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

I hope most of you have heard of Elliott Smith. For those of you who haven’t, go watch Good Will Hunting. At almost every pivotal moment in the film, listen to the background music and you’ll hear Elliott Smith. His music has a hushed intimacy that’s hard to forget.

Sadly, Elliott Smith is no longer with us. He committed suicide in 2003, ending a deeply-troubled life that produced several albums of gorgeous, heartbreaking music. He has clearly influenced many of today’s artists – see Iron & Wine for the most striking similarities.

I’ve decided to post a very old song by Heatmiser, one of Elliott Smith’s previous bands. The song is a hidden track from the album Mic City Sons called “Half Right.”

Just like Good Will Hunting, I love everything about it. Great melody, infectious acoustic riff, and excellent lyrics (“I was sticking up for my friend, when there’s nothing much to defend” and “Cuz when I talk to you on the phone, well it’s just like being alone”).

It’s definitely one of my favorite Elliott Smith songs, which is saying a lot. If you like this, also try Either/Or and From a Basement On a Hill.

[mp3] Heatmiser :: Half Right