(the complete title is too long for obner subject titles.)

i looked at the tracklisting after listening, which is why some of my comments may seem odd.

1. Great Big Sea - River Driver - i like this as a beginning, but it's something i'd never listen to on my own.
2. Tom Waits - Clap Hands - i barely know anything about tom waits apart from his distinctive voice. is this really indicative of his music? i'm not sold.
3. Mike Doughty - White Lexus - these vocals are the reason why i don't like soul coughing.
4. Jay Bennett - Charming & Plastic - the mix is building up to something with this tune. i like it.
5. The Schramms - Torn In Two - this keeps the momentum from the last song, but it's not quite as good.
6. Okkervil River - Blanket & Crib - oh yes, okkervil river. this is a pretty good song and it definitely works well in the context of the mix.
7. Graham Parker - Gypsy Blood - there are some songs that should be all chorus. this is one of them. i found myself waiting through verses just for the good chorus. (edit: so it's apparently not "jet set blood.")
8. Richard Buckner & Jon Langford - Torn Apart - this has a good beat. i like it. this is also the first song with lyrics that have caught my attention so far.
9. Alejandro Escovedo - Crooked Frame - what does this remind me of? it sounds so familiar. i do like it. again, i'm listening to lyrics. (edit: i just saw alejandro escovedo last summer.)
10. The Long Winters - Carparts - this has to be the long winters. i didn't think much of it at first, but it came on strong about midway through and left me feeling good. (i even listened to it twice.)
11. Greg Dulli - Cigarettes - "ooooooh, ooooooh, ooooooooh!" yeah, this is totally stuck in my head. the lead vocals are slowly getting on my nerves as it carries on and on, though.
12. Blue Mountain - Generic America (Live) - this sounds like a band that'd play a bar in my neighborhood, but a little better.
13. The Oranges Band - Success (Nothing Succeeding) - this riff has some serious promise. uh, is this a demo? the vocals sound like they were recorded in a tin can and then mixed in too soft, but i cannot deny that i totally dig the music. this rocks.
14. Ike Reilly - Garbage Day - i like it. (edit: so this is ike reilly? i like the song, but i was expecting better, considering the way he's discussed on the board.)
15. Lifter Puller - Back In Blackeard - craig finn! this is pretty good. it's not the hold steady, but it'll do.
16. David Garza - Glow In The Dark - this sounds dated. it was probably really good whenever it was released. i would've liked this then, but i think its time has passed on.
17. Steve Earle - Taneytown - i don't really care for this song, but i will say that it seems to fit in with the mix's theme.
18. Grandpaboy - Footsteps - the best part about this is the hook.
19. Stereophonics - Since I Told You Its Over - would it have killed this guy to recover from the strep throat before recording this song? it's not really too bad, but it sounds painful. (edit: oh, it's stereophonics. this makes me wonder when they're going to reach their potential and record a solid album instead of a few good singles, a couple decent tracks, and a lot of filler.)
20. Vic Chesnutt - Kick My Ass - it sounds like this mix is coming to a close...
21. The Style Council - Stones Throw Away - i like the strings. and the vocals. just not together. it sounds a little disjointed.
22. Billy Bragg - Waiting For The Great Leap Forward - who doesn't like billy bragg? i dig it.

the theme is apparent on almost every song, so it definitely sounds like work was put into it. the first few songs didn't interest me much, but it picked up and there's a stretch near the middle that i did quite enjoy. only one or two songs really stood out to me, though. i'm not sure i could distinguish much beyond them and what i already knew. and i know that the aim of mixes is not to educate listeners, but i do get a kick out of finding new music on mixes from people that i don't know. with the exception of billy bragg, i found the bookends to be rather humdrum, but that middle is pretty solid.

Idiopathic/Cupid - (Somewhat) Angry (Relatively) Young (Mostly White) Men

1. Great Big Sea - River Driver. Pretty cool, I guess. 3/5
2. Tom Waits - Clap Hands. Classic. How can anyone not like this? 5/5
3. Mike Doughty - White Lexus. Nice. Some pretty good lyrics here, and the overall sound is pretty good, too. 4/5
4. Jay Bennett - Charming & Plastic. Can't remember hearing any solo Bennett before. It's alright. 3/5
5. The Schramms - Torn In Two. Pretty good, but less distinctive than the previous few. Sounds a lot like a whole bunch of other stuff. Like Being There-era Wilco. 3/5
6. Okkervil River - Blanket & Crib. My first taste of pre-BSB Okkervil. I like this much better, but it's still kinda not my thing. 3/5
7. Graham Parker - Gypsy Blood. Yeah, I need to get some Graham Parker. Kinda reminds me of The Band among other things. 4/5
8. Richard Buckner & Jon Langford - Torn Apart. I like other Buckner stuff better, but this is OK. 3/5
9. Alejandro Escovedo - Crooked Frame. Heard a lot about this guy, but he doesn't really strike me as anything all that special. Don't really like the sound of this one. 2/5
10. The Long Winters - Carparts. I dunno. Seems kinda middling and generic. 2/5
11. Greg Dulli - Cigarettes. I'm not a Dulli fan. 2/5
12. Blue Mountain - Generic America (Live). Uh, nah. 2/5
13. The Oranges Band - Success (Nothing Succeeding). Decent, Strokes-like, but more energetic. 3/5
14. Ike Reilly - Garbage Day. I couldn't get into Ike Reilly. Combination of a mildly annoying voice and dull music, IMO. The lyrics aren't really all that, either. Mentioning the Clermont should score points with me, but this doesn't give you any idea of what a hilarious and disturbing dive it is.2/5
15. Lifter Puller - Back In Blackeard. Lifter Puller was cool. 4/5
16. David Garza - Glow In The Dark. Kinda interesting. 3/5
17. Steve Earle - Taneytown. Solid rawk. 3/5
18. Grandpaboy - Footsteps. OK. More rawk, nicely catchy. 3/5
19. Stereophonics - Since I Told You Its Over. This was kinda annoying for some reason. 2/5
20. Vic Chesnutt - Kick My Ass. Decent song. Kinda funny. 3/5
21. The Style Council - Stones Throw Away. Too Peter Gabriel/Genesis for me, sound-wise. 2/5
22. Billy Bragg - Waiting For The Great Leap Forward. Pretty good. Decent summation of the mix. 3/5

Overall:
Flow - 4/5. Great job sticking to your theme and keeping things moving at a good pace.
Surprises - 3/5. Lots of quality stuff that I'm not too familiar with, but a lot of it comes from sources that I always sorta expected to be good (Graham Parker, Steve Earle, Vic Chesnutt). Might have to look into Mike Doughty.
Song Quality - 3/5

Final Score - 3/5

Very solid mix. Thanks.

this is all purely IMO. most of my reviews will be short- i've always found it difficult to really describe my reactions to music.

1. Great Big Sea - River Driver - * i dunno, it just didn't strike me. sounds like an irish folk song
2. Tom Waits - Clap Hands - *** i never really got into tom waits, but i like this one
3. Mike Doughty - White Lexus - ** nice
4. Jay Bennett - Charming & Plastic - ** ok
5. The Schramms - Torn In Two - *** i like his voice, nice mellow tune
6. Okkervil River - Blanket & Crib - *** nice transition to okkervil. i haven't heard a song from these guys i didn't like
7. Graham Parker - Gypsy Blood - *** another smooth transition. i like this one too
8. Richard Buckner & Jon Langford - Torn Apart - ** didn't really like this one as much
9. Alejandro Escovedo - Crooked Frame - **** cool
10. The Long Winters - Carparts - *** cool
11. Greg Dulli - Cigarettes - **** nice carrying the cigarette line over.
12. Blue Mountain - Generic America (Live) - * maybe its just because its live, doesn't really feel like it fits as well as the others
13. The Oranges Band - Success (Nothing Succeeding) - *** i've always been on the fence with these guys. this songs pretty good.
14. Ike Reilly - Garbage Day - ** sounds a little too generic
15. Lifter Puller - Back In Blackeard - *** good
16. David Garza - Glow In The Dark - * eh
17. Steve Earle - Taneytown - *** like it
18. Grandpaboy - Footsteps - ** ok
19. Stereophonics - Since I Told You Its Over - ***** i must check out more stereophonics
20. Vic Chesnutt - Kick My Ass - ***
21. The Style Council - Stones Throw Away - **
22. Billy Bragg - Waiting For The Great Leap Forward - *** very nice closer

i really liked the flow of this mix. i lose interest in some of the weaker songs, so if it were a bit shorter, it'd really work for me. thanks for introducing me to some new bands.

Idiopathic/Cupid - (Somewhat) Angry (Relatively) Young (Mostly White) Men

1. Great Big Sea - River Driver kind of interesting, sounds like a sea shanty 3/5
2. Tom Waits - Clap Hands i've never liked tom waits and this isn't changing my opinion, though the music is ok 1/5
3. Mike Doughty - White Lexus i guess he's going the mark lanegan/eric bachman route. it's decent and i'd probably check his stuff out further but i think i prefer his soul coughing stuff 3/5
4. Jay Bennett - Charming & Plastic this is alright but not really doing anything for me 2/5
5. The Schramms - Torn In Two can't really get into this either, sounds too generic 2/5
6. Okkervil River - Blanket & Crib i've never really listened to these guys but i heard a track i liked on satellite radio the other day and i like this one too. high point of the mix so far 4/5
7. Graham Parker - Gypsy Blood don't really know anything by him but this is a good song 3/5
8. Richard Buckner & Jon Langford - Torn Apart kind of sounds like a cross between tom petty and jethro tull for some reason, i have no idea where i came up with that mix. ehh...don't really like it 2/5
9. Alejandro Escovedo - Crooked Frame this is a pretty solid song. probably my 2nd favorite so far. 4/5
10. The Long Winters - Carparts i really need to get their album(s). i love that new girl song and this one is great too 4/5
11. Greg Dulli - Cigarettes awesome chorus and reminds me of his old stuff with the whigs. cool solo too. 4/5
12. Blue Mountain - Generic America (Live) definitely lives up to the title 1/5
13. The Oranges Band - Success (Nothing Succeeding) i like this and it makes me want to go find whatever album i downloaded by them and listen to it sometime soon 4/5
14. Ike Reilly - Garbage Day this is alright but i think people are hyping him a little too much on obner 3/5
15. Lifter Puller - Back In Blackeard i think i got burned out on the hold steady and his talking thing he does but this is pretty good 4/5
16. David Garza - Glow In The Dark i LOVE david garza, but i don't think this is one of his better songs. still, it's better than half of the other singer/songwriter type stuff out there 4/5
17. Steve Earle - Taneytown one of those guys i have a hell of a lot of respect for but never got into. this is alright 3/5
18. Grandpaboy - Footsteps ehh...best thing about it was the ending 2/5
19. Stereophonics - Since I Told You It's Over haha for some reason when i read the band name i was thinking of stereo mc's. so glad it wasn't 4/5
20. Vic Chesnutt - Kick My Ass don't know much about him but this is a nice song. i went and checked his website and the opening drawing is pretty funny. 3/5
21. The Style Council - Stones Throw Away i like the music more than the vocals 2/5
22. Billy Bragg - Waiting For The Great Leap Forward great song for the end of the mix 4/5

I like that the mix had a theme to it, but then again I could've done with a little more variety. Overall I'd give it around a 3 but the packaging gets a solid 5 though. Thanks!

Im really surprised no one likes the blue mountain song. It was supposed to kind of signal the transition point for the first half to the second. But now that I look back on it, the Stereophics and Style Council songs could easily be replaced...I was probably just trying to hard.


I appreciate the packaging props though.

1. Great Big Sea - River Driver - Intriguing, and a good choice of opener. But nothing I'd listen to often. 2/5
2. Tom Waits - Clap Hands - This is pretty sinister. My first real exposure to Tom Waits other than magazine articles. I like this a lot. This is going on my March 2006 mix. 5/5
3. Mike Doughty - White Lexus - I was never big into Soul Coughing. This doesn't do a whole lot for me either. 2/5
4. Jay Bennett - Charming & Plastic - I like this. Nice hook on the chorus. 3/5
5. The Schramms - Torn In Two - I like it. Reminds me a little of a band I like called The Lost Dogs. 3/5
6. Okkervil River - Blanket & Crib - Well, it's better than most of Black Sheep Boy. I only liked 3 or so songs from that. 2.5/5
7. Graham Parker - Gypsy Blood - Never heard him before I don't think. But I'm pretty sure I have seen the name. Has a 70s singer/songwriter feel. I like it. 3/5
8. Richard Buckner & Jon Langford - Torn Apart - Kind of like track 5. 3/5
9. Alejandro Escovedo - Crooked Frame - I like the guitar playing on this. 3.5/5
10. The Long Winters - Carparts - haha...at first I thought I was listening to the Greg Dulli song. TLWs have always been on my "to check out" list. Thanks. I like the chorus. 4/5
11. Greg Dulli - Cigarettes - I didn't think much of it until the first chorus. I like the placing of the "wooooos." Good minimalistic guitar solo on the bridge. 3/5
12. Blue Mountain - Generic America (Live) - The live production doesn't bother me. But I'm not really into the vocals or the overall song. 1.5/5
13. The Oranges Band - Success (Nothing Succeeding) - Ha..I have the "Orange Peels" on my mix. This reminds me of an old Liz Phair song (until the vox come in of course). 3/5
14. Ike Reilly - Garbage Day - This reminds me of Weezer's green record stuff a bit. 2.5/5
15. Lifter Puller - Back In Blackeard - The spoken word delivery works here. 3/5
16. David Garza - Glow In The Dark - I like the guitar work and overall production on this. 4/5
17. Steve Earle - Taneytown - I've known of Steve Earle for a long time but don't really know any of his music. Reminds me of Tom Petty's "Mary Jane's Last Dance." Not bad. 3/5
18. Grandpaboy - Footsteps - Definitely continues in the same vibe as lot of the tracks here. But less distinguishable imo. 2/5
19. Stereophonics - Since I Told You Its Over - I like some of the Stereophonics' stuff. Sometimes the singer's raspy vocal delivery enhances the impact of a song. Sometimes it just irritates. I'm kind of on the fence about this one. Doesn't seem like one of their stronger tracks. 2/5
20. Vic Chesnutt - Kick My Ass - The mix is starting to settle. 2/5
21. The Style Council - Stones Throw Away - Almost sounds like something Martin L Gore would do solo, but not as dark. Decent arrangement. 2.5/5
22. Billy Bragg - Waiting For The Great Leap Forward - Good closer. I like the way the song built up. 4/5

A very singer/songwriter, somewhat folky, southern rock based mix overall. Introduced me to the actual music of a lot of artists whose names I have merely "heard" before. I need to look into more Tom Waits, The Long Winters, David Garza, and Billy Bragg. 3.5/5

1. Great Big Sea - River Driver 3* Cool, a shanty! Is this the band's regular fare?
2. Tom Waits - Clap Hands 4* Much love for TW
3. Mike Doughty - White Lexus 3* Glad to hear a track that's not about busting up a Starbucks
4. Jay Bennett - Charming & Plastic 3* Not bad, is the rest of his stuff quiet like this? Sounds like an acoustic Smithereens
5. The Schramms - Torn In Two A little weaker than the previous tracks, but still some nifty stuff going on behind the vocals
6. Okkervil River - Blanket & Crib 2* Lugubrious, doesn't resonate with me
7. Graham Parker - Gypsy Blood 3* This fits really well in this mix
8. Richard Buckner & Jon Langford - Torn Apart 3* I like this as well
9. Alejandro Escovedo - Crooked Frame 4* Bliss
10. The Long Winters - Carparts 3* How's the rest of their stuff? This is something I'll explore further
11. Greg Dulli - Cigarettes 2* Not a fan, and a song that really doesn't seem to fit in the mix so far
12. Blue Mountain - Generic America (Live) 3* Decent track, and sounds great for a live cut
13. The Oranges Band - Success (Nothing Succeeding) 3* Jury's still out--it's okay but not earth-shattering
14. Ike Reilly - Garbage Day 4* One of my fave tracks from this album--love the lead guitar under the chorus
15. Lifter Puller - Back In Blackeard 4* Sounds like John Otway in the beginning--I'll be checking out more of this as well
16. David Garza - Glow In The Dark 3* Grooves pretty well, I like it
17. Steve Earle - Taneytown 4* dark and brooding, well done
18. Grandpaboy - Footsteps 3* I dig the guitars, the vocals not so much
19. Stereophonics - Since I Told You Its Over 2* Rod? Is that you? This one is rather dull
20. Vic Chesnutt - Kick My Ass 2* Doesn't live up to its title--really mopey but not in a good way
21. The Style Council - Stones Throw Away 1* I really, really dislike the Syle Council
22. Billy Bragg - Waiting For The Great Leap Forward 2* I like Billy Bragg only slightly more than I like The Style Council

All in all this is an EXCELLENT mix. Carries an ambitious theme all the way through. The few dings are due to my tastes, not a reflection on the mix at all. Thanks!

1. Great Big Sea - River Driver – I’ve seen these guys live, and they put on a damn good show. Certainly not for everyone, but I dig it as an intro. 3/5
2. Tom Waits - Clap Hands – Hell yes, the mix has taken an ominous turn. The transition from the first track is a bit abrupt, but this one’s always a keeper. 4/5
3. Mike Doughty - White Lexus - I actually dig what Soul Coughing I’ve heard, but this sounds a bit different. Good short track. 3/5
4. Jay Bennett - Charming & Plastic – Not bad, but it came and went, and I barely noticed it. 2/5
5. The Schramms - Torn In Two – Diggin’ the vocals, and the organ reminds me a bit of Died Pretty. 3/5
6. Okkervil River - Blanket & Crib – Liking this one as well. Feels like a grower. 3/5
7. Graham Parker - Gypsy Blood – Wow, I haven’t listened to Parker since college. Not familiar with this one, but I like it. 3/5
8. Richard Buckner & Jon Langford - Torn Apart – Not bad, but I prefer Buckner’s slower work. 2/5
9. Alejandro Escovedo - Crooked Frame - The guitars and lyrics make the track for me. 3/5
10. The Long Winters - Carparts – Doesn’t sound like the other LW tracks I’ve heard, and I really dig the chorus. 4/5
11. Greg Dulli - Cigarettes – Man, Dulli brings it. Would love to see this one live. 4/5
12. Blue Mountain - Generic America (Live) – Not big on live tracks on a mix, and this one’s a downer after the last couple of tracks. 1/5
13. The Oranges Band - Success (Nothing Succeeding) – Does remind me a bit of the Strokes, and I dig it. 3/5
14. Ike Reilly - Garbage Day – Was on the fence on this track and listened again. It’s not bad, but it just lacks something. 2/5
15. Lifter Puller - Back In Blackeard – Been heavy into Hold Steady of late but was unfamiliar with Lifter Puller. Same greasy sound, and I’ll be certainly looking into them. 4/5
16. David Garza - Glow In The Dark – Don’t like it. 1/5
17. Steve Earle - Taneytown – Dark stuff. Always dig the Earle I hear. 3/5
18. Grandpaboy - Footsteps – Less impactful than other G-boy tracks I’ve heard. 2/5
19. Stereophonics - Since I Told You Its Over – For some Goddamn reason, I always feel guilty for liking Stereophonics tracks. Perhaps it’s the fact that some of their tunes sound like Train covers. I know…ridiculous. Dammit, I even like this one. 3/5
20. Vic Chesnutt - Kick My Ass – Love it. Sounds like a mix closer. 4/5
21. The Style Council - Stones Throw Away – I prefer more upbeat Style Council, but Weller’s voice and the arrangement save this one. 3/5
22. Billy Bragg - Waiting For The Great Leap Forward – Dig it, and it’s a nice (perhaps unintended) link to the opening track. 4/5

Really liked this - nice overview of singer/songwriters, new and old. Flow felt a bit varied as I listened, but not enough to impact the overall vibe. There were quite a few bands of whom I’d heard but hadn’t sampled, and I appreciate your introducing me to them. Nice artwork as well…thanks.

1. Great Big Sea - River Driver - makes me want to go out and get a pint of Guinness, so thats good 3/5
2. Tom Waits - Clap Hands - not a fan of Mr. Waits 2/5
3. Mike Doughty - White Lexus - a grower, will appreciate more w/time 3/5
4. Jay Bennett - Charming & Plastic - catchy, nice melody 3/5
5. The Schramms - Torn In Two - meh 2.5/5
6. Okkervil River - Blanket & Crib - oh yes, okkervil river. they are on another obner mix 3/5.
7. Graham Parker - Gypsy Blood - just okay 2.5/5
8. Richard Buckner & Jon Langford - Torn Apart - I like it,but not sure why 3/5
9. Alejandro Escovedo - Crooked Frame - what does this remind me of? the rest of this mix 2.5/5
10. The Long Winters - Carparts - Saw them in PHX a couple years ago, good stuff 3/5
11. Greg Dulli - Cigarettes - didn't grap me 2/5
12. Blue Mountain - Generic America (Live) - folky and catchy 3/5
13. The Oranges Band - Success (Nothing Succeeding) - okay, nothing great here 2.5/5
14. Ike Reilly - Garbage Day - sounds too much like the rest of the mix
15. Lifter Puller - Back In Blackeard - i definately thought of the hold steady, which is good in my book. my fav so far 4/5
16. David Garza - Glow In The Dark - this sounds a little funky. cool 3/5
17. Steve Earle - Taneytown - and back to the folky, alt-country stuff 2.5/5
18. Grandpaboy - Footsteps - more of the same 2.5/5
19. Stereophonics - Since I Told You Its Over - this is getting old 2/5
20. Vic Chesnutt - Kick My Ass - ditto 2/5
21. The Style Council - Stones Throw Away - i like the style council, but not this song 2/5
22. Billy Bragg - Waiting For The Great Leap Forward - who doesn't like billy bragg? i do

the theme is apparent on almost every song, so it must that your a hippy, need a haircut, and you are probably on that cover somewhere (Hitchcock like cameo)

1. Great Big Sea - "River Driver"
Nice harmonies on this, but there's really not much else to this, other than heartbeat tom-toms.

2. Tom Waits - "Clap Hands"
So, is this what you get when your fingers have been diddling around the nether regions of a lady with DAT VD? Something about this -- maybe Waits' uncharacteristically hushed vocals -- reminds me a little bit of the theme from The Sopranos. I generally prefer early catalog Waits, but this is actually pretty good.

3. Mike Doughty - "White Lexus"
This is the guy from Soul Coughing, right? I'm not really familiar with them or him, so I'm coming into this track totally fresh. That's some tasty slide augmenting this. He's got one of those voices that straddles the fence between QUAL and GAR, but I think he's got just enough butt cheek hanging over the right side. This track is a little too basic. I'd be curious to hear him backed by a fuller sound.

4. Jay Bennett - "Charming & Plastic"
Bigger Than Blue was a huge disappointment to me, compared to the excellent Palace at 4AM, but this is one of the two or three decent songs from that otherwise craptastic album.

5. The Schramms - "Torn In Two"
The drums and bass seem really low in the mix on this one, but I really like the song. It's the best track on the mix so far. I'd definitely be interested in hearing more from these guys.

6. Okkervil River - "Blanket & Crib"
One of my absolute favorite OR songs, thanks in large part to the fantastic organ work throughout this track. The singer has a bad habit of not keeping his voice in check on a lot of their other songs, but he does a good job of not surpassing his vocal limitations here. The next time someone on Obner is expecting a baby, I think I'll make them a mix with this song as the centerpiece.

7. Graham Parker - "Gypsy Blood"
I was wondering if this was the old Mason Ruffner song, but it's not. This is good stuff. I could easily imagine Knopfler doing this, and that's ALWAYS a good thing.

8. Richard Buckner & Jon Langford - "Torn Apart"
Boy, that's some pretty rockin' mandolin to open things up on this track. High energy music, but somewhat low energy vocals. The voices are good, just not as enthusiastic as you might like for a song like this.

9. Alejandro Escovedo - "Crooked Frame"
The only album of his I have is A Man Under the Influence. This is better than most of what's on that album. Dig it.

10. The Long Winters - "Carparts"
I lurvs me some Long Winters. Isn't it getting to be about time for those muhfuhs to put out a new album? This guy's voice is great...so distinctive. They've always got superb lyrics, as well.

11. Greg Dulli - "Cigarettes"
I grabbed this album off eMusic on a whim, not having ever heard too much Afghan Whigs, and it was better than I expected. This is definitely one of the standout tracks.

12. Blue Mountain - "Generic America (Live)"
This reminds me a little bit of X or something in that same vein of punkish Americana. I like it.

13. The Oranges Band - "Success (Nothing Succeeding)"
I'm a big fan of TOB. I think the EP from which this was taken (On TV) was the first record of theirs I owned. I still think All Around is their best release to date, but this is a solid track by a great band.

14. Ike Reilly - "Garbage Day"
This one's just a hair too poppy and polished. I prefer my Ike a little rougher and rawer. Anytime Weezer could easily be pictured performing a song, that's a red flag.

15. Lifter Puller - "Back In Blackeard"
I doesn't get much better that The Hold Steady, which begs the question: Why have I still not picked up any Lifter Puller?!? Another fantastically unique voice. Outside of the female vocal assistance, the only difference I can hear between this and The Hold Steady is an extremely conspicuous absence here of the numerous obligatory references to Ybor City and/or Penetration Park.

16. David Garza - "Glow In The Dark"
Ah, yes...good ol' Dah-veed. I always wondered why he never hit it big. This has a real funky groove throughout. Brendan Benson's great, but if there's room for him, shouldn't there also be room for DAH-VEED? This is one of the best tracks on the mix.

17. Steve Earle - "Taneytown"
Try telling me Drive-By Truckers weren't influenced by this guy, and I'll kick your nuts all the way from here to Copperhead Road. Awesome!

18. Grandpaboy - "Footsteps"
Some folks claim Westerburg has sucked since before The Replacements had even finished releasing new albums. I ain't one of 'em. Dude brings it. This is probably his second-best solo album, after Come Feel Me Tremble. I really love the line, "It's heads I win, tails we flip again."

19. Stereophonics - "Since I Told You Its Over"
This is one of those bands that's better than most of the garden variety UK pap being foisted upon the unwashed American masses these days, but not quite good enough to make FT's cut.

20. Vic Chesnutt - "Kick My Ass"
The title of this song immediately brings to mind Paul Shaffer's memorable turn as Artie Fufkin in This is Spinal Tap. "I'm not asking, I'm telling with this!" That really doesn't have anything to do with the song itself, though, does it? I guess this would be pretty intriguing as a demo or something, but otherwise, it just kind of seems unfinished.

21. The Style Council - "Stones Throw Away"
Man, those are some enormous strings at the beginning. I'm generally not much of a strings guy, and this really is no exception. I find the message to be much more compelling than the song itself.

22. Billy Bragg - "Waiting For The Great Leap Forward"
Fuckin' commie! (haha) No, much like Jesus, Billy Bragg is just all right with me. This is the only time I've ever heard the name "Oppenheimer" referenced in a song not sung by Stuart Ransom Miller.

It took a little while for things to get going early on, and they kind of peter out during the latter stages, but that middle section kicks ass. This mix is like an awesome sub that suffers from being served on stale bread. Yeah, that was a rather forced sandwich analogy. Sorry about that. That run from tracks 5-18 is about as strong as any mix I've heard yet. It's the four tracks at either end of the mix that bring this down from a potential A- to a B. Still, a fine effort from one of my favorite Obnerinians (as far as he knows).