2. WE - Catch Electrique - this is a very good opening track. i like it a lot.
3. The Longcut - Transition - i like the teasing at the beginning, but it goes on a little long.
4. Trouble Everyday - Code Word - there is a nice driving beat here. i like it.
6. Shitdisco - I Know Kung FU - so, this is like a rapture rip-off? eh, it's alright.
7. The Suburbs - Drinking - this is pretty alright, as well.
8. Von Iva - Same Sad Song - this song reminds me of yeah yeah yeahs with slightly different vocals. and it's not as good as they usually are.
9. The Robocop Kraus - All the Good Men - it reminds me of the bravery, or something. it's pretty generically catchy, but likeable throughout most of it.
10. Rah Bras - No Future - i'm a sucker for these heavy and ridiculously over-the-top electronica grooves, except this is definitely a one-trick pony that's not really getting anywhere. i like the initial concept, but not how it doesn't progress. and these vocals don't sound like they belong either.
12. Single Frame - Exact Copy of This in the Basement - this isn't really grabbing my attention - sounds like it needs some more oomph.
13. Delta 5 - Mind Your Own Business - now this is a jam i haven't heard in awhile! i've always liked this chugging bass, reminds me of ESG.
14. Magenta Line - Broken Plates - i like the vocals, but not with this music.
15. Tralala - All Fired Up - this is pretty fun, very poppy for this mix. it's an odd fit right here, but maybe it'll continue on this track.
16. The Gossip - Standing in the Way of Control - i like this girl's voice, works well enough with the last song. this song is best when it's rockin' out.
17. Rahim - One at a Time - this sounds like radio 4. i'm not sold on it.
18. Turpentine Brothers - Why Can't I Do - at first, i didn't like this, but i like it the longer it's on and the more i hear it. i like that organ.
22. Doppleganger - Hov Goes Mental - oohh, a mash-up... not bad. this is pretty good, especially considering i don't really like either of these songs on their own. after multiple listens, i've warmed up to this.
23. TDS Mob - TDS Scratch Reaction - i'm not really into hip-hop, but this is tolerable for me. i think it's the vocals that always annoy me and this certainly isn't great, but it's also not making me want to skip over it.
24. Holy Fuck - Korock - oh, nice mix into this. i like this. it's probably as far out as i go with electronica, but sounds good for typical laptop-created music.
25. Ariel Pink - Alisa - this is kinda bad. the music could be good, but i can barely hear it. the production here is terrible. and i don't like the vocals at all. it's like alec ounsworth, except for the chorus.
26. Jens Lekman - Black Cab - uh... what? remember when this was called "she may call you up tonight" and it was by the left banke? i can't really get into the poor man's stephin merritt-like vocals either. and i suppose it's not necessarily a bad song, but the music and vocals sound like direct rip-offs.
27. The Clinger Sisters - Shoop Shoop De Boop Rama Lama Ding Dong Yeah Yeah Yeah - whoa, this has really moved along from about ten minutes ago. it's a good song. so very pop.
28. Terry Reid - This Time - oh, i really like this song. this is the kind of pop music that i would never have expected on this mix about ten songs back. good structure, solid beat, bouncy horns, etc.
29. Half Cousin - Girl - this is alright. it's kinda relaxing. there are a lot of neat sounds mixed up in it.
30. Frederick Knight - I've Been Lonely for So Long - i know this mix is coming to a close, but i'm really liking how it's wrapping up. that's not to say that i disliked the rest of it, but this is a totally unexpected closing. this is a pretty good r&b jam. that "won't somebody help me please" has won me over - really like those vocals.
31. Darondo - Didn't I - i put this on one of my mixes. dig it. again, a great R&B jam - sounds great in this part of the mix.
32. Sixto Rodriguez - Forget It - i don't know this sixto rodriguez tune, but i like it. and this is a terrific closing song.

big ups to shiv for mixing this properly. that had its pros and cons, but it was a really interesting listen because of it. some of the mixes were stretches and some of the 40-year old virgin clips were good buffers between wild shifts - good way to make the most of the structure. and this was also all over the spectrum. i'd never have expected that last string of songs at the beginning and it did sound like a totally different mix, but it was good on its own. i have a few things to look out for here and not much that i'll cast off forever either. overall, very enjoyable.

sweet, glad you liked it. thanks.

some notes

shiv - Mix-O-Lantern

1. It's About Love. Haha nice. I just saw this movie.
2. WE - Catch Electrique. Nice mix in with the intro, but I don't think I like this song/band at all. The vocals are pretty annoying, but that's just part of it. Very hair metal, I guess. 2/5
3. The Longcut - Transition. I like this one better, but it's kinda got that trendy dance-rock thing going on and not a lot to distinguish it than I can pick out. Nothing really sticks with me about it other than the steady rhythm. 3/4
4. Trouble Everyday - Code Word. This is a little better still, sorta like a Dischord version of Modest Mouse. And they named themselves after an awesome Zappa song. 3/5
5. I Need Some Poon.
6. Shitdisco - I Know Kung Fu. The songs on the mix are getting better, and I like the general pace that they're keeping up. There's nothing about this to make me want to look further into this band, but it's a lot of fun. 3/5
7. The Suburbs - Drinking. This is cool. I've never heard this band before as far as I know. The bassline sounds very familiar, but I don't know if that's because it was fairly typical for its time or what. I'd like to hear more. 4/5
8. Von Iva - Same Sad Song. I like the vocals, I think. Doesn't really do a lot for me, but it works well. 3/5
9. The Robocop Kraus - All the Good Men. I like all of the little touches in this from the keyboard to the guitar rattles. Good track. 4/5
10. Rah Bras - No Furture. This is some pretty obnoxious synth shit with deliberately cheesy "drums", no less. I'm not getting anything out of it other than a headache. 1/5
11. This is Graphic
12. Single Frame - Exact Copy of This in the Basement. Continuing along the lines of the last one, but this is way better. I like the general fuzz of this one, plus it has some decent melodic/dynamic shifts to push it along. 3/5
13. Delta 5 - Mind Your Own Business. The bass reminds me of PiL or something. Gets pretty grating after a little while though. I keep hoping for a change. The simple, repetitive guitar doesn't help matters much. 2/5
14. Magenta Lane - Broken Plates. This has a pretty unique sound, maybe because of the vocals. I like it, and I could stand to hear more from this band. 3/5
15. Tralala - All Fired Up. I like the "chick band" thing that's been going for the past few songs. The last one was better, but this is fun. 3/5
16. The Gossip - Standing in the Way of Control. So this is what this band sounds like. I really don't think we need another band like this. The vocals are the only thing that seems to set them apart in the least, and they're not really doing it for me. 2/5
17. Rahim - One at a Time. I like the sort of off-kilter guitar here. This kinda makes me think of The Fire Show, among other things, and is generally pretty cool. I'd be really curious what other stuff by this band sounds like. 3/5
18. Turpentine Brothers - Why Can't I Do. I really like the feel of this one. The guitar, the organ/keys, the vocals, all create this really timeless sort of ominous vibe. Their name seems appropriate, too. 4/5
19. Sweaty Piehole
20. Como Si Ama
21. Kelly Clarkson
22. Doppleganger - Hov Goes Mental (Jay-Z Vs. The Ramones). I'm really not big on mashups (though I'm not sure if that's what this is). Most of the time I just don't see the point. This just sounds like Eminem doing rap-rock. 2/5
23. TDS Mob - TDS Scratch Reaction. I'm probably less into rap now than I ever have been in my entire life. This sounds like some decent old school stuff, but I'm having a hard time caring much. It's OK. 3/5
24. Holy Fuck - Korock. Well, I'd really hoped this band would sound different. Pretty tame and nondescript for a band with a name like that. Not bad, though. 3/5
25. Ariel Pink - Alisa. I think I've heard a few Ariel Pink tracks here and there, and just kinda not given a fuck. I mean, obviously he doesn't, either. Come on, dude. I guess I should be giggling to myself or ironically rocking out or something, but I'm a little tired right now. 2/5
26. Jens Lekman - Black Cab. I've wanted to hear something by this guy. Actually, I think I have on the radio before, but I don't really remember it. He's got a nice Lou Reed sorta voice, and this track sounds like it came straight out of a time warp from 30 years ago. I like it. 4/5
27. The Clinger Sisters - Shoop Shoop De Boop Rama Lama Ding Dong Yeah Yeah Yeah. I honestly couldn't really get into that Girl Group Sounds box set, but maybe that's because it didn't have many songs of this quality. Or maybe just because it doesn't have this song. Pretty sweet. 4/5
28. Terry Reid - This Time. Pretty nice little song, but I dunno. It sounds like a shitload of other songs. 3/5
29. Half Cousin - Girl. A cover of one of my not-so-favorite Beatles songs. They do an OK job here, but, I mean, who wouldn't rather hear the original? 3/5
30. Frederick Knight - I've Been Lonely For So Long. It's funny because when the backup vocals come in, it reminds me of the Mothers of Invention. I know that's totally backwords. Anyway, there's not much about this one that grabs me. 3/5
31. Darondo - Didn't I. I like how this dude's voice sounds somewhere between Al Green and James Brown. It's actually pretty funny-sounding when he breaks out of the falsetto. I like this track a little better than the last few for some reason, but it has me itching to hear some Al Green. 3/5
32. Sixto Rodriguez - Forget It. I'm not sure that last track should've faded into this one. It's like the one part on the whole mix where I felt like the mixing didn't work. Good closer, though. Cool little song. Great chorus. 4/5

Overall:
Flow - 5/5. Nice job actually mixing the tracks together, and altogether it was a really smooth, fun ride.
Artwork - 3/5. Heh. "Man-o-lantern".
Surprises - 4/5. I was familiar with pretty much nothing on here, and there are a few things I may have to seek out. The Suburbs and Jens Lekman sound promising.
Song Quality - 3/5

Final Score: 3.5/5

Great mix! This one's going in the car.

schweet!

1. "It's About Love"
Man, I REALLY need to see this movie. I still haven't seen The Wedding Crashers, either. I'm WAY behind on my Frat Pack viewing these days.

2. "Catch Electrique" - WE
Good-old pedal-to-the-metal driving music here. Love it!

3. "Transition" - The Longcut
Another appropriately full-throttle rocker to keep the gas floored.

4. "Code Word" - Trouble Everyday
A little bit of a rough transition from the last track. This is kind of a rawer Radio 4-type sound. Not bad.

5. "I Need Some Poon"
Don't we all?

6. "I Know Kung Fu" - Shitdisco
This is like old school Red Hot Chili Peppers punk funk with less annoying vocals. I've heard worse...MUCH worse, in fact.

7. "Drinking" - The Suburbs
From Shitdisco to the most disco bassline I've heard since Studio 54 closed their doors for good. This probably won't do much to re-open them. The singer does sound like Jagger at times, though. But this is no "Miss You."

8. "Same Sad Song" - Von Iva
I can't think of a single reason I should like this, but I do. Great drumming. I guess that's one reason. OK, I lied. Why am I not annoyed by these vocals, though? Some things in life cannot be explained.

9. "All The Good Men" - The Robocop Kraus
Awesome transition from the previous song. As for this track, I don't think "I'd buy THAT for a dollar!" Yet, it works as a part of this mix. Such is the genius of shiv.

10. "No Furture" (sic?) - Rah Bras
Another perfect segue from the track before. Love the synth on this! Right when I think I'm not going to like the vocals, the harmonies kick in, and I see the light. The wacky whistling bridge pulls it off, too.

11. "This is Graphic"
Not nearly as graphic as that mix opener, though.

12. "Exact Copy of This in the Basement" - Single Frame
More hardcore synths to be had here. This sounds like something Trent Reznor was either involved with, or at the very least, inspired.

13. "Mind Your Own Business" - Delta 5
Yet one more perfectly nailed transition, with that bell. More disco bass on this one, plus Ladytronesque vocals, devoid of any and all emotion or anything else hinting at humanity. This is better than it should be. Oh, and you CAN lick the crumbs from my table.

14. "Broken Plates" - Magenta Lane
Great opening riff on this track. I also really like the vocals. This whole song is excellent!

15. "All Fired Up" - Tralala
Not QUITE as cheerleady as The GO! Team, but it is cheerleadish. Still, quite rockin'. My head is bobbing. Actually, both of them are.

16. "Standing in the Way of Control" - The Gossip
Here's one more disco backbeat, with some pretty killer vocals on this one. The chorus here absolutely slays.

17. "One at a Time" - Rahim
These seamless transitions are becoming commonplace. I wasn't digging this one too much, but then those bad ass handclaps came in, and I was done for.

18. "Why Can't I Do" - Turpentine Brothers
Man, does this ever sound like The Greenhornes, who I love. This is right in my wheelhouse. The organ here is outstanding. Definitely one of my favorite tracks on the mix. They do a great job picking up the tempo at the end.

19. "Sweaty Piehole", 20. "Como Si Ama" (sic), 21. "Kelly Clarkson"
Not sure why these constituted three separate tracks. And you need to learn how to spell Spanish, shiv.

22. "Hov Goes Mental (Jay-Z vs. The Ramones)" - Dopplebanger
I LOVE THIS!!! Most of the mash-ups I've heard before sounded really forced, but this works perfectly. I keep wanting to listen to this over and over. Kick. That. Dirtoffyourshoulder. Any chance you could YSI me more of his stuff?

23. "TDS Scratch Reaction" - TDS Mob
Rap really isn't my bag, baby, but I actually enjoyed this. Not sure whether I'm still on a contact high from the Dopplebanger, but whatever does the trick, right?

24. "Korock" - Holy Fuck
I'm guessing these guys don't have the easiest time getting product placement at Wal-Mart. This sounds like the background music they play on KEXP whenever one of their DJs is talking. I'm not feelin' it, bro.

25. "Alisa" - Ariel Pink
Sounds like it's being broadcast through a Swedish AM radio. The tune isn't bad, but the production is awful.

26. "Black Cab" - Jens Lekman
Oh, you're so silent, shiv. I like Jens. He's good. This is good. In fact, it's one of his better songs.

27. "Shoop Shoop De Boop Rama Lama Ding Dong Yeah Yeah Yeah" - The Clinger Sisters
Is that a band name or a Goldie Hawn-Susan Sarandon movie? Or can Jamie Farr's female siblings belt out a tune with the best of 'em? Whoever this is, it makes me want to share a milkshake with my best girl. Oh, yeah? Well, sit on it.

28. "This Time" - Terry Reid
More retro goodness. Keep it comin', man. This is great! Love old school soul!!!

29. "Girl" - Half Cousin
Very cool reworking of The Beatles' classic. I actually like it better, because the original has that fucking stupid and annoying deep inhaling at the end of each time he sings "Girl." And this one doesn't.

30. "I've Been Lonely For So Long" - Frederick Knight
Another legendary soul classic from the stacks of Stax. FANTASTIC!

31. "Didn't I" - Darondo
Sweet! A soul classic I actually don't have in my library. This one would be perfect for relaxing to at a backyard barbecue. I'm thinking Redlands...

32. "Forget It" - Sixto Rodriguez
Good way to close things out. The guy's voice sounds a lot more like Harry Chapin than Cheech Marin, which is good, although there's certainly nothing wrong with "Earache My Eye.'

Once again, shiv has given an absolute CLINIC on how to make a mix! The first mix he gave me a couple of years back is still the best one I've ever heard, and this one is definitely a worthy successor. The genius of shiv is combining known and obscure artists with hilarious vignettes and seamless crossfading to produce a CD that is its own entity. Even the "weak" tracks on here, ones that I wouldn't like on their own, are more than just listenable because of how well they fit into the overall scheme. I don't know how he does it, but the dude is an artist...an absolute master! This mix can get nothing short of an A+. Any mix by shiv is the gold standard by which all others should be measured.

damn, thanks.

Shiv’s Mix-o-Lantern

1. It’s About Love- mmmkay.
2. WE – Catch Electrique – Great, strong opening track. 4/5
3. The Longcut – Transition – another good one… you’ve got some nice driving rhythms going on here. 4/5
4. Trouble Everyday – Code Word – I’m not sure why… probably my stupid pc cd drive, but the transitions aren’t smooth between tracks. But again, I like this very much. You’re on a roll, shiv! 4/5
5. I Need Some Poon – This should be my husband’s anthem.
6. Shitdisco – I Know Kung Fu – why does the little “ooh” remind me of that horrible Marilyn Manson song “Beautiful People?” The music works esp. bass/rhythm, but the guy’s voice irritates me slightly. 3/5
7. The Suburbs – Drinking – Right on… makes me wanna dance! A song about drinking that makes you want to dance? Groovalicious! (FT’s right… I think he’s trying to sound like Mick) 4/5
8. Von Iva – Same Sad Song – this is interesting. On initial listen, I thought the woman’s voice was irritating, but somehow it works with the rest of the music. 3/5
9. The Robocop Kraus – All The Good Men – Christ, I’m starting to get a complex as I haven’t heard of any of the artists so far, but you’re nailing it on the appeal factor. This sounds like a lot of post-punk stuff from Britain, so not anything exceptional, but it’s good. 3/5
10. Rah Bras – No Future – I like it, but I wish the singer’s voice wasn’t altered in that fuzzy way. 3/5
11. This is Graphic
12. Single Frame – Exact Copy of This in the Basement – man, this reminds me of a friend of mine who’s totally into music like this. In fact, I’m feeling like I need to burn a copy of this cd for him. 3/5
13. Delta 5 – Mind Your Own Business – I’m actually a bit turned off by the robotic vocal stylings, for whatever reason. A bit too repetitive. 2/5
14. Magenta Lane – Broken Plates – did you mean Magneta?? I really like this… finally, a girl band that truly rocks. 4/5
15. Tralala – All Fired Up – singalong pop, not too memorable, but fun. 3/5
16. The Gossip – Standing in the Way of Control – I feel like I should dig up my roller skates for this one, and do a little disco shuffle. 3/5
17. Rahim – One at a Time – I’m not completely feeling this one. 2/5
18. Turpentine Brothers – Why Can’t I Do – slowing it down a bit, eh? This sounds Nick Cave-ish to me. 3/5
19. Sweaty Piehole
20. Como Se Llama (corrected your spelling!)
21. Kelly Clarkson
22. Dopplebanger – Hov Goes Mental – this isn’t bad, surprisingly. 3/5
23. TDS Mob – TDS Scratch Reaction – Not really my thing, but I’ve heard worse. 2/5
24. Holy Fuck – Korock – I’ve heard other tracks by these guys before, and while I always find them interesting, I think they go on a bit too long. 2/5
25. Ariel Pink – Alisa – Funny thing, this sounds like a track from an 80s band that just didn’t quite make it, despite the vocal style. I like the song though. I wish the track was clearer though and not so muddy. 3/5
26. Jens Lekman – Black Cab – this is good. 4/5
27. The Clinger Sisters – Shoop Shoop De Boop Rama Lama Ding Dong Yeah Yeah Yeah – Cute, but not sure how it fits. 3/5
28. Terry Reid – This Time – Not bad, but not really grabbing my attention. 2/5
29. Half Cousin – Girl – I’m of the mindset that if a band is going to do a cover, it should either sound exactly like the original, or dramatically different from the original. This one falls into the acceptable category. 3/5
30. Frederick Knight – I’ve Been Lonely For So Long – great stuff here. 3/5
31. Darondo – Didn’t I – oh, this one is great…. Very soulful. 4/5
32. Sixto Rodriguez – Forget It – Nice closer. 4/5

Overall: 3.5/5
Shiv, I'm embarrassed that I waited to so long to review this, because it's one of the best ones I've received. I'll definitely be listening to this one again and again. You are pretty good with your transitions, and you've introduced me to a lot of artists I'd never heard before. For this, thank you!

you're welcome dana. i don't know why i missed this until today.