winter evening....

1. attraction gear - impossible years - this is some dreamy stuff! I dig! This is a positive start... 4/5
2. dudley - yeah yeah yeahs - Nice segue with a lilting vibe, but getting a bit edgier. 3/5
3. secret meeting - the national - I put this song on a mix cd I made myself a couple months back. Of course, I'm going to like it! 4/5
4. something is - richard hawley - oh this is absolutely lovely. This is a song to fall in love to. 4/5
5. a month of sundays - the church - wow, another band I haven't listened to in a while. Again, with the dreaminess. 3/5
6. sensing owls - jose gonzalez - I was slow on the uptake with this guy, but have since fallen in love with his stuff. Quiet yet powerful. When I heard it the first time, I thought I'd be sitting on a beach while the wind blows through my hair, being introspective and comfortable with my solitude. 4/5
7. marx and engels - belle & sebastian - well, one thing's for sure-- the obner folk sure do love B&S! 3/5
8. kisses and fog - the pines - I don't know why, but this woman's voice conjures up images of Judy Collins to me, which isn't necessarily positive. The music is beautiful. 3/5
9. when I go deaf - low - I'm feeling intoxicated and lazy now. 3/5
10. engine driver - the decemberists - as much as they are heralded in Portland, I'm not overly impressed. I heard this song in a new (and good) pub I tried out recently though, so just for firing that synapse/memory, it gets 3/5.
11. brown eyes - the red house painters - short track, but still effective with emotion. 3/5
12. lungs out - uzi & ari - Had never heard of these folks before. I like the quiet intensity... I feel like I'm using "quiet" and "emotive" too much, but I think that's what you were going for. This works for me. 3/5
13. you and me then - the radio dept - another short one, but not quite as effective as the last one. 2/5
14. redford - sufjan stevens - nice, but I was hoping for another longer tune with words. 3/5
15. broken bones - house of freaks - so this is the guy who was murdered, right? I have to be honest, never really listened to them before, but this is alright. 3/5
16. an hour before the light - the clientele - I have their latest one at home, and I dig. This one sounds a little less polished than that release, but still wonderful. 3/5
17. students carve hearts out of coal - destroyer - wait, this is the same band that FT included on his mix? Sounds remarkably different. 3/5
18. mad world - gary jules - I think this is an interesting cover of the original, and while it certainly fits in with the rest of your mix, I'm not sure I like it. I guess because I like the original as is. 3/5
19. mild child - the shins - you know, I have a Shins album that was given to me that I very rarely listen to. Maybe I should revisit? At this point, I am now daydreaming or asleep... 3/5


Overall, I found this mix to be very dreamy and relaxing, which certainly has its place when I'm in a specific type of mood. I also liked the artwork you included-- the abandoned playground shot totally epitomizes it. Great mix! Thank you! 3/5

1. Impossible Years - Attraction Gear - this works well as a first song and then picks up a little bit better when the drums kick in later on.
2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Dudley - i like this. i guess i should start looking into yeah yeah yeahs now.
3. The National - Secret Meeting - oh hell yes, the national! let's just say that alligator was my favorite album of 2005 and it's bookended by two of my favorite songs of last year, as well. i love it.
4. Richard Hawley - Something Is - this sounds like something that'd grow on me after a lot of listens. the vocals annoy me now, but i could hear myself warming up to them. and the musical arrangement is good, too.
5. The Church - A Month of Sundays - i like this, as well. the "no no no, i must be on my way" part is very catchy - will undoubtedly be stuck in my head for hours now (unless something later in this mix trumps it).
6. Jose Gonzalez - Sensing Owls - this is good, a little bit of a downer after the last song, but enjoyable.
7. Belle & Sebastian - Marx and Angels - belle & sebastian... nice. this is not even close to my favorite song by them, but considering how much i enjoyed them when they played from a terrible set list, i'd have to say this band can't do much wrong in my book (other than not play good songs live).
8. The Pines - Kisses and Fog - i don't like this girl's voice. the music is alright.
9. Low - When I Go Deaf - dragging along... WHOA. well, this has certainly become a new song. i like about half of it.
10. The Decemberists - Engine Driver - at some point in the last three years, the decemberists died on me. i don't know what happened. colin's voice suddenly started irritating me and the music seemed flat. i like the accordion, though.
11. Red House Painters - Brown Eyes - short, right? it wasn't so bad, didn't have anything i disliked.
12. Uzi & Ari - Lungs Out - i like the drums and percussion.
13. The Radio Dept - You and Me Then - another short one that i barely have an opinion on. it was alright.
14. Sufjan Stevens - Redford - the piano reminds me of something i should know. it's pretty calm; i like it.
15. House of Freaks - Broken Bones - i like this. the vocals make me think the lyrics are important.
16. The Clientele - An Hour Before the Light - i don't like the effect on the vocals, but this song doesn't sound so bad apart from that.
17. Destroyer - Students Carve Hearts Out of Coal - this is good. i thought it was new pornographers for a second, but then remembered that dan bejar's a busy man. it's a little bit boring at times, but it works.
18. Gary Jules - Mad World - this is a good cover, puts a new spin on the song, but keeps the original close to mind. it's the first time i've heard it in maybe a year and it hasn't lost much. i like it.
19. The Shins - Mild Child - the music's a little sparse. the vocals are good. that ending sounds like a close. (edit: what is this from? never heard this shins song before.)

well, i certainly did like this. nothing really struck me as "oh my god, i need to hear everything by them now", but there was also nothing that i decided to never listen to again. it was pretty calm throughout with some jolts here and there. the transitions were alright and it flowed well. overall, quite enjoyable. and i like the cover a lot, too.

bgl3 - Coldly, Sadly Descends the Winter Evening

1. Impossible Years - Attraction Gear. I'm not crazy about this sort of melancholy Britpop thing. 2/5
2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Dudley. This is fairly pleasant. 3/5
3. The National - Secret Meeting. I like how the mood is carrying through, but this one drags on too long. 2/5
4. Richard Hawley - Something Is. Another pleasant, dreamy one. I like it. 3/5
5. The Church - A Month of Sundays. I think this is the first time I've knowingly heard this band. Not doing much for me. This kind of gloomy '80s pop never has. 2/5
6. Jose Gonzales - Sensing Owls. This is making me sleepy, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. 3/5
7. Belle & Sebastian - Marx and Engals. This is a pretty good B&S song. 3/5
8. The Pines - Kisses and Fog. A little too gentle and breezy for me. 2/5
9. Low - When I Go Deaf. I love this song. A little bit overly dramatic, but it gives the mix some balls which it could use at this point. 4/5
10. The Decemberists - Engine Driver. I can take this band one song at a time, but this particular one is kinda meh. 2/5
11. The Red House Painters - Brown Eyes. Mark Kozelek has never done much for me. No exception here. 2/5
12. Uzi & Ari - Lungs Out. Nice shoegazey feel. 3/5
13. The Radio Dept. - You and Me Then. I like the shimmery guitar with the synths and piano. 3/5
14. Sufjan Stevens - Redford. Michigan is such a great, sad record. This song is pretty poignant for such a simple instrumental. 4/5
15. House of Freaks - Broken Bones. My first time hearing this band. Nothing really distinctive here, IMO. 2/5
16. The Clientele - An Hour Before the Light. This is a very good band that I've unfairly neglected. This song isn't all that spectacular, but it's nice. 3/5
17. Destroyer - Students Carve Hearts Out of Coal. This is second Destroyer song I've heard on a mix, and it's the second one I've liked. I may have to re-evaluate my opinion of Mr. Bejar. I wish there was just a little more to this one, though. 3/5
18. Gary Jules - Mad World. This song is OK, I guess. It makes me think of R.E.M., and I had to look it up to find out where I'd heard it. I really didn't like Donnie Darko, btw. 2/5
19. The Shins - Mild Child. Pretty good closer. I like this better than most Shins songs. 3/5

Overall:
Flow - 4/5. Good job sticking to a specific mood.
Artwork - 5/5. Best cover I've seen yet. Very nice imagery.
Surprises - 2/5. Nothing much new to me here really grabs my attention. Some better-than-expected songs from a few somewhat familiar artists.
Song Quality - 2.5/5

Final Score 3/5

Guess I like the sad stuff. A nice, solid mix.

Sorry for the delay in response...it's a b-side from the So Says I single and was recorded James Mercer's basement.

Thanks for the reviews, all.

1. Impossible Years - Attraction Gear. I pretty much liked it the first time I heard it. Its effect hasn't changed much the next few times I listened to it. It has a warm brit pop feel, which I am fine with...most of the time. 3/5
2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Dudley. A bit like "Maps," only better. I actually would not be upset if they made a whole album like this. 4/5
3. The National - Secret Meeting. I thought this would grow on me somehow. The music's fine, but the vocals aren't working as well...kind of dry and inexpressive. 2/5
4. Richard Hawley - Something Is. This definitely lives up to the title of the mix. This is winter music if I've ever heard it. And I mean that in a good way. 4/5
5. The Church - A Month of Sundays. Reminds me a bit of 80s Echo and the Bunnymen. It's not bad, but nothing's really grabbed me. 2/5
6. Jose Gonzales - Sensing Owls. Nice bongo touches. A little repetitive. 2/5
7. Belle & Sebastian - Marx and Engals. I only have one B&S record and I only liked a few songs from it. I really like this though. It's repetitious like the previous track but has nice progressions and instrumentation. 3.5/5
8. The Pines - Kisses and Fog. Almost sounds like a lost track from The Innocence Mission's Birds of My Beighborhood. 3/5
9. Low - When I Go Deaf. I'm not the biggest Low fan. Most of their songs kind of drag for me. But I don't have a problem with this one, especially the "loud" part of the song. 3/5
10. The Decemberists - Engine Driver. I have this. One of the better tracks from Picaresque. 4/5
11. The Red House Painters - Brown Eyes. I have this album too. Good song even though it's kind of short. 3/5
12. Uzi & Ari - Lungs Out. I really like the shoegazer-ish feel and the melodic guitar part on the chorus. Reminds me a bit of Starflyer 59's first CD. 3.5/5
13. The Radio Dept. - You and Me Then. I like the layering on this, but it ends rather quick. 2.5/5
14. Sufjan Stevens - Redford. Another short one, but I really like the piano arrangement. So this is from Michigan? This is the only Sufjan recording I don't have yet I think. 3/5
15. House of Freaks - Broken Bones. I may just need more time with this one. I like the slide guitars even though you can barely hear them. But the song itself isn't doing much for me. 2/5
16. The Clientele - An Hour Before the Light. Mojave 3-ish. I like it. 3.5/5
17. Destroyer - Students Carve Hearts Out of Coal. I haven't disliked anything I've heard from this band yet. I think I prefer the song that appeared on FT's mix though. 3/5
18. Gary Jules - Mad World. I have this in my iTunes but don't listen to it really. It was never one of my favorite Tears for Fears songs. I do give him credit for bringing a fresh new feel to the song. 2.5/5
19. The Shins - Mild Child. I like The Shins but I don't know this song. It's from the So Says I single? I'm glad you brought it to my attention or else I would have never known it existed. 3/5

Overall this was a good mix. And it's the first one where I actually knew a couple of the songs. The most tranquil of them all (that I've heard so far), and I'm completely fine with that. Thanks bgl3!

- Naked

1. Impossible Years - Attraction Gear 3* Sets an interesting mood, given the title of the comp. It's not what I'd listen to on a regular basis, but it seems to work here.

2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Dudley 3* The vocal phrasing is a bit awkward at times. The music is good enough, though.

3. The National - Secret Meeting 2* The music is okay, but the lyrics are just too clumsy and goofy for my liking. The rabble in the background at the end seals the song's fate.

4. Richard Hawley - Something Is 4* For some reason I really gravitate to this, it al gels very well.

5. The Church - A Month of Sundays 5* Always loved this song, one of their best.

6. Jose Gonzalez - Sensing Owls 4* This one clicks too. I dig it.

7. Belle & Sebastian - Marx and Angels 3* This one's all right, a little too sing-songy which tends to strip it of emotion.

8. The Pines - Kisses and Fog 3* This starts out great, and I was digging it right up through "bought a round trip ticket just in case." After that, it seemed to give up.

9. Low - When I Go Deaf 2* I don't mind the contrast when they open the throttle half-way through--what got me was the vocal delivery during the subdued parts.

10. The Decemberists - Engine Driver 3* Not a huge fan.

11. Red House Painters - Brown Eyes 3* Generally not a big RHP fan either, but this one's not bad.

12. Uzi & Ari - Lungs Out 3* I liked a lot of this quite a bit, it paints a pretty large landscape--but this also serves as a detraction--it seems to be all landscape/setting/background--at the cost of having little in the forefront to grab my attention. I fear a whole album's worth would become dull--much like a lot of the stuff that 4AD put out in the late 80's/early 90's.

13. The Radio Dept - You and Me Then 2* Not much here.

14. Sufjan Stevens - Redford 2* Here neither.

15. House of Freaks - Broken Bones 3* This one's better. HoF is one of those bands that never really struck me that hard, and so get overlooked. This track, howver, holds its own on the mix.

16. The Clientele - An Hour Before the Light 3* Pleasant but not a stand-out.

17. Destroyer - Students Carve Hearts Out of Coal 2* I have yet to hear a Destroyer song that compelled me to like 'em.

18. Gary Jules - Mad World 4* Soooo much better than the original. Fits really well here, too. How's the rest of his stuff?

19. The Shins - Mild Child 2* The static at the end ruined it, and I'm not predisposed to The Shins to begin with.

All in all a well-crafted, well thought-out mix. Each song hangs together very well. There's a few things here I'll seek out. Thanks!!

to the Uzi and Ari fans, they have a new album and are touring extensively:

http://www.myspace.com/benshepard

1. "Attraction Gear" - Impossible Years
This sounds a lot like some of GBV's quieter moments, only with a much prettier voice than Pollard. Then again, Pollard's voice is usually what makes a song like this work, by giving it more gravitas. This is still good, though.

2. "Dudley" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
There's a very nursery rhyme quality to this track, mainly in the vocal delivery. I like this enough to pursue them further. Amazingly enough, despite the hype, I haven't really ever heard much YYY.

3. "Secret Morning" - The National
All these months later, and I STILL haven't figured out whether or not I like this album. I guess the fact that I have yet to give up on it says something positive about it. I do know that this is one of the songs I like from this album.

4. "Something Is" Richard Hawley
I find this song quite beautiful. In fact, it's just about perfect. I've heard this guy's name before, but don't think I've heard any of his stuff before now. That must change.

5. "A Month of Sundays" - The Church
Another very lovely song. Splendid follow-up to the previous track.

6. "Sensing Owls" - Jose Gonzalez
A tad repetitive, but otherwise, a very pleasant acoustic ballad.

7. "Mark and Engels" - Belle and Sebastian
This fits in perfectly at this point in the mix. I feel stupid for having waited so long to finally get into them.

8. "Kisses and Fog" - The Pines
To me, this sounds a lot like "Dog and Butterfly"-era Heart. Pretty good, as far as this type of thing is concerned.

9. "When I Go Deaf" - Low
This is an album I decidedly do not care for; however, this is one of the two songs ("Broadway (So Many People)" being the other) I actually like from The Great Destroyer.

10. "Engine Driver" - The Decemberists
While I generally don't enjoy them as much as I did in their early days, this song ranks right up with their finest work. It may be time for me to slap together a best of mix for them, to remember how good they can be from time to time.

11. "Brown Eyes" - Red House Painters
Kozelek is fantastic. I've been a huge fan ever since that AC/DC covers album, and the first Sun Kil Moon record is one of my all-time favorites. Everything about this track is typical Kozelek, except for the sub-2:00 running time.

12. "Lungs Out" - Uzi & Ari
Yeah, this is good, although it doesn't "shag ass" quite as much as the band's name would lead you to believe.

13. "You and Me, Then" - The Radio Dept.
It took more than a dozen tracks, but we finally have this mix's first misstep. This is too Walkmenesque for my liking, though it is mercifully short.

14. "Redford" - Sufjan Stevens
I like Illinois much better than Michigan, but this track works well as a part of this mix.

15. "Broken Bones" - House of Freaks
This one's really neither here nor there. I guess it's nice enough, though it's a little boring.

16. "An Hour Before the Light" - The Clientele
Although this track is good, it's not quite up to the level of their latest album, which is very good. They really nail that mid-'60s sound.

17. "Students Carve Hearts Out of Coal" - Destroyer
One of my favorite tracks from the otherwise uneven This Night, along with "Hey, Snow White."

18. "Mad World" - Gary Jules
Best thing about Donnie Darko. 'Nuff said.

19. "Mild Child" - The Shins
Where's this from? I can't find it on either of the two Shins albums, or the Flake Music record. It would be right at home on Oh, Inverted World. I need to rip this so my Shins catalog will remain complete.

This is one of the best mixes I've ever heard at establishing a mood and maintaining it throughout. Not one song on this entire mix is out of place. There were only a couple of tracks I didn't absolutely love, and even those were still OK. I can definitely envision reaching for this one again, when in need of this aesthetic. After the individual track reviews, I was all set to give this an A-, but now realize it's really more deserving of an A.

Hell yes, Bob - thanks for taking the time to give it a listen and capture your thoughts. You made my otherwise slightly hung over morning...

The Hawley track is a personal fave that I originally sought per a recommendation posted on the CMJ board a handful of years ago (IMO, the rest of his work is every bit as good and highly recommended). The Shins track is a b-side from the So Says I single - it's pretty complex lyrically but has a melancholy sound that just felt right as the mix closer.

Didn't know how a mix of this sort would fly in the exchange, but I'm feeling a bit better about it. Thanks for the reviews, all.