speed of dark

I'm stepping out from my usual alternative rock rut to share a mix I'm making as a Christmas gift. These songs lean into R&B, soul, and pop--which I am not usually very fond of--with a touch of electronica thrown in. As always, I have my own little alternative twist on the theme and a definite California flavor.

This is meant to be kind of a party mix. I mean the kind of party where people stand around in small groups, sipping smoky merlot and nibbling brie on crostini, while discussing movies and politics. This music would not go with a keg of beer and guys yelling at the football game on the television, with corn chips getting mashed into the carpet and the dog licking the bean dip. Just so we're on the same page.

All of these songs are gems. I'm totally smitten with that new Sia number. This list will fit on a CD with only three seconds of empty space leftover--I'm really good at that. Let my links lead you to find more songs you like by these artists.

COPYRIGHTED CONTENT HAS BEEN REMOVED
1. Saint Bernadette: I Own the City [Buy]
2. Moving Units: The Kids From Orange County [Buy]
3. Cannonball Jane - Take It To Fantastic [Buy]
4. Niobe - Give All To Love [Buy]
5. Jane Vain and the Dark Matter: C'mon Baby Say Bang Bang [Preorder from Rectangle Records]
6. Aaron English - Message In a Bottle (Police cover) [Buy]
7. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings: 100 Days, 100 Nights [Buy]
8. Jesca Hoop - Out the Back Door [Buy]
9. Rickie Lee Jones - Elvis Cadillac [Buy]
10. Soulsavers - Revival [Buy]
11. Sia - A Day Too Soon [Buy]
12. Amy Winehouse - You Know I'm No Good [Buy]
13. Lily Allen - Friday Night (clean) Buy]
14. The Space Lady - Major Tom (Peter Schilling cover)
15. LoneLady: Marble [More at iTunes, eMusic]
16. The Chromatics: Night Drive [Buy]
17. Gliss - Velvet Stars [Buy]
18. Hearts of Palm UK - I Flow [Buy directly from Hearts of Palm]
19. Zap Mama - Affection [Buy]
20. Joan As Policewoman - The Ride [Buy]

If you'd like to take advantage of my hard work, you can download the whole thing as a ZIP file until this Saturday, Dec. 22. After that, you're on your own, but I have provided the links for purchasing or downloading the songs. This is a really huge file, so it will take some time to save, and that's one of the reasons it will be available for only a short time. No requests to repost after the expiration date, please.
Speed of Dark Party Mix [ZIP]

So where are my end of year lists? I'm working on them--REALLY, I AM--but even today I found something new to consider. I'll post them next week, I swear.

Meanwhile, check out the first installment of Contrast Podcast's Festive 50 of 2007.