Jenn's Mix

I've made my girlfriend a mix-tape. Well, the modern day equivalent. I created a playlist on iTunes and then ripped it. Even this process seems outdated. Enough about that. What follows is a song-by-song explanation of why I chose each song. I'm trying to be John Cusack at the end of "High Fidelity" where he makes a mix-tape, using songs his girlfriend would like rather than what songs he thinks she should like. I'm not completely there yet, but hey, at least I didn't include any Slayer.

1.Beck "Strange Apparition"
This song comes from "The Information," an underrated album from the poet laureate of the 1990's. Beck channels the Stones circa "Beggar's Banquet" with maracas and a rocking piano and achieves a similar result as Mick and the boys; intimacy at a distance.

2. The Clash "Bankrobber"
I believe The Clash is the one band that every citizen on planet Earth could be a fan of. I chose this song because Jenn loves No Doubt and I would bet dollars to donuts that Miss Stefani is a big fan of this song.

3. The Band featuring Emmylou Harris "Evangeline"
A band so good they became The Band. Possibly the most talented of all rock and roll bands and certainly one of the most influential. Rumor has it that Clapton wanted to leave London, travel west to Woodstock and ask to join. On this track, Emmylou Harris does what she does best, elevating the song with her sweet, soaring Southern voice.

4. Chris Isaak "Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing"
I put this on here because it is goddamn sexy. And Jenn is goddamn sexy so there you go.

5. Junior Boys "Count Souvenirs"
This songs proves that electronica is far from soulless. I like the singer's phrasing and clever lyrics. "So please, pleeeeaaaasseee don't touch...."

6. Billy Idol "Flesh for Fantasy"
Billy was the prototype for the male punk in the 80's. The sneer, the worn-out leather jacket, the spiked, bleached hair and the dangling earring now scream of embarrassing nostalgia for a decade that is often times regarded as a wasteland of good music. If that is the case, then this song offers a welcome oasis. Sure, it falls into the trappings of that era. It's synth heavy and light on subtlety. But the sexual bravado of Idol and the incredible chorus push it past all that. What remains is one of my favorite picks when I'm in a bar that offers a jukebox.

7. Band of Horses "I Go to the Barn Because I Like the"
That's not a typo. That's the actual title of the song. I credit BOH for allowing me to fall back in love with music. I saw them live on the suggestion of a very good friend. I didn't know a single song. By the third track in the set, I was a convert. I just love this song. It's one of those sad songs that makes me feel better. And I know Jenn knows what I'm talking about.

8. Daniel Lanois "San Juan"
Mr. Lanois will most likely be remembered by the artists he produced records for (U2, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, etc). It's too bad as he is an amazing musician in his own right. I first discovered Daniel when I fell in love with the movie "Sling Blade." Lanois provided the soundtrack to the film, a haunting sound-scape that matched the intensity and rawness of the film. This song comes from the excellent album "Shine."

9. Kings of Leon "Back Down South"
It's popular to criticize KOL now that they are a hugely popular band. People complain that they don't sound like they did on their first records, that they sold out. This is what I call the "Metallica Effect." Once Metallica released "The Black Album" the shit hit the fan. They got too big. They were on heavy rotation on MTV. They were on the radio, even on the stations your dad listened to! This was sacrilegious to many of their core audience. They didn't want to share their band with the world. Many of them just wanted Metallica to continue to make "Master of Puppets" every 3 years. But I refuse to disparage a band for trying something new, even if it is an awful mess. This track is off their latest record, "Come Around Sundown." If this song is representative of what happens when artists "sell out," I'll be the first to salute your mountains of cocaine, your private jets and the stable of model girlfriends.

10. Death in Vegas "Girls"
This is the iffy one of the bunch. Jenn is not a fan of songs that are overly repetitious. This is an instrumental track with female singers who just kind of hum throughout the entire song. I love it. I'm not sure she will.

11. Johnny Cash "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"
Hey Jenn, for our first dance? I think it would be incredible. Think about it.

12. Bob Dylan "Mississippi"
This is my all time favorite song. I can listen to it 3 times a day, never get tired of it and still able to connect to it. Everybody should have a favorite song and everybody should know their significant other's favorite song.

13. The Faces "Debris"
The band that gave the world both Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood! It's a shame that this band isn't mentioned along side with Led Zeppelin or The Who. They were the punk band who didn't play punk music. For me, this is the standout track on their incredible box set "Five Guys Walk Into a Bar...".

14. George Michael "Father Figure"
I know there are plenty of jock assholes who will call me a "fag" for liking George Michael. Well, fuck them. George Michael was a pop powerhouse who was massive for two reasons; he was incredibly good looking and he was incredibly talented. Great song back then and a great song today.

15. Neil Diamond "Save Me a Saturday Night"
Rick Rubin, the greatest record producer in the history of rock and roll, reinvented Mr. Diamond much the same way he did Johnny Cash. He gave the singer a guitar and a stool and recorded what happened next. One of the great songwriters of the 20th century, Neil wrote one more that will far outlive him. Or me, for that matter.

So there it is. Fifteen songs, fifteen explanations. But I'm only looking for a single thumbs up. I'm glad I did this. Not just for her but for me. Jenn was the impetus for starting this blog. She thought I would enjoy it. She was right. She usually is.