10. MORRISSEY
Relentlessly dewy and, at 9:38, too long by half, Morrissey's cover of the Henry Mancini classic is still remarkable for its combination of schmaltz and heartbreaking sincerity. I mean, can you imagine what would ensue if, say, Bono took a run at this? (From Hold On To Your Friends, U.K. single)
9. WEEZER
BUDDY HOLLY
By turns noisy and poppy, this L.A. band specializes in "alternative bubblegum." Not surprising, given their producer: Ric Ocasek, late of The Cars. (From Weezer, DGC Records)
8. UISCE BEATHA (ISH-KA BAH-HA)
WEATHERED BY THE WHISKEY
This Celtic outfit based in London, Ont., of all places, has taken a quantum leap since its last album, and this deceptively bouncy tune is one of the highlights. (From Voice Of The Voyager, indie CD)
7. MONAK, SLIGHTLY
This Toronto band sounds as though it's listened to its share of Sisters Of Mercy albums, especially circa This Corrosion. Derivative but polished. (From Stories Left Untold, indie cassette)
6. BLIND MELON
CANDY SAYS
Full marks for even thinking of turning this sombre Velvet Underground ballad into something that wouldn't sound out of place in a cowboy movie - let alone pulling it off. (From The Cowboy Way soundtrack, Sony, June 14)
5. EAST RIVER PIPE
AXL OR IGGY
Not brand new, but too good to let pass, this majestic ballad about longing to be more than you are is perhaps the perfect anti-anthem for the '90s. (U.K. EP, Sarah Records)
4. SHOUKICHI KINA
JING JING (FIREFLY)
Imagine the B-52's singing the theme from Rawhide. In Japanese. With a Ry Cooder slide-guitar solo in the middle. The latest entry in David Byrne's worthy Asia Classics series. (Peppermint Tea House, Luaka Bop/Warner)
3. NIRVANA
HERE SHE COMES NOW
This early, long-unavailable Velvets cover is back in circulation on a new U.K. compilation boiled down from a three-volume V.U. tribute series. (From 15 Minutes, Imaginary Records)
2. PALACE SONGS
HORSES
Coming to Lollapalooza's Second Stage this summer, the former Palace Brothers have just released this terrific Neil Young-ish acoustic lament, which wouldn't sound at all out of place on On The Beach. (7 single, Drag City)
1. SWACKED
DR. LU
On its second release, this Kitchener-Waterloo four-piece has come up with the kind of ominous, intricately arranged track that would sound great after, say, Pearl Jam's Daughter. Words of wisdom: "I had swallowed too much darkness/And never learned to spit the damn stuff back ..." (From The Belly Of A Snowman, indie CD)
