It is three weeks into February, and I have had it up to here with this winter business. Punching the wind hasn’t had much effect, nor have the many concerned letters to a number of gods, so a naked mix is in order. 11+2 songs to brighten those blues, whatever color they may be.

Tracklisting:

Badly Drawn Boy - The Shining (The Avalanches Good Word for the Weekend Remix) - Every bit as smooth as the original, this Avalanches remix injects the somber Badly Drawn Boy version with a few ounces of sunshine. What better way to begin the day then by listening to this song? “And suddenly you’re in love with everything,” croons Damon Gough, and you can just imagine the blue skies and bright sun rising behind him.

Hello Saferide - San Francisco - “It’s time to call in sick, and pack your bags,” because we’re going to San Francisco. I wrote previously on Maia Hirasawa, who does backup vocals for Hello Saferide and learned much of her trade from her time in this Swedish twee-pop band. Listen for: hand claps, lead singer Annika Norlin.

Pelle Carlberg - Riverbank - It really seems impossible to compose an upbeat mix of warm songs for warm weather days without drawing heavily on those damn Swedes. Xylophone, light guitars, and is that a kazoo? Pelle Carlberg, you had me at do do do.

Benji Cossa - Sunset - I am convinced Benji Cossa created this song solely to defy expectations. How fun, he must have wondered, can a song entitled “Sunset” really be? Take all the languor typical of the early evening hours and throw them away. Cossa’s builds his sunsets from hand waving and playing under the covers.

Voxtrot - Soft and Warm (Daytrotter Session) - I want to rough things up for a moment. Voxtrot is an Austin, TX band introduced to me by the illustrious Christina Hood, and the combination of them, Okkervil River, and Spoon makes me think someone should rename the city to New Sweden. You know, because the city breeds some fantastic bits of music. Also, my first-choice Voxtrot song was “Kid Gloves”, but it was scrapped when I realized it wasn’t a Counting Crows cover.

Pinewood Derby - October - A catchy, rough (I warned you) song, made even rougher by the poor recording quality. Maryn Jones manages lead vocals, mustering all the buttery goodness she can. Fans of this song will have to settle for a few MySpace tracks; the band is on hiatus until April, just in time for spring.

Boris Smile - Adventures with Rockets - “The stars are in your eyes, and that’s just a stupid pickup line, but I’ll use it since there are no planets in sight. I love your pearl white boots, and your skintight rocket suit.” RIYL: swooning, astronomy, punk rock pop star love.

Jens Lekman - Boisa-bis-o-boisa - One last trip to Sweden, I promise. This time the kids are coming with, and they’re bringing strings.

Mallu Magalhães - J1 - History shows hand claps, singing children, or steel drums are all you need for a good song. So who is Mallu Magalhães? Likening her to un Feist (o Cat Power) pequito is a good start, but for now she’s just a 15-year-old from Brazil with a little pop in her dreams.

Over the Rhine - I’m On A Roll - Somewhere between settling on Americana and folk, Over the Rhine decided to record a song that sounds straight from Cat Power’s The Greatest. “I’m On A Roll” is for that lazy bike ride through the country alongside dirt roads and horse-drawn carriages. Pink cotton candy clouds and pet tyrannosaurus rexes.

Jason Anderson - Tonight (live) - The eponymous track from Jason Anderson’s latest album, this one headlines the act on the record, but I wanted to end the show with a bang. “Tonight” is straightforward indie pop rock, eight minutes long and never boring. Plus, it uses that secret ingredient of goodness: crowd participation. (Anyone falling in love with this live rendition, Tonight the album is every bit as energetic.) In the musical of my life, it is night time in the city, and I am singing this song, dancing down the street with a smile on my face and stars in my eyes.

Bonus tracks for Japanese release only:

Maritime - Boy From School - Something about Davey von Bohlen’s vocals make this Hot Chip cover an even darker vein of pop than the original. Best for climbing the stairs toward a New York City apartment at night, neon signs glowing through the window, party at the end of the hall with good friends and pretty girls to keep the cold away.

The Elected - Would You Come With Me - Would you?

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