the shins – wincing the night away – sleeping lessons
it’s 2007. james mercer and his albuquerque bunch release their third and final album for sub pop. i love this band. i love this song. it is gorgeous, epic, and untouchable. if port of morrow, their next album due for release next month, comes anywhere near as brilliant as this song. i’m sold.
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the cult – love – she sells sanctuary
it’s 1985. the british lads release their sophomore album featuring their best and arguably most famous song. it’s got one of the most recognizable guitar melodies to come out of the 80s. i’ve many a happy and debaucherous memories with this song and lead singers just don’t wear white spandex anymore. just saying.
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japan – adolescent sex
it’s 1978. the british androgynous lads release their debut album. it’s a highly overlooked and fantastic piece of work. their new romantic look and glam-rock combo make them one of the sexiest bands ever. not to mention when you google japan and adolescent sex you get all kinds of xxx search results on google. forward thinking on their part?
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super furry animals – fuzzy logic – something 4 the weekend
it’s 1996. gruff rhys and his fellow welsh boys release their debut album, after the now famous actor rhys evans departed from the band. the furry bunch have released nine albums to date and gruff has sustained quite the respectable solo career, securing their place in music history as one of the greatest bands to come out of the uk. below is their debut performance on jool holland’s later.
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the jesus and mary chain – psychocandy – just like honey
it’s 1985. the glasgow bunch release their debut album featuring this amazing track, which aside from being used at the end of lost in translation is their most notable song, next to “reverance” which is on honey’s dead, their fourth album. pyschocandy has been heralded by many critics and music lovers alike as one of the best albums of all time and we agree. you just don’t hear guitar lines like the reids’ anymore.
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the cramps – songs the lord taught us – i was as teenage werewolf
it’s 1980. cbgb rockabilly pioneers release their debut album. they exuded grit, sex, and grease. bands just do not exist anymore that come close to their swagger and campiness. they released thirteen albums, their last in 2002.
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the walkmen – everyone who pretended to like me is gone – we’ve been had
it’s 2002. the new york boys release their debut album. it’s a stunner and if you aren’t a fan, then, wait, no you must be. we all are. this track is still my all-time favorite walkmen song and when the cold weather comes, it’s a staple. i’m sure i’ve developed at least a couple of swollen lymph nodes screaming these lyrics.
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the church – starfish – under the milky way
it’s 1988. the aussie guys release their sixth and most successful album, featuring their most famous song. they’ve released 20 albums to date, but “under the milky way” will always be their signature. this is one of my favorite choruses of all time and the video is classic late 80′sness. a highlight is when the lady cracks an egg over a hand mirror and a human eye falls out. oh yes.
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leonard cohen – songs from a room – bird on a wire
it’s 1969. one of canada’s greatest gifts, mr. leonard cohen, releases his second album and this is the album’s opener. it will become one of his most famous songs. it’s been covered more times than need be counted. in fact, many of his songs have been covered and i’m sure will continue to be for many years to come. hallelujah. (pun intended)
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weezer – pinkerton – the good life
it’s 1996. the l.a. boys release their sophomore album. rivers wrote a lot of this album while attending harvard university, pretty impressive eh? this song and this album are largely considered their fans’ favorites, including myself. who hasn’t screamed the lyrics to this song at one point or another? that’s what i thought.
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romeo void – benefactor – never say never
it’s 1982. the san fran new wave post-punkers release their sophomore album, the follow up to their highly acclaimed debut, it’s a condition. this single may be their most notable. i’ve surely cut many a rug to this song and the video is kind of awesome in all its terribleness. it’s still got one of the best lines in any song, ever – “i might like you better if we slept together.” tah-rue.
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dead man’s bones – dead hearts
it’s 2009. ah yes, a mere two years ago ryan gosling and zach shields surprised us all with their stellar halloween themed album. i’m sure in the years to come, it will still be my go-to candy corn eating album. if you are having a hard time getting in the ghoulish spirit, their self-titled album should do you right. oh, and don’t forget to turn off the lights.
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unkle – psyence fiction – rabbit in your headlights (feat. thom yorke)
it’s 1998. the london electronic duo release their debut album. i was always a fan of dj shadow, so loving unkle’s first album was second nature. the whole album is a knockout, but in particular this song, with help from mr. yorke, is a standout, in part because the video is one of the most incredible of all time. directed by the mega genius, jonathan glazer, the payoff in this video is unmatched.
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nancy sinatra – how does that grab you – bang bang
it’s 1966. frank sinatra’s daughter releases her second studio album and covers this song that sonny bono wrote and cher released earlier the same year. i prefer nancy’s version over cher’s, as its simplicity makes the song’s lyrics most effective. of course, kill bill revived the song in modern day pop culture. it’s a killer song if ever i heard one and it certainly doesn’t hurt that nancy is one hell of a looker.
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when in rome – the promise
it’s 1988. the manchester lads release their first and only album featuring this song, which i’ve never gotten enough of. the opening piano melody is so classic, it’s been the soundtrack for many a new wave appropriate experience in my life. the band broke up two years after the release of their self-titled album, but have toured since.
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