This is an awesome mix tape. Consider it a gift from me to ... me, really. And possibly my grandma down in Florida too.
1. Toadies - "Waterfall"
Between "Possum Kingdom" and "Hell Below/Stars Above," everybody's favorite Pixies-worshiping Texans recorded "Feeler." Despite including songs like this, which may very well be the quartet's strongest track ever, the album was rejected by the group's record label. No worries; the group is putting the final touches on a re-recording of the M.I.A. recording (as said former record label claimed to have lost the master tapes for the entire project).
2. Rob Zombie - "Death and Destiny Inside the Dream Factory"
Having already worn out my copy of "Hellbilly Deluxe 2,"
I am feeling pangs of regret following my decision not to catch Rob Zombie's recent show at the DECC with Alice Cooper.
I am feeling pangs of regret following my decision not to catch Rob Zombie's recent show at the DECC with Alice Cooper.3. The Brushstrokes - "Haggard Whore"
I don't want to give too much away -- as I recently interviewed Brushstrokes members Dan Dress and Stephanie Dykema, and plan on featuring them in the pages of the Budgeteer -- but the Brushstrokes' first (and possibly last) album, "This is How the World Will End,"
was a struggle-fest to get finished ... to say the least.
was a struggle-fest to get finished ... to say the least.4. Cupcakes - "Vidiots"
Trickling out of the gates like a Nine Inch Nails "Closer" lite, this surprisingly warm-sounding alternative rock track quickly goes from "Umm...." to "Ahh!"
5. Rubik - "Facing the Intergalactic Jury"
What is this song about? Who cares! Fans of ambitious, mainstream-leaning acts like the Flaming Lips and Cloud Cult will absolutely fall in love with it.
6. Eels - "Looking Up"
E gets his gospel on, Barrett Chases the world over fall to their knees.
7. Inoculist - "Holy Name"
Not that this is at all related, but my first name means "gift of God." Also not related: I'm currently reading atheist/Esquire contributor A.J. Jacobs' "The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible,"
and it is quite possibly the most captivating book I've ever picked up.
and it is quite possibly the most captivating book I've ever picked up.8. Admiral Radley - "I Heart California" [FREE MP3]
In case you haven't heard, Jason and Aaron from Grandaddy and Aaron and Ariana from Earlimart have this new project going, and, from what I've heard (OK, just this track...), it's every bit as enjoyable as "Yours Truly, The Commuter."
9. Wilco - "Monday" (demo vers.)
From the hard-to-come-by "And Sum Aren't," a promotional disc which I believe you could only score with select copies of "Summerteeth."
10. The Bird and the Bee - "Rich Girl" (Hall & Oates cover)
The other day I scored a $5 promotional credit at Amazon.com's MP3 store. Suddenly perplexed (way too many choices!), I broke out a sweat flying through its myriad pages before I found an entire album of Hall & Oates covers by the Bird and the Bee. I've been kind of on a Hall & Oates kick lately, and I recently heard something the Bird and the Bee did for "Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!" -- needless to say, I purchased said album, "Interpreting the Masters, Vol. 1,"
and I've been digging it ever since. Well worth seeking out.
and I've been digging it ever since. Well worth seeking out.11. Fort Wilson Riot - "Forgotten Language"
A must for all the Devil Makes Three fans out there.
12. KT Tunstall - "If Only"
Like legendary duo Hall & Oates, KT's another one of my current favorite things. Make fun all you want, but she makes my days that much brighter! (Are your cheeks reddening? No, just mine?! ha ha ha)
13. Asher Roth - "G.R.I.N.D. (Get Ready It's a New Day)"
Since I'm already laying out all my embarrassing musical faux pas out on the table today, here's another: When I first caught Kristoff Krane in concert (at Pizza Luce with Eyedea & Abilities), I was less than blown away. I've since realized he's one of the most authentic performers on the scene today. In an effort to make amends, I'm revisiting every music act I've publicly made a fuss about -- and no one got the brunt of it worse than Asher Roth. Granted, he's nowhere near as talented as Saint Paul's KK, but I'm starting to realize he's not necessarily the Antichrist either. In other words, this new focus track is a great place to start if you've heard all the hype and want to hear what kids in college hear in this MC.
14. Uffie - "MCs Can Kiss"
For tomorrow's next big pop star, Uffie surprisingly has a flow similar to the Coup's/Street Sweeper Social Club's not-at-all-mainstream Boots Riley -- minus all of the radical hate, that is. And this track's hilariously campy sax solo? So ridiculous it hurts.
15. The Books - "A Cold Freezin' Night"
Not to be confused with Duluth's the (Little Black) Books, this group's sound lands somewhere between the French group Nouvelle Vague, Beck's most experimental sides and plain ol' aurally triggered flashbacks. Quite interesting.
16. Mexican Institute of Sound - "Cumbia"
The cleanest bass sound ever produced? It's got my vote.
Where to start? Long sued out of existence (read Negativland's "Fair Use" book for the whole story), this kazoo-heavy cover of one of U2's biggest songs is actually most notable for what's used as the song's "lyrics": outtakes of Casey Kasem in the studio swearing up a holy-rollin' poop storm. About what, you ask? Among other things, coming out of uptempo records on his legendary "American Top 40" radio show before he's asked to do a solemn death dedication. One choice quote from CK about U2: "These guys are from England and who gives a s---?"
In case you haven't been following the free Levi's Pioneer Sessions series, a bunch of great artists are covering some of their favorite songs and offering them up for free download. Other choice cuts: the Swell Season doing Candi Staton's "Young Hearts Run Free" and She & Him -- never strangers to reinterpreting others' works -- tackling early rock 'n' roll classic "Fools Rush In."
19. Tracey Thorn - "Why Does the Wind" (Ewan Pearson Radio Edit)
I never much did care for Everything But the Girl, but this is (Fleetwood) Mac-tastic enough for me to throw my support behind.
20. Tokyo Police Club - "First Date Kit"
Not to totally disregard what TPC have done here, but did you hear the crazy news out of South Africa that they've now started marketing condoms with teeth? (Read more about his particular Medieval-leaning device here.) Hopefully it doesn't have to come to that in our country, with out-of-control date rape stats.
Again, my apologies to TPC. I'm assuming that's not what they had in mind when they recorded "First Date Kit"....
21. Two Many Banjos - "Everything to Anyone"
Good news: "Banjo Dave" Carroll (of Two Many Banjos/Trampled by Turtles fame) sat down for a lengthy interview with the Budgeteer. Bad news: I'm quite behind on my stories, so it still might not see the light of day for a week or two. My apologies to Kate Kucinski all of his diehard fans!
I realize this is a comedy bit, but it actually sounds kind of legit. It's similar to all those Michael McDonald-evoking Ween "slow jams" -- funny, yet somehow enjoyable at the same time.
A country-tinged pop/punk band straight out of Madison, Wis.? You got it. Now hurry up and enjoy; they'll be at Beaner's soon!
24. Liz Phair - "Firewalker"
I know it's not "cool" to publicly acknowledge her late-period work, but ... well, I just like it too much to ignore. (Come on, that's probably one of today's least embarrassing admissions!)
BONUS VIDEO TRACK: Ima Robot's "Ruthless"
They're back, and they're sounding as trippy as frontman Edward Sharpe's other group, the Magnificent Zeros
.
BONUS VIDEO TRACK: Ima Robot's "Ruthless"
They're back, and they're sounding as trippy as frontman Edward Sharpe's other group, the Magnificent Zeros
.Thus concludes your seventy-fifth and LAST dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES. Following a brief rebooting period, this awesome mix tape series (formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul") will return with a new name and ... that's about it. Honestly, I like its look and formula, so chances are I'll keep doing it exactly the same way. How do you like me now?
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