Ok, ok– I know what you’re thinking. Tapes are dead. “Dear friend,” I will say, “but their spirit lives on.” Cheesy, yes, but it’s true. Rather than call this some ‘mix,’ I went ahead and gave it a little extra pep in the title and called it a ‘mixtape’. I’m a firm believer that music is like a life marker. You can look back on a certain time in your life and feel the songs that you were blaring in your car and remember who you were with, the windows down, and the scent of burning leaves coming in — all in your head. When you take the time to make a mix or a mixtape, typically you’re thinking about song placement, and the feelings involved. That is exactly what I did — thus the title ‘mixtape’. It only took me a month, but my Fall 2009 Mixtape is complete (Yes these are in order!). Comments welcome!

1. Mexico – Jump, Little Children
Jump is nothin’ new. These guys were great. I love everything about this song.

2. Mightiest of Guns – A.A. Bondy
This song is just plain beautiful — in production, recording, and lyrically. A.A. Bondy once came and played at ‘The Jinx’ in Savannah while I was at college and I will always regret seeing the advertisement in ‘Murmur’ and not going.

3. One Fast Move Or I’m Gone – Ben Gibbard & Jay Farrar
I remember hearing stuff right before this record came out about how Ben Gibbard didn’t know if Kerouac would appreciate them using lap steel on the soundtrack to his movie Big Sur. After listening to this album, I feel like he would’ve been proud. Written straight from the pages of his novel Big Sur, and also the title track of the album — this song is perfect.

4. This Far – Landon Pigg
You might’ve heard Landon Pigg’s song ‘Falling In Love In A Coffee Shop’ on a jewelry or AT&T commercial. After hearing the rest of his new album, including this song, I could care less about that song. There’s such a great feel in these songs.

5. Little Lion Man – Mumford & Sons
You can feel the passion oozing from this song. Every time I hear this song I get pumped.

6. To Ohio – The Low Anthem
I finally heard this album, and was immediately drawn to the song ‘To Ohio’. It feels dense, foggy, smokey — like an autumn night drive.

7. Georgia On My Mind – Michael Buble
Few people can cover ‘Georgia On My Mind’ and get away with it. I’ll admit, I was skeptical when I saw this song on the tracklist for Buble’s new album. One of the best renditions since Ray Charles (although not quite as good). Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell would be proud. The strings, etc sound amazing, too.

8. In The Middle – Joshua James
His new album is great, but this song is easily my favorite, and in my opinion the best on the album. I won’t go into how this song makes me feel, but you should give it a listen and maybe we can meet there.

9. Low Rising – The Swell Season
I saw ‘Once’ like everyone else — well, about 3 years later (just this year). This is the first song I heard from their new album, and it’s so smokey and smooth. Mmm. horns.

10. Pride And Joy – Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile easily has one of the best voices in music today. I mean, who SINGS like this anymore? The emotion, lyrics, production — EVERYTHING about this song is powerful. She kills it.

11. Who Says – John Mayer
Saying ‘who says I can’t get stoned?’ in a song is definitely bordering on shock value here. Once you get passed that, and the striking resemblance to ‘Stop This Train’ — the lyrics will get you in the most subtle way. Smart songwriting is one of the things Mayer does best.

12. Jealous Head – Mike Dunn & The Kings of New England
Out of all the great songs on MDTKONE’s new album ‘Sundowner’ — I am really relating to this song lately. It’s beautiful.

13. Just Ain’t Gonna’ Work Out – Mayer Hawthorne
Mayer doesn’t have much of singing voice, but for his brand of ‘old’ soul music, it’s perfect. You have to feel this song.

14. Laundry Room – The Avett Brothers
Go ahead and listen to this song 100 times and tell me you don’t find something new, that you love — every time you listen.

15. Re: Stacks – Bon Iver
This song has been out for some time now, but recently, I find myself turning to it while I’m driving home in the dark.