Lizzie Responds to Nicole's June Mix

The first chords of Laura Vier's "Sun Song" establishes a chill vibe for the mix.  The lyrics and pitter-pattering of the tempo confirms a slower, more contemplative ballad.  The instruments are soft enough in the beginning that the vocals and harmonies seem to cascade.  I can picture a day beginning as the song becomes louder and more fleshed out.  Plus, I can empathize.  We do have the sun to thank.

"The Way It Goes" by Gillian Welch reminds me of the impending changes that are to occur in my life.  As I'm sure I have mentioned before, I love songs where I can connect with the lyrics: "That's the way that it goes…that's the way that it is".  I enjoy this type of song because it resides slightly outside what I normally would actively choose listen to, and yet I like it.  I suppose that's a facet I can always look forward to in a mix CD!  The same outside-my-usual-listening-scope facet applies to The Black Keys' "10 Lovers," which may have the prettiest chorus of the mix.  Throughout the track, I love how smooth and almost aching the falsettos sound.  The synth noises add a certain electric feel, not to take thunder away from MGMT's song of the same name.  As I come to expect from a producer like Dan Auerbach, I could listen to this on repeat and probably never grow tired of it, a true testament to how well it has been engineered.   I am infinitely curious what kind of music video has been made for this already, and if there isn't one, what I could dream up.  This song makes me especially excited to check out their latest album, Turn Blue, which so far has eluded me and my musical musings.

Now, Nicole and I are known for our transitions, but I should note that the switch between songs here is fantastic.  Just when I think it will be instrumental, "Erica Western Teleport" by Emperor X's maddening mantras march in.  In my brief Wikipedia research of the band, I learned they originate from my home state, Florida.*  Cool -- represent!  I have held off sending this song to my brother although I think he could definitely relate on the whole "don't think of her" and "study for the LSATs" scoldings.  The subsequent live cover of the Pixies classic "Where Is My Mind?" by Traveled Trampled By Turtles transported me to late last summer's Minnesota On-A-Stick Concert.  I am grateful to have attended such a music-packed event at the State Fair with Nicole and her family and to especially see TBT live.  I can vividly picture them onstage performing this.

If you're not listening carefully as you listen to the next track, you might not realize how sad it is like I did.  The title of this Sufjan Stevens creation, "In the Devil's Territory," should be a clue, though.  Typical Sufjan fare here, which is narrative ad theatrical to say the least.  If I'm honest, on several listen throughs now, I am always tempted to skip "Southern Man" by Merry Clayton.  I bet I could hyper analyze why this is the case.  Suffice to say it is fine on the ears, I am just not clamoring to hear it again as I have been with most of the others thus far.  I admit it is strange I feel this way.  Because as my course on Blackness in the Media taught me -- and the film 20 Feet From Stardom reinforced -- much of the "American music" we listen to today has a core of blackness and black vocals.

At any rate,  Feeding Frenzy's "Bluebird" perhaps personifies this influence.  Enjoyable, though again not precisely noteworthy!  Follow this up with "Honey, Just Allow Me One More Chance" by the one and only Bob Dylan and it seems almost as if Nicole is making a personal plea for me to keep listening.  And given she is in fact B. Dylan**, I always treat the songs she selects of his as meaningful and deeply rooted in her soul.  And that is such a neat thing to have imparted to me, regardless if I feel exactly the same way about the songs themselves.  I am sure the same is true for some band/artist whose work I always weave into mixes.

On "Poor Places" by Wilco, there seems to be some sort of auditory interference near the 3 minute mark?  Or is that a conscious choice?  Strangely and inexplicably, the overlaid audio voiceover that then chimes in around the 4 minute mark gives me great anxiety.  Now that I've listened through a few times, I tend to skip beyond this part.

"Evergreens" by The Cave Singers reinstates the mix's lower pacing.  The vocals have an interesting yearning quality to them.  I feel like it tricks you with timing, though, because clocking in at three minutes, the sweetness of this piece is actually short-lived.  One day I randomly added "Follow Your Arrow" by Kacey Musgraves to the shared Google doc Nicole and I have titled "Music to check out".  I wonder if Nicole saw it there or if her good friend Lauren introduced her to this separately.  Or maybe none of the above and she stumbled upon it like I did!  No matter what, this is a nice song and I am happy to own it now.

"Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk" by Rufus Wainwright came as a curveball.  I was all too sure I had accidentally hit shuffle on my iTunes. But no, Nicole chose to end on this highly amusing note.  Too cute.

I am already working on Nicole's July mix.  I am excited for what's in store!

Instant favorites: "10 Lovers," "Erica Western Teleport," "Follow Your Arrow".

*Also, I chuckled when I saw their latest album is titled "The Orlando Sentinel" after the Florida newspaper of the same name.
**Well, the DNA tests were inclusive.  But we're pretty sure.

Lizzie Responds to Nicole's December Mix

As you may recall, mix CDs played a large role in bringing Nicole and I together.  We've exchanged mixes practically every month since October 2012, so now that we have a year of consistent mix-making under our belts, get ready for some stellar set lists!  Now here are my thoughts on Nicole's December Mix, which she gave me before I left for home.

If you care to listen to the mix all the way through, just hit play!

Nicole's Mix 12.8.13 from pandasinfedoras on 8tracks Radio.

As soon as I heard the trickling piano of Sufjan Stevens' "Justice Delivers Its Death," I was transported back to winter at home in Florida.  Since 2011, when I first listened to "Vesuvius," I felt Sufjan's music matched the cool atmosphere of December/January.  Fun fact: I originally thought the song was named "Silver & Gold", and even wrote it as such on my main blog.   The next song"Tiff" by Poliça (feat. Justin Vernon) gets me thinking -- "am I part of the hype machine?" With groovy tunes like this, I have a sinking suspicion that this smooth, synth-pop artist from Minneapolis will continue making inroads in 2014.

"The Grey Estates" by Wolf Parade instantly smacks of a "teeny bopper film".  I hope that makes sense.  It doesn't do too much to knock my socks off.  Next, "Delicate Cycle" by The Uncluded could be summed up in one word: clever.  It demands re-listens, which is a testament to Kimya Dawson's I-will-tell-you-my-life-story-and-pull-you-in soft rap.  "Becoming The Gunship" by Islands perhaps takes the gunship metaphor too far? Overall, the instruments used was reminiscent of a 1980's power ballad.

At times a lullaby, "Foshay" by Greycoats constitutes easy listening.  The final few seconds at the end that sound like a carnival triggers memories of the last season of Heroes.  Then, although a palatable song, Very Small Animal's "Original Crime Scene" lacks a certain punch and leaves me underwhelmed.  Arcade Fire's "You Already Know" off their latest 2013 album, Reflektor, in my opinion does not deviate too far from songs in their past. I should listen to more songs off the album before making too much of a judgement.  I enjoyed the talking at the beginning of this track since it seemed vaguely similar to STRFKR's "Hungry Ghost".

"Holy Branches" from Jacksonville, FL native Radical Face proves why I fell in adoration with the band in the first place.  As a listener who empathizes with the lyrics, the last verse unnerves me.  For the next song, I believe this may be the first time we've shared songs by the same artist in the same month.  And it could not have come with a better artist.  That's right. Double Lykke Li!  The drum beat pulsing through "I Follow Rivers" has me nodding my head like a moron.

"Winter Prayers" by Iron & Wine captivates me.  The very first lines are very relatable. ("Well it's cold, and you're bored / From counting smart cars on the 94") The song also promotes sipping hot chocolate while lazing in bed and writing bad poetry.  Personally, it makes me want to wear red lipstick, probably due to the mention of a "red mouth".  The song masterfully projects and reflects contemplation.  For the next song on the mix, "Amongster" by Poliça, my complaint stands that I can't always quite understand the lyrics and that distances me.  No denying it is pretty, though.  Also, forewarning that video I linked is fairly steamy.

Interesting fade into "Ísjaki" by Sigur Rós.  Similarly, the melody contributes to the alienating feeling since I do not understand Icelandic.  It's the equivalent of me nodding and saying yes after not fully listening to what someone  asked.  I want to agree because it sounds cool but that might be a mistake.  This could be about murder for all I know.  (Okay, so the title translates to "Iceberg").

Typhoon does not disappoint with their rousing guitar chords and aching vocals of lead singer Kyle Morton.  As member Shannon Steele sings, "the world is such a small thing" on "Young Fathers," I could envision the whole globe shrinking to the size a pin.  "Grow up, you'll be an astronaut" made me grin, too.  "Lewis Takes Action" by Owen Pallett is a solid way to end a mix and send me on my way back home.  Man, I love kick drums.

And man, I miss you, Nicole.

Instant favorites: "Justice Delivers Its Death," "Young Fathers," "Holy Branches," and "Winter Prayers"

Lizzie Responds to Nicole's July Mix

Although Nicole's mix had a circuitous route to my hands and ears, I'm grateful it finally arrived in one piece!  (Actually, the jewel case was broken...but let's pretend it was 100% intact....)  Thus, with the short turnaround, my response will not be as sophisticated as Nicole's.  Like, a lot less sophisticated.  Sorry about that.

1. "Waiting for Something to Happen" by Veronica Falls
Very low beat.  I just made that up.  It means it can play in the background and I wouldn't notice.  Surprisingly mellow beginning, making me unsure where this musical journey will take me.

2. "Harlequin Press" by John Vanderslice
I get lost in the song's narrative, which is nice.  Fit for a soundtrack, I think.
P.S. This marks the first song I've had to link to Soundcloud for instead of YouTube.  INDIE TERRITORY.

3. "No Below" by Speedy Ortiz
Subtly morbid ("How I once said/ I was better off just being dead") yet endearing ("But I'm looking out for you, my friend").

4. "Weight" by Mikal Cronin
I think this has very high highs and low lows, particularly the last 30 seconds.

5. "Fortune Teller" by Calexico
The "oooh" parts are my favorite.

6. "The Place" by Inc.
The YouTube comments sum this up as "sexy" and I confirm that is accurate.

7. "Man" by Neko Case
COINCIDENCE ALERT.  The beauty was Nicole had no idea I was sending The New Pornographers. And I had no idea she was sending one of their members gone solo, Neko Case.  The universe is a neat place.  That aside, good song.

8. "The Snow Leopard" by Shearwater
Memorable instrumental bits.

9. "It Beats 4 U" by My Morning Jacket
DRUMS.

10. "Headache" by Girls
This song gave my headache.  Just kidding.  It seems to be hypnotizing me.  Uh oh.

11. "Strife" by Savages
I'm on the fence about this one.  Great transition into the next song...

12. "Alien Christ" by Cloud Cult
COINCIDENCE ALERT AGAIN.  I just checked out their album featuring this song from the library!  How did Nicole know?  Having never heard of Cloud Cult before last year, they've really grown on me.

13. "Watch the Sunrise" by Big Star
GUITAR.

14. "July" by Youth Lagoon
This would be perfect if I were to make a film summarizing an eventful July, i.e. one more summer-y and awesome than mine.

Instant favorites: "Harlequin Press," "Fortune Teller," and "Alien Christ."

Quick note to Nicole: please look at "Music to check out" and help clean up what might not be relevant!  I highlighted certain albums I think can be deleted, but you make the final decisions.  And feel free to add anything else!

Lizzie Responds to Nicole's June Mix

It's been two months without seeing Nicole, but, as promised, we exchanged our monthly mix CDs.  Breaking with tradition, however, I will be sharing what I thought of hers, aptly titled 'June Tunes', first.

My initial thought was I could easily bike to "For Now" by Ghost Hands.  A mellow entrance into this mix, followed by the not-so mellow "Purple Yellow Red and Blue" by Portugal. The Man.  This song is infectious, relatable ("When I grow up, I wanna be a movie star." -- so true), and perhaps even psychedelic. When the title is sung during the actual song, I conjure up certain scenes from Apocalypse Now.

Deerhunter's "The Missing" wasn't that impressive.  I like the harmonies, though.  And like it did for Nicole, maybe it will grow on me.  "Put a Light On" by Generationals is perfect for summer.  I found myself snapping along and swaying to the beat.  I enjoyed the falsetto and an instrument that I can't even place.  It also reminds me of Purity Ring's "Fineshrine," featured on a previous mix from Nicole.

I felt myself spirally down as I listened to Marnie Stern's "Proof of Life" which put me in the mindset for "Help Yourself" by Sad Brad Smith.  This served as a good reminder to, well, help myself.  I could be crazy, but I think I detected the sound of hitting a tin can?  In the same vein, "Don't Deny Your Heart" by Hot Chip seemed to be proffering self-help-book-esque advice -- pumped through synth of course. I think the shifts in tone made this particular song of theirs unique.  Fun fact: my blogger friend Nicola first introduced me to this band. 

To me, Janelle Monaé's "Wonderland" sounds like what I imagine it feels to be on an acid trip.  I shouldn't try to understand any narrative that may or may not exist for this song. "A tout a l'heure" by Biblo is very summery.  I am a sucker for hand claps.  "Waves," another from Portugal. the Man's 2013 album, Evil Friends, really struck a nerve with me. (No one will remember/ Cause nothing lasts forever/ And everybody's looking/ For somebody to use) 

"Hiding Out" by The Ambulars, amonst the others, does not stand out. If I re-listen outside the context of the mix, maybe I'd feel differently?  I'd read about people loving Laura Marling,  yet "Where Can I Go" is the first song of hers I've heard.  I like her quietly sassy voice and her warble on "where."  I'll have to check out her other stuff.  Bob Dylan's "She Belongs To Me," considering I was listening to it while lying on Bateman lawn, made me think of the story Nicole has told about Bob watching his daughter graduate from our college from behind a tree on the same exact lawn.  Pretty neat.

Second to last, "Try to Be,"can summed up as hypnotic. No wonder Nicole said she could fall asleep to this. It's by the band Blue Hawaii, which may win the contest for best name this mix.  And, finally, "Wait So Long" by TRAMPLED By Turtles (yes, Nicole, I know...not TRAVELED) has great violin.  Then all I could think was: dueling banjos, much?

Thank you again for sending another amazing mix, Nicole.  And, as always, can't wait to read your thoughts on mine and exchange ones for July!

Instant Favorites: "Purple Yellow Red and Blue," "Put a Light On," "Wonderland," and "Waves."

Lizzie Responds to Nicole's May Mix

Nicole and I have exchanged mixes about once a month since October, and last month we decided to start writing our thoughts about them for all the world to see.  Nicole responded to mine yesterday so here's my thoughts on the May Mix that Nicole gave me before she deserted me!

"Dead In Your Head" by Bleached was a stellar start.  After a first listen I wanted to hear it again: the sign of a good song.  Speaking of ends, the last twenty seconds of "In a Sense" by Young Man sounds like a bop-it extreme instead of real instruments.  This probably sounds like an insult, but I promise it's not.

I like the almost narrative style of Savages' "She Will" even though it's not easy to hear all the lyrics.  As bummed as I am by this, I admire the heavy drums and symbol clashing throughout.  I could work out to this song.  Next up is James Blake's "To The Last," instantly one of my favorites.  After listening to his cover of Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You" for the first time this year, I appreciate this gradual exposure to his music.  That said, I think his music lends itself towards singles versus an entire album.  In album form, I fear the melancholy, piano-driven tracks might be overwhelming?  Maybe I should listen to the full album and test my hypothesis...

Minneapolis-based Strange Names is being added to my bands-to-check out list. "Luxury Child" immediately had me dancing at my desk.  I'm not kidding, I was grooving out to its awesome beat and was ready to sing along to the catchy refrain, making me care less about the lyrics.  (I'm now listening again on my speakers and my roommate, Morgan, approves.)  R.E.M.'s "Pop Song 89" is nothing too special.  Sorry I don't have anything else to say about it!  (OMG, wait, now that I see the title again, is its genericness the point!?)

At first "Starfish and Coffee" by Prince startled me.  I was like, "where is that telephone ringing coming from?" Once I deduced it was in fact the song, I enjoyed it and reveled in its ridiculousness.  And then, quickly to follow, "The Sporting Life," which may be my favorite song by The Decemberists, was infectious and poppy.  Plus, it was a solid transition into the latter half of the mix.

Like "Pop Song 89," Hollow Boys' "Hater" also wasn't exactly memorable.  Especially when to follow The Knife's "A Tooth For An Eye" is unlike anything I've really heard before.  I see some similarities to Purity Ring, though.  "Borrowed Time" by Parquet Courts blends seamlessly into "Santa Fe" by Beirut.  Since "Elephant Gun" seems to be following me around this summer, I didn't mind hearing a different song by the band.

I have never even remotely heard of Lady Lamb The Beekeeper before.  Nicole, you're such a hipster!  "Rooftop," therefore, was never on my radar.  I enjoy how chill and how this song doesn't overreach.  "Last of the Summer Wine" by Palma Violets continues that chill vibe.  Again, without trying too hard it is soothing and its instrumental bits are reminiscent of Arctic Monkey's "Love Is A Laserquest."  Last, yet certainly not least, Eleanor Friedberger's "Stare at the Sun" makes me excited for all the summer adventures I will have here in the Twin Cities.  Not to mention "I'll try not to stare at the sun" is the perfect reminder.

Overall, this mix mirrored my odd transition from living with three good friends to trying to navigate life, work and food (I know my priorities) independently.  Both had its various ups and downs yet general summer feel.  I'm looking forward to compiling more songs for Nicole's June Mix.  Pretty soon we'll have been exchanging for a year -- oh my!

Instant Favorites: "Luxury Child,""The Sporting Life," "Santa Fe" and "Stare at the Sun."

Lizzie Responds to Nicole's April Mix

If you've read our introduction post, you know that mix CDs played a role in bringing Nicole and I together.  We've exchanged mixes about once a month since October, and now that we've created FLAK, we'll be reacting to each other mixes here, for all the world to see!  This will be especially helpful for when Nicole deserts me for Alaska this summer.  Nicole responded to mine yesterday so here's my thoughts on the April Mix that Nicole gave me!

Jake Bugg's "Seen It All" is a toe-tapper.  While this isn't my favorite off the mix, I think it was a good foray piece.  Now, I honestly did not expect to hear "Q.U.E.E.N." by Janelle Monáe.  But I like when Nicole throws in something different from the standard "pretty music" (our general term for alternative rock/pop).  I guess I should've expected a Janelle Monáe song because she was very excited for her latest album. Django Django's "Firewater"strikes me as different from "Storm," which Nicole has featured on a previous mix.  I could be wrong and sound like a total idiot right now.  I'll accept that, because either way I like both songs.  Not to mention, I'm eternally jealous she got to see them live in March!

I'm guessing Nicole felt obligated to put "Don't Play With Guns" on after we heard The Black Angels live on Record Store Day.  Besides offering an important lesson, this song can grow on me. The menacing piano underscores the ominous tone of Menomena's "Heavy Is As Heavy Does." I like this sound and how it subtly transforms around the 1:50 mark.  "Ghost Towns" from Radical Face fills a special place in my heart right now.  Confession: I have recently fallen in love with a few songs off Radical Faces' album, Ghost, and might be heavily biased when I say I like this too.

"Front Porch" by GLOSS harkens back to the "pretty music" I mentioned earlier.  It reminds me of eighties British pop.  Don't misconstrue that as a bad thing.  I know Nicole loves Stevie, so figures she would include Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing."  I am immediately transported to the atmosphere of Silver Linings Playbook a la its integral use of "My Cherie Amor."  If I had my license, I feel "Colored Emotions" by Night Moves would be awesome music to accompany a night's drive.

Kurt Vile's "Never Run Away" has the scary possibility of getting stuck in my head.  (Fun fact: I  had T-Pain's "I'm In Love With A Stripper" inexplicably stuck in my head earlier today, so.)  I think I have a strange conception of Iron & Wine.  I think it's their name that really throws me, since I didn't think "Grace For Saints and Ramblers" was going to sound...so...chipper?  On a similar note, my immediate thought with "Snow Day"by Minneapolis local Jeremy Messersmith was "Wes Andersen."  Maybe Nicole can help me pinpoint which instrument might be doing that? HELP ME, NICOLE.

The next song "We Will Never Be As Young As We Are Tonight" by The Calm Blue Sea seamlessly blended in.  Once again, I could see myself driving to this melodic, mostly instrumental track.  Can I mention that I love the name?  Because I do.  It's a little insane how much I love The Antlers. (Nicole can attest to just how many times I've broken into "Every night my teeth are falling out."  Sometimes I add air guitar.)  Their song "Drift Dive" is superb, as is Peter Silberman's voice. "College" by Rogue Wave served as a nice way to round out the entire mix.  I firmly believe I could satisfying play the whole mix on repeat and not be able to identify a beginning or an end.

Over all, this entire mix put me in a calm, centered realm, which I think is perfect as I head into my finals week.  Thank you, Nicole!

Instant favorites: "Seen It All," "Heavy Is As Heavy Does," "Ghost Towns," and "Drift Dive," although let's face it, I like practically everything Nicole sends my way!