Every month when I make these mixes, I find it to be such a cathartic output of all that's happening around me. And the music reflects it (just listen to my Best of 2010 mix to remember that it was coming after an AWFUL few months. Hi, Depression Central.) And this month, well, it's had its ups & downs. Which is basically the understatement of the year. From the amazing, lifechanging experience that was Lollapalooza to the lull afterwards, I feel like August 2010 ebbed and flowed like no other. And as it comes to a close in less than 24 hours, I sense this is somewhat of a turning point for me. There was August, and then there was everything after. Thus the title, with all due respect to Counting Crows for the inspiration (and throwing in one of my favorite songs of theirs to pay homage.)
Now, to the songs.
August is the end of the summer for many of you; for us in San Francisco, it's usually the beginning of the nicest few months of weather. So I wanted to make mention of that; I've included two songs - All Summer, a remix by Converse (yep, the shoe people) and Sleep All Summer, a glorious duet between Annie Clark (St. Vincent) and The National that makes me weep with delight. The general vibe of the mix is pretty upbeat - I challenge you to find something poppier and catchier than the new potty-mouthed Cee-Lo song 'F*ck You' - but there's also some slower, more orchestral tracks, like The Walkmen's first single - Stranded - off their upcoming album. My favorite physician-turned-design junkie, Jay Parkinson, turned me on to the new Menomena album, which I HIGHLY urge you all to get. He's right - it's going to be one of the best of the year. And we know my obsession with The National; You Were a Kindness is the yet unreleased single that was included in a live in-studio session in Minneapolis. (I love it so much I transcribed all the lyrics. Is there anything more tragic yet gloriously authentic than admitting that you're a 'confident wreck'? Methinks no.) By the time I release these mixes, I'm usually sick of the songs on them; this month, however, I've been playing it on repeat. Download it yourself and hopefully you'll feel the same way.
1. All Summer: KiD CUdI, Rostam Batmanglij & Bethany Constantino
2. Ready to Start: Arcade Fire
3. What Did My Lover Say? (It Always Had to Go This Way): Wolf Parade
4. Next Girl: The Black Keys
5. Boy: Ra Ra Riot
6. Animal: Neon Trees
7. F*ck You: Cee-Lo Green
8. Oh My God: Cults
9. Solitude is Bliss: Tame Impala
10. Stranded: The Walkmen
11. Queen Black Acid: Menomena
12. Sleep All Summer: St. Vincent and The National
13. Heart Skipped a Beat: The xx
14. Love is All I Am: Dawes
15. Have You Seen Me Lately: Counting Crows
16. You Were a Kindness: The National
17. West Coast: Coconut Records
18. In The Aeroplane Over the Sea: Neutral Milk Hotel
PS: That awesome photo that serves as this month's album art was taken from sidestage at Lollapalooza. It's Scott of Frightened Rabbit singing an acoustic version of Poke, which gives me chillbumps everytime I think of it.
Aww. I had "West Coast" on repeat play not that long ago it seems.. actually might be fitting again.
Posted by: Kim | September 12, 2010 at 09:35 AM