Eye, The Smashing Pumpkins

Lost Highway's soundtrack, for me, is up there with the retro synth-rock, ambient sounds of Marie Antoinette or the 'Best Of: Grunge', otherwise known as Singles. Its dark, disturbed, dub-metal sounds are eerily moody and atmospheric, complimenting the Lynch film perfectly. It's be-witching, haunting, and probably the best thing Reznor's ever put together. It features regular Lynch collaborator Badalamenti through to the popular legends such as Lou Reed and David Bowie, right through to heavy industrial rock such as Marilyn Manson and Nine Inch Nails. The song I've chosen is a hidden gem from The Smashing Pumpkins, one of those songs which is hidden on a film soundtrack which you simply chance by.

This song draws on the horrifying eroticism of Lynch's film, which he apparently loved instantly. I did too. I still remember watching the film for the first time, reminding me to find out what this song was called afterwards, and I often return to it, one of my favourite tracks from The Smashing Pumpkins.

Movin' On Up, Primal Scream

Wedding Song, Anais Mitchell ft. Bon Iver

The introduction to Mitchell's 'folk-opera', an album which sets the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice against Depression era America. She evokes the both the mythical and 30's America through some really careful arrangements and some beautiful instrumentation, and after hearing her in interviews, she's perhaps one of the most passionate musicians I've ever heard. Wedding Song is the introduction to this album, as the couple get married. Bon Iver playing the role of Orpheus, as the slightly more cynical Eurydice played by Mitchell herself.

Cheated Hearts, Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Move on Up, Curtis Mayfield

Nothing better on a sunny day! The 4 minute mark is particularly wonderful!

I Need a Dollar, Aloe Blacc

I first heard this about 3 or 4 months ago and loved it, I googled it to death and couldn't find out what it was, so it was a really pleasant surprise to hear it on the radio recently. The sound is very much like John Legend (very much a good thing) and the subject matter reminds me of the album Legend did with The Roots, Wake Up! which really appeals to me.

Village Green, The Kinks

Thirteen, Big Star

I always thought Alex Chilton was a middling Replacements song, but after realizing he was the lead singer of Big Star, it all made sense. It's simply a brilliant tribute to rock music. It made me look up some of Big Star's music, and this is just lovely. Elliott Smith also did a cover, if it sounds at all familiar.