“Call the Police”, Oblivians

This way: Call the Police

The Oblivians are an American garage punk trio that has existed since 1993. In the 1990s, their blues-infused brand of bravado, crudely recorded music made them one of the most popular and prominent bands within the underground garage rock scene.

Formed in Memphis, Tennessee, the band consisted of three members—Greg Cartwright, Jack Yarber, and Eric Friedl—who alternated between instruments on stage and in the studio, each member serving as vocalist, guitarist, and drummer, in turn. The band recorded four LPs, as well as a number of EPs and singles, typically recording songs live in the studio. 

The band has performed numerous reunion shows since disbanding in 1998, including a highly anticipated 2009 European reunion tour with The Gories, who also reformed to co-headline.

Oblivians released the studio album Desperation on May 28, 2013 through In The Red Records.

[Spotify] Call the Police

 

“Whiteout Conditions”, The New Pornographers

 This way: Whiteout Conditions

Whiteout Conditions is the seventh studio album by Canadian indie rock band The New Pornographers. It was released on April 7, 2017, and is the first album not to feature either longtime drummer Kurt Dahle or singer-songwriter Dan Bejar.

The band released the first single "High Ticket Attractions" on January 27, 2017. 

The New Pornographers are a Canadian indie rock band, formed in 1997 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Presented as a musical collective of singer-songwriters and musicians from multiple projects, the band has released eight studio albums to critical acclaim for their use of multiple vocalists and elements of power pop incorporated into their music.

[Spotify] Whiteout Conditions

 

“You Don't Own Me Anymore”, Secret Sisters

This way: You Don't Own Me Anymore

The Secret Sisters are an Americana singing and songwriting duo consisting of vocalists Laura Rogers and Lydia Slagle. The duo's music has been compared to artists like The Everly Brothers. 

[Spotify] You Don't Own Me Anymore

“Lonesome Train”, The Johnny Burnette Trio

 This way: Lonesome Train

The Rock and Roll Trio were an American rockabilly group formed in Memphis, Tennessee, during the 1950s. They were also known as "Johnny Burnette and the Rock and Roll Trio" and the "Johnny Burnette Trio". The members of the Trio were Dorsey Burnette, his younger brother Johnny, and a friend Paul Burlison. Dorsey and Johnny Burnette were both natives of Memphis, having been born there in 1932 and 1934 respectively. Paul Burlison was born in Brownsville, Tennessee, in 1929, but moved to Memphis with his family in 1937.

The trio together with Tommy Seeley and Albert Vescovo had their first recording session with the Von Theater in Boonville, which booked the Burnettes and other talent from out of town. Hayden Thompson, who also recorded for Von, has asserted that the label was unconnected with the theatre. Music writer Adam Komorowski, however, states that the label owner Sam Thomas had named the label after the theatre. The session was arranged and paid for by Eddie Bond's father, Bill Bond, who wanted to manage the band. The Record Exchanger No. 26, however, noted that the session was set up and A & R'd by Buddy Bain, a disc-jockey and performer in Corinth, Mississippi. Their first single was "You're Undecided"(any early indication of their rockabilly style) backed with "Go Mule Go" (Von 1006), released under the name Johnny Burnette. It sold fewer than 200 copies. There is some disagreement over the year in which this single was released. The Guinness Book Of Rock Stars suggests that the year was 1953, but other sources suggest 1954, and others suggest November 1955.

[Spotify] Lonesome Train

“Do You Feel It”, Slow Pulp

 This way: Do You Feel It

Slow Pulp is an American indie rock band from Madison, Wisconsin, now based in Chicago, Illinois. Slow Pulp began after childhood friends Teddy Mathews, Alex Leeds, and Henry Stoehr decided to start a band. This resulted in their first release, an EP titled EP1 in 2015. In 2017, they released a second EP titled EP2, which was the first release to feature new member Emily Massey. In 2019, the group released another EP titled Big Day. In 2020, Slow Pulp announced their debut full-length album, Moveys, which was released on October 9, 2020. The album received positive reviews.

[Spotify] Do You Feel It

“I'm Not Tripping/Composition 8”, Matthew White, Lonnie Holley

 This way: I'm Not Tripping/Composition 8

Broken Mirror: A Selfie Reflection invites direct comparison to one of the most inspired purple patches in modern musical history: Miles Davis’ electric period of the 1970s. The album’s genesis is bold to begin with: In 2018, keen to kick old songwriting habits, Matthew E. White went into the studio with his septet to record a series of improvisational sessions in the spirit of the hard-driving fusion that Davis pursued from 1969’s In A Silent Way to 1975’s Agharta. Inviting the Alabama sculptor and experimental musician Lonnie Holley to add his vocals to the mix was another audacious move, throwing further unpredictability into the works with Holley’s freeform melodies and spontaneous delivery.

Matthew E. White (born August 14, 1982) is an American singer-songwriter, producer, arranger, and founder of Spacebomb Records in Richmond, Virginia.

Lonnie Bradley Holley (born February 10, 1950) sometimes known as The Sand Man, is an American artist, art educator, and musician. He is best known for his assemblages and immersive environments made of found materials. He was born the 7th of 27 children during the Jim Crow era and claims to have been traded for a bottle of whiskey when he was four. 

[Spotify] I'm Not Tripping/Composition 8

“Future Mixtape for the Art Kids”, Beach Slang

This way: Future Mixtape for the Art Kids

Beach Slang was an American rock band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed in May 2013. The band underwent several line-up changes, with lead vocalist/guitarist James Alex serving as the band's leader, figurehead, chief songwriter and sole original member.

This way (Quiet version): Future Mixtape for the Art Kids

[Spotify] Future Mixtape for the Art Kids

“Friends of P.”, The Rentals

 This way: Friends of P.

The Rentals are an American rock band fronted by vocalist Matt Sharp. Sharp has been the only consistent member since the group's inception. The band's best selling single is "Friends of P" (1995). The Rentals released two albums, Return of the Rentals (1995) and Seven More Minutes (1999) on Maverick Records before quietly splitting in 1999 following a world tour. The group reformed in 2005 and have since released several EPs and two more full-length albums, Lost in Alphaville and Q36. Lost in Alphaville released August 26, 2014, on Polyvinyl Records. Q36 was released June 26, 2020. Numerous musicians have appeared with the group on recordings and in live shows. The group's most recent iteration consists of Sharp, Nick Zinner, and Ronnie Vannucci Jr.

[Spotify] Friends of P.

“I'm Dead”, The Limiñanas

 This way: I'm Dead

Here is a great band from France (you don't say that sentence too often). The Limiñanas are Lionel & Marie Limiñana . They are based in Cabestany, deep south of France. They record garage, psych and pop music. 

[Spotify] I'm Dead

“Birthday”, The Sugarcubes

 This way: Birthday

The Sugarcubes (Icelandic: Sykurmolarnir) were an Icelandic alternative rock band from Reykjavík formed in 1986 and disbanded in 1992. For most of their career, the band consisted of Björk (vocals, keyboards), Einar Örn Benediktsson (vocals, trumpet), Þór Eldon (guitar), Bragi Ólafsson (bass), Margrét "Magga" Örnólfsdóttir (keyboards) and Sigtryggur Baldursson (drums). 

The Sugarcubes' debut album, Life's Too Good (1988), was an unexpected international success, and produced their signature song "Birthday". It is credited as the first Icelandic album to have a worldwide impact and influenced Icelandic popular music. Their follow-up album, Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!, was released 1989 to mixed reviews. Their third and final album, Stick Around for Joy, released in February 1992, was better received and produced the successful singles "Hit" and "Leash Called Love". Rolling Stone referred to them as "the biggest rock band to emerge from Iceland." Björk would later become an internationally successful solo musician and the bestselling Icelandic musician of all time.

[Spotify] Birthday

“Landlocked State”, Teenage Cool Kids

 This way: Landlocked State

Teenage Cool Kids was established in summer 2006 by Andrew Savage, later joined by Daniel Zeigler whom Savage met while attending the University of North Texas in Denton. The band's earlier material, from the self-released demo and "Remember Me as a Silhouette" 7", was lo-fi, poppy and often compared to early '90s indie rock. The band's first full length was Queer Salutations, released in 2007. Shortly after the release of Queer Salutations, the band embarked on its first tour. The band adhere to a DIY methodology, keeping all recording, songwriting, booking and visual art within the band. Teenage Cool Kids spent much of 2008 touring the United States and recording their next album. In 2009, the band was issued a cease and desist by Chicago hip-hop duo The Cool Kids over alleged trade mark infringement. The dispute ended with a settlement initiated by the Cool Kids. The dispute delayed the band's second LP release by several months, but in June 2009 Foreign Lands was released by Protagonist Music. 

[Spotify] Landlocked State

“Sleep Talk”, Shannon and the Clams

This way: Sleep Talk

Shannon and the Clams is an indie garage punk quartet based in Oakland, California. Known for a vintage sound that incorporates elements of doo-wop, classic R&B, garage psych, and surf, Shannon and the Clams has drawn comparisons to both Buddy Holly and 1960s girl groups. They are also said to love "music from '50s oldies to '80s punk".

The band includes vocals from bassist Shannon Shaw, guitarist Cody Blanchard, and keyboardist Will Sprott, along with drums by Nate Mahan. Shaw and Blanchard met at the California College of the Arts, where they began performing together. Shaw is also a member of queercore punk outfit Hunx and His Punx. 

Shannon and the Clams' debut album, "I Wanna Go Home," was released in 2009. In 2011, the group followed up with their sophomore effort, Sleep Talk. Their third album, Dreams in the Rat House, was released in May 2013.

Their album, Gone by the Dawn, is described by Still in Rock as "the most beautiful manifestation in recent years of what I would call the 'Elvis Presley culture'".

Released in 2018, Onion was Shannon and the Clams' first release on Dan Auerbach's Easy Eye Sound label. Auerbach also produced the album.

[Spotify] Sleep Talk

“Look at the Rain”, Meat Puppets

 This way: Look at the Rain

Meat Puppets are an American rock band formed in January 1980 in Phoenix, Arizona. The group's original lineup was Curt Kirkwood (guitar/vocals), his brother Cris Kirkwood (bass guitar/vocals), and Derrick Bostrom (drums). The Kirkwood brothers met Bostrom while attending Brophy Prep High School in Phoenix. The three then moved to Tempe, Arizona (a Phoenix suburb and home to Arizona State University), where the Kirkwood brothers purchased two adjacent homes, one of which had a shed in the back where they regularly practiced.

Meat Puppets started as a punk rock band, but like most of their labelmates on SST Records, they established their own unique style, blending punk with country and psychedelic rock, and featuring Curt's warbling vocals. Meat Puppets later gained significant exposure when the Kirkwood brothers served as guest musicians on Nirvana's MTV Unplugged performance in 1993. The band's 1994 album Too High to Die subsequently became their most successful release. The band broke up twice, in 1996 and 2002, but reunited again in 2006. 

[Spotify] Look at the Rain

 

“Somethings Gotta Give”, Crack Cloud

 This way: Somethings Gotta Give

Crack Cloud are a Canadian art punk band and multimedia collective formed by drummer and lead vocalist, Zach Choy. Alongside the seven core musical members, a large number of multimedia artists are also associated with the group due to the project's strong focus on visual storytelling.

[Spotify] Somethings Gotta Give

“Those Mysteries”, Sparks

 This way: Those Mysteries

Here is a great one from Sparks album of 1977, "Introducing Sparks." Sparks is an American pop and rock duo, originally formed as a Los Angeles band called Halfnelson in 1967 by brothers Ron (keyboards) and Russell Mael (vocals). Known for their quirky approach to songwriting, Sparks' music is often accompanied by sophisticated and acerbic lyrics, often about women or Shakespearean literature references, and an idiosyncratic, theatrical stage presence, typified in the contrast between Russell's animated, hyperactive frontman antics and Ron's deadpan scowling. They are also noted for Russell Mael's distinctive wide-ranging voice and Ron Mael's intricate and rhythmic keyboard playing style. They were much more successful in Europe compared to their native US, though they maintain a loyal cult following there. 

[Spotify] Those Mysteries

“Do You Wanna”, Nana Yamato

 This way: Do You Wanna

“I didn't trust anyone adult,” claims Nana Yamato, “even my parents”. The 20-year old walks the streets of Tokyo like a superhero incognito. By day, Yamato is an ordinary girl who marches anonymously between her flat, her school and her job. But by night, when the world gets quiet, and the demands of education and employment have subsided, she becomes something else — a young artist whose urge for connection and expression has created one of the best underground pop records to come out of Japan, and elsewhere for that matter. “They thought I was a bad girl who went into weird stores,” says Nana, explaining her schoolmates’ impression of her as a teenage record collector. “In high school I had no friends to talk to or spend time with. But, somehow, my teachers and classmates knew what I was doing after school.” Her calling was found when one day she entered Big Love Records in Harajuku, Tokyo to buy an Iceage album. She then began going there everyday after school, where her studies shifted to the week’s latest indie rock releases. “Everything in my life started there.” 

[Spotify] Do You Wanna

“Space Junk”, Devo

This way: Space Junk

She was walking, all alone

Down the street, in the alley

Her name was Sally, I never touched her

She never saw it

When she was hit by, space junk

She was smashed by, space junk

She was killed by, space junk 

[Spotify] Space Junk

“Friend”, Marginal Man

This way: Friend

Marginal Man, founded by three members of the recently defunct Artificial Peace, was one of the first of the DC hardcore bands to feature two guitars and was first introduced to the DC crowds at the "555" concert at the 9:30 club on Jan. 2, 1983. The show was billed as "555" because not only was Marginal Man a five-piece, but both Minor Threat and Faith had recently added second guitars to their line-ups, and this was a coming out party of sorts for all three. There was a massive turn-out and tickets sold out almost immediately, so a second show was added to accommodate the crowds. This surprised almost everyone and made it clear for the first time that local bands were beginning to draw a lot more attention than many touring acts coming to Washington. Other than Minor Threat, Government Issue, and Scream, Marginal Man was one of the few early DC punk bands to get out and tour the country. They released their first LP, "Identity" on Dischord in March 1984 and later released albums on Enigma and Giant Records before breaking up in 1988. 

[Spotify]  Friend

“Down with the Ship”, Rundgren/Cuomo

 This way: Down with the Ship

Todd Rundgren has teamed up with Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo for a new single, “Down With The Ship.”

The duo shared writing and vocal roles on the track, which draws inspiration from reggae and African rhythms. Rundgren, in a statement, describes the song as “just a little parable about what happens when you align yourself with a treacherous leader.”

The tune is the second installment from Rundgren’s forthcoming album Space Force, which is being released to digital platforms as individual singles, each with its own unique artwork, every three or four weeks. 

The entire album is slated for an early 2021 release.

[Spotify]  Down with the Ship

“Voices”, Pure X

This way: Voices

Pure X is the last band, has always been the last band. Not that there won’t be future acts, more that Pure X understands that all this pageantry, this civilization is wrapping up. It burned hot and bright like thermite used to bust a safe open, but now is the age of radiating waves, each one buckles the foundation more than the last. 

It would be understandable to express such forbidden fatalism in a brittle, harsh nihilism, the stark echo of a stone rattling down an endless well. But on this album, their fourth and first in six years, there is a pre-dawn kindness. It may be funereal, but it is a Viking pyre ablaze in the middle of a river, one of those moments when the water seems to pause and reflect the clouds blooming like smoke from an invisible glass pipe. 

 

Recorded live in the bucolic Texas Hill Country, this is their clearest, most focused work. The rhythm section is locked in--a night train through the desert. There is more singing, the weary wisdom of the lyrics ringing like Tibetan bowls. In 38 minutes, Pure X weave a culmination, all the delays and distortion, the grinding mortar of touring, the low-tide pulling them out from a cult band, to a legacy band, it’s here, understood and forgiven. 

[Spotify]  Voices

“Baby Fall Down”, T Bone Burnett

This way: Baby Fall Down

T Bone Burnett III (born January 14, 1948) is an American record producer, musician, and songwriter. Burnett rose to fame as a guitarist in Bob Dylan's band during the 1970s. He has received multiple Grammy awards for his work in film music, including for O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) Cold Mountain (2004), Walk the Line (2005), and Crazy Heart (2010); and won another Grammy for producing the studio album Raising Sand (2007), in which he united the contemporary bluegrass of Alison Krauss with the blues rock of Robert Plant. 

Burnett helped start the careers of Counting Crows, Los Lobos, Sam Phillips, and Gillian Welch, and he revitalized the careers of Gregg Allman and Roy Orbison.[citation needed] He produced music for the television programs Nashville and True Detective. He has released several solo albums, including Tooth of Crime, which he wrote for a revival of the play by Sam Shepard. 

[Spotify]  Baby Fall Down

“Transmission”, Joy Division

This way: Transmission

Does I get any better than this? I don't think so. "Transmission" is a song by English band Joy Division. Originally recorded in 1978 for the band's aborted self-titled album, it was later re-recorded the following year at a faster tempo and released by record label Factory as the band's debut single.  "Transmission" was released on 7" vinyl in October 1979 by record label Factory. It was re-released as a 12" single with a different sleeve in December 1980.  

The song was performed once by the band on television, for the BBC Something Else programme. Twenty seconds of the song is shown in the movie Control (2007), directed by Anton Corbijn, a film based on the biography of Ian's wife, Deborah Curtis's Touching from a Distance.

[Spotify]  Transmission

“Blood Red Roses”, Storm Weather Shanty Choir

This way: Blood Red Roses

Storm Weather Shanty Choir is a 6-man sea shanty choir from Stord, an island on the west coast of Norway. They were formed in 2000, by shantyman Haakon Steinar Vatle, and used to introduce themselves as "the roughest, toughest and youngest boy band in Norway, singing 150 years old cover songs".

Storm Weather Shanty Choir celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2020, and the rock choir is in vogue like never before. The Storm Weather Shanty Choir is known for its hefty and inclusive concerts. 

[Spotify]  Blood Red Roses

“I Spit Roses”, Peter Murphy

 This way: I Spit Roses

Peter John Joseph Murphy (born 11 July 1957) is an English singer, songwriter, and musician. He was the vocalist of the goth rock band Bauhaus and later went on to release a number of solo albums, including Love Hysteria, Deep, and Holy Smoke. Thin with prominent cheekbones, a baritone voice, and a penchant for gloomy poetics. 

[Spotify]  I Spit Roses

“I Touch Roses”, Book of Love

This way: I Touch Roses

Book of Love are an American synthpop and electronic band, formed in 1983 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and later based in New York City. Led by vocalist Susan Ottaviano, the band also includes keyboardists Ted Ottaviano (no relation to Susan), Lauren Roselli and Jade Lee. The band gained its first exposure as the opening act for two Depeche Mode tours in 1985 and 1986. The group has been described by the Houston Press as "forward thinking" for lyrics dealing with sexual orientation and gender roles. This from 1986.

[Spotify]  I Touch Roses

“I'm Desperate”, BC Camplight

 This way: I'm Desperate

BC Camplight is the stage name of American songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Brian Christinzio.

His 2005 album Hide, Run Away was released by One Little Indian and featured Cynthia G. Mason on vocals. Camplight's follow up, Blink of a Nihilist, was released in 2007. The third album came out in January 2015 on Bella Union. Christinzio's later lyrics regularly explore his personal life and self-destructive tendencies, including struggles with depression and alcohol. 

[Spotify]  I'm Desperate