1. Roxy Music - “Just Another High”
2. Led Zeppelin - “Ten Years Gone”
3. Curtis Mayfield - “So In Love”
4. Head East - “Never Been Any Reason”

It's Nice to Have a Friend

Please Let Me Wonder
She Knows Me Too Well
Little Bird
Can't Wait Too Long

I really love “I Cannot Make It” from the first record.

It was played frequently on my local oldies station during the 1980s, but I can’t recall ever hearing it since.

Sweetness Follows, You Are The Everything, Disturbance at the Heron House, Sad Professor, Me in Honey….

Taylor Swift - Anti-Hero (Official Music Video) YouTube video by TaylorSwiftVEVO

#1C000LEST - Day 50

“Anti-Hero" by Taylor Swift (2023)

Despite the specificity of her confessional approach, Swift’s carefully crafted songs are endlessly relatable.

youtu.be/b1kbLwvqugk?...

Lana Del Rey - Mariners Apartment Complex YouTube video by LanaDelReyVEVO

#1C000LEST - Day 49

“Mariners Apartment Complex" by Lana Del Rey (2018)

When it comes to current music, I find myself increasingly drawn to mood, atmosphere, and deep feeling. This checks all of those boxes, adding Del Rey’s trademark cinematic flair.

youtu.be/1uFv9Ts7Sdw?...

Radiohead - Burn The Witch YouTube video by Radiohead

#1C000LEST - Day 48

“Burn the Witch" by Radiohead (2016)

I will proclaim the virtues of “A Moon Shaped Pool” at every opportunity, as I think it’s right up there with their very best work. Not my favorite song on the album, but still an easy pick for my list.

youtu.be/yI2oS2hoL0k?...

Annie - Chewing Gum YouTube video by TMRW Music

#1C000LEST - Day 47

“Chewing Gum" by Annie (2004)

This is glorious. All the digital squelching & beeping is actually a crucial component of the pleasingly tactile rhythmic drive. And talk about a perfect pop metaphor: casual relationships as chewing gum.

11 POINTS

youtu.be/uutT2pMEPqk?...

PJ Harvey - Good Fortune YouTube video by PJHarveyVEVO

#1C000LEST - Day 46

“Good Fortune" by PJ Harvey (2000)

I’m not sure if "Stories From the City" is PJ Harvey’s best album, but it’s certainly the one I listen to most often. This track so wonderfully captures the thrill of possibility offered up by the urban experience.

youtu.be/gDBZZ3uvimE?...

Try Again YouTube video by Aaliyah - Topic

#1C000LEST - Day 45

“Try Again" by Aaliyah (2000)

Another pep talk joins my list, this one dealing with the vagaries of love. The TB-303 also makes a return appearance, evolving far beyond its use in “Rip It Up” to power Timbaland's amazing, acid-inflected bassline.

youtu.be/y4x8fbc4fio?...

Lambchop - Up With People YouTube video by Merge Records on YouTube

#1C000LEST - Day 44

“Up with People" by Lambchop (2000)

The way this begins - slowly blossoming into an atmospheric, percolating groove - is a real delight. As it further builds to incorporate background vocals and trumpet licks it achieves a truly evocative grandeur.

youtu.be/M4PxY_RPBeM?...

Teardrop (Remastered 2019) YouTube video by Massive Attack - Topic

#1C000LEST - Day 43

“Teardrop" by Massive Attack (1998)

I somehow missed this at the time, but in the years since it has become a frequent touchstone for moments of deep feeling.

youtu.be/Tb0MC0jFv6M?...

Radiohead - Paranoid Android YouTube video by Radiohead

#1C000LEST - Day 42

“Paranoid Android" by Radiohead (1997)

Following the great leap forward of The Bends, I was awaiting this with what felt like unprecedented anticipation. I still remember driving home from the record store with OK Computer, in awe as I listened...

youtu.be/fHiGbolFFGw?...

2Pac ft. Dr. Dre - California Love (Official Video) [Full Length Version] YouTube video by UPROXX

#1C000LEST - Day 41

“California Love" by 2Pac featuring Dr. Dre (1995)

Listening to this alongside the moodier album remix reveals just how essential the rhythmic hook (borrowed from EPMD’s “Knick Knack Patty Wack”) is to the party vibe of the single version.

youtu.be/omfz62qu_Bc?...

Tori Amos - Cornflake Girl (US Version) (Official Music Video) YouTube video by UPROXX Indie Mixtape

#1C000LEST - Day 40

“Cornflake Girl" by Tori Amos (1994)

Great stops and starts in the arrangement here, from Tori’s stuttered entrance into the chorus to the sparse vocal/piano breakdown that follows it. Builds nicely to the end with some magnificent singing & playing.

youtu.be/w_HA5Czhtx4?...

R.E.M. - Losing My Religion (Official HD Music Video) YouTube video by remhq

#1C000LEST - Day 39

“Losing My Religion" by REM (1991)

A real game changer for this small town midwestern teen. Unlocked a new world of thoughtful poeticism while showing that current artists could mean as much (or more) to me as the older stuff.

11 POINTS

youtu.be/xwtdhWltSIg?...

The Sundays - Here's Where The Story Ends (Official Music Video) YouTube video by TheSundaysVEVO

#1C000LEST - Day 38

“Here’s Where the Story Ends” by the Sundays (1990)

I love the subtle touch of slightly lifting the register of the melody during the “crazy I know” verse. Wheeler's glorious vocals surge a bit higher and a great jangly guitar figure sees the song out.

youtu.be/FHsip5xOenQ?...

She Bangs the Drums (Remastered 2009) YouTube video by The Stone Roses - Topic

#1C000LEST - Day 37

“She Bangs the Drums” by the Stone Roses (1989)

Finishing up the 1980s with this delightfully ambivalent (and catchy) anthem. I particularly enjoy John Squire’s energetic guitar work during the instrumental bridge/solo.

youtu.be/T6cUmieJwJY?...

Teen Age Riot YouTube video by Sonic Youth - Topic

#1C000LEST - Day 36

“Teen Age Riot” by Sonic Youth (1988)

Very straightforward by SY’s standards, but the arty intro and trademark alternate guitar tunings keep things firmly in their wheelhouse. Kim Gordon runs wild on the bass as the song enters the final stretch.

youtu.be/10rLJjBLQZ8?...

The Church - Under The Milky Way YouTube video by TheChurchVEVO

#1C000LEST - Day 35

“Under the Milky Way” by The Church (1988)

Previously had this tagged as sullen & sedate, but upon revisiting was surprised to realize just how *jaunty* it is. It moves along at quite a good clip & even adds some [checks notes] Synclavier bagpipes.

youtu.be/pWxJEIz7sSA?...

R.E.M. - Fall On Me YouTube video by REMVEVO

#1C000LEST - Day 34

“Fall On Me” by REM (1986)

I came to REM a bit late, but when I did they swiftly became my musical heroes. On MTV Unplugged (1991) Stipe proclaimed this as possibly his “favorite song in the REM catalogue," which sent me scurrying to their earlier LPs.

youtu.be/lf6vCjtaV1k?...

Talk Talk - Life's What You Make It (Official Video) YouTube video by Talk Talk band

#1C000LEST - Day 33

“Life’s What You Make It” by Talk Talk (1986)

For a song with such an empowering message, this sure has a spooky feel to it. The lumbering piano, the strangled guitar, and the ghostly backing vocals combine into something fascinatingly off-kilter.

youtu.be/l3VqAsMXE7o?...

Happy #LetterboxdFriday
Here are my #LastFourWatched

Cloudbusting (2018 Remaster) YouTube video by Kate Bush - Topic

#1C000LEST - Day 32

“Cloudbusting” by Kate Bush (1985)

I found this to be deeply moving even before I knew what the song was “about.” The music itself conjures such vivid emotions that the lyrics seem to deepen the impact even if you have no idea what they're referring to

youtu.be/WataeV4WsI4?...

Tears For Fears - Head Over Heels YouTube video by TearsForFearsVEVO

#1C000LEST - Day 31

“Head Over Heels” by Tears for Fears (1985)

Made my list due to its considerable musical merits (Orzabal’s vocal performance being particularly great), but I should also acknowledge my appreciation of its wacky library-set video.

youtu.be/CsHiG-43Fzg?...

The Pointer Sisters - Automatic (Remastered) [Audio HQ] YouTube video by GoldenMusic

#1C000LEST - Day 30

“Automatic” by the Pointer Sisters (1984)

I adore the ascending synth bass line during the second half of the chorus, and the instrumental bridge is such a great arrangement. But the best part is Ruth’s breakout vocal performance (no pun intended).

youtu.be/zp29iZ6afW0?...

The Smiths - This Charming Man (Official Music Video) YouTube video by The Smiths

#1C000LEST - Day 29

“This Charming Man” by the Smiths (1983)

The secret weapon here is Andy Rourke’s bassline, bouncing happily amidst Marr’s signature jangle and in lockstep with Joyce’s pogoing beats.

youtu.be/cJRP3LRcUFg?...

Grandmaster Melle Mel ‎- White Lines (Don't Don't Do It) (Official Video) YouTube video by UPROXX

#1C000LEST - Day 28

"White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)" by Grandmaster & Melle Mel (1983)

The sheer momentum of the bassline brings everything else - great lyrics, dramatic breakdowns, catchy vocal hooks - along for the ride.

youtu.be/DwRXI-y6M9o?...