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.

Every time I make a new Mike Mix I’m amazed by how much good music falls through the cracks over time. After all, only a small number of songs on each mix have been featured previously on my site. There simply isn’t enough time to write about them all.

Which is why I love making these mixes so much: songs that otherwise would’ve remained permanently buried finally see the light of day. The 14 tracks of Mike Mix 09 are no exception. Many of them are appearing on my site for the first time; most of them should’ve been posted months ago.

With all that said, it’s time to introduce Mike Mix 09.

Despite its quiet start, Mike Mix 09 packs quite a punch. “Lookout Mountain” by Drive-By Truckers rocks incredibly hard; “Else” by Built to Spill bounces around nervously; and “Only In Dreams” by Weezer builds to an epic climax. At the opposite end of the spectrum, “My Lady’s House” by Iron & Wine plods along gently while “The Blackest Crow” by Justin Rutledge quietly refuses to end (in a good way).

As always, I highly recommend listening to Mike Mix 09 in the order presented below. Download the entire mix here or stream it using the player below! Enjoy!

It pains me to say this, but winter is officially over. I put in my last day of snowboarding earlier this week and after today my favorite Lake Tahoe resort is closed for the season. I could easily spend the next few paragraphs complaining about how I won’t be able to snowboard for the next 8 months. But no one wants to hear that. And truthfully, I’m pretty excited for spring (and summer).

So to help gear up for all the fun in the sun, my latest Mini Mix highlights 3 albums that are poised to get a ton of plays as the temperature rises. Also, this post should purge the backlog of music created by my recent lack of activity. Enjoy!

PETE AND THE PIRATES
Little Death

I must’ve debated buying this album for over a month. Looking back, I don’t know why I waffled so much. Over a dozen glowing reviews on eMusic should’ve clued me in to what I was missing: effortless, off-kilter indie pop from the UK. In their debut, Pete and the Pirates have crafted an album brimming with infectious hooks and clever lyrics. “She Doesn’t Belong to Me” is a fantastic example. In just under two minutes, the band packs in more hooks and one-liners than most can fit in an entire album. The rest of Little Death is just as good.

Learn more about Pete and the Pirates at the following sites:

         

[mp3] Pete and the Pirates :: She Doesn’t Belong to Me

HARLEM SHAKES
Technicolor Health

I just started listening to Harlem Shakes but already I can tell their debut has a lot of potential (and also a beautiful album cover). The band has generated a fair amount of buzz and it is well deserved. Technicolor Health is both energetic and engaging. And while it might not break any new ground, it sounds great from start to finish (which itself is quite an accomplishment). It’s a little too early for me to say much more about the album, but I definitely look forward to blasting it in my car as I cruise around this summer.

Learn more about Harlem Shakes at the following sites:

         

[mp3] Harlem Shakes :: Strictly Game

MILES BENJAMIN ANTHONY ROBINSON
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson

I’m surprised by how quickly I’ve warmed to Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson. After my first few listens, I felt overwhelmed and somewhat put off by the chaotic nature of his music. The 10 songs on his self-titled debut seemed to lack both structure and melody. At the same time, however, I was also intrigued by the chaos. After the next few listens, melodies began to emerge. Right now, my favorite track is the epic opener “Buriedfed,” though I’m sure this will change as I continue to untangle this gem.

Learn more about Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson at the following sites:

       

[mp3] Miles Benjamin Anthony Davis :: Buriedfed