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Ben Kweller

February Mix

Yes, this is actually a mix of music that includes a song by Crash Test Dummies.

The Way We Get By

The Way We Get By

“The Way We Get By” is just ridiculously catchy. I’ve been listening to a mix of about 40 songs at work this week, and this one never fails to shake me free of that awful day job trance.

Cosmik Debris

Cosmik Debris

Frank Zappa’s Apostrophe is required listening for me on road trips. It’s like a short vacation inside Robert Crumb’s head. You’ve got huskies whizzing in the snow, fur trappers beating up baby seals, St. Alphonzo serving up pancakes, and, well, Nanook.

"I've Seen It All" by Bjork

January Mix

A mellow, folk mix involving Bjork, Sam Phillips, Beck, and The Story.

Joe Strummer

Death or Glory

Part of my excitement came from my having misheard the lyrics. I could have sworn that the gravel voice was screaming, “Fuck the casbar! Fuck the casbar!”

Sea Change

Already Dead

Further (anecdotal) evidence that the record companies are pointing their fingers in the wrong direction: Sea Change is the first Beck album I have purchased, and I never would have done so had I not… Already Dead

It's Alright, Baby

It’s Alright, Baby

I found this song of the moment, “It’s Alright, Baby” by Komeda, on the Gilmore Girls soundtrack. It’ is Euro-retro-pop at its most infectious. Just a fantastic song.

Bathsheeba Smiles

Bathsheeba Smiles

I’m on a quest for the perfect pop song. “Bathsheba Smiles” isn’t quite perfect, but it comes awfully darn close: an infectious melody, a sing-along chorus, a simple chord progression, and a sweet lyric. Heck, you could almost dance to it.

Chocolate City

Chocolate City

And when they come to march on ya / Tell ’em to make sure they got their James Brown pass / And don’t be surprised if Ali is in the White House

Grace, Too

Grace, Too

It’s something about that bass line and the way that Gord Downie unleashes the line, “Armed with will and determination / And grace, too,” that rips me up.

Up

A lot has changed in ten years. Well, except for Peter Gabriel, who has apparently spent much of the decade holed up in Real World Studios, listening to his old albums, looping African percussion tracks, and twiddling with his Mac.

Thinking About Tomorrow

Thinking About Tomorrow

I just spent the last hour in nirvana, listening to Beth Orton’s new album, Daybreaker. Soooooo good. 51 minutes of music without a single weak spot.