Other Mixes By andrew winn
CD
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Alternative - Indie Rock
MP3 Playlist
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Single Artist
CD
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Mixed Genre
My Love For You Was Never Second Best
| Artist | Song | |
| Ted Leo & The Pharmacists | The Sons Of Cain | |
| Jens Lekman | The Opposite of Hallelujah | |
| Mountain Goats | This Year | |
| Los Campesinos! | You! Me! Dancing! | |
| Rilo Kiley | It's A Hit | |
| Okkervil River | Unless It's Kicks | |
| The Hold Steady | Chips Ahoy! | |
| The Pipettes | Pull Shapes | |
| David Ford | Decimate | |
| Band of Horses | No One's Gonna Love You | |
| Neko Case | Hold On, Hold On | |
| Jose Gonzßlez | Heartbeats | |
| Israel Kamakawiwo'ole | Somewhere Over the Rainbow | |
| Mike Doughty | Janine (live) | |
Comment:
1. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - "Sons of Cain": I've made no secret of the fact that I like to kick in the door to announce my mixes. This rapid-tempo rocker from Ted's most recent album, "Living with the Living," contains one of my favorite lines from 2007: "But, alone, I've got to sing just to exist."
2. Jens Lekman - "The Opposite of Hallelujah": I'm introduced to all the best Swedish artists by Brian, and Jens is no exception. We've been seeing each other since "Oh You're So Silent Jens," and so far our relationship has been very amicable.
I like how unassuming his voice is and I'm a sucker for a simple piano medley, handclaps, violins and a catchy chorus. This is my favorite cut off "Night Falls on Kortedala," an album that has as many bona fide hits as it does disappointments.
3. Mountain Goats - "This Year": To hear John Darnielle explain it, a lot of terrible things happened to him growing up. For me, that's why the refrain works, because Darnielle delivers it as if saying he's going to make it will actually make it so.
If you hear this song at the right moment in your life, it can be very inspiring.
4 Los Campesinos! - "You! Me! Dancing!": First, let me say that I don't think "You! Me! Dancing!" ever gives the payoff that "We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives" delivers in its first two lines. But the fact doesn't diminish how enjoyable this song is from its build up to its cacophony of electric guitar, drums and xylophone.
bpeterik put this as the opening track of a workout mix once. It moves too fast from buildup to full out sprint to really work as a lead off, but it's definitely a leg shaker.
5. Rilo Kiley - "It's a Hit"
Jenny Lewis' lyrics are far more interesting than the melody that usually accompanies them. "It's a Hit" is no exception to that rule, making a real tongue-in-cheek comment about the pressures bands are under to deliver that radio-friendly, dance-worthy single. It's the lead off track to "More Adventurous," an album that has the one of the best 1-2-3 punches of any album ever made. My true love is "Does He Love You?" But hey, that didn't work with these other tracks.
6. Okkervil River - "Unless It's Kicks"
Okkervil River - from their vibe of perilousness to Will Sheff's poetic lyricism - blew me away at the 2006 Austin City Limits Music Festival. "The Stage Names," which this cut is from, is the pinnacle of their career. It lived with me in my car for months. You remember that scene from "Jerry Maguire" where Jerry is singing "Free Fallin'" loudly off-key to himself in his car. I can do a mean "ah oh oh oh" from "Unless It's Kicks" when no one is around.
This is neither my favorite Okkervil River song nor my favorite "Stage Names" cut. But damn, doesn't it bridge Rilo Kiley and The Hold Steady nicely?
7. The Hold Steady - "Chips Ahoy!"
The Hold Steady is Bruce Springsteen for Generation Y.
This song's premise is ridiculous - the story about a girlfriend who has visions of winning horses and uses that knowledge (and its subsequent proceeds) on pot. But I love it. I love the "whoa oh oh oh" sing-along, the noodling keyboard, and the bizareness of singing, "How am I supposed to know that you're high if you won't let me touch you?"
"Boys and Girls in America" is one of my 25 favorite albums of all time. My favorite track? Not this one.
8. The Pipettes - "Pull Shapes"
I love girl groups and the Phil Spector sound, so The Pipettes were fashion-made for me. Seeing their semi-original lineup perform most of "We Are the Pipettes," their smashing debut, was a lifetime highlight. (I am very sad that my favorite, Rosay, recently left the band.)
You know what makes this song beyond spectacular? The hand gestures. Make sure you You Tube the promotional video for this song.
9. David Ford - "Decimate"
I hemmed and hawed about adding a David Ford track here, because I'm
Feedback:
9. David Ford - "Decimate"
I hemmed and hawed about adding a David Ford track here, because I'm planning an entire mix of his wonderful songs. But "Decimate" bridges the gap between the cotton candy of "Pull Shapes" and the rest of this mix.
David was one of the first acts to perform on the first day of the 2006 Austin City Limits Music Festival. I wandered over to his stage because I was killing time for, well, I don't remember now. Forty-five minutes later, I was standing in front of him, having my CD signed and promising him that I was going to tell every one of my friends about his performance floored me.
Promise kept.
10. Band of Horses - "No One's Gonna Love You"
I'm embarrassed to say I got this song as a promotion from Starbucks. I enjoyed the band's first full length, "Everything All the Time," but hadn't given much thought to investigating their follow-up "Cease to Begin." This should have convinced me it was worth the time. But to be honest, I've only heard this song.
I can't put my finger on why I love this song. It's not a song that really grabs you in the traditional ways.
11. Neko Case - "Hold On, Hold On"
Remember that comment about the best 1-2-3 punches? "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood" has "Margaret vs. Pauline," "Star Witness" and this song. If you asked me six months ago which was my favorite, I would have unhesitatingly told you "Star Witness." But when I found out that my friend oAk was enamored with this song, I gave it a closer listen. To paraphrase him, it's about as perfect 3.5 minute county-pop song as you can get. (My favorite verse talks about borrowing going home from a wedding alone, armed only with a Valium from the bride, and saving herself for the devil.)
12. Jose Gonzalez - "Heartbeats"
I still don't like the original, but The Knife. But you've got to listen to that version. Because after you listen to that version, it just makes you appreciate what Jose Gonzalez did with this song. Thanks to Brian's fascination with Swedes, I heard this one earlier than most.
13 Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
When Fran and I were in Hawaii, this guy's albums were everywhere. He is revered like Elvis is on the mainland, and rightly so. I don't know where I read it, but I agree with whoever said Kamakawiwo'ole's version transforms this from a child's song to a song that takes a somber look at a death approaching.
14 Mike Doughty - Janine (live)
From "The Gambler" EP. I got into Soul Coughing in a weird way, totally backwards. I first heard "Janine" on a copy of the February 1996 Dave Matthews & Tim show. The pair didn't play it; rather they danced to it. From there it was "Super Bon Bon," and everything else through "El Oso" and the breakup.
I've kept my eye on Mike Doughty, and purchasing "The Gambler" EP was a no-brainer (since I love Neutral Milk Hotel and Magnetic Fields and well, "The Gambler," the song). Usually songs live in studio or impromptu in front of a concert hall are a hot mess, but this one is perfect. I love the way the crowd follows perfectly Mike's instructions, especially the "yell it please!" response.
In my estimation, it's a great way to end a mix. But because Mike says, "See you inside for the show," I can't help but wonder: wouldn't this also be a great way to start a mix?
I hemmed and hawed about adding a David Ford track here, because I'm planning an entire mix of his wonderful songs. But "Decimate" bridges the gap between the cotton candy of "Pull Shapes" and the rest of this mix.
David was one of the first acts to perform on the first day of the 2006 Austin City Limits Music Festival. I wandered over to his stage because I was killing time for, well, I don't remember now. Forty-five minutes later, I was standing in front of him, having my CD signed and promising him that I was going to tell every one of my friends about his performance floored me.
Promise kept.
10. Band of Horses - "No One's Gonna Love You"
I'm embarrassed to say I got this song as a promotion from Starbucks. I enjoyed the band's first full length, "Everything All the Time," but hadn't given much thought to investigating their follow-up "Cease to Begin." This should have convinced me it was worth the time. But to be honest, I've only heard this song.
I can't put my finger on why I love this song. It's not a song that really grabs you in the traditional ways.
11. Neko Case - "Hold On, Hold On"
Remember that comment about the best 1-2-3 punches? "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood" has "Margaret vs. Pauline," "Star Witness" and this song. If you asked me six months ago which was my favorite, I would have unhesitatingly told you "Star Witness." But when I found out that my friend oAk was enamored with this song, I gave it a closer listen. To paraphrase him, it's about as perfect 3.5 minute county-pop song as you can get. (My favorite verse talks about borrowing going home from a wedding alone, armed only with a Valium from the bride, and saving herself for the devil.)
12. Jose Gonzalez - "Heartbeats"
I still don't like the original, but The Knife. But you've got to listen to that version. Because after you listen to that version, it just makes you appreciate what Jose Gonzalez did with this song. Thanks to Brian's fascination with Swedes, I heard this one earlier than most.
13 Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
When Fran and I were in Hawaii, this guy's albums were everywhere. He is revered like Elvis is on the mainland, and rightly so. I don't know where I read it, but I agree with whoever said Kamakawiwo'ole's version transforms this from a child's song to a song that takes a somber look at a death approaching.
14 Mike Doughty - Janine (live)
From "The Gambler" EP. I got into Soul Coughing in a weird way, totally backwards. I first heard "Janine" on a copy of the February 1996 Dave Matthews & Tim show. The pair didn't play it; rather they danced to it. From there it was "Super Bon Bon," and everything else through "El Oso" and the breakup.
I've kept my eye on Mike Doughty, and purchasing "The Gambler" EP was a no-brainer (since I love Neutral Milk Hotel and Magnetic Fields and well, "The Gambler," the song). Usually songs live in studio or impromptu in front of a concert hall are a hot mess, but this one is perfect. I love the way the crowd follows perfectly Mike's instructions, especially the "yell it please!" response.
In my estimation, it's a great way to end a mix. But because Mike says, "See you inside for the show," I can't help but wonder: wouldn't this also be a great way to start a mix?
Don't think I've ever seen more notes... But the mix looks nice, well done.
Holy crap! Darth Pazuzu has met his Jedi match!
Jens is great and the rest looks good too
love the notes. thanks!
Holy shit, there will be a battle of commentary between Darth and Anthony, and the world shall tremble! But at least Anthony picks music I actually like!