Remember when I said I probably wouldn't use mixtape.me regularly? Apparently, I lied. Or rather, I spoke without yet having the Truth. And the Truth is that there really aren't any better tools for creating full mixes, which I now plan to do on a regular basis. But then again, that could be a lie, too. You just never know.

But let's live the lie for a little while. I'm hoping to do a weekly mix to re-find that fun of building and planning mixes. Some of them will be themed, like the amusement park, but without the disgusting blue water from the flume ride that made you stick to the car seats on the way home, and some of them--like today's--will just be the best of what I've listened to for the month.

So plug in the headphones or crank up the Airfoil and listen on in to my favorites for March:



Dan Deacon, "Build Voice"
As uncreatively titled as most of the songs on Bromst are, they're still fantastic slices of true musical craft, meticulously arranged with no loss of thrill. Note: give this one about a minute to start up.

Phoenix, "1901"
The same type of note-perfect craft that Dan Deacon has, with more of an eye on the pop. In other words, a lot more fun.

Estelle feat Kanye West, "American Boy"
A gem from last calendar year, this got stuck in my head for a full day on my vacation a couple of weeks ago. You have to give the head what it wants. It knows things about you.

Beck, "Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat"
Now THIS...is how you do a Dylan cover: by not trying to sound like Dylan. A raver.

Mclusky, "To Hell With Good Intentions"
In short order, this has become the standard for volume music to me. The muted strings at the breaks is the sound of adrenaline.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, "We Call Upon The Author"
Next to Friendly Fires, Dig, Lazarus Dig is the album I most need a 2008 late pass for. This album absolutely defines badass.

P.O.S., "Goodbye"
P.O.S.'s "Never Better" has been one of my favorite listens of the last few weeks. His lyrics may force the politics a little too much, but the hooks are strong enough to not worry to much about that.

U2, "No Line On The Horizon"
Bono actually sounds old on this track, but for some reason, that's a comfort for me. Maybe it's because this song is the most genuine he's sounded in years. Meanwhile, Larry Mullen plays the same beat he's been phoning in since 1991. Which is what it is.

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, "I Am Goodbye"
Beware isn't hitting my swoon buttons like Lie Down In The Light did (yet), but it's the same high quality that I think Will Oldham isn't capable of not creating.

Vetiver, "More Of This"
Endlessly lovely, leading to endless listens.

Camera Obscura, "My Maudlin Career"
I'm almost a little nervous to read the lyrics to this song. If the true meaning of this song is as melancholy as I think it is...I just don't want to know.