Greetings, Salutations and welcome to this week’s edition of Mixtape Monday! The time in the week where you get to hear what I’m listening to this week… well in this instance. If you haven’t noticed already, what I listen to is very eclectic. Here’s my latest offering for you! Yes YOU the listener. Please give me feedback and share with me what you’re listening to as well.

As always… listen to this week’s mixtape on Spotify!

1. The Polyphonic Spree - “Light and Day”

Brace yourselves. Let’s start the week off with a band that’s way out there. The Polyphonic Spree are, get this, a 24-piece symphonic choral chamber pop rock group out of Texas. They were formed in 2000 by former Tripping Daisy singer/guitarist Tim DeLaughter. This is just an all-around fun track, which has been featured on TV shows, ads and movie soundtracks, very much in the vein of classic groups The 5th Dimension and The Association. 

2. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - “The Impression That I Get”

Ska lives! With the return of Five Iron Frenzy and other such bands, ska is again on the rise. Another band knocking on the door of nostalgia are The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. They just released a brand new album and in honor of that, here’s their classic track “The Impression That I Get.”

3. Kaiser Chiefs - “Ruby”

If you play Guitar Hero, then you’ve heard this next track. “Ruby” by Kaiser Chiefs is one of those tracks that you can’t get out of your head(or stop playing on GHIII). This has that ol’ school new wave sound. I’ve wanted to put this track by the boys from England on a mixtape for weeks and finally got the chance. You’re welcome.

4. Gorillaz - “19-2000”

Ever want one of those tracks that you can just bob your head to and get in a groove? This is that track. Get ready to get up and dance… not a fast dance, just a sweet slow groove, like something out of those ol’ summer Coke commercials. Hard to believe that this “virtual band” from England has been around for over 10 years. Gorillaz is an English-based visual project consisting of four animated members. The musical side of things is directed by Damon Albarn of The Good, The Bad, & The Queen and Blur fame.

5. Young The Giant - “My Body(Two Door Cinema Club Remix)”

I’ve featured Young The Giant on past Mixtape Mondays, but they needed to be added to this mix. This track comes from a great Remix EP that you can get for free over on NoiseTrade. Enjoy and spread the word.

6. Flobots - “Handlebars”

Here’s an incredible track from an alternative rock and hip-hop group out of Denver, Colorado.  Band member Jamie Laurie describes this song as “the idea that we have so much incredible potential as human beings to be destructive or be creative.” Please give this track a listen, check out the lyrics, and examine it for yourself.

7. Snow Patrol - “Open Your Eyes”

I had the great pleasure of seeing Snow Patrol open for U2 a couple years ago at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA on the U2360 Tour. It was a great gig! I had kind of forgotten about these chaps from Northern Ireland until recently when I heard this track on “Saved By the Belding,” a great short film about four naive young men who journey to California in hopes of finding the truth about the infamous Rod Belding of “Saved By The Bell” fame. Rod, as you may or may not recall, was the substitute teacher brother of principal Mr. Belding. I highly recommend checking this short out(click on the title able to see it) if you were a SBTB fan and also enjoy this track from Snow Patrol!

8. MUTEMATH - “Tell Your Heart Heads Up”

Another great track from their most recent release, Odd Soul. Another great track with a great groove. I love the guitar riff and percussion. The boys from New Orleans continue to impress me.

9. Cage The Elephant - “Aberdeen” 

The Kentucky-based Cage The Elephant have had a few hits in their relatively short existence. Known for the 2009 hit “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked,” they bring it again with their current smash “Aberdeen.” I love the grunge and rock sound of this band.

10. Dave Brubek - “Take Five”

And now for something completely different… well sort of.  Here’s one of my favorite jazz songs of all time. I love the groove of this tune and the catchy saxophone melody with infectious percussion and piano. It is hard to believe the tune was originally recorded 52 years ago in 1959. Enjoy.

There you have it… another mixtape in the books. As always, let me know what you think… and go back and check out past mixtapes as well! Remember to become a fan of this blog on Facebook and follow over on Twitter for the latest updates and exclusive content!

Have a great week and spread the word about this blog!

Welcome to the first Monday in December! Time for another edition of Mixtape Monday! Ten more tracks that I’ve been listening to, that you should be too! Ready? 

As always… check out this week’s mixtape on Spotify!

1. Foo Fighters - “Breakout”

The mighty fighters of foo… one of those bands that continueously manages to rock my face off. “Breakout” comes from the band’s 1999 album, There Is Nothing Left To Lose. Hard to believe that Dave Grohl and the boys have been rocking hard for over sixteen years!

2. Hot Hot Heat - “Bandages”

Here’s a great track from a band that is one of our neighbor’s to the north.  The keyboard-driven Canadian Indie rockers, hailing from Victoria, British Columbia, had a number 1 smash with this tune off 2002’s, Make Up The Breakdown.

3. Eliza Doolittle - “Rollerblades”

I first heard this track on a recent TV ad campaign and couldn’t get it out of my head. This his from 2010 is bound to just make you bob your head from side to side and tap your feet. Enjoy it… just let it happen.

4. The Naked and Famous - “Young Blood”

I recently saw The Naked and Famous play WBRU’s 42nd Birthday Bash along with Young the Giant and Matt & Kim. I’d only recently been introduced to these rockers from New Zealand and am very impressed! They have a great sound and put on an awesome live show.

5. Incubus - “Anna Molly”

This is one of those songs that gets you rocking. I love the drive of the tune. Incubus is one of those bands that can get your grooving. “Anna Molly” is the lead single from the band’s sixth album, Light Grenades.

6. Abandon - “Live It Out”

Abandon is a five piece rock band out of Texas. I was flipping through the channels one day and came across our local news station, NECN, where they used this tune in one of their promos. I loved it. I’ve heard it over and over in the promos and finally heard the full song for myself the other day. Rockin’ tune!

7. Grouplove - “Tongue Tied”

This tune can be heard in the most recent iPod Touch ad campaign. Grouplove has been featured in past posts on this blog and are worthy of being added to more. This is a tune that’s one of those that you nod your head along with. Not sure how I feel about the random spoken word section halfway through, but overall a rockin’ tune.

8. Sleeping at Last featuring Jon Foreman - “Birthright”

Time to slow things down a bit. “Birthright” comes from Sleeping at Last’s March EP. Originally, I listened to this tune mainly because of the guest spot by Jon Foreman. From there, I’ve become a fan of the band’s music as a whole.

9. Johnny Cash - “In My Life”

“The Man In Black” is a true music legend. Johnny Cash’s music spans generations. I hadn’t heard his cover of The Beatle’s “In My Life” until recently. The raw emotion and vocals on this song really capture the song in general. Sure, not much can beat the original, but Cash does an honest and enjoyable job on the track from 2002’s American IV: The Man Comes Around.

10. The Who - “Love Reign O’er Me”

Nothing like a great classic rock song to finish out the set.  Here’s a huge hit from the English rock band The Who’s 1973 rock opera, Quadrophenia. It’s the last track on the album, and therefore the last track on this week’s edition of Mixtape Monday.

There you have it… another mixtape in the books. As always, let me know what you think… and go back and check out past mixtapes as well! Remember to become a fan of this blog on Facebook and follow over on Twitter for the latest updates and exclusive content!

Enjoy your week!

Ahh Cyber Monday… the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend.  The Monday where we’re still full from all that turkey and awesome sandwiches made with delicious Thanksgiving leftovers.  Before you shop till your finger drops from clicking too much on all those deals, open up this week’s playlist and have a soundtrack to your Monday madness.  Also, unbiased side promotion: Check out my wife’s incredible artwork. Rachel Brask Artworks is offering a Cyber Monday 20% off promotion in her Etsy shop which, due to popular demand, has been extend to Wednesday afternoon at 1:01pm.  Enter coupon code HAPPYARTGIFTING at checkout and get that awesome deal!  Please check out her work and consider a gift for that special loved one!  So while you’re clicking over to see her promotion… here’s where you can go to listen to this week’s mix on Spotify.

1. Matt & Kim - “Block After Block”

Matt & Kim are a pretty sweet dance punk duo from Brooklyn. They are playing in Providence, RI this week at WBRU’s Birthday Bash and I’m hoping to check them out live. From what I’ve seen online, they put on a high energy live show. Check out this toe-tapping track from their most recent release, Sidewalks.

2. Young The Giant - “Cough Syrup”

On that same bill in Providence with Matt & Kim are the California-based rockers, Young The Giant. I’ve been a fan of this band for quite awhile. Here’s a great track from their 2010 self-titled release. They have a great rock sound.

3. Dawes - “When My Time Comes”

Another California-based band that has caught my attention lately are the folk rockers, Dawes. They were introduced to me by a good friend of mine in the Switchfoot team, Bobby. I love the harmonies on this tune from their 2009 album, North Hills. There is definitely a Crosby, Stills, and Nash influence to their sound.

4. Five Iron Frenzy - “Blue Comb ‘78”

In honor of the recent announcement that the ol’ gang is getting back together, here is a track from Our Newest Album Ever!. I’m incredibly stoked that this ska band from Denver are reuniting and putting out music again. Please check out their Kickstarter and support the effort if you’re an FIF fan like myself. It has been 8 years since they played their final show, which I had the pleasure to be at, so this news is quite sweet!

5. The Fratellis - “Chelsea Dagger”

This is just a all around fun song. I love the instrumentation and “la de dahs”… I’m a sucker for “la de dahs.” The Fratellis were an indie rock band out of Scotland. This track comes from their 2006 release, Costello Music. They are currently on hiatus, but I sure hope they come out with more music.

6. The Black Keys - “Lonely Boy”

Here’s a track from The Black Keys’ upcoming release, El Camino. I featured their viral video for the song a few week’s back featuring a dancing dude in a car dealership. It has gone viral since. The Black Keys never seem to disappoint, as is this the case with “Lonely Boy.” I’m also a sucker for “Oh oh ooh ohs” and this track has plenty of them… in a good way.

7. The Raconteurs featuring Ricky Skaggs & Ashley Monroe - “Old Enough”

Jack White is a modern-day musical genius. He’s had smash hits with The White Stripes, The Dead Weather, and The Raconteurs. He was ranked #70 on Rolling Stone’s list of “The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.” If you haven’t checked out the 2009 documentary, It Might Get Loud, featuring White, Jimmy Page and The Edge(currently available to watch instantly on Netflix), I highly recommend you do so. He recently re-recorded of The Edge’s band U2’s “Love Is Blindness” for the 20th anniversary tribute to U2’s Achtung Baby, “AHK-toong BAY-bi Covered.” Great track… but enough about his accomplishments. This version of “Old Enough” rocks a sweet bluegrass vibe with the addition of Skaggs and Monroe. I love the homage to The Everly Brothers at the end.

8. Wolfmother - “Vagabond”

This feels like a traveling man’s song to me. It has that feeling of just what the title suggests, a vagabond, a drifter or wanderer. Perfect combination for this tune from the Australian rocker’s 2005 self-titled debut. The song has been featured in the film (500) Days of Summer along with the TV show CHUCK, among others.

9. Locksley - “The Whip”

Again, a sucker for “whoa oh oh’s.” here’s a track from a band that reminds me alot of The Fratellis. The Wisconsin based Locksley has a huge early “British Invasion” influence in their sound. I’m relatively new to Locksley, but this tune, from the their 2011 self-titled album, has been featured in the National Football League’s Play60 television campaign.

10. The Muppets - “Rainbow Connection”

In honor of the reemergence of Jim Henson’s beloved Muppets, here’s the most recent version of the classic “Rainbow Connection” from the current hit film, The Muppets. This is arguably one of the best soundtrack songs out there. Many will argue with me on that one, but it is instantly recognized by many generations of folks. I saw The Muppets this weekend and I highly recommend it. They definitely stay true to Henson’s original vision. It has a great soundtrack and brilliant writing. Loved the cameos and tongue-in-cheek humor. It truly is great for the whole family. Kids and adults alike will laugh out loud. The soundtrack also features tunes from Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords fame. Go see this film. Also the soundtrack is $4.99 for a limited time in mp3 form through Amazon.com.

There you have it… another mixtape for you to enjoy. As always, let me know what you think… and go back and check out past mixtapes as well! Remember to become a fan of this blog on Facebook and follow over on Twitter for the latest updates and exclusive content! Also, jump on that deal from Rachel Brask Artworks!

Enjoy Mixtape Monday on this Cyber Monday… and all week long!