The “As Serious As Your Life” B-sides come in all flavors: Jay Dee and Guilty Simpson capitalize on the original’s funky underpinnings with b-boy savoir faire while the live version pushes the limits of both RAM and patience.
The Earl
Percolating jazzy breaks and clever cuts served up hot on a steaming bed of vocals. Recommended for fans of DJ Format.
Prince Po
The long-overdue return of Organized Konfusion’s mind-bending MC Prince Po(etry) with the infamous Danger Mouse on the boards. And, yes, that’s a Massive Attack sample on “Better Things.”
The Magic Magicians
Wild-eyed garage romps from the super duo of John Atkins (764-Hero) and Joe Plummer (Black Heart Procession, Caustic Resin).
Calexico
Calexico sound at home in whatever spin they put on their decidedly Southwestern flavor — from smoldering mariachi (“Stray”) to box-step blues (“Sunken Waltz”). Tequila not included.
UMass Percussion Ensemble
Fantastic cover of the Radiohead epic. Talk about Schoolhouse Rock. Could this song be the “Smoke on the Water” or “Smells Like Teen Spirit” of the new millenium? (source: Coudal)
The Six Parts Seven
Artful (but not artsy) soundtracks for the thinking person who still wants to walk away humming a tune.
James Yorkston and the Athletes
Demos from the 2002 album Moving Up Country. Tasty. These two have the lovely, unpretentious quality that one only finds with demos.
Iron and Wine
Just when you thought Sam Beam’s unassuming masterpiece The Creek Drank the Cradle couldn’t be outdone… check the pure intimacy of “Naked As We Came.”
Sufjan Stevens
An ’03 fave makes an early and strong appearance in 2004. THE songwriter to hear this year.