October 2008: A bunch of "The Ballad Of" tracks. This probably works better as a playlist than a mix because it was really, really hard to get the tracks to flow in any sort of way, but it's a bunch of good songs so.
» The beat in the Nick Cave track is awesome, it reminds me of Stevie Nicks' "Edge Of Seventeen." Really catchy and fun, and Betty Coltrane is so badass!
» It always annoys me when I really like a Killers song. I don't know, I always feel like I should hate them but I can't. "The Ballad of Michael Valentine" is so catchy, and I love the vocal rhythm in the the verses and how it's back up by the guitar. (I thought he was saying
with your Lemsip and your black tie before I looked up the lyrics.)
» Ryan Adams on "Carol Lynn":
"It was written 30 minutes before recording it while the rest of the band was having supper. It's a first take - all live except for the Civil War-sounding horns. It's very spooky. That's the sound of the church, man. That's the church talking to us. I never was quite sure what the song was about 'cause I recorded it right after writing it, but now I think it might have been a self-criticism whereby I just turned myself into a character and analyzed myself that way. But I don't know for sure. Which is even cooler. Not to know who Carol Lynn is, but still having her speak through you."
I love him so so much. My Ryan love notwithstanding, I think this is a really good song - Ryan's voice is really solid and on the lighter side of strained and gravelly, and the horns and strings are subtle (apart from the obligatory harmonica, which isn't as harsh as you might think) and back him up perfectly. Idk, it's a country-type song for people that aren't really into that sort of thing?
» I still think the video for this song is hilarious. Yes plz, Jimmy Pop. (I'm still not used to watching the unedited version of the video, I still expect to hear
now show 'em them [blank noise]
now show 'em them [blank noise])
» I really love songs with religious elements in them, though I'm not religious myself. As far as I know, Dar Williams isn't either, and I love how she's taken the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene and explored her viewpoint.
I gave it up and all for love / it was his career or mine and
the tenderness I shared with him / became a heresy, I fucking love it. It's a gorgeous, gorgeous folksy-pop song with a really catchy guitar hook.
» Duke Special's voice = ♥ Irish accents make music that much better.
» It took me a while to get into "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan" because songs with electronic beats in it really put me off, but the story of suburban frustration keeps me listening. I do prefer the faster video version, though.
» I feel bad for following Rancid up with McFly, but thems the breaks. Tom and Danny's voices are absolutely fabulous (c wat i did thar?) in this. It's a really well-crafted pop song and it makes me heart hurt a little. The video is cool too.
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Songs For Whoever 
