happiness list v.2.0
Feb. 16th, 2004 07:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
orangerfulBECKY!
Really long e-mails that range all over from serious topics to Buffy/Angel debates (hm...actually, those are pretty serious too!)
explaining a mix CD I've made
finding out someone reads my livejournal
speaking of which -
Becky asked for the track listing of the 2003 mix I sent her. I was typing it out and wanted to point out to anyone I gave this disc to that its not THE BEST of 2003. Hardly. I don't think I have enough 2003 release CDs to pick THE BEST. But its a sampling of music that I think best represents the year AND makes for a catchy little mix on the whole. Soooooo, let me explain some of these choices:
1. Rufus Wainwright - I Don't Know What It Is (From his Dreamworks CD "Want I") - Rufus has been out of the spotlight for awhile, since he has been recovering from certain substance abuse problems. His "Poses" CD was fantastic and I want to say that "Want I" does actually make my BEST OF list for 2003. Its a well crafted album that I can listen to over and over again and enjoy each time. I felt this song (the 2nd track from the album) pretty much had to open the mix because some of these songs, you won't know, but you gotta hear 'em!
2. Gavin Degraw - Follow Thru (from his J Records CD "Chariot") For example, this got a little bit of airplay here. Nothing over the top it seemed. This was the single from the release and I enjoyed it. About every other song on the album sticks with me. But I think what we have here is just a hint of whats coming. Gavin's got a good set of ears, I think we'll be hearing more of him on future mixes.
The Whitlams - Fall For You (from their Black Yak Records CD "Torch the Moon") My Aussie boys. This album actually came out in 2002 but since I had to IMPORT it over from Australia cuz their label doesn't distribute over here, it gets a special place on my 2003 mix. It's not as good as Eternal Nightcap, but I think its roots are closer to EN than to their album before, Love this City. Good tunes. But if you're going to buy a whitlams album, but Eternal Nightcap first.
Erin McKeown - Slug Ho (from her Nettwerk CD "Grand") - okay, this one is also Tops of 2003! Erin is just a cool chick. And she knows how to play how to write and how to sing and she's on an independant enough label that she does it with class (even though this song I picked, the only song I had at the time, was a tongue in cheeck stab at the record label asking for a "radio friendly" track). Go pick up "Grand" today. now. go.
Sting - Never Coming Home (from his A&M Records CD "Sacred Love") - I like this album better than "Brand New Day". Where Sting usually delves into a bunch of different styles each disc, I felt this one stuck to the euro-dance world a bit. I liked it though. But I like Sting. If you like Sting, you will like this.
The Beatles - Across the Universe (from their Capitol Record CD "Let It Be...Naked") - I'm happy I didnt pay for this one. I mean, its not that much different than the original. The standouts for me were this song and Paul's Long and Winding Road. Though this was how they originally wanted the album to sound. Bare bones. If you already own Let It Be, though, you don't need this CD. If you don't own Let It Be....well COME ON! It's the Beatles!
John Mayer - Somethings Missing (from his Columbia/Aware CD "Heavier Things") - This song summed up my entire opinion of "Heavier Things" - Its all there ; the catchy riffs, the guitar solos, the sing along chorus, the sexy tune, the cute tune....its all there but something was still missing. I have the CD. I listen to it and pretty much immediately forget it.
Liz Phair - Extraordinary (from her Capitol Records CD "Liz Phair") - Alex keeps calling her a "sex pot" but I enjoyed this CD! Sure sure, it's a bit over produced and anyone who was a fan of her music prior to this might say shes lost her edge. But goshdarnit the tunes are fun to sing with and catchy! Not a must have, but probably a sure pleaser
Rockwell Church - Chemical (from their independant CD "Antidote") - Adrian and I are thanked in the liner notes of this CD. You should all buy it and tell your friends you know someone thanked in the liner notes of a CD. Juuuust kidding. This CD is really really good though. They found a perfect balance between performance and production. Catch them live if you can, but pick up the CD - best of 2003 YES!
R.E.M. - Bad Day (from their greatest hits collection) It's Best of! This tune was intersting and it was a lot easier than burning my own mix from all the REM CDs I own....buuuuut...it's just a best of. Bad Day and Animal do not make it to die for.
Devon Sproule - Farewell Seasick Suffering (from her independant release "Upstate Songs") Okay, I'm so bad with finding female artists I like. Devon has a unique voice and talent to boot. The entire album is bare bones like this track and its really mellow and fun to listen to.
Brad Paisley - Celebrity (from "Mud on the Tires") I just enjoyed this tune.
Howie Day - Collide (duh) I kinda wish I'd put a different song. At the time, I thought this was my favorite off the album but I'm not as thrilled with it anymore. SATWN was an okay CD but I haven't felt the urge to listen to it over and over.
Dido - Sand in my Shows (from her CD "Life For Rent") Now this is a sophomore EFFORT! I was thrilled with this CD. In fact, I think I like it more than "No Angel"! Dido does techno tunes to straight forwards songs (like this one) to acapella melodies that are just lovely. Another sure pleaser AND this one actually is on my Best of 2003...every track is great!
Guster - Homecoming King (from "Keep It Together") - Another great release. This album shows the boys from Guster can keep surprising us. Where do they keep finding these great melodies! Its got them a lot of attention in the music world to, their latest single "Careful" rising all the way to #3 on the AAA charts! It's an album with a lot of love put into it and you can hear it in every song.
Weird Al Yankovic - Ebay (from "Poodle Hat") - Oh come on, it's weird al! All of the parody/polka tracks are great but some of the "regular" tracks are skippable. And the Frank Zappa homage...well I think I need to know more Zappa to get "Genius in France". Wait for his next "Greatest hits Vol" to come out.
Sarah McLachlan - Fallen (from "Afterglow") Okay, this album makes my lame list! This track and the second track were okay. But after that zzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Come on Sarah! What is up with you!
Pete Yorn - Man In Uniform (from "The Day I Forgot") Another album that could have been better but having to follow up "songsforthemorningafter" would be a feat for any musician. I just liked this track cuz he performed it live at WRNR. I hope he gets more time and less pressure when he sits down to make his 3rd album.
Dave Matthews - So Damn Lucky (from "Some Devil") What a freakin surprise. I was worried that Dave solo wouldn't take. But after a couple of spins, I really really like this CD. Sure, the songs are all depressing and are about life/death/growing up but it works with Dave solo more than it would have worked with the band.
Jack Johnson - Rodeo Clowns (from "On and On") This was actually the first JJ song I heard. But he seems to have re-recorded it and stuck it on his new album so I couldn't resist. Jack is great to chill too. If you want to sit around and feel like you have no cares in the world, put on this CD. I liked it. One of the better sophomore releases and one that I have listened to over and over.
My shoulder hurts - I have to stop typing.
Really long e-mails that range all over from serious topics to Buffy/Angel debates (hm...actually, those are pretty serious too!)
explaining a mix CD I've made
finding out someone reads my livejournal
speaking of which -
Becky asked for the track listing of the 2003 mix I sent her. I was typing it out and wanted to point out to anyone I gave this disc to that its not THE BEST of 2003. Hardly. I don't think I have enough 2003 release CDs to pick THE BEST. But its a sampling of music that I think best represents the year AND makes for a catchy little mix on the whole. Soooooo, let me explain some of these choices:
1. Rufus Wainwright - I Don't Know What It Is (From his Dreamworks CD "Want I") - Rufus has been out of the spotlight for awhile, since he has been recovering from certain substance abuse problems. His "Poses" CD was fantastic and I want to say that "Want I" does actually make my BEST OF list for 2003. Its a well crafted album that I can listen to over and over again and enjoy each time. I felt this song (the 2nd track from the album) pretty much had to open the mix because some of these songs, you won't know, but you gotta hear 'em!
2. Gavin Degraw - Follow Thru (from his J Records CD "Chariot") For example, this got a little bit of airplay here. Nothing over the top it seemed. This was the single from the release and I enjoyed it. About every other song on the album sticks with me. But I think what we have here is just a hint of whats coming. Gavin's got a good set of ears, I think we'll be hearing more of him on future mixes.
The Whitlams - Fall For You (from their Black Yak Records CD "Torch the Moon") My Aussie boys. This album actually came out in 2002 but since I had to IMPORT it over from Australia cuz their label doesn't distribute over here, it gets a special place on my 2003 mix. It's not as good as Eternal Nightcap, but I think its roots are closer to EN than to their album before, Love this City. Good tunes. But if you're going to buy a whitlams album, but Eternal Nightcap first.
Erin McKeown - Slug Ho (from her Nettwerk CD "Grand") - okay, this one is also Tops of 2003! Erin is just a cool chick. And she knows how to play how to write and how to sing and she's on an independant enough label that she does it with class (even though this song I picked, the only song I had at the time, was a tongue in cheeck stab at the record label asking for a "radio friendly" track). Go pick up "Grand" today. now. go.
Sting - Never Coming Home (from his A&M Records CD "Sacred Love") - I like this album better than "Brand New Day". Where Sting usually delves into a bunch of different styles each disc, I felt this one stuck to the euro-dance world a bit. I liked it though. But I like Sting. If you like Sting, you will like this.
The Beatles - Across the Universe (from their Capitol Record CD "Let It Be...Naked") - I'm happy I didnt pay for this one. I mean, its not that much different than the original. The standouts for me were this song and Paul's Long and Winding Road. Though this was how they originally wanted the album to sound. Bare bones. If you already own Let It Be, though, you don't need this CD. If you don't own Let It Be....well COME ON! It's the Beatles!
John Mayer - Somethings Missing (from his Columbia/Aware CD "Heavier Things") - This song summed up my entire opinion of "Heavier Things" - Its all there ; the catchy riffs, the guitar solos, the sing along chorus, the sexy tune, the cute tune....its all there but something was still missing. I have the CD. I listen to it and pretty much immediately forget it.
Liz Phair - Extraordinary (from her Capitol Records CD "Liz Phair") - Alex keeps calling her a "sex pot" but I enjoyed this CD! Sure sure, it's a bit over produced and anyone who was a fan of her music prior to this might say shes lost her edge. But goshdarnit the tunes are fun to sing with and catchy! Not a must have, but probably a sure pleaser
Rockwell Church - Chemical (from their independant CD "Antidote") - Adrian and I are thanked in the liner notes of this CD. You should all buy it and tell your friends you know someone thanked in the liner notes of a CD. Juuuust kidding. This CD is really really good though. They found a perfect balance between performance and production. Catch them live if you can, but pick up the CD - best of 2003 YES!
R.E.M. - Bad Day (from their greatest hits collection) It's Best of! This tune was intersting and it was a lot easier than burning my own mix from all the REM CDs I own....buuuuut...it's just a best of. Bad Day and Animal do not make it to die for.
Devon Sproule - Farewell Seasick Suffering (from her independant release "Upstate Songs") Okay, I'm so bad with finding female artists I like. Devon has a unique voice and talent to boot. The entire album is bare bones like this track and its really mellow and fun to listen to.
Brad Paisley - Celebrity (from "Mud on the Tires") I just enjoyed this tune.
Howie Day - Collide (duh) I kinda wish I'd put a different song. At the time, I thought this was my favorite off the album but I'm not as thrilled with it anymore. SATWN was an okay CD but I haven't felt the urge to listen to it over and over.
Dido - Sand in my Shows (from her CD "Life For Rent") Now this is a sophomore EFFORT! I was thrilled with this CD. In fact, I think I like it more than "No Angel"! Dido does techno tunes to straight forwards songs (like this one) to acapella melodies that are just lovely. Another sure pleaser AND this one actually is on my Best of 2003...every track is great!
Guster - Homecoming King (from "Keep It Together") - Another great release. This album shows the boys from Guster can keep surprising us. Where do they keep finding these great melodies! Its got them a lot of attention in the music world to, their latest single "Careful" rising all the way to #3 on the AAA charts! It's an album with a lot of love put into it and you can hear it in every song.
Weird Al Yankovic - Ebay (from "Poodle Hat") - Oh come on, it's weird al! All of the parody/polka tracks are great but some of the "regular" tracks are skippable. And the Frank Zappa homage...well I think I need to know more Zappa to get "Genius in France". Wait for his next "Greatest hits Vol" to come out.
Sarah McLachlan - Fallen (from "Afterglow") Okay, this album makes my lame list! This track and the second track were okay. But after that zzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Come on Sarah! What is up with you!
Pete Yorn - Man In Uniform (from "The Day I Forgot") Another album that could have been better but having to follow up "songsforthemorningafter" would be a feat for any musician. I just liked this track cuz he performed it live at WRNR. I hope he gets more time and less pressure when he sits down to make his 3rd album.
Dave Matthews - So Damn Lucky (from "Some Devil") What a freakin surprise. I was worried that Dave solo wouldn't take. But after a couple of spins, I really really like this CD. Sure, the songs are all depressing and are about life/death/growing up but it works with Dave solo more than it would have worked with the band.
Jack Johnson - Rodeo Clowns (from "On and On") This was actually the first JJ song I heard. But he seems to have re-recorded it and stuck it on his new album so I couldn't resist. Jack is great to chill too. If you want to sit around and feel like you have no cares in the world, put on this CD. I liked it. One of the better sophomore releases and one that I have listened to over and over.
My shoulder hurts - I have to stop typing.
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Date: 2004-02-17 06:59 am (UTC)ouch. i payed for that shit. you're not allowed to listen to it anymore.