BLOG HAS MOVED

This blog is now closed.

Please go to the new blog, Desert Island Mixtapes for all the latest posts.

Http://desertislandmixtapes.wordpress.com

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Blog Closing, Moving to "Desert Island Mixtapes"

Hello all. I'm am ceasing posting on this blog and moving it to a new venue. Why? A number of reasons. I like change. I like the wordpress platform more than blogger. I like new starts. This blog has become mostly inactive, and I hope to be a bit more active on the new blog.

So, please update your bookmarks and subscriptions accordingly.

New blog title: Desert Island Mixtapes
URL: http://desertislandmixtapes.wordpress.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DesertIslandMixtapes
Twitter profile: https://twitter.com/DesertIlseMixes

See you all on the interwebs!!!

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Totes Magotes: Bahamas and the Challenge of Meeting Expectations

Totes Magotes
Random thoughts on what I'm listening to or thinking about lately

My #1 album of the year in 2012 was by Toronto-based musician, Bahamas. Barchords was an unexpected hit for me. Stylistically it wasn't really like anything else I was listening to, but for some reason I couldn't turn it off.  The song, Lost in the Light, got particularly heavy airplay.


So, I was excited a few weeks ago when I heard that Bahamas was returning with a new LP, Bahamas is Afie. Big expectations. This, of course, creates a problem. On my first listens of the new album, my brain is constantly checking it against his previous Barchords. So, I wonder if I am not giving it a fair listen. There are some good tracks, but I sense myself feeling a little let down. I am hopeful that after a few more listens I will be able to appreciate for what it is - instead of judging it for what it isn't (Barchords, v. 2.0).

In any case, here's a standout track - All the Time






 

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

New Zookeeper Album - Pink Chalk! Whoa!

Just a few days ago, I posted an OLD track from the band Mineral. The band put out a couple great albums and 7"'s, but then broke up. The singer, Chris Simpson when on to front The Gloria Record - which was hands down amazing. After that, he has done a project called Zookeeper.  Some good tracks. Great news - Zookeeper just announced a new album.   


Very exciting! 


For good measure, here is a Gloria Record and Zookeeper track to further whet your appetite!





Song du Jour Nr. 117: The Letterpress - Falling Away

Here's one you've never heard of. Mid-2000s band from Arizona. 2 basses + drums. No guitars. 
Good stuff.

You should buy it.






Or here.

Monday, August 25, 2014

Song du Jour Nr. 116: Mineral - February

They  just don't make non-album track 7" singles like they used.




Thursday, August 21, 2014

Totes Magotes: Spoon - They Want My Soul

Totes Magotes

Random thoughts on what I'm listening to or thinking about lately


Ah Spoon. I didn't really like their first albums, really liked a few songs off of Gimme Fiction and Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, and didn't like Transference at all. But now you're back with They Want My Soul and I'm completely sold on this one. So good. Front to back, I love it.  I have listened to it while running (opening of Rent I Pay is perfect for starting a run), while mowing the lawn, while driving, while cooking...what can't this album do?!

Go get it.

Some samples:





Monday, July 21, 2014

Best Albums of 2014, v. 2.0 (January - July)

Best Albums of 2014
Version 2.0 (January - July)

For previous years see
Best of 2007

  
 
LPs

  1. The GOASTT - Midnight Sun
  2. Beck - Morning Phase
  3. Braid - No Coast
  4. Conor Oberst - Upside Down Mountain 
  5. The Hold Steady - Teeth Dreams
  6. Damien Jurado - Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son
  7. S. Carey - Range of Light
  8. The Family Crest - Beneath the Brine
  9. Mogwai - Rave Tapes
  10. Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Are We Not Men? We Are Diva!
  11. French Style Furs - Is Exotic Bait
  12. Matt Pond - Skeletons and Friends
  13. Andrew Bird - Things Are Really Great Here, Sort Of...
  14. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - Produce Vol. 1 (mixtape)
  15. Say Hi - Endless Wonder  
  16. The Bar (Prometheus Brown and Bambu) - Barkada
  17. RA Scion + Vox Mod - Sharper Tool: Bigger Weapon
  18. Sun Kil Moon - Benji
  19. Jonah's Onelinedrawing - Me and You Are Two
  20. Fanfarlo - Let's Go Extinct

Live Albums

  1. Death Cab for Cutie - Live 2012 [ft. Magik*Magik Orchestra]
  2. Band of Horses - Acoustic at the Ryman
  3. David Bazan - David Bazan + Passenger String Quartet: Vol. 1


EPs
  1. Damien Jurado - Sisters of the Eternal Son
  2. American Football - American Football Deluxe Edition bonus materials 
  3. The Hold Steady - RAGS



Singles / 7 inches / Misc

  1. David Bazan - Bazan Monthly, Vol. 1 (Impermanent Record / Deny Myself)
  2. Prometheus Brown - This Ain't a Seahawks Anthem [single]
  3. Sunny Day Real Estate - Lipton Witch (from Circa Survive split 7")
  4. The Hold Steady - Easy (from Deer Tick split 7")

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

My Vinyl Collection, February 2014 Update

I started collecting vinyl in January of 2008. 
Here is what I have amassed.
(updated February 2014)



AC/DC
Back in Black

American Football
American Football

Andrew Bird
Armchair Apocrypha

Appleseed Cast
Illumination Ritual

Bahamas
Barchords
 
Band of Horses
Everything All the Time
Infinite Arms

Battles
Gloss Drop
Mirrored

The Beach Boys
Endless Summer

The Beatles
1962-1966
1967-1970
Abbey Road
Hey Jude
Let it Be
Magical Mystery Tour
Rubber Soul
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Beck
Modern Guilt
Odelay

The Bee Gees
Best of Bee Gees Vol. 1 [pre-disco]
Saturday Night Fever

Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five

Blackalicious
A2G [EP]
Blazing Arrow
The Craft
Deception [12" single]
Its Going Down (Sit Back) [12" single]
Nia

Bon Iver
Bon Iver

Brendan Benson
Alternative to Love

Bright Eyes
Four Winds [12" EP]
I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning

Built to Spill
Don't Try / The Source [7" single]

The City on Film
In Formal Introduction [marble gray vinyl]

Cake
Motorcade of Generosity

The Clash
London Calling

Colin Meloy
Colin Meloy Sings Live [autographed]

Common Market
Connect For [12" EP]
Tobacco Road

Counterfit
Super Amusement Machine for Your Exciting Heart [red vinyl]

Creedence Clearwater Revival
Chronicle

Daft Punk
Random Access Memories

Damien Jurado
Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son 2xLP w/ Sisters [EP]
Caught in the Trees.
Hoquiam
I Break Chairs
Motorbike [7" single]
On My Way To Absence
Saint Bartlett
Trampoline [7" single]

Dear and the Headlights
Drunk Like Bible Times [Ale colored vinyl – 10" double LP]
Small Steps, Heavy Hooves [translucent gold colored vinyl]

Death Cab for Cutie
I will Possess your Heart [7" single]
Narrow Stairs
Plans

The Decemberists
Castaways and Cutouts
Colin Meloy Sings Live [autographed]
The Crane Wife
The Hazards of Love
Her Majesty
Picaresque + Picaresquities
The Tain + 5 Songs

Dent May
The Feel Good Music of Dent May and his Magnificent Ukulele

Dinosaur Jr.
I Bet on Sky

Dr. Dog
Fate
Shame Shame

Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Sun Giant EP

The Format
Dog Problems

The Fruit Bats
Spelled in Bones

G. Love & Special Sauce
Baby's Got Sauce / Cold Beverage 10"

The Get Up Kids
Four Minute Mile [translucent gold vinyl]
Guilt Show [red vinyl]
A Newfound Interest in Massachusetts / Off the Wagon [7"]
On a Wire
Red Letter Day [10" EP]
Simple Science [12" EP]
Something to Write Home About [lavender vinyl]

The Gloria Record
A Lull in Traffic [12" EP] [Marble white vinyl]

Grand Archives
Grand Archives [signed by the band]
Grand Archives – Sleep Driving / George Kaminski alt. versions [7"]

Great Lake Swimmers
Lost Channels

Hey Mercedes
Every Night Fireworks [SIGNED by the band]

The Hold Steady
Boys and Girls in America
Heaven is Whenever
Stay Positive

 Iron & Wine
The Creek Drank the Cradle
In the Reins
Our Endless Numbered Days
Woman King

J. Tillman
A Year in the Kingdom
Minor Works [French Import]
Wild Honey Never Stolen / Borne Away On A Black Barge 7"

Jack Johnson
Brushfire Fairytales
On and On
Sleep Through the Static

Japandroids
Celebration Rock [white vinyl]

Jimmy Eat World
Clarity [2009 reissue]
Pain/Shame [7" clear green]

Josh Ritter
So Runs The World Away

The Animal Years

Joshua James
Build me This
The Sun is Always Brighter
Winter Storm / Lovers Without Love [7"]

Led Zeppelin
IV (Zoso)

 Lifesavas
Gutterfly: The Original Soundtrack
Spirit in Stone

Local Natives
Gorilla Manor

The Long Winters
Putting the Days to Bed

The Mamas & the Papas
If you Can Believe your Eyes and Ears

Maritime
Glass Floor
Heresy and the Hotel Choir [clear vinyl] [hand numbered limited pressing]
We, the Vehicles [hand numbered clear blue vinyl]
Witches and Snowmen / Boy From School [limited edition 7" white vinyl]

Marvin Gaye
Every Great Motown Hit
Midnight Love

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Take a Break

Michael Jackson
Bad
Thriller
 
Mike Doughty
Haughty Melodic

Minus the Bear
Highly Refined Pirates [blue swirly vinyl]
Omni
They Make Beer Commercials Like This EP [fruity pebbles colored vinyl]

The Mountain Goats
Get Lonely
Heretic Pride

The Mr. T Experience
Love is Dead

Mumford & Sons
Sigh No More

The National
High Violet

The New Amsterdams
At the Foot of my Rival

Nick Drake
Five Leaves Left

Okkervil River
Black Sheep Boy
The Standins

Onelinedrawing
Visitor [clear transparent vinyl]

Owen
At Home with Owen
No Good for No One Now

Panic at the Disco
Nine in the Afternoon [7" single]

Paul Simon
Graceland
Greatest hits, Etc

Pele
Enemies

Phantom Planet
Raise the Dead [marble blue vinyl]

Phoenix
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix


Pinback
Autumn of Seraphs

The Postal Service
Give Up

The Promise Ring
Wood/Water [double 10"]

Radiohead
In Rainbows
King of Limbs

OK Computer
The Bends

Ratatat
Ratatat

Reggie and the Full Effect
Inside the Dust Sleeve (under the tray)

R.E.M.
Accelerate
Automatic for the People
Dead Letter Office
Document
Fables of the Reconstruction
Green
Life's Rich Pageant
Monster
New Adventures in Hi Fi
Reckoning
Wendell Gee [12" single]

Rogue Wave
Descended Like Vultures

Rocky Votolato
A Brief History [10" on opaque yellow vinyl]
Rocky Votolato s/t LP [yellow & orange vinyl]
Rocky Votolato & Seth Warren [7" on white vinyl]
Suicide Medicine [marble white vinyl] [autographed + set list]

Rush
2112


Saves the Day
Stay What you Are

Shearwater
The Golden Archipelago

Sigur Ros
( )
Ágætis Byrjun
Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
Takk

Simon and Garfunkel
Bookends
Bridge over Troubled Waters
The Graduate
Greatest Hits
Parsley, Sage Rosemary and Thyme
Sounds of Silence
Wednesday Morning, 3 AM

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
Pershing
SSLYBY / Puzzle split [7" split - lavender marble vinyl]

The Thrills
So Much for the City

The Weakerthans
Left and Leaving
Live at the Burton Cummings Theatre
Reconstruction Site

They Might Be Giants
Don't Lets Start [12" Single]
Factory Showroom
Flood
John Henry
Lincoln
They Might be Giants
They'll Need a Crane [12" single]

TV on the Radio
Nine Types of Light

Vampire Weekend
Modern Vampires in the City

Weezer
Weezer [The Blue Album]

Wilco
Being There

The Wooden Birds
Magnolia