Mix Tape of the Day: February 8, 2015 - Nirvana Day

Today, we celebrate the day Buddha achieved full Nirvana by listening to the complete works of Nirvana.

1. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana (1991) Nevermind is one of my favorite albums of all time.  I would have been satisfied just playing the whole thing for today.  But I decided to hold back.  There is no question though that that album, and this song in particular, changed music forever.

2. Smells Like Nirvana - "Weird Al" Yankovic (1992) Normally, I try to refrain from playing the Weird Al parody right after the original.  But these two pair well together.  Kurt Cobain knew he "made it" once he heard this version.  It gratefully boosted both artists careers.  Plus, it's one of the only Al parodies that's actually about the artist it is parodying.

3. About a Girl - Nirvana (1989) In their Unplugged appearance, Cobain refers to this song as coming from the album that not a lot of people bought.  That's understandable, as Bleach doesn't quite reach the apex of Nevermind, but it still has some great songs.

4. In Bloom - Nirvana (1991) Nevermind however just has one classic song right after another.  Nirvana was no one-trick pony.

5. Come as You Are - Nirvana (1991) It's songs like this that make me wish I knew how to play the guitar.

6. Lithium - Nirvana (1991) Wait, this one does, too.  I actually tried to learn this one on guitar before.  Religion has caused some wonderful music over the years.

7. Polly - Nirvana (1991) This haunting quieter song is one that always gets stuck in my head at the most random moments.  This was eventually re-recorded with a more upbeat tempo, but the original acoustic version speaks volumes.

8. Heart-Shaped Box - Nirvana (1993) How exactly did Cobain manage to come up with so many distinct and great sounds?

9. All Apologies - Nirvana (1993) Fun Fact! I used to think this song was about "Gatorade."

10. Dumb - Nirvana (1993) I'm struggling to come up with different ways of saying how great Cobain was.

11. Pennyroyal Tea - Nirvana (1993) The whole MTV Unplugged performance is great, but I feel it really hits its stride when Cobain gets to "Pennyroyal Tea."  He just seems so earnest.

12. Rape Me - Nirvana (1993) This is a powerful song and one of my favorites.  Something about the boldness that Cobain empowers this songs subject with hits me strongly.

13. Something in the Way - Nirvana (1991) This slower song is my favorite way to end any Nirvana album, because it reminds us that they aren't all about screaming angst.

Mix Tape of the Day: January 14, 2015 - Foo Fight!

Let's take a look at Dave Grohl.  This drummer/singer has seemingly collaborated with every rock band you can imagine, so it was difficult trimming down his entire body of work to one mix.  I decided to focus on his post-Nirvana career, because otherwise we'd be here all day.

1. Everlong - Foo Fighters (1997) Is it wrong to start with what is considered to be the best song of the Foo Fighters?  Personally, I find the rest of this mix to be even more enjoyable.  But I'd be remiss not to include this classic.

2. Big Me - Foo Fighters (1995) This was one of the first hits for the band that Dave Grohl worked on while still with Nirvana.  It's an amusing pop love song that doesn't quite fit with the usual Foo Fighters vibe.  That irony, combined with it's campy music video, makes it all the stronger.

3. I'll Stick Around - Foo Fighters (1995) This first official single seems to draw more from its grunge roots, especially considering it's backstory.  I nearly overlooked it until I recalled Weird Al's "Alternative Polka" from the mid-90s which featured a great "I don't owe you anything!" breakdown.

4. Walking After You - Foo Fighters (1997) Here's another slower love song with a secret edge.  I enjoy it when the Foo Fighters change up their typical sound.  It creates more magical moments.

5. Learn to Fly - Foo Fighters (1999) It admittedly took me a while to warm up to the Foo Fighters.  But it was this song that won me over.  Even the music video helped.  Dave Grohl seems to be one of those naturally born performers.

6. Friend of a Friend - Foo Fighters (2005) While "I'll Stick Around," was inspired by Kurt Cobain post-death, this one was actually written back in the early '90s when Grohl had just joined Nirvana.  As he was hesitant to share his sound with the band (preferring to let Cobain take the lead), he recorded his own music under a pseudonym, including this song.  Here, he sings about his first meeting with the band that would ultimately rocket him to fame.

7. Best of You - Foo Fighters (2005) THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST

8. Times Like These (Acoustic) - Foo Fighters (2006) This is a re-recording of older song from the FF library.  I enjoy the original, but some songs really benefit from acoustic performances, and this one really showcases Grohl's talent by allowing him to slow down and sing softly.

9. The Pretender - Foo Fighters (2007) I guess, technically, this was the first Foo Fighters song I really paid any attention to.  I didn't know it was Foo Fighters, but it was part of my early college soundtrack, so it was a constant part of my life.

10. Walk - Foo Fighters (2011) This song nearly appeared on many previous mixes so far this year (New Year, New Beginning, especially).  It finally has a home.  Nice and inspirational.

11. These Days - Foo Fighters (2011) Okay, so I learned a lot about the Foo Fighters today.  Above all else, I learned I liked them.  I only knew them for "Everlong," or so I thought.  It seemed after each song I'd check out, I'd learn, "Oh, that song's by Foo Fighters too?!"  I don't know what that says about them or me, but I was pleasantly surprised multiple times today.

12. Mantra - Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, Trent Reznor (2013) Although I only focused on Foo Fighters today, Grohl has had his hand in many musical pockets.  He's collaborated with everyone from Queen to the Muppets.  But during one of his latest creative projects (directing the Sound City documentary), he used the opportunity to create a brief supergroup with his pals from Queens of the Stone Age and Nine Inch Nails to create this awesome piece of music.

13. Marigold (Demo) - Nirvana (2013) So, I lied, I'm including one Nirvana song because it was one of the first that Dave Grohl created himself.  It was so cool learning about his history today.  It was interesting to read about him blossoming from a shy, young drummer into a rock superstar.  This remastered version of an old demo captures young Grohl's personality well as it's the only song where he gets to take the lead, so he is audibly nervous and apologetic (yet not without his edge).

Mix Tape of the Day: January 8, 2015 - Major Tom's Journey

It's David Bowie's birthday.  I'll admit, while I'm a Bowie fan, I'm more impressed with his style and influence rather than most of his actual work.  In fact, his creation of the Major Tom character is my favorite work of his, because it created a saga for other musicians to continue to explore.  Please don't be upset that about 50% of this mix features other artists.  Just remember that without Bowie, none of this would have existed.

1. Space Oddity - David Bowie (1969) This is the one that started off Bowie's space drama.  A lost astronaut who is disconnected from the home he left behind in more ways than one.  This is what captured the imaginations of all who listened to it, especially during the era of the first moon landing.  Space was the coolest.

2. Rocket Man - Elton John (1972) Although it wasn't directly influenced by "Space Oddity," Elton John's "Rocket Man" shares more than enough similarities with the original song that many consider them part of the same whole.  I can't help it if I also think of Major Tom during this song.

3. Starman - David Bowie (1972) Continuing with the space theme, Bowie explored some other characters and areas of our galaxy, including this extraterrestrial who wants to promote peace and dancing!

4. Life on Mars? - David Bowie (1973) I almost didn't include this one.  But after listening to it three times in a row, I felt I finally understood it.  It is an epic, grand ode to love and introspection and...space, of course.  Right?  It's beautiful.  (And I like how it was written as a parody of Sinatra's "My Way.")

5. Heroes - David Bowie (1977) It's songs like this that made me wish I understood musicians and poetry better.  I can't put into words why it's supposed to be great, but I do know it is.  Maybe Major Tom is singing it to his wife?  Maybe?

6. The Man Who Sold the World - Nirvana (1993) I went to two annual "song character parties."  The first year, I went as Major Tom.  The second year, I went as the man who sold the world.  Yes, I was introduced to the song through Nirvana, and even Bowie admits that Cobain did a great job with it, although it gets annoying when he gets no credit for writing it.

7. Ashes to Ashes - David Bowie (1980) This is second specific Major Tom song that Bowie uses as more of an autobiographical piece.  It shows just how much Tom is suffering.  Not just due to his circumstances, but due to his own past actions.

8. Mrs. Major Tom - Sheryl Crow (2011) Don't worry, I'm not actually including William Shatner.  But he also had a similar idea of compiling and covering space-related songs for a Major Tom album.  And Sheryl Crow lends her voice to a beautiful cover of this K.I.A. song that shows us the story from the perspective of Major Tom's wife back at home.

9. Modern Love - David Bowie (1983) After listening to Mrs. Major Tom share her thoughts, I just needed a good ol' Bowie love song.

10. Empty Glass - Tea Party (2004) But despite the strength of love, those of us back at home are losing faith, waiting for an answer from Major Tom.

11. Hallo Spaceboy (Pet Shop Boys remix) - David Bowie and the Pet Shop Boys (1996) The third official entry in the Major Tom saga, things start to get...funky.  Being lost in space for years can do a number on you.

12. Major Tom (I'm Coming Home) - Peter Schilling (1983) I just love how bleak the Major Tom story originally was and Peter Schilling decided, "Nuts to that! Major Tom gets a happy ending!" It's so uplifting!  (At the aforementioned song party where I came as Major Tom, we also had our songs on the party playlist.  I entered the party with "Space Oddity" and left hours later when this one came on.)

13. Dancing in the Street - David Bowie and Mick Jagger (1985) Major Tom is home safe and sound! And thanks to the Starman who taught us all how to boogie, we can properly celebrate!