MixTape #2

Okay,

Another 5 song mix, randomly selected by iTunes.

Enjoy.

Oh yeah, and I've decided to separate Fun w/ iTunes from these posts, that I am now affectionately referring to as the Mixtape Volumes. Yup yup.

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1.

Artist: My Chemical Romance

Song: Cemetery Drive

Album: Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge

I have listened to this album very little (much to my sister's chagrin, I'm sure) but I kind of dig it. Sure, it's not music meant for a 28-year-old man but if we're talking pure listenability, I give it a passing grade.

2.

Artist: Sam Roberts

Song: Where Have All The Good People Gone

Album: We Were Born In A Flame

Why is that Canada's most popular cultural export of the past decade is Nickelback and not Sam Roberts?

Great song by a great performer.

3.

Artist: Jeff Buckley

Song: Hallelujah

Album: Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All-Time (#259)

Hands down, the absolute best version of this song. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Of note: not even Leonard Cohen's original is featured on the Rolling Stone list.

That's how convincing Buckley's performance is.

4.

Artist: The Beta Band

Song: Gone

Album: Hot Shots II

His voice reminds me of taking a big swig of cough syrup and going to bed.

Full disclosure. I learned about this band the way everyone else did:

Jack Black in High Fidelity

5.

Artist: Bloc Party

Song: Like Eating Glass

Album: Silent Alarm

A pitch-perfect way to kick-off your first album.

So much to love about this song, but, my favourite aspect has to be the

subtle, Gregorian-chant backing vocals during the second verse.

"We've got crosses on our eyes..."

Verdict:

You could play me a 5-song mix that consisted of 4 rounds of "Cottoneye Joe" and one play of "Hallelujah" and I'd still give it a thumbs up. Luckily, Buckley is buoyed here by Sam Roberts and Bloc Party, so even if the other 2 songs aren't complete blockbusters I still came away with a pretty solid mix.

Let the great experiment... continue!