From a pixies cover album... this Weezer version of Velouria is solid...a combo of two great things... Weezer and Pixies. The rest of the album is mostly useless.
2. Daniel Johnston -- To Go Home
Daniel Johnston, for those of you who don't know, is a true original. He has serious psychological issues and has even spent some time committed to an asylum, but he has also produced a whole bunch of fantastic music. He can barely sing, can barely play any instruments, recorded most of his most well-known music on a self-made cassette recording system... yet his ability to tap into true, uncensored emotion is awe-inspiring. This song is no exception. The chorus is truly heartbreaking, beautiful, and raw. It is no wonder he has been covered by many more conventional acts.
3. Void -- War Hero
Early Washington D.C. hardcore from the Dischord record label (of Minor Threat fame). Void was the second side of a split lp, side one was Faith. Void is very psychotic...chaotic... all feedback and screaming, yet somehow more original that the usual speedcore of the early 80's.
4. The Bangles -- All About You
If the only thing you know of The Bangles is Walk Like An Egyptian, Manic Monday, and Eternal Flame.... you are sorely missing out. All Over The Place, the Bangles first full-length album, is a true classic pop album. Let me say this again... a classic pop album. It is musically solid, lyrically solid, and includes the talents of all four members of The Bangles.... all write and sing songs on this disk. All About You is a great song about a suspicious girl, her possibly cheating guy, and the lengths she will go to ....to find out the truth.
5. The Decemberists -- Eli, The Barrow Boy
The Decemberists are indie darlings, and rightly so. They have the ability to write intricate, ornate, and highly literate pop songs. Sure, some may hate the sound of the lead singers voice, some may find them lyrically obscure, but for those who like original indie/pop, The Decemberists are solid. All of their releases are good. Eli, The Barrow Boy is a beautiful little ditty. Advice... it never hurts to listen to The Decemberists with a dictionary nearby.
6. Sunny Day Real Estate -- Grendel
Not one of my favorite songs from the Diary album by Sunny Day Real Estate. This album has been hailed, along with Pinkerton, as the beginning of the Emo movement (shudder). Why those two great albums are burdened with such a foul designation is beyond me. Suffice it to say, if you haven't checked out Sunny Day Real Estate.... give it a spin. Also, solo work by lead singer Jeremy Enigk is also quite interesting.
7. Simon And Garfunkel --
The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)
Although I prefer Bookends and Sounds of Silence over this album, there is lots of good stuff here as well. This may not be as serious, some would say pretentious, as other Simon and Garfunkel songs. Either way, Feelin' Groovy captures what makes some of us fans of Simon and Garfunkel: gorgeous harmonies, sparkling song structures, and downright nostalgia. I'm also a huge fan of The Graduate... so there's that.
8. Queens of the Stoneage -- Song For The Deaf
QOTSA are definitely at the top of the stoner-rock heap. I love the heaviness Dave Grohl added to this album. His skills are in full-effect on Song For The Deaf. It rocks, 'nuff said.
9. Prince -- 1999
Prince really raised the bar for funk/soul with this album and never looked back. He somehow took the experimental edge of funk, the musicianship of Hendrix, the dancing of James Brown, the sleaziness of Rick James and mixed it all together to make wildly popular songs. He even made a keyboard player wearing a surgeon's outfit look cool ... for a minute. Purple Rain just basically continued the pattern set here. Oh yeah, the song... you've all heard it.
10. Elliott Smith -- I Didn't Understand
This final song off of XO is arguably the most beautiful song Elliott Smith ever recorded... and that is saying something. It is nothing but layer upon layer of Elliott's vocals ... all combining to make the song. I really can't describe the effect... just spend 3 minutes of your life listening to it... you'll thank me later.
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