For Your Listening Displeasure
We bought a second car not too long ago. Just needed something to make the wife’s commute, which cuts between neighborhoods and sucks by bus, and the general kid-juggling easier. We found a little 91 Escort Pony with 80k miles on it for cheap enough, one that is so base-model it doesn’t have a passenger-side mirror. But, I love it. 5-speed stick, it’s like driving a go kart.
It also has a tape deck, unlike the spiffy new Mazda we got a couple years ago. All of our old cassettes have died or not made the cut during our multitudinous moves, so last week I did something I haven’t done in a long time. I made a mix tape.
I’ve made plenty of mixed CDs in recent years, but they are different. The demand is lower. You can play them shuffled, or skip around manually. But, with the mix tape, order matters. A lot.
Truth is, I never was particularly good at mix tapes. I’ve gotten lucky at times, and I know a good mix when I hear it, but for the most part I just don’t have the patience for the crafting.
And this most recent effort? Well, I believe I have made one of the crappiest mix tapes ever. Especially for a car-specific mix. It sucks.
And so I feel the need to share. I imagine there are at least two music-snobs out there, with varying levels of baldness, who will waste no time jumping in and diagnosing the problems. So, the mix, and my thoughts:
SIDE 1
Kik It, by Brooklyn Funk Essentials
As a first song, I’m actually somewhat satisfied with this choice. It is a relentlessly funky groove that demands chair-dancing. But, it sets a tone/pace that the rest of the mix can’t support.
Bring the Funk, by Ben Harper
I like Ben Harper just fine, but this song reveals its suckitude after just a few listens. Funky enough, in that Ben Harper way, but strictly bush league as a song. It never should have made the cut.
Do It For Free, G Love
I think Philadelphonic is a great album, I dig G Love’s rhythms and he sings better on this album than that first release would lead one to suspect he can. It is not awful, obviously an attempt to bridge funk to the next songs, but the transition is week.
The Fall of the World’s Own Optimist, Aimee Mann
I have a huge crush on Aimee Mann, and her music just simply appeals to me. Heavenly voice with woeful and hopeful lyrics. This song has been stuck in my head since Aimee shepherded me through writing for 14/48, with great crescendos and tiptoes. Satisfied with this selection.
Mellow Yellow, Donovan
Was I fucking high?
Romeo and Juliet, Dire Straits
I’m a closet Dire Straits fan. Love Knopfler and whoever he chooses to play with. This is a lovely song. But it is way too lovey-specific to be on a general car mix tape. I always skip it.
SIDE 2
Problems and Bigger Ones, Harvey Danger
This album has nostalgic resonance with me, but it sticks around because Sean Nelson can flat-out sing. I think this works as a first track, with a slow build into towering “foreswear what you undergo” and I always always sing with it.
Open Letter, John Popper
The only transition I’m really fond of in the mix. The songs progress in similar ways, though this down the blues/soul road instead of HD’s 90sIndyAltRockPop. I dig Popper’s voice, and he’s never written lyrics.
Whiskey Before Breakfast/Over the Waterfall, Leftover Salmon
So, why did I follow a beautiful spiritual song with Greatful-Dead-with-the-bluegrass-turned-to-11? Because I suck at mixed tapes. Didn’t I already tell you that? Leftover Salmon is fun enough, but I don’t know what I was thinking here.
Never Can Get Enough, London Funk Allstars
The album this comes from, Flesh Eating Disco Zombies vs The Bionic Hookers From Mars, is one of my all-timers. Great for roadtrips that demand trippiness. But, the electrofunk comes right outta left field here.
Can’t Find My Way Home, Blind Faith
“Short-lived supergroup” – that phrase tickles me. Otherwise, see “Mellow Yellow” above.
She Talks to Angels, Black Crowes
Every time I hear Chris Robinson sing, I think Kate Hudson is a bitch. I want his voice. Because his is that kind of soul voice that may not have the greatest range, but can produce the kinds of sounds soul demands and that other voices can only flaccidly approximate. This is a perfect car song, because it has to be played loud and you have to feel free to sing with wild abandon. Which I do. I imagine it is scary to witness. I’m fine with this closing a side.
So, there it is, my failure laid out for all to see. I’d like to say it sucks only because I was rushing it, but that isn’t it. I just don’t approach the task with the requisite care.
I’m better at happy accident. Like the fact that, on my laptop, in iTunes, when X’s Los Angeles ends, it segues into a Bill O’Reilly rant about rounding up and prosecuting critics of our Chimp In Chief. Now that’s a great transition.
It also has a tape deck, unlike the spiffy new Mazda we got a couple years ago. All of our old cassettes have died or not made the cut during our multitudinous moves, so last week I did something I haven’t done in a long time. I made a mix tape.
I’ve made plenty of mixed CDs in recent years, but they are different. The demand is lower. You can play them shuffled, or skip around manually. But, with the mix tape, order matters. A lot.
Truth is, I never was particularly good at mix tapes. I’ve gotten lucky at times, and I know a good mix when I hear it, but for the most part I just don’t have the patience for the crafting.
And this most recent effort? Well, I believe I have made one of the crappiest mix tapes ever. Especially for a car-specific mix. It sucks.
And so I feel the need to share. I imagine there are at least two music-snobs out there, with varying levels of baldness, who will waste no time jumping in and diagnosing the problems. So, the mix, and my thoughts:
SIDE 1
Kik It, by Brooklyn Funk Essentials
As a first song, I’m actually somewhat satisfied with this choice. It is a relentlessly funky groove that demands chair-dancing. But, it sets a tone/pace that the rest of the mix can’t support.
Bring the Funk, by Ben Harper
I like Ben Harper just fine, but this song reveals its suckitude after just a few listens. Funky enough, in that Ben Harper way, but strictly bush league as a song. It never should have made the cut.
Do It For Free, G Love
I think Philadelphonic is a great album, I dig G Love’s rhythms and he sings better on this album than that first release would lead one to suspect he can. It is not awful, obviously an attempt to bridge funk to the next songs, but the transition is week.
The Fall of the World’s Own Optimist, Aimee Mann
I have a huge crush on Aimee Mann, and her music just simply appeals to me. Heavenly voice with woeful and hopeful lyrics. This song has been stuck in my head since Aimee shepherded me through writing for 14/48, with great crescendos and tiptoes. Satisfied with this selection.
Mellow Yellow, Donovan
Was I fucking high?
Romeo and Juliet, Dire Straits
I’m a closet Dire Straits fan. Love Knopfler and whoever he chooses to play with. This is a lovely song. But it is way too lovey-specific to be on a general car mix tape. I always skip it.
SIDE 2
Problems and Bigger Ones, Harvey Danger
This album has nostalgic resonance with me, but it sticks around because Sean Nelson can flat-out sing. I think this works as a first track, with a slow build into towering “foreswear what you undergo” and I always always sing with it.
Open Letter, John Popper
The only transition I’m really fond of in the mix. The songs progress in similar ways, though this down the blues/soul road instead of HD’s 90sIndyAltRockPop. I dig Popper’s voice, and he’s never written lyrics.
Whiskey Before Breakfast/Over the Waterfall, Leftover Salmon
So, why did I follow a beautiful spiritual song with Greatful-Dead-with-the-bluegrass-turned-to-11? Because I suck at mixed tapes. Didn’t I already tell you that? Leftover Salmon is fun enough, but I don’t know what I was thinking here.
Never Can Get Enough, London Funk Allstars
The album this comes from, Flesh Eating Disco Zombies vs The Bionic Hookers From Mars, is one of my all-timers. Great for roadtrips that demand trippiness. But, the electrofunk comes right outta left field here.
Can’t Find My Way Home, Blind Faith
“Short-lived supergroup” – that phrase tickles me. Otherwise, see “Mellow Yellow” above.
She Talks to Angels, Black Crowes
Every time I hear Chris Robinson sing, I think Kate Hudson is a bitch. I want his voice. Because his is that kind of soul voice that may not have the greatest range, but can produce the kinds of sounds soul demands and that other voices can only flaccidly approximate. This is a perfect car song, because it has to be played loud and you have to feel free to sing with wild abandon. Which I do. I imagine it is scary to witness. I’m fine with this closing a side.
So, there it is, my failure laid out for all to see. I’d like to say it sucks only because I was rushing it, but that isn’t it. I just don’t approach the task with the requisite care.
I’m better at happy accident. Like the fact that, on my laptop, in iTunes, when X’s Los Angeles ends, it segues into a Bill O’Reilly rant about rounding up and prosecuting critics of our Chimp In Chief. Now that’s a great transition.
posted by JJisafool at 11:32 AM
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