Friday Afternoon/evening Mix!

Hey All. So, this mix is coming a little late in the day, I know. I just got home from an all day Autism Conference. but enough on work, IT'S THE WEEKEND!!!!! Man, I work hard for my Fridays....

So, this week's mix is a bit of a throw bag to younger years. Music really took a hold of me when i entered middle school. 6th grade was unlike anything I had experienced before, mainly because there were more (DIFFERENT!) people. Also, I feel like i finally started to think on my own, or at least based on *my friends* not my big brother. I loved making mixed tapes back then. I recycled tapes and taped stuff off the radio-usually off of New Rock 102.1. I loved that shit. So, today I'm bring you back to young (more confused) days. I hope you enjoy!

http://mixtape.me/p/15595

1. Seether-Veruca Salt. This was a toss up between Seether and Volcano Girls. I love both songs. These guys are awesome. Music like this was pretty inviting to Ladies who wanted to rock the fuck out, and these Chicago native knew how to do just that. I didn't really pay much attention to them after i went down the ol grateful dead/phish/davematthewsband/ect route.

2. Everything Zen-Bush. I think my drumming technique comes from a lot of bands like these. I think back to my old band (Euphoria). These guys LOVED to play rock and roll. If I wouldn't have listened to bands like Bush, I would never have been able to hang with those guys. Also, once, I rode an elevator back stage at a show with Bush. I was 11 and blown away!(not sure why this underlined...sorry friends)

3. Low-Cracker. I rediscovered this song in college and it went on a lot of mixes. I remember listening to this in the summer time after 6th grade. Long, uncut grass blowing in the sweet Wauwatosa .

4. Doll Parts-Hole. Courtney Love used to be crazy and awesome. now she is just crazy and stupid. I really felt like I connected to this album. But listening now, there really wasn't anything in my life that could compare to this shit. But that's OK. I love her screaming, and suffering, and all that good stuff.

5. Closer-Nine Inch Nails. Another song/band that I got more into as i got older. I still think this song is like the best dirty sex song every written, ever. period. I hear NIN and it gets me hot. Those beats and the actual music going on. that shit is HOT! But when I was a kid, it made me feel uncomfortable when this song came on and i was driving in my mom or dads car...

6.Corduroy-Pearl Jam. Vitalogy was one of my favorite albums back in the day. I had heard ten when i was young, but it was way about me. that video for Jeremy still haunts me a bit. Anyhow, I love this song, the guitar riff is so catchy. and Eddie Veder has a great voice (to me).

7. Sunday Morning-No Doubt. You all know you liked them way back when. I sure did. This sound is my ultimate favorite. I think it is super catchy. I remember the video having something to do with Spaghetti?
8.Loser-Beck. Another video I vividly remember. You all know why this is on here. it was all over the radio when we were young, and you just couldn't get away from it. Also, who the hell was Beck? what a great entry to the world.

9.Cannonball-The Breeders. I got an acoustic guitar for Christmas when I was in 5th or 6th grade. I remember sitting around and "playing along" with this song, which basically meant nothing, but me having a real good time jumping up and down and singing and strumming to this gem.

10. Creep-Stone Temple Pilots. I put the acoustic version on here because MTV Unplugged was huge during this time period. guys like STP could clean up well. I almost think the acoustic version is more powerful than the album version. I also remember sitting on my dear friend Brittany's rough in Uptown at the tender age of 22 singing this at the top of our lungs. good times.

11.Rocket-Smashing Pumpkins. I really enjoy this song. and yet again, i vividly remember the video-group of kids (mini Smashing Pumpkins) building a rocket. good one. This band was so cool at one point in time.
12.Heart Shaped Box-Nirvana. I was a hair young for Nirvana. In fact Kurt Cobain killed himself when we were in 6th grade. I remember i had *just* started listening to them when this happened. But I like this song and this album a lot.

13. Kiss Off-Violent Femmes. So, my uncle is their dentist...I think Ive said that before :) I grew up listening, loving and sort of knowing these guys. In 6th grade, all the other kids caught up and i felt WAY cool.
14. Feed the Tree-Tayna Donelly (Belly). This may have contributed to my love for trees. maybe. But really, I think she has a very pleasant voice. and again, girls rocked pretty hard back then!

15. My Name is Jonas-Weezer. The Blue album was a must have-still is. I like the pop aspect of Weezer, even those it is loud distorted guitars. The harmonies, the 6/8 drumming, well...awesome drumming. It gets me going every time i hear it.

16. Cornflake Girl-Tori Amos. I must have listened to this song a million times in 6th grade. I had never really hear Tori Amos before, and everything about this song made me want to listen to it constantly. The piano, the vocals, the lyrics, Tori (smoking hot) Amos. it is the whole package. Man, this song moved me! I don't think music had ever made me feel the way this song made me feel. and it was just the beginning...

That is my nostalgia mix for you all. I hope you remember when you were 10-13. Middle school was tough, and I feel fortunate that I had discovered music by the time i had to deal with all those catty bitches who called me a lesbian as an insult and made coming out not that easy. I'm sure y'all have middle school stories similar to that one.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND!!!!

Top 125 Albums in the last 25 years...according to SPIN

Good Day, All! Happy that it is almost the weekend? Me too. I have rock shows and humane society walks, and craftstravaganzas and polo matches and just so much more to do. But you know me, I love being busy.

This morning while i was perusing my usual blogs, I spotted a top 125 albums of the last 25 years list. Now, I'm not big on Spin magazine, so I went in skeptical. But, being a music lover, I really enjoy lists like this. I think I've read through Rolling Stones best of '09 magazine 10 times since I got it back in January. And, I don't always agree with Rolling Stone either, although I really enjoy hearing other opinions about top 10, or new stuff to look out for or whatever.

Anyhow, I read through the list-albums that have been made since 1985. I learned a handful of things during this reading. A. There is a lot of music I still haven't heard. B. Spin really likes old skool rap. C. There is a lot that goes into a top anything list. Let me just give you the top 10, and a link to the rest of Spin's list.
http://www.spin.com/spin25/125-best-albums-past-25-years#page=1


10. Nine Inch Nails-Downward Spiral (1994)
9. Pavement-Slanted and Unchanted (1992)
8. PJ Harvey-Rid of Me (1993)
7. Guns n' Roses-Appetite for Destruction (1987)
6. Public Enemy-It takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)
5. Radiohead-OK Computer (1997)
4. Nirvana-Nevermind (1991)
3. The Smiths-The Queen is Dead (1986)
2. Prince-Sign O' the Times (1987)
1. U2-Achtung Baby (1991)


A few things to note. NONE of the top 10 are from later than 1997. So, has there been no timeless/classic/worthy of top 10 ever albums made in the last 13 years? I personally disagree, but that's just me. And really, U2 at #1. REALLY?!? I don't get it. IMHO, Joshua Tree is better than that album, and still no number 1

I, myself know that a lot of people would disagree with my top 10, or top 25 albums. That is fine with me. I like that music can take a hold of everyone of it's listeners differently. That is what makes the experience so personal and meaningful. It is why music lovers feel so passionate about their tunes and albums.

Let's break it down. I think there are 2 ways of making a list like this. You can either make it about albums that YOU, yourself love and have listened to a million times (even guilty pleasures) or it can me more of a statistical thing-looking at how many records were sold, singles released, and all that jazz. I think there are certain albums that will always get thrown into lists.
For example, no matter who you are, you should recognize that The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is one of the best albums ever. Or that Funeral by Arcade Fire should be put on any "top 25 of the decade" list. But there are so many albums that were ground breaking that I just don't care for. Like Rage Against the Machine. I have never cared for them. I respect what they do and how much people LOVE them, but they just aren't for me. So they would NOT make my list. Same goes for bands like The Smiths. Just not me. I have some of their albums, and Ive given them a listen, but I still don't get it. Just "feel bad for me" music, as I like to call it. Maybe it is serious, or maybe it is a play on sad people, or maybe Morissey is a prophet....I dunno. I don't care for it. I have enough real shit in my life that gets me emotional. I don't need Morissey to put me there too. And I have plenty of friends who disagree with my feelings. That is fine. We can have separate ideas.
My top 30 list is as follows:
TOP 30 Albums of the 2000's that have influenced my musical taste and life.(not really in any particular order. too hard for me to do that right now) I can still remember the first time i heard ALL of these albums.

30.Battles-Mirrored

29.Postal Service-Give Up

28.Outkast-Speakerboxxx/the Love Below

27.Wilco-A Ghost is Born

26. Sufjan Stevens-come on hear the ILLINOISE

25. Wolf Parade-Apologies to the Queen Mary

24. Sigur Ros-( )

23.Electrelane-The Powerout

22. Spoon-Gimme Fiction

21. Bruce Springsteen-We Shall Overcome-the Seeger Sessions

20. Justin Timberlake-Future Sex/Love Sounds

19. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah-Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

18.The Decemberists-The Crane Wife

17.Fleet Foxes-Fleet Foxes

16. Iron & Wine-Our Endless Numbered Days

15. Daft Punk-Discovery

14.The Strokes-Is This It?

13. Yeasayer-All Hour Cymbals

12. Ryan Adams-Gold

11. Phoenix-Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

10. Brazilian Girls-Brazilian Girls/Talk to La Bomb

9. Girl Talk-Night Ripper

8. Kings of Leon-Aha Shake Heartbreak

7.Belle & Sebastian- The Life Pursuit

6.LCD Soundsystem- Sound of Silver

5. Arcade Fire-Funeral

4. Hot Chip-The Warning

3. Radiohead-Kid A

2. Beach House-Teen Dream

1. Modest Mouse-The Moon and Antarctica.

Yes, I am aware that their is no coldplay, brighteyes, cat power, bob dylan, bon iver, and probably a handful of other artists you may know and love. There are many reason behind that: sometimes I don't like bands that others like. Sometimes I am moved by other things. Sometimes lists that go to 30 don't have enough room. And sometimes bands (while amazing) make me feel things that I can't always handle (yes, I'm talking about bon iver....) So, that is my list. hope you enjoy. Feel free to shoot me your comments, because I know y'all have different opinions than I do.

Saturday in the Dells

This is our wonderful indoor waterpark. well, wonderful to me. I went down both slides about 10 times each (one with tube, one without) And the "lazy river" was actually a small loop through a mini cave that had fake pirates and an automated message from the pirates. Something about "so it's thee black pearl yer after...arggggg." pretty great.

We then headed out to Downtown. the next set of pictures are my favorite. some are ridiulous, some are just great. Enjoy.

This candy store is silly. We had a coupon card and we thought it was buy a pound of candy, get a pound of fudge. not the case. We picked out a bunch of fudge, only to find out it was buy one pound of fudge, get one free. Did you know a pound of fudge is $18? me either. we had to return it :( Also, all the candy we did buy ended up being old and rock hard. i was real excited for gummy coke bottles, but they were pretty much not gummy at all. I like toy guns (not really). this orange one was especially nice.

They had TON of random crap everywhere. picture the house and home section of goodwill. but worse. (school girl pug and cheerleader pug)

A friend from work told me about a bar with a weird/borderline racist name that she couldnt remember. Wasnt too hard to find. More Crap havent seen BIG in a long time. flash back. Need I say more? Amanda's favorite (Beat a Drum, Bang a Drummer) Mining for your own treasures. we didnt actually pay to do this. SMILE! You're on vacation! Big Troll. Not sure why it was in this shop. I've always wanted to go into the Haunted Mansion. But yet again, I had no takers and had to walk away empty handed AGAIN! Overlooking the river. Not warm enough for a DUCK ride. Some of the many fruity, colorful (sometimes) poorly made drinks.

We went to a Habachi dinner (Ginko of Tokyo) for Amanda's birthday. It was way cool. Spin the egg! Make a heart of rice! Get a shrimp flung into your drink, instead of your mouth! Onion Volcano! CHOP STICKS!!!! Amanda's birthday pie (French Silk from byerley's)

Casino fun! I had never been to a casino, so that was exciting. We all spent between $10 and $30 and walked away winners in our hearts! Sara actually led with playing on the same $5 for like 2 hours. Coolest slots, however the people sitting there were CAMPED OUT! Both A and I really wanted to play, but were sick of waiting. it looked real cool.

Overall, we had a fun weekend getaway. It is nice to get out of the city when it is rainy and yucky anyways. Next week-ORLANDO!!!!

FRIDAY!

Here are some pics from day one of our weekend in the Dells. More explanation and pictures to come.

Mini Fridge

Pretty Curtains and dirty bed spreads in the corner

I heart New Glarus

Hot Tub...poppin bubbley

Friday (BIRTHDAY)Mix

Happy Friday. It is especially happy for me, because I get to enjoy my weekend in the Wisconsin Dells with 3 lovely ladies. It is Amanda's(from MKE) birthday next week, so A, Sara and I are heading down to the Dells and Amanda is driving up. We are staying at the Polynesian and I CAN'T WAIT. Anyhow, being that it is one of my oldest friends birthday weekend, I thought it only appropriate to make this Friday's mix all about her, and songs we loved over the years. I hope you enjoy, Manda!

http://mixtape.me/p/15386

1. Green Eyed Lady-Sugar Loaf. I remember many of hours spent cruising around in my mini van listening to the "blazin' mix" which featured this song. I believe that was back in about 2003 or 2004? still love this song when I'm on a cruise. And, when you are listening, imagine how Fred, and Daphne and Velma on Scooby Doo danced. I think this is the kind of music they danced to and very much visualize it. Plus, if you listen to this song in headphones, or surround sound, there is some cool stuff going on.

2. There She Goes-The La's. Oh My God CUPPY! When Manda and I were in 8th grade (i think?) we first saw the Parent Trap with Lindsay Lohan. We watched it 2 or 3 times in a row, and laughed at the same parts every time. We *LOVED* this movie. I even got the sound track. I haven't watched it in years, and yes, LL is now trash, but back in the day, we loved her.

3. These Eyes-The Guess Who. When you grow up in the Mil-Rock, you get used to listening to Classic Rock. This particular Guess Who special is one of Manda and my favorites. Lots of singing along, and of course, play the air violin!

4. What's your Fantasy-Ludacris. So I know this is an old ridiculous song, but I have some vivid memories of getting down to it. Yes, there are better Luda songs, but when your 17 and skipping school for the first time with your friends to hit up the newly opened Noodle & Co. in a different city, it really does the trick.

5. Sunny Afternoon-The Kinks. This song basically explains the summer Amanda and I spent both nannying. We would meet up and force the kids we watched to play video games together while we would sneak out and smoke cigarettes behind a neighbors garage. Summer jobs when youre young are pretty fun!

6. B.O.B.- Outkast. This song was on our High School boy basketball mix and we had the pleasure of hearing it at every home game. Our team happened to be awesome and one of the players on the team even went to play in the NBA (Devin Harris). Tosa East basketball games were an awesome thing in highschool, because our cheering crowd was amazing. We were known as one of the hardest Home Gyms to play in, because we had amazing, loud, crazy cheers that made even the best shake in their sneakers. (WALMART TIE-DYE!)

7. Magic Man-Heart. Who doesn't like heart. Manda and I sure do. I actually wanted to put Crazy on you on here, but could not find a decent version. For whatever reason, this song brings me back to our group of friends watching Virgin Suicides in my basement. That may or may not have been the same night we found porn in one of parents secret stashes and watched it in fast forward. To say we all left HS virgins is almost an understatement....but that is just one of the many things that makes our group of friend unique.

8. Crazy in Love-Beyonce Knowles. One of the best pop songs ever. This song comes a little later in our friendship, but worthy of putting on this birthday mix. I know your style, Manda!

9.Happy Birthday-The Beatles. there are a lot of songs dedicated to birthdays. I still find this to be the best birthday hit ever. Happy Birthday!

10. Big Poppa-Notorious BIG. 10 Things I hate about You, and also, classic Manda house party hip hop. As long as I have know Manda, she has known almost every word to every song we here. Even intense rap's where i cant tell WTF the guy is saying, Amanda is spitting it out, and in time and whatnot. This is another cruise tune, IMHO.

11. Love Train- The O'Jays. When this song was on a Pepsi commercial, or whatever back in 96-97, Amanda loved it. She had a nice little dance to it (we were in 7th grade) and her Dad bought her the single. Oh Russy. what a sweetheart.

12. Two Step-DMB. Yes, I'm over DMB, but those first 4 or 5 albums ruled my life. This particular song reminds me of back in the day when Manda had a downstairs bedroom, and a giant trampoline in the back yard and we would put her boombox in the window of her room, face to the back yard and jump all night long. We tried to sleep on that thing once, but we all sunk into the middle. Actually, this song reminds me of the night when "i needed some Butter..."

This version (live of course) was actually recorded on MY birthday back in 2003.

HOPE YOU ENJOY AMANDA!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
*songs that were meant to be on here, but i couldn't find: Ordinary Angels, Frente!, Break you Off-the Roots, any Willy Porter)