Mixtape: On the Road

Find forty-seven minutes of open road and this collection of tracks will change your life. Or, at the very least, make driving an extremely enjoyable experience. Also, on the subject of driving music, be sure to refer back to my Ryan Adams column.

1. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Spread Your Love [Download]
Thundering love madness, gritty and dirty and groovy. The one BRMC track that, to me, stands out above all the others. Dig that massive ending.

2. Amadou & Mariam – Coulibaly [Download]
They may be too blind to drive, but Amadou & Mariam are selfless enough to make excellent driving music for others. Percussive and cyclical, this track is full of life.

3. Spoon – I Summon You
A fun, relentless guitar part drives this song while Britt Daniel pines for a far-off love. Maybe this song will help him make the journey to her. Fuck that joke.

4. Kings of Leon – Molly’s Chambers
Kings of Leon, back in the days they rocked with Southern fury, delivered this simple, energetic track to the masses. Check that motherfuckin’ guitar solo. Finger lickin’ good.

5. Interpol – PDA
Massive 1-2-3 drums give this song great vitality, and the pairing of unstoppable guitars and urgent vocals make this an on-the-road must.

6. M. Ward – Helicopter
This song has that traditional southern story-song feel to it, and showcases M. Ward at his best. “Let us sway into the sunset, I have done all I can do in this town.” Amen.

7. Brightblack Morning Light – Everybody Daylight [Download]
So moody and gorgeous and hypnotic and groove-tastic. Let it melt you to the steering well, let it crawl down your throat, let it breeze through your hair. Don’t listen… feel.

8. Man Man – Spider Cider [Download]
Because I love Man Man too much to leave them off this list. Damn good lyrics, a fun rhythm, and plenty of crazy sounds and effects to keep you wondering. Mmm mmm good.

9. Wilco – A Shot In The Arm [Alt. Version]
Because who listens to the other version? Certainly not me. It’s spacious and melodic and free. “Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm, something in my veins bloodier than blood.” Holy shit, man.

10. Tapes N’ Tapes – The Insistor
Yes, Tapes N’ Tapes is overrated. But this song is amazing, and has a great rhythm. Plus, the bridge is a fantastic buildup that ends with the priceless line, “Kelly, Kelly, hold your water tight!”

11. The Black Keys – 10 A.M. Automatic
The Black Keys were born to make music for the road. Two-piece blues works alarmingly well, and this song is among their best. Once you’re sick of this mixtape, any Black Keys albums will work just as well.

12. Pavement – Range Life
Another spacious rocker, this time from Pavement’s “Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain”. A general, all-around fantastic song. Stephen Malkmus, you’re priceless.

- Dominick Duhamel -

Previous Mixtapes: Murder Ballads, An Acoustic Evening, Artists On My iTunes That Start With "B", Badass Drum Mix 1, Songs for the Sleepy

Tags: Driving Music, Road, Mixtape, mp3