September CD

Hi All!

Just an FYI that I heard from Billy Kleinfeld and he put his September CDs in the mail today! He's not on the blog and apologized for his tardiness- so I just wanted to pass along the news.

Dice, Brassknuckles and Guitar

Hi, all! I hope this CD finds everyone well, and that everyone is having a great summer.
When first thinking about this collection, I considered multiple themes – “music about music”, “music with place names in the title”, “music by children of more famous musicians” – but, I ultimately decided to go with no real theme.

However, I still wanted a bit of a challenge. My instinct when putting together collections of music is always to go right to indie rock, so I knew I wanted to go a bit of a different route. Consequently, this collection has a bit of an alt-country flavour to it. See, since joining an alt-country band a while ago, I’ve been listening to a lot of music I never really paid much attention to before, and found that there’s a lot of really great stuff out there.

This is a collection of songs from those albums which have really stuck with me, songs which carry all of the same qualities that I’m drawn to in songs from any other genre: great musicianship, clever, well-written lyrics, and substance. Songs with beautiful stories like Damien Jurado’s “Abilene”, a song so well-written and recorded that it manages to trigger a bit of synaesthesia in me as I actually hear dark blues and blacks. Songs that find a unique way to tell us about love, like Hayes Carll’s charming song “Girl Downtown”. Songs that tickle my existential anxiety, such as First Aid Kit’s haunting cover of the Fleet Foxes tune “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song”, proving that it is possible to take an already great song and turn it into something even better.

In addition to songs I’ve been listening to more recently, I did manage to include a number of old favourites in this collection, as well; selected songs that I feel fit. Among others, there’s the Silver Jews’ whimsical “Honk If You’re Lonely”, the Kinks’ timeless “Strangers”, and a fitting outro with Will Oldham’s “I Am Goodbye”.

Thanks to Eleventilicious, I’ve had a really interesting year in music, and I’m looking forward to hearing the rest of the contributions. I hope everyone enjoys this collection as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

I meant to include this on the July Eleventilicious Playlist

This was a recent find through NPR and I meant to include this on my playlist. I even ordered the vinyl. Better late than never. Enjoy.

The Sounds & Scents of Summer July Eleventilicious CD

1. The Sound of Sunshine-Michael Franti-Michael Franti is one of my favorite all-time artists. While his lyrics and musical style are quite simple, this song and video epitomize the sound of summer to me. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Michael Franti through work and not only is he generous and kind in his lyrics and in his personal life, but he was and is to this fan. Never have I seen 5,000 people hold hands and sing lyrics like I did at the Coachella Festival Michael Franti tent. It made me forget the 60 water bottles I had to drink on that 120 degree weather day (Ugggh!) in Palm Springs.
2. Life For Rent-Dido-This album (and another song in particular on this album) symbolized a step towards my freedom about 9 years ago. This song was selected for this album because of Dido’s reference to the sea and some of my internal longings and fantasies about the living by the water well before I moved to Redondo Beach where I currently live. Her lyrics, in this song, move me and take me to a different space and place each and everytime I listen to it.
3. Anytime You Need Me-Michael Franti-I had to sneak another Michael Franti song in here somewhere. This relaxed soulful melody to me is the perfect sound track while laying out in the California sun-at the beach. While the simplicity of his songs and lyrics speak to me, I value him as an artist who is representative of so many things in which I believe: freedom, positivity, living life with joy and happiness and everything that is simple and uncomplicated.
4. On the Sunny Side of the Ocean-John Fahey-I chose this song because of its title. I do think John Fahey is one of the best acoustic guitarists of all time. His art is classic.
5. You and Me-Dave Matthews-This song is one of my all-time favorite songs. It represents everything I like about life’s simplicities PLUS it references the ocean, with whom I have had a long-time love affair. This song represents an escapism and the romanticism I feel when I’m by the water. When I first heard DMB’s lyrics of “and when when we get to the ocean, gonna to take the boat to the end of the world,” they instantly reminded me of my mom’s favorite song of all-time called “La Barca,” which is a song that was written in the early 1920’s. “La Barca” is also featured on this CD. DMB’s song is more about escaping with a loved one. “La Barca” is about a loved one leaving on a boat as you’ll read later.
6. Only The Ocean-Jack Johnson-Our household owns every recording ever done by this artist. He’s our go-to artist when we are wanting to open up the windows to let the ocean breezes in and begin to enjoy the start of warmer weather.
7. Under The Sun-Mia Todd-I love this indie song. However, the lyrics of, “the cream in my coffee” bug the heck out of me. Disregard them. The rest of the song I can keep. She’s one of my most recent discoveries. I love that she sings in Spanish, Portuguese, and English on her most recent album-all languages I understand. She just now needs to add songs in French and in Italian so all of my languages are covered.
8. To The Sea-Jack Johnson-His connection to the ocean rings deeply with mine. Jack always takes me to my easy breezy pace and space in which I like to remain.
9. Surboard-Sergio Mendes and Will.I.Am-This song is not my favorite style of music but I do find the mixture of the king of Bossa Nova with the king of contemporary pop a bit interesting. International collaborations are always of interest to me. They add flava to the recipe.
10. Rockaway Beach-The Ramones-How could I not include The Ramones in this compilation? Don’t all roads in rock end with The Ramones? The Ramones not only influenced my taste in music but they’ve also inspired one of my favorite artists of all-time, U2. U2’s song “In A Little While” which might just be my all-time favorite song was the last song heard by Joey Ramone before he died.
11. Here Comes The Sun-The Beatles-I would be remiss if I didn’t add this classic song. It’s shimmery lightness is always a delight and keeps me thinking of summer-all year long.
12. The House of The Rising Sun-The Animals-I just added this song to my playlist recently after I heard it played at a local bar when we were out with friends on a Saturday Night. My first thought: “Another Sound & Scent of Summer-The House of The Rising Sun!”
13. Sunshine of Your Love-Cream-If you know me, you will know that I love classic everything: Classic architecture, classic rock, classic clothes, classic everything. Not being one who follows trends, this song jumped out when looking at my playlist to create this CD compilation.
14. Walking on Sunshine-Katrina & The Waves-Not only did the song fit but the CD title but so did the artist name. This song while poppy makes me happy and makes me want to walk on sunshine-always.
15. Soak Up The Sun-Sheryl Crow-This song has two of my favorite all-time lines in a song. These lines make me take ownership of this song. “It's not having what you want. It’s wanting what you’ve got.” and “Don't have no master suite.I'm still the king of me.” Growing up in Mexico, I didn’t grow up with as many things as kids who did grow up with in the States. I’m actually quite happy I grew up this way. I have a much more contented heart as a result of this upbringing than most Americans, learning to love what I’ve got instead of thinking about what I don’t have.
16. Saturday Sun-Nick Drake-My son who is away in college on the East Coast has made me rediscover artists I loved and has made me love them ALL OVER again. His intense love and passion for all genres of music has allowed me to find “new finds” from the past. Nick Drake is one of them. I’m thankful I have reconnected with Nick. More importantly, I’m thankful that it wasn’t through Facebook!
17. I Can See Clearly Now-Jimmy Cliff- Do you remember the song, “It Never Rains in Southern California?” Well, I’ve got news. It does. And it rains alot-particularly in the winter. This song is always played in our household when the sun finally comes out in the winter. Usually, it means 79 degree days in the dead of winter when the rest of the country is snowed in. This song plays to those days and my love for seeking the sun again.
18. Margaritaville-Jimmy Buffet-I chose this song because of it’s reference to flip flops and what would summer be without flip flops? Additionally and more importantly, what would summer be WITHOUT margaritas? I love how the lyrics bulld from, “But I know it’s nobody’s fault” to “Hell, It could be my fault” to “And I know it’s my own damn fault.” We’ve all been there, right? Let’s just say this song is my own recovering Catholic confession. It’s ALWAYS MY FAULT!!!! :)
19. Summer Lover-Mia Doi Todd-Why not? She’s my-new-favorite -find and the title fits the theme.

21. Gracias a La Vida-Mia Doi Todd- I would be remiss if I didn’t include two songs that are reflective of my upbringing. Song 21 is also by Mia Doi Todd. This, however, is a song in Spanish and it speaks to the Latina in me. The song title translated means ”Thank you to Life.” Who knew that a little girl from Mexico who told her grandmother by age 4 that she was going to live by the beach would actually get to do that? This song speaks to that 4 year-old girl who had a dream and didn’t forget it. While it took an additional 36 years to get to the beach, I finally got here and this is my hommage to that dream. I thank “life” for getting me here and for literally allowing me to live and breathe almost 12 months of the year, The Sounds & Scents of Summer. PS-That little 4-year-old didn’t get to see the beach until age 20.

22.La Barca-Luis Miguel-This song was originally written in the 1920’s and is a classic song throughout Latin America. It was revived by Luis Miguel in the 1990’s and it became a huge international hit when he recorded it. I didn’t originally know this song through Luis Miguel. I knew this song originally because it’s my mother’s favorite all-time song. I heard it played by Mariachis in my home when my dad would seranade me on my birthdays with live music. I heard it played on my mom and dad’s old victrola. The song’s lyrics are beautiful and also make an ocean reference “The beach is draped in bitterness because your boat will sail away to cross other seas of madness.” This song is about a love lost and yet ends in hope.

It is my hope that these songs share a little about me: My-not-so-cool-taste in music like many of you who have such awesome indie tastes. This playlist reflects many of the things I love: Music, the sun, the ocean, the guitar, the art of simplicity, and songs that speaks of love without saying the word “love” but instead are about the “act of devotion”-something I proudly show to my friends, family, and loved ones.

Summer of Divisors Tracklist

Hi all! Sorry it has taken me most of the month to get June’s mix out to all of you. Unfortunately, I have been packing for an out-of-state move and working on the last stages of my dissertation while compiling this album, so it’s been a busy month!

This album contains only songs that are in 3/4 time or some variant such as 6/4 or 6/8. I’ll admit that I have a hard time telling the difference between 6/4 and 6/8, and I think it sometimes just depends on the sheet music (which may not even exist for some songs, if the writer doesn’t compose that way). I may have even gotten some of them wrong in my descriptions below. But I’ve always loved waltzes and anything that can be counted in multiples of threes.

Which brings me to the album’s name: I wanted this album to be summery (it loosely progresses from daytime to nighttime feel), but couldn’t resist throwing some darker songs in. Also, clearly the greatest common divisor of the beats in each measure (and the sixth month, June, as well as the number of days in said month) is 3. And finally, “summer” is a sad little pun that adds a mathematical flavor (i.e., “sum”). :)

One last note: Frustratingly, I lost almost all touch with the music world when I began grad school in 2007. Almost all of this music comes from before then, and most noticeably from a stretch of the 2000s when I was most musically attentive. Luckily, good songs never lose their appeal!
Enjoy!


1. “Tennessee Waltz” Patti Page- This song was recorded by Patti Page in 1950. My Japanese mother, born that year, used to sing it around the house when I was growing up. When making this album, I learned that “Tennessee Waltz” was once the top-selling song of all time in Japan…that explains it! This song is a classic, with harmonies that are the epitome of “dulcet.”

2. “Pop Quiz” Stereolab- A fun, summery, swingy song. I love the bubbly popping sounds in the intro.

3. “Into You” Richard X featuring Jarvis Cocker- This song samples “Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star (another 6/8 song). It is the sexiest song I’ve heard in a while (thanks to Jarvis, lead singer of Pulp), and I was obsessed with it a few months ago when I first heard it.

4. “Jenny You’re Barely Alive” Rilo Kiley- I’m a big fan of Rilo Kiley and Jenny Lewis’s other projects. This song is from a compilation put out by Saddle Creek, their label.

5. “Electric Feel” MGMT- This is one of the few reasonably contemporary bands I’ve caught wind of recently. This song is truly in 6/4 time, whereas most pop/rock songs with 6 beats per measure are in 6/8 time (i.e, using eighth notes instead of quarter notes).

6. “Sprout and the Bean” Joanna Newsom- I first heard this song in the horror movie The Strangers. It’s amazing that I can still enjoy Joanna’s eerie, childlike voice and harp-playing, but the song is very pretty and sunny in the right context. (Don’t listen to this song alone at night in an old house in the middle of the woods.)

7. “Daysleeper” R.E.M.- Always loved this single off the Up album, and it makes a really great ringtone for your morning alarm.

8. “A.M. 180” Grandaddy- Grandaddy is my favorite band in the world, and this is one of their trademark songs. It was in 28 Days Later, and people tend to either love or hate the quirky electronic loop running throughout.

9. “Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space” Spiritualized- Classic song that is a spin-off of another classic song, “Can’t Help Falling In Love” (which is also 6/8).

10. “Love Will Come Through” Travis- I think of this song as the one that was on the Garden State promotional website but not on the soundtrack. I was very frustrated that this song wasn’t identified on the site or the soundtrack…several years later, I discovered that I had owned it all along on a Travis album that I hadn’t listened to thoroughly.

11. “Susanne” Weezer- From the Mallrats soundtrack. “My Name is Jonas” by Weezer is also a 6/8 song. My favorite line of this song is, “Even Izzy, Slash, and Axl Rose…when I call, you put them all on hold.”

12. “Nude” Radiohead- Lovely, quiet song off In Rainbows.

13. “Forever” Turin Brakes- I love this achingly beautiful song, and Turin Brakes in general.

14. “Los Angeles Waltz” Razorlight- I am not sure this is technically a waltz (3/4), because it sounds like 6/8 to me. But I like it anyway!

15. “For Your Eyes” Micah P. Hinson- If I had to proselytize about anyone on this album, it would be this guy. I saw him open for The Paper Chase a couple of years ago, and I was completely knocked over. He looked like an absolute wisp of an indie kid, sneakers and nerdy glasses and pale hair and eyes, and then he opened his mouth and a gruff, melodic, bullfrog voice came out. He is from desolate west Texas (Abilene), and while he is quite popular in Europe, I hope he finds wider success here in N. America.

16. “If You Go Away” Emiliana Torrini- I heard this song while watching Pumpkin (wow, didn’t realize so many of these were in movies), and immediately “rushed” three feet to my computer to look it up. Apparently I missed the fact that it’s considered a pop standard, originally French, and has been recorded by dozens of artists. This version is definitely the most wrenching I’ve found, and I’ve since been building my collection of Emiliana Torrini songs.

17. “Arlington Girl” Shivaree- When I saw that Shivaree was on the Two Minute Drill album, I felt some kinship because I love them. This is a soft, shuffling, contemplative song.

June: Summer of Divisors

Hello everyone! I have good news and bad news. The good news is that I finally, finally got the June albums in the mail. The bad news is that there is apparently a Canadian postal worker strike in effect right now (that began on June 3, so essentially it's been going on all month), so I was unable to mail the two albums that go to Chuck and Cynthia in Calgary. I could have mailed them for $40 each; sorry guys, apparently my fondness for Internet friends has a monetary ceiling. And I checked both USPS and UPS prices. Following the news, I see that an end to the strike appears imminent within the next several days.


I'm going to get with Paul about the situation, but the Canadians and everyone else, please feel free to offer advice. Basically I can wait until the end of the strike, or I can upload the album and let you guys download (or both). Suggestions about these or other options are appreciated!

Here is a preview of the packaging; I got really into the project. I'm sorry again that it is arriving so late in the month, but I hope you'll still have some time to enjoy it before July's CD arrives! I'll post the liner notes in a few days, too.

May Day!

My CD collection entitled May Day! went out in the mail today. I had a blast collecting all of the songs for it and at the same time expanding my musical tastes a bit more as well.

I had a few goals when creating this CD. First, I wanted it to be a mix of bands that were long-time favorites of mine, ones I've been meaning to check out for some time, and finally, ones that were brand-new to me so I can maintain some semblance of keeping up with the times.

Also, I wanted to see if I could create a collection using entirely free, legal MP3s that are available on the Web. That was the most challenging goal, and I'm pleased to report that I succeeded, and in the process found a lot of cool music blogs and other sites where your musical horizons are just waiting to be expanded.

Here are a few of my favorites sites, some of which were the source for the MP3s I used:

http://betterpropaganda.com/Default.aspx

http://www.clickitticket.com/articles/topAlternativeblogs.htm

http://freealbums.blogsome.com/other-music-sources/

Below are the liner notes that I've also included as an insert with the CD you'll receive soon. I had more great songs but these are the 21 that made the cut, and just barely fit under the 80 minute capacity for the CD.

The Black Lips - “Cold Hands” : This self-described “flower punk” band from Atlanta has more in common with 60s garage bands than they do the Sex Pistols, but their musical diversity stretches from punk to doo-wop to country, and back again.

Sleater-Kinney - “Oh!”: Emerging of out the 90s queercore and riotgrrrl movements in Olympia, Washington, Sleater-Kinney was named after the road that led from the interstate highway to one of their early practice spaces. This song from their 2002 album One Beat showcases this female trio's (two guitars and drums) groove-heavy riffing, sweet harmonies, and lead vocalist Corin Tucker's impassioned warbling.

Moldy Peaches - “Anyone Else But You”: After years as an underground favorite duo on the anti-folk circuit, the Peaches entered mainstream culture when this song was famously included on the soundtrack to the movie Juno. Its low-fi minimalism and male-female vocal duet give it a ragged charm, and Kimya Dawson's muttered aside at :09 is the most obvious post-bong hit musical utterance (complete with cough) I've ever heard.

Mission of Burma - “Max Ernst”: When MOB emerged from the Boston punk scene in 1979 I went to a lot of their local shows, up until their last one, a grand finale at the Bradford Hotel Ballroom in 1983, and they became one of my all-time favorite bands. They reunited in 2002 so you can now catch the magic in its second coming. Their fusion of punk intensity, experimentalism (tape loops figured prominently into their sound) and art rock complexity has made them a seminal band with world-wide impact in the indie music world. “Max Ernst” is the B-side of their first 45, and this ode to the German Dada and surrealist artist shows them at their furious, enigmatic best.

Gang Of Four - “Damaged Goods”: I'm including one of my favorite British post-punk bands right after MOB in homage to the phenomenal triple bill I saw at The Channel in Boston in the early 80s with GOF as the headliner, MOB as the middle act, and Pylon as the opener. Talk about a dream lineup. “Damaged Goods” was their first single in 1978 and then included on their superb 1979 album Entertainment! Mixing leftist politics, funk, and bristling punk attitude, GOF was the perfect band to dance to as the world burned.

Minutemen - “Ain't Talking 'Bout Love”: Not only does the Minutemen's cover of this seminal Van Halen song turn the original on its head, they do it in their “econo jam” style in just 40 seconds. I was lucky enough to see them multiple times during the early 80s. Fusing hardcore punk with jazz, funk, R&B, classic rock, beat poetry, surrealism, and an occasional Latino flourish, the Minutemen are considered one of the most influential American post-punk bands ever. When singer/guitarist D. Boon died in a van accident in 1985 it was a bigger deal to me than losing Elvis or John Lennon.

Dub Narcotic Sound System – “Teenage Time Bomb”: This Olympia, Washington indie-funk/punk band is one of my latest discoveries. Band founder Calvin Johnson named the group after his Dub Narcotic recording studio. They made a lot of albums in the mid to late 90s and still tour and record occasionally.

Neon Indian - “Children of the Revolution”: These chillwave/glo-fi darlings take the old T. Rex song on an electronic magic carpet ride. Groove on this song to feel retro and cutting edge at the same time.

Ten Foot Polecats - “Chicken Head Man”: I found this self-described punk blues band playing at a dive bar in my town of Framingham, Massachusetts one Friday night a few years ago and became an instant fan. Think Howling Wolf backed up by the Ramones after they've split a jar of moonshine. They've since broken out nationally and have been signed to the Hillgrass Bluesbilly record label in Austin, Texas. I'm already saying I knew them way back when.

Das Racist - “Swate”: Think hip-hop is just a 'hood product? Check out the words and beats from Das Racist, an Indian-American and Latino duo who went to Wesleyan University instead of jail. The title is a reference to the street pronunciation of the word “sweet”. It's ominous-sounding, hypnotic, street and book-smart, all at the same time. They're an underground sensation and would probably shudder at the idea of pop success.

The Fall - “U.S. 80's – 90's”: Mark E. Smith's nasal whine in a strong Manchester accent is one of the most distinctive voices in British alternative music. With its roots in the Brit punk of the late 70s, The Fall has now endured for over thirty years and dozens of albums, with Smith being the only constant member. With a bleak, brittle, and caustic sound, they're an acquired taste for some but in my opinion a taste well worth acquiring.

Jim Carroll Band - “It's Too Late”: Like Patti Smith, Carroll started out as a poet who then began singing in a rock band. This live version of one of his best-known songs highlights his biting lyrics over a kick-ass beat. Sadly, he died in 2009 at age 60, just before his long-awaited first novel was completed, which was published posthumously.

Bikini Kill - “I Like Fucking”: Time for another riotgrrrl band, one of my weaknesses. Formed in Olympia, Washington in 1990, Bikini Kill influenced Sleater-Kinney and many other female-led groups in the 90s. You've got to give props to a band that releases a single whose title almost guarantees it will get little airplay, even though the lyrics only contain a single f-bomb.

Carolina Chocolate Drops - “Hit 'Em Up Style”: A contemporary black string band from Durham, North Carolina, the Drops perform a stunningly reworked cover version of R&B singer Blu Cantrell's 2001 hit. This is a concert version of the song, which is also included on their wonderful 2010 studio album Genuine Negro Jig.

The Black Keys - “Ohio”: One of the few bands that give me faith that soulful blues rock lives. The fact that they're only a two-piece, guitar and drums, makes their full and chunky-funky sound all the more amazing. The best thing out of Akron since Devo (who they opened for at a 2008 benefit concert for Barack Obama).

Jason Ricci and New Blood - “Snowflakes and Horses”: Jason Ricci is considered one of the best contemporary harmonica players in the world, but his tenure with his band New Blood is what really made his star shine. With guitar phenom Shawn Starsky and jazz-trained bass player Todd “Buckweed” Edmunds he created some of the most electrifying music on the blues/jazz/rock/jam band circuit in the past ten years, playing an average of 300 live dates a year. Luckily I caught them in 2009 before they broke up. A live version of one of the songs from their album Rocket Number 9, this tale of the perils of cocaine and heroin use has a groove that won't quit.

Billy Bragg - “Wrong Star”: Billy Bragg is what Phil Ochs would sound like if he had been born in the UK and come of age in the punk era. He's an incredibly earnest, left-leaning songwriter who skewers people across the political spectrum. Bragg has created an impressive body of work over his long career that combines social awareness with spare arrangements and great song hooks.

Buzzcocks - “Jerk”: One of my favorite bands ever, they mix punk speed and energy with an unerring sense of pop melody and hook-laden love songs. Since their initial run from 1976 to 1981, they've broken up and reformed several times. This is from their 2003 EP of the same name. One of my best memories of my early punk days was seeing them at the Bradford Hotel Ballroom in '81. Everyone who was anyone in the Boston underground music scene was there, singing along and dancing ecstatically in this lavish ballroom like we were at a punk rock prom.

Gil Scott-Heron - “Me and the Devil”: The godfather of rap goes electronic in this haunting, ultra-cool cover of proto-bluesman Robert Johnson's tale of his encounter with the prince of darkness.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - “Conscience Killer”: Yes, they've moved beyond their noise merchant origins to often incorporate a more American roots music sound. This song, from the 2010 album Beat the Devil's Tattoo, is still rollicking enough with its fuzzed-out guitars and shout-out choruses to be included in the video game Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit.

The Wiyos - “Dying Crapshooter's Blues”: For my money one of the best bands on the “oldternative” circuit. The Wiyos, named after a 19th century New York City street gang, put out great recordings (I have them all) but their live show is not to be missed (I've seen them three times). They play American roots music with a fervor like few others, with a mix of covers and originals that range from hillbilly swing, blues, New Orleans jazz, to contemporary elements like beat-boxing. Covering Blind Willie McTell's classic in this live version, vocalist Michael Farkas' harmonica plays a mournful dirge and the band's harmonies reverberate like a Greek chorus.