Cotton Jones – The Art of the Mixtape

Well-equipped for both rainy days and dreary nights, the slow burn of “I Am The Changer” by Cotton Jones sounds like Yo La Tengo and Lee Hazelwood got together and had a baby. Even if you don’t know those names, this song is a real beauty that drifts out of that lovely guitar melody. The drums and organ only further the rainy haze, but that guitar line is that murky peek of sunshine that helps you realize it’s only temporary. Also be sure to check out “Up A Tree (Went This Heart I Have)” which sounds like a song The Doors could have made if they were actually poetic.

Get ready for another thrilling Mixtape Monday presentation. This time around I have a lot of goodies ranging from new indie acts to some great collaborations and some little known older stuff. As always the stuff on the site is free and available for download (just a right click and save target/ link as) but if you enjoy the music, please support the artists involved. The full mix after the jump.

Continue reading Mixtape Monday Presents: Keeping the Light On

Mixtape Monday: Stolen Shoes, Cold Wars, and Love Fools

It’s time for another Mixtape Monday. This week has it all; great indies ( New Pornographers,Destroyer,Surfer Blood, Blitzen Trapper, Rosewood Thieves, Voxtrot, and the Morning Benders) some forgotten classics (Bill Withers, Jorge Ben, Paul McCartney, Freda Payne) and some great covers (Barbara, M. Ward). A little rain and a little sun and as always for free. Please check out the artists included because they’re all great bands that deserve some well earned cash. The full mix after the jump

Continue reading Mixtape Monday: Stolen Shoes, Cold Wars, and Love Fools

Mixtape Monday: Too Young to Burn with A Soul Full of Love

This week’s Mixtape Monday mixes some great up and coming bands (Cotton Jones, Field Music, The Dutchess and the Duke, and Robert Francis to name a few) established new acts (The Morning Benders, Josh Rouse, Fleet Foxes) with some old (Elliot Smith) and even older classics (The Beatles, E.L.O., The Four Tops, The Impressions). As always downloads are encouraged to promote the artists and raise awareness of all the great music out there.

1a.White Water Hymnal (Fleet Foxes) (remix)- Mondo Boys

1b. Bottle Up and Explode (Elliot Smith) (remix)- Mondo Boys

The great thing about these two remixes is that they don’t do too much, rather they add to the song ever so subtly, tinkering with the rhythm here, adding bits to the song there, it does what a remix should, which is highlight the original work, and avoids taking anything away from it. These two should be listened to in succession.

The full mixtape after the jump

Continue reading Mixtape Monday: Too Young to Burn with A Soul Full of Love