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Librarians With Hickeys are an indie pop rock duo consisting of Ray Carmen and Mike Crooker. Here both of them choose an eclectic Baker’s Dozen…
Ray Carmen (in more or less no particular order)
1. Paul McCartney – Maybe I’m Amazed
From Macca’s debut solo LP. The best song on the album (which to this day I find enjoyable to listen to, even though Paul himself didn’t think much of it) and one of his greatest compositions.
2. Queen – Somebody To Love
Although the album this is from isn’t one of my favorites (A Day At The Races) this is still my all-time favorite Queen track.
3. The Monkees – Daily Nightly
Written by Monkee Mike Nesmith about the mid-60s curfew riots on Sunset Strip which resulted in Pandora’s Box being burned to the ground. Micky Dolenz sings and plays the spacey Moog synth part, while Peter Tork plays organ and Nesmith plays guitar. Davy is in there on percussion I’m sure. To this day, Mickey is one of the greatest unsung (no pun intended) vocalists in rock.
4. The Beatles – Long Tall Sally
No one covered this song better than the Fabs, and no one else could imitate Little Richard like Paul. Listen to the live version on the long-out-of-print legit bootleg Live at the Star Club. It’s the beginnings of punk rock. They sound like the Damned. Nuthouse insane.
5. Elvis Costello & the Attractions – Man Out Of Time
Elvis has never put out a bad album, and Imperial Bedroom is a masterpiece. Man Out Of Time is the centerpiece of an album filled with fifteen literate pop gems. There’s vitriol here, but it’s also—to my ears, anyway–surprisingly tender.
6. Tracy Ullman – They Don’t Know
Written by the late great Kirsty MacColl, and one of the greatest tributes to 60s girl group pop ever written. Ullman’s album, You Broke My Heart In Seventeen Places, is a LOT of FUN.
7. Kirsty MacColl – What Do Pretty Girls Do
From the late singer’s greatest album, Kite, an album that makes me long for 80’s British pop again.
8. Marshall Crenshaw – Our Town
It’s rather difficult to pick a track from Field Day, where Our Town is from. So many great songs…Whenever You’re On My Mind, Our Town, Monday Morning Rock, For Her Love…all great tunes. A joy from start to finish.
9. The Rolling Stones – Happy
As it turns out, my absolute favorite Stones tune was sung by Keef. And that guitar riff is one of his greatest.
10. The Residents – Mr. Wonderful
I’ve loved the Residents since I first discovered them in the early 1980s. They make great music when they’re angry, but they also make surprisingly beautiful music when they’re in an introspective mood. This track from Demons Dance Alone (an album recorded in the wake of 911), is about a homeless man looking back on his life. The live version from that tour saw the lead singer reflect on the band’s career and the death of their collaborator, Phillip “Snakefinger” Lithman.
11. The Surfrajettes – Easy As Pie
Along with Russia’s Messer Chups, the Surfajettes are keeping modern surf very music alive and well. Easy As Pie is the title track to their latest rekkid. Catchy as hell, and their drummer, Annie Lillis, is from Akron!
12. Honey Radar – Play-Box Relay
These gents from Philly are the brainchild of Jason Henn, one of the greatest writers of post-it note length pop tunes. He could give Robert Pollard a run for his money. Play-Box Relay is the title track from a 2021 EP.
13. Alvvays – Belinda Says
A friend of mine introduced me to these folks last year, and I am now an Alvvays super-fan! This track is from their most recent album, Blue Rev, and has shades of My Bloody Valentine, with vocalist Molly Rankin soaring over the song’s finale.
Mike Crooker
1. Husker Du – Celebrated Summer
I first heard this on a 45 at the radio station I worked, at and promptly fell in love with this song. The pain, the yearning, the power. The whole fucking New Day Rising album could have been the entirety of this list.
2. The Replacements — Left Of The Dial
As a musician who did, indeed, “grow old in a bar” this song nailed the ache that is baked into in a musician’s lifestyle like no other. See also “Unsatisfied” and “Bastards Of Young”
3. Robyn Hitchcock – I Often Dream Of Trains
If Mr. Hitchcock didn’t exist, why, we’d have to invent him. Basingstoke, here we come! I could have also picked “Raymond Chandler Evening.”
4. Pink Floyd – Lucifer Sam
Early “world–building within one song Syd” is the peak Syd. I would watch six seasons and a movie built upon this one song.
5. Dream Syndicate – Merritville
As much as “Days Of Wine And Roses” rules, this is the noir version of “world–building within one song” and my favorite from the Medicine Show. I’m still trying to copy the Steve/Karl guitar interplay and Tommy Zvoncheck’s piano in our stuff. Honorable mention “John Coltrane Stereo Blues”
6. The Smithereens – Behind The Wall Of Sleep
Punchy, crunchy, and throbbing… imagery for miles. Such a rocking band. I’ve been trying to nick Mike Mesaros’ bass fills (and failing) for years! RIP Pat. Also could have gone with “Blood & Roses” because of that bass line.
7. Dukes Of Stratosphear – Vanishing Girl
XTC gets in a time machine and transports everyone to 1967 where we will happily live out the rest of our lives with this as the soundtrack. LWH has been know to play this one vigorously on stage.
8. Mission Of Burma – That’s When I Reach For My Revolver
From “Signals, Calls, and Marches” A slow–motion intro that led to an explosion that ble away my tiny Midwest corporate rock world in 1981 (see also: Devo). When first I saw that my girlfriend (now wife) had a copy of this and “Days Of Wine And Roses,” I knew she was the one (I was right). Honorable mention: “Academy Fight Song.”
9. The Church – One Day
Technically it would have been “Fly / One Day” because that’s how it rolls on the Seance album. Most days of the week, The Church are my favorite band. Also you can really hear that influence of twin-guitar attack of Marty Willson-Piper and Peter Koppes, harmonies and songwriting on us. Honorable mention for “Almost With You.”
10. The Smiths – Cemetry Gates
Not the obvious choice (Panic, Shoplifters, William, Heaven Knows, How Soon Is Now) but it’s got that Johnny Marr pop guitar bounce and (for a change) Morrissey’s less dramatic (or maybe more dramatic) lyrics.
11. Translator – Everywhere That I’m Not
The agony in Steve Barton impassioned vocals in the last chorus is palpable. It’s got a great weird intro, lyrics, chiming guitars, melodic bass line, propulsive drums – it’s all there!
12. Librarians With Hickeys – No More Goodbyes
… wherein I throw all of these above songs in a blender and it somehow sounds like us! Somehow!
13. Sunshine Boys – Caroline Yes (2018)
I first heard this on Mike Lidskin’s show on Woody Radio and immediately had to hear it again (and I am listening to it as I type this) – I urge you to listen to it right now as well. You’re welcome!
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