Compost

Com·post (ˈkäm-ˌpōst, especially British -ˌpäst): a mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land


I lurked for a few years before signing up in 2003; spent a bunch of time in the gear forums until I heard the arguments on interconnects so many times I didn’t care anymore. Sometime around 2005, I decided to dip my toes in Rav Recs. I had no idea who you all were; no idea who the bands were that you listened to and talked about. Largely still don’t. But, I hung on because at least there was abundant enthusiasm. I was aware of the snail mail comp swap culture, but always felt it would be too intrusive to insert myself into this tight community, especially since my musical awareness was by comparison unremarkable.

Then the electronic world caught up around 2006. Once a few souls started putting comps up for download, the barrier to participation fell away for me. I think I’ve grabbed almost everything posted since. I honestly say that the comps I’ve gotten from Rav Recs have profoundly influenced my listening habits and have kept my enthusiasm for new music going ever since.

I’m starting this thread as part homage, part thanks (a large part), and most importantly as a call to you Rav Rec’ers to put your mind where you ears are and put up some comps. I wanna hear something that has your stamp on it. Throwing up a link to some album uploaded on some blog is nice but a bit of an empty gesture compared to what I know many of you put into your comps.

I’ll post comps from the past and a few of my own on a periodic basis. I hope you all will keep the faith and pony up as well. I’ll post flac and I urge others to do the same. Revive an old favorite, request a comp, or fertilize us with something new.

The year 2006. The comp: “Jim Clark’s 2006 Year End Compilation”

There were a handful of YEC’s put up at the end of 2006. Jim’s was the one that I owe the biggest debt to for opening my ears. 20 artists, 19 of which were unknown to me plus a real beauty of a song from Paul Simon. It’s a really well done mix that I still go back to. From this point on I started taking this forum seriously (well, sort of seriously) and the rewards have been pretty darn good. Thanks, Jim!


01 Now It's Overhead - Let Up
02 Viva Voce - From The Devil Himself
03 Califone - The Orchids
04 Rodrigo Y Gabriela - Tamacun
05 Scanners - Lowlife
06 Pretty Girls Make Graves - Pyrite Pedestal
07 Paul Simon - Everything About It Is A Love Song
08 Silversun Pickups - Little Lover's So Polite
09 Voxtrot - Soft & Warm
10 The Long Winters - Clouds
11 The Appleseed Cast - February
12 Sound Team - Afterglow Years
13 Now It`s Overhead - Meaning To Say
14 Woven Hand - Dirty Blue
15 Electric President - Metal Fingers
16 Snow Patrol - Set The Fire To The Third Bar Featuring Martha Wainwright
17 The Dears - You And I Are A Gang Of Losers
18 The Grates - Inside Outside
19 The Somnambulants - Evacuation
20 Sparks - (Baby, Baby) Can I Invade Your Country

Track 10, Clouds never fails to startle me with it's simple beauty. Wow.

FLAC @ MU: part 1, part 2

noddinOff, I second all of your sentiments. This is a very unique community and I can't imagine another one like it on the internets. Progressive Ears is very community minded also but doesn't hold a candle to this place. RR and all of its peeps is very special and dear to my heart. ((((Group Hug!))))

I'd be happy to post some stuff if someone gives me a step-by-step on how to do it. The few times that I've tried have not been successful. You can listen but not download.

For me, the birth of the iPod Shuffle God and playlists killed my comp-making. But I have a few playlists that I could recreate and post.

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Originally Posted by ForeverAutumn

I'd be happy to post some stuff if someone gives me a step-by-step on how to do it. The few times that I've tried have not been successful. You can listen but not download...

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check yr pm

PS Something can't be "very" unique :ciappa:

Slosh had contributed a ton of good music to my collection. I frequently rip his comps and hand them to my friends who then think that I have the hip and cool of someone more hip and cool than I am. My wife, on the other hand, can’t stand Slosh comps. Thus, they are seldom played at home. Such is life.

The next two composts I’m upping are from him. “Slosh’s Sounds Good” from 2008 was a successful group comp with the criteria

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Originally Posted by Slosh

> First and foremost it has to be a song you really dig. Well-recorded audiophilia pap is still pap.
> It has to be one of those recordings that makes all the money you spent on your audio gear seem justified.

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All in all a great comp and a potential reference CD when you have gear to show off.

01 Nina Nastasia - One Old Woman
02 John Vanderslice - The Parade
03 Magnolia Electric Co. - Talk To Me Devil, Again
04 Low - Dinosaur Act
05 Calexico - El Picador
06 Robyn Hitchcock - Mexican God
07 Cake - Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle
08 Morphine - Thursday
09 Thievery Corporation - The Richest Man In Babylon
10 Galactic - Paint
11 Massive Attack - Future Proof
12 Porcupine Tree - Slave Called Shiver
13 Guster - C'mon
14 Richard Buckner - Goner w/Souvenir
15 Justin Townes Earle - Who Am I To Say?
16 The Wailin' Jennys - One Voice
17 Mark Knopfler/Emmylou Harris - Right Now
18 Califone - St. Augustine (A Belly Full Of Swans)
19 Iron & Wine - Wolves (Song Of The Shepherd's Dog)
20 House Of Freaks - You Can Never Go Home

The ‘new to me’ highlights were Talk to Me Devil, Again, & Wolves (Song of the Shepherd’s Dog). Also pleased that a few faves from my collection made the cut, notably (IMO) Mexican God.


FLAC part 1, part 2

I wasn’t really intending to go chronological on this, but then I started listening to Slosh’s 2006 Year End Compilation. So many good songs, starting right off with two great tracks to loosen you up and settle you in for a good listen. It had multiple tracks from a few of the artists and that added to the continuity throughout. Led me to more than one album purchase.

01 Babyshambles - I Wish
02 Loose Fur - Thou Shalt Wilt
03 The Decemberists - O Valencia!
04 The Black Heart Procession - Not Just Words
05 Built to Spill - Traces
06 Grandaddy - Disconnecty
07 The Black Heart Procession - GPS
08 Sparklehorse - Ghost In The Sky
09 Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor
10 Babyshambles - The Blinding
11 Built to Spill - Conventional Wisdom
12 Thom Yorke - Black Swan
13 Grandaddy - Rear View Mirror
14 Loose Fur - An Ecumenical Matter
15 Sparklehorse - Getting It Wrong
16 Grandaddy - Summer...It's Gone
17 Calexico - Bisbee Blue
18 The Decemberists - Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)
19 Calexico - Panic Open String
20 Loose Fur - Answers To Your Questions

FLAC part 1, part 2

I remember that one. We done good. The sound was excellent and the material was top notch.

I most remember Davey's 2007 Holiday Mixer, a couple from you and a several from Slosh. At some point this weekend I'll search the stacks and spindles for one or more of those. Plus, I might have a new trick or two up my sleeve.

Thanks for starting this thread D.

I'm so old-school.
I still have a bunch of stuff on CD from back in the day..............Troy, Hyfi and Demetrio.
Listened to NO SOLOS just yesterday.

Pony up mini-comp

crosslink

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Originally Posted by noddin0ff

Pony up mini-comp

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Quid Pro Pony

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Originally Posted by Slosh

Quid Pro Pony

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Excellent! I consider the debt fulfilled.

Its cracking me up that Pony Up has hit 9 downloads. 9 is as close to an AR record as I've seen. I was just foaling around. Just goes to show you all will download anything withers or not its any good.

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Originally Posted by noddin0ff

Its cracking me up that Pony Up has hit 9 downloads. 9 is as close to an AR record as I've seen. I was just foaling around. Just goes to show you all will download anything withers or not its any good.

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Oh sorry, my mouse got stuck and I started downloading it 8 times. Still, that makes both me and Slosh, so not far away from a record :)

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Originally Posted by noddin0ff

Excellent! I consider the debt fulfilled.

Its cracking me up that Pony Up has hit 9 downloads. 9 is as close to an AR record as I've seen. I was just foaling around. Just goes to show you all will download anything withers or not its any good.

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Wouldn't it be great if said folks came back and commented...y'know some musical-like chat...

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Originally Posted by bobsticks

Wouldn't it be great if said folks came back and commented...y'know some musical-like chat...

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Sorry, post-rapture hangover......

thanks for the posting...I'm new to downloading the comps. Is it worth it to buy the premium version of Megaupload or any other downloading tool?

Personally, I wouldn't (and don't) pay. The downside of being cheap is a wait between downloads and links that go dead eventually. The upside is free. Free options keep getting better.

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Originally Posted by Rael Imperial Aerosol Kid

thanks for the posting...I'm new to downloading the comps. Is it worth it to buy the premium version of Megaupload or any other downloading tool?

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Go to Dropbox.com.

I was playing around last night and made a mix tape fora friend. Yes, not a CD Comp, mix tape, all from vinyl. Was a nice change of pace. Bunch of old crap on a 60 minute tape:

Side A
Moonage Daydream - David Bowie
Jeepster - T. Rex
Trash - New York Dolls
Let me Try - MC5
Lust for Life - Iggy Pop
White Punks on Dope - The Tubes

Side B
Ballroom Blitz - Sweet
Mama Weer All Crazee Now - Slade
All the Young Dudes - Mott the Hoople
Rock Hard - Suzi Quatro
Strutter - Kiss
Barracuda - Heart
Cowboy Song - Thin Lizzy

Might try to figure out a way to put it on my computer/iPod before I give it away.

I got this on CD from Davey around 2007. I made a comment somewhere on the boards and he sent this along thinking I might like it. Long story short, he nailed it. This is a beautiful compilation. I’ve got it playing now. The Trials of Harrison Hayes is gorgeous and poignant piece. One among several. You can really wallow in sorrow or beauty in this comp. Both at the same time actually. Great poetry throughout. Love The Marabou Shuffle but can’t quite pinpoint why… Brit New Wave Surf Country Gothic? Light So Dim has turned me on to Song:Ohia & Califone. Led me via other connections to The National and to Son Volt. I need to pick up some Wayne Robbins & and others. It’s made an impact on my listening.

I remember once linking to a web page where he lists all the compilations he’s made. It goes on and on. As you can hear from this one, all that practice results in an excellent listen. I was actually thinking of Davey’s page when I decided to start this Compost thread. I can’t find that link anymore; maybe Davey can put it up. I’d love if any of those would find away onto this thread. I’m very willing to help out if wished.

01 Animals That Swim - 50 Dresses
02 Richard Davies - Confederate Cheerio Call
03 Shack - Hazy
04 Television - Shane, She Wrote This
05 Califone - Trout Silk
06 Willard Grant Conspiracy - The Trials of Harrison Hayes
07 Wayne Robbins & The Hellsayers - Edith's Dream
08 Tindersticks - Here
09 The Flaming Stars - The Marabou Shuffle
10 The Black Heart Procession - A Light So Dim
11 Three Mile Pilot - Medgaard Serpent
12 Richard Buckner - Mud
13 Songs:Ohia - Steve Albini's Blues
14 Electrelane - Suitcase
15 Mekons - And Heracles Smiled...Last Night on Earth


FLAC part 1, part 2

I think it was this comp that started me to realize that there’s a few of you on this board that listen to way more music than I can begin to imagine. nobody is like a new music machine. I like his comps because they cover a ton of ground, never fail to introduce something new, and make me appreciate the power of a well composed, structured, tight, bit of pop, punk, retro, (name your genre). I also like that he doesn’t shy away from the one off wonders either. Always fun comps and this one of several I have.

01 The Raconteurs - Steady, As She Goes
02 Artic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor
03 Groovie Ghoulies - Carol
04 The Strokes - Juicebox
05 Eagles of Death Metal - I Want You So Bad (Boy's Bad News)
06 Los Straitjackets - Hypno-Twist
07 Darkel - Be My Friend
08 Beck - Cellphone's Dead
09 Brightback Morning Light - Everybody Daylight
10 B Fleischmann - Broken Monitors
11 John Legend - Slow Dance
12 Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
13 Prince - Lolita
14 The Roots feat - In the Music
15 Sizzla - Someone Loves You
16 Mouse on Mars - I Go Ego Why Go We Go
17 ISAN - Cinnabat
18 Electric President - Insomnia
19 Thom Yorke - The Clock
20 Johnny Cash - Cut You Down
21 Willie Nelson - Cherokee Maiden

FLAC part 1, part 2

and...Pony Up is still going strong with 14 DLs now.

One more post before I get to back work on reviewing a manuscript that is likely to split my brain in two before I’m done.

Today is Friday. Massachusetts is finally getting some beautiful weather. Although, I shouldn’t gripe about the rain we've been getting after all the destruction the tornadoes have been causing elsewhere. (I just made my first donation to the American Red Cross. I hope it helps somebody!)

In MA, it’s starting to look like summer and I thought I could compost something from Bobsticks in honor of the promise of beautiful days ahead. Summer breezes with a world voice.


01 Ali Farke Toure & Toumani Diabate - Simbo
02 Ruben Gonzalez - Melodia Del Rio
03 Taj Mahal & Ramata Diakate/ Taj Mahal-Toumani Diabate: Kulanjan - Queen Bee
04 Beau Jocque and the Zydeco Hi-Rollers - Just One Kiss
05 Farofa Carioca - A-Carne
06 Bebel Gilberto - Cade Voce?
07 Kistehen Tanczenekar - Viragok a Reten
08 Cesaria Evora - Esperanca Irisada
09 Ibrahim Ferrar - Perfume de Gardenias
10 Ruben Gonzalez - Tres Lindas Cubanas
11 Ete - Bwamba
12 Sarazino - Cochamba
13 Ali Farke Toure - Pende Yoro
14 Ali Farke Toure & Toumani Diabate - Hawa Dolo

FLAC part 1, part 2

Man, people hated that one. Nice work.

For a while, Davey's 2007 holiday mixer had made it into my regular playlist. I'll poke around and see if I can't find it. I also have a recent playlist of a more "poppy" nature that might be seasonally appropriate.

Any issues with the iLivid download Noddy?

Dood, I'm just stunned somebody, anybody actually listened, let alone enjoyed a comp with music I like : )

To be fair I need to point out that a lot of my favorites on that particular disc came from folks around here that I trust completely with good recs.
Davey turned me on to Woven Hand and oddly enough, The Appleseed Cast. Odd since they are a local band that recorded the disc a 30 miles from my home. Stone - Pretty Girls Make Graves. Mike sent me the most excellent Electric President. Every now and then I check up on that band to see if they have something new. I'm sure there's more but 2006 was a long time ago for me! I need to find my copy to listen to this weekend.

I've still got binder after binder of Rave Rec comps. And yes, I still listen to them too.

jc

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Originally Posted by bobsticks

Man, people hated that one. Nice work.

For a while, Davey's 2007 holiday mixer had made it into my regular playlist. I'll poke around and see if I can't find it. I also have a recent playlist of a more "poppy" nature that might be seasonally appropriate.

Any issues with the iLivid download Noddy?

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I've got Davey's 2007 Mixer and will get to it eventually if you don't. I'm no download expert. Never tried iLivid, go for it. Megaupload has been very easy to manage for me, has fairly generous file size limits, doesn't make you wait too long, and doesn't embarrass me with racy adds when I launch it at work. These have been my criteria. What ever works!