So this is sort of a regular feature from the Boutwell Studio Blog – but now that I’m posting over here, my eclectic taste in music has a new home… Anyway, here are four albums that I really like, that you probably haven’t heard of, because I don’t think they ever even got within pissing distance of the Billboard charts, which means that they aren’t even within high-powered rifle range of being played on the radio (and in case I haven’t said it before… fuck the radio. I mean that.)

Oh, and on a similar note, I recently got a new Honda Element, which is cool and all, but apropos here more because it came equipped with XM radio. I was ironically introduced to the joys of satellite radio when my last car was getting fixed and I had some crappy rental Kia, which had XM in it. Anyway, they have a station that plays nothing but punk/ska/hardcore – Fungus 53. It’s sort of like the universe’s way of telling me that I’m not the ONLY person that listens to some of this crap.

Beatallica – Sgt. Hetfield’s Motorbreath Pub Band

What can I say except that it’s basically what Metallica would sound like if they did an album of Beatles covers. Weird. But it works for me in a strange way. The lyrics, arrangements, and even the style are sort of a weird gene-spicing experiment of sorts. Even the song titles are all mashed up… like “…And Justice For All My Loving”. If you like the Beatles, and you like Metallica… it’s a no-brainer.

Big D And The Kids Table – Strictly Rude

Just started listening to Big D and the Kids Table… really like them. They’re a Boston-based ska-punk band that’s been around for a while, and this is their latest. Little more of a reggae influence on some of the tracks (like the title track), than previous LPs. “Noise Complaint,” which is a kickass song, has been getting some play on Fungus 53. Just catchy, upbeat music with an attitude. Can’t mess with that.

The Streets – A Grand Don’t Come For Free

Okay, so I dig this album, if only because it’s really not like anything I’ve ever heard before. Basically it’s British hip-hop. But the thing that makes it so darned great is, first, that the lyrical content really doesn’t once tread into the cliche territory of bitches, hoes, glocks, hennesy, rocking mics, 22″ rims, basketball, or selling crack. Second, it’s basically a concept album… each track tells a part of the story of a day gone wrong, then right again. Might as well be spoken word over a drum machine, but mundane tales of sitting on the couch have never been so compelling.

I hope that some of the talented hip-hop artists over here get the message and follow suit, because I just can’t listen to more than about 10 minutes of the stuff at a time. I really like hip hop when it’s done well, but I can only take so much talk of rollin to da club and gangsta’s life and all that shit before is starts to sound insincere and even a little offensive. And not offensive because I’m g-rated… more because an industry that constantly turns out #1 singles, and has made many people into millionaires should probably find a new act. It ain’t street anymore… maybe to the people shelling out their money for the album, but not for the Benz-driving, personal-wardrobe-stylist-havin, $10M mansion-livin, latte-drinking posers whose biggest concern in life is whether their agent in Century City has heard back about the new sneakers they’re endorsing. Please. Move on.

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East Star All Stars - Radiodread

Well, this is another genre-bending album of covers, but still, works brilliantly. The short story is that this is an excellent reggae / dub cover of Radiohead’s OK Computer. This is a follow up to the first album by the All Stars – Dub Side Of The Moon, which, you guessed it, is a reggae cover of the Pink Floyd classic. Anyway, the point is that good songwriting tends to defy genres, and a well-done cover in a different style can really richen music that you already like anyway. Proof positive that good songs, like good movies, go deeper than anything as superficial as style. Again, if you like Radiohead, and/or you like music from Jamaica, pick it up. It’s even more psychedelic than the original, which isn’t good or bad, it just is.

Anyone heard of any of this stuff? Do you like it? Do you think hip-hop will destroy itself, too?