Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Mini Midday Mix Tape #1


No, this isn't going to replace my regular awesome mix tape series (SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES) and, yes, I will get back to writing comments for those. So, no worries, this is just a test. Either way, enjoy some songs I've been listening to this week.

Monday, April 27, 2009

A&E FYI: Craigslist victim Katherine Olson remembered with concert, album, scholarship fund



LP33.tv and craigslist Support Memorial Concert for Katherine Olson
Businesses partner in a unique opportunity to raise money for scholarship fund

MINNEAPOLIS – April 27, 2009 – LP33.tv and craigslist are among the sponsors working with the Olson family to present A Tribute to Katherine: Letting Her Light Shine memorial concert taking place on May 3rd  in Eden Prairie, Minnesota in memory of the 24 year-old woman who was murdered responding to an online posting for a nanny.

Featuring some of today’s most popular musicians on the internet such as The Proclaimers, Airborne Toxic Event, Free Sol and Boomkat, LP33.tv has produced a public service announcement which can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBmWzWnsd90 with helpful tips from artists to promote Internet safety. This was filmed at the recent South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas. In addition, LP33.tv has created a dedicated Katherine Olsen channel that is currently playing on the Concert for Katherine site as well as a free downloadable album of music by the biggest new music bands.

“To be involved in this concert is a tremendous honor, and we are thrilled that we can participate in remembering Katherine in such a special way,” said Andrew Bentley, CEO and founder of LP33.tv.

In addition to supporting the Katherine Ann Olson Memorial Scholarship Fund, the San Francisco-based craigslist has posted links to the concert Web site from craigslist.org. Craig Newmark, founder of craigslist and customer service rep, will be making brief remarks at the concert.

The benefit concert on May 3 from 4-7 p.m. will feature music from Storyhill, a folk duo from Montana, Twin Cities hipster band Romantica, folk artist, Ann Reed, and the Hispanic theater group Teatro del Pueblo with whom Olson performed, and will be held at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, Minn.

In addition to individuals and musicians, businesses have also generously contributed to the concert and scholarship fund. craigslist offered promotional and financial support. Apex Print Technologies has also provided free printing services for all promotional material. All of the ticketing and logistics have come from Echo Ministries. Thanks to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for contributing to the Katherine Ann Olson Memorial Scholarship fund.

All money raised at the event will go to Olson’s alma mater, St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. Olson graduated with a degree in Hispanic studies and volunteered with Hispanic children in the community. The scholarship will give preference to Hispanic and Latino students.

“It’s an honor to work with great media and Internet leaders and to have such skilled partners to execute the event,” said Sarah Richter, Olson’s sister. “It’s exciting to see our project endorsed and expanded by their successful companies. They have joined in our passion to make this event possible.”

The Minnesota State Demographers Office estimates that Latinos will be the largest minority group by 2020. Currently, only 16 percent of Latinos hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in Minnesota. The scholarship aims to increase educational opportunities for this underrepresented group.

For more information about the concert, the memorial scholarship fund or to purchase tickets, visit www.concertforkatherine.com.


~Information courtesy Best PR

Thursday, April 23, 2009

sys50 :: RING ROAD SUPERMARKET


For this very special* awesome mix tape, I've decided to unveil this blog's new direction: Amazon.com-aided musical discovery. Now, instead of simply "listening" to me ramble on about my current favorite songs, you can actually hear samples of them and, if you like what you hear, purchase them on the fly. However, since A) Amazon's MP3 store doesn't have EVERYTHING and B) sometimes (always) free is more fun, following the widget below you'll find a list of all this mix tape's selections and, whenever available, links to free, artist-sanctioned downloads. (I suppose kids with craptastic Internet connections will appreciate Clause A as well....)

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the new Fly High, Duluth!




1. Arcade Fire - "Lenin"

2. R.E.M. - "I Took Your Name"

3. Drugmoney - "Small Thinking"

4. Pearl Jam - "Corduroy"

5. The Rosenbergs - "Crockett & Tubbs"

6. Cloud Cult's Craig Minowa - "Gonzo Science" unlisted track [other MP3]

7. Fischerspooner - "Supply & Demand" [D.I.M. Remix] [MP3]
[*]

8. Wu-Tang Clan - "Method Man" [Live at Montreux] [MP3]

9. Les Claypool - "Mushroom Men" [MP3]

10. Sloan - "I Can't Sleep"

11. Jay Reatard - "Oh It's Such a Shame"

12. Avett Brothers - "Matrimony" [MP3]

13. The Breeders - "Fate to Fatal" [MP3]

14. The City Champs - "Takin' State"

15. Black Lips - "I'll Be with You"

16. Dave Matthews Band - "Funny How It Is"

17. The Rentals - "Story of a Thousand Seasons Past" [MP3]

18. The Long Winters - "Pushover" [MP3]

19. I Was a King - "Norman Bleik" [MP3]

20. Braid - "The New Nathan Detroits"

21. Death Cab for Cutie - "Kicked In" [Superchunk cover] [*]

22. Decibully - "Tables Turn"

*Turning 50, of course!

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

Sunday, April 19, 2009

First impressions of ... Fischerspooner's 'Entertainment'


While the electroclash duo Fischerspooner hasn't released anything that invigorating since 2001's "Emerge" (from the exhaustingly hyped group's debut, "#1"), there's always hope for the future, right? Well, we'll soon find out; here are my preliminary thoughts on "Entertainment," which will be released next month.



1. "The Best Revenge"
Enjoyable enough
— great horns, without a doubt — but probably not the exciting album opener they were hoping for.

2. "We are Electric"
A static-drenched lullaby. If you like North Caroline duo Alt-Ctrl-Sleep but have always wished they liked dance music just a little bit more, this is the FS track for you.

3. "Money Can't Dance"
Commercial suicide in the form of an ode to Tears for Fears' notoriously radio-unfriendly B-sides. Still, it'll grow on you.

4. "In a Modern World"
Moving more toward the "A" side, but not exactly living up to the big, big words of the group's ever-the-optimist publicist: "
If experimental pop glaze and brilliant dancefloor production are your thing you can't miss with this one."

5. "Supply & Demand"*
Reminds me of a more-playful Orbital/less-snarky The Orb
— this is a track I can get on board with. Finally!

6. "Amuse Bouche"
Oh, hey, time for another quote. This one, the Magnetic Fields' Stephen Merritt describing his "Distortion" album, fits "Amuse Bouche" to a T:
"Some audience members may be completely and immediately turned off but, I figure, if you find it too loud, just turn it down and it will sound quite pretty."

7. "Infidels of the World Unite"
Funky, slappy and ... mappy? Someone let the cat out of the bag, and they're chasing it down with a raygun.

8. "Door Train Home"
Akin to a late-period Chemical Brothers collaboration. Appreciated. (Without a doubt I could see this one being used in a wait-a-second-this-is-way-too-cool-for-a-mainstream-film type of project
— like the next "Fight Club.")

9. "Danse en France"
"Do they have hot water in France?" Just one of the interesting questions posed in this acid-washed and
— going back to that Orb reference — "Little Fluffy Clouds"-evoking dreamscape.

10. "To the Moon"
One of those big, wide-open tracks that, despite what came before it, makes you love whatever album it's on. "Entertainment" isn't perfect, but
, remember, these comments are just a reflection of my first run through the album. As this gorgeous closer winds down, it's pretty apparent this album's going to grow on me in time.



*Two free MP3 downloads of "Supply & Demand" (one regular, one remixed) are available at www.fischerspooner.com. If you like what you hear, the group will be in Minnesota May 29 for a show at First Avenue.



Matthew R. Perrine (aka me, the guy wrote this) is a reporter for the Duluth Budgeteer News. Read his regular Arts & Entertainment coverage at www.duluthbudgeteer.com.

sys49 :: 'LEFT 4 DEAD' IS RUINING MY LIFE


Are you a douchebag who cares too much about music? Me too!

1. Avett Brothers - "Die Die Die"
It really pays off to listen to the Sir Walt Dizzo radio hour(s). He played this last week, I instantly fell in love and, a day or two later, Rolling Stone is naming these guys one of the five new bluegrass acts to watch.

2. the 20goto10 - "10 Start Program" [Demo]
I know I'm a broken record, but ... Rory Allen Phillips is a golden god!

3. Rivers Cuomo and Rainn Wilson - "One of Us" [Joan Osborne cover]
What happens when Weezer and "The Office" collide? A surprisingly winning cover, that's what happpens.



4. Korean Girl - "Reunion"
Interesting downer lyrics: "Why would I spend more time with people that I hate?"

5. Atmosphere - "The Skinny"
The most convincing endorsement for legalized prostitution? You decide.

6. DOOM - "Rap Ambush"
Another shouldn't-miss track introduced to me by Dizzo.

7. The Hold Steady - "You Can Make Him Like You" [LIVE]
This recently released live recording comes complete with an interesting intro from bandleader Craig Finn: "Someone told me last night this song's mean, but I just think it's true: You can make him like you."

8. Rancid - "Last One to Die"
Almost sounds like a Hold Steady song in the beginning ... weird!

9. Superdrag - "Ready to Go"
Not their best album — for whatever reason, it gives off a Gin Blossoms vibe — but a good song for Friday's summer-like temps.

10. Red Hot Valentines - "Christine"
You'd be right to assume this selection's not about a "killer car."

11. Jimmy Eat World - "Crush" [LIVE]
Ten years later and "Clarity" sounds better than ever. Why can't today's popular-with-the-teen-set bands be this worthwhile?

12. Aphex Twin - "Windowlicker"
Remember the first time you heard this? Mind's still blown, isn't it?

13. Lady Sovereign - "Student Union"
Lady Sov is a singles machine. I would give up [still haven't decided...] to hang out with her for just one night.

14. Diplo feat. Sandra Melody - "Newsflash" [MP3]
Miss the Canadian rapper Snow? Me neither — I'm wondering why this track made the cut....

15. The Dukes of Stratosphear (XTC) - "Brainiac's Daughter"
Obnoxious intro, but get past it — hell, it's only a couple seconds long — and let this gallant gem wrap itself around you.

16. The New Pornographers - "Don't Destroy This Night" [Rock*A*Teens cover]
From my review of Merge Records' "The Covers!" disc: Score (is right)! This No. 1 shot from Neko Case, A.C. Newman and the rest of the merry little pranksters is as amazing as the singles the Beach Boys released during their Brother Records years and you laughed the first time you heard the phrase "Canadian supergroup"....

17. Superchunk - "Knock Knock Knock"
... And the first band that comes to mind when I think of Merge Records.

18. Amazing Baby - "Bayonets" [MP3]
Recommended if you like Tears for Fears, INXS and mid-'90s Britpop.

19. Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band - "Nikorette" [MP3]
What the f---, were Mr. Bright Eyes' new backing band named after a backwoods casino or something? Still, good tune.

20. Art Vandalay - "I Been Down"
From my review of "Dancin' with Your Demons" for the Budgeteer: This song's guitar work could easily be confused for some lost noodlings from Young’s Buffalo Springfield days, but, once Brandon Henry’s pleasant lyrics and Calvin Plocher’s refrained drumming saturate the scene, you’re immediately pushed forward a quarter-century. It all just comes together in such a pleasant way that you’ll no doubt rethink your “Save for the pure farm-boy charm of Six Mile Grove, Americana is so played out” Twitter update.

21. Ben Lee - "I Love Pop Music"
Me too!

22. John Vanderslice - "Fetal Horses" [MP3]
Took me a couple spins to fall in love — not really sure why — but this Moody Blues-evoking sleeper is a good way to wind down the night/mix tapes.

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

Sunday, April 12, 2009

sys48 :: FLOW WITH THE FISHES


"Music doesn't change the world, but it can change the way you walk through it." Greil Marcus

1. Elastica - "Connection"
A New Year's Eve party some years ago — 7th grade most likely — this song on repeat ad nauseum. I was really driving everyone insane, but I was in love.

2. !!! - "Must Be The Moon" [Live on KEXP]
Spectacular fun from the worthy-cause compilation "Free Yr Radio" (benefits indie, non-commercial stations). [Download the original here.]

3. The Vaselines - "Son of a Gun"
Growing up on Nirvana, I thought "for sure" that the Vaselines originals couldn't possibly live up to my expectations. I was dead wrong.

4. Cracker - "Turn On Tune In Drop Out"
The gorgeous new single from one of my favorite bands. The new album, "Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey," drops May 5 on 429 Records.

5. Tickertape Parade - "Smile"
An emo-riffic barnstormer from some friends of the Format.

6. Bloc Party - "Signs" [Armand Van Helden Remix] [MP3]
Sounds a lot like "Must Be the Moon" at first, but this remix's nuanced waves of electronica will have you forgetting !!! in no time.

7. Marilyn Manson - "We're from America"
With frenetic bursts of dance-punk madness to fuel its "Our poor, pitiful, also-ran country" theme, this blows Green Day's "American Idiot" right out of the water.

8. White Williams - "Blue Steel"
Playful like Self, but arty like Arcade Fire = a winning combination.

9. Prince - "Crimson and Clover" [Tommy James cover]
A conversation I recently had with a "friend" on Facebook, after I posted something about being sad that Prince lost out to Keith Urban for Billboard's No. 1 spot: "Prince sucks." "You suck." (... And she says she's from Minnesota!)

10. Atmosphere - "Wild Wild Horses"
Though here's one Shannon and I can agree on. A beauty in all regards.

11. Tokyo Police Club - "Your English is Good" [K-Os Remix]
Got a thing for Lonely Island-leaning, '80s-romancing remixes? You'll [REMOVED] in your [REMOVED] when you hear this one.

12. Jimmy Eat World - "Ten" [Live]
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of "Clarity," Jimmy Eat World celebrated in a big way, taking it on the road and recording an original-rivaling live album.

13. The First Ladies - "Dirty House"
Thanks to DJ Starfire and his KUMD radio show for reminding me of this North Country rocker.

14. Street Sweeper - "Clap for the Killers" [MP3]
If the Coup's Boots Riley and Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello (aka "The Nightwatchman") working together wasn't cool enough — sounding exactly as you'd expect it to — you can go to their tour page with Nine Inch Nails and Jane's Addiction and download multi-track audio to create your own Street Sweeper remixes!

15. Mates of State - "Beautiful Dreamer"
The aural equivalent of "Z."

16. Radar Bros. - "Warm Rising Sun" [MP3]
Always entertaining and ... always underappreciated.

17. The Shins - "Plenty is Never Enough" [Tenement Halls cover]
If you missed it, I gave the lowdown on "The Covers!" (the Merge Records compilation from which this came) last week on Fly High, Duluth! In case you don't feel like taking the two seconds to click on the lovingly provided link, here's what I said about this song: "Along similar lines to Les Savy Fav's Superchunk cover ('Precision Auto'), this single-in-waiting is full of enough bounce and pep to fuel any good-natured roadtrip."

18. Ben Lee - "Surrender"
The pure pop affectations continue with this romp down Traveling Wilburys way.

19. Lazlo Bane - "Buttercup"
A "Don't Tell a Soul" (see below) standard, featured oh-so-many times on these here mix tapes.

20. The Evening Rig - "The Hilltop Pines" [MP3]
Like local band Ben Durbin's Modern Antiques, sounds like these Cities kids grew up on a steady diet of mid-'90s rock. Not that that's a bad thing.

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

Monday, April 6, 2009

sys47 :: DON'T MESS WITH ME, PORK CHOP


From "30 Rock": "I'm gonna make you a mix tape you like Phil Collins?"
"I've got two ears and a heart, don't I?"


1. Double Dagger - "The Lie/The Truth" [MP3]
Insound.com said it best: Baltimore's Double Dagger keeps the rhythms pummeling and the energy set on explosive. [Emphasis added by yours truly.]

2. Ben Lee - "What's So Bad (About Feeling Good)?"
The ultimate pop song? I think so. Fly High, Duluth!'s favorite Aussie returns with the perfect single, floating somewhere between Afropop and George Harrison's Traveling Wilburys contributions.

3. Prince - "(There'll Never B) Another Like Me"
The Purple One is back with his best album in ages ("MPLSoUND") and, for good measure, another one ("LOtUSFLOW3R") thrown in for next to nothing. (I'm trying to pretend the third disc in the $11.98 Target-exclusive set, Bria Valente's "Elixer," even exists....)

4. Atmosphere - "Hair"
A staple of these here awesome mix tapes, this "God Loves Ugly" classic finds Slug in prime storytelling mode. That ending never gets old.

5. Mark Mallman - "Death Wish" [MP3]
... And the driver of that pickup truck? Here's your answer.

6. Josh Freese - "I Don't Think That's OK" [MP3]
The drummer that's worked on more records than just about anybody in the history of rock 'n' roll (besides being a member of A Perfect Circle, he's also collaborated with Nine Inch Nails, Ween, the Martinis, etc.) is now on the frontlines. And? And ... it rocks. You can almost smell the fuzz.

7. Mr. Oizo - "Positif"
The most fascinating "techno" album I've heard in years. Will completely suck you in.

8. Franz Ferdinand - "No You Girls" [The Rogue Element Remix] [MP3]
That said, this is the single most exciting remix I think I've ever heard. It starts out innocent enough, almost like a long-lost Foghat romper, then utterly turns your cerebellum into a nest. The parasite has landed.

9. Evangelicals - "Skeleton Man" [MP3]
Pure (dream-haunting) beauty.

10. White Hinterland - "Dreaming of the Plum Trees" [MP3]
A little too whimsical at times, but, were I to lose my mind, I can see this playing in the mental ward. And me smiling, ever so knowingly. (Sorry, just watched "Choke." Still trying to digest its flaws.)

11. The Pixies - "Motorway to Roswell"
Weirdly enough, "Trompe le Monde" was my first Pixies disc. That probably explains why I love Frank Black's solo career so much.

12. Tokyo Police Club - "Juno" [MP3]
I know I'm the last music geek in America to fall in love with these guys, so I'll save my energy.

13. These are Powers - "Life of Birds" [MP3]
All the excitement of a high school pep rally and your first bad trip rolled into one. (Kidding! Totally kidding....)

14. Thunderheist - "Space Cowboy"
Remember what I said about Mr. Oizo? I feel the same way about this amazing group, which combines the best aspects of disco and nameless, faceless dance music with unrivaled electronic soundscapes. (I'll say more when I finally get around to reviewing their impossibly good disc.)

15. Sebastien Grainger & The Mountains - "By Cover of Night (Fire Fight)" [MP3]
Speaking of reviews, I really enjoyed SG's recent solo adventure. After comparing the Death From Above 1979 member's record to those of his fellow countrymen in Hot Hot Heat (he's Canadian), I went on to applaud this catchy track's Pixies-esque post-punk sheen. Good listening, no matter who or what you compare it to.

16. Ladyfinger (ne) - "Little Things" [MP3]
Measured, radio-ready* Nebraska rock 'n' roll.

17. Art Vandalay - "If You Love Me"
Some people are so nice. Like Art Vandalay's Brandon Henry: "Thanks for the great review! I was absolutely flattered." Flattered ... really? When you're the second coming of Neil Young, you should be expecting kind words to flow your way!

18. The Honeydogs - "Sunshine Committee"
During that same review column, I handed over the keys to the city to the Honeydogs as well. I don't regret it one bit: These Twin Cities mainstays are making all of our other favorite bands look bad with their unfailing consistency.

19. The Donkeys - "Walking Through a Cloud" [MP3]
Like John Fogerty and Stephen Stills but afraid those two classic rock dinosaurs don't allow for enough street cred with that cute girl at the local record shop? Well then, try on the Donkeys for size. Your secret's safe with me, buddy boy.

20. Hayden - "Home by Saturday" [MP3]
Finally, Hayden is proof that this world can never have enough country-leaning ballads that are written for/on the road. Jackson Browne would be so proud.

*If, and only if, people like KUWS's Walt Dizzo ruled the airwaves.

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

First impressions of ... the Merge Records covers disc


Merge is 20 years old. Part of the larger "Score!" subscription-based box set, "The Covers!" is an amazing collection of songs spanning the label's existence, covered by some of the most popular (non-Merge) indie bands around, such as Quasi, Les Savy Fav, the Shins, Ryan Adams, Bright Eyes, the New Pornographers, Okkervil River, Death Cab for Cutie, Times New Viking and many more. This collection is the first of only two commercially available pieces from the box set. Limited to 7,500 copies. All proceeds benefit charities chosen by the SCORE curators.

I didn't write the text above (Merge did), but what follows are my preliminary thoughts on this incredible covers project:

1 Quasi – "Beautiful Things" (3Ds)

A warm, humming firecracker that comes across as a less-polished MGMT or a rough-around-the-edges R.E.M. (circa "Reveal").

2 Les Savy Fav – "Precision Auto" (Superchunk)
A song for summer block parties if I ever did hear one: Les Savy Fav's tribute to Superchunk is raw, urgent and full of adrenaline (like most of the group's originals).

3 The Shins – "Plenty is Never Enough" (Tenement Halls)
Along similar lines, this single-in-waiting is full of enough bounce and pep to fuel any good-natured roadtrip.

4 St. Vincent and The National – "Sleep All Summer" (Crooked Fingers)
Like its title implies, this love song, while pretty, is the aural equivalent of your dog's favorite Sunday-afternoon sunning spot.

5 Broken Social Scene – "Complications" (The Clean)
BSS, Canada's premier musical collective, goes all expansive and legendary for this punk cover and it works, epicly so.

6 Ryan Adams – "Like a Fool" (Superchunk)
One of the most prolific voices of this generation channels the vibe of Radiohead's "The Bends" album (the single "My Iron Lung" in particular) for what is probably going to be this album's best entry point for casual rock fans.

7 Bright Eyes – "Papa Was a Rodeo" (The Magnetic Fields)
Similarly, Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst, one of the other most prolific voices of this generation, feels right at home with this Magnetic Fields classic. If you liked his "Digital Ash in a Digital Urn" disc a few years back, you'll dig this cover.

8 Lavender Diamond – "New Ways of Living" (Destroyer)
Eh.... Her voice just doesn't do it for me/sounds as if it escaped from a slightly unnerving collection of beloved lullabies for yuppie spawn.

9 The Apples in stereo – "King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 3" (Neutral Milk Hotel)
I was so glad to find out that this stellar track is on here. (I heard it last week on Walt Dizzo's radio show and was hoping to get my hands on it sooner rather than later – thanks, Merge's powers that be!)

10 Laura Cantrell – "Cowboy on the Moon" (Lambchop)
I don't want to come across as a sexist, but this "Dream Weaver"-esque ditty belongs on the same eerie (fake) compilation as Lavender Diamond's "New Ways of Living." Pass.

11 Bill Callahan – "Santa Maria" (Versus)
Oh, I see, we've landed on this album's ho-hum stretch. Unless you're a big Quentin Tarantino fan (as in, you own all of his film's soundtracks), this sitting-pretty-south-of-the-border roller probably won't jump out at you.

12 Barbara Manning – "Through with People" (Portastatic)
Finally we're back to songs to write home about/include on your next awesome mix tape! Like Belly and the Martinis, yeah? No? Well, then, I guess I'll be dancing and falling in love to this one alone.

13 The Mountain Goats – "Drug Life" (East River Pipe)
Yikes, was this recorded by a laptop? (Then again, I'm the kind of guy who prefers his Guided by Voices releases to be hi-fi.)

14 The New Pornographers – "Don’t Destroy This Night" (The Rock*A*Teens)
Score (is right)! This No. 1 shot from Neko Case, A.C. Newman and the rest of the merry little pranksters is as amazing as the singles the Beach Boys released during their Brother Records years and you laughed the first time you heard the phrase "Canadian supergroup"....

15 Tracey Thorn & Jens Lekman – "Yeah! Oh, Yeah!" (The Magnetic Fields)
Doesn't quite reach the epic highs of Sinead O'Connor and Shane MacGowan's 1995 duet "Haunted," but just having these two talents work together is pretty impressive.

16 The Hive Dwellers – "My Noise" (Superchunk)
More love for Superchunk ... or is it? Upon first listen I'm pretty sure the Hive Dwellers actually hate Merge's all-star group. This is a regrettable recording.

17 Ted Leo & The Pharmacists – "The Numbered Head" (Robert Pollard)
Though I haven't followed Ted Leo's career as closely as I probably should have, his take on Guided by Voices' Who-obsessed frontman is quite pleasant. Consider me a new fan.

18 Okkervil River – "All You Little Suckers" (East River Pipe)
Nuanced (read: not very exciting), but leaps and bounds better than Track 16.

19 Death Cab for Cutie – "Kicked In" (Superchunk)
Makes the soul smile. Come on, what else would you expect from these guys?

20 Times New Viking – "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" (Arcade Fire)
I was a little worried about this one, as the Arcade Fire original is one of my favorite song, but ... well, I have mixed feelings. It kind of feels like noise (which I hate), but, like choice My Bloody Valentine tracks, I'm coming around to it. It works, no worries. (I cheated and listened to this track twice.)

Matthew R. Perrine (aka me, the guy wrote this) is a reporter for the Duluth Budgeteer News. Read his regular Arts & Entertainment coverage at www.duluthbudgeteer.com.