Ten for Your Seven: A Mix Tape For Strangers

I, John (the dad), grew up in the era of Top-40 radio. So, I like hearing different types of songs. Most people these days climb into their music holes, pull the audio dirt in over them and never let another musical style come near. This makes for a thin existence in my view.

I like diversity. Kid Rock and Eminem and Uncle Kracker make as much sense to me as Jimmy Dale Gilmore and Josh Ritter and Bob Schneider. They help create a really nice aural tapestry, providing a richly textured soundtrack to my life. This is why when I'm listening to songs for this list I seldom look at the little category listing each band has to select when they join MySpace.

My children seem to have inherited this trait, which is why Brianne (the daughter) brings us Office Suite Part 1 and Milk on this week's list. It is unlikely you'll ever hear these songs on radio, which is too bad. We're all the poorer.

So, with that said, here's this week's Ten for Your Seven, a mix tape for strangers. They'll be featured on our player all week long at yourtexasmusic.

Office Suite, Part 1, The Matthew Show

This song provides a manic, edgy view of life in cubeland. In a world where no one does anything of consequence everything in life becomes something of consequence. As the song says, someone jacked the printer paper, where'd you put it now. The door stays open but the seats stay filled.

Milk, Spies Like Us

Everyone should have a daily dose of Ska. Milk is a bovine product that is rich in calcium and this song is rich in humor and fun.

Crawfish Funk, Ernie Durawa

This reminds me of Little Feat, but that it probably like my father saying that someone reminded him of Valentino. Luckily, the curious can go to Little Feat's MySpace and see what I mean. Anyway, this is some funky rhythm. Oh, yeah, and Ernie was the drummer with the Texas Tornados.

New Wave Outlaw Politic, Cattywompus

Southern Rock lives and it is a good thing. They really had me deep when the drum started double-timing.

Troubles with Doubles, Clap!Clap!

Sounding a little like the B52s leavened with The Cure, this one made me want to dance, and that is not something you want to see unless you're exceptionally well lubricated.

We All Know, She Craves

Kick ass. This one moves at a hyper pace, great guitar sound and clean drums. This is fun. It made my head bob.

Not One, Not Called Common

It starts off nice and simple and then just keeps building. I like songs where the sound is carefully layered on and builds in intensity.

When You're Down, Monahans.

We're going to slow it down through to the end of the tape. This is a nice contemplative song, and as Brianne (the daughter) will tell you, I'm a sucker for guitar/folky songs. This is a good one and I like the singer's voice.

A cover of Victoria Williams, Psalms, All God's Children

We have to have our weekly dose of spirituality. There is absolutely no reason you can't enjoy Cattywompus, Clap!Clap!, She Craves, or Not Called Common and then slow down and enjoy something as beautiful as this song. Their my space site says it is sung by Ram, and I think she does a super job and I'd like to meet her someday and hear these people play, live.

Beautiful Dreamer, Sarah Elizabeth Campbell and The Banned

This Stephen Foster tune is dedicated to my mother who died in 1968 at the tender age of 49, which seemed a little old at the time, but with the distance of my current age it was nothing at all. She played this on the piano and I'd sing. Here you go mom, enjoy.