We've covered so much; Not Enough.

I have spent an awkward smattering of time on this blog throughout the year and now it's coming to an end. The year, that is. Or maybe, I don't know. I've never been terribly consistent with this thing. It's mostly just an idle hobby, I guess.
Still, 2009 has been plentiful in its musical offerings and I like to share, so here we go. The last mixtape for 2009.

After the past couple of rapid succession posts, I kind of ran out of new ideas for mixes. I finally settled on throwing together some of my favorite covers along with some of my favorite tracks of the year. None of these songs or artists are really new to the scene or 2009-specific, but they are tracks I've worn the hell out of this past year. (I apologize to my roommate who has for sure heard 85% of this mixtape far more than she probably ever wanted to in the past couple of months).


Track 01: Florence and The Machine - "Hospital Beds (Cold War Kids Cover)"



Florence Welch's voice croons and then vaults, pitching right into the chorus of the song just as the meat of that drum kick hits. There is something so bare boned about this cover, so raw and visceral, and it shakes me as the lines spill over,

I've got one friend
laying across from me
I did not choose him,
He did not choose me

We have no chance
Of recovery
Laying in hospitals
Joy and misery

The reason why I love the Cold War Kids is because of their reckless abandon. Their music is a little bit wily and it gnashes at your ears for your attention. And I think Welch takes a big bite out of "Hospital Beds" and feasts on it furiously – gorgeously.


Track 02: Her Space Holiday - "I'll Believe in Anything (Wolf Parade Cover)

Wolf Parade's “I'll Believe in Anything” might be one of my favorite songs of all time. The ear popping synthesizer, the flat-thwack sound of the snare, the guitar riff that layers into all of it, and Spencer Krug's vocals pulled taut. It's devastating and wonderful as the symbols crash into the chorus. You're compelled to give yourself to this song. Caught between clawing inward and reaching outward, looking for an escape. The urge to be recreated, to be able to see with new eyes, to know that sunshine all over again and for the first time...
Man, if I had a quarter for every time I've let myself yearn with this song (“I could take another hit for you / I could take away the your trips from you / I could take away the salt from your eyes / Take away the spitting salt from you”), I'd be rich in so many ways.

In comparison, the cover done by Her Space Holiday is kind of a project of mixed reactions. This blog is no stranger to Marc Bianchi, I think I've featured him in at least two other posts, and I have made it pretty clear how smitten I am with him. However, his take on “I'll Believe in Anything” is a bit of a strange jewel. Bianchi sprinkles it with the twangs of a banjo and the shimmering sounds of bells. His voice is soft and boyish. Whimsical is something Her Space Holiday does well.
What makes his cover so unusual is the integration of a movie sound clip, spliced in at the beginning and end of of the song. At first, it reads as part of his quirk...Almost like a throwback to an early Ataris. (Can you believe End is Forever is almost nine years old?)
Instead of Good Will Hunting, the passages featured in “I'll Believe in Anything” are taken from early 80's film Streetwise, a movie about teens living on the streets of Seattle. A whole new story of escape is created. Suddenly this subtext of youth and street violence, underage prostitution, and drug culture is roped in and well,
“I could take another hit for you / I could take away the your trips from you / I could take away the salt from your eyes / Take away the spitting salt from you ... Look at the trees / Look at my face / Look at a place far away from here.”


Track 04: Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse - "Valerie (The Zutons Cover)"

Oh man, remember when Amy Winehouse wasn't such a hot-motherfuckin-mess? I mean, I barely do, but still. Anyway, I always thought of her cover of The Zutons' “Valerie” as her last hurrah before disintegrating into her own hair. Her voice tears into this song throatily, making the track such a good listen. I've never really caught on to The Zutons, I recognize a couple of tracks here and there but nothing really sticks. But damn, does this cover stick.
Here's a version of her covering this song a couple years ago that breaks my heart. She has such a beautiful and rich voice that is so effortless...It really is a shame.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqSKVv6YO8g


Track 05: Solange - "Stillness is the Move (Dirty Projectors Cover)"

Ok, here's an embarrassing secret: I was outraged that Solange didn't blow up into super-stardom right alongside her better known sister. I mean I appreciate Beyonce just fine, but I thought she was just as talented and (I risk being struck down by Sasha Fierce herself) more attractive. However, I may be biased because I always thought Solange looked a little bit like Mya and I have been loving Mya since forever.
Anyway, I was introduced to The Dirty Projectors this past summer and I've been a fan since. Amber Coffman boasts an impressive range and after Questlove of The Roots leaked this video of some impromptu projectin', I've found them a force to be reckoned with. So when I caught wind of Solange's cover of “Stillness is the Move,” I was ecstatic. Their song, her voice, and Erykah Badu's “Bag Lady” hook? For The Win.

Full Tracklist:

01. Florence and The Machine - "Hospital Beds (Cold War Kids Cover)"
02. Her Space Holiday - "I'll Believe in Anything (Wolf Parade Cover)"
03. Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse - "Valerie (The Zutons Cover)"
04. Solange - "Stillness is the Move (Dirty Projectors Cover)"
05. The Kooks - "Kids (MGMT Cover)"
06. The Xx - "Islands"
07. The Weeks - "Buttons"
08. Wolf Parade - "I'll Believe in Anything"
09. Say Hi - "Northwestern Girls"
10. MGMT - "Electric Feel"
11. Silversun Pickups - "Lazy Eye"
12. Lauryn Hill - "Ex-Factor"
13. Cobra Starship ft. Leighton Meester - "Good Girls Go Bad"
14. Playradioplay - "Mr. Brightside (The Killers Cover)"
15. The Dream - "Shawty is the Shit"
16. Santogold vs. Diplo - "Late Night (Unstoppable Mix)"
17. Amanda Blank - "Might Like You Better"

Download Link: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WWBRHF90

2009 has been quite a journey for me. Things have shifted, the tectonics of my life ebbing along, creating and destroying. I anticipate that 2010 will be just as busy busy busy.
I want to enter the new year sure. I resolve to enter the new year sure.
Of what, I don't know.
As long as the soundtrack is good.