New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble, "Haitian Fight Song"
This version of the great Charles Mingus song is actually the version that got me to go look up Mingus and learn more about him and buy a bunch of his records. It's such a great song.
Pallbearer, "Atlantis"
This is the a-side from the Pallbearer single from 2019 on Sub Pop. Thanks to their 2017 record, Foundations of Burden, breaking free from the metal press and getting broader attention, Pallbearer have become the standard bearers of doom metal. But there are certainly times that Pallbearer doesn't sound like doom metal so much as just plain ol' heavy metal. Which is totally fine! They sound good, and there's nothing wrong with just heavy metal.
Death Cab For Cutie, "Soul Meets Body"
I typed this as "Death Cab For Curie", and honestly, that band sounds pretty cool. I'd listen to them.
Jeff Rosenstock, "Scram!"
This is the first time we've had Jeff Rosenstock or his previous band, Bomb the Music Industry!, on here. About time! For the last 15 years or so, Jeff has been cranking out some of the best punk rock around. It doesn't hurt my opinion of him that he'll cheerfully throw in the occasional horns or ska rhythm, but I'd still love this stuff even without that. This track comes from his great 2020 record, No Dream, which was one of my favorites of last year.
Dave Hillyard and the Rocksteady 7, "Playtime"
We began with a ska act with Dave Hillyard in it doing a jazz song, and we end with a ska act with Dave Hillyard in it doing a jazz song. The circle of Five Songs, y'all.