Pile, "touched by comfort"
Quite a lovely build-up on this one. The urgency that PILE bring to this song, the climax they build towards, doesn't at all pay off on the album, which lurches into a quiet instrumental that they call "fuck the police". But it's a good run-up for all that.
The Isley Brothers, "I Turned You On"
I'd say that this is an amazing period for the Isleys, but that's honestly kind of silly to call out. Their career is made out of amazing periods. But, anyway, the late 60s albums, and especially the 1969 albums, are savage. The groove on this is absolutely vicious, just try and listen without at a minimum nodding your head.
The Aislers Set, "Hit the Snow"
BOOOOOOOOO BRING BACK THE ISLEY BROTHERS
Violent Femmes, "Used to Be"
It's possible that it's just because it came out when I was in college, but I definitely remember more people owning and playing this record than any other Femmes record other than the hallowed first one. Nobody really thought it was better or anything, but it's still an enjoyable listen. The accordion is a nice touch on this tune.
N*E*R*D, "Tape You"
I had full-on forgotten about this record, which is the Neptunes recording a full album, and a record I listened to a bunch when it came out and then just kind of stopped. I have no real reason why, I just kind of lost the habit. I wonder what the limit of albums I can keep in my head as ones I think about enough to listen to regularly is? I miss being able to look through shelves of CDs.