e.g. mix 2009.05: 1234567


  1. Behind the Sun by Red Hot Chili Peppers from the album The Uplift Mofo Party Plan (1987). This bass riff pretty much defines "rubbery." Which fits, since Flea is a fairly rubbery guy himself.
  2. Can't Keep by Pearl Jam from the album Riot Act (2002). I'm not as intimately familiar with Pearl Jam's later stuff as I am with the 90s stuff (go figure), but I thought Riot Act was a splendid album. On this song, I like the shuffling mellowness attached to the defiant lyrics.
  3. Abbey Road Suite by The Beatles from the album Abbey Road (1969). There's not really a song entitled "Abbey Road Suite" on Abbey Road. This is my title for the medley that appeared on side 2 of the album. My version tacks on "Her Majesty" at the end, because it pleases me to do so. Taken in whole, this is my favorite Beatles song.
  4. Sharks by The Tragically Hip from the album Music@Work (2000). Music@Work is an album crafted from pure awesome. It's an album I can keep coming back to, and get blown away every time.
  5. The Mummers' Dance by Loreena McKennitt from the album The Book of Secrets (1997). A drum-and-bass-heavy mix of this song actually got play on alternative radio, and probably other stations as well. I seem to recall a video, too. This is significant because Loreena isn't exactly MTV fodder. She's more in the New Age category. But that's as may be. This song is awesome. And if you ever get a chance to see Loreena in concert, I'd advise you to take it.
  6. In the Light by Led Zeppelin from the album Physical Graffiti (1975). This album was released in the same year I was born, and it's my favorite Led Zeppelin album. Also their only double studio album. Which meant there was more room for long-ass songs like this one. Hurray.
  7. A Horse with No Name by America from the album America (1971). This song, for me, has a sort of mystical quality to it. It's one of the songs my parents used to play when I was wee, and I was always fascinated by it. Something about the quality of the vocals, the subject matter... it's hypnotic. Which is fine, because I really like it.
  8. Gimme Shelter by The Rolling Stones from the album Let It Bleed (1969). For my money, this is the Rolling Stones song. Pure brilliance.
  9. Suicide Blonde by INXS from the album X (1990). When this album came out, I really wanted it, but for some reason it never made it into my collection until much, much later. Like everyone else, I dig the harmonica on this track.
  10. This Alone is Love by a-ha from the album Stay On These Roads (1988). There's a sort of clinical, reserved quality about this song, yet it discusses some deeply emotional content. Interesting contrast.