David Lynch — Good Day Today/I Know (Sunday Best Recordings)
The filmmaker’s plunge into music makes him the next Jack-Of-All-Arts. He’s just released his first double single, with a full-length album due early January 2011. So what can we expect from the man behind Mullholland Drive and Twin Peaks? From the preview we can only presume it’s going to toe the line between dream and nightmare, be highly mastered, and heavy on the weird.
Elliott Smith — “Between The Bars”
There’s good Elliott and there’s bad Elliott songs. This is definitely one of the former. From the 1997 Either/Or record, it’s a haunting song about finding solace from sorrow at the bottom of a liquor bottle. Patrick Watson also does a mean cover of this track.
Jimi Hendrix — “The Wind Cries Mary”
Kent — “Music Non Stop”
Compilation albums are great, and me stumbling across this track from a Swedish alt-rock troupe is proof. Although it probably isn’t enough to make you run out and buy their album, it’s groovy and has a great beat.
The National — “Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks”
The XX — XX (Young Turks)
This British group recently picked up the coveted Mercury Music Prize for this self-titled release. Well deserved. Great album.
Hungry Kids of Hungary — Escapades (Stop Start / EMI)
Unearthed by a talent contest on Australian radio, the young indie quartet are garnering quite a following with their melodic pop-rock. Standout tracks: “Set It Right” and “Coming Around”
Kylie Minogue — “Confide In Me”
She was the good-girl-gone-bad before turning Budgie, dating INXS frontman Michael Hutchence and collaborating with Nick Cave circa 1994. It’s embarrassing to admit I like this song, but I do.
CocoRosie — Grey Oceans (Sub Pop)
Sarah Blasko — What The Sea Wants, The Sea Will Have (Dew Process)
A peaceful, ethereal record by an Australian songwriting femme fatale with a haunting voice.
