Soundscape Mix #10: Halloween

To some, it’s just an excuse to eat candy, but to many, Halloween is one of the most fun and creative holidays we celebrate. It’s the one day of the year when we are open to do or be pretty much anything we want, to push the boundaries of good taste, and shamelessly express ourselves to our friends and loved ones, without regard towards sex, sexuality, kink, pomp, circumstance, or any of the usual hang-ups we carry with us the rest of the year.

Halloween is a day of true freedom, liberation from social norms, and exorcism from our own fears. It’s a day to not take ourselves seriously, to laugh with total strangers of all ages. In that regard, it has the potential every year to be better than Christmas.

Granted, there are those who think Halloween is just for kids. Fair enough, everyone goes through a period where they don’t have the time, money, or energy to plan a wicked costume. When we grow up, Halloween often ends up being one of those things we rebel against in order to present ourselves as adults.

But just because you may not believe in Santa any more doesn’t mean you stop buying presents and visiting your family at that time of year. So, too, with Halloween, there is still magic on that day even if you just buy a small bag of candies for yourself, pretend you’re a zombie (by laying flat on the couch and barely moving), and watch The Simpsons Halloween specials all night, you’re partying, Halloween-style.

Whether you hide behind drawn curtains, lights out, pretending not to be home when the kids come a knockin’, or if you’re out dancing all night, here’s a Halloween soundtrack for you.

By the way, if you have any good ghost or Halloween related stories, the comment section is all yours. Don’t be a stranger.

PopMatters Soundscape Mix #10: Halloween by Alan Ranta on Mixcloud

01. The Marshmallow Ghosts – “Shrieks” (The Marshmallow Ghosts, 2009)

– Start time: 0:00; Links: Graveface – The Marshmallow Ghosts

02. Swahili Blonde – “Release the Ghost” (Man Meat, 2010)

– Start time: 5:01; Links: Manimal Vinyl – Swahili Blonde

03. The Golden Dogs – “Dark Room” (Coat Of Arms, 2010)

– Start time: 7:47; Links: Nevado – The Golden Dogs

04. Husky Rescue – “My Home Ghost” (Ghost Is Not Real, 2006)

– Start time: 11:04; Links: Catskills – Husky Rescue

05. Yppah – “They Know What Ghost Know” (They Know What Ghost Know, 2009)

– Start time: 14:09; Links: Ninja Tune – Yppah

06. Tobacco – “Fresh Hex feat. Beck” (Maniac Meat, 2010)

– Start time: 18:54; Links: Anticon – Tobacco

07. Free the Robots – “Sci-Fidelity” (Ctrl Alt Delete, 2010)

– Start time: 20:28; Links: Alpha Pup – Free The Robots

08. Lorn – “Tomorrow” (Nothing Else, 2010)

– Start time: 26:46; Links: Brainfeeder – Lorn

09. Jookabox – “Ghost [Nobody Remix]” (317 Ways, 2008)

– Start time: 29:11; Links: Asthmatic Kitty – Jookabox

10. The Herbaliser – “Something Wicked feat. Seaming To” (Something Wicked This Way Comes, 2002)

– Start time: 32:02; Links: Ninja Tune – The Herbaliser

11. Natural Self – “Street Spirit” (My Heart Beats: Remixes and Versions, 2010)

– Start time: 37:10; Links: Tru Thoughts – Natural Self

12. Clutchy Hopkins – “Sound of the Ghost” (Walking Backwards, 2008)

– Start time: 40:46; Links: Ubiquity – Clutchy Hopkins

13. Hidden Orchestra – “Footsteps” (Night Walks, 2010)

– Start time: 43:46; Links: Tru Thoughts – Hidden Orchestra

14. DJ Hidden – “Death Seer” (The Later After, 2007)

– Start time: 47:21; Links: Ad Noiseam – DJ Hidden

15. John B – “Vampire Eyes” (In:Transit, 2004)

– Start time: 51:17; Links: Beta – John B

16. Defrag – “Long Horrible Shadows” (Lament Element, 2009)

– Start time: 53:25; Links: Hymen – Defrag

17. Monster Movie – “Everyone Is a Ghost” (Everyone Is a Ghost, 2010)

– Start time: 56:24; Links: Graveface – Monster Movie

Total Running Time: 61:08

PopMatters Soundscape Mix #10: Halloween by Alan Ranta on Mixcloud