#30: ANTICIPATING THE HUMAN

Four years ago, I started the never-ending internet mixtape in the month of October with what I dubbed Rocktober. It was an opportunity to celebrate an overwhelming abundance of great rock songs that were just coming out of the woodwork at that time. On subsequent Rocktober mixes I explored many other facets of the rock meme I love so, much to the unsurprising enjoyment of my dear subscribers.

Yet this months mix breaks with the October trend for a couple of reasons. One because I have already focused on some raw rock textures in past mixes, namely last months. Two, because that would be too easy response to what is happening to this country right now. Surely there is a lot of anger and violence being felt right now that would be perfectly sated by some aggressive thrashing. But anger is not what I feel anymore. I've spent the last 8 years full of frustration and rage. But now I am filled with a deep sense of hope (yes I said it) and I am overwhelmingly excited about the prospects of the country heading in a new positive direction — a direction that chooses progress over grief. I mean I actually feel like I could proudly wave an American flag for the first time since I can even remember.

But everything isn't all wine and roses yet, I am too much a pessimist to believe that. Any positivity is equally offset by a nagging, electric anxiety. One that remembers the atmosphere of doom that saturates our world. One that knows that this country is capable of approaching the precipice of the great divide, only to crumble under the pressure of the leap that needs to be made, retreating into the violence of fear. This is not a leap of faith, but one of reason. We are so close. I hope we can maintain our sense of reason as we face the blackness of the unknown.

I hope to see everyone on the other side of the divide, having experienced a very real, necessary, and unprecedented change. And when you come back to the NEIMT next month, you will find my attempt to create the absolute most unapologetically happiest mix ever created. Either that, or the saddest mix ever. Good luck to all of us.

And for goodness sake, please take the time to cast your vote.

Download the Mix as a 123 MB Zip File
Now using sendspace to deliver these massive files. Email me if the file expires.

The tracklist is as follows:
(The links below will lead you to ways of supporting these artists)

01 Wolfy, Giant Sand
02 Bang On, Breeders
03 Living on the Outside of Your Skin, Cloud Cult
04 Soul Jacker Pt. 1, Eels
05 This Life Cumulative, Joan of Arc
06 Era Prison, The Joggers
07 Mod Style '68, Single Frame
08 Pattern, French Toast
09 Cappo, No Age
10 Two States, Pavement
11 My Office, Wicked Farleys
12 Corpse Pose, Unwound
13 No One Does It Like You, Department of Eagles
14 Conjugate the Verbs, Enon
15 Hot Freaks, Guided By Voices
16 C-C (You Set the Fire in Me), Tom Vek
17 Logos, Faded Paper Figures
18 I Feel Better, Frightened Rabbit
19 Sounds, Earlimart
20 Golden Age, Tv on the Radio