Rubbing The Scabrous Flakes Of Sinister Conspiracy Off Yr Pointy Gargamel Chin

Jody may indeed be going “batshit insane”, but she speaks words of truth. If I spent as much time dealing with some of the knuckleheads she regularly engages with over on ILM, I’m sure I’d be batshit insane by now too, at least in regards to her subject matter.

What Do Giving It Up And Chewing On Foil Have In Common?

Shudder To Think “X French Tee Shirt” – Inspired by what Russ and Paul have written about Shudder To Think’s Pony Express Record in the past week, I’m offering an MP3 of one that album’s finest songs for those of you who may not be familiar with the record. “X French Tee Shirt” was a modest hit at the time of the album’s release, it was briefly in MTV’s “Buzz Bin” rotation and played on the more progressive alt-rock radio stations across the US. These days, this song would not have a prayer of getting that kind of airplay; it just goes to show how incredibly conservative radio has become since the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

The Dirtbombs “Livin’ For The City” – I found this via Vic Funk, whose track record for recommending excellent songs has been consistently spot-on for as long as I’ve known him. (Well, aside from Julie Doiron…) I’m pretty sure that this is the best Stevie Wonder cover that I’ve ever heard.

The Delgados “Mr. Blue Sky” – Normally I think that The Delgados are pretty boring, but I’m very fond of this cover of the currently ubiquitous ELO song which I discovered via this ILM thread.

If it weren’t already being offered on her own website, I’d put up an MP3 of Laura Cantrell’s “All The Same To You”, which I’ve been enjoying quite a bit lately. If only all of the crossover pop country music in the world were more like this, and a whole lot less like Shania Twain and Faith Hill. Laura, as many of you probably know, is the proprietress of WFMU’s Radio Thrift Shop and has the prettiest southern accent that this northern lad has ever heard.

Otis Redding “Try A Little Tenderness” – The ‘definitive version’, recorded live at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. This is an amazing live recording, the studio recording of this song really doesn’t come anywhere close to this version.

…and special for Luke:

Morrissey “Jack The Ripper”