Screw Popstars! “Mixtape” #2

Tracklist:

1. El Explorador – Story of an Artist (Daniel Johnston cover)

2. The Ghost Orchid – Living Daylights

3. Death Cab For Cutie – I Will Possess Your Heart

4. The Swirlies – In Her Many New Found Freedom

5. 65daysofstatic – Goodbye, 2007

6. Lullatone – The Bedtime Beatbox

7. Samamidon – Head Over Heels (Tears For Fears cover)

8. Midlake – Roscoe (Wizards’ Sleeve remix)

9. Tenebre – Lies and Libations

10. Tinyfolk – Five Years (David Bowie cover)

11. Vangelis – Blush Response

12. Oh, Apollo! – Arizona

13. Elton John – Tiny Dancer

14. Will Oldham – Emmanuel

(click picture to download)

(note: there are some typos on the names of the tracks if you could just correct it after downloading, please do. Thank you very much)

Laura is an Australian post-rock band that at first listen, I must admit, sounds like every other post-rock band out there. Though, they did grow on me after a couple of listens. And with every listen, I hear something new from them which is quite an amazing feat to achieve when you’re a band in a sea of similar-sounding bands. Subtle electronics, huge wall of sound, cathartic build-ups, atmospheric calm parts, cello, piano, “twinkling guitars”, steady drumming, minor vocal parts, amazing melodies, CATHARSIS. Laura has it all. And they don’t sound boring and bored (which is a feeling I get when listening to some of the similar-sounding bands). The songs are long, but they don’t drag.

If You Like:
Explosions In The Sky, Mono, The Appleseed Cast, 65daysofstatic

Laura – Mapping Your Dreams
http://www.mediafire.com/?4dryx9szgcy

Laura’s myspace

http://www.myspace.com/lauranoise

Laura’s website

http://www.wearemappingyourdreams.com/

NOTE: This is only according to the ones I read this year. If you think I have been a bit biased, then think away. But once I do get to read the others, and my opinions might change, I’ll be sure to let you know.

BEST SUPERHERO COMIC:

Astonishing X-Men

Joss Whedon’s run of AXM is one of the best runs this year, if not ever. This title is also responsible for making Cyclops a bad-ass again. THANK GOD! The artwork by John Cassaday is marvelous, pun intended. It’s just a bit depressing that he’s now taking a break from comics (I’m not sure, but I’ve heard it was the case). Here’s to hoping that Warren Ellis’ run will be as good or even better than Mr. Whedon’s run.

BEST SUPERHERO:

Cyclops

Like I said above, Cyclops transformed from I character I started to hate, to a character I started to love again. He’s bad-ass, he’s got a hot wife. And he’s a leader. The cyclops I remember from when I started reading X-Men in the first place.

Hottest Comic Book Babe:

Emma Frost

OH… MY… LORD…

BEST EVENT:

Messiah Complex

4 words… FIRST MUTANT SINCE M-DAY.

Now, everybody has been raving about the Sinestro Corps War, but to be frank, I haven’t been following the DCU the past year. I don’t know why. I like DC. I read DC books. But nothing has peaked my interest during the past year. And since I lack the cash to add shit to my pull list, I kind of ignored stuff that I later came to regret ignoring. Sinestro Corps War is an example. So, during the next year, I promise I will catch up on the DCU while still keeping an eye on Marvel. Hopefully, my money won’t run out.

BEST CREATOR-OWNED/INDY COMIC:

Criminal

I have raved about Mr. Brubaker in the past, so you don’t need anymore background information. This is a crime story. A crime story that works on so many different levels, but yet is able to maintain it’s own style and is both a throwback and an homage to one of the genres that is close to my heart… CRIME FICTION. It was a road traveled a lot, but Mr Brubaker managed to find a way to make his own trail. The artwork by Mr. Sean Phillips is stunning as well. And he draws amazing cars. I just have to say it. YOU DRAW CARS GOOD, SEAN PHILLIPS.

WRITER OF THE YEAR:

Ed Brubaker

Yes. I may be acting like a total fanboy. Him and Geoff Johns have been neck and neck this year. I like Geoff Johns. I like JSA. But I don’t know. I’m looking for something that I only found in Mr. Brubaker and I don’t even know what that is. Then again, I haven’t read Sinestro Corps War. (DAMN I HAVE TO READ THAT). So yeah, in my opinion, Ed Brubaker has written amazing stuff during the past year. His body of work encompassed a lot and that only shows that he is a versatile writer, with a lot of skill and dedication and his own distinct style.

Artist Of The Year:

John Cassaday

I would just have to say it. Astonishing X-Men looks good. His art is amazing. He is quite talented. I loved his work on Planetary. And I loved his work on Astonishing.

—–

Like I said, I read more Marvel this year than DC. I don’t know. Marvel got me into comic books, and now felt like the time to keep in touch with “my roots” once again. Resulting in a neglect of the entire DCU and missing out on the good shit that came out this year. I did read some DC titles, and all of them I loved. So I’m going to reccomend them.

first one, THE TRIALS OF SHAZAM!

A literal shake-up of the Shazam! mythos where everyone gets promoted. Captain Marvel becoming Shazam, etc. Freedy Freeman now has to prove himself in order to acquire the powers of the old Captain Marvel.

JSA

I like Geoff John’s writing here. Also, Alex Ross’ cover art is stunning. I especially like the one with Power Girl on the cover.

There you have it, that was my year in comicland.

Top 20 Songs That Made My Year

1. Pele – Nighttime Stomach

Countless nights, I fell asleep to this wonderful piece of music. Calming… relaxing.

2. Phil Ochs – Tape From California

A bit old-timey, but a bit of retro folk doesn’t hurt.

3. The Smiths – There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

I know it’s a fucking safe answer, but it’s a darned good song and I will put it.

4. The Smiths – Reel Around The Fountain

Yes. Good bass on this one. Listen to both versions. Both are pretty good.

5. The Smiths – Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want

I started listening to this again after hearing a cover on the soundtrack of This Is England. This is Jon Cryer’s emo song in Pretty in Pink. LULZ

6. Braid – Baby Now That I’ve Found You

Probably my favorite cover of a song I liked in the first place. Their cover of The Smiths’ This Charming Man and There Is A Light That Never Goes Out kicks ass as well.

7. Third Eye Blind – Losing A Whole Year

It all started with a lulzy conversation between me and Tomi that ended in a nostalgia trip that lasted for a while.

8. Radiohead – Fake Plastic Trees

A clear inspiration for i love you… in real life’s first song, Fossil Fuel

9. Belle And Sebastian – Is It Wicked Not Care

I don’t know why, but I don’t want to comment on it. It’s just a good song with a good video that I have seen a bunch of times this year.

10. Tears For Fears – Everybody Wants To Rule The World

One of the coolest, if not the coolest song ever made pretty much because it’s used in the closing credits of Real Genius, when everybody was playing around in the popcorn. VAL KILMER! YOU USED TO BE COOL!

11. Belle And Sebastian – Seymour Stein

Yes, I listen to old sad bastard music.

12. Jets To Brazil – Starry Configurations

It’s simple, but it’s got the hook.

13. The Polyphonic Spree – Running Away

This is, correct me if I’m wrong, the lead single from their new full length. More focused, more “rock oriented”, but still with that TPS charm and catchiness and ear for melody.

14. The Polyphonic Spree – Light And Day (Reach For The Sun)

What got me into them in the first place. FOLLOW THE DAY AND REACH FOR THE SUN!

15. The Polyphonic Spree – Love My Way

An amazing cover of an already good Psychedelic Furs song.

16. The Polyphonic Spree – Lithium

It sounds different when they sing it, angst-less.

17. Of Montreal – Erroneous Escape into Erik Eckles

LET’S GET RETRO! They sound like they came straight from the 70′s. Recommended for driving. Shame I forgot to put this in my “Top 5 Road Trip Records”.

18. Of Montreal – Eros’ Entropic Tundra

Have you ever heard a song that basically speaks to you, fits you, that it’s almost as if it was speaking your mind? This is my song.

19. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – Pangea

Catchy, poppy, lo-fi. What more do you need?

20. Minus The Bear – El Torrente

My favorite Minus The Bear song by far. (yes, not Pachuca Sunrise) Great lyrics.

Records That Made My Year

1. Animal Collective – Feels

Yes. I listen to Animal Collective. I’m hip. It’s good. Weird crazy folky poppy stuff.

2. Devendra Banhart – Rejoicing In The Hands

Good stuff. Favorite track, “This Beard Is For Siobahn”. He has this weird annoying voice that doesn’t annoy me at all. He’s also a talented guitar player, even though he plays simple stuff. You could hear it in the way he finger-picks.

3. The Brother Kite – Waiting For The Time To Be Right

Probably my favorite “new musical discovery” this year. They sound like a cross between The Beach Boys and My Bloody Valentine. Good combination if you ask me.

4. Immortal Technique – Revolutionary Vol. 2

Most probably the best Hip-Hop album I have ever heard. Witty, smart, vulgar, and socially conscious. Immortal Technique has a way with words, and he speaks the truth.

5. Thrice – The Alchemy Index Vol. 1 and 2 (Fire and Water)

It’s like they listened to too much Isis and Radiohead. I sort of like this better than Vheissu. ZOMFGBLASPHEMER!

6. Tigers Are Out, Bears Are In – Groups Of Domesticated Kittens Are Referred To As Kindles EP

A bit biased. But it’s a damn good EP, and I am proud of being a part of it.

7. Radiohead – In Rainbows

Yes. The latest from Radiohead. Haven’t listened to disc 2 yet. But disc 1 was incredible. Awesome music. And I should also add, clever strategy on how they sold the record. But I know you’ve heard enough about it already.

8. Beulah – The Coast Is Never Clear

My absolute favorite Beulah record. All of the songs are amazing, but my favorite would be Gravity’s Bringing Us Down. I swear, if I could hear one song over and over again, that would be it. Then I again, it depends on my mood.

9. Neutral Milk Hotel – In The Aeroplane Over The Sea

A lot has already been said about this one, so I won’t add anymore since I will basically say the same thing… okay, here goes.. GENIUS.

10. Brand New – Fight Off Your Demons

The demos from their “Devil and God” sessions. Amazing songs indeed, even the songs not included in the final record. And the songs sound good. You would mistake it for an actual record.