various artists - Beggars Group Spring 2005 AAA Radio Sampler

Two songs each from the National, the Mountain Goats, Stereolab, Natascha Atlas, and Electrelane, with a bonus cut from Scout Niblett. And if you're familiar at all with any of those bands, then you know what you're walking into here.

It's a pretty solid sampling I would have been happy to spin on the AAA radio format I DJ'ed for back in the 90s. I would have been stoked to play Stereolab instead of, I dunno, Dar Williams. And being of dad age, the National and Mountain Goats fit my demographic to a tee.

Discogs

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various artists - Stones Throw And Leaving Records Present: Dual Form

A tip from me to you, my dear reader: If'n you have an animal you mind, and you are planning on making a move to a new locale, I would highly recommend either sending your beloved dog/cat/parakeet off to a spa, or queuing up something mellow to soothe the savage beast.

So it was that I ended up putting this on while the missus and I packed away/threw away eight years' accumulated detritus. Madam Mummy wanted to know how I landed on this. I told her, "I trust Stones Throw, and it had Julia Holter on it." Then she asked me how I knew Julia Holter. My response was that I probably discovered her when I confused her with Jenny Holzer.

This one's available digitally through the Stones Throw website. I make no promise that you'll find it as relaxing as I do, but you'll feel good supporting L.A. area artists with a little dosh.

Discogs

Click here to download.