Fall Mix! Yeh!

I FINALLY signed up for an itunes account so I can download music and make mixes again! Ever since the downfall of music for free, I've not made a mix. This has been at least since fall of 2005....wow.

So, here are the songs on my mix and a little commentary. If I did not have a child on the way I would make a friggin' boxed set, but I can't afford it. I also realize some of these songs are old (overdue!) but deal with it. If you want a copy I might be obliged to send you one.

Klaxons- Gravity's Rainbow: Think Gnarls Barkley meets Mars Volta without the unusually long interludes.

Unwritten Law- Geronimo (acoustic): Because no mix is complete without a little Scott Russo.

Dashboard Confessional (feat. Adam Duritz)- So Long, So Long: This song reminds me of the end of summer so it seems appropriate. For you SD folks a fall mix is really not a fall mix but the summer EP, however, putting these two voices and lyricists together was such a good idea I couldn't pass on putting it on the mix even though it has been out for so long, so long...

Peter Bjorn & John - Up Against a Wall: Although this is a long song, I liked the beat. And it's my mix.

Rise Against- Roadside: Another long overdue song for a mix but it's very powerful. Think back to Snow Patrol's ballad from last summer featuring Martha Wainwright; only it's Emily Schambra from Rise Against's Chicago peers "Holy Roman Empire".

Minus the Bear- Pachuca Sunrise (Alias Remix): I always aim for at least one remix on my mixes because who can resist a great song with a new beat? This song ultimately focuses on the beat which adds a little flavor- I'd rather have put it on a summer mix, but as I said I'm overdue.

Modest Mouse- Fire it Up: I know you have this album, but keep in mind that just a few short years ago everyone wanted to know who the good band was with the annoying vocalist. And, I like it.

Craig David - Hypnotiq: This song was released in 2005, but this was during my R&B/hip hop boycott. I was convinced both genres went downhill. They did, but I forgot how much I love Craig's voice....

Pepper- No Control: It's a Pepper song I can feel good about adding to a mix without feeling like a complete nympho.

Fundamental Elements - Feel Alright: G. Love meets Jason Mraz; a bit of refresher from the teen pop days where LFO was on the radio and those who didn't live in California started wearing Abercrombie. Again, another summer song that didn't have a summer mix to be added to.

K-Os - Born to Run: Almost has an indie fresh beat but picks up a little more than your usual Editors/Interpol song and brings back a little of the 80s.

The Fratelli's - Flathead: Another "the" band to add to your running list of good ones.

El-P - Flyentology: I can't help but reminisce when I hear this song...it reminds me of the hip hop I actually liked at one time. Thank you to Gym Class Heroes for renewing my faith in decent hip hop- otherwise I'd have skipped right by this one.

Stray Light Run- The Words We Say: A new album and I'm not entirely convinced it reflects their best work but if the OC were still airing you might find it popping up at the end of an episode after Seth and Summer's fifteenth breakup.

Feist- My Moon My Man: Please don't disregard this song just because Verizon used it to advertise for the chocolate phone. Beside, Rolling Stone likes her.

Moderates- Attraction: One of the few LA indie bands that doesn't follow indie music fads and. If you like Autolux, they are worth checking out.

Monty Are I- In this Legacy: Feels like it should be a soundtrack song when it starts, but it picks up and suddenly you want to be moshing. Or at least at a show avoiding the mosh pit. It goes on to feel a bit Coheed and Cambria without the otherwordly undertone yet carries a bit of the screamo grunge that seems to be growing on our generation.

Paramore- Misery Business: Female rock bands are back with a vengeance! Since Veruca Salt fell off the block and Gwen Stefani decided to start genre hopping, indie rock bands have taken over and we've been bobbing our heads for too long. Welcome back!

The Vincent Black Shadow- Control: I give Nicole credit for finding this band- they make up for No Doubt letting Gwen do her own thing (it's our fault we didn't shut the refrigerator and that's the reason she's been so cold). I find it refreshing to hear a funky chick-rocker bust out lyrics that make sense instead of just rhyming.

Blaqk Audio- Between Breaths: I think Davey was prepping us with Prelude 12/21 for this side project. Personally, this song reminds me of what I used to like about NIN, and you can't go wrong with hearing Davey Havok's voice. Does this album nix the bisexual rumors? I don't know...I have yet to critique the entire album.

Mix it up--it’s still summer!

Posted August 24, 2008 Originally

It's time for a new mix--thought I'd share!

The Airborne Toxic Event "Sometime around midnight" In a world where "indie" is trendy, this band brought back my faith in music that actually sounds independent and unproduced.

Gran Ronde "Wisdom" A little blast from the past with a Killers pre-Sam's Town sound.

Carolina Liar "I'm not Over" I love that there is a song out there about love that doesn't make me want to drown my sorrows with a bottle of whiskey.

The Bravery "Believe" I too, thought I was over the Bravery, but cheers to them for a second album that is better than the first--they stuck around and I've gotta give kudos where they are deserved.

Orson "No Tomorrow" (Thanks to Nicole for this one) Makes me wanna skip school & take my fake ID to a club. Or get a sitter and go to a cool concert.

Tegan & Sara "Nineteen" Do you need a reason for Tegan & Sara on a mix?

The Ting Tings "Shut up & Let Me Go" While I too have grown out of "the" bands, this song makes me want to kiss a boy, and then nail him to the ground with my stillettos.

Hot Chip "Ready for the Floor" Ok, so it's a little last fall, but they're coming to Street Scene.

Metro Station "Shake It" You'll wanna shake it.

MGMT "Electric Feel" Damnit, where are my purple roller skate covers & my glow in the dark wheels?

Wyclef Jean "Fast Car (Fugee Remix –ft. Lupe Fiasco) While it initially plays off the fame of the Fugees, the song takes on it's own beat that I happen to like.

Weezer "The Greatest Man that Ever Lived (Variations on a shaker hymn) I could have put any of the Weezer "Red Album" songs on this mix (fantastic album), but this song covers so many genres it fit well here.

Rise Against "Re-education (through Labor)" I just effing love this band. Punk lives!

Bullet for my Valentine "Forever & Always" While I am sadly disappointed in this album, this song re-does Bon Jovi in an emo voice….wait-why did I put this on the mix?

Blind Pilot "Go On Say It" Violins.

Bon Iver "Skinny Love" Acoustic & raw: the music fits the lyrics.

Castledoor "Burn the Maps" Another indie band, another step closer to restoring my faith in indie living.

Bright Eyes "Lover I don't have to Love" I first heard the Bettie Serveert version of this song but it was originally done by Bright Eyes. This version pretty much rocks too.

Dntel (feat. Jenny Lewis) "Roll On" A Jimmy Tamborello project – need I say more?

Okkervil River "A Hand to take Hold of the Scene" This dark scream-folk band pulls off something close to pop.

Cameron McGill & What Army "Dark Times, Dark Times" The Stills-ish piano rock indie pop.

Vampire Weekend "M79" While Spin & I agree to disagree that this is the best band of 2008, I like the rock-a-billy thing they've got going on.