Coconut Records - Davy

HIGHLY REC’D – THE MONTHLY MIXTAPE
Because good music is a right, not a privilege.
by: Jon Wolf

Editor’s Note: Sadly, Jon Wolf has decided to end the Highly Rec’d Mixtape. We’re sad to see him go but proud to have been able to bring his monthly mixtapes to you for the last three years. Thanks for all the music, Jon. We’ll miss your pieces but you always have a home if you decide you just can’t stay away. – Chuck

And THAT, Ladies and Gentlemen, was the last year of Highly Rec’d.

Real life has finally infringed enough to prevent me from dedicating the time necessary to maintaining the high standards I demand of my beloved pointless mixtapes.

HR’d has been a huge part of my life, a true passion, and I would rather end strong than try to force my way through a year without the same enthusiasm.

I think the few thousand new best friends I have made over the past five years(!) would call me out me if I tried to pass off anything less.

Thank you to all the readers and all the bands that participated and were truly into it.

So I leave the Internet with years of great music that you do not have to convince yourself that you like, as well as an obnoxious amount of superfluous exclamation points, to rediscover as it travels around the ether.

Thanks for playing, hope you enjoyed it as much as I did,

Jon

(And since I have a music problem and could not prevent myself from compiling one last mix, here is a greatest hits/personal favorites list with a few new tracks folded in to carry you into the new year, enjoy!)

Highly Rec’d: Goodbye ’11!
1. The Dance Party – “Libertine”
2. Cloud Nothings – “Stay Useless”
3. Black Lips – “Cold Hands”
4. The Unlovables – “Vacation”
5. Rival Schools – “Wring It Out”
6. Maxïmo Park – “Apply Some Pressure”
7. We Were Promised Jetpacks – “Quiet Little Voices”
8. Frightened Rabbit – “Nothing Like You”
9. Apollo Ghosts – “Land Of The Morning Calm”
10. Shout Out Louds – “100°”
11. Sharon Van Etten – “Serpents”
12. Ezra Furman & The Harpoons – “Take Off Your Sunglasses”
13. Pete & The Pirates – “Jennifer
14. The Promise Ring – “Make Me a Mixtape” (2000)
15. Weezer – “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To” (live, Letterman 10/29/09)
16. The Features – “The Idea Of Growing Old”
17. The Forms feat. Matt Berninger – “Fire to the Ground”
18. The National – “90-Mile Waterwall” (live, KEXP)
19. Sondre Lerche – “Countdown” (Beyonce cover)
20. Arms – “Emily Sue, Cont’d”
21. The Constellations – “Setback” (Kickdrums Remix)
22. Fang Island – “Daisy”
23. Jack Peñate – “Be The One”
24. Bell X1 – “Flame” (Chicken Lips Mix)
25. Gotye -”Learnalilgivinanlovin”
26. Gabrielle – “Love Me Like You Do”
27. Jamie Lidell – “Multiply”
28. Mayer Hawthorne – “The Walk”
29. Jimmy Cliff – “Ruby Soho” (Rancid cover)
30. Howlin Rain – “Phantom In The Valley”
31. Mariachi El Bronx – “Cell Mates”
32. Rose’s Pawn Shop – “The Arsonist”
33. Coconut Records – “Wires”
34. Tapes ‘n Tapes – “Freak Out”
35. Hallelujah the Hills – “Wave Backwards To Massachusetts”
36. Ryan Adams – “Firecracker” (live)
37. Release the Sunbird – “No Light”
38. Ketch Harbour Wolves – “So Long To The Ground”
39. Savoir Adore – “Early Bird”
40. Tap Tap – “Half Moon Street”

Album’d

Special thanks to our sources! We were not as cool as we would like to think, we scoured the Interwebs for the best new music and compiled it into one life-changing mix every month. This is not good enough music, this music has actual shelf-life, and we hope it reminds you of how much you used to like music, and how much great new music is still out there. These diligent sites work way harder than we did to get a ton of music and news content to you on a regular basis, check them out and find some new music to recommend on your own: Dead Journalist, Pop’stache, Pretty Much Amazing, Consequence of Sound, HearYa, Cover Me, Odd Bloggings, Daytrotter, Ryan’s Smashing Life, Mixtape Maestro, Faronheit, Indie Rock Cafe, I Guess I’m Floating, Peenko,BIRP!, Obscure Sound, Listen Before You Buy, The Vinyl District, Music For Kids Who Can’t Read Good, Stereogum, BrooklynVegan, I Am Fuel You Are Friends, The Burning Ear, My Old Kentucky Blog, Chromewaves, Culture Bully, We All Want Someone To Shout For, Said The Gramophone, Some Velvet Blog, An Aquarium Drunkard, Largehearted Boy, Cover Lay Down, Drive A Faster Car, The Good Cat Collective, The Hype Machine, Everyone’s Mixtape, and So Hot Right Now!

Editor’s note: DeadJournalist.com has been proud to present Jon Wolf’s Monthly Mixtape.

Three generations of men with issues

I don’t have time to write, but I am, anyway. Nothing too long, just a little acknowledgement of this day. I wear all black every October 11 as a tribute to my dad, who passed away 13 years ago today.

In the near decade-and-a-half since he walked outside just before 10AM on a cool, crisp Sunday morning and fell down dead, I still am filled with the same lingering want that I can’t resolve. More than anything else, I just need to talk.

On my way into work this morning, I was thinking about how – over the years – I’ve forgotten most of him. I don’t remember details anymore. I am just left with a feeling and a general impression of the person I thought he was. Not who he was, because as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized a lot of things weren’t actually as I thought they were. Parents hide things from there kids. Fathers don’t tell their sons whole truths sometimes to spare them hurt.

I am finding this out now first-hand.

As I sit here at 35, having popped all the buttons on my black, obviously too-small jeans, I find it an apt analogy for how I feel. I keep trying to hold my life together, but it’s getting too big and under too much self-applied pressure for me to keep holding it in … because I’ve already been popping emotional and psychological buttons for a while now. A safety pin and belt are holding my jeans up. I’m not sure what’s holding me together.

So yeah, I’m going to spend today thinking about how much I need to sit down and have a conversation with a man who might not have any answers or might not have the right answers. Lord knows he had his own issues, but goddamn it, he’s the person I need to talk to …

Ernie Harwell By Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press

Ernie Harwell, the beloved voice of several major league baseball teams, but most notably the Detroit Tigers, passed away today at 92.

I’m writing this remote via my phone so I will keep this brief. Harwell, who was originally from Georgia, was a truly remarkable man who I have written about a number of times. He was a broadcasting icon.

If the reports of a double rainbow appearing over Tiger stadium right after the announcement of his passing is true, it was most fitting.

Maybe you rest in peace Mr. Harwell. Thank you for sharing you life with us.

You Say Party! We Say Die! (Clifford, back right)

Devon Clifford, the drummer for the Canadian dance-punk band You Say Party! We Say Die!, passed away this morning after suffering a massive brain hemorrhage last night during the band’s performance in Vancouver. He was 30 years old.

Read our 2007 interview with the band: here

Alex Chilton

The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported early today that Alex Chilton, best know for his work in Big Star, has died of an apparent heart attack. He was 59.

Here’s the link to the report: http://m.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/mar/17/memphis-musician-alex-chilton-dies/

“The Battle of El Goodo” – Big Star
Bell/Chilton

Years ago, my heart was set to live, oh
But i’ve been trying hard against unbelievable odds
It gets so hard at times like now to hold on
My guns they’re waiting to be stuck by
At my side is god

And there ain’t no one gonna turn me ’round
Ain’t no one gonna turn me ’round

There’s people around who tell you that they know
The places where they send you, and it’s easy to go
They’ll zip you up and dress you down
Stand you in a row
But you know you don’t have to
You can just say no

And there ain’t no one gonna turn me ’round
Ain’t no one gonna turn me ’round
Ain’t no one gonna turn me ’round
Ain’t no one gonna turn me ’round

I’ve been built up and trusted
Broke down and busted
But they’ll get theirs and we’ll get ours
Just if we can
Just, ah, hold on
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on

Years ago my heart was set to live, oh
But i’ve been trying hard against strong odds
It gets so hard at times like now to hold on
Well, i’ll fall if i don’t fight
And at my side is god

Ain’t no one gonna turn me ’round
Ain’t no one gonna turn me ’round
Ain’t no one gonna turn me ’round
Ain’t no one gonna turn me ’round
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on

[alternate lines of last verse:]
Years ago i was all set to go
And i’ve been trying hard against long odds
It gets so hard at times like this to even hang around
I can either stand or fall
And i believe i’m gonna stand tall

Another sad loss of an immensely talented musician.

Sparklehorse – “Saturday”

Jay Reatard: 1980 - 2010

A shocking announcement earlier today with the passing of Memphis garage-rock star Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr., known by his stage name, Jay Reatard. He was 29.

According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal the prolific songwriter was found at 3:30am this morning in his home. Initial reports were that he died in his sleep although an investigation is underway.

Vic Chesnutt

Update 8:14PM: Read Kristin Hersh’s heartbreaking words on Vic Chesnutt and his passing. Also, there is information on how to donate to his family: here

Update 7:01PM: The New York Times and Vic Chesnutt’s PR rep are confirming that he died this afternoon in the hospital. He was 45.

Update at 2:31PM: He is on life support per his PR rep.

Update 1:58PM: His label, Flagpole, and other sources, are saying that he is on life support.

Update at 10:58AM: Getting unconfirmed reports that he is still with us. Waiting on formal confirmation. As with everyone else who reported his death – based on confirmation from various official sources – DeadJournalist.com is still working to get new confirmation.

Update at 9:24AM: PR rep now redacting that statement that Vic Chesnutt has died; they can not confirm his death at this time. Needless-to-say this story has becoming bizarre.

Update 7:11AM: I received confirmation at 1:52AM this morning that Vic Chesnutt did pass away. He was 45.

Chesnutt’s career began in Athens, Ga., in 1985 as a member of the band the La-Di-Da’s. He began is solo career with the release of, Little, in 1990 which was produced by Michael Stipe. His last album, Skitter on Take-Off, was released in November 2009.

Although best known to many for his roll in the movie “Slingblade” and from the 1992 documentary “Speed Racer”, Chesnutt released more than 15 albums through his musical career. His songs were also featured in the tribute album Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation which was released in 1996.

Chesnutt worked with and appeared on the albums of numerous artists through the years; including collaborative albums with Widespread Panic (as brute) and Elf Power.

Chesnutt, who was confined to a wheelchair after he was left paralyzed in a car accident at age 18, was a native of Zebulon, Ga.

On December 24, 2009, it was confirmed that Chesnutt was in a coma after what was being unofficially sited as a suicide attempt. His death was reported by DeadJournalist.com and many other sources before being retracted mid-morning on December 25, 2009.

Here is a track off of his last album:

Vic Chesnutt – Society Sue

Jerry Fuchs (via New York Times)

Jerry Fuchs, a drummer who has performed with a number of bands including !!!, MSTRKFT, The Juan MacLean, Turing Machine, Holy Ghost! and Maserati, died Sunday morning, November 8, 2009, after failing down an elevator shaft in Brooklyn.

Fuchs, originally from Marietta, GA, attended the University of Georgia, before moving to New York in 1995. He was 34.

Regarding Ruchs, James Murphy of DFA and LCD Soundsystem was quoted in the New York Times saying, “He was one of the only people we all knew who was literally great at what he did. And he was incredibly generous with his talent.”

According to reports, Fuchs was attempting to evacuate a stalled freight elevator that had become stuck between two floors when a piece of his clothing was caught by the elevator causing him to fall to the bottom of the shaft. He was attending a benefit in Williamsburg at the time of the incident.

Juan MacLean, on his band’s Web site, issued a statement confirming Fuchs death.

“Jerry was one of my best and most loyal friends,” MacLean wrote. “He was hands-down the best drummer I have ever played with or seen for that matter. Jerry was with me from the start of The Juan MacLean, and we had countless adventures together all over the world. He was utterly sincere and fiercely loyal. During a particularly difficult time, while backstage in a club in Chicago, Jerry told me ‘Juan, I will follow you to the end of the earth and I will always be there for you.’ That was Jerry, the greatest drummer in the world, the greatest friend you could ever have.”

No announcement had been made regarding arrangement, services or tributes at the time of this post.

As a founding member of several Atlanta bands; mentor to the likes of The Black Lips and Deerhunter; doorman for the Drunken Unicorn venue and one of the featured figures of the We Fun music documentary, he was one of Atlanta’s true characters.

Chad Radford wrote a wonderful piece about Womack for Creative Loafing Atlanta that was released in the Tuesday edition. If you have five minutes, take the time to read it.

http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/the_life_and_times_of_bobby_ubangi/Content?oid=893069