Hello, partygoers!
Mo’ music, less problems! That’s right! Lots of songs this week as we tackle “Side 2” of Nick Owen’s first mixtape: big beat, breakbeats, lo-fi indie psych pop, Cancon, sad voices, the legacy of Abbey Road, foundational power pop, kooky art rock, drum machines, and grunge-funded orch pop!
This episode we are spinning:
- Cornershop – “Brimful of Asha (‘Norman Cook’ Remix) – Single Version” – 12” single b-side to “Brimful of Asha (‘Norman Cook’ Remix) – Extended Version” and “Brimful of Asha – Original Single Version”, 1997 – 9:21
- Blitzen Trapper – “The Green King Sings” – Wild Mountain Nation, 2007 – 28:24
- Hey Rosetta! – “Welcome” – Seeds, 2011 – 42:49
- Damien Jurado – “Metallic Cloud” – Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son, 2014 – 56:04
- Cargoe – “I Love You Anyway” – CARGOE, 1972 – 1:11:34
- The Lovin’ – “Keep On Believing” – Page One records single b/w “I’m In Command”, 1967 – 1:28:56
- The Nerves – “When You Find Out” – The Nerves EP, 1976 – 1:38:51
- Nellie McKay – “Ding Dong” – Get Away from Me, 2003 – 1:46:35
- Deerhoof – “The Galaxist” – Friend Opportunity, 2007 – 1:58:19
- Timmy Thomas – “Why Can’t We Live Together” – Why Can’t We Work Together, 1972 – 2:15:51
- A New Generation – “She’s a Soldier Boy” – Spark single b-side to “Smokey Blues Away”, 1968 – 2:30:06
- Eric Matthews – “No Gnashing Teeth” – The Lateness of the Hour, 1997 – 2:43:12
Also spinning on the old Victrola:
- The Housemartins – “Think for a Minute” – London 0 Hull 4, 1986 – 23:21
- Cargoe – “Feel Alright” – Beautiful Records single b/w “Wonderful”, 1970 – 1:24:35
- The Breakaways – “Walkin’ Out on Love” – One Way Ticket, 2008 – 1:43:47
- Danielson – “Bloodbook on the Half-Shell” – Ships, 2006 – 2:09:26
- Timmy Thomas – “Let Me Be Your Eyes” – Glades single b/w “Cold, Cold People”, 1973 – 2:25:19
- A New Generation – “Police Is Here” – Spark single b/w “Mr. C”, 1968 – 2:37:53
Thanks for listening.
Dept. of Corections:
Dave misspoke during the show. He meant to say Brutal Youth – the 1994 album by Elvis Costello and the Attractions – not Sonic Youth, the boring alt-rock group.
Dept. of Giveaways!
If you’d like to have your own copy of Nick’s mixtape, follow this link.
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Hi guys!! Thanks for another great show. Some of the songs didn’t really land with me this time, but that’s okay. Dave’s notes are always interesting and it’s such a pleasure to spend a little time with the two of you.
Things got off to a swell start with Cornershop / Norman Cook. This was the song that opened my ears to how a great remix can boost an already fine track. Plus it has the word ‘bosom’, which is strangely under-represented in pop hits.
Blitzen Trapper I thought was just okay, until ithe end section which took everything up a gear. I mean, feedback, distortion AND cowbell? I’m there!
Hey Rosetta’s bombastic production undercut the sentiment for me. As a parent, I wanted to like this one, and it clearly has a special place for Dedrick mere et pere, but you can’t force these things.
I liked the mood of Damien Jurado but thought the song was pretty inert. Still, it triggered your discussion about the relationship between people and property over time, which was really interesting. I’m the same. I never pass an abandoned house without wondering about the people who used to live there.
Cargoe – oh dear. I’m with Mary here. Zzzzzz…
The Lovin’ was very pop. Very 1960s. And not Journey. All good points. Perked me up after a few songs that I wasn’t mad about.
The Nerves – Yep, that’ll do. Perked me up a little more.
Nellie McKay – Yeah! Really loved this one. Just the right amount of quirk, both musically and lyrically. I did enjoy Mary’s criticism that it was ‘too round’ though.
Deerhoof – Bet they’d be great live. Liked this a lot.
Timmy Thomas – I liked the stripped back feel. The producer who said it was done made a brave choice, and got it right 100%.
A New Generation – I liked the harmonies on the ‘evenings I meet her’ bit, but the rest, not so much.
Eric Matthews was a fine, uplifting closer that grew on me with repeat listens and edged out Nellie McKay as my favourite of the songs I hadn’t heard before this biweek. Excellent song, beautifully arranged and played. Loved the bass especially.
Of the extras, Housemartins were great, especially that beautiful lead vocal from Paul Heaton – I only knew Happy Hour by them. I liked the Cargoe song a little better than the one on the mixtape and was sorry to hear about the bad luck they had, but they still didn’t grab me.
Breakaways delivered a perfect pop single – just great. Danielson were FANTASTIC and sounded even better with every listen. You’ve got me liking Christian rock, dammit – er, I mean, mylanta!
Timmy Thomas, on the other hand, I found really creepy, especially that ‘do the things I Iike to have done’ line. Bleuch!
Police is Here was fine. I liked it better than the other New Generation song.
I’m sorry to hear the party will be coming to a close, but all good things, etc. It’s such a privilege to have you share all this music that I’d probably never hear otherwise. Stay well, folks, and thanks again for being such lovely and entertaining hosts.
Thanks for the earwig by Nellie McKay! “Ding Dong” reminds me of a good friend of mine who lives alone with her cats and loves Anime. I’ll have to share this with her.