June Mixtape: Songs of Summer ’08

Summer is officially here! And what better a way to ring in summer than with my first ever monthly mixtape! This mixtape is composed of the songs that I have been listening to most over the past month. As you can see, my musical choices are very seasonal. Pretty much all of the songs on my mix are happy summer jams. But don’t worry, it wont always be this cheery (just wait until fall). So enjoy these tunes, some old, some new, all very appropriate for partying the night away (or slip n’ slide).

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1. Fleet Foxes – She Got Dressed
This remains one of my favourite Fleet Foxes songs, even though the full length is brilliant. It is the first song off of their self titled EP that was released in 2006. I actually prefer this EP to the critically revered Sun Giant EP. Anyways, this is an awesome song. At least i think so.

2. Coldplay – Viva La Vida
So far this is the track that I really like on the new Coldplay album. It may have something to do with this amazing Apple Ad. Nevertheless, great song. Now the question remains…is this for real?

3. CSS – Rat is Dead (Rage)
This is the first taste of the new CSS album. I like this song a lot. Hopefully the rest of the album will be as good. I had a dream last night that Lovefoxxx quit the band and that she wasn’t on the new album at all. Weird.

4. The Ting Tings – Fruit Machine
Catchy little summer jam. I don’t care what Pitchfork says, these guys are awesome.

5. M.I.A. – Paper Planes
I’m kind of obsessed with this song. This and “Jimmy” are pretty much the only songs I like on M.I.A.’s new album, but this is song is just gangsta!

6. Hot Chip – Ready For the Floor
This song just kicks ass. As does Hot Chip’s (not so) new album.

7. Cut Copy – Feel The Love
I fell in love with this song a few months ago and then I totally forgot about it. Until I was out shopping in NYC and i heard it in the store Forever 21 (I was waiting while my girlfriend was trying on clothes), and I couldn’t remember how I knew it or who it was by. So after much thought I finally remembered that is was Cut Copy. There’s nothing I hate more than hearing a song, being able to sing along, and having no clue what it is.

8. MGMT – The Youth
I have finally succumbed to MGMT. Ever since I saw them open for Of Montreal 3 years ago, I have been seeing their name pop up here and there but I never really took notice, because of that performance that I didn’t really care for. It turns out they actually make some pretty nice music, as I have recently discovered. This is song is pure greatness.

9. Rose Melberg – Each New Day
This is just a completely beautiful song, by one half of the Softies. I honestly can never get enough of the Softies.

So there you have it. I hope you like my first ever monthly mixtape. If you would like me to send you a copy of this mix just give me your email and it’s yours.

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I miss the Softies

I wish more than anything that the softies would get back to together and make about 10 more albums. They have left us with some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard. With only a couple of guitars and their soft, breathy voices harmonizing along, they have left us with music that is good for the best of times and the worst. I don’t know if anybody even knows who they are because I’ve never heard anybody talk about them, but they deserve much more recognition than they receive, even though they’re not together anymore.

So go out and buy the CD It’s Love, or Holiday in Rhode Island, sit under a tree on a nice sunny day, or curl up by the window on a sad and rainy day and fall in love with the softies, because it’s kind of hard not to.

The Best Days

By the way, Rose Melberg, one half of the softies, is still making music. Well kinda. Her last solo album was released in 2006 and was called Cast Away the Clouds. Here’s a live performance of the song “Each New Day” off of that album:

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