Monday Mixtape

Monday Mixtape: 11/28 (The Weakerthans, My Chemical Romance, Chance the Rapper)

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The Weakerthans-“My Favorite Chords”


Following an excellent cover by Aaron West, I’ve been listening to a lot of The Weakerthans lately. Since there is not a lot of new music out at this time of year, I’ve found myself listening to Left And Leaving a lot lately.

Kanye West-“Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1”


Yeezy is still in the hospital, but The Life of Pablo is sure to be on many Album-of-the-Year lists. Most of the tunes that have been played lately have been checking back on old songs for the year-end lists.

Joyce Manor-“Reversing Machine”


This cut from Cody sounds the most like an old Joyce Manor song, and it’s perfect foe late fall and early winter.

Modern Baseball-“Note To Self”


MoBo have been one of the hardest working bands of the year, while touring behind Holy Ghost. They’re about to close out the year at the inaugural Something in the Way fest, and “Note to Self” is one of the best most restrained tracks on Holy Ghost.

Chance the Rapper-“Same Drugs”


Coloring Book was one of the best mixtapes of the year. Where a lot of the music was celebratory gospel-rap, “Same Drugs” is the kind of soul ballad perfect for cuddling up with some tea or hot chocolate.

Brand New-“Degausser”


The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me just turned ten, and there have been a number of pieces about the importance of this album. One of the most memorable moments from seeing Brand New on their most recent US run was during “Degausser” as the stage was soaked in red lights.

Mitski-“Happy”


Mitski’s Puberty 2 is sure to appear on my year end list, and “Happy” has been a stand out since seeing her recent Webster Hall show.

My Chemical Romance-“Welcome to the Black Parade (Steve Aoki Remix)”


While a MCR reunion seems unlikely, Steve Aoki has kept the spirit of their breakthrough album alive by turning it into an absolute fucking banger.

Monday Mixtape: Halloween (The Misfits, Marilyn Manson, Run the Jewels)

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The Misfits-“Teenagers from Mars”


Today’s Monday Mixtape lands on All Hallow’s Eve, thus we’ll be giving you a number of Halloween songs to begin with.  What’s a better Halloween band than The Misfits?  While just about any Misfits song could have worked, “Teenagers from Mars” feels like a cheap B-Movie, in the best way.  Crappy horror films are what Halloween is made of, and this is one of The Misfits’ best songs.

Real Friends-“Mess”


I was lucky enough to catch Real Friends on their current tour with The Wonder Years.  “Mess” is one of the best songs on The Home Inside My Head, and it has a pretty great Halloween-themed video.

 

Helloween-“Halloween”


Is there anything more Halloween than a German, power-metal outfit called Helloween playing a song called “Halloween”

 

Marilyn Manson-“Man That You Fear”


Marilyn Manson is still one of the kings of Halloween, and this Antichrist Superstar number is an eerie ballad, perfect for a sad Halloween.

Avenged Sevenfold-“Bat Country”


A7X just released a surprise album, but their early work remain to be metalcore staples.  “Bat Country” is just most fitting for Halloween. Continue reading →

Monday Mixtape: 10/3 (The Weeknd, Bon Iver, Nick Drake)

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The Weeknd-“False Alarm”

Following an electric SNL performance, it seems The Weeknd’s Starboy will be one of the strongest in R&B this year.  It’s one of the fastest, heaviest loaded songs, creating a dark club track.

 

Bon Iver-“715-CRSSKS”

This haunting auto-tuned anthem has some of the heaviest emotions on all of Bon Iver’s latest release.  Justin Vernon lets the weight of the world fall on the listener as his vocals become more distorted and confusing until he’s shouting during the song’s outro.

 

Slaughter Beach, Dog-“Jobs”
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Painting an image of the fictitious Slaughter Beach’s thriving underbelly, this is one of the most varied pieces on Jake Ewald’s debut solo album.  It’s an infectious track with one of the best opening lines of the year.

 

Bad Religion-“Fuck Armageddon…This is Hell”

 

As debates have been recapped, we keep alluding to the end of the world with both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.  This is a fitting song for an election year, and for the fact that I’m seeing Bad Religion tomorrow night.

 

Brand New-“Limousine”

 

The Long Island hometown heroes have just announced that they will be playing this iconic album from front to back on their forthcoming tour with Modern Baseball and The Front Bottoms.  This is one of the best songs from Devil and God and sure to be explosive as always.

 

Diet Cig-“Harvard”

Speaking of The Front Bottoms, I’ve been reviewing their Champagne Jam lineup, and I’m always thrilled to see some of New Paltz’s finest on the list.  This punky, emotional jam is a must-listen from the duo.

 

Against Me!-“I Still Love You Julie”


Another prep for Tuesday night’s show-I have my fingers crossed to hear a couple classic Reinventing Axl Rose songs on Tuesday from Against Me!

 

Nick Drake-“Day is Done”

 

Nick Drake’s eerie folk tune is fitting for the rainy fall weather New York has seen this weekend.  As October rears its head, Nick Drake’s mournful folk is always suited to the occasion.

 

Monday Mixtape 9/19 (Against Me!, The Front Bottoms, Kendrick Lamar)

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Against Me!-“12:03”


Shape Shift With Me has been in heavy rotation for me over the weekend, and the second track is easily one of the most fun and catchiest.  Laura Jane Grace captures all the excitement and anxiety of the start of a new relationship.  It’s very similar to the Searching for a Former Clarity song “Pretty Girls.”  Also, Laura’s calling out Topshop for that $700 Against Me! jacket is punk as fuck.

 

Beach Slang-“Noisy Heaven”


            I thought about including a song from Here, I Made This For You, but with the release of A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings coming up, I’ve been revisiting Beach Slang’s first album.

 

The Front Bottoms-“Tighten Up”


New Jersey’s The Front Bottoms have sprung two b-sides from Back On Top onto the internet, and it’s fucking awesome.  The band will be touring with Brand New and Modern Baseball this Fall, followed by their own Champagne Jam 2016 in New York City.  Hopefully this and “Joanie” will be played at each show.  It’s classic catchy and bizarre TFB.

 

Motion City Soundtrack–“Pulp Fiction”


Motion City Soundtrack may have played their final show this weekend, but I’m not ready to let go.  This My Dinosaur Life is an easy favorite deep cut from a band that won’t soon be forgotten.

 

Kendrick Lamar-“m. A. A. D. city”


            I’ve been reading Hanif Willis-Abdurraqib’s The Crown Ain’t Worth Much, and his poetry has had me revisiting some of my favorite artists, and I just read his poem “The Author Explains Good Kid, M. A. A. D. City to His White Friend While Driving Through Southeast Ohio.”  Music is obviously very important to Abdurraqib, and he pays tribute to everyone from Pete Wentz and Elliot Smith to Drake and Kanye.

 

Crying-“Wool in the Wash”


I’m getting on the Crying bandwagon a little late, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this track over the weekend.  I’ve gone back and listened some of the chip-rock band’s older work, and this is them at their most realized.  They have the large soaring video game sounds, but with some of the poppier, jingliest work yet.

 

The Hold Steady-“Chips Ahoy”


The second of three “Wish I was at Riot Fest” entries, I’m just upset about not seeing The Hold Steady this weekend at Riot Fest, because I missed Riot Fest.  The only other options I’m truly bummed about are…

 

The Misfits-“Hybrid Moments”


            Here’s to crossing my fingers for a Misfits tour!

 

Leonard Cohen-“Chelsea Hotel #2”


Following terrorist attacks in Chelsea, it seems fitting to play this Leonard Cohen cut a gloomy, rainy Monday.  It’s been raining in New York, and this mellow song about Janis Joplin is fitting.

Monday Mixtape: 9/12 (Green Day, Lady Gaga, Beach Slang, Kevin Devine)

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Green Day-“Revolution Radio”


Green Day are vamping up for their return, and the title track from their new album is as explosive as ever.  The melodic punk track features Green Day’s trademark catchy power chords.  Tré Cool shines through locking the song down the most.  Billie Joe Armstrong writes some of his wordiest lyrics continuing on from the equally intricate “Bang Bang.”  Revolution Radio will be released October 7.

 

Against Me!-“Crash”


While Shape Shift With Me is streaming via NPR, the catchiest track remains the power pop gem “Crash.”  Laura barks over some melodic guitar rock.  “Crash” lands all the punches that Shape Shift With Me should when it’s released on Friday.

 

Kanye West-“Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1”


Not a new song, but I’m still coming down from a Saint Pablo tour hangover.

 

The Smiths-“Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now”

As summer officially comes to an end, Morrissey and Johnny Marr have written some of the best Autumn songs ever written.  This Louder than Bombs track is essential Smiths listening, and it’s a bittersweet take for the start of Fall.  It’s a Pumpkin-Spiced jam.

 

Beach Slang-“Atom Bomb”


This sludgy track has one of the best music videos of the summer, and James Alex sings this song with an intense snarl, that’s irresistible.  While “Punks in a Disco Bar” sounds like a chunkier version of a track from Beach Slang’s first album, this song shows that the Philly outfit still has some tricks up their sleeves.

 

Lady Gaga-“Perfect Illusion”


            This Tame-Impala produced single may be Gaga’s best following the flop that was Artpop.  This era of Gaga may be exciting.

 

Kevin Devine-“No History”


Remembering 9/11 this weekend certainly puts a lot of things into perspective.  Over the weekend, everyone that was around the same age as me when the World Trade Center attacks happened remembered the confusion.  Kevin Devine’s first song from Instigator captures what I imagine it must have felt like for people that were much older than I was when the terrorist attacks happened.  Devine is also aware of how this event has echoed to this day.  As Devine sings “This is the future severe and always happening” is one of the eeriest to come during this haunting song.  Devine doesn’t really memorialize any of those lost, but he does reveal the confusion, fear and anger that has never been forgotten.