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!

Today's Moment of Zen: Happy Halloween, suckers!

(Click on ANTI- recording artist Tim Fite's masterful creation above and you'll be redirected to his Web site, where he is offering up 12 free Halloween-themed MP3s for the taking!)

sys29 :: WHISKEY, MYSTICS AND LADY LOVERS

Matt, accept the fact that your "witty" anecdotes accompanying these "awesome" mix tapes have become increasingly far too personal. There is no possible way that Joe Sixpack, reading this from his sports memorabilia-infested "man cave," could possibly benefit from any of this. --Sincerely, [REDACTED]

Eat me. --"Anonymous"

1. Green Day - "'The Simpsons' Theme"
I've been on quite the "Simpsons" kick lately, so please excuse these "excursions."

2. The Melismatics - "Modern Machines"
At the insistence of the incendiary St. Paul post-punkers in Maudlin, I gave the Melismatics a chance. I liked. Then came along the group's new album, "The Acid Test," and it blew me away. This track, in particular, is [EXPLETIVE DELETED]-ing brilliant. Not in the way Brian Wilson is brilliant, but in the way the boys in Better Than Ezra are brilliant. -> Triumphant pop tendencies that will undoubtedly stand the test of time.

3. The Hourly Radio - "Please Forget"
Almost sounds like a sequel (prequel?) to "Modern Machines," though it lacks the immortal backing vocals of Pony Hixon-Smith.

4. Crooked Fingers - "Call to Love" [MP3]
I'm well aware that Eric Bachmann is good for more than just this song, but I just can't help it: This is unforgettable music.

5. Del the Funky Homosapien - "Positive Contact"
If all you know of Del is the "Deltron Z" cameo on the first Gorillaz album, this is a terrific introduction to his accomplished solo career.

6. Madvillian - "No Brain"
If "BioShock" were a hip-hop song, this would be it. (At least the intro is similarly unnerving.)

7. The Cool Kids - "Delivery Man" [MP3]
For the inaugural Mountain Dew Green Label Sound free MP3 single, the Cool Kids *ahem* deliver. I'd like to write something more profound about this hip-hop track's throwback sound (organs?!), but, hell, crappy puns are just easier.

8. Open Choir Fire - "Things You Have to Do"
Nice indie rock sound. A little faceless, but nice.

9. Lagwagon - "Falling Apart" [MP3]
These guys are always good for a laugh: "Hello / Welcome to the show / Thought we broke up years ago."

10. Matt and Kim - "Daylight" [MP3]
The second free MP3 single in the aforementioned Mountain Dew Green Label Sound series. As far as free things go, this easily gets an "A+."

11. Eric Alexandrakis - "Stalker Fever (No Sleeping in the Park)"
Is it wrong I find this song's concept so amusing? (To be clear, these tracks were all selected because I enjoy listening to them; but, because Alexandrakis' sound is so hard to categorize, I thought I'd take the easy way out and comment on the song title instead.... My apologies.)

12. Rush - "Entre Nous"
Translated: "Between ourselves, confidentially." Translated, loosely (by me): "Keep it like a secret" and/or "Don't tell a soul."

13. R.E.M. - "Mr. Richards"
I wasn't the biggest fan of "Around the Sun," but "Accelerate" definitely finds these Georgia rock gods heading back in the right direction. This one would fit in nicely between "New Adventures in Hi-Fi" and "Up."

14. Dr. Pepper Family - "Pop Will Eat Itself" [MP3]
My favorite Belgian rock group is back, and with an excellent new single to boot!

15. Girls Like Cigarettes - "Combustible You" [MP3]
Rides a Stuard Davis-esque wave of radio-ready pop, but, like that enigmatic singer/songwriter's works, the lyrics aren't typical Top 40 fare: "For better or worse / You exploded first."

16. Plasticines - "Mr. Driver"
Haven't been able to pull yourself out of bed since Elastica called it quits? Well, your mailbox is in luck, as this excellent female-fronted post-punk outfit from Paris will have you running down to your local record store. (On your way out the door, don't forget to see the Postal Service's lovely cramming and stacking abilities....)

17. Passion Pit - "Live to Tell the Tale"
For fans of the New Monarchs, the Postal Service (the duo, not the government organization forgettably referenced above).

18. The Standard - "The Swimmer" [MP3]
Lest I totally beat my adoration for this group into the ground, all I'll say this go-round is, "Excellence, redefined."

19. The Boat People - "Unsettle My Heart"
An aural smorgasboard that somehow makes sense.

20. Laika and the Cosmonauts - "Psyko"
Thanks, W.D., for introducing me to another great track -- long live college radio and those who listened to Man or Astro-man? growing up! (Doesn't require an obsession with Alfred Hitchcock to enjoy, but, as was the case with yours truly, you'll probably enjoy it doubly if you identify your hobbies as such.)

21. Blitzen Trapper - "Furr"
Tonight from Comparison Central ... sounds like Storyhill covering the Beatles (circa "Rubber Soul"), with a hint of Nouvelle Vague's take on Echo and the Bunnymen's "The Killing Moon."

22. Nikka Costa - "Stuck to You"
This Janis Joplin-channeling funk soul sister (?) is back, and as enjoyable as ever.

23. Darlings of the Day - "Hallucination Generation"
Like the Pixies? Do ya? Me too. And apparently these two rising stars do as well.

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

Lucinda Williams, Germs, New Monarchs, Cannon, Rubber Chicken Radio (in Hell) and Bambi slaughter!

Reading (and writing) is fun!

"Live from Hell, It's Rubber Chicken Radio" :: There are a couple reasons Brian Matuszak has done 20-odd radio specials in the last five years. Some, you’ll find, are more noble than others. An interview with the funnyman.

"After Homegrown, Halloween Weekend is King" :: A list of all the Halloween/All Saints Day concerts we know of, from the star-studded Bob Dylan tribute band at the Brewhouse to the all-ages "Halloween Rockathon" at Superior's World of Wheels.

"CD Reviews: Cannon, Lucinda Williams and the New Monarchs" :: Reviewed this week: Cannon All American’s “DCC Reloaded,” Lucinda Williams' "Little Honey" and the New Monarchs' "Blueprints."

"DVD Review: Germs Biopic Worth the Wait" :: Rodger Grossman’s Germs biopic, “What We Do is Secret," provides an insider's look at one of the most influential bands of the punk era. DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

View my photos of the Vote Yes for Kids rally at Historic Old Central Tuesday evening here and here.

Finally, while deer hunting is something I don't agree with, Matt Suoja's story on the matter has a picture of mine. (Hunt the hunters, poor Bambi!)

Thus concludes THIS WEEK'S SHAMELESS BUDGETEER PLUG!

sys28 :: JUB JUB THE TROUBLED M.F.

I'm sad: Walt Dizzo's KUWS radio show (only the best in the Twin Ports) has been pre-empted for SPORTS. And I'm not talkin' 'bout no Huey Lewis album ... oh, the humanity! Nevertheless, we will soldier on, and these 22 glorious tracks are sure to make it a little easier. Jebus be praised!

1. The Terrordactyls - "Decoration Daniel"
I don't know if you know this, but these Seattle kids -- sorry, Vashon Island kids -- recently played a show at Duluth's Bohemia Arts (the venue's first, actually) with Bri from Best Friends Forever and the Tangier 57 side project Perfectini, and it was utterly inspiring. I haven't experienced such a solid performance since, probably, Dance Band at Diorama-rama 3. And this is how they started their set. Hail!

2. Hand Over Fist - "Hand Over Fist"
I still can't get over how mind-blowing a majority of the Hand Over Fist debut is. Mike Mictlan and Lazerbeak oughta be mighty proud of themselves.

3. Bluebird - "Falling Back to Earth"
The definition of power.

4. Slim Whitman - "I Remember You"
After a certain ultraviolent montage in "House of 1,000 Corpses," I can't listen to this song without getting a weird chill. Still, this beauty's going right up there on my "spreading of my ashes at Gooseberry and Estes Park" mix tape. Quite morbid, no?

5. The Handsome Family - "So Much Wine"
Along similar lines to that previous C&W classic, this modern tale of tragedy is 100 percent beautiful. A recommened listen. (Not like the rest of these aren't....)

6. Nirvana - "On a Plain"
Supposedly inspired by "The Stranger." Regardless, it didn't take that knowledge to draw me to this track in elementary school, and it's not necessary now either.

7. The Dames - "Outside"
Like a "Falling Back to Earth" slowed down and formatted for extensive radio play. Why oh why isn't Tony Bennett a multimillionaire yet?

8. Tub Ring - "Friends and Enemies"
I'm not a violent person, but this relentless track kind of makes me want to break something.

9. The Beatles - "I'm Looking Through You"
Recently covered by folk rock duo Storyhill (only the best!) at their University of Minnesota Duluth performance. Weber Hall sure has some great acoustics, eh?

10. Beloved Binge - "(Got) Married on MySpace"
For fans of Grnd Ntl Brnds, the Geraldine Fibbers and myriad Calvin Johnson projects (most notably his work with Built to Spill's Doug Martsch in the Halo Benders), this is truly a great "find." Though technically they found me....

11. Mindless Self Indulgence - "Never Wanted to Dance"
For whatever reason, I feel this group's sound would really go over well with the Norm's Beer and Brats crowd. Hey, Screaming Mechanical Brain played there!

12. Jake One feat. Posdnuos and Slug - "Oh Really"
Despite what I said in my review of "White Van Music," hearing members of Atmosphere and De La Soul together on one track is pretty amazing. And Slug's lines, while "phoned in," are some of his best.

13. David Bowie - "Never Get Old"
The Thin White Duke never ceases to amaze. Seriously, how has he kept it up for so many decades?

14. Death Cab for Cutie - "Long Division"
A more-aggressive DCfC? I like.

15. The Wannadies - "You and Me Song"
A staple of these here mix tapes.

16. The Greycoats - "Goodbye, Sweet Youth, Goodbye"
Kinda like Keane, but we won't hold that against these "melodramatic" Minnesota boys.

17. Black Francis - "You Can't Break a Heart and Have It"
Why can't Kim Deal make music as fresh as this anymore?

18. White Zombie - "Electric Head, Pt. 2 (The Ecstasy)"
I miss the good ol' days....

19. Five Man Electrical Band - "Signs"
Thanks, Peter Fonda, for selling your soul to TimeLife and helping me remember what a terrific song this is. (The first part was sarcastic, definitely not the second.)

20. Brendan Benson - "Maginary Girl"
He makes it seem so ... effortless.

21. Best Friends Forever - "Loneliness Song"
Seeing as how I used to be in a fake gang with these girls, I'm sure I'm at least a little partial, but, damn, this has to be some of the finest indie pop the planet has ever heard.

22. The New Monarchs - "You'll Always Know"
Needless to say, I loved "Blueprints": While there’s not a bum note in the bucket, 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.

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