Mixtape: Break Your Tapedeck (Voume 1)

Mixtape Exchanges are near and dear to our hearts here at Loudspeakr.  Whether it’s the Denver or Philly flavor, or just a swap between friends, the power of the exchange is tangible.  It’s real and it’s intense.  And Evan’s Break Your Tapedeck (Volume I) is no exception.  Actually, I might have to call it a shining archetype of what we’re trying to do here.  Not satisfied to be a hugely talented graphic artist, Evan’s thrown down one of the most dynamic tapes I’ve heard in some time.  Every time I listen (I think about 10 or 12 by this point) I go down a different path.

Did I mention that this tape not only started out as an actual cassette, but that it’s accompanied by a hand-drawn mini mag?  Yeah.  Through the powers of the Internets and the guys as Issu, you too can peruse this collection of b+w drawings and photos.  It’s engaging and gorgeous, so be prepared to get lost.

Now back to the music.  I don’t want to say that this isn’t a heavily-themed, cerebral output, but for me it’s all emotional.  The vibe across both sides is completely classic rock.  Sure, the Pretenders and Bowie show up,  but so does Lily Allen and Does It Offend You Yeah? There’s a quiet, lilting confidence to this tape as a whole.  It’s got 25 stories to tell, but nothing to prove.  And the ones that raise their heads highest above water aren’t the ones you might expect.  When How I Became The Bomb‘s “Killing Machine” drops into spare orchestration from the a cappella, it hurts.  But just a few tracks later Donovan, a mixtape classic, wanders in to take it home.  In a van, with the wind in your hair.

I won’t spoil the rest of it for you.  Telling you this is worth a listen (and a read) is just patronizing.  Evan, amazing work…

Break Your Tapedeck (volume 1) [via zero-version]

SIDE A:

Ghosts of Princes in Towers – The Rich Kids
Dawn of the Dead – Does It Offend You Yeah
Hounds of Love – The Futureheads
We Are Mikey, We Are Rock – The Cool Kids vs Le Loup
Ask Me Anything – The Strokes
Killing Machine – How I Became The Bomb
No Cars Go – Arcade Fire
Smile (Mark Ronson Revisit) – Lily Allen
Catch the Wind – Donovan
Karma Police – John Vanderslice
If Work Permits – The Format

SIDE B:

The Wait – The Pretenders
Carry The Zero – Built To Spill
Heavy Metal – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Who is it – The Talking Heads
Straight To Hell – The Clash
Don’t Drop Out – Dolly Parton
Hybrid Moments – The Misfits
M.E. – Gary Numan
All My Friends – LCD SOUNDSYSTEM
Finger On The Knife – James Pants
Listen To My Heart (live)- The Ramones
Hang On To Your Ego – The Beach Boys
Heros – Bowie
Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare – Matt & Kim