include Jeff Tweedy, John Stirrat, Glenn Kotche and Pat Sansone from Wilco, and New Zealand songwriters Bic Runga and Don McGlashan. Behind the mixing desk will be master recording engineer Jim Scott. More names will be added to the lineup in the coming weeks.

The album will be recorded over the next few months in Auckland's Roundhead Studios and is due for release in 2009. Like its predecessor, the project will also see a series of concerts featuring many of the artists included in the lineup. The shows will take place in Auckland early in the New Year. Details will be announced soon.

Worlds Collide
Worlds Collide is a live album released in 2001 by New Zealand singer/songwriter, Neil Finn. This is a live recording culled from a series of five shows from April 2, 2001 to April 6, 2001 featuring Neil Finn & Friends recorded at the St James theatre in Auckland, New Zealand. Notable guests in Finn's band included Eddie Vedder, Johnny Marr, Ed O'Brien, Tim Finn, Sebastian Steinberg, Phil Selway, Lisa Germano and Betchadupa. The title of this album is derived from the line "Seven worlds will collide / whenever I am by your side" from Crowded House's 1993 single Distant Sun.

Oxfam International
Oxfam is an international development organisation working to end poverty and injustice to bring real and lasting change to the lives of people living in poverty and to create a safer, fairer and more sustainable world.
Oxfam believes that poverty is not inevitable. Instead, poverty results from unjust policies, and the denial of basic rights and opportunities. There are 13 Oxfam affiliates working with communities on the ground in over 100 countries. We put all our effort and expertise into saving lives, developing programmes that empower people, and campaigning for lasting change.

Radiohead*
Radiohead is Colin Greenwood, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Philip Selway and Thom Yorke. Radiohead's recordings have included 1993's Pablo Honey, 1995's The Bends, 1997's OK Computer (the tour for which was documented by the 1998 film Meeting People Is Easy), 2000's Kid A, 2001's Amnesiac, 2003's Hail To The Thief and In Rainbows, which was self-released via Radiohead.com in October 2007. In Rainbows was released to traditional retail by TBD Records/ATO in January 2008 and entered the U.S. chart at #1.

*Like you didn't know....

---

~Information courtesy Nasty Little Man

Holy crap, Playboy published my letter!

December 2008 issue. Page 17. Yes!

Haley Bonar, the Streets, circa a.m., Hand Over Fist and the Mighty Underdogs

What's I've learned this weekend: The "Stewie head" box set Amazon is selling isn't something you want to wake up to....

"Bonar: 'I Don't Have a Degree, I Have Records'" :: Haley Bonar has a problem: She’s big enough to have a lot of information about her on the Internet, but not big enough for these so-called experts to get their facts straight. An entertaining Q-and-A with my former University of Minnesota Duluth "classmate." (We both only attended UMD for one school year, 2001 to 2002, so there's a chance we had a class together....)

"CD Reviews: The Streets, Hand Over Fist and the Mighty Underdogs" :: It's another hip-hop blowout: The Streets’ “Everything is Borrowed,” Doomtree side project Hand Over Fist’s self-titled debut and the Mighty Underdogs’ “Droppin’ Science Fiction.”

"circa a.m. @ World of Wheels" :: I'm not very fond of this photo set from Halloween -- largely because the Budgeteer's Web site, for whatever reason, won't let me edit my images' captions (beyond what I entered initially) -- but it does feature some nice shots (in theory) and guest appearances by Andy Perfetti and members of the Surfactants.

Thus concludes THIS WEEK'S SHAMELESS BUDGETEER PLUG!

The Melismatics, Hillary Clinton, Mighty Fairly, Lester Park, Victory Ship and the other 'Hef'

I just found out that my hometown, Crosby, Minn., was supposedly the first town in America to elect a communist mayor. How weird is that?!

"The World According to Jim Heffernan" :: Considering that “Hef” has been writing columns for three-and-a-half decades, whittling down more than 1,500 columns to 52 for his new book was the “huge, daunting task” you can probably imagine.

"CD Reviews: Three (More) Albums That Will Restore Your Faith in Recorded Sound" :: Thoroughly enjoyed this week: The Melismatics' “The Acid Test,” Mighty Fairly's “Big Words and Power Chords” and Victory Ship's “Before the Fall.”

"Discover Duluth: Lester Park, Vol. I-III" :: If you have family visiting from out of town and want to show off Duluth’s natural beauty, Lester Park should be at the top of your to-do list. DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

Finally, some standalone pics for ya: "Veterans' Day in Duluth" and last weekend's cover, "Clinton Push Enough for Franken?"

Thus concludes THIS WEEK'S (BELATED) SHAMELESS BUDGETEER PLUG!

sys32 :: HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU, FISH-BULB

"Suffering" through an hour-and-a-half-long power outage really puts your priorities in perspective....

1. The White Stripes - "Jimmy the Exploder"
Surprisingly, googling "famous people who have exploded" doesn't yield any results of the Spinal Tap manner.

2. Oranges Band - "Wild Ride"
"I got out my little black book / I told a little white lie." Surf-tinged post-punk deception has never sounded so ... danceable?

3. Tim DeLaughter and the Polyphonic Spree - "Debate Montage (Courtesy of Tripping Daisy)"
I know Tim was the mastermind behind Tripping Daisy, but I don't quite get what this absorbing instrumental's title is referring to. I assume he just enlisted the Spree to revisit some Tripping Daisy material, but I don't recognize the song.

4. Brother Ali - "The Trap"
I was about to include Brother Ali's Obama song, "Mr. President (You're the Man)" [DOWNLOAD IT HERE!] on this mix tape, but "The Trap," in all of its Roots-sampling glory, just called out to me. Since it's somewhat of a rarity, I really hope me putting it on every other mix tape gets the point across: This is quintessential hip-hop.

5. The Melismatics - "Useless Generation"
Well, let's see what *nudge nudge* the Duluth Budgeteer had to say about this anthemic track: “Useless Generation” is a perversely disconcerting experience, with the Melismatics cramming at least four decades of rock hits into a song that’s less than three minutes long.

6. Prince feat. Murs - "Kiss [Remix by DJ Z-Trip]" [MP3]
If you thought Slug and Murs sounded great together, make sure to take advantage of this illegal art before Paisley Park shuts Z-Trip down.

7. LadyHawke - "Another Runaway"
God, I miss the '80s.

8. Tokyo Police Club - "New New Song" [MP3]
With this gorgeous track, I'm finally starting to come around to the much-hyped TPC sound. Here's what frontman Dave Monks had to say about "New New Song" in an exclusive Stereogum interview: "The song is one of the only songs I wrote about an actual person and actually feeling shitty. Most of my lyrics come from narratives that I think up so I treated this one with a whimsical perspective. As for that lyric in particular, I was thinking about the book [Roald Dahl's] The BFG and how the giant kept lots dreams in bottles on his shelf."

9. R.E.M. - "Red Head Walking"
R.E.M. leans (hard) on surf atmospherics for this worthy "Accelerate" B-side (found on the accompanying DVD, "6 Days," and, if I'm not mistaken, most digital versions of the must-have album).

10. Of Montreal - "An Eluardian Instance"
Again, Elephant 6 all-stars Of Montreal never cease to amaze.

11. The Standard - "Sunday Eyes"
Rock is dead? Not for fans of the Standard or, look out below, Victory Ship.

12. Queen - "Spread Your Wings"
I hate to pimp out my awesome mix tapes, but it's bound to happen from time to time: Are y'all on board with the Amazon MP3 store yet? Every day Amazon features a complete album for cheap. While today's selection, Janet Jackson's "Control," doesn't have me bustin' out the plastic, Queen's "News of the World" for two bucks the other day sure did.

13. Mighty Fairly - "Shadow"
Oh, hey, time for another shameless Budgeteer Plug. Here's what I (yeah, secret's out...) wrote about this particular track: The tracks I mentioned earlier are great, but they don’t compare to the downright pop perfection of “Close” and “Shadow.” The former, a carbon copy of Splitsville in its Burt Bacharach-worshiping heyday … and the latter? Well, let’s just say these four Minneapolis kids are blessed with a talent that’s beyond comparison. [Need proof? Download some Mighty Fairly tracks here.]

14. Victory Ship - "Won't Let Go"
Oh, wait, one more straight from the music geek's mouth/pen: Whether or not you knew Victory Ship when they were known as the Teeth is inconsequential: “Before the Fall” is impossibly good for a debut record. Straight-up rock ‘n’ roll hasn’t sounded this necessary in years.

15. Janove Ottesen - "Garbage Man"
This guy's the new Sondre Lerche -- not that Lerche is going anywhere soon (I hope)....

16. Run Run Run - "Fade Into You [DJ Z-Trip Remix]" [Mazzy Star cover] [MP3]
"Fade Into You" without Hope Sandoval? It's possible. (In other news, did you know "So Tonight That I Might See" turned 15 on September 7? Unbelievable!)

17. Travis - "J. Smith" [MP3]
If you think about, Travis is quite possibly the definition of "workhorse."

18. Swiss Kiss - "Lickity Split" [MP3]
I love the Internet. I only stumbled upon these guys when a Download.com search came back negative for ... I have no idea what I could've been searching for. Anyway, this is rambunctious alt-rock for anyone out there in the *sarcastic-quote marks mode on* "blogosphere." Highly recommended.

19. The Plasticines - "Alchimie"
A French Elastica? Our prayers have been answered. (I realize that might've come across as sarcastic, but I assure it wasn't intended to. I love, love, love Elastica. And France. And *ahem* the gorgeous Parisians in the Plasticines.)

20. Yo Majesty - "Booty Klap"
I'm a whore -- another "nugget" from yours truly courtesy of the Budge: ... The track most people will probably seek out first [on "Futuristically Speaking ... Never Be Afraid"] is “Booty Klap,” as it was produced and co-written by the legendary house duo Basement Jaxx. And, as far as Basement Jaxx material goes, this is the gold standard; the Yo Majesty ladies really brought out the best of Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe. It’s a pummeling tour de force, not unlike “Cish Cash,” the British duo’s intensely catchy 2003 collaboration with Siouxsie Sioux.

21. Michna - "Triple Chrome Dipped" [MP3]
A great Aphex Twin-aping song to ... wash dishes to?

22. Tim Fite - "RAW"
This entertaining nod to Ol' Dirty Bastard's "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" appeared as one of the free Halloween downloads on Fite's site. Actually reminds me of the time Kritical Kontact's emcees joined Number One Common onstage at Norm's to do a cover of the immortal ODB track.

23. Danzig - "I Don't Mind the Pain"
... And I don't mind the Danzig. Sincerely.

24. The Smiths - "Shakespeare's Sister"
To celebrate the release of the new Smiths retrospective "The Sound of the Smiths" Tuesday, Rhino is hosting an online "listening party" to help the uninitiatied familiarize themselves with the legendary group. Click it.

25. The Pixies - "Ana" [Live on the BBC, Aug, 18, 1990]
A classic in every sense.

Thus concludes your thirty-second dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul."

sys31 :: LONG SECRETED FRIEND

Soon enough, it'll be a new America. Until then, we rock out ... er, read about rocking out, on another unnecessary music blog.

1. The Mighty Underdogs - "Monster"
Annoying kids in the beginning and at the end aside, this Outkast-leaning superhit* from indie rap's newest supergroup (featuring, most prominently, Blackalicious' Gift of Gab) is as instantly appealing as songs come. (For a taste of the Mighty UDs sound, check out this free MP3 download of "War Walk." <- Also from the group's new album, "Droppin' Science Fiction.")

2. The Black Hollies - "Paisley Pattern Ground" [MP3]
This track doesn't necessary scream originality -- it screams "unabashadly enjoyable," though -- so I will forego saying something original about it and lean entirely on Download.com's mini-bio: Psychedelic garage rockers the Black Hollies have reinvented their sound for their sophomore release, "Casting Shadows." ... Getting inspiration from the likes of the Yardbirds and the Animals, the Black Hollies made a complete 180 from their days in NJ’s post punk Rye Coaltion. After leaking two tracks they gained national attention via a Dell television ad.

3. Clem Snide - "Your Favorite Music [Master Key Mix]"
My favorite music? At the moment, Clem Snide!

4. Elliott Smith - "Thirteen" [Big Star cover]
Gloriously low-key. And haunting.

5. The Polyphonic Spree - "Move Away and Shine [In a Dream Version]"
Uplifting -- and very necessary at that, considering the "album" it's found on (the "Thumbsucker" soundtrack).

6. De Novo Dahl - "Memphis"
For whatever reason, this track's album, De Novo Dahl's self-titled debut, isn't listed on the group's Web site. I can't think of why that would be: This is amazing pop music, especially for a first try. (To see where the group is now, five years later, download "Shout" here.)

7. Jake One - "Hi"
Another crafty little interlude courtesy of Rhymesayers-signed uberproducer Jake One.

8. Kritical Kontact feat. Cannon - "Here We Go Now"
So good it was used twice, on Kritical Kontact's "Evolution of Revolution" and Cannon's "DCC Reloaded."

9. Michna - "Swiss Glide"
Mesmerizing production worthy of underground sensation Just Some Cat. (I understand that won't help most of you understand exactly what Michna is up to, so try on this free MP3 download of "Triple Chrome Dipped" for size.)

10. The White Stripes - "Astro"
What else can be said about this frenetic track? If this thing isn't in your player already ... somebody needs to prepare you a "mix tape care package" -- and stat!

11. Le Tigre - "Hot Topic"
Younkers is the way that I run. Oh, wait....

12. Manplanet - "Ball of Twine"
Another one from the "Don't Tell a Soul" radio show hall of fame.

13. Of Montreal - "For Our Elegant Caste"
Did you really think the new Of Montreal album would be a dud? I don't see that day ever coming.

14. Drug Rug - "Day I Die"
What the f--- is a drug rug?

15. Sean Na Na - "Photo Booth"
Har Mar Superstar is such a diverse musician.

16. The Danburrys - "The Duet" aka "El Duo (Spanish for the Duo)"
As much as I love Drew Danburry's solo career, I'll always remain enthralled by the Danburrys' lone release, "All the Good Ones Go for Jerks." One of the best songs I've ever featured on these here mix tapes.

17. Radiohead - "2+2=5" [LIVE]
Is the "Com Lag" mini-LP the best thing Radiohead's put out? Hardly, but this first track is definitely worth seeking out. Explosive.

18. Soul Asylum - "Shut Down"
Only gets better with age.

19. Molly and the Heymakers - "He Comes Around"
For whatever reason, my parents went through a country phase in the early '90s. Outside of Dwight Yoakam, this is one of the few groups I'm actually glad to have been introduced to. While the Heymakers (and Molly Otis, certainly) were popular with the country crowd, fans of Americana will find much to love here as well.

20. The Afghan Whigs - "Summer's Kiss"
Hopelessly romantic, as are all of Greg Dulli's records.

21. The Melismatics - "The Stranger"
“The Stranger,” while as engaging as anything as Motion City Soundtrack has put out, is also a delicate balancing act between vocalists Ryan Smith and Pony Hixon-Smith. I approve.

22. Marching Band - "Gorgeous Behavior"
If indie rock doesn't work out for Marching Band, the group's lush sound could easily translate to children's records. You'd assume there's money in it, as They Might Be Giants seem to make an album for the kiddies every other year!

23. The Albertans - "Canada"
Recommended if you like the Terrordactyls.

24. The Terrordactyls - "Baltimore" [MP3]
Speak of the devil ... I know it's only been a month, but I really wish the Terrordacyls would come back to town. Twisted (read: has a sense of humor) indie folk at its finest.

25. Sonic Youth - "'The Simpsons' End Credits Theme"
Told ya!

*In a just world.

Thus concludes your thirty-first dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series previously known as "Don't Tell a Soul."

sys30 :: GHOSTS CROWD THE FRAGILE EGGSHELL MIND

For the most part, today's selections come from artists I've largely neglected in recent (read: the last 45 or so) mix tapes. My apologies.

1. Pig - "Serial Killer Thriller"
This terrifying KMFDM-related slice of industrial mayhem was illegally used to score the opening scene of my first/only film, "Xenophobia: Some Bloody Bastard is Killing the Germans in America." Like my favorite director, I did have a cameo; though I probably should've learned something from him and made it a little more subtle....

2. The Traveling Wilburys - "Handle with Care"
Also used illegally in said film. No worries, though, this was used for a lighthearted romp-in-the-sack type of scene.

3. The Cure - "The End of the World"
"Go / If you want to."

4. Clem Snide - "End of Love"
Officially my favorite new band.* Second place? Mighty Fairly. -> Glad you asked!

5. Aphex Twin - "Windowlicker"
So epic and so freshman year at the University of Minnesota Duluth. <- I just found out today during a phone interview with Haley Bonar that my year at UMD, 2001-2002, was also the only year she attended there. (And, speaking of UMD, it should probably be mentioned that none other than Hillary Clinton visited today!)

6. Moby - "Feeling So Real"
I have many good memories attached to this gorgeous track, but none more fond than near the Big Sandy Lake fire tower outside of McGregor, Minn., circa autumn 2000. Like most stories I share, you probably had to be there.

7. KMFDM - "Anarchy"
I know this adds nothing to your enjoyment of this industrial rock staple, but I'm pretty sure I bought the "Signs" album at the Mall of America before I was even old enough to drive. That dates me ... and for what?! (Har har f------ har....)

8. M.I.A. - "Galang"
Before M.I.A. was a pop star (and subsequently retired from making music altogether), she used to collaborate with some really terrific and original artists, like Elastica's Justine Frischmann on this early favorite.

9. Cypress Hill - "Another Victory"
Since I referenced Cypress Hill's "Skull & Bones" double album (the "Skull" disc, in particular) so liberally in my review of Cannon All American's ill-fated "DCC Reloaded," I thought I should at least throw the group a bone (er...) and honor this bombastic track.

10. Faith No More - "Surprise! You're Dead!"
Surprise! This is featured in "Gremlins 2: The New Batch"!

11. Atmosphere - "Bam"
For whatever reason, my wife doesn't appreciate when I serenade her with this track's best line, "Just another face from the south side." No love for MPLS, I suppose.

12. Elastica - "Generator"
Speaking of the supreme genius of Elastica, post-punk doesn't get much more exciting than this.

13. Badfinger (f/k/a The Iveys) - "Arthur"
One of the best bonus tracks of all time. This spectacular song from the group's original incarnation (The Iveys) is, to the best of my knowledge, only available on the CD edition of "Magic Christian Music."

14. Green Day - "Pulling Teeth"
The other day at work, my coworker and I were designing the paper when we decided to take a trip back to 1994 (Feb. 1, to be exact). And guess what? I liked it.

15. David Bowie - "Some Are"
Like "Arthur," another rarely heard treat from the past: This Bowie track was recorded during the "Low" sessions but didn't find its way into the marketplace until Rykodisc issued that album on CD in the early '90s. (The song was subsequently dropped from the album when it came time for its 1999 digital-remaster facelift on Virgin, so use the Internet wisely kids.)

16. Blur - "Battle"
A nice compliment to "Some Are," this odyssey of a Blur track is all at once earth-shaking and disquieting.

17. R.E.M. - "Hollow Man"
Michael Stipe knows when NOT to mess with success.

18. Cave In - "Rubber and Glue"
A staple of my old college show/original mix tape series, "Don't Tell a Soul."

19. The Milwaukees - "Thinking Like a Genius"
A random track I encountered on my computer. Like Hum mixed with big dumb rock. Strange, but listenable.

20. Dredg - "Convalescent"
Recorded at Skywalker Ranch -- how cool is that? On second thought, don't answer that....

21. The Doors - "Peace Frog"
Note to self: Convince Andy Perfetti to have one of his 5 million bands cover this.

*Of the moment. This title officially switches hands on a daily basis.

Thus concludes your thirtieth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul."

Hillary Clinton, Cecilia Lieder, Yo Majesty, Tony Dierckins, Beloved Binge, Highway 61 and more!

Stories to keep you warm at night, like ... Michael Moore's favorite former first lady visiting my (kind of, sort of) alma mater:

"Hillary Clinton Visits Duluth" :: Hillary Clinton, New York senator and former first lady, stumped for fellow Democrats at the University of Minnesota Duluth's Romano Gym Monday evening. She was joined by U.S. Rep. James Oberstar, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Senate hopeful Al Franken. Prior to taking the stage, Clinton fielded questions from the local press, an event attended by Mayor Don Ness.

"Lieder: Printmaking Just as Rich as Any Other Medium" :: For one of the Northland’s most esteemed printmakers, Cecilia Lieder, Northern Prints Gallery proprietor (and member of the Northern Print Alliance), sure has a good sense of humor about her art. She’s also quite understanding when it comes to explaining her medium.

"Draw Your Brakes (aka 'A Simple Message')" :: A friendly (albeit 100 percent illegal) Railroad Street reminder of your civic duties Tuesday. <- Also known as THIS WEEK'S COVER!

"CD Reviews: Yo Majesty and Beloved Binge" :: Enjoyed this week: Yo Majesty’s “Futuristically Speaking … Never Be Afraid” and Beloved Binge’s “Blender Theory.”

"Book Reviews: Duluth's Aerial Lift Bridge and the Minnesota Stretch of Highway 61 Immortalized" :: The definitive book on “Duluth’s Eiffel Tower," Tony Dierckins' "Crossing the Canal: An Illustrated History of Duluth’s Aerial Bridge," and Cathy Wurzer’s Highway 61 roadtrip companion, “Tales of the Road."

Thus concludes THIS WEEK'S (BELATED) SHAMELESS BUDGETEER PLUG!