After the hell and fury surrounding the cowardly attacks on French, Lebanese and Iraqi citizens over the last few days, as well as a local scare around here, it’s good to calm the mind with the schmaltz of Takako Minekawa, covering this instrumental space-rock classic in an easy-listening-sort-of way.
Alternative/Indie
[Music] Sparklehorse – Weird Sisters
A real tragedy. Sparklehorse, led by Mark Linkous, were indie rock darlings, collaborating and touring with artists as wide-ranging as Fennesz and Radiohead. Unfortunately, Linkous also suffered with drug addiction and ensuing health problems for years, and took his life in 2010.
[Music] Fuzztones – She’s Wicked
Rudi Protrudi and The Fuzztones pull out a tune which fits the Halloween spirit (as well as reminds one of a few bad exes!).
[Music] Opera Lu – Televizori
Music from the ex-Yugoslavia is a region well worth exploring. Everything from Industrial and goth to power-pop was well-represented, and a lot of this material holds up quite well. Take, for example, Opera Lu, a band from Sarajevo, whose New-Wave sound compares favorably to bands like The Buzzcocks and The Real Kids.
[Music] Crisalida – Violeta Gris
Chilean progressive rock band Crisalida perform a song in honor of folk singer and visual artist Violeta Parra.
[Music Sample] Cuneiform Turns 30: The Albums of 2014
Washington D.C.-based Cuneiform Records has been publishing influential avant-prog rock music for three decades now. Steve Feigenbaum, the label’s owner, should be commended for bringing such groups like Univers Zero, Daniel Denis, Richard Pinhas and Happy Family to American consumers.
This compilation covers 30 years of great releases, and is available as a ‘name-your-price’ download, courtesy of Bandcamp.
[Music] Moloko – Fun For Me
For years, I had a crush on Róisín Murphy, singer of Moloko. That ended, to a degree, when she went solo, as little she’s done since Moloko’s breakup has moved me as much as this material did (and still does).
[Music] Les Big Byrd – Anywhere But Here
A new name for me, Les Big Byrd are a modern psychedelic music band which reminds me terribly of the legendary Krautrock band Neu!
[Music] Isihia [Исихия] – Lord I Called Thee [Господи Возвах]
[Music] Joy Division – Chance (Atmosphere)
Chance was the original working title to one of the most seminal songs of the New Wave–Post-Punk genre, Joy Division’s masterpiece, Atmosphere.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 