By Joshua Errett

If the guiding principles of Malcolm Gladwell’s new book Blink were applied to music listening, the most instinctive listening reactions would lean toward demagogic, generic pop music. If Gladwell’s Blink philosophy were invoked in politics, the most instinctive reactions to would lean toward war, religion, and other overtly emotional responses. Does society really need to instantly make decisions based on our instinctive inner desires? Or should we perhaps spend more time in deliberation, waiting for songs or political situations to present themselves before making rash, gut-reaction decisions? Here’s this week’s mixtape.
1. Marianne Faithfull – “My Friends Have”
From the upcoming album Before the Poison on ANTI-. Polly Jean Harvey, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Damon Albarn and film composer Jon Brion pitch in to thrust Faithfull back into fashion. Hopefully her artist friend Sam Taylor-Wood will also lend a hand and direct a video.
2. Martha Wainwright – “Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole”
Is it about Martha Wainwright‘s father? Or does it have something to do with the record label/internet magazine that put out the E.P.? Or could it be about the editors of Torontoist? We have been called many things, but never this. Whatever the case, there are people talking.

3. Duran Duran Duran – “Crisco Disco”
Pointed out in NOW Magazine by Torontoist friend Jered Stuffco. Torontoist finds this music abrasive and unenjoyable, but is trying to keep an open mind at the same time.
4. Palomar – “Not Earned”
Off of Palomar III: Revenge of Palomar. Chances are if you didn’t like I or II, you won’t like III. As a rule, Torontoist likes any music denigrated as “twee” or “chamber-pop” – much like this.
5. LMP – “Pop Goes the World”
Back in 1999, this indie duo decided to cover one song from every year of the century. And then they actually did it. The aptly titled A Century of Song plays through one hundred songs taken from 1900 to 2000. Even if the songs lack a certain reverence for music history, or a sense of ingenuity, it’s still an interesting idea.
Be rational always! Listen to Mixtape Wednesdays! Until next week!