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I’m using a 10 point rating system with 10 being the best of course.
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THE EARLIES – Morning Wonder
Really nice start to the mix. I love when songs begin with a long instrumental, especially when that song is the first on the album. The vocals become very contagious after a while.
RATING: 7.0
FIERY FURNACES – Single Again
I don’t remember the Fiery Furnaces ever being this melodic. I must listen to their album again but I remember thinking that their songs had no melody to them. The subject matter is brutal though.
One of my favorites on the mix.
RATING: 8.5
THE FEATURES – The Idea Of Growing Old
Nice bouncy pop song. It keeps the momentum going as the mix is off to an amazing start. I’m falling in love with Ben more and more.
RATING: 7.5
LES SAVY FAV – Yawn, Yawn, Yawn
What I love about this song is the fact that it rocks and you can dance to it at the same time. Les Savy Fav are wonderful at that.
Again, another strong song.
RATING: 7.0
TILLY AND THE WALL – Nights Of The Living Dead
Discovery Alert! The is the discovery of the mix. It’s a power pop fan’s wet dream come true complete with boy-girl vocals.
The best song on the mix and my theme song for the Summer. Did I say I’m falling in love with Ben?
RATING: 9.5
JESSE SYKES & THE SWEET HEREAFTER – Tell The Boys
Jesse Sykes has some of the best vocals I’ve ever heard but this song quickly dies when you hear the chorus. Such potential but the chorus is soooo weak, it kills the song.
RATING: 5.0
IKE REILLY – Hip Hop Thighs #17
Every time I hear this song I think of Bill Clinton. I don’t know why. In fact, this song should be played at the next President’s Inauguration ceremony.
Very catchy tune.
RATING: 6.0
OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW – Wagon Wheel
This is a very pleasant alt-country song. Very nice all around and it makes you feel like you’re sitting on a porch on a mansion in Savannah drinking Mint Julep.
RATING: 7.0
BONNIE ‘PRINCE’ BILLY with MATT SWEENEY – Bed Is For Sleeping
This song is awful. It’s a definite momentum killer. Easily, the worst song on the mix.
RATING: 3.0
PINBACK – Non-Photo Blue
This sounds like emo, but good emo. I don’t know, it’s a nice melodic decent song but somehow, it just doesn’t fit on this mix. I definitely wouldn’t be able to listen to a whole album of this stuff.
RATING: 5.0
THE GLANDS – Livin’ Was Easy
This is nice, although not one of the better songs on the Glands’ album. After the Bonnie Billy and Pinback fiascos, I needed a real pick-me-up. This isn’t one. Good try, Ben.
RATING: 5.5
THE FUTUREHEADS – Meantime
I’ve heard nothing but good things about these guys but I just don’t see it. They’re a little tougher and harder version of The Killers. Movin’ on…
RATING: 5.0
MANITOBA – Jacknuggeted
Here we go, and we’re back on track…this is the sleeper hit of the mix. This is bouncy pop with some electronics added to it. Very nice.
One of my favorites on the mix.
RATING: 8.0
…THE TRAIL OF DEAD – Worlds Apart
I was such a big fan of these guys when they released Madonna, but now they just sound like another average emo band. What makes it worse is, the song starts off with someone screaming out “Hey, Fuck you man!”. Lame!
RATING: 4.5
SATURDAY LOOKS GOOD TO ME – Meet Me By The Water
This sounds like a 60’s girl group. Really nice. I love this sort of thing especially when current bands add a little noise to the genre, like The Raveonettes used to.
This song definitely sneaks up on you.
RATING: 7.5
ARCHERS OF LOAF – Web In Front
I like this. It’s basically what every indie rock band was doing in the early 90’s like Pavement, Yo La Tengo, etc. It’s a bit out of place on this mix, but nevertheless, it’s still good. I’m sure it sounds a lot better within the context of it’s own album.
RATING: 6.0
MARK LANEGAN – Strange Religion
Whoa, this guy has really mellowed out since his days with the Screaming Trees, and I like it. He seems a set the mood for a nice evening at home, drinking.
RATING: 6.0
JIM WHITE – Static On The Radio
I’m not too crazy about this one. It’s nice but mixing quirky and country is Johnny Dowd’s job. Jim White seems too commercial for that.
The mix seems to be taking a nosedive here.
RATING: 5.0
BEN KWELLER – Wasted And Ready
Wow, this song is very energetic. It’s a really cool power pop song that will have singing the chorus over and over again. The mix is once again revived.
RATING: 7.0
HOT HOT HEAT – Bandages
And the mix ends on an energetic note but not necessarily a strong one. It seems like Ben really planned the beginning of the mix well and got bored towards the end. Kind of like the experience of listening to the mix.
Decent song, but nothing to write home about.
RATING: 5.5
I must say, the beginning of this mix is one of the strongest I’ve ever heard. The first 5 songs are awesome and set a tone for the rest of the mix, but unfortunately, the rest don’t quite deliver. There are some decent songs here and there but as a whole, it leaves the listener a little frustrated, because the potential is definitely there. I wasn’t disappointed though since I’ve discovered some really great stuff like Till & the Wall and Manitoba.
Thanks Ben, for taking the time to make the mix for me. It’s a nice mix to have for my commutes to work, etc.
OVERALL RATING: 6.3*
*I added the rating and divided them by the total amount of songs.
FAVORITE SONG: TILLY AND THE WALL – Nights Of The Living Dead
LEAST FAVORITE SONG: BONNIE ‘PRINCE’ BILLY – Bed Is For Sleeping
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