NeffTunes MixTape December 2008: The Reason for the Season

Seasons greetings. i hope this post finds my dear readers healthy, happy and well. i trust that you are handling the hassle, hustle and bustle of the holidays with great patience and temperance like your ever-imperturbable blogger and are refraining from assailing your fellow citizens with insults and swats to their insufferable visages while you jostle for bargains at your local mart of choice. If circumstances prompt such barbaric impulses to be summoned by those base survival instincts seated deeply in your fallable mind, take a moment to remember the peaceful teachings of that Fella whose spirit occupied a seemingly mortal body over two millenia ago. For he is the reason for the season. If urges to commit uncomely deeds unto your fellow man persist, i recommend you proceed with great haste to the nearest music dispensation device and listen to the following compilation of songs about said Fella and chill the hell out. Happy holidays.Tracklist:
01 - Fake Out Jesus by The Blacks
02 - Christ for President by Billy Bragg & Wilco
03 - Water Into Wine by The Handsome Family
04 - Jesus Wrote a Blank Check by Cake
05 - Trust Jesus by Slobberbone
06 - Jesus in the Temple by Marah
07 - Jesus Don't Love Me by Holly Golightly & the Brokeoffs
08 - Jesus of the Moon by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
09 - Personal Jesus by Johnny Cash
10 - Jesus the Mexican Boy by Iron & Wine
11 - Me and Jesus by Tom T. Hall
12 - Jesus Was a Capricorn (live) by Kris Kristofferson
13 - On Jesus' Program by Mark Lanegan
14 - Jesus Saves, I Spend by St. Vincent
15 - If Jesus Drove a Motorhome by Jim White
16 - Woke Up This Morning (With My Mind on Jesus) by Doug Martsch
17 - Shine on Sweet Jesus by The Flaming Lips
18 - American Jesus by Bad Religion
19 - Jesus and Tequila by The Minutemen
20 - Jesus Christ Was an Only Child by Modest Mouse
21 - Jesus by Page France
22 - Salvation by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Download the zip file here.
98.47 MB @ 160 kbps
Peace.

NeffTunes MixTape November 2008

Sink your teeth into these tasty nuggets, gentle readers, cuz here's a fresh batch of brand new tunes! Relish the artistic stylings of 23 piping hot bands on this veritable smorgasbord of aural delights. Come sample the delicacies, graze the buffet, eat it up. i've run out of similes metaphors. Just listen.Tracklist:
01 - Half a Cent by Bridges and Powerlines
02 - I Don't Wanna Lose by The End of the World
03 - Bomber by Wolves in the Attic
04 - Keep Me In Mind by Little Joy
05 - Gotta Get Me Thru by The Sacred Sailors
06 - My Little Friend by The Heavenly States
07 - Never Stops by Deerhunter
08 - Same Difference by The Old Ceremony
09 - The Business by These United States
10 - Things I Like To Do by Ben Kweller
11 - Lazy Bones by Papermoons
12 - Life Before Asthetics by Denison Witmer
13 - Fernando by Jenny Lewis
14 - To Flunker With Love by Starling Electric
15 - The Boat Song by Jeremy Warmsley w/Emmy the Great
16 - The Boy With an Anchor by Oh No! Oh My!
17 - Journey of the Featherless by Cloud Cult
18 - Balloons by Foals
19 - Altercation by Starflyer 59
20 - You'll Find a Way by Santogold
21 - A Good Customer by Ghosty
22 - The Score by Chris Walla
23 - In the Sunlight by The King Left
Download the zip file here.
85.8 MB @ 160kbps
These artists busted their butts putting their songs, tours and records together, so show your support and appreciation by going to their shows, buying their albums and telling your friends.

NeffTunes MixTape October 2008

Is there anything sweeter than the cry of a pedal steel as it slowly weaves its way through the threads of a sad song? Man, i loves me some of that lonesome, melancholy sound especially when it pops up in unexpected places. Many of my favorite artists have employed steel guitar accents on some of their best songs to add a bittersweet flavor traditionally used by bands with a more countrified bent, and here are my favorite examples.
Kick back and enjoy, my dear readers.

Tracklist:
01 - Gone for Good by The Shins
02 - Father to a Sister of Thought by Pavement
03 - Baby Boy by Crystal Skulls
04 - A New Name for Everything by The Weakerthans
05 - Man With a Mission by Bad Religion
06 - Big Gay Heart by The Lemonheads
07 - Pearl of the Quarter by Steely Dan
08 - Don't Lose Faith in Me by The Pretenders
09 - Torn and Frayed by The Rolling Stones
10 - Postage Stamp World by Rogue Wave
11 - Dory Previn by Camera Obscura
12 - Mexico by Cake
13 - Sleep Sunshine by The Whigs
14 - Sissyneck by Beck
15 - Grace Kelly Blues by Eels
16 - Jessie by Paw
17 - Your Secrets by Belle & Sebastian
18 - It's the Nighttime by Josh Rouse
19 - Right Down the Line by Gerry Rafferty
20 - Say It Ain't So by The Thrills
21 - Powder Blue by Ween
Download the zip file here.
95.6 MB @ 160kbps

NeffTunes MixTape September 2008

i know it's October, but i'm not so good with deadlines, self-imposed or otherwise. Better late than never, so here's a batch of goodies that are burning up my playlist. This stuff is hot!

Tracklist:
01 - Show Me Your Life by The Shaky Hands
02 - Wooden Heart by The Features
03 - Gold for Bread by Blitzen Trapper
04 - Uncovering the Old by Dr. Dog
05 - 3 Dimes Down by Drive-By Truckers
06 - Can Do by Giant Sand
07 - Danny Callahan by Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band
08 - Reservoir Park by The Dutchess and the Duke
09 - Grounds for Divorce by Elbow
10 - Saint Isabelle by The Nightwatchman (Tom Morello)
11 - Singer Songwriter by Okkervil River
12 - California Breezes by David Vandervelde
13 - From Now On by Nada Surf
14 - Eastern Europe by The Stills
15 - Burn Through Love by Matthew Sweet
16 - Magick by Ryan Adams and the Cardinals
17 - Start Me Laughing by Dead Confederate
18 - Perfect Games by The Broken West
19 - Mingus by I'm From Barcelona
20 - Cigarettes and Kerosene by Earlimart
21 - Quiet Horses by Fleet Foxes
22 - Vampire Voltage No. 6 by Beck
23 - The Frown Song by Ben Folds
24 - Cannibal Summer by Wax Fang
Download the zip file here. [link removed by request]
88 MB @ 160kbps
Enjoy. i promise to get the next one posted on time.

Dead Confederate Sept. 27, 2008 The Cavern Dallas, TX

i had been dyin' to see Athens, Georgia's Dead Confederate since their self-titled EP got countless spins on my mp3 player last year. So i ventured down into a dark, dank, smoky Cavern so they could rock me in person. Below is the performance of "The Rat" that they blasted me and their loyal DFW area fans with that night.

Dead Confederate's new album, Wrecking Ball is available everywhere now. Get it.
Listen to the latest studio version of "The Rat" here.
More info here.
Check out a sweet write-up at flagpole.com.

Drive-By Truckers September 25, 2008 House of Blues Dallas, TX

Heeeey-alll yeaaaah! Got free tix to the Drive-By Truckers gig at the local House of Blues. They rocked Dallas for two and a half hours on a Thursday night before they headed down to Austin for their ACL fest performance. It had been a few years since i've seen DBT, so i was super stoked to once again witness their incredible live show. Dig more pics at my flickr.

Marvin blogging

NeffTunes MixTape August 2008

Tracklist:
01 - Kids by MGMT
02 - Kelly by Van She
03 - Going On by Gnarls Barkley
04 - Lolita by Throw Me the Statue
05 - Drugs In My Body by Thieves Like Us
06 - Creeper by Islands
07 - The Opposite of Hallelujah by Jens Lekman
08 - Hey Hey Girl by The Virgins
09 - Look At Me (When I Rock Wichoo) by Black Kids
10 - Gregory's Chant by The Little Ones
11 - You Know What by N.E.R.D.
12 - Sad Sad City by Ghostland Observatory
13 - Give Up? by Hot Hot Heat
14 - You Made Me Like It by 1990s
15 - Force by The Black Ghosts
16 - Amsterdam by Peter Bjorn and John
17 - Last Day of Magic by The Kills
18 - Keys to the City by The Go! Team
19 - The Pulse by Holy Fuck

Instructions:
1. Download the zip file here (91.4 MB @ 160 kbps)
2. Put on your dancin' shoes.
3. Crank it up.
4. Cut the nearest rug.

NeffTunes MixTape July 2008: Ode to the Road

I took a 2200 mile road trip this July, meandering up through the Midwest to visit good friends and family. That was about 32 hours of quality windshield time, so needless to say i listened to tons of tunes and thought about a lot of stuff. Like: Where have i been? Where am i going? Why is it so hot? and Maps are for suckers. Some thoughts were more existential than others. Guess i must have been looking for answers. I didn't find too many. Oh well, it was a blast anyway. i thought of a great list of road songs and i never got lost. So dear readers, here's my compilation of my favorite travelin' tunes for you to enjoy on your next journey on our nation's great highways and byways. Hope you enjoy.

Tracklist:

01 - Windfall by Son Volt
02 - St. Louis by Cub Country
03 - As We Drive By by Whiskey Folk Ramblers
04 - Steve's Last Ramble by Steve Earle
05 - Six More Miles by Mike Ness
06 - Where There's A Road by Robbie Fulks
07 - Nothing But the Wheel by Peter Wolf
08 - In the Air by The Handsome Family
09 - Moab by Conor Oberst
10 - 16 Days by Whiskeytown
11 - (Is Anybody Going To) San Antone by Texas Tornados
12 - The Hitch-Hiker by Tom T. Hall
13 - Return of the Grievous Angel by Gram Parsons
14 - Roll On by Josh Ritter
15 - Roll Another Number by Nuisance
16 - Sweet Hitch-Hiker by CCR
17 - Runnin' Down a Dream by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
18 - High Plains Drifter by Beastie Boys
19 - Tiny Cities Made of Ashes by Modest Mouse
20 - Goin' Goin' Gone by Old 97's
Zip file size: 86.8 MB. Bit rate: 160Kbps (or so).
Download the zip file here.
Drive safe and buckle up.

Ween July 20, 2008 Council Bluffs, Iowa

Ween paid a visit to my hometown of Council Bluffs, Iowa and rocked the joint silly. Silly!!Tonz more pics at my flickr page. You can almost taste the waste.

NeffTunes MixTape June 2008: My Favorite Jams

All the times peeps come up aksin' me, "Neff, whatchoo been listenin' to?"
Well, here it go.

01 - Sequestered in Memphis by The Hold Steady
02 - You Won't Be Fooled by This by Albert Hammond, Jr
03 - The Grey Estates by Wolf Parade
04 - I, the Kite by Centro-Matic
05 - Now You Love My by The Dandy Warhols
06 - Rich Girls by The Virgins
07 - J'aime Vous Voire Quitter by Islands
08 - Only The Truth by The Last of the Shadow Puppets
09 - What New York Used To Be by The Kills
10 - Who Built the Road by Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan
11 - 31 Today by Aimee Mann
12 - Librarian by My Morning Jacket
13 - Without Permission by The National
14 - Rooks by Shearwater
15 - I'll Be On My Way by Whiskey Folk Ramblers
16 - A Setting Sun by Grand Archives
17 - For Every Field There's a Mole by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
18 - Whippoorwill by Doug Burr
19 - Bob by Drive-By Truckers
20 - Learnin to Love by Ween
21 - 1,000 Wives by The Whigs
Zip file size: 97.4 MB. Bit rate: 192Kbps.
Download it here. Enjoy!!

With a name like NeffTunes, it's gotta be good.

Rogue Wave, Death Cab For Cutie June 17, 2008 Nokia Theater

Advice: If someone offers you a free ticket to a sold out show, get it!
Rogue Wave came and captivated a full house at the Nokia Theater in Grand Prairie, TX. Zach Rogue and company played their hearts out and rocked a tight set of tunes from their three LP's and there was much rejoicing.

Oh, and Death Cab For Cutie played, too. It was my first time seeing Ben Gibbard and his mates and i was thoroughly impressed. So were the several thousand youngsters in attendance.

More pics at my Rock 'n' Roll Flickr set.
And check out ESPN's Euro 2008 commercial featuring Rogue Wave's song, Harmonium. Pretty freakin' cool!!

Centro-Matic at Dan's Silverleaf in Denton, TX May 30, 2008

Centro-Matic found comfort in "The warm bosom " of their hometown of Denton, TX Friday night and treated their loyal fans to a perfect set of down home rock 'n' roll. Wow. Lots more pics in the Rock 'n' Roll section of my Flickr here.

NeffTunes MixTape May 2008: The Black Album

Some of my favorite bands are black.

The Black Album Tracklist:
01 - Dolly by The Blacks
02 - Not Just Words by The Black Heart Procession
03 - Wucan by Black Mountain
04 - I Got Mine by The Black Keys
05 - High-Low by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
06 - Fairies Wear Boots by Black Sabbath
07 - 18 Years by The Black Angels
08 - The Craft by Blackalicious
09 - The Model by Big Black
10 - Step Right Up by Black Lips
11 - Sweet Valentine by Blue Skies for Black Hearts
12 - God's Got It by The Black Crowes
13 - Sister Isabel by Frank Black with Teenage Fanclub
14 - Union by Black Eyed Peas
15 - You Don't Know What You've Got by Joan Jett & The Black Hearts
16 - Seasons in the Sun by Black Box Recorder
17 - Strobelite Honey by Black Sheep
18 - Boatsman by Black Twig Pickers
19 - Poor Brown Sugar by The Black Diamond Heavies
Zip file size: 92.9 MB. Bit rate: 192Kbps.
Download it here. Enjoy!!

The Whigs at The Loft in Dallas, TX on May 9, 2008

My favorite band in the whole world (at the moment) came and rocked us at The Loft in Dallas on Friday. It was loud. There was a fog machine. Oh, and a pack of tweens. (?) The Whigs jumped around a lot while playing a raucous and tight set of their best rock 'n' roll. You shoulda been there. i was. it was sweet.




A crapload of pics are posted at my flickr, accessible with your mouse thingy by cliking on this text right here. And check out The Whigs' blog here.
Get their latest album, Mission Control. Go see them on tour.
And check out acoustic versions of "Hot Bed" and "Like A Vibration" at The Whigs' It's Hard To Find a Friend Backstage Session here. Splendid!!

Deke Dickerson All Good Cafe Dallas, TX

Deke Dickerson brings the rock 'n' roll with his Ecco-Fonics to the All Good Cafe
Lots more pics at my flickr.
Get Deke's brand new album, King of the Whole Wide World on sale now!

NeffTunes MixTape April 2008: Quarterly Report

Here's a compilation of songs from the Official Awesome-O-Meter Highly Recommended List of Kick-Assed Albums for 2008 (so far).
Quarterly Report Tracklist:
01 - Hot Bed by The Whigs
02 - Big Black Bird by Blitzen Trapper
03 - Same Old Thing by The Black Keys
04 - Wild West Love Song by Marah
05 - Quality Strange by Centro-Matic
06 - Gardenia by Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks
07 - Aretha, Sing One For Me by Cat Power
08 - Index Moon by The Grand Archives
09 - Hang Them All by Tapes 'n' Tapes
10 - Rize by Blood on the Wall
11 - Escape to Aspen by Jeremy Jay
12 - Think I Wanna Die by SomeoneStillLovesYouBorisYeltsin
13 - Bryn by Vampire Weekend
14 - Fall Down by Sara Melson
15 - The Silence Between Us by Bob Mould
16 - Autoclave by The Mountain Goats
17 - Man-Sized Wreath by REM
18 - Garbage Heap by Black Francis
19 - Salute Your Solution by The Raconteurs
20 - Somebody's Someone by Retribution Gospel Choir
21 - Strange Victory, Strange Defeat by Silver Jews
22 - Change Is Hard by She & Him
23 - Perfect Timing by Drive-By Truckers
24 - This Will Never Be Our Town by Jason Anderson
25 - Evil Ways by Black Mountain
26 - Hurly/Burly by Man Man
Download the Quarterly Report here.
Zip file size: 92.4 MB. Bit rate: 160Kbps. Enjoy in good spirits!
Most of these artists are on tour in support of their new records as i type this. Show up, cheer them on, say "hello," and buy their stuff!

Son Volt: Main St. Ft. Worth Arts Festival April 19, 2008

More pics here.

Show Pics: The Weakerthans; Okkervil River

The Weakerthans: April 5, 2008 Granada Theater, Dallas, TX

Okkervil River: April 1, 2008 Granada Theater, Dallas, TX

Lots more pics at my flickr

NeffTunes MixTape March 2008: The Light Album

Tracklist:
01 - Red Morning Light by Kings of Leon
02 - Hot Soft Light by The Hold Steady
03 - Turn on the Light by Bad Religion
04 - When You See the Light by Pete Yorn
05 - Lighten Up by Beastie Boys
06 - Going To Switch the Lights On by Grand National
07 - Blue Light by Bloc Party
08 - Blinking Lights (for me) by Eels
09 - Follow the Lights by Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
10 - A New Light to Guide You by California Snow Story
11 - Bad Light by Built To Spill
12 - Shine A Light by The Constantines
13 - Light Switch by The Young Knives
14 - Real Light by The Jayhawks
15 - Red Light by Georgia Satellites
16 - Under the Lights by Grievous Angels
17 - Pink Light by Laura Viers
18 - Shine A Light by Ghostfinger
19 - See a Little Light by Bob Mould
20 - What Light (live) by Wilco
21 - I See the Light by Cracker
22 - Daylight by Viva Voce
23 - Long As I Can See the Light by CCR
Enlighten yourself here at MediaFire. Zip file size: 90.1MB. Bit rate: 160Kbps
As always, support these artists by going to their shows and buying their stuff!

NYC Pics

Lots more pics here.

NYC

i'll be in NYC for the SES this week (March 17 - 20). i'll be staying here, it looks nice. No word if Paris will be in the house, though.
i've never been there, so i am very pumped. Any tips? All's this boy knows about New York is what he peeps on the teevee and movies. i hope to hang out at Monk's Cafe and Central Perk as much as possible. Does Rachel still work there?
i plan on taking cabs wherever i go, so as to increase my chances of getting picked up by the CashCab, or Reverend Jim.
What's the most fun/ interesting/ off-the-beaten-path activity you've partaken in while there?
Is the pizza any good?
How can i get into the Letterman's audience without having to wait in line all day?
How do i meet the new governor? He seems pretty cool.
i like to take long walks at 3am with my headphones on, is Central Park a good place to do this?
Thanks for your help.
i'll post some pics and have a new MixTape for y'all when (if?!) i return to the Dallas.

NeffTunes MixTape: February 2008

i've got a classic case of my girlfriend and i broke up, she left and this place is empty and everything reminds me of her blues. Allow me this catharsis, dear readers. Next month i'll be back with more rockin' tunes.

Tracklist:
======================
01 - Last Night I Went Out Walking by The Handsome Family
02 - And I Remember Every Kiss by Jens Lekman
03 - House of Secrets by Mike Ireland & Holler
04 - Hate It Here [live] by Wilco
05 - Everything I Do by Whiskeytown
06 - I Flew Over Our House Last Night by Tom T. Hall
07 - The Buck Starts Here by Robbie Fulks
08 - House That Used To Be by Old 97s
09 - A House Without Love by Hank Williams
10 - Home Sick Home by Grievous Angels
11 - I Still Miss Someone by Gram Parsons
12 - She Doesn't Live There Anymore by Doughboys
13 - House We Used To Live In by The Smithereens
14 - Empty Shell by Cat Power
15 - Open Doors by Josh Ritter
16 - Wish You Were Here by Ryan Adams
17 - Ghosts of You and Me by Soulsavers
18 - Left and Leaving by The Weakerthans
19 - The Ending by Bobby Bare Jr's YCSL
===================
Download: Vacancy
160Kbps. 79.1 MB.
Enjoy!

Some recent shows in the DFW/Denton area...

Dove Hunter
Doug Burr

Telegraph Canyon

The Cush

Super Furry Animals

The Fiery Furnaces

Rogue Wave

Lots more pics at my Rock n Roll flickr set.
See ya at the next show.