I don't know whether to praise this disc or not. I can't decide. I don't like the first part of the disc at all, but it takes a turn for the much better near the middle and remains good throughout, but leaves me with a feeling of sadness that makes me not want to listen to it again.
It started slow for me because I've decided that I just don't like TMBG. I'm sorry about this, but it's the truth. I've heard enough of their music to decide that It just don't do it for me. Wombat's disc starts off with Mammal by TMBG which is basically a dispasionate reciting of various characteristics of mammals. It's followed by Jackie Dressed in Cobras which is possibly my least favorite of the New Pornographers songs I've heard. Basically a by the numbers power pop number that doesn't really go anywhere. That is followed by Bare Naked Ladies which sounds like every other Bare Naked Ladies song. The singer gets lots of fan mail in the form of postcards of chimpanzees. Is there more to this song that I am missing? Bruce weighs in with one of his most inconsequential songs and thus endeth the animal portion of the mix. This is followed by several songs intended to be humorous, but didn't make me laugh.
But then suddenly the mix gets decidedly better when we hear the sweet voice of our own dear Wombat lamenting the pain of unrequited love. This is followed by Ilene Weiss which sets the tone for the rest of the mix. Heartbreakingly beautiful, but terribly sad music. The Roches try to reassure us that we'll always have the true love of music, which is followed by a much better great New Pornographers song. Next is my current favorite The Short Answer by Billy Bragg. I can personally relate to this song as I know what it's like to lose someone you thought you were meant to be with. She should have been the Last instead of just the latest is a perfect line and Bragg delivers it with such melancholy it chokes me up when he sings it. But then Springsteen reminds us that even when you get the girl of your dreams it doesn't work out the way you want it to. Which is followed by Reason to Believe which is just simply a great song and I am digging on this live version. I think it may be even better than the original. As I sit here in Price UT, I too am waiting for the great leap forward. I hope it comes soon. The disc concludes with a quartet of songs about mortality and the afterlife (or lack thereof). They are all good numbers, but they leave me needing some escapist fantasy as a chaser. So let's recap. Love will only break your heart, the one you want will get away from you, and even if you catch him/her you will be disappointed. The world sucks and we are stuck here, but when you die you will either go to hell or simply go to dust. Excuse me while I go shoot myself in the head.
So in summary I'd say that the first part of the mix is pretty meh, but the second part is frikkin' great except for the fact that it makes me want to cry. Did you mean to make it so sad?
Thank you for the mix Wombat.
~Paul
Footnote: Judy, your review is coming soon. Yes Q, your mix arrived while I was away, I'll begin listening to it starting tomorrow. Also, Starlight, your mix arrived as well, looking forward to it very much. I'll be finishing my own mix very soon.