[Mix] Janurary reJuvenation

Between moving back to college, seeing friends that disappeared over break, and getting back into the rhythm of work/classes - it's a good thing I've had a nice mixture of music playing to make sure life doesn't split at the seams. The new semester, or more appropriately the new year, brings a clean slate, excitement, and the unavoidable stresses that decorate everyday life's quirks and delights. Perhaps you've felt a little out of sync lately or have felt your edges start to fray. Regardless of the feelings that have been toying with your brain chemistry, an enjoyable mix of music and a few good songs never hurt anyone.

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[MP3] Yeasayer - 2080

If there is one song on this short list that encapsulates a fresh beginning or moving onto something new the best, Yeasayer takes the cake with "2080". The song's dreamy intro quickly picks up a sharp bass line and simple beat to compliment the restless lyricism before exploding into one sonic landscape of a chorus, "It's a new year / I'm glad to be here / It's a fresh spring / So let's sing". And sing they do; a shouting fused vocal breakdown, eerie instrumentation, and even a few kids melodically singing at the end make "2080" a 2007 gem and a hearth of energy in 2008.

[MP3] Mason Jennings - Ain't Gonna Die

Once you get into Mason Jennings, escaping the groove of his sporadic vocal delivery and charming singing stories are rather hard to do. Between directing firm, semi-spoken word verses towards his beau and churning out clever guitar work Jennings defiantly proclaims "I ain't gonna die! / No, I ain't gonna die.. this year!" I doubt Jennings is a practicing sooth sayer but here's to living through the year, rather happily one might hope!

[MP3] Onelinedrawing - Smile

Jonah Matranga is supposedly working on another solo album, until then some can take comfort in past work under his moniker Onelinedrawing. This song has all the components to be addicting - a great riff, splashes of electronic chirping, and a chorus more pop-infused than a popcorn kernel. "So put it up on your face / Hallelujah! / And these days will all go by", comforting lines marinated in simplicity.. he's just reminding us all to smile (insert trite fact of smile-to-frown muscle usage comparison here).

[MP3] Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Y Control (The Faint Remix)

My pal Heather turned my ears on to this remix a long time ago but I still love listening to it. Yeah Yeah Yeahs have this appealing raw energy about them, an energy that tends to surface in some form or another in every song they create. If YYY's were the lemon wedge floating on top of your ice water, The Faint pull it out and squeeze every last drop out of it to add more flavor to your beverage. Lucky for us, The Faint don't mess with beverages but songs instead.

[MP3] Okkervil River - Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe

You don't even need to listen to this song before your interest is stimulated, the title alone does the trick. Of course the song itself is better than the clever title could ever make it out to be, Sheff's vocals are so appealing and his songwriting so fantastic that it seems like this song is one giant climax that never ends. That'd make for a ridiculously strange movie but it's not the case for this gem.

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Enjoy the mix, enjoy the music! It's off to work but, thanks to some tunes, with spirits lifted and the drab routines of life rejuvenated with anticipation.