Now is the time and the time is now...

...to make a mix.
A letter to the editor in today's paper chides a reporter for failing to accurately convey an opinion and an editor's note to the letter begins: "The reporter's intent was to..."
I happen to be the hapless reporter at the center of this public screw-up.
I count CD-mix making among my most effective coping mechanisms. Here is the mix I compiled today to reflect my sense of failure (I often feel as if I am only pretending to be a newspaper reporter, and that I am really not that good at pretending) and the hope that optimism will revisit me at some point today.
1. The Misfits - "Mommy, Can I Go Out and Kill Tonight"
A 200-mph thrash epic from the original scary punk rockers.
2. Sparks - "Eaten by the Monster of Love"
Quirky Mael brothers inject a little humor into my day.
3. The Jesus and Mary Chain - "Something's Wrong"
You can barely make out the "do-doo-doo" pop chorus amidst the wail of distortion.
4. Weezer - "Perfect Situation"
A classic "failure anthem" from Rivers Cuomo.
5. The Nips - "Happy Song"
Shane MacGowan's pre-Pogues UK punk outfit sings about happiness without feeling happy.
6. Virgin Prunes - "Love Lasts Forever"
A seriously creepy slice of proto-goth rock from U2's Dublin friends. The Edge's brother was in the band.
7. Teen Anthems - "I Hate Oasis (and I Hate the Beatles)"
Little-known Welsh band slags off the better-known competition in this 1997 gem.
8. The Fools - "Psycho Chicken"
Classic parody of the Talking Heads -- complete with a crowing rooster.
9. Guana Batz -- "B-Sides Blues"
The Guana Batz were the dark side of the rockabilly revival of the early 1980s.
10. The Vibrators - "Whips and Furs"
Vintage UK punk classic. Sublime... with safety pins.
11. The Skids - "Charles"
How could this late, lamented Scottish band create anything but anthemic rock? Future Big Country leader (and late and lamented) Stuart Adamson was the guitarist!
12. Cud - "Now!"
More anthemic rock from a now-forgotten UK band of the 90s.
13. Bill Wyman - "(Si Si) Je Suis un Rock Star"
The Rolling Stones' bassist produced this strange and funny mix of Spanish guitar and burbling synth in 1981. Why wouldn't Jagger let him do this stuff with the band?
14. Hunters & Collectors - "Is There Anybody in There"
They were great. They were Australian. Now they are forgotten. How's that for failure?
15. Heaven 17 - "Let Me Go"
An off-shoot from the original (pre-"Don't You Want Me") Human League, Heaven 17 made it onto this CD because they are from Sheffield and Sheffield Wednesday play in the League One promotion play-off final tomorrow in Cardiff. Go Owls!!!
16. Junior Senior - "Move Your Feet"
Danish duo Jesper "Junior" Mortensen and Jeppe "Senior" Laursen rode this infectious tune to the top of many European charts in 1993. I must be feeling better to include this song on the mix.
17. Robyn - "Be Mine"
Who says Route1 ain't hip to the new sounds? Swedish star Robyn's tune "Be Mine" is making big waves on MTV Europe right now.
18. Wa Wa Nee - "Sugar Free"
Australians trying to sound like Prince. Oddly effective.
19. David Bowie - "1984"
Forget "Let's Dance," this Diamond Dogs' track is Bowie at his funkiest. Yow!
20. The Fall - "Bill is Dead"
OK. I admit it. The Fall are my favorite band. This song is unlike anything else in their 30-year canon: Mark E. Smith croons instead of rants. Genius... again.
21. The Delgados - "Aye Today"
Great Scottish band. Now defunct. Sad-sounding anthem. Fits this mix perfectly.
Cheers.
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