This is my most recent mix made on my iTunes player and I thought I’d share the how’s and why’s of making it.

Death Came and Got Me – Rosie Thomas
We’ve already talked at some length about this already. So let me just say this album is easily in my top 5 records of 2005 and this song is the crown jewel of the album.

Closer – Joshua Radin
This song is from Scrubs and When I first heard this I thought it might’ve been Ben Harper, but it may have been because of the line”burn to shine” which was a album that he did. Anyway, the song reminds me of being in high school with a girl I wanted to kiss, but I still have to work up the courage to do so.

So Much Trouble – Matt Pond PA
Fall music = cellos and vice versa. This is a great traveling song and finally they get to explore rocking out. The idea of getting into trouble with a girl, and the idea of a growing relationship permeates this track.

Rose Parade – Elliott Smith
The first of songs with bad words in it on the mix. And for that I’m sorry, but Elliott Smith when taken as a whole his song writing was in a perpetual fall. His life tragic, his death suspect but his music will live on.

California Brown and Blue – Denison Witmer
Denison Witmer is amazing! He has a quiet way about him and has a great appreciation for community. This of course factors in when I listen to his music. Witmer conveys the idea of longing and travel thorughout which reminds me of fall.

Brothers on a Hotel Bed – Death Cab for Cutie
The first of two tracks featuring Ben Gibbards Vocals. It takes a full minute to get into this song but once it’s underway Gibbard shows why they get paid the big bucks with this song. And the very notion of brothers on a hotel bed brings a paradox of pictures, either jumping on the bed having a great time or the invisible line of, “don’t sleep on my side!”.

Night Drive – Jimmy Eat World
This is a make out song, no doubt about it. The mention of the lipstick, ethereal backing vocals and “come alive on the drivers side”; it’s kind of dreamy….

Misread – Kings of Convenience
This band I found by accident last year and since then I’ve bought everything they have. The lush vocal, the combination of strings and piano bring back the cool jazz records of Burt Bacharach and the like.

On The Mend – Foo Fighters
Dave Grohl showing his softer side and if anyone understands wounds in need of healing, it’s him. Having his marriage implode, his friends suicide and still rising to the top of the rock world. Showing his imperfection in this song, “I’m here, and I’m on the mend” I dig it.

Sunshine (Come on Lady) – Josh Rouse
This a comical but still sincere love song and I can’t get passed the “I wanna be your baby daddy” and it’s the woman in his life that makes the sun shine brighter than normal.

Boom – Breaking Laces
This song has been out for some time but just came across it in the last 6 weeks or so. The beauty of the song is in stark contrast to wanting to explode but again these emotions are brought on because of the woman in his life.

Couches in Alleys – Styrofoam
Ben Gibbard strikes again…. The DJ’s in Styrofoam did several remixes for Death Cab and then for the Postal Service and it seems that the pay back was doing the vocals for this track.

So Here We Are – Bloc Party
I found this song in September. Target has launched an online campaign for college students by making 4 films featuring music from British Sea Power and Bloc Party. This song begs the question, “What’s Next?”

If Everything Fell Quiet – The Reindeer Section
You may recognize Gary Lightbody’s voice from his other project – Snow Patrol. It’s a beautiful song and the vocal seems terribly vulnerable to me.