Note: This my first episode recorded at home, so the audio and editing aren’t necessarily the best. There also aren’t any rants because I don’t have to mute ads.

Set 1

“I Met A Girl” by Wheat

Wheat are kind of obscure, but they’re pretty great. This particular song is from 2003’s Per Second, Per Second, Per Second… Every Second, which is a lot more of a pop record than their previous, 1999’s Hope and Adams. I personally like that album more, but “I Met A Girl” fit better here and I’ve been wanting to play them for a while.

“Happy” by Ned’s Atomic Dustbin

NAD were a “grebo” band in the late 80s to mid 90s. They’re pretty goofy–just look at a picture of them and know one of them calls themselves Rat–but they do have some fun songs.

“Sk8r Boi” by Avril Lavigne

I don’t think I need to say anything about this song. If you’re around my age you know it’s a total jam.

“Meantime” by the Futureheads

The Futureheads are mostly known for their cover of “Hounds of Love”, from the same album as this song (their 2004 self-titled debut), but they deserve more recognition than that. I actually put this here because one time I had my library on shuffle and “Sk8r Boi” and then this song played, and I thought it was a cool transition.

“Coax Me” by Sloan

From their 1994 album Twice Removed, which appears on a lot of “best Canadian album” lists. As I read someone point out in so many words, it takes some talent to make the word “cajole” fit in a catchy chorus.

Set 2

“Car” by Built to Spill

From their second album, There’s Nothing Wrong With Love. One of the first songs of theirs I heard.

“Make Out Club” by Unrest

Inspired the name of the early social networking site makeoutclub.com.

“Ex-Girl Collection” by the Wrens

From the absolute classic The Meadowlands. Please drop the next album!

“Race for the Prize” by the Flaming Lips

Off what’s probably their most famous, or at least most acclaimed, album, The Soft Bulletin. Thought this was thematically appropriate for our current situation.

“Freak Scene” by Dinosaur Jr.

One of DJ’s best songs. I heard it was inspired by the tense friendship between lead singer J. Mascis and bassist Lou Barlow, who left after the album (Bug) came out and went on to form Sebadoh. (They’ve made up since then, although not before Lou made a thinly-veiled diss track.)

Closing

“UFOF” by Big Thief

From the album of the same name that came out last year. Apparently the title is short for “UFO Friend”. Haven’t been able to quite figure out what that means yet.

Streaming