“Psycho ’78!”

The Misfits – “Horror Business” from Horror Business 7″ (1979) and Misfits/Collection I (1986)

“Night of the Living Dead” from Walk Among Us (1982)

Happy Hell-o-ween. Those of us who harbor a distaste for the Ramones (ahem, Jordy, ahem) might enjoy the Misfits’ brand of fuzzy ’50s-pop punk rock. The Misfits sound a little less alien (tee, hee) than the Ramones to these ears. While the Ramones have a dull, thuddy surface making the tunes a little tough to hear at first, the Misfits have a certain poppy sheen: they often sound like the Doors sped up.

Though they have impeccable taste in movies, the Misfits have the most confusing discography and release history ever. Get your fix here.

Posted by Glenn

“Everytime I try to speak, my tongue gets tied.”

Van Morrison – “Cyprus Avenue” from Astral Weeks (1968)

Astral Weeks may be the most beautiful record made in the rock era. Every track aches but the album seems to overcome its own pain until “Slim Slow Slider” when Van gives in and its absolutely devastating. But it’s worth it and I can’t recommend it enough to anyone.

Buy it here

Read Lester Bangs’s review, which is, I dare say, almost as pretty as the record itself.

Posted by Jordy

“When all the numbers swim together and all the shadows settle”

Califone – “The Orchids” from Roots & Crowns (2006)

Roots & Crowns is easily the best album of 2006. This Psychic T.V. cover is the best song.

Buy Califone here

Looking for a Thrill (Jockey)?

-Glenn

“I’ve been down the thousand trails”

Steve Earle with Lucinda Williams – “You’re Still Standing There” from I Feel Alright (1996)

Let’s continue with the country. Steve Earle fits the country outlaw image: arrested in Nashville for crack possession, he spent a few years locked up and came back to put a record almost every year for the past ten years. This song skirts the edge of slick boring Gin Blossoms-y roots rock, but the vocal delivery–especially Lucinda’s in the second verse–really sells it. Such a sweet song.

Buy Steve Earle here

Tune into Steve’s radio show (there are a few shows for download somewhere in there)

-Glenn

The wheel’s still in spin

I simply have to encourage you all to check out Doc Mooney’s set of Dylan tracks from Live at Carnegie Hall 1963. Great stuff.

-Jordy

Post-what?

Mogwai -“Stanley Kubrick” from Mogwai: EP+2 (1998)

If it’s raining where you are, I suggest you listen to this one and/or put on your favorite Kubrick flick (mine being Dr. Strangelove).

Buy Mogwai here

Posted by Jordy

“I can’t buy no beer”

Hank Williams – “My Bucket’s Got a Hole in It” (1949) and “Dear John” (1950) from 40 Greatest Hits (1978)

After Jordy’s post on the Flying Burrito Brothers a month or so back, I’ve decided to try to get into country music. You’d think that living in the South would help, but people just want to talk about Radiohead. Oh well. Hank sang soulful tunes with such perfect vocal control. Every little crack in his voice–and there aren’t many–means something huge. Plus those lyrics can’t be beat.

Buy Hank here

for more on country, check The Rising Storm or Setting the Woods on Fire

Posted by Glenn

“Some of you people just about missed it.”

Talking Heads – “Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)” from Remain In Light (1980)

It’s come to the point where I can’t listen to More Songs About Buildings and Food anymore. It’s like a big mouthful of sugar.

But RIL is consistently rewarding for me.

And this song never breaks down, there’s no middle-8, no real chorus and it’s still catchy.

Must be that rhythm.

What’s the name of this band again?

Posted by Jordy

“I hope you’re okay too”

Radiohead – “Palo Alto” from Airbag/How Am I Driving? EP (1998)

One of Radiohead’s best and rockin’-est songs.

Apparently they have a new album or something?

You already own every album, OK?

Posted by Glenn

“Back in the old folky days”

Neil Young – “Ambulance Blues” from On the Beach (1974)

Bert Jansch – “Needle of Death” from Dazzling Stranger (compilation, 2002), originally from Bert Jansch (1965)

Never one to shirk his influences, Neil Young has admitted that he outright, if subconsciously, ripped-off Jansch’s “Needle of Death” when writing “Ambulance Blues.” I think it works brilliantly.

For the record: 1) “Needle of Death” is the best song ever written about heroin use (Lou Reed can take a hike) and 2) On the Beach is my favorite NY record and contains his best songs.

Buy Bert Jansch

or On the Beach (if you haven’t already…geez)

Posted by Jordy

“as if I had been dissolved into vapour…”

Brian Eno & David Byrne – “Mea Culpa” from My Life in the Bush of Ghosts (1981)

The recently re-released Eno/Byrne collaboration predicted everything from The Books to, I dunno, Radiohead, Aphex Twin, and the Ghostbusters soundtrack. Redolent of Fela Kuti, Steve Reich, Miles, and Pink Floyd, the music nevertheless struck me like Bitches Brew did on first listen: where the hell did this come from? Psychedelic? Hell yes. Dub? Hell yes. Listen to this, one of My Life‘s more minimal tracks, and then think that these two guys made, between the two of them, about eight other top-notch records in the preceding six years.

Thanks to Steve K for turning me on to this.

Amazon is waiting

Surf the Bush of Ghosts

Posted by Glenn

“Sometimes I stand on my roof at night”

The Dismemberment Plan – “The City” from Emergency & I (1999)

If the ‘Mats are the sound of teenage angst, the Plan is the sound of early-twenties malaise. At a D-Plan show I attended, Travis Morrison announced to a lucky birthday girl: “24 is the worst age. You just start to realize what a selfish idiot you’ve been since age 19, but you can’t do anything yet to change it.”

Feel like the breeze can pick you up and carry you away?

Posted by Glenn

“Well, it’s plain to see/the way the sand and sea/have done a number on me.”

Palace – “West Palm Beach” and “Gulf Shores” from Lost Blues and Other Songs (compilation, 1997)

These songs were originally released on a 7″ in 1995 and can now be had on the fabulous Palace compilation.

Usually perceived as mountain man, Will Oldham had a beachcomber past, which included these supremely relaxing tracks.

You’d better buy now. There aren’t many left in the world.

Posted by Jordy

Puttin’ in at Carson City

Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band – “Owed T’Alex (live)” from I’m Going To Do What I Wanna Do: Live at My Father’s Place 1978

In 2000, Rhino Handmade released this exceptional live recording in an edition of only 5,000 copies that now fetch upwards of 70 bucks on Amazon. You can buy the songs from iTunes but you’ll miss out on the cool packaging, including a CD that looks like a golf ball and is stamped “Van Vliet 78.” The disc also boasts a “Fast-n-Bulbous Production.”

The concert features many songs from the then-new Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller), including this smokin’ version of “Owed T’Alex,” a highlight from the set.

Buy Beefheart

Listen to more Beefheart

Posted by Glenn

“The stars in the sky don’t mean nothing to you.”

Crazy Horse – “I Don’t Want to Talk About It” from Crazy Horse (1971)

Tom Waits – “Downtown Train” from Rain Dogs (1985)

Here are two songs that, I’m proud to say, I didn’t know were covered by Rod Stewart until long after I had fallen in love with the originals.

This CH tune is about as sweet as it gets: beautiful harmonies by the band and fine steel guitar work courtesy of (you guessed it) Ry Cooder. Geez, that guy shows up everywhere and it’s almost always great.

Buy the Horse here

Tom waits for no man

Posted by Jordy