The Recession Mixtape
Because, come on, you can get music for free.
Unless you've been hiding under a rock - you know that the U.S. is going through a real economical crisis. Huge amounts of people are being laid off, bills are going unpaid and a large amount of ramen is being added to many daily diets. I know a handful of people that have lost their jobs (mine included) due to major company cutbacks, and it's affected numerous aspects of our lives. But misery loves company, and when the whole world is going down the tubes - there are many in similar situations. So pop on the recession mixtape, pour yourself a strong (and cheap) drink and try not to think about the impending doom.
Sufjan Stevens – Flint (For the Unemployed and Underpaid) - Did you get laid off? Indie darling Sufjan Stevens understands.
Death Cab For Cutie – The Employment Pages - Musicians are familiar with unemployment. You try keeping a steady job while touring the country in a desperate attempt to become a rock star. It isn't easy. Ben Gibbard reminds us that even after loosing a job, you eventually have to suck it up and start applying for a new one.
Modest Mouse - Custom Concern - When you're stuck in a dead end job you hate just so you can survive, listen to this track on your way to work. Scream along with "gotta go to work, gotta go to work, gotta get a job."
Counting Crows - Long December - 2008 wasn't a great year for many, myself included. This song is a great reflective end of the year track and the only other song I know by the Counting Crows than "Mr. Jones."
Blur - Country Sad Ballad Man - Stuck at home with no work and dreading the inevitable realization that you have no money? Slightly sad yet funny songs like this Blur classic help make the situation seem not as rough.
Cold War Kids - Hang Me Up to Dry - Sometimes the world beats you up enough that you need a stiff drink. I once sang along with a room full of drunken friends to this song after lamenting about our lives. It works perfectly for those moments.
Hard-Fi - Cash Machine - Ever had the feeling that the small amount of money you make is disappearing too quickly? Hard-Fi feels your pain.
Ryan Adams - To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High) - Ryan Adams is a man familiar with misery and depression, feelings that tend to arise during economic strife. Another great song to listen to when you finally feel like giving up and just want to forget about a current shitty situation.)
The Dandy Warhols - All the Money or the Simple Life Honey - This is the ultimate "stick it to the man" I'm doing what I love for a career type of song. Of course I'm barely living the simple life, so I suppose suffering for your art and doing what you love is more like it.
Minor Threat - Minor Threat - Still can't find a job and finally pissed off that the 20-something generation is getting the shaft with this economic spiral we are in? I say get angry. Listen to some Minor Threat, feel empowered, and then go try and do what you love for a living. You may eat a lot of ramen, but you'll have some really great stories to tell later in life.
Posted by Lisa White on Jan 02, 2009 @ 12:00 am
