Sonic Youth - Superstar

Oh the irony.

Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft

Songs for Casey Lewis

Zoo Kid/King Krule - Out Getting Ribs

Cool song named after this (JM) Basquiat piece, which, I'm not much of a fan of Basquiat's stuff, but I realize he's really influential (or famous or whatever).

King Krule (if what I read is right) is the new stage name of Zoo Kid, whose real name is Archy Marshall. He's English.

Arthur Russell - A Little Lost

I've had people say they don't really like Arthur Russell's voice that much on this song. Jens Lekman has a pretty similar voice to Russell, but he's a better singer (less nasal, more control). I wish someone would do a version of "A Little Lost" that was somewhere between the these two-Russell's cello and instrumentation with a voice that people like (though Lekman's arrangement is quite good). And it bothers me how Lekman adjusted Russell's phrasing, changing "thinkin' 'bout" to a drawn out "thinking about." It seems like it shouldn't make a difference, but it does. In fact I think that whole line was phrased exactly right in Russell's version and Lekman drew it out way too long, but props to him for covering such a great song anyway.

Russell's vocals grew on me after a bit, so give it a chance.

Big Country - In A Big Country

Big Country-In A Big Country

I'm not being ironic. It's really good.

Otis Redding - That's How Strong My Love Is

Here's a live version by Doug Martsch. I never saw Otis Redding in concert, but I've seen Doug twice (once alone, once with Built to Spill) and really enjoyed it both times.

"So you know what Doug Martsch tells the big boys? That he likes Idaho--and his family--too much to hit the rock and roll road. Here's hoping he can turn a modest profit while sticking to the essence of this decision, one of the sanest biases in all indiedom. And here's hoping he keeps writing those songs and playing that guitar."

-Robert Christgau

Wilco - Someone Else's Song

If you asked me "Which is the best band in the world right now?" I'd probably say "Radiohead or Wilco." I don't listen to Radiohead that much though. 

Paul McCartney - Ram On

"Paul Ramon" is a name Paul McCartney used to use when he was checking in to hotels. Douglas Colvin was inspired by the pseudonym and started calling himself Dee Dee Ramone, which led to the the band he was in being called The Ramones. Cool, huh?

Tennis - Long Boat Pass