I've Always Liked The Sad Songs...

It really doesn't matter how I'm feeling, I love me a good sad song. Life can be as chipper as possible (and in most ways it has been lately) and still I'm a glutton for some melodic misery. I've been questioned about it a million times and my only great explanation is that it's definitely the emotional vicarious thrill and not the therapy that most people suppose it to be. There's just nothing like that wash of bummedness drifting over you. On that note, here are some of my recent faves; they aren't thoroughly bummed, but they deliver nonetheless. Enjoy.

Right Away, Great Captain - "Down To Your Soul".
Right Away, Great Captain - "Memories From A Shore (Anna No)".
Royal City - "I Called But You Were Sleeping".
Saxon Shore - "Nothing Changes".

The Boss (Covered & Covering)

Knowing that my 18-year old self would be reeling in horror right about now, I press on with a blog post about Bruce Springsteen. A few days back I heard yet another version of his classic "Tougher Than The Rest" (courtesy of Camera Obscura this time) and was reminded what an incredible songwriter he can occasionally be (if you have not heard "Nebraska", stop everything and go purchase it right now; seriously). I've loved this song ever since the Everything But The Girl cover back in 1992 and though Camera Obscura's version doesn't stray much from that one, there's a refreshingness to it all the same.

All of this mainly just reminded me that I really needed to post Springsteen's version of Suicide's classic "Dream Baby Dream". Bruce's version tops the original by a mile and shows an almost shoegazey side of Bruce that I would have never suspected. This 2005 live version was released recently as part of the 10" vinyl series on Blast First Petite celebrating Suicide's Alan Vega's 70th birthday (along with an insane live Suicide box set from 1977-1978). Enjoy.

Camera Obscura - "Tougher Than The Rest" (Springsteen Cover) (Live KEXP 06-June-2009).
Everything But The Girl - "Tougher Than The Rest" (Springsteen Cover).
Bruce Springsteen - "Dream Baby Dream" (Suicide Cover). Youtube.

A Baker's Dozen : Volume 15

Some faves over the past four months or so. Enjoy.

01 - Johnny Foreigner - "Feels Like Summer".
02 - Two Door Cinema Club - "Undercover Martyn".
03 - Phoenix - "Countdown (Sick For The Big Sun)".
04 - Fanfarlo - "Fire Escape".
05 - Marching Band - "Travel In Time".
06 - Parachutes - "Tree Roots Turn To Forts".
07 - Peggy Sue - "Lover Gone".
08 - Jessica Lea Mayfield - "For Today (Live "Have You Heard" Session)".
09 - Bowerbirds - "Northern Lights".
10 - Airship - "Algebra".
11 - The Answering Machine - "Obviously Cold".
12 - Anamanaguchi - "Dawn Metropolis".
13 - Winston Audio - "Troubles".

A Century Removed: The Soup Dragons - "Whole Wide World"

The "I Hang Suspended" blog recently posted the first three singles by The Soup Dragons, all of which were released by The Subway Organization between 1986-1987. The first of these, the "Whole Wide World" single, remains one of my all-time favorite singles. I was fortunate enough to buy it on a trip to England with my parents in 1987 thanks to an awesome shop owner in Preston, England (who also fortunately convinced me to pick up the first three Talulah Gosh singles; proof that record-store owners can be great taste makers). I wore out the grooves of this 7" that summer and only later found the additional 12" track of "Pleasantly Surprised". I realize that it's 22 years later now, but these songs still have the bounce of the best Buzzcocks tracks. Enjoy.

The Soup Dragons - "Whole Wide World".
The Soup Dragons - "I Know Everything".
The Soup Dragons - "Pleasantly Surprised".

Songs The Cramps Taught Us

Earlier this year, music fiends everywhere mourned the passing of the great Lux Interior, lead singer of The Cramps. In the wake of that sad event, loads of music both by The Cramps and music that inspired The Cramps has risen from the ashes to keep Lux's legacy alive.

This is a tribute post to Lux, compiling links of the garage/rockabilly/blues/surf/trash music that inspired The Cramps. Dig in. There are some real gems here.

- Songs The Cramps Taught Us volumes One, Two, and Three, courtesy of Dr. Faustroll.
- The Purple Knif Radio Show, hosted by Lux Interior, also courtesy of Dr. Faustroll.
- Lux & Ivy's Favorites, Volumes 1 through 11, courtesy of WMFU DJ Kogar the Swinging Ape.
- Finally, an obscurity from The Cramps, the 1979 "All Tore Up" demos courtesy of Detailed Twang.

There's a ton of music there. Enjoy. It will take me years to digest it all.

"I think the people who don't understand The Cramps are square, uptight, repressed people, and I don't know, there are probably so many things they don't understand that it's just sad for them". - Lux Interior, R.I.P..

Samples:
The Collins Kids - "Whistle Bait".
The Trashmen - "Surfin' Bird".
The Sonics - "Strychnine".
Hasil Adkins - "She Said".
The Novas - "The Crusher".

Ume - The Conductor

This song has been floating around for a few months and I'm not sure why I never paid much attention to it. These Austinites take the "Loveless" template, put a major fist behind it and then pull it all back in an insanely catchy chorus. I'm addicted.

Ume - The Conductor (purchase here / watch video here).

Slow Club : Bandstand Busking

Just an FYI here. If you are a fan of the mighty Slow Club, then get over to Bandstand Busking and check out these performances. And while you're there, Frightened Rabbit is worth a listen as well.

Pure & Unadulterated Northern Soul : Volume 1

While looking through the archives recently for a certain disc, I came across a self-made compilation entitled "Pure & Unadulterated Northern Soul: Volume 1". I remember that I had four volumes of this which I would use when DJing Northern Soul nights around Los Angeles. I also copied these discs for interested friends.

I'm posting this compilation in its entirety here as it's as perfect a "Northern Soul's Greatest Hits!" mix as anything you are likely to find. Some of these songs are complete classics for me. I could go on and on, but it's better for you to just listen to the music (for more information on Northern Soul go here). More volumes to come if I can find them. In the meantime, put on your dancing shoes and talc up the floor.

01 - George Lemons - "Fascinating Girl" (Instrumental version).
02 - The Majestics - "It Hurts Me".
03 - Detroit Soul - "All Of My Life".
04 - Frank Wilson - "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)".
05 - Willie Tee - "Walking Up A One-Way Street".
06 - The Supremes - "He's All I Got".
07 - Etta James & Sugar Pie DeSanto - "Do I Make Myself Clear".
08 - Timothy Wilson - "I Must Love You".
09 - The Creation - "I Got The Fever".
10 - The Chi-Lites - "Love Bandit".
11 - The Olympics - "I'll Do A Little Bit More".
12 - The Impressions - "You've Been Cheatin'".
13 - Chubby And The Turnpikes - "I Didn't Try".
14 - Frankie Beverly And The Butlers - "If That's What You Wanted".
15 - The Wooden Nickels - "More Than A Friend".
16 - The Remarkables - "I Can't Give Up On Losing You".
17 - Cindy Scott - "I Love You Baby".
18 - Chuck Wood - "Seven Days Too Long".
19 - The Ivories - "Please Stay".
20 - The Jades - "I'm Where It's At".
21 - The Fabulous Peps - "With These Eyes".
22 - Bobby Paris - "Personally".
23 - Percy Wiggins - "It Didn't Take Much".
24 - The Opals - "I'm So Afraid".
25 - The Epitome Of Sound - "You Don't Love Me".
26 - The O'Jays - "I Dig Your Act".
27 - Sunny And The Sunliners - "If I Could See You Now".
28 - The Seven Souls - "I Still Love You".