MIX AND MATCH - HALLOWEEN 2009 EDITION +

I’m talkin’ film first, scroll down if you just want the mix.

Welcome. Y’all see Paranormal Activity yet? I thought it was refreshingly low key, eerie, spook horror. The difference between this and The Blair Witch Project, which I also quite enjoyed, is that this comes upon a different era. With technology today, audiences can see pretty much everything, so what better way to touch a nerve than to do it the old fashioned way – building tension, dragging suspense, suspending belief, and by making a hidden threat which could be anywhere at any time. What’s more important, I think, is that it kicked Saw VI’s ass (the lowest any of them have opened), thus proving that real people DON’T GIVE A SHIT about Saw films at Halloween, they just want something scary. Sorry, Lionsgate, competition will kill that increasingly baffling franchise’s hold on October. I have to highly recommend another few titles:

Assassination of a High School President is a high school noir-comedy that comes off like Brick with attitude. And Bruce Willis. And Micha Barton. And fantastic newcomer Reece Thompson. Sure, it’s got nothing appearing to be horror related, but it’s whip smart, raunchy, hilarious, and fantastic. That’s for every time of the year, folks. It’s completely better than you expect, trust me. The film got raves at Sundance last year, but was purchased by a company that folded soon after. At least Sony got it on DVD for people to discover, and I BEG you to do so.

Drag Me To Hell is scary. Funny, too. I’ve seen it three times, and it still gets me to jump occasionally, as well as laugh. It’s a total Blu-ray showcase, too, play it LOUD.

Trick r’ Treat is an interlinked anthology of Halloween stories written and directed by Mike Dougherty. It was unfairly manhandled by Warner Brothers, who could have had a great Halloween hit and franchise if they had released it opposite Saw V last year as planned. Instead? It gets dumped straight to video about two weeks ago. It’s constantly surprising and unpredictable, and is totally clever with how the stories relate to each other. CHECK IT OUT. It’s brilliant entertainment.

And Murder Party is a small budget horror-comedy from a few years back that’s garnering a cult following, which if you haven’t discovered should become a new Halloween annual viewing. If I can get just one person to discover it, I’m satisfied.

THE MIX

I’ve decided to do holiday theme mixes. So there. Really, what better (and easier) holiday to start with than Halloween? Horror is synonymous with METAL. There’s 80% of the mix right there. This probably isn’t for everyone, needless to say. HOWEVER, at least look at the sequential storytelling I’ve laid out. I organized the tracks not by sound, but by title. I stretched it a bit (okay, a lot) but see if you can follow.

THE LINK

http://www.filefactory.com/file/a066aa9/n/MIX_N_MATCH-HALLOWEEN09_rar

01 - Portishead - Scorn

He's angry with the world...

My favorite remix. Maybe ever.

02 - Children of Bodom - Tie My Rope

Can’t take it anymore...

Metal with a keytar! A KEYTAR!

03 - Queens of the Stone Age - Hangin’ Tree

Where he hung it...

Mark Lanegan really delivers one disturbing song.

04 - Gravediggaz - 1-800-Suicide

Please call...

From the amazingly titled album Niggamortis comes this 90s classic. Initially discovered during Tales From the Crypt: Demon Knight when I was younger. I really respect the lyrical madness now.

05 - Ghost Machine - Headstone

Sitting above his head...

Singer’s currently in a band called Five Finger Death Punch, previously in a band called Motograter. All of this means nothing to you. I really love this intro.

06 - Mudvayne - Death Blooms

His body disintegrates...

A math-metal masterpiece.

07 - Genuflect - Devil Dance

They celebrate his torture...

Singer and guitarist from a nu-metal outfit called Reveille, who were better than their genre. This continues their sound but adds some much needed depth.

08 - Marilyn Manson - I Have To Look Up Just To See Hell (Alternate Version)

He falls deeper into the depths of the underworld...

I think acoustic Manson is far more interesting these days than heavy Manson these days. Thus, I prefer this alternate, stripped version.

09 - Pantera - Cowboys From Hell

They ride him back to earth...

One of my top metal favorites.

10 - The Agony Scene - Scars of Your Disease

He's disfigured...

Heavy, HEAVY, stuff. The band sounds like pure evil produced by the gods themselves. The band, oddly, look rather plain.

11 - Poison the Well - Crystal Lake

Is where he's moved...

Band doesn’t sound like this anymore. I like what they’ve become, but I love revisiting what they were, none better for me than this Friday the 13^th nod.

12 - Lamb of God - Contractor

His new job...

The only band to even come close to replicating the feeling I got when I first discovered Pantera. They’ve become progressively more mainstream in the metal world, but all for the better production values.

13 - American Head Charge - Americunt Evolving Into Useless Psychic Garbage

He goes insane...

Sadly, the band separated with their singer about two months back (though with plans to soldier on without him), and this was after the tragic death of one of their guitarists about two years before that. Astounding title aside, this song is guaranteed to get me amped. Loved this band for years.

14 - Brokencyde - Schitzo

His psyche breaks...

Crunkcore -- though likely not Christian this time around!!! I’ll probably be done with this genre rather quickly, but it’s oddly enjoyable in spurts. This song is scary, plain and simple.

15 - White Zombie - Grease Paint and Monkey Brains (Sin Centers of Suburbia Mix)

His diet...

Yessssss. Creepy ass remix. Takes away a bunch of the heaviness, but leaves the impact. Also, that moaning...what’s that about?

16 - Louis XIV - Stalker

Is what he turns into...

One of the all time creepiest songs. Ever. Sounds pleasant, almost like innocent infatuation...but listen to it. It’s not. At all.

17 - Tech N9ne feat Irv Da Phenom and Krizz Kaliko - Hunterish

He's very hunter-ish...

Some dizzying speed lyrically. Kansas City’s pride. He is incredible. His friends are pretty great too.

18 - Lupe Fiasco feat Sarah Green - Intruder Alert

He's inside the house...

Another extremely disturbing lyric, though I believe with the objective of being provocative and shedding light on something others would shy away from. Either way...yikes.

19 - Slipknot - Scream

Is what you'll do...

A b-side from their Rick Rubin sessions, which just happens to be one of my favorites of theirs.

20 - The Prodigy - Take Me To the Hospital

Because he put you there.

What better way to end than with this title? Awesome song, but I also work at a hospital! See?? And I’ll be there on Halloween to see all the freaks come out! Should be a blast.

Boo.

Comment. Have a good holiday.
-M

MIX AND MATCH VOL. 6

Joyful joyful, we adore...me? I don’t want to assume that every time I post a mix, y’all bleed from the eyes in happiness...but don’t you? I mean, really, this is golden. I’m golden. My ears are receptors for what is GOOD. However, this mix is dubbed...

Something for everybody/Something for nobody

That’s what I’m writing on my CD, though I imagine you could write that about all of them so far. I burn all of these in hindsight, seeing how they flow (or don’t) and what songs I didn’t need to share. This one I’m listening to for pleasure, as I’m pretty sure it’ll flow from style and genre fairly well. Doesn’t mean it’ll be your style -- but trust me, it’s good.

THE LINK

http://www.filefactory.com/file/a0g5113/n/MIX_N_MATCH6_rar

Don’t forget to seek out the artists and support them if you enjoy the music as much as I do.

THE NOTES

1 Hockey - Learn To Lose

Funky disco rhythm, electro-garage feel. Totally awesome, and we’re starting off happy and fun, obviously.

2 fun. - All the Pretty Girls

Even happier! This is ELO. All the way. I’ve always liked ELO, so any band that’s giving a nod is alright with me. This is a joint between Nate Ruess from The Format and Jack Antonoff from Steel Train (also some guy from Anathallo). Bands you’ve likely not heard of, but who cares.

3 Discovery - I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend

Full on electro-fun now. Another joint product featuring members of Ra Ra Riot and Vampire Weekend, which are both great. This sounds nothing like either of their respective bands, but it’s so groovy.

4 Hot Leg - Cocktails

Hot Leg is showing up on another mix, mostly because I can’t get the song out of memory once I stumble on it again. This is The Darkness, obviously, and only this band could make a song with a chorus of "Cooooooock, CoOoOoOck - cock, cock, cocktails." Amazing. Justin Hawkins is fantastic, I don’t care what anyone thinks.

5 Dropping Daylight - Lucy

This band may be defunct now, as their album came out three years ago and I can’t find any current info. The singer/pianist Sebastian is really talented, and he ends up coming off like Ben Folds playing with a rock band. It’s better than I made that sound. His voice is a lot stronger than Ben’s, though not as unique. This is from their debut EP, as I think it’s a better recording than their album.

6 Lupe Fiasco - Fire

Okay, so the segway into hip-hop wasn’t so smooth, but this manages to rock too. I don’t know if anything is really memorable that Lupe is saying, but when the Hendrix beat is this strange and fantastic, who really cares? This isn’t a good single, but this is an absolute banger for the car. If there’s someone more pretentious and talented than Kanye West, it’s Lupe.

7 Drake - Forever (Feat Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Eminem)

Now THIS is a GREAT single. Drake appears again, though this time he brought along some big heavyweights. Drake sounds awesome, Kanye’s verse is alright, Wayne’s is okay...but then Eminem comes along. This is a guy who doesn’t really do collabs on other peoples’ albums, but somehow it happened here, and it’s awesome. His flow is unique and against the beat, his rhymes are amazing, and one has to wonder where this stuff was on his OWN album. He turns the track up to another level entirely. Hear to believe.

8 T-Pain - Take Your Shirt Off

I don’t know if auto-tune is dead yet. There’s something about T-Pain, man. Dude’s grown on me, and I think it’s his sense of humor that’s started to win me over. When someone like Madonna uses auto-tune, I want to vomit into her mouth, but when Pain does it, it’s actually GOOD. It’s his style, not his crutch or his gimmick. Maybe he realized his influence on music became a gimmick, and decided to prove his talent by showing how much better he does it. Dude is talented, undeniably, even as a producer. Just listen.

9 Wale - Strings

Wale’s album is finally coming out after about two years of hype. There are a LOT of tracks out there, a bunch of great mixtapes. And the material I’m hearing from his album is, well, underwhelming. Maybe it’s because the guy devoted an entire mixtape to Seinfeld, but I’ve been dying to hear this thing for far too long. So, instead of one of those, I’ll give you one of my favorites from his early days.

10 Family Force 5 - Rip It Up

Maybe one of my favorite songs of the decade. It’s not much in the way of substance, but it’s a sound that I really connect with, and I think it’s amazingly produced. The group is – get this – a Christian crunkcore band. It’s taking pop and hip-hop music and...I dunno, singing and sometimes screaming? All with positive lyrics, too! I don’t really care if they’re a Christian band or not, they rock. This is a great segway into their tourmates...

11 Breathe Carolina - I Have To Go Return Some Videotapes

Wonderful title. Aside from that, the song’s pretty interesting too. More crunkcore! I’m not sure what to make of this, but I’m enjoying it for the time being.

12 Lovedrug - Fake Angels

We’re slowing it down here. Michael Shepard is one of my favorite singers today, however it’s from an album which feels inferior to their previous work. This song, however, is one of their finest. Go figure.

13 Manchester Orchestra - I’ve Got Friends

A buzz band at the moment, this song is good evidence. I’ve only skimmed the rest of their material thus far, but this song is alt-rock greatness. I’d assume they have to be good beyond this.

14 Psychostick - Scrotal Torment

Humorcore. Maybe the weirdest metal band I’ve heard. Their lyrics often involve having conversations between each other, occasionally they’ll just be a joke. Know what? They’re great musicians, too. They have two albums, both of which are hilarious. You’ve gotta be in the mood, though. They do a mean cover of The Hokey Pokey which you should track down. Hell, it’ll hit a mix soon.

15 Mudvayne - Beautiful and Strange

It’s not top quality, but I had to post it. They have a new album in December. I can’t understand why this band isn’t more popular than they are. They’ve got a following, but they’ve continually made good music, and each album sounds completely different. I don’t think anyone could hear the beginning of this track and not be impressed. Strange, beautiful. Heavy and melodic. Mudvayne.

16 White Lies - The Price of Love

Opening for Kings of Leon currently, and they really shook me playing live. Their album doesn’t quite hit the same magic, and it’s partially because of the production quality. Songs are great, though. I expect this UK band to progress greatly, and this song is my favorite on their debut album.

17 Mark Kozelek - Metropol 47

The lead singer for The Red House Painters (which I think is done) and Sun Kil Moon (which is great). Turn this up loud in your car. Let those acoustics surround you. Sink right on in. Best not when you’re sleepy.

18 The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition

This Austrailian group’s single is featured prominently in (500) Days of Summer (on DVD December 22nd), a really great movie and probably the biggest indie success of the summer. It’s great film music. This song has been on the UK top 40 for a while now, and I think it’s about time it started doing the same here.

19 David Cook - Permanent

Not the most popular American Idol alumn, but this song is extremely strong material, and he's impressed me. Great lyrics, and really minimal in terms of arrangement. His voice is stellar, more so on things where it’s the forefront, like this.

20 Joseph-Gordon Levitt - Live On the Moon

You know him. That actor. From (500) Days of Summer (GET IT on DVD December 22nd). He doesn’t have the best voice, but I really love this cover of a Sesame Street favorite from my childhood. Surprisingly, the song still works really well, even when not sung by Jim Henson. Unsure where this came from.

21 Mrs. Miller - Strangers in the Night

Dooby-dooby-doo. If you haven’t heard of Mrs. Miller before, you’re totally missing out on one of the great entertainers of...well, some time. I don’t know who she is, I don’t know where she came from, but I DO know that her warble is infamous. Play her for someone. Their laughter and befuddlement is quite enjoyable.

Comment. Love me.

-M

MIX AND MATCH VOL. 4...and 5!!!!

I’ve been trying to get this compiled for SO long that I found enough tracks to slap together two volumes. Pop these into your burning program, and you have 160 minutes-ish of pure M. As always, comments welcomed and demanded.

THE MIX LINKS!

http://www.filefactory.com/file/ah66e06/n/MIX_N_MATCH_4_rar

http://www.filefactory.com/file/ah66f8d/n/MIX_N_MATCH_5_rar

Remember just scroll down to download with FileFactory basic for free, enter the security code, and viola. Burn, and enjoy. Don’t forget to track down the artists if you love the music like I do.

My notes for this mix:

01 Jib Kidder - Windowdipper

This is just a quirky sample-fest which is wonderfully mixed together. Way to start things off, me! Thanks, myself.

02 Florence and the Machine - Kiss With a Fist

Has there been a song this catchy all year? I’m not really sure. This is 2 minutes of bliss. It’s worth mentioning that this is a front runner for a top five album of the year. Just brilliant.

03 Jay-Z - Off that (Feat. Drake)

This is molten hot. DON’T SLEEP on this Jay-Z guy. This guy could be big. Timbaland has crafted another bomb track with my favorite of his collaborators. That hook? That’s Drake again. Drake is EVERYWHERE! Seriously! You’ll see him again on this mix! And the next one!

04 Mammal - Clear Enough?

This is intensity that turns into melody. This UK band recently got signed to minor-major label Bieler Brothers, and it sounds as if I’d enjoy them live. They don’t sound like Rage Against the Machine, but I feel some sort of similar air when I hear them.

05 We Were Promised Jetpacks - It’s Thunder and It’s Lightning

The name of this band always makes me smile for some reason, and I rather hate bands with cute names like this. Heavy buzz on these Scottish gents. You can hear why. The accent’s a bit thick for my taste, but the song works.

06 Spinnerette - All Babes Are Wolves

Queens of the Stone Age fans can be tided over with this female counterpart (which recruits once-members of Queens, oddly enough). Chick fuckin’ ROCKS, she’s the former frontwoman for The Distillers, who I never became a fan of. I may have to go back and listen again.

07 Melanie Fiona - Walk On By

Old school swagger, new school production. She’s really, really talented. AWESOME Motown sample which I can’t quite pick out. Temptations? Miracles? Anyway, her album is extremely good, and is released in the US this fall. It’s currently available in the UK.

08 Krizz Kaliko - Genius

Straight outta Kansas City! Represent, Missouri! This guy has a lot in common with fellow KC native Tech N9ne, but he’s got a style of his own. And while HE may not actually be a genius, the album is pretty solid, and this track is brilliantly produced. If rappers are going to use studio tricks and change their voices, they should take note and do it like this.

09 Depeche Mode - Come Back

Sounds of the Universe is holding as my favorite album of the year, and this track is the one that’s been in my mind lately. Seriously, this album is criminally underrated. This band has completely reinvented themselves while being instantly recognizable once that voice kicks in, and one listen to this track can tell you a lot. The disc is moody, dark, deep, and has a full, textured sound. It’s an album with substance and heart.

10 Collective Soul - Lighten Up

While Collective Soul haven’t exactly reinvented themselves with their new self-titled disc, they appear to have woken up from a really, really long coma. It’s got it’s flaws, but the album is chock full of the stuff that made them a 90s staple – sweet guitar licks, Ed’s unique voice in full force, and hooks galore.

11 Here We Go Magic - Ahab

Again, stupid name. I discovered Jetpacks and Magic when I accidently re-subscribed to eMusic. I know, how does this happen? But I took advantage and checked out some of their editor picks. This song is amazing.

12 Chipmunk - Diamond Ring

Can you ignore this? Not a chance. I initially found the track annoying, but then listened to it more closely. Big fan now. This is a UK ode to bragging about bling, which is kinda refreshing.

13 Diane Birch - Fire Escape

Neo-soul, folksy, wonderful voice. I don’t know if anything on the album is as good as this, but it’s great stuff.

14 The Damnwells - Soundtrack

One of my very, very favorite bands. I wish they’d get the recognition, as I doubt that fame would even remotely impact their talent. They have three albums and a bunch of digital EP tracks, and they’ve created a fantastic catalogue. Some of the best songwriting I’ve ever discovered, and the singer’s voice is mesmerizing.

15 Quarashi - No Frontin’ (feat. Opee and YKZ)

Icelandic rap! This band had two national albums, plus a few in their native country (where they were quite popular) before they recently disbanded. Beastie Boys + jazz + alternative rock. Not for everyone, but they can do it for me. This is a b-side from their final album that I just recently found, and it’s better than most of the stuff on there.

16 Pink - It’s All Your Fault

Sorry, Pink, it MIGHT be your fault too! It’s your fault that I like heart-on-sleeve-female-pop-rock, bitch. Another great song from her, I think her voice gets better with each album.

17 Ciara - Like a Surgeon

Ciara can operate on me anytime she’d like. Smooth and electric at the same time.

18 Jace Everett - Burn For You

So Bad Things is his theme from True Blood, which you can hear a different version of on each of the three albums he’s put out. The first two albums are a little more country-Chris Isaak, but this latest one is some awesome experimental shit.

19 The Dead Weather - Hang You From the Heavens

Jack White’s OTHER other side project, featuring a singer from The Kills. Love him or hate him, Jack sure can play, and he’s defined his own sound unlike any artist in recent memory.

20 Jet - Black Hearts (On Fire)

These Aussies are growing up a bit, and getting away from simple, 70s staple rock. That’s not totally apparent here, but their latest album sounds as influenced by The Clash as it does The Rolling Stones. This is a first listen favorite, though.

21 Left Side Brain - Colloblast

Just gnaw on that riff for a bit.

22 Drake - Best I Ever Had

Probably the dumbest chorus/hook you can imagine (you’d think it was will.i.am), but the rest of the song is so good that you can kinda overlook that. The radio edit of the song actually, oddly, sounds more natural.

and

01 Mellowdrone - Big Winner

I can’t even begin to describe Mellowdrone. Sonic waves appear out of nowhere when the chorus hits, and it’s hypnotic.

02 The Swell Season - In These Arms

If you aren’t totally pysched about Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova’s first album of all original material since their debut, get there. Their debut, and the albums from Glen’s band The Frames, both include songs that were reinterpreted for the Once soundtrack. This is the first track I’ve found from it, and it’s every bit as beautiful and memorable as what they’ve previously done

03 The Black Crowes - I Ain’t Hidin’

Southern rock meets disco? I’m not entirely sure how I really feel about this first single from the Crowes new double-disc set, but it’s sort of interesting in repeat listens.

04 Kings of Leon - Pistols of Fire (Mark Ronson remix)

Rather than pimp and milk the same shit from their extremely overrated recent disc, I’d much rather showcase this remix found on one of the singles from said album, this song having come from one of their amazing first two releases. It’s no mystery that I adore Ronson’s stuff, but to take a country-rock ditty and turn it into some sort of southern soul blast is just awesome.

05 Amanda Blank - Lemme Get Some (feat.Chuck Inglish)

This is a collaborator of Santigold, which is easy to hear. However, Amanda’s disc is just as genre expansive, and ultimately more dance-accessible than Santi’s. I love the beat for this.

06 Major Lazer - Hold the Line (feat. Mr.Lex and Santigold)

I figured I’d follow that with a track featuring Santi. You know, for symmetry. Major Lazer is OUT there, but I sure do like this song.

07 Mute Math - Backfire

If you’re not familiar with the band, I’d describe it as Sting fronting a modern band...like, if he were cryogenically frozen when The Police still rocked, and they woke him up today. If you can’t hear the Sting here, you’re deaf.

08 Ari Hest - Back End Driving

You know the pre-movie mix you can hear in the lobby and the bathroom at AMC? Maybe still in some theaters too. That’s where I heard a few bars of this, and had to loiter to find out who it was. I honestly haven’t even given the album a chance yet, but I knew within a few bars that this song was great.

09 Wiley - Off the Radar

Heavy accent, heavy beat, heavy cool. I don't think an artist like this could ever quite converge to America, but he's certainly trying.

10 Jessie James - Bullet

Is this really country music? Because if so, I’m not really sure what country music really is anymore. It’s twangy, but it’s sung and produced as a pop record.

11 Scott Matthew - Abandoned

I discovered this guy on the soundtrack for John Cameron Mitchell’s Shortbus, and his heavenly warble just enchanted me. It got me so much that I ponied up $30 to get a copy of his CD, which I believe still doesn’t have US distribution. I sold it back for most of the money, so it was no biggie, and it was worth it to discover that he had some other great tracks too.

12 Jordin Sparks - Let it Rain

The best criticism I hard for Jordin’s new album is that it’s pretty good, but I wish Kelly Clarkson were singing it. I couldn’t agree more with this. It doesn’t demean her talent in the least, she’s certainly got a voice, but she doesn’t have the right voice for THIS. Doesn’t mean the song isn’t good, though.

13 Gossip - Pop Goes the World

Rick Rubin puts his (once) great stamp on this modern disco group fronted by a 400 lb woman. Okay, she’s not that big, but she IS ugly, so that adds a few more pounds. I don’t think I like the CD, but I like this song a bunch.

14 The Rumble Strips - Running On Empty

Mark Ronson again. He produced this sophomore album from these UK gents. I found their CD really interesting at first listen, but in repetition wore out its welcome. This song hasn't, though.

15 St. Vincent - Actor Out Of Work

Another eMusic find which I ended up liking.

16 Jeremih - Birthday Sex

This song is so, so good. SO good. I don’t find a lot of love for modern RnB, but Jeremih (who can’t even spell Jeremy, the poor guy) has got something that the others don’t. Don’t know what. Song is smooth as silk.

17 David Gray - Fugitive

New album is coming soon, which is the first in...many years. This single doesn’t disappoint me for the wait.

18 Lissy Trullie - Ready For the Floor

This is a Hot Chip cover. I can’t stand Hot Chip, but I’m willing to admit that this is a good song when it’s interpreted by someone else on a piss poor soundtrack for a mediocre looking movie.

19 Juliette Lewis - Hard Lovin’ Woman

This was one of those DAAAAAAMN moments. I knew Juliet could sing, and I knew she fronted a "punk" band for a while, but I didn’t know she had THIS in her. This is some modern Janis Joplin shit. Ms. Lewis has soul! Who knew? Roadrunner records, apparently.

20 The Clipse - Eyes on Me (feat. Keri Hilson and Pharrell)

Once the hook kicks in, I’m sold on this song. The Clipse are one of the only good hip hop groups left, so I wish they’d hurry up and get this album out, lest we have to wait another four or five years like we did for the last one. It better be worth it like that one was, too.

21 Trey Songz - Successful (feat. Drake)

There’s Drake again! He’s going to have his own album one of these days, too. I believe this song may end up on both.

Th-th-th-th-th-th-that’s all, fucks! DOWNLOAD. BURN. COMMENT. I ain’t doin’ this for myself...okay, yes I am, but it’s ultimately for the pleasure of others. Which I enjoy. Just not as much as my own.

-M

MIX AND MATCH VOL.3

If you don’t care about my babble, scroll down and you’ll find the download link to the mix, and my liner notes. Enjoy!

It’s been a long while, I know. For those who may oddly check this page frequently hoping for a new post, I can only say you may get lucky. You did this time! As for the time off, I’ve been settling into a new full-time hospital job for a month now, which is going fantastic. Before that I was laid off for three months, so this is a huge change. The reality of the situation is questioning what I want to do with myself. Stalled with college. Writing just isn’t a passion anymore, and I don’t know why that is. The film passion is still there (I’m starting to write for the awesome www.reviewstl.com), and my love for music is strong, but there isn’t love in my life to prompt me, I’m not especially glowing with happiness, and there isn’t a whole lot of sadness either. So what prompts me today is anger.

Ah, yes, anger. That age old pastime. This evening, coming off a grueling eight-hour shift, and only a block from my house, I was gay-harassed. Not gaybashed, but taunted for being gay because of my tunes. Which is strange, because gay isn’t a trait of mine. As I’ve matured, I see nothing wrong with homosexuality in the least, and far be it me to judge something of which I am not. That’s a joke, but ideally? Come on, it’s a wonderful idea. Anyway, I think we all have a little gay in us, liking something that culture says "is for chicks" or "is for dudes" when we are indeed the opposite. In this case, it’s a ditty from Peaches. Who knows what way Peaches swings, but she does it with filth. So I’m stopping at a red light, windows down, sunroof open, and it’s a lovely night. A car pulls up and I’m yelled at by a passenger, so I turn it down. He then speaks in what I assume was his attempt at retard, however he must have just seen Justin Bartha in Gigli, because this was just awful. At any rate, there are two girls in the front, two guys in the back (handjobs, likely) and the faux-tard told me they were having a pizza party at his house, with extra large sausage. This went on and on, I stopped listening. It was really, really lame. The driver leaned over and mouthed that she was sorry. I was too, honey, because associating with this type of person will only get you raped. The light changed, we parted ways. It was lovely.

Can we just not judge people? I know it’s not possible to completely turn that part of us off, but why can’t we DO that? These kids looked old enough to know better. I’m listing to a jammin’ pop tune, unwinding, and why should it be any concern of yours who the fuck I am, what the fuck I do, and what the fuck I’m listening to? Just having a little fun...FUCK THAT. I’m 28, I’ve grown out of this bullshit. I like boobs. A LOT. I also like vaginas. There is no protocol that says I can’t listen to Beyonce while enjoying those, and it’s of no concern except to the parties involved. A and B conversation, C you next Tuesday. I think my taste in music is just fucking wonderful. It’s a roadmap of the spectrum of sound. From gay-as-hell to heavy-as-hell, and all in-between. So to those bags-of-fuck in the back of that shitty Explorer, and their twat-hole girlfriends in the front, suck my cunt, eat a dick, and jam this mix up your fucking ass.

THE MIX LINK! http://www.filefactory.com/file/ahb8f2d/n/MIX_N_MATCH_3_rar

Remember just scroll down to download with FileFactory basic for free, enter the security code, and viola. Burn, and enjoy. Don’t forget to track down the artists if you love the music like I do.

Pump it loud in the car, too. No classics this time, just new shit I love. My notes for this mix:

01 Peaches - Talk To Me (from the I Feel Cream LP)

The song that caused a ruckus tonight. Pop music is best when interpreted by someone as strange as Peaches. This is a surprisingly clean moment from her, and from her wailing question to the vibrating beat, this is a surefire win to get you bouncin’, no matter what sex you dig.

02 Band of Skulls - I Know What I Am (from the Baby Darling Doll Face Honey LP)

Appropriate? Sure thing. I DO know who I am, and perhaps if I had been pumping this track from a band that’s half White Stripes and half Franz Ferdinand, they would have kept quiet and assumed I was cooler. Well, I am cool, and therefore I love, love, LOVE this song. Stupid and catchy, giving me a little Ting Tings vibe.

03 Jay-Z - D.O.A. (Death of Autotune) (rom the upcoming Blueprint 3 LP)

Thank you, Jigga. If there’s one thing in pop music I really have had enough of, it’s the autotune. Or rather, the aggressive use of autotune. It’s not talent, and when you filter someone with vocal ability (like, say, Jamie Foxx or T-Pain) or someone who can flow (like Lil Wayne or Kanye West, who oddly enough produced this track), it often ends up sounding ridiculous. And if there’s one guy who can put the nail in it, it’s the world’s most prolific and enviable rapper. Amen.

04 Dredg - I Don’t Know (from The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion LP)

This band has been rather under the radar for a number of years (though not without a following), and with each release manages to move away from progressive rock and toward mainstream music. They’ve found a unique sound that is growing more and more accessible. With this song, or a track like Light Switch, they could break thru a bit more if given the chance. The chorus floats, the bridge soars, and the track gets better with each listen. They are exceptionally awesome live, bringing out instruments you’ve never seen before, and enthralling you.

05 Alphabeat - Fascination (from the This Is Alphabeat LP)

This UK import starts like a Footloose dance party, and jumps into a lovely duet with a bouncy piano and a hook that won’t leave your brain. Sadly, the rest of the album is just a bit too happy for me, but this track is amazing.

06 Phoenix - 1901 (from the Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix LP)

French gods. They’ve suddenly appeared on places like Saturday Night Live. WTF? To go from underground, indie music into...well, more of the same, and then to suddenly explode onto a show which gains them millions of virgin, potential fans is mind boggling. Probably for them, too. Though this doesn’t touch anything off of their second album for me, this song is as memorable and catchy as anything they’ve done before. Bravo.

07 Drake and Lykke Li - Little Bit (Remix) (from the So Far Gone mixtape)

What’s that? Who is Drake? Drake is awesome, that’s who he is. I know that didn’t answer your question, but it’s all that can be said. He sings, he raps, he likes indie music. He’s all around great, and he should be everywhere pretty soon with Best I Ever Had. And while that song’s pretty great, this one does it for me more. Lykke’s babydoll vocals mix so, so well with Drake’s low tone, and the result is a fantastic revision of a great song.

08 The Veronicas - Untouched (from the Hook Me Up LP)

More of that gay stuff I listen to. This is one of my favorite pop songs of last year, and now that the album’s been re-released, and this tune has sorta blown up, it may just be my favorite of this year as well.

09 Killswitch Engage - I Would Do Anything (from the self-titled LP)

Don’t like metal? Skip this one. I do in doses, and this song rocks.

10 Adam Lambert - A Change Is Gonna Come (from the iTunes American Idol tracks)

UH, GAY????? My favorite performance of Adam’s through the Idol season, and quite simply one amazing fucking vocal whether you get him or not. Oh, and the song’s pretty good, too. It’s kinda in the top five best soul songs of all time.

11 Dizzee Rascal - Dance With Me (from the upcoming LP)

If you can’t tell, he’s British. After a few years of rockin’ the UK, and getting some major critical acclaim across the pond here, it’s looking like Dizzee is making a play for our clubs and radiowaves. I’m not a clubber, but if DJ’s aren’t spinning the shit out of this, they better start. This is a fire waiting to ignite.

12 Daughtry - Poker Face (from some radio station somewhere, most likely)

Daughtry must be a HUGE fag. He listens to that Lady GaGa? She oozes gay! All kidding aside, who really could have guessed that annoying po-po-po song could actually sound kinda awesome sung acoustically by a guy? Even more baffling is that the most annoying parts of the song don’t sound anywhere near annoying here.

13 Green Day - Christian’s Inferno (from the 21^st Century Breakdown LP)

What initially sounded to me like "Christmas and Valium" is, in fact, something not at all that.. I think 21^st Century Breakdown is good, and Know Your Enemy is a great single, but it’s this song that reminded me of the band I grew up with.

14 Foals - Cassius (from the Antidotes LP)

Walking a fine line between annoying and addictive is kinda where Foals lives. I’ll admit freely that this may not be your cup of tea, and that’s cool, but this is speedy garage-indie, and it’s grown on me like a fungus.

15 Daniel Merriweather - Cigarettes (from the Love and War LP)

I quit smoking a few months shy of two years ago, and this song really makes me wish I still had it in me. Not really, the song isn’t about smoking, but it’s just a cool, sad track that makes me reminisce about things from the past. I heard this initially as a short demo, basically the same song here before it picks up. I think it’s a great addition by producer Mark Ronson, and I think Merriweather has one of the best and most unique voices I’ve yet heard. May their fame continue to grow.

16 The Dear Hunter - In Cauda Venenum (from the Act III: Life and Death LP)

What does that title mean? No clue. What I DO know is that this band is a recent discovery of mine who don’t really sound like anybody. Progressive, certainly, and this song in particular reminds me of when I used to enjoy The Mars Volta. It’s not for everybody, it’s theatrical, Spanish sounding, and chaotic, but it makes my brain stand to attention.

17 Ne-Yo - Part of the List (from the Year of the Gentleman LP)

For my money, Ne-Yo’s as close to a perfect R&B star as it gets today. His albums grow increasingly better, and his singles more outstanding. I like how this blends a bit of folk into the rhythm.

18 Paloma Faith - Stone Cold Sober (from the upcoming LP)

Have no idea where this came from, but I know she’s from the UK and this is 2009's Rehab.

19 P.O.S. - Let It Rattle (from the Never Better LP)

I like brainy hip-hop sometimes, and especially when it works the speakers like this one dows. It’s a slow builder, but it’s lyrically dynamic, and it really explodes.

20 Escala - Finding Beauty (from the self-titled LP)

This is one of the runner-ups from 2008's Britain’s Got Talent, an attractive quartet of violinists. Most of the songs on their debut album are covers of various songs, but this one didn’t sound familiar to me. This is the slowest thing on the mix, and what better way to end it than with a track as pretty as this.

Comment, let me know thoughts

-M