Ben French is the editor of both Nude As the News and Measure Magazine, two publications that the Stypod highly recommends.

Coati Mundi– Me No Pop I, [Mutant Disco: A Subtle Discolation Of The Norm]

Just after I got my MP3 Player, I grabbed a few hundred songs off my friend Harold’s computer without ever hearing any of them. Now, months later, I am still being treated to previously unknown-to-me gems popping up on random play. This oddball of a track came up a few months ago and has remained on my top playlist since. The performer is Andy “Coati Mundi” Hernandez, a member of the classic Ze records outfit Kid Creole and the Coconuts, and the song comes from the 1981 12-inch of “Que Pasa / Me No Pop I.” While it was Coati’s ridiculous lyrics that initially drew me in (“You love to get it on / Like Mr. King Kong and a sexy blond”), it’s the head-nodding production that keeps me coming back.

[buy Mutant Disco: A Subtle Discolation Of The Norm here]

The Only Ones– Another Girl, Another Planet, [The Only Ones]

I don’t consider myself a punk expert, and I am sure many of you are already fans of the Only Ones, so I’m posting this for fellow punk neophytes and the Only Ones uninitiated. I’ve been listening to No Thanks! The ‘70s Punk Rebellion box set a lot lately. There are many great treats on this set – including rare Patti Smith and Television singles – but I am especially enjoying hearing songs by smaller acts (like the Only Ones) that I’ve never heard before. Led by singer Peter Perrett, these guys put out only three albums before splitting up in 1981, and they’ve clearly had a big influence on many folks. This is their one big hit, a great rock ballad that raises the question: Is this song about a woman or heroin? Listen to lines like, “You get under my skin, I don’t find it irritating,” and be the judge.

[visit Perrett’s website here, buy The Only Ones here]

Bruce Springsteen– Thunder Road (demo)

Yeah, so I am a Bruce Springsteen freak, always have been. But I’ve been especially proud of my boy Bruce recently, as he played a big role in Move On’s Vote for Change tour and become a vocal critic of both the current administration and the lame duck media that enables its existence. (Jesus, I need to lighten up). Anyway, this is an alternative version of Springsteen’s career-defining “Thunder Road.” At one point, the Boss considered having this acoustic (and rather dark) version at the start of Born to Run and the existing take at the end of the album. This stripped down performance offers a fresh look at an already well-known tune. This is must-listen shit for fans of Nebraska-era Bruce.

[visit Springsteen’s website here, buy Born to Run here]