I just realized it’s been well over a month since I last posted an mp3 and almost 3 months since my last Mike Mix! I sincerely apologize. Now that my year-end coverage is officially complete, I will return to my normal schedule. And I have a lot to write about. Over the past few months, I’ve become obsessed with a handful of amazing albums. I hope to write about each one in the coming weeks. I might even come up with a catchy title for the feature. Stay tuned.

But before I do that, I have a brand new Mike Mix to introduce. A quick glance at the track list (below) reveals that nearly half of the songs come from only two bands: Loney, Dear and Annuals. If you’ve never heard these two artists before, Mike Mix 12 will serve as an excellent introduction to them. Make sure to check out the track “Always Do.” The pedal steel and soaring middle section of the song are truly incredible.

Scattered between these tracks are dusty gems by some of my all-time favorite bands. Highlights include: “Metal Detektor,” an effortlessly cool number by Spoon; “Uprooted,” a slow-burning anthem from The Antlers; and “About Today,” a slice of late-night perfection by The National.

As always, I highly recommend listening to Mike Mix 12 in the order presented below. Download the entire mix here or stream it using the player below! Enjoy!

2007 was a great year for music. New albums from Radiohead, Interpol, The National, Andrew Bird, Okkervil River, and Spoon all rocked hard. My discovery of The Acorn, Kings of Leon, The Everybodyfields, and Menomena, coupled with an impressive debut from Deer Tick, made the year that much more amazing.

So when it came time to assemble my annual Top 10 Songs of 2007 list, I just couldn’t chop it down to size. As a result I’ve decided to expand the list to 15 songs. Plus I’ve already blogged about 9 of the 15 songs on the list, so the 5 extra slots allow me to post some new mp3’s.

Continuing to break with tradition, I’ve decided to categorize the 15 songs into 5 separate categories based on their mood and style. Enjoy!

Songs I listen to when I am happy (aka pop songs):

[mp3] The Shins :: Australia
[mp3] Okkervil River :: Unless It’s Kicks
[mp3] Modest Mouse :: Missed the Boat

Songs I listen to when I am sad (aka bawlers):

[mp3] Andrew Bird :: Cataracts
[mp3] The National :: Slow Show
[mp3] The Acorn :: Glory

Songs I listen to when I party (aka rockers):

[mp3] Interpol :: Rest My Chemistry
[mp3] Spoon :: Eddie’s Ragga
[mp3] Kings of Leon :: McFearless

Songs I listen to when I drive (aka rollers):

[mp3] The Everybodyfields :: Aeroplane
[mp3] Deer Tick :: Dirty Dishes
[mp3] Magnolia Electric Co :: Nashville Moon

Songs I listen to whenever (aka great songs):

[mp3] Kings of Leon :: On Call
[mp3] Radiohead :: Reckoner
[mp3] Menomena :: Rotten Hell

Get ‘em while they’re hot! Check the comments for additional lists…

With the year officially over, it’s time to reflect upon the awesomeness that was 2007. Unlike last year, 2007 had an excess of truly great music.

Unfortunately, this year’s “Best of” coverage won’t be as extensive as last year’s. Mainly because I’m lazy, but also because I got a much later start writing this year. I’m also going to try a new format for my Top 10 Albums of 2007 list. Below is a thumbnail image, which you can click on to enlarge.

Given my obsessive-compulsive engineering background, I decided to make a table summarizing the Top 10 Albums of 2007. There are no mp3’s associated with this post because there is a lot of overlap with my Top 10 Songs of 2007 list, which will be released shortly.

Not to leave you high and dry, I’ve uploaded a special treat to hold you over. Check the comments!

I love rainy days. They give me an excuse to sit in my room all day and listen to music (not that I really need an excuse). Today, I’m listening to the new Iron & Wine, Beirut, Jose Gonzalez, and Sea Wolf. As you can tell, it’s been an active week in music.

But that’s not what I’m writing about this week. Instead, I’ve decided to share with you two amazing songs that I’d almost forgotten about, as well as the story that brought about their conception.

Back in late 90’s, Spoon was an unknown band struggling to make a name for themselves. Then in 1996 their luck seemed to change when they met Ron Laffitte, the west coast general manager of Elektra. Out of their friendship came a record deal with Elektra and the LP A Series of Sneaks.

Praised by critics, A Series of Sneaks failed to sell. Shortly after, Laffitte was fired. A few months later, Spoon was also unceremoniously dropped, despite promises of continued support from Elektra president Sylvia Rhone.

Naturally, Spoon was quite upset. In response, they went into the studio and recorded two bitter tracks chronicling the entire ordeal: “Laffitte Don’t Fail Me Now” and “The Agony of Laffitte”. Later, when Spoon signed with Merge, they re-released A Series of Sneaks. Sort of like a big middle finger to Laffitte, Rhone, and Elektra, the reissue featured two bonus tracks that, as you can probably guess, are the ones mentioned above.

[mp3] Spoon :: Laffitte Don’t Fail Me Now
[mp3] Spoon :: The Agony of Laffitte

Maybe, just maybe, you’ve noticed the recent lack of activity on my blog. You’ll be happy to know that this time I attribute it to a reason other than laziness.

As of late, I’ve been listening to lots of old music: Tokyo Police Club, Songs: Ohia, Jeff Hanson, Tom McRae, Devin Davis, Ryan Adams, etc. Or, in other words, stuff I’ve already blogged about. And while I’ve also been listening to lots of new stuff (Ryan Adams, Rocky Votolato, Interpol, Spoon, Bishop Allen), nothing has inspired me to post on the ole blog. As a result, I effectively missed the first birthday of Mike Went West and, maybe more importantly, left my readers out in the cold in the middle of a rather active month for music.

I can’t say that I’m disappointed with the recent batch of new releases. Spoon’s Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is quite solid; Ryan Adams and Rocky Votolato put forth worthy discs; Interpol is quickly gaining strength. All this goodness, however, has been obscured by older stuff in my catalog.

I guess I should clarify what I mean by “older stuff.” I have this terrible habit of listening to an album for about a month and then tossing it aside for something new (that’s how I can listen to so much new music all at the same time). The main drawback to this approach is that if the album doesn’t hit me almost immediately, it gets lost in the noise. And while some deserve this kind of treatment, others do not. To make a long story short, I consider “older stuff” to be anything I’ve already tossed aside.

Time to bring this rambling mess back on track. Below I’ve posted several mp3’s. The first is a gorgeous sad-bastard song by Ryan Adams. The second is super cool track from Spoon’s newest release Ga x 5. And the last is a haunting number by Tom McRae, a guy I should’ve mentioned a long time ago. Enjoy.

[mp3] Ryan Adams :: Elizabeth, You Were Born to Play That Part
[mp3] Spoon :: Eddie’s Ragga
[mp3] Tom McRae :: Walking 2 Hawaii

The moment has finally arrived! Mike Went West proudly presents its first podcast (aka Mix Tape). Mix Tape 01 features the Top 10 Songs of 2005 according to Mike Went West.

I know it’s about 8 months late, but this mix has gotta be one of the best I’ve ever made. I enjoy it as much now as I did back in December 2005. Every song is top-notch – I wouldn’t change a single thing. I hope my future mixes can top this one!

Here’s the track listing:

1. Wolf Parade :: Shine a Light
2. The New Pornographers :: Sing Me Spanish Techno
3. Spoon :: I Summon You
4. Ryan Adams & the Cardinals :: Let It Ride
5. Sufjan Stevens :: The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!
6. Akron/Family :: Running, Returning
7. Sigur Ros :: Hoppi­polla
8. Iron & Wine :: The Trapeze Swinger
9. Okkervil River :: A Stone
10. My Morning Jacket :: Dondante

Directly download my podcast here. Visit the archives here. Make sure to tell all your friends and leave comments if you appreciate my efforts.

Enjoy!