Daily Archive

I participated in Lefty Brown’s Mixed Bag CD circle this month.  If you are wondering exactly what this is…a group of participants is assembled.  Each person makes their own mix CD and then sends a copy to everyone else in the group.  You can have a theme or just make it a bunch of songs you like.

I chose a “quasi-theme.”  The artwork that the Mixed Bag group is going to see is rough sketches for a comic book idea I have been working on.  I chose mostly songs to reflect the storyline of the comic, but not directly speaking to events.  More just the “spirit” of the story.  Some of the songs are just there because I like them.  I am unsure about saying more about the comic at this time (because, lets face it, a large number of comic themed bloggers are aspiring artists).

But here are the songs:

What Do I Care:Juliana Hatfield    (Made In China)
This sums up the early attitude of the main character.  Not wanting to give a damn.
Seven Times Hotter Than Fire:T-Bone Burnett    (The True False Identity)
I just like this track.  It’s kind of raw.
Nobody Loved You:Manic Street Preachers    (This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours)
Again, peering into the life of the lead character, and in a way, all of the cast.
Endless Maze:Flynn Atkins    (Burnt Out)
This song is the one hip hop track on the disc, but it describes the frustration of an undirected life.
Undertow:Leonard Cohen    (Dear Heather)
I just like this tune.  It’s mellow, haunting and pretty.
Empty Glass:Peter Welle    (The Silent Era)
I really like this songs.  It’s a prayer, a request, so to speak. It definitely speaks to various desires of the characters in the comic to have deeper meaning to their lives.
You Little Victim:Jeff Elbel + Ping    (The Eleventh Hour Storybook)
This song pokes fun at the attitude of those who seem to be perpetual victims.  Nothing that happens in their life is ever their fault.  They find someone else to blame.  This speaks of the character arc of the lead character in the comic.
How I Remember:David Bazan    (Fewer Moving Pieces)
I like how rough around the edges this song is.
Don`t Cry Out:Shiny Toy Guns    (We Are Pilots)
I just kind of like this tune.  I am not sure it has any relevance to the comic…yet.
In My Time:Matthew Sweet    (Living Things)
I just like Matthew Sweet.
Get Ready For Love:Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds    (Abattoir Blues)
I chose this because it is loud, bombastic and aggressive
Could Be a Lot Worse:Vigilantes Of Love    (Audible Sigh)
Yet another track that directly addresses the lead character.  He knows that as bad as things may seem, there are worse situations.
Waiting For My Real Life To Begin:Colin Hay    (Man @ Work)
And again, this directly relates to the the lead character’s laziness towards his life direction, sitting back and waiting.
I’m Gonna Fly Someday :Bruce Cockburn    (In The Falling Dark)
This is one of those hopeful songs every lead character needs.
Halloween, 1997:Peter Welle    (The Silent Era)
It’s gentle, Eels type of song, that faces themes of loneliness and alienation.
Wonderful Life:Gwen Stefani   (The Sweet Escape)
An upbeat ballad followup, infused with an 80’s vibe.
Day Is Done:Nick Drake    (Five Leaves Left)
A song to signal an end is near.  It’s a gentle tune, intentionally set up against the 80’s flavored pop of the Stefani tune.
Ten Little Kids:The Jayhawks    (Tomorrow The Green Grass)
Just a fun and energetic tune.  Meant to bring the spirit up after the Nick Drake tune.
Wanna Die With A Smile On My Face:Chris Thomas    (Cry Of The Prophets)
“I don’t want to live in fear no more…”

The funny thing is, this really makes it seem like the comic book is really dramatic, yet it is more of a comedy.  Oh well.  I hope all the participants enjoyed the disc!