Shotty's Classic Series #9: Breadcrumb Trail kicks off the seminal indie LP "Spiderland," renowned for its dynamic shifts and more famous closer "Good Morning, Captain." Using a repetitive, spindly riff, an everyday carnival trip is shrouded in malice with every lyric, before the chorus brings the descent into madness. Math rock par excellence!
Shotty's Classic Series #17: Massive Attack's debut Blue Lines practically invented trip-hop, and by 1998's Mezzanine, they'd perfected the songcraft. Overshadowed by the album's one-two-three-four punch of songs right at the beginning, Black Milk is an excellent mid-tempo lurker that's carried out of the darkness by Cocteau Twin Elizabeth Frazer's sensual vocals.
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Shotty's Classic Series #10: Air's masterpiece debut "Moon Safari" flips that cold electronica feel upside-down, by combining warm ambience and pop sensibilities. The epic opener's bubbling bassline and soothing atmospherics amount to one of the genre's most well-crafted electrolullabyes (in a good way!).
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One of Santana's best fusion albums! 01) Eternal Caravan of Reincarnation [4:28] 02) Waves Within [3:54]
Part 1 of the 2002 electronica masterpiece. 01) Ready Let's Go [0:59] 02) Music Is Math [5:21] 03) Beware the Friendly Stranger [0:37]
Shotty's Classic Series #6: Was there life before Kyuss? It's one of life's mysteries. The epic track from the 2nd album "Blues for the Red Sun," builds up to a brutal climax, barrelling through the speakers until it destroys all in its path. Frenetic and jagged, no one does desert stoner rock better than these guys. Fact.
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Shotty's Classic Series #2: The Allmans' classic song was already heart-wrenchingly beautiful, but this acoustic take takes it to a whole 'nother plane of existence. Found on the "2nd Set" album, it's sure to please any Liz lovers.
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A strangely visionary 1994 post-rock LP. 01) The Loom [5:15] 02) A Street Scene [5:35]
Shotty's Classic Series #4: Archers of Loaf may have a weird name, but they penned a slice of Chapel Hill charm in their 1994 debut "Icky Mettle." The eighth track, Plumbline just might be one of those quintessential indie cuts that refuses to leave your head!
Shotty's Classic Series #1: Brilliant second track from Polvo's sophomore album, Today's Active Lifestyles (1993). Melds angular hooks like it's no one's business!
The brilliant score comes to Youtube! 01) Advanced Third [1:06] 02) Advanced Wind [Whistle Ver.][1:43] 03) Overture [3:22] 04) From Beyond [3:40]
Shotty's Classic Series #15: On an album overflowing with vibrant classics like "Cocaine" and "Wonderful Tonight," one of the more beautiful gems -- this song -- often gets overlooked by casual listeners. Warm, intimate, and with friendly female vocals synching with Slowhand's, it's a great middle-of-the-album track. Also contains one of the best couplets I can remember: "When I'm wrong it's never meant for you/Don't confuse my love with what I do."
One of Santana's best fusion albums! 05) Song of the Wind [6:08]
Slanted and Enchanted, the indie band Pavement's debut album, was re-released not too long ago and combines some of their best EP songs with a live concert at the end. For those that didn't buy the reissue, these are a must-hear! In fact, this is one of those rare times when the extra material is just as intriguing as the actual album. 01) Texas Never Whispers [3:08] 02) Frontwards [3:16] 03) Lions (Linden) [1:49]
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One of my favorite Ghost songs (from "Hypnotic Underworld" LP).
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Forgotten alt-metal classic on Youtube! 01) Backward [1:43] 02) Delusional [3:56] 03) Divorce [1:44] 04) Simpleton [2:43]
Marquee Moon? Adventure? Yeah, those are the normal stops when listening to Television's canon. And while the oft-overlooked 1992 eponymous isn't nearly as great as those, Beauty Trip ends up being one of the more enjoyable tracks. [All rights reserved, etc.]
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The brilliant score comes to Youtube! 05) Gunmetal Action [3:43] 06) Condition Green! [2:08] 07) Night of the Legends [2:42] 08) Death Wire [1:04]
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One of Santana's best fusion albums! 06) All the Love in the Universe [7:38]
Shotty's Classic Series #14: Released only in 2008, Howlin Rain's second album "Magnificent Fiend" marries acid and country rock together, creating something beautiful and relevant. Although not as fuzzed-out as their eponymous debut, the songcraft is strong throughout and the 5th track Nomads perfectly sums up the easygoing vibes.
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One of Santana's best fusion albums! 07) Future Primitive [4:13] 08) Stone Flower [6:12]
One of Santana's best fusion albums! 10) Every Step of the Way [9:01]
My favorite stretch from Boards of Canada's seminal electronica LP "Music Has the Right to Children". If this electronic soul doesn't stir something in you -- surprise! -- you're a robot.
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Shotty's Classic Series #8: Southern rock good ol' boys, Widespread Panic's 1993 "Papa's Home" is a slow-burner that evolves into a bluesy guitar workout. While the band could churn out similar songs that simply didn't work as well, this one perfectly encapsulates the elements when they all go perfectly.
Hypnotic cut from 1993's "Quique". All rights reserved, etc.
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Laika & the Cosmonauts' surf-rock opus! 13) Kiiriminna (Oi Dai) [2:31] 14) Marilaulu [2:06] 15) Endless Summer [4:46]
Shotty's Classic Series #3: The Allmans' guitarist had already penned many recognizable tunes before his 1976 debut album, and sculpted one of the most well-crafted country albums no one's heard. The gently pastoral fourth track is too beautiful to be left unheard!
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WA2's aural assault comes to Youtube! 21) Field - Wandering 22) Field - The Distorted Sky 23) Field - Last Ignition 24) The Town Where the West Wind Blows 25) Western Village 26) Isolated Village 27) Inn 28) To the Distant Seas
