Sorry this review took so long, Drinky - life got in the way.
1. Elvis Costello & The Attractions • Two Little Hitlers
When this album came out it seemed guaranteed that Costello would conquer the mainstream world, but kinda like Hitler he may have attacked on too many fronts (a country reckid was an understandable offensive, but showtunes and string quartets were his Russian winter). This song represents what he does best - vitriolic pop. And such a gentle lead-in to the mix, too. 5/5
2. Minutemen • This Ain't No Picnic
One of the more conventional rock songs from Double Nickels. I've always thought d. boon's guitar soloing was too thin and devoid of melody to carry off TEH RAWK - at least on this album - but there's still lots to love about it. 4/5
3. Captain Beefheart • Big Eyed Beans From Venus
This is one of those Beefheart songs that makes me wonder why they bothered. There's a decent bit of riffing, but mostly it's repetitive and kinda unnecessary. T'ain't no Floppy Boot Stomp. 2/5
4. Man Man • Tunneling Through the Guy
First time I've heard these guys. This is more what I expect from a Drinky mix - dat goog ol' unlistenable. The intro really had me worried, when the xylophonic chinking went into the sudden burst of "everybody play now" all I could think was "how is it conceivably possible to hit that many wrong notes?" But then it settled into a groove/chant for some sonic relief. Dudes seem to be aiming for art more than music, but I wouldn't call this art so much as merely artsy. And I bet their record collection thoroughly sucks. 1/5
5. Need New Body • Show Me Your Heart
Starts out sounding like the theme music for an imaginary James Bond flick cast entirely with actors suffering from Down's Syndrome. Ends like that too. 1/5
6. Tom Waits • Trampled Rose
Real Gone is my fave post-Rain Dogs Waits reckid. In fact, after Alice and Blood Money I was starting to write him off as a painful self parody. Songs like this one helped correct that assessment. 3/5
7. Songs: Ohia • The Gray Tower
Like 'em, don't love 'em. A heartfelt ballad that could rool my world in the right mood, but goddamn, for the sake of my own mental health and happiness, I hope I'm never in that particular mood. 3/5
8. Neil Young • Motion Pictures
Towing a similar mood as the previous song, but with the extra help of a subtley indelible hook in the melody. Neil does that sort of thing. Sneaky bastard. 4/5
9. Smog • Finer Days
A band I'd like to explore. He does a lot with very little in this song. Interesting. 3/5
10. Talking Heads • Mind
I haven't heard this song for such a long time. Too long. The triumph of unrepentant geek over rock star cool. A major shift in the paradigm. All of that. And a bag of rice cakes. 5/5
11. Can • Moonshake
This is reason #53 why you cannot dismiss Can - because no matter how experimental (read: unlistenable) they got, they were always capable of something as cool as this song. In short, they could do whatever they wanted. And they did. 5/5
12. Sly & The Family Stone • I Want To Take You Higher
Good run of classics here, Drinky. Have the original Sly albums received the reissue/remaster treatment yet? I gotta pick up some of those things in digital format. Fun. Key. 5/5
13. Mike Ladd • Red Eye To Jupiter (Starship Nigga)
"Starship nigga, outerspace motherfucker." Gawd, what's happening to me? I kinda dig this. 4/5
14. This Heat • Makeshift Swahili
Ah, finally something to complain about. This sounds like the first gig by the band formed by that sulky kid in the corner dorm who's getting a BFA in sculpture. Fucker can't even yell right. Perfectly unlistenable, Drinky - you have held up your end of the bargain. 0/5
15. Wire • Sand in My Joints
Song #15 - just so you know, this is the point that Alongwaltz stops listening. 4/5
16. Swell Maps • The Helicopter Spies
I find Swell Maps too brittle and cold, but I suspect that's got more to do with the fact that the band members were still learning to play more than any kind of post-punk intent. Of course, I suspect the same of all first gen post-punk - hell, even Gang of Four went disco. 2/5
17. Chavez • The Guard Attacks
Another band I've never really listened to. This is okay. Nothing I'll latch onto with any sort of committment, but an enjoyable arrangement and a good addition to the mix nonetheless. 3/5
18. Fugazi • Life And Limb
I've only got Repeater from back in the vinyl-buying days. I need to look into more Fugazi. This is pretty awesome. 4/5
19. Deerhoof • L'Amour Stories
Surprisingly (to me, anyway), I quite like the music to this, but that little girl vocal makes me want to stab unicorns. 1/5
20. Akron/Family • How Do I Know
Back in that Songs:Ohia frame of mind. Short and sweet. 3/5
21. Califone • Spider's House
Love the way that sax sneaks into this song. One of my faves of the year. 5/5
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Drinky, this mix is way, um, less unlistenable (ie: more listenable) than your rep would have led me to believe. Some excellent choices, plus a bunch of stuff I've never heard before - it all adds up to a pretty good addition to the files.
Thanks!
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