soft communication mix one - covers songs - jeremiah

1. the bad plus - velouria

2. the breeders - happiness is a warm gun

3. them - it's all over now, baby blue

4. the clash - I fought the law

5. electrelane - I'm on fire

6. the raveonettes - my boyfriend's back

7. the ramones - california sun

8. frank black - hang on to your ego

9. seu jorge - rebel, rebel

10. nouvelle vague - love will tear us apart

11. yo la tengo - dreams

12. the bad plus - iron man

13. nirvana - where did you sleep last night

14. ted leo - 6 months in a leaky boat

soft communication mix one - covers songs - george and jessica

1. BAUHAUS- third uncle (brian eno)

2. DINOSAUR JR - just like heaven (the cure)

3. YO LA TENGO - be thankful for what you got (william devaughn)

4. JUNIOR PARKER - taxman (the beatles)

5. BECK - halo of gold (skip spence)

6. DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE - dream scream (daniel johnston)

7. CAT POWER - i found a reason (the velvet underground)

8. MARK EITZEL - more, more, more (andrea true connection)

9. PETER MURPHY - final solution (pere ubu)

10. KARATE - this ain't no picnic (the minutemen)

11. MINOR THREAT - steppin' stone (the monkees)

12. JEFF BUCKLEY - je n'en connais pas la fin (edith piaf)

13. TRAM - once i was (tim buckley)

14. IVY - kite (nick heyward)

15. UB40 - i think it's going to rain today (randy newman)

16. SCOUT - fitter, happier (radiohead)

the mayan empire presents: covers

Since Bryan is busy making more internet for the people, and since I am procrastinating work, I’m going to go ahead and post my commentary on the Mayan Empire’s covers mix. B can come in later and post his own comments or edit mine; I’ll also indicate who chose which song, for those who can’t tell.

1. Ted Leo – “Since U Been Gone / Maps”
A mutual and instinctive choice. If there’s one thing the Mayan Empire loves more than “Since U Been Gone,” it’s Ted Leo covering “Since U Been Gone.” Bryan once tried to make a Garageband mashup of these songs (the originals) but failed on account of “the damn drums.”

2. Self – “Fat Man and Dancing Girl”
Bryan’s choice, although I’ve become quite a Self fan my, um, self. Aside from being ridiculously prolific, I find Matt Mahaffey’s geeky genius endlessly endearing. Here he Self-ifies a Suzanne Vega song, to fine effect, I think. Interesting note: I met Suzanne Vega when I worked at Mass MoCA and she was very nice and had drinks with the crew. Other interesting note: Matt Mahaffey is that voice you hear singing Expedia dot coooommmmm in the travel company jingle.

3. The Hated – “I am a Rock”
My choice. I cannot stand Simon and Garfunkel’s earnest twinkling, but goddamn if they don’t write some choice songs. For reasons that are probably all-too obvious this one always stuck out as being my favorite; I’ve just always believed that angst is best expressed loudly. Thankfully the Hated stepped forward with this cover, which appeared on a Simple Machines tape compilation in the early nineties.

4. The Pastels – “Speeding Motorcycle”
My choice. Okay, Stephen Pastel can twinkle earnestly, I suppose. Of all the tweepop bands I fancied in high school, the Pastels are one of the few I still find listenable. This kind of jangle is all right by me.

5. Read Yellow – “Bigmouth Strikes Again”
Bryan’s choice. Who are these people? I like them a lot.

6. Calexico – “Corona”
Bryan’s choice, though I second anything Calexico. We put this on here for all you “Jackass” fans.

7. Bratmobile – “Cherry Bomb”
My choice. If Riot Grrrl was good for anything, it was good for reviving interest in Joan Jett.

8. New Grenada – “Eric’s Trip”
Sonic Youth Fanclub President’s choice, and it may be one of my favorite tracks on our mix. Who are New Grenada? No clue. This turned up on a Sonic Youth covers album, and while I think it takes a certain amount of chutzpah to cover the mighty SY, these New Grenada girls do a fantastic job.

9. Nada Surf – “If You Leave”
Bryan’s choice. Bryan with a Y likes the Nada (say it Nay-da) Surf, indeed. This one brings a tear to my otherwise cold and emotionless eye. Oddly enough, the original never did.

10. Lou Barlow – “Round and Round”
The Mayan Empire heartily endorses anything Mr. Barlow does.

11. Superchunk – “Brand New Love”
Will you check the slickness there? Right into the Sebadoh cover. This was my choice, as I’ve been a Superchunk fan for quite some time. Having seen Mac perform recently as Portastatic, though, I have to say I liked it better when he didn’t actually know how to sing and they didn’t have decent recording equipment. This song reminds me of a time when I thought four chords and one font were all you needed to change the world.

12. Mary’s Danish – “I Fought the Law”
My choice. I found a Mary’s Danish CD in a used bin recently and was surprised by how bad it was. Did they always suck? I’ll never know, but this is a decently-stompish cover of a classic song, and I always increase the exertion level when it pops up on my gym mix.

13. Blake Babies – “Temptation Eyes”
My choice, if only for the little breakdown en francais. Juliana Hatfield always sings like she has feelings, but the Blake Babies were a solid summery pop band. Her later solo stuff is much more cringe-worthy (“I’m ugly with a capital U,” anyone?).

14. Atom and his Package – “Waiting Room”
When Bryan played this for me I squealed with delight. Yes is all I can say yes.

15. Eels – “Get Ur Freak On”
Bryan likes Eels and I like Missy so we both win with this track.

16. Thurston Moore – “European Son”
Guess who picked this one. Guess. No, seriously, guess.

17. Flaming Lips – “Can’t Get You Out of My Head”
Bryan is the Lips fan on this team, but they’re growing on me. Can we talk about this phenomenon of hip indie rockers covering “guilty pleasure” pop songs? Cf. this track, track 15, and track 1. I feel like someone should make a compilation of such covers and sell it on a late-night MTV infomercial.

18. The Shins – “We Will Become Silhouettes”
Bryan all the way. I’ve nothing much to say here except the Shins are from Albuquerque and I once saw two bobcats frolicking in a sagebrush in Albuquerque.

19. Cap’n Jazz – “Take on Me”
Ditto, except minus New Mexico and the bobcats.

20. Shonen Knife – “Top of the World”
A last minute selection from yours truly. I’ve nothing much to say about it except I don’t like the Carpenters and I love Shonen Knife, especially when they sing about snacks. The Carpenters, obviously, never sang about snacks.

21. Jenny Toomey – “Fool for You”
Ms. Toomey has the voice you wish you had and she can tackle most any song and make it soar; her version has fully supplanted the original in my heart. This number comes from her excellent solo two-disc set Antidote, which you should seek out if your heart’s been broken recently or ever.

HON'YAKUSHO: Translation

Hey yo hey,

This entire mix exchange has truly been educational. There is so very much I do not know. Even things I ought to know considering what I like. I listened to the Mayan Empire and the only case where I recognized both artist and song was Shonen Knife. Some kickass tunes on that one, "Fat Man and Dancing Girl" was one I played more than thrice. And "Take On Me"! Love it.

I would listen to all of Jenny's mix if I could just get past that Duran Duran cover. ^^

So have you ever had Japanese pizza?

As far as anyone can tell it's pizza. It looks like it (kind of). It smells like it. It may have corn and tuna on it. The sauce is slightly sweeter. The cheese not as liberal.

It's pizza slightly mistranslated.

Not what you're used to having at home. You may like it right away. It may grow on you. It may perpetually bother you. But it's certainly not homegrown.

I do not approve of every song on this mix. Some, I feel, reinforce the notion that although the Japanese are extremely adept at emulation, they are somewhat lacking in ingenuity. Some artists merely take a concept and adjust it to their liking. Some tracks are here for kicks. Oddities. Others I genuinely love.

Oh yeah, like an arse I did not make a copy of the track list for myself so these liner notes are from memory. If I miss a track or I'm out of order, eh, that's why. ^_^

Kimigayo ("His Majesty's Reign" Japan National Anthem) - Imawano Kiyoshiro

"I have no idea why this is a problem. I sang it my way because I thought the original version sounded dark and depressing." --Imawano Kiyoshiro

This is why the Japanese don't win the Olympics.

Their national anthem is a downer.

It just doesn’t have that swell, that catchy je ne se mew, that pompous oomph you need to start a ball game. You can't wave a flag to it. You can, however, stare solemnly. It sounds like a funeral dirge. Taking into consideration the lyrics and the stigma associated with Japanese nationalism, there are profound reasons why Kimigayo is met with mixed emotions to this day.

Kiyoshiro got in big trouble for his blatant disrespect for the sacred holy iconic righteous bullshit that is the basic oomph behind every anthem. He pissed off Polydor, his record label, who feared right-wing threats. At least Swim Records didn't give a shit. Imawano made his anthem palatable to a generation who weren’t quite sure what to make of the declaration: “I am Japanese.”

They thought they knew what it meant and the world hasn't forgotten the results. My professor still remembers a time when everyone in her school assembly was required to sing the words each morning before the principal uncovered the portrait of the emperor. No one was permitted to look up for to cast an eye on god is to undermine his divinity.

Then the Americans came and god was no longer god.

Just like that.

So maybe Kiyoshiro was mocking this holy righteousness? Maybe he was being facetious? Maybe he was being a rebellious arsehole fuck?

Or maybe he was in love with the fact?

He was Japanese.
He loved it so much he had to head bang.
And that is nothing to be ashamed about.
Holy is crap kids. It’s just a song. Sing it loud and jump.

Unconditional Love - Shiina Ringo

Unconditional Love is a Cyndi Lauper ballad when you could still get away with sentiments like: "Ï wanna fall into you and Ï wanna do everything you want me to." I once got Tavie to listen to this and she was actually fine with it until Shiina started to sing loudly. ^^ Hee. I actually like the arrangement better than her delivery. I love the intro. Like the start of a 1940’s radio show. And I cave for stringgggsssss.

Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Shiina Ringo

If the world needs anything, Apple my love, it is NOT another cover of this song.

Now I may be devoted. I may be irrational. I may willingly row through a sea of Saddam spit to get my hands on what you do but didja have to cover THE cover song? I have seen your pipe dreams, missy. I know you SO wanna be that torch song chanteuse belting out standards. If that misguided cover of Lady is a Tramp is any indication I’m onto yer game.

But I can’t say I haven’t cleaned my house to this. Though honestly, I can tell you I feel lame every time I do.

Wave of Mutilation - Number Girl

This was the first time I ever heard this song. I wasn't really into it because it didn't give Mukai an opportunity to unleash the frothing demon in his voice. You can barely hear him anyway. The original is better. Number Girl digs the Pixies, it's true and they are heavily influenced. But I'd rather hear them sing their own stuff any day.

Gigantic - Wakusei

GIG-antic!? JAI-GAN-TI-KU? Jesus Wakusei. Katakana has heinously lied to you. My poor friend once attempted to make flight reservations for Belgium only to have the travel agent confused as to where “Belugi” was located. It’s not a hard G, dudes! Someone please re-educate the Japanese? Don’t EVEN pout and say it’s unfair! You dudes rearrange the letters K, G, B, S, R, Z, T, D, P, H and F ALL the fooking time!

This song came from a Japanese Pixies tribute album which I only know about because eh...I like the Beat Crusaders.

Hedwig's Lament -Yoko Ono & Yo la Tengo

Ohh Trask must have wet himself when he heard this one. Yoko fookin Ono! I think I love this song mostly because I am in love with the image of a little Japanese grandma rocking out with Yo La Tengo. Favorite line: "Ï gave a piece to the rock star. He took the good stuff and ran."

Girl From Ipanema - Pizzicato 5

I'm not that big a fan of Pizzicato 5 though lots of people think I should be. The only reason I know who they are is because Tavie made me listen to something her friend gave her and asked: "Hey, is this Japanese?"

Why so it was. But I was too ear-deep in Cocco at the time to care.

I like Nomiya Maki's voice but in the end, I get the impression that she's just a cleverly packaged, skillyfully backed idol singer. That being said, I like this song in particular because I can dance to it.

Soda Pressing - Thee Michelle Gun Elephant

Thanks Chiba Yosuke you sexy growly pissed off motherfucker. If you guys were still together, I’d fight my way to the front, clutch my hair and scream until I was inside out. I love the suave gangster in your throaty howl, the way you roll your R's like you wanna be tough, the way you SO wish you were Kenichi Asai. ^^ But to be fair, you've definitely got your own thing going. I would embrace it even if it offended me. That being said, at least I can hear you. The Boys just aren't screaming loud enough on the original.

Cutey Honey - Go!Go!7188

Ah, camp. Go!Go!7188 long earned my respect for their emulation of Shiina Ringo and Yuki. But this homage to cheesy retro anime theme songs pleases me to no end. Quite the flirty little theme it is too. In fact, the entire song is one huge come on.

Kono goro hayari na onna no ko She’s that girl who’s so into fashion
Oshiri na chiisa na onna no ko That girl with the tiny ass
Kocchi wo muite yo HANII Come on look my way honey
Datte nanda ka datte datte nan da mon Because? Because well…just because

Cutey Honey's gimmick was that she could change her look just by saying "Kawaru wa yo!" (I'll change now) which is the sound byte they use in the middle of the song. Koda Kumi, an idol singer, covered this song too but her version blows.

About A Girl - Cibo Matto

Hasn’t this been used to sell life insurance/long distance/donuts or something? Could have sworn I've heard it before. Gotta say, as much as I love Kurt’s original, this is the one that gets stuck in my head.

With or Without You - Utada Hikaru

I know shite about U2. I still have one of their CDs sitting on my desk because I just haven’t found time to play it. But I can see why Hikki likes this song. It sounds like something off her first album. Utada Hikaru is the Japanese answer to Brandy. She's just as fluent in English (her duet with Foxy Brown is the only reason I know who Foxy Brown is) But her English albums just didn't fly here while her Japanese albums went off the charts in Japan. I'm interested in her Unplugged album as I do love her voice, I'm just not that into her music. My R&B ship has sailed.

Shimauta - Alfredo Casero

Ok, this is only here because of the appeal of some Argentinian dude singing in Japanese. The original, by THE BOOM, wasn't actually half bad if you dig cheesy Olympic theme songs.

Sweet Jane - Hajime Chitose

Another example of a cover the world does not need. Chitose's Okinawan twist and the amusing accordian make this novelty, I suppose. Still, like Shiina, I'd rather hear her in Japanese.

Rainbow - Cocco

Rainbow is a B-side on one of Cocco's singles. This song actually belongs to her producers, Dr. Strangelove, one of the best fookin Japanese bands that no one's ever heard of. It's a pretty straight up cover. There is virtually no difference between the two except Dr. Strangelove? He a dude.

Sedated - Shonen Knife

Ah, fuckin Shonen Knife. I remember my first concert at the Knitting Factory. How naive I was. How blissfully unaware as I clutched my box of Pocky which would later be demolished under a raging mosher's heel. How little I knew that I would leave bruised by a crowd thrashing to a song about Banana Chips. Shonen Knife are festering fans of the Ramones so this cover is no shocker at all.

Drive - Maika Shiratori

Maika Shiratori can sing me a tax form and I'd swoon. She's produced by the same people who brought you Cocco (Dr. Strangelove.) As far as I can tell this version of Drive isn't very removed from Stipe's original but something about a chick on vocal gives it a different vibe. No less haunting than Stipe's delivery just eh, don't know why. Maika was schooled in England so her English is nigh on flawless. She is also quite fond of covering Thom Yorke.

Summertime Blues - Guitar Wolf

Tragedy recently befell Guitar Wolf. Three months ago their bass player died. Poor Billy. He was only 38.

EVERY random dude I know claiming ignorance of Japanese music perks whenever I mention Guitar Wolf. This was actually a band my Korn-loving, heavy-metal drooling, skater college ex got me into. They were loud, their guitars made my ears want to fly off my head. However, intrigued as I was by their volume, I was soon distracted by Number Girl.

My Way - Blankey Jet City

This just wouldn't be complete without something by Kenichi Asai. Éven just 47 seconds of him. He even translated this old standard into Japanese. I love him. I love him. I love him.

the covers mix - d's liner notes (revised)

dear mixers,

here's a more in depth look at the songs I picked for my mix. the liner notes, if you will.

soft communication mix #1 - "covers"*

1. take me out - biffy clyro

I have no beef with franz ferdinand. I think that album is a fun throwback, I like the guitars & alex k seems like a smart fella in interviews. plus he dates eleanor from fiery furnaces & that's hot! (no pun intended) I think there are way too many "serious" music fans who feel like it's their duty to hate the franz, I'm not sure why...but I suppose you can all tell me.

first heard this biffy clyro (a band, not a guy) version on internet radio & I thought, GREAT cover. much better than the jokey scissor sisters version that exists out there. their singer really MEANS it, he wants to take you out even though he knows he won't be leaving with you. so he needs to scream a little. to show you he cares.

2. andy warhol - stone temple pilots

I made a choice to put not one but two david bowie covers on this mix becuz he is such a champion of covers, even though sometimes he fails spectacularly in his attempts to do them. g'bless davie. you got courage!

this is one of my bowie favorites & I really enjoy this cover, though even I was thrown by the conga action which isn't, you know, a bad thing. & scott weiland's surprisingly good when he's not trying to sound like a "rock star". after he's gotten the drugs & leather out of his system, I recommend an all bowie covers album.

3. once around the block - kings of convenience

badly drawn boy is one of those artists that I play as background music. his voice is a soothing companion to a stay at home day.

I didn't think it was possible for anyone to do a more laid back, big breakfast, read the entire sunday paper version than the original. kings of convenience managed to do it.

4. gay bar - peaches

I used to go see electric six back when they still had all of their original members. they used to be a fun bar/party band. see, after they made a little money thanks to a certain fires in the disco, a bunch of them started hating each other & quit so now it's all rather dreary*. but we'll always have gay bar.

this is the joke song on the mix, disposable for future train listens but handy at a party. & personally, I think peaches is far more into taking you to a gay bar than dick valentine could ever have been.

*I saw their new guitarist repeatedly spray his snot out into the crowd at the last e6 show I went to. he hit the people next to me. several times. he's so punk rock, it freakin' hurts.

5. crystal ship - x

one of my favorite doors songs. a tune that has been ably used in the past few decades by many music nerds looking to seduce fluffy bunny rabbits of all sizes.

if you didn't know x was doing this cover by the time exene came in to slither around john doe, you need to go to rock school. stat.

6. aguas de marco - cibo matto

I love bossa nova & this song is probably my favorite. so gentle & groovy & if you speak portuguese, philosophical! even. jobim is james bondin' all over the place with cool & elis regina is a singer that seduces. my favorite part is at the very end when they're trading lines back & forth & she starts cracking up. I can't help it, I laugh along with her every time I hear it.

I think this cibo matto cover is cute as a button & very smart about what to do with the piano bridge but really this is all a ploy. go find the original. it's soooo good.

7. love sick - the white stripes

ever since this song was unfortunately used for a victoria's secret commercial (bob dylan needs more money! to make a movie! oh boy...), I can't hear the original without thinking of lacey underthings. which isn't really such a bad thing. just weird. it is bob, after all.

another set of immediately recognizable culprits are behind this cover. while this version doesn't have the subtlety of the original, I really, really buy the way jack white sings the last line, "just don't know what to do/I'll give anything to/be with you.". shit is SERIOUS.

8. shipbuilding - robert wyatt

I don't know if you've heard this but this guy elvis costello writes pretty good lyrics. sometimes, the poor man is too clever for his own good but sometimes he's so fuckin' classy & it's got nothing to do with quartets or operas. take this song for example. I'm not usually wild about political songs because I'm not a fan of sloganeering. (this is no knock by the way, to each their own.) but this song says so much more to me about the stupidity of war than more direct songs do. it's detailed & personal & quietly devastating.

this is actually a cover that's more famous than the original, even costello admits that robert wyatt's is the definitive version. one of my favorite british singers.

9. go easy - beck

john martyn makes acoustic guitar strings sound crisp & baritone-y. oh yeah & he can sing good too. a folkie (& friend of nick drake's) that made an interesting & thought-out switch to a more space jazz sort of sound...a great artist to look into. I plan to write a bit more about him on soft communication so consider yourselves warned.

this is another ploy cover (go find the original!) but I do find this version touching because beck obviously loves this song & seemingly based sea change's tone around the kind of feeling that a song like this gives.

10. ex-lion tamer - the dead milkmen

a lot of people think this is a black flag song because they covered it & made it famous for punks all over this great land. but this song is not by black flag. no it isn't. it's by wire. wire. wire. WIRE!

I love the dead milkmen. unfortunately, I had to cut out the totally random rant that precedes this live performance. something about action rock star dolls with barbie doll crotches.

11. alone again or - calexico

love's forever changes album is great. it presents a very different picture of the 60's psychedelic experience. sure, it's got the baroque touches & the drugs but it don't sound fun to be main songwriter/lead singer arthur lee AT ALL. in fact you're probably gonna buy a gun & shoot a few people. & that's what he did.

also covered by the damned (which was the first version I heard), I like this one because it's one of those covers that makes perfect sense. calexico covering love? wait. mariachi horns? check. flamenco sounding guitar? got that too. tell you what, we'll throw in the spanish syncopation clapping in for free, just 'cause you're so nice. & so on...

12. know your onion! - of montreal

CONFESSION TIME! this should have been john lennon's nobody told me being done by the flaming lips but my copy was screwy. ALSO my second choice, was momentarily un-locateable & WOULD'VE BEEN PERFECT**. naturally, I've just found it. SO if you want the improved version of the mix instead of this one with of montreal's not quite as enriching shins cover, let me know & I will provide. you will not be disappointed.

ps I promise you, I'm not crazy.

13. what a waster - adam green

I like the libertines. campaign of hate from their last album makes me want to take steroids & bench press marshall amps. however, since I prefer them as a two singer enterprise, I'm not too interested in their latest incarnation. ah well. come home petey, all is forgiven!

despite the fact that adam green sounds like a droll math teacher who has suddenly become a potty mouthed protest singer, this version is useful because now the very british lyrics are intelligible to american ears. though I still don't know what "a fuckin div" is. anyone have any ideas? anyone?

14. a mia meninha - the bees

another brazilian offering, this one originally from 60's pranksters os mutantes.

this version is pretty faithful to the original, though the bees sing a few lines in english which is helpful to the foreign language in music impaired.

15. ghost in you - robyn hitchcock

the psychedelic furs wrote some great songs. yeah, they sound pretty 80's production dated & butler's voice is sometimes hard to take...but the songs by themselves are super. I'm waiting for more covers to bear that out.

this one certainly does. robyn hitchcock does so many beautiful covers that I was hard pressed to pick just one so I figured I'd go for the less obvious classic.

16. wishing (I had a photograph of you) - nouvelle vague

a flock of seagulls also had some very nice songs which have been thoroughly eclipsed by their frontman's tragic then hair-do.

nouvelle vague's cover is summery & winning, I dare you not to feel like a little kid spinning in the park as you listen to this. or, if you're macho, suddenly yearning for a corona & a chocolate lab.

17. crazy in love - snow patrol

because I predicted to the monkey that this beyonce single would be that year's summer jam when it was coming out, this song is inextricably tied to our relationship. 'specially since I get him to dance to it with me. victory! I grind organs. wait. that sounds dirty. it wasn't meant to. I meant organ grinding...oh, never mind.

this cover is WICKED RETAAAHDED which is why it's on this mix. it totally sux but had to be included because despite the fact that snow patrol obviously belong to the sensitive british guys with guitars club, they still went & covered it. this is their passionate declaration of love of this song. (insert giggles) tea, anyone?

18. black boys on mopeds - paul macleod

sinead o'connor is a polarizing figure & like many other artists of her ilk, sometimes I really like their songs & sometimes I want to run away to listen to the purifying sounds of indie rock until I'm clean again. this song falls in the former category.

this cover is a nice, straightforward version by an artist I'm not too familiar with, paul macleod, currently of canadian band, the skydiggers. but I shall investigate...

19. white rabbit - emiliana torrini

who doesn't totally love the way this jefferson airplane song begins? no seriously. who doesn't?

another straightforward cover by emiliana torrini from iceland. she is also known by geeks everywhere as the chick that sounds like bjork but not as crazy singing about gollum in lord of the rings.

20. ford mustang - mike patton

it was practically a requirement for me to put serge gainsbourg on this mix. so here 'tis.

while mick harvey (of the bad seeds) did two excellent albums of gainsbourg covers, I thought I'd throw in this nutjob of fantomas' interpretation instead.

21. ca plane pour moi - sonic youth

now...which 80's film is this song in?

a really great cover by sonic youth. a band that weirdly enough I've never been enthralled with. but the rest of my friends & the world are...so yeah. please, don't kill me.

22. joga - ben gibbard

I've shed a tear at bjork shows. I still have no real idea why this happens. I'm not an idiot, I swear. anywho, I love this song. I remember reading somewhere that thom yorke would go for walks in the countryside, listening to this tune on headphones & singing along to it real loud & the thought of that made me faint. it's a miracle I didn't wake up in a dumpster missing a kidney.

ben gibbard's cover is beautiful & makes you think of butterflies & holding hands & all sorts of swoony things unless you're, say, friend x, & then you think of unexpected cuban houseguests who play this song over & over again until you want to stab people in the head. & that sucks.

23. love you - graham coxon

syd barrett liked tv & being a shut-in & screwin' with his eyebrows. I kinda relate. the monkey introduced me to the original.

I like graham coxon (former lead guitarist for blur) lots. even if he once was such a crazy drunk that he bit the journalist who was trying to interview him in the leg because he thought he had turned into a dog. he's doing much better now. his latest album ist gut.

24. rock 'n' roll suicide - rilo kiley

the second david bowie cover. love it.

my favorite part of this cover is at the very end when jenny lewis croons "you're not alone" into her guitar or something & the fuzzy intonation sounds like a soothing transmission from space.

25. waterloo sunset - elliott smith

such an amazing song. the perfect expression of longing. I heart the kinks.

I collect covers but I especially collect waterloo sunset covers. this one is probably my favorite of the lot. I hope you like it too.

love, d

* updated

soft communication mix exchange

dear friends,

since I don't know how to do much internet-wise, this is probably the best place to have all playlists & comments for any current & future mix exchanges.

enjoy!

love, d