Sunday, September 27, 2009

Awesome Mix Tape #60 (in the shake*your*shores series)



You know the drill: You read. You giggle and/or vomit in your mouth. You get excited. You listen. You hurt your face smiling from ear to shining ear. You thank your lucky stars for awesome mix tapes.

Submitted for the approval of the Mix Tape Appreciation Society, I call this one "And On Your Right..." -- yeah, uh huh. (Note: I've had quite the wild ride the last few weeks, so that's why there are two "covers" this week. The first one was stolen -- and subsequently fiddled with -- from my buddy Matt Kobberdahl, who is the driving force behind the new band Skillsaw Symphony. And No. 2 is between me, my lady and Clearwater Lake....)

1. Remy Zero - "Glorious #1"
Yes! Finally somebody wrote a song about me! he he he

2. Felt - "Protagonists"
Slug + Murs + Aesop Rock (on production) = An indie(-ish) rap eargasm. ("Eww" is right.)

3. The Plastic Constellations - "Mazatlan"
Before he made his $$$ as Lazerbeak in Doomtree and Hand Over Fist, Aaron Mader was just one of the Plastics. And what a Plastic he was!

4. Tears for Fears - "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"
The other night at the Red Star nightclub in Fitger's the DJ was only spinning '80s pop masterpieces. It kind of felt like a scene from "American Psycho," but it was splendid fun nonetheless. But maybe that's because everyone in my entourage is still alive. LOL

5. fun. - "Light a Roman Candle with Me"
I love being in love (so sayeth this group's last incarnation, the Format). And, yes, I am proud of that "man vag" you'll discover in my armpit. ha ha ha

6. Kristoff Krane - "Easy Way Out"
Recommended to me by Jesse "Jaze" Unger of local hip-hop favorites Kritical Kontact, so you know it's good, my friends.

7. Brother Ali - "Us" [Video Edit]
HipHopDX.com gave this track's album a 4.5 out of 5. Congrats, Ali!

8. Amanda Blank - "Something Bigger, Something Better"
Fans of M.I.A. will dig this trippy/hypnotic/ethereal after-midnight thriller from the new Ms. Nasty.

9. TV on the Radio - "I Was a Lover"
Similarly, this after-bar-close cut will keep you mesmerized while you think about missed connections, the new smell of your clothes, how you'll feel the next morning ... you know, life stuff.

10. David Dondero - "Journal Burning Party"
In case you missed my recent news alert concerning this sent-from-above musical talent: He's from Duluth!

11. The Stereo - "Count on Me"
You can, A.J.H. The rest of you? S--- out of luck. ha ha ha

12. Accident Clearinghouse - "Bird on the Wing"
Like the Beatles' early mellow cuts? So does the Clearinghouse.

13. brakesbrakesbrakes - "If I Should Die Tonight"
"... Would you tell her that I loved her?" (No, I'm not trying to get you to puke in your mouth -- that's actually how the song goes!)

14. The SpongeTones - "Alayna"
Like the Beatles' mid-period mid-tempo cuts? So do the SpongeTones.

15. Weezer - "No Other One"
Yeah, it's a little f----- up for a love song, but I dig it. And always have.

16. RJD2 - "Exotic Talk"
You know how neon lights leave streaks across your field of vision when [REMOVED FOR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT'S SAKE]? This could very well be that awesome song you hear playing in the background. Like a "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" montage or something.

17. The Beatles - "I Want to Hold Your Hand" ["Love" vers.]
Like the Beatles' after-the-fact studio wizardry? Oh, wait.... (p.s. I don't want to brag or anything, but I managed to catch the "Love" show in Vegas this past week at the Mirage and, man alive, it was one of the coolest things I've ever witnessed in my life!)

18. Fuzzbubble - "Bliss"
Makes me wanna rock more than fake plastic guitars. (And this hot rocker comes equipped with choice lyrics to boot: "I don't want to fight, but everyone is wrong and I am right.")

19. Possum Dixon - "What You Mean"
And this one makes me wanna beat on more than fake plastic drums. (And please don't read that the wrong way. ha ha ha)

20. Looner - "I Love My Tamagotchee!"
Hey, remember when I interviewed this spunky husband-and-wife indie rock duo before they hit up Superior? Oh, well ... now you do!

21. Fleetwood Mac - "Over & Over"
A friend who digs the 'Mac is a friend indeed.

22. The Black Crowes - "A Train Makes a Lonely Sound"
Back on top of the world. As they should be.

23. The Jayhawks feat. Matthew Sweet - "All the Right Reasons"
The most romantic song since "Tupelo Honey"? Perhaps. (Sorry, Van!)

24. The Flaming Lips - "When You Smile"
This one's similarly romantic, but in more of a nontraditional/Cloud Cult doing "Chemicals Collide" kind of way.

Thus concludes your sixtieth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul." Hope you enjoyed the fix!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Ex-Nirvana members upset Cobain a 'Guitar Hero 5' character

After Courtney Love tweeted about how she will sue the s--- out of Activision for allowing her late husband to be an unlockable character in the latest "Guitar Hero" installment, a statement regarding Nirvana and the likeness of the late Kurt Cobain was just released by the mighty K.C.'s former bandmates:

We want people to know that we are dismayed and very disappointed in the way a facsimile of Kurt is used in the Guitar Hero game. The name and likeness of Kurt Cobain are the sole property of his estate - we have no control whatsoever in that area.

While we were aware of Kurt's image being used with two Nirvana songs, we didn't know players have the ability to unlock the character. This feature allows the character to be used with any kind of song the player wants. We urge Activision to do the right thing in "re-locking" Kurt's character so that this won't continue in the future.

It's hard to watch an image of Kurt pantomiming other artists' music alongside cartoon characters. Kurt Cobain wrote songs that hold a lot of meaning to people all over the world. We feel he deserves better.

Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl

~Information courtesy Nasty Little Man

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

sys59 :: MAY BEARS EAT EARTH'S SCUM


I really have to ease myself back into this "game." I actually "composed" the bulk of this mix tape back in July, so I don't really know what I was going for anymore. Anyway, without further ado, here's another batch of songs for no one....

1. No Wait Wait - "The Bull's Horns"
Marc Gartman, golden god, strikes again.

2. Sims - "Key Grip (Fax)"
As much as I love Rhymesayers Entertainment, I think Doomtree Records has a better track record. (Though, confusingly, I bought this through Rhymesayers' record store, Fifth Element....)

3. Matt & Kim - "I Wanna"
The aural equivalent of eating "diabetes in a tube." ha ha ha

4. Ed Hale - "Ballad on Third Avenue ("Beautiful Losers)"
This one gives me a peaceful, easy feeling. And, yes, I would consider myself a beautiful loser. Me and Bob Seger, baby!

5. The Format - "Let's Make This Moment a Crime"
I'm not normally about risking my job to break the law or whatever, but I think the way referenced in this song is A-OK. At least I think I understand what's going on here....

6. The Beatles - "And Your Bird Can Sing"
In honor of this monumental day, I'd like to direct you to Chuck Klosterman's latest masterpiece (yes, it's about the Beatles).

7. Coconut Records - "Microphone"
It's nice to see Jason Schwartzman, former Phantom Planet drummer/so-so actor, back making music. The Fab Four (and *ahem* Pavement/S.M.) would be so proud of this lucky No. 1.

8. Black Gold - "Idols"
This is one of those records that just keeps coming back to you. I recommend you seek Black Gold out.

9. Great Lake Swimmers - "She Comes to Me in Dreams"
I want to make a joke incorporating my girl from the North Country and how I'd swim to her hamlet, but ... no. Just can't do it here. Don't want anyone to puke in their mouth. (LOL)

10. We Were Promised Jetpacks - "Ships with Holes Will Sink"
Sweetest band name ever and, lucky for us, the song ain't too shabby either.

11. Cloud Cult - "Shape of 8"
Please, God, pass on my message to Craig Minowa that he needs to play this fiery track at River Falls Friday night when Cloud Cult takes the stage!

12. Passion Pit - "Moth's Wings"
All of a sudden Passion Pit is one of those really-obnoxiously-buzzed-about bands. Thankfully I heard them before all that jazz so I can still enjoy them. (You think I'm joking? I am that goofy about my music.)

13. Jarvis Cocker - "Angela"
The opposite of orange juice ... get my meaning?

14. Brother Ali - "Original King"
Kind of a menacing track. Definitely would not want to take on Ali in a rap battle.

15. The Letter Y - "The Candy Cave"
Candy Mountain, Charlie!!!

16. King Khan and the Shrines - "Land of the Freak"
Like every other song King Khan has recorded. And that's just fine.

17. F.O.N. - "You Might Think" [Cars cover]
Kind of obnoxious (the ska intro), but kind of awesome (the rockin' middle half) too.

18. Reggie and the Full Effect - "E"
Not about my favorite pint-sized ninja, thankfully.

19. Jay Reatard - "Wounded"
Up with Jay!

20. Keygrip - "If I Could (You Know I Would)"
... Eat all your pluots? Yep.

21. Brendan Benson - "Feel Like Taking You Home"
I'd like to say working with Jack White was a death wish, but, come on, who could ever say no to a new song from everybody's favorite Brendan?

22. Blitzen Trapper - "Gold for Bread"
Another "Buzz Bin" act. But we won't hold that against them.

23. The Pixies - "Blown Away"
Unlike the Beatles, I'm not so sure I want to blow all my hard-earned money on this group's mammoth box set. I mean, I know they're my favorite band and all, but ... oh, who am I kidding? Of course I'd love to put it on my charge card, sir!

24. The Rural Alberta Advantage - "Don't Haunt This Place"
Really, really impressive stuff -- despite the apparent Great White North connection. (I kid, Canada, you know I love you!)

25. Little Black Books - "The Sponge"
Apparently Mark Lindquist had heard those rumors that Gartman had replaced him in my heart during his suddenly-a-father hiatus, because the Books are back and sounding better than ever. Probably too mellow for Giljunko hardliners, but everyone has to grow up sometime, right?

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

Monday, September 7, 2009

Photo of the Day: Storyhill in Deerwood, Minn.

John(ny) Hermanson backstage at the inaugural Storyhill Fest Midwest, held near Deerwood, Minn., this weekend at the impeccable Clearwater Forest Camp. Matthew R. Perrine/FlyHighDuluth.com

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Dispatches from Radioheadland (Thom Yorke's two new songs)

This is for real:

Dear Sir or Madam

This is to inform you of the release of two more bits of work shortly.
They are loosely under the Thom Yorke name this time, although these days its all getting kind of blurry. FeelingPulledApartbyHorses is written & played by Jonny and I and is a radical rework of an old tune that's been kicking around without a home since 2001? i think. The Hollow Earth is a bass menace that was born out of the Eraser period but needed a little more time.
Both were produced by Nigel Godrich as ever. And mastered by Bob Ludwig.
They are being put out on 12" with sliced sleeve by Stanley and Tchock.
My sources tell me this will be available from the 21st of September if you're interested...On sale in the w.a.s.t.e part of our website (with a gratis download.) Or you can go buy it in a good record shop if you are lucky enough to have one near you. Then later on there will be like a normal download thing i think around the 6th of Oct through the usual channels.

And so it goes. all the best
Thom

~Thanks to Nasty Little Man for passing this on!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Today's Moment of Zen: Socks that sing!

The Format's "Dead End" ... as performed by somebody's dirty laundry! (I think the best part is when the white sock tears the picture of him and his ex off the wall. LOL)