The third B-day mix: Or how I learned how to tap Alt Nation from the past year along with random "oldies" with smashing success

I love making mixes for friends and family, deftly maneuvering (and muscling for rank) and transferring from genre to genre in anticipation of what the loved one would enjoy hearing.  And thus another year has come and gone and its time to document the new mix for my sister.   Each new mix is a labor of love that is hand tailored to what i think she'll enjoy with her family.  The last few mixes have each stayed in her car for about a year each and they'll discover songs throughout the whole year and tell me which one's Jack, Sam and now the Noah loves/(or which one's my sister uses to tease them! Like one that had a Sam and Libby...eww girls :) Also, its fun knowing that the lil one's know these really random awesome songs by heart.  For some reason this tradition is strongest with my sister, but i think Matt and Nate would enjoy these mixes too :)  Hence the early release since Nate's birthday was a week ago...

Also this really is a year long process... whenever i hear a sweet song, one of my initial thoughts is "should this be on the mix?"... true story.  Although, nowadays i get to share them individually through facebook, so some of the songs from this year won't be new to her, about half will be...

Also, since technology and the internet has advanced so much over the years, i have to mention that this mix can be enjoyed in my new Spotify playlist.  Its far easier than clicking all my links.

And thus it begins:

     Artist:                      Song:

1:  Grouplove                Tongue Tied

     Figured i'd start out with a catchy tune, its got the makings of everything this mix stands for... "best       friends house" for the youngin's and it rocks!

2:  The Hives                 Try it Again

     I love The Hives, they are pure fun modern punk.  Its simple, but high energy great stuff.  They are one of the best "the" bands to come out of the early 2000's (along with The Strokes, The White Stripes... unlike the Vines)

3:  Cults                          Go Outside

    How can this not make you smile...its got a xylophone for cryin out loud.  Its joyful indie pop at its finest.  Also, its a great summertime theme... "going outside" n such :)

4:  Wolfgang                   The King and All of His Men

     Another power-pop alt-nation fueled song.  It sounds so modern, yet so 80's.  If you don't like it...you can shove it, but you don't like it... you love it.

5:  M83                            Midnight City

     This was one of the biggest songs from last year...and for good reason, its a good one to turn up loud and enjoy in the car.  (potential for her jogging mix? Peut etra) 

6:  St. Vincent                  Cruel

     Recently discovered this one, its got this oldschool french romantic sounding intro, throw in some synth-pop and you got something special.

7:  Youth Lagoon             Afternoon

     I think this guys from Idaho, whoda though?  Low fi indie pop in its most cute and precious form.  A delight.

8:  Neon Indian                Polish Girl

     If there is a theme to this year's mix, it is the new wave movement with the recèpe of 1/4 techno, 1/4 alt rock and 1/2 indie.  This fits that bill.  Its a fun genre.

9:  Tennis                         Origins

     One of my favorite new songs.  Its got soul and 50's pop sensibilities wrapped in a modern package.

10: Hospitality                 Friend of a Friend

     One of the newer songs on the mix... its just so catchy, i couldn't resist.

11:  Kraftwerk                 The Model

       I learned of this far too late in life for my likeing.  It is just so perfect, in fact when i heard it on the radio, i thought it was new and was shocked to hear it was from the late 70's.  

12:  Electric Guest           This Head I Hold

       The secondary theme of the mix is the new school of soul (with Tennis).  This song oozes with style.

13:  Beirut                        Sante Fe

      Ok ok, back to indie.  This one hearkins back to the Sufjan Steven's song i had on the last mix.  Catchy beat and simple, yet has a style of its own.  (+ i always think San Jose when he sings Sante Fe)

14:  The Strokes               You Only Live Once

      This came out on my mission, and since it was the weakest of The Strokes's albums I skipped it until this year.  While the aforementioned conclusion is very much correct, there are "strokes" of genious contained on the album.  This song in particular quickly rose to be one of my favorite songs of all time.  The stripped down version is arguably better, but i love them both.

15:  Jonathan Coulton       Shop Vac

       While i love indie, I can't deny power pop... Fountains of Wayne being one of my favorite bands of all time.  This is the nerdy version of FOW.  Hilarious lyrics with unstoppable melodies and riffs.

16:  The Raveonettes        Aly Will You Walk With Me

       This song is just cool.  One can't deny that while listening to it, one is just ice cold.

17:  Sea Wolf                    Your a Wolf

       Fun to listen to, thats about it.

       

18:  Belle and Sebastian    For the Price of a Cup of Tea

       Life is a happy song.  And this is life.  So, smile... its Belle and Sebastian.

19:  Metric                         Help I'm Alive

       I resisted Metric for a while, after all, they are associated with Sparkly Vampires.  But turns out, they actually are pretty fun.  This song has lots of different parts that weave in and out with gusto.  Good Times

20:  The Hives                   Tick Tick Boom

       So this was going to be the last track, i think the song is hilarious with its title sequence of 7 "ticks".  Genius punk.

21: Metric                           London Halflife

      My favorite Metric song is far too short...

22  Kraftwerk                     The Robots

      Love it, Yoshimi would later fight this songs descendants...


If you liked this, please comment.  If you don't, please comment.  Though, don't comment if you didn't read and listen!   Please see last years mixes at

http://jameswickedawesomeblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/last-years-infinite-playlist.html

http://jameswickedawesomeblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/merenia-b-day-mix-2-revenge-of-kitty.html

Well thanks for listening/reading.  Can't wait for this years discoveries :)