1. Hey by the Pixies from the album Doolittle from 1989
Any better way to start a mix than with a loud screaming, “Hey!” I recently watched the documentary on the Pixies titled; “Loud Quiet Loud” and it rekindled my affection for the Pixies. This song is a perfect example of their style and fits the double entendre of the documentary title (see it and you’ll understand). Plus it’s a great sounding song with tons of dynamics and clear distinction between the instruments.

2. All My Friends by LCD Soundsystem from the new album Sound Of Silver
This song is quite reminiscent of the group Underworld, with the off rhythms that somehow fall into place, and a vocal tonality paying homage to New Order. A real driving track that slowly builds yet never unravels.

3. Mad Jack by the Chameleons UK from the album Strange Times from 1986
A friend I worked with at HMV in NYC in 1991 turned me onto the Chameleons. Sixteen years later sounding current and if you didn’t know better, could be one of the many 80’s influenced bands like the next…

4. Pitfalls by Film School from their 2006 self-titled album
One of my favorite post-punk neo-80’s bands. Bands like Film School, who sound a lot like Interpol who sound a lot like Joy Division or The Cure, or Echo & The Bunnymen… you get the idea. I’m a huge fan of that sound and Film School does it a lot better then most these days.

5. The Well And The Lighthouse by the Arcade Fire from their latest, Neon Bible
More consistent, more mature (not surprisingly) and better sounding than their debut. Unique orchestrations and dark ambience is their trademark and they’ve taken it to an even higher level with this album. Like most of my favorite all-time recordings, this one takes a while to sink in. When that happens I almost never tire of it and it becomes a classic for me.

6. Greet The Dawn by Hockey Night from the 2005 album Keep Guessin'
The singer’s atonal voice and phrasing sound just like Stephen Malkmus from Pavement, as do their musical compositions. Two drummers and two guitarists make for a unique twist and fun sound. 70’s rock guitar riffs thrown into a 90’s art/indie blender.

7. Camaro by Kings Of Leon from their new album Because Of The Times
The Kings new album is certainly feeling the post-punk resurgence. This track in particular is less that and more anthemic and straight-ahead rockin’ There’s great variety (yet still a Kings of Leon sound) on this album. More about the orchestration than the songs than their previous efforts and less southern rock. That’s just fine with me.

8. Free Radicals by The Flaming Lips from At War With The Mystics
Super fun, pretty strange with quirky sounds and a vast soundstage (good audio system test). Trip-funk would be a good description. (Like when Beck channels Prince with a heavy rockin’ beat.) The Lips have been around since the mid 80’s. My band opened for them at CBGB’s in the early 90’s and I have been listening to them since. There’s no reason not to own their entire catalog. Each album is a work of indie-pop art.

9. Goodbye To The Mother And The Cover by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah from their sophomore album Some Loud Thunder
From CYHSH’s second album. After tons of praise from their debut, they have gone more abstract and dark with this second release. You best love David Byrne’s vocal channeling by their singer Alec Ounsworth if you’re going to give this album a chance. His vocals are more prominent than their previous. My favorite track off the album here is one of the more moody and melodic. Goes well with the Arcade Fire’s track.

10. Robbers by Cold War Kids from Robbers & Cowards
What an awesome debut album! Actually they rerecorded a bunch of songs from previous EP’s. The recordings sound great. This track in particular is very minimal and ambient. This track musically reminds me of Lou Reed and vocally of Jeff Buckley. The album has a bluesy unpretentious vibe complimented by great stories and proud/confident delivery.

11. Soldier Jane by Beck from The Information
Bringing it down a notch with this track from Beck’s latest. The story behind this album is that it was being written after his ultra mellow Sea Change, but Beck put the project aside to work on Guero with the Dust Brothers. Take the ambience of Sea Change and add a rolling beat and you have a good idea of what this track sounds like.

12. Something About Us by Daft Punk from their 2001 album Discovery
Keep the mellow-out, late-night, wind-down comin’ and add a little soul with this track from Daft Punk. Not unlike the other popular famous French electro-duo, Air; Daft Punk have a great way with the vintage Rhodes keys and vocoder vocals on this track.