In Rotation, with Jason NeSmith of Casper & the Cookies

Jason NeSmith (who is no relation to Mike NeSmith of the Monkees, but is a former Of Montreal member), sings in the '60s-pop-loving Athens quartet Casper & the Cookies. Their latest, The Optimist's Club, with its mix of saccharine and psychedelica, has drawn comparisons to the enigmatic Brian Wilson. NeSimth says it's time to prepare another album and some compilation tracks, but I wanted to see what a guy who sings like Simon and Garfunkel has bouncing in his brain all the daylong. "I'm listening to a wide variety of records that might influence our new songs," he says. "The mix seems to be leaning toward bubblegum music, 20th century classical and shit that generally just makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end."

Here's what he's listening to now.

1. The Bicycles, "I Know We Have to Be Apart," The Good The Bad and The Cuddly

• The Bicycles are a great band from Toronto that I hope we can play some US and Canadian shows with in the near future. Their debut record is a solid slab of bubblegum music. This band understands the usefulness of the pop form and the emotions it can render.

2. The Equals, "Let's Go to the Moon," Viva Equals!

• Righteous integrated glam/ska/funk from this late '60s/early '70s powerhouse group featuring a young Eddie Grant. Check the futuristic sound fx.

3. Rockpile, "When I Write the Book," Seconds of Pleasure

• Any number of Nick Lowe's songs could have gone here. This is the one that's been in my head today.

4. Ron Geesin, "On-Through-Out-Up," A Raise of Eyebrows/As He Stands

• I seem to get into these artists that are easily categorized as eclectic, because they never stay in one stylistic place for too long and they use humor. Geesin weaves together absurdism, social commentary, found sound, modern classical, ragtime, electronic and improvised music. My hero.

5. Kim Fowley, "Animal Man," Impossible but True: The Kim Fowley Story

• I think the Alice Cooper group is backing him up on this song, which is more than likely autobiographical. Scary and hilarious.

6. M Coast, "Sail Around the World," Say It in Slang

• Gorgeous, smooth, well arranged pop from Andy Gonzales and co.

7. Sarandon, "Prove It," The Completist's Library

• I'm sure these guys hear this all the time, but their music is like the best parts of the Minutemen and Wire. You won't wish you were listening to the Minutemen or Wire, though, while you're playing Sarandon.

8. Jonathan Richman, "That Summer Feeling," I, Jonathan

• One of the more touching, introspective and psychologically effecting performances by Jonathan. Never fails to make me tear up.

9. Karlheinz Stockhausen, "Gesang der Jünglinge"

• Dissonant, jarring cut-and-paste of kids singing children's songs.

10. Albert Roussel, "Impromptu for harp solo," op. 21

• A meditative harp piece that uses Asian influences without being gratuitous. Beautiful melodies and wonderful use of silence.

Upcoming Casper dates:

• Thursday, November 16, "Phoning It In" radio show, WMBR 88.1FM, Cambridge, MA 7:30 PM
• Sunday, November 19, Bottletree Cafe Birmingham, AL
• Thursday, November 30, Georgia Music Show, WRAS 88.5, Atlanta, GA 6:00 PM
• Thursday, November 30, The Earl Atlanta, GA
• Friday, December 1, TSI Jacksonville, FL
• Saturday, December 2, The Gypsy Greenville, SC

Ear-Candling

This morning, after yoga or vomiting last night's happy-hour drinks, get the shit out your ears and let the music in.

1. Tilly & the Wall, "Bad Education," Bottoms of Barrels (Team Love)
2. The Gossip, "Coal to Diamonds," Standing in the Way of Control (Kill Rock Stars)
3. Cold War Kids, "Hospital Beds," Up In Rags EP (Monarchy Music)
4. Lady Sovereign feat. Missy Elliott, "Love Me or Hate Me (Remix)"
   
5. Emily Haines, "Crowd Surf Off a Cliff," Knives Don't Have Your Back (Last Gang)
6. The Runaways, "Cherry Bomb," The Runaways, (Cherry Red) ***R.I.P. Sandy West***
7. Be Your Own Pet, "Damn Damn Leash," Damn Damn Leash EP (XL)
8. Blow, "Pile of Gold," Paper Television (K Records)
9. Simian Mobile Disco, New Rave Mix
   
10. Peaches, "Boys Wanna Be Her (Flaming Lips Eat Peaches)"
    

Still Reaching for the Ideal, Never Idle

Since today is an election day, it is only fitting that I post something about one of the very people who politicized my mind at 14. Ian MacKaye, former member of legendary band Fugazi and ever a force in underground music and DIY inspiration, has completed touring with his new, mellow-sounding but no-less-political-critical band, The Evens. Their second CD, Get Evens, was just released today. Maybe he and drummer Amy Farina will begin to get some recognition. Gothamist thought they deserved some; check out the Q&A.

The Evens, "All These Governors," The Evens (Southern Records)