Artist	Song
The Verve	Bittersweet Symphony
Michael Jackson	Human Nature
Chocolate Genius	Julia (Beatles cover)
Bad Brains	Riot Squad (unreleased master version)
The (International) Noise Conspiracy	Capitalism Stole My Virginity
The Konks	King Kong (Soupy Sales cover)
Bush	X-Girlfriend
The Knickerbockers	Lies
The Beatles	Please Please Me
Death Cab for Cutie	Photobooth
Keane	Sunshine
Remy Zero	Gramarye
The Black Keys	The Lengths
Willie Nelson	Always On My Mind
Can	Yoo Doo Right (3P mix)
Sarah McLachlan	Sweet Surrender (Roni Size mix)
Jon B	Pretty Girl
Amber	This Is Your Night
Transplants	What I Can't Describe
Common	The Light

Comment:

To me, Frankenstein mixes reflect a person's life. But unless you happen to be that person, the significance of the songs doesn't necessarily carry over. I hope an explanation of my choices helps to transfer the feeling these songs give me.

1. The Verve- "Bittersweet Symphony"
If life were a TV show, this would be your theme song; or your favorite TV theme song

I picked the first option. This is the theme song to my life. And it's a great song -- one of my favorites. I remember it being in commericals for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. I was in junior high/middle school then, and my connection to the song has only grown over time. At first I appreciated it for its instrumental quality. I associated it with those Olympics, which were the best I've seen. The fact they were in the U.S. made them that much better. 1996 was a big year for me musically because I discovered alternative rock.

As time went on, the lyrics became more meaningful to my life. I particularly identified with:

I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me,
yeah
I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free
now
But the airways are clean and there's nobody singing to me
now

This is gospel to anyone who has taken refuge in good music during that rocky road called adolescence, a time when heartbreak and disappointments become as commonplace as lunch trays and homework.

This song defines happy moments and sad moments in my life, making the bittersweetness that much more powerful.

2. Michael Jackson- "Human Nature"
The seventh song on an album of your choice

I discovered (1), lost (2), rediscovered (3), lost (4) and rediscovered (5) this song. And every time, it's gotten better.
(1) Via "Thriller"
(2) Embraced alternative rock to the detriment of other styles
(3) Via Nas' "Illmatic"
(4) Was in a different musical world in college
(5) Found it when checking my albums for seventh songs

Most people don't give Michael Jackson credit for his abilities, and unfortunately that's not likely to change while he's ducking out of courtrooms and hospitals. His last signficant contribution was the "Dangerous" album in 1991, although 1995's "HIStory" had its moments. "Human Nature" is one of those lovely midtempo ballads Jackson pulled off so easily in his prime.

3. Chocolate Genius- "Julia" (Beatles cover)
A cover you like better than the original version

I didn't much care for the song until I heard this cover on the soundtrack to "I Am Sam." Chocolate Genius pushes "Julia" in a different direction, making it almost sensual.
4. Bad Brains- "Riot Squad" (unreleased master version)
A song without words

Bad Brains influenced the leader of one of my favorite bands, The Smashing Pumpkins. And this thrasher is a good indicator of why.

5. The (International) Noise Conspiracy- "Capitalism Stole My Virginity"
A song from a place where English is not the primary language or a language you don't speak

These fine socialists hail from Sweden, but unlike their kinsmen The Hives, they aren't well-known in the United States, probably in part because of their anti-U.S. stance. They remind us not to judge a song by its title. Without hearing "Capitalism Stole My Virginity," you might figure it's a novelty, akin to something Frank Zappa or The Bloodhound Gang might record. Instead, it's a shredding indictment of the free market with a beautiful, howling chorus that (almost) makes you want to light your credit cards on fire. Just be sure to use them to buy some of this band's songs before firing up that Bic.

To read the rest of my comments, please see here: Part II
and Part III</a

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