IGIF Presents: The Ones That Got Away, Vol. II

[click above for album artwork]
Almost four months ago we featured a collection of twelve b-sides, demos, and other rarities from six different bands including Arcade Fire, Bloc Party, and Elliott Smith. I promised I would continue this indefinite series with volume two as soon as I could. I guess Nathaniel's arrival was a creative blessing of sorts...I witnessed firsthand his heavy posting quota and authority and was forced with a choice: adapt, or die. So cheers to not only you, our loyal readers, but to the next couple weeks of further "creative blessings" as well: here is The Ones That Got Away, Vol. II:

---

I'll admit I was a bit late jumping on The National. I didn't give too much time to Alligator though I should have (and now I regard that album as one of 2005's best), but now with the release of Boxer I feel like I finally "get it." I'm not sure what "it" is, I don't generally believe in anything universally tangible when it comes to music appreciation, but whatever they're selling, I'm buying. Strangely, two of the albums b-sides sound arguably better than the latter half of Boxer. "Santa Clara" showcases the band's unmistakable sound, like rolling waves (the music) crashing on shards of glass (the lyrics), while "Black Slate" provides a subtly endearing tone the album seemed to be missing.

[MP3] The National - Santa Clara
[MP3] The National - Black Slate

Official Site | MySpace Site | More MP3s | Buy Boxer

---

The Shins are a band people just seem to either hate to love, or love to hate. They're criticized almost notoriously for being "indie: epitomized" while ironically those doing the criticizing are perhaps embodying the extreme hipster ideals they so fervently attempt to eschew. Regardless, The Shins know where to look when it comes to remixing their sound. On the RAC mix of "Sleeping Lessons," we're given something that nails both of the extremes that the album version coasts between (jumpier electro chorus with softer, acoustic verses) while Peter Bjorn & John's remix of "Australia" demonstrates for cynics what happens when the two indiest bands on the planet combine forces.

[MP3] The Shins - Sleeping Lessons (The RAC Mix)
[MP3] The Shins - Australia (Peter Bjorn & John Remix)

Official Site | MySpace Site | More MP3s | Buy Wincing The Night Away

---

It seemed like after Cassadaga was released, Conor Oberst wouldn't have any songs left to relegate to b-side status, especially considering he packed the Four Winds EP with about 5 of 'em. But unlike the songs on that EP, and in spite of my guesses that the well'd gone dry, "Susan Miller Rag" (released on a 3" CD tacked to some early preorders) could easily be placed on Cassadaga. The second track below, "Trees Get Wheeled Away," was just about the only song on Oberst's Noise Floor (a collection of b-sides and rarities that was released last year) that was not only musically pleasant but also displayed Conor's trademark lyricism...which makes us wonder why the hell it's a b-side in the first place.

[MP3] Bright Eyes - Susan Miller Rag
[MP3] Bright Eyes - Trees Get Wheeled Away

Official Site | MySpace Site | More MP3s | Buy Cassadaga

---

My words will never do justice to the strength of heart and character of TV On The Radio and their songs, so here's what the band had to say about "Dry Drunk Emperor"-- "We were back in the studio thinking and feeling again and made this song for all our everybody. In the absence of a true leader we must not forget that we are still together. Hearts are sick, minds must change; it is our hope that this song inspires, comforts, fosters courage, and reminds us [that] this darkness cannot last if we work together. Let us help each other, heal each other, look after one another. The human heart is our new capitol. This song is for you, us, we, them... It is free. Pass it on." The second track, "Wasted Weekend," while certainly not a scathing criticism of the Bush administration and its war, was released as a b-side to the "Province" single.

[MP3] TV On The Radio - Wasted Weekend
[MP3] TV On The Radio - Dry Drunk Emperor

Official Site | MySpace Site | More MP3s | Buy Return To Cookie Mountain

---

Hot damn isn't Strawberry Jam just about the craziest, coolest, freshest thing going on in music today? I would love to host "Safer" (the b-side to the "Peacebone" single) for you but unfortunately that wouldn't be too responsible on my part. So instead, here are two songs that showcase, if nothing else, Animal Collective's penchant for genre-bashing, head-spinning music. "Baby Day" was featured on Four Tet's DJ Kicks mix, while "Fickle Cycle" is a Feels b-side that was included on the Grass EP.

[MP3] Animal Collective - Baby Day
[MP3] Animal Collective - Fickle Cycle

Official Site | MySpace Site | More MP3s | Preorder Strawberry Jam

---

I recently had quite the encounter with Spoon. I went to their live show for River-To-River 2007 in Rockefeller Park, which ultimately turned into a monstrously wet waiting game as rainclouds from Jersey pummeled the lot of us waiting for the band to dive in to their set. Finally the weather took a chill pill, the band energetically performed about half their original set (which is ok with me), and later "announced" (or maybe I just "overheard") the location of an after party down at Trinity Place next to ground zero. After a bit of wandering we finally found the place, walked into the bank vault-turned-bar, were sent to the back room, and found ourselves among maybe 20 other people, including the band. All told, Britt's a very cool guy (he loves to mingle with the ladies), and Jim will kindly listen to anything a bumbling fan has to say.

[MP3] Spoon - I Am The Key (Live La's Cover)
[MP3] Spoon - You Got Yr Cherry Bomb (Demo)

Official Site | MySpace Site | More MP3s | Buy Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

---

Click here to download the whole mix + artwork in a ZIP file.

---