Call this a comeback

I'm going to reinvent this shit.

Johnny Foreigner- Salt. Peppa, and Sinderella

Can I just say that I am currently a little obsessed with this song?


Johnny Foreigner- Salt, peppa and spinderella from Best Before Records on Vimeo.

New Tape, MBV, Etc

Long time no update, first off here is a tracklisting to my newest tape which I just put together and finished last night.

29:59
Side A
Scraps And Heart Attacks- Don't F With S
ON- Generations
Hit The Lights- 309
Black Flag- TV Party
Gorilla Biscuits- Good Intentions
H2O- Songs Remain
Sinking Ships- Ghost Story
Give Up the Ghost- Shoplifting in a Ghost Town
Stay Gold- Toy Boats And Battleships
Killing the Dream- Sick of Sleeping
Verse- Sons And Daughters

Side B

The Ergs- Kind Of Like Smitten
Have Heart- bostons
Descendents- I'm The One
Title Fight- Loud and Clear
Lifetime- Young, Loud, And Scotty
Shook Ones- First Lunch, Then War
Minor Threat- Good Guys (Don't Wear White)
Energy- Talk Hard
Fireworks- Don't Blame The Ocean Floor
Champion- The Truth
Crime In Stereo- I, Stateside

Somehow while putting it together both sides ended up being 29:59 in length with 11 tracks. If I get a chance I might upload it... though its pretty different from most of my other tapes.


Remember how I said I was going to listen to Loveless a bunch to study it? I got tired of it after a while haven't listened to it all the way through since April, Ha. I admit though that I can see what its charm is.


Im lazy when it comes to updating. i haven't been making as many tapes. Possibly will take this is a different sort of direction? Who knows.


Shameless self promotion: Blog done with my friend Adam- http://xdisneyx.blogspot.com/

Ruben vs. Loveless Part Two

On my quest to understand Loveless I read the book in the 33 1/3 series written by Mike McGonigal.

I have previously read two other books in this series, one written about Ok Computer while the other writen about Daydream Nation.

Each title is written by a different author and has a different feel to it. The author who wrote the book about Daydream Nation, Matthew Stearns, describes the album in such detail that it made me love the album as much as he does.

In reality though I only enjoy the album. I have no pure love for the album, I don't even feel it is the best Sonic Youth release (that in my eyes belongs to Goo).

I went into this book wondering what the writing approach would be to this album, and if it would help me on my quest as to understand why people love this album so much.

In the end, it didn't.

Sure there were moments where it was describing the sound and feel of the record. The book was more about the creation of the record and everything going on with the band at the time, like a mini biography.

Not to say that I didn't enjoy the book, because I did, I found it to be an enjoyable read. I was only hoping for it to help me understand the album. Guess all that is left is to listen to the album until either I love it or completely hate it and never want to hear its name spoken again.

Ruben Vs My Bloody Valentine- Loveless.

I am going to be 100% honest right now- I do not get the hype behind this album.
Maybe its because of the fact that I was about five years old upon its release and spent my years of discovering music hearing bands that have played off and evolved their musical style. I think I have listened to the album start to finish only once (though as I type this I am playing through it again so by the time I finish this it will be twice) all other times I make it to around track 4. The songs tend to sound like a mess to me (coming from somebody who listens to some 'messy' or some might say terrible or crappy music that is saying something). Maybe it needs to click with me. I am going to give it time attempt to listen to it at least once a week for the next month in various settings- through computer speakers, through headphones, through stereo speakers (being that I get a stereo where both speakers work in the next month) just to try and figure it out.


Anyways sorry for the time without posts. I have been lazy simply put. There are mixes created and needing to be uploaded I just have to see where I left off. Also for those interested I created a mixtape that I will be creating 50 of and giving to those who want them. Currently 8 have been made (which includes my copy) so that leaves 42 to go. I will willingly make you a tape for free or for a donation (tapes and envelopes and shipping are not free themselves) and make you a copy and send it to you. Each tape contains the same music but has exclusive artwork- as in I didn't like the idea of photocopying artwork 50 times and thought different artwork for each tape was more interesting. Contact me in whatever way you wish (you may e-mail me at remixedremix@hotmail.com make sure the subject reads "enjoy the ride tape") and we can work something out I am sure.

So hopefully I will get to uploading those mixes sometime within the next few weeks. I will update about my ventures with 'Loveless' later to see if my emotions have changed about it at all.

Awesome

Side A
Final Fantasy "Your Light Is Spent"
Sigur Ros "Ba Ba"
Silence Kit "Venus"
Ris Paul Ric "Demo Was a Runaway"
Beach House "Some Things Last A Long Time"
Atlas Sound "River Card"
Jens Lekman "A Man Walks Into A Bar"

Side B
Dntel "Why I'm So Unhappy"
Mono "Ode"
California Snow Story "Future Perfect"
K.C. Accidental "Silver Fish Eyelashes"
Mogwai "Emergency Trap"
M83 "Slight Night Shiver"


The tape is supposed to have a more wintery/snowstorm type sound throughout works out pretty well in my head and with my ears. Nice relaxing and sometimes haunting. Im proud of it.



Side A
Side B
Side A (Individual Tracks)
Side B (Individual Tracks)



Happy Holidays everyone. My lists for top albums of this year will go up sometime between the 26th and 31st.

Box-Fresh

Side A
Los Campesinos! "You! Me! Dancing!"
Nightmare Of You "My Name Is Trouble"
The Pipettes "Pull Shapes"
Justice "D.A.N.C.E." (Extended)
Gorillaz "Dare"
Girl Talk "Bounce That"
!!! "Feel Good Hit Of The Fall"

Side B
Professor Murder "Free Stress Test"
Daft Punk "Superheroes"
K-OS "Crabbuckit"
Bloc Party "Banquet" (Phones Disco Edit)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Y Control"
LCD Soundsystem "All My Friends"


I'll be honest, this tape has been 70% finished for at least two months now, this just further goes to show how lazy I am. There really isn't much to say, this is a flatout mix to dance to, because sometimes we all just need to let loose a little bit. The true reason I'm posing this mix tonight? I was making one when i realized it just did not work, at all. Since I felt like I needed to complete one task I assigned myself for the day I remembered that I still had this one half finished, thank god for that I guess.


The separate track versions won't be uploaded for a day or two. Why? I don't feel like doing it truth be told. Try the single track versions for now eh?


Side A
Side B




In non-mixtape news, I was supposed to see Los Campesinos! tomorrow night but it seems that wont be happening. Shame too, I love that band, High Recommendation from me to check them out (Hey Side A on the mix! Sweet!). They have an Ep out right now, its pretty sweet, contains the most upbeat cover of Pavement on it. Full length drops sometime next year. With the mention of next year reminds that the year is ending, which means that holiday shopping has begun. I beg you to keep your sanity while doing your gift shopping and to not lash out at the workers of the retail location you are shopping at just because a product is sold out and they don't know when (or if) more will be in stock before the end of the shopping season. I really want to get my picture taken with Santa at the mall...

Finally, I'll have an end of the year list for my top 20 favorite albums (and maybe some honorable mentions), top 5 favorites eps, and possibly top 5-10 singles/7"s (haven't begun thinking about this one yet so i'm not sure) which will all be posted here sometime after the holiday and before the new year. I would make a list of Disappointments but I try to forget about those the best I can.

Savvy Consumers

Side A
Slint "Ron"
Sonic Youth "Mote"
Menomena "Running"
Animal Collective "Fireworks"
Jimmy Eat World "Firestarter"
Grizzly Bear "Knife"

Side B
Final Fantasy "(Reverse)"
Broken Social Scene "7/4 Shoreline"
Elliott "Dying Midwestern"
...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead "Wasted State Of Mind"
Bear Vs Shark "Second"
Cursive "Staying Alive"



Let me start by saying that I am completely proud of this tape. Its probably my favorite tape I have made thus far. Side A is easily the better side, the flow in it just blows me away I honestly don't know how I pulled something like that off.


Side A
Side B
Side A (Separate Tracks)
Side B (Separate Tracks)

Hello? Dead Air

Basically this mix was created to A.) Relax to B.) Study to C.) Read to, or hell even D.) Fall asleep to. I kinda threw it together like nothing, basically thinking of Instrumental(/Post-Rock/Whatever the fuck genre you want to put them in) bands and picked some songs by some of them. Of course the songs these bands can write sometimes end up very long, but I feel that this is better for the theme of the mix I was going for, since when I am doing these various things I don't need to get distracted by tracks changing, just by the songs going into different movements.



Side A
Godspeed You Black Emperor! "Storm"
Mono "Halo"

Side B
Silence Kit "Lemon Smell Street"
This Will Destroy You "I Believe In Your Victory"
Mogwai "Kids Will Be Skeletons"

Side A
Side B
Side A (Separate Tracks)
Side B (Separate Tracks)










As normal I recommend checking out the single track versions.

I must say I did enjoy putting together this cover for the tape, and there is a high possibility that I will do it again.

Ruben Vs. Bex: An Interview

Tonight I got the random idea to interview my good freind Rebecca Merker, but better known as Bex. Lucky for me she's crazy just like me and thought it was a grand idea. So here is our interview, we touch on things such as music, style, and swallows. Also, she thinks that I have fans.







Ruben: Hello Bex how are you tonight?
Bex: I am doing pretty well, I am drinking some milk.
2%?
Yes actually hahah.
Good choice there Bex. Anyways I just thought i'd let you know that all these questions are off the top of my head seeing as this is a very spur of the moment idea.
Hahahah, thats fine. I should get used to it when I'm a famous rockstar. You know.


Yes I do know, although normally interviewers prepare questions. So you say you're going to be a famous rock star?
Most likely.
So then I take it that you are very passionate about music and the music you make?
Ridiculously. Haha. I just, I love it.
Well what about it do you love?
I love being able to express myself, and I love it for the same reason I love music: to put into words what I'm feeling better than I can.
Ah yes, I see. So being a musician what instruments can you play?
I can play guitar... ish... and I sing, constantly.
Well punk bands never know how to play their instruments so you can always be a punk rocker.
Hahaha well I can sing, not like the chick from Paramore though.

You need red hair and matching pants for that. Speaking of that mumbo jumbo, how important do you think that image is in music these days?
I think it's pretty much bullshit artists like Britney Spears are followed there is so little talent. Nelly Furtado, before coming out with the dance shit, was nowhere
Big named producers can do a lot for you. You have to admit though, 'Say It Right' is a jam.
Whats that? I don't even know.
It was her second single off her new album.
I mean, I'm not saying it's bad it's just, so different.

Fashion wise, do you think that having a specific image for your band is important? Like how My Chemical Romance have that whole marching band theme or the rappers are so caught up with different fashions and such.
Personally? I think it's fun. I would do it, not over the top like MCR takes it but I find nothing wrong with dressing up.
How exactly do you feel about style, how important is it to you?
Not very I mean, I like looking nice but most of the time, I don't really care, as long as I'm comfortable.
What do you think about all the fashion world and whatnot, telling the world what is in style and what isn't. Do you feel they should be the ones to decide what is "in" and what is "out"?
Absolutely not, I think it's so dumb most of the stuff is just... ugly anyways. I think everyone should just wear what they want.
Very true. Also some of it tends to get really pricey. Plus half the time you're just paying $100 bucks for a label on the jeans.
Exactly. I go for how they fit, not what brand they are.

Good lass. So list for me your top five favorite albums of all time. ready Go!
1. Waiting For My Rocket To Come-Jason Mraz.
2. Heavier Things-John Mayer.
3. Songs About Jane-Maroon 5.
WAIT! Put #1 as Take Off Your Pants And Jacket-Blink-182.
5. either E Von Dahl Killed The Locals by the Matches or The Photo Album by Death Cab.
And split number 3 between Room For Squares and Heavier Things, cause I can't decide.

Well lets discuss this, you originally put Jason Mraz at number one but shortly thereafter changed it to Blink 182. Lets talk why at first you chose Jason, and then why you decided on Blink.
Well, the Jason album is genius and I am seriously, head over heels for every song. But Blink-182... well... they got me into rock music, in general and I wouldn't be listening to any of this if it weren't for them.
But why 'Take Off Your Pants and Jacket' in general and not another one of their albums?
Because that WAS the album.
That was your first Blink 182 album?
Yeah, well I mean my brother had 'Enema of the State' and I stole it sometimes, but 'Take Off' was the first that got me REALLY into it.

Do you feel that the internet is ruining music?
nNot at all I think it's helping.
Why do you say that?
Because it's exposing everyone to a wider range of music.
But some will argue that with less people buying albums artists are unable to make revenue.
But the thing is so few artists make money off of that ANYWAY it's like I think it's better to go to a show, buy a t-shirt.
But what about all the other aspects of making the record, producer and etc?
I'm not really sure what to think of that.
Do you think its possible to somehow work out the things with downloading other than scaring everyone that the RIAA is going to sue your pants off?
I think that if it just wasn't so easy, and music wasn't as expensive, more people would buy music.

Did you know that when blank cassette tapes were first released, after people began making mixes and recording albums to them, they began selling them with labels that read "Home Taping Is Killing Music"?
Hahahaha how ironic.

Getting more into you personally here you were born and raised in New York correct?
Yep. Born in New York City, raised in Soho, Brooklyn, and the suburbs.
How much of an influence do you think living in all those places affected you?
Well, I'm described as being seen as "worldly." Growing up in and around New York City is just an insane experience, because so many cultures interact there it's truly unlike anywhere else.
So you are glad that you were raised there I take it.
Oh, totally. though I have to say, it's very liberal, and very Jewish-friendly, which made me a bit naive.

I just have a few questions left for you here

First, what is your quest?
To be the best, and happiest person I can be.
Second, what is your favorite color?
Red, yellow and purple.
Third, what is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?
I have no fucking idea. I go to art school.
Hahaha. The correct answer was "an african or european swallow?"
I must advise you Bex to go out and watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail
I have, once, like 14 years ago.
Ah well, you really need to see it again. its a classic comedy

Any last words before we wrap things up?
Hi Ruben's fans.
Haha. Thank you for your time Bex.
No problem, Ruby doodles.

Everyone's A Photographer

I realized that after I had scanned these all onto my computer that I don't quite like the way scanned photos look.

My idea for this was to go out to a park with one of my shitty sony 90 minute cassette tapes, take pictures of it, smash it up, and take more pictures of it.

The one thing I was curious about was how some things would turn out because I was using black and white film. At the end of the day there were some good shots, but they just didn't come out well enough on black and white film (all those grey's blended together in a way thats not all too great.

I have five more of those sony cassettes left so that can make for five more smash them up picture sets, we will see what I can come up with I guess.
















larger sizes of all these photos and some older ones can be found on my flikr page

Mixtape- September 2007 "Enternal Summer"

I have a name for the mix this time, how neat right? This mixtape mre or less focuses on a more relaxed sound using Indie and Electronic bands. The total running time of the two sides together is a little under an hour, mainly because I finally found hour long cassette tapes (thank you wallgreens). The title "Enternal Summer" comes from the feeling that this tape is great to just go for a nice bike ride, lay around by the pool, on the beach, or by a lake (all depending on where you live)and just relax. Because sure so many people believe that summer is when you are constantly going out, partying, staying out late, etc mainly because thats just the way that people are. For me though summer is most importantly time to relax, its a few month where I don't have to worry about school and getting homework done, when I can go out and ride my bike around or just try to relax on the crowded California beaches. Links have once again been included as both single track downloads and with the separate tracks for each side, though I personally recommend trying out the single track versions.

Side A
Animal Collective "Prospect Hummer"
My First Trumpet "Autonarkose"
The Elected "Fireflies In A Steel Mill"
Minus The Bear "Hooray (Dark Baby Remix)"
Stars "Personal"
The Berg Sans Nipple "Mystic Song"
Alaska In Winter "Rain on Every Weekend"

Side B
Beirut "The Gulag Orkestar"
Tunng "Bullets"
Modest Mouse "Little Motel"
Ratatat "Wildcat"
The Octopus Project "Malaria Codes"
Lcd Soundsystem "Great Release"


Side A (as a single track)
Side A (as individual songs)
Side B (as a single track)
Side B (as individual songs)

----
I know that both Stars, Modest Mouse, and Lcd Soundsystem were on the last one. While the Stars track on the last one was a remix, I really have no excuse for the other two, except that they worked well for the mix. It will probably be the last time I use them on mixes for a while... well see if I hold to my word.

Also as soon as I get this roll of film developed there will be the first post of my photo work. Neat right?


Photo Credits: Ruben

Mixtape- August 2007

This tape was a pain in the ass for me, and honestly I have no idea why. Maybe it was because I had such a set mindframe on how I wanted the tape to sound It took me a while to figure out what bands and songs to use (hell, one track I spent an hour going through various bands and songs because i needed a song to go in a certain spot and be a certain length.) I'll also toss blame onto the fact that its a 45 minute tape. That just means more music for me to sort through and figure out in my head. Anyways originally this started out as two different mixes, then they molded together for another, songs were removed, some later added back. Was originally a pretty mellow mix, still is save for some sections. Started out and pure Indie stuff, but as always happens some Ska songs slipped onto the mix. Honestly though, only one on each side and they work for the mix. The only thing missing from this mix is a title, which I haven't come up with yet. Don't forget that the mix is downloadable I've included links for the mix as individual tracks and each side as one long track, like you'd hear on the cassette.

Side A
Stars "Your Ex-Lover Is Dead (Final Fantasy Remix)"
Bodies Of Water "It is Familiar"
Saturday Looks Good To Me "Until the World Stops Spinning"
Final Fantasy "This Lamb Sells Condos"
California Snow Story "My Life Is Only A Daydream"
Jolie Holland "Goodbye California"
Tom Waits "Hold On"
Panda Bear "Bros"
Big D and the Kids Table "Halfway home"


Side B
Modest Mouse "3rd Planet"
Gorillaz "Kids With Guns"
Rx Bandits "In All Rwanda's Glory"
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists "Hearts Of Oak"
Jens Lekman "I Saw Her In The Anti War Demonstration"
Danielson "Did I Step On Your Trumpet"
Chuck Ragan "The Boat"
Irene "By Your Side"
The Snake The Cross The Crown "A Gathering Of Shades"
Dntel "(This Is) The Dream Of Evan And Chan"
Lcd Soundsystem "New York I Love You"

Side A (as a single track)
Side A (as individual songs)
Side B (as a single track)
Side B (as individual songs)


Photo credits: Ruben, myself.

Cassette Tapes.

Back in high school I had a job, I was the attendant at a little gas station, the only times we were really ever busy was on holiday weekends, during the summer, and during the winter. I lived in a little small mountain town that people would only come up to go to the lake, or to go to the ski resorts. In the little booth I sat in there wasn't much to do other than

A.) Homework
B.) Read
C.) Listen To Music
D.) Play Gameboy

and all four of these things would be what I would use to pass the time.

Now when it came to music for the first few years working there we only had a beat up stereo which could play cassettes, play the few radio stations it could pick up, and sometimes it would play cds. So basically my normal choice was to play cassette tapes, mostly mixtapes that I had made for my moms car. A little ways down we get a new stereo that can play cds, my boss ended up getting a wire to hook up his ipod to the stereo and a few months later I bought myself an ipod too.

As time went on Mixtapes began to die out for me. There would be an occasional tape or two that I would make for a friend, but I was mostly making cds or listening to my ipod. It wasn't until I graduated high school and moved out of my parents house that I got more interested in making Mixtapes again. There were different factors about making tapes that I liked more that making a cd, such as it seeming more personal because of all the work that you have to put into it, and the fact that a tape being two sides it can be more like making two separate mixes at times.



Recently, after four years of hard work, the harddrive on my ipod decided to take its eternal nap. Instead of shelling out a couple hundred for a new one I found myself in Target spending 10 bucks on a portable cassette player. Since then I have been making more mixes on cassettes for my walkman but have found some things that bother me.

Cassettes typically come in three different lengths: 60 minutes (30 minutes on each side) 90 minutes (45 minutes on each side) and 120 minutes (60 minutes on each side.) While after making mixes on an ipod or a cd you would think that 90 or 120 minute tapes would work best but I find that its much easier for me to make a mix that I am happy with on a 60 minute tape. At times I feel like 45 minutes per side is just adding filler onto the tape. Now this wouldn't be too much of a problem for me if it wasn't so hard to find 60 minute tapes. I don't know if its just me but I seem to have more trouble finding them than I do any other length of cassette tapes. Its a small annoyance that I have learned to live with, all for the sake of enjoying another form of outdated media, because that just seems to be what I do sometimes.