TheFelixes.org

Back in 2000, I came up with the idea to publish a personal soundtrack of my life each year.  I thought it would be fun to review the tracks (both new and old) that I kept coming back to throughout the year and make a compilation that I could share with friends.  The name “Felix Picks” I picked as a play on the Grateful Dead’s famous Dick’s Picks collection of live shows.

Eight years have passed and I am now on volume eight.  The last four years Kendall has added her own music tastes into the mix.  I knew she had similar great music tastes when she proclaimed “Paul’s Boutique” by the Beastie Boys as her favorite album and was willing to check out Robert Randolph and the Family Band on our second date and suggested seeing Social D for our third.

As for this year’s Felix Picks, you will hear a more subdued sound from that of Vol. 7.  In aggregating all the possible picks for the year, a mellow if not introspective theme appeared (not surprising given all the thought provoking topics – down economy, presidential election…).

Here is the track list with notations and credits:

• Secret Meeting by The National:  Thanks to Jon for sourcing this alternative band with a tight sound.  They opened up for REM during the summer.
• Transmission by Joy Division:  Thanks to Alicia and Doug for referring the movie Control which details Ian Curtis’ troubled life.  I was hooked on the Manchester alternative sound during high school but more so New Order than Joy Division.
• Nude by Radiohead:  Was there a more beautiful album in 2008?  Kendall’s favorite band produced a worthy partner to OK Computer.  Throw in the innovative, democratic pricing model (“pay us what you think it is worth” – answer: $6 on average) and it was a great story in 2008.
• Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley:  Ranked high on the Felix charts in 2008.  Words don’t do this track justice.  Put this song on repeat and fall asleep to it.
• Skinny Love by Bon Iver:  Thanks to NPR for introducing us to one of the best albums of the year.  If you like Ray Lamontagne, you will dig Bon Iver.
• Rocket Man cover by My Morning Jacket:  Thanks Doug for passing along your best of MMJ mix with this cover included.
• Blue Northern Lights by Ollabelle:  Our friend Rob passed this along with the comment, “super quality mix of folk, gospel, and Jack Johnson-paced tinged music.  Great for relaxing or thinking.”  We agree.
• Apologies by Grace Potter & the Nocturnals:  Thanks to Lee for this rec.
• Chasing Pavements by ADELE:  Heard this track for the first time driving from Denver to Boulder for a solo hike on the Flatirons.  It hit the spot.  A shout out goes to KBCO 97.3 out of Boulder.  Their eclectic playlist did me right on my solo adventure and visit to high school buddy Philippe.
• Tomorrow Comes Today by Gorillaz:  Credit goes to 88.1 WKNC for serving this up this classic chill song several mornings during rush hour.  It was one of the first songs I shazamed with an iPhone.
• Ragged Wood by Fleet Foxes:  Thanks to a host of folks for this recommendation:  NPR, Sound Opinions (Kendall found this great music review program), Doug and several of our UVA peeps.  One of the top 10 releases of the year.
• Su Melodia by Federico Aubele:  A soundtrack staple during our trip to Argentina.  Federico is on the ESL label owned and operated out of DC by the Thievery Corp. members.
• Look Around by Femi Kuti:  My love of Afrobeat gets stronger everyday.  Femi, son of Fela Kuti the grandfather of Afrobeat keeps the beat alive and well.  He also contributed to Thievery’s new album.  Thanks to Rob F. and Rob O. for introducing me to this family (Kendall has been tied into Fela for quite some time).  Wish I could have scene the off-broadway production Fela! with you, Fauber.
• Gettin’ Up and Life is Better by Q-Tip:  Named one of the best albums of 2008 by Sound Opinions.  If you love Tribe Called Quest, then you know and love Q-Tip.  Add in a special appearance by Norah Jones (along the lines of her Saint Germain des Pres Cafe sessions).
• Wisdom by Gran Ronde:  Not sure how this turned up in our iTunes library but speculation points to the free iTunes weekly download.  It is a brief addictive tune.
• Let it Die by the Foo Fighters:  This track is off their latest album.  Kendall has been a bigger fan of the Foo Fighters than me.  That was until I saw them up close at the Salesforce.com Dreamforce conference with Joe, Will and Matt.  Dave and crew rocked the house and got me hooked.  The track starts softly but we all know that Dave doesn’t finish a song without blasting his vocal cords…
• Beast of Burden by The Rolling Stones:  Kendall’s favorite Stones track is now my favorite Stones track.  Fun memories of Adam D. and Haley R. rocking this song during an impromptu Bronto karaoke break.
• New Soul by Yael Naim:  Addictive Mac Commercial.

We would love to hear your recommendations during 2009.  Vol. 9 is right around the corner.

-Chaz

** For additional 2008 recs check out our friend Eric Boggs’ picks.