Job Search Mix – Brian

With both Mike and I hitting the job market at the same time we thought it would be a good idea for our first series of imaginary mixtapes to focus on the anxieties of searching for employment.  Mike’s list can be found in the post below. 

LCD Soundsystem – All My Friends (stream clip)

Yes, I know it just apes Steve Reich.  I know that James Murphy sings like he’s trying to get you into bed. I know he’s donning some Aladdin Sane-esque face paint in the video while he just sits there and sings to the camera.  But still despite all of those things which should honestly sink this song for me I’ve been listening to it a lot of late.  Deep down its a song about transitions and the decisions that forced them.  I’m hoping to look back one day and realize the line: ”I wouldnt trade one stupid decision / for another five years of life” is true. 

The Constantines – Soon Enough & Working Full Time (stream clip)

This is pretty much a triple mix tape sin.  Two songs by one band that appeared on the same album back to back.  Its like the perfect storm of amatuerism.  Honestly though what band better captures the spirit of this mix?  Soon enough encapsulates my feelings of inadequacy while being unemployed and puts to light the questions I have been asking myself of late.  How will I provide for my unborn children years down the line?  How will I afford anything?  The answer lies in a 9-5, the second song pretty much sums up my feelings about that.

Times New Viking – End Of All Things

Everyone tells you its all about confidence.  Haven’t you ever wanted to call thier bluff? This one tells it how it is, “you claim self confiendence / but confidence won’t get you through”.  Note the appearance of an acoustic towards the end with a bit of a sing along, a far cry from most of TNV’s recorded output.  It might actually be the only 20 seconds of the band’s cannon that isnt drenched in glorious feedback and distortion.

Grizzly Bear - While You Wait For The Others (as of yet unreleased)

Waiting.  More Waiting.  Calling and waiting.  Emailing and waiting.  Evaluating choices (sometimes) and waiting.  Trying to think of anything else besides the fact that you arent working and waiting.  Yeah, its a pretty literal interpretaion but it fits musically as well, a sparse but still haunting arrangement that lingers like the thoughts you have just before you fall asleep and realize you have to keep hunting again tomorow.

Earlimart – It’s Ok To Think About Ending

This one is less universal than the others.  For me getting a new job will undoubtedly mean I am going to have less time to focus on writing, so while the novel I was working on sits in a state of disrepair and the stories I’ve accumulated over the past two years beg to be edited and reappraised it seems as if I’ll be leaving them behind. I can’t say I’m too excited by this but at the same time I can’t say anything is really over, just different.  We’ll just have to wait and see.

Modest Mouse – Other People’s Lives

When I go out to walk Rogie I feel embarassed about being home in the middle of the day.  Everyone I see has to know I don’t have a job, and that’s pretty degrading.  I never stop to think about the distinct possibility that the person I’ve just made eye contact with, also in a park in the middle of the day (usually sans dog) may also be unemployed.  Nope, everyone else has their lives together, everyone is doing better, everyone is a lot more successful and I need to get my ass in gear.

~ by bgosling on July 28, 2008.