Mixtape Challenge

Matt's Mixtape Challenge 8 - Naughty Girl

2011-04-17T15:26:00.000-07:00

For this challenge I tried to think of songs/women who embodied the spirit of a diva, whether it is just in one song or in their lives. Women who are fearless to be bossy, demanding sexually, or unashamed of their strength or power. My kind of women.

Track Number - Artist - Name
1 - Lovage - Strangers On A Train
2 - Beth Ditto - I Wrote The Book
3 - Dominique Young Unique - War Talk
4 - Róisín Murphy - Slave To Love
5 - Charlotte Church - Call My Name
6 - Juliet - Ride The Pain
7 - Oh Land - Lean
8 - Dragonette - The Boys (M)
9 - Ann Margaret - Thirteen Men
10 - Antigone - More Man Than Man
11 - Kylie Minogue - Lovin' You
12 - Spinnerette - Sex Bomb (Adam Freeland Remix)
13 - Oli Chang & Beyonce - Naughty Girl (Oli Chang Remix)
14 - Grace Jones - Williams Blood (Aeroplane Remix)
15 - Mason vs Princess Superstar - Perfect Exceeder
16 - Shirley Bassey - Big Spender [Wild Oscar Mix]
17 - The Sounds - Tony The Beat (Brooklyn Fire Remix)
18 - Paloma Faith - Upside Down
19 - Whitney Houston - Queen Of The Night

Download now

Colin's Mixtape Challenge 8 - Babes

2011-04-04T21:02:00.000-07:00

This challenge was especially hard for me - Diva's and Drama queens aren't really my bag. I tried a slightly different take for most of the songs - pick songs that I would want my daughter to listen to, should I ever have one. Probably the biggest anthem for this one is "Fuckin' Perfect" -- a great song and great message. Maybe I'd play the Ke$ha song a little later in her life.

The last song is an exception to it all -- a song I love and tacked it on because I felt it was a nice twist to the whole album.

1 What It Feels Like For A Girl (Album Version) Madonna
2 Breathe Me (Mylo Remix) Sia
3 Stupid Girl Garbage
4 Fuckin' Perfect P!nk
5 Crazy Beautiful Life Ke$ha
6 Set Fire to the Rain Adele
7 Happiness Goldfrapp
8 Tightrope (ft. Big Boi) Janelle Monáe
9 Circus [Tom Neville Ringleader Mix] Britney Spears
10 Dancing On My Own (Fred Falk Radio Edit) Robyn
11 Just Like Heaven Katie Melua
12 I Put A Spell On You Nina Simone
13 Girls Like You The Naked And Famous

Download "Babes"

Boris' Mixtape Challenge 8 - I Deserve Being Celebrated

2011-03-24T18:17:00.000-07:00

Inspiring, extravagant, outrageous, flamboyant, wicked – there is much one could say about divas… Many of the most famous ones have gone through drama in their lives, too, or performances about drama by them were well received. Their drama – but not only their – regularly also evokes the attributes set out above. But let’s keep it there and listen:

Diva – Dana International
Für mich soll's rote Rosen regnen – Hildegard Knef
Miss Kiss Kiss Bang – Alex Swings Oscar Sings (dance performance: Dita von Teese)
Murder On The Dance Floor – Sophie Ellis Bexter
Goldeneye – Tina Turner
Somethin’ Stupid – Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman
Drama – Erasure
Candle In The Wind – Elton John
E penso a te – Tanita Tikaram
Total Eclipse – Rosenstolz
Kann denn Liebe Sünde sein – Zarah Leander
Losing My Mind – Liza Minelli
Candyman – Christina Aguilera
Lili Marleen – Marlene Dietrich
Flamboyant – Pet Shop Boys

Download "I Deserve Being Celebrated"

Jeff's Mixtape Challenge 8: Prima Donna

2011-02-27T08:24:00.001-08:00

I took the assignment fairly literally, and set out to compile songs from recent Divas and Drama Queens. You have to think of Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross on the one end, and Lady Gaga and Britney Spears on the other. In the end, I think it makes a decent background mix for a dinner party. Enjoy!

I Can' Stand The Rain ~ Tina Turner

Doo Uap, Doo Uap, Doo Uap ~ Gabin

Baby Love ~ Diana Ross & The Supremes

Just Dance ~ Lafy GaGa & Colby O'Donis

I Kissed A Girl ~ Katy Perry

Hung Up ~ Madonna

Baby I Love You ~ Aretha Franklin

...Baby One MOre Time ~ Britney Spears

Only Girl (In The World) ~ Rihanna

Pavement Cracks (Mav Quake Extended Mix) ~ Annie Lennox

I Feel Love ~ Donna Summer

Landslide ~ Stevie Nicks

Download Prima Donna

Colin's Mixtape Challenge 7: Overnight

2010-09-13T22:47:00.000-07:00

I was not sure how to approach this one, but the foundation for the mix centered around the first track - "Was it something I said?" by OMD. So much of the breakups I have been involved in had this sentiment in it "What was it made up your mind /
What could change overnight." I followed it up with one of my favorite songs from Bright Eyes "It was a small mistake / Sometimes that's all it takes."

The arc kind of went from there -- from wallowing through a bit of anger and finally a track that David Getsy turned me on to "Wig in a Box."

1 Was It Something I Said Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
2 From A Balance Beam Bright Eyes
3 Alright Pilate
4 Come pick me up Ryan Adams
5 World Full Of Nothing Depeche Mode
6 You Made Me Red Skin
7 You Could Be Happy Snow Patrol
8 Ten Below James
9 Wise Up Aimee Mann
10 Use You Dave Gahan
11 23 Blonde Redhead
12 Close The Door Mobius Band
13 Smile (Radio Edit) Lily Allen
14 Taste In Men Placebo
15 Wig In A Box Hedwig & The Angry Inch

Download Overnight

Boris's Mixtape Challenge 7 - Sunset over Frankfurt

2010-09-13T22:41:00.000-07:00

Maybe the following may seem a bit verbose to you all, but please be patient with me – it’s my first contribution. Thank you for taking me on board!

I. From Coolness to Depression (the English part)
Tanita Tikaram – Twist in my Sobriety: I don't know whether this song ever made it to the States, but in Europe, it was a groundbreaking success for the Malaysian-British singer born in Germany. For me, this song conveys an encouragement to go on, regarding some of the people we meet and leave behind as what they are: nothing more than a twist in our sobriety.
Timbaland feat. Onerepublic – Apologize: This is something I very personally associate with break-up. In Europe, this track was played by almost every radio station because of its rank in the charts at the time when I indeed had to get over the break-up of a long-time relationship.
Pet Shop Boys - I Don't Know what You Want but I Can't Give it Anymore: Would you mind if I simply called it a classic?
Soft Cell – Say Hello, Wave Good-bye (Almighty Radio Edit): This song was covered several times by different musicians. One of the most beautiful covers was recorded by David Gray and put on his album White Ladder. Anyway, there, the text is modified, and I like the text as a whole. The present cover was part of what was intended to become Soft Cell's comeback by the beginning of the new century, which seems to have failed. The disco sound and the sad text result in a silly combination.
Bruce Springsteen – Streets of Philadelphia: Thanks to one of the best American songwriters for giving us this wonderful ballad as a soundtrack to the famous movie. Perhaps it does not meet the core meaning of break-up, but the departure of people we love seems to me closely linked to the topic.
Diana Krall – Walk on by: Break-ups frequently have an important impact on our self-esteem and pride. Even if it may sound a bit too defensive, from my viewpoint, this aspect is in a most beautiful way turned into this song interpreted by Diana Krall.
Suzanne Vega – The Queen and The Soldier: Some twenty-five years old, this song still fascinates me because of its disturbing and fiery text.
Sinead O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2U: Probably millions of European teenagers of my generation danced slow-motion to the music of this ingenious ballad in the early 1990s without having the faintest idea of its wonderful text's emotional depth.

II. From Melancholy to Pragmatism (the German part)
Reinhard May – Nein, ich lass' dich nicht allein: This song is somewhat the German equivalent to Bruce Springsteen's Philadelphia (though it has not become part of a movie soundtrack). Its story is about accompanying a beloved one until his or her passing away.
Herbert Grönemeyer – Schmetterlinge im Eis: Herbert is certainly one of the most famous and successful German songwriters. He doesn’t really have a beautiful voice or good technique in singing, but his texts and arrangements are outstanding. Butterflies in the ice, as this song is called, was published in 1998 before by the end of that year, he lost within three days his wife and his brother Wilhelm.
Thomas D. feat. Nina Hagen – Solo: When being published in the 1990s, this track was a big success in Germany, which had a lot to do with names: Thomas D. is a member of Die Fantastischen Vier (The Fantastic Four), the founding fathers of the German hip hop movement. Nina Hagen is a singer for more than 30 years now, and she escaped from the GDR in her younger years. She is really famous for her flashy performances. The chorus sung by her says: You have stolen my heart // I don't know whether you knew it // you bastard have done it // have loved me as if there was no tomorrow // until tomorrow came.
Heinz-Rudolph Kunze – Alles gelogen: Please allow me to introduce you to the philosopher and poet among German songwriters. Heinz-Rudolph’s texts are so condensed and mysterious that it usually takes long to understand their – or sometimes by interpretation, rather give them a – meaning. In this song, he describes an attrited partnership which is upheld only in pretense.
Silly – Hurensöhne: The band who presents this song is one of the few bands from Eastern Germany having survived the German reunification. They were very famous in the GDR, their texts being often ambivalent in order to pass the government's censorship and at the same time to comment on the difficulties within the political and social system. However, this song is not so much a political one but simply states: Sons of bitches don't know what love is // they know how to make love // they don't lie and swear // because they come and go the same night.
Sabrina Setlur – Du liebst mich nicht: Attention, this is a former short-time girlfriend of Boris Becker! Strangely, the break-up with him really seems to have thrown her a curve. Since then, she has not succeeded anymore in publishing a remarkable hit whereas before, she had been a German top act in the charts. The song's title is in English: You don't love me, and the song is about a thoughtless guy putting off his girlfriend by his ugly behavior.
Annett Louisan – Sexy Loverboy: Annett is a singer who is being already for some years really successful in bringing a bit of chanson feeling into the German music scene. The message of this playfully arranged song is: Where is it put down that we can only lose our heart once at the same time in the big city?
Rummelsnuff – Mandy: This is a very recent German cover of Barry Manilow's tearjerker. I love the irony conveyed by the crude mixture of the strong bass line and the bear-like voice of the singer. A final not to be taken too seriously for this compilation.

Download Sunset Over Frankfurt

Marc's Mixtape Challeng 7: F*&k You!

2010-09-13T17:54:00.001-07:00

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I've had as many mixtapes based on breakups as I've had loves. And that's allot, suffice to say. So I know all the usual suspects, but never have I done one from the other side. From the dumper. This mix is basically a Fuck You, Good Riddance collection. Meant to be a bit painful, a bit fun. Steered away from but didn't fully avoid the maudlin. Pay special attention to the Richard and Linda Thompson tracks. Their album Shoot Out the Lights was made as they were in the middle of their bloody divorce. If you're not familiar, its one of the rawest and uncomfortable albums ever made.

Fuck You

Cut-The Cure
Shoot Out the Lights-Richard & Linda Thompson
Kiss This Thing Goodbye-Del Amitri
Hold on to What?-The Beautiful South
Last Goodbye-Jeff Buckley
Goodbye Earl-Dixie Chicks
Fuck You-Cee-Lo
Hit 'Em Up Style (Blu Cantrell cover)-Carolina Chocolate Drops
Since U Been Gone (Kelly Clarkson cover)-Robyn
The Ballad of Lucy Jordan-Marianne Faithfull
Cheers Darlin'-Damien Rice
The Last Day Of Our Acquaintance-Sinead O'Connor
Oh, The Divorces!-Tracey Thorn
D-I-V-O-R-C-E -Tammy Wynette
Southern Rain-Cowboy Junkies
Walking on a Wire-Richard & Linda Thompson

Matt's Mixtape Challenge 7 - Junk of the Hearts

2010-09-11T11:46:00.000-07:00

I tried to capture some of the ups and downs of breakups, pre-breakups, and post-breakups. There's a little bit of regret, a little bit of bitterness, a dash of longing, and little eff-you in there as well. I ended it on an upswing that was more about the next person than the one you are getting over. Enjoy!

Download now.

1. The Cardigans - Junk of the Hearts
2. Beck - Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometimes
3. Bonobo - If You Stayed Over (Feat. Fink)
4. Elvis Perkins - All The Night Without Love
5. Jon Brion - Here We Go
6. Metric - Empty
7. The Irrepressibles - In this Shirt
8. El Perro del Mar - Change of Heart
9. Tamaryn - Love Fade
10. Chew Lips - Eight
11. Trentemøller - Even Though You're With Another Girl
12. Best Coast - Boyfriend
13. Caro Emerald - You Don't Love Me
14. Editors - You Don't Know Love (Cagedbaby Remix)
15. Tom Vek - I Ain't Sayin My Goodbyes (Phones 12" Version)
16. Florrie - Give Me Your Love (Fred Falke Club Edit)

-M

Jeff's Mixtape Challenge 7

2010-09-09T19:04:00.000-07:00

Yeah, breakups are tuff. Leaving someone, or being left - very different experiences. Sometimes you just know, and if you're lucky you pull off the pre-emptive dump. Sometimes it's as though you have to chew off your leg to escape. And sometimes you are completely in love, and get blind-sighted. THAT is the worst. Oh the pain, the ache, the rebound sex! This collection explores it all. Enjoy! NOTE: order changes on download, so re-order, it's important.

1. Brad Sucks ~ Dirtbag
2. Who Made Who ~ Space For Rent
3. Linkin Park ~ What I've Done
4. Justin Timberlake [that's right, deal with it!]
~ Love Stoned/I Think She Knows (Tiesto Remix)
5. Phonique ~ For The Time Being (Alexkid's Cold Mix)
6. We HAve Band ~ Divisive
7. The Bravery ~ I Am Your Skin
8. OK Go ~ This Too Shall Pass (Passion Pit Remix)
9. Amy Winehouse ~ Back To Black
10. Bruce Springsteen ~ Two Faces
11. George Michael ~ Spinning The Wheel
12. Nada Surf ~ Enjoy The Silence
13. Keane ~ Back In Time
14. Dirty Vegas ~ Human Love
15. Cassetts Won't Listen ~ Perfect Day

Download Leaving You

Challenge #7: Break-up Mix

2010-08-11T21:07:00.000-07:00

Break-ups are sad. Angry. Sometimes, they can just happen in the most banal and quiet way possible. Make a CD that you'd listen to when going through a break-up. Not that anyone on here is going to (is anyone else on here single but me?) but just because I think they could all be vastly different and interesting.

Due September 11th.

Sorry for taking so long. Marc caught me at Sidetrack the other day and was like "MATT WTF." WTF is right.
-M

Challenge #6 - Matt's Entry - Garden State Prairie State

2010-04-08T20:27:00.000-07:00

FINALLY. Sorry I dragged my feet on this guys...just didn't seem to be a good time to get it done until tonight. :) I picked a movie that is very music-centric and did a 2010 version of the soundtrack. At least my version of it anyway.

Here's the tracklisting, and which parts of the movie they correspond to:

1. Laura Marling - Rambling Man --- Phone call, your mother died
2. Bonobo - NIghtlite --- Taking off on the motorcycle
3. Hooverphonic - In Bloom --- Ecstasy/spin the bottle scene
4. Broadcast 2000 - Your Own Worst Enemy --- Puts the headphones on him in the waiting room
5. Bon Iver - Blood Bank --- They ride on the motorcycle away from the doctor
6. Kings of Convenience - Me In You --- Record she puts on in her room
7. Fanfarlo - If It Is Growing --- Song in the background at the bar
8. Au Revoir Simone - Another Likely Story (Aeroplane Remix) --- Wanna see me tap dance
9. Jose Gonzalez - Heartbeats --- All three riding in motorcycle/sidecar
10. Kruder & Dorfmeister - Original Bedroom Rockers --- Walking into hotel
11. Beach House - Norway --- Walking in the rain in garbage bags/yelling into abyss
12. Lisa Hannigan - Pistachio --- Tossing and turning in bed
13. Stars - Bitches in Toyko --- Up the escalator in the airport/reunion

Download now!

Challenge #6 - Jeff's Entry - Solaris Redux

2010-03-20T12:31:00.000-07:00

Yeah.... this was the toughest challenge, but in a good way. Now I'll need to Netflix everyone's movies so I can experience each of your soundtrack re-dos. Solaris is one of my favorite movies, and it has a decent, eerie soundtrack. But I always wondered if something less spacey would enhance the deep, deep soulfulness of this story.

***

Film opens with rain on the window, Kris hears his wife Rhea's voice. Gregg Laswell's Come Undone starts and then fades out after a few bars.

1. Fleur Blanche, Orsten. Kris Kelvin first sees Solaris' blueness. He arrives at the research ship and explores it hoping to determine what went wrong.

2. Gia, The Infinite Posse. Kris meets Dr. Snow who speaks in riddles, and Dr. Gordon who is tense and angry.

3. Come Undone, Gregg Laswell. Kris falls asleep and begins to dream of Rhea.

4. Cold, Annie Lennox. Kris takes the Rhea clone and tricks her into a pod -- sending her out into space.

5. Pedro, Dahlia. Kris dreams again of Rhea, at the market, the two are deeply in love.

6. Lobby, Sander Van Doorn. Rhea begins to examine her memories, and recalls a positive pregnancy test, a dinner party and her depression.

7. Diamante, Blue States. Rhea realizes she has memories, but no experiences and no idea how she came to be.

8. Black Velvet, Ferry Corsten. Kris and Rhea have a shared memory that she aborted their child without even telling Kris she was pregnant. Kris is furious.

9. Take In, Aiden Hawken. The real Rhea commits suicide -- the clone recalls it.

10. Seize The Day, Cosmic Gate. Kris is confronted about having sent the first clone out into space.

11. Sola Slim, Underworld. The Rhea clone wants to die, vanish. Kris won't allow it as he recalls finding his wife dead. "Death shall have no dominion."

12. Thank You, Alanis Morrisette. "Kris ... Kris" he looks up, "am I dead?" "You don't have to think about that now....."

Download Solaris Redux,

Challenge #6 - Marc's Entry - Pee Wee's Big Makeover

2010-03-20T09:30:00.000-07:00

Sun Will Follow-Pianosaurus
A Good Thing-Saint Etienne
Say It Say It-E.G. Daily
Living Without You-Randy Newman
Paranoid-Soft Cell
Just Keep Me Moving-kd Lang
Truck Drivin' Man-Dave Dudley
Call Of The West-Wall of Voodoo
San Antonio Rose-Patsy Cline
Pump My Pumps-Dan Black
Dirty Night Clowns-Chris Garneau
Never Tear Us Apart (2007 Jakob Carrison Remix)-INXS
This Is My Night [Extended Version]-Chaka Khan
Bicycle Race-Queen

Download Pee Wee's Big Makeover

Challenge 6: Mix Club - Retracking Fight Club

2010-03-05T19:36:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I am the first one to turn in this challenge. I finally decided just to finish this off based on where I am at.

I tried to do a version where there were familiar songs, a little darker, a little subverted. And then some just ambient, instrumental stuff. I tried going a totally different direction than the way it was originally scored but reined it back in. Enjoy!

1. Fortunate Sun (Streetlab Remix) - Creedence Clearwater Revival
    Opening Credits
2. Notes in His Pockets (August) - Good Life
    Crash investigation sequence
3. Dubbed Out Games (Trentmøller Mix) - Chris Isaak
    Cancer Victims
4. I've Been Shot - Junior Communist Club
    Apartment Burn
5. Invasion - UNKLE
    First Fight
6. Blunts & Robots - Crystal Method
     Fight with Lou
7. House of Cards - Radiohead
     Newsclipping Montage
8. Yesterday (Junior Boy Remix) - Billie Holiday
     Penguin / Ice Cave
9. Moth's Wings - Passion Wing
10. Guilty - Assassins
     Caterer Assembly
11. One Time We Lived (Matrix & Futurebound Remix) - Moby
     Bob's Death
12. Ready, Set, Glow - Atlast Sound
     Police Dept
13. Sabotage (Streetlab Remix) - The Beastie Boys
    Demolition
14. Eleanor Rigby (The Twelves Remix) - The Beatles
    Credits

Download Mix Club

Challenge #6: Retrack a Movie

2009-11-22T13:47:00.001-08:00

Most of us respond so well to movie soundtracks because of the powerful combination that a good story adds to the depth of the music. But some could use a better soundtrack, others just maybe could use a modern update.

Assignment: Create a new soundtrack to a movie. Bonus points to cueing up songs to specific scenes.

Deadline: Dec 22nd.

Challenge #5: Jump for Cover (Steven's Entry)

2009-10-06T21:46:00.000-07:00

At one point, I was going to torture you with nothing but "Running Up That Hill" covers. Then I had the thought to include my seemingly vast collection of live performance covers (how'd I get so many?!) Then I had a thought to just include some truly bizarre covers. Hmmm. I don't think I really ever decided on a specific theme afterall. Just a funny little reckless mix with an absolute favorite for an ending, "Running Up That Hill"...

The artwork is kinda obvious. But it's also a farewell. Yep, this will be my last Mixed Tape Challenge. Thank you all for the exchange.

01: Slave to Love (Bryan Ferry) - Roisin Murphy

02: Here Comes Your Man (Pixies) - Relation

03: Toxic (Britney Spears) - Juliet Turner

04: Slow Emotion Replay (The The) - Brookville

05: Abagail Belle of Kilronan (Magnetic Fields) - Love Like Fire

06: Tiny Cities Made of Ashes (Modest Mouse) - Sun Kil Moon

07: I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor) - Cake

08: Your Ghost (Kristin Hersh) - Damien Rice (ft. Lisa Hannig)

09: Jolene (Dolly Parton) - Lay Low

10: Sweet Dreams Are Made of These (Eurythmics) - MIKA

11: I Kissed a Boy (Katy Perry) - Cobra Starship

12: Personal Jesus (Depeche Mode) - Johnny Cash

13: Boy With The Thorn in His Side (The Smiths) - Belle and Sebastian

14: They Don't Know (Tracy Ullman / Kristy MacColl) - Ben Gibbard

15: Careless Whisper - Ben Folds & Rufus Wainwright

16: The Model (Kraftwerk) - David Byrne

17: Real Men (Joe Jackson) - Tori Amos

18: Don't Rain on My Parade (Barbra Streisand) - Japan

19: West End Girls (Pet Shop Boys) - James Talk & Ridney

20: Heart of Glass (Blondie) - The Puppini Sisters

21: Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana) - Paul Anka

22: Running Up That Hill (Kate Bush) - Kiki & Herb

Jump for Cover

Challenge #5: Cover This (Jeff's Entry)

2009-10-05T18:13:00.000-07:00

At first I thought, jeez, covers? I don't know any. As I looked around, I found out that artists are all covering each other all the time. So then I became intrigued by the 6 degrees of separation phenomenon -- how many decent songs could be linked together by seeing if A covers B and B covers C, and so on. Well, it doesn't work out perfectly (Coldplay hasn't covered anyone very well), but I endned up having fun puting these together. Hope you enjoy them too!

1. Love (Acoustic) (Robert Wyatt cover)__2:32__John Lennon
2. Instant Karma (John Lennon cover)__3:13__U2
3. Mysterious Ways (U2 cover)__4:01__Graham BLVD
4. China Girl (Iggy Pop cover) 5:33 David Bowie
5. The Man Who Sold The World (Live) (David Bowie cover)__3:48__Nirvana
6. Smells Like Teen Spirit (HM Grunge Mix) (Nirvana cover)__6:27__Desmond Williams Featuring Morel
7. Thank You (Lep Zeppelin cover)__6:36__Duran Duran
8. The Chauffeur (Duran Duran cover)__5:22__Deftones
9. The Scientist (Live) (Coldplay cover)__4:20__Aimee Mann
10. Hurt (Nine Inch Nails cover)__3:39__Johnny Cash
11. Dead Souls (Joy Division cover)__4:53__Nine Inch Nails
12. Everything Counts (Depeche Mode cover)__5:24__Meat Beat Manifesto
13. Route 66 (Beatmasters Mix) (Nat King Cole cover)__6:20__Depeche Mode

Download Cover_This

Challenge #5: I'm Covered In It (Marc's Entry)

2009-10-03T14:00:00.000-07:00

Koroleva Ne Pomerla (The Smiths Cover) - The Ukrainians
Handbags and Gladrags (Rod Stewart Cover) - Stereophonics
Don't Fear The Reaper (Blue Oyster Cult Cover)-The Beautiful South
Seasons In the Sun/Hustle (Terry Jacks/Van McCoy Cover)-The Squirrels
Baker Street (Gerry Rafferty Cover)-Foo Fighters
Bootylicious (Destiny's Child Cover)-Keane
Sour Times (Portishead Cover)-Bryn Christopher
Your Love (The Outfield cover) -Katy Perry
Numb (Linkin Park Cover) -Jamelia
Bigmouth Strikes Again (Smiths Cover)-Placebo
Running Up That Hill (Kate Bush Cover)-Spleen United
Starman (Bowie Cover)-Culture Club
The Ship Song (Nick Cave Cover)-Concrete Blonde
Hunting High and Low (a-ha cover)-Coldplay
Love Vigilantes (New Order Cover)-Iron & Wine
Teardrop (Massive Attack Cover)-Elbow
Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves (Cher Cover)-Scud Mountain Boys
Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me (Smiths Cover)-Eurythmics
Love Song (Cure Cover)-Bliss

Sorry, this one was a bit late. This is about the 10th version. After making about as many sub-themes (80's covers, wacky covers), the quality just wasn't there. So this is a great cross section of covers I love for various reasons. Some are hilarious, some are poiniant, and many are just better or as good as the original. And that what makes a cover a triumph vs. a defeat.

(and please don't comment on the cover. i struggle every time, being the only one in the group with zero skills, so i've just decided i'm not sweating it any more)

Download "I'm Covered In It"

Challenge #5: Covered (Colin's Entry)

2009-10-01T15:01:00.001-07:00

I was giddy when I first heard about this challenge and slowly built up the songs. I feel it never gelled into the perfect mix but I am really happy with the individual selections. I had two songs that had to get removed because of Matt's list (No Diggity, All My Friends) -- damn you!

This cover of "Between the Bars" is one of my all time favorite songs.

1 Something Over the Rainbow Trash Can Sinatras
2 If You Leave Nada Surf
3 Where The Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You) Pet Shop Boys
4 Love Cure
5 Feeling Good Muse
6 Running Up That Hill Placebo
7 Personal Jesus Marilyn Manson
8 The Chauffeur (Duran Duran Cover) Deftones
9 White Horses Trash Can Sinatras
10 Mad World Gary Jules
11 High and Dry Jamie Cullum
12 Can't Help Falling in Love U2
13 Between the Bars Madeleine Peyroux
14 The Last Beat of My Heart Devotchka

Download "Covered"

Challenge #5 - Not So Dirty Covers (Matt's Entry)

2009-09-14T21:52:00.000-07:00

Happy End of Summer!

I wish I could put together a collection of dirty covers, but sadly, my itunes was lacking. I still wanted to make the artwork for it though. So I cheated and made a not so dirty mixtape. There's some fun and interesting covers on here, some which may be a little too predictable (Mark Ronson's version of Just) but to be honest, I don't have that many covers in my library. :)

Download now! (Sidenote: This should be done uploading by 1am CST)

Tracks:
1 You've Been Flirting Again (Bjork Cover) - Evangelicals
2 Just Ft. Phantom Plane (Radiohead Cover) - Mark Ronson
3 All My Friends (LCD Soundsystem Cover) - Franz Ferdinand
4 Burnin' Up (Madonna Cover) - Starfucker
5 I'm Good I'm Gone (Lykke Li Cover) - Friendly Fires
6 Someone Great (LCD Soundsystem Cover) - Winter Gloves
7 Technologic (Daft Punk Cover) - Hektor
8 No Diggity (Blackstreet Cover) - Klaxons
9 I Want You Back [Live] (Jackson 5 Cover) - KT Tunstall
10 Are U That Somebody (Aaliyah Cover) - The Gossip
11 Dancing In The Dark (Springsteen Cover) - The E.L.F.
12 Heroes (David Bowie Cover) - TV on the Radio
13 Star Guitar (Feat. Au Revoir Simone) (Chemical Brothers Cover) - Shinichi Osawa
14 It's Not Over Yet [Live] (Klaxons Cover) - Goldfrapp
15 Don't Stop the Music (Rihanna Cover) - The Bird and The Bee
16 Lover's Spit (Broken Social Scene Cover) - Feist

Challenge #5: I'm Covered In It

2009-08-06T08:01:00.000-07:00

I know we all talked about our busy schedules and how hard it can be to sit down right now and work on this stuff so we've done 2 things. Pushed back the monthly timeline a bit, so this one will be due Thursday, September 17th. Also, I've kepts it pretty light in the theme department.

Covers: Come up with your most interesting cover versions you have. That's it. If you want to give it more of a theme, have at it.

Have a great rest of the summer!

Challenge #4: Little Pinches & Pokes (Steven's Mix)

2009-07-26T17:56:00.001-07:00

It's supposed to be a challenge, right? I knew I wanted to mix a few tracks that I have been listening to over and over this summer, Thunderheist, The Cocknbullkid, Little Boots and Royksopp's Girl and the Robot (should this song be banned from future mixes?!) alongside music from rainy Portland, Oregon. While there were some obvious PDX music choices(I spared you Nu Shooz and Quarterflash), the real challenge for me ended up being, just how about do I go and pair these songs together in a logical manner. I've futzed around with this to become "Little Pinches & Pokes". From synthy electro to the lush, drama-filled sound of Pink Martini, all of these things represent Portland to me. I hope you enjoy this little romp through my home.

The Artwork:

I think the artwork's all pretty obvious. Portland is full of bridges, and St. John's (just west of the downtown area) is one of my favorites. And I think of Portland as a place that shines brightest after the sun sets...

Little Pinches & Pokes

(I've noted all of the Portland bands with a "PDX" below)

The Love That I Crave (Strategy's Strata Club Remix) - The Blow PDX
Vanished - Crystal Castles PDX
The Girl and The Robot (Chateau Marmont Remix) - Röyksopp
I'm Not Sorry (Stuart Ramsay Remix) - The Cocknbullkid
Nothing 2 Step 2 (Sammy Bananas Remix) - Thunderheist
New In Town (Fred Falke Radio Edit) - Little Boots
Wilderness - Strength PDX
Violence, Diamonds - Panther PDX
Toys (Richard Sen Remix) - Hedford Vachal PDX
Jealousy (Club Mix) - Martin Solveig
Florida - Starfucker PDX
Iceage Babeland - Natalie Portman's Shaved Head
Lisztomania (Classixx Version) - Phoenix
She Comes in the Fall - Inspiral Carpets
Crest of the Hill - The Minders PDX
E. Its Stable - Menomena PDX
Miss Haze - Reclinerland PDX
Spirited - Laura Gibson PDX
Sweet California - Chris Stills (A bit random, I know, but there's a Portland connection for me here, as well as an irrational crush on Chris)
Let's Never Stop Falling in Love - Pink Martini PDX

Grab your umbrella, and listen to Little Pinches & Pokes

Challenge #4 - This Midwestern Ocean (Marc's Mix)

2009-07-26T09:27:00.000-07:00

I have to say, this challenger was a head-scratcher at first, combining summer jams with local flavor. But as I mulled it over, I realized it made sense. Part of summer is getting out there and enjoy the sounds of it at street fairs, festivals and local dives, discovering new talent, making new friends, and logging in great memories based around music.

I originally thought of going the logical direction of Chicago House Music, but realized as much as I love it, there's no real connection since I moved to Chicago after the house music peak. So, I contact my friend Geoff Kessell who I've been friends with since the early 90's for suggestions and maybe a song. He sent me a demo of his from years back that has since made it onto one of his albums, Songs for a Caustic Guitar. After listening, the ideas rolled in naturally. Geoff has been one of my biggest influences in music tastes. He, along with my best pal Kelly, really showed me how pleasurable simple guitar pop can be. And over many summers, the 3 of us built memories around many of these fun, jangly tracks.

So, this summer mix, with local flair, is really an homage to Geoff and the summers of my twenties. As I age into my 40's, these songs still see ageless.

Music To Watch Girls By - Andy Williams (best summer song ever)
Rise And Shine - The Cardigans
It's A Miracle - Trashcan Sinatras
The Life Of Riley - The Lightning Seeds
Girl's Bike - The Aluminum Group (local Chicago)
I Never Though I Could Feel This Way For A Boy - The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir (local Chicago)
He's On The Beach - Kirsty MacColl
Against The Sun - Eggstone
La La Love You - Pixies
Perfect - Jinx Titanic (local Chicago)
Life In These Little Boats - Deas Vail
The Girl Who Waves At Trains - The Lilac Time
Like Lovers Do (Stephen Street Mix) - Lloyd Cole
I've Been Waiting - Matthew Sweet
Pretty the World - Matt Nathanson (not local, but good friend so seems local)
She's so High - Tal Bachman
If It's Love - Squeeze
Town Called Malice - McFly
Baby's Coming Back - Jellyfish
Sweet Sunshine - David Mead (localish)
Screen Door - Uncle Tupelo (local St Louis)
Unwind - Erik Voeks (local St. Louis)
Land-Locked (Demo) - Geoff Kessell (local St. Louis)

Download This Midwestern Ocean

Challenge # 4 - Mirror Lake (Matt's Entry)

2009-07-22T21:13:00.000-07:00

Summer is about having fun, so I really was operating with that thought as my point of view. I didn't want to over-think it too much...I just wanted to put on songs that make me want to jump around. I think there's a good selection of feel good, top-down, sunshine songs on here, and some temperature's-rising-bangers. :)

I netted out with eight local songs that are pretty current in Chicago. Not half bad, or 44% bad anyway. :)

Happy Summer!

Download here.

1. OFFICE - Mirror Lake
2. La Roux - Bulletproof
3. Sugar and Gold - Do It Well
4. Who Made Who - "Keep Me In My Plane (Original 12"" Edit)"
5. Metric - Help Im Alive (the Twelves Remix)
6. Brazilian Girls - Good Time
7. Thunderheist - Nothing 2 Step 2
8. Katy Perry - Waking Up In Vegas (Calvin Harris Extended Remix)
9. The Juan Maclean - Happy House (VHS or Beta Remix)
10. MEN - Credit Card Babie$
11. Kid Sister - Right Hand Hi
12. Soulwax - Ny Lipps
13. Flosstradamus feat. Caroline Polachek - Big Bills
14. Hollywood Holt - Hollywood (Fantastadon's Extended Remix)
15. Walter Meego - Girls
16. He Say, She Say - Crash Dummie
17. The Heaven Seventies - I Wanna Fuck (All Night Long)
18. Naledge - I'm In Chicago Bitch (Remix)

Challenge # 4 - Surf Town (Jeff's Entry)

2009-07-20T18:24:00.000-07:00

The songs of summer, keeping it local. This was tuff as it's my 3d summer compilation this year, having just finished one a few weeks ago with Colin for Break Out The Grill '09. But I do love the songs of summer. To me, this means an ecclectic mix of current and old, dance and rock, alternative and mainstream since summer is an all out celebration of fun, in all its forms. I stuck to the Chicago local - adding a Wilco tune, along with a favorite from Crosby Stills & Nash about a turbulent time in the City under old man Dailey. I confess that my artwork is clearly not Chicago, but I love the feeling eminating from this guy's gutsy ride on a wave, and was determined to use this photo. Catching a wave is, after all, a quintessential summertime move.

Take What's Mine ~ Baumer
All These Things That I've Done ~ The Killers
Chains of Love ~ Erasure
The Way You Love Me (Morel Pink Noise Mix) ~ Colton Ford
Keeps Gettin' Better ~ Christina Aguilera
Love Burns ~ Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Standing In the Way of Control ~ The Gossip
Love Etc. ~ Pet Shop Boys
Chicago ~ Crosby Stills & Nash
The Last High ~ The Dandy Warhols
Struggle ~ Ringside
I've Seen That Face Before ~ Grace Jones
California Stars ~ Billy Bragg & Wilco
I've Got a Dark Alley and a Bad Idea That Says

_You Should Shut Your Mouth (Summer Song) ~ Fall Out Boy
Rebellion (Lies) ~ Arcade Fire

Download Surf Town

Challenge #4: Keep It Local

2009-06-29T07:01:00.001-07:00

It's summer! And I love the music that emanates from block parties, barbecues and a more relaxed time of year. So, let July be your opportunity to introduce your favorites of the season into this mix to greet that summer mood. They can be from any location or from any artist you like. However, those songs alone, cannot be 100% of the mix.

The real challenge of this month is to mix them alongside songs that are from local artists (that can be any % of the mix you like). These can be well-known or unsigned musicians who originate from ANY city (not just Chicago) that you have lived in. The theme and interconnection you build between these songs is your own to decide.

This challenge is also open to any interpretation or mood you have about Summer 2009.

Post it by July 27th, 2009.

(EDITED for clarity on July 1st)

Challenge #3 - The End (Matt's Entry)

2009-06-27T13:55:00.000-07:00

In my vision of the apocalypse, the end is going come hard and fast. Maybe it's our fault...it probably is. The loose story of this mix starts with indulgence and extravagance that leads into the downfall. As it gets worse, the narrative becomes almost contemplative and resolved to the destiny that awaits... culminating with the 4 minute warning to impending nuclear doom. :)

Enjoy!

Download The End

1. La La Land - Green Velvet
2. We Are Rockstars - Does It Offend You, Yeah?
3. Mass Destruction - Faithless
4. Born Too Slow - The Crystal Method
5. Restless - Unkle
6. Rombo (feat. Congorock) - The Bloody Beetroots & Congorock
7. "I Go Hard, I Go Home" - The Presets
8. Hardcore Girls [featuring Rye Rye] (Don Rimini Nasty Boy Mix) - The Count & Sinden
9. Kingstonlogic (Angry Mix) - Terry Lynn
10. Atom Bomb - Fluke
11. Pluto - Bjork
12. The Big Come Down - Nine Inch Nails
13. Broken Homes - Tricky with PJ Harvey
14. Moan (Trentemoller Remix Radio Edit) - Trentemoller
15. Ghost of Love - David Lynch
16. 4 Minute Warning - Radiohead

Challenge #3 - Dark Angel (Jeff's Entry)

2009-06-19T13:43:00.000-07:00

The Apocalypse. What can it mean? Indeed, it has two definitions: "Great or total devastation; doom: the end of the world;" and "A prophetic disclosure; a revelation." I think that Songs For The Apocalypse captures everything you can live in a very short time - love, fear, longing, devastation, goodbyes. If the end is near, we must get it all in now. I have posted without seeing the earlier posts, and I'm so excited to see each of your visions of The Apocalypse.

How We Operate - Gomez
Hayling - FC Kahuna
Poor Misguided Fool (Davis SpinDisc Soulsavers Remix) -Starsailor
Life - The Beta Band
Dancing with Mr. D. - The Rolling Stones
Swollen - Bent
Take a Bow - Muse
Every Day Is Exactly the Same - Nine Inch Nails
Creep - Radiohead
Marigold (B-Side) - Nirvana
Legacy - Infusion 3
Shelter - Icon of Coil
Dead Stars - Covenant
Fallen - Pitty Sing
So This Is Goodbye - Junior Boys

Download Dark Angel

Challenge #3 - And If There's A Hell, I'll See You There (Marc's Mix)

2009-06-16T21:07:00.000-07:00

This one really tapped into my inner/older goth boy. I used to revel in all things bleak and dark post high school. Combo art school/drama major/newly gay in the midwest. So this was really revisiting my inner demons here.

The only preface I have for this is that I took this not as songs leading up to the end of the world as though you'd hear this as the world drew to a close but as that plus being the ones "left behind" as the prophecies would have you believe. As the good christians (all 3 of them) are taken up to heaven, the rest of us sinners would be left behind to (insert something christian here. i'm southern, but not THAT southern). So 1/2 is forbidding, then the destruction, then the aftermath.

Enjoy, sinners!

Fly On The Windscreen (Final) - Depeche Mode

Cantara - Dead Can Dance

The Last Ray This Mortal - Coil

Flood II - The Sisters Of Mercy

Mein Herz Brennt - Rammstein

Apocalypse Please - Muse

Deliverance - The Mission

Isolation (Joy Div Cover) - Dessau

Heresy (Blind) - Nine Inch Nails

Headhunter V3.0 - Front 242

Rapture Riders - Blondie feat. The Doors

A Strange Day - The Cure

Camphor - David Sylvian

Wake Up In New York (w/Evan Dando) - Craig Armstrong

Death's Door - Sylvain Chauveau

Motherless Child - Martin Gore

Everyday Is Like Sunday - Vitamin String Quartet

Download your impending doom.

Challenge #3 - Bang (Colin's Entry)

2009-06-16T15:29:00.000-07:00

Apocalypse - what a buzz kill.
Fuck it.

Download Bang.*

*Don't look for too deep a meaning in most of the songs - only a handful of them are directly apropos.
1 99 Red Ballons (Club Mix) Nena
2 Take Me To The Hospital Faint
3 Stop! (Vince Clark Sync 82 Remix) Erasure
4 My Turn Basement Jaxx
5 Love's Not a Competition (But I'm Winning) (Nelsen Grover remix) Kaiser Chiefs
6 The Girl And The Robot (Spencer And Hill Remix) Röyksopp
7 Other Too Endless (Vince Clarke Remix) Polly Scattergood
8 Don't Cry Out (The Teenagers Remix) Shiny Toy Guns
9 Baby (Dance With Me) Reead
10 Great Beyond (Hybrid Remix) REM
11 These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (Bombs Remix) KMFDM
12 Nice Shot (Remix) Filter
13 Chemical Beats Chemical Brothers
14 The Fear (Stonebridge Club Mix) Lily Allen
15 Major Tom Shiny Toy Guns

Challenge #3 - As Above, So Below (Steven's Entry)

2009-06-15T01:06:00.000-07:00

Chaos in a dark place. I have no idea how to explain or describe this journey. It's angry, it's cynical and intentionally a little raw/rough around the edges. (And don't worry, I don't expect much love for this.) But after much thought, the only way I could approach this was by combining songs into a continuous mix. I know this sort of breaks the concept of the mixed tape, but I wanted to reflect music bumping into each other, becoming noise. A friend heard this mix a quarter of the way through and declared, "I can't stand this! Please turn it off. I feel like I am losing my mind..." With that, I knew I had accomplished the abstract combination I intended. And I don't think I will ever do a mix like this again... ever.

About the artwork:

Marc made me laugh today, because he kinda gave me a WTF, regarding it. I thought that was a great reaction. But then I realized none of you know me to get my sarcasm and why this represents a hellish end. Rather than let you guess, let me explain a little about it: This photo was taken by a boyfriend who was a photographer. It was 1992 and he liked to take these moody, Sinead O'Connor (yes, Marc Almond-esque!) photos. There were lots of candles, crosses and religious symbolism. It was cool (read: sarcasm). Then as our relationship unraveled, I soon discovered that much of it was lies. Including discovering many of the guys in the photos displayed around our house (including this artwork) were guys he'd slept with. I am not sure why I have kept these photos around, but they remind me of a brief period in my life that felt like a living hell. And this photo (sarcastically) seemed to fit my "chaos in a dark place" mood.

Download As Above, So Below

(Available in two formats, podcast friendly m4a should list the song tracks, or an mp3, if the m4a format won't work for you.)

Tracks include:

Funerale - Corteo

Dead Boy - Aiden Shaw

Intro - Pulled from a Junior Vasquez mix

The Anarchist Movement - Infamous

Allah, Mohammed, Char, Yaar - Diamanda Galas & Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn

Back in Baby's Arms - Patsy Cline

Schrapnell - Isolee

Hot Monkey, Hot Ass! - Black Moustache

Fanatica - Eisbrecher

Animoid Row Pt 2 - Vangelis

Money Back - Cazwell

le Disko - Shiny Toy Guns

Pop Ya Cork - Stanton Warriors

So Alive - Love & Rockets

The Host of Seraphim - Dead Can Dance

Beautiful Burnout - Underworld

My Soul Yearns for Peace - Blitzkrieg Tiger

Long Snake Moan - PJ Harvey

Myxomatosis - Radiohead

I Fucked Your Boyfriend - Nick Name

She's Lost Control - Joy Division

Lolita - Elefant

Up in Flames - Julee Cruise

Evil California - Annie Ross

Opening 3 - Thomas Newman

Readymade - Snow Lion

Furious Angels - Rob Dougan

Rich People - The Hospitals

Only Dreaming - Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry

Stratoscape - Front 242

Snatch of Fury - Frankie Goes to Hollywood

Rainfall - Naomi

Kernkraft 400 - Zombie Nation

Psycho Boy Jack - Dust Brothers

John Wayne Gacy, Jr. - Sufjan Stevens

Julia - Eurythmics

Not the Red Baron - Tori Amos

Running Up That Hill (Datassette Remix) - Kate Bush

Painted Black - Anneli Drecker

Vergissmeinnicht - Eisbrecher

Challenge #3 - Songs For The Apocalypse

2009-05-25T15:10:00.000-07:00

I feel awkward about the mixtape mixups. I have been thinking for the last couple of weeks about this challenge, and Marc's Summer idea was one that ran through my head ("Music for a day at the Beach" was the concept). But in the end, I'm in a dark mood, and want to push us in a comletely different direction. I think this has a lot of creative possibilities, and I like seeing how differently we all apoproach these themes. Have at it guys!

Challenge #2: Darkness Has Found Me (Matt's Mix)

2009-05-23T23:14:00.000-07:00

I feel like a bit of a cheater having spent the entire day driving in my car and listening to all of your really wonderful takes on songs for midnight drives. Each mix is so varied in its perspective and take on the challenge and that's what I really love about this project/experiment. In school, I always was the consummate procrastinator, so I apologize for coming in just under the deadline this time. I'll try to be better. :)

When I thought up this challenge, I think I had a really specific mood in mind...for me, it ended up being about fireflies and rolled-down windows and cool breezes and mystery and headlights on empty roads, driving on winding two lane passes through mountains filled with thick greenery and fragrant flowers. In some way I wanted to capture something cinematic and magical and other-worldly that happens when you are on a road that perhaps you've never been on before, late enough that you feel like the only person in the world. Hopefully I got a little of that into this playlist. :)

Enjoy!

1. Still Waiting - Rithma

2. In Ear Park - Department Of Eagles

3. Crawled Out Of The Sea (Interlude) - Laura Marling

4. Timetakesthetimetimetakes - Peder

5. Pit Stop (Take Me Home) - Lovage

6. Crooked Legs - The Acorn

7. We Are Gods! We Are Wolves! - Le Loup

8. Deep Blue Sea - Grizzly Bear

9. Roll On (Ft. Jenny Lewis) - Dntel

10. Brackett, WI - Bon Iver

11. Felt Mountain - Goldfrapp

12. Nothing Like Us - Michael Penn

13. Genius And The Thieves - Eluvium

14. Golden Star - My Brightest Diamond

15. Know How - Kings Of Convenience

16. Those Little Things - Carla Bruni

17. Fontana Fontaine - Lullaby Baxter

18. Goodnight Bad Morning - The Kills

19. Sleep - Imogen Heap

20. Close Your Eyes - Jump Little Children

Download "Darkness Has Found Me"

Challenge #2 - Bleeding the Neon Out (Colin's Entry)

2009-05-22T12:36:00.000-07:00

I think I might have overreached on this one -- I had a story in mind and I tried to convey it through song selection. The rough screenplay is: Must. Get. Out. Of. This. Fucking. City. Start driving at midnight, hard and fast, through the glowing city, city tapers down, darkened forest, and finally, shore at dawn.

Song selection was a bitch. I thought it would be easier but had hard time finding songs that fit into the mental narrative I had. But at the end of it, I am really happy with it, even if the story only works for me.

1 Dakota (with special intro) Stereophonics
2 Underdog (Radio Edit) Kasabian
3 Wrong (Trentemøller Remix Edit) Depeche Mode
4 Drive Rialto
5 Bite Hard Franz Ferdinand
6 Big Girls Are Best U2
7 Around The Bend The Asteroids Galaxy Tour
8 Only This Moment Röyksopp
9 Girl and the Sea The Presets
10 Us She Wants Revenge
11 Pretending To See The Future Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
12 A Forest Bat For Lashes
13 Dad and Dog Fredo Viola
14 Hoppipolla Sigur Ros
15 Lower Your Eyelids to Die with the Sun M83

Download Bleeding the Neon Out

(That is my arm, those are my veins. I couldn't find any image on the net that fit my description -- either it was overly tanned 'roid body builders or penises. Go figure.)

Challenge #2: Under the Milky Way Tonight (Marc's Mix)

2009-05-22T11:48:00.000-07:00

This one was more of a challenge for me. As I don't drive too much at night and when I do it mostly obnoxiously upbeat remixes or spoken word. But I know what Matt was going for when he came up with this. My only regret is that mine might be at times too literal for some. I tried to go for simply a feel, but with limited time due to being out of town, then coming home to a crashed motherboard, I had to go a bit more obvious on some tracks.

Under the Milky Way Tonight: Music for a Night Ride Home

Night Ride Home -Joni Mitchell
Travelin' Light-Chet Baker
The Downtown Lights-The Blue Nile
Tonight We Play-Flying White Dots (feat. the Cure and Bjork)
Stars (original mix)-Dubstar
Walk On By-Isaac Hayes
Be Thankful For What You've Got-William DeVaughn
Lady Cab Driver-Prince
Driving (MAW Mix)-Everything But the Girl
Stay On These Roads-a-ha
The Killing Moon-Echo & The Bunnymen
Under the Milky Way-Grant Lee Phillips
When the Stars Go Blue-Blake Lewis
Sudden Rush-Erlend Oye
Stars Above Us-Saint Etienne
Four to the Floor (thin white duke mix)-Starsailor
Beautiful Ghost/Introduction To Songs Of Experience-U2

download under milky

Song Order Alert

2009-05-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

I noticed the songs download to my iTunes in the wrong order, although they are properly tagged. My partner also had the issue. Here's a link re: problem, w/o a solution that works: http://forums.ilounge.com/archive/index.php/t-110116.html Colin's stayed in order, but no one else's, and this makes a HUGE difference in the compilations. Thanx.

Challenge #2 - Midnight Has No Regrets (Steven's Entry)

2009-05-20T23:20:00.000-07:00

I knocked out the original mix for this challenge the weekend before Marc and Brad came to visit, put it on my iPod and listened to it for a few days. Then something unexpected happened, the hills caught on fire in Santa Barbara, life's unexpected turns emerged and I found that my original mix reminded me of these not-so-happy events. This week, I started reconstructing it, well past midnight one night and...

... not one song remained. What emerged was something else completely: I have so many memories through the years of driving home after midnight—and this is a compilation of (new and old) songs that I associate with driving home and the stories that go with them. I hope the mix works for someone who doesn’t know actually know me or these tales. This mix’s history extends all the way back to college when I would drive an hour and a half north up to Portland, Oregon after class and then drive home late that night after the bars closed and my friend's crashed. Sometimes filled with hopeful, new romance or worse, regretting my consumption of the evening.

Twenty-three years of driving later, I find myself once again making a similar journey with my hour drive home from a night out in Los Angeles (and I'm still very much listening to the car radio’s for company and to that ever-present soundtrack to my life's movie). The ocean at my side, the yellow flashing lines on the highway, the moon's smug shine above—all of this adds to my love of dramatic musical moments—by myself in the car. I love this kind of midnight drive. Behind the wheel, enjoying the push of the motor’s engine ...

Download: Midnight Has No Regrets

Miserere - Ennio Morricone, from The Mission Soundtrack
Shot In The Back of the Head - Moby
Everyone's At It (Doc Fritz Rec Mix) - Lily Allen
Let's Be Poor Together - Johnny Lloyd Rollins
Keep The Streets Empty for Me - Fever Ray
For the Truth In You - Roger O'Donnell
One More Kiss, Dear - Vangelis, from Blade Runner Soundtrack
Blue Lagoon - Laurie Anderson
From a Shell - Lisa Germano
The Sea Whisperer - Lisa Gerrard (Did I mention midnight is a time for drama?!)
Bluer Than Midnight - The The
Needle in the Hay - Elliot Smith
Gun Song - Alphawezen
Fascinating - Fischerspooner (actually an REM song)
Entropy Reigns (in the Celestial City) - Kelley Polar
I Love The Rain - The Real Tuesday Weld
The City - Milosh
Absence Heard, Presence Felt - Quantic

Challenge #2 - Blue Moon Cruise (Jeff's Entry)

2009-05-19T21:49:00.000-07:00

Cars are my passion. As soon as Matt issued this challenge I was excited to compose, and excited to hear the other collections. This is my third cruise mix (the first was for my M Roadster, the second for my Vette). A midnight cruise for me is all about heat, top down air, a lonely interstate and driving fast. Cruising down the road as time slows, thoughts drift. If only I lived in Montana.....

1. November Was White, December Was Grey ~ Say Hi
2. Ain't No Rest for the Wicked ~ Cage the Elephant
3. Baby Doll ~ The Fratellis
4. Mer Du Japon ~ AIR
5. Dry Lips ~ Lightspeed Champion
6. Houses ~ Great Northern
7. Lazy Eye (Jason Bentley Remix) ~ Silversun Pickups
8. Face Down In the Right Town ~ Earlimart
9. Atlantic ~ Keane
10. The Reason ~ Hoobastank
11. Not As Goth As They Say We Are ~ Say Hi to Your Mom
12. Stay Don't Go ~ Spoon
13. Under the Milky Way ~ The Church
14. A Message ~ Coldplay
15. Your Rocky Spine ~ Great Lake Swimmers

Drive safely, but passionately.

Download - Blue Moon Cruise

Challenge #2 - Songs for Midnight Drives

2009-04-29T13:05:00.000-07:00

Due: Sunday May 24th.

Challenge #1 - You Left Me Nothing (Matt's Entry)

2009-04-23T21:55:00.000-07:00

As Jeff said, I'm finding it so interesting how this first assignment makes me feel weirdly exposed, but yet, the context of why these songs have made my heart ache in various situations remains with me. All of these I can listen to and am immediately taken back to the time and place that song was important. Maybe you will hate some of these, maybe you think it's lame that I included Liz Phair (whatever...it's my heart ache so she stays...) or maybe they'll strike a chord in you too. Ok. That's enough explaining. Enjoy! :)

Download now

(It's still uploading, and the wireless is patchy (ie. stealing from neighbor) here in Texas..so if it doesn't work..let me know so i can get to a starbucks and upload.)

1. Johnny Sunshine - Liz Phair

2. So Broken - Bjork

3. Doctor Blind - Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton

4. Happy - Jenny Lewis With The Watson Twins

5. Changes Come - Over The Rhine

6. Heart's A Mess - Gotye

7. Oh Comely - Neutral Milk Hotel

8. Bloodstream - Stateless

9. Evolution - Cat Power

10. How I Made My Millions - Radiohead

11. Little Person - Jon Brion

12. Casimir Pulaski Day - Sufjan Stevens

13. Calculation Theme - Metric

14. 100 Knives - Mirah

15. Fools In Love - Inara George

16. Lonely Ghosts - O+S

17. Epitaph - Badly Drawn Boy

Challenge #1: Till The Heart Caves In (Marc's Entry)

2009-04-23T05:58:00.000-07:00

Trust-Billy Bragg. Have never been able to figure out if this is sung from a girls or boys POV. Rape is never upbeat.
I Love You, Creedence-Casiotone For The Painfully Alone. Song for the hipster lonely.
Damage-David Sylvian. "I only want to be in love"
$35-The Aluminum Group. What makes this one sad is it is a true story. Listen to the lyrics and I'll tell you the story relayed to me offline.
Medicine Bottle-Red House Painters. "I drank so much tea I wrote my letter in Kanji"
Mexican Wrestler-Jill Sobule. Guess you can't force love.
Il Adore-Boy George. This placement was a toss up between this and Culture Club's Less Than Perfect. Still not 100% on my choice.
Scorn Not His Simplicity-Sinead O'Connor
Marie-Townes Van Zandt. Homeless people and miscarriages. Fun.
Till The Heart Caves In-kd lang. Lost unrecorded Roy Orbison tune.
Half-Life Duncan Sheik. Always thought this was a song about being in the closet. Take it as you see it.
Your Next Lover-Lori McKenna. and it goes a bit rootsy, sorry.
Would You Still Have Fallen-Holly Williams. Got me through my dad's death.
New Favorite (Edit)-Alison Krauss
Come Pick Me Up Ryan Adams. The last 2 are more angry than sad. And he says Fuck.
Why Don't You See Me?-Concrete Blonde. My default breakup/unrequited love song.

Bonus Track: Make It Easy On Yourself-Jerry Butler. Before my second attempt at uploading I realized I have 3 minutes of space left so stuck this on. I remember a break up in 98 where I went out to Hunters for a rebound the next day. As my friend Paul drove my drunk ass home, i turned this up on the car radio and screamed this out the window till I cried.

Hope you enjoy!

Download this mix

Challenge #1 - Into The Mist (Jeff's Entry)

2009-04-22T09:58:00.000-07:00

I feel exposed by this project, but I guess that's the point. Each of the songs is an anchor to an event or episode in my past, which makes this collection exceptionally personal, yet in all likelihood difficult to relate to without ad nauseum liner notes. It was interesting to search the recesses of my past in search of these - and even more surprising how listening to them brought back feelings I thought had faded away....

I hope you enjoy, and I seriously can't wait to listen to yours. Oh yeah, special thanx to Colin for motivating me with this challenge, and for hosting my mix so that I could post it to the blog.

Jeff

A Thousand Years -- Sting
Julia -- The Beatles
Take My Breath Away (Love Theme from "Top Gun") -- Berlin
We Belong -- Pat Benatar
Human -- The Pretenders

Time and Tide -- Basia
At Last -- Etta James
I Know The Truth (Aida Act 2 Original Cast) -- Sherie René Scott
The Wings -- Gustavo Santaolalla
Big Log -- Robert Plant
Streets of Philadelphia (From "Philadelphia") -- Bruce Springsteen
How Soon Is Now? -- The Smiths
Rough Boy -- ZZ Top
Surround Me With Your Love (Mental Overdrive Remix) -- 3-11 Porter
Blue -- LeAnn Rimes
Come What May -- Nicole Kidman & Ewin McGregor
Witness -- Sarah McLachlan

Download "Into The Mist"

Challenge #1 - Left Alone (Colin's Entry)

2009-04-22T09:45:00.001-07:00

Tough to do one that speaks to more people than you just you on this one since most of the songs I flagged as "ache" are so intertwined with personal stories... But I think these do a good job of spanning a lot of themes and hopefully get those deep emotions -- the ones you only access when drunk or a really good song comes on -- will get dredged up.

Track Listing:
1 Lonely Soul Unkle
2 Back to the Lake Guided By Voices
3 Cinema Air Gloria Record
4 The Sulphur Man Doves
5 Inside of Love Nada Surf
6 Leave Me Alone Trash Can Sinatras
7 Wonderwall Ryan Adams
8 Philadelphia Neil Young
9 Fake Plastic Trees Radiohead
10 Switching Off Elbow
11 Somebody Depeche Mode
12 The Luckiest Ben Folds
13 Your Hand In Mine (Goodbye) Explosions In The Sky
14 Miss you (lulu rouge feat asger baden remix) Trentemøller
15 Clementina Xymox
16 Adagio For Strings Samuel Barber

Album Art:

Download "Left Alone"

Challenge #1 - Songs that Make Your Heart Ache

2009-04-13T19:21:00.000-07:00

Due: Saturday April 25th.

The Rules

2009-04-13T19:18:00.000-07:00

Short and Sweet.

1) Keep mixes under 80 minutes.
2) Upload album in zip / RAR format. Individual tracks should be in either mp3 or AAC form.
3) Must make album art
4) Any mixes should be turned in on "due" date.
5) Don't use same track twice. If used on any compilation, its retired.