Mix Review: Impatience of Dishonor
I loved all of the historical figure mixes, but this one, for its combination of a strong narrative thread and a really spot-on song selection, is maybe my favorite.
"No One Mourns the Wicked" - Wicked
As in the original musical, I see this as introducing a flashback. Whether it's being sung after Alcibiades' exile, or after his actual death, we see a terrible breach between a man and his people, and know there must be more to the story...
"Cum On Feel the Noize" - Quiet Riot
Handsome, arrogant, ambitious and slightly debauched - this is the Alcibiades who would go about smashing herms.
"It's All Been Done" - Barenaked Ladies
The "before the fall of Rome" line is kind of genius.
"Whipping Post" - The Allman Brothers
Is Alcibiades being overdramatic about all that his city puts him through? Not exactly - it does put him through a lot. But he is also asking for it. And as the sensuality of this song makes clear, he enjoys it. Who knew that the Sicilian Expedition could be so kinky? Though, come to think of it, "The Sicilian Expedition" sounds like the title of a romance novel.
"Love is a Battlefield" - Pat Benatar
I see this song as something of the keynote for the first half of the mix.
"Crazy Ground no Ousama" - Arashi
[A King on Crazy Ground]
"Wild World" - Cat Stevens
And now we hear the voice of Athens.
"Stars" - Les Miserables (Javert)
I really enjoyed the contrast between this song and the previous. Both, I think, are from the city's perspective. On the one hand, Alcibiades is cherished son and lover, launched into the world with wistful regret. On the other hand, he's an outlaw, traitor, and fugitive, and he's going to get what's coming to him.
"For No One" - The Beatles
This song works both ways, I think. I first heard it as Alcibiades heartbroken that his city can get on without him, but I think Athens is also none too pleased at how well its defected hero seems to be getting on in Sparta.
"Objection (Tango)" - Shakira
The introduction of Sparta as the third party here is high-grade mix plotting - and the great thing is how well it works musically as well as thematically. The urgency (of war/love) is back, without the arrogant certainty of the first part of the mix.
"You Won't See Me Coming" - Gankutsuou Ending Theme (Jean-Jacques Burnel)
Now Alcibiades doesn't just want attention - he wants revenge.
"Kokou no Tsubasa" - Atobe Keigo/Prince of Tennis
[Wings Aloof]
"Baby One More Time" - Roots of Nature
Hit me (with a phalanx of hoplites?) one more time.
"Within You Without You" - The Beatles
The mix takes an introspective turn with this song and the next.
"What You Are" - Dave Matthews Band
Definitely feels like Alcibiades thinking about himself. If nothing else, his sojourn abroad has given him that.
"Back in Black" - AC/DC
The mi x powers back up - I guess Alcibiades must be back in Athens?
"Be My Wife" - David Bowie
Can they make it work?
"I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" - Hercules
OK, this one just made me grin like a gibbon.
"Call and Answer" - Barenaked Ladies
This is such a perfect description of their relationship - a blend of tenderness and support with a willingness to turn against each other at the slightest offense, real or imagined.
"Duck and Run" - 3 Doors Down
Optimistic ("the world can't bring me down") with an edge ("because I'm already there"). A good coda to a dysfunctional romance between a man and a city.
I'd describe the person this mix is about as: fair in love and/or war
I'll listen to this mix when I: want to read a good story.
If I could add one song it would be: Jordin Sparks - Battlefield http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suPlYwJ3YvM
"No One Mourns the Wicked" - Wicked
As in the original musical, I see this as introducing a flashback. Whether it's being sung after Alcibiades' exile, or after his actual death, we see a terrible breach between a man and his people, and know there must be more to the story...
"Cum On Feel the Noize" - Quiet Riot
Handsome, arrogant, ambitious and slightly debauched - this is the Alcibiades who would go about smashing herms.
"It's All Been Done" - Barenaked Ladies
The "before the fall of Rome" line is kind of genius.
"Whipping Post" - The Allman Brothers
Is Alcibiades being overdramatic about all that his city puts him through? Not exactly - it does put him through a lot. But he is also asking for it. And as the sensuality of this song makes clear, he enjoys it. Who knew that the Sicilian Expedition could be so kinky? Though, come to think of it, "The Sicilian Expedition" sounds like the title of a romance novel.
"Love is a Battlefield" - Pat Benatar
I see this song as something of the keynote for the first half of the mix.
"Crazy Ground no Ousama" - Arashi
[A King on Crazy Ground]
"Wild World" - Cat Stevens
And now we hear the voice of Athens.
"Stars" - Les Miserables (Javert)
I really enjoyed the contrast between this song and the previous. Both, I think, are from the city's perspective. On the one hand, Alcibiades is cherished son and lover, launched into the world with wistful regret. On the other hand, he's an outlaw, traitor, and fugitive, and he's going to get what's coming to him.
"For No One" - The Beatles
This song works both ways, I think. I first heard it as Alcibiades heartbroken that his city can get on without him, but I think Athens is also none too pleased at how well its defected hero seems to be getting on in Sparta.
"Objection (Tango)" - Shakira
The introduction of Sparta as the third party here is high-grade mix plotting - and the great thing is how well it works musically as well as thematically. The urgency (of war/love) is back, without the arrogant certainty of the first part of the mix.
"You Won't See Me Coming" - Gankutsuou Ending Theme (Jean-Jacques Burnel)
Now Alcibiades doesn't just want attention - he wants revenge.
"Kokou no Tsubasa" - Atobe Keigo/Prince of Tennis
[Wings Aloof]
"Baby One More Time" - Roots of Nature
Hit me (with a phalanx of hoplites?) one more time.
"Within You Without You" - The Beatles
The mix takes an introspective turn with this song and the next.
"What You Are" - Dave Matthews Band
Definitely feels like Alcibiades thinking about himself. If nothing else, his sojourn abroad has given him that.
"Back in Black" - AC/DC
The mi x powers back up - I guess Alcibiades must be back in Athens?
"Be My Wife" - David Bowie
Can they make it work?
"I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" - Hercules
OK, this one just made me grin like a gibbon.
"Call and Answer" - Barenaked Ladies
This is such a perfect description of their relationship - a blend of tenderness and support with a willingness to turn against each other at the slightest offense, real or imagined.
"Duck and Run" - 3 Doors Down
Optimistic ("the world can't bring me down") with an edge ("because I'm already there"). A good coda to a dysfunctional romance between a man and a city.
I'd describe the person this mix is about as: fair in love and/or war
I'll listen to this mix when I: want to read a good story.
If I could add one song it would be: Jordin Sparks - Battlefield http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suPlYwJ3YvM