The 4th of July was excellent! I hope everybody reading this who had a celebration also had a great time. I want you all to party as much as you can! I have music for you! It might even be party music?
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Drums and Chicken"
Yeah, OK, I can party to the Bosstones. This song appears on the Mashin' Up The Nation: The Best of American Ska Volumes 1 and 2 compilation, which was indisputably a collection of American ska bands. I've never known if this was a misprint on the comp, as this same song is on Devil's Night Out as "Drunks and Children". Baffling. Anyway, the compilation is deeply inessential.
Buzzkill, "Just Relax"
Hardcore punk band Buzzkill put out this album, Up, on Alternative Tentacles, despite being much more associated with various Amphetamine Reptile acts. Anyway, it's pretty goofy in spots, but it's pretty enjoyable record from a largely forgotten band.
The Housemartins, "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"
An a cappella cover of the Hollies song, this appears on the outstanding London 0, Hull 4 album, one of my very favorite pop records of all time.
The Jesus Lizard, "Countless Backs of Sad Losers"
After the height of Liar, The Jesus Lizard began their decline with their next studio record, Down. While there are plenty of good songs on the record, and it's a worthy listen, it's just a step off from Liar in ferocity and in surprise. They weren't just going through the motions or anything, but you could hear them starting to run out of steam. It's really the last good Jesus Lizard record.
Mix Master Mike, "Sektor Four"
A little interstitial thing from his very good album Anti-Theft Device. Mix Master Mike is mostly known as the DJ for the Beastie Boys, but his solo work is fun turntablist stuff.
(NB: the song occurs at 7:14 in the linked video, and is 24 seconds long.)