Old Indie Kid's Mixtape December 2018

These are the twenty tracks that have pushed their way to the top over the last month just in time to appear on my final monthly mixtape.  But expect plenty more over the next month as I will work on the end of year best of mixtapes and maybe a few bonus playlists from my Eighties retrospectives.  Years 1977 to 1984 are already out there and I will turn my attention to 85 next.

Merry Christmas

1) My Antidote by Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators
Slash appears on my playlist twice in subsequent months.  A huge return to form after 25 years of obscurity.  This is pure rock music and reminds me of "You Could Be Mine" era GN'fR!!!!

2) Lips Like Sugar (Transformed) by Echo & The Bunnymen 
This is a re-recording of a 1987 single but much better than the original which I hadn't heard before.  Taken from an album of re-recorded hits by E&TB.

3) New Direction by Sloan Peterson 
Indie rock in the best tradition - short, punky, spunky, catchy riffs and great lyrics.

4) My Friend's A Liquid by Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
Perth band who have dialled down the fuzz guitars and are headed in a more commercial direction - for them.  Now they sound as commercial as King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard.  KG&TLW have taken 2018 off after releasing five albums in the previous year but I expect they have been recording at their usual work rate so expect new albums soon. 

 5) Something For The Pain by She Drew The Gun
Marxist pop so probably not very popular but another great protest song.

6) My Hands by Running Touch 
A dark and deep dance track by this Melbourne producer.

7) Santa's Comin' Down The Chimney by Confidence Man
A very catchy beat and one of the cheekiest Christmas singles since The Darkness sang "Christmas Time - Don't Let The Bells End".

8) Hope You Found What You've Been Missing by Cults 
Haunting tune from Cults - do I hear sleigh bells in the mix?  Crafty bastards - that always works on me at this time of year.

9) The Poison Tree by The Good The Bad And The Ugly   
After eleven years this band resurfaces with four grumpy men moaning about Brexit Britain and the music is largely unbearable.  This closing album track is the exception - a real Damon tearjerker.

10) Bison On The Plains by Grandaddy 
A new single from the recently reformed American band.

11) Back For Good by The Wedding Present 
Perth will host a friendly game next year between Man Utd and Leeds Utd.  In this warm up The Wedding Present (Leeds) take on a Nineties hit from Take That (Manchester). 

12) Stars Around My Heart by Steve Mason
Feel good music from the former Beta Band head honcho.

13) She Works Out Too Much by MGMT  
An album track taken from the Little Dark Age album about the breakup of a relationship caused by gym membership.

14) All My Friends Are Falling In Love by The Vaccines 
New single not included on their 2018 Combat Sports album.   

15) For The Record by Winston Surfshirt 
Australia's Winston Surfshirt release some fresh Summer vibes.

16) Rudeboy by The Nextmen Vs Gentlemen's Dub Club featuring Gardna
Taken from the excellent Pound for Pound album.

17) Out Of Place by The Delta Riggs 
Aussie indie rockers who are not evolving musically at all.  However, if you liked them last time then you will again.

18) Brighton Pier by Razorlight 
Over ten years since their last album and Razorlight are back and on top form.  I've enjoyed all the new tracks I've heard so far and will be listening to their new album soon to check if its as good as I hope.

19) Leave Me Lonely by Hilltop Hoods 
New track from the biggest group in Australian Hip Hop.  Get ready for their new album The Great Expanse in February 2019.

20) Zombie Bastards by Weezer
Taken from Weezer's Black Album - an instant classic "Die! Die! You Zombie Bastards!"