Painted By Numbers – The Sounds
We’ll be the same tomorrow
‘Cause we all been painted by numbers
We’re dancin’ as we borrow
You said it was love
I got what I need to get by

I identify this song with Tal, Vanya, and Kellen, but also with Kellen and his ex, Cassie.  The lyrics talk about pretending to be someone you’re not, fitting yourself into the designs of others, but also of taking what you can get and stealing what you can’t.  Kellen’s a painter, and he’s a lot more honest in his art than he is otherwise.

“From Now On We Are Enemies” – Fall out Boy
I only want what I can’t have

The thing about Kellen Frey is, most times, he can get what he wants.  Like a lot of people, the few things he can’t have are the most intriguing to him.  The pair of bounty hunters on his tail top that list.

A composer but never composed

And this line informed one of Kellen Frey’s Rules of the Con.

Do U Damage – The Specimen
I wanna, I wanna get close to you

This is a silly, pop-y dance track, with a “do your worst, I’ll do my best” theme that underlies the lyrics.  The “do your worst” definitely pits Kellen against the world, while the “I’ll do my best” reminds me of his need to prove himself to Tal and Vanya throughout the story.

Nocturnals – Peter Gabriel (YouTube Link, because it’s not available on Grooveshark)
i dream of birds, birds without wings
children who grow up to be dangerous things

This is my Vanya song.  It’s creepy and violent and sexy, in a very understated way.  You would not want to mess with this song in a dark alley.  Likewise, Vanya wouldn’t be my choice of people to cross.  She’s got a habit of making things happen, and she doesn’t particularly care if other people like that or not.

Pain Killer (Summer Rain) – Turin Brakes
Batten up the hatches, here comes the cold
I can feel it creeping, and it’s making me old
You give me so much love that it blows my brains out

Sometimes, loving someone just wears you out.  I think Tal feels that way a lot.

The Con – Tegan and Sara
Calm down, I’m calling you to say
I’m capsized, staring on the edge of safe

I think if there was a Kellen’n'Cassie song in this mix, it would have to be this one.  Love is a game, and at least one of them forgets that to some people, the point of a game is to win.

Out the Airlock – Paul Dempsey

Okay, so maybe there are two Kellen’n'Cassie songs on here.  Or maybe this one is all about a man who thought he knew what he was doing.  Or maybe I’m cheating, and I just liked the song.  We may never know…

Backfire – Mutemath

Isn’t having something to watch when it all blows up in your face the whole point of having a plan? Nobody in The Slipstream Con is getting what they expect, but some of them are getting what they want anyway.

Perfect Weapon – Communique

Tal and Vanya have a very physical element to their relationship that I love writing.  They communicate with body language and touch, and Kellen picks up on that pretty quick. 

Tell Me ‘Bout It – Joss Stone

Oh, repressed lust, you look so pretty under the stars…  Even though the story didn’t allow for a lot of on-screen sex, there’s a current of tension that starts almost on the first page, before you even meet Kellen in person, and carries through the whole book. 

27 – Fall Out Boy

My mind is a safe, and if I keep it in, we all get rich

Kellen’s warring desires to help Cassie and keep Vanya and Tal out of his mess collide with his own fervent wish not to spend time behind bars.  It’s a lot to keep track of, a lot to control, and I like this song because it made me imagine Kellen as the man pulling the strings, who doesn’t realize they’re all about to be cut.

Let’s Pretend – No-Fi Soul Rebellion

Oh, let’s.  I love the backwards/forwards/sideways/upside-down vibe to this song.  It takes a strong personality to live under all those lies.

Fair – Remy Zero

What if you catch me, where would we land?

So, say you were a law-abiding, licensed Good Guy.  Say you had the worst habit of falling for people who lived on the other side of that line.  Where would you meet- in the middle, or would you just keep running?

Armistice – Mutemath

I’ve mentioned a couple times, I wrote the entire last scene of the book with this song on loop.  And not-so-subtly paid homage to it, as well.  Back and forth, give and take- those things can get lost, when you’re not sure if you’re even fighting for the same things.

A Good Idea At the Time – OK Go

Well, it did!  I can actually hear any of the three of them saying this, at any given moment.

I hope you enjoyed the drive-by commentary, and the mix itself.  Remember, just leave a comment on any entry from this week and be entered to win a signed paperback copy of The Slipstream Con.  (Soundtrack not officially licensed or included.