here's the first mix!

well here's the first mix of the bunch.  please be constructive in any criticism towards me or Megan as I am not very good at things on computers and she has never written a review before.  

mix for megan #1 from WeCanWorkItOut on 8tracks.

I couldn't find a way to make this downloadable and not totally illegal... so i used 8tracks.com.  so click the play button thing on the picture of me and Stewart Oakes and the mix should start or whatever.

1. The Magnetic Fields - The Death Of Ferdinand De Saussure

2. Recess Theory - Philadelphia Or Reading

3. The Cure - The Exploding Boy

4. Randy Newman - Mr. President (Have Pity On The Working Man)

5. Tigers Jaw - I Was Never Your Boyfriend

6. Salim Nourallah - 1978

7. Slapstick - There's A Metalhead In The Parking Lot

8. Rainer Maria - Thought I Was

9. Danielson - Rubbernecker

10. A Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxation 

Review # 1

         The first time I sat down and listened to what we have fondly named “Mix #1” I was sitting with Brandon at my dining room table eating a dinner of Manwich and Mrs. Fishers potato chips. Some of the bands/songs were familiar to me, obviously The Cure and Randy Newman I had encountered before. I had also been introduced to The Magnetic Fields and Danielson by Brandon early on in our dating relationship. I had heard Brandon talk about Tigers Jaw several times before but had not heard them yet. Or I had heard it, and decided it was one of the bands he had played for me I wouldn’t commit to memory because I thought it was fucking awful. According to Brandon, it is part of the 85% of the music he listens to that I hate. Every other song and band on this mix was brand new to me. Brandon’s 85% theory does not apply to this mix, well done sir.          

            I like the Magnetic Fields. I have no real explanation for why, I just do. I had looked into buying Brandon a record by them, the name had something to do with a specific number of love songs, I could Google it but I don’t feel like it. Anyways, I was going to get it for him for Valentine’s Day, but it was stupid expensive, we are talking like hundreds of dollars. I settled on a watch instead, which Brandon was delighted to receive. I digress; the second song on this mix is everything I hated in high school. Given, my music taste in high school was not good (insert a comment here by Brandon regarding my fictitious love of Hoobastank), but high school Megan cannot allow me to like Recess Theory and that is just how it is. I think it is mostly his voice that really bothers me (like a lot), but I really feel like it has to be more than that.     

            I like The Cure. Brandon and I have had the conversation a few times about how my sister hates The Cure and how this is completely ridiculous because she has Hot Fuss by The Killers in her CD player right now. She says it is too depressing and whiny, I don’t think I necessarily disagree, but it is the type of depressing and whiny that is tolerable, likable even. I also like Randy Newman. This is in part due to the fact that my childhood Disney type version of Randy Newman and the Randy I have been exposed to in adulthood are two very different things. Didn’t he do the music for the Family Circus Easter movie? You know, besides Toy Story. Whatever, he’s a bad ass.

            I think I already covered Tigers Jaw. At first listen I explained to Brandon I didn’t like it because it sounds “intentionally lazy.” I still feel that way. The song immediately following Tigers Jaw has the same kind of lazy feeling to it but it seems less intentional and more necessary. I immediately felt hypocritical for my comment regarding laziness after listening to these 2 songs back to back, but then I realized I didn’t care. I also realized that this applied mostly to the style of singing than anything else. I am not a musician, while I can appreciate certain aspects of music outside of vocals, I am probably a more superficial listener. If not already assumed, I am a fan of track 6. I want to listen to it while driving in my car. If I hadn’t quit smoking in November, I would be smoking while I listened to it. And I think I would like to be driving in the country or something. Yes, in the country with a cigarette and track 6. Quite lovely.

            Brandon first explained track 7 was a song by a punk band. When it started I instantly said “sounds more like ska to me.” I had a short phase in high school when I thought I was punk rock, but Brandon has yet to find much punk I find myself liking (he says I like shitty punk). I am on the fence about this one, Brandon got into a more in-depth conversation with me about different music genres and what makes something punk or ska or whatever. I called him a geek and we moved on.

            Alright, 3 more tracks. I realize I am long winded but I am feeling a little pressured about this whole review writing thing. I had heard Brandon talk about Rainer Maria before, and I know he loves a chick singer, I do too. I had no real feelings about this song at first listen, I have decided I like it. Danielson, track 9, is fun as a novelty I suppose. A song or two here or there wouldn’t kill me. Although, I am certain a whole record worth of listening would.

            Last one. Brandon makes fun of me regularly because my favorite rapper is DMX. What can I say? A rapper that barks really speaks to me. I like this song, I think I would have to in the right kind of mood for it, but I think that is the case when it comes to rap for me.