The Classic Mixtape - What to Do?

Ok, so I realized that the mixtape is fading away fast. It might be because of the rise in digital media, it could be because people just don't take the time out anymore - but it is still a sure fire way to A) share music and B) do something for someone (relatively cheaply). So, since this blog is called the magic mixtape - here is a few idea's to get you started.

Now, a mixtape is very similar to a playlist, the only difference is - you need to put thought into the order of the songs. So, I am going to take a leaf out of Rob Gordon's book (yes, he is a fictional character from High Fidelity - but this works, trust me!) and lay down some track-by-track rules.

1. You have to start off with a bang. Don't start with your best song, but you need to make sure it kicks off to a great beginning.
2. Step it up a notch. You have to get whoever is listening to it to want to continue on, and you do this by making the second song one of (if not THE) best songs on the mix.
3. Cool it down a bit, maybe but something on a little more atmospheric. You don't want to overwhelm your listener with ultimate drums.
4. Go back to a higher tempo song that you know they'll love. By this point, they should be already hooked on the mix.

This will work because people form their opinions on a mix within the first few songs. They need to be able to know the style of music they will be listening to, and what they are to expect in the next 13 tracks or so.

Another important rule: if you are using a disc, fill the CD as much as it feels right. DO NOT feel the need to  fill it up with 19 songs that you are clutching at straws for in the end.

So, in honor of these rules - I have personally made a mixtape for you all to freely enjoy. Just download, unzip and add it to your iTunes. This one focuses on generic indie themed songs, but I'm hoping to do more specific mixes (with specific purposes) in the coming months.

Now That's What I Call A Mixtape - Volume 1

Click to Download 

Classic Album Spotlight: Billy Bragg - Life's a Riot with Spy vs Spy

Words Lee Tyrrell

Probably the shortest fantastic album ever recorded, Bragg’s first outing of political cat-scratch sonnets and warped but somehow real love songs is simply too raw to ignore.  Indeed, the acclaimed and revered British D.J. John Peel couldn’t ignore it himself when it arrived strangely on his doorstep along with a Mushroom Biryani (a curry that upon analysis appears wholly undesirable).     Since, Bragg has made a name for himself as one of England’s foremost songwriters and musically minded political thinkers.  And yet, after a string of well-regarded albums (albeit fading a little more into obscurity with each release) Bragg’s debut effort still manages to explode in your ears with punk sensibilities and sonic assault like no other.  In short, Life’s a Riot is more hard-hitting and extreme than the majority of Rock and Metal’s limited spectrum.
 
Despite being more of an E.P it was marketed as an album for chart reasons.  This doesn’t seem to matter upon listening to it.  During its mere sixteen minutes Life’s a Riot purposefully grips and pulls you into a world of working class dissatisfaction (“To Have and to Have Not”) and devoted but somehow woeful romance (“Milkman of Human Kindness”).  Billy does it all with a guitar sound and playing style quite simply like no other.  Whilst successfully applying the noisy and abrasive tenants from his long days of punk, he still manages to play with an almost Motown inspired rhythm filled with one-time-only musical inflections.
 
To a certain extent this record has become shadowed since its niche disappeared in the early nineties, but the truth he speaks lyrically and with his extremely subtle musicianship still endures today.  It’s an album overlooked by most and yet deeply appreciated by those aware of it.  Indeed, these short recordings were enough to stop John Peel himself from eating his free meal to play Bragg’s music on his radio show.  If this short collection was stellar enough to instantly cause Britain’s most respected D.J. to help propel Bragg’s career then there are no reasons, anachronisms or otherwise, for this colourful record to fade.

Here are a few sample tracks:

A New England

 

The Man in the Iron Mask

 

Lover's Town Revisited

 

New Bond Theme: Skyfall

So, it's leaked!
When a new Bond movie comes out, two questions are usually asked - Who is going to be this film's token girlfriend, and who is going to sing the song? This time, Adele was chosen — and for the first time I got excited about something Bond related.

Now, I'm not the biggest fan of Bond - nor do I ever profess to know much about them, but I do usually enjoy the themes. The films themselves leave a little to be desired, I for one do not enjoy watching a serious spy drama focusing on womanising borderline alcoholic run around as explosions follow him, while villains stroke their cats. Austin Powers is a comedy — that's why they get away with it. But, as a film and music junkie it seems there must be something in these themes to get people excited about them every two years. I mean, Duran Duran, Lulu, Jack White, Dame Shirley and even Sir Paul McCartney have been involved in these things. So, why the appeal?

I think its because it seems to be a genre of music all on its own. These big strings, sultry voices - they all seem to be linked by something that removes them slightly from other songs. You don't get excited about the new 'rock' song coming out, because there is a constant stream. Here, there are two years between every song - so people who like the genre do get excited.

So, I thought instead of just spouting my opinions, I would look at the charts. I wondered what exactly the most popular Bond themes were, when, and how long they charted for. Since I am a geek with mountains of data regarding charts, I decided to look at what the public seemed to think the best Bond theme was.

Out of the huge list of Bond themes, these are the ones that charted. The top two are Nobody Does it Better and For Your Eyes Only, charting for 25 weeks each. My personal favourite is Live and Let Die, but from this you can see what people want. The majority of the high players are your typical, big orchestra - soulful voice melody. The people have spoken, and apparently Adele had listened.
I heard the new Bond theme 'Skyfall', and, I have to say, it is one of the best. If you are a fan of Bond tunes or Adele, I think you would love this. She took the sultry route, following Shirley Bassey's of big, booming voices in front of large string arrangements. Much better than the awful theme (and film) that Quantum of Solace brought. I won't be watching Skyfall when it comes out, but I sure as hell will be listening to its theme tune.

Kingfisha Review - Live @ Jet Black Cat Records

So, last night I found myself back at Jet Black Cat records for another one of their in-stores. This time was rather different from the usual singer-songwriters that grace the tiny venue - there was a full reggae influenced set going on. It provided a very interesting vibe, to say the least.

Let's start by introducing the band. Their name is Kingfisha, and they describe themselves as a 'reggae electro band'. They have recently won the Triple J Unearthed Roots competition, and were celebrating the new release of their 7-inch vinyl at the cat.

Their sound is quite unique. It does have a very reggae style, but to me they sound very influenced by The Police. The members of the band were very good, the bassist and guitarist very tight - and the drummer also acting as the lead singer (a feat that any musician will tell you is very hard to achieve!). The beats were solid, and got you in the groove for a good hour or so.

The only issue was the similarity of most of their songs. They seemed to meld in the middle, and I think listening to too many of their songs in one go might prove a little wearing. Their style seems to overwhelm their substance, the set not changing up much at all.

They did, however, put on a good show. Just when the music started to lull, a trombonist was added to the mix to spice things up a bit. It worked well, and I have to congratulate the trombonist on A) playing soft enough for a tiny record store and B) not hitting anyone in the face with his instrument. It was a good night, which even got the crowd dancing at the end of it.

Despite what was said about the variety of their songs, they are a very good band who deserve a little notice - as their sound is very different to the typical acoustic stuff that's circulating at the moment.

Here is a song from their new album: