One of the most contentious processes is selecting tracks for a mix CD to give to someone. In doing this, one encounters a number of dilemmas:
- The overall philosophy of song selection (by what you think they'd like, or
by what you like, or some happy medium).
- Which areas of your musical taste the recipient is likely to share; do you occupy different ends of
the ironic/sincere spectrum? Do you go for twee indie-pop or SubGenius doktorbands? Would a spirited gypsy/klezmer number about cannibalistic bootywhang make you look like a dangerous nutter? Would a CD full of drill'n'bass or shoegazer grab them?
- Favour vs. diversity. In your heart of hearts, you may want to make it equal parts Slowdive, Lush, The Paradise Motel and The Licorice Comfits, or whatever your favourite acts are, but what if they don't like these acts?
- How much of the CD do you reserve for semi-obscure local bands they may not hear of otherwise.
- Do you put on obscure remixes of bands you know? If the original means nothing to them, will such wilful obscurantism at best go over their head and at worst make you look like an insufferable trainspotter?
- Representation. Which songs do you choose to represent, say, The Smiths? Which version of Bizarre Love Triangle to put on: Frente's or Even As We Speak's (or even the original)?
So in the end you give up and make it a double CD.
http://grudnuk.com/
Fri May 3 10:30:47 2002
re: the obscure remixes bit; it doesn't matter how obscure it is if it sounds good anyway. mixtapes/cds are as much about discovery as anything (nick hornby be damned). scare the suckers!