Hoist up the John B Sail

For this Friday's music post, I'm trying out Muxtape. Previously I had been using Mixwit, which I like because you can embed your mixes in a number of places (like here and on Facebook). But Mixwit uses songs that are already online somewhere, so some of the stuff I listen to is either unavailable or the link is dead. Enter Muxtape: you can upload your own songs (yay!) but only in MP3 format (boo!). I have a bunch of AAC and MPEG files that were unusable. Plus, it's a pain to embed the list here, and from the looks of it, I can only have one Muxtape at a time.

Anyway, here is a link to my current Muxtape. It's working now, but eventually I should learn how to upload music directly to this site. Enjoy.

1. Okkervil River - John Allyn Smith Sails. I have probably listened to this song four or five times today. Nice incorporation of Sloop John B, as well.

2. The Rakes - Suspicious Eyes. Great beat. I like the contrast between the voices, as well. A very strong, "We Are Scientists"-esque guitar line.

3. Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You. I love the album name: "Wizard of Ahhhs." And I love this song; it sounds like it was recorded in a basement somewhere. Kate Nash does a good cover of it, too. Maybe she'll play it when I see her next month.

4. Metric - Rock Me Now. I always think the song says "Fuck Me Now" and I end up checking the song title.

5. Tapes 'n Tapes - Hang Them All. New Tapes 'n Tapes. I am seeing them next week. I'm still making my way through the new album, but this song stood out so far.

6. Coconut Records - Summer Day. I hate Jason Schwartzman. Really. First, he's in some of my favorite movies (Rushmore, I Heart Huckabees, The Darjeerling Limited). He also hangs out with a naked Natalie Portman in Hotel Chevalier. Then he's the drummer for Phantom Planet, which recorded that damn catchy theme song to "The O.C." And now he's fronting his own band, putting out solid albums, and singing with Kirsten Dunst. Damn him.

7. She & Him - I Thought I Saw Your Face Today. An actress who can sing. Brilliant! Lots of nice sleepy tunes here that make me want to linger in a field after a picnic and look at the clouds.

8. Liam Finn - Second Chance. His dad was in Crowded House. I never listened to them, but I like this song (and the album) a lot. "Remember me? Honestly, I don't"

9. Dawn Landes - Bodyguard. This song makes me want to say everything four times. Four times. Four times. Four times. This is a nice, effortless song.