Image Courtesy of Sandy Phimester

Dance Mix 666 is a radio show that airs on 100.3 SoundFM.ca from 4 to 6 PM on Fridays. It is hosted by Andrew LaVey, a fourth-year urban planning student. It loves you, but with that “sinister kind of hungry Satanic love”, not that “sweet kind of Christian love”. Or, at least, that’s the gimmick.

I have my apprehensions about how sinister this mix truly is. In fact, this is a mix that is mainly designed to facilitate your spiritual growth. It’s ten tracks of glorious melancholy that should help temporarily lower gravity as you drop into the dark and frightening season of fall. Enjoy, and remember to tune in to SoundFM.

You can download the entire playlist here.

1. Choir of Young Believers – “These Rituals of Mine” (Official Website and Myspace Page)

Forget the name for a second because you’ll notice a religious quality to the music if you listen hard enough. “These Rituals of Mine” is a beautiful ode to our insecurities and neuroses. It finds weightless joy in catharsis. As the tightrope of life becomes increasingly wobbly, this song helps you glide along it.

2. Townes Van Zandt – “Kathleen” (Official Website)

From one of the great melancholic songwriters comes a tune about finding momentary respite from the darkness in our lives. “Maybe I’ll go insane; I need to stop the pain. Maybe I’ll go down and see Kathleen.”

3. The Beach Boys – “I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times” (Official Website)

The great Beach Boys story: the fall and redemption of Brian Wilson. This song beautifully captures the doubt and uncertainty of Mr. Wilson’s early success. It poignantly communicates a certain sad vulnerability.

4. Mercury Rev – “Moving On” (Official Website and Myspace Page)

Grasshopper and the gang here craft one minute and twenty-two seconds of glowing magic. “You gotta start moving on, it’ll be brighter in the sun.” This is the perfect track to complement one of those flying dreams where you float above the city with not a care in the world.

5. The xx – “Heart Skipped a Beat” (Official Website and Myspace Page)

There is a certain innocent beauty in the music made by these four London youth. The confident yet overwhelmed simplicity in which they craft their music is breathtaking. There are certain moments in their songs when you wish it would last just a little bit longer.

6. Arthur Russell – “This is How We Walk on the Moon” (Myspace Page)

The tragically dead Russell was a musical visionary who crafted many of his best songs (including this blissful slice of the beyond) as both an extension and a part of the evolution of his training as a classical cellist. His otherworldly genius will likely lift you up and fly you to another space. This is indeed how we walk on the moon; this song will lower gravity beneath you.

7. Kate Bush – “Pull Out the Pin” (Official Website)

This divinely attuned chanteuse walks the line between YHWH and Pan. It’s obvious she’s deeply in touch with her inner grace, but when she howls “I LOVE LIFE” you can’t help but feel chills as she channels erotic, Bacchanal, and ultimately powerful forces.

8. Subway – “Simplex” (Myspace Page)

With this song, we pause and contemplate. “Simplex” explores the rhythm and hum of modern life with a special kind of hypnotic beauty.

9. Suicide – “Be Bop Kid” (Myspace Page)

I’m still not sure if I comprehend the early 80s New York underground in any way that can be expressed in words. Yet in the neighbourhood that invented postpunk and new wave, that blew up off of spastic Contortions and post-everything hipness, Alan Vega was the Grand Vizier of the scene. Much like I don’t quite understand the scene, I don’t get this track either. But on some level, I understand where Suicide fits in, and maybe that means I understand where this song belongs too.

10. Fontän – “Nightrider” (Official Website and Myspace Page)

Sure, you can write this off as just another note in the grand symphony of Balearic revival, but “Nightrider” is at least a full movement in and of itself. Song titles are great when they are well thought out, and it’s obvious that Gothenburg maestros Fontän tried to carefully concoct the perfect night-riding song. Wide-eyed smiling music like that of the xx does create a certain wonder, but it’s groups like Subway and Fontän that truly capture the unique beauty of our modern age.

If you would like to submit a playlist, please email (pub@theboar.ca) a list of 7-10 songs with 3-5 sentences of description for each song. Also add a brief introduction about yourself, such as your program and musical interests. Please indicate in the e-mail’s subject line that you’re submitting a playlist, and please do not use .docx formatting for Word documents.

Photo by Aubrey Arenas

Hi! The semester is about to begin and all I can really think about is how September is this pretty little lull between the summer and the fall. I spent most of my summer listening to dreamy songs that perfectly complement the sways of a hammock. So, I think it is only fitting that I dedicate this week’s mixtape to the songs that have constantly been on the “Recently Played” playlist of my iPod this past summer. Enjoy friends.

1. The Velvet Underground – “Pale Blue Eyes” (Fan Site)
It’s simple, pretty, and so damn sad. And while I kind of want to say that Adventureland has ruined the song for me, Lou Reed’s genius trumps Kristen Stewart’s terrible acting any day.

2. Death Cab for Cutie – “Photobooth” (Official Website and Myspace Page)
This was my first Death Cab song and it has always remained my favourite. The innocence and naivete found in the lyrics always fills my mind with grainy images of past summers that never really existed. For anyone who wants the perfect song to end the summer, look no further.

3. Coconut Records – “Wires”(Official Website and Myspace Page)
Oh Jason Schwartzman (of Max Fischer infamy), you can do no wrong in my books. Like Coconut’s previous efforts, the sophomore album Davy has the same feel good vibe that’s reminiscent of the Beach Boys. “Wires” is one song that I particularly could not get enough.

4. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Hysteric” (Official Website and Myspace Page)
While I kind of long for those days when Karen O would sing blunt lyrics like “As a Fuck son, you sucked” (“Bang”), I do quite enjoy her softer side. In the YYYs latest album, the gentler side of Miss O is more apparent than ever, it probably has to do with maturity and wisdom. Nonetheless, “Hysteric” has won me over with its minimalist lyrics and end whistling. It’s the “Maps” of It’s Blitz! a.k.a. the pretty love song and the gem of the album.

5. Spiritualized – “Ladies and gentlemen we are floating in space” (Official Website and Myspace Page)
The title says it all; it’s hard to not feel like you’re floating in space when listening to this song. Not only are there multiple voices layered on top of one another, the voices all sing grand confessions of romantic gestures. It’s a lullaby about falling in love and enchanting promises.

6. The Smiths – “Unlovable” (Fan Site)
Like every song by the Smiths, Morrissey is self-deprecating. However, in “Unlovable” it’s got a nice, upbeat melody. I find it a little funny that despite the danceable sway that one can find in the instrumentals, Moz is singing about how he “wears black on the outside because black is how [he] feels on the inside”. On another note, the song that follows this track on Louder Than Bombs is “Asleep”, which is perhaps the most depressing song ever.

7. LCD Soundsystem – “New York, I Love You but You’re Bringing Me Down” (Official Website and Myspace Page)
I often have these epic fantasies about living in New York, so to even imagine NYC being a bummer is nearly impossible. Although the honesty found in these lyrics that point out the flaws of America’s pride and joy may create a little disillusionment, it does make for a lovely song.

If you would like to submit a playlist, please email (pub@theboar.ca) a list of 7-10 songs with 3-5 sentences of description for each song. Also add a brief introduction about yourself such as your program and musical interests. Please write a subject line in the email indicating that it’s a playlist and please do not use .docx formatting for Word documents.

I’m Kelvin, a third-year student whose major is based around telling machines to rearrange symbols at a billion times per second. When they do it right, they do many useful things for us – like turning numbers into the sounds we find in the songs that we like. In my spare time, I collected some of those songs that I stumbled upon into this mixtape. Hopefully you’ll take to them as much as I have.

1. Joy Division – “Disorder” (Myspace Page and Fansite)

It’s another dreaded hot summer day in the American Midwest*** as I step into my apartment. I’m without the luxury of air conditioning, so the heat is unbearable. I choose Unknown Pleasures to put in my stereo because it contains the coldest sounds out of all the albums I have. By the end of this song, the warmth of the room is forgotten.

*** Edit: Kelvin is currently on a co-op term in the Windy City a.k.a. Chicago

2. St. Vincent – “The Strangers” (Official Site and Myspace Page)

Annie Clark is an alumnus of The Polyphonic Spree. Like The Polyphonic Spree’s songs, The Strangers use a diverse set of instruments (though a far cry from Spree’s 30+ member line-up). However, St. Vincent employs the sounds in a way that is far richer and more interesting than the Spree songs that I have heard. It contains electronic sounds, as well as traditional ones, balanced more tastefully than most bands are able to.

3. Neutral Milk Hotel – “You’ve Passed” (Official Site)

Jeff Mangum’s cryptic words never fail to fill you with uncertainty as to what the hell he is talking about. Somehow, combined with the passion in his voice, the instrumentation, and the rough edges on the recording, it all comes together to make some kind of sense. Or some kind of feeling. Or some kind of whirlwind of feelings.

4. Okkervil River – “Happy Hearts” (Official Site and Myspace Page)

A song filled with questions that twenty-something-year olds could ask themselves for hours, days, months, or years. The guest vocalist is Daniel Johnston with his ubiquitous child-like voice. It is endearing to hear him sing the words of this simplistic song. “Happy Hearts” reminds you of hearing a child asking you questions like “How many stars are in the sky?” – ones you’ve forgotten shortly after giving up trying to find answers for.

5. Nina Simone – “Ain’t Got No … I’ve Got Life” (Official Site and Myspace Page)

When listening to this song, I remembered a while back when I watched a guest on Conan O’Brien talk about how “everything’s amazing and nobody’s happy”. In an age of FML and OMG UW, this song is certainly refreshing.

6. Of Montreal – “She’s a Rejector” (Official Site and Myspace Page)

I’m speed walking to catch the El train when the urgency of the opening riff of this song starts assaulting my eardrums. Kevin Barnes is venting about rejection and he is starting to sound a little violent. It stirs up some kind of adrenaline in me that prepares you for whatever the Monday morning in a downtown office can throw at you.

7. Clues – “Perfect Fit” (RCRD LBL page)

Clues is a Montreal band formed by Alden Penner from (the now defunct) The Unicorns and Brendan Reed from Arcade Fire. As such, I’m a little surprised that they have not caught on a bit more. I had been intrigued ever since I listened to poor quality mp3s of their performance at Pop Montreal 2007 and they have only recently put out an album. In spite of two years of anticipation, it does not disappoint.

If you would like to submit a playlist, please email (pub@theboar.ca) a list of 7-10 songs with 3-5 sentences of description for each song. Also add a brief introduction about yourself such as your program and musical interests. Please write a subject line in the email indicating that it’s a playlist and please do not use .docx formatting for Word documents.

Greetings Waterloo, the name is Vincent Lai. I’m a fourth year biomed student who can be seen at your local Phils on Saturday nights head banging and dancing in a bizarre manner. I’m just here to spread the tunes and follow Elvis Costello’s wise words to avoid the “Radio, radio!”

1. Rod Stewart – “Young Turks” (Official Website)

Every time I hear “Young Turks”, I see Louie Barletta (pro skateboarder) skateboarding and it just psychs me up. When you listen to the lyrics, it has you aching to run away from home with the love of your life. Even the music video is solid with the random kids on a street dancing their hearts away.

2. Regina Specktor – “Us” (Official Website and Myspace Page)

I’ve been dying to watch 500 Days of Summer (Official Trailer), the trailer won my heart instantly (how sappy, I know) and the first song you hear is “Us” by Regina Spektor. It’s a slow melodic song that gently puts me to sleep with the feeling of having love at my fingertips. Do you need a new track to add on to your “sleepy” playlist? Look no further because this is it.

3. New Kids on the Glock – “D.A.N.C.E” (instrumental Justice cover) (Facebook Fan Page)

Well I think I lied, I’ve got another sleepy song. It’s a dancer’s lullaby by New Kids on the Glock covering Justice’s “D.A.N.C.E.”. There are no vocals, but every single sound is mimicked and played by glockenspiels. It’s simply angelic. Imagine you’re all danced out from a hard Saturday night at Phils and you’re ready for bed, you’ve only got two more things to do: make some love and then throw on this track to sleep peacefully.

4. Plants and Animals – “Feedback in the Field” (Official Website and Myspace Page)

Thanks to my hetero life partner, Kelvin, my friend Mikey J and I constantly whistled the intro to “Feedback in the Field” to the point where Kelvin regretted introducing us to the song. After a minute of slick cowboy whistlin’, the solid electric guitar riffs get me jivin’ all about – especially the parts when the distortion pedal is used. I reckon y’all will dig it.

5. Ghostface Killah – “The Champ” (Official Website and Myspace Page)

“The Champ” is a Ghostface Killah track produced by Just Blaze. The intro’s vocal sample is provided by ODB and comes with a tirade from a speaker whose voice is an uncanny parallel to Danny Devito’s. Although, the intro includes some harsh ranting, it’s nothing compared to the power of Tony Stark’s (another alias) lyrics. With a solid drum line that complements the electric guitar and trumpet samples, it’s a great stepping stone into the Wu’s domain.

6. Neon Indian – “Deadbeat Summer” (Myspace Page)

We’re in need of some summer songs, so without further ado I present my summer track of  ’09: Deadbeat Summer by Neon Indian. This synth’d out song with cheerful vocals made my four weeks of unemployment bearable. I get these weird feelings sometimes when I listen to a song and it reminds me of a season – this will definitely remind me of summer. So employed or not, I hope “Deadbeat Summer” is just as memorable for you as it is for me.

7. Boards of Canada – “Roygbiv” (Official Website and Myspace Page)

Rainbows are a fantastic natural phenomenon. Sure that’s a cliché, but there’s something magnificent about the rows of colour. To see sound like a synesthesiac would, that would be a wish I’d ask a genie to grant. The colors of  “Roygbiv” performed by Scottish based duo, Boards of Canada, would be the first song I’d want to hear. It’s a rainbow of a song as the title suggests. Yes, it’s another synth-heavy track, but it has a solid drum line with obscure samples. Another Boards of Canada song that deserves an honourable mention is  “Dayvan Cowboy”, the best song to wake up to.

Can you tell I’m a music-posting newbie? Hopefully my musical selections have appeased you all. Enjoy friends.
If you would like to submit a playlist, please email (pub@theboar.ca) a list of 7-10 songs with 3-5 sentences of description for each song. Also add a brief introduction about yourself such as your program and musical interests. Please write a subject line in the email indicating that it’s a playlist and please do not use .docx formatting for Word documents.