Sub Pop

Last fall, a facebook group entitled "Apple Students" emerged. I was invited to join this group, and I was a click away from declining the invitation wondering why I was invited considering I don't even have an Apple computer. However, the words "free music" seem to catch my eyes/ears more successfully than my own name does. I continued reading, and it said that for the month of September, facebook and Apple would unite to give away a free 25 song playlist of a certain genre to all members of the group every week. Thus, by the end of September, I was the owner of 100 new songs of genres such as alternative and hip hop.

This could be tossed aside as just one more addition to my already much larger than necessary music library. But, this particular music gift introduced me to such wonderful songs as "Let's Pretend" by the quality Hard-Fi Soul Rebellion. For those unaware, this is unofficially dubbed the anthem of the Critters' sophomore/freshman (Sarah) year.

On several occasions following this pleasant September gift, I was tempted to remove my membership of this group because I was sick of getting the Apple ads as messages. But for some reason I never did.

On this rainy ninth day of June, Apple Students proved itself yet again. I got a message informing me of another free playlist, this time only ten songs, but all from Sub Pop records. This excited me because this label sponsors one of my favorite bands the Shins, and it has also put out records by other Northwest artists such as Modest Mouse and the Postal Service. It was originally successful for getting the Seattle indie scene going in the early 90s when it signed Nirvana. No wonder my brain doesn't remember important things when it is filled with useless information about random small record labels. And that's the least of it.

I've now given this short playlist a huge introduction, so it's not going to live up to that. But it is quite excellent, even though I've only listened to it 1 1/2 times.

What originally excited me a lot is that it has one of the songs from the Shins' exclusive live for iTunes session that I was tempted to buy a couple months ago. It's an excellent live edition of "Australia" that is pleasantly reminscient of the fantastic Shins concert I went to in February. The Shins played a very unique show in that the arrangements of their songs were almost identical to the album edition, which is odd because their songs have weird sounds to them, with a slight live flare. This live song has just that slight difference from the album edition that is very enjoyable.

In addition to the Shins, the playlist showcases Dntel, the band of Jimmy Tamborello, the second half of the Postal Service (in addition to Ben Gibbard), which I've wanted to hear for a while. It is a very good song that has some Postal Service vibes to it, as it is also an electronic indie band, but it also has some simple chill sounds to it, almost like Iron & Wine.

A pleasant surprise is the Handsome Furs, whom I was unaware of. This song by them has a very Modest Mouse-esque sound in the crazy background music as well as the singer's voice that has an edge similar to Isaac Brock.

After two listens, I'm a large fan of Low's "Breaker." It's got an awesome beat in the background that sounds like a mixture of the Shins and Guster.

This mix ends with some crazy track by Patton Oswalt entitled "America Has Spoken." I can't figure this one out, and I have no idea who this guy is, but it seems to be some comedian. It's not music, it's this guy talking about ridiculosities of Kentucky Fried Chicken and their new everything-in-one-bowl-bowls, or whatever they're called. It's strange, but it's Sub Pop, so I suppose one must expect that.

Plus, any mix including a song with "ice cream" in the title is a winner. It's Pissed Jeans' "I've Still Got You (Ice Cream)," which I wish I could tell you whether it's actually about ice cream or not. It's quite difficult to discern, and I couldn't find the lyrics online, so I'll pretend it indeed is an ode to ice cream.

Perhaps I've mentioned enough about this playlist. I was just very pleased, so I though I'd write a mini review of it. Go download this playlist now from facebook. You probably need the message Apple Students sent, so I can forward it if anyone cares.

I also discovered a wonderful music blog with legal free downloads that I want to explore more at a later date, so expect a thread on that.

Until then, I need to be awake before 6 am tomorrow for work (even though I only left work 3 hours ago). I'm not a bit tired, so perhaps I'll read Harry Potter until way later than responsible. Oh well. I'm young.

LB

Currently listening to: Loney, Dear - "I Am John" (from Sub Pop, of course)

Currently reading: Just finished "Through Painted Deserts" I should do a review of that. I enjoyed it immensely. I love Donald Miller. Now focusing on HP 6, and perhaps reading something else soon as I'm working u-pick two days in a row.