Sorry for the delay in posting this, folks. Turns out I’ve had to unfortunately deal with a few of my rough, tough, existential fears over the last couple of months, which is one of the reasons why it’s been so quiet around these parts. Anyway, onto the list — I’ll keep it short & sweet:

1. Elvis Costello, “Veronica”
   This is the most deceptively peppy song I’ve ever heard. Co-written by Paul McCartney, it’s an absolutely heartbreaking portrait of losing someone to a form of dementia like Alzheimer’s.
2. Manic Street Preachers, “Ocean Spray”
   The first song that singer James Dean Bradfield wrote for the Manics is their most direct single ever. In it, he details sitting at his mother’s bedside while she dies in hospital, pleading for her to “stay awake.” This song will level you, especially if you’ve ever had to watch a loved one deteriorate in a hospital.
3. David Bowie, “My Death”
   Every once in a while, I have a multi-day case of insomnia thanks to a dream about my death. Been a while since I’ve had one, but hearing Bowie’s song again today will likely mean a sleepless holiday season for me.
4. Eels, “The Stars Shine In The Sky Tonight”
   E unfortunately seems to specialize in elegiac laments, and this number from the often overlooked Blinking Lights and Other Revelations packs a whallop: never has the feeling of being left behind after the loss of a loved one been more vivid.
5. Tom Waits, “The Earth Died Screaming”
   Waits’ description of the apocalypse is as unsettling as the arrangement.
6. David Bowie, “Always Crashing The Same Car”
   The fear of getting into an accident is the biggest reason I finally got my driver’s license at 32.
7. Pearl Jam, “Hey Foxymophandlemama, That’s Me”
   The only really creepy song on my list, PJ veered into “Revolution 9″ territory with this nightmare-inducing sonic pastiche. I first heard it late at night while listening to my vinyl copy of Vitalogy for the first, and, until compiling this list, only time. Unsettling stuff.

Download: Elvis Costello, “Veronica” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Manic Street Preachers, “Ocean Spray” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: David Bowie, “My Death” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Eels, “The Stars Shine In The Sky Tonight” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Tom Waits, “The Earth Died Screaming” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: David Bowie, “Always Crashing The Same Car” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Pearl Jam, “Hey Foxymophandlemama, That’s Me” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download all the songs in a handy ZIP file:

Download: “Nachtmares!” (ZIP)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Vacations and other deadlines have conspired to make me late this month, kids — apologies for the delay.

In keeping with the theme (and in an effort to finally wrap up our September lists), I’m going to make this quick: my goal was to assemble a list of songs that were just short enough to leave you wanting more, songs that made you skip back & listen to them again right away. Here we go:

1. Ten Minute Turns, “Stars Burn OUT”
   A perfect combination of dusky atmosphere, foot-tapping melody, and a stirring build in voices and instruments to the song’s end.
2. Beastie Boys, “Super Disco Breakin’”
   Hello Nasty got off to a hell of a start with this 2-minute shot of city-street adrenaline. Features one of my favorite Beasties lines ever: “Sometimes I like to brag/Sometimes I’m soft spoken/When I’m in Holland I eat the pannenkoeken.”
3. Willie Nelson, “I Never Cared For You”
   From Willie Nelson’s 1998 collaboration with Daniel Lanois, Teatro. Lanois hypnotically transforms Willie’s devastating country oldie with a spare but atmospheric arrangement, a Latin-informed beat, and lovely & haunting harmony vocals from the unparalleled Emmylou Harris. Worth multiple listens.
4. Blur, “Song 2″
   Before it became a staple of touchdown and goal celebrations in sports arenas, it was the breakout single in the US from Blur’s self-titled 1997 album.
5. Elastica, “Generator”
   I didn’t discover Elastica until after frontwoman Justine Frischmann had broken up with beau Damon Albarn (yep, from Blur) and the band was about ready to implode. The tension in the band’s ranks made for some explosive, intensely catchy punk songs, and this is my favorite of the bunch from their swan song The Menace.
6. The White Stripes, “Hotel Yorba”
   This garage-folk number from White Blood Cells introduced me to and got me hooked on the White Stripes. Don’t think Jack White’s been ever catchier.
7. The Two Man Gentleman Band, “Rabbit Foot Stomp”
   Some practical advice from the 2 Gents. Great, now I’m hungry, too.
8. Florence And The Machine, “Hospital Beds”
   This Cold War Kids cover (I’ve never actually heard the original) was one of the first FATM songs I heard, and I was instantly captivated by Florence’s voice. The song ends just as it reaches fever pitch, too, which left me wanting much, much more.
9. Bill Withers, “Ain’t No Sunshine”
   When evaluating songs for this list, I was shocked at how short this classic is. Never gets old.
10. Eels, “Ant Farm”
    Picking a favorite of Mark Oliver Everett’s short, memorable pop songs was tough, but Lisa Germano’s violin vaulted this heartfelt folk ballad to the top of that long list.
11. Ramones, “I Remember You”
    Punk balladry at its best. I saw U2 cover it in NYC shortly after Joey’s death, too — a magic moment.
12. Blink-182, “What’s My Age Again”
    Early-twenties confusion never sounded so fun.
13. Sam Cooke, “Wonderful World”
    I think this may be my favorite pop song of all time. Really.
14. The Pipettes, “I Love You”
    This song’s Spector-like economy and punch actually defined my personal criteria for this month’s challenge: it ends just as the song feels like it’s come to a boil, and it continues to get loads of repeat listens.

Download: Ten Minute Turns, “Stars Burn OUT” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Beastie Boys, “Super Disco Breakin’” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Willie Nelson, “I Never Cared For You” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Blur, “Song 2″ (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Elastica, “Generator” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: The White Stripes, “Hotel Yorba” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: The Two Man Gentleman Band, “Rabbit Foot Stomp” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Florence And The Machine, “Hospital Beds” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Bill Withers, “Ain’t No Sunshine” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Eels, “Ant Farm” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Ramones, “I Remember You” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Blink-182, “What’s My Age Again” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Sam Cooke, “Wonderful World” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: The Pipettes, “I Love You” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download everything in a handy ZIP file:

Download: “Short Cuts (ZIP)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Sorry I’m late posting, kids — ironically, had a hard time getting motivated enough to write up the post about motivational songs. In my defense, I have been regularly hitting the gym since the dawn of ‘09, and I’ve given my lists a thorough working out while working out, so I think they’re pretty solid. And yes, that’s not a typo: there are lists. Because I’m so late (and because moods change), I’ve decided to hit you with 2 lists of songs. This first list is for when you’re feelin’ groovy:

1. Primal Scream, “Movin’ On Up”
   This opening track on Screamadelica is a sun-kissed blend of Stones-y southern blues- rock and dancefloor rhythms that never fails to perk me up. The song was produced by the legendary Jimmy Miller, adding lots of classic rock cred to the mix.
2. Cornershop, “Brimful of Asha (Fatboy Slim Remix)”
   When the song was originally released as a single, it landed with a thud at #60 on the British charts. Then Norman Cook got his hands on it, sped up the tempo, added some of his trademark bouncy big beat rhythms and other knob-twiddling effects, and voilà! #1 hit.
3. The Hives, “Hate To Say I Told You So”
   No real science to why this song always keeps me going, it’s just a driving slice of late 90’s Swedish garage-punk, and I’m a total sucker for Howlin’ Pete Almquist’s Jagger-esque swagger.
4. N.E.R.D, “Baby Doll”
   N.E.R.D’s debut is a gem, perfectly blending 70’s FM pop/rock and hip-hop beats, and “Baby Doll” always keeps me coming back. The combo of the surf-style guitar and that unshakeable drum beat is unforgettable stuff.
5. Junior Senior, “Shake Your Coconuts”
   Metronomic lo-fi dance beats, frenetic surf guitar, sugary pop breaks, and a loopy sense of humor make this an explosive and fun 2 and a half minutes.
6. Eels, “Last Stop This Town”
   As much as I love the Eels, I’m well aware that E’s songs are generally downers. This song is from Electro-Shock Blues, E’s darkest work which ruminates on his sister’s suicide and his mother’s death. It’s not a completely black affair, as this song attests: he finds ways to lift himself out of the darkness, and when “Last Stop” explodes into its wordless chorus it’s hard to keep still.
7. The Folk Implosion, “Free To Go”
   One Part Lullaby hit my late 90’s sonic pastiche sweet spot: compelling, quirky melodies married to eclectic rhythms and arrangements. It’s in the same groove as the Eels’ Electro-Shock Blues and Beck’s Odelay, and while Lou Barlow & John Davis often create dark, ominous sounds, “Free To Go” is pure, soaring, mid-summer joy.
8. Matthew Sweet, “Where You Get Love”
   Few make power-pop rock as compelling as Sweet did at his height, and this song is fantastic evidence: a super-catchy melody, a big & bouncy sound, and one hell of an explosive chorus.

This next list, tho, is for when you’ve just f*cking had it with work, your boss, your roomate, the a$$hole next to you on the train, or whatever else life decides to bend you over and cornhole you with that day. If I’m in a mood like that, I just can’t take the happy stuff above: I need a shot of fist-pumping anger instead:

1. Fatboy Slim, “Right Here, Right Now”
   There’s a reason you’ve heard this played over the PA system at the beginning of countless sporting events: the combo of anthemic, almost cinematic melody; filling-shaking bass and beats; and chant-like vocal sample is super-compelling stuff, and it’s sure to get you fired up.
2. The Prodigy, “Smack My Bitch Up”
   Kool Keith + hyper-aggressive techno-punk = one hell of a controversy-courting song. I think the furor over it and its accompanying music video has died out a bit in recent years, tho: the song was featured in an episode of Chuck during a fight scene between two women. Stay classy, NBC.
3. Primal Scream, “Accelerator”
   The Scream isn’t all hippie acid-house sounds: “Accelerator” is deconstructed Stooges-style punk, loaded with shredded guitars; cold, industrial synths; and layer upon layer of Kevin Shields-assisted noise that will smack you upside the eardrums.
4. The Dandy Warhols, “Horse Pills”
   A fuzz-rock explosion of noise and shouting about drugs.
5. David Holmes Presents The Free Association, “Don’t Rhyme No Mo”
   Everything is so sharp, so vibrant in the dirty hip-hop funk that Holmes spins here: the ominous drum/bass combo; the off-kilter horns; the swirling flute sample; and Sean Reverson’s energetic, gutteral rapping — it all clicks and kicks your ass.
6. Nine Inch Nails, “Heresy”
   The louder, angrier, and more abrasive Trent Reznor gets, the more he helps me work through stuff. It was a toss-up between “Heresy” and “Wish” for this list, but something about the “Your God is dead/And no one cares” line edged it ahead.
7. New Order, “Crystal”
   The lead track and single from their 2001 comeback album Get Ready cranks up the guitars and dials down the new-wave dance beats. The pulsing, driving rhythm that pushes the song forward never fails to keep me going.

Enjoy the tunes!

Positive Motivation:

Download: Primal Scream, “Movin’ On Up” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Cornershop, “Brimful of Asha (Fatboy Slim Remix)” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: The Hives, “Hate To Say I Told You So” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: N.E.R.D, “Baby Doll” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Junior Senior, “Shake Your Coconuts” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Eels, “Last Stop This Town” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: The Folk Implosion, “Free To Go” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Matthew Sweet, “Where You Get Love” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Aggressive Motivation:

Download: Fatboy Slim, “Right Here, Right Now” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: The Prodigy, “Smack My Bitch Up” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Primal Scream, “Accelerator” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: The Dandy Warhols, “Horse Pills” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: David Holmes Presents The Free Association, “Don’t Rhyme No Mo” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Nine Inch Nails, “Heresy” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: New Order, “Crystal” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

P.S.: There is a special kind of associative logic that explains my post title — anyone want to wager a guess?

Just a quick thank you to everyone who stopped by Selective Service in 2008 — December was a record-breaking month in terms of visitors, and we hope to keep the momentum going in 2009 by continually giving you reasons to come back & dig into new tunes. But enough of the looking back now — it’s time to look forward to big things in ‘09.

After a well-deserved break this week, we’ll be back early next with our first themed lists for the year. Be the first to know when the new lists are posted by subscribing to our RSS feed or following us on Twitter. See you soon…

Download: Eels, “Old Shit/New Shit” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Happy New Year, folks!

Before we dive headfirst into 2009, I wanted to look back one more time. This week I realized that this was the 10th year I’ve put together an annual best-of compilation CD. It started out as something to give my musically-curious coworkers, and it’s become an annual tradition that I share with good friends, family, coworkers, and, now, teh intarwebs. And yes, I’m well aware that some of you have actually heard some/most of the songs I include, but when I first titled the collections “The Best Songs You Didn’t Hear,” I guarantee that the recipients really had never heard the songs before, and I don’t feel the need to change.

I thought it would be fun to say hello to ‘09 and to cap a decade of compiling by presenting a best of the best collection: my favorite 2 songs from each annual set. I hope you dig the songs as much as I did and still do!

1. Supergrass, “Moving”
   from Supergrass
   I don’t think these Brits ever topped their self-titled 1999 album, which was a perfect amalgamation of late-period Beatles and mod Brit-rock jangle.
2. Matthew Sweet, “Trade Places”
   from In Reverse
   Easily the best song from Sweet’s last great record, 1999’s Pet Sounds-y In Reverse.
3. Primal Scream, “Exterminator”
   from XTRMNTR
   XTRMNTR is as abrasive as Screamadelica is warm, but it’s impossible to ignore. That bassline will shake your fillings loose, too.
4. Fatboy Slim, “Demons (feat. Macy Gray)”
   from Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars
   Big Beat finally met Proper Song Structure to excellent results here.
5. Eels, “Fresh Feeling”
   from Souljacker
   E’s quirk meets swooning romance, resulting in this remarkable high point in his expansive canon.
6. Manic Street Preachers, “Ocean Spray”
   from Know Your Enemy
   It’s a shame press-baiting, lackluster singles like “Baby Elian” knocked Know Your Enemy off the radar, because people missed this gem, written by lead singer James Dean Bradfield about his ailing, aging father.
7. Bright Eyes, “Lover I Don’t Have To Love”
   from Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground
   Dylan meets The Cure on what is still the definitive Bright Eyes album.
8. Def Leppard, “Torn To Shreds”
   from X
   Latter-day Lep is generally uneven, but when it works, like on this insanely hook-filled midtempo rock ballad, it really works. They haven’t equaled this song since it was released in 2003.
9. Idlewild, “Live In A Hiding Place”
   from The Remote Part
   Scottish rock meets gentle R.E.M.-like melodies to earworm-inducing effect.
10. Basement Jaxx, “Lucky Star (feat. Dizzee Rascal)”
    from Kish Kash
    Who knew the future of pop would be so overlooked in 2003? Addicting grime/dance.
11. Björk, “Who Is It”
    from Medúlla
    Unique as ever, Björk’s last great song is a completely vocal composition.
12. Jay-Z + DJ Danger Mouse, “December 4th”
    from The Grey Album
    Danger Mouse’s blending of Jay-Z’s Black Album and the Beatles’ “White Album” is still the definitive mashup album, 4 years later.
13. Spoon, “I Summon You”
    from Gimme Fiction
    I know they’re Austin’s favorite sons, but here they’re channeling Liverpool brilliantly.
14. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, “Sweet Illusions”
    from Cold Roses
    Adams finally found the perfect complement in The Cardinals, and they make beautiful, Dead-tinged Americana together.
15. Alabama 3, “Hello… I’m Johnny Cash”
    from Outlaw
    A3 dialed back the acid house and turned up the railroad shuffle of the Man In Black for this fantastic tribute.
16. Ten Minute Turns, “Wolf In The Water”
    from Sad Animals
    Their melodic, everything-often-including-the-kitchen-sink approach to rock makes Ten Minute Turns Brooklyn’s best unsigned act.
17. Malcolm Middleton, “Fuck It, I Love You”
    from A Brighter Beat
    Deliciously tuneful and brutally honest songwriting from the former Arab Strap-per. Like Badly Drawn Boy with a hangover.
18. Amy MacDonald, “Let’s Start A Band”
    from This Is The Life
    Inspiring folk-rock with a dash of mariachi horn from the most promising singer/songwriter in Scotland.
19. MGMT, “Kids”
    from Oracular Spectacular
    The most kraut-rocking-est song about environmentalism you’ll probably ever hear.
20. TV On The Radio, “Golden Age”
    from Dear Science
    TVOTR finally found a way to channel their diverse influences (rock, punk, funk, soul, jazz) into something tuneful by simply making into a catchy, fun dance album.

Happy 2009 everyone!

Download: Supergrass, “Moving” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Matthew Sweet, “Trade Places” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Primal Scream, “Exterminator” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Fatboy Slim, “Demons (feat. Macy Gray)” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Eels, “Fresh Feeling” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Manic Street Preachers, “Ocean Spray” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Bright Eyes, “Lover I Don’t Have To Love” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Def Leppard, “Torn To Shreds” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Idlewild, “Live In A Hiding Place” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Basement Jaxx, “Lucky Star (feat. Dizzee Rascal)” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Björk, “Who Is It” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Jay-Z + DJ Danger Mouse, “December 4th” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Spoon, “I Summon You” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, “Sweet Illusions” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Alabama 3, “Hello… I’m Johnny Cash” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Ten Minute Turns, “Wolf In The Water” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Malcolm Middleton, “Fuck It, I Love You” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Amy MacDonald, “Let’s Start A Band” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: MGMT, “Kids” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: TV On The Radio, “Golden Age” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

So given that the songs this month are so rich in narrative detail, I think I’ll spend more time telling you about where the songs are from and less about their content — let the storytellers do their job, no?

1. Stars, “One More Night”
   Easily the most arresting thing on 2005’s Set Yourself on Fire, this tale sex amidst a crumbling relationship is given weight thanks to a jaw-droppingly gorgeous melody and the subdued back-and-forth vocals of Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell.
2. The Hold Steady, “Chillout Tent”
   It took until last year’s Boys and Girls in America album for me to find Craig Finn’s voice palatable (in both the literal and figurative senses). Thankfully, on Boys Finn learned to sing instead of just talk into the mic. A dash of Dave Pirner vocals doesn’t hurt, either.
3. Willie Nelson (with Merle Haggard), “Pancho and Lefty”
   I thought, “well, if Matt is going to take Johnny Cash for his list, I’m going to make sure Willie is representin’ on my list.” Then I discovered that Matt didn’t, in fact, include a Cash song, but I stuck with Willie anyway, because nothing’s better than two outlaws singing about two outlaws.
4. The Rolling Stones, “Prodigal Son”
   The Stones were at their delta-bluesiest on this stripped-down retelling of the biblical story from ’68’s Beggar’s Banquet.
5. The Gourds, “Ziggy Stardust”
   Obviously “Ziggy” would make it on my list, but I decided to pick the most oddball version I could find. This one comes from The Gourds, a hayseed quintet who got well-known after an awesome bluegrass cover of Snoop Dogg’s “Gin & Juice” hit the intarwebs a few years back. This cover comes from a tribute disc included with Uncut magazine a few years back, which made it into my collection courtesy Rudi.
6. Eels, “Jungle Telegraph”
   Every time I hear this song, I think of the classic Bugs Bunny ‘toon Gorilla My Dreams, where he gets adopted by a family of apes. Much swinging through trees ensues.
7. Garth Brooks, “Papa Loved Mama”
   This I couldn’t resist. It’s 2:52 of awesomely clichéd redneck revenge courtesy the (frankly) most cosmopolitan of modern country singers.
8. Paul Simon, “Darling Lorraine”
   Rudi & I were treated to this song’s first (partial) public airing when we went to a New Yorker Festival event where David Denby (right?) interviewed Simon in advance of the release of You’re The One. Simon whipped out a boom box & played most of the unfinished song to the assembled crowd. Very cool.

Enjoy the tunes!

Download: Stars, “One More Night” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: The Hold Steady, “Chillout Tent” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Willie Nelson (with Merle Haggard), “Pancho and Lefty” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: The Rolling Stones, “Prodigal Son” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: The Gourds, “Ziggy Stardust” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Eels, “Jungle Telegraph” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Garth Brooks, “Papa Loved Mama” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Paul Simon, “Darling Lorraine” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Better late than never, right? Oh, and in response to Mandel, my post has with 100% more Cypress Hill than his (see the bonus at the end of the download links).

1. Tom Waits, “What’s He Building In There?”
   This intensely creepy and odd monologue is one of my favorite things about Mule Variations. The curious-neighbor-paranoia of the narrator totally makes me think of the crap-tastic Tom Hanks movie “The Burbs.”
2. Rockwell, “Somebody’s Watching Me”
   I know Michael Jackson is only here as a guest vocalist, but somehow the song feels like it’s really just about him.
3. Faith No More, “Midlife Crisis”
   What an odd choice for a lead single from Angel Dust, FNM’s dark follow-up to their multi-platinum hit The Real Thing. Mike Patton’s guttural, unhinged vocals (”My head is like a lettuce/Go on and dig your thumbs in”) completely scared away the MTV crowd, and the band was better for it.
4. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, “Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!”
   Way to go, Sam, shoehorning a song from your newest obsession onto this month’s playlist. Not really: yes, the song is a cheeky modern updating of the biblical Lazarus story, but in Cave’s version, Larry (Laz) is driven mad, Howard-Hughes-style, by the modern world. “Mirrors became his torturers,” indeed.
5. Ramones, “Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment”
   Nurse Ratched would be proud.
6. Deltron 3030, “Madness”
   Nicked from the Del/Automator/Kid Koala hip-hop/sci-fi collaboration Deltron 3030, we find Del rapping paranoiac over futuristic strings. When did the violin become the official instrument of the mentally deranged? Was it “Cuckoo’s Nest”?
7. Violent Femmes, “Crazy”
   It would have almost been to easy to toss Gnarls Barkley’s classic “Crazy” onto this list, so I went the extra mile & tracked down this excellent, mandolin-fueled cover by Violent Femmes. Gordon Gano’s jittery vocals only add to the unhinged feeling the tune creates.
8. Eels, “My Descent Into Madness”
   One of the best numbers from their amazing Electro-shock Blues album, the song finds E getting inside the head of his sister Elizabeth, who spent some time in a mental health institution before her death. Dark stuff, but the cascading violin sample (again with the crazy strings!) is worth the price of admission alone.

Download: Tom Waits, “What’s He Building In There?” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Rockwell, “Somebody’s Watching Me” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Faith No More, “Midlife Crisis” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, “Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Ramones, “Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Deltron 3030, “Madness” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Violent Femmes, “Crazy” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Eels, “My Descent Into Madness” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Bonus Track!
(It’s really the best version of the song)

Download: Richard Cheese, “Insane in the Brain” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)