1. The Avett Brothers, “I and Love and You”
Probably my current favorite band, introduced to me by the lovely Lawrentian chef, Sara Joss. This band from North Carolina combines bluegrass, folk, punk and pop and creates the best live show I’ve seen in a while.
2. The Brian Jonestown Massacre, “You Look Great When I’m Fucked Up”
They make some pretty great, kind of psychedelic music, but it’s too bad that front man Anton Newcombe can’t seem to keep himself together – or his band for that matter … they’ve had over 40 members in their 20-ish years of existence. I would recommend watching “Dig!” the documentary about this band’s friendship/competition with fellow Northwestern band the Dandy Warhols – you get to see someone smash a sitar … if that kind of thing appeals to you.
3. The Frames, “New Partner”
This song is a Will Oldham – aka Bonnie “Prince” Billy – cover. Anyone who knows me at all is aware of my love – read: obsession – for Glen Hansard, the lead man of the lovely Irish band The Frames. His voice still puts me in some sort of strange trance.
4. Neil Young, “Everybody Knows this is Nowhere”
Canadian! I grew up listening to Neil Young on a cassette tape in our old Volvo, and his was the first concert that I ever attended. The album named after this track has some other great raw-sounding songs, like my personal favorite, “Down By the River.”
5. Carole King, “So Far Away”
I thought that I didn’t like female singers until I heard Carole King’s album “Tapestry.” She’s totally badass … man.
6. Phantom Planet, “Do the Panic”
I seemed to have a thing for bands from Southern California in high school, and Phantom Planet was on the top of the list. Also … they really like zombies.
7. The Decemberists, “The Chimbley Sweep”
They put on such a great dramatic show, especially since the release of their most recent album, “The Hazards of Love,” which is in the form of a rock opera. I think that Colin Meloy may very well be the best storyteller of our time.
8. Vetiver, “Been So Long”
This band is a part of the “freak folk” movement, or whatever you want to call it, and used to include Devendra Banhart. Their recordings are quite pleasant, though they tend to be a little bit boring, but in live shows they seem to take more chances and make more interesting music.
9. Johnny Cash, “Folsom Prison Blues”
I have wonderful associations with this song that include my lovely London roomie Jenna singing and playing it on ukulele on our little window seat, watching the little school children, bobbies, and the occasional eccentric filmmaker with a very large hat stroll by.
10. Spoon, “The Two Sides of Monsieur Valentine”
The first time I heard this song was when I helped a friend shoot a music video for it in high school. Also, fun fact: My wonderful roommate Celeste used to live in the apartment whose previous tenant was the keyboard player of Spoon.