I'd like to introduce and welcome Simon Pollock to the Mixtape Muse family (Is it really a family if it's just me? The word "team" seems a bit too formal and proper). From time to time, he'll be contributing to the blog, providing show reviews, album reviews, etc. Simon has done work for Boosh Magazine so, rest assured, he's no rookie. Below is his first contribution. I'm sure he'll introduce himself to you all soon.
It’s important to take your work seriously. For a lot of us struggling with everything that fell by the wayside during Spring Break, that requires focus. To borrow from our good friend Geometry,
1) Fleet Foxes - "Blue Ridge Mountains" (link)
It’s important to take your work seriously. For a lot of us struggling with everything that fell by the wayside during Spring Break, that requires focus. To borrow from our good friend Geometry,
If focus=being calm and quiet,
and being calm and quiet=having the right music,
then focus=having the right music.
and being calm and quiet=having the right music,
then focus=having the right music.
So, sitting in various spots and thinking about what to listen to, I’ve decided to take my first appearance on Mixtape Muse seriously and drop the "Back From Break Playlist," a compilation that looks to combine the tracks stuck in my head and some more relaxing choices in an effort to get you and your college booty into the homeworking groove.
1) Fleet Foxes - "Blue Ridge Mountains" (link)
There’s a lot to be said on and off the Internet about these boys and their enticing blend of bluegrass harmonies with the status of indie-world “it band.” When it comes down to it, nothing beats their simplicity and heart. If nothing else, the soaring melody and well-balanced instrumentation should strike that crucial chord of relaxation.
2) Andrew Bird - "Fiery Crash" (link)
Look no further than the subtle thoughts and subdued emotion of this Chicagoan to keep the music moving in your ears without taking over whatever else you’re trying to focus on.
3) Wilco - "Theologians" (link)
Staying with the Midwest briefly, one of the more acoustic tracks off of Wilco’s 2004 release A Ghost Is Born, an album that –out of their existing library- probably lacks the most direction but has some of the most experimental ideas beyond Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. It’s a return to their brilliance in simplicity and it’s one of the most comforting points on the album.
4) The Walkmen - "Louisiana" (link)
Somewhere between a lazy island jam and a slow country ballad, a friend of mine once said that this is the only worthwhile track on 2006’s A Hundred Miles Off.
Somewhere between a lazy island jam and a slow country ballad, a friend of mine once said that this is the only worthwhile track on 2006’s A Hundred Miles Off.
5) The Velvet Underground - "I’m Sticking With You" (link)
Think about this as a metaphor for your relationship to your work. It’s encouraging.
6) Thelonious Monk - "Blue Monk" (link)
A classic from the Monk. I always find that even among the frantic keystrokes, there’s something about this tune that really sets my mind at ease. In other settings, you can dig harder and snap louder, but while working, look no further than the recording of this track on At Carnegie Hall.
A classic from the Monk. I always find that even among the frantic keystrokes, there’s something about this tune that really sets my mind at ease. In other settings, you can dig harder and snap louder, but while working, look no further than the recording of this track on At Carnegie Hall.
7) The Bad Plus - "Frog and Toad"
Just one hearty romp out of the many fringe-of-jazz tracks this modern trio has to offer. For all you readers 21+, this magnificent act is also out on tour. Look for them in DC next month at the 9:30.
Just one hearty romp out of the many fringe-of-jazz tracks this modern trio has to offer. For all you readers 21+, this magnificent act is also out on tour. Look for them in DC next month at the 9:30.
8) Dianne Reeves - "How High the Moon"
(Music from and Inspired by Good Night, and Good Luck.)
Reference the last vocal line on the track: “Yeah, I like it like that.”
Reference the last vocal line on the track: “Yeah, I like it like that.”
9) Dr. Dog - "The Pretender" (link)
A new discovery for me and an album (Easy Beat) that has a lot of promise in its innovation and endurance as a great rock album.
A new discovery for me and an album (Easy Beat) that has a lot of promise in its innovation and endurance as a great rock album.
10) Deerhoof - "Blue Cash"
A great end to a great album (Apple O’), not to mention a solid way to round out an hour’s worth of work.
Happy homeworking.
A great end to a great album (Apple O’), not to mention a solid way to round out an hour’s worth of work.
Happy homeworking.
POST: Simon Pollock
IMAGE: nevver
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