Hello,
thanks for the review!
1. The Radio Dept. - Heaven's on Fire (Clinging to a Scheme, 2010)
As you said, it features a sample from Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore about the effect of capitalisation of music on youth culture. I don't think it was intended to focus of Rock music only but yeah. The song I thought was quite fitting for the summer time. It has a dreamy, shoegazey feel to it. And it's one of many catchy and great song from the album Clinging to a Scheme, that I loved instantly. Thanks for the lovely description too, I thought it was pretty accurate :)
2. The National - Anyone's Ghost (High Violet, 2010)
Again, one of my favourite albums of 2010. It's by The National, who I'm surprised you didn't recognise! Great band. It is indeed dark and that's why I chosed it. I wanted a more darker feel in this part of the mix after a more relaxing and happier tune in the first one. This albums is their most accessible I thought but it is still worth checking out if you liked the song. It has a plenty of other great songs.
3. The Black Keys - The Only One (Brothers, 2010)
This band I had to add cause I'm just obsessed about them! The duo's style is more on the Blues/Rock side, however in their latest album they went ahead and tried different styles in some certain songs, and this was one of them. I chose this song as I felt it went along nicely with The National's, had the same feel, in a way. But yeah, Dan's voice in this is also different, usually it's louder and grungier (just how I love it :heart:). The song needs such a low-pitched voice, anyway. Their other albums, like Rubber Factory and Attack & Release are also were checking out if you're into the bluuues. :P
On another note, they have the best videos ever! They're just plain fun, they don't like to over do it and I love that. Some examples: :D
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpaPBCBjSVc]YouTube- The Black Keys - Tighten Up [OFFICIAL VIDEO][/ame]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBPGm4Fbo0Q]YouTube- The Black Keys "Just Got To Be"[/ame]
4. Calexico - Mad Made Lake (Carried to Dust, 2008)
A favourite by such an underrated band. Another fantastic band that is of a duo. I have 4 albums by them so far and I did not find any of them even remotely bad. This song was also a continuation of the darker theme. I'm surprised about the "no real climax" comment, cause I thought the short solo is pretty awesome and quite the appropriate climax for such a song, leaves you wanting more. Nevertheless, you should definitely check them out and you could start with this album :nice:
5. Liam Finn - Second Chance (I'll Be Lightning, 2007)
Yay! You recognised this! Actually, I do know the Jools Holland one and I prefer it to the album one by 10 thousand times but I don't have that version! I would've wanted to put the live one more. But anyhow, I'm pretty glad you know it :)
6. Las Ondas Martelese - Suzy Q (On da Rocks, 2009)
You apparently know about the origin of the songs more than me! This band is hardly known, I discovered them through La Blogotheque/Take Away Shows and fell in love. A quite from the site that I think describes them best: "A Charismatic singer with a very hip guitarist and a very unique and pretty Bass player. A show made for the stage if any."
The band is French, btw, so that's why I assume you commented on the nationality of the singer. I chose this short song to somehow end the more rockier parts of the album and to suggest a different kind of approach.
A video from La Blogotheque:
7. Wild Nothing - Chinatown (Gemini, 2010)
This is a favourite song from this new dreamy/punky album by Wild Nothing. I assume, it is a bit repetitive in tune but yeah that's their style and it could also be not your cup of tea kind of song as I noticed from your comments about this and the following songs? This song is also a summery choice like the first track.
8. Beach House - Walk in the Park (Teen Dream, 2010)
I think this band was used on most of the mixtapes I saw on here hehe. And their greatness in the mellow, dreamy, hypntoic sound is the reason. The voice of Victoria Legrand just grabs you like no way other. This album is where they started to get quite well-known and had more critical acclaim. However, I'm sorry it didn't have the big tune or climax you were wanting.. doesn't mean you shouldn't check them out!
9. The Tallest Man on Earth - The Gardener (Shallow Grave, 2008)
Swedish folk singer/songwriter. His raspy and passionate voice is what made me fall for him. I'm sorry you didn't like it.. though, I just love the romantic and intense side to it. Anyway, here's the La Blogotheque/Take Away Shows version of it, which made me get into him more:
10. The Morning Benders - Excuses (Big Echo, 2010)
"The dominance of drums ruins it"? :\ I'm sorry but I didn't see that at all.. I chose this song to end the mix as I loved it's connection to the first one, in a way, and also the ending parts of it have this hopeful and and full of life kind of beat, that I love. This song cheers me up and makes go into a whole entire place. But yeah, I guess, to each his own. Anyway, a live version of it: :heart:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jgmgE-QDzA]YouTube- The Morning Benders - "Excuses" Yours Truly session[/ame]
Thanks again for taking the time to review my mixtape, I was becoming quite desperate whoring it around hehe. I tried quite hard not to put on stuff I used in my previous mixes, so that's why it seems more 2010 dominant hehe. Also, I'm sorry you didn't enjoy the second half as much as I hoped for.. but it could probably be not your type of music. Well anyway, I hope you eventually give more listens to the artists you liked and tell me what you think! :nice:
Tracklist:
1. The Radio Dept. - Heaven's on Fire (Clinging to a Scheme, 2010)
2. The National - Anyone's Ghost (High Violet, 2010)
3. The Black Keys - The Only One (Brothers, 2010)
4. Calexico - Mad Made Lake (Carried to Dust, 2008)
5. Liam Finn - Second Chance (I'll Be Lightning, 2007)
6. Las Ondas Martelese - Suzy Q (On da Rocks, 2009)
7. Wild Nothing - Chinatown (Gemini, 2010)
8. Beach House - Walk in the Park (Teen Dream, 2010)
9. The Tallest Man on Earth - The Gardener (Shallow Grave, 2008)
10. The Morning Benders - Excuses (Big Echo, 2010)
Link: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=AMU8CUMD