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Put these hits on heavy rotation for never a dull moment!

I’m not one for reviewing music all that often. I think it has something to do with the terminology—all I know is that Johnny Marr’s guitar is more often than not described as jangly, but I don’t know why. But this week I want to push some music out there for ya’ll who are interested in having a film-worthy soundtrack for your life.

1. Messer Chups
First on the list is Messer Chups, because when I think surf-psychobilly, I think of Mother Russia. Listening to Messer Chups drops you into one of those cheapo box sets with 50 public-domain horror movies on it and skips around between White Zombie and Messiah of Evil and Carnival of Souls at the drop of a creepy Vincent Price hat.

2. Secret Chiefs 3
Next up we have four bands-in-one with Mr. Bungle involved somehow, but I don’t really care because I’m too busy running away from somebody named Desh. That’s right, Secret Chiefs 3 has the Eastern-influenced sound of one of John Powell’s Bourne soundtracks mixed with a little Ornette Coleman sax and some car-chase horns.

3. The Go! Team
Speaking of car-chases, if you’ve got one in progress you’ll want to pop in some of The Go! Team. Brassy horns and cheerleaders at all the right moments will make sure you catch the bad guys with style. (Which, judging from the music, requires a mustache and possibly sideburns).

4. Al Bowlly
If you’re feeling romantic and nostalgic, Al Bowlly is sure to put a smile on your face. Just look at Jack Torrance. He’s got a face-cracking smile and he’s listening to Al.

5. Boards of Canada
Boards of Canada is perfect for getting in a surrealistic groove when drugs are not an option (and judging from the comments on Youtube, a deeper groove when they are!). Two brothers reclusively craft an analogue soundscape that plays like a melding of the minds of Herzog, Del Toro, Tarkovsky, and Jodorowsky. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it three times fast.

What artists and albums do you go to for your soundtrack?