#1: Pixies: Wave of Mutilation
I mean, what does one really have to say about this song? It's just, you know. Brilliant. I mean "I've kissed mermaids, rode the el nino walked the sand with the crustaceans". Come on. Who wouldn't want to listen to that? Seriously, though. Have you ever heard such a glorious conglomeration of dreams and punk rock? Brava, Charles, brava.
I mean, what does one really have to say about this song? It's just, you know. Brilliant. I mean "I've kissed mermaids, rode the el nino walked the sand with the crustaceans". Come on. Who wouldn't want to listen to that? Seriously, though. Have you ever heard such a glorious conglomeration of dreams and punk rock? Brava, Charles, brava.
#2: And that goes the same for "Here Comes Your Man":
#3: On a slightly less surfer whispy punk weirdness note, here is "My Timing is Off" by The Eels:
It's novocaine for the soul, man. Come on.
#4: David Bowie: "Breaking Glass"
'nuf said.
#5: Cage the Elephant: "Spiderhead"
I mean, everything by this band is brilliant. All of it. They are probably the most important band to come along in a while. Go see them live, also. They are fantastic performers. Man. I am so tired of the adjectives. I need to get some new ones.
#6: Matt and Kim: "Sidewalks"
They're adorable. And their instagram is hilarious. And we get to see them live in April.
#7: Elliott Smith: "Between the Bars"
Anyone who knows the story of this musician can't listen to his music without getting real sad. If you read about all the tributes made to Elliott Smith since his death, including the one in this video, you have to realize what an effect his music has on all who hear it. I don't need to say anything else. Listen to the lyrics, and don't be afraid.
#8: Morning Teleportation:
These guys are cool. Look at that artwork on their album cover: I met the guy who drew it. He's obsessed with cats. But that's beside the point. Their music is pretty rough without being necessarily gritty. I guess they would call is psychedelic. But not in the Pink Floyd way. In the Morning Teleportation way. And I got to meet a few of them. They sleep in their van and make no money and they won't sell themselves to a label.
#9: Joy Division: "Disorder"
Ian Curtis's voice is like no one else's voice I've ever heard. He was only 23 when he died, but he ingrained this trademark baritone on the music world for ever after. They're eerily spatial, and too often forgotten.
#10: The Cranberries "Linger"
Just because. Who doesn't love The Cranberries?
