1. Lush featuring Jarvis Cocker, “Ciao!” One of the great, nasty kiss-off songs of all time. As Sound Opinions said in a recent “Desert Island” tribute, Lush was a first-rate 4AD shoegazer band, but by the time of 1996’s Love Life, the group had almost completely abandoned its My Bloody Valentine-isms in favor of direct Brit-pop. Arguably, they were better for it, and “Ciao!” “Ladykillers” and “500″ were some of the best on the disc. Not long after the release of Love Life, drummer Chris Aclund hanged himself, and the band split up immediately. Singer Miki Berenyi left music altogether and went to work for the BBC.
2. Justice, “D.A.N.C.E.”
3. Simian, “Over the Hills.”
4. Miles Davis, “Jeru.”
5. Basia Bulat, “In the Night.” This would sound almost campfire folky if it weren’t for the odd autoharp strumming over the top and the big drums. Bulat is part of the family of eccentric Canadians that gave us Arcade Fire, but much, much happier. Win Butler would bust a blood vessel if he smiled this big. See the video here.
6. Liam Finn, “I’ll Be Lightning.”
7. Lupe Fiasco, “Superstar.”
8. Graham Parker, “Local Girls.”
9. TV On the Radio, “Things You Can Do.”
10. Rhymefest, “No Sunshine.” This is from the completely unauthorized, download-only album Man in the Mirror from the Chicago emcee, which is available for free at Rhymefest’s Web site here. It’s amazing fun, and I’ll be writing more about this great little act of rebellious semi-tribute tomorrow. Until then, enjoy some free music until the cease-and-desist orders arrive.