To The Death

"Surrounded by the dust of my birth,"

-- Danielle French, "To The Death" from Piece, 2003.

Enigmatic and strangely enticing, this dirge is spurred by Christine Fellow's subduing accordian, subtly strong percussion and highlighted by the harmonic vocal play between French and Burton Cummings.

http://www.mediafire.com/?agy3dcdq72o6wo0

Blame

"I'll pick you up when you go down,"
-- Michael Knott, "Blame" from L.S.U.'s Grace Shaker, 1994.

A more honest presentation of what grace means to the absolutely crushed would be hard to come by. With its sparse air and haunting riff, this obviously comes from one who knows what it is to be down there and where to turn to rise up.

http://www.mediafire.com/?x8kglr9lmgbgph7

The Sun

"When red giants have supernovered, then sorry the Earth will be,"

-- Kevin Parker, "The Sun" from Tame Impala's Tame Impala, 2008

Tame Impala released no less than two eponymous EPs in 2008. This heavyweight was on the Hole In The Sky label. Barbed and thunderous, it would not have been out of place on Cream's Disraeli Gears, forty-one years previous.

http://www.mediafire.com/?587addn0iz7bzlp

Voyaging Pilgrim

"The road is getting narrower,"
-- Fred Caban, "Voyaging Pilgrim" from Agape's Victims Of Tradition, 1972.

With a bit of a later Lighthouse (minus the orchestra) feel, this tune from Agape's sophomore release is a lot breezier than most of what was on their first. It's appropriate ambience for a song about travelling through life and highlighted by a great guitar solo at 2:23.

http://www.mediafire.com/?9lfqx38bq5do30c

Blood And Roses

"In wintertime, the roses died,"
-- Pat DiNizio, "Blood And Roses" from the Smithereens' Especially For You, 1986.

Absolutely rock and roll, anchored by a deadly bass line, triggered by one of the most indelible riffs ever laid down and validated by the blood, sweat, tears (and roses) of real life.

http://www.mediafire.com/?nmurpnd4222trx6

Mr. Sharky

"They thrash and nibble at the bait around my soul,"
-- Terry Taylor, "Mr. Sharky" from the Swirling Eddies' Zoom Daddy, 1994.

A thrilling tale of espionage, treachery and exploitation seemingly straight out of a 1930s crime pulp. Except underwater. Those pulps would disintegrate underwater.

http://www.mediafire.com/?hbcx6m2ktbxb362

Gear Jammer

"The law don't want no gear jammer,"
-- George Thorogood, "Gear Jammer" from George Thorogood And The Destroyers' Maverick, 1985.

Absolutely scorching slide guitar. What else do you need? Get out your harmonica and play along ...

http://www.mediafire.com/?z0djj86zzfnfdh1