Again, no time for a song by song review.

Great mix in that it flows like a mofo, not so great mix because I'm not a huge fan of most of the songs.

Highlights:

Tracks one - five (Magnet, "hold on"; The Damnwells, "sleepsinging"; The Velvet Teen, "Prize Fighter"; Youth Group, "Shadow Land"; The Honorary Title, "Frame by Frame") Those songs really kept me going and I really enjoyed all of them, although THT's ep version of "Frame by Frame" is better than the lp's version in my opinion.
Dismemberment Plan - What Do you want me to say - I've never heard this before, but I really like it.
The Format - "Tie the Rope" - Love this band
The Twilight Singers - "Teenage Wristband" - it's been too long since I've heard this song. One of the best of '03.

Lowlights:

The rest of the songs sort of blended together for me and not in a good way. There's something about recorded My Morning Jacket and the sound of South, Ours, etc. that doesn't sit right with me.

HOWEVER, just because I don't like those songs, doesn't mean that it didn't flow like a peaceful little stream in the middle of nowhere.

Song selection: B-
Art: A+ (simplicity is my middle name)
Flow: A

Overall: 4/5

1. Magnet - Hold On - is that a banjo alongside synths? if so, very cool. i like this.
2. The Damnwells - Sleepsinging - nice transition right here. this is alright, reminds me of west indian girl.
3. The Velvet Teen - Prize Fighter - another good transition between tracks. i like the piano. these vocals sound like a blatant thom yorke rip-off (at least at the beginning). it picks up some steam late and ends well.
4. Youth Group - Shadow Land - oh, i've seen this video on "subterranean" lately. something about the vocals stings me, but i like it pretty much otherwise. it's catchy.
5. The Honorary Title - Frame by Frame - hmm... this one's not getting it done for me.
6. My Morning Jacket - It Beats for You - hearing this outside of z is interesting because i haven't yet. it's not so bad on its own.
7. My Vitriol - Always Your Way - oohh, these vocals are grating. the music's alright, though.
8. South - Colours in Waves - this is another that i've never heard outside of its album. i like it.
9. Ours - Realize - the screams are a little much, but i really like it apart from them.
10. Dismemberment Plan - What Do You Want Me to Say - this is a little boring with that one spiking guitar for most of it and it goes on too long, but the chorus almost redeems it.
11. Pinback - Non-Photo Blue - excellent; the other good song from summer in abaddon.
12. Burning Airlines - Pacific 231 - i'm a sucker for almost anything with j robbins.
13. The Format - Tie the Rope - i don't get it. "when i'm with you, there's no point in breathing"? i like the drums and buried guitars, but not much else.
14. Let Go - Run & Hide - this would probably fall into some sort of guilty pleasure category for me. it's fun in that "i don't listen to anything else that sounds like it" way.
15. Mates of State - Whiner's Bio - i like this, especially the vocals, horns, and keys.
16. Bloc Party - Two More Years - these guitars are awesome, but i don't like how it's sung. and i feel that it drags. it's not a bad song.
17. Radio 4 - Absolute Affirmation - this is alright, for radio 4. and it fits well at this point of the mix.
18. The Twilight Singers - i like the piano and then how it comes back in occasionally, especially because nothing else really jumps out at me.
19. Placebo - Meds - this has a lot that i like. the male/female vocals sound good... yeah, totally dig it. (edit: wow, i keep being told that i should listen to placebo. this has made me a believer.)
20. TV on the Radio - playhouses - i like this song. it sounds like it's continually building up to something huge. oh... um... it just died at two minutes. oh okay, now it's back. this is good, nice way to end.

i knew more on this mix than any other i've heard so far. it still gave me a few things to look up, though. (placebo and mates of state, primarily - two bands that've been on my radar, but that i'd never given much thought to listening to.) it went in a few different directions, many that i enjoyed. the sequencing was alright and offered some really good transitions along with a couple that made me think i'd somehow skipped a track between. my one constant complaint was that a lot of these songs went too long, but most of those were good or very good for the two and a half or three minutes that they stayed fresh. overall, i was really pleased with this mix and had a good time listening to it.

1. Magnet - Hold On - *** liked it, pretty chill.
2. The Damnwells - Sleepsinging - *** to me, their cd has always been inoffensive but not great. this is a good song. i like how it starts to pick up the mix.
3. The Velvet Teen - Prize Fighter - *** feels like good driving music. pace is great so far.
4. Youth Group - Shadow Land - **** yep. i like these guys too. this album is kinda in the same group as the damnwells for me. catchy song.
5. The Honorary Title - Frame by Frame - **** i think i downloaded some of their stuff from emusic. yeah, i like this too.
6. My Morning Jacket - It Beats for You - *** yep. mmj. good.
7. My Vitriol - Always Your Way - *** nice, upbeat.
8. South - Colours in Waves - *** yes
9. Ours - Realize - *** i didn't like this as much the first few times, but it grew on me. as i mentioned on another review, something about the faltering voice thing. i will lose any indie cred i might possibly have here, but its kinda like when i used to listen to dashboard. yeah.
10. Dismemberment Plan - What Do You Want Me to Say - *** this made me put 'change' on again. haven't heard these guys in awhile. like it, although the guitar gets a little grating after awhile.
11. Pinback - Non-Photo Blue - *** nice.
12. Burning Airlines - Pacific 231 - **** oh man. burning airlines. i put them on one of my very first mixes. i like this. must check them out again.
13. The Format - Tie the Rope - *** pretty good. they had my fav song on aFreshStart4Me's mix.
14. Let Go - Run & Hide - ** s'ok. maybe its just the vocals i don't really like as much.
15. Mates of State - Whiner's Bio - *** cool
16. Bloc Party - Two More Years - *** excellent
17. Radio 4 - Absolute Affirmation - *** always liked these guys on mixes. upbeat. good.
18. The Twilight Singers - *** nice
19. Placebo - Meds - ** the line "did you forget to take your meds" seems silly to me
20. TV on the Radio - playhouses - *** love these guys too. awesome.

i listened to this mix the most so far. i dunno what it is, it just has the right combination of stuff i like and it flows really well. it's probably goin in my car, because it feels like good driving music.

Timis - Obner Mix 2006

1. Magnet - Hold On. Gets to be a bit much around the 1:30 mark, and I keep finding myself tuning it out. The Beach Boy "oo"s and "ah"s towards the end are nice, though. 3/5
2. The Damnwells - Sleepsinging. Just seems like generic alt-rock to me, and the lyrics are kinda annoying. 2/5
3. The Velvet Teen - Prize Fighter. I don't like the vocals, but the melody is alright. 2/5
4. Youth Group - Shadow Land. I like this one better. Very pleasant though not something I would seek out further. 3/5
5. The Honorary Title - Frame by Frame. I get pretty put off by these kinds of breathy rock vocals. Guess I'm pretty hard to please in the singing category when it comes to more traditional rock/pop. 2/5
6. My Morning Jacket - It Beats for You. I like this song and this band, and I feel like I probably should have bought this album. 4/5
7. My Vitriol - Always Your Way. Eh, this reminds me of the Foo Fighters. 2/5
8. South - Colours in Waves. Not liking this one. 1/5
9. Ours - Realize. This one is OK. 3/5
10. Dismemberment Plan - What Do You Want Me to Say. I always thought this band was overrated. I have Emergency & I, though, and I think it's alright. The vocals (again) always bothered me (too many "yeahs" and various annoying tics), but I do really dig some parts of this song, especially how it ends. 3/5
11. Pinback - Non Photo-Blue. This is from the last Pinback album, right? I've gotten pretty bored with them, but hearing this song outside of that album is pretty enjoyable. They're a good band, and I like the unique interplay and rhythmic quality they have. 4/5
12. Burning Airlines - Pacific 231. Pretty good instrumentally, but too bad the vocals aren't nearly as interesting. I'm kinda torn, but I guess this track is decent enough. 3/5
13. The Format - Tie the Rope. This one's not for me. 1/5
14. Let Go - Run & Hide. This has a nice groove to it during the verses but falls into that damn generic alt-rock territory in the chorus and bridge. And the we get a little synth solo. 2/5
15. Mates of State - Whiner's Bio. Kinda sounds like P:ano (maybe these guys came first, I dunno). Anyway, it's nicely catchy, and I like their keyboard sound. 3/5
16. Bloc Party - Two More Years. I didn't get into this band, but they're OK. This song is pretty good, but not really my thing and a little too long. 3/5
17. Radio 4 - Absolute Affirmation. I haven't really liked anything I've heard by these guys. 2/5
18. The Twilight Singers - Teenage Wristband. This is decent. I like it better than most Dulli stuff I've heard, but it still doesn't strike me as anything all that special. 3/5
19. Placebo - Meds. I gave Placebo a shot in high school and couldn't get into 'em. Guess I still can't. 2/5
20. TV on the Radio - Playhouses. This band still doesn't do a whole lot for me, but I can listen to 'em. 3/5

Overall:
Flow - 4/5. The whole thing moves along pretty smoothly.
Surprises - 2/5. Not much new here that I want to check out, but Mates of State seem like they could be pretty good.
Song Quality - 2.5/5

Final Score: 2.75/5

1. Magnet - Hold On - It's okay, but not my thing 2/5
2. The Damnwells - Sleepsinging - more of the same, see above 2/5
3. The Velvet Teen - Prize Fighter - Starting to pick up the pace a little bit 2.5/5
4. Youth Group - Shadow Land - it's catchy. a grower for sure 3/5
5. The Honorary Title - Frame by Frame - hmm... this one's not getting it done for me. 2/5
6. My Morning Jacket - It Beats for You - I like MMJ, but not this song 1.5/5
7. My Vitriol - Always Your Way - oohh, I'm a sucker for power pop 4/5
8. South - Colours in Waves - a grower has potential 3.5/5
9. Ours - Realize - doesn't grab me 2/5
10. Dismemberment Plan - What Do You Want Me to Say - this is a little, but the chorus almost redeems it. 2.5/5
11. Pinback - Non-Photo Blue - a grower 3/5
12. Burning Airlines - Pacific 231 - i wanted to like it, does that count? 2.5/5
13. The Format - Tie the Rope - I've followed these guys ever since I move to AZ, good but not thier best 3.5/5
14. Let Go - Run & Hide - this is a grower 3/5
15. Mates of State - Whiner's Bio - This song is just damn catchy and fun 4/5
16. Bloc Party - Two More Years - these guys live up to thier hype 3.5/5
17. Radio 4 - Absolute Affirmation - catchy 3/5
18. The Twilight Singers - just okay 2.5/5
19. Placebo - Meds - this has a lot element of a song i like, i dig it 4/5
20. TV on the Radio - playhouses - good tempo 3/5
I didn't care for the first third of the mix but the pace picked up and finished strongly, nice job.

kind of funny...i normally dont make mixes for people (basically just burn full albums). so this was kind of "new" for me.

anyway - this effort was a little rushed. i promise next time the mix will rock your socks off.....

not that i think its bad or anything, but yeah i agree on some of the reviews for some of the songs. when i went back to listen to some of the songs - it was more or less - what in the hell was i thinking?

for example: "What Do You Want Me to Say" annoys me now. i use to like this song, and just put it on there without listening to it again.

1. Magnet - "Hold On"
The banjo is a nice touch, and the vocals are pleasant enough, but I'm just not feelin' it.

2. The Damnwells - "Sleepsinging"
I didn't think I was going to like this at first, but it really ended up being a good song.

3. The Velvet Teen - "Prize Fighter"
I always get this band confused with Imperial Teen, based on the similar names. Some parts are a little too Coldplay, but all in all, it's not bad.

4. Youth Group - "Shadow Land"
I dig those opening drums. The vocals sound a lot like Nada Surf to me. Best song on the mix so far.

5. The Honorary Title - "Frame by Frame"
I guess this is OK. Pretty innocuous.

6. My Morning Jacket - "It Beats for You"
Great tune from a great album by a great band. I finally saw them live last year, and they destroyed with this. It was that much better in person. Very intense.

7. My Vitriol - "Always Your Way"
This sounds extremely alt-rock radio. A little bit Foo Fightery. I've heard worse.

8. South - "Colours in Waves"
There are some things I like about this song, but as a whole, I don't know if it would merit repeat listens.

9. Ours - "Realize"
This is better than just about anything I've ever heard from them. Surprisingly good.

10. Dismemberment Plan - "What Do You Want Me to Say?"
All these years on Obner and CMJ, yet this is somehow the first time I've ever heard anything by these guys. This is more mainstream sounding and accessible than I was expecting, based on what I've heard about them from others on the board. It's decent, but doesn't blow me away.

11. Pinback - "Non-Photo Blue"
Another band I've heard a lot more ABOUT than actually heard. Good stuff. I'd definitely be interested in hearing more from them.

12. Burning Airlines - "Pacific 231"
Awesome angular guitar on this. I am really digging the whole song. Didn't they break up? I hope not.

13. The Format - "Tie the Rope"
This one started out pretty good, but the chorus has way too much radio-friendly polish for my liking.

14. Let Go - "Run & Hide"
Though I could also easily imagine hearing this on the local alt-rock station, this track is good enough to keep me from changing the station.

15. Mates of State - "Whiner's Bio"
I was listening to their new album on the way to work this morning, and realized they are one of those rare bands who I get all their albums, even though I'm not a huge fan. I like them OK enough, but I don't LOVE them. The only other band I can think of who would fall into that same category for me would be The Weakerthans. This is one of the better songs off an relatively weak effort by this husband-wife duo. Their new album is a lot better.

16. Bloc Party - "Two More Years"
I enjoy Bloc Party ever time I hear them, but never (and I mean NEVER) get the urge to voluntarily listen to their album. What does that mean? I think there's just a glut of too many bands like this out there right now.

17. Radio 4 - "Absolute Affirmation"
I really like radio 4, but this was a HORRIBLE album. Their new one kicks ass. As for the last album, this is one of the only songs I can tolerate from that abomination.

18. The Twilight Singers - "Teenage Wristband"
I didn't really care much for this one. I liked Dulli's latest solo effort better.

19. Placebo - "Meds"
I like the lyrics, but I'm not sure about the vocals. I can't quite decide exactly what I think of this song.

20. TV on the Radio - "Playhouses"
Great choice for a mix closer! I really like the energy on this. Their new album is a good deal livelier than their previous effort.

There isn't anything on here I really hated, and several tracks I really liked, but most I was kind of lukewarm on. There were a lot of bands I hadn't heard before, though, including a couple I hadn't even heard OF. Put it all together, and I'll give this mix a B- by the slimmest of margins. Thanks for the mix, Thomas!

1) Magnet "Hold On" - Makes me think of something Abandoned Pools would write until the Beach Boys-ish oohs and bahs at the end. I like the banjo plucking. It's a pleasant tune that's getting better with additional spins. 3.5/5

2) The Damnwells "Sleepsinging" - Kind of snuck up on me. Its initial impression makes me think of something that I'd hear from one of your typical VH1 bands like Train and Goo Goo Dolls. But the songcraft transcends most of that ilk. 3/5

3) The Velvet Teen "Prize Fighter" - I'm not crazy about the singer. But he does pull off a consistent falsetto delivery while managing to fall short of being overbearing and whiney. And when he isn't doing the falsetto, he reminds me a bit of that PaloAlto guy. OK song. 2.5/5

4) Youth Group "Shadow land" - Almost sounds like something New Order would write although I doubt they'd execute it the same way. Kinda repetitive but sonically pleasing. 2.5/5

5) The Honorary Title "Frame by Frame" - This doesn't seem that far removed from something I'd hear from Death Cab. Drags in spots but I dig the chorus part of the song. 3/5

6) My Morning Jacket "It Beats 4 U" - What can I say...one of my fav songs from Z. 5/5

7) My Vitriol "Always: Your Way" - Hmm...I used to have Finelines and then sold it back. This isn't a bad song although it does fall within the realm of typical modern rock radio. For some reason I remember them sounding spacier than this. This track in particular reminds me of one of the Foo Fighters' more melodic tracks like "Have it All" or "Generator." 3/5

8 ) South "Colours in Waves" - I sold this back too, but I actually did like this song. You can hear a little bit of Doves and Kent on this track. The hook's not particularly rich but the pounding rhythms and chimey guitar make up for it. 3/5

9) Ours "Realize" - Now, I ALMOST sold my Ours CDs back. But as I listened to them I realized I wanted to give him another chance. Precious is actually a pretty good CD and it's hard to deny Gnecco's vocal prowess, but this isn't one of the songs that stood out for me. But I gotta give him a 3 solely for channelling Buckley as well as he does. 3/5

10) Dismemberment Plan "What Do You Want Me To Say" - This one really stood out on the first listen taking the mix in a quirkier, noisier direction. These guys were on my "to check out list" for a while but they gradually fell off. May have to add 'em back on. I like the chorus on this one a lot. 4/5

11) Pinback "Non Photo-Blue" - My bro likes these guys and I think he has played me this song before. Catchy, groovy, and one of the more unique tracks on this batch. 3.5/5

12) Burning Airlines "Pacific 231" - I like the jagged riffage on this. And the drummer is quite busy so that always helps. 3/5

13) The Format "Tie the Rope" - Sounds like a more danceable Vagrant Records band. Get Up Kids perhaps. Kinda slick but enjoyable enough. 3/5

14) Let Go "Run & Hide" - Yeah it sounds like radio rock. But if more radio rock sounded like this, I'd probably tune in more often. Well executed harmonies and bass playing especially. Kinda like Muse, but not as orchestrated and less bombastic. 4/5

15) Mates of State "Whiner's Bio" - Whoa, where'd this come from? Short. Sunny. Organ/keyboard based. I like the unique dual male/female vocal combo and rhythmic changes. 4/5

16) Bloc Party "Two More Years" - I have Silent Alarm but I never really got into it. I was turned off by what appeared to be an over abundance of solid grooves but lack of songs. However, this song gives me hope. I don't think it's on the record I have. This is good. Kind of Cure-ish in spots. 4/5

17) Radio 4 "Absolute Affirmation" - Never owned a CD by these guys but I did see them at Coachella. Highly energetic show. This has enough to offer rhythmically and melodically for my liking. 3.5/5

18 ) The Twilight Singers "Teenage Wristband" - I think I'm one of the few people here who have yet to own anything by the Afghan Whigs. Not sure what's holding me back. For the most part, I like the mix on this one and Dulli's vox. Although I do wish rock bands would resist using generic trip hop fills more often. 3/5

19) Placebo "Meds" - Some Every-You-Every-Me type strumming here in the beginning. Placebo has a very distinguishable yet simplistic sound. They are one of those bands that have an album's worth of great songs. I'm not completely sure how I feel about this one yet. But their songs have been known to sneak up on me. 2.5/5

20) TV on the Radio "Playhouses" - I saw these guys open for The Faint once. They sounded really sludgey with their bassist overpowering every other instrument on stage. Then I heard their CD and couldn't believe it was the same band. I've never heard this song until now but I hope it's indicative of how good the Interscope release will be. 4/5

This mix took me through some familiar territory but yielded some pleasant surprises as well (I can now say I like a Bloc Party and Dismemberment Plan song). I probably would have arranged the order of the tracks differently for maximum effect. But most of the tracks here were melodically strong. I wasn't big on the Velvet Teen, Youth Group and Ours tracks, but there really wasn't anything here I can say I disliked.