Tracks We Can Believe In (2/2)

And now, the latest episode in the continuing ConorMix saga (Side B muxed here).

11.6. The Breeders “Safari” (Safari EP, 03) [tape version]

On the mux, but not on the CD due to time restrictions. Could this be the quintessential Breeders track? Chugging guitars, parts that fall out to reveal chugging bass, willowy vowel vocalizations, rock and roll.

12. Siouxsie & The Banshees “Hong Kong Garden” (Once Upon A Time, 01)

Heard this one on a punk documentary and found myself wanting to hear it repeatedly. Perhaps a bit problematic in terms of its pre-PC-ness, but damn catchy and with some nice guitar strumming. I definitely need to make further investigations into their back catalog at some point.

13. The Dresden Dolls “Backstabber” (Yes, Virginia, 02)

Stole this one from a DeggMix ™. Didn’t think I’d get into cabaret rock, or “Brechtian punk cabaret” as they prefer, but this track is just stupendous. Incidentally, was mastered to be ridiculously loud for some reason; most all the peaks are cut off to squares.

14. Teenage Fanclub “Everything Flows” (A Catholic Education, 01)

The lead track from the Fanclub’s first album (it also appears on their compilation “Four Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty-Six Seconds: A Short Cut to Teenage Fanclub”) is a sort of shoegazery take on Neil Young. “I’ll never know which way to flow/Set a course that I don’t know”.

15. Joni Mitchell “Help Me” (Court and Spark, 02)

Previously submitted this, and a cover of it by Guv’ner, to the NAPcast. It is just a perfect song. The tone, phrasing and emotion of the vocals are really beautiful, and there’s some quite tasty jazz guitar on the outro. “Are you going to let me go there by myself?/That’s such a lonely thing to do”.

16. Moby Grape “Indifference” (Moby Grape, 13)

Perhaps slightly shambolic and strangely mixed, but another fine slice of 60′s guitar rock brilliance from this Bay Area band that coulda been huge, had events subsequent to the recording of their first album turned out slightly differently.

17. The Ponys “Small Talk” (Turn The Lights Out, 03)

Had never heard of the Ponys before I saw them at Pitchfork last year. They had some technical difficulties with the PA going out during their set, their bass amp blowing up, etc., but I thought they sounded great and resolved to get their album. This track, with its sustaining distorted guitar drones and chugging rhythm, is a standout for me. Recently got a copy of their prior album, “Celebration Castle”, but so far I don’t like it nearly as much as “Turn the Lights Out”.

18. Paul McCartney “Long Haired Lady” (Ram, 10)

Paul McCartney’s first couple of solo records were really great, but don’t seem to be well known or appreciated these days. There are a number of songs on “Ram” that you know well, but don’t necessarily know you know until you give it a spin. Perhaps it’s time for one of those double CD deluxe reissues. This one is dreamy. “Ah, sing your song, love is long, love is long”.

19. Low “Silver Rider” (The Great Destroyer, 04)

Was listening to Low’s “rock” record and thought, “this song is great, and should really be on a mix”, but had second thoughts because a longish track, particularly one by Low, has the potential to interrupt the flow of a mix. After listening again more recently, though, could not deny the sheer sonic majesty within.

20. Gnarls Barkley “Run (I’m a Natural Disaster)” (The Odd Couple, 04)

Added this to the ol’ “new mix list” upon first listen. They go E->G->A like mad; with the stutter it’s irresistible. “I’m on the run, see where I’m coming from”.

21. Echo & The Bunnymen “Rescue” (Crocodiles, 06)

This is one of those bands I never really heard back in the day, and have only more recently started to investigate. “Rescue” is one of those tracks that immediately jumped out and grabbed me by the throat, and wouldn’t let go. Doesn’t hurt that the intro guitar line is fun to play, either. “Is this the blues I’m singing?”