Mixtape: The Most Melancholy Songs in the World, Like, Ever, Part the Second

Hello, Internet Friends.

It's been far too long since I had the time to write for myself, no thanks to all the writing I've had to do of late for The Man. But tonight seems as good a night as any to revisit this list, what with Gilmore Girls coming to an end, and all. [Sidebar: Kelly Bishop and Edward Herrmann OWNED that show, especially during the death rattle that was this last season.] Yes, it was never as good once the Sherman-Palladinos dipped out, but I was a wee 24 year old thing when it started and for some reason, that makes me feel...melancholy. Holler if you hear me:

* All Mixed Up -- Red House Painters
* Carry Me Ohio -- Sun Kil Moon
Mark Kozelek's voice makes him sound like he's seen some stuff. Seen a lot of broken hearts and promises, been on both ends of each. Plus: Soft spot for songs that name check my home state.

* Full of Stars -- Turin Breaks
* Into Temptation -- Crowded House
* Lonesome Tears -- Beck
* Not Dark Yet -- Bob Dylan
* Open Heart Surgery -- The Brian Jonestown Massacre
Fans of DiG! will recognize this as the song that's featured prominently in the movie.

* The Rising Tide -- Sunny Day Real Estate
* See You in the Next One (Have a Good Time) -- The Verve
* The Shadowlands -- Ryan Adams
* Xtal -- Aphex Twin
I've never really considered Richard D. James to be an especially thoughtful composer. But when he came out of the gate with Selected Ambient Works: 85-92, a cheeky title for a first release, I was enraptured. To these ears, however, it's as though he did everything backwords. SAW:85-92 marked an important point in electronic music; his output after that alienated me ("Come to Daddy"? Drukqs? Er, no). "Xtal," with its subtle but pulsing bass and ghostly female sounding vocalization, was entrancing. It's a headphone listen, no question. My one-time roommate, affectionately known as "Krista Big Pants," for the redonk JNCOs she insisted on wearing everywhere, gave me a tape of this track back in 1995 when we lived in our big, smelly, cat-infested apartment on Highland Street near 8th Ave. in Columbus. No idea where she is today, but KBP, if you're out there, muchas.

* Rhymes of an Hour -- Mazzy Star
* Rags to Rags -- Eels
* Realize -- Codeine
I don't know much about this band. I slept on them when this album came out and really only discovered them about a year ago. All I can tell you is that Barely Real, the EP from whence this lovely, grand, and somewhat theatrical song came, has cover art to match.

* I Had a Time -- Embrace
* Shame -- Low
* In a Lonely Place -- New Order
* The Slow Drug -- PJ Harvey
* Sunday -- Sonic Youth
* Step into My World -- Hurricane #1
Does anyone remember this band??? And relatedly, am I the only one who bought the Gay Dad album? Probably? Yes.

* Dead Man's Will -- Iron & Wine and Calexico
* Here's Where the Story Ends -- The Sundays
* Don't Know Why -- Kostars
The Kostars record, Klassics with a 'K', has long been one of my most favorites in my collection. This song, with backing vocals and guitar by Dean and Gene Ween, may be the album's highlight.

Wow. This seems like it is a much better effort than my first go, no? As ever, please do let me know what I've missed.