I absolutely love making new Mike Mixes every month but for some reason always dread writing about them. Maybe I’m overwhelmed by the shear quantity of music in each mix, or maybe I’m suffering through a debilitating case of writer’s block. Either way, it’s annoying and needs to end. Especially since I don’t plan on halting Mike Mix production any time soon.

With that said, the latest installment in the series upholds the fine tradition established by its older siblings. Mike Mix 13 is instantly accessible, uniquely diverse, and endlessly rewarding. Think I’m exaggerating? I might be, though you won’t know for sure until you check it out yourself. But first, here are some quick details:

The first half of Mike Mix 13 is surprisingly upbeat. It kicks off with a trio of bombastic, hypnotic pop songs by indie heavyweights Andrew Bird, The Dodos, and Annuals. Next follow a pair of lo-fi gems by The American Analog Set and Blur. I especially like “Caravan.” It sounds like a long, trippy journey through the desert. So pretty! Rounding out the first half of the mix are two amazing tracks by the late Jeff Hanson and one by Carissa’s Weird.

The second half of Mike Mix 13 is unapologetically twangy, starting with a country-fried slice of perfection by Justin Rutledge. The next song, “Quattro (Worlds Drift In)” by Calexico, is the perfect soundtrack to traveling down a lonely, dusty highway at twilight. Following this is Cat Power’s incredible cover of “I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love WIth You)” by Hank Williams. A couple of epic barn burners by Wye Oak and Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson lead into a pair of quiet Dylan-esque numbers by Deer Tick and Vandaveer, closing the mix on a very sweet note.

As always, I highly recommend listening to Mike Mix 13 in the order presented below. Download the entire mix here or stream it using the player below! Enjoy responsibly.

As is becoming routine, I apologize for the extensive delay. I think after this post I’m going back to the usual blog format. I do have a few other lists I’ve organized, but given the fact that it’s already February, I think I’m just gonna move on. 2007 has started out very strong, so I have lots of work to do (in addition to the whole grad school thing).

Anyways, I remember this being a lot easier last year. This year I could probably generate two equally-strong lists, but for the sake of brevity I’ve kept it to just one. Without further ado, I present the Top 10 Songs of 2006:

1. Rocky Votolato :: White Daisy Passing
2. Beirut :: Postcards From Italy
3. M. Ward :: Poison Cup
4. Silversun Pickups :: Lazy Eye
5. TV On the Radio :: Wolf Like Me
6. Junior Boys :: In the Morning
7. Bishop Allen :: Flight 180
8. Band of Horses :: I Go to the Barn Because I Like the Monsters
9. Calexico :: All Systems Red
10. Voxtrot :: Sway

Most of the tracks above have previously appeared on my blog in one form or another, so I feel like there’s nothing too spectacular about this mix. I think it flows pretty well, though I’m starting to doubt whether I will ever eclipse the pinnacle that is my first podcast.

And just in case you’d forgotten, my absolute favorite song of 2006 did not make the list above due to time constraints. I cannot recommend it any more strongly, so give it a listen!

[mp3] Mono & world’s end girlfriend :: Part 5

Directly download my podcast here. Visit the archives here.

So now that I’ve removed the “pressure” of doing a podcast every month, I feel more relaxed and better able to deliver quality music to you as it comes to me.

This month’s podcast was originally conceived on Halloween night, but the only scary thing about it is how good the songs are. Did I really just type that? Oh well, no going back now. I created this mix as I sat alone at home wondering why I can never think of any good costumes.

But it’s actually fitting that I call this the Halloween mix. Fans of My Morning Jacket may be familiar with their excellent live EP Acoustic Citsuoca. The EP, which features Jim James solo on the acoustic guitar, was recorded at a Halloween party.

All of the songs on this podcast are hushed acoustic numbers. If you pay close attention, the only cracks of the drum you’ll hear are near the end of the mix. Now do you understand why the title is appropriate?

Before I get too carried away, here’s the track listing:

1. Gary Jules :: Mad World
2. Elliott Smith :: Angeles
3. M. Ward :: Let’s Dance
4. Bishop Allen :: The Chinatown Bus
5. The Mountain Goats :: Moon Over Goldsboro
6. The Decemberists :: Red Right Ankle
7. Ryan Adams :: Tomorrow
8. Sufjan Stevens :: To Be Alone With You
9. Iron & Wine :: Upward Over the Mountain
10. The Mountain Goats :: Pale Green Things
11. Weezer :: Butterfly
12. Elliott Smith :: Pitseleh
13. Calexico :: Removed
14. Voxtrot :: Sway

Bonus points to anyone who can tell me which two songs on the mix are covers, and also which song is the only one to feature the drums.

Directly download my podcast here. Visit the archives here

So I’m fairly certain most of you heard last year’s EP In the Reins, a collaberation between Calexico and Iron & Wine. I’m also betting that you’re familiar with the music of Iron & Wine – I mean, that’s why you bought the EP in the first place. But if I was to wager serious money, I’d say that you have no idea who Calexico is/are (which is it?).

If I’m wrong, then congratulations, you’re a more avid music fan than me. But if you haven’t heard any Calexico, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. The song I’ve decided to feature this week is the one that turned me on to the band. It’s called “All Systems Red” from their most recent LP Garden Ruin.

Long-time fans of Calexico complain that Garden Ruin is too poppy. I’ve only recently discovered the band, so I can’t comment. I can say, however, that their previous releases are very different. Not different in a bad way, but different in that you can’t really define their genre. It ranges from country to mariachi to jazz to rock to folk. The thing is, it’s all good.

If you’re looking for their best album, I suggest Feast of Wire, followed by Hot Rail. I’ve only listened to these albums a few times, but I like them.

FYI: I will post an Artist Spotlight later this week – be on the lookout. Another Mix Tape is in the works, so brace yourself for that too.

[mp3] Calexico :: All Systems Red