CRB 21ST CENTURY MIXTAPE - VOLUME 1 (AUGUST 2011)

[RJhog (Admin)]

I saw a dual CD boombox recently in a relative's garage and, for some reason, I can't stop thinking about those old mixtapes we all used to make.  I've been pondering how to go about making a mixtape (something different from the same old playlist format) for CRB's listening pleasure, and I think I have it figured out. 

 

First of all, it won't be a true mixtape, it'll be more like a digital mix for you.  But we'll still call it a mixtape 'cause that sounds way better to me.  I'm gonna give you this mixtape to listen to and praise and criticize (I'm sure knowing you guys it'll be mostly criticism, but you know I can take it).  Here is the catch.  It won't be any of my personal music.  I'm gonna gather the tunes 21st Century-style by prowling the internet.  There is so much music on the internet to listen to with the only problem being that you have to find it.  I'll make it easy by doing that for you.  There are no limits to what may appear on the mixtape.  It might be something new or something old, something you've heard or something you haven't heard.  It could be a rough demo or an audio track from a live video.  No rules other than it has to be streaming free somewhere on the internet.  Yes, that's right, I'll be recording streaming audio just like you used to do when you recorded songs off of the radio, with all the warts that go along with streaming media (you know, stream buffering, song skips).  Also, there are no guarantees on the sound level, but I think I have most of the songs at about the same overall level, so hopefully you won't have to adjust the sound but once.  And lastly, each side is one long track, so you either have to listen to it all or move the slider around between songs.

 

There may be a theme, but not necessarily.  Once I gather all of the tracks I'll (unprofessionally) mix it down.  I'll also include track details so you know what you are listening to.  The typical mixtape will hold about 12 songs and will need to be flipped (virtually, of course).  And don't worry, you won't be covered in mixtapes to listen to.  My goal is to get one together every month or so. 

 

Volume 1 features mostly new music.  Side A is the heavy/rocking side while Side B has more of an easy listening feel, though it's not easy listening music.  The Joe Bonamassa song may be a little out of place as it rocks some pretty good guitar work.

***click one of the track listings above to listen to mixtape***

Side A:

 

Sacred Ground (Molly Hatchet) - A new song that comes off of the Greatest Hits II album.  I found this on noisecreep.com.

 

Let Me Out (Electric Mary) - Electric Mary is a rock band from Melbourne, Australia.  They have toured with Whitesnake, Alice Cooper, Glen Hughes and Judas Priest.  This particular song is streaming on their label (Powerage Records) website.

 

Believe Me (The Adrenaline Mob) - Mike Portnoy's new gig.  It also features Russell Allen.  You can check out the entire debut EP right here.  There are about 5-6 little skips on this one, but it's a small annoyance.

 

The Devil You Know (Anthrax) - Everybody knows who Anthrax is.  This song is streaming on Guitar World's website.

 

The Sun (Ape Machine) - Ape Machine is new to me but they have that retro sound that seems to be quite popular these days.  Another cool tune that features some decent riffing and time signature changes that I found on noisecreep.com.

 

Starchild (White Wizzard) - This is a new song stream that has already been featured on CRB in a Smash or Trash thread.  It is so good I had to include it here.  Tell me this does not sound like a custom made Styx tune.  I can here Dennis on lead vocals with backing vocals by Tommy and JY.

 

Side B:

 

Heartbreaker (Loverboy) - This is a brand new song that they recently streamed on their website.  Sorry about the few skips.

 

The Sound Of Winter (Bush) - Although I found this while prowling guitarworld.com, it's streaming on soundcloud.com.

 

The Adventures Of Raindance Maggie (Red Hot Chili Peppers) - Same as previous.

 

Here Comes The Future (Paul Young) - Paul Young was a vocalist with Mike And The Mechanics as well as Sad Cafe.  He sadly died of a heart attack in 2000.  This song is on his new album that consists of previously unreleased recordings.  The song is streaming on paul-young.org.

 

Had To Cry Today (Joe Bonamassa) - Joe has been mentioned lately on CRB due to his work in Black Country Communion.  This song features some great fret work.  It, along with several others, is streaming on his website.

 

Beyond The Tranquil Descent (Jake Dreyer) - From one axe slinger (Bonamassa) to another, I give you Jake Dreyer.  I've never heard of him, but he's quite good.  Since we have fans of instrumental songs here on CRB, I decided to close out volume 1 with this tune that I stumbled across on noisecreep.com.

[TageRyche]

I'm not positive, but I think you linked the same playlist to both links.

[RJhog (Admin)]

Both track listings are just 1 picture, so wherever you click, it goes to the same link.  Once you are on that link, track 1 is side A while track 2 is side B.

[Jon]

You need the sound of fumbling with the mic, especially if recording from the radio. How many times did you have the mic sitting on top of or nearby the radio and have it move away or fall off the desk? Throw in a swear word or two, get the fumbling sound and there's a old-school mixtape for ya!

 

Ir have a parent yelling your name while you're trying to record. Ahh, the memories!

[Jon]

Molly Hatchet--Song was allright, but Phil McCormack vocals seemed to be off or something when he started with the singing. Something just didn't seem right. Won't buy the album to get this song.

 

Electric Mary--Like this, I think everyone here does.

 

The Adrenaline Mob--Eh, didn't do anything for me. Geetar and drums were good but the song really wasn't. 

 

Anthrax--Sounds like Anthrax. It's ok.

 

Ape Machine--Cool stuff. What's with the renaissance? Wolfmother, Priestess, The Sword...not saying it's bad but hopefully it doesn't get pounded into the ground.

 

White Wizzard--Waiting for this album to get a proper US release with a decent price. Just want it for the album cover. And the music I suppose.

 

Loverboy--It's ok I guess. I didn't really like their last album. They seem to be wimping out a bit.

 

Bush--Never liked this band and this doesn't change anything.

 

Red Hot Chili Peppers--Like this song, will most probably buy this album.

 

Paul Young--Good song, nice an mellow. I like this one a lot.

 

Joe Bonamassa--Nice cover of the Blind Faith song.

 

Jake Dreyer--Nice stuff, music with feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeling.

 

 

So, 3 really didn't do anything for me, 1 just didn't sound right. Good list as a whole though.