Friday, September 24, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Just Because You Knock A Man Down Don't Mean That You Got Him Beat
When I listen to music, I listen to two things:
There is definitely one song in this mix that I think that I would choose if I had only one song express who I am. Feel free to guess away in the comments and at some point I might even tell you which one it is.
Without further ado, I give you my mixtape and my reasons for the songs.
The Heavy - Short Change Hero
"This ain't no place for no hero, this ain't no place for no bitter man..." Apparently all my songs are by foreign groups.
Mind Over Matter - Rappers In Wonderland
This song is a recent addition to my music collection. These guys are from Australia and have a bounce and swagger that I liked. The chorus is catchy and the beat does something for me. I've listened to it 40 times now and i still bob my head.
Swollen Members - Too Hot
Continuing the international trend, yet another song that's about the attitude. But there are definitely lyrics that speak to me. The part that jumps to mind immediately is during Madchild's first verse when he raps:
The rest of the lyrics are good too.
Moka Only - Sitting On The Porch (feat Mad Child)
Continuing with folks from the Great White North, I picked this song because it tempers the raging impression of me created in the previous song. Mad Child brings it back to a relaxed chill vibe. I love sitting, watching the world go by. I'm working very hard to not be angry.
Brother Ali - The Puzzle
Finally! Repping the hometown of Minneapolis....no wait...that's not right..... But I do like the song because it's what I need to hear. It begins right in the first verse:
Eazy E vs Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Gangstaz 106bpm
I like Johnny Cash and I wish I was a baller like him. But without the drug habit and general all around douchiness he exhibited earlier in life. When paired with Eazy E? The beat fits with E's rapping and a classic is born.
Gangstagrass - On The Run
Who mixes bluegrass with hiphop? I like it. It's a dichotomy, that isn't......just like me. I like the way he enunciates his words, the swagger, and the taking care of business vibe of this song.
Ray LaMontagne - Henry Nearly Killed Me (It's A Shame)
Another one of the songs that's about the attitude and the first of Ray's two appearances on the mixtape. I like the whole first verse, but I especially like the following:
Santogold - Les Artistes
I really like the chorus on this song.
I heard this song in the movie "Saved" and I had to get it. I love the band, their funky vibe and their music. The song title says it all.
Fruit Bats - When U Love Somebody
This song is 4:31 and only has 4 lines of lyrics.
DeVotchKa - You Love Me
The first of two tracks by Dita Von Teese's former back up band. This song spoke to me in my recent break up. It's not an exact match to what happened, but the feeling it evokes really speaks to me. Interestingly it also ties back to the Western vibe at the beginning of the mix.
Kanye West - Hey Mama Grammy Remix
My mother passed away over 5 years ago, and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss her. I think Kanye can be a real piece of work, but I think this performance makes me forgive a lot. The video gives me goosebumps every time I watch it.
Another song about loss.
Blitzen Trapper - Furr
Don't we all want to abandon society and run wild with the wolves? I know I do. My friend Alex jokes that my children will be feral children. But I don't think so. I do love the woods and the idea of running free.
Ray LaMontagne - Empty
I think that this is my favorite song by LaMontagne. If you get a chance, read the lyrics while you listen to it. There is no line that has ever spoken to me like this one:
Heartless Bastards - Hold Your Head High
This song pairs with "The Puzzle" in my mind. The same idea of friends that help you through the bad times works for me. Listen to it with the lyrics in front of you.
A foot tapping song that always gets me. I like the Zydeco feel and the old time religion video they made for the song.
Another foreign band. This song oozes swagger and attitude from the opening classic blues chord. A cover of a Muddy Waters song that really snarls and expresses that cocky and confident side of my character that I'm rediscovering.
Heavy - How You Like Me Now
We end like we began, with The Heavy, who send us off with more snarl and swagger. Watch their performance on Letterman on YouTube, if you really want to get the full treatment.
So now that you've listened to my mixtape, how you like me now?
- the music - the instruments, the voices, the vibe; and
- the lyrics - the word choice, the rhyming, the message.
There is definitely one song in this mix that I think that I would choose if I had only one song express who I am. Feel free to guess away in the comments and at some point I might even tell you which one it is.
Without further ado, I give you my mixtape and my reasons for the songs.
The Heavy - Short Change Hero
"This ain't no place for no hero, this ain't no place for no bitter man..." Apparently all my songs are by foreign groups.
Mind Over Matter - Rappers In Wonderland
This song is a recent addition to my music collection. These guys are from Australia and have a bounce and swagger that I liked. The chorus is catchy and the beat does something for me. I've listened to it 40 times now and i still bob my head.
Swollen Members - Too Hot
Continuing the international trend, yet another song that's about the attitude. But there are definitely lyrics that speak to me. The part that jumps to mind immediately is during Madchild's first verse when he raps:
Anger, anger, thats one of my hangups
You dont wanna rock and roll kid, your head gets banged up
Feel tension, blood starts pumpin
My friends always win in the fights, I still jump in
And I dont have a drinking problem
I drink, talk shit, fall down no problem
When I drink its a problem, cause I cause problems
The rest of the lyrics are good too.
Moka Only - Sitting On The Porch (feat Mad Child)
Continuing with folks from the Great White North, I picked this song because it tempers the raging impression of me created in the previous song. Mad Child brings it back to a relaxed chill vibe. I love sitting, watching the world go by. I'm working very hard to not be angry.
Brother Ali - The Puzzle
Finally! Repping the hometown of Minneapolis....no wait...that's not right..... But I do like the song because it's what I need to hear. It begins right in the first verse:
Listen when life leaves you beaten upand on it goes. I listen to this song on my bad days and it makes it all better.
Don't lay around in it, hurry pick them pieces up
Cling closely to the people you love
They're your umbrella when the weathers tough
See to it that your head is up
If not just remember this
Just never let your chest and your chin touch in public
Eazy E vs Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Gangstaz 106bpm
I like Johnny Cash and I wish I was a baller like him. But without the drug habit and general all around douchiness he exhibited earlier in life. When paired with Eazy E? The beat fits with E's rapping and a classic is born.
Gangstagrass - On The Run
Who mixes bluegrass with hiphop? I like it. It's a dichotomy, that isn't......just like me. I like the way he enunciates his words, the swagger, and the taking care of business vibe of this song.
Ray LaMontagne - Henry Nearly Killed Me (It's A Shame)
Another one of the songs that's about the attitude and the first of Ray's two appearances on the mixtape. I like the whole first verse, but I especially like the following:
"Just because you knock a man down, Don't mean that you got him beat"Well said Ray.
Santogold - Les Artistes
I really like the chorus on this song.
I can say I hope it will be worth what I give upBishop Allen - Things Are What You Make Of Them
If I could stand up mean for the things that I believe
I heard this song in the movie "Saved" and I had to get it. I love the band, their funky vibe and their music. The song title says it all.
Fruit Bats - When U Love Somebody
This song is 4:31 and only has 4 lines of lyrics.
Baby, remember on the bus and my hand was on your kneeThis song is very visceral to me. I just ended a two year relationship and their 4 lines sum up what I'm feeling about all of it right now.
When U love somebody it's hard to think about anything but to breathe
Baby, I am the cub who was washed out in the flood
When U love somebody and bite your tongue all you get is a mouthful of blood
DeVotchKa - You Love Me
The first of two tracks by Dita Von Teese's former back up band. This song spoke to me in my recent break up. It's not an exact match to what happened, but the feeling it evokes really speaks to me. Interestingly it also ties back to the Western vibe at the beginning of the mix.
Kanye West - Hey Mama Grammy Remix
My mother passed away over 5 years ago, and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss her. I think Kanye can be a real piece of work, but I think this performance makes me forgive a lot. The video gives me goosebumps every time I watch it.
Last night I saw you in my dreams, Now I can't wait to go to sleep.DeVotchKa - Dearly Departed
This life, is all a dream, an my real life starts when I go to sleep.
Another song about loss.
Blitzen Trapper - Furr
Don't we all want to abandon society and run wild with the wolves? I know I do. My friend Alex jokes that my children will be feral children. But I don't think so. I do love the woods and the idea of running free.
Ray LaMontagne - Empty
I think that this is my favorite song by LaMontagne. If you get a chance, read the lyrics while you listen to it. There is no line that has ever spoken to me like this one:
Its the hurt I hide that fuels the fire inside me.It's so true.
Heartless Bastards - Hold Your Head High
This song pairs with "The Puzzle" in my mind. The same idea of friends that help you through the bad times works for me. Listen to it with the lyrics in front of you.
Hold your head high, just as high as you canCave Singers - Dancing On Our Graves
Things will work out soon, things will come round again
A foot tapping song that always gets me. I like the Zydeco feel and the old time religion video they made for the song.
But oh lord, I know what I've done,Black Strobe - I'm A Man
And oh lord, I ain't afraid.
Another foreign band. This song oozes swagger and attitude from the opening classic blues chord. A cover of a Muddy Waters song that really snarls and expresses that cocky and confident side of my character that I'm rediscovering.
Heavy - How You Like Me Now
We end like we began, with The Heavy, who send us off with more snarl and swagger. Watch their performance on Letterman on YouTube, if you really want to get the full treatment.
So now that you've listened to my mixtape, how you like me now?
Thursday, September 9, 2010
88.5 WXPN - Top Ten Road Trip Songs
WXPN is having a competition for the best top 10 road trip songs.
Ya'll should enter! Info here.
And my mix will be posted by Monday! Promise!
Ya'll should enter! Info here.
And my mix will be posted by Monday! Promise!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)