SO! Here's a list of tracks that I'm currently STOKED on (been watching too much LA Ink). In this mixtape post edition, I'll be calling forth music of the past and JUXTAPOSING it against some fresh 2009 tracks! And  in the interest of trying to avoid confusion I'm segregating them into to categories NEW(ish) and OLD. Apologies again for such a monstrous post - I don't find the time to regularly update with two or three tracks so they get backed up - maybe just download the music and then if you like the songs, you could read my thoughts on them later!

NEW(ish)

♫ Music Go Music - I Walk Alone (MP3)

I literally can't express how much I love the new Music Go Music album and how difficult it was to pick one track out, especially as the whole lot is AMAZING. It combines an old school sense of magical contrast - throwing dark, curious, gloomy lyrics up against a classic pop backing. Drawing reference from everyone from Fleetwood Mac, ABBA, Elton John and I'd say their closest musical counterparts, The Poppy Family (see below). I could probably write an essay on each of the songs but I'm going to shut-up now!

♫ Fools Gold - Surprise Hotel (MP3)

I was holding on to this to try and do a clever themed post around the new Tropical/African inspired sound that's been knocking around this year but I couldn't find enough alternative tracks to make it work! I read on the YouTube for a live version that this track sounds like 'all Congolese music' and word Congolese has been stuck in my head ever since! Anyway, now the Summer seems to be truly gone, this 'lilty' number should perk you up!

♫ Freelove Fenner - New Direction (MP3)

Now for something completely different! This is a lovely ditty, like a softer version of Electrelane with prettier vocal - I'm strangely obsessed with this and also sad that I haven't been able to find their album online.

♫ Kiss In Cities - U R My Girl (MP3)

A UK band finally (and not the last in the list)! Super saccharine electro-pop like a modern Saint Etienne - I can't figure out whether the lyrics are feminist/lesbian/sisterly! Answers on a postcard!

♫ Shystie - New Style Ft Dj Deekline (MP3)

SHYSTIE! If you don't know Shystie then here's a brief history -  she was whipped up in the faddy spiral that was grime (although she was so much more) and signed to Universe in 2004.  Her album didn't sell well and she got dropped, mostly, I'd imagine, because grime was completely P2Ped and I'd imagine because she's a lady.

Anyway, I think it's a travesty that she's not more famous than Lady Sovereign as she's way more talented - her in a tiny tent at Reading festival performing with a rock backing band was one of the best things I've ever seen! Anyway, this is a new track from her new album that apparently is going to drop this year and personally, I can't wait!

♫ Veronica Falls - Found Love In A Graveyard (MP3)

Cutesy twindie with gothic lyrics from this London band - again, does she sing 'she' at some point? Lesbian references? AMAZLE! So cute - I can't wait to here more from these!

♫ Duchess Says - Black Flag (MP3)

Lo-fi electronic histrionic punk in the same vein as Fox n Wolf.

♫ Grooms - Dreamsucker (MP3)

Guitar noisiness which gives me pangs of nostalgia for 90s lo-fi rock - specifically Urusei Yastura!

OLD

♫ Cyndi Lauper - Right Track Wrong Train (MP3)

Surreal b-side to Girls just want to have fun and one of last tracks to be written by the recently deceased Ellie Greenwich! This track is AMAZING but/and the lyrics are SO ODD! I loved reading that they used to play this in clubs because everyone knew it BECAUSE it was the b-side to GJWTHF. Aww B-sides -Internet killed the B-side star.

♫ Googoosh - Respect (MP3)

Amazing Iranian pop singer's version of the classic, Respect, from the 70s.  This version is amazing as it has a hysterical quality to it that gives it the power the lyrics convey, softened and capped by her incomplete grasp of how to sing the words in perfect English.

♫ The Fall - Oh! Brother (MP3)

I know it's a terrible reason to be giving but our collective obsession with Brix of Start (and previously of The Fall obvz) led me to revisit this old chestnut - and what a chestnut! Post-punk-alicious!

♫ The Girls - Here I Am In Love Again (MP3)

Haunting 60s female garage - you think it's going to be sweet with the title and the opening verse 'Here I Am In Love Again' but it goes on to lyrically reveal that the dark instrumentation matches the verse (like the collar matching the cuffs! HAHA!).

♫ The Poppy Family - There's No Blood In Bone (MP3)

As afore mentioned this band, in my mind, is the closest musical relative to Music Go Music! Dark lyrics with (in this case 70s) pop backing - something you never see in modern pop, especially how extremely gloomy some of the songs are on their compilation album - 'A Good Thing Lost' (one of my all time favourites)!

♫ Mc Luscious - Boom I Got Your Boyfriend (MP3)

Now on to something completely trashy and verging on the ridiculous! Early 90s (although seeming more 80s) rap song with a catchy repetitive chorus that's had me singing it in my head to the point of near insanity! BOOM I GOT YR BOYFRIEND! I GOT YOUR MAN (I GOT 'IM)!

♫ Paul Simon - You can call me Al (MP3)

I posted this classic oldie because I think it's the NATURAL bedfellow (- said in a posh voice) of Fools Gold - Surprise Hotel (posted above) although maybe it isn't Haha! Back when lyrics were a bizarre stream of consciousness that didn't need explaining!

♫ The Bostweeds - Run Pussy Cat (Fast Pussycat! Kill! Kill!) (MP3)

Unfortunately, this track was never released but I managed to find someone on P2P that had this low quality copy! If anyone has a better version, let me know. Anyway, it's from (and for) Russ Meyer's masterpiece Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! and is used during the stunning introduction to the film.