A Summer MMMMixtape

Less talk. More Action. And before these 27 tracks are no longer relevant, I'd like to give you my favorite songs for this summer, and a little sumpin' sumpin' about each.

Cheers!

Merman

PS. Promise, no more 3 month hiatuses.

Post Acid - Wavves: From their upcoming album King of the Beach, a song that's much more fun than it's name implies. Recommended to blast for the 1st 30 minutes of a road trip to the beach.

Rill Rill - Sleigh Bells: This song is so fun, and good luck getting it out of your head. It's sticky and sweet with kick, and even better in a great set of headphones.

Younger Us. - Japandroids: The first time I read a "low-fi post-beach surfer-alt rock" review I wanted to puke. C'mon guys. This song screams nostalgia, and it makes perfect sense that Mark Hoppus is obsessed with this band. They are the perfect cure for the discord between a nostalgic heart and a cynical opinion.

The Only One - Manchester Orchestra: Off the 2009 album Mean Everything to Nothing, it was the song that tipped me in favor of Andy Hull & Co. It kicks ass while taking your hand and teaching you to dance.

Surrounded by your friends - Hooray for earth: Some songs can capture the way your friends can give equal parts comfort and joy. I couldn't think of a less gay word than joy, 'cause that's just what it is. Times when you you realize that your with your chosen family, that's what this is.

Sometimes I don't need to believe in anything - Teenage Fanclub: TF never gets old, and their music doesn't either. Thanks to Nick Hornby I have a very biased opinion, but this track is so fresh and so clean, it's hard, yet unavoidable, to believe they are the veteran pop rock de facto.

What part of forever - Cee Lo Green: Yeah, whatever. I know, it's on the Twilight Soundtrack. And you know why? Because the song is great, and so is that soundtrack. But I also know it's one half of Gnarls Barkley, and that's okay with me. Yeah, I said it. Perfect for writing love letters when you've forgotten how to channel the 16 year old heartsick in you.

Moves - The New Pornographers: Epic chorus + catchy, syncopated beats+ major key tonality + incredible talent and chemsitry + a dash of pretension = hate to love it, but you totally do.

On Melancholy Hill - Gorillaz: Hands down, one of the best albums this summer. Looking back, I think the Gorillaz will be a perfect zeigeist to what music means in our generation, whether you like it or not, they really fucking got it.

Pow Pow - LCD Soundsystem: I can't get enough of LCD's new album This is Happening; flawless. And this song in particular is the example of perfect delivery. The only way this could get better is if William Shatner decided to do guest vocals. Incredible.

Teenage Color (Russ Chimes Remix) - College: And sometimes you just need to put on something with a good beat. Straighten up! Look Sharp!

The High Road - Broken Bells: Love to hate them, because they'll never touch the Shins. It ain't bad though, folks. This single ain't bad at all. It certainly won't marsh your mellow, anyway.

Sinister Kid - The Black keys: Absolutely, without a doubt the sexiest song on Brothers. Actually, it might just be the sexiest song of the summer. Every song on their new album is incredibly soulful and well thought out; and this one really makes me want to get to know Dan Auerbach a little bit better...in the dark.

Tell 'Em - Sleigh Bells: There are a couple of artist on the summer list I'll repeat, sleigh bells being one of them. And again, good headphones are required, or it gets a little fuzzy. Anyway, this one will wake you the fuck up, but do it ever so cheerfully.

The Suburbs - Arcade Fire: At first, I didn't like it, until I caught myself singing it over and over until I had to listened to it again. And then, just like that, the lyrics caught me;I was sucked into the Arcade Fire Fanwagon.

This is Real - Best Coast: Any cuter and you'd need a bib. Bethany Cosentin has been described as noise-pop and space-drone, but really, she understands the space between the noise, and that's where she sinks into you. Great B-side to 'When I'm with you'.

Right Ahead, Young Sailor! - Right Away Great Captain!: A side project of Andy Hull from Manchester Orchestra, but only recently discovered by me. The acoustic folk-pop is quite a departure, but isn't that what side projects are for? Great for lounging in the park by the water.

The Girl - City and Colour: I'm a sap for the lyrics, end of story.


Older - Band of Horses: Although I liked their first 2 albums much better than Infinite Arms, there are 2 tracks that tug at the heartstrings like BoH used to. This being one of them, and the other (my favorite) at the end. It seems like the fans said "Hey, Band of Horses, this is what we like" and they delivered, but too eagerly, too succinctly. Sometimes I think you've got to make us work for it, make us really listen. Don't give it all to us up front, you know. Cross the legs a bit, I like my lady with a little bit of mystery. 'Older' and 'Blue Beard' aren't as eager as the rest of the album.

Signs (MMMathis Remix) - Bloc Party: Kick the track, change the beat, repeat.

When We were young (breakbot remix) - Sneaky Sound System: Great beat. Love it for the evenings when you're not sure if you want to go to the bar or not. It's begging to be remixed.

Dance Yrself Clean - LCD Soundsystem: The first time I heard this song I was floored. Awesome minute after minute, it's the longest song you'll never get sick of.

Next Girl - The Black Keys: One of my other favorite tracks of the new Brothers album. Sometimes bands write lryics for the music, and sometimes they write the music for the lyrics. And sometimes, the truth is so thick and deep, so saturated with sweat and tears, that both word and song come from the same place in the heart. I don't think you could have one without the other in this song. They really hit home with this one.

Many Shades of Black - The Raconteurs: After the remorse and pain has settled in a less than perfect situation, all your left with is your lessons to teach. And if I've ever heard a lesson with fervor and sarcasm, with every kind of shit, and the kind of shit you can live with, it's this.

White Blank Page - Mumford & Sons: I feel like I'm personally in love with each member of Mumford & Sons. The first time I heard them was in my favorite Irish bar, Sweet Afton, in Astoria. Stu, the bartender/co-owner, was sitting with his Nut Brown Ale in the corner, looking faintly at the lights singing along "...I really fucked it up this time/and it was your heart on the line...". Goosebumps. The second time was at Bonnaroo, andI saw the same faint expression painted in the lead singers eyes, it was in the air, it was in the lyrics being screamed back. This group of gentlemen laid their heart out on their bows, and we've picked up every ache.

Blue Beard - Band of Horses: The other song that isn't an eager girl on Infinite arms, and my personal favorite. Give it a shot, it's not as catchy as some of the other manufactered songs on the album, but once you get to the chorus, you'll remember how you felt falling in love at a Halloween school dance.

To Build a Home - Cinematic Orchestra: If you don't slip into a contemplative, quiet calm while listening to this, I'm really not sure what would make you. This reminds me of an Ohio river sunset on a Sunday, the way you feel between homes. The way you feel when you're not sure what is home, but you feel it calling somewhere deep down.

Meant to play start to finish, I hope you like it as much as I did. You can tell me what you think if you want. Happy Summer my little music geeks.

Want one? Just ask :)

Springles

Ah....Finally NYC. Wind that doesn't cut through to the bone; just gusts of comfortable that's cool around the edges. At last, a sky that more closely resembles bottoms swimming pools than slabs of concrete sidewalk. That's right, folks. It's fucking spring. Bring it on, pollen! I will sniff you up and stuff you in my nose, put you in my lungs and cough you out ANYDAY before I go back to snowy booby traps thinly disguised as my morning commute.

This weekend was A++, with a sticker in the corner, in bright red ink with exclamation points. And if the sweet, warm breeze and a blanket of sun weren't enough to warm my heart, the Hayley Maker came to town. You guessed it. Momma Keller visited for the first time in a year and we basked in all spring's glory.

Today's mixtape is especially dedicated to New York City spring chickies. And by chickies, I mean everyone. We just appreciate it so. much. When the first warm weekend comes people just go bananas and start lying on the sidewalks and shit. Seriously, we'll hop right up on that dumpster lid and have lunch if that means we get to sit in the sun. Everyone becomes ridiculous amounts of excited and let it all hang out. Then it's like "Shit, I can't wear these hot pants to work!? What was I thinking?" and they tone it down just enough to not offend building security or subway passengers. But that's it! That's all you're gettin'! Finally, we'll squeeze, yes squeeze, into Central Park, perch upon a hot rock and rock it like a fucking lizard (Said it, don't care).

So listen to the movements of NYC spring in the mix: Excitement. Whoa, too much excitement; put those boobs away. Bustin' out the capris. Jesus Christ. Putting the capris back in the closet. Nostalgia. Bonfires. And a sunset you swear you'd never see again. Sweet city springtime.

Cheers,

Merman

The feeling is Vague, the Mixtape is not

All I have to say is that it's been a bitchin' month for music. Put this in your pipe and smoke it:

1. July Flame - Laura Veirs
2. We are happy plants - Apollo
3. I shall cross this river - the black atlantic
4. Let go - Jj
5. Lewis Takes Action - Owen Pallet
6. Tane Mahuta - The Ruby Suns
7. In steps - Letting up despite Great Faults
8. Youthless - MillionYoung
9. Games you can win - RjD2 (Feat. Kenna)
10. Island, IS - Volcano Choir (sound familiar?)
11. King of Spain - The Tallest Man on Earth
12. In the Sun - She & Him

This is my favorite:

I suggest you listen to this whole album sitting at the foot of your bed, lights dimmed with the biggest ridiculous headphones you can find. I guess it's one part broken social scene, mayhaps 2 parts, and genuine without the 'oh isn't everything so precious' quirks of the former band. I really am quite too tired to do it justice, so give it a go, folks.

Cheers,

Merman

No pants day in New York

I get on the subway tonight to go to an organ concert, and what do I find?

And then in Union square....

Not kidding, folks. Today was no pants on the subway day. Why? That's a damn good question. Everyone I asked refused to answer the question. "Well the department stores are so hot, you've got to even it out". "Because my snuggie didn't come with pants!" And so on. If it weren't for a 100 year old organ at St. Thomas calling my name, well, I probably wouldn't have taken my pants off anyway. But, you've got options like that in this city. You've got options for nudity and duck-duck-goose in your underpants in the snow with 300 strangers. I like those options. At any rate... this is a good album:

Throughout my 2009 posts, I've notice I left a quite a good album consistently off of my radar. Yes, yes. You know them, you probably went to their sets in NYC, and they are very much a part of why 2009 music was so great. Miike Snow has make an album that blends artistic sound engineering and genuine music ability. So, I shall start off my 2010 with their whole album. It was one of my biggest pleasant surprises. My suggestion is Silvia, just sexy.

Cheers,

Merman

'Tis the Swell Season!

STOP THE PRESSES!

I usually let it go a week, or 3 months, or so until I say anything on here. However, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, (you may recall weeping over their albums together as The Swell Season.. and let us not forget Once) released Strict Joy on the 27th, and subsequently completed my second, and maybe third, life. They got the name right, that's for sure. Their lyrics and melodies swell in the heart and what overflows can only be described as complete and unadulterated joy and sorrow and love and awe. It's quite impressive, really.

It's happy and heartful and souful and haunting; a candid shot of a heart on a sleeve. If you're truly aching for something that will catch all the fish hooks surrounding your heart and tug up the greatest and most genuine ardor lurking under the surface, Strict Joy will have you reaching for a Kleenex and and hand to hold. Still trying to figure out how to speak the fiery Goidelic language of love, maybe this Irishman will look at me with those deep pools of blue green eyes and sing In These Arms.... Sigh.

From Strict Joy:

1. Low Rising
2. Feeling the Pull
3. In These Arms

Cheers,

Merman

Whoaaaa Backlog.

So... It's been a while. HI!

This is what happened: A friend told me, well, he told me didn't like what I wrote. We'll let it be that. Here is how I felt: Stupid. So I stopped writing. Here is what that was: Stupid. Then I read Kurt Vonnegut's Breakfast of Champions. And I forgot all about my my friend's superiority complex.

This is what it felt like:

I remembered that crazy is awesome. Awesome and crazy are two terms that can sometimes be opposite. The former describing a moment of awe, an impressive and somewhat unimaginable event. The latter usually indicates a negative and uncontrolled aspect of a person or thing. These terms are meant to put people in boxes in which they have either put themselves or someone else has done for them. Vonnegut reminded me that I hate boxes. And also, that sometimes your opinion sucks. I'd like to pay reckless disregard to any opinions of anyone who doesn't think, well, anyone who doesn't think he's any good, and so on. This is an Ode to Vonnegut. An ode is a dedication usually expressed in the form of medias like song, poety, acting, singing, or mixtapes. Definitely mixtapes. It is meant to put someone on a box, instead of in one. Here is one to Kurt Vonnegut.

This is what it sounds like:

1. Rain Machine - Give Blood
2. Surfer Blood- Swim to reach the end
3. Islands - Vapours
4. Karen O & The Kids - Rumpus
5. United State of Electronic - Open your eyes
6. Julian Casablancas - 11th Dimension
7. Coco Rosie - Werewolf
8. RJD2 - All for You
9. Fool's Gold - Surprise Hotel
10. Codes in the Clouds - Fractures
11. Yeasayer - Ambling Amp
12. Kings of Convenience - Boat Behind
13. Kurt Vile - Blackberry Song
14. The Cave Singers - Hens of the Woods
15. Broken Social Scene - Hit the Wall

Cheers,

Merman

The Hazards of Life: Death!

A couple of days ago I was bobbing along in the subway listening to this album and reading a book about death. Well, death's expression in music, and how most songs today fail to capture the appreciation and acceptance of it, anyway. I must say, the combination of these was rather humbling.  There was something about the simple and comforting lull of the guitar paired with a heart-aching folk undertone that did the trick. It stirred me to a level of calm and heavy contemplation I needed to feel the kind of emotion Graeme Thompson was talking about.

 (If you're wondering...)

Usually, my love of music derives from it's ability to lift me up,  it's capacity to enliven me beyond any other form of expression.  I usually just scour tracks for the spark of a new high. Oh, Piss off, you do it too.  Some have alcohol, and others have heroin. I, however, have a spanked-new 120 BPM pulse laid over banjos and key-tars. Okay. That's possible OD (and, I guess that'd be fitting for this post?)...But you get the picture.  I've never taken music much further than a high. Oh, believe me. Its been a deep and soulful high.  But it always has a lofty objective.

I've never really explored the feeling beyond that. You know...the feeling once the music fades. The feeling when your heart stops beating.  The very moment when you feel the light leaving your eyes. When is the last time you heard something that accepted and described death in human terms?

Well - I'm not sure if it was the words of the book, or the hushed, stirring rhythm of Blind Pilot's fortitude that got me.  But something did. And I considered it for a moment. It's a simple emotion, really, how we feel about death.  So why does it seem like the artistic expression of it got lost in 'Trying to get to Heaven' by Bob Dylan? (...by the way, I think I like reading about him more than listening to him, sorry.) Why is it that most artists today stand around twiddling their thumbs when asked about Katrina or Iraq? Why is it that every song we listen to about the most shallow levels of sex or love or anger or complacency or apathy or protest? At least, that's basically what I catch in the lyrics of my favorite songs.  And even more-so, why is it easier to write and talk extensively about death now than it is to feel it? I know I've ignored it.  Probably because I'm 23 and stupid and scared of it and I have enough modern technology to forget it exists even though it will probably happen to me when I'm 400, maybe.

It doesn't have to be all that bad or unapproachable, now does it? I listened to a few tracks, swallowed hard, and I thought about how I would feel and what it might mean if I thought about death in a real way. Not fist fighting a silver back gorilla, and not flying off of a cliff in a 1966 Thunderbird Convertible holding Louise's hand (yes, I'm Thelma in this scenario).  I mean death in the understanding that it will happen, and I should probably make sense of the whole fuss.  

I guess I would treat it like any other life promenade.  I'd get ready, quibble around for something to wear - give up - and wear something comfortable like I always do. I'd make sure the people I wanted were there, you know, the friends that laugh from the gut and ask more questions than favors. Then I'd find some music everyone could live with, okay, maybe just me. Then, I think I could welcome the warm, dark, numbing wave of the waters of Lethe. I think if I was hoary and decaying I would be at peace with it all. A little tired,  a little humbled, and so grateful.  Not unlike a really, really fun, long night out? You're exhausted, but so glad you did it.  It'd be a rest well deserved, I think.  And, anyway,  it'd be the first time I shut my mouth and quit ranting. I think that'd make death a little more pleasant for anyone, really. 

So if you want to think about it... here's how a few taxpayers take a stab at death (Hah! Get it? The only things certain are taxes & de-? ...Stab at dea-?... oh well.) And Yes, I've purposely dodged the more notable ballads that Thompson mentioned in 'I Shot A Man'...savoir-faire, dudes.

1. Oviedo - Blind Pilot 

2. Godspeed - Radney Foster 

3. Tryin' to Get to Heaven - Bob Dylan 

4. The Rakes Song - The Decemberists 

5. I will follow you into the Dark - Death Cab For Cutie 

6. P.S. You rock my world - Eels 

7. A Minor Incident - Badly Drawn Boy 

8. Today - Smashing Pumpkins (had to do it, sorry.)

9. That Girl has love - Rooney 

10. If I ever leave this world alive - Flogging Molly 

11. Casimir Pulaski Day - Sufjan Stevens 

12. Let the train whistle blow - Johnny Cash  

Cheers, 

Merman

An Aural Anatomy of Summer

By now, anyone and everyone can identify summer with a rusty click on the window AC, and the smell of SPF 30 and Rum (combined, of course). There seems to be a tradition with these smells and sounds that pack up summer neatly in their bottles and knobs, tucked away and ready for the next extended string of 80 degree days.

(Observe relaxation here)
For me, that sweet, sweet spark of summer means stepping up to the challenge of making a deck that:
A) not only captures the balmy thrill of air conditioners and sunscreen, but also
B) Proudly declare 'piss off!' to every other Marley carting carbon copy playlist that rears its ugly head year after year.

Sure, the nostalgia is comforting. But never as magical as the first time a true memory is made. So here are some new ones. A summer mapped out in 25 tracks.

Listen here

(bring it up in a new window, then come back and read along! Or just click on them..)

1. Something Good Can Work - Two Door Cinema Club 
Whoa! That's bright, thank you first blinding days of sunshine...
2. Roman History - Pet Lions 
You'd never know it wasn't a classic, but it's definitely just as fun. Even if you don't like pop, its summer, you let it slide.
3. Us - Regina Spektor 
Oh, how beautiful summer can be. This track puts the A-to-the-V for all the pretty things.
4. Silver Lining - Rilo Kiley One of those perfect early July Friday evenings, where you're still coy enough to get giddy about patio parties.
5. Medicine- Starfucker  ...But after a few on the deck, someone busts out the happiest dance music they can find on short notice, and so it starts.
6. Silver City - Ghostland Observatory 
Get at least: 40 into it... then you won't skip it, and or the 5th tequila shot that launches idol feet onto the dance floor.
7. I (Joe Beats Remix) - Andrew Bird 
Mr. Bird makes it onto roughly 1/3 of my mixes, even the popped up versions of his nectar.
8. Sunship Balloons - The Flaming Lips 
Out of the many to choose from, this is the one Flaming Lips song I'm allowing, because I have a feeling that there is more potential for new memories.
9. Shotgun - Pete Yorn 
A solid, uncharacteristically optimistic release from his new album, released, you guessed it, this summer.
10. I don't know what I can save you from - Kings of Convenience 
And since we're relaxing in hammocks and whatnot, everyone needs some major chord packed strumming euro-alty crooners to wash down the rum...
11. Please, please, please let me get what I want - The Smiths 
God. Don’t you just want to stand in the middle of a room and feel that unapologetic inconvenient idiotic spark of attraction coming from a hazy stare, a couple of drinks, a late night, and a poor decision on a jukebox?
12. Always like this - Bombay Bicycle club 
And then the next day you realize you got caught up in the moment and you hit those sunglasses harder than anything. Ever.Oh and if you ever wondering what'd it's be like to dance with me, watch the video.
13. Stanger Lover - Ghostland Observatory 
By far the funkiest summer jammy jam. For midsummer when you've finally unwound and felt pure gratification of the season.
14. Shot in the back of the head -Moby 
Something about July allows a fun little thing to happen in your brain that November is far too miserable to do: total connection to the breeze, the warmth, the sky, the grass and you mind... and it's all clear and open.
15. The Girls - Calvin Harris 
Go ahead. Go to any club this summer. You probably hate this song by this point. But every summer has a sticky one. And this one is it.
16. Reckoner's Encore - Jaydiohead 
And this is just fucking cool. Don't worry white folk. Move Ov-a Justin Timberlake, it's cool for white people to listen to hip hop again.
17. Pop Song - Starfucker 
Somewhere between the first drink at home and the ill-conceived cab ride home that overdraws your account. (Which you didn't account for a $90 tab anyway, who knew?)
18. Breakin' Up - Rilo Kiley 
Its okay, guys. It's nearly August, and it's okay for you to listen to girls.
19. Friday I'm in love - The Cure 
Okay. You've gone most of the summer with some new tunes. I guess you can have a little reminiscence peppered in.
20. Folding Chair - Regina Spektor 
Another phenomenal summer release.
21. Pot Kettle Black - Wilco 
It's early August. The humidity is finally out of the night air, and you've subconsciously moved from excitement to contentment.
22. Ragged Wood - Fleet Foxes 
It's prime season for a bonfire, without the sweat rag.
23. Reasons to love you - Meiko 
I know. You're not ready to let go of summer, and here are a few reasons why (sappy, poppy reasons for which you have no explanation, other than you can't get away with this shit any other time)
24. The Shining - Badly Drawn Boy 
...But if September must come, Let's watch the leaves flash a brilliant, glowing fade in the most beautiful display of perfection and poetry you've ever seen.. Much like this song.
25. A -Cartel 
And remember every foolish escapade and drunken evening along the way. I know.. Slip on that first hoodie and head down to the bar for one more...

The Insubordinate Mixtape

Breaking the rules, Merman Style.

Don't even start with me this week. Chances are:

1) I won't have a single entertaining thing to say, and

2) I'll erroneously assume you knew about the past 3 days I've had and I'll go Battle Royal on your ass.

Have you ever had a week where you start off mischievously rebellious...and end up with a list of slipshod accomplishments and a docket that looks not unlike Mulberry's Mishap Manifesto? Not familiar with it? Oh, here!

2 busted knees.

In hindsight, maybe wearing kneepads ONCE during a volleyball season would have helped.

At least, that's what I thought when the blood was streaming down my shins.

Tuesday: It's not Sunday!

(and it's safe to consider that maybe, you should have gone into work 2 hours ago)

Apartment keys are FOR WANKERS.

Especially those who have gross negligence to the fact that you can't unlock a door in Astoria FROM NEW JERSEY.

The myth of the 8 hour work day:

Let us please make it 10! And not. complete. a. single. thing.

Dear client, please sign over 14 million on my faulty contract, cheers!

Your welcome, Madoff.

Hygiene says wha?

In light of my Tuesday/Sunday mix up, I successfully evaded 3 days worth of dreadfully cleansing showers.

Anyway, in the spirit of completely and ever so eloquently fucking up my own universe this week, I've decided to make a mixtape that also ignores most benchmarks for any sort of merit or logic. Well, except the music won't actually suck.

1. And The Hazy Sea - Cymbals Eat Guitars
   
   
   
2. Even Rats - The Slip
   
3. Love Dog - TV on the Radio
   
4. No One's Gonna Love You - Band Of Horses
   
5. Better - Regina Spektor
   
6. Sarah - The XYZ Affair
   
7. All My Friends - The XYZ Affair
   
8. Blackout City - Anamanaguchi
   
9. Heavens to Purgatory - The Most Serene Republic
   
10. Ghosts - Fanfarlo
    
11. Little Round Mirrors - Harvey Danger
    
12. City Lights - Method Man & Redman
    
13. How to Embrace a Swamp Creature - The Mountain Goats
    
14. By the Skin of my Yellow Country Teeth - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
    
15. The Rake's Song - The Decemberists
    
16. Keys to the City - Go! Team
    
17. 2080 - Yeasayer

But Hayley! It's so good! What ever could be wrong with it?

1. Using the most generic compilation artwork, ever.
   
2. Mixing opposing genres indie, pop, hip hop, nerdcore. That's cool, right? Oh shut-up. It's not even graceful.
   
3. 2 of the same artists back to back.
   
4. The last song is actually just tacked on my mistake, and I don't even like it that much.
   
5. ZERO transition. And too many songs.
   
6. Repeat offenders/ obviously stolen songs from friends' playlists.
   
7. Revealing that little/no effort went into song choice/order/blog as a whole this week!

....and can I JUST say, if I hear the phrase "Audio Confectionary Treat" ONE more time this week. WHO SAYS THAT?

Love,

Miffed' Merman.

The Merman Memorial Day Mix

So I wake up and it goes like this...5:30 am: Run. Shower. Breakfast. 11 minute walk to the station. 25 minutes N Train. 13 Minutes 1 train to W Houston Street. 2 minutes from the subway stop to the 4th floor.

Every morning I fashion my own personal assembly line, to most efficiently and effectively get my busted ass collected before a 10 hour work day. Most days I find that each new blip on my iPod makes the daily traipse a little easier. This week I hit shuffle on my library and collected the 1st 600 songs that came up, and in particular this week had as an 88mph Delorian effect over me. There I am on the N train... and like one of those really bad Soap Opera running-out-of-storylines-previous-life flashback episodes... I'm right back in Ohio, sitting on my riverbank on the last day of school. Or, driving around Huntington on a warm Sunday afternoon sunning off a hangover.

So if I wanted to go, where everyone knew my name... I guess these are the bastards I'd like to see there. And this mixtape goes to you. Memorial Day A la Mulberry.

1. Apple Shampoo - Blink 182

2. Cheek to Cheek - Starting Line

So, you, little sex muffin, have been my best friend since our super awkward pre-pubescent break up in 2000. Every time Apple Shampoo graces my buds in the morning, I think of making Crillin42@hotmail.com and sitting on the picnic table talking about all the things guys and girls aren't supposed to talk about. I really kind of don't know how to handle being without my OpBrah, and wasting too much time with Wall bound LOL cats caught on camera ... and most of all: Christopher Lewis Meinheart.

3. Don't Stop Believin- Journey
Beside the fact that we have a borderline connubial relationship with one another, you really have been the best friend to me over the past year... and probably longer. Also, I don't think someone has ever physically made me pee my pants the way you do. Yeah. You make me pee myself. That's love, bitch. While this ditty might be the SJS FO' LIFE MAH FUCKA anthem... My heart exclusively longs for our debauched howling attempts at Steve Perry's highest. Can we please talk about Duck faces? And slapping each others faces off our faces?...and Ernest Mystic Tanning?

4. Mixin' up adjectives - This is me Smiling

5. Do the Panic - Phantom Planet

6. Evil - Interpol

7. Jon Brion - Row

I think it's safe to safe I can use my favorite analogy for feelings when it comes to you. They're like Fish hooks. I pick one up, and they all come tumblin' out. We've had some Shitsqualls, but more precious moments of psuedopsychology. And for some reason you're stillllll nice to me. Strange. I guess two assholes really can get a long. And the fact that we have the music compatibility of Jesus Mary and Joseph doesn't hurt either. I miss kicking you out of my apartment....and drinking SoCo and lime out on my patio until 5am... while the Malloyopolis above you falls asleep on my couch at TEN PM.

8. Jacksonville - Sufjan Stevens

Every time I hear this song I think of riding down 4th avenue in your car with the warm air flowing through my fingertips; trying so desperately to remember the night before. Very few housemate situations ever end nicely, but I think ours was a complete and total seraphic experience. I'll miss your stupid black velvet couch, complete with built in cassette player, every day. I might miss you as well, but I'm still trying to figure out if it's actually you, watching Weeds, wine on the back porch, or if it's just poor judgement from all the Speedy Dogs.

9. Heretics - Andrew Bird

10. Good Day - Tally Hall

11. ELO - Mr. Bluesky

I think 'tis safe to safe that roughly 1/5th of the shuffle reminds me of you, but these seemed most fitting. That is only because I'm reserving the vast amounts of the Griffin McElroy Echo Reserve for another mixtape and another day. Oh, how I miss your creativity, completely unburdened by sanity... I only have one, long sentence for you, Sir. The combination of your existence, Mr. Minkser, Rockband marathons, coffee thievery, pitchers of rubbing alcohol and coke combined with bacchanalian interpretive dance (per Jesse Clark's not at all redundant boogie night convolution), Sorkin soaked TV marathons, Eternal Darkness, and the constant pursuit of Joystiq worthy adjectives... my summer, and subsequent sanity, was fully reinstated. I just want to hear you sing, "Bra-AAAAA-DLY WHIT-ford!" one more time.

12. Kylie from Connecticut - Ben Folds
13. Falling Slowly - The Frames

14. Crossing Boundaries - NPR
For anyone who doesn't know, Mr. Minsker is, indeed, the Herman Merman to My Mulberry moniker. We also have a Bassit Hound, Sherman Merman, complete with a monocle and foppish demeanour. Intially you were my advtising antagonist, and then I realized you were the Yin to mah Yang. While I fluttered in an out of campaigns, you kept the internal team motivated. Salutations, comrade! Oh, and we both have approximately 95 year old souls. I could really go for one of those Sailor Jerry saturated NPR evenings overlooking the river...with our Rainmain Griffin. I even miss falling alseep mid-Casablanca, for the 3rd time in a row.

15. Mexico - Jump, Little Children
Sometimes there are friends in this world that just know how to make you feel 100% better. In your case it was quite simple; requiring only a smily face caesar salad and a spoon of DooDoo. Okay, maybe it was more of your kind temperament and complete judgement-free faith you have in me... but we'll go with the Doo Doo. While you did provide me with Jump's complete discography, every time I hear Mexico I think of you. My calm among many storms. With the exception of one of your sunny side up elbows, you are definitely the smartest, most level headed chef this side of the Mississippi.

16. Could you be loved - Bob Marley

17. Digital Love - Daft Punk

While I'm sure Joe will undoubtedly dispute that Daft Punk should DEFINITELY remind me of him... all I can think of is us sitting in a Gulf Shores time share with a bottomless canteen of Hurricanes, and you singing both of these songs at the top of your lungs. For someone whom I've hung out with a handful of times in my life, you definitely have made your impression, and the extra 9.5 hours between us is visible. It doesn't even matter that I only saw you once every 6 months anyway. Out of all the friends I know are coming to New York soon, you, my friend, are the only one I'm willing to risk jail time for. Just sayin'....

18. Sleep - Copeland

My lonely fellow Copeland fan. Sean you are the epitome of a perfect gentleman. And your kind, by definition, is extinct in New York. No joke! I don't think you realize just how much I miss your laughter (I mean come on! Who wouldn't miss that Guffaw!?) and your kind spirit. You were definitely my spiritual guru of the house. There was nothing you weren't excited about, but you were especially fond Jesus and Marshall Football. No matter what, you had the words... and the tunes! So keep up the good work and come bring some of your rays of sunshine to the Big Apple.

19. No Sleep till Brooklyn - Beastie Boys

Oh how I miss your hemisphere of platinum blonde, pseudo boxing around on the Echo dance floor. Every time I hear this little jig it reminds me of roughly 2:30 am at Echo. Everyone drenched in sweat and old pitchers of rum. We hear the guitar riff, and from whatever conversation about grappling you where in, you burst out on the floor just in time for the first fist pumping chorus line. From that moment I knew we were destined to eat 4am pancake feasts and save evil black cats from any normal domestication.

20. We Like to Party - Venga Boys

21. Have you really ever loved a woman? - Brian Adams

Sorry Hilbill. Had to pick the stupid songs I could think of in your case. Mainly because whenever I hear them, they make me laugh and miss you like crazy. You used to get so very mad at me when I'd play the Venga boys tape over and over. And your little 12 yr old heart would swoon when you heard when you really love a woman. I always got on your ass about your music selection reflecting your romances... but these are TOTALLY and complete just you :). Also, honorable mention includes Michelle Branch - just see you (?) in honor of our equally embarrassing White Chicks obsession.

22. Send me on my way - Rusted Root

Oh Brother! There is nothing I can say about you that can be any more fitting than this song. I admired you so much for your jovial disposition and fearlessness to say anything. And the fact that no matter where I went in the Tri-state area EVERYONE knew who you were. Everyone! It was ridiculous. Gee Thanks! ...For making it impossible to be the coolest Keller in the family. Even though we didn't grow up in the same house, we've always had a secret evil sibling bond. Jamie and Hilary were the kind hearted sweeties, and you and I? Well... we were kind of assholes. But hey, the funny kind that get away with it! Love you brother.

23. Lets Make this moment a crime - The Format

24. Body Bag - Hit the Lights

It's kind of weird.... It's been more than 5 days since your last "You are Beautiful!" text... and I am noticeably disheveled. If there is one thing I know about your diaper wearin' whiskey lovin' ass, it's that what you play and what you listen to are entirely different. On stage, there you are with your sleeve of hardass tat's, screaming your balls off and throwing spit and sweat into the mosh pit; and then you hop in your Scion to the tender hearts of The Format or Glen Hansard. You're a big teddy bear trapped in a rocker's bod, aren'tcha dear? My memories of you and The Hyamp are eternally intertwined, so it only seams natural for me to think of you whenever I hear Hit The Lights, my all time favorite Huntington venue experience. Oh, and YOU are beautiful!

25. Great DJ - The Ting Tings

I think we both know why this is your song! After only having the Ting Tings for 6 months after the release date... I turned it in my the skin of my teeth. I miss you my fellow fearless female Snob rocker!

26. Falling in love - McFly
27. When you come back down - Nicklecreek

I know, I know! No Hilary Duff? Sorry. No matter how much I love you, I will NEVER, ever put her on my mixtapes! However, I was walking down St. Marks the other day, and I kid you not. What do I hear? MCFLY! I had a moment of silence for you. Throughout college, we WERE the odd couple. You were my best friend throughout missed morning shows, botched concert attempts, stupid boyfriends, and of course, spilled apple juice. Now... if I can just answer my phone for podcasts....

28. Aqueous Transmission - Incubus

9th grade: ICQ: Eggy: Will you go to my senior prom with me? (Note: circa 2000) Winks182: Omg! Yes! ... and thus our friendship began. It's funny that I have more fond memories of St. Joe high school friends than I do my own Alma Mater. You were definitely one of the first to pave the way. i'll never forget the first time I came to your 4th of July party in 8th grade; you were the home skillet, Ryan was the homefry, and I was the Tater tot. I don't know if you remember, but this was the song playing when you picked me up for prom. It was the first time I remember liking Incubus, and I'm still kind of baffled and disturbed as to why I remember that. Or any of this for that matter. You are expressly, far and above, my favorite St. Joe jerkface.

29. Better of dead - New Found Glory

Hey Aaron! A boy and a girl went to school. (Elbow jab.) Roughly 75% of the things that make us laugh are foreign concepts to anyone else. All I know is that you were my best girlfriend since 1st grade when we started raising hell at Haverhill United Methodist church. So, with that, I only have one thing to say: Let us hold a moment of silence for our fellow Grasshopper. He was such a good bug.

30. Story of my life - Social Distortion

31. Where does the good go - tegan and sarah
1.HILDALGO! 2. MEL C FELL! 3. MEL C FELL! AHHH! I don't know if there will ever be a better match made in hell than us. Throughout school you were one of the 2% of girls that I actually liked, even when were were feuding about Riverdays sucker campaign tactics. Oh how I miss yelling during YMC at the top of my lungs at Ryan Holbrook with you. No matter how crazy you feel, and no matter how far away you are, I'm pretty sure you'll still be my favorite punk rockin' lady.

32. A milli - Lil Wayne
"Young Jeezy speaks to my soul." Really Alex? Really? I don't know how. And I don't exactly know why, but you have become of of those life-timer friends. Even though our musical tastes are monstrously opposite. And you make fun of my wrist slitting, patchouli/angst incensed club Echo. AND I've physically had to prevent you from cussing out all your girl friends. Sigh, what can I say, you're my little social butterfly. How can I not respect someone who takes impromptu weekend trips to Orlando with no agenda but to make as many friends as possible? That's my kinda man.

33. What's a girl to do? - Bat for Lashes
Albert. I'm sorry Chelsea Handler just isn't cutting it. Despite your scarily similar senses of humor, her show combined with repeated viewings of Juno can never replace you. ... And huffing my Strawberry daiquiri body spray is becoming quite disturbing. Question: Do you remember when we memorized our AIM pitch via jumping on hotel beds? Because I have yet to find a more invigorating memorization technique. But really? I miss your face. and your musk. And most of all, your MEOW.

34. Aliens Exist - Blink 182
Emiloo, Emili, Emilee, Emilow, Emlew! This has officially been the longest amount of time I have gone without smearing body lotion on your face or messing up your perfect tresses... and I'm pretty cheesed off about it. You are literally the only person whom I've peed my pants around. Oh. Wait, thats not true at all. However, you are the only person whom I have shared all of life's awkward ordeals with. And really bad Halloween costumes. And. Well. Pretty much everything. What the hell are you going to do anyway when you and Dodson go to the courthouse to get that marriage certificate and you realize I've already married us legally in the state of Vermont? And I'm not givin' us up lady!

35. Poker Face - Lady Gaga
Oh Benjy, why are you so beautiful? I think the first time I saw you in person my skin literally melted off my face. Whenever I grace all my gal pals with the presence of your pictures (which I frequently do to 1) Show off 2) well, just show off) we turn into the Tiger Beat OMGLIKEWHOA hot boy of the month fan club. But with all that aside, I'm so very glad it was you who I found on Craiglist instead of that med school Boston jerk who keeps killin' all those ladies. Shew! I'm glad I wasn't offering massages either. This song will forever remind me of your beautiful face, and maybe a little of that shuffle shuffle kick ball change, turn, step, arabesque!

36. The Missing Piece - Forgive Durden
37. Hey Momma - Kay Kay and his Weathered underground

You know Mark? The first time we held a conversation about music, I went home and quickly informed every single person I knew that I had, indeed, met my musical soul mate. The stars aligned. The birds sang. The angels literally came down from the heavens and kissed me on the face. And then you made me listen to Foxy Shazam. Really Mark?! The image was then shattered. However, you did make quite a theatrical impression on my CD library. And a huge dent in my popsicle supply. While we hardly speak, there is one thing I've been meaning to tell you, "RANCH, LISA!" Sigh.. I miss your precious soul!

38. Hands Down - Dashboard confessional

From the moment I decided to invite myself to the single most important historical event in our generation's history over a game of beer pong, I knew we were destined to share half thought out amazing experiences together. I had the MOST amount of awesome going to D.C. with you, and sharing witness to the 1st annual midnight white house egghunt. Not to mention, hope coming out of one's ass should always be shared with a friend. If at one point in time we had been given physical proximity, based on your iPod repertoire intoxicant consumption preferences, I think there is definite potential for a great friendship.

39. Valentine - The Get Up Kids

Hacky Sack King? Video Game connoiseur? Pioneer of Purple Rain? Is there anything you can't do? For some reason, every single conversation ever brought up around Bobby Glasser has ld to his inexorable expertise on the subject. And I kind of like it! Bobby you will never know how much I miss your sassy pants dancing at Echo, or Bobby G. Passout 5000 after a night of too much hot tub and booze. So, please get out of Parkersburg for 2 seconds and come visit.

40. The 59 sound - Gaslight Anthem

If someone would have told me that I moved 700 miles away from home to the biggest city in the world, only to find my personality equivalent, well, I wouldn't have believed them until I met you. And frankly? I'm really not sure if the world's ready for it. It is also invariably unlikely that I would get a long so well with said counterpart. I see a beautiful future filled with Soy Chai, rock concerts, and haphazardly offending Ms. Rathburn. Okay, maybe more premeditated not so much haphazard, but equally funny.

41. I'm Ok, You're Ok - MXPX

42. Barlow Girls - Superchic[k]
Because most of my adult life you have been 2 peas in a pod, I figured any music memory I have of one of you, will inadvertently remind me of the other. Laurie and Ash. Stinky and Smelly. I don't know what I would do at family functions without you! Probably not listen to nearly as much cool music. Probably more Rusted Root and Phish, wouldn't you agree? All I know is that my mood unquestionably improves around you two, so I think it's time for MBT to have a brief stint in NYC.

43. October Nights - Yellowcard
44. San Dimas High School Football Rules - The Ataris

When I'm feeling particularly nostalgic, my thoughts always return to you. And for the first time in, oh, 8 years I can actually listen to San Dimas without a visceral pain in my heart. With only a handful of trips under our belt, throughout countless break ups & phone calls, and roughly 1,200 miles between us, I'm still 75%-82% fond of you. Hey, in the future let's have more mornings laying around listening to Zolof and the rock n rock destroyer and less 2 year stretches of absence. Okay? Sassafras!

Now... if all of you were curious... YES. I miss you.

Love,

Mulberry