Okay so you’ve managed to meet someone you really like and you’re just dying to express those inner emotions you feel, but unfortunately, you’re no Sonnet writing Shakespeare. Lucky for you musicians have been writing this stuff for decades. Yet the art of making a mix cd is a bit more complicated than throwing 15 songs on a burnable disc. Don’t worry I’m here to help you wordless, chivarly-less, unexpressive swooners. So let’s get started with 5 basic fundamentals of telling him/her how you feel…and let’s make it special.
1. Research, Research, Research: I know you have a buttload of cd’s and MP3’s and you know them all by heart and you can totally rock a bitching playlist for the gym or for a quick car ride, but this cd is special. Remember this isn’t about you. Take the time to sample what else is out there. Take the time to get to know what the other person likes. You are choosing what you like that you think she will like so ignore that first instinct to choose from you’re library only. Find other songs by those self-loved bands, find new music, find bands the bands you like like, find bands outside your specific genre…hell there might be a country, emo or even r&b song that says what you want to say perfectly. Compile a list of 20-25 songs you’ve researched and think sound like what you want to say. This is only the beginning and it is very time consuming…and don’t be afraid to ask your friends, broadening your spectrum helps alot and it makes for good bonding.
2. The lyrics are the key dummy: Remember you’re trying to say what you can’t with someone else’s poetry. Listen careful to the lyrics, especially the first line and chorus, as these are the most recognizable part of the song. One wrong line in a song will make that special someone wonder what you’re trying to say. **beware the breakup song that sounds romantic**. You have to sit there and listen to your 25 songs straight through, use headphones so you can drown out white noise and really feel the music and hear the words, mess with your equalizer a bit to maximize vocals. Listen Listen Listen..find that chorus that is dead on and try to imagine the other persons reaction..make ‘em melt with the lyrics, after all some guy spent hours pouring his heart out for your enjoyment, it is art and it is emotional.
3. Editing Stage One: from that list you made of 25, cut it back to 15 and make sure to select different melodies and tempos (this is key later on). Put together an initial list and play those 15 songs over and over to really get to know them. Make sure the music is speaking your mind, and make sure you consider whether the other person can enjoy these songs over and over as well. And yeah they’ll probably prefer some songs to others, but that’s okay, maybe she’ll pick that one band that you really like, or maybe you’ll both cling to some new artist. Chances are one of those songs will become your couple song.
4. Managing the flow: This is a very difficult, frustrating and time consuming step, mostly because you’re not a recording engineer or producer. Yet this step is as crucial as the lyrics. I told you before to select various melodies and tempos and this is where that comes into play. You need to make the CD flow, musically it has to work and blend and move. You can’t put a heavy ballad next to an acoustic heartbleeder, you can’t put a dance-beat next to a slow melody. First step here, is to select the song you want as the lead off…think baseball batting orders here. This first song sets the pace and tone of the cd. Take time to pick one that is lyrically good but not to heavy, hard or fast. Pick a medium tempo with an awesome opening line and melody, that one song that you go to first on your temporary playlist. Step two is to build up: by that I mean start medium tempo and slowly work your way to the faster, heavier tracks towards the middle. The end of the previous song has to mesh with the opening of the next song. If a song ends heavy and abruptly don’t put one that starts slow next…match the sounds. 3: the middle is your cleanup, your power hitter. the middle song has to knock the other person sideways with emotions. This is the song that says it and sounds it perfectly, its heavy, upbeat and lyrically strong. Make this one count and let the prior tracks build to it. 4: Bring it back down for the finish. Slow it back up but make sure this is where the lyrics are stronger, and the music is more emotional, you have to hook that person all the way through. 5. End with a bang. The last song should be a bit longer, it should change tempos and have a huge ending. It is a summary for the rest of the album. Great lyrics, great melody and moves from soft to heavy. Think fireworks display here…bang…bang…bang…bang bang bang GRAND FINALE.
5. Title It: Okay this is the part where you have to be creative. Mix for “so and so” will ruin everything you worked so hard for. Think back on conversations you’ve had, is there something there you can build on? Think about you, is there something in your life you can make clever? What is that person into, what are you into? Find a keyword. and don’t be upset if you have to explain its meaning, its your chance to say something original, and it lets them get to know something about you, or shows that you know something about them. Use what you know here, it’ll help make the mix more personal, more special. What were they wearing when you met? What did they play on the jukebox? What were you wearing? What did you talk about? “Blue Eyes, Blue Jeans, Blew me away” , “Blonde Atomic Bombshell”, “you Stole my drink, I stole your Heart”, and so on. Be clever, be creative, be personal.
Avoid 80’s power ballad overload, never use the same band twice (they can buy the album moron), don’t fear genre or gender (any style can work here, and yes female singers do write good music), Have at least one song you know by heart (the serenade is still one of the most romantic moves in the book), let them listen to the music not your explanations and interjections, gauge the reaction so maybe you can learn something about them, and maybe you’ll find something you can both get into. There’s a reason music is the universal language of love. Now go out and make feelings and build a strong relationship…Trust Me on this one people, the mix works.
Realizing pretty quickly that there was no way I could limit my list to 5/10/or 20, I counted the items I had jotted down, and saw I had exactly 50. So that is how I came up with my number. I ‘m going to put them in blocks of 10, block 1-10 being my favorite…41-50 least favorite of the 50. One thing I learned from doing my favorite albums and films of the decade: I have a very unbalanced favoritism towards films from the 70s/80s, and music from the 80s/90s because a lot of these wouldn’t make it in my top of all time. I can’t do video from all 50 movies, but I will include some of my favorite scenes from the list.
PS. If you are going to be offended that I did not include Lord of the Rings/Harry Potter/The Dark Knight, you might as well stop reading now.
1-10:
1. High Fidelity -- obviously High Fidelity…I can honestly not remember if we were already doing top 5 lists when High Fidelity came out, or if we kind of got the idea from the movie. Either way, its a very big reason that this website exists. I’ve had such an emotional response to this movie that I had to go a few years without even watching it. It is of no surprise that one of my favorite books if High Fidelity as well. Add John Cusack, Jack Black, Todd Louiso, a good soundtrack, substitute Chicago for London, and it makes my #1 favorite movie of the 2000s. I could really include any scene from the movie, but this is one of my favorites: a top 5 list of his own…
2. Gran Torino -- As I grew older, I had this uncanny urge to start liking Clint Eastwood movies. When I was a young teen, I looped him in with John Wayne, and shrugged him off as another Western bad actor. When I first saw previews for Gran Torino, I knew it would be the sort of movie that I would love. Most people have seen it by now, and have their own ideas about what it means, and what its about…some may not like it at all…for me its a perfect movie, by someone who has totally mastered his craft inside and out.
3. The Royal Tenenbaums -- When we saw this in the theater when it was released, we were the only ones laughing, and it wasn’t a soft chuckle…we were letting out loud steve roessner clapping type laughs….a few people walked out, and the rest sat there in silence…I’m not sure everyone(in Binghamton) was ready to understand wes anderson’s sense of humor. This quickly became one of my favorite movies, and along with Anderson’s other films helped resurrect Bill Murray’s career.
4. (500) Days of Summer -500 days perfectly captures the joy and agony of a head over heels crush, that hopefully everyone has gone through at some point in their life. Its the type that leaves you feeling steamrolled, and left in someone’s wake not knowing what happened. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a perfect male lead, and Zooey Deschanel is just cute beyond cute. The opening scene in the trailer (below) is my favorite scene in the movie. It is their 1st meeting in an elevator, and Zooey Deschanel has just noticed that J G-L is listening to the Smiths. As a guy, maybe only a handful times in our lifetime are we approached by such an attractive girl…..even less so in an ELEVATOR…but then for her to point out that she loves the music you like, and then sings it to you,…..you are lucky if that would ever happen to you once…….thus his reaction, “holy ****”.
5. Lost in Translation -- This movie is what truly brought Bill Murray back to us…he transformed himself from the wise cracking obnoxious womanizer of 80s and 90s to…well mostly just an older version of that, but finally with some promising scripts to work with. My favorite part of this movie is that it shows so well how 2 people can have such an epic connection with each other, in such a short period of time, even with not much in common, just time and place.
6. A Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou -- This is another Wes Anderson picture that features many of the things I love about the Royal Tenenbaums: a great soundtrack, subtle humor, amazing attention to detail, interesting characters, a great story, and of course Bill Murray. Here is Bill taking back what is his:
7. Into the Wild -- I went to see this movie alone, not expecting too much, just an entertaining story, and some Alaskan wilderness. But never have I wished more that I had someone with me to experience what I was experiencing. I was mesmerized by the story, Emile Hirsch’s acting, and Eddie Vedder’s original soundtrack. This is a true tale of an exploration of someone’s life and soul. I have never read the book, but have to think the author is happy with Penn’s portrayal.
8. Wall-E -- I am not an overwhelming fan of animated movies. I have never seen Toy Story, and have forgotten most of Shrek/Finding Nemo/Pixar/Disney. I can’t remember why I decided to see Wall-E, but it was one of the better movie-going experiences I can remember. It’s such a simple, but entertaining story. It portrays such a sense of longing, by the end you cannot help but root for 2 robots to spend the rest of their ‘lives’ together. And, I love Peter Gabriel’s song “Down to Earth”.
9. Gladiator -- I think everyone likes Gladiator, don’t they? I can’t imagine why someone would not. Stories about revenge are some of the easiest to like, and this is one of the best I can think of.
10. Clerks 2 -- I had a few other movies slotted in the 10 spot, but finally ruled on Clerks 2. I think anyone who grew up in the 80s and 90s, and was into independent cinema, has a special place in their heart for Clerks. Nothing about it is superb filmmaking like The Godfather, Chinatown, or Jurassic Park…it is a script filled with cursing, and nonsense, the story is absurd, and the acting is exactly what you would think for a movie made on that type of budget. Yet I still love it. Its the mundane conversations, and scenes where almost nothing is happening, that I love. So I was excited when I heard Clerks 2 was being made. Clerks 2 slightly moved away from parts of the 1st, but in many ways stayed true. Still there were the conversations that go on and on about nothing…still there was the cursing and sex jokes…there was just a bit more plot and production value now. There are a few videos I want to post, but they’re all so dirty I feel uncomfortable doing it.
11-20
11. Donnie Darko -- I have always found it difficult to explain why I like Donnie Darko…After reading another best movie list, I have found a description that sums up nicely how I feel about it:
12. 28 Days Later -- I still remember seeing this for the 1st time in theater…being amazed and blown away by what a ‘zombie’ (they’re not technically zombies, but just infected with ‘rage’) movie could be. Danny Boyle immediately became one of my favorite directors, as he has another picture on this list, and another (Sunshine) that just missed.
13. Super Troopers -- Simply one of the funniest movies to come out this decade.
14. There Will Be Blood -- Epic masterpiece…Daniel Day-Lewis…Jonny Greenwood score…The end of this movie is just intense.
15. Gangs of New York -- I think this should have won the Best Picture oscar over Chicago, but I guess I don’t give much weight to what they come up with.
16. Children of Men -- This is one of the most underrated movies…really really good action/sci-fi.
17. Shaun of the Dead -- A spoof film on par with Mel Brooks’, Shaun of the Dead came around at a perfect time when zombie films were popular again (dawn of the dead remake, 28 days later), and became an instant cult classic. Zombieland was good, but Shaun of the Dead is far better, and deserves a spot in the top 20.
18. Taken -Taken is not a revolutionary movie…it does nothing new that has not been done in many movies before. Its a simple kidnapping/trying to get them back movie. But it is just done to perfection. At its core, it is a movie about a man setting a goal, and then accomplishing that goal, no matter what stands in his way. And part of the reason it is so entertaining is we get to see the process of him going through his methods, trying to figure out with very little to go from, how to find his daughter.
19. The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada -- A tremendous modern Western -- It takes place on the border of Mexico and Texas, starring Barry Pepper as an eager for action Border Patrol Agent. Barry Pepper does such a great job in this movie, and Tommy Lee Jones does equally well acting, as well as directing. This is a Western not only because of its setting, but because of the ideals that it portrays…honor, duty, friendship, and the strength of a man’s word. This is a fantastic movie, and the fact that it went so unnoticed is very sad.
20. A History of Violence -This movie is so intense. To watch Viggo Mortensen’s transformation from a peaceful man hiding from his past, to the violent killer that he was once, makes this movie amazing. This movie just plain kicks ass.
21-30
21. Cloverfield -- An awesome monster movie, a throwback to 50s monster movies, done in a more modern way of storytelling.
22. Wedding Crashers -- The montage that is set to “Shout” is enough to get this on my list, but the rest of the movie was so great too. While Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson are at their best here, it is also the other actors that help solidify this movie as a mainstay from the 00’s: Rachel McAdams, Bradley Cooper, Isla Fisher, Chris Walken…
23. American Splendor -- A movie that introduced me and everyone else to how great Paul Giamatti is. He portrays Harvey Pekar, a real life comic book artist from Cleveland. This is a fairly slow moving and uneventful movie, yet never seems boring. The acting is very good, and the (true) story is very interesting.
24. Amelie -- I don’t know why I like this so much…maybe I had a crush on Audrey Tatou, or maybe I just liked the simple story, about a simple girl, that led a simple life, and wanted simple things, and maybe that seemed comforting to me.
25. Son of Rambow -- By far one of the most fun movies I have ever seen.
26. Harold and Kumar go to White Castle -- I knew this was going to be one of my favorite comedies of the decade as soon as I read the premise…2 friends are hungry and high, they want a specific food, they will have that specific food no matter what it takes. Is the cause of some unfortunate frozen white castle hamburger frenzies.
27. 3:10 to Yuma -- This movie came at a time when my preference for Westerns was at an all-time high. Chances are I was going to be biased towards liking it. However it truly was a fantastic movie. Finally a remake that hollywood could be proud of. I’d think you would have to try pretty hard to screw up a movie with Russell Crowe and Christian Bale.
28. Appaloosa -- Just after 3:10 to Yuman, this was released. This was an Ed Harris project (director/writer/lead). Sometimes that can spell disaster, but he pulled it off. Viggo Mortensen plays the strong, but silent sidekick. And Jeremy Irons is terrific as the villain. Renee Zellweger does her damnedest to ruin the movie, but it still is a very strong addition to the Western genre.
29. Inglorious Basterds -- This movie caught most people off guard. They expected one thing, and got another. So I can see how some might not love it. I admit that I would have liked to see more of the “we’re in the killing nazi business” nazi killing from Brad Pitt and co. But I am very satisfied with the directions it took.
30. Slumdog Millionaire -- From the music, to the tempo, to the creative way the story was told, to the acting, this movie was incredible. Danny Boyle is now by far one of my favorite directors.
31-40
31. 25th Hour -- This movie is simply fantastic.
32. Brick -- A neo-noir film, told in a high school setting with high school characters…Joseph Gordon Levitt starts his comeback
33. King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters -- One of the most entertaining documentaries I have ever seen. And I can appreciate it even more because I know how hard Donkey Kong is.
34. Be Kind, Rewind -- Such a likable movie about 2 guys trying to recreate movies that they have no business ever trying to recreate.
35. Knocked Up -- When I saw this opening night, I don’t think I had ever laughed that hard in a theater. Especially at, “Your face looks like Robin Williams’ knuckles”. This has lost a little of its appeal now after seeing it a couple times, it being censored for television, and the Seth Rogen overdose.
36. Superbad -- 2006/2007 was the era of Judd Apatow. Between writing, directing, and producing, his name was on a ton of successful comedies. By the time Superbad came out, hype was huge, and I’m not sure the movie ever lived up to it. However it was still a very fun movie, and Michael Cera is very very hard not to like. Also, McLovin.
37. Sin City -- An incredible cast meets an awesome graphic novel meets Robert Rodriguez direction meets Mickey Rourke comeback
38. 300 -- My dad has been telling me for most of my life about the 300 Spartans that held off the however many Persians at Thermopylae. So this was a thrill to see it come to life on the big screen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgrsNBu51nU
39. Closer -- Are you kidding? I started to really like Clive Owen and Jude Law after this movie, but really fell in love with Natalie Portman during the scene below: (no its not the strip scene, I love to see the men turn their heads as she walks by)
40. The New World -- My favorite part of this movie is the music, but I also love the story, and how the movie looks. I watch this every time its on IFC.
41-50
41. Napoleon Dynamite -- It’s easy to forget how funny, but more importantly how different this movie was when it came out. I could not watch this movie for about 5 years, because I wayyyy overdid it in 2004. I can probably watch it again now.
42. War of the Worlds -- I’m pretty sure I might be the only Tom Cruise fan left on the planet (well I know Trevor still likes him). I don’t care what he believes in, or how many couches he jumps on, or how many characters from dawson’s creek he marries…he knows how to make a movie. Not to mention, he will have a life pass for me because of his work in the 80s. I’m pretty sure most people won’t agree with me about this movie being on a top 50 list, but I don’t care…I love movies about aliens, and this movie needed an update BAD. I can’t see how people don’t like this movie more, I’m pretty certain its bias towards him.
43. Signs -- Another alien movie that most people do not share my enthusiasm about, and maybe its also due to the fact that Mel Gibson had a falling out with his fans as well. Or maybe people started to dislike M. Night Shyamalan? This is such an entertaining and suspenseful movie, and it has one of my absolute favorite actors, Joaquin Phoenix, playing a very likable character. Again, I can’t help but watch this every time its on.
44. Sideways -- Lowell from Wings and Paul Giamatti
Jack: If they want to drink Merlot, we’re drinking Merlot.
Miles: No, if anyone orders Merlot, I’m leaving. I am NOT drinking any ******* Merlot!
45. Zack and Miri Make a Porno -- I have a serious softspot for Kevin Smith. This movie is as crass as they can come now, but in funny ways. This is about the last movie that I could stand Seth Rogen in, so I let that slide. Elizabeth Banks is awesome. I love her. And Jason Mewes gets to play a different character for once. I really like this movie.
46. The Descent -- I love horror movies, but I don’t feel too many stoodout in the last 10 years. I had heard good things about this when it came out, but it took me a couple years to get around to seeing it. Wow. I was sincerely frightened at times. Its not the creatures in the cave that are scary, or even what the girls are capable of doing to each other, its how claustrophobic the movie made me feel. It does a great job making you feel like you are down in the caves with them.
47. The Road -- I already loved this book. There is not much that the movie could have improved on, so the movie didn’t open any new doors for me, and did not gain any ground on this list. But it was an exact duplication from the page to the screen. It is exactly how I pictured it when I was reading the book. From the characters, to the landscape, and how the movie looked in general.
48. Open Range -- I have already indicated that I’m a sucker for Westerns. And this was one of the first ones to come out since the mid 90s. Costner and DuVall are amazing together. The gunfight at the end is one of the best I’ve ever seen. It’s slow slow moving, and thats a good thing, its how a Western is supposed to be.
49. American Psycho -- One of the movies that reintroduced Christian Bale to the world, this includes some of the funniest and at the same time gruesome scenes I have seen…all set to Whitney Houston and Phil Collins…awesome.
50. Avatar -- Avatar probably deserves to be higher, but since it literally came out with only a couple weeks left in the decade, it hasn’t sunk in much yet, and also it loses points because I’m not sure the re-watchability factor is very high. It’s an incredible movie, but its length will make it hard for me to watch 2 or 3 more times in my lifetime.
HM. Grindhouse/Death Proof, The Ring, Lucky Number Slevin, Zombieland, Where the Wild Things Are, Let The Right One In, The 40 Year Old Virgin
*have not seen Fantastic Mr. Fox, Invictus, Up, Star Trek
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