MAY ROUND-UP

Mixes are usually viewed as a cheap and effective way to get into the opposite sexes pants. That's partly correct. It's a convenient way to convey an image or reveal emotions or thoughts in a 700 megabyte piece of plastic. Its cost effectiveness means no financial or otherwise material harm will be done (aside from emotional) if the Mix does not produce the intended reaction from the receiver and there is also the bonus of a possibility of mass production(again, no harm done). Mixes aren't merely cheap alternatives to flowers, chocolates or conversation, they serve many non-sexual functions as well. Mixes are made for friends, family, exercise, clubs, parties and many other things. A Mix either on CD form, Ipod, vinyl (if possible?) or tape can be divided into four categories. The first being an Identity Mix, conveying the mixers thoughts, ideas or to portray a certain image of the mixer in music form. The Identity mix can be intended for someone else or oneself. The second being, the Pro-active Mix, usually intended for clubs or parties or gyms or even more relaxed areas such as cafe's or stores or ones home. The purpose of such a mix is generally not a keen interest in the artists but rather to improve the ambiance of a certain space--either by relaxation or stimulation--, help produce an intended physical reaction from the audience or act as a catalyst for the occupants of some place. The third mix is the Promotional Mix. This includes commercial compilations, both of a specific band/artist or of various bands. Generally speaking, Promotional Mixes seek to promote a specific band/artist, a music scene/genre/location or a record label(and its roster). Finally the fourth is a Personal Mix, which might go hand-in-hand with the Proactive Mix. Basically, a mix only intended for the mixers own ears.

After that long, run-on paragraph however, I'm not posting a mix here. Instead, this is a Round-Up. It's anything or anyone that I have been listening to in May. Newly discovered and recently re-discovered. Obscure and popular. They're all what I consider the most intriguing of audio adventures I had this month. Songs are in accordance with the Collector to the right.

MAY ROUND-UP
Painkiller - Death - The Sound of Perseverence
You've got to be an awesome Death Metal band if your lead singer untimely does what the bands name conveys. Though tradic, this would be Death's last album and definitely their best. Painkiller sounds like a parody of the 80's Thrash days as much as it is a homage to the scene. Regardless, an amazing song.

Front Page - Teengenerate - Get Action!
Americans think Japan is weird! When it comes to imported music, Japan is home to the utterly bizarre (see Boredoms or Sigh) or the utterly hyperactive (or both). Teengenerate is what I like to call a "What-If" band. Like what if the Ramones were crack-heads. Its a shame they're not as famous as Eastern Psychobilly contemporaries such as Guitar Wolf or post-Kill Bill 5,6,7,8's.

Snow Driver Engine - Vampire Mooose - Serenade the Samurai
Vampire Mooose proves Chord Palming is really really fun. Although Samurai isn't exactly amazingly mind blowing, it does deliver blow to the mind. I have a feeling that they're just stretching their muscles for what's to come on their next LP.

Gypsy - Emperor - In The Nightside Eclipse
All this jabber about Watain has made me want to look into my Black Metal history again. Anyway, whats not to love about a Mercyful Fate cover.

Toxica - Plastic Peoples of the Universe - Egon Bondy's Happy Hearts Club Banned
Should I be surprised or indifferent to the fact that the Soviet Union produced one of the weirdest art rock bands of the 70's? Whatever, look out for those violins throughout the song; surreal.

Beneath the Mire - Opeth - Ghost Reveries
Ghost Reveries astonished the hell outta me. The best song in my opinion is Beneath the Mire which has a sort of Gorguts-like, avant-death beginning. Look out for the killer dual solo's in 3:00.

Think Quick - Infiniti - The Infiniti Collection
Inifiniti is Juan Atkins' more mellow stuff. Lots of simple repetitive melodies accompanied by subtle dance beats. Great stuff.

Don't You Cross The Line - Boot Camp Clik - The Last Stand
BCC prove they're on to a good thing since The Chosen Few.

Surf Combat - Naked Raygun - Throb Throb
I've loved Naked Raygun since my facial-hairless days of yore. My only previous knowledge of them however, was the masterpiece, Jettison. Jeff Pezzati's yelp, "Muscle Beach is now Pork Chop Hill" is the crowning moment on Throb Throb.

Cause I'm a Playa (ft. Pimp C) - Project Pat - Crook By The Book (The Fed Story)
I love Pat. In the Three 6 Mafia reality show, Adventures in Hollyhood, Project Pat barely speaks a line each episode (his episodical appearances seem infrequent too), which I am thoroughly convinced is due to the fact that he is a complete psycho.

Of Darksome Origin - Edge of Sanity - Purgatory Afterglow
I think that I've played this song at least once every month for at least three years already.