March 23, 2006
The March Mixtape
{Previous Mixes}

Everyone is on acid, or at least sounds that way on this month's mix. It begins with Gnarls Barkley, a pairing of hip-hop's bizarre Cee Lo Green with DJ Danger Mouse on the appropriately titled "Crazy." Then it's live Röyksopp covering the Queens of the Stone Age (huh?).

But what really makes it worth tuning in and droping out are neo-psychedelic artists Xiu Xiu and Ariel Pink bringing their own brand of weirdo pop, alongside Sparks, an established avant-garde outfit with the barbershop quartet groove of "Perfume." The trip ends with an obscure French fusion track from the 70s by Cortex. Thanks to Dream Chimney's songs of the day for that and John Forde's "Stardance."

On the more commercial tip, there are new singles from Film School, the Yeah Yeah Yeah's and Angels & Airwaves, the new project from Blink 182's Tom DeLonge and Mozez, the voice behind several Zero 7 songs. A few 2006 SXSW artists are featured - Xiu Xiu and Eliot Lipp. I should have more from SXSW next month.

Finally, don't be scared away by Mastodon. Yes they are heavy, but "Seabeast" sounds more like Nirvana than Slayer and it has a cool video to boot.