Pretty much all of the songs on this live version of Houdini are way better than the studio versions. This album's version of Night Goat in particular is one of the most crushing and amazing metal songs I've ever heard. If you're a fan of the Melvins you need this record in your collection.

Sonic Youth was on an unstoppable role throughout the 80's, releasing classic album after classic album. Unlike many of the more popular rock groups of the time, their music has not grown stale or outdated. Albums like Bad Moon Rising, Evol, Sister, and Daydream Nation continue to inspire underground musicians to this day, just like they did decades ago.

The punk rockers found granddad's free jazz record collection and decided to mix thoroughly until combined. Delicious recipe! Hearing these songs replicated live would certainly be impressive since the energy level on display throughout the record could probably power a few neighborhoods in California.

Rock over London, rock on Chicago. We miss you Wesley.

This album man, what an emotional rollercoaster! Not many people can match Jason Molina's songwriting chops when it comes to making songs that are both catchy and emotionally poignant. He really was one in a million and on this album he found a backing band that was able to flesh out these songs and give them the grandiose scope they deserve. Give it a buy, listen carefully, and keep the memory of Mr. Molina alive.

There aren't that many metal artists or albums that I care for that much, but ISIS is certainly a band that I do enjoy a lot. Panopticon is definitely their best album in my opinion, but the rest of their discography is worth a listen (in particular the almost equally fantastic Oceanic album). Never did get to see them live before they split, which is a real shame because I've heard that they put on a great live show.

This has to be among the most beautiful and musically rich albums of recent times. Julia Holter and her band have crafted an album that feels so alive, colorful, and adventurous. It's clear that everyone involved in writing, performing, recording, and producing these songs did their jobs masterfully. Travel, personal reflection, and the natural world are some of the central themes in the lyrics, and they are sung beautifully. Buy this album and support Julia, she absolutely deserves it.

They really don't make 'em like this anymore, do they? Elliott's music was a deep, soulful foil against the plastic sounds of 1990's mainstream music, and remains as timeless and vital now as it was then. One of the last truly great folk music heroes that I'm aware of, his songs are gifts that have generously kept giving long after he's been gone.

I rarely use the word "perfect" to describe albums, but it is completely appropriate to do so when describing Madvillainy. This record captures two artists at the peak of their talent and musical adventurousness, and their creativity shines through every note and lyric on this album. Call it lightning in a bottle perhaps, all I know is that there's nothing else quite like it, and it just never gets old. Bravo supervillains.