The next challenge – the official Jack Donaghy Psyche Yourself Up Mix.

This was a difficult one to compile. I had no clue what I wanted. Originally I was just putting together songs that were fast and loud. But late last week, I think it sort of clicked. I can be proud of this one I think. Unlike the previous Wake Up Mix. That one was horrible.

Are you going to step up?

1. Ash – Kung Fu
2. Bloc Party – The Prayer
3. Superchunk – Hyper Enough
4. Elvis Costello – No Action
5. Hard-Fi – Hard To Beat
6. Ned’s Atomic Dustbin – Saturday Night
7. Manic Street Preachers – Stay Beautiful
8. The Jam – Going Underground
9. ¡Forward, Russia! – Eighteen
10. The Hives – Die, All Right
11. Longwave – Everywhere You Turn
12. Heartless Bastards – All This Time

The next theme in the Playlist Challenge – a morning wake up mix.

1. iLiKETRAiNS – Joshua
2. Múm – Green Grass of Tunnel
   
3. The Boo Radleys – Wake Up Boo!
   
4. British Sea Power – Waving Flags (Wandering Horn Instrumental)
   
5. El Guincho – Antillas
   
6. HALFBY – Man & Air
   
7. The Smiths – Asleep

This was the hardest. Because not only did it have to be good, it also had to serve a purpose – getting you out of bed.

So for one, it couldn’t be too long. It’s about 30 minutes long, which is usually how much time I spend in bed before getting up (I’m lazy).

My reasoning – I wanted something gentle, yet strong enough to wake me up. That’s why I started with Joshua, an instrumental track that is all build up. Then I cool things down with Múm. It’s the next track that I use as my alarm tone – Wake Up Boo!. Waving Flags through Man & Air, is my final attempt to get myself out of bed. And then I end things with Asleep. Because at this point, just stay in bed.

Who likes terrible covers?

No one.

So why do bands release them?

They need filler for singles.

Here is a terrible cover of Road to Nowhere by the Editors that manages to suck the life and energy out of the original.

Cover: Editors – Road to Nowhere

Original: Talking Heads – Road to Nowhere

The next Playlist Challenge – create a playlist containing music you listened to during high school.

Easy

1. At The Drive In – Star Slight
2. Asian Dub Foundation – Black White
   
3. Pavement – Elevate Me Later
4. R.E.M. – Why Not Smile
5. Modest Mouse – Polar Opposites
6. Idlewild – When I Argue I See Shapes
7. Blur – M.O.R.
8. Super Furry Animals – Northern Lites
9. Pulp – This Is Hardcore
10. Starsailor – Good Souls
11. Jurassic 5 – Concrete Schoolyard
12. The Ataris – San Dimas High School Football Rules

Yes, Top 12. I felt that 10 just wasn’t enough.

1. Los Campesinos! – My Year in Lists
2. The Black Ghosts – I Want Nothing
3. Those Dancing Days – Run Run
4. Mystery Jets – Young Love
5. Friendly Fires – Jump in the Pool
6. Black Kids – I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You
7. Holy Fuck – Lovely Allen
8. The Teenagers – Feeling Better
9. One for the Team – A Better Job
10. Billy Bragg – I Keep Faith
11. ¡Forward, Russia! – Spanish Triangles
12. Flight of the Conchords – Leggy Blonde

And yes, I know that Lovely Allen was released in 2007 on the album . But the single for came out in 2008, and that’s when I first heard it. So deal. If you can’t stand it, you can sub in MGMT – Time to Pretend.

For your convenience.

Now about this list – I’m not pretending it’s written in stone. It’s a collection of songs from 2008 that I really liked that are in no particular order, other than to have a nice flow. Overall, I really like it (and I should).

I should make these sort of Top 10 playlists more often. It was really fun to compile. That last one I did was for Chris, way back on July 22nd.

So what’s your Top 12 of 2008?

One of the nice things about living in the DFW Metroplex is that great bands usually pass by on their way from/to Austin. Of course, around ACL and SXSW are usually the best times to be on the lookout. The latest awesome band that I’ve always wanted to see and that is passing through, is Mogwai.

Mogwai! Not only are they cute and furry, they’re an amazing post-rock band.

Mogwai will be performing this Saturday at the Granada Theater. And since the tickets are not through Ticketmaster, they’re a reasonable $18 + $3.50 (convenience fee).

Admittedly, I’ve always wanted to see Mogwai in an outdoor setting. But, I can’t be choosy. The fact is, I don’t live in the UK, so who knows when they’ll be by again?

So, my favorite Mogwai song?
R U Still In 2 It?

If you want something a little more representative of Mogwai (instrumental, loud, building)
Mogwai Fear Satan

Did you know that ‘promo’ is synonymous with ‘music video’ in some parts of the world?

I did.

But one thing I wasn’t aware of – was the site PromoNews.

After my last post, I went looking for music videos that I would nominate for Music Video of the Year. It’s only fair – after putting down MTV’s list – I should come up with my own. As a result I spent the rest of the night at PromoNews.

My Video of the Year
MGMT – Time to Pretend
Youtube
Quicktime – Slow but worth it
It could use less shirtless hippie, but I’m still enthralled by it.

The Shortlist
Goldfrapp – Happiness
Quicktime
I’m easily impressed by hopping and the look like it was all done in one take.

CSS – Rat is Dead
Quicktime
Did I mention before how much I love stuff that have that one shot feel?

Brighton Port Authority – Toe Jam
Quicktime (NWS)
It’s the most original use of black bars this year

Mystery Jets – Young Love
Youtube
It’s the ‘cute’ video in the mix.

So there you go. 5 Videos – all better than the dregs MTV drug out to be nominated. And I spent maybe 2 hours all together going through my top rated tracks, PromoNews, and Antville.

You can do better MTV – I believe in you.

Check out the nominees for MTV Video of the Year

• Chris Brown “Forever” Joseph Kahn
• Jonas Brothers “Burnin’ Up” Brendan Malloy / Tim Wheeler
• Pussycat Dolls “When I Grow Up” Joseph Kahn
• Britney Spears “Piece of Me” Wayne Isham
• Ting Tings “Shup Up and Let Me Go” Alex & Liane

That’s right, “When I Grow Up” by the Pussycat Dolls. I’ve still got it.

My finger is firmly on the pulse of the sound of young america.

You can find links to all the videos at antville.

I watched them all (mostly). They’re all pretty much generic trash, except for the Ting Tings. I have a feeling The Ting Tings video is copying another recent music video, but I can’t place it. But at least it’s something fun to watch. The Jonas Brothers have Danny Trejo and David Carradine, but it’s nothing special.

Are the Ting Tings going to win? I doubt it. Justice’s D.A.N.C.E was apparently nominated last year, and that didn’t win.