"Plant White Roses" by Magnetic Fields

from

This -- or '100k Fireflies' -- is my favorite Magnetic Fields song. It's not easy to find. Originally on an early Merge compilation I lost long ago, I'd more or less given up on finding it again (even via the Soulseek). But oh happy day, we are reunited, and I am in synth-country heaven.

"Little Girl in Bloom" by Thin Lizzy

from Vagabonds of the Western World

Recently I've been a big fan of sui generis arena rock. How can you fail to admire a band that rocks with bizarre, intensely personal lyrics. I'm talking about Thin Lizzy in this post, but could just as easily be writing about Cheap Trick or the Groundhogs. In particular am enjoying this slow-burn teen-pregnancy ballad in which a celebration of the sacred feeling that accompanies incipient motherhood abuts a hot-shit guitar solo.

"By Your Side" by Sade

from Lovers Rock

I love this song, all versions.

"Good to Be on the Road Back Home" by Cornershop

from When I Was Born for the 7th Time

Wow, have you heard this song? It's a simple, strumming country-style song featuring a rather stunning Paula Frazer (thought it was Sally Timms initially) guest vocal. I liked this album, but don't think I listened to this one -- I would have remembered it.

"Turn Around" by Everly Bros/Beau Brummels

from Roots/Bradley's Barn

I discovered both ‘Roots’ and ‘Bradley’s Barn’ around the same time and have been a huge fan of both albums from the very first listen. I really can’t get enough of this song, either version. Forced to choose, I guess I’d go with the Everly Bros’ gossamer take – just as much for the more nimble guitar interplay as for the harmonies (how can Sal Valentino compete?) – but Ron Elliot did write the song (and played guitar on ‘Roots’) and his more muscular guitar on the BBs’ version has its own charms.

"Afro" by Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

from Extra Width

I've lived in NY almost exactly two years and have seen plenty of celebrities, but only three on the subway. Bizarrely, two of the three have been in the Blues Explosion (the other was Jonathan Franzen): Judah Bauer this past winter and then the man himself the other day (thankfully, we weren't trapped on the same subway car during the blackout). He was less riveting with a double-strapped backpack than he was tearing it up on the theremin on stage back in the day. I have paid zero attention to these guys since the mid 90s (I've become more of a Hagerty man), but remain a staunch supporter of all things Pussy Galore, certain Boss Hogg songs ('Pete Shores'!!!) and this track, which still sounds great. Sure, it's schtick, but it's not the tiresome schtick that he cranked out on subsequent albums. Will keep my eyes peeled for Russell Simins.

"Pink Frost" by The Chills

from Kaleidoscope World

Today at Other Music (in Manhattan) they were playing the Thompson Twins, and it actually didn’t sound half bad, it made me think of all the other great music I’d like to see rise with the 80’s revival tide. At the top of my list would be NZ’s Flying Nun bands – Verlaines, Tall Dwarfs, Chills, the Clean, 3Ds, the Bats, Bird Nest Roys. ‘Kaleidoscope World’ is not really an album proper, but rather a collection of EPs – and the first ten songs or so are completely untouchable. ‘Pink Frost’ is one of these tracks and rightfully belongs in the pantheon of dead girlfriend songs along with ‘Pink Turns to Blue,’ ‘Girlfriend in a Coma’ and that 50s song Pearl Jam covered. But there really is nothing corny or lugubrious about this song. Instrumentation, vocals and lyrics all cohere, emitting this cool phosphorescent glow.

"Super Going" by Boredoms

from Super AE

I bought this album about five years ago and have always felt a dutiful respect for it. But then today I heard this song and felt true passion -- could not get enough of it even taking into account that it’s around 15 minutes long.

"Babe in the Woods" by MDID

from Shine EP

Through the years, My Dad Is Dead has more or less been one guy from Cleveland, Mark Edwards, who sings misanthropic (sometimes creepy) lyrics in a blank deadpan. Though his music is more singer-songwriter than, say, Big Black, he shares a distinctly Midwestern grimness (as the name suggests). Sometimes MDID is just depressing, but then there are songs like this one in which the hypnotic guitars elevate it to a gorgeous lyrical plane. And the drums are good, too – MDID was John McEntire’s first band (before Bastro).

"Trouble Funk Express" by Trouble Funk

from Early Singles

So I thought that I had purchased ‘Dream Police’ on the street the other day for a dollar, but what I really got was the cover to ‘Dream Police’ and Trouble Funk’s ‘Early Singles’ CD – which, after several listens, may be an even better deal. Despite a healthy respect for ‘Da Butt’ I was never much of a go-go aficionado. This CD, however, has forced me to reconsider my hasty dismissal of the subgenre. ‘Trouble Funk Express’ is a poly-rhythmed vocoder-funk workout of Kraftwerk’s ‘Trans-Europe Express.’ Am still loving it even after the novelty has faded.