October 2010 Mixtape: DO I HAVE TO WORK AT WALMART?

About two weeks ago I lost the job I've been doing for most of the last eight years. I knew trouble was brewing but I really didn't think I would be considered the responsible party for the events in question. Out of the blue I get a list of complaints with my name highlighted, although upon further inspection it turns out I'm not the main reason for the complaints, and when I am involved it's primarily one person who I didn't get along with and attempted to avoid in the first place. Overall, I'm thinking that if I talk to my boss, someone I've known and respected and considered a friend, that everything is going to be alright, but he doesn't talk to me, he just fires me. Through the grapevine I heard that this was just business and that he wanted to make things right, but when he finally calls he complains that my version of the events doesn't match what he's heard, and all I can say to that is do you want my story or not? He knows what happened, and he decided to remove me to save his company's position, which I fully understand, but he did it in the worst way possible. To make matters worse yet, when we finally met he told me in a rather roundabout way that he thought I was cheating him and he didn't care about me any longer. Almost eight years and this is the way it ends, after a fantastic history with practically no issues whatsoever, and when complaints come up and I'm not even the reason for the complaints I'm fired because my name appeared in close proximity. It makes one feel pretty faithless.

All of this said, I'm not out of faith and totally believe in myself, but I can't say that I'm fully over feeling upset. My girlfriend initially thought I must have royally screwed up and couldn't accept it, but after learning the facts she's fully on my side, although she really always was, as are the rest of my family and friends, so I've still got my support system. What's crazy is looking for a new job. I've filled out applications online but I'm surprised to see most businesses don't even accept paper copies any longer. It's taking a rough and soulless part of the process and making it worse. I've got management experience, great customer service abilities, I'm very good with technology and have worked in fields where I've handled merchandise and money safely and regularly without shrinkage, but trying to fill all of this into a cookie cutter digital application feels impossible. Data will get in, but will it be interpreted correctly? Will the minutiae of my experience be read for as dynamic as it really is? Will my unique and useful traits be visible to those who should see them? DO I HAVE A CHANCE?

So, last night, after much prodding from my girlfriend as well as some friends and family and filling out applications all over the place, I went online and applied to Walmart, assuming there is a good chance I could find employment there. I've been largely skeptical about applying to Walmart despite knowing they have a high hire rate, mostly because I doubt I'll be working in a position that I feel I'd be suited to (raging ego trip right there!) and everyone knows how "interesting" the Walmart clientele can be. Don't get me wrong, most average people shopping at Walmart are perfectly fine, but I'm sure you've all seen a few subhumans lurking the isles from time to time. If you stuck me in the entertainment and electronics section I'd shine but how likely would it be that I would be so lucky? In an organization that big I'm sure I'd end up stocking the freezers. I'd even be happy standing at the customer service desk and answering questions, no matter what they are, as I've basically been doing that in one way or another for years, but sincerely, what are my chances?

So far, the only nibbles I've gotten was an e-mail from AFLAC, offering what sounded like an office position, only to find out they wanted me to get my insurance license and sell their product on the road, and Family Video, with whom I had a great interview about a possible managerial position but there were no openings locally at the time, and having just moved I can't pack up and go to Alabama. I've had friends ask me why I can't write for a living and my answer is I honestly don't know how to get started in that field or whom I should talk to. My girlfriend said "if only I got paid for my website", to which I could only respond "if only". So the quest continues. Don't worry, just in case you might be, I'm sure I'll find a new position shortly and everything will be just fine, and more so, I don't want to sound hopeless, it's just hard to put an amazing spin on such a murky situation.

Anyway, for my own entertainment, I made this months mixtape a soundtrack to my dilemma. I hope you find it entertaining as there is some really good stuff on it, much of which really gets me moving. Thanks for letting me bitch and moan a little. Enjoy!


The Unheard Music - October 2010 Mixtape: DO I HAVE TO WORK AT WALMART?

01 David Bowie - Beauty and The Beast
The sound of a drunken Bowie getting it together. I always think of it as the theme to someone getting back on their feet.

02 The Bird and The Bee - Heard It On The Radio
Missing my job, for which all jobs are relationships. Also realizing it might not have been as good as I always thought is was.

03 Television - Little Johnny Jewel
Verlaine's guitar is so out there. This makes me think of punk rock as jazz. Abstract tunes always seem to lock my mind into place so I can get heavy thinking done.

04 No Age - Glitter (Long Version)
A few weeks ago I was driving around to this summer jam feeling like it would keep summer from ever ending. It kinda works. The extended feedback loops at the end are just dreamy.

05 Junior Senior - Shake Your Coconuts (DFA Remix)
This feels like it's mining the same area as No Age's Glitter. The cheesy nature of the original version is ditched for what is basically LCD Soundsystem making a bunch of noise and having a funky party in a loft somewhere in New York. Love the guitar feedback. It's like James Murphy, who I'm assuming is playing guitar here, doesn't even care about playing notes, just making some wild textures.

06 Astrud Gilberto - Once I Loved
Again, loss of job, loss of security, feeling of betrayal. Beautiful song from the beautiful Ms. Gilberto.

07 Lowell George - 20 Million Things
Sometimes it feels like I can do anything anyone needs, but other times I feel like I can't get anywhere myself. I guess that's what this song is kind of about, but it's what I get out of it.

08 Devo - S.I.B. (Swelling Itching Brain)
Who hasn't been here? Terror, paranoia, gloom and misery? This song sums up all those feelings perfectly. I don't feel this way often, but when I have this is the soundtrack.

09 Fripp & Eno - Later On
This is Eno's remix of Swastika Girls from he and Fripp's No Pussyfooting. It was only released as the b-side to Eno's Seven Deadly Finns single. The day I got fired I must have played No Pussyfooting three or four times. It totally kept me grounded and calm. Love that album and love this track.

10 Los Saicos - Demolición
Rom turned me on to these guys recently. Actually, he called while I was at my first interview with Family Video and my interviewer had to attend to some things so she told me I could return my call if I wanted to. He compared them to Iggy and The Stooges, which I don't really agree with, but they've got the punk attitude and garage rock rawness down perfect. These guys are from Peru and are something of a best kept secret. I might do a post about them in the near future but I believe their discography is now available legally here in the US so I won't be posting it for download if that's the case. Otherwise, this is fueling my engine.

11 Me'Shell Ndegéocello - If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)
Trust me, I CANNOT relate to this song, but I love the F@#K YOU attitude of it! When you get knocked down sometimes you need to do more than just get back up. You need to put a little swagger back in your step. This is overflowing with swagger and it's funky as hell, so it's been on my mind. And anyway, Me'Shell is seriously badass!

12 Jeff Simmons - I'm In The Music Business
While I've never done a porn shoot and am certain I never will, I understand the misery Mr. Simmons is conveying. That said, it's not like a song like this could really help the financial prospects of an ex-Mother Of Invention. Not saying it isn't a good song as it is, and I love the humor of it and everything from it's parent album, Lucille Has Messed Up My Mind, but one listen and you'll understand that there couldn't have been, or at least shouldn't have been, any illusions of a blockbuster hit record.

13 Adrian Belew - Naive Guitar
A beautiful, mournful melody. For the bummier moments, although I loved this piece before my current predicament was even a possibility.

14 Dizzy Gillespie - Manteca
How can you not get up and dance to this? How can you not be filled with exuberant joy when this comes on? Dizzy was/is the man! Afro Cuban jazz forever!

15 Brian Eno - King's Lead Hat
Just in case you didn't know, King's Lead Hat is an anagram for Talking Heads, the band Eno had just decided to produce when he wrote this song. Not really about anything, it's simply filled with frantic energy and makes me wanna move. Not dance, not party, but make things happen. LIKE GETTING A JOB.

16 Deftones - Rocket Skates (M83 Remix)
Rocket Skates? Really? Well, it's still a good Deftones song and a fine remix from M83. For some reason this was making me think of the Inception soundtrack last night.

17 Nine Inch Nails - Theme For Tetsuo The Bullet Man
Bold, heavy, noisy, all together maddening. This makes me wanna rip my skin off and use it like a weapon. Sounds like a sick video game, or a really sick Robbie Williams video.

18 Liz Phair - In Love With Yourself
One of Liz's Girly-Sound demos, this is an honest reminder not to kiss your own ass. Generally I'm very serious about not believing my own hype, but sometimes you've gotta remind yourself not to let your head get too big.


PS - The Prince post, which has been happening on Mondays for a while, will either be tomorrow or Wednesday. I've got a ton of really cool stuff ready to be shared that might get in the way of his purpleness, but don't worry, I won't forget.

PS2 - Hopefully no one working at Walmart will take offense to this post. Not trying to knock you guys. And to anyone that wants to complain that I shouldn't be working at Walmart, a job is a job guys. Would you rather not be able to pay your bills? Anyway, they have to hire me first, but I'd work there. That is unless someone wants to pay me 30k a year to write for their publication. I'd always take more than 30k but that would certainly pay my bills. So, who wants to hire me to write stuff for them? PLEASE?

PS3 - That part where I mentioned how if only I got paid for running this site, don't worry, I'm not going to start putting ads or anything up here. I don't believe in doing that and while I'd love to get paid for doing something I love, I don't run this place to get paid, I run it to share information, be it music, musical, historical, visual or what not. Though again, someone wanna pay me to do this thing I love?

September 2009 Mixtape: Summer Ending Sucks

The title of this months tape sums things up pretty well if I do say so myself. Summer this year felt like a blur and it wasn't ever really warm in Ohio, at least not for too long. It's depressing, and it's gonna get cold, and that just sucks. Last year around this time I made a really upbeat mix for myself that kept me entertained for a while, but I feel a little grumpier this year, so this month you get a grimy, dark and funky mix. That said, it might not be the most uplifting thing, but it's certainly entertaining, especially if you like noisy moments! Enjoy!


The Unheard Music - September 2009 Mixtape: Summer Ending Sucks

01 Boards Of Canada - Powerline Misfortune
This is an unreleased track from BOC's Old Tunes, Vol. 2 cassette. It wasn't supposed to see the light of day but someone leaked this tape and two others putting around four hours of early BOC stuff out on the internet. It's not all prime stuff, but it's all interesting. This track, in particular, is rather dark and eerie.

02 Dan The Automator - Bear Witness III (Once Again) (MVO Re-Edit By Starchild Excalibur)
I was asked about Dan's unreleased album Omakase recently and was sad to report there isn't much to report. Bear Witness III was scheduled for the album and was released in advance, but it's not that great a track. This Re-Edit by Starchild Excalibur is kinda rare though as it appeared on a promo-only 12" issued by MCA. I'm guessing that MVO stands for My Very Own. This version doesn't save the original by any stretch, but it's a fun mix to listen to. Play this in your car with the windows down if it's still warm and sunny!

03 The Bird and The Bee - Birds and The Bees
You've probably heard this band on Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice or similar programs. Don't let that sway you, they're still very good. Greg Kurstin, a member of Geggy Tah, does most of the music and production while Inara George, daughter of Lowell George of Little Feet fame, writes lyrics, plays various instruments and uses that hypnotic voice of hers to charm down the heavens. This isn't a happy song, but it is beautiful. Perfect fall music.

04 Black Dice - Smiling Off (DFA Remix)
Black Dice are typically classified as a noise group. That's probably fair and they don't seem bothered by it. For reasons unclear to me, they were on the DFA Records roster, home to LCD Soundsystem, The Juan MacLean, Delia & Gavin and other non-noise inspired artists. Even more interesting, apparently EMI, after signing a distribution deal with DFA, decided that Black Dice should be promoted like they were the next big thing! Now, signing Black Dice to a unique indie that doesn't necessarily share their musical stylings, that's one thing, but expecting a noise group to blow up in the mainstream is simply crazy! That said, EMI pushed and some incredible remixes for their single, Smiling Off, were produced by Luomo, ZZ Pot and the DFA themselves. Luomo and ZZ Pot's mixes take the track further out into the weirdness, but the DFA make it kinda danceable! Prepare to have your mind blown at the prospect of a disco noise record!

05 Mira Calix - Humba
This track, off of Mira's Ilanga 10", came up in conversation when I was talking to Rom from Schematic. Both sides of this record are polar opposites, this being the noisy one, and the B-Side being the peaceful, eerie, ambient one. Beautiful record that is kinda slept on. Rom said that Mira cited a strong Ken Nordine influence in these tracks, with the rhythmic, chant-like vocals being a strong sign. She's got a cover of Boards Of Canada's In A Beautiful Place Out In The Country on the forthcoming Warp20 box that I can't wait to hear, but if you like this you should go to Bleep NOW and purchase a download of Ilanga!

06 Boards Of Canada - 24
24 really isn't the name of this track, although no one knows what it's real name is. This appeared on another leaked cassette of early and unreleased BOC recordings. In this case, the tape is often referred to as Old Tunes, Vol. 1, but that is incorrect as the tape doesn't even have a name. It's now being referred to as the Random 35 Track Tape by fans. Recently, I saw someone had made a video for this using footage from an old film named King Of Jazz. The idea of white men dancing goofy and calling themselves "kings" of jazz is ridiculous, but it's a fun video nonetheless and the track is excellent! You can check it here.

07 Dynamix II - Feel The Bass
Old school classic jam! I hope to be talking to David Noller in the near future about what he's up to and there will be a post about it when that happens. Props to Rom for the connect!

08 Ice-T - The Girl Tried To Kill Me
More poetic subtlety from Ice-T. I had a girlfriend who thought this was the funniest shit she'd ever heard. Great track, all the way from the insane rap to the ridiculous eighties hair-metal guitars!

09 Takeshi Muto - Fuqpulga
This track has been an easy favorite for years. More props to Rom and Schematic. If you enjoy this, you have to get Expect More From A Past Life, a compilation of tracks Rom released as Takeshi and Metic. Very cerebral stuff.

10 Prince - Irresistible Bitch
I shouldn't have to say anything about Prince, but for the uninitiated, this is primal, primitive, electro-funk from the early eighties. This originally appeared as the B-Side on the 12" for Let's Pretend We're Married. Perfect match. Put this on and try not to dance. Now if only he had stayed this funky and energetic.

11 John Wesley Harding - When The Beatles Hit America (Original Version)
This originally appeared on the fourth entry into Sire Records' Just Say Yes sampler series, Just Say Da. Kinda prophetic, seriously funny and, despite the jokes having aged, still insanely entertaining. John tells us, talking blues style, the story of a then yet-to-happen Beatles reunion and the ensuing chaos, all circa 1991. This was actually re-recorded for the reissue of John's New Deal album, but this is the superior version.

12 Steely Dan - Green Earrings
I've run into a lot of people who don't like Steely Dan. That's fine, as I've always felt you either got them or you didn't. This track, though, should be considered a genuine work of genius. The Dan, despite primarily being a studio based group of constantly changing session musicians, always sounded relaxed, funky and in the zone. This track is no exception, and may be the pinnacle of their abilities. I always think of this as money making music. They just sound like they're having the time of their lives and raking it in too. There will be a small post about this track in the near future, but it's contents will remain a secret for the time being.

13 Nazz - Open My Eyes
Proto-pop-punk-rock stuff from Todd Rundgren and crew. Not too much to say about this, just a really great song.

14 Sheila E. - La Vida Glamarosa (The Glamorous Life)
This is a Latin percussion-fueled take on The Glamorous Life from Sheila's unreleased album, Fe. I'm not going to say too much about this here because I will be featuring that album in a post in the near future. For now, enjoy!

15 Failure - Small Crimes
Ken Andrews and Greg Edwards are geniuses. I love all their stuff, but their 1994 album, Magnified, is my favorite. Ridiculously heavy and gloomy, it sounds like the soundtrack to clinical depression. It all culminates with Small Crimes, the darkest and heaviest track on the album, with it's chunky guitars and slower-than-death crawl. Oh, how I LOVE this track and this album! I'd post it here but you can still get it digitally. I don't want to misrepresent the album because it isn't this heavy throughout, but that's not saying it doesn't rock, so go to Amazon or iTunes, listen to some samples and decide if this darkness is strong enough for you!

16 Autechre - Zurich 2001
This was a bonus track on the Japanese edition of Autechre's Untilted album. I'm assuming this is a live excerpt from Zurich in 2001. Who woulda guessed? This sounds like an old Chevy Nova and a Pac-Man machine got together, had violent, painful sex and rode each other raw until they fell apart. Brilliant!