"If you want to be free, there is but one way; it is to guarantee an equally full measure of liberty to all your neighbors. There is no other." - Carl Schurz

"The saddest epitaph which can be carved in memory of a vanished liberty is that it was lost because its possessors failed to stretch forth a saving hand while yet there was time." - George Sutherland
"Whenever a separation is made between liberty and justice, neither, in my opinion, is safe." - Edmund Burke

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Sick on Halloween

This morning, I started getting the sniffles at work. This turned into a full-on sinus attack in no time at all. I purchased some Day-Quil at the MU but now that you can't get anything with pseudophedrine without a passport and a note from mum, all I could get was the new, "improved" formula. A full dose of phenylephrine seems to work for about half an hour, so it hardly seems worth the effort of swallowing. I had to leave early because I just couldn't take it anymore.

After downloading an obscene amount of music from Emusic (using ludicrously cheap booster packs) I fell asleep watching an episode of Nova about supermassive black holes. I was awakened by my roommate ringing the doorbell at almost 10 - he had forgotten his keys when he left this morning.

I am now listening to Miho Hatori's new album, Ecdysis. The decongestant is wearing off. I was going to stay up and watch Futurama on Adult Swim, but it comes on an hour later because I live in the one state that doesn't observe daylight savings time. Maybe I should just go to bed.

Whether I go to work tomorrow is still up in the air. If I call in, I can listen to music in bed all day. Good music is good for the immune system, I think. Maybe lots of rest, vitamin C and Frida Hyvönen are what I need. I'll play it by ear though.

My recommendations 2006:
Paper Television by The Blow

The Blow: Paper Television
K Records 10/24/2006

Available on Emusic

Considering the unabashedly histrionic subject matter of Khaela Maricich's songs, one would expect to see her performing at your local independent coffee house with an acoustic guitar, like many of her colleagues at K Records. Her surprising choice of drum machine and synthesizer is, strangely, an even better match for such emotional lyrics. No one can credibly accuse her of overthinking the beats, but they are infectious nonetheless. Trying to figure out the gender of the protagonist's paramour in each song adds to the charm of Paper Television.

Monday, October 30, 2006

My recommendations 2006:
Beneath Waves by Karl Blau

Karl Blau: Beneath Waves
K Records 1/24/2006

Available at Emusic

If one assumes that today's freak-folk represents the culmination of all Americana, one might be led to believe that Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger were the only American musicians that ever lived. Beneath Waves illustrates that Americana is more than folk-rock protest songs. Blau has fashioned this oceanic concept album from the sounds of both coasts - Beach Boys, Dinosaur Jr. and even Pixies. The melodies of Blau's songs prove to be just as infectious as those of his forebearers.

My recommendations 2006:
The Life Pursuit by Belle & Sebastian

Belle & Sebastian: The Life Pursuit
Matador 2/7/2006

Available at Emusic

If you never expected to rock out to a Belle & Sebastian guitar solo before The Life Pursuit, you're not alone. Surprisingly, though, the most recognizably twee band on the planet have made a very un-twee record. The Life Pursuit runs through every style of music that was popular ca. 1970, and they do it astonishingly well. At times, I wonder whether I'm listening to Love or T. Rex, but such interludes are short-lived. There is nobody that has a voice or a wit quite like that of Stuart Murdoch.

My recommendations 2006:
Gulag Orkestar by Beirut

Beirut: Gulag Orkestar
Ba Da Bing 5/9/2006

Available at Emusic

Gulag Orkestar's title gives a fairly good indication of how it sounds. The music evokes of images of WWII-era Eastern European military bands in Soviet captivity, marching in tattered uniforms with sheet music slightly seared at the edges. Horn sections and accordions form the foundations of most of the songs. It amazes me that a songwriter so young can so convincingly portray the misery of captivity and the dignity of a band that refuses to stop playing in spite of squalor and gloom.

My recommendations 2006:
Beach House by Beach House

Beach House: Beach House
Carpark 10/3/2006

Available at Emusic

Beach House couldn't have pickes a more apt name for themselves. Though one knows that this album is the work of two people, one gets a nagging sense that it's actually the result of millennia of natural forces: tides, gravity, wind. Drones and a generous helping of reverb give Beach House's debut an unmistakably pastoral quality. Only the faint echo of a woman's voice and the drum machine give away any human involvement.

American Poo

Holy crap!

LiveScience is reporting that the Miami Zoo is hosting an exhibit all about scat in the animal kingdom. If this promo is any indication, this exhibit really is the shit.



No confirmation yet on the rumor that R.E.M. is slated to perform their no. 2 hit single, "Everybody Poops," based on the popular children's book by a similar title.

Lunchtime blogging

When I decided to start recommending new music with a post for every album, I didn't realize how many I would be recommending. The challenge in such an endeavor is thinking of something substantive to say about each album to describe what I like about it. I think I'm succeeding, more or less, in this regard. In any case, I will continue but I will try to break it up with non-music-related posts. I have at least three recommendations to write today, possibly more.

Back to work now.

Saturday, October 28, 2006

My recommendations 2006:
Everything All the Time by Band of Horses

Band of Horses: Everything All the Time
Sub Pop 3/21/2006


Band of Horses craft catchy and deeply moving indie rock/pop tunes that are accessible without insulting the intelligence of the listener. There is nothing that could be called weird or experimental about their sound. The only remarkable thing about this album is that it's remarkably good. It's a mystery to me why they aren't hugely popular yet, but this is just their debut. There is still time, and if I have anything to do with it, they will be.

Friday, October 27, 2006

My recommendations 2006:
Citrus by Asobi Seksu

Asobi Seksu: Citrus
Friendly Fire 5/30/2006

Available at Emusic

For the life of me, I can't understand a word she's singing, even when it's in English. But, English or Japanese, who cares? These are some beautiful songs. They should have been signed to 4AD in 1986, but alas, they weren't around yet. Their fuzzy, etherial confections would have been right at home among acts like A.R. Kane and Cocteau Twins. Luckily, Asobi Seksu have emerged out of New York, not Japan as one might assume, to fill the niche left vacant by the demise of these bands and eventually carve their own.

My recommendations 2006:
Bang Bang Rock & Roll by Art Brut

Art Brut: Bang Bang Rock & Roll
Downtown 5/9/2006

Available at Emusic

Okay, so this isn't really "new" music if you count its original UK release in 2005 (or that its lead single, "Formed a Band", is already more than two years old), but it didn't see stateside release until this year. Like Arctic Monkeys, Art Brut is obsessed with being young in the city, but they deal with more mature problems like sexually-induced sleep deprivation and trying to relate to The Velvet Underground (to whom they owe more than perhaps they are willing to acknowledge). Though this album was relatively old before it could reach Americans unwilling to pay for imports, it remains fresher than most albums recorded this year.

My recommendations 2006:
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not by Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys: Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Domino 2/21/2006

Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not is an album that requires little effort on the part of the listener. Ordinarily, this is not a desirable quality in music, but in this case it means that it can be enjoyed fully on first listen and its appeal stands up after dozens of listens. While quite distinctly English, its subject matter is universal: being young in the city and trying to get drunk, high, laid, into the cool clubs, etc. Arctic Monkeys speak of Sheffield or London, but it may as well be Tucson or Austin at 2 A.M. Sunday morning.

My recommendations 2006:
The Last Romance by Arab Strap

Arab Strap: The Last Romance
Transdreamer 2/21/2006

It took me about four or five listens before I started to get The Last Romance. Aidan Moffat's drowsy brogue conveys a strange kind of romanticism borne of unceasing degradation and cynicism. The protagonist in these tracks is downtrodden and liquor-soaked, but he still tries feebly to make a connection and express what he figures must be love in spite of having lost the emotional vocabulary. Much as those who have lost their sight experience a heightening of their other senses, his clumsiness in matters of the heart reveals wisdom that can only be gained through disillusionment.

My recommendations 2006:
Be He Me by Annuals

Annuals: Be He Me
Ace Fu 10/17/2006

Annuals make me wonder whether they are a "band" or a "collective". There are moments when I picture a bunch of bearded patchouli-wearing neo-hippies playing improvised melodies on instruments chosen at random and having a great time doing it. Other times, fully developed sunny pop songs that resemble Oranges & Lemons-era XTC emerge with choruses and vocal harmonies like hundreds of golden helium-filled balloons being released simultaneously. Either way, the result is highly appealing.

Eyeball update

My eye is still red, though some days it looks like it's gradually improving. It was hurting slightly today on the way back from the Arizona University Libraries Conference in Flagstaff. If it doesn't show noticeable improvement by Monday, I'm going to call my doctor and ask for a referral to an ophthalmologist. If it is allergies, as my doctor believes, then wouldn't one expect one of the prescriptions for antihistamines to help somewhat?

There is no podcast this weekend because I haven't been listening to much music this week and I've been lax about keeping track of what I've been listening to. I've been reviewing some of the music that has been released this year and picking out albums to recommend. It's going to be a bigger project than I had originally anticipated because so many great albums have come out since January. Because of this, my podcasts for the next couple of months are likely to be heavy on very new music. So don't expect any Edith Piaf or Karlheinz Stockhausen next weekend.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

My recommendations 2006:
Some Echoes by Aloha

Aloha: Some Echoes
Polyvinyl 4/11/2006

Available at Emusic

Some Echoes is one of those albums that creeps up on you. The songs tend to blend into each other on the first few listens. However, unlike most indie rock bands, Aloha have a gift for novel arrangements and melodies that wriggle into your brain and lay eggs. After not too long, those eggs hatch and you try to remember where you heard that great song with the xylophone substituting for the bass. By the time you realize it's from Some Echoes, it's too late to resist.

My recommendations 2006:
Orchestra of Bubbles by Ellen Allien & Apparat

Ellen Allien & Apparat: Orchestra of Bubbles
Bpitch Control 5/2/2006

Musical collaboration between like-minded artists can be risky, but in the case of German techno artists Ellen Allien and Apparat, the fruit of their collaboration is the best work either has done. Oscillating somewhere between "techno" and "pop", Orchestra of Bubbles doesn't fit comfortably in either realm. Not one of these tracks comes off as designed to be danceable, but most could hold their own on a dance floor - with or without a 12" mix.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

My recommendations 2006:
120 Days by 120 Days

120 Days: 120 Days
Vice Records 10/10/2006

Available at Emusic

This Norwegian group has often been compared to New Order and Can, but to me it's more like Stereolab, or even what early Clan of Xymox might have sounded like if they had gained access to 21st-century recording technology. 120 Days pack sound elements densely, with bass and synths figuring prominently in the mix. Though almost all the same songs are in similar tempo, what they lack in variability they make up for in masterful use of their synths and effects pedals.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Eyeball blogging


My eye doesn't seem to be much better today. Yesterday, my doctor still maintained that the inflammation is being caused by allergies. He gave me two more prescriptions. It still remains to be seen whether they will help.

Work tofay was an interesting challenge. I only wore a contact lens in my right eye because I need to be able to see my computer screen. It was somewhat disorienting at first, but I adjusted fairly quickly to having lopsided vision. Nonetheless, I started getting a headache towards the end of the day.

I just listened to old podcasts today. No albums. I'm going to do something 2006-in-review-ish soon but I haven't decided what. I think it will involve highlighting my favorite albums of the year, but no countdown.

Monday, October 23, 2006

Morning listening

Off to my doctor's appointment. Wish me luck.

Here's this morning's listening:

  1. Michael Cashmore: Sleep England
  2. Ludicra: Fex Urbis Lex Orbis
  3. The Paper Chase: Now You Are One of Us
  4. Phon: The Orm
  5. Rope: Heresy, and Then Nothing But Tears
  6. Christopher Willits: Surf Boundaries

But there was an eyball starin' at me between her parted lips!


This picture doesn't quite do it justice, but you can see how red my eye is nonetheless.

R.I.P., Sandy West


Pitchfork is reporting that Sandy West (second from the left), drummer for the influential all-female metal/punk band The Runaways, passed away this past Saturday from lung cancer at the age of 47. The Runaways' official site has begun a touching tribute to West, upon which they will soon expand.

Eyeballs, eyeballs, eyeballs floating through the air

My eye has not improved despite having faithfully used two prescriptions of eyedrops since Thursday. I've just spoken to my doctor's office and the soonest they can get me in is two this afternoon.

I'm currently listening to Michael Cashmore's (Nature and Organisation, Current 93) gorgeous debut solo album, Sleep England, and wondering why Lisa Gerrard doesn't collaborate with him. Her four albums since leaving Dead Can Dance, i.e., The Mirror Pool, Duality, Immortal Memory and The Silver Tree, have been increasingly formulaic and New Age-y. I wish she would make some kind of creative departure and do something unexpected. She has such great potential if she could just break from her rut. Cashmore's guitar work would be a great complement for Gerrard's voice, I think.

I will now plop down in front of the TV until it's time to leave for my appointment.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

paleunderweight podcast 29

Now available:

  1. The Gothic Archies: "Crows"
  2. The Tiger Lillies: "Hailstones"
  3. Tim Hecker: "Dungeoneering"
  4. Kate Bush: "Cloudbusting"
  5. Casiotone for the Painfully Alone: "I Love Creedence"
  6. Peter Bjorn and John: "Amsterdam"
  7. Beach House: "Childhood"
  8. 120 Days: "I've Lost My Vision"
  9. Califone: "Burned by the Christians"
  10. Bonnie "Prince" Billy: "Lay and Love"
  11. Bert Jansch feat. Beth Orton: "Katie Cruel"
  12. Joseph Arthur: "Don't Give Up on People"
  13. Man Man: "Zebra"
  14. Ali Farka Touré: "Ledi Coumbe"
  15. M. Gira/D. Matz: "Quiet One"
  16. Bob Dylan: "Nettie Moore"
  17. Rufus Wainwright: "Katonah"

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Eyeball in my martini


The good news is I get to keep my eye.

The bad news is that I must go without contact lenses for five days, which is probably a little worse that going five days without eyes because I can just see enough to give me a headache. I am going to take tomorrow off and rest my eyes over the weekend. This means little or no blogging or computer activity. Except for the podcast, of course.

Here's what I've been listening to since this morning:

  1. Peter Bjorn and John: Writer's Block
  2. Oxford Collapse: Remember the Night Parties
  3. Shoplifting: Body Stories
  4. Bound Stems: Appreciation Night
  5. Witch: Witch
  6. The Capitol Years: Dance Away the Terror
  7. Kelly: Shoes
  8. LCD Soundsystem: 45:33

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

These shoes rule; these shoes SUCK!

Just in case I'm not the last person on Earth who hasn't seen this.

"You ain't crazy; you ain't insane; it's just you got an eyeball in the center of your brain!"

Tomorrow I see the doctor because my left eye has been swollen for about two to three weeks.

I wonder if they can fit me with a glass eye that will closely match my distinctive shade of green. I understand they move around with the muscles just like the real thing. I do like the natural look, but maybe a novelty eye would be more up my alley:


Here's what I've been listening to:

  1. Tim Hecker: Harmony in Ultraviolet
  2. Lisa Gerrard: The Silver Tree
  3. Blood Meridian: Kick Up the Dust
  4. Califone: Roots & Crowns
  5. Robert Pollard: Normal Happiness
  6. The Be Good Tanyas: Hello Love
  7. Luomo: Paper Tigers
  8. Bert Jansch: The Black Swan

Monday, October 16, 2006

Envy

I have yet another reason to resent living in Phoenix.

Bonnie "Prince" Billy is touring in support of his new album, The Letting Go, which is easily one of the best albums of 2006 so far. Unfortunately, like most good acts, he will not be coming to Phoenix. San Francisco gets not one, but two shows: October 30th and 31st. MD and The Bear, to be sure, will attend at least one. I will be green with envy.

Here is what I've been listening to:

  1. The Gothic Archies: The Tragic Treasury: Songs From a Series of Unfortunate Events
  2. Bob Dylan: Modern Times
  3. Ali Farka Touré: Savane
  4. Oh No! Oh My!: Oh No! Oh My!
  5. Cold War Kids: Robbers & Cowards

Friday, October 13, 2006

Friday

  1. Kate Bush: Lionheart
  2. V/A: Plague Songs
  3. 120 Days: 120 Days
  4. Joseph Arthur: Nuclear Daydream
  5. Beach House: Beach House

My nipples can cut glass right now...

...because of the score for the new film, The Fountain!

In addition to the trailers looking pretty darn cool, Pitchfork is reporting an exciting (and strangely arousing) collaboration on the score.

Clint Mansell formerly of The Pop Will Eat Itself! Mogwai! Kronos Quartet! ANTONY HEGARTY!!!

Gah! I make happy noises!

You can stream the track here.

No podcast tonight because Michael and I are going to Tucson for the weekend.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Staying sane in a world gone mad

It's difficult not to be angry and/or frightened at much of what's going on in the world. The country is facing its most dire Constitutional crisis since the 1860's. The dominant political party harbors pedophiles while they marginalize gay men and women who want nothing but the freedom to love and/or fuck consenting adults. The nightmare scenarios of human-induced climate change models are coming true. Archaeological data is confirming that we are on the same path of destruction that previous failed societies have followed, but we are moving much faster. Our government is still wasting American money and American lives on fake WMD's, leaving us unable to deal with real WMD's elsewhere.

All of this, to be sure, is troubling. Nonetheless, a cursory survey of human history shows that the world has always been mad - at least since the advent of agriculture. How, I ask myself, can I maintain my sanity in spite of the insanity surrounding me?

I feel a twitch of revelation/inspiration when I think of someone like Woody Guthrie:

I've always had a fondness for the slogan emblazoned across Woody's guitar: This Machine Kills Fascists. Music has the power to defeat fascism because it can open people's minds and persuade them to consider things from another perspective. Fascists seek to silence all viewpoints but their own, so music - all art, really - is the natural enemy of fascism.

Woody's simple but revolutionary message was that one cannot afford to stop having or expressing unpopular opinions if one is to have any hope of retaining the right to opinions at all. Your machine can kill fascists, too. All you have to do is use it to communicate with someone. I think this is the key to holding onto your wits while trapped in the nut house that we call Earth.

This is what I've been listening to the past few days:

  1. Gnarls Barkley: St. Elsewhere
  2. Bonnie "Prince" Billy: The Letting Go
  3. TV on the Radio: Return to Cookie Mountain
  4. Man Man: The Man in a Blue Turban With a Face
  5. Casiotone for the Painfully Alone: Etiquette
  6. Final Fantasy: He Poos Clouds
  7. XTC: Skylarking
  8. Kate Bush: Hounds of Love
  9. V/A: Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man

Monday, October 09, 2006

Anniversary dinner photo


Here's what I've been listening to today:

  1. Tokyo Police Club: A Lesson in Crime EP
  2. Subtle: for hero: for fool
  3. Snowglobe: Oxytocin
  4. Comets on Fire: Avatar
  5. M. Gira/D. Matz: What We Did

Sunday, October 08, 2006

paleunderweight podcast 28

Now available.

  1. The Hold Steady: "Chill Out Tent"
  2. My Robot Friend feat. Antony: "One More Try"
  3. Monster Movie: "3#"
  4. Beck: "Strange Apparition"
  5. My Brightest Diamond: "The Good & Bad Guy"
  6. Sunset Rubdown: "A Day in the Graveyard II"
  7. Broken Social Scene: "Stars and Sons"
  8. Josephine Foster: "The Golden Window"
  9. The Clash: "The Card Cheat"
  10. Sparklehorse: "Mountains"
  11. The Decemberists: "Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)"
  12. Lambchop: "The Decline of Country and Western Civilization"
  13. Espers: "Firefly Refrain"
  14. Jason Forrest: "Inkhuk"
  15. Ensemble: "One Kind Two Minds"
  16. Indian Jewelry: "Lost My Sight"
  17. Akron/Family: "No Space in This Realm"

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Anniversary

It's unfortunate that the previous post is such a downer. Actually, I am very happy right now because today Michael and I celebrate one year together.

Happy anniversary, sweetie. I love you.

Here is what I've been listening to since yesterday:

  1. The Decemberists: The Crane Wife
  2. Beck: The Information
  3. The Hold Steady: Boys and Girls in America
  4. Lambchop: Damaged
  5. Wolf Eyes: Human Animal
  6. Ladyhawk: Ladyhawk
  7. Indian Jewelry: Invasive Exotics
  8. V/A: The Believer 25th Issue Compilation
  9. The Clash: London Calling
  10. Broken Social Scene: You Forgot It in People
  11. My Robot Friend: Dial 0

Foley

Much has been said about the Mark Foley scandal in recent days. Much of it has been said more insightfully and eloquently than I possibly could. However, a crucial perspective seems to be missing from the dialogue. I feel I am qualified to provide such a perspective.

I'm usually pretty open about myself on this blog. I feel comfortable blogging about pretty much anything as long as I'm not revealing personal information about anyone else or saying anything that would otherwise be harmful. Nevertheless, I'm a little uncomfortable being so open regarding what I'm about to reveal, but I feel it will serve a constructive purpose.

The missing perspective is that of someone who was exploited while still a teenager by an older man. In my case, it was several older men.

I came out at the age of sixteen. At this time in my life, my mother was barely present. My step-father was in prison. I was almost entirely without guidance at a time when I was especially vulnerable. I began hanging out at bars that had a reputation of never asking for identification in order to reach out to other gay men. I found some new friends, some of whom are my closest friends even today, but I also found some older men who had anything but my best interests in mind. They found it fairly easy to convince me to do things I didn't want to do, or sometimes things I thought I wanted to do at the time. Either way, I didn't have the maturity or life experience to anticipate the consequences.

I found myself repeating a destructive pattern. I would start hanging out with an older man I met at the bar. He would first offer conversation, friendship and understanding. He would tell me that I was more mature and interesting than most men his own age. Then, while we hung out some night at his place, he would offer me beer or pot. Shortly thereafter we would be in bed. After one or two nights like this, I would find myself discarded. I would beat myself up for thinking he liked or even loved me and letting him take advantage. My already low self-esteem continued to decline. This left me even more vulnerable for the next one.

Predators of this variety exploit the insecurities of young men and women to get sexual satisfaction. It best, it's morally reprehensible. At worst, when the prey is below the age of consent, it's a crime.

The real story is not that Foley tried to lure (or perhaps succeeded at luring) sixteen- and seventeen-year-old boys into sex, but that some in the Republican leadership knew it was happening and did nothing. How can anyone with a conscience fail to intervene when a colleague is hurting children? This is exactly the problem with today's Republican Party: those in charge think that they are exempt from the moral pronouncements they try to force on everyone else.

I used to believe that one's party affiliation said more about one's beliefs on government spending than the quality of one's character. Perhaps it was true at one time. Today, however, it is increasingly difficult to be a Republican and have any moral credibility, just as one cannot credibly claim to be a decent, upstanding Nazi. Sooner or later, every Republican with a shred of decency will leave the party out of disgust for what it has become.

I am more resilient now and I know how to take care of myself. However, I will never forget the pain that was inflicted on me by men like Foley. I feel deep compassion for every page that Foley exploited or tried to exploit. I am glad that this is beginning to come to light, not because it will give my party a political advantage, but because it will remove from power some of those who are willing to let children be harmed for personal gain.

Monday, October 02, 2006

Sunday & Monday

  1. Sparklehorse: Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain
  2. Jason Forrest: The Unrelenting Songs of the 1979 Post Disco Crash
  3. Akron/Family: Meek Warrior
  4. Ensemble: Ensemble
  5. My Brightest Diamond: Bring Me the Workhorse
  6. Sunset Rubdown: Sunset Rubdown EP
  7. Monster Movie: All Lost
  8. The Heads: Under the Stress of a Headlong Drive

Sunday, October 01, 2006

Keep Your Jesus Off My Penis

paleunderweight podcast 27

Now available.

  1. Sparks: "Dick Around"
  2. Jens Lekman: "Maple Leaves"
  3. The Fall: "I Am Damo Suzuki"
  4. Teddybears feat. Iggy Pop: "Punkrocker"
  5. Nico: "You Forgot to Answer"
  6. Nine Inch Nails: "Sunspots"
  7. This Mortal Coil: "Tarantula"
  8. The Blow: "The Big U"
  9. The Magnetic Fields: "Busby Berkeley Dreams"
  10. Destroyer: "What Road"
  11. Wolf Parade: "Shine a Light"
  12. Nina Nastasia: "Lee"
  13. Scissor Sisters: "The Other Side"
  14. The Cure: "Siamese Twins"
  15. Richard Thompson: "Row Boys, Row"
  16. Lupe Fiasco: "The Instrumental"
  17. Diamanda Galás: "At the Dark End of the Street"