Don't Tell a Soul, Vol. 57: What's that floating in the water?

Submitted for the approval of the Twin Ports Awesome Mix Tape Appreciation Society (wanna join?) ... the latest installment of "Don't Tell a Soul."

As always, to encourage the consumption of music that doesn't suck, I have provided -- wherever available -- links to free, artist-sanctioned MP3s of the songs.

Dragonfly, get back to yr mother!
Matt

(Questions? Comments? Want one of your band's songs to be considered for an upcoming awesome mix tape? E-mail mperrine [at] duluthbudgeteer [dot] com.)

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1. The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank - "2010"
The Hobo Nephews (Teague and Ian Alexy) make music that will "restore your faith in recorded sound." (Not to rip off myself too much or anything....)

2. Kenna - "Out of Control (State of Emotion)"
"Pop music" hasn't sounded this good since ... Kenna's last record. (Go figure.)

3. Maritime - "Guns of Navarone" (other MP3s available here too)
If you, like me, think the Promise Ring's "Wood/Water" was one of the most important records of the new millennium, then ... well, you probably already own Maritime's new record -- so I'm kind of preaching to the choir, eh?

4. George Harrison - "Apple Scruffs"
It's a debate for the ages: What's a better record, "All Things Must Pass" or the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds"? Someone should just tell me the answer, because I'm sick of losing sleep over this silly little query.

5. Jens Lekman - "The Opposite of Hallelujah"
Recommended if you like Rufus Wainwright and Dexys Midnight Runners. A weird mix, I know, so hopefully you'll hear it too.

6. Babyshambles - "Delivery"
I'm as sick of Pete Doherty as the next music geek, but, what do you know? He actually sat down and took some time to wrote another decent song. (It's been awhile, "brah"!)

7. Jay-Z - "Lucifer"
Should've retired at the top.... (However, a special nod of our collective hats to Kanye West for one of the tightest tracks in Jay-Z's lengthy catalogue.)

8. Fare Well - "Stay Pretty"
R.I.Y.L. Motion City Soundtrack, early Stereo.

9. Northern State - "Away Away"
Sounds like somebody's aiming for Deborah Harry's throne!

10. Buck 65 - "Intro" (from "Situation")
It's weird to put an intro track on a mix tape without the song it "introduces," but Buck 65's "Intro" has a misleading title: This is more along the lines of an original DJ Abilities composition. Stunning ... can definitely stand alone. (Speaking of Abilities, wasn't his performance Friday night at Luce -- with Eyedea, of course -- one of the most amazing things you've ever seen in your life?)

11. Mac Lethal - "Pound that Beer"
You heard it here first: "Party album of the year." p.s. Watch this track's sweet, "retro-fantastic" video on Rhymesayers' Web site.

12. Electric Light Orchestra - "Hold On Tight"
Better before it was used in a commercial, but, still, a classic.

13. Ween - "Your Party"
Funny shit right here.

14. Eels - "That's Not Really Funny" (some MP3s available here)
But not here -- though the vibe really flows from track to track.

15. The Format - "If Work Permits" (free live MP3 here)
The epic closer from 2006's No. 3 album. (Can you tell I'm getting excited for this year's list?)

16. Ravens & Chimes - "General Lafayette! You are Not Alone"
R&C's lead singer sounds exactly like the Format's ... weird.

17. Mason Proper - "My My (Bad Fruit)"
Rock it.

18. The Shapes - "Dry on Ice" (listen here)
For fans of Dealership, reru and, to a lesser degree, Imperial Teen. Good stuff.

19. Modico - "Vertigo"
These guys are sure to blow a speaker or two, but I can't quite put my finger on what they sound like. (Download it and give it your best shot!)

20. Billy Corgan - "Rats"
The one good thing about "Ransom"....

21. Pitchshifter - "W.Y.S.I.W.Y.G." (listen to a live version here)
Oh, boy, this sure brings me back to high school. This is some intense rock 'n' roll.

22. The Killers - "On Top"
I know it's not "cool" to love the Killers, but I just can't help myself sometimes.

23. Pearl Jam - "Push Me Pull Me"
It's funny how experimental PJ can sometimes get, and, yet, retain a level of listenability that's enviable compared to some of the shit I've come across in my adventures.

24. The Pixies - "Mr. Grieves"
The ultimate Pixies statement?