Melting Ice
A BMT Mixtape
As if we need further proof that I’m not normal, my latest mixtape is inspired by my adopted home from roughly 1997–2019, Texas.
I had a number of friends (heck, my son happened to be in Austin last week and was lucky to finally make it back to Mississippi) who were impacted by the brutal weather earlier this month. As Texans welcome warmer weather, I’m sending some positive vibes your way.
And music, duh.
The BMT musical dial hasn’t spun this wildly in awhile. I am definitely overdue for something truly ridiculous and this sucker hits the spot.
LOTS of BMT debuts. Big names. Live performances. Obscure finds. And surprises aplenty.
What’s cooler than being cool? (Ice cold!)
What can I say? I heard these lyrics in my head but couldn’t remember the name of the song. Once I realized it was “Hey Ya!,” I had to chuckle.
This live performance is worthy of inclusion. Fabulous clothes, exuberant choreography, and one of the best crossover hits of the century. I won’t be around when the list of the top 100 best pop songs of the 21st century is created, but I’m certain this unfailingly catchy tune by Outkast will make the cut.
While I’m more versed on Brit Brit than I should be, I’m definitely not an expert on her musical catalog. This sounded to me like it must have been off her Circus album. I was wrong — but only by a year.
In any case, I had never heard “Break the Ice” until researching this mixtape. I found it accidentally but loved it within 30 seconds. I also knew instantly my newest musical masterpiece just got much more absurd.
Look, if you’re coming for something expected, BMTland is probably going to disappoint you on a regular basis. If you want something gloriously, unabashedly, unapologetically all over the place, then BMTland will deliver more often than not!
Oh. my. stars! Liberace goes techno.
Visually, this is absurd. Someone took ALL of the 80s looks from 1980–1984 and tossed them in a blender. Lead singer, Fancy (natch), has stolen Boy George’s make-up kit, added fringe to a satin shirt leftover from the Urban Cowboy set, and feathered his bangs giving 1982 Rick Springfield a run for his money.
The keyboardist knocked his look out of the park…if it was 1983. He’s like an extra from an Adam Ant or Haircut 100 video.
Though the fashion is a few years off, musically, they’ve more or less got the sound right. A solid 1985–1986 era keyboard. And vocally Fancy is reminiscent of Pet Shop Boy, Neil Tennant. (No, really. Look away from the video and only listen to his voice.)
“Lady of Ice” is a whack-a-doodle-do 80s oddity! Warning: do not listen to this more than once or you will find yourself sucked in by its charms!
Even I get surprised here in BMTland!
I’m solidly in the not- a-Yoko Ono- fan camp, so I would have assumed she would never, ever find a home here. Leave it to the PSB lads to create an exception with their brilliant remix of “Walking on Thin Ice.”
I’ve previously stated that the Pet Shop Boys are the masters of the remix. This sucker takes the spiky, airy, sexy 80s vibe and adds in a modern otherworldliness. A sophisticated, pulsating tune that would have had a place on the dance floor in any of the past 5 decades.
Can we all agree Kimbra makes everything better? She’s so ethereal, but I strongly prefer when she leans into her pop sensibilities as she does here.
Half Alive’s effervescent “Ice Cold” thaws the blues.
Surely I’m allowed ONE predictable selection today. Modern English’s unlikely 80s crossover mega-hit, “I Melt With You,” gets the live treatment. C’mon! Y’all knew I wouldn’t let you down. From 1996, it’s a delightful 1980s sound meets 1990s fashion time capsule.
I wanted to find something outside the box for my followers, but quickly realized that my ear only wants to hear these lyrics sung by band lead singer, Robbie Grey. (Some songs simply can’t be covered without sounding inferior every single time.)
What a gem of a song — I might prefer this version to the studio cut!
Until her 40’s, Bonnie’s worst nightmare included writing and sharing personal stories publicly. At her friends’ suggestion, she bemusedly started Bonnie’s Mixed Tape on Medium in 2017. She remains shocked that anyone reads her stories and that P.S. I Love You, Assemblage, the Writing Cooperative, and the Ascent have published her work.
Bonnie loves all types of music, but really, really, really loves the 80s.
Thank you for reading this story
I know you are busy and have lots of ways you could be spending your time. you using your time to read my work means the world to me — my sincerest thanks!
