Build a Workout Cool Down: …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead – Invocation

And finally another new cool down in the form of “Invocation”.  I’m gonna be honest, you CANNOT go wrong placing this song as either an intro or an outro on ANY mixtape. The perfect subtle beauty of the piano works to either build tension towards the first powerful track on an album, or build towards a moment of rest as it does here at the end of the mix. Wonderful Wonderful music! For some reason the original version isnt up on youtube!! I had to settle for this cover which does a fairly good job of conveying the beauty of this song. Find the original if you can!

Build a Workout Mix: Successful Mix 3

If you’re not sure what this is about, start by heading HERE and reading the introduction to this section of my blog.

I did run yesterday but I skyped with my fiance and didnt have time to post this. This mix is built off of successful mix 2 which can be found HERE.

Lets start with the new tracklist. Lots of updates on this one.

1. Lose Yourself – Eminem

2. Fuckin’ In the Bushes – Oasis

3. Alive & Amplified – The Mooney Suzuki

4. Seventeen Years – Ratatat

5. The Dragon Boy – Joe Hisaishi

6. Totalimmortal – AFI

7. Intergalactic – Beastie Boys

8. …To Die For – Hanz Zimmer

9. Invocation – …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead

Like I said, almost a complete overhaul. I figured that if the mix is successful, I should switch out more of the tracks so that I can introduce new ones to add for your own mixes.

The mix starts off the same with the excellent warm up “Lose Yourself”

I complained last time that “I Get Around” didnt fit in mood wise after “Lose Yourself” so I replaced it with the new stride “Fuckin’ In the Bushes”. This Oasis gem is a perfect stride with its repetitive guitar riff. I first heard the song during the climactic scene in the movie Snatch(Seriously if you havnt seen that movie, its a must!) and fell in love with it!

Next up comes a new burnout “Alive & Amplified”! I cant remember when I first discovered the Mooney Suzuki but this song got stuck in my head almost immediately. Like its name implies, this song will get you amped!! I was feeling extra tired since I was coming off a nine hour work day for my run tonight and when it was time for my burnout I couldnt remember what song I had picked. I just kept thinking, this thing better be BIG or else I’m giving up. Needless to say I did NOT give up!

“Seventeen Years” has returned for one more run but I’ve finally replaced its companion with the more mellow “The Dragon Boy” by Joe Hisaishi. If you dont know the composer, he is responsible for the soundtracks of all of Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli animated films. This one comes from the wonderful “Spirited Away”. Stop reading this and go watch the movie if you’ve never seen it. The song is a bit soft but still served as a good warm up. It must be pointed out that “The Dragon Boy” is only the first 2:13 seconds of the youtube video I posted.

Another amazing burnout! I have no idea what the leader singer of AFI is saying most of the time but this song amps me up like nothing else. Everytime he says “This! Rage I! Cannot! Let! Go OH!” The bass line is mesmerizing and the guitars provide this perfect intensity that forces your body to give its hardest effort. And when he starts yelling at like the 2:05 mark?? I just wish there was anything else in AFI’s catalogue as amazing as this song.

I also finally retired “Ringa Ringa” replacing it with the very fun stride “Intergalactic”! The song as a great shuffling beat that keeps perfect pacing while each of the emcees provides plenty of funny lines to keep you entertained throughout.

“…To Die For” spins again as both a burnout motivation and a cool down

And finally another new cool down in the form of “Invocation”.  I’m gonna be honest, you CANNOT go wrong placing this song as either an intro or an outro on ANY mixtape. The perfect subtle beauty of the piano works to either build tension towards the first powerful track on an album, or build towards a moment of rest as it does here at the end of the mix. Wonderful Wonderful music! For some reason the original version isnt up on youtube!! I had to settle for this cover which does a fairly good job of conveying the beauty of this song. Find the original if you can!

Song of the Day 02/16/11: Animal Collective – Did You See the Words?

This is the first Animal Collective song I ever liked.  I fell in love with it in the basement hanging out by myself at my parents.  I love the echo best because it’s so completely awesome.  I was listening to this the other night while cooking and dancing and thought I should put it up.  Yes, I cook and dance.  At the same time.  Neither of them well in the eyes of a professional.

Song of the Day 11/14/2010: Animal Collective – In The Flowers

Animal Collective is one of those bands most people find to be inaccessible.  I tend to agree with them, but to pass them up is a mistake.  “In the Flowers”, is pure genius.  It’s a song about the the singer meeting his wife (the dancer), who he then has to leave behind because he needs to go on tour.  He dreams of leaving his body, so that he can meet his wife in the flowers, so they can dance happily together.  This is music you can feel.  Some people say Animal Collective can’t write songs, but just listen to the beat building towards the moment where he says, “if I could just leave my body for the night” and the explosion of sound and the joy that comes with it.  Listen to it a few times.  Listen to it loud.  And sing along to it in your car.  It’s very addictive.  lol.  Have fun.