The Roman Line – Morning Portraits (Merman, 2009)
If you’re into glib summaries (and I am), you could describe this Toronto band’s debut album as “Steve Earle meets Screeching Weasel” but there’s still a hell of a lot more goin’ on here than just that.
Joey Ramone – Don’t Worry About Me (Sanctuary, 2002)
Hands up everyone who was so stunned by the opening version of “What a Wonderful World” that you forgot to pay attention to all the other great songs on this posthumous solo debut?
Chumbawamba – ABCDEFG (No Masters, 2010)
Anarcho-folk may not be to everyone’s taste but the men and women of this collective excel at writing songs that sound a hundred years old, but read like now.
Graham Parker – Imaginary Television (Bloodshot, 2010)
For this album GP composed eleven sparkling theme tunes for TV shows that do not, as such, exist.
Dr. Frank – Show Business is My Life (Lookout, 1999)
In a fit of neglected brilliance Dr. Frank; long-time leader of the Mr. T Experience and celebrated YA author, put thirteen twisted songs through a often bizarre set of paces and produced something indispensable.
David Dondero – Zero With a Bullet (Team Love, 2010)
Beware the poison pen of onetime This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb drummer, David Dondero, for out of it flows beautiful but lethal songs.
The Biters – 10” E.P. (Underrated, 2010)
This Atlanta band understands rock n’ roll’s sordid history the way The Exploding Hearts (R.I.P) did.
The Fastbacks – The Day That Didn’t Exist (SpinART, 1999)
Kurt Bloch never stopped writing songs full of big hooks, big guitar and big sadness.
Betty and the Werewolves – Tea Time Favourites (Damaged Goods, 2010)
TWEE!
Feed by M.T Anderson (Candlewick Press, 2001)
“George Orwell, William Gibson, William Gibson, George Orwell.”
