Talkin’ Turkey: A Mixtape
Just in time for everybody to tuck in to the most lazy and food filled day of the year. As always the tracks are all free downloads, but support these wonderful artists if you can.
Man Who Lives Forever (Rollo & Grady Session)- Lord Huron
Lord Huron has been a band that is constantly defying my expectations, they’re due out for a well deserved full length album this coming year and if Man Who Lives Forever is any indication of where their sound is going, look for them to be all over the indie airwaves next year.
Man Who Lives Forever- Lord Huron
Song to Sing When I’m Lonely- John Frusciante
Possibly the greatest talent to emerge from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Frusciante has shown that he’s no one trick pony and a masterful songwriter in his own right, Song To Sing When I’m Lonely is one of my favorites, starting with a melody right out of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Song To Sing When I’m Lonely- John Frusciante
Fletcher- Blitzen Trapper
Blitzen Trapper have the new Americana sound locked down on their most recent full length, American Goldwing. Think of it as Wilco with a little more drawl and optimism. Not many bands these days can write a narrative as compelling as this Portland group.
Coeur D’Alene- The Head and The Heart
Critics of The Head and the Heart stated that their debut album was filled with derivative sounds of Americana, on “Coeur D’Alene” all they can note is a perfectly crafted pop song.
Coeur D’Alene- The Head and The Heart
I Stopped Missing You Today- Stone Darlings
Stone Darling is an all-girl group that single-handedly defies the label.
I Stopped Missing You Today- Stone Darling
More Than Muscle- Luke Temple
Quite possibly my favorite song of 2011 with its off-kilter rhythms and technicolor arrangements, Temple lures you in with the first few notes and by the time his charming lilt comes into the fore there’s no letting go.
Handwriting- White Denim
White Denim is one of those bands that can make prodigious skill seem par for the course for their songwriting, “Handwriting” being an intriguing guitar run through that makes you wonder how they’re playing what they’re playing and can still mold it into a conventional song form. The pedal steel puts a nice touch.
Freeze Out- Snorri Helgason
If not the best thing to come out of Iceland, by far he is the most underrated. Sure his name might never be commonplace in pop music but he is as well deserving as any singer-songwriter out there right now.
The Only Way- Gotye
Gotye shows the creative intensity that we used to expect out of Beck, but this Australian troubadour proves his equal and more through his clever approach at arrangements and his chameleon vocals.
Livin’ In The Jungle- Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears seem intent on bringing R&B back to what it once was, the hard propulsive blues that brought the Black Keys into prominence with Brothers only with more of a funky kick and a wicked horn section.
Livin’ in the Jungle – Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears
I’ll Walk Away- James Hunter
James Hunter wowed Van Morrison with his debut Believe What I Say even getting the man himself to duet on a couple tracks with him, if Sam Cooke had managed to live to old age this croon might be what we were in for.
Million Dollar Bill- Dawes
When it hits me that she’s gone/ I think i’ll run for president/ Get my face put on the million dollar bill/ So when these rich men that she wants/ Show her ways they can’t take care of her/ I’ll have found a way to be there with her still
Within the opening of “Million Dollar Bill” Taylor Goldsmith managed to portray the sadness, jealousy, and ultimately love that’s still present when your lover has left you. Proof why he’s one of the greatest songwriters of his generation.
I Found You- Alabama Shakes
Otis Redding reincarnated in girl form, no other description should be necessary.
Soulless- Fake Problems
Who said people couldn’t write upbeat rock songs anymore.
Big Man- Boy & Bear
It wouldn’t be the farthest stretch to compare this band with Mumford & Sons, but that would greatly undermine the talent present in this group, the lyrics and vocals alone on this song should guarantee them recognition for album of the year (and yes, the rest of the album is fine too).
Big Man- Boy & Bear
From The Start- Tiger Waves
For the acoustic guitars and the rolling drum fills that propel this song along and the endearing harmonies that go along with it. Who couldn’t like a band called Tiger Waves? And you call yourselves American.
The Understanding- Jones Street Station
No matter how many incarnations there was and will always be of tight harmonies and acoustic fingerpicking, it will always sound good, and Jones Street Station isn’t about to change that. But they certainly liven the arrangement up to great success.
The Understanding- Jones Street Station
Mighty- Lord Huron
The yearning for discovery and the search for happiness and the unknown all bottled up into one song, but it’s more than a song, it’s a whole world.
Guestape: Summer Lovin’ Torture Party
Art of the Mixtape is proud to feature a guest mixtape from Pete Willett. While not rooting and endlessly researching The Yankees; Pete enjoys playing ridiculous amounts of jazz guitar (Pat Metheny is an unfortunate favorite) and being inspired by the non-sequitur lyrics of Matt Berninger, 80′s pop, and plenty of 90′s and 2000′s melodramatic music. I kid, sort of, but here’s his mixtape after the jump.
A Mixtape Monday Presentation: Cars and Trains, Boats and Planes
Introducing the themed mixtape, more music, word free. This week concerns those means of transportation. The mixtape after the jump.
Mixtape Monday: Stolen Shoes, Cold Wars, and Love Fools
It’s time for another Mixtape Monday. This week has it all; great indies ( New Pornographers,Destroyer,Surfer Blood, Blitzen Trapper, Rosewood Thieves, Voxtrot, and the Morning Benders) some forgotten classics (Bill Withers, Jorge Ben, Paul McCartney, Freda Payne) and some great covers (Barbara, M. Ward). A little rain and a little sun and as always for free. Please check out the artists included because they’re all great bands that deserve some well earned cash. The full mix after the jump
(Belated)Mixtape Monday: Former Glories and Darker Days
copyright arthur leipzig 1954
This weather is something else isn’t it, rain everywhere and with no sign of stopping, well lucky for you, you can stay in and enjoy the latest edition of Mixtape Monday chock full of more energy than a cup of Maxwell’s Coffee, and damn good to the last drop. Also please note that now the full mp3 previews are on the top of the song description, and the downloadable link at the bottom
This mixtape features mostly new artists (new is a relative term) among them being; The Broken West, Blitzen Trapper, Robert Pollard (of GBV fame), Family Portrait among many others
Big Star and Eddie Floyd head up the dust off your vinyl collection, contributing three songs total (two for Big Star, one for Eddie Floyd)
And for something completely different, stay tuned for a wonderful Notorious B.I.G. remix later.
The Mix after the Jump
Mixtape Vibes
Here is a mixtape for you all
Wild Mountain Nation- Blitzen Trapper
I had never really heard these guys before, but my stepbrother recommended them and i was surprised to find they are actually very good. Wild Mountain Nation feels like Grateful Dead meets Southern Fried rock and what a combination.
This Is My Country- The Impressions
I don’t think its possible for these guys to make a sad sounding melody, everything they touch is uplifting and the lyrics are always powerful.
Teenagers- Department of Eagles
Department of Eagles came to my attention through the use of skreemr.com, a great source for finding songs online if you don’t torrent, the production is magnificent and their sound is utterly unique.
Saturday Nite- Blitzen Trapper
Another upbeat track from this band, but the production and arrangement is completely different, just goes to show how much range this band has. Saturday Nite has flashes of Spoon, Grateful Dead, and the Doors, and some great instrumentation.
Another great and upcoming band. Saint John comes across as a White Stripes kind of groove, dirty and catchy and the singer falls in between Jack White and Freddie Mercury. Some great harmonies here
Relax- G. Love and Special Sauce
Known mostly for their hip hop-blues vibe, I have always thought that G. Love put alot of time into the production of his songs. Relax is one of the most chill songs I have heard, perfect for those otherworldly times you might be having.
Race You- Elizabeth & the Catapult
Another band found from searching around random music blogs, if you like Fiest or her first band Broken Social Scene this song is for you, very clean production and a very catchy melody.
No One Does It Like You- Department of Eagles
Catchy as all hell, great harmonies, the kind of song for those people who dig Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes but the production is otherworldly, an amalgamtion that is completely original and familiar at the same time.
Mighty Mighty (Spade and Whitey)- The Impressions
For a studio produced track its got a great live sound to it. The best of the Impressions sound is on showcase, great harmonies, great groove, great horn lines and as always powerful lyrics.
Loving Me- G. Love & Special Sauce
For all of his professed love for the hip-hop blues, G. Love also is an accomplished acoustic guitarist and when he strips it down his lyrics really shine.
In Ear Park- Department of Eagles
Yes i know, three songs by the same band, but I dare you to find a song as otherworldy and utterly beautiful as this.
Hang Me Up to Dry- Cold War Kids
Catchy hook, great groove, gritty sound, gotta love those Cold War Kids.
Gimme Some Lovin’- G. Love & Special Sauce
Another great acoustic song by Mr. G. Love
Greatest song you will hear about a boy being raised by wolves, and falling in love with a girl, only to return to the wild. The singer has an eerie Elliot Smith meets Nick Drake quality. Some great production on this track
Front Porch Lounger- G. Love & Special Sauce
There is no one better than G. Love at the laid back groove. The song isn’t trying to be deep, it’s just there for you to chill out to, great guitar hook.
Feelin Alright- 6680 Lexington
Most people know this song from Joe Cocker’s very popular version. I dare say this one is better
Great instrumentation on this track, otherworldly duet between fiddle and guitar.
Black River Killer- Blitzen Trapper
A Johnny Cash delivery with Bob Dylan like lyrics and modern touches here and there throughout, this band has no limits.
Can’t Go Back to Jersey- G. Love and Special Sauce
Just a fun track and a great one to end on, the story is great and so is the bass and piano interplay and the harmonica line is unforgettable.
