Matchpoint's Mixtape #15

It's been over two months since my last published mixtape and a lot has happened in those last two months: the Mets made the playoffs and blew it to the eventual World Series champ in the NLCS, I started a new job at Homestead Technologies as a UI Designer, Halloween, Thanksgiving, London winter vacation planning, and much, much more. To make up for my extended absence I'm delivering a "double-lp" mixtape. I hope to get on a regular schedule of a mixtape every one or two weeks.

Shameless plug: Pitchfork + Rhapsody Mashup

Matchpoint's Mixtape #15

1. Chicago (Acoustic Version) - Sufjan Stevens
2. Division Day - Elliott Smith
3. Isae Aldy Beausoleil - Lifetime
4. New England - Lifetime
5. How We Are - Lifetime
6. Scenic World - Beirut
7. Hometown Fantasy - Andrew Kenny
8. Shankill Butchers - The Decemberists
9. The Loneliness of a Middle Distance Runner - Belle and Sebastian
10. Car - Built To Spill
11. Don't Touch My Bikini - The Halo Benders
12. Lombardy St. - Avail
13. 20 Eyes - Shades Apart
14. Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) - Delfonics
15. Roots Radicals - Rancid
16. Been Here Before - Jeremy Enigk
17. We Don't Like Romance (Instr.) - The Promise Ring

Matchpoint's Mixtape #14

My longest mixtape to date--18 tracks. Enjoy

Matchpoint's Mixtape #14

1. Israelites - Desmond Dekker
2. I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
3. Suspect Device - Ted Leo/Pharmacists
4. Retarded - Weston
5. Wrecking Force - Voxtrot
6. Episode IV - Jimmy Eat World
7. Hallelujah - Rufus Wainwright
8. Semi-Charmed Life - Third Eye Blind
9. Letter From Iraq - Bouncing Souls
10. Bridges & Balloons - The Decemberists
11. Morning New Disease - Jets To Brazil
12. Is This Thing On? - The Promise Ring
13. Vicious - Lou Reed
14. Engine - Neutral Milk Hotel
15. Finest Worksong - R.E.M.
16. Postcards From Italy - Beirut
17. Help Save The Youth Of America (Live EP Version - Intro Included) - Billy Bragg
18. A New England - Billy Bragg

Matchpoint's Mixtape #13

This is probably my most eclectic mixtape yet.

On a side note, I just fixed my Pitchforkmedia + Rhapsody mashup to include the newest reviews from the last three months.

Matchpoint's Mixtape #13

1. Resurrection Song - Birdmonster
2. When Death Closes Your Eyes - 108
3. New York City Cops - The Strokes
4. Raised By Wolves - Voxtrot
5. It Ain't Easy - David Bowie
6. Minute By Minute - Girl Talk
7. Knights Of Cydonia - Muse
8. Big Boat - M. Ward
9. Abegail Anne - Jeremy Enigk

Matchpoint's Mixtape #12

Here's one that's been sitting in my playlist queue for awhile.

Matchpoint's Mixtape #12

1. New Born - Muse
2. We Are The One - The Avengers
3. T.V. Party - Black Flag
4. The Funeral - Band Of Horses
5. Jacksonville - Sufjan Stevens
6. Daydream Believer - The Monkees
7. Here Comes A Regular - The Replacements
8. The Start Of Something - Voxtrot
9. I Go to the Barn Because I Like The - Band Of Horses
10. Porpoise Song (Theme From "Head") - The Monkees

Minor Threat - Live in Philly June 83

Absolutely insane.

Matchpoint's Mixtape #11

This one is a little darker than others in the past. To compensate I've thrown in a wussy David Gray song for balance.

Matchpoint's Mixtape #11

1. Nervous Breakdown - Black Flag
2. The Changeling - Ink & Dagger
3. I Drink The Wine (Album) - The Murder City Devils
4. Gomorrah's Season Ends - Earth Crisis
5. Don't Call Me Whitney Bobby - Islands
6. This Years Love - David Gray
7. Wrong - Archers of Loaf
8. Very Loud - Shout Out Louds
9. Unsatisfied - The Replacements

Matchpoint's Mixtape #10

This week's playlist.





Play Mixtape




1. Glosoli - Sigur Ros
2. You Remind Me of Home - Benjamin Gibbard
3. Jersey Girl - Tom Waits
4. Apology Song - The Decemberists
5. Transformer - Gnarls Barkley
6. Rocket Queen - Guns N' Roses
7. Liar - Built To Spill
8. Ocean - The Velvet Underground
9. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out - The Smiths

Matchpoint's Mixtape #9

Sorry for the long delay. No commentary this week, just lie back and enjoy the music.





Play Mixtape




1. Keep It Close To Me - Superdrag

2. Sluttering (May 4th) - Jawbreaker

3. God Damn Job - The Replacements

4. What Goes On - Velvet Underground

5. Jersey Girl - Bruce Springsteen

6. 10 Gallon Ascots - Tapes 'n Tapes

7. Delicate (Live In Dublin) - Damien Rice

8. A Boy Named Sue - Johnny Cash

Where's mixtape 9?

Instead of rushing to get out the next mixtape, I'm taking my time and selecting only the best songs for your listening pleasure. Besides, I've been busy with other projects lately, namely my Pitchforkmedia + Rhapsody mashup. I've taken Pitchforkmedia's latest reviews and added a link to play the album on Rhapsody. Pretty neat, huh? It's still in beta (as is everything these days), but plans are in the works to add more interesting features. I'll keep you posted...

Matchpoint's Mixtape #8

Belle and Sebastian, The New Pornographers, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Art Brut, Tapes n' Tapes, and The Arab Strap all played in SF last week. Incredible. Unfortunately I was only able to catch the first three. I'm sure I'll be kicking myself in two months for missing Tapes n' Tapes once Loom becomes one of my top 5 albums of the year. Oh well. You live and you learn.

In addition to missing first-rate shows, I've been teaching myself Ruby on Rails, the hot new web programing language that's all the rage these days. It's been awhile since I built an application in my spare time, but that's hopefully going to change. In a couple of days I'm hoping to uncover my latest creation, which most of you will find quite useful. Details to come later.

Anyways, on with mixtape #8...




Mixtape #8






1. Insistor - Tapes 'n Tapes
This band is turning into the 2006 edition of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!

2. Remora (Single Version) - By The Grace Of God
A throw-back from my hardcore punk salad days.

3. Hot Topic Is Not Punk Rock - MC Lars
My sentiments exactly.

4. And We Danced - The Hooters
Who let this track onto my mixtape?

5. Alone Down There - Modest Mouse
This isn't your little sister's Float On. One of many MM songs that show the dark side of Isaac Brock.

6. You Have Killed Me - Morrissey
Even though I love the Smiths, I never gave Morrissey a fair listen. This new single may change that.

7. Electronic Renaissance - Belle And Sebastian
B&S performed a great live rendition last Tuesday of this out-of-place track from Tiger Milk. It was more than welcome.

8. Friend Of The Night - Mogwai
From the new album of these Scottish emo-instrumentalist masters.

9. Helpless - Neil Young
CYHSY! closed last Friday night with a rocking cover of this classic.

Matchpoint's Mixtape #7

Ohhh... I'm in trouble. It's been three weeks since my list mixtape and I feel guilty. Some of you have asked, "dude, where's the playlist, it's been awhile." Although I've been squirreling away tracks, I was never able to find the time to publish a complete mixtape. Please accept my apology.

Not to waste your time with anymore worthless drivel...




Mixtape






1. Refuge - Endeavor
Did I get your attention? This New Jersey Hardcore band were a little too political for me.

2. Hoboken - Operation Ivy
Let's stay on the theme of New Jersey, shall we?

3. Never Going Back To New Jersey - Less Than Jake
Don't let LTJ fool you--they definitely went back to NJ

4. I Want To Hear What You Have Got To Say - The Subways
I heard these guys are big in England. They must be catching on in SF because their show is sold out.

5. You Losin' Out - Two Gallants
In anticipation of their new album I found this gem.

6. You Can't Have Me - Clearlake
Their new album is off the hook. After you're done with this playlist, listen to the entire album.

7. Off You - The Breeders
Wow.

8. I'm In Love With A Girl - Big Star
In the spirit of stealing songs from commercials, this one comes form Heineken.

Matchpoint's Mixtape #6

This week's playlist is faster and harder than usual, so beware. If you're not a fan of punk rock I implore you to still give it a spin--you might be happily surprised, especially by the lead track.

BTW, the Wedding Present is playing tomorrow night at Slim's and tickets are still available. I was fortunate to catch them last year at GAMH and they totally rocked beyond my expectations. But what amazed me was how thin the crowd was. The hall couldn't have been filled beyond half capacity. I guess that's why this time around they scaled back to the smaller Slim's, but apparently the Wedding Present doesn't have the draw to fill that venue either.

If you read into the band you'll discover they had 18 UK hits, but I bet not a single one made an impact in the US. It still amazes me that there can still be a big difference between the UK and US rock charts. I know I'm talking about a period 10-15 years ago, but stuff like this still happens today. Sometimes there's just a latency between markets (see Arctic Monkeys). And you can make the argument, which I won't challenge, that bands from both countries have fans on the other side of the pond (see Arctic Monkeys). But in an age where access to music and music criticism is unrestricted and without borders, the US and UK markets will become more homogeneous. Now, whether that's a good or a bad thing I can't tell.

But I digress...how about some music?



Mixtape






1. The Watermark High - Elliott
I can still remember listening in awe the first time I spun this 7". Still one of my favorite songs.

2. Character - Falling Forward
Ask and you shall receive. Falling Forward (pre-Elliott) make their way onto Rhapsody.

3. I'm The One - Descendents
One of the best "2nd wave" Descendents songs.

4. Two II - Weston
I almost forgot about this album, but was happily surprised when it showed up on the recently added list.

5. Corona - Minutemen
Some say that Double Nickels on the Dime is one of the greatest albums every made. Can't say I agree, but this track rocks.

6. The Road To Hell - Ink & Dagger
Deceased front man Sean McCabe was flipping crazy, which made for an incredible live show.

7. Venus (Live in San Francisco 1978 / bonus track) - Television
What ever happened to these guys?

8. Ariel Ramirez - Richard Buckner
Ok, so I stole this one from a VW commercial, but seriously, VW has great tastes in music.

9. Mannish Boy - Muddy Waters
Curve ball of the week. A co-worker of mine put together a blues playlist, which included this classic.

Tableside Credit Card Swipey Thing for Restaurants

I’m very impatient, especially after I've finished a meal. I eat quickly and when I'm done I want to leave. Sometimes I'm in the mood to relax and let my food digest, but this is the exception not the rule. There are two obstacles in my way from leaving when I want to: slow eaters and waiting for the check.

Also, think of this--why do you still carry cash? I know why I do: small transactions (< $5) and paying for my part of the tab at a restaurant or bar with co-workers and friends. Here’s my solution--what if paying for your bill was just as easy as paying for groceries at a supermarket? This is how it would work:

1. Three of my co-workers and I sit down for lunch at a table with a swipey thing (card reader).
2. The waitress stops by and takes our order.
3. The waitress goes in the back and enters our order into that touch screen computer. When she’s done the itemized order is beamed (via wi-fi or Bluetooth, take your pick) to our swipey thing at our table
4. While the four of us wait for our food, we calculate how much each person owes. We then swipe our credit/debit cards and enter how much we want to pay, including tip.
5. By the time we're done eating our bill has already been settled and we're free to leave.

Who benefits? I obviously do, but so does the restaurant. Since the wait staff no longer has to worry about billing, they are free to tend to other service responsibilities, such as making sure I have enough water in my glass. This will generate a better overall experience for the customer and higher ratings for the restaurant.

But the biggest gain is in higher table turnover. During the busy times of lunch and dinner, restaurants will service more customers if they no longer have to wait and calculate the check once they've finished their meal.

Everyone wins! Or am I missing something?

Now I just have to figure out what to do with those slow eaters...

Matchpoint's Mixtape #5

After several slow weeks, Rhapsody is finally starting to add some quality material. In addition to to new releases (Built to Spill, Belle and Sebastian, Arctic Monkeys), some of my favorite labels are starting to make a showing. Hardcore powerhouse Victory Records showed up a couple of weeks ago and added some bands I haven't heard in a while (Catch-22, By the Grace of God, Earth Crisis, Dead Guy). Also, Louisville KY label, Initial Records (Jazz June, Elliott), has added several albums to the Rhapsody catalogue, although I'm still waiting for Falling Forward to make an appearance.

Anyways, here's this week's mixtape.



Mixtape



1. Can't Get You Out Of My Head [KEXP Version] [Live] [Previously Unreleased] - The Flaming Lips
The Lips somehow turn this obnoxious dance hit into something more than tolerable.

2. Crashing Waves - Karl Blau
Found this one on the Said The Gramophone mp3blog. Google it.

3. Joga - Ben Gibbard/Ben Barnett
I love anything this guy does.

4. Have You Forgotten - Red House Painters
Lead track from this amazing album.

5. Goin' Against Your Mind - Built To Spill
Built to Spill, it's good to have you back. Where have you been?

6. Circle, Square, Triangle - Test Icicles
My good friend won't stop until I say something positive about this band. It's growing on me.

7. Wait And Bleed - Slipknot
Kick out your chair and start thrashing.

8. Halfway Pretty - Elliott
Finally, some Elliott on Rhapsody. I'm petitioning them to add more.

9. 1234 1234 - Catch 22
Indie rock needs to take a cue from punk rock and encourage more sing alongs.

You're the Best, Around!

Through your travels of randomly clicking around on the Internet, have you ever found a website that just made you say to yourself, WTF? A good friend of mine found one that I wanted to share with the rest of you. Pure genius. Enjoy.

http://yourethebest.ytmnd.com/

Matchpoint's Mixtape #4

I originally started this blog with no focus other then to explore the explosive phenomena of blogging. I wanted to immerse myself in the blogosphere and I felt the best way to accomplish this was to start my own blog.

However, almost as soon as I started blogging I realized in order for a blog to be successful it needed to add value. After some brief attempts at making this an elearning blog, I settled on publishing Rhapsody playlists, or the modern incarnates of mixtapes.

Far from a success, i've managed to reach a group of readers beyond my intended audience of close friends. Now that my blog is picking up a little steam, I plan on putting more energy into it. I've also been inspired by Naked Conversations, a book i'm currently reading about the blog revolution. Not to alarm my faithful mixtape series followers, but I intend to open this blog up to non-mixtape content. This is only an intention, not a promise. Hopefully my written word is as intersting as my taste in music. More to come...

And finally, this week's mixtape:





Mixtape
(Requires a Rhapsody subscription for full access)





1. Another Sunny Day - Belle and Sebastian
Enjoy this quality track from their new album.

2. Lola - The Kinks
Unfortunately, Rhapsody does not have The Raincoat's excellent cover of this song.

3. Wave Of Mutilation - Pixies
The slowed down version is starting to grow on me.

4. I Bet You Look Good On the Dancefloor - Arctic Monkeys
There's a lot of hype around this band. The jury is still out until I hear their full length.

5. Girl - Built To Spill
A simple, lo-fi track by Doug Martsch and the Spill.

6. Back To The Lake - Guided By Voices
For some reason reminds me of Friday the 13th the Nintendo game--go figure.

7. Destroy Everything You Touch - Ladytron
I've just been introduced to this band, which I believe are playing Coachella this year.

8. Organic - Philip Glass
This is getting me psyched up for the Phillip Glass Ensemble's live

Matchpoint's Mixtape #3

This last week was a great week. Saw the coachella movie, which got me psyched up for this years festival (although, the line-up is a little poor this year). On Friday night I saw Don Carlos of Black Uhuru at Ashkenaz in Berkeley.

But the icing on the cake was the Lifetime reunion show Sunday night. Un-f*%king believable! I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I've been waiting for a Lifetime reunion since they broke up in '97. I was a little worried that the somewhat lame SF indie-rock scenesters were going to let me down, but those fears were allayed as soon as they busted into Daneursym. The show was nuts and it makes me regret not trying to catch hardcore shows more often.

Oh yeah, and yesterday was my birthday. And now for the mixtape...



Mixtape



1. Chanbara - At the Drive-In
ATDI prove that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, aka Mars Volta and Sparta.

2. Whirlwind - Rancid
I still remember picking up this tape (yeah, a cassette tape) at my first hardcore show.

3. It's The Sun - The Polyphonic Spree
Try to catch the Spree on Austin City Limits on PBS. This version doesn't do it justice.

4. You Can't Get Stoned Enough - Kind of Like Spitting
I have nothing clever to say about this one.

5. Willie - Cat Power
Although her new album is a little more country then I'd prefer, it's starting to grow on me.

6. Promise - Mirah
Great song from a band I’m just starting to explore.

7. The Toilet Song - The Bouncing Souls
Who's gonna throw the toilet off the roof?

8. Big Sur - The Thrills
Irish band singing about the great Pacific coast?

9. Don't Sit Next To Me Just Because I'm Asian - The Bruce Lee Band
I've been waiting so long for this track to make it to Rhapsody.

Matchpoint's Mixtape #2

I've changed the name of my blog, and hence, the name of my mixtape series as well. It also gives me pleasure to announce that my mixtapes will get syndciated on Rhapsody Radish, an amazing resource for Rhapsody users. Robert seems to have an endless supply of time to build playlists of all kinds. Want a playlist of the most popular Bar Mitzvah Songs? He's got it. Check it out--you won't be disappointed.





Matchpoint's Mixtape 2
(Requires a Rhapsody subscription for full access)





1. Made-Up Dreams - Built To Spill
I heard that BTS's new album is a return to the Perfect From Now On days. Let's hope so.

2. Quickcheck Girl - The Bouncing Souls
On my top 10 song list of all time. If you get a chance, check out the LP version on Maniacal Laughter.

3. Keasbey Nights - Catch 22
These guys are from my home state of New Jersey. It's amazing they never blew up like Saves The Day.

4. Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before - The Smiths
My first favorite Smiths song. Definitely not the last.

5. Made Of Stone - The Stone Roses
Would Oasis exist without this band?

6. Police And Thieves - Junior Murvin
Heard this at a club last week and knew it had to be on this week's playlist.

7. Grace Cathedral Hill - The Decemberists
Saw Collin Melloy last Friday night, so it's fitting I add one of his songs. This one takes place in SF.

8. Laser Beam - Low
This album impresses me more every time I listen to it.

9. My Companion - The Shaggs
Ok, I know it's crap, but you have to read the artist profile on Rhapsody.

Mixtape 7

I know, I know, it's been awhile since my last post. For all of those folks begging for the latest installment of my mixtape series, this one's for you.

BTW, I never got around to publishing Mixtape 6. Who knows, it might surface one day.




Mixtape 7
(Requires a Rhapsody subscription)



1. This is Just a Modern Rock Song - Belle and Sebastian
Perhaps my favorite non-LP B&S track.

2. The W.A.N.D. - The Flaming Lips
It's been a while since the Lips released their last album. This is a good teaser.

3. Hounds of Love (new mix) - The Futureheads
Are the Futureheads the new Clash? Perhaps. This is a great cover song of a band your sure to hear a lot more of.

4. Sovay - Andrew Bird
His newest album really grew on me while I was in Europe.

5. Sweethearts On Parade - M. Ward
M. Ward is amazing and this track is a clear example why.

6. Razorblade - The Strokes
This is a good song, but I know I've heard that chorus before, but I can't remember where?

7. Mandy - Barry Manilow
Oh yeah

8. If I Could - Mineral
IMHO, the greatest emo song ever written.

9. A Newfound Interest In Massachusetts - Get Up Kids
I cannot listen to the breakdown without flailing my arms on the air drums.