Summer MIx '08

I put together a Summer Mix tape every year. I've been doing since about 2004 and mainly just distribute to friends. This has become somewhat of a tradition, I guess. What I really like now is that I can go back 4 years and get a slice of some of the music from that time. What was hot that year, what was just coming out...The following is a track list of the mix. If it piques your interest, you can download the mix as a podcast here.

1. Creator - Santogold is one of my faves of 2008. She right in there with M.I.A., but I think she’s a bit more versatile. Tom this is electro/hip hop/pomo/mishmash. I love it. Really nice. She’s also got a really great voice, which apparently she polished while being in a punk band.
2. Breakin’ Dishes - Of Top 40, I really like Rihanna. That girl’s got spunk. And she often uses great dance beats behind her tracks. She’s just a whole lot of fun. This song is great to get your booty shaking, whether you’re out for a run or dancing!
3. Eyes Wide Open - the new B-52’s album is great. I wasn’t sure we’d ever hear a new album from them. It’s a lot of fun and aptly named FUNPLEX. You could play the whole record at a party and would work. This song has a great house beat and fantastic lyrics - “I don’t want to clash, I don’t want to rehash the past. I just want release, I just want peace.”
4. Accelerate - I’ve been waiting for this R.E.M. album for 2 YEARS! No joke. I used to love R.E.M. back in the day. Well, this album is definitely getting back to their roots. I read that Stipe told the band when making the album that no song could be over 2 minutes. Back to the good ‘ole rock n’ roll. Well, some songs are over 2 minutes, but it’s worth it. If you used to like R.E.M., you should get this album. You won’t be disappointed.
5. Kiss, Kiss - The Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs are one of my favorite bands. They are great recorded and fantastic live. This song is perhaps one of their more “Siouxsie” moments. Yet still true to Karen O’s vocal qualities, she’s not imitating here. And Nick’s guitar always complements her voice. They could hand in hand.
6. The Con - Title track off of Tegan and Sara’s new album. This album is a ‘grower’, it grows on you. And you can’t stop listening to it after it has caught you. Unlike some new artists who can’t live up to their first album, I think this is better than So Jealous. I’m sure some would disagree, but this album is really good. I mean really good. Look for a blog post about it soon.
7. List of Demands (Reparations) - So, get this! This song is by a spoken artist, Saul Williams, and produced by Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor. And it’s the only track on the mix that is not from 2008. I love it because it’s so hard hitting and in your face, but is not off-putting. It’s down right catchy! The beats, the hard guitar-like synths, the lyrics could really put some people off. But this song is catchy as hell. And I love it.
8. You’ll Find a Way - Another Santogold track. Great ska guitar and beat. And her voice is impeccable. Just rockin!
9. Go Go Gadget Flow - Holy *&^$# Lupe Fiasco is right up there for best artist of the year. I think this album definitely outpaces Kanye’s new one. While they may be friends and all, Lupe is superior in all respects to Kanye. The very quick, rhythmic style is crazy cool. He is truly one of the best lyrcists and rappers out there today. Don’t sleep, y’all. And if you catch it, you can tell he’s spelling out M-A-D-I-S-O-N.
10. Down to my Grave - Interesting story. The Ironweed Project is a collaboration project started by a musician from Manchester, England. He couldn’t finish his album and so he solicited help from other musicians. The result is this interesting meld of Delta-blues guitar, hip hop beat and Moby-esque synths. And it all works.
11. Cheap and Cheerful - The Kills are dirty and punky. This song is just a cheap thrill! Enjoy.
12. Juliet of the Spirits - B-52’s again. This is fun to sing along with...have fun.
13. Violet Hill - Coldplay’s first track that they released for free download before the album came out. As the last song on the mix, I like the slow climb of the synths and pianos, with the guitar coming crashing in with the drums. Just a nice ending to a pretty rockin’ mix!

Just so happens that there is so much good music this year, that I may have a Part II already started. I'll keep you posted.

Happy Birthday, Sub Pop!

Before I begin, let me thank you for the comments...keep them coming!

I had another blog ready for you all, but before I post that, we've got to talk about Sub Pop records. They are celebrating their 20 year anniversary this month! As an independent record label Sub Pop has survived in a brutal record industry where independents don't normally last 5 years. They must be doing something special!

The Wiki entry for Sub Pop is great, I won't re-write their history here. Located in Seattle, they started the scene in the late 80's and 90's. Without Sub Pop, we wouldn't have Nirvana or really the entire Seattle grunge scene - Soundgarden, Mudhoney.
But even after the grunge scene of the 90's dissolved, Sub Pop has stayed relevant with the likes of The Shins, Go! Team, Wolf Parade, Flight of the Conchords, and the up-and-coming Fleet Foxes.

Some of the artists become mainstream and leave for more mainstream labels. But Sub Pop has always filled a niche market for the alternative bands and music scene. They are tried and true and I suspect they will be around for another good long time.

The motto on their website is: We're not the best, but we're pretty good. They know what niche they fill and they are pretty darn good at filling it, I'd say.

Too bad we don't have more successful independents.

Check out this cool video about the beginnings of Sub Pop: