Music is a little like food and clothes. These are areas where it’s probably worthwhile for one to explore & expand their tastes. The Playlist is assembled each month by Dappered’s very own music correspondent, Tim Johnstone. Tim is a former Virgin Records Label Rep & current award winning Program Director at KRVB, which was awarded the FMQB AAA station of the year markets 50+. You can also catch his work on Fridays when he assembles the Weekend Dossier. Got a Spotify account? You’ll find a link to this month’s playlist at the end of the post.
David Bowie – “Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)”
By the time Bowie unleashed his Scary Monsters album, he had paraded a groundbreaking chain of Rock N Roll identities before an increasingly fascinated public. But this post-Thin White Duke persona would blow up via music videos and club play. And the title track? Seeing Bowie perform this on tour with Nine Inch Nails only demonstrated some of the influence it would have on art, fashion, music and more.
Franz Ferdinand – “Evil Eye”
This all makes sense. The pseudo-swing elements contrast well with the lock step beat and the horror house organ melody turns the cartoon quotient to ten. And it just is a whole lot of fun.
Marilyn Manson – “This Is Halloween”
Let’s face it. He was made to cover this.
Red Rider – “Lunatic Fringe”
Along with Blue Oyster Cult’s “Don’t Fear The Reaper”, Tom Cochrane’s tale is among classic rock radio’s biggest creepy-sounding staples. For a reason.
Gary Numan – “I Die You Die”
The lyrics, the percussion, the driving synthesizers and Numan’s sci-fi droid vox combine for one of the most cinematic new wave tracks of the era. Fashionably romantic, decidedly weird, and immeasurably catchy, it is a little unhinged and a whole lot of fun.
Beck – “Scarecrow”
Only Beck could take a song about a conversation with the Devil and have so much fun with it. Slinky, funky, and immensely enjoyable. And perfectly weird.
The Specials – “Ghost Town”
There was some seriously excellent ska coming out of the UK in the late 70’s and early 80’s. And for my money, the Specials led the way. They never buried their sense of humor for the sake of legitimacy and it is something member Terry Hall would make part of his work following their split.
Lorde – “Yellow Flicker Beat”
Lorde at her most goth. And it’s a blast. Suitably over the top considering the movie it was inspired by and delivered via primal scream. By turns creepy and cathartic, Lorde wraps melodies around her crafted phrasing, sweeping from extremes. A darker, more urbane Kate Bush.
Talking Heads – “Psycho Killer”
Peak moment Talking Heads, this. Where New York art rock met content starved Music Television and pop music became much more interesting.
The Cure – “Lullaby”
At this point I am willing to admit that this airy, PG 13 favorite from The Cure’s legendary Disintegration LP is as cuddly as it is spooky. Doesn’t matter. It is still a hoot.
Alice Donut – “Green Pea Soup”
San Francisco’s wicked fun nerd punk’s homage to The Exorcist’s Linda Blair. There is so much to love about this power-pop rock retelling of the movie. It all works. The cheerfully sneering vocals deliver some truly inspired lyrics which, depending on your feelings about a thirteen year old girl’s relationship with the devil, are either hilarious or horrifying. And with lyrics like “The devil’s underage… Spank me spank me spank me daddy.,” what’s not to love?
Book Of Love – “Tubular Bells”
This is about as 1980’s synth pop as it gets. Only a relentlessly twee-goth MTV favorite like these guys pull off this update on Michael Oldfield’s atmospheric horror classic.
Concrete Blonde – “Bloodletting (The Vampire Song)”
One of the most genuine performers I have ever seen, Johnette Napolitano remains criminally underrated. This inherently sensual romp, inspired by Anne Rice, gets things right on all accounts.
Lords Of The New Church – Russian Roulette
Stiv Bators made a name for himself as lead singer of the legendary punk band Dead Boys. His follow up project, Lords of the New Church, which included Brian James of The Damned, were MTV faves back when the network based its reputation on the music and not the beach house. This atmospheric post punk track is moody and medicated, a gauzy haze of opiates and B-movie bravado.
Bryan Ferry – “Sympathy For The Devil”
For my money, the best cover of this classic. Ferry enlivens the character with piss and vinegar, erupting into a frantic, frenetic chorus bombarded by brass.
Our Halloween 2015 Spotify playlist features the perfect soundtrack for your Halloween party. Not only are almost all of the above tracks available, but we’ve also added many (MANY) more fun and freaky Halloween favorites.