Fly High, Duluth! blog: Mix Tape Appreciation Society No. 7

Here lies a mix tape. Hope you have your headphones on.

1. Rob Swift - "This Recording..." [FREE MP3]

A nice little intro before ...

2. Lazerbeak - "Salt and Sea" [FREE MP3]

... the debut solo single from Doomtree producer extraordinaire Lazerbeak!

3. Psalm One - "Top Bottom" [FREE MP3]

I love the confidence: "If I ain't on your playlist, your playlist is irrelevant."

4. Cloud Cult - "You'll Be Bright (Invocation, Pt. 1)"

Check out this gem from my recent interview with Cloud Cult's Shawn Neary: "The demos we receive from Craig (Minowa) are usually demos in name only: They’re the finished song with most — if not all — of the parts laid down by Craig on either the instrument proper or on synthesizer."

5. The Eastern Sea - "The Name" [FREE MP3]

This Austin foursome is one of my new favorite bands. The group's sound is all at once fresh and eerily reminiscent of something else in my collection. ... Of course I can't name it on cue, so strike that comment from the record: The Eastern Sea is decidedly one-of-a-kind!

6. Blueprint feat. Illogic - "Pain" [FREE MP3]

Cool: My favorite rapper from Columbus, Ohio, is also a huge Who fan. On this one he raps over the unforgettable synthesizer sounds found on "Won't Get Fooled Again."

7. The Posies - "She's Coming Down Again!"

I know I say this about a different record every week, but ... "Blood/Candy" is quite possibly my album of the year. So, so, ridiculously good. This is just one highlight.

8. Paper Route - "Tennessee"

Don't let the fact that this Nashville group tours with marginally talented acts like Paramore and Owl City throw you: This is beautiful, piano-laden music. 

9. DJ Shadow - "Def Surrounds Us"

Epic ... just epic.

10. The Winebirds - "The Solution"

From my review of “Séance Hill”: The Winebirds are three guys and two girls — all Portland natives — crafting tunes that are A) as indie-tastic as Belle & Sebastian, B) as radio-friendly as Fleetwood Mac or Rilo Kiley and C) inherently timeless.

11. The Lonely Forest - "Turn Off This Song and Go Outside"

Fresh air? What a novel idea.

12. Cee Lo Green - "ChamPain" [FREE MP3]

It won't get the crowds going like "F--- You," but it's enjoyable nonetheless.

13. K.Raydio feat. JDante - "Catchy Hook"

This one, on the other hand, could work wonders at your next dance party.

14. Rah Digga feat. Redman - "This Ain't No Lil' Kid Rap" (Dirty Remix)

Redman, in small doses, is a MF-ing genius.

15. The Junior League Band - "So I Want Out"

This sounds so much like a whiskey-soaked She & Him, you could definitely have some fun messing with an unsuspecting hipster or two.

16. Free Energy - "Hope Child" [FREE MP3]

Brendan Benson reincarnate?

17. Mr. Lexx - "Brand New Ride"

Completely obnoxious if you're in a bad mood, bloody magic if you're on a sugar high.

18. BNLX - "Got Needs"

Do I hear a hint of "Twin Peaks" in this otherwise upbeat number?

19. Rakaa - "Delilah"

Good stuff ... despite its ho-hum production.

20. Smoosh - "We are Our Own Lies" [FREE MP3]

Going for Top 40 adds? Still, it's Smoosh.

21. Jessie Torrisi - "X in TeXas" [FREE MP3]

Perhaps my fascination with "Dawson's Creek" influenced this middle-of-the-road song selection....

Even though he hasn't had a regular radio gig since he was the program manager at Thunder Web Radio (now KDSU) in Fargo, Budgeteer editor Matthew R. Perrine likes to make mix tapes like he's going to play them on the air someday. This here Mix Tape Appreciation Society is a continuation of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul." Enjoy!