three crowns part one

This week I’ve been tasked by the pub I work at, the Three Crowns in Stoke Newington, to fill their new iPod up with quality musics. It’s something I’ve taken to with the kind of ponderous time-devouring madness that afflicts the Warhammer figure-painter, or, yes, the trainspotter. I’ve scrolled through my iTunes, slowly cruising over its stripy face, plucking out choice tracks and placing them into a playlist. Then I divided up the playlist into different moods, and then ordered each playlist into a smooth arc. There’s 19 playlists, with 2247 songs, selected from 17,473. By now you’re either nodding jealously at this sonic organisational marathon, or squinting in bafflement. You’re also either a man, or a woman.

I’ve inevitably found some tunes that I’d forgotten about, which I’m posting a few of here. First up is Half Pint and the Fifths’ “Orphan Boy”, which after a quick Google I realise I must have got from Bradford Cox’s blog. This is sandwiched between Black Lips and the Alarm Clocks on the Three Crowns mix, so that should give you an idea of its vibe – scuzzy, melodic, pleasantly sluggish garage fun.

Half Pint and the Fifths – Orphan Boy

The first Alicia Keys album is amazing. Can’t believe it came out nine years ago now. Every song has a melody smuggled from an earworm breeding program.

Alicia Keys – Jane Doe

I got Ait Meslayene’s “El Fen” off the fantastic American Athlete. If life in a former Soviet republic sounds like this all the time, then teach me to goat-herd, I’ll bring over some mirrorballs, we’ll have a time.

Ait Meslayene – El Fen

The Style Council get a terrible rep because most Weller fans don’t like plastic trumpets, female backing vocals, silly organ sounds, and of course they’re idiots. This comes after General Public’s “Tenderness” on the playlist, for a brace of 80s tunes distilled from the essence of Molly Ringwald’s dancing legs.

The Style Council – Speak Like A Child

General Public – Tenderness

Come back soon for part two! And remember – if you’re drinking in the Three Crowns and you hear something shit, it must be someone else’s iPod!