The Boo Radleys - Gifts in the Tree

Bio:
"The Boo Radleys formed in Wallasey, England in 1988, with Rob Harrison on drums, singer/guitarist Simon "Sice" Rowbottom, guitarist/songwriter Martin Carr, and bassist Timothy Brown. Their name is taken from the character Boo Radley in Harper Lee's 1960 novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Shortly after the release of their first album "Ichabod and I", Steve Hewitt replaced Rob Harrison on drums and was in turn replaced by Rob Cieka. The band split up in 1999. In their 11-year-long career, the band had one top ten single, the 1995 single "Wake Up Boo!", which charted at no. 9; and a number one album, Wake Up!. The discography of The Boo Radleys consists of six studio albums, three compilation albums, five extended-plays, and sixteen singles one of which ("Lazarus") was a released twice, along with remixes of the same song, and their final single ("Kingsize") which was cancelled before release."


This is another band I never even thought about doing a compilation of, until a few days ago when listening to a few of their EPs/singles. As the bio states there have already been 3 comps of the band, the first one, "Learning to Walk" brought together 3 of their early EP releases. The other 2 focused mostly on their A-side singles, whereas I've always felt their album tracks & B-sides have often been much superior. 
My compilation does feature a couple of their singles, "Lazarus" (so much better than the album version) and "What's in the Box?", the other tracks are from 5 of their 6 studio albums and various singles/EPs. I was never impressed with their debut album, "Ichabod and I", so nothing from that release features here. Also absent is their big hit (in the UK anyway), "Wake Up Boo", a song of theirs I've never really liked, though it does have a couple of decent B-sides.


Big shout out to Manerg for the usual invaluable advice, some song suggestions, and finding the original artwork which I subtly/incompetently buggered about with in photoshop. He also came up with the excellent title for this collection, fans of the book "To Kill a Mockingbird" should get the reference. As usual, info containing track origin & year of release is tagged in the music and download files. So, stay safe, and enjoy! 


  1. Petroleum (3:53)
  2. Meltin's Worm (4:18)
  3. Reaching Out From Here (3:01)
  4. Thinking of Ways (3:47)
  5. Memory Babe (3:16)
  6. Get on the Bus (3:12)
  7. Comb Your Hair (3:49)
  8. Foster's Van (4:13)
  9. One is for Tomorrow (6:17)
10. Everything Falls Away (4:03)
11. The Finest Kiss (5:15)
12. Lazarus (6:21)
13. Spaniard (3:36)
14. Bloke in a Dress (2:38)
15. Feels Like Tomorrow (2:21)
16. Leaves and Sand (4:25)
17. 4am Conversation (2:42)
18. Safe at Home (2:14)
19. What's in the Box? (See Whatcha Got) (3:29)
20. Monuments for a Dead Century (5:56)

Note:
The more eagle-eyed fans of the band might notice something strange with track 9. "One is For", a very short track from the album "Giant Steps", is merged with the track "Tomorrow" (their cover of a song originally from the film Bugsy Malone), from the cancelled single "Kingsize". 

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Prolapse - Seismic Waves

 

Bio:

"Prolapse formed in the summer of 1991 under a table at Leicester Polytechnic's Friday night disco, "With the aim of being the most depressing band ever". The original line-up was comprised of "Scottish" Mick Derrick (vocals), Linda Steelyard (vocals), David Jeffreys (guitar), Patrick Marsden (guitar), "Geordie" Mick Harrison (bass) and Tim Pattison (drums). "Geordie" Mick and Tim, both from the North-East of England, knew each other prior to attending Leicester Polytechnic, and had performed together in early school bands. In a 1999 interview, Steelyard stated that the name was chosen "to indicate something undesirable in a miserable sort of way, rather than unsavoury. Unfortunately, we have come to realise that it makes some people think of arses."

In 1994 they released their debut album "Pointless Walks to Dismal Places", which won critical acclaim, followed a year later by their second album "Backsaturday", which saw them experimenting with both repetitive grooves and ambient soundscapes. Their third album "The Italian Flag", released in 1997, was an eclectic 13-track tour de force which saw Prolapse pick up significant radio play for the first time, particularly for the lead single "Killing The Bland" and its even more commercial-sounding follow-up "Autocade". The album returned to the more melodic approach of the first album, though now with a harder guitar sound, but this time there was also a whole diverse array of styles, earning the band many favourable reviews. Their final album "Ghosts of Dead Aeroplanes" was released in 1999, after which the group drifted apart."

If you find the idea of an angry Scotsman yelling (often) unintelligible lyrics somewhat scary, then I'd suggest avoiding this collection! OK, he's not always that confrontational, the odd occasion he sounds almost relaxed. Though still angry. On the other side you have the almost angelic vocals of Linda Steelyard, though she can certainly dish it out just as viciously when needs be. Check out the final track on this collection for a perfect example.

The band gained notoriety for their live shows and the tension between the two vocalists, often likened to a soap opera being played out in front of a wall of noisy guitars, bass and drums. Sadly they only released the 4 albums, but they have reformed for live dates the past few years, so maybe one day we'll see a fifth.... As usual, info containing track origin & year of release is tagged in the music and download files. Stay safe, and I hope you enjoy this collection!


  1. Doorstop Rhythmic Bloc (5:19)
  2. Every Night I'm Mentally Crucified (7000 Times) (2:14)
  3. Flat Velocity Curve (7:13)
  4. After After (5:07)
  5. They Slept in Darkness (3:15)
  6. Muscovite Parricide Song (2:23)
  7. Autocade (4:39)
  8. Move to Limit Slabs (5:16)
  9. Diamonds O'Monte Carlo (4:26)
10. Chill Blown (8:10)
11. Fob.com (4:41)
12. Zen Nun Deb (5:49)
13. Liquid Compliment (3:01)
14. Slash/Oblique (4:56)
15. Drown Radio Therapy (1:34)
16. TCR (3:13)
17. Tina This Is Matthew Stone (7:12)

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Songs from Beneath the Spaghetti Tree Vol. 59

 

  

  1. Ennio Morricone - Ricerca Notturna (2:04)

  2. Novi Singers - Torpedo (2:39)
  3. The Perfect Disaster - T.V. (Girl on Fire) (3:58)
  4. Wax Machine - Time Machine (2:45)
  5. Ricardo Richaid - VIP Xuxa (1:30)
  6. Transglobal Underground - Polo Neck (4:21)
  7. Marquis de Sade - Wanda's Loving Boy (4:09)
  8. Sparks - Here Comes Bob (2:10)
  9. Biff Bang Pow - The Happiest Girl in the World (3:22)
10. Joel Gion - Come to Light (4:48)
11. Vince Martin - Yonder Comes the Sun (8:06)
12. Bokoor Band - Onukpa Swapo (3:12)
13. Mr. Elevator - Alone Together (3:33)
14. Dawn of the Replicants - Rockefeller Center, 1932 (2:56)
15. Sky - Sing for Me (4:25)
16. Gianni Mazza - Wave (2:33)
17. The King of Luxembourg - The Queen of Luxembourg (3:42)
18. Funki Porcini - 123,3,4 (3:04)
19. Pottery - What's in Fashion? (2:40)
20. Wand - Strange Inertia (Ctrl Alt Death) (3:18)
21. Can - The Empress and the Ukraine King (4:41)
22. Odessey & Oracle - Crocorama (4:33)

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Joy Zipper - Oral Symphony

Bio:

Joy Zipper is an American duo from Long Island, New York, made up of Tabitha Tindale and Vincent Cafiso, who are also a married couple. The duo has been playing dream pop since the late 1990s. The band is named for Tindale's mother. Their songs are underpinned with darker scarred lyrics (suggested in interviews to have been inspired by the death of Cafiso's father) causing them to be famously compared to, 'a candy apple with a razor blade inside'. Musical influences of the band vary from 1960s rock outfits The Beatles, The Velvet Underground and most associated, The Beach Boys, to early 1990s noise rock pioneers My Bloody Valentine, and The Breeders. In December 2019 The Guardian newspaper listed "Christmas Song" as one of the 50 Greatest Christmas songs.

Since forming Joy Zipper have released 3 albums, 1 mini-album, several EPs and appeared on many compilation albums. Their last album release, "The Heartlight Set" was released way back in 2005, and apart from a couple of tribute album recordings (the last being in 2011) they've been rather quiet. There are signs of new activity on their youtube page, including some delightful lockdown videos and a couple of (so far) unreleased tracks, check them out here, so there is hope that one day we may see a new Joy Zipper album.

  1. No Time Pt. 1 (0:39)
  2. Out of the Sun (4:28)
  3. Gun Control (4:01)
  4. Like 24 (6+1=3) (3:54)
  5. 2 Dreams I Had (3:27)
  6. You're So Good (3:43)
  7. Held the Hand (2:44)
  8. VSX (0:52)
  9. Alzheimers (4:32)
10. The Power of Alan Watts (4:00)
11. Anything You Sent (2:46)
12. Absent Father (3:58)
13. Drugs (0:23)
14. Baby You Should Know (4:31)
15. What Difference Does It Make? (4:37)
16. Go Tell the World (2:00)
17. Apathy (4:02)
18. Moonmoonmoon (3:49)
19. 33x (3:25)
20. If I'm Right (3:20)
21. You Run the Game (3:28)
22. Christmas Song (3:38)
23. Everyday (6:22)

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Edgar Broughton Band - Behind the Dusty Doors

Bio:

Formed in 1968 in Warwick, England, the Edgar Broughton Band were part of the late 60s British underground blues boom. Led by the Broughton brothers, vocalist/guitarist Edgar Broughton and drummer Steve Broughton, and fleshed out by bassist Arthur Grant and on 3 of their albums guitarist Victor Unitt (who also briefly served with The Pretty Things), they were contemporaries of Groundhogs, Hawkwind, and The Pink Fairies, but were unique within the movement due to their radical political consciousness (which is highly pertinent). Their political aim was said to be 'subverting what's above'. Their bluesy and psychedelic hard rock, combined with their politics, led to their frequent inclusion in the bracket of protopunk..

The band was clearly strongly influenced by Captain Beefheart , as evidenced, for example, by "Apache Dropout. This is a clear tribute to, and endorsement of, "Dropout Boogie" from Beefheart's first album (Safe as Milk), as well as a somewhat more tongue in cheek allusion to "Apache" (a big '60's hit for the Shadows). Perhaps best known for their chant: "Out Demons, Out!" which was always played at length, with variations for political leaders on both sides of the 'pond'. Performing this at Keele University they handed out spray cans and the union bulding was covered in graphiti police arrived and a riot ensued. In May 1971 they released possibly their finest work: their eponymous third album, which contained the classic "Evening Over Rooftops" (again with strings by David Bedford which Edgar Broughton called "stunning"). Mike Oldfield also featured on "Thinking Of You".

For me, one of the most underrated bands of the 1970s, but I always found their albums somewhat frustrating. You'd be guaranteed several excellent tracks on each album, but for me there were always a few tracks I either didn't care for or really disliked. On some occasions they'd have tracks split into 2, 3 or 4 parts where I'd like one part and not the rest. 2 examples from the album "Oora" are on this collection. "Exhibits from a New Museum" segued into "Green Lights", the latter of which I have removed. I noticed on one of their compilations they did the reverse! "Pretty" was originally part of 4 tracks, "Face from a Window/Pretty/Hi-Jack Boogie/Slow Down", of which I only liked the 2nd part so I edited accordingly. 

There have been compilations of this band before, but again they featured tracks I really had no time for, so I decided to make my own compilation comprising of tracks from their debut "Wasa Wasa" released in 1969 up until 1976's "Bandages". This collection also deviates slightly from my previous ones, there was at least one more track from each album I wanted to include, but keeping each compilation at under 80 minutes I just didn't have room. So, for one time only, I've included a "bonus" disc containing those tracks. One other thing, is there an uncensored version out there of the track "There's No Vibrations But Wait!"? I've yet to find one. The alternate version is uncensored so I decided to add it as the final track on the bonus disc.

As per usual, info containing track origin & year of release is tagged in the music files and in the download file. Stay safe, and I hope you enjoy this slightly expanded collection!

Disc 1:
  1. Get Out of Bed/There's Nobody There/Side by Side (3:42)
  2. Crying (5:12)
  3. Mr. Crosby (2:07)
  4. Aphrodite (4:03)
  5. Madhatter (6:14)
  6. John Wayne (3:11)
  7. Roccococooler (3:08)
  8. Why Can't Somebody Love Me (4:44)
  9. Sister Angela (0:39)
10. Apache Dropout (Peter Jenner version) (3:02)
11. Evening Over Rooftops (4:58)
12. Double Agent (2:53)
13. It's Falling Away (4:49)
14. Hotel Room (4:03)
15. There's No Vibrations But Wait! (4:09)
16. Thinking of You (2:03)
17. I Want to Lie (4:34)
18. Exhibits from a New Museum (4:06)
19. Totin' This Guitar (1:40)
20. House of Turnabout (3:08)
21. Love in the Rain (3:43)
22. Up Yours! (2:59)

Disc 2:
  1. Death of an Electric Citizen (6:04)
  2. Psychopath: a) The Psychopath b) is for Butterflies (6:45)
  3. Out Demons Out (4:46)
  4. Pretty (2:57)
  5. Love Gang (2:58)
  6. Don't Even Know Which Day It Is (4:19)
  7. Chilly Morning Mama (4:31)
  8. There's No Vibrations But Wait (alternate version) (4:13)

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The Asteroid No.4 - Imagination Station 1998-2020

Bio:

The Asteroid No.4 are an American psychedelic band based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Originating from Philadelphia in the latter half of the 1990s, the band began their relocation to the west coast in 2011. Since forming, the band has endured several lineup changes. Over the last ten years, however, they have consistently included Scott Vitt (vocals, guitar), Eric Harms (guitar), Adam Weaver (drums, vocals), Matty Rhodes (bass, vocals), and most recently, John Ziemba (guitars, vocals).

The band is known for their dynamic live act, integrating multi-textured guitars and reverb-drenched vocal harmonies over an unwavering rhythm section. However, it’s been their prolific recording output, including what will soon be their ninth full-length album, that’s helped build their dedicated fan base within the flourishing underground psychedelic scene. With well over a dozen compilation appearances, digital-only rarity releases, and multiple singles and EPs, the band is said to improve with each release.

The Asteroid No.4’s sound has been called a “hypnotic hybrid of several different genres filtered through the kaleidoscope of all things psychedelic.” Whether it be “Krautrock”, “shoegaze”, folkrock, or even the occasional dabbling in “Cosmic” countryrock, the band have never shied away from wearing their influences squarely on their sleeves.

 I was a bit of a latecomer to The Asteroid No.4, not hearing them until around 2004/05, when their 2nd album "King Richard's Collectibles" (released in 2001) was recommended to me. They've released several albums and singles/EPs since forming in the latter half of the 90s, they have a new album scheduled for release this year titled "Northern Songs" which I'm really looking forward to. On hearing about this forthcoming release, I figured it was time I compiled some of my favourite tracks by the band. This was another tough one to compile with so many good tracks to choose from. All albums are worth getting, even the much maligned 3rd album, the country rock influenced "Honeyspot". If I had to choose my 2 favourites, they'd be "Hail to the Clear Figurines" from 2011 and their self-titled album released in 2013.

One minor problem with this collection was how to name the band. They have a habit of using variations on their name for each release, usually as The Asteroid #4 or The Asteroid No.4. I chose the latter as that is the version they use on their website plus on their most recent releases. As usual, info containing track origin & year of release is tagged in the music files and in the download file. I hope you all enjoy!

  1. Wicked Wire (2:14)
  2. Back of Your Mind (4:31)
  3. Golden Girl of Spain (3:51)
  4. Local Fashion Junky (4:11)
  5. I Look Around (3:10)
  6. Dead Blues (6:13)
  7. Monday Morning Gloom (5:11)
  8. The Shepherd (3:20)
  9. It's All OK (3:12)
10. Ticking Timebomb (4:12)
11. Be Yourself By Yourself (4:50)
12. Hei Nah Lab (3:46)
13. The Seventh Moon (4:53)
14. Weeping Willow (4:26)
15. Tinkerbell Meets Reality (2:44)
16. Kate and the King (9:12)
17. Apple Street (3:03)
18. California (3:18)
19. Revolution Prevail (3:31)

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Songs from Beneath the Spaghetti Tree Vol. 58

  1. The Kiwi Animal - Flying (Again!) (2:06)
  2. Ghost - Piper (6:41)
  3. The Remo Four - In the First Place (3:20)
  4. Cosmic Letdown - Paranoia (3:44)
  5. Dynammo - Voces (2:55)
  6. Janko Nilovic & Dave Sucky - Improvisation Pour Deux Voix (2:33)
  7. Traffik Island - Something Sweet (2:48)
  8. The Düsseldorf Düsterboys - Nenn Mich Musik (3:04)
  9. Groundhogs - Status People (3:33)
10. Melange - Armas Preparadas (4:27)
11. Volcano Suns - Truth Is Stranger Than Fishing (2:36)
12. Nadine Shah - Dillydally (3:47)
13. Matt Berry - The Badger's Wake (3:27)
14. Captain Beyond - Myopic Void (3:30)
15. Wire - Underwater Experiences (2:16)
16. Tobin Sprout - Exit Planes (3:20)
17. Marden Hill - Curtain (2:52)
18. that dog. - Old LP (4:07)
19. Mark Lanegan - Daylight in the Nocturnal House (3:03)
20. Julian Cope - Berlin Facelift (6:23)
21. This Kind of Punishment - The Sleepwalker (3:34)
22. Mateo - Fièvre Tranquille (1:46)
23. Electric Looking Glass - Dream a Dream (3:57)

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Shayne Carter - Scrapbook

 

From Wikipedia:

Shayne P Carter (born July 1964 in Dunedin, New Zealand) is a musician best known for leading Straitjacket Fits from 1986–1994, and as the only permanent member of Dimmer (1994–2012). Carter is a member of the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame, and has been awarded the New Zealand Herald Legacy Award (with Straitjacket Fits at the 2008 New Zealand Music Awards), and New Zealand Music Awards for Best Group and Best Rock Album (with Dimmer, 2004).

New Zealand music critic Nick Bollinger told North & South magazine in 2019: "To me, Shayne Carter really stands head and shoulders above pretty much the whole of the Dunedin scene. I mean, there were some other brilliant musicians, don’t get me wrong. But that was the era when shoe-gazing was at its peak – they wore black jerseys, stared at their shoes, and strummed their meaningful, heartfelt songs. But Shayne was different. Shayne was a rock star, and he knew it. He was actually aware of his charisma and what it meant to be a performer."
More info HERE.

I first became aware of Shayne Carter through his most well known band Straitjacket Fits, gradually discovering his early work with Bored Games (1978-1981) and DoubleHappys (1983-1985). After the demise of Straitjacket Fits I lost track of his musical career, I had heard the odd track by his next band Dimmer, but at the time wasn't too impressed with the trip hop direction he'd taken with the band. This changed when I quite recently heard a rather exceptional track from Dimmer's 4th and final album, 2009's "Degrees of Existence", and felt the need to hear all 4 Dimmer albums, plus his solo album "Offsider" from 2016. Well, the final Dimmer album I found quite astonishing, I'd put it up there with his best work with Straitjacket Fits. It was this which inspired me to create this anthology comprising his earliest work with Bored Games up to his most recent solo album.

Thanks once more to Manerg for his help and advice. I hope you enjoy this latest collection and keep on staying safe in these still hazardous times!

  1. Dimmer - Crystalator (2:56)
  2. Bored Games - Happy Endings (3:51)
  3. Straitjacket Fits - Cat Inna Can (3:50)
  4. Dimmer - Seed (4:04)
  5. DoubleHappys - Nerves (5:53)
  6. Straitjacket Fits - Skin to Wear (3:16)
  7. Shayne P Carter - Waiting Game (3:57)
  8. Dimmer - Degrees of Existence (4:29)
  9. Shayne Carter & Peter Jefferies - Randolph's Going Home (3:56)
10. Straitjacket Fits - Dialling a Prayer (3:52)
11. DoubleHappys - Others Way (3:32)
12. Bored Games - Joe 90 (4:18)
13. Straitjacket Fits - Spacing (3:23)
14. Shayne P Carter - We Will Rise Again (4:26)
15. Dimmer - Wrong Bus (3:58)
16. Shayne Carter & Peter Jefferies - Knocked Out or Thereabouts (1:42)
17. Straitjacket Fits - Bad Note for a Heart (3:30)
18. Straitjacket Fits - Life in One Chord (3:10)
19. Shayne P Carter - I Know Not Where I Stand (3:37)
20. Dimmer - Scrapbook (7:37)

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Bill Baird - There Goes My Ego

Back to normal with this anthology. Bill Baird is a musician who deserves much more recognition for his fine releases over the years. My introduction to him was in the late 00's when he was going by the name of {{{Sunset}}} for his solo work. He released a few albums under this moniker, my favourite being 2008's The Glowing City, before reverting to his real name. Unfamiliar with his earlier work, I discovered he'd already recorded several albums. According to his wiki page: "Baird first achieved success as the frontman for Sound Team (2001–2007), which was signed to Capitol Records in 2005 but dropped from the label after the commercial failure of their album Movie Monster."

Most of his recordings, either solo or as Sound Team can be found on his bandcamp page HERE. Also, check out his website HERE. I noticed on bandcamp he's selling his whole (digital) discography very cheaply, so I decided to take the plunge, paying a bit more than the minimum price (it's up to you how much you wish to pay), despite already having several of his albums. It was still a bargain. 

Here's some quotes to be found on his bandcamp page:

"A testament to the failure of the American educational system" - Roscoe Mitchell
"Psych-pop master craftsman" -- Spin Magazine
"...modern psychedelia at its finest" - Exclaim
"One of the last of the living rock n roll geniuses" - Tiny Mix Tapes

For this collection I've decided to include tracks from his solo releases covering the years 2010 to the present day. Albums to recommend? This year's release "Flower Children's Children's Children" is as good a place to start as any, but "Earth into Aether" from 2016 is probably my favourite of his so far. Info containing track origin & year of release is tagged in the music files and in the download file, I hope you enjoy this latest collection, and stay safe!

  1. World Gone Deaf (3:44)
  2. Everything Explodes (3:40)
  3. Softly (2:06)
  4. Be Yourself (4:20)
  5. Empty University (3:24)
  6. Late Night Dawning (2:56)
  7. Home (3:01)
  8. Strigidae (3:34)
  9. Mister Treadmill (2:18)
10. Baby Blue (4:19)
11. Lake Eerie / Shave / Blob (6:50)
12. Caroline (4:53)
13. Insomnia Insane (2:30)
14. Spreadsheet Star Charts (5:35)
15. You're Fat (0:51)
16. You're Free (if You Want to Be) (4:02)
17. She Came and She Touched Me (3:49)
18. It Will Be OK (3:46)
19. Daily Dance (5:48)
20. Dear Friend (Collapsing Domino) (4:59)
21. Is Nothing There (3:26)

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Songs from Beneath the Spaghetti Tree Vol. 57

  1. Vinyl Williams - Soft Soul (4:02)

  2. The Burns Unit - Trouble (3:25)
  3. Anthony Moore - Wrong Again (2:35)
  4. Drab City - Working for the Men (2:03)
  5. The Soundcarriers - The Seventh Seal (4:42)
  6. The Heads - Trilogy Part 3 (5:29)
  7. The Monochrome Set - Espresso (3:10)
  8. Autumn - Falling (3:20)
  9. The Chills - Dark Carnival (3:35)
10. Matt Elliott - Guidance Is Eternal (3:18)
11. Kombynat Robotron - Fontäne (8:08)
12. Cloud Cashes Till - Time Has Gone Away (3:27)
13. Mick Ronson - Only After Dark (3:28)
14. The Human League - Dreams of Leaving (5:47)
15. Aphex Twin - Beetles (1:27)
16. Toco - Barracao (3:08)
17. Together - Henry's Coming Home (2:56)
18. Beaulieu Porch - Thorneywood Is Dark (2:14)
19. Mary Lorson and the Soubrettes - River (3:17)
20. Sonic Boom - Tawkin Tekno (4:51)
21. Shellac - Wingwalker (4:56)

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