Christmas is on the way and all your dumb friends have birthdays coming up, but we're in a recession and money is tight. Luckily, it's the thought that counts so you can totally make a mix album for the people in your life and dust off your hands knowing that you put together a bithcin' series of songs that not only rule, but are exciting and new to someone. I suggest not only buying the following albums for your own collection, but showing them to the people you love.
"Car" by Built To Spill from the album
The Normal Years
I'd recommend using the live version of this song, as it sounds better than the album version. “Car” conjures images of road-trippin' as well as our place in the cosmos. Built To Spill can always be counted on to produce indie-rock of the highest caliber, and often don't get the credit it deserves for the influence it's had on music at large. You're welcome, Weezer. I chose it as the opener for it's slow build, spacey guitar solos and to say that I'm thinking about whoever I've made the mix for. Maybe I'm even suggesting it's time to hit the road...let's face it, this town is sad in the winter. (special thanks to my homeboy jesse malmed for pointing out i had the wrong album. You're a champ, buddy.)
"Outcome" by Beck from the album One Foot in the Grave
One Foot in the Grave
was Beck's Americana/bluegrassy album. Though not many people own it, it's a highly sought after out of print album that is incredible from beginning to end. Admittedly, though, this year brought a re-release and a remastering of the album. However, after working in a record store for years, I learned that the real hardcore collectors always want the original. This song is excellent not only as a tribute to possibilities and letting go of expectations, but Chris Ballew of The Presidents of the United States of America provides vocals on this song, and is actually all over the album.
"Scene" by Kind of Like Spitting from the album 100 Dollar Room
Though Weezer owes a lot to Pavement and the Pixies, this album from the Pacific Northwest's Ben Barnett is the album Rivers Cuomo always wished he could have made. It's indie/nerd core that's rough around the edges, which I find endearing and more accessible. As time goes on, albums become more and more produced; sometimes to the point that the artist or band can't even reproduce the songs from the album. Lo-Fi is Barnett's trademark, and the fact that he and his ever-changing members of his band aren't more well-known is a crime. This particular song begins with quiet acoustic strumming and a girl singing prettily before heading into the single greatest guitar riff in indie-rock history. A tribute to Barnett's friends will speak volumes to someone you love.
"Spit Shine your Black Clouds" by The Blood Brothers from the album Young Machetes
This is the great transition. While the song is certainly dancey and fun, it's heavier and allows one to segue into a more rocking arena. The lyrics are a strange and jumbled mess that seem to dissect the world of humanity vs. overblown music icons resulting in a screaming, triumphant song that'll make it even harder to tell your friend that the band has split up. The Blood Brothers influenced an entire generation of screamo kids to stray from metal-core, and take advantage of weird time signatures, ethnic sounds and full on screaming intensity.
"Just As The Day Was Dawning" by Big Business from the album Here Come the Waterworks
The opener from the two-pieces sophomore effort blends Melvins-esque stoner metal with mathy, prog-rock to convey the deep sorrow of losing a loved one. “Spring was confusing, a little bit scary/Summer was much of the same/By winter you ran with the nights, never came home” are some of the most heart-wrenching lyrics if your giftee can read between the lines. Let's face it, everyone loves sad songs better, and if one can rock out while being bummed, then something good is really happening. Bonus tidbit-Pick up the album
Suplex
by the band Karp to get a better feel of bassist/singer Jared Warren's roots.
"Chanbara" by At The Drive-In from the album In Casino Out
Now that you've entered the hard-rockin' zone, you want to pull it back just slightly, and this song is the perfect way. It begins with a Latin flavor before slowly making way into a frenzied screaming freak out. At-The Drive In writes songs the way a robot would if it could, and mixing its members Hispanic heritage with progressive future-metal makes for an interesting listen and also wondering why you've never heard this shit before. When the band split in 2001, it was a huge blow to original music, but it wasn't long before members formed both Sparta and ever-popular prog/experimental outfit The Mars Volta. At The Drive-In may be better than the newer groups it has spawned, but you can always go back and listen to the classics. So can your dumb friends.
