I'll upload a quick classic country mix to buffistarawk, too, if there's room.

Ooh, yay.

[link]

A paparazzi photo of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt in the back seat of a car from 2005 (left), Raymond Pettibon's artwork for Sonic Youth's album "Goo" from 1990 (middle), which is based on a paparazzi photo of David and Maureen Smith (two people named Mr. and Mrs. Smith) driving to the Ian Brady and Myra Hindley trial in 1966 (right - click images to enlarge). Plate of shrimp, anyone?

Of Montreal’s latest album, The Sunlandic Twins

You know, this was the album I took to heart when Twin Cinema turned out to be just dissimilar enough from Electric Version for it to be a massive disappointment for me. I don't want that disappointment to be laid at the feet of The New Pornographers 'cause they're a force and I can't even pretend to appreciate music outside my own subjectivity; I'm just glad Of Montreal were there, is all.

On a completely unrelated note, I just watched an episode of The Avengers that had both Donald Sutherland and Charlotte Rampling in it. Rampling has a short scene with Diana Rigg and the pretty was, well, it was uncommon.

On a completely unrelated note, I just watched an episode of The Avengers that had both Donald Sutherland and Charlotte Rampling in it. Rampling has a short scene with Diana Rigg and the pretty was, well, it was uncommon.

I know that ep, and I know DXM has talked about it too. A common retro fantasy of Avengers fans has Charlotte Rampling being the new girl after Diana Rigg left. That would've been fascinating.

I stumbled upon "Zardoz" on one of the cable movie channels a few weeks ago. Topless Rampling! Oooh la la!

That would've been fascinating.

To say the least.

I picked up Ian Mathews solo album If You Saw Thro' My Eyes as a Japanese import CD (muy dinero). It's from 1970 and features his ex-Fairport mates Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson prominently.

Here's the AMG review:

In late 1970, shortly after his band Matthews Southern Comfort hit number one in Great Britain with its version of Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock," Ian Matthews decided that he needed more creative freedom and left for a solo career. The subsequent album, If You Saw Thro' My Eyes, his fourth and best release since leaving Fairport Convention in 1969, was recorded and released within the next few months. It also reunited him with former Fairport bandmates Sandy Denny, who had left the band in late 1969, and Richard Thompson, who would depart by the time of this album's release. Both would bring their distinctive personalities to the proceedings without ever overwhelming Matthews' own vision. As a bandleader and songwriter, Matthews' growth is quite evident here, guiding a stellar cast through seven excellent new originals and three well-chosen covers (also included is the a cappella "Hinge" and its instrumental reprise). Throughout, Matthews' sweet yet evocative tenor is perfect for the material, which succeeds in its blend of British and American folk, rock, and pop. Furthermore, he once again shows a keen eye for the work of others, while also proving his prowess as a first-rate interpretive singer. A pair of songs written by the late folksinger Richard Farina -- "Reno, Nevada" (resurrected from Ian's days with Fairport) and "Morgan the Pirate" -- are given fresh, inspired readings, highlighted by Thompson, Tim Renwick, and Andy Roberts' superb guitar interplay, providing a real folk-rock edge. But it's the beautiful, prayerlike title track that is the record's crowning moment. Joined simply by Denny's piano and breathtaking second vocal, along with a tasteful backwards guitar interlude by Renwick, Matthews' quiet plea for guidance is as moving and personal a song as he's ever recorded. A number of other highlights, such as "Hearts," "Southern Wind," "It Came Without Warning," and "You Couldn't Lose," make If You Saw Thro' My Eyes one of the best efforts by a Fairport alumnus.

I'll toss a few tracks up on Buffistarawk for the RT and Fairport and Brit Folk Rock fans. Ian's got one of the prettiest male voices of the era, so if you like that kind of thing, check it out.

tina, I am giving Begonias my first real attention listen and my goodness Don't Make it Better made me do a head snap, I heard so much Gram Parsons in the track. I think we all know how I feel about my secret dead boyfriend Gram. So yes, lady, I am enjoying it - good call.

Okay, the Ian Mathews is up. Now I'll toss up a few Lost in the Grooves (LitG) samplers as I had promised. Next up (still loading in fact)...

LitG 1

1. My Three Sons - Individuals - Cool grooves and odd lyrics. Sort of like early Talking Heads and Feelies.

2. Drive Somewhere - Vulgar Boatman. Child of Foggy Bottom and Roadrunner. That Velvets strum and drone. One of the most perfect driving songs in the world. Hypnotic.

LitG 2

1. Another Time - Pearls Before Swine. Perfect chamber folk.

2. Tulu Rogers - Appaloosa. More perfect chamber folk.

Both have that Nick Drake vibe but with other elements.

LitG 3

1. No Other - Gene Clark. One of the voices of The Byrds. Doing something a little less folk, and more pop. Really gorgeous.

2. Caroline Goodby - Colin Blunstone. The voice of the Zombies, doing something a bit folkier and more delicate. Yet also perfect 70s pop. Also really gorgeous.

LitG 4

1. Walking the Cow - k. mccarty. Very affecting pop arrangement around Daniel Johnston's heartfelt lyrics. Just one of those weird songs that really moves you.

2. Carnival in the Swamp - Dogbowl. Tuneful and whackaloon and kind of indescribable. Robert Pollard sitting in with a Klezmer band? Jonathan Richman with Benny Goodman?

LitG 5

1. Sam Stone - Swamp Dogg. John Prine's great vietnam vet song, done to perfection by the Dogg.

2. 1983 - Incredible Moses Leroy. Sort of a sweet indie pop song.

If you want to hear anymore from a particular artist, let me know. But that should give you a running start on a number of the lesser known figures in the book.

It's all melodic and accessible and smart and distinct.

I'll upload a quick classic country mix to buffistarawk, too, if there's room.

Sweet! And I'm excited for the LitG stuff too. I love you guys.

shrift, I can enthusiastically second Hec's recommendation of Kelly Hogan. Her album Because It Feel Good is killer. And you've got to have some Emmylou Harris: Wrecking Ball is pretty phenomenal, and you could also pick up some of her earlier albums, or Profile (a best-of collection from her 70s-era stuff), if you're looking for more twang.