Top 5 Miscellaneous Songs 2015

"Miscellaneous Songs" -- songs that aren't on albums in one of the other top 5 lists. "2015" - encountered by me in 2015, regardless of release year.

5. Seven Storey Mountain - Shiny Reward (2015)

Seven Storey Mountain - Shiny Reward

A La Mierda

self-released

Released May 5, 2015

Seven Storey Mountain have been making rock since 1994. By now, it is just a solo project from frontman Lance Lammers, but unlike all those other solo projects out there, this sacrifices 0% of the rock. All seven of the songs on Seven Storey Mountain's new Bandcamp EP A La Mierda sound fresh and could have easily been on their 1997 magnum opus Leper Ethics. Good emotional Rock and Roll. 90s Style. The best. 



note: oops. Looks like "Shiny Reward" isn't available unless you buy the album. Oh well, here's an embed of the album: 







4. The KLF featuring Tammy Wynette - Justified and Ancient (Stand by the JAMs) (1991)

 The KLF featuring Tammy Wynette -Justified and Ancient (Stand by the JAMs)

single

EMI UK

Released November, 1991

Wow. Two english jokesters play a prank on the music industry. Along the way, they invent or revolutionize sampling, Trance music, Chillout/Ambient techno, make a UK #1 hit ripping off Garry Glitter and Doctor Who, make a hit pop album a la C+C Music Factory, complete with top MTV hit, and then remix a song with Tammy Wynette, then dabble in Grindcore, implode publicly at a music awards, literally burn 1 million pounds of profit, and disappear. Truth is stranger than fiction, and this song is stranger than most. This is kitchen-sink pop. Hendrix riffs, rap, country, steel guitar, beats. It's pretty catchy. "Bring the beat back!"

3. Sia - Chandelier [Plastic Plates Remix] (2014)

 Sia - Chandelier [Plastic Plates Remix]

Chandelier Single / original on "1000 Forms of Fear"

EMI UK

Released March 2014

Thanks to Australian pop singer Sia for writing a new theme song for The Chandelier Swing. This hysterical opera-pop song is actually quite catchy. My preferred version is the Plastic Plates remix, although the original is cool, too. The music video is weird, but Jim Carrey lampooned it in classic fashion on SNL.

2. One Last Wish - Burning in the Undertow (1986 / 1996)

One Last Wish - Burning in the Undertow

"1986"

Dischord Records

Recorded 1986 / Released 1996

Here is where I flunk rock history. I LOVE Rites of Spring, which features Guy Picciotto on vocals and guitar. After Rites of Spring, I LOVE Fugazi, which has Guy as well as Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat and Embrace. I'm aware of (and need to hear more of) Happy Go Licky, which Guy was in as well. I didn't know that between Happy Go Licky and Fugazi, Guy fronted a short-lived band called One Last Wish. I've only heard one song, and I LOVE it. I'm sure that by this time next year, their album will be on my "best finds" list. Right now, as I've only heard the one song, it's here.

Buy the album here. I'm going to.

1. Seahorse - Nightingale (2015)

Seahorse - Nightingale

The Fire's Heart

Raven's Flight Records

Released February, 2015

As you can tell, local Salem songwriter Rich Swanger has hit a nerve. A haunting and dark story-song that sounds like it has existed forever. This is one of the greats. Thanks, Rich.

Here's where you can buy the CD.