CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS
Lobby => Music and Recordings => Topic started by: shipsupt on March 18, 2014, 11:44:07 AM
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No, it's really not, or maybe it is?
I admit I enjoy reliving my mixtape years by making CD's to listen to in the car. I always find it interesting to see what I can create. I put a lot of thought into each one, never just tossing random tracks in a play list. I strive to create that perfect combination that makes a good listen from beginning to end. Sometimes I'm picking for myself, when I have a long ride ahead of me, other times putting something together to share with my wife. It's a great opportunity to see what she likes.
It's all very silly, right... because I can just grab an iPod or iPhone and have plenty of music at my fingertips while we drive! Still, for me there is something about putting together a coherent "album" instead of hitting the "random" button.
I was putting one of these disk together yesterday before we ran out for a Starbucks and something struck me. Sometimes it's "the song" and other times it's "the album", but not always both. Let me see if I can explain...
I like just about everything AC/DC does, but generally when I listen to them I tend to pick specific songs. That doesn't take away from the album they came off, in fact I still think about them in that context. I'd rarely listen to an entire AC/DC album, even if I like every song on it, unless I'm listening to vinyl.
The opposite is true for the National's "Trouble will find me". There are some great songs on this album, but none stand out in a way that I pick to play them in isolation. In fact, I can't think of a time I've decided to listen to a single track from this album, instead I always find myself committing to listen to the entire piece of work.
And there was my mixtape dilemma. I wanted to share some of those albums with my wife by selecting a few songs, but somehow it was hard to pick which ones to isolate, or what to mix them with. In the end, I moved on to some other songs that I thought she might like and that matched the "mood" and theme I was creating.
And then I burned a few of those albums in their entirety so we could enjoy them as I think they are best played.
(http://musformation.com/pics/mixtape-b_sides.gif)
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It's funny you should start a thread on this topic as I was thinking of doing one myself, which would include the actual playlists for the mix tapes. As you said one puts a lot of thought into crafting a mix, so I thought it would be interesting for Pirates to share them.
As to your dilemma. I've recently given a mix I made to a colleague a work. The mix is limited to an 80min CD. The full mix stretches over four CDs with each CD being a self-contained mix. I select around genre, theme, tempo, mood and what I think they will like.
Regarding burning albums. What I said was that any track they really liked I would burn them the album. That way the mix becomes a bit like a sampler.
Of course none of this can be said without the inescapable irony...
http://www.youtube.com/v/zu1V3R-Jpwo
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Ship, I gave up trying mixtapes. I'm just an album listener. So on a long drive I'll listen to one album either to completion or until I'm sick of it, then I'll switch.
Even working out, I tend to pick albums overwhelmingly.
The only thing I mix for right now is jogging, as I need songs to either be 180 or 90 bpm for cadence training (PT showed me how much better my form is naturally at this count, so I'm sticking with it.)
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For work outs I definitely need a playlist with the right music to stay motivated. There is nothing worse than being at 80% of my goal on the stair climber and the iPod decides to drop some Yo-Yo Ma in the mix! :-00
Maybe I'm starting to move in the album over song direction Tari... :-Z
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Mixtapes are something of a lost art. These days people tend to confuse "mixtape" with "playlist" --- ie. a bunch of songs you like compiled in one place, especially now that digital interfaces allow you to drag and drop.
Originally mixtapes involved actual studio mixing and were a big part of DJ culture. Artists would take raw cuts and / or their more experimental tracks and create something akin to a pastiche, only they'd blend it all together into a semi-cohesive whole of sorts using studio techniques and track edits. Sometimes they'd use other sources' material too, such as label partners or like minded artists. It was common for these releases to be underground and distributed locally via small, independent labels. You still see it today in underground hip hop, dub, electronica, dance, etc. Often mixtapes will fill in the gaps between larger proper album releases.
At some point mixtapes became associated with cassette tape culture as a whole. Back in the days when "downloading music" consisted of recording off of the radio in real time, cassettes were there primary way of sharing music. Mixtapes took on a broader connotation and became associated with prepared cassette tapes, but the track selections would all center around a common theme or attempt to convey someone's feelings, so they became associated with teenage romance during the cassette era. I mean think of all the effort someone had to put into one: you'd have to cue everything up manually. A lot of thought would go into them, and the "mixing" part would be the pervasive theme dictated by one's emotions.
Another facet of cassette tape culture was the 'zines. Self-published underground newsletters were quite popular, and they'd often feature interviews with young up and coming bands as well as editorials, and to go along with all of this a sampler tape would be included that had selections from the various bands referenced in the 'zine. This isn't really a mixtape however. Similarly when someone is cuing up a list of tracks for a party, I don't see that as a mixtape but rather a playlist. The difference is in the level of construction involved: at its most authentic, a mixtape involves actual studio mixing. The somewhat looser version---the aural love letter---is based heavily around a single theme or attempts to tell a story via track selection.
Even still, there's a definite art to constructing a good playlist. Choosing the right tracks and the right order of said tracks isn't always easy... you have to consider the context, the mood you want to evoke, and how the songs lead into one another. If you're driving into the sunset for instance, the last thing you want to pop up when you hit the shuffle button is Tiny Tim.
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I was fanatical about collecting punk 'zines back in the day, especially those that came with a "boot leg" or mix tape. Unfortunately my "stash" seems to be lost at my parents house with the greater portion of my vinyl collection form my youth. My parents, who never seem to throw anything out, seemed to have deemed my punk 'zine collection a junk 'zine collection.
For better or worse, all the cassette tapes are still there. Mix tapes and all. Most of the punk tapes were recorded so poorly they are almost unlistenable now except to grab a little nostalgic feel. I keep one tape deck in shape just to be able to listen now and again as it takes me back. One of my favorites is still a "demo" recorded in a guys garage a few houses down. I used to hang out in that garage for hours when they would rehearse. They'd only kick me out when they were going to smoke the place out.
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aaaah ..mix tapes .....
so many memories
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Even still, there's a definite art to constructing a good playlist. Choosing the right tracks and the right order of said tracks isn't always easy... you have to consider the context, the mood you want to evoke, and how the songs lead into one another.
This applies to DJ's as well. I run local dance events (mostly swing, some salsa/tango/ballroom/etc) and it's a wacky art juggling energy levels, tempo, mood, etc.
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I'm in the club, too. The CD that's in my car's CD player (and it's been there for a while) is a mix I burned. As usual, I hemmed and hawed over the track order to get the variety just right before laying it down on disc.
Nothing quite compares to setting up a tape just right. My MiniDisc recorder was pretty close to tape in how I had to set it up. CD is just too easy, but I still need to get the tracks ordered right or it bugs me if I don't get the mood to be managed and broken just right.
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With Shipsupts' permission I'm extending the thread to include our actual track lists for our mixes.
Please share your favourite mixes here. ok I'll start. Here's a mix I did for a friend...
GDMFSOB [Unkle Uncensored DJ Shadow Feat. Roots Manuva
Poison (95EQ) The Prodigy
Jump Around (Pete Rock Remix) House Of Pain And Everlast
Dead In The Middle The Demigodz
What You Know (Emalkay Remix) Two Fingers
Day Light Survival
TOKYO DRIFT (FAST & FURIOUS) TERIYAKI BOYZ
Black Stacey (Album) Saul Williams
Nouveau Western MC Solaar
Get Your Way (Sex as a Weapon) Idle Warship [Talib Kweli and RES]
Sour Sour Times Portishead
Nowhere To Hide [with Scorn, Dr. Israel] Submerged
Emily's Smile Commix
Little Fluffy Clouds The Orb
The Girl With The Sun In Her Head Orbital
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Here's part one of a four part mix. Each mix will fit onto a 80min CDR.
Cannonball The Breeders
Ghetto Love Spinnerette
Romantic Rights Death From Above 1979
Much Against Everyone's advice(Dave Bascome Radio Mix) Soulwax
Sweetness Jimmy Eat World
New Noise Refused
Three Girl Rhumba Wire
Connection Elastica
Catch The Sun Doves
Mr. Sheen Workhouse
Recap Modotti Fugazi
Point And Click Tomahawk
LUNGR True Widow
Rogue's Yarn Helms Alee
To Walk Alone Kylesa
maps Yeah yeah yeahs
Wounded Walking Bee & Flower
Dazzle Siouxsie & The Banshees
Ziggy Stardust Bauhaus
Spiderman '79 Veruca Salt
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The Bar was just set high! I'm digging through some mixes tonight to see if I have anything that can be deemed worthy! Well done 6. I'm listening to a your mixes at work today!
(http://cdnl.complex.com/mp/620/400/80/0/bb/1/ffffff/911033baab2d733ad98122cc3c1106b1/images_/assets/CHANNEL_IMAGES/MUSIC/2013/11/how-to-make-the-perfect-mixtape-in-the-digital-age/bllng_10_777825.jpg)
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De nada Ship'. Flattered mate.
For you and all ABS and above. I will send out the four part mix to those interested. All I ask in return is their own mix in whatever format. I will send globally.
If you don't feel like swapping, please post your mixes here. Old and new.
I'm hoping Hroðulf and The Game are watching this thread. I know you both have some good music to share. :)p3
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Here's part two...
Soon My Bloody Valentine
Miss World Hole
Missing Link Curve
Black Steel [Been Caught Steeling Mix] Tricky
Selling Jesus Skunk Anansie
Setting Sun [Radio Edit] The Chemical Brothers
Tomorrow Never Knows (Stereo) The Beatles
Sea Sungrazer
Demon Cleaner Kyuss
Liar Rollins Band
Homegrown Otep
Pissin' Down Sass Jordan
The Day I Tried To Live Soundgarden
Make Yourself [Acoustic] Incubus
Jeremy Pearl Jam
Come As You Are Nirvana
16 songs. 1:18:38 701.6MB
The idea was to have one big continuous mix. Back in the day, I would have done this live. Then I found I wasn't in the mood for one part or another. So each sub-mix became a self-contained part. Also with ID tagging, how do you maintain track order without destroying the original album tagging? Easy, :o create burnable playlists. Which comes back to the self-contained parts. Each CD-R is one hour twenty, actually just a bit over.
Well that was the idea.
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I made this playlist in iTunes so I could share it with my oldest son on an iPod. He was "discovering" punk. Not meant to be the definitive collection, I just wanted to give him a ride through history. Every song had to already be in my library, and I put them order of when the bands were formed instead of release dates of the tracks. I skipped a few years, took several bands from a few years, and I'm sure I made a few mistakes...
Note: The Pixies might seem a stretch for punk, but they had a strong influence on bands that followed so I included them as they could rock some punk when they wanted....
This one doesn't slow down much, so hang on!
Kick out the Jams – MC5
Search and Destroy – The Stooges
Blitzkrieg Bop – The Ramones
Anarchy in the UK – Sex Pistols
Love Song – The Damned
1977 – The Clash
Banned in DC – Bad Brains
Rise Above – Black Flag
Die Die My Darling – Misfits
Fly the Flag – Stiff Little Fingers
California er Alles – Dead Kennedys
Something I learned Today – Husker Du
Sounds of Laughter – TSOL
Story of My Life – Social Distortion
Walk Together, Rock Together – 7Seconds
Out of Step (With the World) – Minor Threat
So What – Anti Nowhere League
This Ain’t no Picnic – The Minutemen
Nimrod’s Son – Pixies
Appreggiator – Fugazi
F**K Authority – Pennywise
Longview – Green Day
The Bravest Kids – Rancid
Seeing Double at the Triple Rock – NoFx
Come out and Play – Offspring
Irish Drinking Song – Dropkick Murphys
Devil’s Dance Floor – Flogging Molly
Drain the Blood – Distillers
Tall Cans in the Air – Transplants
Death Voices – Gallows
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A solid mix there ship'.
What I like is that you aren't afraid to include what would be considered as more 'commercial' acts if the tunes are good enough. One can get bogged-down in hip obscurity, when it should be about the music.
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Here's Part Three...
Change (In The House Of Flies) [Acoustic] Deftones
Undercovers On Rival Schools
Guess I'll Forget You The Black Heart Procession
Mexico Incubus
Nothing Sweet The Sundays
Fell On Black Days (Acoustic Live) Chris Cornell
Breakin' Sass Jordan
Nutshell Alice In Chains
Weather To Fly Elbow
I Remember You Eurythmics
Sand River Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man
Sailor Hem
Cry Me A River Julie London
You Don't Know What Love Is Tony Bennett
Fool On The Hill/Nature Boy Peter Cincotti
The Weight Of My Words Kings Of Convenience
Wise Up Aimee Mann
17 songs 1hour 10 mins
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Part Four...
I Will Possess Your Heart Death Cab For Cutie
Brighter Slowdive
If Only Fink
Mercury Kirsty Hawkshaw
How To Disappear Completely Radiohead
Already Dead Beck
I Believe Tears For Fears
Horses In My Dreams PJ Harvey
Wild Horses The Sundays
Both Sides Now Joni Mitchell
Hurt Johnny Cash
Private Goes Public Suzanne Vega
…Like Clockwork Queens Of The Stone Age
Smells Like Teen Spirit Tori Amos
This Woman's Work Kate Bush
No One Ever Does Saul Williams
My Sundown Jimmy Eat World
17 songs 1 hour 18 minutes
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Obvisouly 6 and I are the only dinosaurs left who still make mixes! :)p13
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Nice thread, ship...
Wow 6, "Part Four" looks incredible. I wanna put that one together and spend some time with it. I even like just reading it.
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Nice thread, ship...
Wow 6, "Part Four" looks incredible. I wanna put that one together and spend some time with it. I even like just reading it.
Cheers CEE TEE. As I said above, if you want the complete mix I'll send it to you gratis.
Feel free to post a mix before me and ship' become extinct. ;)