Kyle's Mix 2

Overview: 2
Joe Purdy - I Love the Rain The Most
Simple, sweet. Pared down. “I love the rain the most…when it stops.” He has a unique and very expressive voice. Good wake up in the morning song. Smart opening song.
Jump Little Children – Mexico
Great band. Great lead vocals. Sweet song. Not their best song, but more than passable. Followed the first song well.
Kim Richey - A Place Called Home
What Kim lacks in vocal ability she more than makes up for it with expression and emotion. Once again a very simple, sweet song. Noticing a trend? Strong lyrics.
Bic Runga - The Be All and End All (live)
I love Bic and Kyle knows this. So nice to hear that live, she still keeps that same ethereal quality as when she is recorded. And she sounds great. What a great song choice. (I have to say at this point thought the energy of this mix is down. And I start to think. This is a lazy Saturday album.)
Gemma Hayes - Evening Sun
The same thing could be said about Gemma’s voice that was said of Kim’s voice. Except more. Her voice isn’t as strong, but her tone and emotion paint a gorgeous picture. Sadly the intro to this song sounds so similar to Bic’s song that if you aren’t paying attention you won’t know they’ve moved on. The variety on this mix isn’t as strong but the songs are stronger.
Jolie Holland - Sascha
After three similar songs Kyle knocks it out of this park. Jolie’s voice is haunting and the production on this tinny-standard sounding song are classic. A pleasant change without ruining the flow of the energy.
Ray LaMontagne - Jolene
No this isn’t the infamous Dolly Parton song or one of its many covers. This is another song about a girl named Jolene. It’s almost as haunting. Ray’s voice has that dusty raspy country feel, but the song still feels forced. But the fiddle in this song is gorgeous.
M Ward - HEre Comes the Sun Again
Simple, sweet. Not much else. Nice inclusion.
Eel - Railroad Man
I don’t know why, but this is one of my favs on the mix. Simple, alt-country chords, ambiguous lyrics. But I’ve always love the Eels and this song has a wonderful resolve.
Amos Lee – Colors
Nice choice to follow the Eels. His voice is gorgeous and very controlled. Simple, pared down. Stripped and beautiful. By this point the mix has found its voice. Easily one of my new fav tracks.
James Blunt - You're Beautiful
Great opening riff on this song. And his voice is mysterious and almost sexy. Very vulnerable song. This is honestly one of the best three song samples on a mix CD. Sappy for sure, but very moving.
Matt Pond PA – KC
Complete change in pace. Still has that same desolate quality, though. Some trite lyrics, but a heel-tapping song (no not toes). Awesome chorus.
Sufjan Stevens - Cashmir Pulaski Day
A very simple song for his boyish voice. Amazing use of the banjo. Sufjan is a whiz who, I feel, has as many hits as he does misses. But this track is a nice comedown after the last song.
Nada Surf - Paper Boats
Dreary song. But an okay Nada Surf song is better than coldplay any day.
Cary Brothers - Honestly
Sweet song. Starting to wrap things up and bring it back around. Wonderful lyrics. Simple guitar.
Kashmir - The Aftermath
Not the strongest song vocally, great build to song though. At this point in the CD I am ready to move to Wyoming and read Annie Proulx books. Killer chorus.
Lindy - Beautifully Undone
Great heartbreak song. Voice matches lyrics which complements the guitar. Strong little ditty.
Tom McRae - Second Law
Hate to say it, but the CD cut out on this one but the first four bars sounded cool and it might have been a great closing track. Can’t be for certain.

Overview-

The theme, both musically and emotionally is very apparent. (Whereas the first mix went all over). The flow was nice, although the energy of this mix never picked up. Not a good mix if you are feeling like cutting yourself. But a perfect mix for any other time of the day. A few songs in the middle were muddly but after the Eels song, Kyle hits it home. Bang-up job.