ColdMiser wrote:
I know. I know.

 ColdMiser wrote:
Excellent moderation Sir!

Just a quick note from your friendly moderator of the organization. Summer is over you slackers! If you're behind in your reviews get them done. When it's feasible try and get the review in within a few weeks of getting the mix in the mail. 
Up next in the rotation for September is SeriousLee. Hope he has some good Canadian cooking coming our way. 
Now back to our program in progress. 

 Lazy8 wrote:
Here we go, another quality mix from the hills of Montana. Always a pleasure to the ears. So let's dig into the strangeness. 

Big Thief - Welcome back to the RPMCC stage! I haven't heard a bad tune from these guys here yet. 
Amelia Coburn - Where do you find these gems! I liked this from the start and played it on repeat 4 times before moving onto the next tune. Meandering and interesting lyrics set to a waltzing rhythm. "witnessing crows in their murder", I mean who writes like that? My favorite on the disc and in the running for best new song of the year for me. 
Cross-eyed and Painless - Awesome percussion, just a master class in Cowbell
Hourglass - Real good deep cut from Squeeze. What happened to those guys? They were all over the place back in the day. 
Sufjan - Such a unique artist, song structures and quirky lyrics are his signature. Death with Dignity indeed!
Sam Beam and Jesca Hoop - Nice harmonies here.
Beck - I can take or leave this guy, but I like the way he works the harmonica into this track. 
Running from Mercy - The Duchess of Coolsville! All time top 5 artist in the Cold Miser pantheon. Love her voice. Songwriting extraordinaire! Good selection. 
I'm With Her - Lazy 8 Special! Probably discovered in some Bozeman roadhouse. 
Seed of Wonder - More Hoop! Not too much of a good thing either, she's the goods. 
The Romeos - I'll bet these guys kick it live! 
REM - These guys were so good, nice to hear a deep cut I'm not familiar with. 
Tiny Cities Made of Ashes - I knew a bartender in Manhattan that was a huge Modest Mouse fan. I haven't thought of him in quite awhile. "The world is my Ashtray" odd tune, odd ending. Dare I say "Strange"?

Very good flow of artists. Reminiscent of good college radio from back in the day. Interesting artwork, the cover evokes a religious experience forthcoming. The back cover looks like Washington crossing the Delaware with Sumo Wrestlers in the boat. Maybe I'm just seeing things. 
I'm going to close with a plagiarized review comment from the Amelia Coburn website. "Lazy8 is a literate folk-goth. His song selections flicker in the moonlight, they look longingly through the mist"
Great job as always Marty!



. 

 Lazy8 wrote:
Highlights for me: 

Simulation Swarm - Big Thief -  This band sound is so diverse I have not delved deep into their work but I have really liked everything I have heard so far and this is no exception. Great production crystal clear especially in percussion and guitar. Lead singer has a real pop quirkiness in this tune used to her rocking out. The guitar is really crunchy and different and mixed way to the front which isn't always a good thing but this time it is.

See Saw - Amelia Coburn -  Sounds a lot like Stereolab would like to know the instrumentation they are using there is a lot going on back there. 

This may surprise but this reminds of the Doors too.   In any event I really like it.  As far as lyrics I am never the guy to go to for lyric interpretation in the first place so I have a feeling will be equally lost throughout this mix.

Serpent Charmer - Sam's from a little town about 50 miles northwest of where I sit. Pride of Chapin. I am so glad the banjo has been so incorporated in contemporary music and Sam is definitely a part of the reason. Classic Iron and Wine syncopation with a little Matthew Sweet style guitar effects for good measure.

Crosseyed and Painless - Talking Heads -  Never heard this one really cool. I have no idea really why but am feeling a little Zappa in this track. This is one of the better songs I have heard from the Heads me likey! I rarely know what Byrne is talking abeet so you could almost put any Talking Head song on this mix nevertheless glad you picked this one. Percussion is top notch.

Four Seasons In One Day - Crowded House - Oh wow I forgot all about this song so nice to hear again. Just beautiful what a terrific melody and Neil's vocal is astounding.

Hourglass - Squeeze -   Fun ditty that conjurs peach, teal and white no socks loafers frosted tips maybe even a head band but most certainly a bad attitude afternoons in the gym and nights in the club. Gawd what a horrible wonderful time.

Death With Dignity - Sufjan Stevens - Favorite song of the mix so far. I love Sufjan anyway but this actually does not sound like him to me the music does but not his voice. Love it either way but because I think Elvis got left off am not sure of song order now so we will see. In any event I love this song.

Lamb You Lost - Sam Beam and Jesca Hoop - Second most favorite song in the mix so far. Very catchy.

Krill - Hail Mary Mallon - I know this is Aesop must be a side project will look this up gotta look up the other emcees I actually am enjoying their verses better than Aesops. Great beat.

Hell Yes - Beck - Anything from Beck gets a Hell yes from me. One of my favorite artist. Along with Tom Waits and Dylan he dominates my library.

Ancient Light - I'm With Her - Never heard of them but I absolutely adore this. Terrific melodies and the fiddle completely elevates it to something more. Can't really categorize it and those are usually the best songs. Is that Chris Thile I hear sprinkled in background there somewhere?

Find the River - REM - This band kinda lost me after Out of Time and like many other pretentious music snobs I probably over glamorize the IRS years but dammit! 

Tiny Cities Made of Ashes - Modest Mouse - Never heard this song but I think there are a number of other songs with the same name whats up with tiny cities and ashes? 

****The Elvis track was left off so I searched it on Youtube. I don't mind but you will probably be hearing from Elvis's lawyers. 

 Moods For Moderns - Elvis Costello - I have always liked Elvis but have developed a new appreciation of how good a songwriter he is after watching that documentary about the remaking of the Dylan Basement Tapes it was very impressive indeed to see him apply his craft.


Nice easy listening mix and I can't even understand the lyrics of a lot of songs that are supposedly self evident so yea you're guess is as good as mine! Thanks for putting this together.

 Lazy8 wrote:
Seeing none...

The theme for this disc is a simple question: what the hell is song even about? What do these lyrics mean?

I don't know. If I spend the rest of my life failing to figure them out it will have been time well spent, and I still love these songs. I hope you do too. 

Anybody still missing a disc from me?

 Lazy8 wrote:

Got it today!

 Dejaveux wrote:

Thanks for the stellar review! I will have to look into Bowie's version of America. The only other one I've heard is the one by Yes, that depending on my mood either sucks or is the greatest cover ever. 

 miamizsun wrote:
mine came down from the mountains in the Granite State

 KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:
mine washed up on a beach...

 Dejaveux wrote: Found me in the lowly desert.

 Lazy8 wrote:


Reached me in the boonies.

 ColdMiser wrote:
I was excited to see this theme I have never been particularly outwardly patriotic and certainly not jingoistic, but lately I have been feeling more appreciative of just how great this country really is. I think the World Cup and the worlds reaction to us really drove it home pun intended of how I don't think we appreciate how good we have it compared to the rest of the world.

Highlights for me:


America - Simon & Garfunkel - One of those artist that the older I get the more I appreciate I actually like Bowie's version better but this is a must in any patriotic context.

Song For America - Kansas - Other than the album Point of Know Return an album I obsessed over as a teenager I have never explored their deeper tracks of course they are amazing musicians and the clarity of this live performance is astonishing. Steve Walsh is one of the most underrated rock singers of all times.

Proud to be an American - The Tubes Like many others until recently I had no idea the rich and diverse history of The Tubes. Talk about an underrated band. BTW there is no way in Hell I would of guess this is The Tubes without being told...crazy.

Indian Reservation - Paul Revere & The Raiders - This song was everywhere when I was a kid and I was there for it. I think this is one of the greatest songs of the 70s and that is saying something.

The Size of My Fist - The Woodrow Wilsons - Without the bells this is ok, but with them...well lets just say I love bells and they elevate just about anything.

Dead Presidents - The J Geils Band - Cannot go wrong with a good old blues song especially with harmonica and double entendre triple even.

The Day John Kennedy Died - Lou Reed - Reed gets a lot of hate, I get it he's an asshole who wasn't with those guys, he is not the greatest guitar player or a particularly good singer....wait where was I going? Oh yea I love his music, he is kinda like Russell Crowe or Shia Lebouf they show up at my door and I am like oh just come on in you big oaf let me grab you a beer. I just like them watta u gonna do?

James K. Polk - They Might Be Giants - I have always loved this song and thought it was absolutely imperative it was also imperative that TMBG perform it.

Dirty Water - The Standells - Klassic. Booty shakin.

Dog looking at me funny kinda like there is a thunderstorm approaching or something.

Fall in Philadelphia - Hall & Oates - Other than their classic 70s hits they were very hit and miss early in their career they became much more consistent and found themselves in the 80s. This one is really smooth love the piano. Man Daryl can sing, shame about their relationship.

Raining in Philadelphia - Counting Crows - Another band that gets a lot of hate, but not by me. I think they are totally legit and are fantastic songwriters. His voice is one of those most either love or hate but it is fine by me. This one is nice more sparse than their usual fare. The accordion just brings everything to another level.

Independence Day - Elliot Smith - One of those very few artist for me that I have yet to find a song I did not like from and this is no exception. I have heard that there are some people that don't get him, that's their problem man, this guys was a melodic genius. His melodies make my ears sing.

4th of July - X - Just saw both John and Excena on a whats in my bag music store video the other day. They are doing well and say hello.

4th of July - Sweet - Liked them a alot more than Slade, what did anyone see in Slade? Glam rock such a strange time it was. Would love to go back there is something about the early 70s in particular. They always have a keyboard player like that?

Ragged Old Flag - Johnny Cash - Talk about imperative.

Star Spangled Banner - Jimi Hendrix - This is up there with Whitney Houston.



I have to say this is one of my favorite mixes in 17..18 years? Yea yea yea everyone knows who I am....or do they?

Makes no difference when you see the whole field. Great mix El Jeffe.

 Lazy8 wrote:
just in time for lager day weekend!

Discs away!

 Dejaveux wrote:

Part 2
Country Song. Happy, happy joy! Nice and simple for sure. Sounds a little French too.
Farmyard Yodel. Simply silly for sure.
Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens. Egad! Sounds like something my dad listened to from ’58. Heck I was even around then and heard this before.
Dans Le Grand Bois. French title with French singing? And bluegrass underpinnings? I’m out “In the Great Woods”. Nice tune.
Parchman Farm Blues. The Blues are giving me the blues. So sad. A classic from the 40’s though.
A Chicken Ain't Nothing But A Bird. Oh yeah. More of my dad’s stuff. Going back to the oldies acts here.
Down on the Farm. Is that you Mr. Waits again? He’s got some muscles on his arm. Not quite like Little Feat song.
Cowpoke. Very nice one. A man and his guitar with a nice story.
I Went Down To Georgia. Mostly Modern Banjo... inside story there. Great sparse bluegrass. Me likey!
Black Dog. Good ol’ country... not the Country Pap that’s out there now.
Hollow Trees House Hounds. Shifting gears. I’ve heard some of her songs... not many rockers like this one.
Tom Cat. Egad. It’s the Blues some more. I used to like his cartoon from the 60’s....... Oh wait.
Going Up The Country. The original! Pan pipes and all.
Ain't No Ash Will Burn. Just the fiddle and vocal. Nice.
Woodburning. Love the Toad. The acoustic version might have been a better choice in this mix.
Dog. I like this one. Sounds kinda like a Toad the Wet Sprocket vocal. Sorry. It’s just me.
Where I'm Going. Never heard of The Wild Reeds. Bueno.
Rooster. Nice instrumental. Surf Country Music? Did I hear spoons in the mix?
Return Of the Fisherman. Now for something completely different. Love his work in the Stone Roses. I have this CD.
Warrior Man. This sounds like an oldie recording. Nice twang.
Long Haired Mare. For being an American, she sure sounds Irish to me. Nice mellow tune here.
Little Red Rooster. A classic Blues tune. Lots of talent there, but those Blues are just so sad.

A great theme. Some fine mixes here. And entertaining.
Thanks for the work you put into these discs.

 SeriousLee wrote: Well, I messed up.
I should have been apologizing to Dejaveuz.

 KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:

 Dejaveux wrote:
Country Trash. Short sweet Johnny Cash. One of those ones I’ve never heard from him before... but I like it.
Chicken Pie. No “Moose Turd Pie“. Taste better though. Some good pickin’ and grinin’ bluegrass.
Country Sugar Mama. Well, everyone here knows how I love the blues................

The Cat Song. Ahh... Laura. Nice one from her I’ve never heard. Always loved her “hit” “Stony End”.
I’m Going Down to the Country. Never even heard of Road before. Quite nice.
Country Life. New to me again. Sounds like this should be on KFAT.
Big Escape. I like this one. Oh that distorted break at the end!
Way Down the Old Plank Road. Wow. This sounds really old. Actually, Uncle Dave Macon. From 1926... it is really old.
Country Song. A departure from the rest for sure. Sounds like something from the synthesizer 80’s. Different.
Going Up the Country Song. A cover of a cover of a cover. Sounds like a very early recording of an original classic.
Any Old Road. Reminds me of “Gentile On My Mind”. Kind of the same theme/ lyrics going on there too. Banjo etc.
Black Eyed Dog. This guy sure has some sad songs... but in a good way. Kind of sad Blues... but I enjoy these sad numbers.
Cars in the Weeds. Another good sad song. I actually have a Horse Feathers song on my playlist. Enjoyable.
I Ain't Fattenin' No More Frogs for Snakes. Egad. What’s this an analogy for? Not sure about this one.
Horses. Delightful. Never have listened to Bonnie before. Maybe it’s time.
How Come My Dog Don't Bark When You Come Around. Never heard of Guitar Shorty before... I guess I have.  I’ve heard of Tom Waits before though.
Degenerate. This is probably my most favorite Vic song. Thanks for including it on your mix. My favorite one of this mix.
How Many Horses. I think I’m seeing a theme here. Lol
Country Clutter. Nice minimal, mellow one.
Shhh. Oh. Rap. Abrupt!

Cowboys. More abruptness.
Country Boy. A little less abruptness... kinda.

First, I have to apologize for my tardiness. Lots of excuses.
Good job on Disc Uno. I liked this mix even though you surprised me with a lot of these songs.
I’ll get to Disc Duex quickly, soon.

I felt I just needed to finally respond...