The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea

Yes, I was guilty of dumpjack, et al disease and went with a 2-disc mix. If you only want to review the first one, that's fine with me. This thing is kind of a marathon, but I figure the more free music for you, the better. I could have included more songs and hit the 80 minute max on both, but I refrained. So feel fortunate. Some of you will be getting this tomorrow, 11/22.


Disc 1: The Devil: this is the mix for playing while driving, especially while drunk driving. I am in no way recommending that you drive while drunk. In any case, this mix must be played at maximum volume.

1. Ike Reilly: Hip Hop Thighs #17
2. Supersuckers: Pretty Fucked Up
3. Slobberbone: Your Excuse
4. Son Volt: Drown
5. The White Stripes: Offend In Every Way
6. Bob Dylan & The Band: Katie's Been Gone
7. Elvis Costello: Blame It On Cain
8. Johnny Cash: Cocaine Blues (Live)
9. Richmond Fontaine: The Warehouse Life
10. Richard Buckner & Jon Langford: The Inca Princess
11. The Replacements : Color Me Impressed
12. The Hold Steady: Massive Night
13. The National: Lit Up
14. The Raveonettes: Little Animal
15. The Libertines: Can't Stand Me Now
16. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: Do You Love Me?
17. Echo & The Bunnymen: Villiers Terrace
18. Lucero: I Can Get Us Out Of Here Tonight
19. Uncle Tupelo: Still Be Around
20. Neko Case: Twist The Knife
21. Matthew Ryan: Sweetie

Disc 2: The Deep Blue Sea: this is a more mellow mix with some old pop gems, some twang, and some acoustic stuff.

1. Alejandro Escovedo: Pissed Off 2 A.M.
2. M. Ward: Four Hours In Washington
3. Gram Parsons: Return Of The Grievous Angel
4. Grant Lee Buffalo: Mockingbirds
5. The Jayhawks: Settled Down Like Rain
6. Damien Jurado: Denton, TX
7. Pogues: Summer In Siam
8. Lucinda Williams: Essence
9. Crowded House: Distant Sun
10. The Posies: Solar Sister
11. INXS: Don't Change
12. New Order: Leave Me Alone
13. Tim Easton: Black Hearted Ways
14. Hem: Not California
15. Mojave 3: Bringin' Me Home
16. The Church: Bel-Air
17. The Go-Betweens: Apology Accepted
18. Pete Droge: Straylin' Street (Live)
19. Townes Van Zandt: To Live Is To Fly (Live)

four hours in washington is on my mix, ya bastid...

i already had a couple songs or artists stolen, as well.

You guys are in separate groups with different people getting your mixes. Don't kill each other over it.

It'd be a shame, two handsome boys dead over this.

Aren't you policing us enough, Chris?
On second thought, they are both nice looking boys. Carry on. This time.

rodney, why are you such a chick?
(taking essence off my mix)

it should be on the cd you will be getting in the mail - did you get it yet?

not yet. but way to take a bite out of my mix. next time i wanna go first.

its one of my favorite songs, even though it is about batch

Disc 2: The Deep Blue Sea: this is a more mellow mix with some old pop gems, some twang, and some acoustic stuff.

1. Alejandro Escovedo: Pissed Off 2 A.M. – I can’t remember the last time I took to a song so immediately. This is a fantastic. I actually kept looking at the name of the artist because it sounded so much like Springsteen to me. With those soft ‘sha la la la’s’ in the background, and his whispers of ‘…it’s only 2..’ Having this as an opening track is pure genius. 5/5

2. M. Ward: Four Hours In Washington – Whoa. The funniest thing I thought of when this song first came on was ‘this is kind of like the Doors’ Spanish Caravan’ and then when the vocals came in with that shimmering effect, it was like ‘Strange Days’. Anyway, I think Rod hates that band, so I’ll stop berating him with unkind comparisons. This is a pretty good song, as well. I really didn’t like the vocal effect. I love the Doors, but ‘Strange Days’ has never been a favourite. The music was on this song was superb, however. 4/5

3. Gram Parsons: Return Of The Grievous Angel – You can’t beat Gram. I found the transition from the last track to this one a little abrupt, but no bother. After 30 sec, it ceases to matter either way. I would be quite happy to have this song come on after almost anything. 4/5

4. Grant Lee Buffalo: Mockingbirds – I only heard this song recently for the first time after Rod kindly set me up with a mix of GLB songs. This was the standout track, by far. I took to it instantly. This song is appeals to me emotionally, yet it never seems overly precious or excessively sentimental. Excellent. 5/5

5. The Jayhawks: Settled Down Like Rain – This band almost has to be on a mix like this. The great thing about them is they can appear on either side with a fair degree of ease. They could have made The Devil side but they’re equally at home on the Deep Blue Sea. 4/5

6. Damien Jurado: Denton, TX – Wasn’t familiar with this guy at all. Glad I am now. This song might be the other signature song on this mix. If I heard this song drunk at 3am, I would be one maudlin’ son of a bitch, I’ll tell you that. It’s not even 9am, I’m drinking Earl Grey and it’s getting to me. Brilliant choice. 5/5

7. Pogues: Summer In Siam – How can a song called ‘Summer in Siam’ sound wintery and be infused with holiday spirit? Can it? Right now it absolutely does and I’ll be damned if I can figure out why that is. I feel like rum and egg nog. EDIT: upon revisiting this song later on I have figured out that part of the background music sounds like ‘Skating’ by the Vince Guaraldi Trio from ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’. That explains the feeling. 4/5

8. Lucinda Williams: Essence – I have Car Wheels on A Gravel Road but for some reason I never listen to it and as I’m listening to this brooding, sexy track I’m wondering why I never do. Probably because I’m lazy and put little thought into what I listen to most days (hey! I haven’t heard Neil Young for about 2 hours now…) I’m grabbing that album and putting it on the top of the heap. 3/5

9. Crowded House: Distant Sun – I find myself wondering why I’ve never heard much of this band outside of the most obvious singles. I mean, those singles were good, but unlike other bands when I hear songs I like, I never sought them out further. How did you do it? I felt the same way when I heard that Crowded House song on Dana’s mix too. The songs always seem good, never remarkable or hair raising, but good nevertheless. This is no exception. 3/5

10. The Posies: Solar Sister – This is the second Posies song I’ve heard on the mix series. This band has everything I should want, but somehow just doesn’t deliver the goods for me. I’m a huge Sloan fan, and The Posies are quite close qualitatively to them yet I never find myself hooked. It’s competent stuff, to be sure, I just can’t make that Love Connection. 2/5

11. INXS: Don't Change – Wow, I’ve never heard this song before and I’m a big INXS fan. I had to look it up on AllMusic and found it’s on Shabooh Shoobah. This is good, although I’m surprised at how electro-pop they sound here compared to their later albums. This actually grew on me after further listens. Nice selection. 4/5

12. New Order: Leave Me Alone – I like some New Order, but this song wasn’t appealing. Perhaps in another context, but it doesn’t work here. I’m now skipping it when I play the mix. 1/5

13. Tim Easton: Black Hearted Ways – Now this feels like a welcome return to the original direction of the mix. I don’t know this guy, although I think I’ve seen him mentioned a few times on the board. This is an excellent track, he’s got a great voice. This would be another pick for me as a stand-out track. 4.5/5

14. Hem: Not California – Holy hell, do I ever love this song. As I may have mentioned in previous reviews, I find ‘na na na’s’, ‘sha la la’s’, handclaps, etc. all pretty much irresistible in a song. Couple that in with a sleepy guitar and a big soaring chorus and I’m completely at the song’s mercy. ‘It’s..not..California..HEEEERE!’ 5/5

15. Mojave 3: Bringin' Me Home – I enjoy Mojave 3 quite a bit. This couples well with the previous track. This is another with a sleepy feel that I’m a complete sucker for, strings too, can be a nice touch. But here’s a paradox to consider. I don’t find anything particularly remarkable here, but unlike the track by the Posies, I really enjoy this. Sometimes it’s difficult to dissect the reasons. 4/5

16. The Church: Bel-Air – This is pretty good. It’s fits in with the feel of the mix, but has a more 80s feel to it. I actually would have swapped that Echo song from the Devil mix and coupled it with this one. They feel kind of similar. There were a few skips on the song too, unless I was suffering momentary interruptions in consciousness. 3/5

17. The Go-Betweens: Apology Accepted – Never really heard The Go-Betweens. I had them figured for a jangle-pop band with lots of harmonies. This song was a bit grittier than what I was expecting and enjoyed it. 3/5

18. Pete Droge: Straylin' Street (Live) – Great fucking choice here. I snagged a couple more of his albums recently and they’re full of some really moody, mid-tempo tracks (which is why I had to throw one on my own mix). The guy’s got such a great voice. I don’t think he gets enough credit. 4/5

19. Townes Van Zandt: To Live Is To Fly (Live) – A fine way to close off the mix. ‘Livin’s mostly wasting time’. This is mongerously great. I could listen to this guy all damn day (or all night, more appropriately). ‘Goodbye all my friends, it’s time to leave again…it don’t pay to think too much on things you leave behind.’ I think I’ve got something in my eye. 5/5

Comments
This is great mix, Rod. I’d be less than honest if I didn’t offer a few criticisms however. I found a couple of songs to be kind of ‘off’ from the basic tempo and feel of the mix, specifically when I hit INXS, The Posies and New Order; I wasn’t as into as I could have been. It wasn’t a major flaw, as I dig that INXS song, and with repeated listens the only song I really don’t think fits is the New Order song. You probably had a good a priori reason for the song selection, and it’s just one man’s opinion. Overall, I have to say I really enjoyed it a lot and am ranking it quite high based on how I feel after the mix is over. There are some absolutely fantastic songs on here that I’d never heard before and am genuinely glad to have now. 8.8/10

Disc 2: The Deep Blue Sea

1. Alejandro Escovedo: Pissed Off 2 A.M. – What a great way to start off the mix. Unfamiliar with him, but this is extremely well done. 4.5/5
2. M. Ward: Four Hours In Washington – Don’t really enjoy this until the acoustic guitar solo at the 2 minute mark. It’s grown a bit with repeated spins but not quite there yet. 3/5
3. Gram Parsons: Return Of The Grievous Angel – The intro is quite a jolt from the last track, but this is certainly a hands down classic…never get sick of this song. 4.5/5
4. Grant Lee Buffalo: Mockingbirds – Mighty Joe Moon is one of the hidden gems of the 90s and would easily fall in my Top 20 for the decade. This isn’t one of my favorites off of that release, but it's still damn good. 4/5
5. The Jayhawks: Settled Down Like Rain – Between this track and the one on Djacks mix, I’m wondering if I should pursue them a bit further. 3/5
6. Damien Jurado: Denton, TX – I was introduced to Jurado with Where Shall You Take Me? and have been an avid fan ever since. Something about him reminds me a bit of GLBuffalo – perhaps it’s the fact that loneliness and Texas are prevalent themes in each of their catalogues. Jurado’s new release has been getting heavy rotation, and this is easily my fave on that release. 4/5
7. Pogues: Summer In Siam – I love seeing the Pogues on a lot of these mixes, and it’s hard to argue with this selection. I’ve always dug the sax solo following the first verse. 4.5/5
8. Lucinda Williams: Essence – I know it’s sacrilege to some, but I’ve never been able to fully embrace Lucinda. I own Car Wheels… and have listened it to what seems like dozens of times thinking something is bound to grab me. Never does. I respect her voice, her band, her lyrics, but have decided that I’m just not as religious about her as most. 3/5
9. Crowded House: Distant Sun – Not familiar with this particular track. Not bad, but not one I turn to with any regularity. 3/5
10. The Posies: Solar Sister – Something about the Posies has always defined power pop to me. So clean, clear, and loud. Solid inclusion. 3/5
11. INXS: Don't Change – Good song on a spectacular album. 3/5
12. New Order: Leave Me Alone – Of New Order’s early catalogue, Power, Corruption and Lies is the lone release I currently lack. That will change soon as a result of your including this track. Typical New Order melancholy, with Sumner and Hook not trying to one up each other but rather walking in the same direction on opposite sides of the street. 4/5
13. Tim Easton: Black Hearted Ways – Never heard of ol’ Tim, but I like this. Easy going and melodic. 3/5
14. Hem: Not California – I had to look this up on allmusic to see that it’s new. Rabbit Songs will always be a special album for me, and this sounds like it would feel right at home on that release. Beautiful. 4.5/5
15. Mojave 3: Bringin' Me Home – Great transition from the last track, and typical Mojave 3 fodder. It’s the laid back groove and slow (but never overwhelming) build of their tracks that I appreciate. Nice 3.5/5
16. The Church: Bel-Air – The Church are easily one of my faves, but this track just doesn’t capture those aspects of their sound that make them grand. Of Skins and Hearts is certainly a must-have, but I’ve always viewed this as one of its weaker tracks. 2.5/5
17. The Go-Betweens: Apology Accepted – They always feel so tight and melodic to me, that I was quite surprised by the looseness and borderline slacker feel of this one. Grant pulls even this off effortlessly and is currently arm wrasslin’ Townes for my favorite track of the mix. 5/5
18. Pete Droge: Straylin' Street (Live) – Addictive chorus and a very nice transition from the previous song and into the next. 4/5
19. Townes Van Zandt: To Live Is To Fly (Live)- Holy Jesus, what a closer. Powerful, emotional, and just about perfect from beginning to end. 5/5

Summary
Well, this was quite the mix. As Djack mentioned, tracks 10-12 felt a little out of place on this mix, and I can’t help but think I may have rated the tracks (or the mix as a whole) slightly higher had they been replaced by tracks better suited for the feel of the mix as a whole. That being said, you’ve not only introduced me to new songs and artists with whom I’d previously been unfamiliar…you’ve introduced me to songs that could easily become personal classics, and I thank you for that. 3.75/5

thanks for the reviews, dudes. i can understand the flow issues...probably just tried to include too much. i was worried about 18-20 songs of the same pace and flow and wanted to change it up a bit...but I can see that it probably was too abrupt.

glad you found some stuff to check out. i think that's the real goal of these things.

Disc 1: The Devil

1. Ike Reilly: Hip Hop Thighs #17 – So far the best kick off of any mix I’ve listened to. Ike Reilly is one of those artists I’d probably never hear had I never come to the board. This such a great fucking song. Lyrics, music, it has its all. Has anyone else noted that the opening music sounds like Herman’s Hermit’s ‘Something Tells Me I’m Into Something Good’? I don’t know if it’s intentional or not. I hope it is. 5/5

2. Supersuckers: Pretty Fucked Up – I’ve only got one Supersuckers album Sacrilicious Sounds of the Supersuckers which for some reason I don’t play enough. Actually, given the title of this mix, a more appropriate song might be ‘Born With A Tail’, but this kicks my ass just as well. After the incredible kick-off song, this is a fantastic choice. 4.5/5

3. Slobberbone: Your Excuse – Another band that I probably never would have heard had it not been for the board (and one, Elvis Fu). Damn good rock and roll. I say hell yes to this. 4/5

4. Son Volt: Drown – As horrifying as this to admit, this is perhaps the first time I’ve ever heard Son Volt. Obviously I’ve been missing out. I don’t know if a good deal of their music sounds like this, but Wilco never rocked like this. I like Wilco a lot, but you know what? It isn’t drinking music. This only song that might qualify as a summertime afternoon song is ‘Outtasite’. This song is a 4th beer kind of song and everyone knows the 4th is where everything gets interesting. 5/5

5. The White Stripes: Offend In Every Way – I have always enjoyed this band, and have always wanted to hear them in a bar because I always suspected it would be a good band to hear on a jukebox after ordering a rye and ginger and settling into a spot where you’re not going to be moving anytime soon. 4/5

6. Bob Dylan & The Band: Katie's Been Gone – Continuing with that above theme, if this song came on the juke after the last track I’d be in juicer’s heaven. I’m putting Basement Tapes on my ipod as soon as I’m finished writing this. Just a brilliant tune. 5/5

7. Elvis Costello: Blame It On Cain – See this is where the mix is consciously making me think about the music, and such I’m declaring it a major success already. I love Elvis, but have never considered him one of my drinking artists. He’s usually the kind of stuff I play in the morning, just because. But this song…I think I would enjoy hearing while I’m having a few. 3.5/5

8. Johnny Cash: Cocaine Blues (Live) – Next to ‘Guitar Town’ which appeared on my mix, this is probably my All-Time Favourite Drinking Song (‘Highwayman’ would come in somewhere around #3 battling with ‘Rocks Off’). I made a conscious decision not to put it on because I didn’t want it to be completely over-the-top. I can’t say enough about how much I love this song. The first lyrics you hear “Early one morning while making the rounds, I took a shot of cocaine and I shot my woman down, I went right home and I went to bed, I stuck that lovin’ .44 beneath my head” are amongst my favourite in all of music, only because the rollicking music that backs that murderous act is, to my ears, joyful. I always figured this was about William S. Burroughs but I’ve never heard any verification for that supposition. 6/5

9. Richmond Fontaine: The Warehouse Life – This I don’t like. After the explicit brilliance of that last song, the brakes come on hard. I feel like some suckerpunched me in the solar plexus. I’ve lost my energy. I would have stuck this on ‘The Deep Blue Sea’. The song itself is fine, but I’m ranking it low relative to it’s impact within the current set. On this mix, 1/5. On the other, 3/5

10. Richard Buckner & Jon Langford: The Inca Princess – Nice return to the overall tempo. This kicks it back nicely. I dig this track. 3.5/5

11. The Replacements : Color Me Impressed – This was a mistake to neglect them on my own mix, so I’m pretty happy to hear the Mats here. Great song choice, too. This is one track I need to definitely work into my drinking playlist. 5/5

12. The Hold Steady: Massive Night – This band has recently transitioned from one I enjoy to one I am beginning to really love. They’ve got that something. A great choice for the mix. They actually make me want to do something outside of sitting there drinking, like getting up and going out and getting into an adventure that will ultimately involve some bad choices, but hey, that’s life. 5/5

13. The National: Lit Up – This band never really hit me hard with their Alligator album like some folks. It’s all good, but just missed my ever drifting boat of a mind. I should hear more, because I do like this song and it’s less than 3 min which is always a good choice. Finish it up before you go on too long, which is something a drunk tends NOT to do. I don’t think I’d mind hearing this when I’m boozing, but it wouldn’t be my first choice. 3/5

14. The Raveonettes: Little Animal – Nice choice, fantastic opening lines. “My girl is a little animal, she always wants to fuck, I can't find the reason why, I guess it's just my luck”. Isn’t that what we’re all looking for? This has a great Jesus and Mary Chain clatter to it as well. Which is nice. 4.5/5

15. The Libertines: Can't Stand Me Now – This song makes me so goddamn happy and pissed off at the same time. The former feeling because it’s so fucking good. The latter because these guys couldn’t keep their shit together and keep creating stuff that sounds so effortlessly brilliant. I could hear any Libertines song when I’m having a few and each moment would eclipse the previous one. 5/5

16. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: Do You Love Me? – Like with ‘Cocaine Blues’, this song probably suffers in comparison to the previous track. But overall, I can’t say I like the choice. I’ve only heard a few Nick Cave songs, most of them really don’t do anything for me and this is no exception. 1/5

17. Echo & The Bunnymen: Villiers Terrace – I love Echo a lot, but I personally wouldn’t slot this song onto the mix. I’m gonna rank this doubly as well because I do think the song is great. The song, 3.5/5 but on the mix, 1.5/5 , mainly because of the next song.

18. Lucero: I Can Get Us Out Of Here Tonight – This is one of my favourite songs of 2006. I seriously cannot play this song enough, and lately it’s taken on some personal resonance. I’m probably gonna be playing this song very fucking loudly in my car when I’m rolling out of this city for the last time. I can’t say enough good things about this tune. 5/5

19. Uncle Tupelo: Still Be Around – I need to some more exposure to this band (EDIT: have recently found 89-93 and will be playing it soon) because this song is just fantastic. Probably one of my favourites on this mix (outside of ones I already know and love). This I would probably like to hear a bit later in the evening though, so it’s placement on the mix is perfect. 4.5/5

20. Neko Case: Twist The Knife – Man, I do love her voice. This song coupled with the previous is ideal for the end of the drinking evening. 4/5

21. Matthew Ryan: Sweetie – Nice closer here. Don’t know this guy, but his voice is fucking great. I be interested in hearing more about this dude. Great song. 4/5

-----------------------------
With the exception of a few songs which I typically just skip over during play, I really love this mix. In its devilish objective, it is the success I declared earlier within the review. I've played it a few times while getting my afternoon cocktails out of the way and it nicely does the job in getting my ready. Thanks for the effort. 8.8/10

nice review. similar response to your review of my other mix. i knew the songs you didnt like here would be the ones that most didnt like but i felt like mixing things up. lesson learned. i should have stuck to 16 or so songs on each mix rather than shoot for some change-ups. sounds like we have fairly similar taste.

Rparis – the Devil

1. Ike Reilly - Hip Hop Thighs #17
There’s something about Ike Reilly that is immediately infectious, but at the same time, I never think to listen to him again. The song is kitschy, fun and sexy. 3/5
2. Supersuckers – Pretty Fucked Up
I like this… pretty rockin’. I was listening to this in the car the other night, and my husband asked, “We aren’t listening to the radio, are we?” This song’s resonating with me for sure. 4/5
3. Slobberbone – Your Excuse
I have this weird thing about alt country… some of it really resonates with me, and some if it just sounds forced. This is somewhere in between the two extremes. 2/5
4. Son Volt - Drown
Good tune, but Lord knows I heard this enough times in the mid-90s to warrant never hearing it again. All of a sudden I’m feeling cranky. 3/5
5. The White Stripes - Offend in Every Way
Hmm, I wonder if I’m not in the right mindset right now, while typing this up, because initially I was really turned on by this, but now I’m feeling cantankerous like they’re some sort of rip-off artists. 3/5
6. Bob Dylan & the Band – Katie’s Been Gone
OK, this is making me feel better…. 3/5
7. Elvis Costello – Blame it on Cain
OK, full recovery, I’m now officially smiling. It’s hard to not like this song, right? 4/5
8. Johnny Cash – Cocaine Blues (live)
It’s so weird… I’ve never considered myself a Cash fan, but whenever I hear his music, I can’t help but love it. Great tune. 4/5
9. Richmond Fontaine – The Warehouse Life
Whoa, we slowed down, didn’t we? Is this like coming down after my cocaine high? The song itself is quite lovely, but seemed to be in an odd place on your mix. 3/5
10. Richard Buckner & Jon Langford – The Inca Princess
Yeah, I think I knew you were a big Buckner fan… so of course, I expected something like this. It’s quite nice, esp. since I’m not familiar with his stuff at all. 3/5
11. The Replacements – Color Me Impressed
Well, Rodney, I know you’re a huge Mats/Westerberg fan too, so I knew I’d find something on your mix like this. Raucous fun. 4/5
12. The Hold Steady – Massive Night
I don’t get the fascination with these guys. The music by itself is probably okay, but the guy’s voice ruins it for me. 2/5
13. The National – Lit it Up
This has a nice 80s throwback feel to it, so of course, I love it, haha. 5/5
14. The Raveonettes – Little Animal
“She always wants to fuck.” Well, yeah, I can definitely see how this applies to real life for you, Rodney. 3/5
15. The Libertines – Can’t Stand Me Now
I was never knowledgeable about the Libertines… don’t know why I never checked them out. This tune is nice. 3/5
16. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Do You Love Me?
I really should explore more Nick Cave. Again, I’m not familiar with a lot of his stuff, but once I hear it, I typically like it a lot. Recommendations on good places to start? 4/5
17. Echo and the Bunnymen – Villiers Terrace
Since I recently (this past summer) got the Ocean Rain album on cd finally, and it has this song as a bonus track on it. So I was familiar with one of your songs! 4/5
18. Lucero – I Can Get Us Out of Here Tonight
Oh no…. not my thing at all. 2/5
19. Uncle Tupelo – Still Be Around
Not a bad tune, but seems to divert again slightly from the rhythm/pace of previous tracks. 3/5
20. Neko Case – Twist the Knife
Can’t. Get. Into. Neko. I always feel like if I wanted to hear a woman belting out a tune, I’d rather listen to Patsy Cline. 1/5
21. Matthew Ryan – Sweetie
Nice closing track, Rod. I’m not familiar with this guy at all. 3/5

Overall: 3/5
I’ll post more comments once I get the 2nd disc reviewed. Thanks Rodney!

thanks for the review - glad i could get a couple 80s sounding tunes in there for ya. haha

01. Alejandro Escovedo: Pissed Off 2 A.M.
“I really like this. At first, the back-up female vocals annoyed me, but they’re fine. Very nice start to the mix.”
RATING: 7.5 (…out of 10)

02. M. Ward: Four Hours In Washington
“Awesome song. It would’ve been better if the song that this song segues into on the album was included here. Nonetheless, one of the better songs on the mix. I’m a very happy man so far.”
RATING: 8.5

03. Gram Parsons: Return Of The Grievous Angel
“Whoa…excellent. My favorite song on the mix. Enough said.”
RATING: 9.5

04. Grant Lee Buffalo: Mockingbirds
“Hmmm…I don’t know about this one. It’s a little boring, especially following the first three songs. It‘s not bad though.”
RATING: 6.0

05. The Jayhawks: Settled Down Like Rain
“The Jayhawks are harmless fun. With that said, they never seem to blow me away. It’s OK.”
RATING: 6.5

06. Damien Jurado: Denton, TX
“Jurado is hit or miss with me. He has some great songs, and some not so great. This one falls somewhere in between. Decent.”
RATING: 6.5

07. Pogues: Summer In Siam
“I absolutely love the music. The vocals not so much.”
RATING: 7.0

08. Lucinda Williams: Essence
“OK, first cringe worthy moment on this mix. This is awful. Not to mention, over 6 minutes long. Ugh. What does Lucinda have to sing about for 6 minutes?”
RATING: 2.5

09. Crowded House: Distant Sun
“This is not awful. A little too radio-friendly for my tastes. The mix has suddenly hit a wall.”
RATINGS: 4.5

10. The Posies: Solar Sister
“Oh my…never in a thousand years would I expect someone who posts on a board like Obner to include a song like this on a mix. CRINGE!”
RATING: 2.0

11. INXS: Don't Change
“Wow, I would never have guessed that this is INXS. It’s actually pretty good. But then again, anything would sound good after The Posies.”
RATING: 6.5

12. New Order: Leave Me Alone
“Very nice. The mix is starting to deliver again.”
RATING: 7.0

13. Tim Easton: Black Hearted Ways
“I’m just not a fan of the whole alt-country/pop songs. I like my country to be honky tonkish and bluegrassy. I think I just made up those words.”
RATING: 4.5

14. Hem: Not California
“Ugh…is this Sheryl Crow? This is beyond awful. It’s crap.”
RATING: 2.0

15. Mojave 3: Bringin' Me Home
“OK, this is a little better. Although, something about this song bugs me.”
RATING: 4.0

16. The Church: Bel-Air
“Much better.”
RATING: 6.0

17. The Go-Betweens: Apology Accepted
“I really like this one. It has a country feel with indie rock vocals. Very interesting. The mix is definitely improving.”
RATING: 7.0

18. Pete Droge: Straylin' Street (Live)
“OK, well the mix will not end on a bad note. I fucking love this. Excellent choice. I love the vocals. And the whole, a man with only his acoustic guitar really appeals to me.”
RATING: 9.5

19. Townes Van Zandt: To Live Is To Fly (Live)
“The claps at the beginning of the song are so appropriate. Excellent song. Excellent ending. I feel good.”
RATING: 9.0

The 3 or 4 cringeworthy moments unfortunately killed this mix’s overall rating.
Nevertheless, there are some outstanding songs, from M. Ward, Gram Parsons, and Pete Droge, among others.
Overall, I found the mix rather enjoyable, as I simply skipped the few songs I didn’t like.
Nice job, Rodney.
My advice, next time, stick to an all-country mix.
NOTE: Disc 1 to be reviewed soon.

OVERALL RATING: 6.26 (Music) + 1.00 (Double CD) = 7.26 (…out of 10)

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HOW YOU COMPARE TO OTHER OBNERS

01. SAINT PATRICK Histoire De La Pop Music (Disc 1) – 7.78

02. DUMPJACK The Booze And The Drugs (Disc 1) - 7.48

03. BGL3 Walking Through Confusion With A Smile On My Face – 7.28

04. RPARIS74 Disc 2: The Deep Blue Sea - 7.26

05. DNORWOOD If I Take You Home, Will You Respect Me In The Morning? (Disc 1) - 7.19

How about her longing for batch?

opa - sorry for making you cringe. haha.

These are an awesome couple of mixes, but I've already got (and like) most of the songs on 'em, so this isn't really a review so much as a series of notes jotted down while listening.


Disc 1: The Devil:

1. Ike Reilly: Hip Hop Thighs #17
I bought Salesmen & Racists while in L.A., just a couple months after 9/11. It was a weird time all around. I was visiting offices in places like the Sony lot while suffering through the latter stages of pneumonia, and subsequently needed to ensure I'd hacked up at least a half hour's worth of phlegm from my lungs in the parking lots before heading to meet the bigwigs in their swanky offices. My rental car had been upgraded, so I was driving around in leather luxury with Ike as my soundtrack. Somehow, it all fit together perfectly. 5/5

2. Supersuckers: Pretty Fucked Up
I've seen the 'suckers live a lot, and this song is, comparatively to the bulk of their material, the ballad in their set. Which doesn't mean they don't rock your face off with it, just that your skin peels off at a slightly slower pace. 3/5

3. Slobberbone: Your Excuse
Still haven't heard the Drams, which is odd given my love for Brent Best's songwriting. I place Barrelchested (the album this song is from) just behind Everything You Thought Was Right Was Wrong Today as my fave Slobberbone album. 4/5

4. Son Volt: Drown
I don't know why I've never got into Son Volt. Everytime I hear a song by itself I enjoy it, but I guess I find Farrar's vocals to be inflicted by sameness. An entire album of him gets tiring, regardless of the quality. And, yup, there IS quality. 4/5

5. The White Stripes: Offend In Every Way
I'm more a fan of the concept of the White Stripes than the actuality, but I'm just glad there's an artist as freaky as Jack White out there poking his crazy head into the mainstream. 3/5

6. Bob Dylan & The Band: Katie's Been Gone
This mix is acting like a way-back machine for me. It's causing massive reminiscences and nostalgia. Consider that a warning. I went through a two month period in the mid '80s when I barely listened to anything other than the Basement Tapes. I must've read Greil Marcus' liner notes a couple hundred times as well. 5/5

7. Elvis Costello: Blame It On Cain
In '77 My Aim Is True sounded like the beginning of the next set of rock classics for a new generation. 30 years later, it sounds like a beautiful, respectful nod to everything good that came before it. 5/5

8. Johnny Cash: Cocaine Blues (Live)
Bedrock. I'm not someone who can sit and listen to Johnny Cash - it's too monochromatic to hold my attention for long - but I can't deny the simply, direct emotional weight of everything the man did (except for "Ring of Fire", of which the less said the better). 5/5

9. Richmond Fontaine: The Warehouse Life
I think Willie Vlautin has got to stop reading his own reviews. Yeah, he's a great lyricist - but, dude, it's time to bring the tunes WITH the words. And rparis - this sad mofo is on the wrong disc. 3/5

10. Richard Buckner & Jon Langford: The Inca Princess
This is what's great about the mix exchange. Even on a mix of songs that I've already heard, the new context allows me to hear things in a new manner. For me, this song kinda sulked in the corner on that Fanglord album, but standing by itself here it sounds awesome. 4/5

11. The Replacements: Color Me Impressed
Way-back machine. Specifically, 1984, Kelowna, renting out a house on an orchard with the most beautiful woman I've ever spent time with. Mang, youth has such a bottomless capacity for stupidity. 4/5

12. The Hold Steady: Massive Night
I like this album a lot more after seeing the band live. Before, those background whoa-ohs sounded like a pre-recorded children's choir pretending to be enthusiastic. After, I realized it was the band BEING enthusiastic. It's always a good sign when the rest of the band is singing along to their singer's words. 4/5

13. The National: Lit Up
Yeah, okay. This is a good one. The lyrics on this album kinda turned me off, but with a beginner's creative writing class this band could have huge potential. 3/5

14. The Raveonettes: Little Animal
I just wish those obstinate fucks in the Jesus and Mary Chain would've recorded this album right after Automatic. It would've been killer. 3/5

15. The Libertines: Can't Stand Me Now
It's neither a shambles nor a dirty, pretty thing. It's both. Sometimes you don't know what you got until it's gone. 4/5

16. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: Do You Love Me?
Holy detour, batchman. Let Love In is my fave Nick Cave album, so I'm going along with the sudden change of pace. 3/5

17. Echo & The Bunnymen: Villiers Terrace
I'm turning off the way-back machine on this one. I tried to like Echo. I really did. 3/5

18. Lucero: I Can Get Us Out Of Here Tonight
The mix gets back on track. This is one of those escape songs in the tradition of the Animals "We've Got To Get Out Of This Place" and Springsteen's "Thunder Road" and a shortlist of other inarguable classics. Lucero deserves to be on that list. 4/5

19. Uncle Tupelo: Still Be Around
Jesus, dude, you're forcing me to relive various stages of my life. Cut it the fuck out. 4/5

20. Neko Case: Twist The Knife
I still think Neko is just approaching her true potential. This is good enough - but something big is coming down the pike. 3/5

21. Matthew Ryan: Sweetie
This is the 2nd Matthew Ryan song I've heard recently and I've liked 'em both. I'm gonna have to look into him - somehow he's managed to hide himself for a decade. 3/5


Disc 2: The Deep Blue Sea:

1. Alejandro Escovedo: Pissed Off 2 A.M.
I love the rhythm guitar in the chorus, the contrast between the chunky chording and the fragility of everything else. Great song. 4/5

2. M. Ward: Four Hours In Washington
It's STILL 2:00 in the morning? Nice. I've sipped the M. Ward Kool-Aid. 4/5

3. Gram Parsons: Return Of The Grievous Angel
A new generation of revisionist malcontents can scoff at the trust fund, even use it as evidence of the artificiality of his vox populi pose, but nobody can listen to this track - and I mean really listen to it - and not hear anything but brilliance and heart. 5/5

4. Grant Lee Buffalo: Mockingbirds
This is my fave GLB track. What other band can sound like John Lennon, glam era Bowie (WITH Mick Ronson), and the Band ALL IN THE SAME SONG? That's a trick worthy of Penn & Teller. 5/5

5. The Jayhawks: Settled Down Like Rain
I still like the Jayhawks. Don't love 'em. The potential for love ended with the departure of Mark Olson and the subsequent loss of those amazing harmonies that created sparks of genius like "Blue". 3/5

6. Damien Jurado: Denton, TX
This is nice enough, and in the right mood it might even be more than that. I saw Jurado live once and he bored the thud outta me, so maybe I'm holding that against him too. 3/5

7. Pogues: Summer In Siam
I love when Shane pulls his sensitive drunkard bit. He brings all the pathos of the rattiest muppet singing the ratty muppet version of "It's Not Easy Being Green." Heart on sleeve; vomit on lapel. What's not to love? 4/5

8. Lucinda Williams: Essence
Opa's disapproval of this one really hits home how mundanely hetero I am. I mean, this song oozes sex - but, y'know, it's sex with wimmins. Some of us older folk still like that stuff. 4/5

9. Crowded House: Distant Sun
This seems so light and inconsequential compared to everything preceeding it. Good tune though. 3/5

10. The Posies: Solar Sister
For me the Posies are exactly like Sloan. Decent pop sense, good energy, highly likable, but not much for me to latch onto as thegreatestsongeverwritten. And power pop needs that feeling, even it if only lasts for the requisite 3 minutes. 3/5

11. INXS: Don't Change
The way-back machine swings around again. I remember this album sitting on the new release shelves as an import from an unknown band. I never liked 'em all that much, but they were always good for that hook in the chorus. 3/5

12. New Order: Leave Me Alone
See above. I had a friend who bought all these sort of albums, and I'd tape them. He was always more into that noo wave stuff, whereas I favored that already dead-and-discredited genre called punk. 3/5

13. Tim Easton: Black Hearted Ways
Good song from a good album. I'm a fan. 4/5

14. Hem: Not California
I've never heard Hem. I don't dislike this, but I'm finding the chorus a tad generic. 2/5

15. Mojave 3: Bringin' Me Home
I keep trying to like Mojave 3, but the songs always strike me as diaphanous wisps that disappear the closer I look at them. There's just not much here. 2/5

16. The Church: Bel-Air
The Church are an easy proof that the '80s didn't suck entirely. Awesome and fits my mood perfectly right now. 4/5

17. The Go-Betweens: Apology Accepted
That friend of mine who bought all the New Order, INXS, and Echo and the Bunnymen? He also bought every single Go-Betweens album. Lucky for me. 4/5

18. Pete Droge: Straylin' Street (Live)
I mentioned in a previous review that I saw Droge do an instore at Easy Street in Seattle. This is exactly what he sounded like - and it reminds me why I was so impressed. 4/5

19. Townes Van Zandt: To Live Is To Fly (Live)
Tears in the beer. And the kind of tears that raise the alcoholic content of the beer. 5/5

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Thanks for the mixes, Rod - we've obviously got a very similar section to our reckid collections. You might want to consider changing that lest people start getting the idea you're curmudgeonly or something.

Hmmm...our reviews of disc 2 are pretty similar, Mr. Hetero.

thanks for the review rads.

opa - the % scores are teh same but the commentary is a little less dramatic with his than your. but thats not really suprising... haha.

Whatever. Go have anal sex.

its not gay if im giving, right?

Next time I'm in Portland, we'll have to try and see if you turn gay.