European Travel Mix

When you travel, you occasionally have nothing but time to waste on really mundane things. One such episode leant itself to me making a mix tape, fitting one 45 minute side of a cassette tape, with songs that included elements of Europe. The song list is as follows:

Beirut - Postcards From Italy
The Tallest Man On Earth - King Of Spain
Beach House - Norway
Cats On Fire - Letters from a Voyage to Sweden
Brakes - Leaving England
East River Pipe - Superstar In France
Strand of Oaks - New Paris
I Was A Teenage Satan Worshipper - Amsterdamned
Luna - 23 Minutes in Brussels

Email me if you would like a copy, it actually plays quite well.

A Weather: Everyday Balloons

I like to give albums a couple of days of listening before I give any sort of judgement. A Weather's latest didn't need such absorption as it is absolutely wonderful. The songs jump from the album as heartfelt, emotional, ballads with a softness that grabs you immediately. I love this album. I also love the Portland music scene for continuing to deliver so many great bands!

There are so many aspects of Everyday Balloons that stand out to me. The slow swaying, wonderful, song Giant Stairs instantly grabbed me as the best track but, with further listening, contenders are definitely waiting in the wings. There is a slight Belle and Sebastian/Reindeer Section feel to the music and that is a great thing.

Check out their incredibly elaborate website here.

photo by Chris Mulliken