The Boo Radleys - Spaniard (Creation mp3, 1992)

Widescreen, Spaghetti Western-meets-Shoegaze doozy.

'Spaniard' is the opening track from The Boo Radleys' 'Everything's Alright Forever' album.

The use of the trumpet right up-front seems to signal their intent to break-free of the noise-pop confines. It succeeds and ushers in one of the best albums of that or any other era whilst paving the way for another one ('Giant Steps').

Download The Boo Radleys 'Spaniard' (indie, Shoegaze mp3, Creation mp3) (Mediafire)

Tahiti 80 - A Love From Outer Space (Tore Johansson Mix) (Atmosphériques, 2001)

AR Kane given a machine pop makeover. 

Tore Johansson, producer of The Cardigans and Saint Etienne's fantastic 'Good Humor' amongst other things, gave French indie poppers Tahiti 80 a machine-tooled, almost Ace of Base makeover on this AR Kane cover.

Some of the airy mystery of the original is lost but it's still has a beguiling, swirling romance and sounds like it was spun from pure sugar.

Download Tahiti 80 'A Love From Outer Space (Tore Johansson Mix)' (indie mp3) (Mediafire)

Prefab Sprout - Pearly Gates (Kitchenware, 1989)

Paddy McAloon ponders The End.

454 posts into the blog and no Prefab Sprout - until now.

Another graduate of the Academy of the Underrated, Paddy McAloon, is a songwriter of no little genius, capable of breathtaking beauty both lyrically and musically.

'Pearly Gates' is from their 'Protest Songs' album which was a quickly recorded follow-up to 'Steve McQueen' that wasn't released until after the chart-bothering 'From Langley Park To Memphis'. It is perhaps the most gentle and thoughtful set of protest songs ever, ending with this rumination on death.

Happy Sunday.

Download Prefab Sprout 'Pearly Gates' (songwriting genius, Prefab Sprout mp3) (Rapidshare)

Trashcan Sinatras - Circling The Circumference (Single Version) (Go! Discs, 1990)

Almost supernaturally melodic, yearning, fizzy indie pop.

Scandalously un-rewarded on their first outing, Trashcan Sinatras have had something of a renaissance in the last few years. Their trio of early-90s albums is a joy but they have supplemented their legacy with two great new records, especially the comeback album 'Weightlifting'.

'Circling The Circumference' is a headlong rush downhill on a sunny but bracing winter morning. A non-stop fizz of guitars, vocals and melody.

It sits alongside the majesty of Aztec Camera's 'High Land, Hard Rain', The Smiths' 'The Queen Is Dead' and Big Star's '#1 Record'. It's that good.

Download Trashcan Sinatras 'Circling The Circumference (Single Version)' (indie, Postcard, Trashcan Sinatras, mp3) (Rapidshare)

Alex Chilton/Big Star - Holocaust (Live at CBGB) (1978)

Ragged, emotional live version of the This Mortal Coil-inspiring late Big Star classic.

Rough, raw and dilapidated run through what was already an emotionally bleak song. Hard to listen but testament to Alex Chilton's genius and talent.

Famously covered by This Mortal Coil of course.

Download Alex Chilton/Big Star 'Holocaust (Live at CBGB)' (alternative rock mp3) (Mediafire)