Okay, so this is my second mix in the Echo series. I’ve done better this time. I found tracks that work together, most of them new, some of them older, and I hope, sequenced ’em in a way that builds and flows properly. Again, the idea behind the Echo series is to present some great new music, mixed with something older and building to a nice house/prog house climax, then finishing with a bit of comedy. I love music. I love comedy. So I have to combine them when I can. Also on this mix is a snippet of film dialogue. I’ll be doing that more and more as the series goes on.
So scroll down to the bottom and grab the zip file of MP3s if you care to listen. And if you like it, drop me a comment at the bottom. Or send me an e-mail.
So…
ECHO :02
Vetiver – “Stranger Still”
A nice build from nothing into a scintillating shower of music stuff. Also, “Vetiver” is fun to say. “Vetiver.” Try it.
SPC ECO – “Zombie”
The current project of Dean Garcia of the defunct band, Curve. Here’s he’s singing with his daughter. I loved Curve, man. I saw them once at the Troubador in LA. Toni Halliday was pissed because her monitor wasn’t working, but it was still a great show. I had ticket for the next night, but I didn’t go because I had a terrible headache and it was all the way in Los Angeles.
St. Germain – “Forget Me Not”
His first album in fifteen years. Holy crap. That’s a long time. This album has a distinctly Mali flavor. I haven’t been to Mali, so I’m depending here on stuff I read. This is the final cut of the new album. I actually love final cuts. They do so much to tie the album together. But here, it’s track three, so suck it. But such a lovely, rolling bass foundation to those airy guitars–stringed things. Whatever they are.
The The – “Kingdom of Rain”
Throwback to the early ‘90s. The The is another one of those amazing bands whose creativity burned too bright, so they had to fade away. Johnny Marr of the Smiths on guitar. And that’s Sinead O’Connor on a vocal assist. Oh, and Matt Johnson’s voice is one of the deepest and sexiest in music.
Thomas Newman – “Track 07” – Bootleg S/T for Men Don’t Leave
My favorite film composer is maddeningly inconsistent. But the score for this amazing Paul Brickman movie is so gorgeous that it’s a crime the soundtrack was never released. The Internet has secrets, however, and if you know where to look, you can find this shit. As for the movie, ask me about it sometime and I’ll talk the hell out of it.
Hermitude – “Ukiyo”
I don’t know how to describe this, except to say it’s weird and pretty and cold and wonderful.
Boxed In – “Lo Life”
I like bands who play a back and forth thing with vocals. Especially when it’s male/female. For other awesomeness like this, checkout The Brunettes, or Stars, or The Submarines. Or… Smile Smile, maybe?
Smile Smile – “Truth on Tape”
Oh, hey, look at that. Here’s Smile Smile! This is from about five years back. They haven’t put anything out since. That makes me mad.
Exile – “Kiss You All Over”
And for the throwback of the compilation… This is somehow still contemporary, and no, not because it was used in that Dane Cook movie, Employee of the Month. Love the unabashed romanticism of the Yacht Rock era!
Wolf Alice – “The Wonderwhy”
Okay, I said I like final cuts. Here’s another one. A perfect ending to a terrific album. Wolf Alice is one of the best things out there today. And I would know. Because I’ve got my ear to the ground. What’s that sound? Oh, shit, it’s a car.
Raury – “Friends”
And yet another final cut. Raury’s album just came out. I haven’t listened to the whole thing. The reason? I can’t get past this goddamned last track. That’s Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine) on guitar.
Dialogue Clip – The Thin Man
Nobody did it better than William Powell and Myrna Loy. This is a tiny sample of the incredible dialogue from real-life writing team of Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich. Do yourself a favor, watch this movie. And invite me over when you do.
Jose Gonzales – “Let It Carry You” (Dino Soccio Mix)
This guy is from Sweden. He’s sung with Zero 7 and has another band called “Junip” which is also awesome. Dino Soccio remade this as a bootleg, but Jose heard it and was like, “Chill, bro, let’s make this an official remix of the song.” So there you have it, kids. Go out and remix shit.
M83 – “Midnight City” (Alcala Mix)
Not my favorite tune from M83, but the key was a perfect match to the Jose Gonzales tune, so it was an obvious choice. Also, M83 is pretty rad. Alcala is an independent DJ. I bought this track from him on his website. It was “pay what you like” and I paid $5. He was so grateful he wrote me a nice e-mail. I think you should support artists. Because if you don’t and you run into them in a dark alley, you’re fucked.
London Grammar – “Hey Now” (Arty Remix)
A rich, meaty and melodic track. With a vocal track that initially put me off at first. But the more I listen to it, the more I think it’s perfect. And such a nice little breakbeat moment in the middle breakdown there.
Hannibal Buress – “Bomb Water”
I was gonna just do Doug Stanhope every time, since he’s my bestest fave comic, but I ain’t gonna lie, there’s some great stuff out there in stand-up land. Hannibal Buress has nailed the timing and delivery. He’s gonna be a star. For the next CD, I’m gonna give you Paul F. Tomkins, because… also brilliant.
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