Mixologists

Mixologists wants to let you down easy

2006-05-03T15:25:00.000-04:00

Can we talk for a minute? There are some things we want to get off our chests. Maybe you should sit down for this one. (Why the hell are you standing up at a computer?) Since we don't want to waste your time or ours, we'll get right to the point. This isn't working out. You know, between us. This whole thing. We've grown apart. Wait, before you interrupt, just let us finish. This is no joke.

Why are you laughing? You see, this is exactly what we're talking about! We try to be serious for a minute, and you just want to sit there and laugh and make a big fat joke out of it. No, of course it's not your fault. It's not you, it's us. We just can't devote the attention to you that we used to. You gave us your heart, we gave you a pen. Things are changing for us. Good things. We just think it would be better for both of us if we ... didn't see you anymore.

We know, we know, it's not easy to hear. But, listen, we still think you're a great person. We're not saying we don't want to be friends, but, well, things just got moving too quickly for us, and soon we were spinning out of control. And once we hit that 100 post mark, we just couldn't take it anymore. We're not looking for that kind of relationship right now. Let us be clear on this: it's nothing you did. You are the best. Some day, you'll find the blog that's right for you, but for now, it's not us.

Of course we'll remain friends. Are you crazy? No, no, we didn't mean it that way. You're not crazy. Really. No, seriously. See, you're laughing again, you crazy bastard. You are insane. You see, THIS is why we're leaving you. You're a damn NUTCASE. You belong in a mental institution! They can do some great things for you. Now just leave us alone. We have to go. See ya around. Get AWAY from us! Stop following us. We're not listening anymore.

Wedding Challenge! In More Ways then One

2006-04-27T22:30:00.000-04:00

Sure it happens to everyone. You are a few months into your marriage. The honeymoon is over. Way over. So over you actually ran out of the all the soap you stole from the hotel. Anyways... it's over and the reality is setting in. You are stuck with this person for the rest of your life. Now what? Kids? They're over rated. Buying a home? Pfft... who has that kind of money? Drug addiction? Most likely. Alcohol dependency? Most certainly.

Point is, relationships are a bitch. Your wedding will be the highlight, so you better have some pretty good music to back up your lame ass dancing.

Submissions are due tomorrow, ya heard?

Wedding Music Challenge!

Rule #60 - No 'chicken dancing' - no exceptions

2006-04-24T16:24:00.000-04:00

(Special Guest: Britt)

It's wedding season, kid. Do you know where your grandmother is? If I didn't know any better, I'd say that's her getting wheeled around a dance floor by some unaccountable weirdo who is spilling his rum and coke all over her Sunday best. And they both like it! Why? Because someone had the good sense to play a song with the power to bring out the young and old, the hammered and the pregnant, the lady and the tramp, and get them all to shake it, and shake it hard. Think it's easy to plan a wedding? Then you're stupid! Think it's easier to plan a wedding playlist? Then you, my friend, are a brave soul.

So come on, hit me with your best shot. I'm hoping you'll see what your submission means to me. I'll think to myself, what a wonderful mix. It's too good to be true, I can't take my eyes off of it. Iiiiaaaiiii will always love it. At last, this mix has come along. It's unforgettable in every way, and forever more, that's how it'll stay. This I promise you.
A little inspiration...

• "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" - Pat Benatar
• "Open Arms" - Journey
• "What a Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong
• "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" - Frankie Vallie
• "I Will Always Love You" - Whitney Houston
• "Unforgettable" - Nat and Natalie Cole
• "This I Promise You" - *NSYNC

The Good Stuff: Volume 6

2006-04-21T13:10:00.000-04:00

The Good Stuff is a 10-volume set of mixes without any particular unifying theme, apart from that I like all of the songs on all of them. And I hope you do too. Nay, I demand that you do too.

"Mr. Blue Sky" - Electric Light Orchestra
"A Fond Farewell" - Elliott Smith
"The Sound Of Settling" - Death Cab For Cutie
"Save Me" - Aimee Mann
"Wake Up" - The Arcade Fire
"Black And White Town" - Doves
"Two Of Us" - The Beatles
"Carry The Zero" - Built To Spill
"Banditos" - The Refreshments
"Blue" - The Jayhawks
"Naked As We Came" - Iron & Wine
"Slow Hands" - Interpol
"We're The Same" - Matthew Sweet
"Lola Stars And Stripes" - The Stills
"Here's Where The Story Ends" - The Sundays
"Everyday I Write The Book" - Elvis Costello
"Either Way" - Guster

Challenge! Wedding Music

2006-04-19T13:23:00.000-04:00

We here at Mixologists often prefer to keep you out of the loop in our personal lives, choosing instead to mock and/or throw feces at you while telling you how much you don't know about music. Well, it's time for a new Challenge!... and this time, it's personal.

Because, you see, I will be getting married in June to the loveliest young lass in all the world. But more importantly, I'll be at the epicenter of a dance party with over 100 people who are older and less hip than myself and my mate. And frankly, I need your help. I need you to make sure my wedding music does not suck.

Sure, we all know the classics: "Louie Louie", "The Twist", "Electric Slide", "The Chicken Dance", "Lady in Red". Let's face it: those songs all suck. And the only reason they still get played at weddings is because they were played at your aunt's wedding, or your cousin's wedding, or little Johnny No-Taste from down the street's wedding. This is the year 2006, and I would like to boldly state that Hall & Oates is no longer acceptable wedding fare.

So, my Challenge! to you is to put together a mix of wedding music. Avoid the standard stuff, but keep it respectable. By now you know the rules:

Mixes cannot exceed the standard length of a CD - 80 minutes.
Mixes must be submitted via email: submitmix@googlegroups.com
There is no limit on the number of mixes that can be submitted by one person.

The deadline for submission is April 28, 2006. We will begin posting mixes on the 28th, but will not accept submissions after that (hence the word "deadline").

(Okay, maybe the Chicken Dance can stay...)

It Was A Very Good Year Challenge! Entry: Finally Behind the Wheel... Hits of 1997

2006-04-18T08:59:00.000-04:00

(Submitted by Mandy)
Ahh 1997... 10th grade and the year of the driver's license. I had gotten into good music in 6th or 7th grade, but nothing boosts your cd collection like needing something good to listen to while you drive the semi-beatup car you helped pay for so you could drive back and forth from the restaurant where you worked, and wherever high school adventures would lead. Ahh... those were the days...

"Song 2" - Blur
"Subterranean Homesick Alien" - Radiohead
"One Angry Dwarf" - Ben Folds 5
"Hypnotize" - Notorious B.I.G.
"Maladjusted" - Morrissey
"Angel" - Sarah McLachlan
"Good Riddance" - Green Day
"Gettin' Jiggy With It" - Will Smith
"Bittersweet Symphony" - The Verve
"Not Dark Yet" - Bob Dylan
"Your Woman" - White Town
"Firestarter" - Progidy
"Don't Go Away" - Oasis

It Was A Very Good Year Challenge! Entry: 1992: Don’t Believe the Hype….

2006-04-16T12:31:00.000-04:00

(Submitted by Bald Ben)
Picture it: Hartman’s porch. An awkward moment between a young strange blond girl uh…lets call her Michelle, and an even stranger blond boy that we will for the sake of a name call Corey. This moment made inevitably more awkward by someone we shall know as Shane as he points out the discomfort between the two strange teenagers. Furthermore setting into motion one of the most dysfunctional relationships this side of Jerry Springer. The Antietam Pool, 12 string flanged out richenbacker guitars, Bald Ben with a full mane of hair. Of course your next thought is, “Man, that takes me back. Where was I in 1992?”. Well if you’re Pumpkinhead you were with me on Hartman’s porch listening to Achtung Baby. The rest of you I’m not too sure, nor does it make a lick of difference to me. However, if you ever wanted to live my life vicariously through the music I ate, slept, and breathed in the early 90’s this is your chance. For the discerning listener a smattering of the music that grew me up right, to be the bald dilettante that I am today.

"Do, Re, Me, So Far So Good" - Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine
"You Can’t Handle the truth" - Clip from “A Few Good Men"
"Weirdo" - The Charlatans
"Far Gone and Out" - The Jesus and Mary Chain
"Walkabout" - The Sugarcube
"Wild Horses" - The Sundays
"What do you Do... Hurl" - Clip from “Wayne’s World”
"Everybody Loves Me But You" - Juliana Hatfield
"Walking Through Syrup" - Ned’s Atomic Dustbin
"There’s no Crying in Baseball" - Clip from “A League of Their Own”
"Certain People I Know" - Morrissey
"The Life of Riley" - The Lightening Seeds
"From the Edge of a Deep Green Sea" - The Cure
"One" - U2
"Black Metallic" - Catherine Wheel
"It’s a Shame About Ray" - The Lemonheads
"Hoo Ha" - Clip from “A Scent of a Woman”
"Ordinary Angels" - Frente
"The Statue Got Me High" - They Might Be Giants
"Next Lover" - James
"Stockton Gala Days" - 10,000 Maniacs
"Night Swimming" - R.E.M

It Was A Very Good Year Challenge! Entry: 1996: The Year of the Mama's Boy

2006-04-13T10:59:00.000-04:00

(Submitted by Britt)

When I look back on 1996, there's a huge difference between what I was actually listening to and what I wish I had been. So rather than just make another guilty pleasures mix (starring Blackstreet, No Doubt, Dave Matthews Band, anything on Y102) I made the mix of my musical taste wishlist circa 9th grade. Some of you lucky sons of bitches were actually listening to this, and so you are cool to me. But regardless of it all, no one can take away the first time I heard Misunderstood. Aaah, 2003. A great year for aged music.

"Outta Mind (Outta Sight)" - Wilco
"Somebody's Baby" - Yo La Tengo
"Wanted to Be Your" - Spoon
"Ohio" - Modest Mouse
"Fu-gee-la" - The Fugees
"She's Electric" - Oasis
"Give Me One Reason" - Tracy Chapman
"No Name #6" - Elliot Smith
"Untouchable Face" - Ani DiFranco
"Misunderstood" - Wilco
"Devil's Haircut" - Beck
"Motoroller Scalatron" - Stereolab
"You've Passed" - Neutral Milk Hotel
"Sick & Wrong" - Built To Spill

It Was A Very Good Year Challenge! Entry: How I Lost My Virginity at Prom '85

2006-04-12T16:32:00.000-04:00

(Submitted by Becker)

She was the girl of my dreams. It was the perfect early May day too in the suburbs of Chicago. Flowers in bloom, birds chirping, we got cable...a good day overall. My Dad even let me take out his new Delorian - because we were rich from what soon became to be called "Junk Bonds" and my Pops was a big fan of men who'd snort a shit load of cocaine and build cars. The music was great for dancing the night. I even saw Coach Atkinson out there cutting some rug...or basketball court - whatever you want to call it. But in the end, it was the music...the music allows me to tell you the story...the story of...

How I Lost My Virginity at Prom '85

"Close to Me" - The Cure
"Raspberry Beret" - Prince
"King of Rock" - Run D.M.C.
"Money for Nothin'" - Dire Straits
"Don't Come Around Here No More" - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
"Holding Back the Years" - Simply Red
"Power of Love" - Huey Lewis & the News
"Don't Lose My Number" - Phil Collins
"The Heat is On" - Glenn Fry
"Wild Side" - Motley Crue
"The Touch" - Stan Bush
"Take On Me" - A-Ha
"The Superbowl Shuffle" - Chicago Bears
"And She Was" - Talking Heads
"Small Town" - John Cougar Mellencamp
"Smooth Operator" - Sade
"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" - Tears For Fears

It Was A Very Good Year Challenge! Entry: Nineteen Ninety-Four: Under The Magic Eye Of A Pre-Teen Geek

2006-04-11T18:35:00.000-04:00

I have long maintained that 1994 was the year that I first "got" music. On the border between 7th and 8th grade, between ages 12 and 13, between recess and Vocabulary Workshop, between school dances and ridiculous parts in my hair, between... oh, enough. So enjoy going cross-eyed over the awesomeness of this mix.

"Machinehead" - Bush
"Buddy Holly" - Weezer
"Cut Your Hair" - Pavement
"Ease My Mind" - Arrested Development
"Laid" - James
"Longview" - Green Day
"Zombie" - The Cranberries
"Loser" - Beck
"Feel The Pain" - Dinosaur Jr.
"Voodoo Lady" - Ween
"The Man Who Sold The World" - Nirvana
"Selling The Drama" - Live
"Closer" - Nine Inch Nails
"Cold Beverage" - G. Love & Special Sauce
"Is Chicago, Is Not Chicago" - Soul Coughing
"Stupid" - Toad The Wet Sprocket
"Backwater" - Meat Puppets
"Sabotage" - Beastie Boys
"Last Goodbye" - Jeff Buckley

It Was A Very Good Year Challenge! Entry: 1971

2006-04-11T13:01:00.000-04:00

(Submitted by Privatjokr)

"American Pie" - Don McLean
"Me and Bobby McGee" - Janis Joplin
"Mercy Mercy Me" - Marvin Gaye
"Brown Sugar" - Rolling Stones
"Ain't No Sunshine" - Bill Withers
"I am...I said" - Neil Diamond
"Just My Imagination" - The Temptations
"Theme from "Shaft"" - Isaac Hayes
"You've Got A Friend" - James Taylor
"Maggie May" - Rod Stewart
"Black Magic Woman" - Santana
"Knock Three Times" - Dawn
"An Old Fashioned Love Song" - Three Dog Night
"Have You Ever Seen The Rain" - Creedence Clearwater Revival
"Imagine" - John Lennon
"Love The One You're With" - The Isley Brothers
"Peace Train" - Cat Stevens
"Stairway to Heaven" - Led Zeppelin

It Was a Very Good Year Challenge! It's All About Time

2006-04-07T11:51:00.000-04:00

It's Friday and you are probably expecting some Challenge! Entries aren't you? Well that's pretty expectant of you isn't it? Anyways, I am very busy and Moyer hasn't been heard from for weeks. So I have got a plan. Start sending your challenge! Entries now and we will start posting them when we get a chance. We will continue to post the entries for the next few days and stretch it out further than just the weekend. Sound good? I thought so.

If I get a chance I will post our first entry later today. Curious about what year it will be? Here's a hint, it's 1971.

(As for the Love Boat picture... No thanks necessary.)

And You Know What They Said? Well Some of it's True!

2006-04-05T12:36:00.000-04:00

This past week a man was arrested for singing along with The Clash in a cab. Which, of course, elicits some mandatory jokes...

A man was arrested for singing the Clash in public, that cab driver must be an even harsher critic than Simon Cowell.
A man was arrested for singing the Clash in public, and yet Ashlee Simpson remains free to roam about.
A man was arrested for singing the Clash in public, in related news, a Rancid cover band sentenced to death.

Ah shit, I've got a million of um folks...

Man held as terrorism suspect over punk song

Crazy I know. But the weirdest thing, how cool is that cab? It has a port for you to plug in your mp3 player? Man, that is awesome.

One of These Things Sounds Like the Other

2006-04-04T09:30:00.000-04:00

If you have been around me for the past two weeks you probably have been asked "Who does this sound like?" I would have been asking about the Guillemotts song "Trains to Brazil", made famous by Beware the Blogs of March. Now I can be pretty annoying normally, but when there is a song that I am sure sounds like another song but I can't figure it out, I am intolerable. So to any of you that faced the wrath of my annoyance, I apologize.

The good news is I figured out what song "Trains to Brazil" sounds like.

Click to listen (for free) or right click to download (also free)

"Trains to Brazil" - Guillemots
"Now We're Getting Somewhere" - Crowded House

Yes! That makes me feel better. What do you think? Similar huh?

The Good Stuff: Volume 5

2006-04-02T16:12:00.000-04:00

The Good Stuff is a 10-volume set of mixes without any particular unifying theme, apart from that I like all of the songs on all of them. And I hope you do too. Nay, I demand that you do too.

"Where Is My Mind?" - Pixies
"Momentum" - Aimee Mann
"California" - Rufus Wainwright
"A Rush Of Blood To The Head" - Coldplay
"Catapult" - Counting Crows
"Cannonball" - The Breeders
"Hate To Say I Told You So" - The Hives
"Martha My Dear" - The Beatles
"Gravity Rides Everything" - Modest Mouse
"So I Fall Again" - Phantom Planet
"Designs On You" - Old 97's
"Barely Legal" - The Strokes
"The Rat" - The Walkmen
"Exit Music (For A Film)" - Radiohead

Getting into the Mix: Opening Day

2006-04-02T15:24:00.000-04:00

It's kinda funny to see big jocks make a mix tape. Normally their mixes will have a John Fogerty song, some audio clip of a sportscaster going nuts and freestyle by a misguided athelete. This is no different. Enjoy opening day, but try not to listen to this unless you are really drunk or slightly stupid.

Opening Day Baseball Mix

Rest In Peace Buck Owens

2006-03-29T14:47:00.000-05:00

(Submitted by Bald Ben)

This weekend a little old man silently passed on in Bakersfield, California. Buck Owens should have been on every front page this weekend. He was the originator of your precious alt.country.

While Chet Atkins was busy dumbing down country music for the white bread American folk, Buck Owens was busy shit-stomping his way into the history books. Gram Parsons, The Beatles, Mike Nezsmith, Dwight Yoakam, The Mavericks, Whiskytown, and a plethora of others owe Mr. Owens a great credit. So do we.

Beware the Blogs of March

2006-03-29T10:04:00.000-05:00

In like a lion and out like a lamb, with a whole mess of Caesar killing in the middle. Smell it. It's freaking March. To celebrate the month of madness I have put together a "best of March's music blogs" mix. As an added bonus, all these tracks are free to download.

Enjoy...

"You Can Decide" - Field Music | My Old Kentucky Blog
"Rivalry" - Figurines | So Much Silence
"Living In a Magazine" - Zoot Woman | Feed Me Good Tunes
"Soiree" - Maurice Galatica | Feed Me Good Tunes
"Parade" - Hey Penny | You Aint No Picasso
"Kissing Families" - Silversun Pickups | gorilla vs bear
"Deadweight on Velveteen" - Jose Gonzalez | So Much Silence
"Owner of a Lonely Heart" - Grizzly Bear | gorilla vs bear
"The Flyest Angel" - MF Doom & Nas | Feed Me Good Tunes
"Mr Richard" - Belle & Sebastian | Muzzle of Bees
Trains to Brazil - Guillemots | You Aint No Picasso
"Your Kisses Are Wasted on Me" - The Pipettes | You Aint No Picasso
"Crazy" - Gnarls Barkley | Feed Me Good Tunes
"Engwish Bwudd" - Man Man | You Aint No Picasso
"Playhouses" - TV On The Radio | CYSTSFTS?
"St. Augustine" - Band of Horses | My Old Kentucky Blog
"Victim's Hairdo" - Toy Fight | My Old Kentucky Blog
"You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" - The Subways | My Old Kentucky Blog
"There is No Ending" - Arab Strap | Said the Gramophone

Help!

2006-03-28T17:02:00.000-05:00

What kind of people would we be if we gave you a Challenge! and then simply left you to your own devices? Jerks, that's what. So in an effort to prevent that ever-so-harsh label we will be posting some useful resources over the next couple of days in order to help you out with the current Challenge!.

Do you remember which albums came out in 1987? Guns N' Roses? Def Leppard? Johnny Hates Jazz? Unless you have old issues of Teen Beat lying around you probably don't know. A good resource is Gracenote. You can't search by year but you can check to see if in fact Johnny Hates Jazz came out with an album in 1987 (they didn't).

Wikipedia has a list of songs seperated by year. But since it is Wikipedia it is kinda half-assed and filled with songs complete nerds like. (i.e. Lonley Swedish)

Another good resource, KEXP.org out of Seattle.

More to come later.

Challenge! It Was A Very Good Year

2006-03-28T11:38:00.000-05:00

Pick a year, folks, any year. Most likely, you're going to want to pick a year within the last 4 or 5 decades. Because Mixologists is laying down another Challenge! We want you to pick a year and make a mix of your favorite songs from that year. They don't even need to be your favorite songs, or even songs for that matter. Okay, they do have to be songs. And preferably good ones. You get the point!

The ground rules are still the same:

Mixes cannot exceed the standard length of a CD - 80 minutes.
Mixes must be submitted via email: submitmix@googlegroups.com
There is no limit on the number of mixes that can be submitted by one person.

The deadline for submission is April 8, 2006. We will begin posting mixes on the 7th, but will not accept submissions after that (hence the word "deadline").

Some tips:

Don't pick 2005. Too soon.
Try to blend a range of genres in your mix. Diversity is much appreciated.
The order of the songs on your playlist is highly important. The mix should flow like wine.
Bonus points for incorporating songs and/or artists that may be a little out of the ordinary, provided they don't ruin the flow.

So you crazy fools, bring us a musical blast from the musical past, and answer this Challenge!

Guilty Pleasures Challenge! By the Numbers

2006-03-27T16:19:00.000-05:00

Another successful challenge! here at Mixologists. We managed to humiliate ourselves in a public manner, which is always commendable and there wasn't even any hard liquor involved.

So on with the wrap up.

10 entrees
Songs by future NBA MVPs: 1
Songs By American Idols: 4
Guiltiest Band: Journey & Hall and Oates
Gultiest Song: Since U Been Gone
Guiltiest Real Song by Fake Band Written About a Fake Person: "Forever" – Jesse & the Rippers
Guiltiest Starship: Jefferson
How Many Things it Takes to Make a Thing Go Right: 2
How Many Princes: 2
How Many Pence (but none the richer): 6
Average Length of Mixes: 52 minutes
Average Length of Shower Needed to Make Oneself Feel Clean After Compiling Mix: 57 minutes
Amount of Street Cred This Blog Now Has: 0
Number of these mixes I would want to listen to: 0

The Crap I Listen To With My Headphones On - The Full Moyer
Up Ya Nose Witha Rubba Hose - Bald Ben
Guilty Pleasure - The Deuce
80's Guilty Pleasures - The Pumpkinhead
Guilt Pleasures - Mandy
Hunka Chunka Peanut Butter Fudge - Becker
Not Guilty - Tori
18 Songs You Hate to Love - The Pumpkinhead
Starring John Stamos - Britt
Arresting - ThePope

Guilty Pleasures Challenge! Entry: Arresting

2006-03-26T19:34:00.000-05:00

(Submitted by The Pope)

You thought I was kidding about "What a Girl Wants," didn't you?

"Life is a Highway" - Tom Cocoran
"More Than Words" - Extreme
"Chalkdust Torture" - Phish
"Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" - PM Dawn
"Crazy" - Seal
"What a Girl Wants" - Christina Aguilera
"Puttin on the Ritz" - Taco
"Semi-Charmed Life" - Third Eye Blind
"Running With The Devil" - Van Halen
"No Such Thing" - John Mayer
"Meet Virgina" - Train
"Everything You Want" - Vertical Horizon
"Warehouse" - Dave Matthews Band
"Good" - Better Than Ezra
"They Say the Vision" - Res

Guilty Pleasures Challenge! Entry: Starring John Stamos

2006-03-26T19:15:00.000-05:00

(Submitted by Britt)

I am ashamed of myself.

"Don't Let Go (Love)" – En Vogue
"Baby, Baby" – Amy Grant
"Space Cowboy" – 'N Sync
"King of New York" – Newsies Soundtrack
"Big, Big World" – Emilia
"Diggin' On You" – TLC
"All For You" – Sister Hazel
"Jesus Freak" – DC Talk
"Solitaire" – Clay Aiken
"Foolish Games" – Jewel
"Don't Take the Girl" – Tim McGraw
"Lost In Your Eyes" – Debbie Gibson
"Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)" – Offspring
"I'm a Slave 4 U" – Britney Spears
"Feel So Good" – Mase
"Amish Paradise" – Weird Al Yankovic
"Stan" – Eminem
The Survivor Theme Song
"Forever" – Jesse & the Rippers

Guilty Pleasures Challenge! Entry: 18 Songs You Hate to Love

2006-03-26T16:56:00.000-05:00

(Submitted by The Pumpkinhead)

So I really don’t know if there is any possible way to have a "flow" to this mix. It is embarrassing and all over the place. You’re all gonna laugh at me, aren’t you?

"Since U Been Gone" – Kelly Clarkson
"Come Clean" – Hilary Duff
"Sorry" – Madonna
"You’re A God" – Vertical Horizon
"Push" – Matchbox Twenty
"Glycerine" – Bush
"Black Balloon" – GooGoo Dolls
"When It’s Over" – Sugar Ray
"It Takes Two" – Rob Base & DJ Easy Rock
"Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" – Jay-Z
"Juicy" – Notorious B.I.G.
"Mo Money, Mo Problems" – P. Diddy, Notorious B.I.G. & Mase
"In Da Club" – 50 Cent
"Wild Wild West" – Kool Moe Dee
"Mama Said Knock You Out" – LL Cool J
"Rush, Rush" – Paula Abdul
"Mandy" – Barry Manilow
"Superstar" – The Carpenters

Guilty Pleasures Challenge! Entry: Not Guilty

2006-03-26T16:26:00.000-05:00

(Submitted by Tori)
The following songs are, by most accounts, terrible. They’re not -- oh, how you say? – cool. It’s become acceptable practice to like a lot of these songs and bands in an ironic way, with the joke being, I suppose, that, hey, I’m way too cool to really like this crap, but wouldn’t it be HILARIOUS if I did!? I don’t know about you, but I just died laughing. Here’s what I think:

I think if I was a man, and I could choose to sing like any singer ever, and Freddy Mercury’s voice wasn’t available, I’d want to sing like Steve Perry. Steve Perry’s voice is fucking cool.

I think that the idea of building a city on rock and roll – yeah! screw you, zoning laws! – is the greatest idea ever, and would yield the most epic city of all time. And I think that is fucking cool.

I think that Heart – who, sure, went through a totally lame patch for, oh,
most of their career – has some seriously bad ass, sexy bass lines and totally insane vocals. Fucking cool.

I think Karen Carpenter has one of the most heartbreaking voices there ever was, and that “Rainy Days and Mondays” could probably drive me to kill myself on an off day. That’s power. And that, my friends, is, well…you know.

And Neil Diamond? Don’t even get me started. I live and die for Neil. OK, he’s not cool. But god help me, I love him. And perhaps that is the coolest cool of all.

So yes, my friends: cool or not cool, I whole-heartedly and unironically embrace these songs. I could’ve gone the Backstreet Boys‚ road on this “Guilty Pleasures” mix, but damn it, I want it this way. I love this mix. It’s mired (mostly) in the 70s, heavy with shit rock, drowning in schlock, and – oh yes – glittering with Diamonds, but I feel no guilt. No sir. Only pleasure.

"We Built This City" - Starship
"Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’" - Journey
"Strangle Hold" - Ted Nugent
"Sarah Smile" - Hall & Oates
"Crazy on You" - Heart
"I Am...I Said" - Neil Diamond
"Do You Know the Way (to San Jose?)" - Dionne Warwick
"Rainy Days and Monday" - The Carpenters
"Owner of a Lonely Heart" - YES
"More Than A Feeling " - Boston
"Separate Ways" - Journey
"I Can’t Go For That" - Hall & Oates
"Brand New Key (Brand New Pair of Roller Skates)" - Melanie
"Rosanna" - Toto
"Fox on the Run" - Sweet
"Double Vision" - Foreigner
"Take Me Home Tonight" - Eddie Money
"Coming to America" - Neil Diamond

Guilty Pleasures Challenge! Entry: Hunka Chunka Peanut Butter Fudge

2006-03-25T16:30:00.000-05:00

(Submitted by Becker)

When this "Challenge" was proposed, I was skeptical at first. I mean, these songs are ones that I'm not really embarassed for liking -- okay, I am a little bit. The terrible part is that these mixes are all just displaying the skeltons in our closets...albeit musical skeletons as opposed to "the gimp living in the basement" style skeletons, but skeletons all the same. But alas, as Mary Prankster once said, "it's time to swallow that pride, boys, and clap like a girl".

"Two Princes" - Spin Doctors
"Meant To Live" - Switchfoot
"Sussudio" - Phil Collins
"A Thousand Miles" - Vanessa Carlton
"Hold My Hand" - Hootie & the Blowfish
"Photograph" - Def Leppard
"Breathe" - Nickelback
"Brown Sugar" - D'Angelo
"Lapdance" - N.E.R.D.
"25 or 6 to 4" - Chicago
"Do Right" - Jimmie's Chicken Shack
"Private Eyes" - Hall & Oates
"Kiss Me" - Sixpence None the Richer
"Everything Falls Apart" - Dog's Eye View
"Since U Been Gone" - Kelly Clarkson
"Tattva" - Kula Shaker

Guilty Pleasures Challenge! Entry: Guilty Pleasures

2006-03-25T16:24:00.000-05:00

(Submitted by The Mandy)

I want to preface with a bit of introspection: in compiling this mix, I have found that "guilty pleasures" are quite subjective (for those of you who may still carry around your Lionel Richie tapes) and, for those of us with elevated musical taste, often remarkably nostalgic. My first go-around at this gave me, for the most part, a cheesy hits of the 80s list, but I have endeavored to compile a list of my various guilty pleasures from my 25 years.

"Every Rose Has Its Thorn" - Poison
"Baby Got Back" - Sir Mix-A-Lot
"To Be With You" - Mr. Big
"Back For Good" - Take That
"She's Gone" - Hall & Oates
"Breakfast at Tiffany's" - Deep Blue Something
"Take on Me" - A-Ha
"Since U Been Gone" - Kelly Clarkson
"Eternal Flame" - The Bangles
"The Promise" - When in Rome
"Big Pimpin'" - Jay Z
"Up Where We Belong" - Joe Cocker/Jennifer Warnes
"Cry Me a River" - Justin Timberlake
"Mandy" - Barry Manilow
"Daydream Believer" - The Monkees

Guilty Pleasures Challenge! Entry: 80's Guilty Pleasures

2006-03-25T13:34:00.000-05:00

(Submitted by The Pumpkinhead)

Come on, now…you know you love these songs. Don't be afraid to admit it. And if you
won't, shame on you. I almost feel bad calling these guilty pleasures. The only thing I
feel guilty about is how much I like them.

"Summer of '69" - Bryan Adams
"Der Kommisar" - After the Fire
"Heart and Soul" - T'pau
"She Bop" - Cyndi Lauper
"I Want to Know What Love Is" - Foreigner
"(I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight" - Cutting Crew
"If It Isn't Love" - New Edition
"Don't You Want Me" - Human League
"Oh Sheila" - Ready For the World
"Send Me An Angel" - Real Life
"I Know There's Something Going On" - Frida
"Hysteria" - Def Leppard
"Sara" - Jefferson Starship
"Hurt So Good" - John Cougar Mellancamp
"Goodbye To You" - Scandal
"Sailing" - Christopher Cross

Guilty Pleasures Challenge! Entry: Guilty Pleasure

2006-03-24T16:17:00.000-05:00

(Submitted by the Deuce)

I must say, I don't feel right calling these songs "guilty pleasures" since I don't feel a bit of guilt in liking any of them. I would have preferred including Styx' "Come Sail Away" in place of "Lady," but there's only so much music you can fit onto one CD (and I couldn't bring myself to cut Deacon Blues). Regardless, all of these songs are "winners" in my book. I'm sure you'll agree if you give them a try, that's if you haven't already. Enjoy. That is all.

"Working for the Weekend" - Loverboy
"Last Chance on the Stairway" - Duran Duran
"Girl You Know it's True" - Milli Vanilli
"Talkin all that jazz" - Stetsasonic
"Epic" - Faith No More
"Deuce" - Kiss
"Too Late for Love" - Def Leppard
"Love Song" - Tesla
"Down Boys" - Warrant
"Radar Love" - White Lion
"Bang a Gong (Get it on)" - T. Rex
"Anytime" - Journey
"Velvet Curtain/Feeling that Way" - Journey
"Lady" - Styx
"Deacon Blues" - Steely Dan
"Rock With You" - Michael Jackson
"Don't Leave Me This Way" - Thelma Houston

Guilty Pleasures Challenge! Entry: Up Ya Nose Witha Rubba Hose

2006-03-24T15:32:00.000-05:00

(Submitted by Bald Ben)

This was far more difficult than I initially thought. I got like six right off the bat, after that it took me some time to really dig down and figure out those nasty little bits. I had to go off the thought that if I was playing music in my car with all my buddies and a song came on and I was embarrassed by it, than I had a winner. So I figure there will be a few of you who take issue with some of my picks, but one man's trash is another man's gold, covered trash.

"Walking on the Sun" - Smashmouth
"Complicated" - Avril Lavigne
"Let Her In" - John Travolta
"I Miss You" - Blink 182
"I Saw the Sign" - Ace of Base
"Livin' La Vida Loca" - Ricky Martin
"Devil Went Down to Georgia" - Charlie Daniels Band
"The Way" - Fastball
"We Belong" - Pat Benetar
"Satellite" - Dave Mathews Band
"International Bright Young Thing" - Jesus Jones
"Clap! Shake! Jump!" - Behavior

Guilty Pleasures Challenge! Entry: The Crap I Listen To With My Headphones On

2006-03-24T11:23:00.000-05:00

Why should anyone be guilty about something pleasurous? Just because I feel Susanna Hoffs's pain when she's gotta get up for work on another manic Monday, I should be ashamed of myself? Just because my answer to a timeless query is "Yes, Shaq, you CAN rock", I should hide my true feelings for the Diesel's gifts? Just because all I wanna do IS have some fun, I shouldn't let that be known? Well folks, you say I only hear what I want to. You're right. Isn't it ironic? So screw you and your condescension, because I've got the hooch. Baby.

"More Than a Feeling" - Boston
"Jaded" - Aerosmith
"What's Up Doc, Can We Rock" - Shaquille O'Neal feat. Fu Schnickens
"Sweet Surrender" - Sarah McLachlan
"All I Wanna Do" - Sheryl Crow
"Ironic" - Alanis Morissette
"Until I Fall Away" - Gin Blossoms
"Manic Monday" - The Bangles
"Hey Leonardo" - Blessid Union of Souls
"Thank You" - Dido
"Hooch" - Everything
"How Do You Talk To An Angel" - The Heights
"Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" - Nine Days
"Stay" - Lisa Loeb

The Nickel: The Truth Hurts When it Comes from Bleeding Guitars: Part 2

2006-03-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

(And now, the dramatic conclusion of... The Nickel)

"Dirty Water" - The Standells
This is probably the most obvious of all these tunes. From the opening riff, it should be recognizable. If it isn't, I hope you have an oven, 'cause you should stick your head in it. Obvious or not, it warrants inclusion here. This is the kind of song that is iconic. It will make any mix tape's flaccid genitals stand to attention. The dirty ripped-off blues riff makes one surprised that this wasn't some old dusty blues record that a few white kids got a hold of. The Standells stand out as one of the finest bands to emerge from the cesspool of LA. This was their only charted song, but "Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White" and "Riot on Sunset Strip" are two others that are just as raunchy and rock. The song stands on its own. Just rock and dirt.

Sidenote: Standells organist Larry Tamblyn is Russ Tamblyn's brother. Russ played Riff in West Side Story and more importantly Dr. Jacobie on Twin Peaks. He actually sat in the front seat of my car and I drove him from Philly to Jersey and didn't realize who he was. Once I had realized who he was, I felt cheated. A member of the Twin Peaks cast in my car and I didn't even get him to speak gamboza. Also, look for the Standells in a cameo appearance in the film titled for their underground hit "Riot on Sunset Strip", a classic Mod Exploitation Film. Sorta like Blackula only with white people and no vampires.

Recommendation: Include this on a mix called "I've been washing my parts all day but they just won't come clean."

"Pushin Too Hard" - The Seeds
This is a band that had very little success outside of this song, which was a minor hit and is well worth the two-and-a-half minutes they give you. Sweet electric piano licks, a little counterpoint with some fuzzed out half-conscious guitar riffs, and scratchy grating vocals.

The Beatles did a great disservice to bands like this. Once Sgt. Pepper came out, it actually inspired fools like this to believe that they might have talent and be able to pull something like that off. Instead of producing balls-out rock and roll, which they could do in spades, many bands fell into the trap of making the greatest failures ever recorded and called them a psychedelic rock opera. In reality, all it was was drug-addled crap. The Seeds were one of these bands. However, before they dove deep into the Technicolor pool and slammed their heads on the bottom, they produced a few great singles. All of which are on their later live album, which is out of print and hard to come by, but well worth the search.

Sidenote: I was introduced to this band by a crazy night watch man named Kauffman at Albright College, where I had a short-lived radio career. He would pop in on my late night shifts, go to the stacks, find this 45, and make me play it. When I say make, I don't mean he had a gun to my head. He was strange and probably nuts; America would never let a guy like that have a gun. If I only realized at the time that the 45 was worth a ton, I woulda yanked Kauffman's gun, which undoubtedly was in his belt, fired a couple of warning shots and never looked back. Instead I stole a bunch of radio station T-shirts sans the gun.

Recommendations: Put on a mix called "I wish I hadn't taken all that acid".

"Bif Bang Pow" - The Creation
Yeah, yeah I hear you, "Oh I know them! Those guys with that song in Rushmore... Yeah that was a good song, I loved that movie, isn't Bill Murray so droll?" Seriously, just shut up. Stop your talking, and your thinking for yourself, and keep reading, cause this ain't no movie. The Creation can never be given enough credit. Pete Townsend knew it. He tried to steal guitarist Eddie Phillips for The Who, but Eddie told him to "piss off." I guess after Townsend heard this one, he said, "Wow, that sounds like a song I wrote, but he plays it better. Kinda like he has nuts." I can't be sure if this is a direct quote but I'll bet it's pretty goddamned close. Take a listen to Kenny Picket's vocals and tell me you don't think that Liam Gallagher worshipped at the altar.

Sidenote: Eddie Phillips beat Jimmy Page to playing his guitar with a bow. Song remains the same, my ass.

Recommendations: Place on a mix called "bands that found hipster popularity after some indie movie hit it big".

That's five. There are countless more. Contrary to popular belief, "indie" rock is not some great invention of this greatly lame generation. As long as Rock and Roll has seared the ears of parents, there have been dirty grungy kids sticking up a dirty grungy appendage at the "man" and making independent music. The great difference between now and then is the current abundance of independent labels that sign just about anything. Then there was an abundance of major labels that would sign just about anything. However, they didn't get distribution or they got a stick rammed up a dark place when signing contracts. For a quick lesson pick up either of the Nuggets compilations. Released in 1972 the first Nuggets is probably the greatest mixed tape of all time. Or, you could just go ask the guys from the Strokes or Franz Ferdinand to borrow their copy. It's pretty apparent that they are done with it.

Guilty Pleasures Challenge! Look Deep in Your Black Hearts

2006-03-23T17:26:00.000-05:00

Sometimes it is too easy. Do you think Babs realizes that smug punks like me use this cover to make fun of her? Do you think she doesn't care because she is swimming in a pool of money? And do you think Barry Gibb is trying to cop a feel? My answer is "yes" to everything.

Anyways, your Guilty Pleasures Challenge! mixes are due tomorrow. If you need to be reminded of the specs you can check them here. The earlier you submit the earlier people can make fun of you.

• Guilty Pleasures Challenge!
• Submit Your Mix

A Precursor to the League of Nations

2006-03-23T14:58:00.000-05:00

In attempt by The Onion to garner more track back links than that naked picture of Neko Case, they are currently spoofing the Indie Rock biz. I know what you are thinking, "how could The Onion possibly spoof a completely legitimate indie rock scene that definitely doesn't take itself too seriously?"

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND—Lead singer and guitarist for pop band Franz Ferdinand, Alexander Kapranos, is in critical condition today after being shot by a man identified as the bassist for rock group Gavrilo Princip. "We ask fans to cooperate with Interpol to find the assailant, and call upon British Sea Power, Snow Patrol, and The Postal Service for help," drummer Paul Thompson told music magazine NME Monday. "The suspect had links to The Decemberists and The Libertines, and we are following up on all leads." It is unclear whether the shooting was linked to The Polyphonic Spree's invasion of Belgium earlier this week.

Oh those Onion boys... what will they think of next? Ted Nugent dies of Cat Scratch Fever?

• Franz Ferdinand Frontman Shot By Gavrilo Princip Bassist

The Nickel: The Truth Hurts When it Comes from Bleeding Guitars

2006-03-23T10:52:00.000-05:00

(Special Guest: Bald Ben)
First things first, I am right. You are probably wrong. Accept that and we'll get along just fine. I would, of course, be very happy to hear any and all of your opinions. Leave them after the beep.

This is my first installment of The Nickel; there will probably be more. Mr. Foley asked me to contribute and I thought it sounded fun, so I accepted.

Very quick bit about me. I have credentials to back this shit up. I grew up listening to everything from Merle Hagard to Joy Divison. I have been part of the local Philly music scene in all facets, from playing in bands, seeing bands, and making fun of most of those bands. I have spent the last 5 years working for Electric Factory Concerts as an Event Producer, and I have seen, or been a part of, every major musical event in the area that has transpired in that time period. While still moonlighting with Electric Factory, I now have a full time gig at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. I produce the orchestra's events, as well as any number of chamber orchestras and recitals. A bit more mundane, but the money was right. So effe off.

When Mike asked me to write a few things, he made a point to let me know that he and Moyer had a pretty good handle on the "new" stuff. He felt I might be more attuned to, and I quote, "the older stuff". I see, a few years older than you pre-pubescent pricks and I am the old guy. So that's how you're gonna be, fine. Fair enough. That's what you'll get then, "older stuff".

The Older Stuff
This is the kind of music that will make your rectum bleed. This isn't your average run-of-the-mill garage/psych sorta thing. No, this is the real thing. Drugs? You don't need drugs. You're gonna get ripped just by playing these tunes to all your hipster friends. So go to the Goodwill and get a few ironic T-shirts that are bit too small for your pasty white ass. And while you're there get an extra pair of shorts, cause you're gonna need 'em. Five songs from the late 60's that you most likely never heard. This isn't for the faint of heart. Five songs that most of today's bands are openly ripping off with no apologies, wishing that they could pull it off, but they can't 'cause they just don't got the stones.

"Desdemona" - John's Children
Yardbirds manager Simon Napier-Bell is quoted as saying that they were "positively the worst group I'd ever seen". This band was Brian Jonestown Massacre before Brian Jonestown Massacre. In fact, this was Brian Jonestown Massacre while Brian Jones was still alive and Jim Jones just a pawn of the CIA. (If you don't know who Brian Jonestown Massacre is, then I suggest you find out, or just stop reading. It's up to you.) A little known group from England that, beyond being the sickest, roughest band under the Union Jack, lays claim to be Marc Bolan's first band. Yeah...T. Rex...F you. This is where Mr. Bolan learned how to be Glam or whatever. While going to Rock and Roll college majoring in John's Children 101, Bolan also penned some of the band's finest songs, like "Desdemona". This song was banned from the BBC due to some questionable sexually suggestive lyrics ("pick up your skirt and fly"). There's no 20th century boy bangin' gongs here, just pure dirt rock and roll played straight from the groin.

John's Children has the distinct pleasure of being kicked off a Who tour because they were too rowdy. Too rowdy. Yeah, dudes who set minor explosions off inside of their drums destroying the hearing of their guitar player were afraid of the new guys. Nice. You have to love a band that has fist fights on stage, and still has the licks to back up the attitude.

Sidenote: The "Desdemona" 45 is one of the most sought after pieces of vinyl today. If you find it, it's probably not worth that much and you should just let me take it off your hands.

Recommendations: Include on mix,"I want to sex you up... I don't care if you're underage."

"What'cha Gonna Do About It" - Small Faces
The Small f'n Faces (read with a slow emphasis face on each syllable). I could write you tomes about the greatness of this band. You and your lame parents probably only know this band from a song called "Itchicoo Park". Not their best outing, and hardly indicative of their style. However, it was the only one to hit in America. (Please reference the comment about the lameness of your parents, because they probably had something to do with this.) "What'cha Gonna Do About It" was the band's first single; they only went up from here. Essentially, this is just amphetamine-drenched English R&B. As a matter of fact, "What'cha Gonna Do About It" is actually a pretty serious rip-off of Solomon Burke's "Everbody Needs Somebody to Love". Which most of your lame asses will know from The Blues Brothers (you, me, everybody). Pay particular attention to Steve Marriots' soaring vocals and Kenny Jones drumming. Keith Moon was rolling over in his vomit-stained jumpsuit as he reached for another one listening to this guy.
Sidenote: a correction really. I should have included "Own Up Time" by the Small Faces on my Instrumental Challenge. There is simply no excuse for excluding this song and now there's some hell to be paid for that slip-up. Looks like my cilice is gonna get some use this week.

Recommendations: Include on "I'm gonna shake my shit...till the whole place is brown."

Check back tomorrow for the dramtic conclusion of...
THE NICKEL dun dun DUN!

The "Queen" Is Dead

2006-03-23T10:30:00.000-05:00

And by "Queen" I mean "Smiths". Sure they broke up almost 20 years ago but admit it, you always thought that they might get back together. A triumphant tour across America and England. Leaving a path of misery and vegetarianism in their wake. Well now, it seems as if they really won't make like Optimus Prime and reform. Last week at SXSW, Moz told reporters that the Coachella festival offered The Smiths 5 million bucks to play. Moz, of course, told them to take their money and screw.

So now that they are done for good I got our resident Smiths expert (The Pumpkinhead) to put together the definitive Smiths compilation. Even though there are already a few Smiths best of's out there, this is the only one with the official Mixologists stamp of approval. Enjoy... it's the last you will be hearing from The Smiths in a while.

"The Boy With The Thorn in His Side" - The Queen is Dead
"William, It Was Really Nothing" - Hatful of Hollow
"What Difference Does It Make" - Hatful of Hollow
"Frankly, Mr. Shankly" - The Queen is Dead
"Girlfriend in a Coma" - Strangeways Here We Come
"Cemetary Gates" - The Queen is Dead
"Reel Around the Fountain" - The Smiths
"There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" - The Queen is Dead
"Half a Person" - The World Won't Listen
"Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" - Hatful of Hollow
"Panic" - The World Won't Listen
"This Charming Man" - The Smiths
"Unhappy Birthday" - Strangeways Here We Come
"Stop Me If You Think That You've Heard This One Before" - Strangeways Here We Come
"Ask"- The World Won't Listen
"Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others" - The Queen is Dead
"Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want" - Hatful of Hollow
"Well I Wonder" - Meat is Murder
"Shoplifters of the World Unite" - Louder Than Bombs
"Hand in Glove" - The Smiths
"This Night Has Opened My Eyes" - Hatful of Hollow
"Unloveable" - The World Won't Listen
"How Soon Is Now" - Hatful of Hollow

• The Smiths turn down $5 million reunion offer

Guilty Pleasures... Literally

2006-03-22T14:36:00.000-05:00

In accordance with the theme for this Challenge!, I have put together a mix featuring once-detained musicians and included their mug shots. While their innocence may have been proven in court, their musical crimes live on. This mix, while awful, proves its point: James Brown could play a crackhead in a Spike Lee movie if need be.

(Click the artist's name to check out their mug shot. Thanks Smoking Gun)

"Folsom Prison Blues" - John Cash
"Perfect Crime" - Guns N' Roses (Axl Rose)
"I Think I Smell a Rat" - The White Stripes (Jack White)
"Devil's Pie" - D' Angelo
"Hook" - Blues Traveler (John Popper)
"A Street Corner Hustler's Blues" - Lou Rawls
"Highjack" - Ol' Dirty Bastard
"Hell 4 a Hustler" - Tupac Shakur
"Hitchin' a Ride" - Green Day (Billie Joe Armstrong)
"Coldblooded" - James Brown
"Why Can't You Behave?" - Frank Sinatra
"No One Is Innocent" - Sex Pistols (Sid Vicious)
"Bop Gun" - George Clinton
"Bad" - Michael Jackson

Who am I forgetting?

Mixologists Biggest Competition

2006-03-21T13:09:00.000-05:00

(Update via Tori Turner)

Most of the time, the only music recommendations you can trust are from us, your friends or the occasionally insightful celebrity who pops up on iTunes' celeb playlists:

Oh, Bill. Anyway, there's another option you might not (or might - what do we know?) have heard about: Pandora. Created by a group called the Music Genome Project, it's a music recommendation site that is scarily on point. Just enter an artist or song, and Pandora creates a custom "radio station" composed of similar artists and songs. It will even remember your favorite stations. For example, if you type in "Barry Manilow" - and you know you will - Pandora will stream tracks from the man himself along with stuff from Chicago, Gary Puckett and other similar artists. If you put in "Broken Social Scene," you can expect everything from XTC to Death Cab and even Paul McCartney and Wings (everybody! "OH-OH-OH JET! I THOUGHT THE MAJOR WAS A LADY SUFF-A-RA-GETTE! JET!") along with a good dose of bands and singers you've probably never heard of. We here at Mixologists endorse it, so check it out - it's a great way to hear your old faves and find a ton of new ones.

• www.pandora.com

The Way-back Machine: Sam Cooke

2006-03-21T11:02:00.000-05:00

(Special Guest: Tori Turner)

Hey kids! Here at Mixologists, we strive to "create" and "innovate," but once in a while, we work it out and "educate." The Way-back Machine takes a look at where music's been and gives you some compulsory listening material that's guaranteed to give your mixes an old-school shine. Kind of like Vaseline, but even better.

I've always said that if you're looking for perfection, you needn't look any further than Sam Cooke's voice. Like buttah baby, with just a little bit of rasp and what seems like the realization of every emotion anyone's ever felt. Best known by casual listeners for pop hits like "You Send Me", "Cupid" and "Chain Gang," Cooke also delivered some of the most heartfelt, chill-inducing and – in some cases – groundbreaking soul, blues and gospel performances of all time. Cooke was shot and killed well before his time, as they say, at a shady L.A. motel in 1964. Even in life, there was something otherworldly in these vocals, and they've inspired hundreds of singers. So listen up and listen good, to the gospel of Mr. Sam Cooke.

Red

2006-03-21T08:55:00.000-05:00

Hey, did anyone notice that I haven't posted in like 5 days? No? Ah, well. The Pope made enough SXSW posts in that time to kill a horse anyway (you do the math). At any rate, here's a (long-awaited? ...maybe not) sequel of sorts to the Blue mix, ingeniously titled Red. It's a bonafide Mixologists contest: see if you can spot the hidden theme!

"Red Hot Moon" - Rancid
"Red Dragon Tattoo" - Fountains Of Wayne
"Red Vines" - Aimee Mann
"Your Redneck Past" - Ben Folds Five
"Red Eyes And Tears" - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
"Red Moon" - David Gray
"Red" - Elbow
"Red Red Red" - Fiona Apple
"Red Letter Day" - The Get Up Kids
"Red Oyster Cult" - Guster
"Red Tan" - The Raveonettes
"Red House" - Jimi Hendrix
"The Local Black And Red" - Phantom Planet
"Red Rain" - The White Stripes
"Red Light" - The Strokes
"Red's Song" - The Jayhawks
"Red Right Ankle" - The Decemberists
"Killian's Red" - Nada Surf
"Brick Is Red" - Pixies
"Red-Eyed And Blue" - Wilco

SXSW... Overkill or Bust

2006-03-20T16:52:00.000-05:00

I have never paid as much attention to SXSW as I have this year. It's amazing what a shitty music blog can do to your "world view" and by "world view" I mean "incredibly narrow perspective on semi-connected musical tastes". Anywho... here is a smattering of the goings on from the past week.

• New York Times: Musicians in Search of Discovery (represent)
• Stereogum: Stereogum's St. Patrick's Day @ SXSW '06
• gorilla vs bear: SXSW '06 Recap
• Pitchfork: SXSW Diary: Days Three and Four
• My Old Kentucky Blog: SXSW Day One & The Night Before...

All good reads. Now let us never talk about SXSW again.

Drunken Talking Points: Guilty Concerts

2006-03-18T12:21:00.000-05:00

Nothing cures a St Patty's hangover better than getting drunk again. So run out, get a 12-pack and start spilling your dirty secrets. Last night while imbibing, James from feedmegoodtunes posed this question to me:

What is the most embarrassing concert you have ever been to?

Mine would probably have to be The Chieftains. I actually really enjoyed the show, but you gotta admit... it's pretty embarrassing. I also saw a Hal Roach show, because I am just that Irish. Not exactly a concert, but certainly embarrassing enough to mention.

Well sucka? What's yours?

Bride of South By Southwest

2006-03-17T16:25:00.000-05:00

(Submitted by Tori)

We all know that the beautiful thing about SxSW is that there are about as many bands playing as there are ways to embarrass yourself on St. Patrick’s Day. One mix simply will not do! Behold as we bring you a few more of the best of the (south) west. Same deal – these songs are free to stream or download, so get on it and watch your hipster cred creep up a little higher. Congratulations kid, you’re now ready for that oh-so ironic mustache.

"Las Cruces Jail" - Two Gallants
"Content Was Always My Favorite Colour" - The Most Serene Republic
"I Wanna Be Your Pajamas" - Andre Williams
"Rubber Traits" - Why?
"Publish My Love" - Rogue Wave
"I, Manface" - Man Man
"Hold On" - Magnet
"New American Apathy" - Mazarin
"Share Your Vanity" - The Hard Lessons
"Shot Down" - Nine Black Alps
"Standing In The Way Of Control" - The Gossip
"The Fall" - Peter and the Wolf
"Northbound 35" - Jeffrey Foucault
"We All Lose One Another" - Jason Collett

Irish Drinking Songs

2006-03-17T13:40:00.000-05:00

OYE! Tis St. Patty's day! Kiss me I'm Irish and all that junk. What would St. Pat's day be without a whole bunch of overt references to my race's proclivity for the drink and bad music? That's right... this is bad music. But I'll be damned if you aren't loving these songs after about 12 Irish Car Bombs.

"Amazing Grace" - Dropkick Murphys
"The Sunny Side of the Street" - The Pogues
"Give Ireland Back to the Irish" - Paul McCartney
"Your Misfortune" - Mike Doughty
"Blarney Stone" - Ween
"Don't Plan it Cool" - The Thrills
"Sunday Bloody Sunday" - U2
"Here Comes a Regular" - The Replacements
"Danny Boy" - Johnny Cash
"Whiskey in the Jar" - Thin Lizzy
"Beer Beer Beer" - The Clancy Brothers
"Drunken Lullabies" - Flogging Molly
"Livin' In America" - Black 47
"Traditional Irish Drinking Song" - Dennis Leary
"The Drinking Song" - Moxy Fruvous

SxSWMx

2006-03-16T20:00:00.000-05:00

South by Southwest is going on right....NOW! in Austin. Unless you work for some crazy indie mag, have a trust fund, or live in Texas, you probably aren't there. So what are you gonna do? Are you gonna cry? No shit! He's gonna cry! Hey Moyer, look...the little hipster is crying. Well buck up chum, Mixologists has got you covered.

For the first time ever, Mixologists would like to offer you a mix pre-made and easily downloadable for your listening pleasure and it is all free! That's right, no iTunes links! Just click the title and grab the song from SXSW's site. In case ya ain't learnt, SXSW hosts an assload of bands from all over the world. Seriously, it's like a billion bands. We here at mixologists went through all the hassle of listening to every single artist (no we didn't) to make the perfect SXSW mix.

So without further adieu, SxSWMx...

* To download these tracks, you might have to right-click and choose "Save As".

"Cowbell" - Tapes 'N Tapes
"It's A Hit" - We Are Scientists
"A New England" - Billy Bragg
"Stowaway" - Tullycraft
"If You Knew" - Neko Case
"Oxygen" - Willy Mason
"Various Stages" - Great Lake Swimmers
"Retrieval of You" - The Minus Five
"The Demon of White Sadness" - Marah
"Oh Mandy" - The Spinto Band
"Hey Now Now" - The Cloud Room
"Get Your Way" - Jamie Cullum
"Supreme People" - Blackalicious
"A Million Ways" - OK Go
"Be Gentle With Me" - The Boy Least Likely To
"Crosses" - Jose Gonzalez
"Galaxies" - Laura Veirs
"No Key No Plan" - Okkervil River
"Balloon Maker" - Midlake
"The Daze" - Backyard Tire Fire

The Nickel: Crimes perpetrated against Gang of Four by today's artists

2006-03-15T13:40:00.000-05:00

Hey, hipster! I'm talking to you, guy who walks around the big city with his headphones on, listening to the latest indie rock tunes. (Or am I talking to me? Ah, but I am decidedly unhip. I digress.) The Nickel is here once again to take you back in time, to a time when disco ruled the earth, when Ayatollahs were running rampant over Iran, when nuclear power plant accidents threatened to destroy central Pennsylvania. Yes, folks, we're talking about 1979.

In that particular year, a little band called Gang of Four released their debut album, Entertainment!, which, when you listen to it today, sounds really similar to a lot of the stuff that's being released today. A little too similar if you ask me. So either Gang of Four has a plutonium-powered Delorean, or today's artists are, in fact, ripoff artists. Perhaps the answer lies somewhere in between. Call it what you will: punk, post-punk, dancepunk, punk rock, funk punk, or just plain punk. You'll find that it doesn't matter what you call it, as long as you call it awesome.

So let's take a look at a few bands who owe Gang of Four some royalty money. Don't get me wrong, I'm quite fond of 4 of the 5 bands I'm about to highlight. But a spade is a spade, if you catch my drift. Doesn't mean they can't rock. Now that we've cleared that up, I'll offer you some suggestions on how to take advantage of these crimes in your mixes.

"From The Ritz To The Rubble" - Arctic Monkeys - Whatever You Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Arctic Monkeys are a great new band out of the UK, telling us about how hard things are when you spend all your nights in dance clubs. Not exactly the political statements that Gang of Four made (they may say "totalitarian", but they're talking about a bouncer), but listen to the funky bass, the uneasy, distorted guitars, and the anxious vocals in both sides of the stereo headphones, and you're not so far off after all.
Recommendation: This track screams for inclusion on your next Clubbin' Till The Sun Comes Up mix.
"Outsiders" - Franz Ferdinand - You Could Have It So Much Better
The band who ushered in this new wave of post-punk learned their lessons from the Gang well, but also blends a variety of other influences. On this track, they break out the dueling staccato guitars, and lay down a counterpoint bassline to get you and your mates out on the dancefloor, all the while letting you know that you don't need to worry "about being such a freak / or alone". And so begins the nerd dancing revolution.
Recommendation: "Outsiders" is a perfect fit for counterculture or outcast mixes.
"Decent Days And Nights" - The Futureheads - The Futureheads
A lot of people out there may mistakenly tell you that The Futureheads are just a Franz Ferdinand clone. Not so! They may draw on the same influences, including our favorite Gang, but the 'heads manage to break away from the Franz mold that they were never really in in the first place. The multi-tracked vocals and the driving, stilted guitar riff secure a catchy tune here.
Recommendation: Honestly, there aren't a whole lot of mixes you could make that wouldn't be improved by this song.
"Bang Bang Rock And Roll" - Art Brut - Bang Bang Rock And Roll
Art Brut is what Gang of Four would have been if they had chosen to write songs about being in a band, getting drunk, and engaging in coitus, instead of social criticism. Well, we can't all save the world with a song, I guess. Art Brut sure is having a good time though; I'd say it was infectious, but I'm not in a band, I don't get drunk very often, and I don't kiss and tell.
Recommendation: You can throw this one onto any Hey Ma, I'm In a Band, Top o' the World mix.
"Banquet" - Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
The worst criminals on this list, saved for last. Do I understand the hype around Bloc Party? No. Are they any different from any of the other 300 indie rock bands around today? Not terribly. Could you put their songs side-by-side with Gang of Four songs and play the Taste Test game with an uninitiated listener and convince them that all the songs were from the same band? Yes. Do I perk up my ears each time I hear one of Bloc Party's songs on my own mixes and say, "Hey, who is this again? Not bad."? Regrettably, yes.
Recommendation: Put "Banquet" on the same mixes as these other ones. All these songs are interchangeable anyway.

Guilty Pleasures: One More Try

2006-03-15T10:31:00.000-05:00

If you never thought we were elitist bastards before, you probably will after this Challenge! is over. Music as a whole shouldn't be anything to be ashamed of or made fun of about. It is a personal taste issue which no one should be able to ruin for you. That being said, the fact that I adore the song "What a Girl Wants" by Christina Aguilera is pretty funny and hints at a little bit of gender identity confusion.

If you find yourself struggling a little bit with this Challenge!, let me suggest a few tools and tips to help you along your sad, pathetic trip into the bubble-gum world of pop-music.

Check radio station websites. Radio stations usually do wrap up lists from years gone by and post them on their site for you to check out. This is a great way to remind yourself that you truly loved Timmy T in the summer of 1990 and used to call Y102 every 5 minutes to make sure that Mr. (Timmy) T was at the top of the all request countdown every night.
Look through your old CDs and tapes. I'll admit it; I had the Crash Test Dummies tape when I was younger.
Get drunk and hang out with someone you haven't see since 5th grade. There is no better way to jog your memory than hanging out with some long-forgotten friend and getting drunk. Before you know it, you will be singing the theme from Boomerang ("End of the Road" - Boyz II Men).

The next step in making this mix is distinguishing is if these songs are, in fact, embarrassing. And here is how that works.

Think of your mix. If you would be embarrassed to play that in front people you don't really know that well, it's embarrassing.
If your mom would like every song on the CD, it's embarrassing.
If a marching band plays a version of said song, it's embarrassing.
If Casey Kasem has ever dedicated the song to someone, it's embarrassing.

Now go out and make us proud with all your dirty, dirty business.

Matisyahu's Family Tree: A Lineage of Musical Novelty

2006-03-14T13:16:00.000-05:00

Oh my god have you heard that Jewish reggae rapper?!?! Isn't it a novel idea? I mean who would ever suspect a Jewish reggae rapper? Not me! --2006

Oh my god have you heard that band of crazy clowns?!?! Isn't it a novel idea? I mean who would ever suspect a band of crazy clowns? Not me! --1997

Oh my god have you heard those cute Latino boys?!?! Isn't it a novel idea? I mean who would ever suspect a group of cute Latino boys? Not me! --1984

Oh my god have you heard those guys that dress up crazy?!?! Isn't it a novel idea? I mean who would ever suspect a band of guys that dress up crazy? Not me! Someone told me they were gay. No way... that biker guy looks like he could kick my ass! --1975

Musical novelty acts aren't anything new. They have been around since the beginning of time, probably. I bet there was a really good drummer back in the caveman days who was forever in the shadow of some lesser drummer that had a more marketable image.

The worst part of (most) novelty acts is it's not their fault they suck. Record companies should be in the position to avert our eyes and ears from awful music. Not parade it out to make us giggle and them a quick buck. And after the hype is gone and the money has been counted, what is left? A Jewish reggae rapper who wonders where the crowds have gone.

"Calling Dr. Love" - Kiss
"F*** the World" - Insane Clown Posse
"Liquid Dreams" - O-Town
"Macho Man" - Village People
"Informer" - Snow
"Jump" - Kriss Kross
"I'm Too Sexy" - Right Said Fred
"Saddam a Go-Go" - Gwar
"The Humpty Dance" - Digital Underground
"Rape Me" - Richard Cheese
"Dies Irae" - The Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos
"I'll Be There" - Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
"Fatlip" - Sum 41
"The Beautiful People" - Marilyn Manson
"Wannabe" - Spice Girls
"Claridad" - Menudo
"Amish Paradise" - 'Weird Al' Yankovic
"Friendship" - Tenacious D
"She Bangs" - William Hung
"King Without a Crown" - Matisyahu

Challenge! Guilty Pleasures

2006-03-14T10:16:00.000-05:00

Look at you. With your dirty little secrets. Oh, don't think we didn't know about them. Everybody knows; it's common knowledge. You have a soft spot for songs that you know you shouldn't like, songs that you wish you didn't like. Well, child, it's time to hang that dirty laundry out on Mixologists' front lawn. We are laying down a Challenge! for you to tell us your guilty musical pleasures.

Of course, there are some ground rules involved. Let's run through those.

The length of your mix should not exceed the length of a standard CD - 80 minutes.
Mixes must be submitted via email: submitmix@googlegroups.com
Kindly give your mix a title, and create cover art (attach to the submission email).
There is no limit on the number of mixes that can be submitted by one person.

The deadline for submission is March 24, 2006. We will begin posting mixes on the 24th, but will not accept submissions after that (hence the word "deadline").

Some tips:

Ordinarily, we'd emphasize originality, but this time, we're gonna ask you to bring forth the most embarrassing music that you can't help but dig.
Bonus points for this Challenge! will be handed out if you can somehow construct a mix full of bad songs and make it really groove. (Good luck...) Put some thought into the order of your playlist and make sure it flows from one song to the next nicely.
Eclecticism and diversity count. Boy bands are pretty obvious, and I don't discourage their inclusion, but try to blend genres if you can.

Most importantly, though, don't be embarrassed. Let it all hang out. Bad is good. This Mixologists Challenge! is calling collect. Will you accept the charges?
--

Guilty Pleasures: One More Try
Drunken Talking Points: Guilty Concerts
Guilty Pleasures... Literally
Guilty Pleasures Challenge! Look Deep in Your Black Hearts
Guilty Pleasures Challenge! By the Numbers

Guilty Pleasures Challenge! Entries
The Crap I Listen To With My Headphones On - The Full Moyer
Up Ya Nose Witha Rubba Hose - Bald Ben
Guilty Pleasure - The Deuce
80's Guilty Pleasures - The Pumpkinhead
Guilty Pleasures - Mandy
Hunka Chunka Peanut Butter Fudge - Becker
Not Guilty - Tori
18 Songs You Hate to Love - The Pumpkinhead
Starring John Stamos - Britt
Arresting - The Pope

Greatest Hits Challenge! Massive Hangover

2006-03-13T12:28:00.000-05:00

Sorry, you must excuse us... it's Monday morning and I had a rough weekend. If mixes were shots of whiskey, I would have been peeing on furniture, repeating myself incessantly and confessing my love awkwardly to anyone within earshot. That's right... there were lots of mixes posted this weekend and we couldn't be happier. You like us, you really do.

Anyways... we did have a ton of mixes submitted. Check it...

I have made a few of these mixes and given them a listen. So far not a single complaint. I really enjoyed the Built to Spill and Jayhawks mixes. What were some of your favorites? Any surprises? Can you tell I am trying to get you to comment?

All in all, thanks for making this Challenge! a success. After all, we couldn't do this without all of you, the little people.

Greatest Hits Challenge! Entry: One Hour with the Velvet Underground

2006-03-13T09:58:00.000-05:00

(Submitted by Tori)

On the surface, the Velvet Underground's songs might be about (most famously) scoring heroin and kicking it with Warhol at the Factory, about rock 'n roll and a girl named Jane – but that's just the beginning. These songs are about so much more: fighting so hard – and failing so fabulously – to connect. The struggle to be a part of something, to commune with friends, with lovers – even god. Emptiness and decadence, desperation and hope. Maybe a little redemption, if you're lucky. No one else captures and reflects this story like the Velvet Underground, and I've tried to find the best of the best to tell it to you.

"Waiting for the Man" - The Velvet Underground & Nico
"Heroin" - The Velvet Underground & Nico
"White Light-White Heat" - White Light/White Heat
"Venus in Furs" - The Velvet Underground & Nico
"All Tomorrow's Parties" - The Velvet Underground & Nico
"Rock & Roll" - Loaded
"Cool It Down" - Loaded
"Who Loves The Sun" - Loaded
"I'll Be Your Mirror" - The Velvet Underground & Nico
"Lisa Says" - VU
"Stephanie Says" - VU
"Jesus" - The Velvet Underground
"Sweet Jane" - Loaded
"Beginning To See the Light" - The Velvet Underground
"Oh! Sweet Nuthin'" - Loaded
"I Found A Reason" - Loaded
"After Hours" - The Velvet Underground
"New Age" - Loaded

Greatest Hits Challenge! Entry: the jayhawks -- the best of the midwest

2006-03-12T19:05:00.000-05:00

(submitted by Britt)

What a privelege it was to make a Jayhawks greatest hits album on a rainy day. Their music is made for this shit, quite literally. These are some beautiful songs, and if you've never spent time west of the Mississippi (and east of the Rockies) then you should listen to this and be jealous of the people who live where the land is flat and the roads are long. This stuff plays from corn fields there.

"I'd Run Away" - Tomorrow the Green Grass
"Bad Time" - Tomorrow the Green Grass
"Tailspin" - Rainy Day Music
"Nothing Left To Borrow" - Tomorrow the Green Grass
"Waiting for the Sun" - Hollywood Town Hall
"Will I Be Married" - Blue Earth
"Save It For A Rainy Day" - Rainy Day Music
"Smile" - Smile
"Angelyne" - Rainy Day Music
"I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" - Smile
"One Mans Problem" - Rainy Day Music
"What Led Me To This Town" - Smile
"Will I See You in Heaven" - Rainy Day Music
"Over My Shoulder" - Tomorrow the Green Grass
"Stumbling Through the Dark (alternate)" - Rainy Day Music
"All the Right Reasons (alternate)" - More Rain
"Tampa to Tulsa" - Rainy Day Music
"Broken Harpoon" - Smile
"Sioux City" - Blue Earth
"Blue" - Tomorrow the Green Grass

Greatest Hits Challenge! Entry: The New Pornographers - The Pride of Canada

2006-03-12T16:38:00.000-05:00

(submitted by m foley)

Is is lame to make a greatest hits album for a band that only has three albums? Maybe. Is it even more lame to do so when you bitched inccesently about artists coming out with greatest hits ablums before they were merited? Probably. Is this New Pornographers mix good? Yes. Too soon? Maybe. Is asking myself questions and then answering them an annoying way to get my point across? Totally.

"Chump Change" - Electric Version
"Letter From An Occupant" - Mass Romantic
"Sing Me Spanish Techno" - Twin Cinema
"Miss Teen Wordpower" - Electric Version
"Three Or Four" - Twin Cinema
"Mass Romantic" - Mass Romantic
"These Are The Fables" - Twin Cinema
"The Fake Headlines" - Mass Romantic
"July Jones" - Electric Version
"The Jessica Numbers" - Twin Cinema
"From Blown Speakers" - Electric Version
"The Bones Of An Idol" - Twin Cinema
"Jackie, Dressed In Cobras" - Twin Cinema
"Testament To You In Verse" - Electric Version
"The Bleeding Heart Show" - Twin Cinema

Greatest Hits Challenge! Entry: Foo Fighters Greatest Hits

2006-03-12T16:25:00.000-05:00

(submitted by Johnny Deuce)
I truly enjoyed making this mix, my first ever entry to Mixology, and I truly enjoy listening to the Foo Fighters, especially when I am running. I hope that you all will enjoy listening to them too. Maybe you will even run, too. Thank you. That is all.

"Hell" - In Your Honor
"This is a Call" - Foo Fighters
"Oh, George" - Foo Fighters
"Monkey Wrench" - The Colour And The Shape
"February Stars" - The Colour And The Shape
"Everlong" - The Colour And The Shape
"Aurora" - There Is Nothing Left To Lose
"Another Round" - In Your Honor
"Stacked Actors" - There Is Nothing Left To Lose
"Ain’t It The Life" - One By One
"Burn Away" - One By One
"Virginia Moon" - In Your Honor
"Times Like These" - One By One
"Cold Day In The Sun" - In Your Honor
"No Way Back" - In Your Honor
"Best Of You" - In Your Honor
"New Way Home" - The Colour And The Shape

Greatest Hits Challenge! Entry: Ben Folds (Five) – The Hits!

2006-03-12T13:01:00.000-05:00

(Submitted by Amy)

If you're one of those people who thinks that rock music needs guitars to be rockin', then you obviously haven't listened to enough Ben Folds. His songs are all across the board: witty and acerbic, sappily romantic, and even "oh my God I want to kill myself" depressing. This is just a small smattering of some of his best.

"Annie Waits" - Rockin' the Suburbs
"Philosophy" - Ben Folds Five
"Landed" - Songs for Silverman
"The Battle of Who Could Care Less" - Whatever and Ever Amen
"Fair" - Whatever and Ever Amen
"Don't Change Your Plans" - The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner
"Bitches Ain't Shit" - Bitches Ain't Shit
"Best Imitation of Myself" - Ben Folds Five
"Where's Summer B?" - Ben Folds Five
"Wandering" - Speed Graphic EP
"The Ascent of Stan" - Rockin' the Suburbs
"Army" - The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner
"Underground" - Ben Folds Five
"There's Always Someone Cooler than You" - Sunny 16 EP
"Brick" - Whatever and Ever Amen
"The Luckiest" - Rockin' the Suburbs

Greatest Hits Challenge! Entry: Gillian Welch - Leave All The Blue Skys

2006-03-11T15:13:00.000-05:00

(submitted by Bald Ben)

I have to say that when the topic came up I was a bit apprehensive. I have never been a fan of greatest hit collections, they are too numerous and they can never be complete. Not to say that they are without merit, just very few have caught my eye. So, I threw around a lot of ideas till I settled here. Of course I can never tout to present you a definitive list of any artist, especially this one, but I hope that some will be able to appreciate. Although I realize that this is a comp that will probably get a lot of guff from most people reading, either for the choice of artist or the choice of songs. While Gillian Welch is considered a country folk artist I feel that she reaches far greater an audience. If you are not familiar, if the classification can be overcome, Ms. Welch may change your line of sight like she did for me.

Gillian Welch is perhaps the greatest singer and songwriter in America today. A bold statement, but one I mean in all earnestness. Her songs stand on their own, her musicianship and lyrical musings are comparable to few. Her partner David Rawlings is one of the most understated and tasteful guitar players that may ever have existed. There is very little that can be said. Gillian writes songs like God makes souls: fluid almost liquid, indefinable, a little bit dusty, with a sadness that can never be touched, but a light that will blind the wicked.

"Revelator" - Time (The Revelator)
"Dear Someone" - Time (The Revelator)
"Orphan Girl" - Revival
"Barroom Girls" - Revival
"Look At Miss Ohio" - Soul Journey
"I Want To Sing That Rock And Roll" - Time (The Revelator)
"Red Clay Halo" - Time (The Revelator)
"My Morphine" - Hell Among The Yearlings
"Wrecking Ball" - Soul Journey
"I'm Not Afraid To Die" - Hell Among The Yearlings
"Everything Is Free" - Time (The Revelator)
"Pocahontas" - Black Star [EP]

Greatest Hits Challenge! Entry: Built To Spill Greatest Hits... So Far

2006-03-11T15:10:00.000-05:00

(submitted by The Pumpkinhead)

So you wanna know why I chose Built To Spill. Well, technically, I did not choose them. The Nut did. For those of you that don't know, that would be Peanut, the baby kicking me in the gut at this very second as I write this. (And probably any later second when you are reading this.) Anyway, I have to say, my unborn child has some great taste in music. I have always like B2S, but have only developed this obsession with them since becoming pregnant. Sit back, kick me in the gut and enjoy. O wait. Sorry, that is The Nut, you can just sit back and enjoy.

"Carry The Zero" - Keep It Like A Secret
"Sidewalk" - Keep It Like A Secret
"Kicked It In The Sun" - Perfect From Now On
"Strange" - Ancient Melodies Of The Future
"Twin Falls" - There’s Nothing Wrong With Love
"You Were Right" - Keep It Like A Secret
"Liar" - You In Reverse
"Else" - Keep It Like A Secret
"The Weather" - Ancient Melodies Of The Future
"The Plan" - Keep It Like A Secret
"Randy Described Eternity" - Perfect From Now On
"Virginia Reel Around The Fountain" - Live
"Alarmed" - Ancient Melodies Of The Future
"Center Of The Universe" - Keep It Like A Secret
"Fling" - There’s Nothing Wrong With Love
"Temporarily Blind" - Keep It Like A Secret
"I Would Hurt A Fly" - Perfect From Now On

Greatest Hits Challenge! Entry: Magnetic Fields

2006-03-11T12:48:00.000-05:00

The Magnetic Fields are one of my favorite bands of the past few years. They are masters of the two minute and thirty second pop song. Funny, smart lyrics mixed with increasingly interesting instrumentation make them an instant classic and have even garnered songwriter Steven Merritt comparisons to Cole Porter. But, as always, you should decide for yourself.

--m foley

"Epitaph for My Heart" - 69 Love Songs
"Famous" - Get Lost
"Absolutely Cuckoo" - 69 Love Songs
"I Think I Need a New Heart" - 69 Love Songs
"The Death of Ferdinand De Saussure" - 69 Love Songs
"All the Umbrellas in London" - Get Lost
"All My Little Words" - 69 Love Songs
"The Book of Love" - 69 Love Songs
"Very Funny" - 69 Love Songs
"A Chicken With Its Head Cut Off" - 69 Love Songs
"Strange Powers" - Holiday
"I Don't Believe You" - I
"Smoke And Mirrors" - Get Lost
"I'm Tongue-Tied" - I
"Two Characters In Search Of A Country Song" - The Charm Of The Highway Strip
"I Don't Really Love You Anymore" - I
"Yeah! Oh, Yeah!" - 69 Love Songs
"The Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side" - 69 Love Songs
"Papa Was a Rodeo" - 69 Love Songs

Greatest Hits Challenge! Entry: R.E.M. - The Ones I Love

2006-03-11T08:43:00.000-05:00

"What's The Frequency Kenneth?" - Monster
"Shaking Through" - Murmur
"E-Bow The Letter" - New Adventures In Hi-Fi
"So. Central Rain" - Reckoning
"Half A World Away" - Out Of Time
"Pretty Persuasion" - Reckoning
"Hope" - Up
"Drive" - Automatic For The People
"I've Been High" - Reveal
"Orange Crush" - Green
"Talk About The Passion" - Murmur
"I'll Take The Rain" - Reveal
"Country Feedback" - Out Of Time
"Falls To Climb" - Up
"Find The River" - Automatic For The People
"Fall On Me" - Life's Rich Pageant
"Circus Envy" - Monster
"Binky The Doormat" - New Adventures In Hi-Fi
"Why Not Smile" - Up

Greatest Hits Challenge! Entry: Reel Big Fish - The Hits

2006-03-11T07:49:00.000-05:00

(submitted by PrivatJokr)

"Snoop Dog, Baby" - Turn The Radio Off
"Sell Out" - Turn The Radio Off
"Brand New Song" - Why Do They Rock So Hard?
"Beer" - Turn The Radio Off
"Alternative Baby" - Turn The Radio Off
"Drinkin'" - We're Not Happy Til You're Not Happy
"I Want Your Girlfriend To Be My Girlfriend Too" - Why Do They Rock So Hard?
"Drunk Again" - Cheer Up!
"She Has A Girlfriend Now" - Turn The Radio Off
"She's Famous Now" - Why Do They Rock So Hard?
"We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful" - We're Not Happy Til You're Not Happy
"Talkin' Bout Revolution" - We're Not Happy Til You're Not Happy
"You Don't Know" - Why Do They Rock So Hard?
"Down In Flames" - Why Do They Rock So Hard?
"Somebody Hates Me" - Why Do They Rock So Hard?
"Big Star" - Why Do They Rock So Hard?
"Everything Sucks" - Turn The Radio Off
"Cheer Up" - Cheer Up!

Greatest Hits Challenge! Entry: Marathon Training by the Beastie Boys

2006-03-10T15:11:00.000-05:00

(submitted by H.R Pennypacker)

I really hesitated making a B-Boys greatest hits (and sorry they don't link up with Itunes well!!!!! i'll send along a Radiohead greatest hits if this does not work..kidding).

I'll probably get a lot of comments, criticism--but isn't that what its all about? I chose the Beastie Boys, because I ran my first marathon in the fall and this is sort of a tribute..since they were just as important as hydration and complex carbs!

"No Sleep Till Brooklyn" - Licensed to Ill
"The New Style" - Licensed to Ill
"She's Crafty" - Licensed to Ill
"Hold It Now, Hit It" - Licensed to Ill
"5-Piece Chicken Dinner" - Paul's Boutique
"Eggman" - Paul's Boutique
"Shadrach" - Paul's Boutique
"Professor Booty" - Check Your Head
"Sure Shot" - Ill Communication
"Root Down" - Ill Communication
"Flute Loop" - Ill Communication
"The Scoop" - Ill Communication
"The Grasshopper Unit" - Hello Nasty
"Negotiation Limerick File" - Hello Nasty
"Remote Control" - Hello Nasty
"Hey F**k You" - To the 5 Boroughs
"All Lifestyles" - To the 5 Boroughs
"The Brouhaha" - To the 5 Boroughs
"Live @ PJs" - Check Your Head

Greatest Hits Challenge! Entry: Bob Dylan - Definitive Collection

2006-03-10T13:20:00.000-05:00

(submitted by Mandy)

As much as I hate being predictable, I went ahead and compiled a Best of Bob Dylan mix.

Instead of including the typical, crowd-pleasing, studio versions of many of Dylan's greatest examples of songwriting - I felt like I could do better. The version of "Like a Rolling Stone" - arguably his greatest hit, comes from the 1966 concert in England, one of his earliest "rock" shows. He brings along his band The Hawks - known later as "The Band," and plays one calm, folk acoustic set before bringing out the electric guitars and making history. The track begins with someone from the crowd shouting "Judas!"

"Shelter From The Storm [Alternate Version]" - Jerry Maguire Soundtrack
"My Back Pages" - Another Side of Bob Dylan (Remastered)
"Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" - Freewheelin' (Remastered)
"Mr. Tambourine Man" - Bringing It All Back Home
"It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" - Bootleg Series, Volume 4
"A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall" - Freewheelin' (Remastered)
"The Times They Are A-Changin'" - The Times They Are A-Changin'
"New Morning" - New Morning
"Maggie's Farm [live version]" - No Direction Home
"Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You" - Nashville Skyline (Remastered)
"Most of the Time" - Oh Mercy (Remastered)
"Highway 61 Revisited" - Highway 61 Revisited
"Forever Young" - Planet Waves (Remastered)
"Not Dark Yet" - Time Out of Mind
"Blowin in the Wind" - Freewheelin' (Remastered)
"Tangled Up in Blue" - Blood on the Tracks (Remastered)
"Like a Rolling Stone [Live Version]" - No Direction Home

Greatest Hits Challenge! Entry: Icing - The Best of Cake

2006-03-10T11:36:00.000-05:00

"cake's a pretty decent band -- i wouldn't mind having a cd with their best songs on it"
- Adam Becker (mixer and orator)

"Never There" - Prolonging the Magic
"Rock 'N' Roll Lifestyle" - Motorcade of Generosity
"The Distance" - Fashion Nugget
"Shadow Stabbing" - Comfort Eagle
"Short Skirt / Long Jacket" - Comfort Eagle
"Sheep Go to Heaven" - Prolonging the Magic
"Friend is a Four Letter Word" - Fashion Nugget
"Ruby Sees All" - Motorcade of Generosity
"Comfort Eagle" - Comfort Eagle
"No Phone" - Pressure Chief
"Stickshifts and Safetybelts" - Fashion Nugget
"Satan is My Motor" - Prolonging the Magic
"Waiting" - Pressure Chief
"I Will Survive" - Fashion Nugget
"Jolene" - Motorcade of Generosity

Greatest Hits Challenge! Entry: The Best of Ryan Adams

2006-03-10T09:24:00.000-05:00

This greatest hits album is not just a hodge-podge of good tracks. No, it's much more. Okay, it's just a little more: It's a story of booze and women, which should not be terribly surprising if you've ever heard a song that Ryan Adams has written. What follows here is tribute to Ryan Adams: a reckless, self-indulgent story, most of which is unnecessary and should have been left on the cutting room floor.

Our story begins with Ryan leaving New York and the love of his life ("New York, New York"). Shaken, he reflects on the good times and bad times of his youth, and how he has coped with them (by getting high) ("To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High)"). He heads back south and meets a new girl named Carol Lynn, or Carolina--we'll call her Caroline--and she can do no wrong in his eyes; he knows that "love is hell," but it's better than nothing, so he lets himself be sucked in yet again ("Gonna Make You Love Me"). As he sings that he doesn't wanna know why his new love likes him, we sense that the cycle of lost love is repeating ("Don't Wanna Know Why").

Things only seem to get worse from here, and now Ryan is just waiting for the relationship to derail ("Waiting To Derail"), and that's when it starts to hurt ("Starting To Hurt"). Sure enough, the fire in her heart goes out, but he's not ready to let go ("Wonderwall"). Finally, Caroline breaks it off with him, and Ryan realizes that he can't make her love him ("Silver Bullets"). Resigned, he leaves with only "pockets full of dust." As he feels sorry for himself, he begins to think that nothing in the world will bring her home again--not rain, not love, not even money ("Ballad Of Carol Lynn"). His self pity reaches its nadir when he decides to breaks his own heart, just to show Caroline that he can do it just as well as she can ("Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart Tonight").

Self pity turns to anger as Ryan burns his old photographs to remove the remnants of the relationship from his mind ("Burning Photographs"). Meanwhile, he's working as hard as he can while he comes to terms with the break-up, but he finds that working isn't nearly as hard as loving ("The Hardest Part"). Enough time has now passed, and Ryan is ready to meet up with Caroline, and offer her some support, and perhaps an apology, telling her to keep her chin up ("Chin Up, Cheer Up"). The two part with a smile and a "see you around" and we get the feeling this isn't terribly different from where we started this little tale ("La Cienega Just Smiled").

"New York, New York" - Ryan Adams - Gold
"To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High)" - Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker
"Gonna Make You Love Me" - Ryan Adams - Gold
"Don't Wanna Know Why" - Whiskeytown - Pneumonia
"Waiting To Derail" - Whiskeytown - Strangers Almanac
"Starting To Hurt" - Ryan Adams - Demolition
"Wonderwall" - Ryan Adams - Love Is Hell
"Silver Bullets" - Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Jacksonville City Nights
"Oh My Sweet Carolina" - Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker
"Ballad Of Carol Lynn" - Whiskeytown - Pneumonia
"Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart Tonight" - Whiskeytown - Faithless Street
"Burning Photographs" - Ryan Adams - Rock N Roll
"The Hardest Part" - Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Jacksonville City Nights
"Chin Up, Cheer Up" - Ryan Adams - Demolition
"La Cienega Just Smiled" - Ryan Adams - Gold

Greatest Hits Challenge! Entry: OutKast - The Hits

2006-03-10T07:56:00.000-05:00

(submitted by PrivatJokr)

"ATLiens" - ATLiens
"Elevators" - ATLiens
"Da Art of Storytellin' Part 1" - Aquemini
"Da Art of Storytellin' Part 2" - Aquemini
"The Whole World" - Big Boi & Dre Present...
"Hootie Hoo" - Southernplaylisticadillacmuzik
"Two Dope Boyz" - ATLiens
"Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik" - Southernplaylisticadillacmuzik
"Skew It On The Bar-B" - Aquemini
"Hey Ya" - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
"Humble Mumble" - Stankonia
"So Fresh, So Clean" - Stankonia
"The Way You Move" - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
"Player's Ball" - Southernplaylisticadillacmuzik
"Crumblin' Erb" - Southernplaylisticadillacmuzik
"Behold A Lady" - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
"Ms. Jackson" - Stankonia
"Ain't No Thang" - Southernplaylisticadillacmuzik

Greatest Hits Challenge! Doesn't Need Your Charity

2006-03-09T09:04:00.000-05:00

You may think you are better than the Greatest Hits Challenge!. You may think this Challenge! was ill-conceived and poorly managed. And you may think that you "really do look good in teal". Well think again Buster Brown! This challenge is all revved up and ready to go. We already have one submission and a there are a bunch more in queue. So if you haven't started thinking about your mix yet, I suggest you get to steppin'.

You can get the specifics of this Challenge! here, but these are the broad strokes:
Challenge!: Make a Greatest Hits cd for a band.
Due Date: March 10, 2006
What to submit: Track list, cover art (300 x 300 pixels) and tell us why you chose the band you did.

Although some bands have a ton of great songs please try and limit yourself to no more than a standard blank cds' length (80 minutes).

To make the submission process easier we have created a "Submit a Mix" link and placed it in the sidebar. You can use this to submit mixes for this or any upcoming challenge.

New Feature: Mixologists Newsletter

2006-03-08T14:44:00.000-05:00

How often have you said to yourself, "Boy, I wish there was some way that I could be told about all of the latest updates to my favorite blog, Mixologists, and not have to actually go to the blog to check for updates"? Like infinity, right? Well, good friend, fret no more, for we at Mixologists have yet again come up with a solution for all of life's little problems.

You see, every week, we send out the official Mixologists Newsletter, jam-packed with all of the information you need to stay in tune with everything that going on in the world of Mixologists. Perhaps now, if you are more than a little dense, you're wondering how you can get in on the action. Look over to your right. No, on the computer screen, dummy. There you go. Just enter your email address in that little box over there and click the Subscribe button, and TAA-DOW! You are now signed up on the Mixologists mailing list. Congratulations!

We respect your privacy, and cross-our-heart/hope-to-die will not publicize your email address in any way, shape, or form. Not even for money!

So go ahead, sign up. And tell your friends. But not if they're stupider than you. We like publicity, but we don't need that kind.

Best of February - Now With More Sandra Bullock

2006-03-08T09:27:00.000-05:00

"White Collar Boy" - Belle & Sebastian
"Well" - Eef Barzelay
"Singular Girl" - Rhett Miller
"Great Expectations" - Elbow
"Weed Whacker" - Béla Fleck & The Flecktones
"One Time One Night" - Los Lobos
"Things are Gonna Change" - Ray Davies
"Girl from the North Country" - Eels
"Watching the Detectives" - Elivs Costello
"Conceived" - Beth Orton
"Like U Crazy" - Mates of State
"Love is Stronger than Witchcraft" - Robert Pollard

The Good Stuff: Volume 4

2006-03-04T12:54:00.000-05:00

The Good Stuff is a 10-volume set of mixes without any particular unifying theme, apart from that I like all of the songs on all of them. And I hope you do too. Nay, I demand that you do too.

"Utopia Parkway" - Fountains Of Wayne
"The Distance" - Cake
"California Stars" - Billy Bragg & Wilco
"Lost Cause" - Beck
"Red Vines" - Aimee Mann
"Needle In The Hay" - Elliott Smith
"Sleep Better" - Pete Yorn
"Hard To Explain" - The Strokes
"Late In The Day" - Supergrass
"I Am" - Train
"Don't Change Your Plans" - Ben Folds Five

Two Bands with Arab Straps

2006-03-03T11:32:00.000-05:00

Last night I saw Belle & Sebastian and The New Pornographers at the Nokia Times Square Theater aka "The House that Text Messages Built". Twas the shit, ya heard? As lame as it may seem, my first time seeing both in concert. I was not disappointed.

The New Pornographers have one speed and it is constantly set to 5 miles per hour over the speed limit. They're not going to get any speeding tickets, but they certainly don't drive around like your grandma.

Some highlights:

Belle & Sebastian showed zero signs of their rough and rowdy past. The boys and girls were very well behaved and genuinely seemed to enjoy being there and playing. That being said, they are awesome live. They can hush a 2,000 person room and make it explode in the very next minutes. Truly one of the most remarkable bands of our time.

More Highlights:

Also making a special guest apperance was the hip new band from Switzerland/Germany, Matter of Trust. Matter of Trust is led by Jon Benjamin and includes Todd Barry on drums.

Even More Highlights:

Matter of Trust

Definition: Arab Strap

The Nickel: Length Doesn't Matter (and other bad puns)

2006-03-03T09:21:00.000-05:00

The Nickel is a weekly(ish) feature on Mixologists where we highlight 5 songs that will elevate your mixes to a new level that you could not possibly have previously imagined. We here at Mixologists have no problem making you cooler. After all, you need the help.

Today's Nickel pays tribute to the musical bliss that can be inflicted by songs clocking in under the two-minute mark. I was inspired by a brilliant album: Minutemen's Double Nickels On The Dime, released in 1984. The album crams in 43 songs in only 80 minutes - you do the math on that one. At any rate, it is virtually impossible to select any one song to include in today's Nickel, since so many of them are post-punk fantasmagorical. (I will, however, highlight "Corona", which you will recognize as the theme to MTV's Jackass.) Being that I'm talking about short songs, today you get twice the songs and half the jibber-jabber. Truly--wait for it--double nickels on your dime.

"Her Majesty" - The Beatles - Abbey Road (0:23)
Recommendation: Royalty mixes.
"Last Days of Tecumseh" - Grant Lee Buffalo - Mighty Joe Moon (1:02)
Recommendation: Native American mixes.
"Kicker of Elves" - Guided by Voices - Bee Thousand (1:04)
Recommendation: Anti-Christmas mixes.
"Black Sheep Boy" - Okkervil River - Black Sheep Boy (1:18)
Recommendation: Half-man, Half-beast mixes.
"Le Garage" - The Futureheads - The Futureheads (1:44)
Recommendation: Pseudo-foreign-language mixes.
"Fell In Love with a Girl" - White Stripes - White Blood Cells (1:50)
Recommendation: Sappy Title/Rockin' Music mixes.
"Twin Falls" - Built to Spill - There's Nothing Wrong With Love (1:49)
Recommendation: Places You'd Never Visit mixes.
"Spanish Main" - The Coral - The Coral (1:53)
Recommendation: High Seas mixes.
"Tick" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Fever To Tell (1:49)
Recommendation: Aggravated mixes.
"Tony's Theme" - Pixies - Surfer Rosa (1:52)
Recommendation: Bicycle-riding Superhero mixes.

None of Our Thoughts Are Original

2006-03-01T10:39:00.000-05:00

In our never ending mission to provide you with the most up to the minute coverage on mix-cds world wide, we here at Mixologists would like to direct your attention to a page that has been around for a long time. The Art of the Mix has been written about in The New York Times and is certainly the most established mix cd website. It's worth a look if you are bored, which you undoubtedly are if you are reading this.

Art of the Mix

The Good Stuff: Volume 3

2006-02-28T18:55:00.000-05:00

The Good Stuff is a 10-volume set of mixes without any particular unifying theme, apart from that I like all of the songs on all of them. And I hope you do too. Nay, I demand that you do too.

"Bubble Toes" - Jack Johnson
"Something To Talk About" - Badly Drawn Boy
"When The Stars Go Blue" - Ryan Adams
"Maps" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
"Pink Triangle" - Weezer
"Hallelujah" - Jeff Buckley
"Shiver" - Coldplay
"Bohemian Like You" - The Dandy Warhols
"Why Should You Come When I Call" - Counting Crows
"Have A Nice Day" - Stereophonics
"Prince Of Spades" - Dispatch
"Lines Upon Your Face" - Vertical Horizon
"Say You Miss Me" - Wilco

Drunken Talking Points: The Greatest Greatest

2006-02-28T15:07:00.000-05:00

When I think of greatest hits albums I think of mindless compilations put out every few years by record companies cashing in on old radio standards or even better... when some "icon" kicks the bucket. But there has to be some good greatest hits album out there, right? RIGHT?

Squeeze - (1982) Singles 45's and Under

This album is the only one (most) people think of when talking about Squeeze. Maybe it's because you can find it in every juke box in America. If you are down to your last selection and stumped by the utter lack of selection on your dive bar's nickelodeon you can always count on Singles 45's and Under.

Although I might offend 40 year old jazz drummers around the globe when I say this, but this album is the perfect amount of Squeeze. I doubt I could stomach much more. One of the reasons it is a good cd is because it manages to corral enough of their hits (they didn't have many) with some "good enough" songs to accomplish a coherent flow to the disk.

The Smiths - (1995) Singles

The Smiths were well past their peak by the time I was listening to any music that wasn't The Monkeys, so I never really "got" them. People always go on and on about how depressing they are or how full of self loathing Mozz is. But seriously, I don't get it. The Smiths, for me, are much too funny to be sad. For proof of this take a listen to Singles. Nearly every one of these songs is a classic and let's face it I am not nearly "depressed" enough to own every Smiths album, so this collection will do nicely.

Blur - (2000) The Best of

This is a strange entry for me. I love this cd as a whole, love every track on it. It's weird because I like most of their other cd's as well. I think of this cd as a reminder to listen to their other cds. A good greatest hits cd should make you want to listen to the rest of the bands tunes... as soon as the last track finishes.

What do you think makes a good greatest hits album? What are some your favorites?

Challenge! Greatest Hits

2006-02-25T18:09:00.000-05:00

Did you know that Hilary Duff has a greatest hits album? I'm serious... she does (look, see). If HD can have one, than anyone can. Which brings us to our next Challenge! Compile a Greatest Hits mix of any artist. For example, take all one of Hilary Duff's albums and take the very best songs and arrange them to form an amazing Greatest Hits cd.

Some things to remember while compiling your mixes...

- Any jackass can stack up bunch of good tunes by an artist and make a cd. The challenge lies in forming a coherent, enjoyable playlist. Think about placement and song inter-relation.

- Make sure you choose an artist with a big enough library of songs. It might be hard to make a proper lengthed mix if your artist only has on cd. (If you absoultely must, then go ahead. It didn't stop Hilary, but really... what does?)

You can submit your mix at any time before March 10th, which is when we will begin posting. (send mixes to: submitmix@googlegroups.com)

This time around we don't have any false hopes about posting every single mix on one day. We will actually post mixes the week following the 10th.

Don't forget to be cool and submit cover art with your tracklist. And if you want to write up a little blurb about your mix, or why you picked that particular artist, or how you lost your virginity, then go ahead... we will post it along with the cd.

Seeya on the 10th!

- A little inspiration
--

Greatest Hits Challenge! Doesn't Need Your Charity
Greatest Hits Challenge! Massive Hangover

Greatest Hits Challenge! Entries
OutKast - The Hits - by PrivatJokr
The Best of Ryan Adams - by The Full Moyer
Icing - The Best of Cake - by Adam Becker
Bob Dylan - Definitive Collection - by Mandy
Marathon Training by the Beastie Boys - by H.R. Pennypacker
Reel Big Fish - The Hits - by PrivatJokr
R.E.M. - The Ones I Love - by The Full Moyer
Magnetic Fields - Greatest Hits - by The Pope
Built to Spill - Greatest Hits... So Far - by The Pumpkinhead
Gillian Welch - Leave All the Blue Skys - by Bald Ben
Ben Folds (Five) - The Hits! - by Amy
Foo Fighters - Greatest Hits - by Johnny Deuce
The New Pornographers - The Pride of Canada - by The Pope
The Jayhawks - The Best of the Midwest - by Britt
One Hour with the Velvet Underground - by Tori

The Nickel: 70's Songs That Aren't Embarrassing To Listen To Today

2006-02-25T10:00:00.000-05:00

The Nickel is a weekly(ish) feature on Mixologists where we highlight 5 songs that will elevate your mixes to a new level that you could not possibly have previously imagined. We here at Mixologists have no problem making you cooler. After all, you need the help.

Hey, remember the 70's? If you're like me, then you don't, because you weren't born yet. But dig this, chumly, there was music before you and I even knew what music was. Rockin' music in some cases. Soulful music in other cases. Terrible music in most cases. So if you're sick of your parents arguing about who was better: Captain and Tenille or Barry Manilow, check out these 5 songs (and in general, any music by these artists), and your friends will like you more, because you'll no longer be putting "Iron Man" on every 70's mix you make.

"Marquee Moon" - Television - Marquee Moon
Television is one of the most ignored and underrated bands to surface in the late 70's. They spit in the face of those who said you could no longer rock 'n' roll unless you used effects on your guitars. No sir, they played them clean, and they played them with an intensity that you just don't see enough of. Listen to these CBGB darlings as the rhythm guitar plays a staccato riff, and the lead guitar brings in a little noodle riff that is simply divine.
Recommendation: On the latest reissue of this album, this song (the original cut) clocks in at over 10 minutes, so you may want to limit your use to "jam" mixes, or throw a curveball by sticking this as the last song of an art punk mix.

"Bang a Gong (Get It On)" - T. Rex - Electric Warrior
Right now, you're laughing to yourself. You're criticizing me for highlighting a song that everybody and their mother can sing the chorus to. Well, you know what you can go bang on. I don't care how many times you have heard this song, it will still get your ass on the dancefloor with your bad disco moves and your devil-may-care attitude.
Recommendation: This song clearly belongs on any mix about breaking things or hitting things or causing general damage to items that make noise.

"Mercy Mercy Me" - Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
Did you know that Marvin Gaye's mind wasn't always in the bedroom? It's true; just listen to the What's Going On album, which is full of socially conscious songs such as "Mercy Mercy Me". Listen closely to this one: Did he just sing "Fish full of mercury"? Yes sir. But this track just grooves, baby.
Recommendation: Place this one on your next Artists Whose Music is Most Defiled by Bad Rap Music mix, or, alternately, your next Boy, This Song's Music is So Good It Distracts Me from the Message Because I Can't Chew Gum and Walk at the Same Time mix. It's sure to be a winner either way.

"The Girls Want To Be With The Girls" - Talking Heads - More Songs About Buildings And Food
Hey, it's another CBGB's band! Man, what I wouldn't give to have had the opportunity to come up with lame excuses for not going out to CBGB's in the late 70's. Those would have been the times. As it is, all I can do at this point is listen to bands who played there, and Talking Heads were the best of the best. With their frantic, nervous instrumentation and David Byrne's nerdy voice belting lines including the phrase "abstract analysis", you just can't go wrong here.
Recommendation: You can stick this one on your Confused Sexual Identities mix. Save a spot on there for Blur's "Boys & Girls" too. But I'm not telling you how to make your mixes, you leech.

"Loose" - The Stooges - Fun House
Oh, Iggy Pop. You and your dirty thoughts. What are we to do with you? Iggy sings "Loose" with his mouth so close to the microphone that you literally have to check your ears for spit after listening to this one. Am I entirely sure what he's talking about in this song? Couldn't say. But I'll tell you that I feel like I need a shower.
Recommendation: "Loose" belongs on a mix that you won't be playing for your parents. And if you ever catch them talking about The Stooges, well, you can snicker to yourself about the loose morals of their youth.

Instrumental Challenge: The Wrap Up

2006-02-24T15:18:00.000-05:00

The instrumental mix cd challenge is over and what have we learned? For a recap continue reading you lazy bastards...

- Moyer and I need to stop merging our music collections.
- The Burnt Jam may or may not have words.
- Some of us never look classier than a mime, even with a garbage bag bow tie.
- People will do an awful lot of work to uncover instrumental songs, and all it takes is the word "challenge" and an exclamation point.
- If Mixologists was a company, it would already have gone bankrupt for missing deadlines.
- iTunes has a policy against selling the music of two of the greatest bands of all time.

How do you think it went? Did anyone else learn anything? Would you like to see something changed with the next go 'round?

Thanks for your submissions and stay tuned for the next challenge, which will be posted some time tomorrow (yeah right).

Instrumental Challenge Entry: Mimbo

2006-02-24T10:50:00.000-05:00

(Special Guest Mixer: The Pumpkinhead)

"The Golden Hum" - Remy Zero
"Some" - Built to Spill
"Redford (For Yia-Yia & Pappou)" - Sufjan Stevens
"#34" - Dave Matthews Band
"Samba Tranquille" - Thievery Corporation
"Peanut Vendor" - Perez Prado (Office Space)
"Alpha Beta Gage" - Air
"Custom Concern" - Modest Mouse
"Theme For a Pretty Girl That Makes You Believe God Exists" - Eels
"Chanty" - Son Volt
"Tiger Tiger" - Duran Duran
"Bryter Layter" - Nick Drake
"Not Sport, Martial Art" - Jim O'Rourke
"Twin Peaks Theme" - Angelo Badalamenti

Instrumental Challenge Entry: The Best Thing to Happen to the Instrumental Since the Air Guitar

2006-02-24T10:28:00.000-05:00

"Joyful Sounds" - The Word
"Bankshot" - Operation Ivy
"Instrumental" - Doug Martsch
"Yoga Means Union" - Ambulance Ltd.
"Bewilderbeast" - Badly Drawn Boy
"B+A" - Beta Band
"Son of Neckbone" - Beastie Boys
"Duet for Guitars, No. 3" - M Ward
"Dru Me Negrita" - Ry Cooder & Manuel Galban
"May-December" - Mos Def
"Bubblehouse" - Medeski, Martin & Wood
"Feelgood By Numbers" - The Go! Team
"Theme From Dr. Pyser" - Ben Folds Five
"Miserlou" - The Trashmen
"Super Mario Brothers" - Ulu
"Junky Chase Scene" - Curtis Mayfield
"(A) Touch Sensitive" - Super Furry Animals
"Tahquamenon Falls" - Sufjan Stevens
"Pitter Patter Goes My Heart" - Broken Social Scene

Instrumental Challenge Entry: Who Needs Words. Words are for the Weak

2006-02-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

(Special Guest Mixer: Bald Ben)

"Sleepwalking" - Santo and Johnny
"Help Both Ways" - Mogwai
"The Russian" - A Band of Bees
"Is This Music" - Teenage Fanclub
"Pet Sounds" - Brian Wilson
"Flying" - The Beatles
"The Debt Collector" - Blur
"You Still Believe in Me" - M Ward
"Tugena" - Dead Milkmen
"The Fool" - Neutral Milk Hotel
"Horn" - Nick Drake
"Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want" - The Dream Academy
"The Dark Gift" - Trans Am
"Unknown" - Tortoise
"Conversations off Floral St." - The Zombies

Instrumental Challenge Entry: Digital Flatulence

2006-02-20T07:08:00.000-05:00

(Special Guest Mixer: Adam "Full Windsor" Becker)

"The Ring In Return" - Coheed & Cambria
"I Wanna Ride You" - Medeski, Martin & Wood
"Sabrosa" - Beastie Boys
"El Distorto de Melodica" - Everclear
"Surf Rider" - The Lively Ones
"Watermelon Man" - Herbie Hancock
"Whale and Wasp" - Alice in Chains
"Tube of Wonderful" - Dave Piner
"Austin's Theme" - The James Taylor Quartet
"Theme From Dr. Pyser" - Ben Folds Five
"Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 2" - The Flaming Lips
"One Step Beyond" - Madness
"The F**ked Jam" - Ween
"You Can't Quit Me Baby" - Queens of the Stone Age

Instrumental Challenge - The Continuation

2006-02-18T13:53:00.000-05:00

As you can tell I haven't posted the other mix yet... and that is for a reason. I am lazy. Another reason is I have gotten a few more submissions from people so I will be posting those over the next few days. So stay tuned and if you have any last minute mixes you want to get in feel free to send me at mkfoleyATgmail.com.

Instrumental Challenge Entry: Instrumental

2006-02-17T13:38:00.000-05:00

(Special Guest Mixer: Mandy)

"Autumn in New York" - Charlie Parker
"Tree Fingers" - Radiohead
"Takk..." - Sigur Ros
"Bookends Theme" - Simon and Garfunkel
"Sparks" - The Who
"'Round Midnight" - Miles Davis
"Jessica" - The Allman Brothers
"Linus and Lucy" - Vince Guaraldi
"Embryonic Journey" - Jefferson Airplane
"Sons of Scotland" - London Symphony Orchestra